Coccinelle vs jSparrow
Coccinelle
coccinelle.gitlabpages.inria.frjSparrow
jsparrow.ioSide by side
| Figure | Coccinelle | jSparrow |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $110.42/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 2 |
| Spec score · Code Refactoring Tools | 7.9 (#9) | 8.2 (#5) |
| Purpose | Coccinelle is a program matching and transformation engine that uses SmPL to specify desired matches and transformations in C code. | jSparrow helps Java developers clean up and refactor code in Eclipse IDE and Maven. |
| Support | Questions can be sent to the [email protected] mailing list, which is moderated for non-members; contributions are preferred via the list and may also be submitted on GitHub. | The contact page asks users to allow 1–3 business days for a response. |
Plans
In their own words
Coccinelle
Coccinelle is a free program matching and transformation engine for working with C code. It uses SmPL to describe code patterns and the transformations to apply when matches are found. A single semantic patch can change code at many sites across hundreds of files while allowing for differences in spacing, variable names, irrelevant code, and coding style. The project describes uses including automating collateral changes after library API evolution and finding and fixing bugs in systems code. Coccinelle semantic patches and bug fixes have been integrated into the official Linux tree, and semantic patches are available in the Linux scripts directory for use with coccicheck. It supports C and C++, with C++ mode invoked using --c++; the project says its C++ support is still being extended, including for high performance computing. The download page lists version 1.3.3, dated September 2, 2026, with source code and precompiled spatch builds. It is available for Linux and macOS as desktop software. Source builds require OCaml, with Python and Menhir needed in specified cases.
jSparrow
jSparrow is a Java cleanup and refactoring tool for Eclipse IDE and Maven, running on Linux, macOS and Windows. It lists more than 90 refactorings for Java 1.1 and later, with project-level and batch operation. Diff View compares original and proposed code so changes can be reviewed before application. Markers suggest quick fixes during programming, and the base product includes them at no charge. Interactive rules can replace standard output with logging, rename fields to Java naming conventions and remove unused methods, fields and types. Analysis and refactoring run offline, and the FAQ says code is not sent to external servers or third parties. Internet access is required to persist locked refactorings through the NetLicensing API; offline validation servers are available. The site describes jSparrow as open-source, with no license needed since version 4.20.0. Twenty rules are free; paid licenses are $169 a month or $1,325 a year.