Two pieces of code look the same now but represent different business concepts that will eventually diverge. 2. The "Rule of Three" Strategy
In software development, occurs when the same logic or data is repeated across multiple parts of a codebase . While often viewed as a "code smell" that increases technical debt, strategic duplication can sometimes be better than a poorly designed abstraction. 1. Types of Duplication duplication
What Is Code Duplication? Best Tools to Detect & Fix It in 2026 Two pieces of code look the same now
Once you see a definitive pattern, refactor it into a shared function or class. 3. How to Fix Duplication While often viewed as a "code smell" that
When you've identified harmful duplication, follow these steps to consolidate it safely:
Understanding the intent behind the repetition helps determine if it needs fixing.
Logic that is identical by mistake or convenience. This is the primary target for refactoring.