Developers urged to optimise applications for better performance

Software Developer, Howden limited, Chimezirim Bassey, has urge developers working with legacy ASP.NET applications to take deliberate steps to optimise performance and maintainability.

He emphasised that outdated practices, inefficient code, and monolithic architectures often hinder system efficiency and complicate maintenance efforts.

“Legacy ASP.NET applications accumulate technical debt over time as new features are added in an improvised manner, making it difficult to isolate problems or update functionality,” he explained.

Bassey recommended that developers initiate a comprehensive code review to identify performance bottlenecks and complex sections of code. “Breaking large methods into smaller functions simplifies complexity and improves code readability,” he added.

Discussing application architecture, he pointed out that many older ASP.NET systems rely on tightly coupled monolithic structures. “Transitioning to a modular approach allows developers to update or replace components without affecting the entire system,” he stated.

Extracting common functionalities into separate libraries or services, he noted, enhances performance by isolating resource-heavy processes and simplifies testing.

The expert also highlighted the importance of optimising data access, as outdated database interaction methods often result in sluggish queries and inefficient resource use. “Modern data access frameworks like Entity Framework Core can streamline operations, while asynchronous programming reduces response times and improves user experience,” he explained.

Furthermore, Bassey stressed that front-end performance is just as crucial as server-side optimisation. “Switching to newer UI frameworks like React and refactoring front-end code can significantly improve application responsiveness,” he said, adding that these enhancements reduce maintenance efforts in the long run.

He also underscored the importance of automated testing and deployment. “Automated tests prevent regressions that could undo performance improvements, and continuous integration pipelines provide quick feedback on system updates,” he remarked.

Bassey asserted that optimising legacy ASP.NET applications is a gradual process requiring careful planning and systematic updates. “By refining code structure, improving database access, enhancing front-end performance, and leveraging automation, developers can modernize their applications while maintaining reliability for users,” he said.