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Simian Similarity Analyzer

simian.quandarypeak.com

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Spec score 7.4 #10 of 18 in Code Duplication Detection Tools

What it is

Simian Similarity Analyzer scans files in a repository and reports repeated blocks of text, including duplicated code. It analyzes human-readable material such as source files, markup, stylesheets, Markdown, and plain text. Listed languages range from Java, C, C++, C#, COBOL, and Python to JavaScript, TypeScript, HTML, XML, and CSS. The tool runs on the Java Virtual Machine, and its generated JAR works with JDK 8 or newer. It can run locally, from scripts, or in a build pipeline; the repository also documents Gradle integration. Results are plain text by default, with XML, YAML, and editor-friendly formats available. Settings include a duplicate-line threshold, file include and exclude patterns, language selection, and ways to ignore differences such as identifiers, strings, and numbers. The maker reports a JDK test processing over 2.4 million lines and finding more than 140,000 duplicate lines in under five seconds, with results varying by hardware, operating system, and options. Simian is free and open source under Apache License 2.0.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Simian scans source files and reports duplicated blocks of code across codebases.Read 30 Sep 2026 · simian.quandarypeak.com
Support
The maker directs users to Stack Overflow for help with Simian.Read 30 Sep 2026 · simian.quandarypeak.com
License
Simian Similarity Analyzer is licensed under the Apache Software License, Version 2.0.Read 30 Sep 2026 · simian.quandarypeak.com
Headquarters
Los Angeles, California, United StatesRead 28 Sep 2026 · simian.quandarypeak.com
Founded
2003Read 28 Sep 2026 · simian.quandarypeak.com
Maker
Quandary Peak Research is described on its about page as a Los Angeles-based consulting group.Read 30 Sep 2026 · quandarypeak.com
Build integration
The repository documents Gradle integration, including an example task that runs Simian against project source files.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Configuration
Options include a configurable duplicate-line threshold, file include and exclude patterns, language selection, and controls for ignoring identifiers, strings, numbers, and other differences.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Contributions
The maker welcomes feedback and contributions on GitHub.Read 30 Sep 2026 · simian.quandarypeak.com
File types
The maker says Simian analyzes human-readable files, including source code, markup, stylesheets, Markdown, and plain text.Read 30 Sep 2026 · simian.quandarypeak.com
Output formats
Results are plain text by default, with XML, YAML, and editor-friendly formats also supported.Read 30 Sep 2026 · simian.quandarypeak.com
Performance
The maker reports a JDK test analyzing over 2.4 million lines and finding more than 140,000 duplicate lines in under five seconds, with results varying by hardware, operating system, and options.Read 30 Sep 2026 · simian.quandarypeak.com
Runtime
Simian runs on the Java Virtual Machine and the repository says its generated JAR runs on JDK 8 or newer.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Supported languages
Listed languages include Java, C, C++, C#, COBOL, Python, Ruby, PHP, JavaScript, TypeScript, HTML, XML, CSS, Sass, Less, Visual Basic, and Groovy.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Usage
The maker says it can be run locally, from scripts, or as part of a build pipeline.Read 30 Sep 2026 · simian.quandarypeak.com

Plans and prices

Simian Similarity Analyzer Free Open source · Apache License 2.0 Read 30 Sep 2026 · simian.quandarypeak.com

Every Simian Similarity Analyzer plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Supports many human-readable file types
  • Runs in build pipelines and scripts
  • XML, YAML, and editor-friendly output
  • Apache License 2.0

Limits

  • Requires JDK 8 or newer
  • No IDE integration is listed
  • Support is directed to Stack Overflow

Who it suits

Simian suits developers who want to find repeated text or code across repositories and run scans locally, from scripts, or in build pipelines. It may suit teams looking for configurable reports rather than a dedicated IDE integration.

Verdict

Simian provides configurable repository scanning with multiple output formats and build-pipeline use. It is a fit to consider when a Java-based tool and text-oriented duplicate detection match your workflow.

Where Specifiction places it

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