Run the Real Path

Reading code tells you what should happen. Running it tells you what does. When both are available, running wins — and it's usually cheaper than the paragraph you'd write justifying the inspection.

The smell

These thoughts mean stop and run it:

• "The code clearly does X."
• "This is wired correctly."
• "It should work now."
• "Looks right."

Your 100% certainty in unfamiliar territory is a cue to check, not a green light. The "looks right" signal is exactly where inspection fails and execution catches it.

How to apply