Comment % quality gate condition not available for new code?

SonarQube Server / Community Build
1
  • Community Build
  • v25.5.0.107428
  • MQR Mode

We would like to include a comment density quality gate condition on new code. The condition exists for overall code but not for new code. Is there anyway to do this?

Thanks!
Todd

2

Hey Todd,

Currently, SonarQube doesn’t calculate Comment Density for new code, which is why it’s not available as a quality gate condition.

I think the main challenge is determining which comments belong to “new code.” Consider this example where “fees” are added to a method to calculate the cost of an order.

// Calculate the total price for an order
// This method handles tax, discounts, and additional fees // updated comment
// Returns the final amount to charge the customer
public double calculatePrice(double basePrice, double taxRate, double discount) {
    // Apply any discount first
    double discountedPrice = basePrice - discount;
    
    // Calculate tax on the discounted amount
    double tax = discountedPrice * taxRate;
    
    double shipping = calculateShipping(discountedPrice); 
    double handling = 2.50; // new line
    double insurance = discountedPrice > 100 ? 5.00 : 0; // new line
    double processingFee = 1.99; // new line
    double fees = shipping + handling + insurance + processingFee; // new line
    
    // Add everything together for final price
    return discountedPrice + tax + fees;  // updated line
}

The developer added 5 lines of code but only updated 1 comment. The method now has 7 comment lines total, but only 1 was actually modified.

How should SonarQube calculate comment density for this “new code”?

  • Only the 1 updated comment vs 5 new lines? (20% density).
  • Include all 7 existing comments because they’re in the same method? (140% density!)
  • ?

Curious to hear your thoughts.