The Art of Refactoring AI Code

Part of the Vibe Coding course

AI-generated code has a recognisable signature: it works, and it is a little worse than it needs to be. Functions that do three things. The same three lines repeated in two places. Variables called data, result, temp, x. A condition that could be one clause instead of four. Any one of those is harmless.

Refactoring means changing the internal structure of code without changing what it does when viewed from outside. Same inputs, same outputs, better insides. Rearranging a kitchen so the pans are next to the stove does not change the menu; it changes how long it takes to cook. ...