5 The advantages of automation

 

This chapter covers

  • The importance of automation
  • Automation tactics and strategies
  • Optimization opportunities that produce a more effective code review
  • Building objectivity into the process through automation

As developers, we get paid a pretty penny to solve complex problems. Our skills and experience play a part in this, but our judgment and reasoning allow us to command generous compensation. It’s the understanding of nuance, the clarifying of the unclear, and the creative application of code that help us solve intricate problems. Unfortunately, many of us hardly get the uninterrupted time and space we need to use these strengths. Especially in the context of code reviews, there’s busy work, manual errands, and tedious tasks that get in the way.

This is where automation steps in to save the day. By letting the robots take care of the tedious, we can create the space we need to truly focus—and do what we do best.

5.1 Automation as an asset

5.2 Automation prerequisites

5.2.1 Team style guide

5.2.2 Capable tools

5.3 Automations before the review

5.3.1 Formatting

5.3.2 Linting

5.3.3 Static analyzers

5.3.4 Automated testing

5.4 Automations during the review

5.4.1 PR templates

5.4.2 PR validators

5.4.3 Reviewer assignments

5.4.4 PR gate checks

5.4.5 Reminders and escalations

Summary

References