self-documenting code

noun

UK /ˌself ˈdɒkjʊmentɪŋ kəʊd/

US /ˌself ˈdɑːkjumentɪŋ koʊd/

Code that is so clear that you can understand it without extra notes.

Because the variable names were so descriptive, the self-documenting code needed no comments.

SYNONYMS

readable code clear code expressive code understandable code

RELATED WORDS

comments naming conventions clean code readability maintainability

OTHER MEANINGS

2. Code written so its structure explains its purpose without separate documentation.

The team preferred self-documenting code over long design documents.

3. A style where function and variable names describe exactly what they do.

Using calculateTotalPrice instead of calc is a simple step toward self-documenting code.

4. Code that reduces the need for inline comments because the logic is obvious.

Reviewers praised the self-documenting code for making the payment flow easy to follow.