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Full-Text Articles in Programming Languages and Compilers
Better Refactoring Tools For A Better Refactoring Strategy, Andrew P. Black
Better Refactoring Tools For A Better Refactoring Strategy, Andrew P. Black
Computer Science Faculty Publications and Presentations
Refactoring tools can improve the speed and accuracy with which we create and maintain software – but only if they are used. In practice, tools are not used as much as they could be; this seems to be because they do not align with the refactoring strategy preferred by the majority of programmers: floss refactoring. We propose five principles that characterize successful floss refactoring tools – principles that can help programmers to choose the most appropriate refactoring tools and also help toolsmiths to design more usable tools.
Why Don’T People Use Refactoring Tools?, Andrew P. Black, Emerson Murphy-Hill
Why Don’T People Use Refactoring Tools?, Andrew P. Black, Emerson Murphy-Hill
Computer Science Faculty Publications and Presentations
Tools that perform refactoring are currently under-utilized by programmers. As more advanced refactoring tools are designed, a great chasm widens between how the tools must be used and how programmers want to use them. In this position paper, we characterize the dominant process of refactoring, demonstrate that many research tools do not support this process, and initiate a call to action for designers of future refactoring tools.