Importance of Code Refactoring in Software Development

Quick Go-Through: Code refactoring is modifying and clearing off the software code in the background, streamlining its internal configuration yet not touching its external functionalities and performance. For a fact, refactoring is essential for every software development project. Code refactoring even assists in improving and enhancing miserable project design. Therefore, the process provides organizations and developers with excellent and long-lasting benefits. In this blog, we’ll discuss refactoring and its types. Although, majorly we’ll focus on learning about code refactoring, its benefits, challenges, techniques, and best practices.

Are you a business owner? Do you have a team of developers? If yes, how do your developers start working on a fresh new development project?

Umm, belonging to a technical background, we’re pretty sure that the first step they follow is to collect some basic information for software development. And after going through all the basics, the developers start deploying the features and functionalities one by one. As the developers move ahead, they learn more about them, which helps them keep adding and modifying their code in the codebase. Moreover, developers also alter the code at the later stages in order to fix any loopholes or issues.

Okay, in essence, there’s an interesting fact. As the Statista report, the developer population worldwide is estimated to cross 28.7 million people (whoa, about the population of Texas) in 2024. Wow, amazing, isn’t it?

Regarding our topic – software developers write code for a particular solution. But what happens to code after a month or a couple of months? What does the code appear like? Is it complex to read? Or is it too hard to understand?

So, yes, if you have these questions in your mind, that’s for sure that you didn’t look out to enhance the code or opted for code refactoring. Sometimes you write code duplicating the existing code, or you might have written several parameters, lengthy functions, non-intuitive variable names, code replacement, larger classes, etc. To be clear, these practices are wrong, which pave the path for more significant issues. Uuuuggggh!

And we’re pretty sure nobody wants to encounter serious issues.

Is there any solution to these issues? Well, yes! No need to stress out as there is a solution available. Hence, ‘code refactoring’ is our hero for preventing and solving these problems.

Now, there must be several questions popping up – what is refactoring? What is code refactoring? Why is refactoring your code important? What is the purpose of refactoring the code? And the list goes on. But there’s nothing to worry about. Suppose you’re facing the fence and curious to know more about code refactoring; then, as a reputable software development company, it’s our responsibility to give you basic knowledge on this topic. And we’ve developed this article just for you.

Refactoring legacy code is the need of the hour in today’s evolving technological time. Therefore, in this blog, we’ll be understanding what is refactoring and its types. Although, we’ll majorly be focusing on only code refactoring, actual refactor code meaning, its benefits, best practices, challenges, etc. So, this blog is like a tiny version of a code refactoring guide. But yes, we’ll cover all the basics!

But here’s the deal, you need to be with us till the end.

Let’s start, then.

Also, for heads-up, it isn’t gonna be a short ride!

What is Refactoring?

To be honest, the refactoring process is no magic bullet. Yet, it is a powerful antidote that provides several benefits for keeping an excellent grip on your codebase and the software project. But again, the same question, what is refactoring in software development?

So, refactoring is a complete process of restructuring and reorganizing the code. But software refactoring makes sure that there are no alterations in the original functionality of the code. The primary purpose of refactoring in agile development is to improve the code’s internal structure by making little changes. Software developers, DevOps services experts, and computer programmers use code refactoring to enhance and modify software design, organization, and deployment. So, the code refactoring process helps to prevent complexities and improves code readability.

The code refactoring process can alter the source code in different manners. Let’s understand this by considering one of the many code refactoring examples - so, following one among the many approaches for software refactoring, you can enhance the arrangement of the source code and then uniformly implement the same alterations to more relevant references. The main idea behind this approach is that these minor, behavior-preserving modifications can benefit the code body. Moreover, these modifications also help maintain the code’s actual behavior.

“Refactoring is a disciplined technique for restructuring an existing body of code, altering its internal structure without changing its external behavior.”

- Martin Fowler

Do you know who Martin Fowler is? If NO, we’ll tell you!

Martin Fowler is known as the ‘Father of Refactoring.’ He collected and wrote about several best practices, tips, and tricks. He enlisted everything about refactoring programming and its implementation in the book – Refactoring: Improving the Design of Existing Code. You should definitely check this out!

We’re pretty sure that now you have a good idea of what is refactoring and what does refactoring code means. So, let’s move to the next important topic of our discussion, i.e., types of refactoring.

