A Novel Clone-Based Reuse Method to Maintain Proficiency in Software Engineering Practice

Abstract

The source code of an application paves way for a quality software product. Quality software in-turn helps in imposing software reuse. In this paper, pieces of similar codes also known as code clones or code duplications are considered as reusable software components. In general code clones are considered harmful in software engineering practice. They are considered to degrade the quality of software. Code clones are detected and removed without further processing. In this paper, a token- based CodeClone reuse method is proposed to detect type1 and type-4 clones. Positive effects of clones are analyzed and beneficial clones are extracted from the cluster of clones detected. The proposed method aids in the art of developing software thereby enforcing the concept of software reuse. The working principle of the proposed method is implemented using open source software as inputs. Beneficial clones are further stored in a database for future use. Clone report is generated as it assists in knowing about the clone details within a software system.