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  3. Do you know any good static code analysis tools for c/c++?

Do you know any good static code analysis tools for c/c++?

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  • S Offline
    S Offline
    Stefan Bogdan
    wrote on last edited by
    #1

    Hy all, Trying to keep the bug count as low as possible i thought i'd use a tool that performs static code analysis on my c/c++ projects. I already use one that performs runtime verifications and analysis but i have a feeling there's room for improvement. There are a lot of tools out there and i simply have a hard time choosing one. What do you recommend? It can be proprietary or not...

    R R D A M 9 Replies Last reply
    0
    • S Stefan Bogdan

      Hy all, Trying to keep the bug count as low as possible i thought i'd use a tool that performs static code analysis on my c/c++ projects. I already use one that performs runtime verifications and analysis but i have a feeling there's room for improvement. There are a lot of tools out there and i simply have a hard time choosing one. What do you recommend? It can be proprietary or not...

      R Offline
      R Offline
      realJSOP
      wrote on last edited by
      #2

      I use a handy garbage recepticle for code analysis. :) Seriously though, I think there's a free tool that calculates the complexity of your code, and things like that, but I dont remember the name of it.

      .45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly
      -----
      "Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass..." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997
      -----
      "The staggering layers of obscenity in your statement make it a work of art on so many levels." - J. Jystad, 2001

      A 1 Reply Last reply
      0
      • S Stefan Bogdan

        Hy all, Trying to keep the bug count as low as possible i thought i'd use a tool that performs static code analysis on my c/c++ projects. I already use one that performs runtime verifications and analysis but i have a feeling there's room for improvement. There are a lot of tools out there and i simply have a hard time choosing one. What do you recommend? It can be proprietary or not...

        R Offline
        R Offline
        Rama Krishna Vavilala
        wrote on last edited by
        #3

        PC Lint[^] It is also worth to look at: Visual Lint[^]

        N A 2 Replies Last reply
        0
        • R Rama Krishna Vavilala

          PC Lint[^] It is also worth to look at: Visual Lint[^]

          N Offline
          N Offline
          Nicholas Butler
          wrote on last edited by
          #4

          Seconded :) I highly recommend both! Nick

          1 Reply Last reply
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          • S Stefan Bogdan

            Hy all, Trying to keep the bug count as low as possible i thought i'd use a tool that performs static code analysis on my c/c++ projects. I already use one that performs runtime verifications and analysis but i have a feeling there's room for improvement. There are a lot of tools out there and i simply have a hard time choosing one. What do you recommend? It can be proprietary or not...

            D Offline
            D Offline
            Dr Walt Fair PE
            wrote on last edited by
            #5

            Stefan Bogdan wrote:

            Trying to keep the bug count as low as possible ...

            Me too. I stopped counting.

            Stefan Bogdan wrote:

            ... i thought i'd use a tool that performs static code analysis on my c/c++ projects.

            Isn't that called a compiler?

            Stefan Bogdan wrote:

            I already use one that performs runtime verifications and analysis

            I thought that's what users are for. :doh: ;P

            CQ de W5ALT

            Walt Fair, Jr., P. E. Comport Computing Specializing in Technical Engineering Software

            1 Reply Last reply
            0
            • R realJSOP

              I use a handy garbage recepticle for code analysis. :) Seriously though, I think there's a free tool that calculates the complexity of your code, and things like that, but I dont remember the name of it.

              .45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly
              -----
              "Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass..." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997
              -----
              "The staggering layers of obscenity in your statement make it a work of art on so many levels." - J. Jystad, 2001

              A Offline
              A Offline
              Anna Jayne Metcalfe
              wrote on last edited by
              #6

              SourceMonitor[^] :)

              Anna :rose: Tech Blog | Visual Lint "Why would anyone prefer to wield a weapon that takes both hands at once, when they could use a lighter (and obviously superior) weapon that allows you to wield multiple ones at a time, and thus supports multi-paradigm carnage?"

              modified on Friday, June 4, 2010 2:39 PM

              1 Reply Last reply
              0
              • R Rama Krishna Vavilala

                PC Lint[^] It is also worth to look at: Visual Lint[^]

                A Offline
                A Offline
                Anna Jayne Metcalfe
                wrote on last edited by
                #7

                Thanks for the plug! We now owe you :beer: if ever you're down our way. ;) FWIW we've Eclipse/CDT (initially for Windows, Linux in time hopefully) and command line (for build server use) versions of Visual Lint on the way. We had the Eclipse plug-in on our stand at ACCU this year, and it seemed to get quite a bit of interest. Once they are out of the way the plan is to look at adding support for other analysis tools (we already have a derived product for the Tiobe TICS framework[^]) and possibly a plug-in for Borland/Codegear C++.

