Reverse engineering: Algorithms for program graph production

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Abstract
The paper proposes an algebraic representation of program modules, calledF(p), and illustrates the algorithms that useF(p)to generate program graph models for measurement, documentation and testing activities. The representation refers to procedural languages, D‐structured programs and one‐in/one‐out modules but its definition can be extended to programs structured in terms of an arbitrary set of one‐in/one‐out legal control structures. Since it is possible to produceF(p)directly from the program code using reverse engineering techniques, the algorithms proposed are of considerable interest for the setting up of tools supporting the program comprehension phase, which is a fundamental first step in any maintenance operation.

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