Sample plugin that defines SonarQube custom rules for JSON files

Description

The SonarQube JSON plugin can be enhanced by writing custom rules through a plugin using SonarQube JSON API. This sample plugin is designed to help you get started writing your own plugin and custom rules.

Usage

1. Download and install SonarQube 5.6 or greater
2. Install the JSON plugin (2.0 or greater) either by a direct download or through the Update Center.
3. Install this sample plugin by a direct download
4. Start SonarQube
5. Activate some of the custom rules implemented in this sample plugin. "Forbidden keys should not be used" for example.
6. Install your favorite analyzer (SonarQube Scanner, Maven, Ant, etc.) and analyze your code. Note that Java 8 is required to run an analysis.
7. Browse the issues through the web interface

Writing Custom Rules

Creating a SonarQube Plugin

• Create a standard SonarQube plugin from scratch or start from this sample plugin
• Attach this plugin to the SonarQube JSON plugin through the POM:
  • Add the dependency to the JSON plugin
  • Add the following property to the sonar-packaging-maven-plugin configuration:

<basePlugin>JSON</basePlugin>

• Implement the following extension points:
  • Plugin as in MyJSONCustomRulesPlugin.java
  • RulesDefinition as in MyJSONCustomRulesDefinition.java
• Declare the RulesDefinition implementation as an extension in the Plugin extension point.

Implementing a Rule

• Create a class to define the implementation of a rule. It should:
  • Either extend SubscriptionVisitorCheck or DoubleDispatchVisitorCheck.
  • Define the rule's attributes: key, name, priority, etc.
• Declare this class in the class implementing RulesDefinition

There are two different ways to browse the AST:

Using DoubleDispatchVisitorCheck

To explore part of the AST, override a method from DoubleDispactchVisitor. For instance, if you want to explore key nodes, override DoubleDispactchVisitor#visitKey. This method is called each time a key node is encountered in the AST. Note: When overriding a visit method, you must call the super method in order to allow the visitor to visit the children of the node. See ForbiddenKeysCheck for example.

Using SubscriptionVisitorCheck

To explore part of the AST, override SubscriptionVisitor#nodesToVisit by returning the list of Tree#Kind nodes you want to visit. For instance, if you want to explore key nodes the method should return a list containing Tree#Kind#KEY. See ForbiddenStringCheck for example.

Creating Issues

Precise issue or file issue or line issue can be created by calling the related method in Issues.

Testing

Testing is made easy by the JSONCheckVerifier by using assertions in the check class test.

Examples of coding rule implementation and testing can be found in the JSON plugin json-checks module.