TechnologyJuly 10, 2026

refactoring

/riˈfæktərɪŋ/

Definition

The process of restructuring existing computer code to improve its internal design and maintainability without changing its external behavior.

Etymology

The term combines the prefix 're-' (meaning again) and 'factoring' (the process of breaking a mathematical expression into smaller components). It entered software engineering in the 1990s to describe the practice of isolating code 'factors' to improve the architecture of a program.

In the news

In the article, refactoring is mentioned as a key capability of IBM Bob’s Java Modernization package, helping developers manage and clean up massive, complex software portfolios. It is a critical step in modernizing legacy systems to ensure they remain efficient and functional.

IBM Advances Enterprise AI Software Development with Multi-Agent Capabilities and Specialized Modernization Workflows

Read the full article ↗

HPCwire

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