Should we refactor files we’re working on?

When programming, always follow the camping rule: Always leave the code base healthier than when you found it.

- Martin Fowler, Refactoring

The Boy Scouts of America have a simple rule that we can apply to our profession. Leave the campground cleaner than you found it.

- Robert Martin, Clean Code

Many of us share the attitude expressed by the above Fowler and Martin quotes. The attitude presumes that code we’re working on now will change again soon, and we’ll reap the benefits of a…