Pointer analysis by type inference for programs with structured memory objects and potentially inconsistent memory object accesses

Abstract

A pointer analysis by type inference for a computer program ith structured memory objects and potentially inconsistent memory object accesses helps approximate run-time store usage for the program. The analysis represents locations for the program with types describing access patterns for the represented locations based on how the locations are accessed in the program. The analysis describes access patterns for structured memory objects, elements of structured memory objects, and memory objects accessed in inconsistent manners in the program. The analysis identifies store usages described by the program and determines whether the location(s) and/or function(s) affected by the identified store usages are well-typed under typing constraints. If the identified store usages are not well-typed, the analysis modifies types for location(s) and/or function(s) affected by the identified store usages as necessary so the store usages are well-typed. When the locations and/or functions for all identified store usages are well-typed, the program is well-typed with the set of types defining a store model for the program.