Analysis of Algorithm Implementations.
Abstract
It is shown that the intelligent analysis of algorithm implementations can be systematized and automated. A method is developed by which the correctness or near correctness of a program written to carry out a task according to known general plans can be systematically deduced. Emphasis is placed on understanding the workings of the program under analysis so that errors may be located, characterized and explained in programming terms. Analysis consists of discovering the underlying plan of a program and interpreting it as a variation of the known algorithms for performing the program's task. Knowledge of how intentions are translated into programs facilitates equivalence determination. The inclusion of common errors as intention implementations makes this, and thus understanding possible even in the case of faulty programs. (Modified author abstract)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1974
- Accession Number
- AD0780408
Entities
People
- Gregory R. Ruth
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology