Ask HN: Is it possible to semantically analyze code for design patterns?

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=3528532

by ashastry • 14 years ago

6 2 14 years ago

news.ycombinator.com

I have been recently introduced to the importance of writing clean, maintainable code.

Even though I have studied Design Patterns and have read books on how to go about it, I find it difficult to recognize patterns in code.

I have been told that this skill improves over time of reading and writing more code. The question is can code be semantically analyzed on the fly to

1) Detect duplicate code

2) Detect design patterns

3) or taking it one step further: Suggest how to go about refactoring

Are there any tools which already do this?

dazbradbury• 14 years ago

You may want to look at some static code analysis tools for 1 and 2:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_tools_for_static_code_a...

From my very limited understanding, the powerful ones are seemingly only in reach for large enterprises [1].

With regard to number 3, In C# and Java, resharper/IntelliJ has partially automated refactoring tools. I'm sure similar tools exist for other languages.

However, I think going down this route is substantially more work unless you are inheriting a code base. I would aim to learn some of the design patterns basics[2], perhaps read "The Algorithm Design Manual" [3], and aim to have a clear idea of how to design your latest algorithm from the offset.

[1] http://semmle.com/solutions/what-we-do/index.html

[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Design_Patterns

[3] http://www.amazon.co.uk/Algorithm-Design-Manual-Steven-Skien...

swah• 14 years ago

Check this: https://github.com/facebook/pfff

I don't think you can easily detect design patterns... you'll end up thinking about a "high level language where you can design just by dragging and dropping some blocks" which kinda doesn't work IRL.

Ask HN: Is it possible to semantically analyze code for design patterns?

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