📈 CppDepend vs Polyspace: Choosing the Right Static Analysis Tool for Your C++ Projects
CppDepend and Polyspace are two respected tools for improving C/C++ software quality. Each supports critical development environments such as aerospace, automotive, and embedded systems. However, their capabilities and approach to analysis differ significantly.
This comparison helps teams understand which solution is better suited for their workflow, compliance requirements, and architecture needs.
🌟 Target Use Cases
| Tool | Primary Use Case |
|---|---|
| CppDepend | Maintainability tracking, architecture validation, custom rule definition, and design metrics for C++ systems |
| Polyspace | Formal verification of runtime errors and static verification of safety-critical embedded C/C++ code |
⚙️ Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | CppDepend | Polyspace |
|---|---|---|
| Languages Supported | C, C++ | C, C++ |
| Analysis Approach | ✅ Metrics, architecture, dependency-based analysis | ✅ Formal verification with abstract interpretation |
| Safety Standards | ✅ MISRA, CERT, ISO/IEC TS 17961, AUTOSAR (custom rules) | ✅ ISO 26262, DO-178C, IEC 61508, MISRA (built-in) |
| Architecture Visualization | ✅ Dependency graphs, matrices, layering validation | ❌ Not available |
| Custom Rule Definition | ✅ CQLinq, Python scripting | ❌ Not supported (uses fixed checkers) |
| Runtime Error Detection | ⚠️ Limited to static patterns | ✅ Proven absence of overflow, division by zero, etc. |
| Technical Debt Tracking | ✅ Full metrics, maintainability index, trend dashboards | ❌ Not a primary focus |
| IDE Integration | ✅ Visual Studio | ✅ MATLAB, Simulink, Eclipse (via integration) |
| CI/CD Integration | ✅ All major CI/CD platforms | ✅ Jenkins, GitLab, MATLAB automation server |
| Cloud Availability | Desktop-Based | Primarily on-prem or MATLAB ecosystem cloud |
| Licensing | Commercial (free trial available) | MATLAB license required (per seat, per module) |
✅ When to Choose CppDepend
- You prioritize architecture control and modularity enforcement
- You need flexible rule authoring for internal standards
- You care about maintainability, dependency reduction, and code metrics
- You want a lightweight tool for daily developer use
✅ When to Choose Polyspace
- You require formal verification for critical embedded code
- You target DO-178C, ISO 26262, IEC 61508 compliance
- You work with Simulink/MATLAB models and code generation
- You need evidence of runtime safety in mission-critical systems
🧐 Conclusion
CppDepend offers deep insight into architecture, maintainability, and developer productivity. Polyspace offers strong static verification and formal proofs for critical systems.
Many engineering teams benefit from combining both: using CppDepend for code structure and maintainability, and Polyspace for runtime verification and certification.
