What is a magic number, and why is it bad?

Question

What is a magic number?

Why should it be avoided?

Are there cases where it's appropriate?

Answer 1

A magic number is a direct usage of a number in the code.

For example, if you have (in Java):

public class Foo {
    public void setPassword(String password) {
         // don't do this
         if (password.length() > 7) {
              throw new InvalidArgumentException("password");
         }
    }
}

This should be refactored to:

public class Foo {
    public static final int MAX_PASSWORD_SIZE = 7;

    public void setPassword(String password) {
         if (password.length() > MAX_PASSWORD_SIZE) {
              throw new InvalidArgumentException("password");
         }
    }
}

It improves readability of the code and it's easier to maintain. Imagine the case where I set the size of the password field in the GUI. If I use a magic number, whenever the max size changes, I have to change in two code locations. If I forget one, this will lead to inconsistencies.

The JDK is full of examples like in Integer, Character and Math classes.

PS: Static analysis tools like FindBugs and PMD detects the use of magic numbers in your code and suggests the refactoring.