Slicing objects using system dependence graphs

Abstract

We present an SDG for object oriented software that is more precise than previous representations and is more efficient to construct than previous approaches. The new SDG distinguishes data members for different objects, provides a way to represent object parameters, represents the effects of polymorphism on parameters and parameter bindings, represents incomplete classes efficiently, and provides a way to represent class libraries. Based on this system dependence graph, we introduce the concept of object slicing and an algorithm to implement this concept. Object slicing enables the user to inspect the statements in the slice, object-by-object, and is helpful for debugging and impact analysis.