What does a preliminary scan help identify in the code review process?

A preliminary scan is an important step in the code review process, focusing primarily on identifying initial security vulnerabilities. This scan typically involves automated tools or manual checks that look for common security flaws such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and other vulnerabilities that may threaten the application's integrity and confidentiality.

By identifying these vulnerabilities early in the development cycle, teams can address potential security risks before they become more entrenched in the codebase, which can save time and resources in later stages of development. This early identification helps to ensure that security is considered from the very start of the coding process, allowing for a proactive approach rather than reactive measures.

While potential optimization areas, documentation issues, and code readability are all essential aspects of code quality and maintainability, they are often not the primary focus during a preliminary scan. Instead, the emphasis during this phase is to ensure that any glaring security holes are recognized and mitigated, thereby securing the application from the outset.