Static Code Analysis: Identifying Errors Early On

With the growing complexity of automation software, code quality assurance is becoming increasingly important. SIGMATEK's LASAL CLASS engineering tool now offers an optional “Static Code Analysis” (SCA) extension for checking control code created in Structured Text. SCA checks the code base for possible runtime errors and undefined behavior, such as uninitialized variables, returning a pointer to a local variable, implicit conversions, etc. – without having to execute the code.

A large number of different, simultaneously running test rules analyze a wide variety of aspects of the control code and identify any quality defects, non-compliance with guidelines, or violations of internal coding standards at an early stage.

Trivial errors that are often difficult to find can be prevented by using SCA, reducing the workload on the team and increasing productivity and software quality, not only during development but also during maintenance.

Users have very flexible configuration options: each of the more than 50 predefined rules for variables, types, functions, and methods can be parameterized individually. The tool can also calculate metrics. Metrics are measures that evaluate various aspects of the code base. Fully configurable naming conventions are also possible. The rules, metrics, or naming conventions can be enabled or disabled – both individually and in groups. Automated basic checks allow reviewers to focus on the correctness of the logic and architecture.

The analysis in a separate output window clearly displays error messages, which can be double-clicked to jump to the corresponding location in the code. Configurable, color-coded priority levels for individual errors in the output provide clarity. Error output can be suppressed line by line using code comments.