Tailor-made Legacy Code practice courses for your team
(company exclusive trainings from 3 employees)
Legacy codes unfortunately have a bad reputation. We show you the most effective way to work with this old code base. Take advantage of this opportunity and gain a competitive advantage.
Question for you and your team:
Then we have designed just the right training course for you!
Coding Academy seminars focused on legacy code are ideal for developers with a basic knowledge of any of the Python, C#, C++, or Java programming languages who are working with legacy code in an ongoing project. Or for anyone who is maintaining an existing project without a test suite or unit test. In the context of these courses, we shed light on legacy code, which is generally more difficult to test. After all, the reasons for this are usually hidden. Either there is no unit test for this code or the existing unit tests are not sufficient and do not cover all relevant cases. This makes some programmers think about reprogramming the whole project, but this is only necessary in very few cases. Because often the projects are very large, complex and the resulting software is already marketed. This makes it impossible to set up the code completely new and clean.
This is exactly where we come in with our Legacy Code Seminars. During the three days you write step by step specific tests for different parts of the workshop code. This secures the project and lets you change and adapt the code in peace and bring it into a much better state with clean code rules. Software you work on with these techniques gets better day by day as a result. The code quality increases. Changes and adjustments become easier. And you don't rewrite the original code, which guarantees smooth and safe operation of the application.
Of course, you write the tests and code under the guidance of proven subject matter experts and renowned trainers who lecture at the best universities in the country. This safeguards you and lets you understand the tricks of legacy code in a fun way. Also responsible for this good feeling is the pleasant environment in our modern training center in Munich, which is easily accessible by car or public transport. Once you are there, you can look forward to state-of-the-art computers - as well as delicious snacks and drinks waiting for you during your seminar.
The following is an example of a course on working with legacy code. As with all of our courses, you can, of course, tailor the topics and focus to the individual needs of your team.
We don't preach theory, we solve problems! Get the maximum knowledge for your team. Compile the topics according to your previous knowledge and needs, depending on the project. Because individual learning brings the desired success! Topics you click here will be automatically referred to us as soon as you send a request form!
What might a course with a focus on working with legacy code look like?
A course with this focus typically covers a selection of the following topics:
Depending on the language, an introduction to the corresponding unit test and mocking framework is introduced. For example, JUnit 5 for Java, Pytst for Python, NUnit for C#, Catch2 for C++, and Jasmine/Jest and Mocha for JavaScript.
The most important clean code concepts are covered in a language-independent manner, as well as best practices in the respective programming language are deepened with many examples and tasks.
The most important refactoring patterns are explained in a practical way using several examples and workshops.
These modules cover techniques that help make teamwork more productive and improve the quality of the resulting software.
The Working effectively as a team module includes the following focus areas:
What might a course focusing on working with legacy code look like?
The following is an example of such a course. As with all of our courses, you can of course tailor the topics and focus to your team's individual needs
On the first day we make sure that all participants have the necessary basics for the rest of the seminar. Therefore, we start with a quick introduction to Unit Test as well as the very important Clean Code rules. Then we turn to the techniques you can use to build a safety net, such as Golden Master.
On the second day you will learn more techniques such as Seams and how you can also use Test Coverage to determine what you should still be writing tests for in the first place and why! After that, we'll look together at the most important refactoring patterns you need to work efficiently with legacy code. Because after you have created your first safety net in the form of a unit test suite, you can calmly and relaxedly change the existing complex code and start all tests after each change to be sure that you haven't broken anything. Now the question is, how do I change the code very efficiently and skillfully? This is where refactoring patterns come into their own. We will show you the most important refactoring patterns first without the support of a development environment and then also how to apply them faster with the help of an IDE.
On this day, you will also learn other important techniques, such as how to break a monster class or monster method and how to use refactoring patterns to extract one or more classes from a long method.