                Anna :rose: Tech Blog | Visual Lint "Why would anyone prefer to wield a weapon that takes both hands at once, when they could use a lighter (and obviously superior) weapon that allows you to wield multiple ones at a time, and thus supports multi-paradigm carnage?"

                L 1 Reply Last reply
                0
                • S Stefan Bogdan

                  Hy all, Trying to keep the bug count as low as possible i thought i'd use a tool that performs static code analysis on my c/c++ projects. I already use one that performs runtime verifications and analysis but i have a feeling there's room for improvement. There are a lot of tools out there and i simply have a hard time choosing one. What do you recommend? It can be proprietary or not...

                  A Offline
                  A Offline
                  Anna Jayne Metcalfe
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #8

                  I'll declare an interest here as I'm responsible for Visual Lint[^] (a PC-lint integration plug-in for Visual Studio). :-\ If you decide to go with PC-lint, feel free to drop me a line and I'll do what I can to assist you in setting it up. SourceMonitor[^] is also worth knowing about - it's a metrics tool rather than a static analysis tool, but in our experience examining the cyclomatic complexity metrics of a project can yield a lot of intelligence about where the trouble spots are likely to be. Comparing the average complexity of your entire codebase between builds is also a great way of determining whether your code is getting better (lower complexity) or worse (higher complexity).

                  Anna :rose: Tech Blog | Visual Lint "Why would anyone prefer to wield a weapon that takes both hands at once, when they could use a lighter (and obviously superior) weapon that allows you to wield multiple ones at a time, and thus supports multi-paradigm carnage?"

                  S 1 Reply Last reply
                  0
                  • A Anna Jayne Metcalfe

                    I'll declare an interest here as I'm responsible for Visual Lint[^] (a PC-lint integration plug-in for Visual Studio). :-\ If you decide to go with PC-lint, feel free to drop me a line and I'll do what I can to assist you in setting it up. SourceMonitor[^] is also worth knowing about - it's a metrics tool rather than a static analysis tool, but in our experience examining the cyclomatic complexity metrics of a project can yield a lot of intelligence about where the trouble spots are likely to be. Comparing the average complexity of your entire codebase between builds is also a great way of determining whether your code is getting better (lower complexity) or worse (higher complexity).

                    Anna :rose: Tech Blog | Visual Lint "Why would anyone prefer to wield a weapon that takes both hands at once, when they could use a lighter (and obviously superior) weapon that allows you to wield multiple ones at a time, and thus supports multi-paradigm carnage?"

                    S Offline
                    S Offline
                    Stefan Bogdan
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #9

                    I came across PC-Lint myself a few days ago... Now that it has been recommended to me by 2 out of 4 people that replied to my message i have to say i'm getting quite interested. The only problem is PC-Lint does not offer a trial version... It would be nice if I could give it a try for a few days...

                    M A 3 Replies Last reply
                    0
                    • S Stefan Bogdan

                      Hy all, Trying to keep the bug count as low as possible i thought i'd use a tool that performs static code analysis on my c/c++ projects. I already use one that performs runtime verifications and analysis but i have a feeling there's room for improvement. There are a lot of tools out there and i simply have a hard time choosing one. What do you recommend? It can be proprietary or not...

