In software development, cloned code is a common yet unwelcome guest.
It refers to code copied and pasted from one place to another, often without proper attribution or understanding of its purpose. While it may seem like a quick and easy solution for solving a problem, cloned code can lead to some pretty hairy issues in the long run.
Managing cloned code becomes even more critical when it comes to COBOL, an enduring language that powers numerous critical systems.
The Impact of Cloned Code
Cloned code can wreak havoc in various ways.
First and foremost, cloned code is a major red flag when it comes to software quality. It indicates a lack of originality and creativity, as well as a potential disregard for best practices and coding standards. This can result in poorly written and unreliable code that is difficult to maintain or modify.
After all, a clean, well-structured codebase is not just a pleasure to work with but also a testament to the team’s professionalism and commitment to quality.
It can also make the codebase larger and more complex than necessary, increasing developers’ cognitive load. Bugs and errors in one section of cloned code can proliferate to other parts, making debugging a rough task.
Finally, an often overlooked drawback to cloned code is the security risks it poses for your software. When multiple sections of code are identical, vulnerabilities discovered in one part can easily spread throughout the rest of the program.
These and other complications are a major reason we have the DRY (Don’t Repeat Yourself) principle, a fundamental coding standard aimed at reducing redundancy.
We sometimes have the luxury of the time required to be perfect with our DRY principles, and sometimes we don’t, so let’s assume there’s some cloned code lurking in your software and get to fixing it.
Detecting Cloned Code: Tools and Techniques
The first step towards eliminating cloned code is its detection. Several automated tools and techniques can facilitate this process. Code metrics, for instance, provide quantitative measures of code properties and can help identify potential clones by analyzing complexity, size, or coupling.
Clone detection algorithms, on the other hand, perform a more focused role by directly identifying duplicate code fragments. Our static analysis tool, CM evolveIT, is a great tool to do just that and more.
Code reviews are another effective way to detect cloned code. By critically examining each other’s code, team members can spot redundancies and potential areas of refactoring.
Refactoring: Eliminating Cloned Code
Once detected, cloned code should be promptly removed through refactoring. In simple terms, refactoring is the process of restructuring existing code without changing its external behavior. It includes several techniques like the ‘Extract Method’ or ‘Pull Up Method’ to help eliminate cloned code.
For instance, if the same code block is repeated in several places, it can be extracted into a single method and called wherever necessary. This not only removes duplication but also enhances code readability and maintainability. That way, you’ll fix bugs and security holes in one place, not several.
Common Clone Patterns and Prevention
Some common clone patterns in COBOL include copy-pasting code sections, using similar logic in different modules, or replicating bug fixes across the system. To prevent cloning, developers can adopt practices like reusing code through methods or classes, leveraging inheritance, and employing design patterns.
Automated testing can also play a crucial role in preventing cloning. Ensuring that changes don’t break existing functionality allows developers to refactor confidently.
Final Thoughts: The Path to Clone-Free Codebases
Cloned code, despite its initial convenience, can significantly hamper software development. Detecting and eliminating it through refactoring is essential for maintaining software quality. Adopting good coding practices, utilizing automated tools and techniques, and fostering a culture of code review can help create clone-free, maintainable codebases.
After all, a clean, well-structured codebase is not just a pleasure to work with but also a testament to the team’s professionalism and commitment to quality.
CM First Group Can Help
Our deep experience with legacy enterprise systems puts us uniquely positioned to help reinvent your modernization efforts and set the stage for COBOL refactoring that can transform your organization.
Please contact us for more information or to schedule a demonstration of our CM evolveIT software and how its impact analysis capabilities can set your COBOL refactoring project up for long-term success.
You can also call us at 888-866-6179 or email us at info@cmfirstgroup.com.
