The process of code refactoring involves the elimination of any code smell present, which entails following the best practices such as:
- The renaming method
- Encapsulated field.
- Extracts class
- Introduces assertion
- Pushdown method, etc.
The main aim of the process is the simplification of the construction of actual code. It also makes it improve its readability, to be more efficient and maintenance-friendly. Code refactoring involves small steps called micro refactoring, where small alterations to the source occur. As a result, it becomes simpler and cleaner, and the system functionality remains the same.
Even when it comes to apps , it is advisable that code refactoring is done to improve the app’s performance. Data scientists in the retail industry should also do frequent code refactoring to make everything easily understandable.
Principles Of Best Practices Of Code Refactoring
Move One Step At A Time
It would be best if you never did everything at the same time. Ensure that you do code refactoring as a series.
Ensure That You Conduct Tests
You should carry out tests to ensure the alterations do not bring new bugs.
Ensure That You Do Not Add New Functionality During Code Refactoring
You should ensure that you do not mix the process of code refactoring with adding new features.
Benefits Of Code Refactoring
The following are some of the benefits of code refactoring:
Making The Code More Structured And Sustainable
It is the key purpose of code refactoring since it reduces the technical cost to near nil and makes it easier to restore and reorganize the code. It is much more efficient to clean up the code earlier than wait to pay extra costs that arise on errors of the code later. Code refactoring improves readability, which impacts QA and debugging processes, thus making them run smoothly.
Helping to Prevent Code Rot
Another benefit that is associated with code refactoring is that it helps in preventing code rot. Code rot arises when there is:
- Duplicate code
- Myriad patches
- Bad classifications and
- Programming discrepancies.
Other than these reasons, code rot may also come from multiple developers writing in their styles, as this results in no cohesion of the overall coding script. Well, without frequent code refactoring, dreaded code rot may arise.
Making The Code More Clean And Easy To Understand
The other reason for code refactoring is for the sake of programmers and other team members who make use of the code. No one likes working in a messy workplace that isn’t improved or restructured as the feature expands in the system. Thus the importance arises of making the code simple and clean. Working on the code smells and enforcing structure makes it easier for other programmers to execute some new features or expand the basic functionality of code. You can only make your code clean by doing the following:
- Removing unnecessary variables
- Reducing the parameters
- Minimizing the conditions
- Getting rid of avoidable loops
- Removing redundant code
Assisting In Understanding Unrecognizable Software
Code refactoring also aids in familiarizing with unfamiliar software. You can do it by testing your application and familiarizing yourself with the impact each program does and how the program as a whole is built. In return, it makes work easier for you while engaging with the program and software and aids in understanding the entire project in a sufficient way.
Improving The Performance Of The Application
The importance of code refactoring is that it aids in improving the functionality and performance of an application. An application with no code smells or any other mess, such as unnecessary functions, variables, or classes, runs smoothly and efficiently. If the code has been recently updated, it will instantly generate responses, and its users will no longer complain of buffers and downtime. In return, it ensures a more enhanced user experience.
Saving Resources
A code that has undergone code refactoring is easier to comprehend and implement new features. None of the programmers love to waste time understanding messy code. They prefer using that precious time to extend or upgrade its features. Besides, if the application is corrupted due to some code malfunctions or issues, the organization needs to spend money in patching up the problems. Due to this, the organization’s budget in the program continues to increase.
Avoiding Or Minimizing The Technical Debt
Well, the total cost of a program might not be determined when you launch the first version of it. It is because your software may cease to respond in the first months of its launch. By not making regular updates to the software or not extending its code’s functions, you ensure its failure in a couple of months after launching. To reduce this technical debt or avoid it at all costs, you will have to ensure that you organize frequent code refactoring.
Keeping Your Code Up To Date
More often than not, programmers use frameworks or libraries that need to be updated with time. If your application makes use of libraries that are no longer maintained, your application will experience difficulties. It is because your application may fail to work or numerous bugs that might cripple some of its functions. To avoid such an occurrence, you will have to do code refactoring to keep your code up to date.
Making It Easier To Find Bugs
Code refactoring also makes it effortless to discover and get rid of bugs present in the program. An application that has been cleaned and restructured makes it effortless for the programmer to understand its structure and code. Therefore, you can test the application and get a hold of how things are connected and operate in the application. With this, if issues arise in the working of an application, such as bugs, you will easily get rid of them.
Aiding In Improving The System's Design
By improving your code, you can learn new things and familiarize yourself with your project in a more excellent way. Therefore, by refactoring and ensuring better practices of your application, you will be directly improving your application design.
Conclusion
You have seen that code refactoring brings many benefits to you. However, you should know that these benefits do not come immediately but in the long run.
