Maximizing Team Collaboration Through Code Katas
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Chapter 1: The Role of Code Katas in Software Development
In the realm of software development, continuous improvement is essential for becoming a high-caliber developer. Simply learning through experience on various projects isn’t sufficient. Engaging in proof-of-concepts, personal projects, and Code Katas is an excellent way to refine your skills and explore new technologies and ideas.
As the Head of Engineering for my team, I’ve found that Code Katas serve as a fantastic method to infuse learning, foster collaboration, and introduce a fun dynamic into our team environment. In this section, I’ll discuss our objectives for these Katas and share insights from our experiences in refining their format.
What is a Code Kata?
The term "Kata" is borrowed from the foundational techniques in Karate, referring to structured patterns of movements that are practiced alone or in pairs. In programming, we can adopt this concept by designing short, challenging exercises that allow us to enhance our skills through practice and repetition. These exercises can range from simple tasks to more intricate algorithms and real-world scenarios, enabling participants to utilize their preferred programming languages.
Objectives of Our Code Katas
Many team members were already utilizing Code Katas outside of work, but for some, finding the time to practice was a challenge. We aimed to establish a dedicated time slot in our busy schedules where anyone from the Engineering team could join if they wished. For me, the interaction and excitement surrounding our Code Katas were as crucial as the learning experience itself.
We aspired to create a safe environment for our Engineers to experiment with solutions outside their usual projects and to receive constructive feedback from peers on their code. After each session, we encouraged team members to present their solutions, which they often took great pride in achieving!
My primary focus wasn’t necessarily on whether the team arrived at the correct solution or memorized a random algorithm they might not use again. Instead, I aimed to promote clean and elegant solutions while demonstrating how code and architectural patterns can be applied. Additionally, I wanted to highlight the importance of Test-Driven Development (TDD) and reliable testing.
First Session Insights
Our inaugural Code Kata took place in a one-hour session, using the 'Maze Runner' exercise as our challenge. We allotted 30 minutes for our Engineers to tackle it. The exercise was hosted in a repository, and we also provided failing unit tests that could be executed to validate their solutions. Having these tests readily available was an excellent opportunity for our more junior Engineers to understand the significance of unit testing; completing this challenge would have been considerably tougher without high-quality tests!
The overall feedback was positive, as the entire team found the challenge enjoyable. We set aside time after the exercise for some Engineers to explain their problem-solving approaches.
Observations and Insights
A noticeable disparity emerged between the solutions presented by our Senior and Junior Engineers. While the junior members produced functional solutions, these were often convoluted, typically consisting of a single long function with unclear variable names. In contrast, the more experienced Engineers crafted well-structured, clean solutions that were easy to comprehend.
Looking back, we appreciated the opportunity for our junior Engineers to learn about clean coding principles, patterns, and TDD. Although solving the Maze Runner was entertaining, it didn’t fully engage our Engineers in thinking about the behaviors associated with writing clean and maintainable code.
Second Session Focus
For our second session, we aimed for the team to concentrate more on the quality of their solutions. We extended the session duration to allow for deeper consideration of better patterns and abstractions. To facilitate this, we selected an exercise that emphasized cleaning and refactoring existing code. The best indicators of well-structured, clean code are solutions that are easy to modify and integrate new features. Part of this exercise involved incorporating a small new requirement into the code.
The solutions presented after this session were significantly more impressive! Participants approached the challenge in various ways, employing numerous complex patterns and polymorphism techniques, such as the Strategy Pattern, Abstract Classes, Factory Pattern, Interfaces, and Domain-Driven Design. The team even engaged in discussions about abstracting multiple switch statements into more maintainable code using polymorphism.
Observations and Insights
Despite this session not being a traditional Code Kata, we found that the behaviors and insights it fostered were far more beneficial for our team. The patterns and techniques demonstrated by our experienced Engineers offered a unique learning opportunity for our juniors. As a Junior Engineer, the limitations of your knowledge can be significant. This exercise opened their eyes to the possibilities and underscored the importance of striving for clean, maintainable solutions.
Future Aspirations
Code Katas have created an exceptional platform for collaborative learning. With our busy schedules, having dedicated time for Junior Engineers to learn from Senior Engineers is invaluable. Presenting solutions can be quite daunting for juniors, especially when they observe unfamiliar patterns being utilized by others. In the future, I would like to explore implementing Mob and Pair programming, pairing Senior Engineers with Junior Engineers to tackle challenges together. This setup will allow Seniors to suggest and clarify patterns that Junior Engineers can apply, while also giving Juniors the chance to explain more complex solutions to the team.
I’m also interested in trying a Kata that focuses on API design and architecture, possibly involving an existing API maintained by our team to apply improved coding principles and testing. Additionally, I envision conducting longer sessions that blend the elements of a Kata and a Hackathon.
As with many software teams, finding the right balance between in-office and remote work has been a challenge. Developers thrive in environments that encourage productivity and creativity. Katas provide an excellent opportunity to draw Developers back into the office, nurturing our Engineering community. My team is eager to run some of our future Katas in person.
Code Katas are a fantastic way to infuse fun and energy into your Software team! It’s crucial to plan and structure them effectively to maximize benefits for your Developers. I recommend starting small to determine what works best for your team, and then expanding from there. What’s the worst that can happen? You might just learn something valuable from your team, as I have!
In this first episode, "CODE WARS CODE KATAS - Episode 59 - How to Sign Up - 8, 7 kyu Beginner Katas," we explore the process of signing up for Code Wars and how beginners can get started with Katas.
The second video, "Solving Code Wars Code Katas," illustrates various approaches and strategies for tackling Code Katas effectively.