Technology Fundamentals
Refactoring
Definition
Code refactoring is the process of restructuring existing computer code—changing the factoring—without changing its external behavior. Refactoring is intended to improve nonfunctional attributes of the software, such as code readability, complexity, maintainability, and extensibility.
Why It Matters
Refactoring is a disciplined technique for cleaning up code and "paying down" technical debt. It is a crucial practice for keeping a codebase healthy and easy to work on over the long term.
Contextual Example
A developer might notice a very long and complicated function. They could refactor it by breaking it down into several smaller, single-purpose functions. The overall functionality remains the same, but the code is now much easier to read, test, and debug.
Common Misunderstandings
- Refactoring is not the same as rewriting code from scratch. It is done in small, controlled steps.
- Refactoring should not change what the code does. A good suite of automated tests is essential to ensure that refactoring doesn't introduce new bugs.