infeasible path

1 definition found

infeasible path - 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)