Green Coding: A New Approach to Writing More Efficient and Environmentally Friendly Code
Behind smoothly running applications and rapidly accessed websites lies data centres operating relentlessly and consuming substantial quantities of electrical energy.
As digital technology usage increases, a new awareness is emerging amongst global developers to consider not only performance optimisation but also the environmental impact of the code they write.
This awareness has given rise to the concept of green coding.
Bambang Kelana Simpony, a lecturer at Bina Sarana Informatika University (UBSI) Tasikmalaya campus, views this approach not as a fleeting trend but as a new standard that aspiring programmers must understand from the outset.
He argues that the assumption that code is abstract and has no direct impact on the environment is incorrect. Every line of command executed on a server requires energy, and therefore code efficiency has real consequences in the physical world.
“Inefficient code is like a car with a fuel-hungry engine. It may still reach its destination, but consumes considerable energy along the way. Green coding teaches how to achieve the same results with minimal resource consumption,” Bambang stated on Friday 13 March 2026.
He explained that such impacts become increasingly apparent when an application is used on a massive scale. Code that feels lightweight on a single device can become a significant burden when run simultaneously by millions of users.
In this context, code efficiency is no longer purely a matter of application speed, but also concerns a developer’s ethical responsibility towards the environment.
Three Fundamental Principles of Green Coding
To help students and novice developers understand green coding practices, Bambang shared three fundamental principles that can be applied in the software development process.
The first principle involves selecting the appropriate algorithm according to requirements. Developers should not employ excessive solutions for simple problems.
“Understanding algorithm complexity becomes key to ensuring data processing remains efficient without burdening system resources,” he explained. The second principle concerns data management, which he refers to as “data diet”.
Bambang emphasises the importance of only retrieving and processing data that is genuinely needed. Reducing the amount of data retrieved from the database means reducing server load whilst saving bandwidth.
The third principle involves the judicious use of caching. Information that is frequently accessed and rarely changes should be temporarily stored to avoid repeated database retrieval. “This approach helps accelerate processes whilst reducing energy consumption,” he noted.
In the learning process, Bambang stated that this approach is beginning to be implemented as part of academic evaluation. A program that functions well is no longer the sole benchmark; rather, the efficiency with which the programme utilises resources is equally important.
Through understanding green coding, students are encouraged to think as responsible digital architects, concerned not only with application functionality but also with its real-world impact.
“Looking ahead, the ability to write efficient and environmentally friendly code is expected to become an important added value for developers, as industry increasingly demands sustainable technology,” he concluded.