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SEI CERT C Coding Standard
4 Back Matter
BB. Definitions
Page Information
Title:
BB. Definitions
Author:
Admin
Jul 28, 2006
Last Changed by:
David Svoboda
Jul 12, 2022
Tiny Link:
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https://wiki.sei.cmu.edu/confluence/x/kdYxBQ
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Rules versus Recommendations
SEI CERT C Coding Standard (267)
Page:
PRE11-C. Do not conclude macro definitions with a semicolon
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ENV02-C. Beware of multiple environment variables with the same effective name
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FIO37-C. Do not assume that fgets() or fgetws() returns a nonempty string when successful
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ARR32-C. Ensure size arguments for variable length arrays are in a valid range
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MSC21-C. Use robust loop termination conditions
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DCL39-C. Avoid information leakage when passing a structure across a trust boundary
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MSC14-C. Do not introduce unnecessary platform dependencies
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API09-C. Compatible values should have the same type
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ARR37-C. Do not add or subtract an integer to a pointer to a non-array object
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MSC06-C. Beware of compiler optimizations
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PRE05-C. Understand macro replacement when concatenating tokens or performing stringification
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SIG35-C. Do not return from a computational exception signal handler
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DCL05-C. Use typedefs of non-pointer types only
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MSC24-C. Do not use deprecated or obsolescent functions
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API02-C. Functions that read or write to or from an array should take an argument to specify the source or target size
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CON34-C. Declare objects shared between threads with appropriate storage durations
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EXP42-C. Do not compare padding data
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MSC09-C. Character encoding: Use subset of ASCII for safety
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SIG31-C. Do not access shared objects in signal handlers
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CON09-C. Avoid the ABA problem when using lock-free algorithms
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FIO20-C. Avoid unintentional truncation when using fgets() or fgetws()
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MSC10-C. Character encoding: UTF8-related issues
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INT04-C. Enforce limits on integer values originating from tainted sources
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CON35-C. Avoid deadlock by locking in a predefined order
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INT09-C. Ensure enumeration constants map to unique values
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DCL02-C. Use visually distinct identifiers
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MSC11-C. Incorporate diagnostic tests using assertions
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EXP11-C. Do not make assumptions regarding the layout of structures with bit-fields
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WIN04-C. Consider encrypting function pointers
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PRE02-C. Macro replacement lists should be parenthesized
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Scope
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INT13-C. Use bitwise operators only on unsigned operands
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STR31-C. Guarantee that storage for strings has sufficient space for character data and the null terminator
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STR30-C. Do not attempt to modify string literals
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MEM11-C. Do not assume infinite heap space
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SIG02-C. Avoid using signals to implement normal functionality
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DCL20-C. Explicitly specify void when a function accepts no arguments
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SIG34-C. Do not call signal() from within interruptible signal handlers
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CON32-C. Prevent data races when accessing bit-fields from multiple threads
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DCL12-C. Implement abstract data types using opaque types
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ERR05-C. Application-independent code should provide error detection without dictating error handling
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DCL13-C. Declare function parameters that are pointers to values not changed by the function as const
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ENV34-C. Do not store pointers returned by certain functions
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FIO21-C. Do not create temporary files in shared directories
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INT32-C. Ensure that operations on signed integers do not result in overflow
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MEM00-C. Allocate and free memory in the same module, at the same level of abstraction
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FIO22-C. Close files before spawning processes
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PRE31-C. Avoid side effects in arguments to unsafe macros
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EXP44-C. Do not rely on side effects in operands to sizeof, _Alignof, or _Generic
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STR05-C. Use pointers to const when referring to string literals
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FIO14-C. Understand the difference between text mode and binary mode with file streams
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FIO42-C. Close files when they are no longer needed
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EXP36-C. Do not cast pointers into more strictly aligned pointer types
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EXP45-C. Do not perform assignments in selection statements
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WIN30-C. Properly pair allocation and deallocation functions
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FIO32-C. Do not perform operations on devices that are only appropriate for files
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POS47-C. Do not use threads that can be canceled asynchronously
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STR10-C. Do not concatenate different type of string literals
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PRE07-C. Avoid using repeated question marks
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ERR00-C. Adopt and implement a consistent and comprehensive error-handling policy
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INT02-C. Understand integer conversion rules
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Rule 51. Microsoft Windows (WIN)
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STR38-C. Do not confuse narrow and wide character strings and functions
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PRE04-C. Do not reuse a standard header file name
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ERR30-C. Take care when reading errno
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STR04-C. Use plain char for characters in the basic character set
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DCL15-C. Declare file-scope objects or functions that do not need external linkage as static
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EXP43-C. Avoid undefined behavior when using restrict-qualified pointers
