Understanding large software systems with the utility XREG
C. E. Rhoades · 1990
When a software system reaches a certain size, arteriosclerosis sets in. That is, the system becomes harder and harder to add new features and even more difficult to understand. Worse, the insertion of new features often introduces new programming errors as well as revealing ones already present but previously unmanifested. For Fortran programs, the 100,000 line size is critical. XREF fights hardening of the arteries by providing the user information on the organization, variable usage, and common block use within the software system. XREF is language independent. That is, it works, for example, with CAL, C, CIVIC, and CFT compiled subprograms. XREF performs its global symbol analysis from either the BUILD library file or the object (binary) file. Naturally more useful information is obtained when a symbol table is generated by the compiler. Specifically, eight global reports are produced. The most helpful report consists of a listing of all symbols contained in the BUILD library or binary file, the subprograms that use the symbol and the relocation basis (either local or common block name) of each symbol. Five secondary reports are provided for each subprogram. 3 refs.