this post was submitted on 31 Jul 2023
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Programming
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Writing self documenting code reduces the need for comments significantly, but you'll still need to write docs and even code comments when needed.
I had a lead architect at one of my previous workplaces who outright forbid writing comments, otherwise the build would fail. That lead to convoluted and slow solutions in order to make the code readable, or just parts that nobody wanted to touch because nobody understood them.
My point is that you should strive towards self documenting code as much as it makes sense, but don't take it to mean that you should never write comments.
People should be able to tell what your code does without going deep into implementation details but that's not always possible, especially if you're working with lower level languages with fewer abstractions, or projects with complex algorithms or architecture.
Its wild to me that some people hear "your code should be self documenting" and take that to mean "never write comments".
All self documenting should mean is I can look at a method and get a general understanding of what it does, and it shouldn't have any unknown functionality. Specific implementations, design quirks, choices that might only make sense if you know business context should all be comments in your code.
On the other side of all that I worked with someone who insisted methods were documented college style, the "authors" name, date it was written, what it does, why it's here, our star sign. I hate that just as much, so much clutter.
It's the same people that hear "security by obscurity is not security" and take it to mean "publicity is more secure than obscurity". A key being under a door mat is bad but putting it on top of the mat because "obscurity isn't security" is silly.
Edit: A better example is having a hidden door with a look is still more secure than having a non-hidden door with a lock.