Refactoring is the process of improving the internal structure of code without changing what the code actually does. The goal is to make the code cleaner, easier to read, and simpler to maintain, while keeping its behaviour exactly the same.
Think of it like tidying up a room. You are not adding new furniture or changing the purpose of the room. You are just putting things in the right place, clearing the mess, and making sure everything is easier to find when needed.
In software development, refactoring can involve renaming variables so they make more sense, breaking a long function into smaller parts, removing duplicate code, or improving the logic to make it more efficient. These changes do not add new features, but they do make the code more stable and flexible for the future.
For testers, refactoring often means that the code becomes easier to test and maintain. It might also reduce flaky tests or make automation more reliable by removing hidden complexities. However, it is important to make sure that tests still pass after refactoring. Since the goal is not to change what the code does, all previous tests should still work if the refactoring is done right.
Refactoring is not just a task for cleanup. It is a habit that helps teams grow healthier codebases. It supports long-term quality and makes adding new features or fixing bugs much smoother. Good refactoring is often invisible to the user, but it is deeply felt by anyone working with the code.
Think of it like tidying up a room. You are not adding new furniture or changing the purpose of the room. You are just putting things in the right place, clearing the mess, and making sure everything is easier to find when needed.
In software development, refactoring can involve renaming variables so they make more sense, breaking a long function into smaller parts, removing duplicate code, or improving the logic to make it more efficient. These changes do not add new features, but they do make the code more stable and flexible for the future.
For testers, refactoring often means that the code becomes easier to test and maintain. It might also reduce flaky tests or make automation more reliable by removing hidden complexities. However, it is important to make sure that tests still pass after refactoring. Since the goal is not to change what the code does, all previous tests should still work if the refactoring is done right.
Refactoring is not just a task for cleanup. It is a habit that helps teams grow healthier codebases. It supports long-term quality and makes adding new features or fixing bugs much smoother. Good refactoring is often invisible to the user, but it is deeply felt by anyone working with the code.
