Code review is like tasting tea: how to elegantly "pick the tea leaves"?

Code is Like Tea: Its Quality Reveals Itself Upon Close Inspection

Programmers often say that code is written for humans to read, and only incidentally for machines to execute. Code review is like tea tasting—it requires patience and careful consideration of each line's nuances. A good code review not only uncovers potential issues but also fosters technical growth within the team. So, how can we conduct code reviews as elegantly as a tea master selects tea leaves?

Observe the Form: Code Style Consistency

Just as tea leaves should be uniform in shape, code style should be consistent. During review, first focus on whether the code format follows team conventions:

// Bad example - messy formatting
function getUserData(userId){
const result= fetch(`/api/users/${userId}`)
.then(res=>res.json()).catch(err=>console.error(err))
return result}

// Good example - consistent formatting
function getUserData(userId) {
  const result = fetch(`/api/users/${userId}`)
    .then(res => res.json())
    .catch(err => console.error(err));
  return result;
}

Key points to check:

• Consistent indentation (2 spaces or 4 spaces)
• Brace positioning (new line or same line)
• Naming conventions (camelCase or snake_case)
• Semicolon usage habits

Inhale the Aroma: Code Readability

Good code should emit a pleasant fragrance like fine tea, making it immediately understandable:

// Obscure code
function p(d: number[]): boolean {
  return d.every((v,i,a)=>i===0||v>=a[i-1]);
}

// Clear and readable code
function isSortedAscending(data: number[]): boolean {
  return data.every((value, index, array) => {
    if (index === 0) return true;
    return value >= array[index - 1];
  });
}

Techniques to improve readability:

1. Use meaningful variable names
2. Avoid overly long functions (recommended under 20 lines)
3. Add appropriate comments (explain why, not what)
4. Break down complex logic into smaller functions

Savor the Taste: Code Logic Review

This is the core of code review, requiring careful tasting like fine tea:

// Original submission
function calculateDiscount(price, isMember) {
  if (isMember) {
    return price * 0.9;
  }
  return price;
}

// Review suggestions
function calculateDiscount(price, user) {
  const BASE_DISCOUNT = 0.9;
  const VIP_DISCOUNT = 0.8;
  
  if (!user.isActive) return price;
  
  if (user.isVip) {
    return price * VIP_DISCOUNT;
  }
  
  return user.isMember ? price * BASE_DISCOUNT : price;
}

Review focus:

• Are edge cases handled (e.g., negative price)
• Are there better algorithm implementations
• Is future extensibility considered
• Are there performance pitfalls (e.g., unnecessary loops)

Examine the Hue: Security and Exception Handling

Like observing the color of tea, pay attention to exception handling and security:

// Code with security risks
async function getUserProfile(id) {
  const response = await fetch(`/api/user/${id}`);
  return await response.json();
}

// Improved code
async function getUserProfile(id) {
  if (!isValidId(id)) {
    throw new Error('Invalid user ID');
  }

  try {
    const response = await fetch(`/api/user/${encodeURIComponent(id)}`);
    
    if (!response.ok) {
      throw new Error(`HTTP error! status: ${response.status}`);
    }
    
    const data = await response.json();
    return sanitizeUserData(data);
  } catch (error) {
    logError(error);
    throw new Error('Failed to fetch user profile');
  }
}

Key concerns:

• Is input validation thorough
• Is error handling comprehensive
• Is sensitive data filtered
• Is logging appropriate

Aftertaste: Design Patterns and Architecture

Advanced reviewers focus on code design like connoisseurs appreciating premium tea:

// Original implementation
class Order {
  // ... Various methods mixed together
  calculateTotal() { /* ... */ }
  printReceipt() { /* ... */ }
  saveToDatabase() { /* ... */ }
}

// Refactored with Single Responsibility Principle
class Order {
  calculateTotal() { /* ... */ }
}

class OrderPrinter {
  print(order: Order) { /* ... */ }
}

class OrderRepository {
  save(order: Order) { /* ... */ }
}

Architectural review points:

• Does it follow SOLID principles
• Are modules properly divided
• Are dependencies clear
• Is over-engineering avoided

The Way of Tea: Review Attitude and Communication

Code review is not just technical but also interpersonal:

1. Use questions instead of accusations:

   • ❌ "Your code is wrong"
   • ✅ "How would this loop condition handle empty arrays?"

2. Provide specific suggestions:

   • ❌ "This function is too long"
   • ✅ "Consider extracting data validation logic into a separate function, e.g., validateUserInput"

3. Acknowledge good code:

   • "This error handling approach is very thorough—great job!"
   • "The abstraction of this custom Hook is ingenious"

Refining the Art: Review Efficiency Techniques

Efficient reviewers have their own "tea tools" (utilities) and "methods" (approaches):

1. Use automation tools:

   # Basic checks with ESLint
   npx eslint src/
   
   # Uniform formatting with Prettier
   npx prettier --check .
   

2. Layered review approach:

   • First pass: Quick overview of structure
   • Second pass: Focus on core logic
   • Third pass: Check edge cases

3. Create a checklist:

   • [ ] Is new code covered by tests
   • [ ] Does documentation need updating
   • [ ] Will existing functionality be affected

Tea Gathering: Team Review Culture

A healthy code review culture is harmonious like a tea ceremony:

1. Rotating lead reviewer: Assign different reviewers weekly
2. Review workshops: Regular group reviews of representative code
3. Newcomer guidance: Gentle review strategies for new members
4. Metric tracking: But don't rely solely on metrics (e.g., review duration, comment count)

Teams can maintain documents like:
### Code Review Guidelines
1. Small batches: Keep PRs under 400 lines
2. Quick response: Provide initial feedback within 24 hours
3. Tiered reviews:
   - L1: Basic formatting issues (handled automatically)
   - L2: Logic issues (must be addressed)
   - L3: Improvement suggestions (optional)

Aging Tea: Post-Review Follow-Up

Code review isn't the end—like tea, it needs proper preservation:

1. Issue tracking: Ensure every comment has a clear resolution
2. Knowledge retention: Document typical issues in team wikis
3. Refactoring plans: Create tickets for deferred changes
4. Validation: Use CI/CD to confirm changes meet expectations

// Use tests to ensure review suggestions are implemented correctly
describe('calculateDiscount', () => {
  it('should apply 10% discount for regular members', () => {
    const user = { isMember: true, isVip: false };
    expect(calculateDiscount(100, user)).toBe(90);
  });
  
  it('should return original price for inactive users', () => {
    const user = { isMember: true, isActive: false };
    expect(calculateDiscount(100, user)).toBe(100);
  });
});

The Fragrance Spreads: Long-Term Value of Reviews

Consistent, high-quality code reviews yield numerous benefits:

• Knowledge sharing: Newcomers quickly learn code standards
• Quality improvement: Defects caught early
• Technical alignment: Team maintains unified direction
• Skill growth: Mutual improvement through feedback

Like fine tea needing proper storage, teams can build a "code review case library" documenting typical issues and excellent patterns. These accumulated resources become invaluable technical assets for the team.