CS 6304 Advanced Topics in Program Analysis
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This class focuses on advanced topics in program analysis,
with a particular emphasis on analyzing systems programs
to find and reduce defects and increase robustness and
performance, at a reasonable cost.  We will study both 
static and dynamic approaches to accomplish this goal.
Static approaches analyze source or machine code before
running the program to find defects.  Dynamic approaches
instrument the source or machine code before execution.

We will read a number of papers in this area from recent
years.  Students in the class are expected to present
on one or more papers.  Students will gain familiarity with
several bug finding tools in hands-on exercises.
Each student will participate in a term project.

As a prerequisite, students should have taken an 
undergraduate compilers or programming languages course.

Grading is based on the term project, the exercises, and
one paper presentation.

Instructor: Godmar Back
Email: gback@cs.vt.edu