Reading code is harder than writing it and that is fine

#javascript #programming #webdev #coding

You probably spend more time reading code than writing it, yet we rarely acknowledge how much harder that first part truly is.

It's a universal developer experience: staring at someone else's (or even your own past) code feeling like you're deciphering an ancient alien script. This isn't a sign you're a bad developer; it's a fundamental truth of our craft, especially when we're building websites and dealing with dynamic, interconnected systems.

When you write code, you're operating with a complete mental model of what you're trying to achieve. You're the architect, the builder, and the guide. Reading, however, is like being dropped into a partially constructed building with no blueprints, trying to figure out the original vision by examining the bricks. Every variable name, every function call, every obscure comment (or lack thereof) adds to the cognitive load.

Consider these two simple JavaScript functions aiming to do the same thing:

// Function 1: Clear and explicit
function calculateTotalPriceWithTax(basePrice, taxRatePercentage) {
  const taxAmount = basePrice * (taxRatePercentage / 100);
  const totalPrice = basePrice + taxAmount;
  return totalPrice;
}

Now, compare it to this:

// Function 2: Less verbose, but needs context
const getFinalCost = (p, r) => p * (1 + r / 100);

While Function 2 is "shorter," understanding it requires you to infer that p is basePrice, r is taxRatePercentage, and that the formula p * (1 + r / 100) correctly applies a tax. Function 1, on the other hand, guides you through each step explicitly. Both are "correct," but one is far easier to read and understand without prior context.

Why is reading code often such a struggle?

Lack of original context: You weren't there when it was written. You don't know the false starts, the reasons for specific decisions, or the requirements that shaped it.
Differing styles: Every developer has their own quirks, naming conventions, and preferred abstractions.
Implicit assumptions: The original author might assume certain global states, database schemas, or API responses that aren't immediately obvious.
Time pressure: Code is often written quickly, leading to less-than-ideal readability that gets pushed down the line.

So, the next time you're deep in a codebase, feeling like you're slogging through mud, remember: it's not you. It's the nature of the beast. Being able to efficiently decipher existing code is a highly valuable skill, perhaps even more so than the act of writing it from scratch. Give yourself some grace.

The clear takeaway here is: struggling to read code doesn't make you a bad developer; it makes you a normal one facing a common, difficult challenge.

This challenge is amplified when you're jumping into new projects, a regular occurrence in my work as a freelance web developer. Building websites often means picking up existing codebases, and that skill becomes invaluable. If you're looking for someone to untangle your web or build something new, feel free to check out my work at https://hire-sam.vercel.app/.

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