Static Analysis Deployment Pitfalls

TL;DR

Deploying static analysis tools often faces organizational and configuration challenges that can undermine their effectiveness, requiring careful strategies to avoid common pitfalls.

Contribution

This paper identifies common deployment pitfalls of static analysis tools and discusses techniques to mitigate them, contributing to better deployment practices.

Findings

Identified organizational and technical pitfalls in static analysis deployment

Proposed mitigation strategies for common pitfalls

Highlights importance of proper configuration and management

Abstract

Organizational, political, and configuration mistakes in the deployment of a static source code analysis tool within a software development organization can result in most of the value of the tool being lost, even while apparently meeting management goals. A list of pitfalls encountered as a static analysis consultant is presented, with discussion of techniques for avoiding or mitigating them. This is part of a work in progress, tentatively entitled "Handbook of Static Analysis Deployment."