What is static testing?
Static testing finds defects in software artifacts before running any code. Unlike dynamic testing where you execute the program, static testing examines code, requirements, design documents, and other materials through careful review. Code inspections also help teams maintain consistent standards and share knowledge across the development group, making them valuable for both quality and team growth.
Do you have any examples of static testing?
Common types of static testing activities include:
- Code reviews to catch missing error handling and security vulnerabilities
- Requirements reviews to identify gaps and ambiguities
- Design document inspections to spot architectural issues
- Automated checks using linters and static analyzers
Why is static testing important?
Static testing dramatically reduces development costs by catching issues when they're cheapest to fix. A requirements bug caught during document review might take minutes to fix, but that same bug could cost weeks to address after deployment. Static testing also serves as an early warning system. It helps youidentify architectural and design issues before they become deeply embedded in the codebase.
What are the challenges with static testing?
The effectiveness of static testing depends heavily on reviewer expertise and attention to detail. Success requires establishing clear review guidelines, using automated tools where possible, and creating a culture that values thorough review.
