Say it like this
- We should follow best practices when writing this module.
- That approach isn't aligned with industry best practices.
- Let's document this as a best practice for the team.
Use it at work
In a code review
- It's best practice to keep secrets out of the repo.
- Let's follow best practice and add a test for this bug.
Pushing back
- Best practice depends on context. It doesn't fit our scale.
- That's best practice for big teams, but it's too much for us.
Sharing knowledge
- I've written up our best practices for API design.
- What are the best practices for error handling here?
Don't say this
Best practice is a noun, not a verb. You cannot 'best-practice' something; you follow or implement best practices.
Don't mix it up
| Term | What it is | Who writes or uses it | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| best practice | Proven good way to do something | Teams and experts | General advice |
| standard | A rule everyone must follow | The company or industry | Required, not optional |
| anti-pattern | A common solution that causes problems | Engineers | What to avoid |
Practice
Try it
4 quick exercises
1. Your senior engineer recommends a new testing approach. Which sounds most natural?
2. When building APIs, we always _______ REST API best practices for consistency.
3. Which sentence uses best practice incorrectly?
4. Rewrite using best practices: 'We need to do what successful companies do when they write their code quality standards.'
Say it out loud
Phrase 1 of 3
"We should follow best practices when writing this module."
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More about best practice
Real examples(3)
- in a standup
"I refactored the authentication code to align with our security best practices."
- in a code review
"This implementation deviates from our established best practices for error handling."
- in a team meeting
"We need to establish best practices for database migrations before the next sprint."
More mistakes(2)
Handle with care. Do not use as a verb (not 'we best-practiced it'). It is a noun describing a method or approach, not an action verb.
- ✕This is a best practice that all developers must always follow.✓This is a best practice we recommend all developers follow.
Best practices are guidelines and recommendations, not absolute rules. Using 'must always' is too rigid.
- ✕The best practice is to use this library.✓Using this library is considered a best practice.
Best practices describe methods or approaches, not specific tools exclusively.
Other forms(2)
- best practice noun (singular)
"Automated testing is a best practice in modern development."
- best practices noun (plural)
"We follow industry best practices for code quality."
Often used with(5)
- follow best practices · Most common collocation; means to implement or adhere to recommended methods.
- establish best practices · To create and define recommended standards for a team or organization.
- industry best practices · Standards recommended across an entire industry or sector.
- best practices for · Followed by a specific area: best practices for testing, security, documentation, etc.
- align with best practices · To ensure your work matches established standards.
Similar words(3)
- standard · Broader term; best practices are specific proven standards.
- guideline · Similar meaning but less authoritative; guidelines are recommendations.
- proven method · More descriptive; emphasizes that the method has been tested and validated.
Opposites(3)
- anti-pattern
- poor practice
- malpractice
Questions(5)
- What does best practice mean in software engineering?
- Best practices are proven, effective methods and standards that engineering teams follow to ensure code quality, security, and consistency. They are based on collective experience and industry wisdom, not rigid rules.
- How do you use best practice in a sentence at work?
- Use it as a noun: 'We follow REST API best practices,' 'This code aligns with best practices,' or 'We need to establish best practices for documentation.' Do not use it as a verb.
- Is best practice formal or informal?
- Best practice is neutral to formal language. It is professional and commonly used in meetings, code reviews, documentation, and interviews. It is appropriate for all workplace settings in tech.
- What is the difference between best practices and standards?
- Standards are formal, often mandatory rules. Best practices are recommended guidelines based on proven experience. Standards must be followed; best practices should be followed when possible.
- Can best practices change over time?
- Yes, absolutely. As technology evolves and teams learn new approaches, best practices are updated. What was a best practice five years ago might be outdated today.
