Big Bang Refactoring
Big Bang Refactoring is a software development approach where a large-scale, comprehensive restructuring of code is performed all at once, rather than incrementally. It involves making sweeping changes to the codebase in a single effort, often to address significant technical debt, improve architecture, or migrate to a new technology stack. This method contrasts with gradual refactoring techniques, as it aims to achieve major improvements quickly but carries higher risk due to its disruptive nature.
Developers should consider Big Bang Refactoring when facing critical issues like outdated legacy systems, severe performance bottlenecks, or the need to adopt a modern framework that requires extensive code changes. It is useful in scenarios where incremental refactoring is impractical, such as when preparing for a major product release or integrating with new external systems. However, it should be used cautiously due to the potential for introducing bugs, extended downtime, and team disruption.