dead code

2 definitions found

dead code - Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (26 May 2007) :

  dead code
  infeasible path
  
     <programming> (Or "infeasible path", "grunge") Any part of a
     program that can never be accessed because all calls to it
     have been removed, or because it is guarded by a control
     structure that provably must always transfer control somewhere
     else.  The presence of dead code may reveal either logical
     errors due to alterations in the program or significant
     changes in the assumptions and environment of the program (see
     also software rot); a good compiler should report dead code
     so a maintainer can think about what it means.  Sometimes it
     simply means that an *extremely* defensive programmer has
     inserted can't happen tests which really can't happen - yet.
  
     Synonym grunge.
  
     [Jargon File]
  
     (1996-05-22)
  

dead code - Jargon File (4.4.4, 14 Aug 2003) :

  dead code
   n.
  
     Routines that can never be accessed because all calls to them have
     been removed, or code that cannot be reached because it is guarded by
     a control structure that provably must always transfer control
     somewhere else. The presence of dead code may reveal either logical
     errors due to alterations in the program or significant changes in
  the
     assumptions and environment of the program (see also software rot);
     a good compiler should report dead code so a maintainer can think
     about what it means. (Sometimes it simply means that an extremely
     defensive programmer has inserted can't happen tests which really
     can't happen -- yet.) Syn. grunge. See also dead, and The Story
  of
     Mel'.