Which type of analysis involves manually inspecting source code to identify vulnerabilities in programming techniques?

The type of analysis that involves manually inspecting source code to identify vulnerabilities in programming techniques is referred to as static analysis. This approach focuses on examining the code without executing it, allowing security experts to uncover potential weaknesses, such as code flaws or insecure coding practices that could be exploited by attackers. Static analysis tools can automate parts of this process, but manual inspection is often employed for a more thorough evaluation, especially when looking for complex vulnerabilities that automated tools may miss.

In the context of cybersecurity, static analysis is beneficial because it helps developers identify security issues early in the software development life cycle, before the application is deployed. By addressing these vulnerabilities during the coding phase, organizations can reduce the risk of security breaches once the software is live.

Dynamic analysis, on the other hand, involves executing the code and observing its behavior during runtime, which does not focus on inspecting the source code directly. Side-channel analysis is more about capturing information leaked during processing rather than inspecting code. Reverse engineering involves deconstructing an application to understand its structure and functionality, but it does not specifically focus on the initial source code inspection like static analysis does.