10.7 | Analyzing source code | Languages | C/C++/Objective-C | Analysis modes
CFamily analysis modes
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The analysis can operate in Automatic Configuration (AutoConfig) or Manual Configuration (Compilation Database) modes.
AutoConfig is activated by default, while the Compilation Database can be activated by supplying a compile_commands.json
to the SonarScanner.
The analyzer must understand the code's intended compilation options to ensure an accurate static analysis of the CFamily code.
- In Compilation Database mode, these options are provided to the analyzer through Compilation Database: a JSON file introduced by the LLVM project.
- In AutoConfig mode, the analyzer attempts to deduce these options automatically. A set of high-level AutoConfig properties can tune the automatic deduction process. See the "AutoConfig-specific properties" section in Customizing the analysis.
Choosing the right analysis mode
AutoConfig mode is recommended if:
- Your projects use compilers that don’t meet the supported compiler prerequisite of Compilation Database mode.
- Your projects use compilation environments where generating a compilation database is not feasible (see Prerequisites).
- You desire a swift analysis setup without the need to allocate human resources for the generation and maintenance of the Compilation Database.
- Your projects have a low CFamily code percentage.
Compilation Database mode is recommended if:
- You seek the highest CFamily analysis quality SonarQube can provide. Please note that in rare instances, AutoConfig may result in some issues being overlooked.
- You want to have finer control over the analysis configuration. For example, if you want to analyze a specific build variant or several variants (see "Analyzing code variants" in Customizing the analysis).
- You have projects with Objective-C code: Objective-C analysis is not supported in AutoConfig mode.
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