What is the purpose of refactoring an OutSystems application?

Refactoring an OutSystems application is primarily focused on improving the internal structure and design of the code while ensuring that its external behavior remains unchanged. This process is crucial in software development as it enhances code readability, maintainability, and performance by reorganizing or simplifying the existing codebase.

By refactoring, developers can eliminate redundancies, improve design patterns, and apply best practices—all of which contribute to a more robust application foundation. This means that while the application's functionality and user experience remain the same, the underlying code is optimized for better performance and easier future modifications.

In contrast, fixing bugs and defects addresses specific issues that may be affecting the application, while adding new features introduces changes that alter the software's behavior. Deploying the application to different environments pertains to the release and lifecycle management of the software rather than its internal code structure. Thus, refactoring serves a distinct and essential purpose in enhancing the quality and sustainability of the code.