docs(java): clarify Sonar, Java version, and code-style guidance (#338)

* docs(java): clarify Sonar, Java version, and code-style guidance

 - Clarify SonarQube/SonarCloud setup, token handling, and CI scanner steps
 - Add guidance for Records, pattern matching, and `var` usage heuristics
 - Provide fallbacks when static analysis is unavailable and troubleshooting steps
 - Original rules are no longer included in the standard Sonar Way ruleset
 - Remove future dependency on Sonar by prompting to use when integrated or available
 - If not, the agent will now read Sonar rules as part of its analysis
 - Removed obsolete and redundant sections on Java version and code style

Generated-by: GitHub Copilot <github.copilot@github.com>
Signed-off-by: Ashley Childress <6563688+anchildress1@users.noreply.github.com>

* docs(java): improve SonarQube setup instructions readability

 - Break long bullet points into structured sub-bullets for clarity
 - Organize SonarQube troubleshooting steps into numbered sequence
 - Separate fallback tools configuration from main Sonar workflow

Fixes #296
Co-authored-by: GitHub Copilot <github.copilot@github.com>

Signed-off-by: Ashley Childress <6563688+anchildress1@users.noreply.github.com>

---------

Signed-off-by: Ashley Childress <6563688+anchildress1@users.noreply.github.com>
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@ -7,8 +7,24 @@ applyTo: '**/*.java'
## General Instructions
- First, prompt the user if they want to integrate static analysis tools (SonarQube, PMD, Checkstyle)
into their project setup. If yes, provide guidance on tool selection and configuration.
- First, prompt the user if they want to integrate static analysis tools (SonarQube, PMD, Checkstyle) into their project setup.
- If yes, document a recommended static-analysis setup.
- Prefer SonarQube/SonarCloud (SonarLint in IDE + `sonar-scanner` in CI).
- Create a Sonar project key.
- Store the scanner token in CI secrets.
- Provide a sample CI job that runs the scanner.
- If the team declines Sonar, note this in the project README and continue.
- If Sonar is bound to the project:
- Use Sonar as the primary source of actionable issues.
- Reference Sonar rule keys in remediation guidance.
- If Sonar is unavailable:
- Perform up to 3 troubleshooting checks:
1. Verify project binding and token.
2. Ensure SonarScanner runs in CI.
3. Confirm SonarLint is installed and configured.
- If still failing after 3 attempts:
- Enable SpotBugs, PMD, or Checkstyle as CI fallbacks.
- Open a short tracker issue documenting the blocker and next steps.
- If the user declines static analysis tools or wants to proceed without them, continue with implementing the Best practices, bug patterns and code smell prevention guidelines outlined below.
- Address code smells proactively during development rather than accumulating technical debt.
- Focus on readability, maintainability, and performance when refactoring identified issues.
@ -33,28 +49,29 @@ applyTo: '**/*.java'
- Use nouns for classes (`UserService`) and verbs for methods (`getUserById`).
- Avoid abbreviations and Hungarian notation.
### Bug Patterns
### Common Bug Patterns
| Rule ID | Description | Example / Notes |
| ------- | ----------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| `S2095` | Resources should be closed | Use try-with-resources when working with streams, files, sockets, etc. |
| `S1698` | Objects should be compared with `.equals()` instead of `==` | Especially important for Strings and boxed primitives. |
| `S1905` | Redundant casts should be removed | Clean up unnecessary or unsafe casts. |
| `S3518` | Conditions should not always evaluate to true or false | Watch for infinite loops or if-conditions that never change. |
| `S108` | Unreachable code should be removed | Code after `return`, `throw`, etc., must be cleaned up. |
Below are concise, human-readable rules you can apply regardless of which static analysis tool you use. If you run Sonar/SonarLint, the IDE will show the matching rule and location — direct Sonar connections are preferred and should override this ruleset.
## Code Smells
- Resource management — Always close resources (files, sockets, streams). Use try-with-resources where possible so resources are closed automatically.
- Equality checks — Compare object equality with `.equals()` or `Objects.equals(...)` rather than `==` for non-primitives; this avoids reference-equality bugs.
- Redundant casts — Remove unnecessary casts; prefer correct generic typing and let the compiler infer types where possible.
- Reachable conditions — Avoid conditional expressions that are always true or false; they indicate bugs or dead code and should be corrected.
| Rule ID | Description | Example / Notes |
| ------- | ------------------------------------------------------ | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `S107` | Methods should not have too many parameters | Refactor into helper classes or use builder pattern. |
| `S121` | Duplicated blocks of code should be removed | Consolidate logic into shared methods. |
| `S138` | Methods should not be too long | Break complex logic into smaller, testable units. |
| `S3776` | Cognitive complexity should be reduced | Simplify nested logic, extract methods, avoid deep `if` trees. |
| `S1192` | String literals should not be duplicated | Replace with constants or enums. |
| `S1854` | Unused assignments should be removed | Avoid dead variables—remove or refactor. |
| `S109` | Magic numbers should be replaced with constants | Improves readability and maintainability. |
| `S1188` | Catch blocks should not be empty | Always log or handle exceptions meaningfully. |
For contributors who *do* use Sonar or SonarLint: the IDE/scan will show the specific rule key (for example, S2095 for resource leaks) and the affected file/line. Use that information to navigate to the exact location, then apply the recommended remediation.
### Common Code Smells
These patterns are phrased for humans; they map cleanly to checks in Sonar, SpotBugs, PMD, or Checkstyle but do not require those tools to be useful.
- Parameter count — Keep method parameter lists short. If a method needs many params, consider grouping into a value object or using the builder pattern.
- Method size — Keep methods focused and small. Extract helper methods to improve readability and testability.
- Cognitive complexity — Reduce nested conditionals and heavy branching by extracting methods, using polymorphism, or applying the Strategy pattern.
- Duplicated literals — Extract repeated strings and numbers into named constants or enums to reduce errors and ease changes.
- Dead code — Remove unused variables and assignments. They confuse readers and can hide bugs.
- Magic numbers — Replace numeric literals with named constants that explain intent (e.g., MAX_RETRIES).
If you run a static analyzer like Sonar or SonarLint — direct Sonar connections are preferred and should override this ruleset. Sonar rule keys are useful for automation and suppression, but they are not required in day-to-day developer guidance.
## Build and Verification