Code Review: Beyond "LGTM" Improve & Collaborate!

Does the simple act of saying "Looks Good To Me" (LGTM) truly unlock the potential of code reviews, or does it merely scratch the surface of a much deeper process? The reality is, the "LGTM" is just the tip of the iceberg; effective code reviews are multifaceted processes, that fosters collaboration, improves code quality, and serves as a crucial element in the software development lifecycle.

The "LGTM" workflow, the act of a reviewer signaling their approval, is a common sight in modern software development. When a developer finishes a piece of code, they initiate a code review process. This process is designed to ensure that the changes meet the quality standards and collaborate effectively with other teams. By establishing a shared vocabulary for these reviews, "LGTM" ensures that every team member, irrespective of location or time zone, operates from the same understanding. It supports remote work by allowing team members to review and endorse code updates at their own pace. This level of flexibility is essential in today's dynamic development environments, in which deadlines are tight and teams are geographically dispersed.

Code reviews often get dismissed as additional burdens, obstacles delaying the deployment of a software. In a lot of cases, code reviews can be turned into something much greater: the tools for teamwork, trust, and continuous education. The effectiveness of these reviews hinges upon several factors, ranging from the thoroughness of the reviewer to the shared understanding among team members regarding coding standards.

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Consider a scenario: A developer joins a new company. The company relies on code reviews as an important quality check for its codebase. Code reviews are, in fact, among the most valuable tools that one can leverage to guarantee the integrity and maintainability of the codebase.

The main objective of a code review is to gain agreement from another engineer for the changes, which is usually expressed with the "looks good to me" or "LGTM" tag. This "LGTM" is then used as the necessary permission bit. By using this "LGTM" and by carefully combining with the other bits described below, it gives the go-ahead to commit the adjustments.

Using "LGTM" in a code review creates a collaborative environment. It encourages team members to participate, pose questions, and share insights. The purpose is to ensure that code meets the standards. The reviewer must devote adequate time to a code review and be certain that their "LGTM" guarantees compliance with the standards of the software. But, we may wonder whether the standard "LGTM" is sufficient.

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Code reviews aren't only about getting a rubber stamp of approval from someone, which is often written as "LGTM," or "Looks Good to Me". They are opportunities to ask questions and share knowledge.

The key to a successful code review is to thoroughly examine proposed changes by peers before merging them into the development branch. As a developer, it is also possible to relate to the frustration of certain aspects of this process. This then raises the question of whether this situation may point to a fundamental flaw in the way code reviews are currently being done. To investigate further, a survey focusing on code reviews can be extremely helpful.

Here's a closer look at "LGTM" in action:

• Indicates Approval: A straightforward sign that the proposed code modifications are acceptable.
• GitHub Pull Requests: Often seen in GitHub pull requests when a reviewer gives the go-ahead for the changes to be integrated.
• Efficient Communication: Facilitates quick approvals in code review processes.
• Team Collaboration: Used to merge pull requests, implying that the changes are appropriate.

Code reviews are an essential part of software development, yet many of us approach them with an "LGTM" mindset. While this may seem sufficient on the surface, it often results in missed opportunities to improve code quality, enhance team dynamics, and foster collaboration.

When embarking on a code review, consider these points:

• Code Quality Does the code meet the expected standards?
• Functionality Does the code perform its intended functions correctly?
• Maintainability Is the code easy to understand and modify in the future?
• Testing Has the code been adequately tested?
• Security Are there any potential security vulnerabilities?

There is always a standard for code reviews when considering each of these points. Always remember to give "LGTM" with comments.

Code review can be an iterative process that continues until the patch is ready to be committed. In general, the changes to the code should be finalized before an "LGTM" is given, though if there are only very minor outstanding issues an "LGTM" can be given along with the changes.

Many complaints about the code review process are actually resolved by making the process faster. Teams should use the LGTM to unlock and merge pull requests, indicating that changes are acceptable. Most complaints about the code review process can be solved by making it faster.

Combining code reviews with pair programming or mob programming can also be a useful strategy. The "LGTM" stands for "Looks Good To Me," which is what a code reviewer says when they approve a change.

In short, code reviews are a linchpin of a healthy software development lifecycle. While the "LGTM" might seem simple, it is part of a complex system to maintain code quality and encourage a collaborative spirit within development teams.

Consider the following table to know the code review information.

Aspect	Details
Purpose	To improve code quality, reduce code ownership, facilitate knowledge sharing, and build community.
Workflow	Developer completes code -> Creates a pull request -> Code is reviewed by peers -> Feedback is provided -> Code is updated (if necessary) -> Reviewer approves with "LGTM" -> Code is merged.
"LGTM" Significance	Indicates approval of proposed code changes. Used to unlock and merge pull requests.
Benefits	Improved code quality, better team collaboration, shared knowledge, reduction in bugs, and more efficient development.
Common Pitfalls	Rushing reviews, insufficient review time, lack of communication, not addressing feedback, and focusing solely on "LGTM" without further comments.
Best Practices	Providing detailed comments with "LGTM," taking code standards into account, combining reviews with pair or mob programming, and establishing a clear procedure for addressing feedback.

The concept of "LGTM" has become deeply ingrained in software development culture, especially within collaborative platforms like GitHub. This simple phrase is more than just an expression of approval; it's a signal that a reviewer believes the code changes are ready to be integrated. However, understanding how "LGTM" fits into the bigger picture of code reviews is crucial for maximizing its effectiveness. "LGTM" facilitates communication and approval of the code.

In 2020, GitHub Code Scanning was launched in public beta, and later that year it became generally available for everyone. GitHub code scanning is powered by the same analysis engine. "LGTM" as a necessary permissions bit (combined with the other bits noted below) to allow the change to be committed.

Code review is a process where changes to the repository are examined by other developers before being merged into the development branch.

By providing a universal language for code reviews, "LGTM" ensures that all team members are on the same page, regardless of their location or time zone. Using "LGTM" can foster a collaborative atmosphere. It encourages team members to engage in discussion and share knowledge, which is essential for building a robust and well-maintained codebase.