Large scale multi-language clone analysis in a telecommunication industrial setting

This paper presents results from an experience of transferring the CLAN clone detection technology into a telecommunication industrial setting. Eleven proprietary systems have been analyzed for a total of about 94 MLOC of C/C++ and Java source code. The characteristics of the analyzed systems together with a description of the Web portal that is used as an interface to the clone analysis environment is described. Reported results include figures and diagrams about clone frequencies, types, and similarity distributions. Processing times including parsing, clone clustering, and Dynamic Programming visualisation are presented. A discussion about lesson learned and future research work is also presented from an industrial point of view for real life practical applications of clone detection.