Managing code quality at scale with NDepend

By Zheng Li | Posted Jan 20, 2025 | 4 min. (732 words)

Ensuring code quality at scale is one of the biggest challenges in software development. As applications grow in size and complexity, producing high-quality, maintainable code becomes increasingly vital. In a recent conversation on the Founder & Friends podcast, Raygun CEO John-Daniel Trask (JD) sat down with Patrick Smacchia, founder of NDepend, to discuss how this tool is revolutionizing .NET development.

This article summarizes key insights from their conversation, offering a glimpse into how NDepend helps developers tackle technical debt, manage legacy code, and maintain quality across large, complex codebases.

Their discussion covers a wide range of topics, including:

From eight-bit dreams to .NET excellence

Patrick’s passion for computer science began in the early 1980s when he recreated arcade games on his four-kilobyte computer. Over the years, his fascination with programming evolved alongside the industry, culminating in his adoption of .NET in the early 2000s.

Reflecting on that era, Patrick noted: “Developers were reapplying Java patterns in .NET with mixed results because there were zero tools [to guide them].” This realization sparked his vision of creating something to help developers untangle dependencies and improve code maintainability.

The birth of NDepend

Initially launched as an open-source tool, NDepend began as a way to visualize dependencies and measure code quality through metrics. Its popularity grew as .NET adoption increased, leading Patrick to develop a commercial version in 2007. Today, NDepend is a mature solution used by companies worldwide to manage codebases and address technical debt effectively.

JD recalled his first interaction with NDepend in the days before Raygun: “We were building an object-relational mapper with efficiency being a key premise. Tools like NDepend feel like a mech suit [for optimizing code and managing dependencies].”

Tackling legacy code and scaling quality

Legacy codebases often lack adequate testing and maintainability, making them difficult to evolve. NDepend tackles these issues head-on by providing insights into dependencies, technical debt, and risk areas. These insights help developers refactor code confidently.

JD highlighted the impact of NDepend on Raygun’s codebase: “When you’re managing a twelve-year-old codebase with parts migrated from Framework to Core, dependency management tools are invaluable.” For teams navigating complex codebases, tools like NDepend simplify the process of maintaining and evolving legacy systems.

Complex code bases are notoriously difficult to manage, and tools like NDepend can drastically simplify this process. Learn how to tackle technical debt here.

A focus on incremental improvement

One of NDepend’s key strengths is its support for baselines, allowing developers to focus on new issues without getting overwhelmed by the sheer volume of historical problems. “We don’t expect teams to fix every issue immediately,” Patrick explained. “By tracking only new issues, teams can focus on improving code quality incrementally.”

This approach aligns with modern CI/CD pipelines. As Patrick pointed out, “You can integrate NDepend into your CI/CD pipeline and get daily or even hourly reports.” It’s a practical way to enforce quality without slowing down development.

The future of code quality

With advancements in AI and tools like GitHub Copilot, the role of static analysis tools like NDepend is evolving. Patrick is optimistic about the future: “AI is impressive, but it’s not strict. Rules in tools like NDepend are precise, ensuring consistent quality. AI might complement these tools, but I don’t see it replacing them anytime soon.”

JD echoed this sentiment, noting that AI could enhance error resolution by having access to errors and the codebase with the ability to make changes.

Why code quality matters

Maintaining high-quality code isn’t just about avoiding bugs—it’s about creating software that stands the test of time. As Patrick succinctly put it, “Good code is maintainable code. In the future, you won’t lose time fixing legacy code..”

For developers managing large codebases, tools like NDepend are game-changers. By visualizing dependencies, identifying risks, and enforcing standards, teams can ship better software, faster. If you’re serious about .NET development, give NDepend a try.

About Patrick

Patrick started coding on 8-bit computers in the 1980s, which fueled his journey through mathematics and software engineering, eventually authoring a best-selling .NET and C# book for O’Reilly. In 2004, his focus on maintainable software led him to create NDepend, now a widely-used tool for .NET and C# code analysis, ensuring top-tier code quality and architecture.