Compare CodeQL vs. Semgrep

Uncover security weaknesses within a codebase using CodeQL, our premier semantic analysis tool for code. CodeQL empowers you to treat code as if it were data, enabling the writing of queries to identify every variant of a vulnerability, thereby eliminating it for good. By sharing your findings, you can assist others in this vital task. CodeQL is available at no cost for both research and open source projects. Execute real queries against widely-used open source codebases with CodeQL integrated into Visual Studio Code, experiencing firsthand the effectiveness of identifying poor coding practices and pinpointing similar issues throughout the entire codebase. You also have the option to create your own CodeQL databases for any project that complies with an OSI-approved open source license. It’s important to note that GitHub CodeQL is restricted to use on codebases that are either released under an OSI-approved open source license, utilized for academic research, or employed to generate CodeQL databases for automated analyses. To get started, simply download and incorporate the project's CodeQL database into VS Code, or generate a CodeQL database using the CodeQL command-line interface, allowing you to enhance your code's security comprehensively. Utilizing CodeQL not only improves your project but contributes to a safer coding environment for everyone.

Contemporary security teams are essentially creating a supportive environment for developers by implementing code guardrails with each commit. With the capabilities of r2c’s Semgrep, organizations can effectively eradicate classes of vulnerabilities across the board. Enhance the efficiency of your security team through the use of lightweight static analysis tools. Semgrep stands out as a rapid, open-source static analysis solution that simplifies the expression of coding standards without the need for complex queries, allowing for early detection of bugs in the development process. The rules are designed to mirror the code being analyzed, eliminating the challenges associated with navigating abstract syntax trees or dealing with regex complexities. You can easily get started with over 900 pre-existing rules and utilize SaaS infrastructure to receive quick feedback directly in your editor, at the time of commit, or within continuous integration environments. If the standard rules do not meet your specific needs, you can swiftly and easily craft custom rules that reflect your organization’s unique coding standards, with the syntax resembling the target code. For instance, rules tailored for Go are presented in a way that aligns closely with the Go language itself, enabling you to identify function calls, class and method definitions, and much more without the burden of abstract syntax trees or regex challenges. This approach not only streamlines the security process but also empowers developers to maintain high-quality code more efficiently.