Continued from Part 1
Determine and Describe Dependency Issues Precisely
When debugging an issue always thoroughly check everything that could be wrong with your own code and configurations before looking at factors your code is dependent on. Never assume the issue is with a dependency; find the dependency and describe it in detail. Not doing so leads to longer times to resolution with people focusing on why it isn’t their problem. In the rare circumstance where the dependency issue cannot be clearly identified, include a complete and concise description of what you have checked in your own work before asking others to check theirs.
Clean Your Code as You Go
It is easy to slip into the “I will clean it up later” mindset because you honestly intend to. More often than not, it does not happen because of shifting priorities. At the minimum, you should do your clean ups as you do your check-ins. You will also find it easier to work with your code if it is neatly formatted and well organized as it makes questionable designs stand out more.
Scripts Must Be Non-Destructive
Scripts should always check for perquisites and be written in such a way that if they are run repeatedly the actions will result in a fully functioning system.
When adding files or folders, check for existence and back up existing before changing. Multiple versions of backups should be kept. My general rule of thumb is 3 versions. Older versions should be removed as part of the script to prevent disk space issues.
A rollback approach should always be tested before running the script.
© Scott S. Nelson
