I think continuous improvement via refactoring is typically a good thing. When a major refactoring needs to be done, usually every six months, what I have observed is this: If it is a refactoring to incorporate a new feature, or to simplify the code base via reorganization, it generally works. However a refactoring for the sake of new theories or for academic principles is not a good idea. The problem with the latter refactoring is while it has objectives, those objectives are not in line with the ultimate objective of the project.
Posted by ledlogic at December 11, 2005 08:54 AM