Why “Clean Code” Sometimes Makes Your .NET System Worse

1.1 What Is “Clean Code” in .NET?  

– Heavy use of interfaces

– Strict adherence to SOLID

– Very small methods and classes

– Extensive Dependency Injection

– Zero duplication at all costs

These ideas are not wrong but they are frequently applied without considering context

1.2 Why This Topic Matters

Many .NET systems become difficult to:

– Debug

– Trace execution flow

– Onboard new developers

Not because the code is bad but because it is over-engineered in the name of clean code.

2.1 Over-Abstraction

Abstractions are meant to protect us from change.  

But when there is no real variation, they only add cognitive overhead.

2.2 Indirection Hell

Excessive layers lead to:

– Reading interfaces instead of logic

– Jumping through many files to understand one flow

– Fragmented business rules

This is especially common in large .NET applications with aggressive DI usage.

3.1 Too Many Small Methods

❌ *“Clean” but painful to read*

csharp
public class OrderService
{
    public void PlaceOrder(Order order)
    {
        Validate(order);
        CalculatePrice(order);
        Save(order);
        PublishEvent(order);
    }
    private void Validate(Order order) { /* ... */ }
    private void CalculatePrice(Order order) { /* ... */ }
    private void Save(Order order) { /* ... */ }
    private void PublishEvent(Order order) { /* ... */ }
}

Each method often lives in a different file or has its own dependencies, forcing developers to constantly jump around.

✅ *Clearer alternative*

csharp
public class OrderService
{
    public void PlaceOrder(Order order)
    {
        if (order.Items.Count == 0)
            throw new InvalidOperationException("Order is empty");
        order.TotalPrice = order.Items.Sum(x => x.Price);
        _repository.Save(order);
        _eventBus.Publish(new OrderPlaced(order.Id));
    }
}

=> More explicit, easier to reason about, even if the method is longer.

3.2 Premature Interfaces

❌ Interface with only one implementation

csharp
public interface IEmailSender
{
    Task SendAsync(string to, string message);
}
public class SmtpEmailSender : IEmailSender
{
    public Task SendAsync(string to, string message)
    {
        // SMTP logic
    }
}

This abstraction provides no real benefit when there is only one behavior

✅ Prefer concrete class until variation exists

csharp
public class EmailSender
{
    public Task SendAsync(string to, string message)
    {
        // SMTP logic
    }
}

=> Introduce interfaces when behavior actually varies

3.3 DRY Taken Too Far

❌ Shared helper across unrelated domains

csharp
public static class ValidationHelper
{
    public static void ValidateName(string name)
    {
        if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(name))
            throw new Exception("Invalid name");
    }
}

This couples multiple domains together.

✅ Prefer local validation

csharp
public class User
{
    public User(string name)
    {
        if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(name))
            throw new ArgumentException("User name is required");
    }
}

=> Duplication is often cheaper than the wrong abstraction

4.1 Optimize for Change, Not Rules

Before introducing abstractions, ask:

– Does this logic change frequently?

– Does it have multiple behaviors?

– Will this abstraction reduce future changes?

If not, keep the code simple.

4.2 Clarity Over Cleverness

In real .NET systems:

– Explicit code beats clever code

– Fewer layers beat perfect SOLID

– Readability beats pattern purity

Rule of thumb:  If removing an abstraction makes the system easier to explain, remove it

5. Conclusion

Clean code is a tool, not a goal.

Problems arise when teams optimize for:

– Pattern correctness

– Aesthetic purity

– Textbook rules

Instead of:

– Debuggability

– Changeability

– Business clarity

Sometimes, the cleanest .NET code is simply straightforward code that intentionally breaks a few rules.