Clean Code: Writing Java That Humans Can Read

I’ve read Robert Martin’s *Clean Code* three times, and I still learn something new each time. The golden rule is that code is written for humans, not computers. In Java, this means meaningful variable names. I’ve stopped using `int i` in loops in favor of `int index` or `int counter`. It seems small, but it adds up. Also, methods should do one thing. If you have a method called `processData` that validates, transforms, and saves, break it into three methods. The `Single Responsibility Principle` applies at the method level too. I also religiously avoid `null` returns. If a method can’t return a valid object, I return `Optional` or throw a specific exception. Writing clean code takes a bit longer upfront, but the time saved in debugging and onboarding new team members is immense.