In 2019, running hccast looked like this:
hccast --misra=2012 --test-generate my_controller.c
Output: a set of .c stub files and a test harness that achieved 100% modified condition/decision coverage (MC/DC) automatically.
Today, that’s still impressive. Many 2024 static analyzers generate tests, but back in 2019, having free MC/DC test generation was rare. hccast version 190529 free
hccast is a static analysis and test generation tool from HCC Embedded (now part of Perforce). Unlike general-purpose linters, HCC’s tooling was built for zero-defect environments: aerospace, medical devices, automotive (ISO 26262), and industrial control.
The name breaks down as:
In practice, hccast parses your source, builds the AST, and then runs checks for:
Every so often, you stumble across a version string that feels like a time capsule: hccast version 190529 free. In 2019, running hccast looked like this: hccast
If you work in embedded systems—specifically with high-integrity, safety-critical C/C++ code—you might recognize the hcc prefix. For everyone else, let’s crack this open.
The short answer: Only for legacy maintenance. Output: a set of
If you are maintaining a legacy codebase that was frozen in 2019, hccast 190529 is a perfect fit. It will catch the exact same bugs it was built to catch without introducing new alerts from newer standard libraries.
However, do not use it for new projects. Modern free alternatives (like clang-tidy, cppcheck, or the community edition of SonarQube) are superior in every metric—bug detection, false positive rate, and language support.