Choosing the best code review method: 4 types explained

In software development, maintaining high standards of code quality is essential to creating robust, maintainable, and efficient applications. Code reviews are a cornerstone of this process, offering a structured way for developers to examine and improve each other’s work before integrating it into the main codebase. 

Beyond catching bugs and ensuring adherence to coding standards, code reviews foster collaboration, encourage knowledge sharing, and promote consistent practices across teams. 

In this article, we’re going to cover the basics of code reviews, including the different methods that can be used, the best practices for undertaking them, and the significant benefits they can bring to any coding project.

What is a code review?

A code review is a systematic process in which developers examine each other’s code to ensure quality, consistency, and functionality. It’s carried out before code is merged into the main codebase, helping to ensure that only high-quality code is implemented. 

It’s a collaborative effort aimed at improving the overall software development process. It serves as an iterative feedback mechanism that helps identify potential issues earlier in the development cycle, reducing their future impact and assuring the quality of the end product. 

Code reviews have become a mandatory part of the development process for many teams. The good news is that there’s no shortage of developers who can conduct these reviews. With the right hiring strategy and recruiting technology, it should be fairly easy to get the best people for the job. 

Benefits of code reviews

We’ll now take a more in-depth look at some of the benefits that code reviews can bring to development.

Higher quality code

High-quality software requires high-quality code at its core. Code reviews improve code quality by having multiple developers check for errors, enforce best practices, and ensure maintainability. 

This collaboration promotes better design choices, enhances readability, and keeps the code consistent with project standards, resulting in a stronger, more reliable codebase.

Improved consistency and maintainability

Code reviews ensure that coding standards are enforced across a project, and that all code aligns with established guidelines across the project. This helps to improve consistency and maintainability across the code.

Reviewers check that the code follows naming conventions, formatting rules, and architectural patterns, maintaining a uniform structure throughout the codebase. Consistent code is easier for developers to read, understand, and modify, reducing the risk of errors when making future changes. 

Additionally, reviewers will often provide feedback on how to simplify complex code or refactor it for clarity, which further improves maintainability. This helps developers to create a cohesive, well-organized codebase that remains easy to work with over time.

Reduced debugging time

Code reviews can help to greatly reduce debugging time during software development. Identifying issues early in the development process, before the code is integrated or deployed, means that errors can be rectified before they have a significant impact on the final product. 

If multiple developers review code, there’s a better chance of catching logical errors, edge cases, and potential bugs that the original author may have overlooked. This proactive approach prevents problematic code from entering the codebase, where issues might otherwise compound and become harder to isolate. If that final defective product is one of several touchpoints in an omnichannel customer journey, then the customer experience as a whole will also be negatively affected. 

Additionally, reviewers can suggest further improvements to make the code more readable and maintainable, which simplifies debugging if issues arise later on in development. This collaborative approach also brings diverse perspectives, making it more likely to spot flaws or anticipate future problems. 

By addressing all these issues upfront, developers save time that would otherwise be spent troubleshooting complex, interdependent problems during testing or production, leading to faster and smoother development cycles.

Code reviews are particularly effective in edge computing use cases, where real-time processing and reliability are critical. By identifying issues early, code reviews prevent bugs from being deployed to edge devices, where troubleshooting can be difficult. 

Smoother collaboration

Code reviews encourage open communication and knowledge sharing among team members, helping to facilitate collaboration during a software development project. 

They create opportunities for developers to provide constructive feedback, discuss design choices, and align on coding practices. This consistent communication helps to foster a shared understanding of the project’s goals and standards. 

This collaborative process of reviewing code also helps developers learn from each other’s expertise, build trust, and address potential conflicts early. It will also expose team members to different parts of the codebase that they might not normally see, leading to better distribution of knowledge and reducing reliance on any single developer.

