Using QA-MISRA to Bring Coding Standards into C/C++ Development

In embedded and safety-critical software, coding standards help reduce risky language behaviour, improve consistency, and make software easier to review and verify. This is especially important in industries such as automotive, aerospace, medical, rail, and industrial systems, where software reliability and traceability are critical.

The challenge is applying those standards consistently across a real C or C++ codebase.

WHAT  QA-MISRA DOES

QA-MISRA is a static code analysis tool focused on C/C++ coding-standard compliance and code quality.

It automatically checks source code against coding standards and security rule sets including MISRA C/C++, AUTOSAR C++, CERT C/C++, CWE, JSF AV C++ and ISO TS 17961.

Unlike deeper runtime-error analysis tools such as Astrée, QA-MISRA is primarily focused on the question: “Does this code follow the coding and quality rules defined for the project?”

WHY USE QA-MISRA?

Manually checking hundreds of coding rules during code reviews quickly becomes difficult, especially on larger projects.

QA-MISRA automates these checks and applies the same rules consistently across the codebase.

Write C/C++ Code → QA-MISRA Analysis → Review Violations → Fix or Assess Issues → Continue Development

This helps teams detect issues earlier, reduce manual review effort, and make coding-standard compliance part of everyday development rather than something checked only near the end of a project.

USING QA-MISRA WITH Visual Studio Code

QA-MISRA can also be integrated directly into Visual Studio Code using the A3C C/C++ LSP Client.

After installing QA-MISRA and configuring the license:

1. Install the A3C C/C++ LSP Client in VS Code.
2. Configure the path to your QA-MISRA installation.
3. Open your C or C++ project.
4. Run the analysis and review detected violations directly in the editor, Problems, and Output panels.

For quick checks, Single Translation Unit mode can also be used to analyse individual C or C++ files while they are being developed.

Bring Coding Standards into Your Workflow

QA-MISRA helps turn coding standards from documentation into something that can be checked continuously during development.

For an evaluation license, installation support, or help integrating QA-MISRA into your development workflow, reach out to hrutik.champaneri@joraltechnologies.com and start bringing coding-standard compliance directly into your C/C++ development process.