Comprehending code fragment in code clones: A literature-based perspective

Abstract

As Code Clones are defined on the notion of similarity in code fragments, it is necessary to first know what a code is meant by in accordance with Code Clones. A Source Code Fragment, which is a sequence of source code lines, is the basic entity that is used to analyze similarity/relation between Code Clones. For analysis, removal, avoidance, and management of Code Clones we have to first detect clones in software systems. There are more than 40 clone detection tools that implement some clone detection techniques to detect clones, but it is not well-defined what could be the appropriate minimum threshold for Clone length and with which unit of estimation. This paper, on the basis of Code Clone literature, presents different Units of Measurement of Clone Size and a comprehensive review of minimum Clone Size based on a particular technique used in Clone Detection and also argues that a unique Unit of Measurement and Minimum Clone Size should be presented.