When migrating legacy code to modern C++, it is crucial to conduct thorough code reviews to ensure the quality and maintainability of the codebase. Code reviews help catch bugs, enforce best practices, and improve the overall code quality. In this article, we will discuss some essential code review practices specifically tailored for migrated modern C++ code.

1. Understand the Modern C++ Features

Before diving into code reviews, it’s essential for the code reviewers to have a good understanding of modern C++ features and best practices. This includes concepts like move semantics, smart pointers, lambda expressions, range-based for loops, and the standard library improvements. Familiarize yourself with these features to effectively review and evaluate the migrated code.

2. Encourage the Use of Strong Typing

Modern C++ emphasizes strong typing to prevent type-related errors. Encourage developers to use strong typing, such as enum class instead of plain enum and std::variant instead of using magic numbers or type punning. Strong typing improves code readability, provides better type safety, and reduces the potential for bugs.

3. Review Memory Management

Memory management is a critical aspect of C++ programming. With modern C++, the use of raw pointers is reduced in favor of smart pointers, such as std::unique_ptr and std::shared_ptr, which provide automatic memory management. During code reviews, ensure that memory is correctly managed, avoiding memory leaks, dangling pointers, and unnecessary copies.

4. Check Exception Handling

Exception handling is essential for robust and reliable code. Review the exception handling strategy in the migrated codebase to ensure it follows modern C++ exception guidelines. Encourage the use of RAII (Resource Acquisition Is Initialization) to automatically handle resource deallocation and catch exceptions at the appropriate level of abstraction.

5. Assess the Use of Modern Standard Library

Modern C++ provides an extensive standard library, offering various data structures, algorithms, and utilities. During code reviews, promote the use of the standard library to replace custom implementations wherever suitable. This not only reduces code complexity but also takes advantage of well-tested and optimized library components.

6. Use Modern C++ Features Effectively

Migrated code may still have remnants of older C++ style or practices. Encourage developers to leverage modern C++ features effectively to improve code readability and performance. This includes using lambda expressions, range-based for loops, constexpr, auto type inference, and other commonly used modern C++ idioms.

Conclusion

Code reviews for migrated modern C++ code play a vital role in ensuring code quality, maintainability, and adherence to best practices. By understanding modern C++ features, encouraging strong typing, reviewing memory management and exception handling, promoting the use of the standard library, and leveraging modern C++ features effectively, code reviewers can contribute to the successful migration and overall improvement of the codebase.

Remember, consistently enforcing code review practices will not only benefit the migrated code but also the development team, by fostering a collaborative and learning-oriented environment. #code #review