1.2.674. Method Could Be Private Method

The following methods are never used outside their class of definition. Given the analyzed code, they could be set as private.

Note that dynamic properties (such as $x->$y) are not taken into account.

<?php

class foo {
    public function couldBePrivate() {}
    public function cantdBePrivate() {}

    function bar() {
        // couldBePrivate is used internally.
        $this->couldBePrivate();
    }
}

class foo2 extends foo {
    function bar2() {
        // cantdBePrivate is used in a child class.
        $this->cantdBePrivate();
    }
}

//couldBePrivate() is not used outside
$foo = new foo();

//cantdBePrivate is used outside the class
$foo->cantdBePrivate();

?>

1.2.674.1. Specs

Short name	Classes/CouldBePrivateMethod
Rulesets	All, Class Review
Exakat since	0.12.11
PHP Version	All
Severity	Minor
Time To Fix	Quick (30 mins)
Precision	Very high
Features	private, method
Available in	Entreprise Edition, Exakat Cloud