Improve how compilers analyze programs with a smarter use-definition approach.
This book explains a practical method to propagate attributes like value, type, and range directly from definitions to uses, offering a more efficient alternative to traditional flow-graph techniques.
Two clear, accessible sections frame the topic: a comparison of use-definition propagation with flow-graph methods, and a detailed look at both intraprocedural and interprocedural analyses. The discussion stays focused on real-world performance and the intuition behind why this approach can be faster and require less memory.
What you will experience
- Foundations of attribute-flow analyses and the decision to propagate from definitions to uses
- How flow graphs relate to data-flow equations and maximal fixpoints
- Equivalence results showing when the two methods yield the same results
- Extensions to interprocedural analysis using call-strings and related techniques
Ideal for readers of compiler optimization and static analysis who want a practical, theory-backed approach to data-flow problems. This edition is suited for professionals and students seeking deeper insight into efficient program analysis techniques.