Unused code adds time and burden to maintaining the codebase and removing it is the only cure for this side of “more cowbell.” Unfortunately, it’s not always obvious whether developers can remove certain code without breaking the application. As the codebase becomes cluttered and unwieldy, development teams can become mired in mystery code that slows development and lowers morale.
Do you remember the first time you walked into your garage, empty and sparkling, yawning with the promise of protecting your vehicles and power tools? How did it look the last time you walked in? If you’re like many of us, the clutter of long-closed boxes taunts you every time you walk around them, losing precious minutes before you can get to the objects you need while your car sits in the driveway. Sadly, development teams have a similar problem with their source code, which has grown into a cluttered mess.