Description Michael Schneider 2006-08-26 12:04:57 EDT

I propose adding a static check in Java code for the following situation:

    x = 42;
    
    // ... no reading of variable 'x'

    x = 100;

Here, variable x is assigned a value '42', which is never read before reassigning the value '100' to x. This is never useful, but sometimes it is a sign of an error. As an example, imagine a JUnit testcase with variables x and y in the testfixture, and the two assignments above within the setUp() routine. Most probably, the author wanted to write

    x = 42;
    y = 100;

but accidentally assigned value '100' to variable 'x' instead of 'y'. This might become a hard to find error.

I propose adding this static check to the Preferences, under

  Java -> Compiler -> Errors/Warnings -> Unnecessary Code

Michael