What is Code Refactoring?

Given the same functionality to build within an app, every developer can code a different solution, in a different style, but ultimately reach the same results. While an application user may not notice any difference, there can be a vast difference in how easy it is to maintain, update, modify, or scale each different solution.

Code refactoring produces software code that is well-written and clear, with best practices in structural design and interconnections. It does not introduce new features.

Maintainable codebase

Poorly written or complex source code can even confuse the original developer. With a code refactor, other software developers can quickly and easily determine what a piece of code is intended to do, thereby improving code readability and maintainability and reducing future technical debt.

Improves performance

Refactoring improves the performance of an application at both compile time and runtime. It makes the solution more scalable and reduces hardware demands.

Enforce coding standards

Refactoring code in line with style guides and coding conventions helps maintain consistency and structure across a company's code, ensuring all code adheres to standards.

Update to modern standards

Legacy code refactoring involves rewriting old code using modern programming languages, new libraries, language extensions, and current best coding practices. It can also condense code from multiple programming languages.

Add extensibility

Adding or updating APIs and interfaces through code refactoring makes an application more accessible to other external functions and applications.

Signs that code may need refactoring are also known as code smells. Here are some common ones that indicate code quality issues and a need for refactoring.

Complex logic

If an experienced developer cannot tell what a particular piece of existing code is doing, it is a prime candidate for refactoring by restructuring and simplification.

Code duplication

Similar or duplicated code blocks and functions can often be condensed into a discrete unit and reused through abstraction.

Long code blocks

Long code blocks and classes can often be decomposed into smaller parts in refactored code. Note that classes are specific to certain programming languages.

Unused or deprecated code

Legacy code or unimplemented functionality can be removed from new code updates. An old copy of code under version control can be kept for future use or reference.

Excessive coupling

Excessive coupling, where multiple parts of the code utilize the same data or function, can lead to propagation bugs. Propagation bugs require code changes in multiple parts of the codebase. By clearly separating functionality, this reduces the chance of propagation bugs and speed-to-remediate bugs.

Design pattern problems

Some applications suit specific design patterns and programming paradigms, such as model-view-controller or object-oriented programming. However, code may be written to “fit in” to one of these patterns or paradigms, even if it is fundamentally the wrong choice. These types of refactorings may require significant changes.

Other problems with design patterns or programming paradigms include unnecessary or incorrect use of features, which can have a side effect of introducing bugs. These are common programming flaws, particularly with less experienced developers.