Pointer analysis

In <a href="/facts/Computer_science/lN3pEyPz">computer science</a>, pointer analysis, or points-to analysis, is a <a href="/facts/Static_code_analysis/b56nr6QM">static code analysis</a> technique that establishes which <a href="/facts/Pointer_(computer_programming)/fPoNzy9b">pointers</a>, or <a href="/facts/Heap_(data_structure)/A67B0K7L">heap</a> references, can point to which <a href="/facts/Variable_(computer_science)/VoCKtwml">variables</a>, or <a href="/facts/Memory_address/7EsUmbea">storage locations</a>. It is often a component of more complex analyses such as <a href="/facts/Escape_analysis/DzEFMdLX">escape analysis</a>. A closely related technique is <a href="/facts/Shape_analysis_(software)/EMHwTDrX">shape analysis</a>.
This is the most common colloquial use of the term. A secondary use has pointer analysis be the collective name for both points-to analysis, defined as above, and <a href="/facts/Alias_analysis/802TeVPk">alias analysis</a>. Points-to and alias analysis are closely related but not always equivalent problems.

Pointer analysis open-in-new

Pointer analysis