                      M Offline
                      M Offline
                      Mike Diack
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #10

                      Let me also endorse PC Lint. Incredibly good value compared to most of the very expensive static code analysis tools out there. (PC-Lint is a few hundred pounds a seat, whereas most other tools are several thousand!). It's very full featured and enormously capable. I've been using it since Version 6 in 1993 and for me it's the most essential tool after Visual Studio itself. Riverblade's Visual Lint is a great enhancement to it that integrates it near seamlessly into Visual Studio. However there are also some free tools: Cppcheck: http://sourceforge.net/apps/mediawiki/cppcheck/index.php?title=Main_Page[^] Splint (C only): http://www.splint.org/[^] and on high end versions of Visual Studio (from 2005 onwards). There's the /analyze switch Which runs a static analysis (ish) level of checking in Visual Studio - but it's not nearly as capable as the independant tools. In summary: If you can afford to spend, I'd recommend going with PC-Lint (and Visual Lint, if you've a bit more money too). Mike

                      A 1 Reply Last reply
                      0
                      • A Anna Jayne Metcalfe

                        Thanks for the plug! We now owe you :beer: if ever you're down our way. ;) FWIW we've Eclipse/CDT (initially for Windows, Linux in time hopefully) and command line (for build server use) versions of Visual Lint on the way. We had the Eclipse plug-in on our stand at ACCU this year, and it seemed to get quite a bit of interest. Once they are out of the way the plan is to look at adding support for other analysis tools (we already have a derived product for the Tiobe TICS framework[^]) and possibly a plug-in for Borland/Codegear C++.

                        Anna :rose: Tech Blog | Visual Lint "Why would anyone prefer to wield a weapon that takes both hands at once, when they could use a lighter (and obviously superior) weapon that allows you to wield multiple ones at a time, and thus supports multi-paradigm carnage?"

                        L Offline
                        L Offline
                        Lost User
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #11

                        Write a Visual Lint plugin for Qt Creator next. I'd test it for you. :)

                        Blogging about Qt Creator

                        A 1 Reply Last reply
                        0
                        • S Stefan Bogdan

                          I came across PC-Lint myself a few days ago... Now that it has been recommended to me by 2 out of 4 people that replied to my message i have to say i'm getting quite interested. The only problem is PC-Lint does not offer a trial version... It would be nice if I could give it a try for a few days...

                          M Offline
                          M Offline
                          Mike Diack
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #12

                          It's true that Gimpel don't do a trial version BUT (and do check this) I believe they offer a 30 day money back guarantee if not pleased with the product. Trust me you'll be delighted. It's a great product, and they're a great firm.

                          A 1 Reply Last reply
                          0
                          • S Stefan Bogdan

                            I came across PC-Lint myself a few days ago... Now that it has been recommended to me by 2 out of 4 people that replied to my message i have to say i'm getting quite interested. The only problem is PC-Lint does not offer a trial version... It would be nice if I could give it a try for a few days...

                            M Offline
                            M Offline
                            Mike Diack
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #13

                            Also, if you'd like to see PC-Lint in action, you can post excerpts of code into their online demo webpage and have it analyse them - you'll be impressed: See: (and especially the "Do It Yourself" links at the end of the web page:) http://www.gimpel-online.com/OnlineTesting.html[^] eg. http://gimpel-online.com//cgi-bin/genPage.py?srcFile=diy.cpp&cgiScript=analyseCode.py&title=Do-It-Yourself+Example+%28C%2B%2B%29&intro=This+example+allows+you+to+specify+your+own+C%2B%2B+code.&compilerOption=online32.lnt&includeOption={{quotedIncludeOption}}[^]

                            1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • L Lost User

                              Write a Visual Lint plugin for Qt Creator next. I'd test it for you. :)

                              Blogging about Qt Creator

                              A Offline
                              A Offline
                              Anna Jayne Metcalfe
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #14

                              Now I just knew you were going to say that! :-\ Shame there are only 24 hours in the day. :doh:

                              Anna :rose: Tech Blog | Visual Lint "Why would anyone prefer to wield a weapon that takes both hands at once, when they could use a lighter (and obviously superior) weapon that allows you to wield multiple ones at a time, and thus supports multi-paradigm carnage?"

                              1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • S Stefan Bogdan

                                I came across PC-Lint myself a few days ago... Now that it has been recommended to me by 2 out of 4 people that replied to my message i have to say i'm getting quite interested. The only problem is PC-Lint does not offer a trial version... It would be nice if I could give it a try for a few days...

                                A Offline
                                A Offline
                                Anna Jayne Metcalfe
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #15

                                That's true sadly (we'd love them to do a trial version of PC-lint, as then we could produce a combined installer for both products), but there is an interactive demonstrator[^] on Gimpel's website which lets you try it out "live" - and that goes some way towards making up for the omission.

