Chapter 1: The Decision to Refactor

In my company, we were faced with an aging project that had been in use for several years. After much deliberation, my team reached a consensus to undertake a refactor. Our decision stemmed from several key factors:

1. The technology stack was markedly different from our other projects.
2. The outdated code made it cumbersome to implement new features or make modifications.
3. Our management was supportive of the refactor and open to potential risks.

Thus, we embarked on the refactoring journey.

Refactoring often felt more akin to reconstructing a chaotic mess rather than simply refining it. We needed to rebuild the project's foundational layer from the ground up, discarding unused libraries and updating the user interface with a new framework. Additionally, we had to rewrite the routing system, encapsulate utility functions, and reorganize folder structures.

Ultimately, after investing significant time and effort, we completed the refactor. However, upon launching the project, we discovered several lingering issues. One page we overlooked during the refactor became inaccessible to users. An API that was supposed to utilize the GET method was still using POST, causing discrepancies between the front end and back end, resulting in failed requests.

Despite resolving these problems, anxiety lingered as I worried about the potential for undiscovered bugs within the project.

Through this experience, I gained several insights:

• While our management verbally supported the refactor, the expectation for a flawless outcome loomed large; any missteps during the process could lead to blame.
• Users tend to be less forgiving of bugs in legacy products compared to new ones. If a product is functioning well online, any issues stemming from a refactor are unacceptable.

If I were to approach another refactor now, I would carefully consider the following questions:

• Is a refactor truly necessary?
• What conditions warrant a refactor?
• What is the best approach to refactoring a project?

As a seasoned developer, it’s crucial to recognize that refactoring often may not benefit the company. There is no guarantee that the process won't inadvertently transition from "legacy code 1.0" to "legacy code 2.0." Furthermore, the time spent on refactoring might yield less improvement in my skills than investing that time in learning new concepts and reinforcing existing knowledge.

In many instances, the costs associated with refactoring do not justify the benefits.

Therefore, I advise against refactoring under the following conditions:

• If the project is overly large.
• If there is substantial code that remains unclear.
• If you have been with the company for less than a year.
• If the refactor does not contribute to key performance indicators (KPIs).
• If your superior does not strongly advocate for refactoring.

When to Consider Refactoring

A project that is already stable should only be considered for refactoring when there is a compelling reason beyond mere "scalability and maintainability." The resources required for significant refactoring cannot simply be justified by those two phrases.

Refactoring should be contemplated only if there are serious deficiencies in at least one of these areas:

• Performance: The existing project struggles to operate smoothly, leading to poor user experiences.
• Scalability: The current project lacks flexibility, making it difficult to accommodate new requirements.
• Maintenance Costs: The existing project presents significant maintenance challenges, driving up the need for refactoring.

Strategies for Effective Refactoring

To enhance the refactoring process, consider these strategies:

• Break the project into smaller modules and refactor one segment at a time.
• Establish and adhere to a coding standard to prevent the reemergence of problematic code.
• Maintain consistent interfaces and functionalities throughout the refactor.
• Plan time effectively to ensure business requirements are not hindered.
• Ensure that unit tests comprehensively cover most of the code.

Conclusion

The most effective way to manage a problematic codebase is not to engage in a full refactor but to approach it with caution and strategy.

A discussion on how clean code practices can hinder project success.

Explore the reasons behind code refactoring and whether it's the right choice for your project.