# How to Write Code Without Having to Read It

DevFeed: [How to Write Code Without Having to Read It](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/how-to-write-code-without-having-to-read-it-1679.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://shopify.engineering/write-code-without-reading-it>)

Author: JM Neri

Published: 2022-10-11T18:00:00Z

Content type: article

Language: en

Sources: [Shopify Engineering](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/shopify-engineering.md>), [Shopify Engineering - Shopify Engineering](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/shopify-engineering-shopify-engineering.md>)

Topics: [Code](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/code.md>), [Refactoring](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/refactoring.md>), [React Native](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/react-native.md>), [Back end](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/backend.md>), [Front end](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/frontend.md>), [TypeScript](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/typescript.md>), [Git](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/git.md>)

Tags: [backend](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/backend.md>), [bug](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/bug.md>), [code](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/code.md>), [feature](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/feature.md>), [frontend](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/frontend.md>), [git](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/git.md>), [how-to](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/how-to.md>), [learn](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/learn.md>), [mobile](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/mobile.md>), [react-native](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/react-native.md>), [refactoring](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/refactoring.md>), [typescript](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/typescript.md>)

## AI overview

The article presents a focused method for modifying code without reading more of it than necessary. It recommends locating the relevant entry point through user-visible strings, localization files, or UI inspection, then relying on build and test feedback to identify areas where the computer can check correctness. For regressions, it highlights git bisect as a shortcut. The examples use a mobile application built with React Native and TypeScript, while the approach is intended to generalize to other development contexts.

## Source excerpt

Do we need to read code before editing it? In order to safely fix a bug or update a feature, we may need to learn some things about the code. However, we'd prefer to learn only that information.