Cairo Code Quality Guidelines

This skill defines quality standards for production-ready Cairo code. Follow these guidelines to produce clean, efficient, maintainable, and auditable code.

CRITICAL: No Unused Imports

This is the #1 linter warning. Fix it BEFORE submitting code.

Every use statement MUST be used in the code. If you import something, USE IT. If you don't need it, DON'T IMPORT IT.

Decision Tree

code

Do you need max/min for u32 comparison?
├── YES: Use core::cmp functions directly (they work with any PartialOrd type)
│        use core::cmp::{max, min};
│        let bigger = max(a, b);  // MUST actually call max()
│        let smaller = min(a, b); // MUST actually call min()
│
└── NO:  Don't import them at all
         // No use statement needed
         fn max_u32(a: u32, b: u32) -> u32 { if a > b { a } else { b } }

Common Mistake

cairo

// ❌ BAD: Imports core::cmp but uses custom helpers - LINTER ERROR
use core::cmp::{max, min};  // WARNING: Unused import!

fn max_u32(a: u32, b: u32) -> u32 { if a > b { a } else { b } }
fn min_u32(a: u32, b: u32) -> u32 { if a < b { a } else { b } }

pub fn solve(arr: @Array<u32>) -> u32 {
    let bigger = max_u32(x, y);  // Uses custom helper, not core::cmp::max
}

cairo

// ✅ GOOD Option 1: Use the imports you declared
use core::cmp::{max, min};

pub fn solve(arr: @Array<u32>) -> u32 {
    let bigger = max(x, y);   // Actually uses core::cmp::max
    let smaller = min(x, y);  // Actually uses core::cmp::min
}

cairo

// ✅ GOOD Option 2: Don't import if using custom helpers
// NO use statement for core::cmp

fn max_u32(a: u32, b: u32) -> u32 { if a > b { a } else { b } }
fn min_u32(a: u32, b: u32) -> u32 { if a < b { a } else { b } }

pub fn solve(arr: @Array<u32>) -> u32 {
    let bigger = max_u32(x, y);  // Uses custom helper
}

Before Every Submission

•Look at ALL use statements at the top of the file
•For EACH import, search the file for where it's used
•If an import is NOT used anywhere, REMOVE the use line
•If you want to use core::cmp::max, call max() not max_u32()

1. Algorithm Documentation

Every public function MUST include a doc comment with:

•Purpose: One-line description of what it does
•Time complexity: Big-O notation
•Space complexity: Big-O notation
•Algorithm: Brief description of approach (for non-trivial functions)

cairo

/// Calculates trapped rainwater using two-pointer technique.
/// 
/// Time: O(n) - single pass through array
/// Space: O(1) - only uses fixed number of variables
/// 
/// Algorithm: Maintain left/right pointers and track max heights seen
/// from each direction. Water at each position is bounded by the
/// smaller of the two maxes.
pub fn trap_two_pointers(height: @Array<u32>) -> u32 {
    // ...
}

2. DRY (Don't Repeat Yourself)

Extract Common Edge Cases

cairo

// BAD: Repeated in every function
pub fn solution_a(arr: @Array<u32>) -> u32 {
    if arr.len() <= 2 { return 0; }
    // ...
}
pub fn solution_b(arr: @Array<u32>) -> u32 {
    if arr.len() <= 2 { return 0; }
    // ...
}

// GOOD: Extract to helper
fn is_trivial_input(arr: @Array<u32>) -> bool {
    arr.len() <= 2
}

pub fn solution_a(arr: @Array<u32>) -> u32 {
    if is_trivial_input(arr) { return 0; }
    // ...
}

Prefer Core Library Over Custom Helpers

cairo

// BAD: Type-specific helpers when core library works
fn max_u32(a: u32, b: u32) -> u32 { if a > b { a } else { b } }
fn max_u64(a: u64, b: u64) -> u64 { if a > b { a } else { b } }

// GOOD: Use core::cmp (works with any PartialOrd type)
use core::cmp::{max, min};
let bigger = max(a, b);   // Works for u32, u64, etc.
let smaller = min(a, b);

⚠️ IMPORTANT: If you use core::cmp::{max, min}, you MUST call max() and min() in your code. See "CRITICAL: No Unused Imports" section above.

