Static analysis is a method of analyzing software code without actually executing it. Static analysis tools review the code to detect potential vulnerabilities, such as buffer overflows, SQL injection, and cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks. The tools examine the code's syntax, data flow, and control flow to identify issues that could cause the software to behave in unexpected ways or be vulnerable to attack. Static analysis can be performed during the software development process to catch potential issues early and improve the overall security and reliability of the software.