As a programmer, you need to be able to recognize and improve problematic code, so the program remains in a working state throughout the software lifecycle. Refactoring-the art of improving the design of existing code safely-provides an efficient, reliable system for bringing order to the chaos, and one that keeps the surprises to a minimum! Refactoring can be difficult to learn, but Refactoring Workbook, by consultant William C. Wake, presents the material in a easy-learning format that makes learning enjoyable and effective.

For many, the obstacle to learning refactoring is in identifying the "smells"the potential problem areas-found in code. Instead of having you read about the smells, Refactoring Workbook makes sure you understand them. You'll solve a carefully assembled series of problems, and you'll find yourself learning at a deeper level and arriving at a few insights of your own. Wake uses the workbook methoda learning-focused approach that forces you to apply the techniques presented in the book-in the rest of the book. This approach helps you learn and apply the most important refactoring techniques to your code and, as a side benefit, helps you to think more about creating great code even when you're not refactoring.

Refactoring Workbook provides user-friendly references such as:

• A handy, quick-reference "smell finder"
• A standard format for describing smells
• Appendices showing key refactorings
• A listing of Java™ tools that support refactoring

This book is intended for programmers with a knowledge of Java, though a C# or C++ programmer with a basic understanding of Java would also be able to follow and learn from the examples. It can be used as a companion to Martin Fowler's Refactoring (also from Addison-Wesley Professional), which provides step-by-step instructions for many refactorings.

The set of exercises offers insights and practice in applying principles for improving the design of existing computer code. Readers are expected to be practicing programmers or graduate and upper-level undergraduate students who have already been exposed to the principles themselves. Annotation (c)2003 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Refactoring--the art of improving the design of existing code safely--provides an efficient, reliable system for bringing order to the chaos, and one that keeps the surprises to a minimum. Refactoring can be difficult to learn, but this workbook presents the material in a easy-learning format that makes learning enjoyable and effective.

This example-driven workbook shows how to unleash the significant power of refactoring and improve your software. It aims to help identify where problems in a software application exist or are likely to exist.

This approach helps you learn and apply the most important refactoring techniques to your code and, as a side benefit, helps you to think more about creating great code even when you're not refactoring. "Refactoring Workbook" provides user-friendly references such as: a handy, quick-reference "smell finder"; a standard format for describing smells; appendices showing key refactorings; and, a listing of Java' tools that support refactoring. This book is intended for programmers with a knowledge of Java, though a C# or C++ programmer with a basic understanding of Java would also be able to follow and learn from the examples. It can be used as a companion to Martin Fowler's "Refactoring" (also from Addison-Wesley Professional), which provides step-by-step instructions for many refactorings.

WILLIAM C. WAKE is an independent software consultant, coach, and trainer who has been programming for over 20 years. He has previously worked for Capital One Financial, MCI/WorldCom, VTLS, Inc, and others. He is the author of Extreme Programming Explored, also available from Addison-Wesley Professional.

Preface.

1. Roadmap.

I. SMELLS WITHIN CLASSES.

II. SMELLS BETWEEN CLASSES.

III. PROGRAMS TO REFACTOR.

IV. APPENDIXES.