Easier knowledge sharing

Code reviews are just like scholarly peer reviews: they improve knowledge sharing. They do this by exposing developers to different parts of the codebase and the diverse coding approaches of other developers. Reviewers gain insight into new techniques or problem-solving strategies, while authors receive valuable feedback and learn best practices. 

This consistent exchange of ideas helps build a stronger, better-informed team that holds a shared understanding of the project.

Tighter security

Security is also improved by carrying out code reviews; they enable developers to identify and address vulnerabilities before code is merged or deployed. 

Reviewers can spot issues like hardcoded credentials, insecure data handling, improper access controls, or vulnerable dependencies during a code review that automated tools might overlook. 

By discussing potential risks and suggesting secure coding practices during a code review, the development team ensures that the entire codebase adheres to security standards. This collaborative scrutiny reduces the likelihood of exploitable weaknesses, resulting in a more secure and resilient application.

Types of code reviews

Code reviews can be incredibly adaptable, with different methods available to suit every team size and distribution. 

1. Pair programming

Pair programming involves two programmers who take turns working on the same computer. One developer writes the code, while the other reviews its content line by line as it’s being written. 

This method allows for continuous rapid feedback and on-the-spot problem-solving. Not only that, but the mutual work approach increases teamwork and collaboration.

This method is often employed during large-scale and important coding activities. It’s also incredibly beneficial during onboarding, where junior developers can quickly learn by being paired with a more experienced developer.

One potential downside of pair programming is that it can incur a higher immediate cost, and two developers working on one task can feel inefficient for straightforward or routine work.

2. Tool-assisted

The tool-assisted method of code review involves using specialized platforms to facilitate the review process. These tools integrate directly with version control systems, allowing reviewers to see changes in context.

Changes such as file differences, commit histories, and the impacted codebase can all be viewed with little difficulty, allowing for greater insight into the project as a whole and how any changes will impact it. 

Developers will submit requests, which reviewers can examine, comment on, and approve or reject based on feedback. Many tools also include automation features, such as running tests, enforcing coding standards, or detecting vulnerabilities, which can greatly streamline the review process.

Cloud managed Kubernetes platforms simplify the deployment and management of containerized applications, allowing developers to focus more on writing and reviewing code rather than handling infrastructure complexities. This proactive approach reduces the likelihood of bugs reaching production, thereby decreasing the time spent on debugging. 

Advantages of this approach include centralized discussions, real-time collaboration, and integration with CI/CD pipelines. Feedback, comments, and changes are organized and easy to track, issues can be resolved more quickly, and accountability is maintained. 

However, tool-assisted reviews can become overly reliant on automated checks, which might miss higher-level design issues or logic flaws. For smaller teams, setting up and maintaining such tools can feel cumbersome or unnecessary, especially for simple projects.

3. Email pass-around

The email pass-around method is an older approach to code review, where developers share their code with their teammates for feedback via email. The author typically explains the purpose of the code, attaches the relevant files, and then sends it to one or more reviewers. 

The reviewers then provide feedback by replying with comments, suggestions, or annotated code changes. This method is asynchronous and doesn’t require special tools, making it accessible and straightforward compared to some other methods. 

It’s also well-suited to distributed teams, as reviewers can provide feedback at their own pace. It can also serve as a permanent written record of feedback and discussions, which can be useful for future reference. 

However, this method can be inefficient and cumbersome, as long email chains are difficult to manage, especially when multiple reviewers are involved. Additionally, the lack of integration with modern version control systems means that context, such as diffs or commit histories, might not be as readily available, leading to less effective reviews. 

4. Over-the-shoulder

The over-the-shoulder method of code review is an informal, face-to-face process where a developer walks a teammate through their code, typically by sitting together at the same workstation. 

The author explains the code, describes the logic and design decisions, and answers any questions while the reviewer provides immediate feedback or suggestions. 

This method is straightforward and requires no special tools or processes, making it a quick way to get feedback on changes. It’s especially effective for small teams or when reviewing small changes, as it minimizes the overhead of preparing formal documentation or pull requests. 

