Refactoring is a controlled technique for improving the design of an existing code base. Its essence is applying a series of small behavior-preserving transformations.
However the cumulative effect of each of these transformations is quite significant. By doing them in small steps we reduce the risk of introducing errors.
We also avoid having the system broken while we are carrying out the restructuring, which allows us to gradually refactor a system over an extended period of time.
Refactoring is crucial for eliminating Code Smells in source code, as it involves restructuring existing code without changing its external behavior.
Static Code Analysis and Software Metrics are essential tools for identifying code smells in source code. By using static code analysis, developers can automatically examine code without executing it, which helps in detecting potential issues early in the development process. This proactive approach ensures that code quality is maintained and reduces the likelihood of bugs and vulnerabilities.
Software metrics, on the other hand, provide quantitative measures of various aspects of the code, such as complexity, maintainability, and readability. These metrics help in pinpointing areas of the code that may be problematic or prone to errors.
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Martin Fowler. Refactoring: Improving the Design of Existing Code. Addison Wesley, 2. Edition, 2019
Egon Teiniker, 2016-2024, GPL v3.0