Peer code review software provides the means by which code can be examined by a developer other than its author. Peer code review software allows multiple developers to see changes to the code made by other developers, reducing the risk of bugs, security vulnerabilities, and missed requirements. Peer code review software is used by software development teams in the development phase of a project which is cheaper, faster, easier, and more thorough than doing reviews during the requirements phase, testing phase, or after project delivery. Peer code review software allows developers to not only see code but also the specifics of what code was changed and to comment on those changes. Peer code review software often integrates directly into other tools including version control hosting solutions.
To qualify as a peer code review software system, a product must:
View specific changes made by a developer
Allow developers to write comments on specific files and changes
Send messages when requests for code review happens or code review comments are submitted