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Defensive programming is a form of defensive design intended to develop programs that are capable of detecting potential security abnormalities and make predetermined responses.[1] It ensures the continuing function of a piece of software under unforeseen circumstances. Defensive programming practices are often used where high availability, safety, or security is needed.
Defensive programming is an approach to improve software and source code, in terms of:
- General quality – reducing the number of software bugs and problems.
- Making the source code comprehensible – the source code should be readable and understandable so it is approved in a code audit.
- Making the software behave in a predictable manner despite unexpected inputs or user actions.
Overly defensive programming, however, may safeguard against errors that will never be encountered, thus incurring run-time and maintenance costs.
- ^ Boulanger, Jean-Louis (2016-01-01), Boulanger, Jean-Louis (ed.), "6 - Technique to Manage Software Safety", Certifiable Software Applications 1, Elsevier, pp. 125–156, ISBN 978-1-78548-117-8, retrieved 2022-09-02