The Java System Dependence Graph

The Program Dependence Graph was introduced by Ottenstein and Ottenstein in 1984. It was suggested to be a suitable internal program representation for monolithic programs, for the purpose of carrying out certain software engineering operations such as slicing and the computation of program metrics. Since then, Horwitz et al. have introduced the multi-procedural equivalent System Dependence Graph. Several authors have proposed object-oriented dependence graph construction approaches. Every approach provides its own benefits, some of which are language specific. This paper presents a Java System Dependence Graph which draws on the strengths of a range of earlier works and adapts them, if necessary, to the Java language. It also provides guidance on the construction of the graph, identifies potential research topics based on it and shows, in the appendix, a completed graph with a slice highlighted for a small, but realistic example.