How Code Refactoring Helps To Work With Legacy Code and Makes an App Successful

5 min readMay 5, 2022

The constant development of technology leads to the need to update mobile applications, improving their functionality and increasing efficiency. No matter how good the app is, it will still need to be updated over time. It is impossible to change only a single function or part of the application, it is important to completely refactor the code and update it in accordance with modern requirements.

In this article, we will look at the need to work with legacy systems and the main indications for refactoring the code of a legacy project.

What Is Code Refactoring?

Legacy code is code that was inherited from the developers who were at the origin of the project. Despite the fact that it may be working or an important part of the work of the entire application rests on it, it physically becomes obsolete every day.

Old code usually plays an important role, so it cannot be simply discarded, but keeping it alive is a laborious and unjustified process. From this follows the process of refactoring, that is, updating and reworking old code for new technologies. For example, it can be a transition to a new Framework or a monolith transition to microservices, and so on.

Sang the main characteristics of the legacy code:

use of old platforms and technologies in development, architecture and design;
lack of unit and integration tests;
poor code quality that affects operation and upgradeability;
lack of automation in routine operations;
overgrowth of the code with technical debt;
lack of high-quality technical documentation.

Why Is Refactoring Your Code Important?

Postponing refactoring stops the development of the system, reduces control over it and leads to a decrease in audience loyalty. This is an important part of the web application development of a project that has been around for a long time.

Among other important aspects for which refactoring is responsible:

Code purity

Refactoring is designed to make software development code more understandable and readable. You eliminate redundant classes and methods, replace long methods, deal with garbage in the code, and eliminate obvious bugs. Clean code is easier to maintain and scale, it will also be easier for you to test and reduce bugs.

Application performance improvement

An application that does not contain unnecessary functions, classes, variables, methods, and other garbage is faster and more productive. In addition to the technical side, you also get an improved user experience. It also speeds up the process of finding errors and rewriting the code.

Saving time and money

Any features or fixes for unexpected bugs will be worked out much faster. You will not lose money while the application is not available to users.

Reducing technical debt

Refactoring reduces your technical debt, so the cost of maintaining an application will be more predictable even after launch. Carrying out updates will eliminate hitches with updates and will not let your application become outdated in a couple of months.

System Design Improvement

If you are planning for the long term, you already need to update the system regularly. It should be a schedule, thanks to which everything will be debugged. Never miss an opportunity to introduce improvements to an existing system.

4 Signs Code Refactoring Is a Must

As a process, refactoring is needed in almost every project, but in some cases it is a critical necessity. Let’s consider such examples.

1. Long term project

If the project lasts for years, most likely, its basis is already irrevocably outdated. Another related reason is the departure of key developers from the company. All this leads to the fact that the entire code of the project becomes unreadable and heavy, which affects the operation of the application.

2. The need to scale and introduce new features

If your code is outdated or clogged, any revision will be problematic. You will also encounter a lot of accompanying errors.

3. The presence of duplication of parts of the code

When there is duplication of code that is often used in software, refactoring can be called a panacea. Any subsequent changes will be much easier.

4. Problems and crashes in the application

If an application constantly has problems in operation, the code definitely needs to be improved. The sooner you start refactoring your mobile application development project code, the less financial and reputational losses await you.

The TopDevs’ Best Practices In Code Refactoring

TopDevs’ expertise includes not only the full cycle of application development, but also the refinement and improvement of existing projects. One example of such an improvement is the Pet Monitoring system.

Pet Monitoring System is a video streaming service that helps to observe the actions of your pets while you are away. A special camera broadcasts what happens at home and allows owners to interact with their pets via voice and laser pointer. For certain actions a pet can receive treats that are stored within a special box. The client needed extra hands to redesign the existing app and transform certain functionality. Due to ongoing changes in subscription plans, it was crucial to hide some features so users could use only the feature set they paid for.

We recommend refactoring after making any changes to the code.

Ready For Refactoring?

Code refactoring is not just a code improvement, but good practice for any company. Only this approach makes it possible to avoid errors and failures in the product. So, you need help of the code refactoring developers.

Refactor regularly and you’ll notice a significant improvement in customer experience and an application that sets you apart from the competition. Always think two steps ahead, this will allow you not to correct mistakes, but not to make them.