RefactoringDefinition

Martin Fowler's definition:

Refactoring is a controlled technique for improving the design of an existing code base. Its essence is applying a series of small behavior-preserving transformations, each of which is �too small to be worth doing.� However, the cumulative effect of each of these transformations is quite significant. By doing them in small steps, you reduce the risk of introducing errors. You also avoid having the system broken while you are carrying out the restructuring -- which allows you to gradually refactor a system over an extended period of time.

I often hear analysts and architects use this term when revising to improve their documents to make them more useful and meaningful. The meaning carries the same connotation of controlled technique and smallish steps to be able to validate the relevance of refactoring.

-BeckyWinant 2003.06.06

Updated: Friday, June 6, 2003