Jason McCrary
BaseCode
A field guide containing real-world practices to help you write code that's less complex and more readable_
I've been writing code for 20 years_
During that time I've worked on hundreds of projects with dozens of teams. I found the most important quality of lasting code is readability.
When I first started writing code I just wrote code that worked. Who cares as long as it works? Years later, I went to great lengths to ensure my code adhered to all the best practices.
We know our code is too complex. This is easy to realize, but hard to avoid. We're too quick to dismiss qualities like readability and accept complexity as necessary...
We need to get back to the basics of writing code for other humans. this is the goal of basecode.
"I'm quite strict about the code I write, but I've never been able to explain why this matters. BaseCode has helped me answer that question and given me even more practices to apply everyday!
Sven Juijten
It's a field guide, not a book_
BaseCode applies real-world practices to everyday code. There's no fluff. No theory. I tackle common problems and use code to show solutions.
Each topic is neatly organized into a chapter.
- If you have a bunch of nested code, read Nested Code.
- If you want to break up long methods, jump to Big Blocks.
- You can read it cover to cover or jump around to the practices that interest you.
- 10 practices
- 40 code samples
- 118 pages
Writing code that prioritizes readability by humans, not a computer
Avoiding code rot with analysis and automation
Untangling nested code to improve visual honesty and reduce reader overhead
Introducing objects to encapsulate complexity
Refactoring long blocks of code by understanding reading levels
Making naming things easy with context and time
Using code as the primary signal, not comments
Avoiding unnecessary code by using reasonable return values
Delaying the need to remove duplication with the Rule of Three
Improving code flow with symmetry
Deferring design decisions to reduce anxiety when writing code
"I loved your Git course, you know how to simplify things and go the minimal way. In the coding world that means clean and lasting code. BaseCode is an absolute buy for me.
Mina Abadir
In Lite Kit_
Field Guide chapters
Introduction
Bootstrap
Chapter 1
Formatting
Chapter 2
Dead Code
Chapter 3
Nested Code
Chapter 4
Using Objects
Chapter 5
Big Blocks
Chapter 6
Naming
Chapter 7
Removing Comments
Chapter 8
Reasonable Returns
Chapter 9
Rule of Three
Chapter 10
Symmetry
Epilogue
Exit
Code Examples
You can download the complete code examples used in BaseCode.
The folders are organized by chapter and files are named for each the example with before and after suffixes for comparison.
In Mid Kit_
Everything from Lite Kit Plus
Audio version
An audio version of BaseCode. This may seem strange given the code samples. However, the audio version isn't a one-to-one reading. Instead, it allows me to deliver the practices with more depth and you to listen on the go.
Group Q&A calls
Access to group calls. These are recordings of live-streams where other readers asked me questions about the BaseCode practices.
In Full Kit_
Everything from Lite Kit & Mid Kit Plus
Bonus Videos
The Full Kit includes videos demonstrating the practices applied to even more real-world code samples. They will give you a better sense of how all the practices work together.
Choose Your Kit_
Lite Kit
- Instant access to BaseCode
- Download the complete code samples
- Download the complete code samples
- Access to group Q&A call
- Bonus videos demoing the practices together
Mid Kit
- Instant access to BaseCode
- Download the complete code samples
- Download the complete code samples
- Access to group Q&A call
- Bonus videos demoing the practices together
Full Kit
- Instant access to BaseCode
- Download the complete code samples
- Download the complete code samples
- Access to group Q&A call
- Bonus videos demoing the practices together
Not ready to buy?
That's fine. Here's some free content to check out first.
Frequently Asked Questions_
Can I pay with PayPal?
Sure. Just send payment to orders@pureconcepts.net and I'll get your account set up.
Can I get a discount if I purchase multiple kits for my team?
If you plan to purchase more than 5 kits, email me with your team details and we'll create a package deal.
What if I have another question?
No problem. Just email me. Unless I'm sleeping, you'll get a pretty snappy reply.
Who is JMac?_
Hi. I'm Jason McCreary. I go by JMac because I always seem to work with other programmers named Jason.
I love building things and sharing my knowledge. I created Laravel Shift, recorded Confident Laravel and Getting Git, wrote BaseLaravel, and speak at conferences.