# Semmle > English code analysis platform **Wikidata**: [Q7449710](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7449710) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semmle) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/semmle ## Summary Semmle is an English code analysis platform developed by Microsoft, specializing in identifying vulnerabilities and security flaws in software code. Founded in 2006, it was acquired by Microsoft in 2019 to enhance GitHub’s security features. ## Key Facts - **Inception**: Semmle was founded on December 28, 2006, as a code analysis platform. - **Parent Company**: Acquired by Microsoft on October 7, 2019, to bolster GitHub’s security capabilities. - **Country of Origin**: Based in the United Kingdom, with headquarters in Oxford. - **Technology**: Uses the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) as its platform. - **Website**: Official site is [semmle.com](http://semmle.com). - **Industry**: Operates within the software development and technology sectors. - **Ownership**: Currently owned by Microsoft, a multinational technology corporation. - **Freebase ID**: /m/02rgc5y (legacy identifier for Semmle). ## FAQs ### Q: What is Semmle used for? A: Semmle is primarily used for static code analysis to detect vulnerabilities, security flaws, and coding errors in software projects. ### Q: Who owns Semmle? A: Semmle is owned by Microsoft, which acquired the company in 2019 to integrate its code analysis tools into GitHub’s security features. ### Q: Where is Semmle headquartered? A: Semmle’s headquarters are located in Oxford, United Kingdom. ### Q: What programming languages does Semmle support? A: While specific languages are not detailed in the source material, Semmle is designed to analyze code across various programming languages, leveraging the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) for its platform. ### Q: How does Semmle contribute to software security? A: Semmle helps developers identify and fix security vulnerabilities early in the development process, reducing risks associated with software flaws. ## Why It Matters Semmle plays a critical role in modern software development by providing advanced static code analysis to detect vulnerabilities and security flaws. Its acquisition by Microsoft in 2019 was a strategic move to enhance GitHub’s security features, ensuring that developers can build more secure software. By integrating Semmle’s tools, Microsoft aims to empower developers with the capability to identify and mitigate security risks proactively, ultimately improving the overall security posture of software projects. This collaboration underscores the growing importance of code analysis in safeguarding digital infrastructure and user data. ## Notable For - **Microsoft Acquisition**: Semmle’s acquisition by Microsoft in 2019 marked a significant step in integrating advanced code analysis into GitHub’s security ecosystem. - **Static Code Analysis**: Semmle specializes in static code analysis, a method that examines source code without executing it, making it highly efficient for identifying vulnerabilities early in development. - **UK-Based Innovation**: As a UK-based company, Semmle contributes to the country’s tech industry by developing cutting-edge software analysis tools. - **Java Virtual Machine (JVM) Platform**: Semmle leverages the JVM, a widely used platform for executing Java-based applications, to support its code analysis capabilities. - **Legacy Freebase ID**: Semmle retains the Freebase ID /m/02rgc5y, reflecting its historical presence in early knowledge graph databases. ## Body ### Origins and Development Semmle was founded in December 2006, emerging from the research of .QL, an object-oriented query language developed in 2007. The platform was initially designed to address the growing need for robust code analysis tools in the software industry. ### Acquisition and Integration In October 2019, Microsoft acquired Semmle, recognizing its potential to enhance GitHub’s security features. This acquisition allowed Microsoft to integrate Semmle’s advanced code analysis capabilities into its ecosystem, providing developers with powerful tools to identify and mitigate security vulnerabilities. ### Headquarters and Location Semmle’s headquarters are situated in Oxford, United Kingdom, a hub for technology and innovation. The company’s location in the UK reflects its strong ties to the European tech community and its commitment to contributing to the region’s software development landscape. ### Technology and Platform Semmle operates on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM), a platform that supports the execution of Java-based applications. This choice of platform ensures compatibility and efficiency in analyzing code across various programming languages. ### Industry Impact Semmle’s tools are particularly notable for their ability to perform static code analysis, which involves examining source code without executing it. This method is highly effective for identifying vulnerabilities and coding errors early in the development process, thereby reducing the risk of security breaches and software failures. ### Legacy and Recognition Semmle’s legacy is further cemented by its Freebase ID (/m/02rgc5y), which serves as a reference to its historical presence in early knowledge graph databases. This ID highlights Semmle’s role in the evolution of digital information management and its contributions to the tech industry. ## References 1. [Crunchbase](http://www.crunchbase.com/organization/semmle) 2. [Source](https://www.geekwire.com/2019/microsoft-owned-github-acquires-code-analysis-startup-semmle-bolster-security/)