Splint vs. Parasoft

The Secure Programming Group within the Department of Computer Science at the University of Virginia is charged with both the creation and continual enhancement of Splint, a static analysis tool. Leading this initiative is David Evans, who is also the primary developer of the project. The initial concept of memory bounds checking was introduced by David Larochelle, while University of Virginia students such as Chris Barker, David Friedman, Mike Lanouette, and Hien Phan made notable contributions to the project's advancement. Splint is essentially an evolution of LCLint, a tool that emerged from a collaborative research project involving the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Digital Equipment Corporation's System Research Center. David Evans also played a pivotal role as the chief designer and developer of LCLint. The foundational idea for a static checking tool that could pinpoint inconsistencies between LCL specifications and their C implementations was conceived by John Guttag and Jim Horning. Their expertise and innovative ideas were instrumental in shaping both LCLint and its successor, Splint, thereby establishing a strong framework for developing tools that significantly improve software reliability and security. This collaborative effort highlights the importance of interdisciplinary teamwork in addressing complex programming challenges.

Parasoft aims to deliver automated testing tools and knowledge that enable companies to accelerate the launch of secure and dependable software. Parasoft C/C++test serves as a comprehensive test automation platform for C and C++, offering capabilities for static analysis, unit testing, and structural code coverage, thereby assisting organizations in meeting stringent industry standards for functional safety and security in embedded software applications. This robust solution not only enhances code quality but also streamlines the development process, ensuring that software is both effective and compliant with necessary regulations.