Types of Refactoring

Refactoring in coding helps enhance and modify different areas of software, or we can simply call them different types of refactoring.

1. Code Refactoring – It is referred to as refactoring in simple terms. It consists of the Pushdown method, Introduce assertion, Extract class, Encapsulated field, and Rename method. The code refactoring process only changes the structure of the source code and keeps the functionality as it is.

2. Database Refactoring – Database refactoring helps to modify the database schema with a straightforward approach. You can enhance the database design with the help of fine-tuning its functionality and semantics. It includes semantics such as Introduce column constraint, Replace LOB with table, Split table, and Rename column.

3. User Interface Refactoring – A direct change or adjustment to your software’s user interface (UI) offers consistency for all the users, including your company and your client’s company. You can use semantics like Increase color contrast, Reword in active voice, Indicate format, Apply font, and Align the entry field.

This was all about the types of refactoring. So, here’s the deal – in this blog, we’ll mainly focus on the aspects of code refactoring or refactoring.

We’ve now come to know– what is refactoring in software engineering and what its types are. Now, another important question – what is the purpose of refactoring the code?

Curious to know? Come on, get set, go!

Why is it Significant to Refactor code?

Let’s now discuss the primary purpose of refactoring the code. So, software refactoring enhances the code by the following:

• It’s simpler for programmers to recognize and fix all the issues and loopholes in the source code

• It makes the code cleaner, more straightforward to read, grasp, and implement

• It helps the software to maintain and follow software metrics and KPIs

• It makes sure to deal with all the challenges and interdependencies in a more effective way

• Refactoring in coding makes it more reusable by improving its readability and efficiency

Eventually, code refactoring also ensures no change in any code functionalities. And our expert developers at Radixweb make sure to follow this point.

This is important, though!

Employ Software Project Rescue Services to Streamline Your Half-Baked Project

Give it a Shot

There’s a perfect time for everything! So, want to know when you should consider code refactoring. What should be the ideal time?

What’s the Perfect Time to Refactor your Software’s Code?

It’s no rocket science to determine the ideal time for code refactoring. Following are some apt situations when you’ll realize – It’s the time!

• Scalability is Necessary – Okay, let’s assume your software is working all right. However, after a while, some teeny tiny issues start appearing, like taking more time while adding new features and functionality or problems arising during deployment.

• Accumulation of Technical Debt – In some cases, everyday activities or tasks worked well during the project launch. However, after a while, it takes longer to finish. Although their complexity level is still the same, my friend, these indicate technical debt accumulation. So, the technical debt denotes that your project consists of several complex pieces and parcels of code that are confusing, you face difficulty scaling the project, and there are architectural failures.

• Cost-Efficiency and Upgradation are Necessary – According to a business point of view, this situation is really significant. If you have a technical background like us, you must know that well-structured, well-maintained, and clean code is easy to update and manage. Here’s the deal – code refactoring makes it cost-effective.

• Understandable and Readable Code – You very well know that it could take years and years to develop specific software solutions. And as we think of it, nothing is permanent in this world, so your development team members can change over time. In such cases, code refactoring makes it easier and smoother for your new software developers to understand the code.

So, here’s a quick yet pro tip: To ensure that your software works as smoothly as butter, you can dedicate an hour of your last working day before any weekend to the code refactoring process. Believe us, after a while, you’ll see the wonders. Dedicated development team at Radixweb swear by this approach.

Is code refactoring always necessary? Umm, in the next section, we’ll come to know when it’s not.

When to Avoid Refactoring?

There are also certain times when you shouldn’t consider refactoring in coding.

You sometimes need to write code from scratch because refactoring can create some mess too. In that case, you should opt out of code refactoring. Moreover, as mentioned above, the ideal time to code refactoring in agile approach is when we start discovering some issues or bugs and need to stabilize them ASAP. However, for refactoring, the code should be efficiently functional.

Another instance when you should avoid code refactoring is when you’re near the deadline. At such times you should never consider refactoring as an option. Thinking why? See, it’s a likelihood that software refactoring might breach the code. And nobody would ever want that when the deadline is on the head. And also, incomplete refactoring is the same as technical debt.

Although, several organizations need debt for proper functioning. Still, one should never let these debts go out of control, as they can negatively impact your company. But yes, once you deliver the code, you can go for code refactoring.

