I just posted a blog post on how I scope my use of typespecs, trying to find a a type safe balance while enjoying the dynamic nature of Elixir:

I also am really starting to fall into a groove with pattern matching and use it more and more – specifically I like making sure the variables I’m binding values into are the only ones required for a test or function. Trying not to make too many assumptions about the data (so it can hopefully evovle without breaking things).

Other final note, is I’m being much more mindful of how entities cross context boundaries. Still finding my way with LARGE code bases, but I feel like I’m starting to ask the right questions.

my number one rule is to just go back tomorrow and read your code. Is there any doubt in your mind that you’ll enjoy reading this code in 2 years? Or worse yet - is there a remote possibility that this code is clear only because of memory?

Other than that this article has a few nice points: http://blog.cretaria.com/posts/erlang-beauty.html

my favs are:

• keep functions the size of 7 lines
• turn case statements into functions
• rename stuff after you’re done with the code

Maybe something to do with this: The Magical Number Seven, Plus or Minus Two - Wikipedia

I would imagine they mean 7 operations/assignments and for example a list that is split over n lines (for formatting sake) would just count as 1. Also comments and line breaks would not count, those are just there for context/formatting.

If your function is doing more than 7 things/operations inside of it, it becomes harder to keep all that in your head at once, and thus more prone to bugs…