When anaylizing some cyclomatic complexity (measures the number of linearly-independent paths through a program module), I was thinking to myself about where I want my thresholds to be.  Where to I say “this is simple enough” or “I definately need to refactor this”.

So here is my conclusion:

• 1–10  Simple enough.  Don’t change.  Little risk involved.
• 11–20  Should consider refactoring.  Moderate risk involved.
• 21–40  Definate refactoring needed here.  Risk is too high.
• > 41  What was I thinking?  Throw this away and start over.

I won’t find anything in the greater than 41 range, but if I were to find anything, I’d definately throw it away.