Program Dependence Graph
A Program Dependence Graph (PDG) is a directed graph representation of a computer program that captures both data and control dependencies between statements or instructions. It is used in compiler optimization, program analysis, and software engineering to understand how different parts of a program interact and depend on each other. PDGs help in tasks like slicing, parallelization, and debugging by providing a structured view of program dependencies.
Developers should learn about PDGs when working on compiler design, static analysis tools, or optimizing code for performance, as they enable precise dependency analysis for transformations like dead code elimination and loop parallelization. It is particularly useful in academic research, high-performance computing, and security analysis to identify vulnerabilities or ensure correct program behavior through dependency tracking.