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Here’s Why You Need Salesforce Static Code Analysis Tools

Josh Rank
April 27, 2022

The best mechanic isn’t going to be able to fix a car without a wrench. And the best developers aren’t going to be able to produce great applications and updates without adequate DevSecOps tools.

But how do you know which tools will best suit your needs with the wide variety of available options? Break it out into buckets. Automated tools like data backup & recovery help when a data loss event occurs. CI/CD help facilitate smoother deployments. But how do you address the code that makes up every DevSecOps project?

Salesforce static code analysis tools are an essential aspect of providing your team with everything they need to succeed.

You might be asking yourself why static code analysis is so essential, especially if you already utilize other forms of automation in your DevSecOps pipeline.

Here are 7 reasons Salesforce static code analysis tools need to be part of your toolset:

The Quality of Your Code Impacts Everything
You Can’t Fix Mistakes if You Don’t Know They Exist
Technical Debt Is Likely Weighing Your System Down
Data Security Needs All the Help It Can Get
Higher Release Velocity Has Many Benefits
Team Members Hate Repetitive Tasks
It Saves You Money

1. The Quality of Your Code Impacts Everything

You can have the most streamlined processes, strongest release tools, and best marketing, but an update or application will fail if the code that makes it up is riddled with bugs and errors. There is simply no way to compensate for bad code.

Even the most talented developers are going to make occasional mistakes.

Salesforce static code analysis tools utilize hundreds of built-in rules to verify proper coding structures within your DevOps projects. This guarantees high quality code is used to build out the intended functionality of your update or application.

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2. You Can’t Fix Mistakes if You Don’t Know They Exist

Knowledge is power when it comes to producing consistently high-quality products. Quite simply, mistakes that aren’t found are impossible to fix. There needs to be a series of checkpoints to verify proper coding structures to avoid bugs and errors found after deployment (if the update makes it through deployment at all).

Static code analysis provides immediate alerts to errors in the coding structure.

This allows your developers to fix these errors in real time, enabling them to produce the best possible updates while also reducing the overall costs associated with the DevOps pipeline. Going back at a later stage drastically increases the expense of fixing an error.

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3. Technical Debt Is Likely Weighing Your System Down

Speed is often prioritized in development pipelines. The need to quickly address a problem becomes the sole focus while expediting the various stages of producing an update or application. However, this can lead to errors and bugs finding their way to live environments with the idea that they will be addressed at a later date. This is what’s known as technical debt.

Technical debt introduces the potential for data security vulnerabilities as well as a degradation in functionality, likely affecting the end user’s experience.

Scanning you code with static code analysis prevents technical debt while also offering the ability to locate existing technical debt. Finding and fixing these errors supports and overall increase in health for your Salesforce environment.

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4. Data Security Needs All the Help It Can Get

We mentioned how technical debt can introduce data security vulnerabilities. This bears repeating because data security needs to be a major consideration for all aspects of your Salesforce environment. There are simply too many possible threats to allow any potential vulnerability to remain unaddressed.

Strong code supports data security efforts by preventing the introduction of new vulnerabilities to your system.

Data breaches can be extremely costly. Beyond that, certain types of data need to be protected in order to remain in compliance with data security regulations. Strong code is an essential aspect of accomplishing this.

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5. Higher Release Velocity Has Many Benefits

You don’t need to sacrifice speed in order to maintain high quality standards. Automation is an essential aspect of optimizing your Salesforce DevOps pipeline. Tools such as CI/CD and static code analysis will introduce quality checkpoints while enabling your team members to expedite the delivery of the product.

Increasing the rate at which you can deliver DevOps projects helps address current issues, position you as a leader in your industry, and increase ROI.

Automated code checks reduce the amount of time it takes to fix an error, setting up the following stages of development for success.

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6. Team Members Hate Repetitive Tasks

Your team members possess specialized skills that help produce beneficial DevOps products. You need to maximize their time by allowing them to focus on what they do best. Checking through multiple lines of code to find and fix errors is incredibly time consuming.

Automating repetitive tasks allows your team members to work on more pressing aspects of a DevOps project, speeding delivery times and creating a more enjoyable work experience.

Static code analysis can drastically reduce the amount of time needed to analyze your code. Providing your team members with this tool helps them skip through needlessly tedious tasks.

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7. It Saves You Money

In business, time is money. An ability to quickly address problems will reduce the overall costs associated with a DevOps project. And if it’s done in a way that can be repeated over a series of projects, the benefits will continue to increase.

Coding errors are 150 times more expensive to fix when they are found during the deployment phase compared to when they are found in the design phase.

Static code analysis expedites processes and enables team members to focus on what’s most important. This tool is an essential aspect of a complete DevOps toolset and needs to be included in your Salesforce development strategy.

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FAQs

What is static code analysis?

Static code analysis is a method of verifying proper coding structures withing an update or application. Code is checked through internal rules to find and flag errors.

When do Salesforce static code analysis tools check source code?

The code is verified at every stage of the DevSecOps pipeline. This includes the moment it is written as well as post-deployment.

Does static code analysis check the code in existing systems?

Yes. Bugs and errors that are found in live environments are known as technical debt. Static code analysis helps address this technical debt to improve live programs.

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Tags: salesforce DevSecOps, salesforce static code analysis tool, static code analysis

Here’s Why You Need Salesforce Static Code Analysis Tools

1. The Quality of Your Code Impacts Everything

2. You Can’t Fix Mistakes if You Don’t Know They Exist

3. Technical Debt Is Likely Weighing Your System Down

4. Data Security Needs All the Help It Can Get

5. Higher Release Velocity Has Many Benefits

6. Team Members Hate Repetitive Tasks

7. It Saves You Money

FAQs

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