Say it like this
- We hit code complete on Friday
- Code complete is scheduled for next sprint
- Once we're code complete, testing begins
Use it at work
Status update
- The feature is code complete. It's in QA now.
- We'll be code complete by Wednesday.
Being precise
- Code complete doesn't mean done. We still need tests and docs.
- Is it code complete or fully tested?
Planning
- Let's set the code complete date a week before release.
- We missed code complete by two days.
Don't say this
Code complete means coding is done, not that the product is ready to release. Testing and quality assurance still need to happen.
Don't mix it up
| Term | What it is | Who writes or uses it | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| code complete | All code written, not yet fully tested | Developers | Before QA |
| done | Meets the definition of done, shippable | The team | After review and testing |
| code freeze | No more changes allowed | Release team | Right before a release |
Practice
Try it
4 quick exercises
1. Your manager asks when the new feature will be ready for testing. What do you say?
2. Once we _______ on the authentication module, the QA team can begin their testing.
3. Which statement about code complete is incorrect?
4. Rewrite this in natural tech English using code complete: 'We finished writing the code last week, but we still need to check for bugs.'
Say it out loud
Phrase 1 of 3
"We hit code complete on Friday"
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More about code complete
Real examples(3)
- in a standup
"We should reach code complete by Wednesday, then QA will start their testing phase."
- in an email
"The dashboard feature is now code complete, but we still need to run performance tests before launch."
- in a project meeting
"Since we hit code complete early, we have extra time for bug fixes and refinement."
More mistakes(1)
Handle with care. Code complete does not mean the feature is tested, deployed, or ready for users. It only means the programming is finished. Do not confuse it with production-ready or shipped.
- ✕Code complete means the code is perfect.✓Code complete means all planned code is written, but it may still contain bugs.
Code complete only indicates the coding phase is finished, not that the code is bug-free or production-ready.
Other forms(2)
- code complete noun phrase
"We announced code complete for version 2.0 yesterday."
- code complete adjective
"The feature is now code complete and ready for testing."
Often used with(5)
- reach code complete · to achieve the code complete milestone; most common phrasing
- hit code complete · informal version meaning to achieve code complete; common in spoken English
- code complete date · the planned or actual date when code complete is expected or achieved
- code complete milestone · code complete as an important checkpoint in project planning
- after code complete · the phase following code complete, typically testing and QA
Similar words(2)
- feature complete · very similar; emphasizes that all features are implemented, often used interchangeably with code complete
- development freeze · related but slightly different; no new code changes are allowed, marking the start of stabilization
Opposites(4)
- in development
- work in progress
- shipped
- production
Questions(5)
- What exactly does code complete mean?
- Code complete means that all the programming for a planned feature or product release is finished. Developers have written all the code according to the specifications, and the code is ready to move into the testing and quality assurance phase. It is an important milestone in project planning.
- Does code complete mean the software is ready to release?
- No. Code complete only means the coding phase is finished. The software still needs to go through testing, bug fixing, and other quality checks before it can be released to users. Many products take weeks or months after code complete before they are actually shipped.
- What happens after code complete?
- After code complete, the quality assurance (QA) team and testers begin testing the software to find bugs and verify that it works correctly. Developers may also continue to fix bugs that are discovered during testing. The software then moves through final reviews, deployment preparation, and eventually to release.
- How is code complete different from feature complete?
- Code complete and feature complete are very similar and often used interchangeably. Both refer to the milestone when all planned development work is finished. Feature complete emphasizes that all features are implemented, while code complete emphasizes that all programming is done.
- Is code complete formal or informal language?
- Code complete is neutral in formality and is used in both casual and formal settings in tech companies. You can use it in standup meetings, emails, project plans, and documentation. It is a standard industry term that all tech professionals understand.
