What Great Code & Great Stories Have in Common

At first glance, writing a novel and writing software might seem like completely different disciplines. One is an art, the other a science. But when you look a little closer, you’ll notice a surprising number of similarities, especially when multiple contributors are involved.

Just like authors collaborating on a long-running book series, software developers working on a shared codebase must maintain consistency in tone, structure, and logic. Without a unified approach, the result is a fragmented experience, whether that’s for readers or for the next developer picking up your code.

In both cases, structure and style matter. And in regulated industries like automotive, aerospace, and medical devices, that consistency isn’t just a matter of clarity; it’s a requirement.

In fiction, style guides help authors maintain voice and tone. In software development, coding standards serve a similar purpose: they help ensure that code is understandable, maintainable, and safe. But in safety-critical environments, they also serve another role: compliance.

Standards like ISO 26262, DO-178C, and IEC 62304 don’t just ask for good code; they require traceability, documentation, and conformance to specific coding rules. And just as an editor ensures a story reads well, static analysis tools and code reviews ensure that code aligns with both technical and regulatory expectations.

But it’s not just about tools; it’s about teamwork. Compliance doesn’t happen in isolation. It’s a shared effort across development teams, reviewers, and quality leads. And when done right, it doesn’t feel like a burden, it feels like craft.