How many times have you found yourself thinking, “I really need to declutter that shed/loft/garage”? We all have good intentions, but the clutter tends to pile up, leading to a sense of dread when facing the task of cleaning up. This is exactly how most engineering vice presidents feel when they realize how much dead code is lurking in their applications. Just like the clutter in a shed or garage, unused Java code creates a problem for engineering teams, slowing them down and hindering productivity.
Joining the Dead Java Code Society is not a desirable club, as it comes with consequences. While the CIO may not mind engineers clearing out unused code to deliver required functionality, delays in delivering new features can lead to questions. No organization wants their engineering team to be perceived as slow in providing value to the business. Similarly, engineering leads need to ensure that developers are not wasting their time on mundane tasks like sifting through dead code.
Security remains a top concern for engineering VPs, who need to work closely with security teams to ensure applications are secure. However, scans for vulnerabilities often produce false positives, consuming valuable time just like dead code. With cyber threats on the rise, engineering teams can’t afford to be bogged down by unnecessary tasks.
Dealing with dead code is essential for maintaining productivity within an engineering team. By tracking the code that is actually being used and focusing efforts on that, teams can avoid unnecessary distractions. It’s important to create a code inventory, establish criteria for identifying dead code, and agree on a process for removing it over time.
Ultimately, eliminating dead code can lead to a more productive engineering team, allowing them to focus on writing code that is actually used. By avoiding membership in the Dead Java Code Society, organizations can allocate resources more efficiently and improve their overall software development processes.