Static application security testing (SAST) software inspects and analyzes an application’s code to discover security vulnerabilities without actually executing code. These tools are frequently used by companies with continuous delivery practices to identify flaws prior to deployment. SAST tools provide vulnerability information and remediation suggestions for development teams to resolve. There is relation and overlap between SAST tools and static code analysis software, but SAST products are more focused on security testing. Static code analysis products, on the other hand, combine a number of analytical practices, test management, and team collaboration features.
SAST vs DAST — Learn the difference
To qualify for inclusion in the Static Application Security Testing (SAST) category, a product must:
Test applications to identify vulnerabilities
Not execute code during testing, or have the ability to run static tests
Provide information on relative vulnerabilities and exploits