linux-kernel - Re: [PATCH] Documentation: dev-tools: Add a section for static analysis tools

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Date:   Mon, 28 Mar 2022 16:36:22 -0600
From:   Shuah Khan <skhan@...uxfoundation.org>
To:     Marcelo Schmitt <marcelo.schmitt1@...il.com>, corbet@....net,
        mchehab+huawei@...nel.org, dlatypov@...gle.com, davidgow@...gle.com
Cc:     linux-doc@...r.kernel.org, linux-sparse@...r.kernel.org,
        cocci@...ia.fr, smatch@...r.kernel.org,
        linux-kernel@...r.kernel.org,
        Shuah Khan <skhan@...uxfoundation.org>
Subject: Re: [PATCH] Documentation: dev-tools: Add a section for static
 analysis tools

On 3/28/22 3:19 PM, Marcelo Schmitt wrote:
> Complement the Kernel Testing Guide documentation page by adding a
> section about static analysis tools.
> 
> Signed-off-by: Marcelo Schmitt <marcelo.schmitt1@...il.com>
> ---
> Hey everyone,
> 
> I think this patch can be a good addition to the documentation as
> discussed in the thread for the testing guide documentation page:
> Link: https://lore.kernel.org/linux-doc/CABVgOS=2iYtqTVdxwH=mcFpcSuLP4cpJ4s6PKP4Gc-SH6jidgQ@mail.gmail.com/
> 
> If you think it would be worth it, I can try making something more
> elaborated. Maybe provide some guidance on when to use each tool.
> I've been studying how Linux device drivers are tested.
> Here's a post I wrote talking about some testing tools.
> Link: https://marcelosc.gitlab.io/how-is-linux-tested/
> 
> Best regards,
> Marcelo
> 

This a good addition to the testing overview doc. Please see a couple of
comments below

>   Documentation/dev-tools/testing-overview.rst | 29 ++++++++++++++++++++
>   1 file changed, 29 insertions(+)
> 
> diff --git a/Documentation/dev-tools/testing-overview.rst b/Documentation/dev-tools/testing-overview.rst
> index 65feb81edb14..b00511109a9d 100644
> --- a/Documentation/dev-tools/testing-overview.rst
> +++ b/Documentation/dev-tools/testing-overview.rst
> @@ -115,3 +115,32 @@ that none of these errors are occurring during the test.
>   Some of these tools integrate with KUnit or kselftest and will
>   automatically fail tests if an issue is detected.
>   
> +Static Analysis Tools
> +======================
> +
> +In addition to testing a running kernel, one may also scout for bugs by
> +analyzing the source code semantics. Three tools are well known for serving this
> +purpose.
> +
> +Sparse can help test the kernel by performing type-checking, lock checking,
> +value range checking, in addition to reporting various errors and warnings while
> +examining the code. See the Documentation/dev-tools/sparse.rst documentation
> +page for details on how to use it.
> +> +Smatch extends Sparse and provides additional checks for programming logic
> +mistakes such as missing breaks in switch statements, unused return values on
> +error checking, forgetting to set an error code in the return of an error path,
> +etc. Smatch also has tests against more serious issues such as integer
> +overflows, null pointer dereferences, and memory leaks. See the project page at
> +http://smatch.sourceforge.net/.
> +
> +We also have Coccinelle as an option within static analyzers. Coccinelle is
> +often used to aid collateral evolution of source code, but it can also help to
> +avoid certain bugs that have been expressed semantically. The types of tests
> +available include API tests, tests for correct usage of kernel iterators, checks
> +for the soundness of free operations, analysis of locking behavior, and further
> +tests known to help keep consistent kernel usage. See the
> +Documentation/dev-tools/coccinelle.rst documentation page for details.
> +
> +These static analysis tools support running tests on the whole source tree or
> +over a specific file or directory.
> 

You can also add a couple of sentences along the lines to clarify why static
analysis is beneficial:

"It is easier to detect and fix problems during the development process."

Also add a word of caution:

"Static analysis tools suffer from false positives and errors and warns need to
  be evaluated carefully before attempting to fix them."
  
Reviewed-by: Shuah Khan <skhan@...uxfoundation.org>

thanks,
-- Shuah