Refactoring, simply put, is the process of cleaning up the source code without changing the functionality of the software. The main goal of refactoring is to keep the code as clean and simple as possible, improving the overall structure and design, making it easier for anyone to understand, modify, and maintain. In the context of the Advanced Certified Scrum Developer (A-CSD) exam, understanding refactoring becomes crucial as it involves efficient working with an Agile development process to build a sustainable and flexible system.
Simplifying Refactoring
Let’s break this down and get a sense of how it works in more straightforward terms. Consider the situation where you have to tidy up your home. There are scattered toys, dirty dishes in the sink, and possibly clothes lying around. What do you do? You start by organizing everything in its place. You put the toys away in the toy box, wash and rack the dishes and fold and place the clothes in the cupboard. In this process, the point to note is that you are not changing the functionality of the household objects (toys, dishes, clothes); instead, you are merely making them more manageable and easy to use. Similarly, refactoring entails organizing and simplifying the code without changing its functionality, thereby increasing its readability, understandability, and maintainability.
Comparison Table
| Normal House Condition (Source Code) | After Cleaning (Refactored Code) |
|---|---|
| Scattered Toys (Disorganized Code Portions) | Toys in Toy Box (Organized Code Structures) |
| Dirty Dishes (Buggy Code Lines) | Cleaned Dishes in Rack (Bug Free Code) |
| Clothes lying around (Unused/ Redundant Code) | Folded Clothes in Cupboard (Preventing Redundancy) |
Benefits of Refactoring
Refactoring can significantly contribute to the efficiency of the scrum team. Primarily, it allows better readability of the code, thereby reducing the complexity for any future upgrades or bug fixes. It enhances the overall code design and architecture, which can further prevent bugs from occurring. Eventually, it leads to faster development times and reduced costs, keeping the process of delivering high-quality software streamlined.
Example
To illustrate with an example, let’s take the case where a supermarket billing software is developed without any refactoring. Over time, as the supermarket expands and adds more products, the code becomes more complex, making it difficult for developers to make changes. This ultimately leads to slower updates, more bugs, and higher costs. Nonetheless, if the code was refactored in the initial stages itself by creating separate classes for different product categories and using design patterns, the code would be easier to understand and maintain, leading to quicker updates.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while refactoring may not be a ‘visible’ change to the final product from a non-technical stakeholder point-of-view, it is an invaluable practice that helps keep the code clean, flexible, and easy to manage. It is an important element for the success of a Scrum team in delivering a high-quality software product. This is all the more reason why it is emphasized during the Advanced Certified Scrum Developer (A-CSD) exam to ensure efficient working with an Agile development process.
Practice Test
True or False: Refactoring is the process of changing the coding structure without changing its external behavior.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: The main goal of refactoring is to improve the internal structure of the code without changing the external behavior. It helps makes the code cleaner and easier to understand and maintain.
Multiple Select: Why is refactoring necessary? Select all that apply.
- A) To improve the design of software.
- B) To make the code more readable and understandable.
- C) To make debugging easier.
- D) To add new features.
Answer: A, B, C
Explanation: Refactoring improves the design of the software, makes it easier to understand, and facilitates debugging. It doesn’t add new functionalities.
Single Select: Who is primarily responsible for the Refactoring process?
- A) Scrum Master
- B) Product Owner
- C) Developer
- D) Stakeholder
Answer: C) Developer
Explanation: The Developer is primarily responsible for Refactoring as it involves altering the codebase to improve its readability and maintainability.
True or False: Refactoring adds new functionalities to the existing system.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Refactoring is meant to improve the internal structure of the code without adding new functionalities.
Single Select: What is a key benefit of refactoring to non-technical stakeholders?
- A) It speeds up the coding process
- B) It makes technical complexities more understandable
- C) It reduces potential risks and costs in the long run
- D) All of the above
Answer: C) It reduces potential risks and costs in the long run
Explanation: From a non-technical stakeholder’s perspective, the key benefits of refactoring are risk and cost reduction. By improving code quality and maintainability, it helps prevent future issues that could be costly to fix.
True or False: Automated testing is not important after refactoring coding.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Automated testing is crucial after refactoring to ensure that the behavior of the software has not been unintentionally altered.
Multiple Select: A good time to refactor is… Select all that apply.
