Refactor for Code Health

Mike Lewis encourages programmers not to be afraid of making changes to their code, even if it means temporarily breaking things. Many developers have experienced working on a project with a fragile codebase, where making any changes could result in unintended consequences. This can cause developers to hold back from making any significant changes and only make minimal modifications, which can ultimately lead to disaster.

Lewis argues that a sick codebase needs a doctor, not a band-aid solution. Refactoring code may cause temporary pain, but it will ultimately lead to a healthier system. It's essential to redefine internal interfaces, restructure modules, and simplify the design by reducing dependencies. Eliminating corner cases can significantly reduce code complexity resulting from improperly coupled features. Instead of trying to accomplish a massive refactor in one go, it's better to transition the old structure into the new one slowly.

It's crucial to keep a "hygiene" list of tasks that the team feels are necessary for the overall health of the project. Developers should convince management that these tasks may not produce visible results but can reduce expenses and expedite future releases. By being a surgeon who isn't afraid to cut out the sick parts to make room for healing, developers can inspire others to start working on cleanup projects they've been putting off. Ultimately, never stop caring about the general "health" of the code.

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