Code-Generation Checklist

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Code generation is an underutilized tool for many developers, and that’s a shame. Rather than charging into writing code by hand, it’s worth considering whether a code-generation tool can help. Follow these guidelines to help evaluate code generation for yourself:

• When faced with large quantities of repetitive code to write, consider using a code-generation tool instead.

• Evaluate multiple code-generation tools to find the one that works best for your own situation.

• Have a plan for moving beyond the tool if necessary.

• Place code-generation inputs, but not outputs, under source code control.

• Balance the learning curve against the time saved.

In the next chapter, I’ll move on to a topic that applies to all code, whether you write it by hand, import it from another project, or generate it: tracking and dealing with bugs.

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