A code scanning tool is a cybersecurity solution designed to automatically analyze source code for vulnerabilities, security flaws, and coding errors. It helps developers detect issues such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), buffer overflows, and insecure API usage early in the software development lifecycle. These tools support secure coding practices by integrating with CI/CD pipelines, providing real-time feedback, and ensuring compliance with standards like OWASP Top 10 and SANS 25. By identifying risks before deployment, code scanning tools reduce attack surfaces, lower remediation costs, and improve overall software quality.