Code Refactoring in Agile: All the Benefits

Code refactoring is a practice that improves the internal code of software and apps without changing what is visible externally. It involves a series of adjustments and enhancements that are periodically applied to the code. In the agile methodology, this process is naturally and continuously integrated to optimize the development process at every stage.

What does it involve?

We can summarize by saying that it is the process used by a development team to clean up existing source code without altering its functionality or external appearance. A "clean" code is easier to maintain and modify, but also simply to read and understand. As projects progress, the complexity of the code generally increases, and the refactoring process ensures that the team can respond quickly and efficiently to changes.

There are no predefined criteria for executing this process, and the improvements are manifold. However, we can define three main methodologies:

1. Abstract refactoring involves extracting and moving code to avoid redundancy. There are two ways to execute this technique: pull-up and push-down. The first moves the code to a higher-level class, while the second moves the code from the superclass to a subclass.
2. The composing method reduces programming complexity by simplifying code management.
3. Preparatory refactoring, where the developer refactors the code before adding a new feature to reduce future technical debt.

Why is it crucial in Agile

In the Agile methodology, the project is in a continuous development phase, with new features added in each sprint that tend to "dirty" the code at every stage. Refactoring in Agile helps maintain code that is clean and easily editable. This is why it is a fundamental element in projects managed with an agile approach: the lack of rigidity in planning and continuous releases require code that is easy to modify.

How to successfully implement code refactoring

There are some key points to keep in mind to effectively adopt this technique. Let's review them together.

• Keep problems small: The safest and most economical way to refactor is in small amounts. When the task requires only a few seconds or minutes, it becomes a natural part of the team's workflow.
• A continuous process: The team, for organizational reasons, may not be able to perform this activity every time they wish, but it is crucial to try to implement it with every new modification or added feature.
• Greater team cohesion: Agile relies on teamwork, and teamwork requires high levels of communication and collaboration. All team members must be aligned on the purpose of the refactor and the methods to be used, including tools and techniques.

Benefits of Code Refactoring in Agile

The potential benefits of continuously adopting this practice are numerous: the removal and reduction of technical debt, comprehensible nomenclature, improved code readability, higher quality control, and an overall better structure. All of this combines to save the client time and money and improve the development team's workflow.

Benefits for the client

No one likes to be surprised by unexpected costs: by performing continuous refactoring, you get ahead of costs that would later become very expensive. While it may be difficult to understand its importance, performing it continuously and on small portions of code allows one to avoid future problems that could halt the project with significant costs and timelines.

Benefits for the software house

Clean code allows for a much faster workflow with fewer hiccups. Moreover, this process facilitates communication and makes it easier to onboard new team members or other professionals.

Astrorei's approach

Often code refactoring is confused with code review, but there's a substantial difference between the two. The first is an analysis process, conducted manually or through a tool, aimed at identifying and correcting bugs or vulnerabilities of various kinds, optimizing, or adding defensive code. The second, however, is a true "restructuring" of the code, aimed at eliminating duplicates, managing comments, adding the correct indentations, and making the program's logic clearer. It is a standard practice in our workflow, never performed on a massive scale, but only on small portions of code that need it, in a constant cost and timeline optimization perspective. We involve the Client at every stage of the project, pursuing constant optimization and performance maximization to achieve a functional solution that fully meets the stakeholders' expectations.