Every Developer should know these Pull Request Review Rules

Reviewing a pull request (PR) is an important part of the development process that helps ensure code quality, maintainability, and alignment with project goals. Here’s a checklist of things you might consider when reviewing a PR:

1. Understand the Context

• Description: Read the PR description to understand the purpose and scope of the changes.
• Issue/Ticket Reference: Check if the PR is linked to an issue or ticket and review it to understand the broader context.

2. Code Quality

• Readability: Ensure the code is easy to read and understand.
• Comments: Check for necessary comments explaining complex logic.
• Consistency: Verify that the code follows the project's style guide and naming conventions.

3. Functionality

• Correctness: Ensure the code does what it is supposed to do and solves the intended problem.
• Edge Cases: Consider how the code handles edge cases and potential errors.
• Testing: Look for adequate unit and integration tests. Run tests if possible to verify they pass.

4. Performance

• Efficiency: Evaluate whether the code is performant and consider optimizations if necessary.
• Scalability: Think about how the code will perform with larger datasets or higher loads.

5. Security

• Vulnerabilities: Identify any potential security issues.
• Data Handling: Ensure that sensitive data is handled securely and appropriately.

6. Dependencies

• Libraries: Check any new libraries or dependencies added. Ensure they are necessary and up to date.
• Compatibility: Verify that the changes are compatible with existing systems or components.

7. Documentation

• Code Documentation: Ensure new functions or classes are documented.
• User Documentation: Update user guides or documentation if the changes affect end-users.

8. Usability

• User Experience: For UI changes, consider the impact on user experience and consistency with design patterns.

9. Backward Compatibility

• Legacy Systems: Ensure changes do not break existing functionality for users or systems.

10. General Feedback

• Suggestions: Provide constructive feedback and suggest improvements if necessary.
• Approval or Request Changes: Decide whether to approve the PR, request changes, or defer for further discussion.

Tools to Assist

• Static Analysis Tools: Use linters and static analysis tools to automatically catch common issues.
• Code Review Tools: Utilize code review tools integrated into your version control system for a streamlined process.

A thorough review not only improves code quality but also fosters better collaboration and knowledge sharing within the team.