There are drawbacks, however. Because over-the-shoulder review is informal, it lacks a permanent record of feedback, making it harder to reference discussions later, track tasks, or follow how decisions were made. It can also be less scalable for larger teams or remote teams, as face-to-face interaction is required. 

Choosing the right code review method

There are several factors that can help to determine which code review method is the right one for any given project. These can include:

• The size of the development team
• The nature and size of the project
• Where the development team is located, i.e. in-house or dispersed
• The development paradigm being used, e.g. economic growth, sustainable development, etc.

Over-the-shoulder review or pair programming is perfect for smaller teams working in the same office, or when quick feedback is required. Conversely, the pass-around technique and tool-based reviews are more appropriate for distributed teams, or projects that involve more intricate analysis and feedback delivered over time.

Selecting the right code review method is crucial because it directly impacts the effectiveness, efficiency, and overall quality of the development process. Choosing the wrong approach can lead to wasted time, missed issues, or poor collaboration. 

The right method ensures that code is reviewed thoroughly without introducing unnecessary delays or friction, aligns with the team’s communication style, and supports knowledge sharing and collaboration, all of which contributes to better code quality, stronger team dynamics, and a smoother development lifecycle.

Best practices for code reviews

There are several best practices that, when followed, can improve the effectiveness of code reviews.

Establish clear goals and guidelines

Before starting the review process, it’s essential to define the purpose and scope of the review. Clear goals, such as checking for bugs, ensuring adherence to coding standards, or improving maintainability, help keep the review focused. 

Teams should also establish consistent guidelines outlining coding standards, best practices, and review expectations to ensure everyone is on the same page.

Review small sections

Breaking reviews into smaller, more manageable chunks improves focus and efficiency. Large reviews can be overwhelming, which can lead to missed issues or superficial evaluations. Reviewing a smaller amount of code at a time, on the other hand, makes it easier to catch errors, understand logic, and provide detailed feedback. 

Use the right tools

Leveraging tools like GitHub, GitLab, Backlog, or Bitbucket streamlines the code review process by providing context and automating repetitive checks, such as linting and running tests. Choosing the right tool ensures the review is efficient, organized, and well-documented, reducing friction for the team. It’s also easy to optimize deployment after the review since this is one of the many use cases of AI in the workplace.

Provide constructive feedback

Feedback should be specific, actionable, and focused on the code, not the developer. Phrasing suggestions in a positive, collaborative tone encourages learning and avoids conflict. For example, instead of simply saying “This is wrong,” try, “Could we try a different approach here to improve readability”?

Follow up on feedback

After feedback is provided, it’s important to follow up to ensure that the developer understands the suggestions and implements the necessary changes. Reviewers should also be open to discussions if the author disagrees or has alternative ideas. This can further help to foster a collaborative process.

How code reviews reduce debugging time

Code reviews play a vital role in modern software development, going beyond quality assurance to improve consistency, security, and collaboration. One of their most impactful benefits is the significant reduction in debugging time. By identifying issues early, before they are merged or deployed, code reviews prevent bugs from becoming deeply embedded in the codebase, where they would take far longer to troubleshoot and resolve.

Choosing the right method and following best practices gives you the best chance of maximizing the effectiveness of code reviews. Setting clear goals, breaking reviews into smaller chunks, providing constructive feedback, and leveraging the right tools streamline the process, ensuring that reviews are thorough yet efficient.

Ultimately, code reviews save valuable development time while fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing among team members. They are not just a step in the workflow, but an essential investment in the long-term success of a project, leading to higher-quality code and smoother, faster development cycles.

Author bio

Eric Wahlquist is a senior content marketing manager at SUSE with over 15 years of experience in tech storytelling. With an MBA in marketing from Washington State University, Eric focuses on making complex technologies accessible, helping businesses and individuals see the real-world impact of cutting-edge solutions. Here is his LinkedIn.