Refactor The Code or Rewrite The Code, How to Know?

It is said that a code just when has been written becomes a legacy. There are multiple times when a code is found to be not working or is full of bugs. Then the developer has to dig into that old infected code and work on it and its components. They do so to extend its life and to fix the bugs. So the users can then have a lot of problems while running that code. This issue can dissatisfy them and can disturb their user experience.

It becomes tough at times to decide whether the code should be rewritten or it should be refactored. Both of the ways seem the best but for different occasions. But one should know when to choose to go in which way, whether to rewrite it or refactor it. It can be disastrous if chosen the other way around. Both rewriting and refactoring of codes have their pros and cons.

So in the article below, we discuss when you should rewrite the code and refactor it.

What is Refactoring, and when to choose it?

The process of code refactoring can be defined as the restructuring of the existing codes in software designing and computer programming without impacting its behavior. While refactoring a code, you improve its design and enhance the structure of the code. When you work on its implementation, with all these functions, it’s functionality is also preserved as well.

When do you Refactor a code?

● You refactor a code before you add any updates or new features to an existing code. You go back and clean up the existing code and then add these new features to improve the quality of the product.

● If you have been able to produce to the market, you can also affect the code, then you have put so much time and effort into delivering the product in the market and show, so you have more availability of time in work to refactor the code before developing a new product.

● Refactoring of code takes a longer time than rewriting it. However, continuous feedback is given and taken while refactoring a code. The customers are continuously kept on toes regarding the new updates and changes being made to the system. This also makes them loyal to the service and keeps them engaged as well.

What is the Rewriting code and when to use it?

In the language of computer programming or software designing, rewriting a code means implementing a major portion of the existing functionality of the code. The source old code is not used while rewriting a new code. Rewriting code means that you already know about the code.

You know about the system of the code, its design, its flaws, and the requirements needed to reinvent the code. You then design a new system, then remove flaws and put aside the challenges in the way. However, here you then need to maintain two different kinds of systems.

You write a new code, and when you implement the client’s request of putting the requirements into the legacy system, the older one, it also needs to be to the newly made System.

When to Rewrite a code?

● When you truly want to replace the old pieces of the code in your system with the new functional ones, then you refactor the code. All of your previous integrations and tests are there. And so it becomes easy for anyone to verify that the functionality of the code stays just the very same.

● When you want yourself the cask for anybody else to handle the code, you send respected because the code’s functionality stays the same. It is easier for a new team of people to handle the system.

● If a customer wants to have a better user experience, you can then also refactor a code. You can add all new desired features just like the customer wants. You can give them the best customer satisfaction by providing them with the needed desired changes and Updates.

Refactoring a code or Rewriting it? Which is better?

Both, refactoring the code or rewriting it already have their pros and cons. We already discussed the situation as when we should refactor the code and when we should rewrite it.

However, there might be a situation when both of the options seem like a good choice, and you need to decide which one to choose. And so let’s discuss a bit more as to which option will suit more in some conditions.

• If you are planning to make a major shift in the architecture of a product, then rewriting the code is a better opportunity. Every piece of the old architecture can be written from scratch, and so it is a better option in such conditions. 
• If you are moving from monolith to microservices or even to serverless, rewriting code is always better.
• If you have time on your hands and you can afford to lose a bit of velocity while developing and adding updates to a system, in that case, you can always get for refactoring the code. However, if your customers are waiting and the market competition is too much, rewriting the code seems like a better option always.
• Look into the matter if the basic technology that has been used is now able to support the needs of a system for a longer period. If the language you have used for building the code is your glass ceiling, rewriting the code will always be beneficial over refactoring it.

So in the article above, we discussed the concept of rewriting and refactoring the code, the situations when we should be refactoring the code, and when we should rewrite it. Now it depends upon the users and their requirements to choose from any of the two.

We at Armia see refactoring as a viable option though we could rewrite the codes in some instances. If rewriting is your best option then you need a good plan to achieve a successful outcome. Before making a decision on which path to choose (rewriting or refactoring), we have to weigh our options and go for the best. You can check our services and get free consultation with our team.