Static Analysis
Static analysis is a method of debugging software by examining the source code without executing the program. It involves analyzing code for potential errors, security vulnerabilities, code smells, and adherence to coding standards through automated tools. This process helps identify issues early in the development lifecycle, improving code quality and maintainability.
Developers should use static analysis to catch bugs, security flaws, and maintainability issues before runtime, reducing debugging time and production failures. It is essential in large codebases, safety-critical systems (e.g., aerospace, medical devices), and when enforcing coding standards across teams. Tools like linters and static analyzers integrate into CI/CD pipelines to automate quality checks.