Keeping a neat and easy to read code

[Mapisto]

When I'm writing a program, especially a long one, it always happens that it gets really unorganized and difficult to read.

I know that in companies, they make you write in a common way so all the other programmers will be able to easily read your code.

So before I start working in a company and learning there, I'd appreciate it if you could give me some tips of how to write a neat and readble code (or refer me to a good guide).

Thanks!

[Tolls]

Java coding conventions.

Not all of these are used everywhere, but this will give you the basics.

The other thing is to keep things short.
Short methods that do one thing (even if that one thing is call other short methods).
Classes should not becomes monsters.

[Mapisto]

Thanks!

Any more tips would be much appreciated!

About the monsterous classes, what would you call monsterous ?

[Tolls]

More than a few hundred.
If you're hitting a thousand (depending on comment density) then it's time to take a good look at the class.