Finding Duplicate Code in Java using Beacons and Idioms
Esteban J. Morales, Michael Hoffman · 2011
Duplicate code in software increases maintenance costs and inconsistent changes to clones can create faults in the program. The negative impact duplicate code has on software has lead to a large area of research in methods and tools used to find code clones. Though numerous techniques exist for finding duplicate code none make the use of beacons and idioms. This thesis presents an approach to finding cone clones using three algorithms that search for beacons and idioms in Java code and are used to create an automated clone finding tool titled the Beacon Idiom Finder. This thesis shows that finding code clones using this approach is possible and in addition to assisting in software maintenance can also assist in program comprehension by informing the programmer of the existence of code beacons and idioms.