Static Analysis
Static analysis is a method of debugging by examining source code without executing it, using automated tools to detect errors, vulnerabilities, or code quality issues. It analyzes code structure, syntax, and patterns to identify potential problems early in the development lifecycle. This helps improve software reliability, security, and maintainability by catching issues before runtime.
Developers should use static analysis to enforce coding standards, detect security vulnerabilities (like SQL injection or buffer overflows), and identify bugs (such as null pointer dereferences) in complex or safety-critical systems. It is particularly valuable in continuous integration pipelines for automated code reviews, in regulated industries (e.g., finance, healthcare) for compliance, and in large codebases to maintain consistency and reduce technical debt.