I'd like to take the tips/tricks/best practice suggestions from this thread and compile them into a handout for my students.
If you've replied already or are planning to reply to this thread, please let me know if you'd rather I not use your remarks.
I'll edit a bit to eliminate off-topic, non-technical points and if you wish, I can post the compilation for approval here.
I'm pushing to have our programming curriculum include more real-world best practice topics and this would be a great start. My program director agrees with me and now it's a matter of selling it to the other faculty and the students.