Conte∗t clones or re-thinking clone on a call graph

摘要

To improve clone-detection methods and to enable new analysis methods with clone detection, e.g., to detect a wider range of bad smells and anti-patterns, this paper introduces a concept context clone, in a form comparable to the (traditional) content clone. A context clone is based on the similarity of the contexts in which code fragment is used, instead of the similarity of the code fragments themselves. This paper includes an explanation of context clones, research questions about the context clone, expected use of the context clone in a mixed way with the content clone, and an actual example of a context clone with a prototype tool.