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Overview
The article introduces AL, a new declarative language developed by Facebook for creating checkers to detect bugs in code using the Infer static analyzer. AL simplifies the process of writing new checkers, allowing developers to focus on syntax rather than the complexities of static analysis.
What You'll Learn
1
How to write a new checker using AL for detecting bugs in Objective-C
2
Why AL is beneficial for developers without deep static analysis expertise
3
When to use AL for simpler intraprocedural bug detection
Prerequisites & Requirements
- Basic understanding of static analysis concepts(optional)
- Familiarity with Infer static analyzer
- Experience with Objective-C, C, or C++ programming languages
Key Questions Answered
What is AL and how does it simplify bug detection?
AL is a declarative language designed to create checkers for detecting bugs in code without requiring deep knowledge of static analysis. It allows developers to write simple formulas that Infer interprets, making it easier to identify bugs confined to single procedures.
How can developers create a checker for a specific bug using AL?
Developers can create a checker by defining a formula in AL that specifies the conditions under which a bug occurs. For example, a checker can be defined to report when a property named 'delegate' is declared strong without the word 'queue' in its name.
What types of bugs can AL help detect in Objective-C code?
AL can help detect intraprocedural bugs, such as improper property declarations and issues with observer management in Objective-C. It simplifies the process of creating checkers for these specific scenarios.
What are the advantages of using Infer with AL?
Using Infer with AL allows for sophisticated interprocedural analysis at scale while enabling developers to quickly add new checkers without needing extensive knowledge of Infer's internals. This leads to faster bug detection and resolution.
Key Statistics & Figures
Bugs reported by AL checkers
Thousands
AL's checkers have reported thousands of bugs that engineers have fixed, demonstrating its effectiveness in improving code quality.
Technologies & Tools
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Static Analysis Tool
Infer
Used for detecting bugs in mobile code at Facebook.
Programming Language
Objective-c
One of the languages supported by AL for writing checkers.
Programming Language
C
One of the languages supported by AL for writing checkers.
Programming Language
C++
One of the languages supported by AL for writing checkers.
Key Actionable Insights
1Utilize AL to quickly create checkers for common coding mistakes in Objective-C, C, and C++.By leveraging AL, developers can enhance their code quality without needing deep expertise in static analysis, making it accessible for teams to maintain high standards in their codebases.
2Incorporate AL checkers into your CI/CD pipeline to catch bugs early in the development process.Integrating AL with Infer in your continuous integration workflow ensures that potential issues are identified before code is shipped, reducing the risk of bugs in production.
3Explore the growing library of predicates in AL to enhance the expressiveness of your checkers.As AL continues to evolve, utilizing its expanding library allows developers to create more sophisticated checks, improving the overall robustness of their code analysis.
Common Pitfalls
1
Failing to understand the internal workings of Infer can lead to ineffective checker definitions.
While AL simplifies checker creation, developers should ensure they grasp the basic concepts of how Infer operates to maximize the effectiveness of their checkers.
Related Concepts
Static Analysis
Declarative Programming
Bug Detection Techniques