What is static code analysis?

Static code analysis refers to the practice of examining code elements without executing the program. This analysis typically focuses on reviewing the source code to identify potential errors, security vulnerabilities, coding standards violations, and other maintainability issues. By analyzing the code in its written form, static code analysis can provide insights before the software is even run, allowing developers to rectify problems early in the development process.

This method is advantageous as it can catch issues that might not be apparent during dynamic testing and can be integrated into various stages of the development cycle, enhancing overall code quality. Tools that perform static code analysis often provide detailed reports, which help programmers improve their coding practices and enforce consistent standards throughout the codebase.