Two Kinds of Legacy Code Upgrade

2023/07/14

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In this article, the author discusses two approaches to upgrading legacy code: the superficial upgrade and the long-term value upgrade. The superficial upgrade focuses on increasing the perceived value of the codebase without actually utilizing the new features of the upgraded language or framework. On the other hand, the long-term value upgrade involves fully embracing the latest features and taking the time to refactor the codebase for better maintainability and scalability.

The author emphasizes the importance of the long-term value upgrade, comparing it to reconstructing a house for long-term living. While it may be more time-consuming and expensive initially, it pays off in the long run by providing a solid foundation and making it easier to add new features and maintain the codebase.

To illustrate the difference, the author provides code examples in PHP. The superficial upgrade example shows a codebase that claims to use PHP 7.4 but doesn't actually utilize any of its features. In contrast, the long-term value upgrade example demonstrates code that fully embraces PHP 7.1 features, resulting in a more maintainable and efficient codebase.

The author concludes by advocating for the long-term value upgrade approach, emphasizing its benefits in terms of faster hiring, fewer regression bugs, and easier maintenance. They also encourage readers to support open-source projects like Rector, which can help facilitate the upgrade process.