A breezy look at why good variable names, sensible placement, proper initialization, and single‑purpose usage aren’t just tidy coding habits—they’re tiny security shields. Clear names like sanitizedUserInput keep bugs (and attackers) from slipping through the cracks, while keeping variables close to their use and initialized from the get‑go reduces the chance of leaks, memory mishaps, and confusing code.

A light‑hearted look at Steve McConnell’s “Code Complete” metaphors—Penmanship, Farming, and Oyster Farming—and how each style can make your code more or less secure. Think of Penmanship as scribbling a quick note (great for tiny scripts, terrible for big projects), Farming as planting seeds with a bit of watering (testing each piece, but still lacking a master plan), and Oyster Farming as building a sturdy oyster bed (design first, then grow securely). Spoiler: the oyster wins the security contest.