Principles of Program Analysis (Hardcover)

Program analysis concerns static techniques for computing reliable approximate information about the dynamic behaviour of programs. Applications include compilers (for code improvement), software validation (for detecting errors in algorithms or breaches of security) and transformations between data representation (for solving problems such as the Y2K problem). This book is unique in giving 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 demonstrates the extensive similarities between the approaches; this will aid the reader in choosing the right approach and in enhancing it with insights from the other approaches. The book covers basic semantic properties as well as more advanced algorithmic techniques. The book is aimed at M.Sc. and Ph.D. students but will be valuable also for experienced researchers and professionals.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.