Why Writing 100 Lines of Code Can Be Better Than Just 2

Why Writing 100 Lines of Code Can Be Better Than Just 2

When you're learning programming, or even after years of experience, there's always a temptation to write code that's short and clever. It feels cool to solve a problem in just 2 lines. But sometimes, writing 100 lines is actually the smarter choice and here’s why

---

1. Readability Matters

Code is not just for computers it’s also for people. You might understand your 2-line solution today, but will you understand it next month? Will your teammate understand it tomorrow? When you spread logic across more lines, it becomes easier to read and follow. It’s like turning a complicated math problem into smaller steps.

---

2. Easier to Debug

Short code might work perfectly until it doesn't. When something breaks in those 2 lines, it can be hard to figure out what went wrong. But with longer code, broken into smaller pieces, you can test one step at a time. That makes it easier to find and fix mistakes without confusion.

---

3. Better for Beginners

When you’re learning, it's important to understand what the code is doing not just get the right answer. Writing code in a clear, step-by-step way helps you learn better. It teaches how the logic flows and why each part matters. It also builds good habits for the future.

---

4. Maintenance is Simpler

In real-world projects, code doesn’t just get written once and forgotten. It gets updated, changed, and reused. Longer, well-structured code is easier to change because each part is clear and separate. On the other hand, short, clever code can be hard to update without breaking something else.

---

5. Time Complexity Is What Actually Matters

Some people try to write the shortest code because they think it means it's the fastest. But that’s not always true. What really affects performance is time complexity not line count.

• A 2-line solution with a time complexity of O(n^2) (very slow for large inputs) is worse than a 100-line solution with O(n log n) (much faster).

• Example: A single-line nested loop might look smart but can slow your program down as data grows. Breaking it into clearer logic may take more lines, but it lets you use better algorithms.

So, always focus on choosing the right algorithm and data structure, not just fewer lines.

---

6. Errors Are Easier to Catch

More lines often mean more control. When each step is on its own line, it’s easier to test and see where things go wrong. Short code hides a lot, which makes bugs harder to catch. Clean, longer code helps you spot issues early.

---

Conclusion

Short code might look impressive but long, clear, well-structured code is often better. It’s easier to read, debug, maintain, and learn from. Most importantly, good code focuses on the right logic and time complexity, not on how few lines you can use. So don't be afraid of writing more lines. You're not being inefficient you're being thoughtful. #chaicode