Tidy First?

by Kent Beck

Book Summary

In the fast-evolving world of software development, maintaining code quality and adaptability is a perennial challenge. Kent Beck’s book, Tidy First?, explores the nuanced art of code tidying—small, intentional improvements that can be used both as a precursor to new functionality and as an ongoing discipline. Beck emphasizes the balance between immediate delivery pressure and the long-term health of codebases, drawing on decades of experience to provide readers with pragmatic strategies for managing complexity. The book addresses the perennial question: should developers tidy first, or deliver changes and tidy later? Through a blend of practical examples and...

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