The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 24, 2009
Filed:
Jun. 14, 2004
Manuvir Das, Kirkland, WA (US);
Manuvir Das, Kirkland, WA (US);
Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA (US);
Abstract
Methods are described that enhance pointer analysis for programs. Whereas previous methods are constrained by the extremes of an inverse relationship between time and information, the present methods selectively unify information so as to allow a desired level of analytical decision within a desired duration of analysis. One aspect of the present invention includes selectively retaining information at a first order of indirection based on variables in an assignment statement while unifying information at subsequent orders of indirection. The methods are used for pointer variables, but are equally useful to function definitions, function calls, function pointers, indirect function calls, and others. The methods may be used in client analysis tools such as code browsers and slicing tools.