Treat Code Smells as Evidence, Not Verdicts
Use code smells as refactoring signals while avoiding smell-driven overreach.
The signal A smell is a clue, not a conviction. It points to a possible design weakness, but the refactoring decision still depends on context, risk, and expected change. The cost test Translate the smell into cost. Long method: what decision is hidden? Duplicated code: which upcoming change would be repeated? Long parameter list: which concept is being passed around without a name? Once the cost is visible, the fix is easier to size. The restraint Smell chasing becomes waste when the team optimizes code nobody changes or breaks a stable boundary to satisfy a rule. Refactor where the smell…
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