Level up your Business’s Digital Presence with Reliable Software Outsourcing Services

Let’s Begin

Well, well, we’ve reached the other half of our blog. And thank you so much for being with us till now. Let’s move to the next section of our blog, where we’ll discuss more critical yet exciting topics, including the benefits of code refactoring, techniques, code refactoring best practices, and so on.

Feeling curious already? Let’s then directly dive into the topics.

Significant Advantages of Code Refactoring

Following are some of the best benefits of code refactoring:

1. Code Becomes More Understandable

The development process can get complicated when you add additional functionalities and features. Moreover, maintaining and refactoring legacy code is not everyone’s cup of tea. However, every problem comes with a solution, and iterative refactoring can be the most efficient technique for these issues. This code refactoring technique helps reduce legacy code's technical setbacks and effective maintenance of legacy software.

2. Improves the System Design

So, when you try to improve your code and better understand your software solution, you, bit by bit, discover and learn many new things. For instance, you’ve written a code to add a new feature and didn’t pay much attention for a few months, but once you check it after a while, you’ll realize what could you’ve done and not done to make the code more straightforward and more readable. The approach you followed a few months back isn’t feasible today.

Therefore, refactoring in coding and following the code refactoring best practices can help you improve the system design and prevent future issues.

3. Seamless Product Enhancement

When you develop a software product, it’s also necessary to upgrade it occasionally. Upgradations can include adding new features and functionalities, integrating them with cutting-edge technologies, or improving them according to market and consumer needs and requirements. This is the only way to have the upper hand over your competitors.

So, with the help of code refactoring, you can keep your software products top-notch, further increasing sales and revenue generation.

4. Less Money and Time Consumption

Code refactoring helps your development teams to save a good amount of money and time. Both of which are really necessary! With the help of easily understandable and readable code, they can add and deploy new features without any combat. As it is a fact that no software developer or engineer likes to waste their time getting rid of duplicate code and working out on clumsy code.

Time is precious, my friend! That is why refactoring in coding improvements is one of the best approaches for saving money as well as time.

5. Higher Software Productivity and Performance

This is one of the primary and best reasons organizations should opt for a code refactoring process. Sometimes, software developers willingly or unwillingly waste too much time finding errors, loopholes, or bugs. There are even times when they also have to update each line of their code to make it less clumsy and more thoroughly efficient.

So, in order to do this work, save more time, and leverage the full benefits of custom software development, you should consider code refactoring. It can be of great help. Moreover, if you invest some money right now in software refactoring, there will be no need to spend your time and money again in the future. Code refactoring will make your solution future-ready (and by future-ready, we mean near-future ready).

This is not all for the advantages, there are many more, but we’ve mentioned the significant ones for you.

Hire a Dedicated Software Development Team with Years of Expertise and Skills

Talk to Experts

Now, coming to the next topic, there are always two sides to the coin. So, with advantages comes some disadvantages and challenges as well. Let’s review the brief section below to learn the disadvantages of code refactoring.

Code Refactoring Challenges

There are specific challenges that come with the code refactoring process. Some of these challenges include:

• Software refactoring cannot fix the bugs or loopholes alone, as the fundamental purpose of refactoring the code is to clean it, simplify it, and make it more reusable.

• If your software developers are time-bound and haven’t made a roadmap for proper code refactoring, the process may take a reasonable amount of time.

• If your goals are not set, and objectives aren’t defined, software refactoring can consume more time and, in some cases, money.

To be honest, our developers can help you overcome these challenges through their expertise, dedication, and skills.

Different Code Refactoring Techniques

Businesses use different techniques and approaches for code refactoring. They choose the method that suits their project the best. Moreover, at Radixweb, we try to use more and more ways for code refactoring. Some of these techniques include:

• Red and Green – It is the most widely used and popular technique for refactoring in agile development process, which involves three steps. Firstly, the software developers identify what to develop and what to take care of. The second step is to make their project pass all the criteria and succeed in tests. The third and last step is to follow the code refactoring process to make all the necessary modifications.

• Move Features Between Objects – This technique helps to produce new classes, all while transferring the functionality between newly developed and outdated data classes.

• Using Abstraction – In software refactoring, this approach helps to minimize duplicate code. Code refactoring by abstraction is ideal when you need to refactor a large code volume.

• Inline – This approach concentrates on streamlining the code by removing all the needless components.

