Generation of efficient interprocedural analyzers with PAG

Abstract

To produce high quality code, modern compilers use global optimization algorithms based on abstract interpretation. These algorithms are rather complex; their implementation is therefore a non-trivial task and error-prone. However, since they are based on a common theory, they have large similar parts. We conclude that analyzer writing better should be replaced with analyzer generation. We present the tool PAG that has a high level functional input language to specify data flow analyses. It offers the specification of even recursive data structures and is therefore not limited to bit vector problems. PAG generates efficient analyzers which can be easily integrated in existing compilers. The analyzers are interprocedural, they can handle recursive procedures with local variables and higher order functions. PAG has successfully been tested by generating several analyzers (e.g. alias analysis, constant propagation) for an industrial quality ANSI-C and Fortran90 compiler.