Is there a way to check if all defined functions are called?

Question

Is there a way to figure out if every function defined in code is called somewhere?

I have been doing a major code update to a large project of mine and I want to make sure the old functions that are no longer used are removed from the code.

Is there a better way then searching for each function in the solution?

Answer 1

Code coverage tool like NCover?

EDIT: This assumes you have sufficient tests for functionality and are determined to get rid of every unnecessary function. Delete-then-compile would work but isn't scalable.. regardless, the point is that you're going to want some kind of source analysis tool (either static or runtime analysis).

Answer 2

Here's a way that will catch everything but reflection.

1. Delete the method
2. Compile

This seems a bit overkill but it has the advantage that you can "batch" queries by deleting multiple functions.

Answer 3

FxCop should be able to find orphaned/unused methods. I think static analysis is what you're looking for, not code coverage.

Answer 4

Two suggestions:

• Depending on your development tools, you may be able to generate warnings for functions that are declared but never called.

• You may be able to generate a linker map, then compare its list of functions with a list you generate (with grep or ctags?) directly from your source.

Answer 5

See earlier question: What tools and techniques do you use to find dead code in .NET?

Answer 6

Mark each method you are trying to remove as Obsolete with IsError set to true. When you mark a method as such, you will get a compilation error and will be able to find out if you can safely remove the method.

    [Obsolete("Don't use this method", /* IsError */ true)]
    public void Foo () {}