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Conformance Testing
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POS54-C. Detect and handle POSIX library errors
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FIO41-C. Do not call getc(), putc(), getwc(), or putwc() with a stream argument that has side effects
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ARR30-C. Do not form or use out-of-bounds pointers or array subscripts
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EXP35-C. Do not modify objects with temporary lifetime
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MSC07-C. Detect and remove dead code
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FIO30-C. Exclude user input from format strings
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CON33-C. Avoid race conditions when using library functions
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DCL19-C. Minimize the scope of variables and functions
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EXP05-C. Do not cast away a const qualification
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MEM06-C. Ensure that sensitive data is not written out to disk
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API05-C. Use conformant array parameters
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MSC33-C. Do not pass invalid data to the asctime() function
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ARR00-C. Understand how arrays work
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FLP36-C. Preserve precision when converting integral values to floating-point type
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INT00-C. Understand the data model used by your implementation(s)
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FLP01-C. Take care in rearranging floating-point expressions
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EXP40-C. Do not modify constant objects
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ARR39-C. Do not add or subtract a scaled integer to a pointer
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FLP04-C. Check floating-point inputs for exceptional values
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DCL30-C. Declare objects with appropriate storage durations
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INT15-C. Use intmax_t or uintmax_t for formatted IO on programmer-defined integer types
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DCL16-C. Use "L," not "l," to indicate a long value
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STR00-C. Represent characters using an appropriate type
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EXP08-C. Ensure pointer arithmetic is used correctly
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PRE00-C. Prefer inline or static functions to function-like macros
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CON38-C. Preserve thread safety and liveness when using condition variables
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FLP34-C. Ensure that floating-point conversions are within range of the new type
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CON39-C. Do not join or detach a thread that was previously joined or detached
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EXP37-C. Call functions with the correct number and type of arguments
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DCL41-C. Do not declare variables inside a switch statement before the first case label
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POS53-C. Do not use more than one mutex for concurrent waiting operations on a condition variable
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MEM34-C. Only free memory allocated dynamically
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CON07-C. Ensure that compound operations on shared variables are atomic
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STR02-C. Sanitize data passed to complex subsystems
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DCL11-C. Understand the type issues associated with variadic functions
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INT05-C. Do not use input functions to convert character data if they cannot handle all possible inputs
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MEM05-C. Avoid large stack allocations
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MSC38-C. Do not treat a predefined identifier as an object if it might only be implemented as a macro
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FIO44-C. Only use values for fsetpos() that are returned from fgetpos()
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DCL09-C. Declare functions that return errno with a return type of errno_t
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STR37-C. Arguments to character-handling functions must be representable as an unsigned char
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DCL10-C. Maintain the contract between the writer and caller of variadic functions
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DCL21-C. Understand the storage of compound literals
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EXP09-C. Use sizeof to determine the size of a type or variable
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API04-C. Provide a consistent and usable error-checking mechanism
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FLP32-C. Prevent or detect domain and range errors in math functions
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EXP20-C. Perform explicit tests to determine success, true and false, and equality
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CON37-C. Do not call signal() in a multithreaded program
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STR07-C. Use the bounds-checking interfaces for string manipulation
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DCL36-C. Do not declare an identifier with conflicting linkage classifications
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FIO02-C. Canonicalize path names originating from tainted sources
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DCL08-C. Properly encode relationships in constant definitions
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MSC19-C. For functions that return an array, prefer returning an empty array over a null value
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INT14-C. Avoid performing bitwise and arithmetic operations on the same data
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DCL17-C. Beware of miscompiled volatile-qualified variables
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CON01-C. Acquire and release synchronization primitives in the same module, at the same level of abstraction
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CON36-C. Wrap functions that can spuriously wake up in a loop
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ERR03-C. Use runtime-constraint handlers when calling the bounds-checking interfaces
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PRE32-C. Do not use preprocessor directives in invocations of function-like macros
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Undefined and implementation-defined behaviors not deemed ruleworthy
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STR11-C. Do not specify the bound of a character array initialized with a string literal
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API03-C. Create consistent interfaces and capabilities across related functions
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FIO01-C. Be careful using functions that use file names for identification
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POS44-C. Do not use signals to terminate threads
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FLP03-C. Detect and handle floating-point errors
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CON30-C. Clean up thread-specific storage
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ENV32-C. All exit handlers must return normally
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FIO38-C. Do not copy a FILE object
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MEM03-C. Clear sensitive information stored in reusable resources
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INT16-C. Do not make assumptions about representation of signed integers
