High Level Principals

Essential Development Mindsets

• Write clean code.
• Follow all conventions outlined in this documentation.
• Always leave the code cleaner then you found it.
• Focus on finding the root cause of an issue instead of fixing with a band-aid.
• Write documentation as you build.

Working With Existing Code

• Spend some time ensuring you understand the existing code and what it does. If after doing so you still need clarification, ask around.
• Understand how code you add may affect the existing code. Look for areas that might potentially break or be affected by anything you add and be sure to test those areas when done.
• Develop test cases and strategies before you start and include existing functionality in those test cases.
• If you find an existing mistake, fix it, verify it, and notify your PO/Client.

Troubleshooting Guidelines

• Start at one end of the behavior and work towards the other end.
• Narrow down the problem. Look for testing opportunities that allow you to rule out large pieces of code/functionality.
• Use all of your available tools to diagnose the problem.
• Take note of any recent changes including your own and document them in your Jira task.
• Notify your pod and ask for assistance when you're stuck.
• Use the Rocket.Chat channels for additional help.
• Work with your pod lead and pod's project manager on an escalation path if nothing else is working.

Error Handling

• Think about all possible points of failure for your code and document them.
• Work with your pod to discuss areas you may be missing and have them assist.
• For each point of failure, think about how it should be handled. Do you stop the user? Show a message? Redirect the user?
• Ensure your code has ways to handle all of the points of failure you identified