Clang Static Analyzer

Website

clang-analyzer.llvm.org

Categories

#Code Analysis #Code Coverage #Development #Code Review

Polyspace

Website

mathworks.com

Categories

#Development #Tool #Code Analysis #Code Coverage #Python IDE

Clang Static Analyzer features and specs

• Integration with Clang
  The Clang Static Analyzer is built as part of the Clang project, ensuring seamless integration with the Clang compiler. This allows for easy adoption in projects that already use Clang for compiling, as there is no need for additional tooling setup.
• Open Source
  Being an open-source tool, Clang Static Analyzer is freely available for anyone to use and modify. This encourages a community-driven approach to improvements and provides the flexibility to tailor the tool to specific needs.
• Path-sensitive Analysis
  Clang Static Analyzer performs path-sensitive analysis, which means it evaluates different execution paths in the code to detect complex bugs that may only manifest under certain conditions.
• Deep C/C++ Support
  As part of the LLVM project, Clang Static Analyzer offers robust support for C and C++ languages, leveraging the deep language understanding from the Clang front-end.

Possible disadvantages of Clang Static Analyzer

• Limited Language Support
  While it is excellent for C and C++, Clang Static Analyzer has limited support for other programming languages, which can be a drawback for projects involving multiple languages.
• False Positives
  Like many static analysis tools, Clang Static Analyzer can generate false positives, where it reports issues that are not actual bugs. This can require developers to spend additional time reviewing and dismissing spurious warnings.
• Complex Setup for Non-Clang Projects
  Projects that are not already using Clang might face a more complex setup process to integrate Clang Static Analyzer, as it requires adapting build configurations to use Clang.
• Performance Overhead
  Running Clang Static Analyzer can introduce significant performance overhead during the analysis phase, which might lead to longer build or integration times, especially for large codebases.

Polyspace features and specs

• Static Code Analysis
  Polyspace offers advanced static code analysis which helps in detecting run-time errors, integer overflow, division by zero, and other issues without executing the program.
• MISRA Compliance
  It provides checking for compliance with coding standards such as MISRA, making it easier to adhere to industry standards.
• Automatic Bug Detection
  Polyspace automatically identifies potential bugs and vulnerabilities in the code, which can significantly reduce debugging time during development.
• Concurrency Analysis
  The tool checks for potential issues in concurrent executions, like data races and deadlocks, enhancing the reliability of multi-threaded applications.
• Extensive Language Support
  It supports multiple programming languages such as C, C++, and Ada, making it versatile for various types of software projects.

Possible disadvantages of Polyspace

• Cost
  Polyspace is a commercial tool, which can be expensive for small businesses or individual developers with limited budgets.
• Complexity
  The extensive features and capabilities can result in a steep learning curve, requiring significant time to master effectively.
• Resource Intensive
  Static code analysis can be resource-intensive, potentially slowing down the development process, particularly for larger codebases.
• Integration Challenges
  Integrating Polyspace with existing development workflows and IDEs may pose challenges, especially if teams use heterogeneous toolchains.
• False Positives
  Like many static analysis tools, Polyspace can generate false positives, which require manual review to discern true issues from noise.

2019 LLVM Developers’ Meeting: A. Dergachev “Developing the Clang Static Analyzer”

More videos:

What is Polyspace Bug Finder? - Polyspace Bug Finder Overview

More videos: