Flow Analysis Of Computer Programs

Flow Analysis of Computer Programs

Principles of Program Analysis

Program analysis utilizes static techniques for computing reliable information about the dynamic behavior of programs. Applications include compilers (for code improvement), software validation (for detecting errors) and transformations between data representation (for solving problems such as Y2K). This book is unique in providing an overview of the four major approaches to program analysis: data flow analysis, constraint-based analysis, abstract interpretation, and type and effect systems. The presentation illustrates the extensive similarities between the approaches, helping readers to choose the best one to utilize.

Data Flow Analysis

Data flow analysis is used to discover information for a wide variety of useful applications, ranging from compiler optimizations to software engineering and verification. Modern compilers apply it to produce performance-maximizing code, and software engineers use it to re-engineer or reverse engineer programs and verify the integrity of their programs. Supplementary Online Materials to Strengthen Understanding Unlike most comparable books, many of which are limited to bit vector frameworks and classical constant propagation, Data Flow Analysis: Theory and Practice offers comprehensive coverage of both classical and contemporary data flow analysis. It prepares foundations useful for both researchers and students in the field by standardizing and unifying various existing research, concepts, and notations. It also presents mathematical foundations of data flow analysis and includes study of data flow analysis implantation through use of the GNU Compiler Collection (GCC). Divided into three parts, this unique text combines discussions of inter- and intraprocedural analysis and then describes implementation of a generic data flow analyzer (gdfa) for bit vector frameworks in GCC. Through the inclusion of case studies and examples to reinforce material, this text equips readers with a combination of mutually supportive theory and practice, and they will be able to access the author’s accompanying Web page. Here they can experiment with the analyses described in the book, and can make use of updated features, including: Slides used in the authors’ courses The source of the generic data flow analyzer (gdfa) An errata that features errors as they are discovered Additional updated relevant material discovered in the course of research