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ARR36-C. Do not subtract or compare two pointers that do not refer to the same array
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EXP07-C. Do not diminish the benefits of constants by assuming their values in expressions
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MEM07-C. Ensure that the arguments to calloc(), when multiplied, do not wrap
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PRE06-C. Enclose header files in an include guard
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MEM01-C. Store a new value in pointers immediately after free()
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ARR38-C. Guarantee that library functions do not form invalid pointers
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PRE10-C. Wrap multistatement macros in a do-while loop
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PRE30-C. Do not create a universal character name through concatenation
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MSC23-C. Beware of vendor-specific library and language differences
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FIO39-C. Do not alternately input and output from a stream without an intervening flush or positioning call
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FLP07-C. Cast the return value of a function that returns a floating-point type
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FIO45-C. Avoid TOCTOU race conditions while accessing files
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FLP37-C. Do not use object representations to compare floating-point values
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ERR34-C. Detect errors when converting a string to a number
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MSC18-C. Be careful while handling sensitive data, such as passwords, in program code
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INT07-C. Use only explicitly signed or unsigned char type for numeric values
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STR03-C. Do not inadvertently truncate a string
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FIO08-C. Take care when calling remove() on an open file
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PRE12-C. Do not define unsafe macros
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CON43-C. Do not allow data races in multithreaded code
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PRE08-C. Guarantee that header file names are unique
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DCL22-C. Use volatile for data that cannot be cached
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SIG30-C. Call only asynchronous-safe functions within signal handlers
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FLP30-C. Do not use floating-point variables as loop counters
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Rules versus Recommendations
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MEM35-C. Allocate sufficient memory for an object
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INT30-C. Ensure that unsigned integer operations do not wrap
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EXP02-C. Be aware of the short-circuit behavior of the logical AND and OR operators
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INT08-C. Verify that all integer values are in range
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MSC05-C. Do not manipulate time_t typed values directly
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FIO40-C. Reset strings on fgets() or fgetws() failure
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STR08-C. Use managed strings for development of new string manipulation code
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FIO10-C. Take care when using the rename() function
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ERR04-C. Choose an appropriate termination strategy
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DCL40-C. Do not create incompatible declarations of the same function or object
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EXP10-C. Do not depend on the order of evaluation of subexpressions or the order in which side effects take place
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MSC04-C. Use comments consistently and in a readable fashion
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ERR07-C. Prefer functions that support error checking over equivalent functions that don't
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INT33-C. Ensure that division and remainder operations do not result in divide-by-zero errors
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MSC00-C. Compile cleanly at high warning levels
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ERR06-C. Understand the termination behavior of assert() and abort()
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ERR33-C. Detect and handle standard library errors
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MEM04-C. Beware of zero-length allocations
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PRE13-C. Use the Standard predefined macros to test for versions and features.
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DCL37-C. Do not declare or define a reserved identifier
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Taint Analysis
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INT36-C. Converting a pointer to integer or integer to pointer
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How this Coding Standard is Organized
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SIG00-C. Mask signals handled by noninterruptible signal handlers
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DCL03-C. Use a static assertion to test the value of a constant expression
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DCL07-C. Include the appropriate type information in function declarators
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API07-C. Enforce type safety
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MSC32-C. Properly seed pseudorandom number generators
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EXP39-C. Do not access a variable through a pointer of an incompatible type
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EXP32-C. Do not access a volatile object through a nonvolatile reference
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FIO15-C. Ensure that file operations are performed in a secure directory
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DCL04-C. Do not declare more than one variable per declaration
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PRE01-C. Use parentheses within macros around parameter names
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FIO46-C. Do not access a closed file
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Rec. 51. Microsoft Windows (WIN)
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MSC30-C. Do not use the rand() function for generating pseudorandom numbers
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FIO47-C. Use valid format strings
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INT01-C. Use rsize_t or size_t for all integer values representing the size of an object
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MEM02-C. Immediately cast the result of a memory allocation function call into a pointer to the allocated type
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DCL23-C. Guarantee that mutually visible identifiers are unique
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ERR02-C. Avoid in-band error indicators
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MSC12-C. Detect and remove code that has no effect or is never executed
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System Qualities
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DD. Unspecified Behavior
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FIO24-C. Do not open a file that is already open
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ENV03-C. Sanitize the environment when invoking external programs
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MEM33-C. Allocate and copy structures containing a flexible array member dynamically
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EXP34-C. Do not dereference null pointers
