Writing tests before fixing bugs improves code quality

When I need to prototype a snippet of Java logic on the fly, the ability to type a full block and have JShell wait for the closing brace before evaluating becomes a silent productivity engine that mirrors the iterative problem solving cycles we face in modern software projects. JShell’s multi line blocks let me treat the REPL as a sandboxed method body, preserving scope and imports while I experiment with control flow, exception handling, or API usage. That engineering mindset—building, testing, and refining in incremental steps—translates directly to larger system design, where early feedback reduces risk and accelerates delivery. What strategies have you adopted to turn REPL experimentation into reliable production patterns? I continue to embed rapid prototyping into my development rhythm, positioning myself as a catalyst for agile, high quality software delivery. #JShell #Java #RapidPrototyping #SoftwareEngineering #Productivity

🚀 Day 26/100 - spring-boot-starter-test Testing your own written code is part of the development❗ And here we need spring-boot-starter-test ➡️ What is spring-boot-starter-test? It’s the default testing starter used for unit and integration testing in Spring Boot applications. ➡️ What does it include? ✔ JUnit 5 (Modern testing framework) ✔ Mockito (Mocking dependencies) ✔ Spring Test (Test Spring context & beans) ✔ AssertJ (Fluent, readable assertions) ➡️ Why this starter matters 🔸 Fast feedback during development 🔸 Safe code refactoring 🔸 Production-ready code quality A good tested code doesn't slow you down, it speeds you up in the long run 🚀 Next post: https://lnkd.in/d2B5jHrp Previous post: https://lnkd.in/dTKwTxpz #100Days #SpringBoot #Testing #JUnit #Mockito #Java #WebDevelopment #BackendDevelopment #SoftwareEngineering

KISS Principle — Keep It Simple Complexity increases bugs, slows teams, and makes code harder to maintain. The KISS principle reminds us to: Build only what’s needed Keep logic readable Reduce moving parts Simple code is: - Faster to develop - Easier to debug - Safer to extend Simplicity is not weakness — it’s clarity. #KISS #CleanCode #SoftwareDesign #BackendDevelopment #DotNet #Java #BestPractices

Most bugs don’t come from complex logic. They come from 𝘄𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀. Conditional statements exist to make decisions explicit. When you write 𝒊𝒇, 𝒆𝒍𝒔𝒆, or 𝒔𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒄𝒉, you’re telling the program: 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘳𝘶𝘯. The mistake beginners make is focusing on syntax instead of 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀. A condition is not a line of code. It’s a statement about reality. Poor conditions lead to: • Unreachable code • Unexpected branches • Logic that “works” until edge cases appear Java pushes clarity here. Conditions must be boolean. No hidden truthy or falsy values. No ambiguity. That strictness forces better thinking. Today was about: • Writing clear and precise conditions • Understanding how control flow changes execution • Why explicit branching reduces bugs Readable decisions create reliable software. #Java #ControlFlow #CleanCode #Programming #SoftwareEngineering #LearningInPublic

🔸 Things Every Developer Dislikes 1️⃣ Change requests right before production deployment 2️⃣ Too many tickets, unclear requirements, and constant follow-ups for updates 3️⃣ Random calls that break focus, especially when a simple message would do 4️⃣ Standup calls that go beyond 15 minutes 5️⃣ Solving a LeetCode Medium and people saying it should be labeled “Easy” 6️⃣ Rude or condescending PR comments #javascript #technology #softwaredevelopment #userexperience #developer #leetcode #programming #ig

Unit tests are great, but can your components actually talk to each other? 🗣️ Following up on my last post about Unit Testing, I watched a few videos on the topic of unit & integration testing by Amigoscode (big thank you for the proper content) and applied it within my Spring Boot project: https://lnkd.in/dzD6cU9R Goal: The "Shift Left" Mindset #QAAutomation #SDET #SpringBoot #IntegrationTesting #Java #Amigoscode #ShiftLeft #SoftwareQuality #SoftwareEngineerInTest

Quick Tip Stop writing try-catch blocks everywhere You know that feeling when you're dealing with null values and end up with nested try-catch blocks everywhere? Yeah, let's talk about a better way. Instead of catching exceptions left and right, try using Optional. It's a cleaner approach that makes your code more readable and safer. Here's the thing: Optional forces you to think about what happens when a value might not exist. You handle it explicitly, no surprises in production. A few benefits: - Less boilerplate code - Better null safety - Easier to test and maintain - Your future self will thank you So next time you're about to write another try-catch block, pause and ask: "Could Optional solve this more elegantly?" Your code will be cleaner, safer, and easier for your team to understand. What's your take on this? Do you use Optional in your projects? #Java #SoftwareDevelopment #CleanCode #Programming

After 15 years of debugging NullPointerExceptions, I’ve made Effective Use of Optional my fifth essential habit. In Java, Optional isn't just a wrapper; it’s a clear signal to other developers that a value might be missing. It forces us to think about the "empty" case upfront, rather than leaving it as a surprise for the production environment. My core rules for using it effectively: Return type only: I use Optional mainly for return types. Using it for method parameters or class fields usually adds unnecessary complexity. Avoid .get(): Calling .get() without a check defeats the whole purpose. I prefer orElseThrow(), ifPresent(), or map(). Clean API: It makes the service layer much more readable. When you see a method returning Optional<User>, you immediately know you need to handle the case where the user isn't found. In my latest video, I show some real-world examples of how this habit prevents crashes and makes the code more self-explanatory. What’s your take on Optional? Is it a lifesaver or just more boilerplate? Let’s discuss in the comments. 👇 #Java #Optional #CleanCode #Backend #SeniorDeveloper #SoftwareArchitecture

I’ve been evaluating Gemini Code Assist plugin in IntelliJ IDEA as part of my regular Java/backend development workflow. Key technical takeaways so far: • Context-aware code completion that understands project structure, imports, and existing patterns • Inline refactoring support (method extraction, code cleanup, naming suggestions) • Natural-language to code for generating boilerplate, service logic, and test scaffolding • On-the-fly explanations for unfamiliar code paths and complex logic • Error and warning resolution hints integrated directly with IntelliJ inspections What I found most useful is reduced cognitive overhead — fewer context switches to external tools while debugging or navigating large codebases. It fits well into day-to-day tasks like API implementation, service-layer refactoring, and reviewing legacy code. AI-assisted development inside the IDE is quickly moving from “nice to have” to “practically essential.” Gemini Code Assist is a solid step in that direction. #GeminiCodeAssist #IntelliJIDEA #Java #BackendEngineering #SoftwareArchitecture #DeveloperTools #AIForDevelopers

"Nobody dares touch that code" We've heard it dozens of times over the years. Code written 10-15 years ago, still in production, with missing or outdated documentation. The original developers are gone, there are no automated tests, and the unwritten rule is "it works, better not touch it". Until a critical change is needed or a bug blocks the business. The real cost of legacy isn't just technical debt but also strategic paralysis. Every new feature takes weeks instead of days, risks increase, and the team works with fear instead of confidence. At SoftInstigate we've developed a specific approach for these situations: we start with reverse engineering to rebuild the business logic, create automated tests as a safety net, produce useful technical documentation rather than theoretical manuals, and proceed with gradual refactoring without rewriting everything from scratch. The result is code that becomes manageable again and teams that become productive again. If you have critical Java applications that nobody dares touch, let's talk. #Java #LegacyCode #SoftwareEngineering #Refactoring #TechnicalDebt