Checklist of Best Practices

This checklist provides best practices for maintaining backward compatibility and for reverse engineering on functions or code that needs modification.

Maintaining Backward Compatibility

1. Add optional parameters at the end of the parameter list
   • When adding new parameters, place them at the end of the function's parameter list.
   • Ensure these parameters have default values or are optional (null).
2. Use conditional checks for new functionalities
   • Use if-else statements to separate new cases from existing ones.
   • Document new branches of code for clarity.
3. Versioning functions
   • If creating a new version of a function, name it with a suffix, e.g., FunctionV2, FunctionV3.
   • Maintain old functions to avoid breaking existing code.
   • In the long term, you can rename the old function to _Function and the new one to Function.
4. Commenting out old functions
   • If a function is completely replaced, comment it out or mark it as deprecated.
   • Use annotations or comments to indicate that the function should not be used in new code.
5. Regression testing
   • Write automated tests to verify that existing functionalities still work after changes.
   • Run these tests regularly to detect any issues.
6. Documenting changes
   • Maintain a changelog or documentation file noting all changes made to functions.
   • Specify which changes might affect compatibility.
7. Using stable interfaces (APIs)
   • Create interfaces or APIs for key functionalities so that internal implementation can be changed without affecting users.
8. Gradual deprecation
   • Announce the deprecation of old functions and provide a transition period before removing them.
   • Use warnings in code (e.g., @deprecated) to inform developers.
9. Version control and code branching
   • Use a version control system (e.g., Git) to track changes.
   • Create branches for development so that changes can be integrated and tested before merging into the main branch.
10. Code review
    • Seek feedback from peers through code reviews to identify potential compatibility issues.

Procedures for Reverse Engineering

11. Dependency analysis
    • Identify where and how the function or code to be modified is used.
    • Use code search tools or dependency analyzers.
12. Reading and understanding existing code
    • Spend time reading old code to understand how it works.
    • Add comments or notes to clarify complex logic.
13. Creating flowcharts
    • Draw diagrams to visualize the execution flow of complex functions.
    • This can help identify key points where changes need to be made.
14. Writing unit tests
    • Write unit tests for existing functions to understand expected behavior.
    • Tests can also serve as live documentation of functionality.
15. Step-by-step debugging
    • Run the code in debug mode to observe how it works in practice.
    • Check variable values and execution flow.
16. Consulting with colleagues or documentation
    • If you have questions, discuss them with more experienced colleagues.
    • Refer to project documentation or library documentation.
17. Using reverse engineering tools
    • Use specialized tools (e.g., decompilers, code analyzers) if working with compiled or third-party code.
18. Breaking down complex problems into sub-problems
    • If a function is very complex, try splitting it into smaller, more understandable functions.
    • Refactor code where possible to improve readability.
19. Backup versions
    • Before making major changes, ensure you have a backup of the original code.
    • This allows you to revert to the initial state in case of issues.
20. Following coding conventions
    • Adhere to the team's or project's coding standards and conventions.
    • This facilitates collaboration and code maintenance.

By following this checklist, you can make changes to the code in a way that minimizes the risk of breaking other functionalities and facilitates understanding and maintenance of the code in the long term.