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PMD vs RuboCop: What are the differences?
Language Support: PMD mainly focuses on Java code analysis, while RuboCop is specific to Ruby code. PMD has a wider range of rules and checks for Java, making it suitable for Java projects, whereas RuboCop is more specialized for Ruby development.
Configuration: RuboCop offers more flexibility in its configuration compared to PMD. RuboCop allows for easier customization and adjustment of rules and settings, making it easier to tailor to specific project needs. PMD, on the other hand, may have a steeper learning curve for configuring rules.
Community and Ecosystem: RuboCop has a larger and more active community compared to PMD. This results in more frequent updates, contributions, and support for new features and plugins. PMD does have a dedicated user base, but RuboCop’s community provides a more dynamic ecosystem.
Integration: RuboCop offers better integration with Ruby on Rails projects, providing seamless compatibility and alignment with the Rails framework conventions. PMD, being more general-purpose, may not have the same level of integration with specific frameworks or platforms.
Learning Curve: PMD may have a steeper learning curve for new users due to its extensive range of rules and options. RuboCop, with its more focused approach on Ruby code, can be easier for developers already familiar with Ruby conventions.
Documentation: RuboCop generally has more comprehensive and up-to-date documentation compared to PMD. This can be beneficial for developers looking to quickly get started with the tool and understand its features and capabilities.
In Summary, PMD and RuboCop differ in their language support, configuration flexibility, community support, integration with frameworks, learning curve, and documentation availability.
To communicate isn’t just getting rid of syntax errors and making code work. The code should communicate ideas to people through a programming language that computers can also understand.
You should adopt semantic variables, classes, modules, and methods names. For instance, in Ruby, we avoid using particular prefixes such as is_paid
, get_name
and set_name
. In their places, we use directly paid?
, name
, and name=
.
My advice is to use idiomatic and features that the programming language you use offers to you whenever possible, and figure out ways to better pass the message.
Why wouldn’t we be worried about semantics, typos, and styles? We should care for the quality of our code, and the many concepts that define it. You can start by using a linter to collect some issues from your codebase automatically.
Pros of PMD
Pros of RuboCop
- Open-source9
- Completely free8
- Runs Offline7
- Follows the Ruby Style Guide by default4
- Can automatically fix some problems4
- Customizable4
- Atom package2
- Integrates with Vim/Emacs/Atom/Sublime/2
- Integrates With Custom CMS1