What is the role of Extractors?

• A. They produce the relational data and source references for each input file, enabling CodeQL database construction
• B. They compile the code into executables
• C. They manage user access to the repository
• D. They generate test reports

Answer: (A)

Extractors are the component that turns source code into the structured facts CodeQL analyzes. They read each input file and emit relational data describing code elements (like functions, classes, variables) and the relationships between them, along with source references (file paths and line numbers). This collection of facts forms the CodeQL database, which queries use to search for patterns, vulnerabilities, or other code properties.

In short, extractors translate code into a rich, queryable representation. They don’t compile code into executables, manage repository access, or generate test reports. The database construction hinges on the facts and source mappings the extractors produce, making them essential for effective CodeQL analysis.