Code refactoring is the process of restructuring code without changing its original functionality. The goal of refactoring is to improve the internal code by making many small changes without changing the external behavior of the code. You can develop a program to your liking, ensuring its functionality, but you need to refactor the source code to improve its structure and readability.
What is refactoring
Code refactoring is defined as a method of restructuring and cleaning up existing code without any change in code function (or external behavior). It is also one of the common approaches to modernize legacy software. The main objective of code refactoring is to reduce technical costs by cleaning up the code in a timely manner while preserving its functionality. In refactoring, developers apply a standardized microrefactoring framework that allows the source code to retain the external behavior of the software. Since each code transformation represents a small change, there is less chance of it going wrong and breaking the code.
It’s also worth emphasizing the difference between refactoring and code rewriting, as the two are commonly confused. Unlike code rewriting, code refactoring does not change the functionality of the software: it only cleans up the code, making it simpler and more optimized.
When and why do you need refactoring?
The main purposes of refactoring are:
- increasing code readability;
- reducing complexity;
- improving maintainability of source code;
- improved extensibility;
- improving performance;
- facilitating fast program execution.
Refactoring code may be more costly than rewriting it from scratch. Such cases occur when the code is completely unreadable and obsolete that it cannot be maintained and extended. Also if the product has a strict timeframe for delivery to market. It may seem paradoxical (considering the above advice about refactoring code at the development stage), but sometimes the refactoring process can take much longer than planned. Thus, it would be wise to postpone refactoring and perform it after the deadline.