Code analysis is the process of analyzing the software to discover additional insights about the software.
Analysis can be performed without running the program, in which case we are performing what is called static code analysis, in contrast to dynamic code analysis, which is performed on the software product during runtime, while the program is executing.
By detecting complex code, anti-patterns, and potential errors, static analysis helps in maintaining a high standard of code quality. This is especially beneficial for large projects where manual code reviews might miss subtle issues.
It helps in identifying areas of the code that are difficult to understand and maintain. This includes detecting overly complex methods or classes, which can then be refactored for better clarity and maintainability.
In industries where software needs to comply with specific regulatory standards (like finance, healthcare, or aviation), static code analysis can ensure that the code meets these requirements, thus avoiding legal and operational risks.
Static code analysis tools can be integrated into CI/CD pipelines to automatically analyze the code with each commit or build. This ensures that code quality is maintained throughout the development lifecycle.
By catching bugs in the early stages of development, it reduces the cost and effort required for fixing them later in the development cycle.
Some static analysis tools can generate documentation and metrics about the codebase, providing valuable insights into the software's structure and complexity.
It can act as a first pass in the code review process, flagging potential issues for human reviewers to focus on, thus making code reviews more efficient and effective.