3. Cairo Array Patterns

CRITICAL: Arrays Are Immutable

Cairo arrays cannot be modified in place. Rebuilding arrays in loops creates O(n²) complexity.

cairo

// BAD: O(n²) - rebuilds entire array each iteration
let mut i = n - 1;
loop {
    let mut new_arr: Array<u32> = array![];
    let mut j: u32 = 0;
    while j < n {
        if j == i {
            new_arr.append(new_value);
        } else {
            new_arr.append(*arr.at(j));
        }
        j += 1;
    };
    arr = new_arr;
    if i == 0 { break; }
    i -= 1;
};

// GOOD: O(n) - build array in single forward pass
let mut result: Array<u32> = array![];
let mut i: u32 = 0;
while i < n {
    result.append(compute_value(i));
    i += 1;
};

Building Arrays Efficiently

cairo

// GOOD: Single-pass forward construction
fn build_prefix_max(height: @Array<u32>) -> Array<u32> {
    let mut prefix_max: Array<u32> = array![];
    let mut current_max: u32 = 0;
    let mut i: u32 = 0;
    while i < height.len() {
        current_max = max(current_max, *height.at(i));
        prefix_max.append(current_max);
        i += 1;
    };
    prefix_max
}

// GOOD: Reverse iteration with forward construction
fn build_suffix_max(height: @Array<u32>) -> Array<u32> {
    let n = height.len();
    // First pass: compute values in reverse order
    let mut reversed: Array<u32> = array![];
    let mut current_max: u32 = 0;
    let mut i = n;
    while i > 0 {
        i -= 1;
        current_max = max(current_max, *height.at(i));
        reversed.append(current_max);
    };
    // Second pass: reverse to correct order
    let mut result: Array<u32> = array![];
    let mut j = n;
    while j > 0 {
        j -= 1;
        result.append(*reversed.at(j));
    };
    result
}

When Mutation is Needed

Use Felt252Dict for O(1) random access updates:

cairo

use core::dict::Felt252Dict;

fn solution_with_updates() {
    let mut cache: Felt252Dict<u32> = Default::default();
    
    // O(1) insert/update
    cache.insert(key.into(), value);
    
    // O(1) lookup
    let val = cache.get(key.into());
}

4. Naming Conventions

Functions

•Use snake_case
•Format: {action}_{variant} for algorithm variants
•Be consistent across related functions

cairo

// BAD: Inconsistent naming
fn trap(...)           // Missing variant suffix
fn trap_brute_force(...)
fn trapDP(...)         // Wrong case

// GOOD: Consistent naming
fn trap_two_pointers(...)
fn trap_brute_force(...)
fn trap_dynamic_programming(...)

Variables

•Descriptive names over single letters (except loop indices)
•Avoid reusing variables for different purposes

cairo

// BAD: Variable reuse obscures intent
let mut i: u32 = 0;
while i < n { /* loop 1 */ i += 1; };
i = 0;  // Reused!
while i < n { /* loop 2 */ i += 1; };
i = n - 1;  // Reused again!
while i > 0 { /* loop 3 */ i -= 1; };

// GOOD: Separate variables with clear scope
let mut build_idx: u32 = 0;
while build_idx < n { /* build loop */ build_idx += 1; };

let mut fill_idx: u32 = 0;
while fill_idx < n { /* fill loop */ fill_idx += 1; };

let mut scan_idx = n - 1;
while scan_idx > 0 { /* scan loop */ scan_idx -= 1; };

5. Cyclomatic Complexity

Keep Functions Focused

•Maximum ~20 lines per function
•Single responsibility per function
•Extract nested loops into helper functions

cairo

// BAD: High complexity, nested loops, multiple responsibilities
pub fn trap_dp(height: @Array<u32>) -> u32 {
    // 80+ lines with nested loops and array rebuilding
}

// GOOD: Decomposed into focused helpers
pub fn trap_dp(height: @Array<u32>) -> u32 {
    if height.len() <= 2 { return 0; }
    
    let left_max = build_prefix_max(height);
    let right_max = build_suffix_max(height);
    
    calculate_trapped_water(height, @left_max, @right_max)
}

fn build_prefix_max(height: @Array<u32>) -> Array<u32> { /* focused */ }
fn build_suffix_max(height: @Array<u32>) -> Array<u32> { /* focused */ }
fn calculate_trapped_water(...) -> u32 { /* focused */ }

6. API Design

Single Optimal Entry Point

The main solve method should use the optimal algorithm:

cairo

// BAD: Confusing - which solve is optimal?
impl SolutionImpl of SolutionTrait {
    fn solve(input: @Array<u32>) -> u32 {
        trap_brute_force(input)  // Why brute force?
    }
}

impl RainWaterImpl of RainWaterTrait {
    fn solve(input: @Array<u32>) -> u32 {
        trap_two_pointers(input)  // Different algorithm!
    }
}

