Chapter 7.  Simplification

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Chapter 7. Simplification

Much of the code we write doesn't start out being simple. To make it simple, we must reflect on what isn't simple about it and continually ask, "How could it be simpler?" We can often simplify code by considering a completely different solution. The refactorings in this chapter present different solutions for simplifying methods, state transitions, and tree structures.

Compose Method (123) is about producing methods that efficiently communicate what they do and how they do what they do. A Composed Method [Beck, SBPP] consists of calls to well-named methods that are all at the same level of detail. If you want to keep your system simple, endeavor to apply Compose Method (123) everywhere.

Algorithms often become complex as they begin to support many variations. Replace Conditional Logic with Strategy (129) shows how to simplify algorithms by breaking them up into separate classes. Of course, if your algorithm isn't sufficiently complicated to justify a Strategy [DP], refactoring to one will only complicate your design.

You probably won't refactor to a Decorator [DP] frequently. Yet it is a great simplification tool for a certain situation: when you have too much special-case or embellishment logic in a class. Move Embellishment to Decorator (144) describes how to identify when you really need a Decorator and then shows how to separate embellishments from the core responsibility of a class.

Logic for controlling state transitions is notorious for becoming complex. This is especially true as you add more and more state transitions to a class. The refactoring Replace State-Altering Conditionals with State (166) describes how to drastically simplify complex state transition logic and helps you determine whether your logic is complex enough to require a State [DP] implementation.

Replace Implicit Tree with Composite (178) is a refactoring that targets the complexity of building and working with tree structures. It shows how a Composite [DP] can simplify a client's creation and interaction with a tree structure.

The Command pattern [DP] is useful for simplifying certain types of code. The refactoring Replace Conditional Dispatcher with Command (191) shows how this pattern can completely simplify a switch statement that controls which chunk of behavior to execute.

Amazon


Refactoring to Patterns (The Addison-Wesley Signature Series)
Refactoring to Patterns
ISBN: 0321213351
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2003
Pages: 103

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