Static testing detects bugs

The particle detectors at the LHC generate a huge quantity of data that is processed by a software that is constantly modified and upgraded. This software that is complex and made up of 2.5 million lines is prone to errors. CERN physicists have chosen an approach based on static testing to assure a better quality. The static analysis tool from the Coverity company has allowed the detection of 40.000 bugs in the software during just the first try. Now any modification of the software goes through a step of static testing. (A.C.)