What are the benefits of re-writing an old projects? Old but Gold

Introduction

Old but gold, they say. In the last few weeks I realized it is true. Old things (namely projects in my case) might be outdated but they still can give value.

Story-time - backstory

I am a junior developer with one particular project I am really proud of. (Hopefully these numbers are going up in the future). A few weeks back I needed to face the fact that my project is not working anymore - it broke because a used Css library was not compatible anymore with the newest Tailwind version I used. After a little shock, I got "angry" and decided I am going to rewrite it. Originally it was written in Vanilla JavaScript. Currently I am learning Vue framework so I decided that I am going to rewrite it in Vue.

What did I realized and learned during the "conversion" of old project to a up-to-date, modern framework?

First of all I could see how much I improved.

• Naming variables and functions are important.
• It is a chance to re-write some messy functions or try to apply some of the clean code principles.
• Give a chance to think some of the "system" over. This project had some backend points to get some information about samples and users. I could think them over and make in some places easier.
• Give a chance to try "new" things and then realize the older is the best way. Yes this is exactly the opposite with the above point. But it happens. For example I wanted to make the login system "easier" and ended up with a bug in the system instead.
• It is a perfect practice when you learn something new, but kinda "same". Like me, I am learning Vue still. This re-writing gave me more confidence to re-write an older project, then jump right into a totally new and complex project.

To sum up

It is worth to go back to an older project and examine it with a critical eye again. Also you knowledge is growing by time, it is nice to re-write and update some of your old favorite project with your new knowledge. It also looks good that you have some projects, you go back time to time and work on it again and again.

So are you gonna look some of your old projects through? Feel free to share it with me :)