Refactoring

5 minutes 5 Questions

Refactoring is a disciplined approach for modifying the existing code structure without altering its external behavior. In TDD, refactoring is used after the testing phase once the code passes the test. The goal is to make the code more efficient, maintainable, and understandable. Refactoring plays a crucial role, especially during the constant changes that the agile development process requires, which makes the code more complex over time.

Guide on Refactoring for PMI-ACP/TDD Exam

What is Refactoring?
Refactoring is a practice in Test-Driven Development (TDD) wherein the code is improved without changing its external behavior. It enhances code readability and reduces complexity, thus making it easier for further modification.

Importance of Refactoring:
Refactoring aids in minimizing the technical debt of a project by making the code more maintainable and expendable. It also facilitates the easy identification of software bugs and aids in improving software design.

How Refactoring Works:
Refactoring process works on the 'Red, Green, Refactor' cycle in TDD. When an addition or improvement in function is needed, code is first tested (red), then written to pass the test (green), followed by refactoring to eliminate any duplication or complexity.

Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Refactoring
1. Understand that refactoring doesn't change the external behavior of the code.
2. Be sure to decipher between refactoring and rewriting as they are not the same. Rewriting involves changes in code behavior, while refactoring improves code without changing functionality.
3. Remember the 'Red, Green, Refactor' cycle as it is a key element in TDD approach.
4. Refactoring is primarily performed to reduce complexity and improve maintainability and expendability of code.

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Question 1

Your team is working on an Agile project, and you've noticed that the codebase has become difficult to maintain. You decide that refactoring is necessary. Which of the following practices should your team prioritize during the refactoring process?

Restructuring the project timeline Redesigning the user interface Improving code readability Following the original design specification Optimizing for performance Adding new features

Correct Answer: Improving code readability

Refactoring aims to improve the internal structure of the code without changing its functionality. The main focus should be on improving code readability to allow for easier maintenance and understanding of the code. Other options such as adding new features or optimizing for performance come after ensuring the codebase is maintainable.

Question 2

In an Agile project, the team is facing performance issues. After analyzing the code, you identify areas that can benefit from refactoring. However, you're concerned about the risks involved. What strategy should you apply to minimize risks while refactoring?

Refactor incrementally while maintaining a suite of tests Skip tests to speed up the refactoring Refactor only when other tasks are completed Avoid refactoring and provide workarounds Stop all other work and focus on refactoring Delegate refactoring to junior team members

Correct Answer: Refactor incrementally while maintaining a suite of tests

Refactoring incrementally while maintaining a suite of tests ensures that you introduce small changes, which are easier to manage. The tests reduce the risk of introducing new defects as the code is refactored. Alternatives such as stopping all other work or skipping tests may create more issues or hinder overall project progress.

Question 3

While developing a critical software, it's often found that the process is being delayed due to complicated and unstructured code which isn't easy to understand or modify. What solution in terms of refactoring would you recommend to ensure future smooth operation?

Only refactor when a defect appears. Introduce more complex coding conventions to deal with the unstructured code. Abandon the current development and start fresh. Implement periodic refactoring, simplifying the code without changing its observable behavior, ensuring better maintainability for future use.

Correct Answer: Implement periodic refactoring, simplifying the code without changing its observable behavior, ensuring better maintainability for future use.

In agile development, a key element is to value 'Responding to change over following a plan'. This means that code should always be adaptable and easy to understand. While dealing with complex and unstructured code that makes a project lagging, implementing periodic refactoring is a suitable solution. Refactoring is a process of restructuring existing code (changing the factoring) without changing its external behavior. This makes the code cleaner, more structured, easier to read, understand, and update, which will be beneficial for future modification and maintenance. Considering 'Only refactor when a defect appears', it may not solve the problem of complicated and unstructured code, and it will also delay the project further each time a defect shows up. Introducing more complex coding conventions to the existing unstructured code will most likely add to the complications, making it harder to understand instead of simplifying it. Abandoning current development and starting fresh can indeed clean up the mess, but it's only a last resort when the code is completely unmanageable because time, effort, and resource have been invested in the current development that shouldn't go to waste.

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