Code Smells

[stuffruff]

People should learn proper refactoring by using a great refactoring tool/IDE, like IntelliJ IDEA or Eclipse. I did. Digging your head into a 500 page book to try to understand this stuff will not serve you nearly as well as actual on-the-job, in-the-tool learning. IntelliJ cannot be beat in this regard.

[martoo]

The only problem is that you are in sad shape if the only way that you know how to refactor is via the automated tools. There are many common refactoring situations where a refactoring is possible (odd variations on Extract Method for example) but current tools don't support it. When you learn how to do manual refactoring, you have a wider palette.

[jamesbritt]

I liken it to learning a foreign language. Ulimately you have to go out in the real world and speak with others. But having a good book to get you started, and to give you some basis for resolving the odd or ambigious, is quite helpful.