Code refactoring is a process of restructuring and improving existing computer code without affecting its output.It focuses on enhancing non-functional attributes like readability, maintainability, and scalability.Refactoring is crucial for software development, akin to spring cleaning for code quality.Key benefits include improved readability, reduced complexity, easier maintenance, and better performance.Knowing when to refactor is as important as knowing how; situations include adding new features and fixing bugs.Common code smells indicating the need for refactoring include duplicated code and long methods.Popular refactoring techniques include renaming variables, extracting methods, and replacing magic numbers with constants.Tools like PyCharm, ESLint, and SonarQube assist in automating and analyzing code refactoring.A code refactoring example in Python demonstrates the process of improving code cleanliness and reusability.Best practices for code refactoring include writing tests first, making small incremental changes, and keeping behavior the same.