To use it, you simply click a line of code. A text box appears, allowing you to enter a comment. The author is notified with an email.
Crucible is great because it makes code reviews easy: just click on a line, and enter your comment.
Another good thing is that it makes code reviews non-threatening (and efficient). I'm not saying that face-to-face code reviews should never be done. But using an asynchronous code-review system is convenient: you review the code at a convenient time, at your own pace. For some reason, the tone of any criticism of the code remains constructive and respectful.
Check out pair programming and its analogue in the Toyota Production System. They don't write a line of code without code reviewing it simultaneously. It is pretty cool.
ReplyDeleteHi Nivi - Good point about pair programming - the idea of continuous review is an interesting one.
ReplyDeleteNow Jon, you didn't honestly think I wouldn't take a closer look at the content of that code review did you. Making an exception for inline styles? Whatever next, the return of the <font> element!?
ReplyDeletePersonally, I always have a 'hide' class available in the CSS, which can be added and removed as necessary. It also happens to require less text, so helps a tad performance wise too.
I guess when the cats away, the mice will play, hey Jon ;-)
Ha! OK, good point about the "hide" class.
ReplyDeleteThere's an old song that goes, "The cat came back the very next day..."
Ha! I wouldn't count on it!
ReplyDeleteBut hopefully the mice and cats will play in somebody else's kitchen again soon… :-)
Have you checked out:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.review-board.org/
Still beta but for free it packs a punch.
Not too shabby.
ReplyDelete