Lint, a C Program Checker

Lint is a command which examines C source programs, detecting a number of bugs and obscurities. It enforces the type rules of C more strictly than the C compilers. It may also be used to enforce a number of portability restrictions involved in moving programs between different machines and/or operating systems. Another option detects a number of wasteful, or error prone, constructions which nevertheless are, strictly speaking, legal. Lint accepts multiple input files and library specifications, and checks them for consistency. The separation of function between lint and the C compilers has both historical and practical rationale. The compilers turn C programs into executable files rapidly and efficiently. This is possible in part because the compilers do not do sophisticated type checking, especially between separately compiled programs. Lint takes a more global, leisurely view of the program, looking much more carefully at the compatibilities. This document discusses the use of lint...