                                Anna :rose: Tech Blog | Visual Lint "Why would anyone prefer to wield a weapon that takes both hands at once, when they could use a lighter (and obviously superior) weapon that allows you to wield multiple ones at a time, and thus supports multi-paradigm carnage?"

                                1 Reply Last reply
                                0
                                • M Mike Diack

                                  Let me also endorse PC Lint. Incredibly good value compared to most of the very expensive static code analysis tools out there. (PC-Lint is a few hundred pounds a seat, whereas most other tools are several thousand!). It's very full featured and enormously capable. I've been using it since Version 6 in 1993 and for me it's the most essential tool after Visual Studio itself. Riverblade's Visual Lint is a great enhancement to it that integrates it near seamlessly into Visual Studio. However there are also some free tools: Cppcheck: http://sourceforge.net/apps/mediawiki/cppcheck/index.php?title=Main_Page[^] Splint (C only): http://www.splint.org/[^] and on high end versions of Visual Studio (from 2005 onwards). There's the /analyze switch Which runs a static analysis (ish) level of checking in Visual Studio - but it's not nearly as capable as the independant tools. In summary: If you can afford to spend, I'd recommend going with PC-Lint (and Visual Lint, if you've a bit more money too). Mike

                                  A Offline
                                  A Offline
                                  Anna Jayne Metcalfe
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #16

                                  I've not found CppCheck to be much cop, quite frankly (though maybe our code is just too clean...), but Splint is on our radar now that we're doing an Eclipse/CDT plug in (the reasoning being that Eclipse is often used for embedded development, and many embedded projects are C only). Lots to do, as ever. :)

                                  Anna :rose: Tech Blog | Visual Lint "Why would anyone prefer to wield a weapon that takes both hands at once, when they could use a lighter (and obviously superior) weapon that allows you to wield multiple ones at a time, and thus supports multi-paradigm carnage?"

                                  1 Reply Last reply
                                  0
                                  • M Mike Diack

                                    It's true that Gimpel don't do a trial version BUT (and do check this) I believe they offer a 30 day money back guarantee if not pleased with the product. Trust me you'll be delighted. It's a great product, and they're a great firm.

                                    A Offline
                                    A Offline
                                    Anna Jayne Metcalfe
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #17

                                    They do. :)

                                    Anna :rose: Tech Blog | Visual Lint "Why would anyone prefer to wield a weapon that takes both hands at once, when they could use a lighter (and obviously superior) weapon that allows you to wield multiple ones at a time, and thus supports multi-paradigm carnage?"

                                    1 Reply Last reply
                                    0
                                    • S Stefan Bogdan

                                      Hy all, Trying to keep the bug count as low as possible i thought i'd use a tool that performs static code analysis on my c/c++ projects. I already use one that performs runtime verifications and analysis but i have a feeling there's room for improvement. There are a lot of tools out there and i simply have a hard time choosing one. What do you recommend? It can be proprietary or not...

                                      D Offline
                                      D Offline
                                      dazfuller
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #18

                                      We use CPPCheck[^] highlights a number of very good issues and warns where it thinks there may be potential memory leaks and other useful information. I've looked at a number of others but keep coming back to this one.

                                      1 Reply Last reply
                                      0
                                      • S Stefan Bogdan

                                        Hy all, Trying to keep the bug count as low as possible i thought i'd use a tool that performs static code analysis on my c/c++ projects. I already use one that performs runtime verifications and analysis but i have a feeling there's room for improvement. There are a lot of tools out there and i simply have a hard time choosing one. What do you recommend? It can be proprietary or not...

                                        V Offline
                                        V Offline
                                        vtorri
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #19

                                        clang/llvm

                                        1 Reply Last reply
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                                        • S Stefan Bogdan

                                          Hy all, Trying to keep the bug count as low as possible i thought i'd use a tool that performs static code analysis on my c/c++ projects. I already use one that performs runtime verifications and analysis but i have a feeling there's room for improvement. There are a lot of tools out there and i simply have a hard time choosing one. What do you recommend? It can be proprietary or not...

                                          J Offline
                                          J Offline
                                          Javier Miranda
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #20

                                          Klocwork www.klocwork.com[^]

                                          1 Reply Last reply
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