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Characterization Test for Legacy Python Code
Capture the exact output of a legacy Python function for known inputs, creating a characterization test that documents current behavior before refactoring.
def legacy_behavior(value):
"""Legacy function that returns a tuple with unconventional types."""
if value == "special":
return None, "legacy-special"
elif value > 100:
return value, "large"
elif value > 0:
return value * 2, "positive-doubled"
elif value == 0:
…How to Build an Anti-Corruption Layer in Python
Wrap a legacy system with a translation layer that converts awkward legacy data into a clean, modern DTO (Data Transfer Object) for use by new code.
class LegacyOrderSystem:
"""Legacy system with awkward, unstructured data."""
def get_order(self):
return {
"order_id": "ORD-123",
"cust": "Acme Corp",
"items": [{"sku": "A1", "qty": 2, "price_each": 10.0}],
"ship_to": "123 Main St, Springfield"
}…How to Migrate a Legacy Facade with the Strangler Fig Pattern in Python
Use a facade to wrap a legacy API and incrementally migrate callers to a modern interface, following the strangler fig pattern.
class LegacyAPI:
"""Simulates the legacy system's raw interface."""
def get_user(self, user_id):
return {"id": user_id, "name": "Alice", "legacy": True}
class UserService:
"""Facade that wraps the legacy system with a modern interface."""
def __init__(self, legacy_api=None):
self.lega…How to Build an Anti-Corruption Layer in Python
Translate messy legacy system data into a clean domain model using an anti-corruption layer in Python.
class MockLegacySystem:
"""Simulates a legacy system with messy data formats."""
def get_user_data(self):
# Legacy format: fields are abbreviated and types are inconsistent
return {
"usr_id": "USR-123",
"usr_nm": "john_doe",
"email_addrs": "John.Doe@example.c…Zero Downtime Migration with Dual Write Pattern in Python
Implement a dual-write pattern that writes user data to both legacy and new systems simultaneously to enable zero-downtime migration.
from datetime import datetime
import json
class UserService:
def __init__(self):
self.legacy_db = {}
self.new_db = {}
self.migration_log = []
def write_user(self, user_id, name, email):
# Write to new system first
user_record = {
"id": user_id,
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Samples vs tutorials and challenges
Samples are quick reference — one concept per page. For step-by-step teaching, use our Python tutorials. To test yourself, try quizzes or coding challenges. Clean up style with the Python formatter.