Use type definitions (typedef) to improve code readability.

Noncompliant Code Example

The following declaration of the signal() function is difficult to read and comprehend.

void (*signal(int, void (*)(int)))(int);

Compliant Solution

This compliant solution makes use of type definitions to specify the same type as in the noncompliant code example.

typedef void (*SighandlerType)(int signum);
extern SighandlerType signal(
  int signum,
  SighandlerType handler
);

Risk Assessment

Code readability is important for discovering and eliminating vulnerabilities.

Automated Detection

Tool	Version	Checker	Description
LDRA tool suite		299 S 381 S	Fully implemented
Compass/ROSE
PRQA QA-C		Secondary Analysis	Fully implemented

Related Vulnerabilities

Search for vulnerabilities resulting from the violation of this rule on the CERT website.

Related Guidelines