What does "static analysis" mean in programming?
static analysis is one of the most common terms in software development. This guide explains what it means, how it is used in practice, and why it matters, with real examples from the developer world.
Definition
The examination of source code without executing it, to find bugs, security vulnerabilities, and code quality issues. Linters and type checkers are forms of static analysis. Security-focused static analysis tools (SAST) scan for SQL injection, XSS, hardcoded secrets, and other vulnerabilities.
Example
"The static analysis tool flagged a hardcoded API key in the config file before it was committed to the repository."
Related terms
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