- A) Before adding new features
- B) When a bug is found
- C) At the end of the project
- D) After each iteration
Answer: A, B, D
Explanation: Refactoring is usually done before adding new features, after discovering a bug, or after each iteration. It’s not typically left until the end of the project as it focuses on improving the existing code.
True or False: Refactoring is a single, one-time process.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Refactoring is not a one-time activity. It’s a continuous process to improve the codebase regularly and incrementally.
Single Select: Refactoring can lead to which of the following?
- A) Increased software complexity
- B) Longer software development time
- C) Simplified software design
- D) Higher software costs
Answer: C) Simplified software design
Explanation: Refactoring aims to simplify software design by eliminating unnecessary complexity, making it easier to read, maintain and debug.
True or False: To a non-technical stakeholder, refactoring can be perceived as wasteful because it doesn’t produce immediate tangible results.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Because refactoring involves changing code without adding new features, it may seem unproductive to non-technical stakeholders. However, it’s an investment in the long-term health of the software, reducing future risks and maintenance costs.
Interview Questions
What is refactoring in software development?
Refactoring is the process of changing a software system in such a way that it does not alter its external behavior yet improves its internal structure. Essentially, it is a way to clean up code without changing the software’s behaviour or functionality.
Why is refactoring important in software development?
Refactoring is crucial as it helps in maintaining the quality and efficiency of the software. It prevents software decay, improves the design of software, makes the software easier to understand, and helps in finding bugs and speeding up the program.
How does refactoring improve the readability of the software?
Refactoring improves code readability by making it cleaner and more streamlined. It removes redundant code, simplifies complicated functions, and renames variables for better understanding. All these contribute towards making the code more readable and easy to maintain.
Who performs refactoring in a software development team?
Refactoring is typically carried out by developers who are familiar with the code. They have a good understanding of the software’s structure and can recognize areas where improvements can be made without influencing functionality.
How does refactoring relate to Agile or Scrum methodologies?
In Agile or Scrum, delivering working software frequently and accommodating changing requirements are key principles. Refactoring plays an essential role in these methodologies by allowing iterative and incremental development, maintaining the quality of code, and making it easier to adapt to changes.
When is the right time to perform refactoring?
Refactoring is often done as a part of regular programming, during iterations in Agile development processes. It can also be done when the code base has become too complex, bugs are difficult to fix, or the system performance is not up to the mark.
What is the role of automated testing in refactoring?
Automated testing is crucial during refactoring as it ensures that the code still works as expected after changes have been made. Automated tests provide a safety net and enable developers to refactor code confidently.
Can refactoring lead to any potential risks?
Yes, if not done correctly or without necessary precautions, refactoring can introduce new bugs into the system or break existing functionalities. This is why it is important to have a suite of tests in place to validate the functionality after refactoring.
What does the terminology “Code Smells” mean in refactoring?
Code smells refer to symptoms in the code that indicate deeper problems. These are not bugs but suggest weaknesses in the design that may slow down development or increase the risk of bugs or failures in the future.
What is the difference between refactoring and rewriting the code?
Refactoring involves improving the internal structure of the code without changing its external behavior, while rewriting the code implies a complete overhaul of the existing code, which could lead to the change in software behavior as a result.
How does refactoring affect the overall project timeline?
Refactoring can initially slow down development as it involves taking additional time to improve the code. However, in the long run, it often improves team productivity by making the code easier to understand and maintain, thus balancing out the initial investment in time.
Can you explain the term “Technical Debt”?
Technical debt refers to the implied cost of additional rework caused by choosing a quick and easy solution now instead of using a better approach that would take longer. Not taking time for refactoring when it’s needed often results in accumulating technical debt.
How does incorporating refactoring into the development process improve the product quality?
Incorporating refactoring ensures that code stays clean and efficient. This can lead to fewer bugs, improved program performance, and easier implementation of new features, all of which contribute to improved product quality.
What types of tools can assist with the refactoring process?
Refactoring tools, often found in Integrated Development Environments (IDEs), assist in the refactoring process. They help automate refactorings such as renaming variables, extracting methods, moving methods or whole classes, and several others.
How can a non-technical stakeholder contribute or be involved in refactoring?
A non-technical stakeholder can be supportive by understanding its importance and including time for it in the project schedule. They can also be receptive to the idea of changing requirements and constructive feedback in the development process.
extutorials.com