Another word for "removing code"

Question

I'm creating a branch in source control to strip large parts of an application out. Whilst giving this branch a name, I started questioning if "removal" is the right word.

As I'm not specifically just removing the code, I'm also rewriting a few other parts to fit around the new code structure.

I was wondering, is there a synonym for "removal" when talking about code?

I was thinking maybe "refactor", but I'm only about 10-20% of the code change will be refactoring. Most of the changes will be literally stripping code out.

Code removal is often the most important part of refactoring. I think most people would understand what you are doing is ***refactoring***. — Dan Wilson, Nov 28 '19 at 14:31
Call it whatever you and your coworkers like best. "Cleaning up" sounds good to me, "Refactoring" as well (as long as you do this in small steps). — Doc Brown, Nov 28 '19 at 14:32
Are you trying to change what the program does? If so, then *refactoring* is not appropriate. — user253751, Nov 28 '19 at 18:01
Don't overthink it... You're refactoring, might do some clean up. Even if the branch name only says Refactoring (whatever), the commit comments can be more explicit as to what takes place. — MetalMikester, Nov 28 '19 at 19:42
"Restructuring" - the word most software companies use to remove some people, code and add new one ;) — Fabio, Nov 28 '19 at 20:25
RepoName_Stripped, RepoName_Combed, RepoName_Reduced, RepoName_Cleaned, RepoName_Sanitized. — Martin Maat, Nov 28 '19 at 22:02
I'm a bit surprised no one has yet suggested the term **debugging**. — Kyralessa, Dec 04 '19 at 15:43

score 13 · Answer 1 · answered Nov 28 '19 at 14:33

13

I think refactor is appropriate here, but I sometimes call this cleanup.

answered Nov 28 '19 at 14:33

muksie

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In my opinion, *refactor* does not quite match, as OP already stated, but *cleanup* sounds perfect to me. – Hartmut Braun Nov 28 '19 at 18:13
Cleanup is much more clear in this case. So, +1 for cleanup – Andrea Girardi Dec 04 '19 at 16:15
@HartmutBraun to me, the meaning of refactoring is: "Modify the code without changing the output", which would cover removing unneeded code. – Juha Untinen Dec 04 '19 at 23:38
@JuhaUntinen yes, it is refactoring, but in this case OP seemed to be asking for a branch name for a *specific kind* of refactoring, here removing obsolete code. In my experience, refactoring in steps, first cleanup and then the “real” refactoring, has benefitted me a lot. – Hartmut Braun Dec 05 '19 at 07:06

score 13 · Accepted Answer · answered Nov 28 '19 at 14:47

The three terms that I would consider would be "obsolescence", "deprecation" or "refactoring".

Obsolescence is when something that works is phased out. Deprecation refers to a process by which the use of something is discouraged. Depending on the delivery and use of a system, both obsolescence and deprecation must be planned and communicated over time.

Refactoring is changes to the internal structure of code. After something is made obsolete or deprecated, it may be removed. The removal may lead to the ability to refactor the code to better structure it based on those changes.

A1rPun · Answer 3 · 2019-11-28T20:05:02.297

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I usually go with the term purge when I need to replace rotten code with fresh functionality.

You can name your branch with any convention you like:

purge-your-feature

or

purge/your-feature

When pushing changes you can use conventional commits to be more semantic about them.

edited Nov 28 '19 at 20:05

answered Nov 28 '19 at 19:27

A1rPun

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score 4 · Answer 4 · answered Dec 04 '19 at 13:02

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The term I use is Prune. Like pruning a tree. You are intentionally and with thought removing parts / branches of code - whether dead or it’s unwanted for other reasons.

answered Dec 04 '19 at 13:02

BIBD

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score 3 · Answer 5 · answered Dec 04 '19 at 14:24

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We use the word decommission, such as in "I am decommissioning this obsolete component." or "Decommissioning of unused code."

answered Dec 04 '19 at 14:24

Jakub Zaverka

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Frank Hopkins · Answer 6 · 2019-12-05T02:09:25.087

Everything is a refactoring so it doesn't tell me anything. Removal of X, cleanup, pruning, retiring, eliminating, throwing out, stripping (away) are much more expressive.

Alternatives may also be (if applicable): merging component X into Y / combining X and Y etc.

However, the branch will be gone once you are done. If you want to spend brain capacity on naming stuff for git, rather spend it on naming commits, they stay forever (more or less).

Another word for "removing code"

6 Answers6