Code scanning tools are very useful for IT professionals and security experts, as they make their work more manageable. Keep reading to learn how application code scanning tools benefit businesses every day.
What are Code Scanning Tools?
Code scanning tools are used to analyze source code for vulnerabilities and other defects. They are usually automated and can scan a large number of lines in a short time, which is why many companies use them for security purposes.
The static code scanning tool will look at the source code of a program, analyze it for any errors or security issues that might not have been detected during the testing phase, and then report all of its findings back to you so you can make changes accordingly.
The use of open source scanners has grown over time and become more popular because they are cheaper than other security testing methods. There are many different types of code scanners on the market, each with its own pros and cons.
The typical process of using a code scanner is as follows:
- First, the user uploads their file and selects one or more languages they would like the scanner to work with.
- The tool performs a series of checks on the uploaded file, looking for potential vulnerabilities or bugs.
- After this, it displays a report on how many errors were found and what they were.
- Finally, it suggests solutions that might help fix these errors and issues.
The Benefits of Code Scanning Tools for Your Business
Developers use code scanning tools to quickly identify potential issues in their code. This helps them avoid the need for manual testing or waiting for a bug report from users. Additional advantages are outlined below.
1. Avoid Open Source Software Risks
Open-source software provides various benefits for developers and companies, including reduced cost, increased innovation, and increased flexibility. However, it also presents some risks.
Luckily, open source code scanning tools are available to help with these risks. They scan code for vulnerabilities and licensing issues, as well as library issues that can affect the functionality of the code being reviewed.
2. Supports Effective Security Audits
Code scanning tools are a way to ensure that the code is secure and follows best practices. There are many different types of scanning tools, but they all have the same goal: to identify vulnerabilities and security flaws in the code.
Some of these tools can be used manually by developers, while others are fully automated. Automated tools can be run regularly or when a developer wants to do a code review for their project.
3. Provides Actionable Insights
The main goal of code scanning is to ensure that the quality of your software is up-to-date with your requirements and specifications. Code scanners find bugs in your source code, measure compliance with coding standards, detect security vulnerabilities and suggest improvements for high-priority issues. Developers are provided with insights for all of these, to which they can promptly act on and improve the code.
4. False Positive Detections
False positives are not just a nuisance for developers but can also be costly. Manually searching for false positives takes time and might not be 100% successful. However, with the right code scanning tool, your organization can significantly improve false positive detection.
5. Saves Time and Money
Code scanning tools are an excellent way for businesses to save time and money. They allow developers to easily and efficiently find errors in the code — all without the endless hours and headaches.
Should Your Organization Invest in Code Scanning Tools?
The code review process can be time-consuming and difficult to manage if there are many developers in the team. Dynamic code scanning tools can automate this process and make it easier for developers to identify issues in the code before it gets released.
These tools have a number of advantages, including increasing productivity, making code reviews more efficient, identifying security vulnerabilities, reducing time spent on manual reviews, and providing accurate metrics on code quality.
If any of this sounds good to you, code scanning tools are probably worth investing in!
SMART TS XL Provides Rapid and Comprehensive Understanding
IN-COM’s SMART TS XL Software Intelligence is the leading tool that ensures rapid and comprehensive results for any and every asset in your enterprise, thereby supporting vulnerability detection for applications and web servers. This code understanding solution is used by IT professionals to help identify security vulnerabilities, evaluate risk, and improve code quality – by searching and analyzing millions of lines of code and providing results in a matter of minutes. Not to mention, it has an advanced graphical interface that is user-friendly and provides high visibility.
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