Code Smell 09 - Dead Code

Code that is no longer used or needed.

Problems

• Maintainability

Solutions

• Remove the code
• KISS

Examples

• Gold plating code or Yagni code.

Exceptions

• Avoid metaprogramming. When used it is very difficult to find references to the code.

Sample Code

Wrong

Right

Detection

Coverage tools can find dead code (uncovered) if you have a great suite of tests.

Tags

• Unnecessary

Conclusion

Remove dead code for simplicity.
If you are uncertain of code you can temporary disable it using Feature Toggle.
Removing code is always more rewarding than adding.

More info

• Laziness I: Metaprogramming

Relations

Code Smell 54 - Anchor Boats

Maxi Contieri ・ Jan 6 ・ 1 min read

#codenewbie #webdev #tutorial #cleancode

Credits

Photo by Ray Shrewsberry on Pixabay