- It reduces risk: Small changes are easier to test and less likely to introduce new bugs. If something does go wrong, it’s much easier to pinpoint the cause.
- It keeps the codebase stable: Large refactoring efforts can destabilize the entire system. By making incremental changes, you can improve the codebase without disrupting ongoing development.
- It’s more manageable: Developers are less likely to get overwhelmed by small, frequent changes than by a massive, time-consuming refactoring project.
- Keep refactoring commits separate from feature commits. This ensures that your changes are easy to track and review.
- Refactor code in small, focused chunks. Tackle one method, class, or module at a time.
- Always leave the code cleaner than you found it. Even small improvements can make a big difference over time.