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API00-C. Functions should validate their parameters
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CON04-C. Join or detach threads even if their exit status is unimportant
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ENV31-C. Do not rely on an environment pointer following an operation that may invalidate it
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DCL31-C. Declare identifiers before using them
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STR32-C. Do not pass a non-null-terminated character sequence to a library function that expects a string
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CON05-C. Do not perform operations that can block while holding a lock
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MSC01-C. Strive for logical completeness
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DCL00-C. Const-qualify immutable objects
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FIO17-C. Do not rely on an ending null character when using fread()
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ENV30-C. Do not modify the object referenced by the return value of certain functions
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EXP00-C. Use parentheses for precedence of operation
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INT10-C. Do not assume a positive remainder when using the % operator
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MSC22-C. Use the setjmp(), longjmp() facility securely
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MEM10-C. Define and use a pointer validation function
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INT17-C. Define integer constants in an implementation-independent manner
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SIG01-C. Understand implementation-specific details regarding signal handler persistence
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POS02-C. Follow the principle of least privilege
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ENV33-C. Do not call system()
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STR01-C. Adopt and implement a consistent plan for managing strings
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EXP12-C. Do not ignore values returned by functions
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EXP16-C. Do not compare function pointers to constant values
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FLP05-C. Do not use denormalized numbers
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FIO03-C. Do not make assumptions about fopen() and file creation
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ERR32-C. Do not rely on indeterminate values of errno
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PRE03-C. Prefer typedefs to defines for encoding non-pointer types
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MSC39-C. Do not call va_arg() on a va_list that has an indeterminate value
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CC. Undefined Behavior
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FIO05-C. Identify files using multiple file attributes
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EXP33-C. Do not read uninitialized memory
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EXP47-C. Do not call va_arg with an argument of the incorrect type
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FIO34-C. Distinguish between characters read from a file and EOF or WEOF
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EXP03-C. Do not assume the size of a structure is the sum of the sizes of its members
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MEM31-C. Free dynamically allocated memory when no longer needed
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FIO06-C. Create files with appropriate access permissions
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INT34-C. Do not shift an expression by a negative number of bits or by greater than or equal to the number of bits that exist in the operand
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MSC37-C. Ensure that control never reaches the end of a non-void function
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DCL38-C. Use the correct syntax when declaring a flexible array member
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ENV01-C. Do not make assumptions about the size of an environment variable
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MSC13-C. Detect and remove unused values
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MEM36-C. Do not modify the alignment of objects by calling realloc()
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MSC15-C. Do not depend on undefined behavior
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POS51-C. Avoid deadlock with POSIX threads by locking in predefined order
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MSC40-C. Do not violate constraints
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MEM30-C. Do not access freed memory
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FLP00-C. Understand the limitations of floating-point numbers
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EXP30-C. Do not depend on the order of evaluation for side effects
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INT12-C. Do not make assumptions about the type of a plain int bit-field when used in an expression
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STR34-C. Cast characters to unsigned char before converting to larger integer sizes
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FIO11-C. Take care when specifying the mode parameter of fopen()
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INT31-C. Ensure that integer conversions do not result in lost or misinterpreted data
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DCL06-C. Use meaningful symbolic constants to represent literal values
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CON31-C. Do not destroy a mutex while it is locked
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ERR01-C. Use ferror() rather than errno to check for FILE stream errors
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FIO19-C. Do not use fseek() and ftell() to compute the size of a regular file
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INT18-C. Evaluate integer expressions in a larger size before comparing or assigning to that size
CERT Secure Coding (1)
Page:
Top 10 Secure Coding Practices
SEI CERT C++ Coding Standard (9)
Page:
EXP60-CPP. Do not pass a nonstandard-layout type object across execution boundaries
Page:
OOP54-CPP. Gracefully handle self-copy assignment
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DCL50-CPP. Do not define a C-style variadic function
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EXP63-CPP. Do not rely on the value of a moved-from object
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MEM56-CPP. Do not store an already-owned pointer value in an unrelated smart pointer
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EXP50-CPP. Do not depend on the order of evaluation for side effects
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MEM50-CPP. Do not access freed memory
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ERR59-CPP. Do not throw an exception across execution boundaries
Page:
FIO50-CPP. Do not alternately input and output from a file stream without an intervening positioning call
Hierarchy
Parent Page
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4 Back Matter
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Recent Changes
Time
Editor
Jul 12, 2022 14:28
David Svoboda
View Changes
corrected reference
Jan 15, 2019 18:54
Robert Schiela
View Changes
Corrected reference for "analyzer" definition to TS 17961, instead of 9899:2011, which was incorrect.
Jul 28, 2016 12:38
Sandy Shrum
View Changes
Jun 14, 2016 10:26
Aaron Ballman
View Changes
Removing definition of mutilated value because it is never used anywhere.
Feb 11, 2016 11:14
David Keaton
Fixed incorrect definition of critical sections.
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Outgoing Links
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https://www.securecoding.cert.org/confluence/display/seccod…
https://www.securecoding.cert.org/confluence/display/seccod…
SEI CERT C Coding Standard (2)
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