Challenges in source code review: what companies need to know

Source code review is an essential process for businesses seeking to bolster software quality, security, and compliance. However, it can also be a complex task that requires careful planning and execution. Whether integrating third-party libraries, assessing internal software for vulnerabilities, or preparing for potential litigation, large-scale source code reviews often present challenges that can derail projects and create legal or financial risks.

What Companies Need To Know About Source Code Reviews

In this blog, we’ll explore the common challenges companies face when conducting source code reviews and offer practical strategies to address them.

1. Managing Large and Complex Codebases

The Challenge

Modern software applications can contain millions of lines of code, often developed by distributed teams over several years. Manually reviewing extensive codebases can overwhelm internal teams and introduce human error or oversight risks.

How to Mitigate

• Automated Tools: Leverage static analysis tools and automated scanning to flag potential issues. Tools like SonarQube, Checkmarx, or Fortify can help identify common vulnerabilities or coding style violations more quickly.
• Modular Approach: Divide the codebase into smaller modules or microservices. Conduct focused reviews on each segment to ensure a more thorough analysis.
• Incremental Reviews: Implement continuous code review practices through version control platforms like GitHub or GitLab, which allow developers to review smaller batches of changes in real time.

2. Ensuring Security and Compliance

The Challenge

Companies must comply with various security and regulatory standards, from GDPR to PCI DSS and HIPAA. Failure to detect potential security flaws or compliance gaps during a source code review can lead to breaches, fines, and reputational damage.

How to Mitigate

• Security-Focused Reviews: Train reviewers to look for security vulnerabilities such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting, or hardcoded credentials.
• Compliance Checklists: Compile a checklist of relevant regulations and ensure the review process covers each requirement.
• Expert Involvement: In highly regulated industries, consider hiring external security or compliance experts to validate your code review process and findings.

3. Balancing Speed and Thoroughness

The Challenge

Companies often rush code reviews to meet tight deadlines or release cycles. This speed can sacrifice thoroughness and lead to unnoticed defects, technical debt, or security vulnerabilities that resurface later.

How to Mitigate

• Allocate Sufficient Time: Treat code reviews as a priority rather than a bottleneck. Build realistic deadlines into your development lifecycle to accommodate meticulous reviews.
• Adopt an Agile Mindset: Use iterative sprints and ongoing code integration to limit extensive “end-of-project” reviews. By reviewing code regularly, you spread the workload and maintain quality.
• Peer Review Structures: Pair developers or use small teams for code reviews, distributing the workload and ensuring multiple perspectives on code quality and potential issues.

4. Handling Proprietary or Legacy Systems

The Challenge

Legacy systems and proprietary code often feature outdated languages, fragmented documentation, and outdated architecture. These factors make source code reviews more time-consuming and challenging, especially when the original development team is no longer available.

How to Mitigate

• Documentation Updates: Encourage teams to create or update documentation before the review starts. Even minimal updates can clarify architecture and dependencies.
• Subject-Matter Experts: Seek help from developers or consultants with experience in older languages or frameworks. Their insights can streamline the review process and uncover more profound issues.
• Incremental Modernization: If possible, refactor or update portions of the legacy code during the review process, reducing technical debt and improving clarity for future reviews.

5. Integrating Third-Party Components

The Challenge

With the growing reliance on open-source libraries and third-party modules, companies must ensure these components meet their security and quality standards. However, incomplete documentation or poorly maintained repositories can add another layer of complexity.

How to Mitigate

• Dependency Audits: Maintain an inventory of all third-party libraries and check for known vulnerabilities or licensing restrictions. Tools like OWASP Dependency-Check can help automate this process.
• Version Control and Updates: Regularly update third-party components to patch known security issues. Record version changes clearly to identify possible regressions.
• License Compliance: Verify that you comply with the open-source licenses of any libraries you use. Non-compliance can lead to legal disputes and reputational harm.

6. Maintaining Objectivity and Impartiality

The Challenge

In some cases, particularly in legal disputes, code reviews must be impartial to determine liability or ownership. Internal biases, conflicts of interest, or incomplete knowledge can undermine credibility.

How to Mitigate

• External Expert Witnesses: Engage neutral third parties with experience in software litigation or forensic analysis. These experts can provide fact-based conclusions that hold up under legal scrutiny.
• Clear Documentation: Record all findings and the methodology used during the review. This trail provides transparency and helps bolster an objective stance.
• Separating Roles: In large organizations, consider assigning the review to a separate team or department to avoid conflicts of interest and maintain credibility.

7. Communicating Findings to Non-Technical Stakeholders

The Challenge

Source code reviews can provide clear insights for executives, legal teams, and other non-technical stakeholders. However, technical jargon and complex reports can obscure the actual severity of issues and hinder decision-making.

How to Mitigate

• Executive Summaries: Create concise summaries highlighting critical findings, potential risks, and recommended actions.
• Visual Dashboards: Use tools that present code quality and security metrics in graphical forms, making them easier to understand.
• Ongoing Education: Offer brief training or Q&A sessions with stakeholders to ensure everyone understands the implications of the review’s findings.

Preparing for a Successful Source Code Review

Despite these challenges, companies can significantly improve the outcome of their source code reviews with careful planning and the right resources:

1. Early Integration: Incorporate code reviews into your development lifecycle from the start to catch issues before they proliferate.
2. Training: Provide regular training on secure coding practices, regulatory standards, and code review methodologies.
3. Policies and Procedures: Establish clear guidelines for code review frequency, required tools, and documentation.
4. External Expertise: Consider bringing in expert witnesses or specialized consultants for complex or high-stakes reviews, especially when legal implications may arise.

How Eureka Can Help

At Eureka Software, we have decades of experience in software development and litigation support. Our experts offer:

• In-depth Code Analysis: We leverage proprietary tools and proven methodologies to thoroughly examine source code for quality, compliance, and potential security issues.
• Legal and Regulatory Insights: Our team understands the technical and legal landscapes and offers guidance on how code review findings may impact compliance or litigation outcomes.
• Transparent, Credible Reporting: We break down complex technical details into plain language, helping stakeholders and courts make well-informed decisions.

Source code reviews are indispensable for maintaining software quality, ensuring security, and meeting compliance obligations. However, they also present many challenges, from massive codebases and outdated architectures to legal considerations and communication barriers. Companies can transform these challenges into opportunities for higher-quality software and reduced legal risk by implementing robust strategies and collaborating with expert witnesses like Eureka Software.

Ready to streamline your source code review process or require expert testimony for a dispute? Contact Eureka today to learn how our team can help.