• Extract – The Extract approach first divides the code into pieces and parcels. Secondly, it transfers all these small pieces and parcels to another method. The fragmented code is then put back with a call over a new method.

• Compose – This code refactoring technique is an integration of different refactoring approaches. For instance, Compose helps simplify code, which further helps reduce redundancies by utilizing Inline and Extract approaches.

Acquire 100% Efficiency from Your Software Products with our Maintenance Expertise

Tell Me More

Now, Best Tips and Tricks for Code Refactoring

Code refactoring in agile development methodology is quite a common practice. And this is understandable! Why? See, as you move forward with every fresh iteration, managing and scaling the code gets more challenging if you don’t attempt to modify it simultaneously, clean it, and make it easy to understand and implement.

So, here are some code refactoring best practices to ease your work.

1. Make a Proper Plan – If you don’t make a plan or roadmap for the code refactoring process, it might get more complex and consume more time.

2. Prioritize Code Refactoring – You should refactor the existing code before integrating your software product with new features, functionalities, or updates. This helps to minimize the technical debt.

3. Determine Objectives – Setting clear objectives is essential when opting for software refactoring. Software developers should first define their project scope and utmost objectives in the initial phase of the code refactoring process. It will help you prevent any delays and additional workload.

4. Take Baby Steps – Always remember to take small or baby steps because quick work is always the devil’s work. Taking small steps helps developers to get feedback at the initial stages of the process, like identifying any loopholes or client requests.

5. Use Test-Driven Approach – Utilizing test-driven development can help you consistently test and refactor the code. Software developers at Radixweb follow this approach more often.

6. Go For Automation – Using automation tools and technologies helps to make your code refactoring, database refactoring, and user-interface refactoring much more rapid and seamless, eventually enhancing the effectiveness.

7. Better Code Understanding – Analyze your code to comprehend its procedures, objects, approaches, variables, and other components.

8. Focus on Eliminating Code Duplicity – Duplications in code always increase code complexity and waste system resources.

9. Don’t Fly Solo – Code refactoring is an approach that is incredibly advantageous for team collaboration and open communication. Software refactoring together is the best way to achieve understanding and exchange knowledge among team members.

10. Follow RRR – That is, regularly Refactor, Repair, and Refurbish. You won’t believe that code refactoring can help generate maximum return on investment (ROI). Wondering how? Refactoring helps to address a specific problem without consuming more effort and time.

Want to Craft Top Custom Software Solutions Utilizing Cutting-Edge Technologies?

Yes, Why Not?

Lastly, as we end our blog, we want to address that you’ll not immediately witness the benefits of code refactoring. However, sooner or later, you’ll get a finer source code and a more productive and less stressful work environment, and all your investments will be worthwhile.

Code Refactoring: The Best Approach to Follow

Code refactoring includes modifying the internal structure of the code without touching its functionality and behavior. With the help of this, the code becomes seamless to understand and manage. It allows the software development team to keep the code complications in check. This is why code refactoring has become essential to every project.

Let’s understand by a simple day-to-day life example.

You can think of code refactoring as to keep your study or office desk neat. When you keep your desk clean and organized, you’ll be calm and less stressed as there is no hotch-potch, and you will find everything easily. On the contrary, when your desk is untidy and chaotic, you’ll battle to find your things on time, creating stressful surroundings. This is the actual code refactoring meaning.

Also, belonging to a technical background, we find that opting for code refactoring in agile environment is like promoting a healthy culture. And to implement this, you need to modify the code regularly by making teeny tiny changes. It isn’t a huge deal! To keep your garden alive and fresh, you must provide water and sunlight daily.

A bit overwhelming, right? You don’t need to stress.

In this blog, we’ve talked about what code refactoring is, the types of refactoring, the benefits of code refactoring, code refactoring best practices, etc. All these topics will help you greatly in understanding the subject of code refactoring. However, one last yet important topic left is why Radixweb is your perfect guy for the ideal software development services.

Why Radixweb, Though?Radixweb is a reputable software development company with a team of top-notch software developers. Our developers take care of your software solutions and their time-to-time modifications and refactoring, utilizing more technologically efficient techniques and approaches. They possess unique skill sets and agility to meet all your demands and specifications.So, please get in touch with us right away to learn more about our code refactoring processes and techniques. Also, thanks for reading!