Pointer alignment computation in program code according to code pattern analyses
US11662989B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 16, 2021 |
| Grant date | May 30, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 29, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F8/45
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Pointer alignment in a computer programming to obtain information enabling a compiler to optimize program code. Equivalence classes of pointers are collected in a program using a flow-insensitive yet field-sensitive pointer analysis operation iterating through an entire program code of the program. The equivalence classes of pointers, once collected, are mapped to and recorded in an equivalence class mapping table (ECTable). A portion of the collected equivalence classes of pointers are identified, from the ECTable, as pointer candidates for a pointer alignment computation according to a code pattern analysis of each pointer candidate. The code pattern analysis is based on available alignment information, and whether the alignment information would enable a compiler to optimize pointer references of the candidate pointer. The pointer alignment computation is then performed for each identified pointer candidate to obtain the alignment information used to optimize execution of the program.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.