On the third day, you will learn more advanced techniques for working with legacy code such as Mutation Testing or Dependency Breaking Techniques. With these techniques you can reduce the complexity of legacy code step by step. Legacy code gradually becomes understandable and enjoyable code that you can build on without fear of breaking anything. The legacy code slowly disappears and is replaced by clean code. As a result, code quality also increases tremendously, and with it, of course, your productivity.
Are the courses programming language independent?
A majority of the topics discussed in courses on working with legacy code are basically independent of the programming language used. However, it is very difficult to understand the concepts if you have not applied them yourself on concrete examples. Therefore, our courses always include numerous workshops in which we actually implement the discussed concepts in a programming language. Therefore we offer the course in a concrete language, either Python, C#, C++ or Java. This allows us to try out the techniques discussed on a legacy code base prepared specifically for this course and thus understand them in depth.
You can also combine topics from "Working with Legacy Code" with other modules of the programming language of your choice if you wish. More detailed information on each language can be found here:
We offer different course formats: 3-day programs, 4-week intensive programs, and online training videos.
In 3 days (8 hours/day) you will be guided to the next level by an expert: Participate on-site at the Coding Academy Munich or online from anywhere in the world. With a practical exam for the certificate.
3-Day Online Course
The course takes place online. All you need is a computer with internet access. For some modules it is necessary to install specific Python packages or additional software. We will clarify details when compiling the course content. You will get access to the material on the first day of the course at the latest.
3-Days on-site at the Coding Academy
The course takes place in our modern and well-equipped training rooms. We provide each participant with a modern laptop free of charge during the training. Drinks are provided by the Coding Academy. Access to the material will be provided on the first day of the course at the latest.
3-days on your premises
If you wish, one of our experts will hold the course at your premises. Then you provide the technology, e.g. computers with the software needed for the course. With this format, there are additional costs for travel and accommodation.
The videos pick up the topics from the live trainings and show real programming examples from practice.
We also offer the courses as online-only training videos. You have access at any time and can access the modules at your pace. This way, you can benefit from our high-quality learning videos at a very affordable price. In our online forum you can discuss with other participants and get help from our Teaching Assistants in case of problems.
Contact us about the availability of the course you want.
In 4 weeks to the next level: You get 2-3 hours of teaching and video material on Mondays and take part in our online live training for 2 hours on Fridays. Here, all open questions can be discussed and clarified with the trainer. With a practical exam for the certificate.
This is a combination of online and offline training, sometimes referred to as "blended learning".
Schedule
Great extra: Our online forum. All course participants can get help from our teaching assistants at any time.
The content that is taught is the same whether you take the course online, on-site, in a 4-week program, or as a training video. We have had very good experiences with all formats.
Online or on-site training?
The online and on-site training courses teach the material in a compact, intensive form. You can reserve a block of time that is 100% dedicated to learning, which typically has a positive effect on the learning curve.
On-site trainings are often a little easier to discuss in a group than online trainings, but online trainings eliminate the time spent traveling to the training and allow you to work in your familiar environment.
4-week program and training videos?
With the 4-week program and video-only courses, learning is spread out over a longer period of time. This allows you to flexibly divide your time, learn in a more relaxed way and offers more opportunities to try out the concepts you have learned in practice.
Another advantage of these formats is that the team does not have to be completely removed from project work for several days. In addition, each participant can complete the video learning units and practice exercises at their own pace and does not have to wait for other participants or complete the assignments under time pressure.
In the 4-week program, you are responsible for completing the designated learning units and exercises each week to stay on track with the material.
Of course, as a participant in a Working with Legacy course you will receive a certificate. The prerequisite for this is the complete participation in all course units and programming tasks and the successful programming of a small final project. However, after an intensive Working with Legacy course, this will certainly give you more pleasure than stress.
We are very happy to take time for you. Use our contact form for a written contact. Our team will respond quickly and within 24 hours at the latest. In case of technical questions and to clarify the focal points, which are target-oriented for your team, please use the possibility of a non-binding consultation appointment.
