Value range analysis

In computing, in particular compiler construction, value range analysis is a type of data flow analysis that tracks the range (interval) of values that a numeric variable can take on at each point of a program's execution.[1] The resulting information can be used in optimizations such as redundancy elimination, dead code elimination, instruction selection, etc., but can also be used to improve the safety of programs, e.g. in the detection of buffer overruns.[2] Techniques for value range analysis typically use symbolic analysis extensively.[3]

Value range analysis is often implemented in the Intel C++ Compiler and is implemented in GCC.[4]

References
  1. Harrison, William H. (1977). "Compiler Analysis of the Value Ranges for Variables". IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering. 3 (3): 243–250. doi:10.1109/TSE.1977.231133. S2CID 17018610.
  2. Wagner, D.; Foster, J. S.; Brewer, E. A.; Aiken, A. (2000). A First Step Towards Automated Detection of Buffer Overrun Vulnerabilities. NDSS.
  3. Birch, Johnnie; van Engelen, Robert; Gallivan, Kyle. "Value Range Analysis of Conditionally Updated Variables and Pointers" (PDF).
  4. MacLeod, Andrew. "Value range propagation in GCC with Project Ranger".
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