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.

Laziness I: Meta-programming

Maxi Contieri ・ Jan 30 '21

#codenewbie #metaprogramming #oop #programming

Sample Code

Wrong

class Robot {   
  walk(){
    //...
    }
  serialize(){
    //..  
  }
  persistOnDatabase(database){
    //..  
  }
}

Right

class Robot {   
  walk(){
    //...
    }  
}

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

Credits

Photo by Ray Shrewsberry on Pixabay

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This article is part of the CodeSmell Series.

How to Find the Stinky parts of your Code

Maxi Contieri ・ May 21 '21

#codenewbie #tutorial #codequality #beginners

Last update: 2021/06/11