I am currently working on a project that utilizes the jfreechart library. I am currently using the jar file for this library by adding it in my build path. However I do not need the entire functionality of the library. I would like to carve out only those sections of the library I have used my code and obviously the dependent code.
My ultimate aim is to reduce the size of the project. I have to meet some size targets and using the entire 7 mb jar library is not an option.
I wanted to know if there is a way to do this apart from manually checking for dependencies?
I would ideally like to apply any suggested method to the jar file of the library but if there is a convenient way to detect unused code in the source code I am willing to import the source code into my project.
I apologize if my request is a repeat or a stupid question.
Thanks,
Sudipto
Unfortunately, you can’t do this without (arguably) violating the JFreeChart license.
JFreeChart is licensed under the Lesser GNU Public License, and one of the tenets of that license is that the end-user should be free to modify or replace the licensed software embedded in your software. If you cherry-pick classes from JFreeChart and incorporate them into your JAR, you make it difficult for your users to exercise their right to replace the embedded JFreeChart classes. This is certainly against the spirit of the LGPL.
For more details, refer to the GNU LGPL and Java page.
If you want to do this kind of thing with JFreeChart, you will need to get permission from the copyright holder. If your supervisor is really keen to keep the download size down, a large cash donation to the JFreeChart project might help them come around to his way of thinking. (Disclaimer – I have no connection whatsoever to the project.)