How to do a code review, Part 2

Microsoft several years ago published a conversational article on their case study on code review as well as their own in-house code review tool CodeFlow.

1. Code Review Challenges: The article highlights several challenges associated with code reviews, including time constraints, difficulty in coordinating reviewers, lack of context, and limitations of traditional review methods like in-person meetings or email-based reviews.
2. Asynchronous Code Reviews: CodeFlow addresses the challenges by providing a platform for asynchronous code reviews. This allows developers to review and provide feedback on code changes at their own convenience, regardless of time zones or physical location.
3. Distributed Collaboration: CodeFlow enables distributed collaboration by providing a centralized platform where developers can review, comment, and track the progress of code reviews. It eliminates the need for manual coordination and facilitates efficient communication between reviewers and authors.
4. Code Quality Improvement: Code reviews play a crucial role in improving code quality. By involving multiple reviewers, CodeFlow helps identify defects, bugs, and design flaws early in the development process. This leads to better overall code quality and reduces the likelihood of introducing errors into the codebase.
5. Knowledge Sharing: CodeFlow promotes knowledge sharing among developers. Reviewers gain insights into different codebases and programming practices, fostering a culture of learning and continuous improvement. It also helps distribute knowledge across teams and reduces reliance on individual developers.
6. Iterative Review Process: CodeFlow supports an iterative review process where developers can address feedback, make changes, and have subsequent rounds of review. This promotes collaboration, allows for further refinement of code changes, and encourages constructive discussions between authors and reviewers.
7. Metrics and Insights: The article presents statistical data on CodeFlow's usage, including the number of code reviews conducted, average review duration, and the number of code changes accepted or rejected. These metrics provide insights into the effectiveness and efficiency of the code review process.

Check out part 1 of these series on code review.