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When building an application, you're bound to run into a moment when someone suggests you do a complete rewrite. This could be your Mobile app developer or anyone else. This situation can be tempting because, in most cases, the software you have isn't ideal. It has bugs, it breaks every now and then, it doesn't scale well, the code is ugly, the framework you use is no longer maintained, etc. It feels a bit like wading through a vat of molasses. You feel like this is the best solution to all your problems, maybe you can already see the shiny new app you're going to build and the money it's going to make, happy customers, no bugs, etc.

What could be the Reason for Writing App code from scratch

#1. Changes in business logic

After seeing the positive response from users, our client decided to continue developing the product as a more general platform. However, the architecture was not designed to behave this way and cannot handle these types of tasks.

#2. outdated architecture

To maintain user interest, the team had to continue developing the product by adding new features. Not all of them can be implemented in the current architecture. Furthermore, the current architecture may cause difficulties in further maintenance and expansion of the application.

#3. Technical debt

Due to limited time and budget, some solutions are not reliable enough to handle more tasks. Additionally, technical debt prevents teams from effectively maintaining existing products and developing new features. Long story short, it has to be repaid in the near future.

#4. Better solution

Since the product was aimed at a new market, the team faced new technical challenges. The solution we found works, but it's not perfect. As we work, we expand our knowledge and invent more elegant and efficient ways to solve these challenges and pay off technical debt.

Why You Should Avoid Rewriting Your App from Scratch

1. Feeling the need to change something just to change something is not enough

As one of the best Mobile app development Companies in USA, we understand the urge to make big changes and add convenience to our work environment. But trying to satisfy that urge isn't always the best option. In fact, it can actually be detrimental to your overall project goals.

No matter how tempting it may be to throw away all the code of dumpster fires that get moody with age, the risk of throwing away something useful may outweigh the potential win. Before making such a big decision, your engineering team must seriously discuss the pros and cons.

2. Rewrites can significantly delay the release of the project

Arguably the most common problem associated with a software system rewrite is that it takes much longer than expected. Companies have release deadlines, which are important. Even if the current state of the application code sucks and engineers can build something better, rebuilding everything takes time, and the company may not have the time to invest in a rewrite. Also, the time spent rewriting can be used to refine your current setup. That's what we like to call efficiency, baby!

3. More bugs and fewer features

Not only do complete software rewrites often take longer than expected, but loss of functionality is also a common side effect.

why is that? Well, first of all, all these small but important features in the original product (like tweaks and bug fixes) aren't always reimplemented during rewrites.

Even the best App developers write buggy code—as many as 50 bugs for every 1,000 lines of code. so many. Additionally, historical data shows that a significant percentage of bugs go undetected even before you ship your application. Instead, they pop up later like a game of whack-a-mole. It was a surprise no one wanted or needed.

4: Software system rewrites are expensive

Most straightforward application rewrites start with an honest belief that requirements will exactly match an existing application to speed up development, keep testing simple, and of course keep costs low. But like your friendly neighbour mechanic said, "Since we're going to pull the derailleur, we might as well replace the clutch and replace the rear main seal", the temptation to sneak in some little improvement "as long as you change it" is almost irresistible . There's a change here, a difference there, and soon your budget will disappear.

Plan to spend between $6 and $23 per line of code from start to finish. Adding all of this up requires more than basic arithmetic.

5. Rewriting the project itself does not guarantee any success

Any developer dealing with ugly legacy code might think the grass would be greener on the other side. However, these situations can get worse if the project is rewritten. It may be tempting to ditch the old technology and start using the novelty, but that by itself does not guarantee any success.

You have access to state-of-the-art technology. Still, if you lack solid software engineering skills, you're likely to build a worse codebase than you currently have. Technology is nothing but a tool that needs to be used correctly. Like any tool, if you can't handle it, it does more harm than good.

Concluding Thoughts

The decision to refactor or rewrite is very common. While many developers prefer to start from scratch, stakeholders prefer incremental refactoring to minimise cost and reduce project risk. The right decision ultimately depends on the root cause, costs, benefits, and long-term impact on productivity and morale.

If you're having trouble making the best decision, we can help you assess the benefits and costs objectively. If you need help with any of your projects, we can also provide custom application development and team augmentation services to ensure success.