Design Patterns · Senior · Question 64 of 75

How does Chesterton's fence apply to refactoring legacy code?

✓Correct answer: Before removing odd-looking code, find out why it was added - it may handle a real edge case
2Always remove code you don't understand
3Never touch legacy code

Explanation

Git blame, linked tickets, ADRs and characterization tests reveal the reasons behind strange code.

Further reading

Wikipedia: Chesterton's fence ↗

Test yourself

Take the Design Patterns · Senior quiz: questions and options are shuffled, and you get a review of your mistakes at the end.