Clone detection algorithm based on the Abstract Syntax Tree approach

In this paper we present useful methodologies in analyzing program code written in C programming language in order to detect source code clones between two or multiple files. For detecting student plagiarism in C code, we implemented a three phase clone detection algorithm based on the AST (Abstract Syntax Tree) approach. Starting from the state of the art in this domain, we make a short description and comparison between the proposed methods and finally we present a case study upon student assignments for the Programming Techniques classes. In the end, we conclude pointing the future directions of development and improvement in order to obtain a better clone detection tool.