Identifying and removing unused scripts in your Openlink Findur environment prevents the rise of technical debt. We recommend a structured approach to avoiding the dark side and restoring order to your Treasury and Risk Management System.
The Phantom Scripts
Treasury Risk Management Systems (TRMS) frequently contain scripts or processes whose purpose and functionality become unclear over time. These unused components—often termed “dead code”—introduce unnecessary complexity, increase maintenance burdens, and pose potential security risks. In Refactoring: Improving the Design of Existing Code, Martin Fowler highlights how dead code complicates software evolution, emphasising that systematically identifying and removing unused scripts significantly reduces technical debt and the likelihood of defects.
While it is difficult to quantify the costs of dead code, within a complex TRMS platform like Openlink Findur, the need for pruning dormant code can be particularly acute. This is due to the complexity of integrated workflows and custom scripting. By cross-referencing script usage across both database references and code repositories, it is possible to simplify upgrades, enhance security, and maintain clearer, more manageable codebases.
This white paper presents an approach to identifying and removing unused scripts, promoting improved stability, performance, and maintainability of mission-critical TRMS solutions.
Attack of the Clones (and other Redundancies)
Unused code can remain hidden within a TRMS for several reasons. In a typical Findur environment, scripts may reside in multiple repositories, be invoked through diverse configuration settings, or use dynamic execution mechanisms such as Util.runScript. This dispersal of references makes it difficult to trace how each script is triggered and whether it is still in active use.
Compounding the issue, incremental system enhancements and legacy customisations often introduce overlapping or redundant logic that obscures the original purpose of certain scripts. Over time, these dormant components accumulate, leading to unclear dependencies and increasing the risk of reactivating or modifying code that no longer aligns with current workflows. Such remnants can also undermine security; code paths that remain dormant for long periods may not receive the same scrutiny and updates as frequently accessed components, potentially harbouring vulnerabilities.
Revenge of the Legacy Code
In addition to complexity and duplication, dormant scripts introduce critical risks to system stability and security. Scripts that remain inactive for extended periods often escape regular testing cycles, vulnerability assessments, and updates. Consequently, these hidden code paths may harbour latent vulnerabilities that remain undetected until inadvertently reactivated or exploited.
From a governance perspective, manually tracking script usage presents a significant administrative burden. Organisations must contend with complexity arising from dynamic or indirect script references in addition to incomplete or outdated documentation, evolving business processes, staff turnover, and shifting regulatory requirements. Without a systematic approach for consistently identifying and removing unused scripts, seemingly minor inefficiencies can quickly accumulate into substantial technical debt.
A New Hope
Effectively pinpointing and removing redundant scripts requires a process that blends both database- and code-level analyses. The following steps offer a repeatable framework:
- Database Reference Scan
- Locate all configurations in which scripts might be registered. This often involves scanning table columns ending with common naming conventions. Some environments also store script references in custom fields that are not immediately obvious, so thorough documentation of the database schema is crucial.
- Where applicable, leverage built-in enumerations. For instance, scanning through one such enumeration can reveal categories such as accounting, settlement, or custom revaluation scripts that might not be listed in obvious locations.
- Generate a master list of known script attachments (e.g., settlement scripts, trade capture events, accounting processes) for subsequent validation.
- Codebase Analysis
- Use Java reflection or static analysis tools to locate classes implementing interfaces like IScript, which are commonly used in Openlink Findur. This captures scripts that may not be explicitly registered in database tables.
- Search for dynamic invocations to uncover code paths not directly registered in the database. Scripts triggered in this manner often escape notice in a purely database-driven scan.
- Cross-Referencing
- Compare the database-derived list to the codebase scan results, flagging any scripts that appear in the code without a matching database entry, or vice versa.
- Validate each flagged script with subject-matter experts to confirm whether it is genuinely unused, as some scripts may be reserved for future scenarios or business continuity.
- Governance and Reporting
- Maintain a version-controlled record of findings, supported by an agreed review cadence.
- Align removal decisions with established change-control processes to mitigate the risk of inadvertently disabling essential functionality.
IDEs Strike Back
While the approach described above provides a structured methodology, real-world implementation frequently reveals hidden complexities unique to each Findur environment. Databases evolve, creating inconsistencies such as misnamed script references, undocumented structures, or indirectly invoked scripts that standard scans may miss. Establishing comprehensive data dictionaries, standardising naming conventions, and conducting targeted developer interviews can bridge these knowledge gaps.
Modern IDEs play a crucial role in tackling these complexities. Advanced IDE-based inspections—leveraging tools such as IntelliJ or SonarQube—provide precise static analysis and reflection capabilities, significantly reducing false positives and helping teams identify dynamic or externally triggered scripts. Incorporating IDE-driven audits into continuous integration (CI/CD) pipelines further embeds proactive monitoring into everyday workflows.
Finally, expert validation remains essential. Maintaining an archival period, where scripts are temporarily disabled before permanent removal, allows organisations to validate outcomes safely and reduces the risk of unintended impacts, ensuring a resilient and reliable Findur platform.
Return of Lucido
Proactively identifying and removing unused scripts is essential, yet executing this safely in complex Findur environments demands specialist expertise. Lucido’s deep experience with the system ensures precise identification, safe removal, and minimal disruption to your critical business workflows. Our structured yet flexible approach addresses hidden complexities, significantly reducing technical debt and enhancing long-term system resilience.
From initial scoping through to final removal, Lucido partners closely with your organisation, tailoring our proven methodology to your specific configuration and objectives. To learn more or discuss how we can assist with reducing technical debt and removing unused scripts, please reach out to our team, and find out how we can help you achieve a cleaner, more efficient, and more secure Findur environment.