// GOOD: Clear, consistent, documented
/// Primary solution trait - uses optimal algorithm
pub trait SolutionTrait {
    /// Solves the problem using the optimal O(n) time, O(1) space algorithm.
    fn solve(input: @Array<u32>) -> u32;
}

pub impl SolutionImpl of SolutionTrait {
    fn solve(input: @Array<u32>) -> u32 {
        trap_two_pointers(input)  // Explicitly optimal
    }
}

Expose Variants Separately

If multiple algorithms are required, expose them clearly:

cairo

pub trait RainWaterTrait {
    /// O(n) time, O(1) space - RECOMMENDED
    fn solve_optimal(input: @Array<u32>) -> u32;
    
    /// O(n) time, O(n) space - for comparison
    fn solve_dp(input: @Array<u32>) -> u32;
    
    /// O(n²) time, O(1) space - educational only
    fn solve_brute_force(input: @Array<u32>) -> u32;
}

7. Test Quality

Avoid Duplication

cairo

// BAD: Same test case repeated 3 times
#[test] fn test_bf_empty() { assert!(brute_force(@array![]) == 0); }
#[test] fn test_dp_empty() { assert!(dp(@array![]) == 0); }
#[test] fn test_opt_empty() { assert!(optimal(@array![]) == 0); }

// GOOD: Single test verifying all implementations agree
#[test]
fn test_empty_array_all_implementations() {
    let input = array![];
    let expected = 0;
    assert!(trap_brute_force(@input) == expected);
    assert!(trap_dp(@input) == expected);
    assert!(trap_two_pointers(@input) == expected);
}

Test Organization

cairo

#[cfg(test)]
mod tests {
    use super::*;
    
    // Group 1: Edge cases
    mod edge_cases {
        use super::*;
        
        #[test] fn test_empty() { /* ... */ }
        #[test] fn test_single_element() { /* ... */ }
        #[test] fn test_two_elements() { /* ... */ }
    }
    
    // Group 2: No water scenarios
    mod no_water {
        use super::*;
        
        #[test] fn test_ascending() { /* ... */ }
        #[test] fn test_descending() { /* ... */ }
        #[test] fn test_flat() { /* ... */ }
    }
    
    // Group 3: Water trapping scenarios
    mod water_scenarios {
        use super::*;
        
        #[test] fn test_simple_valley() { /* ... */ }
        #[test] fn test_multiple_valleys() { /* ... */ }
        #[test] fn test_example_1() { /* ... */ }
        #[test] fn test_example_2() { /* ... */ }
    }
    
    // Group 4: Implementation equivalence
    mod equivalence {
        use super::*;
        
        #[test]
        fn test_all_implementations_match() {
            let test_cases = array![
                array![0, 1, 0, 2, 1, 0, 1, 3, 2, 1, 2, 1],
                array![4, 2, 0, 3, 2, 5],
                array![5, 0, 5],
            ];
            // Verify all produce same results
        }
    }
}

Required Test Categories

•Edge cases: Empty, single element, minimum valid input
•Boundary conditions: Values at limits (0, max u32)
•Expected behavior: Known inputs with known outputs
•Equivalence: All algorithm variants produce same results
•Error conditions: Invalid inputs (if applicable)

8. Pre-Submission Checklist

STOP. Before submitting, verify ALL of these:

Import Hygiene (CHECK FIRST!)

• CRITICAL: Review EVERY use statement - is it actually used?
• If use core::cmp::{max, min} exists, code MUST call max() and min() (not max_u32())
• If using custom helpers like max_u32(), REMOVE the use core::cmp line
• Run mental linter: any import not used = DELETE IT

Code Quality

• No len() == 0 (use .is_empty() if available)
• No array rebuilding in loops (O(n²) trap)
• All public functions have doc comments
• Time/space complexity documented
• solve() uses optimal algorithm
• Consistent naming across variants
• No variable reuse for different purposes

Test Quality

• Tests verify all implementations match
• No duplicated test cases
• Edge cases covered (empty, single element)

Summary

Aspect	Requirement
Documentation	Doc comments with O() complexity on all public functions
DRY	Extract helpers, use generics, no duplicated tests
Arrays	Never rebuild in loops; use single-pass construction
Naming	Consistent `action_variant` pattern
Complexity	Max ~20 lines/function; decompose nested loops
API	Single `solve()` uses optimal; variants clearly named
Tests	Grouped by behavior; equivalence tests required