What does 'refactoring' aim to achieve in software development?

Refactoring aims to improve the internal structure of existing code while retaining its external behavior. This practice is essential in software development for various reasons, including enhancing code readability, making it easier to maintain and extend, and improving performance or efficiency without altering how the software behaves from the user's perspective.

When developers refactor code, they often focus on eliminating redundancy, organizing the code more logically, or simplifying complex sections, all of which contribute to the long-term health of a codebase. This process does not involve adding new features, which would change the way users interact with the software. It also does not mean removing old code or merging different codebases, as those actions would have different objectives in the software development process. Refactoring is genuinely about optimizing and clarifying the existing structure to enhance the overall quality and maintainability of the software.