Outward Form

Beyond name selection and commenting, the readability of a software systems also depends on its outward form.

Recommended rules for the outward form of programs:

• For every program component, the declarations (of data types, constants, variables, etc.) should be distinctly separated form the statement section.
• The declaration sections should have a uniform structure when possible, e.g. using the following sequence: constant, data types, classes and modules, methods and procedures.
• The interface description (parameter lists for method and procedures) should separate input, output and input/output parameters.
• Keep comments and source code distinctly separate.
• The program structure should be emphasized with indentation.