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UCDetector UCDetector: Unnecessary Code Detector

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About

UCDetector (Unnecessary Code Detector) is a eclipse PlugIn tool to find unnecessary (dead) public java code. For example public classes, methods or fields which have no references. UCDetector creates markers for the following problems, which appear in the eclipse problem view:
  • Unnecessary (dead) code
  • Code where the visibility could be changed to protected, default or private
  • Methods of fields, which can be final

UCDetector also finds cyclic dependencies between classes in your code. This cycle classes are shown in s special cycle view.

UCDetector popup

Get UCDetector

UCDetector needs Eclipse >= 3.3 and java >= 5.0
Download: Eclipse update site:
http://ucdetector.sourceforge.net/update

Quick start

Instead of clicking Shift+Ctrl+G (search references in workspace) all the time, follow the next steps:
  1. In the package explorer right click on a project, package or class
  2. Select the context menu: UCDetector/detect unnecessary code run UCDetector
  3. Check warnings in java editor and Problems View not found use private use default use protected use final test only few found
  4. Use the menu "Group By/Type" in Problems View
  5. Change code carefully. Use QuickFixes (right click on markers)
  6. Change preference "Detect code with max number of references" from 0 to 1, run UCDetector again
  7. Repeat step 1. to 5.

Really want to change code?

The problems found by UCDetector, are only suggestions. Before changing code, you should really know what you are doing! If UCDetector tells you, that there are no references your code still may be used by:
  • Reflection
  • Frameworks like Spring, Hibernate or Eclipse which declare dependencies in property files, xml files (extension-points) ...
  • Third party code, which is using your API
  • Jars in your workspace
  • To be continued...

Change visibility may cause problems with inheritance, reflection, instantiation...

It's good idea to do a full text search in workspace for the piece of code, you want to change.

UCDetector markers

Change code, use QuickFixes!

After checking carefully all the possibilities above, maybe you decide to change your code. Click on the marker to see QuickFixes's to change code:
  • Delete code: When UCDetector tells you that there are no references
  • Move code: When UCDetector tells you that there is only 1 reference (change UCDetector preference "Detect code with max number of references" to 1
  • Change visibility: Use protected , default or private
  • Use final
It is possible to change several problems at once using quick fix dialog. 		UCDetector QuickFix

Ignore code

Use "NO_UCD" tag in code, for lines, which should be ignored: 
/**
 * Class is only used by reflection.
 * Write a "NO_UCD" comment at the end of the line.
 * This line will be ignored by UCDetector.
 */
public class BeanExample { // NO_UCD
Last Update: 2009-06-21Copyright © 2009, by Jörg Spieler
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