Magic Numbers
Magic numbers are hard-coded numeric values in source code that lack clear meaning or context, making the code difficult to understand, maintain, and debug. They are considered an anti-pattern in software development because they obscure the intent behind the number, leading to potential errors when changes are needed. Instead, developers are encouraged to replace magic numbers with named constants or enumerations to improve code readability and maintainability.
Developers should avoid magic numbers to enhance code clarity and reduce bugs, especially in complex calculations, configuration settings, or state management where numbers represent specific meanings (e.g., HTTP status codes, buffer sizes, or error codes). By using named constants, code becomes self-documenting, easier to refactor, and less prone to mistakes during updates, which is critical in collaborative projects or long-term maintenance.