From: "Keith P. Boruff" <kboruff@...>
Date: 2005-01-29T11:50:50+09:00
Subject: Re: Ten Things Every Java Programmer Should Know About Ruby

James Britt wrote:

>> The static nature of Java code makes the refactoring browser really
>> smart. It's quite incredibile. And, you develop a relationship of
>> trust with it. I stopped reviewing the IntelliJ refactor change list
>> after a while.
> 
> Interesting.   Yet I get the feeling that such tools solve problems
> largely brought on by the programming language in the first place, so
> it's hard to see just what real gain such ease of use brings.

Nope. A refactoring tool has nothing to do with solving the shortcomings of
a programming language but rather the shortcomings of the programmer. Among
many things, it's primarily a tool used to keep a software project from
decaying. 

A good read on the subject is Martin Fowler's book on Refactoring. It's a
neat subject. 

KPB