"if" and "while" statements should not lead to the execution of empty statements

There is no point in creating a branch in the code only to execute an empty statement. Such code can only be due to the presence of an unexpected trailing semi-colon.

Noncompliant Code Example

if(foo);      //Noncompliant, the semi-colon must be removed
  trigger(action1);  // executes unconditionally
else if (bar);    //Noncompliant, the semi-colon must be removed
  trigger(action2);  // executes unconditionally

while (condition);  // Noncompliant
  doTheThing();  // executes once, unconditionally 

See

• CERT, MSC51-J. - Do not place a semicolon immediately following an if, for, or while condition
• CERT, EXP15-C. - Do not place a semicolon on the same line as an if, for, or while statement