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RubyConf AU 2015: http://www.rubyconf.org.au February 2015 marks the tenth anniversary of DHH sharing commit rights to Rails. Doubtless there is now much legacy Rails code. Why do developers typically hate legacy code? What characteristics of a Rails application earn it the right to be classified as "legacy"? Whilst these should not be difficult to answer, perhaps there are more important and challenging questions that we ought to consider. How can we learn to love legacy code so that it, in turn, becomes more loveable? What practical steps can we take to tame a legacy codebase so that it becomes more of a pleasure to work with?
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In his talk "Loving Legacy Code" at RubyConf AU 2015, Keith Pitty emphasizes the importance of changing our attitudes towards legacy code, arguing that it should be respected and improved rather than feared. He begins by acknowledging the common disdain for legacy code, often defined as code that lacks tests or impedes change. However, he suggests expanding this definition to include code with poor internal design or cumbersome testing frameworks. ### Key Points Discussed: - **Defining Legacy Code:** Pitty refers to Michael Feathers' definition, stating legacy code can hinder change and effective development. - **Understanding Developers' Pain Points:** Legacy code often accumulates technical debt, leading to challenges such as confusing readability and frustrating test suites. - **Opportunities for Improvement:** Developers can view legacy code as an opportunity for rehabilitation; by identifying customer pain points and leveraging tools like New Relic or Rollbar, they can improve both user experience and code quality. - **Importance of Version Control:** Pitty stresses the necessity of utilizing version control (e.g., Git) in managing codebases. - **Testing and Refactoring:** The introduction of automated tests is crucial for safe refactoring. He encourages the focus on unit tests and emphasizes the importance of breaking dependencies in the code. - **Simplifying Design:** Following principles from Kent Beck and Corey Haines, simplification and elimination of duplication are highlighted as key practices for improving code quality. - **Positive Attitude Towards Legacy Code:** He advocates for a collaborative approach among team members and for developers to share knowledge, thus easing the burden that comes with legacy code. - **Management's Role:** Acknowledging the resource restrictions that come with managing legacy code is essential. Managers should budget for maintenance and respect developers' efforts to improve the codebase. - **Metaphors for Legacy Code:** Pitty concludes with the metaphor of gardening, where maintaining a healthy codebase requires ongoing care and can often be rewarding if approached correctly. ### Conclusions and Takeaways: - Legacy code shouldn’t be avoided; rather, it can provide avenues for growth and improvement. The respect for original developers, the understanding of legacy code history, and the cooperative spirit among teams can lead to a more favorable relationship with legacy systems. Overall, it is possible to find fulfillment in tending to legacy code by actively improving it and sharing knowledge within the development team.
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