STM Library Readability Enhancement: A Deep Dive

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Hey guys! Let's dive into how we can make the STM library more readable and easier to maintain. This is crucial for the long-term health and evolvability of the project. We're focusing on better naming conventions and improved documentation. Let's get started!

Why

Our main goal here is to enhance the readability of the STM (State Transition Machine) library. A more readable library translates directly into easier maintenance, quicker onboarding for new developers, and fewer headaches down the road. When the code is clear and well-documented, it reduces the cognitive load required to understand and modify it. This means developers can spend less time deciphering cryptic code and more time building awesome features and fixing bugs. By making the library more accessible, we also encourage more community contributions, as external developers will find it easier to understand and contribute to the codebase. Ultimately, a readable and maintainable STM library contributes to the overall stability and longevity of the project, ensuring it can adapt to changing requirements and remain a valuable asset for years to come. Let's not forget that well-documented and easy-to-understand code also significantly reduces the risk of introducing bugs. When developers can clearly see the intended behavior of the code, they are less likely to make mistakes that could lead to unexpected issues. This proactive approach to code quality ensures a more reliable and robust system, reducing the need for extensive debugging and hotfixes. So, by investing in readability and maintainability now, we are essentially safeguarding the project's future and ensuring its continued success. The benefits of this effort will ripple through the entire development process, creating a more efficient, collaborative, and ultimately, more successful team.

What

So, what's the plan? We're going to use better struct field naming and revise the documentation. Basically, we're making things clearer and easier to understand at a glance. This involves renaming struct fields to be more descriptive and intuitive and updating the documentation to provide more context and examples. This will significantly improve the developer experience and make it easier for anyone to work with the STM library. Think of it as giving the library a makeover, making it not just functional but also a pleasure to use. We aim to transform the STM library into a model of clarity and maintainability. A library that not only performs its intended functions flawlessly but also serves as a valuable learning resource for developers of all levels. By focusing on these key improvements, we are laying the foundation for a more robust, adaptable, and community-driven project. The goal is to create a codebase that developers will not only use but also appreciate and contribute to. This will foster a culture of continuous improvement and ensure the STM library remains a valuable asset for the entire ecosystem.

How

Alright, here’s the breakdown of how we're going to achieve this:

  • [ ] Remove existing TODOs (and prepare a list of those which need to be addressed separately)

We need to clean up the codebase by removing any existing TODO comments. Some of these might be outdated or no longer relevant. For those that still need attention, we'll create a separate list to tackle them systematically later. This ensures that we don't lose track of important issues while focusing on the primary goal of enhancing readability. Consider it like decluttering your workspace before starting a new project – it helps to clear your mind and focus on the task at hand. This step is crucial for ensuring that we are working with a clean and up-to-date codebase, free from distractions and potential sources of confusion. By addressing the TODO comments, we are also demonstrating a commitment to code quality and attention to detail, setting a positive tone for the rest of the project. This will help us maintain a high standard of excellence throughout the development process. Furthermore, it allows us to prioritize the remaining issues and allocate resources effectively. So, let's roll up our sleeves and get rid of those TODO comments!

  • [ ] Define new names for struct fields:
    • [ ] Assess all the modified public fields (that will not be backward compatible, and eventually bump the minor version)
    • [ ] Create golden tests for public structs with renamed fields
    • [ ] Rename the fields

Time to put on our thinking caps and come up with better names for the struct fields. This involves carefully reviewing all the public fields that we're modifying, keeping in mind that these changes might not be backward compatible. If that's the case, we might need to bump the minor version of the library. To ensure that the changes don't break existing code, we'll create golden tests for the public structs with renamed fields. Once we're confident that everything is working as expected, we can finally rename the fields. The new names should be descriptive and intuitive, making it easier for developers to understand the purpose of each field. This is a critical step in improving the overall readability of the library. It will save developers time and effort by allowing them to quickly grasp the structure and meaning of the data being used. Think of it as labeling the drawers in your kitchen – it makes it much easier to find what you're looking for. So, let's put on our thinking caps and choose names that are both informative and easy to remember.

  • [ ] Split the tests in aggregate_signature/mod.rs and move them in a test sub-module

The aggregate_signature/mod.rs file has a lot of tests in it. Let's split them up and move them into a test sub-module. This will help to organize the tests and make them easier to find. It also improves the overall structure of the codebase, making it more modular and maintainable. Think of it as sorting your books by genre – it makes it much easier to find the book you're looking for. By separating the tests into a dedicated sub-module, we are also making it clear that these files are specifically for testing purposes. This helps to avoid confusion and ensures that developers can easily locate the tests when they need to run them or add new ones. So, let's break up those tests and move them into their own little home!

  • [ ] Enhance the documentation

The documentation needs some love. We should go through it and add more context, examples, and explanations. The goal is to make it easier for developers to understand how to use the library and what each function does. Good documentation is essential for any library, as it serves as the primary source of information for developers. It should be clear, concise, and easy to understand, even for those who are not familiar with the library. By enhancing the documentation, we are making the library more accessible to a wider audience and encouraging more developers to use it. This can lead to more community contributions and a stronger overall ecosystem. So, let's put on our writing hats and make the documentation shine!

  • [ ] Update protocol parameters in benchmark (and in documentation) to make them more realistic

Let's update the protocol parameters in the benchmark and documentation to make them more realistic. This will ensure that the benchmarks are more accurate and that the documentation reflects the real-world usage of the library. Realistic protocol parameters are crucial for ensuring that the benchmarks provide a meaningful assessment of the library's performance. If the parameters are not realistic, the benchmarks may not accurately reflect how the library will perform in real-world scenarios. By updating the parameters, we are ensuring that the benchmarks are a valuable tool for developers who want to assess the library's performance and identify potential bottlenecks. So, let's tweak those parameters and make them more realistic!

  • [ ] Run a backward compatibility check

Finally, we need to run a backward compatibility check to make sure that our changes haven't broken anything. This is a crucial step in ensuring that the library remains compatible with existing code. Backward compatibility is essential for preventing disruptions to existing users of the library. If our changes break backward compatibility, users will need to update their code to work with the new version of the library, which can be a time-consuming and frustrating process. By running a backward compatibility check, we can identify any potential issues and fix them before releasing the new version of the library. So, let's run that check and make sure everything is still working as expected!

That's the plan, folks! Let's get to work and make this STM library the best it can be! Remember, clear code is happy code! 🚀