static analysis

    A family of techniques of program
   analysis where the program is not actually executed (as
   opposed to dynamic analysis), but is analyzed by tools to
   produce useful information.

   Static analysis techniques range from the most mundane
   (statistics on the density of comments, for instance) to the
   more complex, semantics-based techniques.

   Qualities sought in static analysis techniques are soundness
   and completeness.

   (2003-04-12)