Interprocedural Def-Use Associations in C programs

Abstract

We present the first high-precision algorithm for obtaining Def-Use Associations in C programs with single level pointers. While the precise solution of the problem is NP-hard, our polynomial-time algorithm uses program-point-specific pointer-induced aliases to obtain good approximations to the set of definitions reaching a program point. This information is crucial to effective debugging, testing and maintenance of C software systems. Initial implementation experiences with this approach are presented.