What are static code analysis tools for Apex?

Question:

Are there any static code analysis tools available for Apex? I am aware of the Force.com Security Source Code Scanner, but it has the drawback of requiring requests to be placed in a queue and run remotely, which slows down the development process. Is there a tool I can run locally to enable quick iterations during refactoring?

Answer:

Yes, there are several static code analysis tools available for Apex, both local and remote.

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Here’s a breakdown of the options:

1.Force.com Security Source Code Scanner:

This is Salesforce’s official tool, which checks your Apex code for common security vulnerabilities and best practices. While effective, it is remote and requires submitting your code to a queue, which might not suit developers needing quick feedback.

2.PMD (Programming Mistake Detector):

PMD is a popular static analysis tool that supports Apex via a plugin. It runs locally and provides immediate feedback on issues like unused variables, overly complex methods, and other common coding pitfalls.

Example configuration for Apex:

• Install PMD using your package manager or manually download it.
• Add Apex rules to your ruleset. Here is an example ruleset file:

<ruleset name="Apex Ruleset" xmlns="http://pmd.sf.net/ruleset/1.0.0"
        xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"
        xsi:schemaLocation="http://pmd.sf.net/ruleset/1.0.0 http://pmd.sf.net/ruleset_xml_schema.xsd">
    <rule ref="category/apex/codestyle.xml"/>
    <rule ref="category/apex/performance.xml"/>
    <rule ref="category/apex/bestpractices.xml"/>
</ruleset>

• Run PMD using a command like:

pmd -d /path/to/your/code -R rulesets/apex/ruleset.xml -f text

3.CodeScan:

A commercial tool specifically designed for Salesforce development. It integrates with CI/CD pipelines, runs locally, and provides detailed analysis tailored to Salesforce best practices. It also includes support for Visualforce and Lightning components.

4.ApexLink:

ApexLink is an open-source tool for static analysis of Apex code. It provides validation of classes, triggers, and dependencies. It runs locally and can be integrated into your development workflow. You can install it via npm:

npm install -g apexlink

Example usage:

apexlink /path/to/your/project

5.Checkmarx (CxSAST):

A commercial tool for static application security testing that supports Apex. It is highly effective for security scans and can be configured to run locally or in CI/CD pipelines.

Using PMD or ApexLink is ideal for quick, local feedback during refactoring. Tools like CodeScan or Checkmarx are better suited for enterprise environments where robust reporting and CI/CD integration are priorities.

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