A method of assessing or analyzing something without executing or running it is commonly understood as examining its characteristics or qualities in a non-dynamic state. For instance, in software engineering, it involves scrutinizing source code, documentation, or other artifacts to identify potential defects, security vulnerabilities, or areas for improvement, prior to program execution. This contrasts with methods that analyze systems while they are actively running.
This approach offers advantages such as early detection of issues, reduced debugging time, and improved overall quality. The ability to uncover problems before deployment can significantly lower development costs and enhance system reliability. Historically, this type of review has been a cornerstone of quality assurance practices, adapting and evolving with advancements in technology and methodologies to remain a crucial part of the development lifecycle.