MISRA C:2012 Rule 2.1

A project shall not contain unreachable code

Description

Rule Definition

A project shall not contain unreachable code¹ .

Rationale

Unless a program exhibits any undefined behavior, unreachable code cannot execute. The unreachable code cannot affect the program output. The presence of unreachable code can indicate an error in the program logic. Unreachable code that the compiler does not remove wastes resources, for example:

• It occupies space in the target machine memory.

• Its presence can cause a compiler to select longer, slower jump instructions when transferring control around the unreachable code.

• Within a loop, it can prevent the entire loop from residing in an instruction cache.

Polyspace Implementation

Polyspace^® reports a defect if a statement in your code is not reachable.

Troubleshooting

If you expect a rule violation but do not see it, refer to Diagnose Why Coding Standard Violations Do Not Appear as Expected.

Examples

Code Following return Statement

enum light { red, amber, red_amber, green };

enum light next_light ( enum light color )
{
    enum light res;

    switch ( color )
    {
    case red:
        res = red_amber;
        break;
    case red_amber:
        res = green;
        break;
    case green:
        res = amber;
        break;
    case amber:
        res = red;
        break;
    default:
    {
        error_handler ();
        break;
    }
    }

    res = color;
    return res;
    res = color;     /* Non-compliant */
}

In this example, the rule is violated because there is an unreachable operation following the return statement.

Check Information

Group: Unused Code

Category: Required

AGC Category: Required

Version History

Introduced in R2014b

R2023a: Static uncalled functions flagged

The rule checker reports a violation of this rule when you do not call a static function in the same file where you define the function.

For instance, the rule checker flags the function initialize that is defined as static but not called in the same file:

#include <stdlib.h>
#include <stdio.h>

static int initialize(void)    //Noncompliant
  {
   int input;
   printf("Enter an integer:");
   scanf("%d",&input);
   return(input);
  }
  
 void main()
  {
   int num;
   num=0;
   printf("The value of num is %d",num);
  }