Use type definitions (typedef) to improve code readability.
Noncompliant Code Example
The following declaration of the signal() function is difficult to read and comprehend.
void (*signal(int, void (*)(int)))(int);
Compliant Solution
This compliant solution makes use of type definitions to specify the same type as in the noncompliant code example.
typedef void (*SighandlerType)(int signum); extern SighandlerType signal( int signum, SighandlerType handler );
Risk Assessment
Code readability is important for discovering and eliminating vulnerabilities.
Recommendation |
Severity |
Likelihood |
Remediation Cost |
Priority |
Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DCL05-C |
low |
unlikely |
medium |
P2 |
L3 |
Automated Detection
The LDRA tool suite V 7.6.0 can detect violations of this recommendation.
Compass/ROSE can detect violations of this recommendation.
Related Vulnerabilities
Search for vulnerabilities resulting from the violation of this rule on the CERT website.
Other Languages
This rule appears in the C++ Secure Coding Standard as DCL05-CPP. Use typedefs to improve code readability.
References
[[ISO/IEC 9899:1999]] Section 6.7.7, "Type definitions"
[[ISO/IEC PDTR 24772]] "BRS Leveraging human experience"