Static code analyzers, seen by many as the evolution of classic linters, are code analysis suites that offer a broader scope and more in-depth capabilities than linters. In this piece, I attempt a high-level comparison of the two, while highlighting certain shortcomings of linters that can be solved through static code analyzers.

As developers, we have all used, or at the very least heard of the following two terms– ‘linter’ and ‘static code analyzer’. Both linter and static code analyzers are often used to describe similar tools, and even used interchangeably. The service these tools offer is broadly similar – examining source code for potential issues. However, they are not the same thing. In fact, based on the program you go for, the code-checking services they provide can greatly differ. In this article, we take a high-level comparative look at these two tools, with examples of some Java-specific options.

#java #testing #code quality #static analysis #source code analysis #source code analysis tools #automated analysis