DDFgraph: a tool for dynamic data flow graphs visualization

Abstract

DDFgraph allows extraction and visualization of dynamic data-flow graphs computed at runtime. It currently relies on a Lisp interpreter modified to monitor data use (both of global and local variables) during program execution and to detect the corresponding data flow, namely the value of variables 'flowing' from one point of the program to another. A companion database stores this flow and produces, on demand, its representation as a graph for dot. Furthermore, the flow graph can be manipulated, in order to reduce the size of the graph, through extraction of some parts of particular interest and/or through compaction of given subparts leaving visible only global flow.