Link-time redundant code elimination using functional equivalence

A method for link-time elimination of duplicative functionalities, the method comprising:

• compiling a plurality of program codes into a plurality of object files, wherein the plurality of program codes form a program of instructions executable by a machine, and wherein compiling includes embedding annotations within each of the plurality of object files to enable correct abstraction of machine code;
• analyzing, using a microprocessor, the plurality of object files to identify a plurality of functions at least partially based on said annotations in said plurality of object files wherein the plurality of functions includes a first function and a second function wherein the first function and the second function are duplicative, wherein analyzing includes building a data flow graph for each of the plurality of functions, and wherein analyzing includes tracking data values through possible execution paths and identifying functional equivalence among the plurality of functions;
• and
• identifying, using a microprocessor, call and caller references to each of the plurality of functions;
• re-routing, using a microprocessor, call references directed to the second function to the first function;
• and
• deleting the second function.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by a machine wherein said program of instruction comprises a plurality of program codes for link-time elimination of duplicative functionalities within a plurality of object files comprising object code, said program of instruction comprising:

• one of said program codes for analyzing the plurality of object files to identify a plurality of functions;
• program code for building a control flow graph from the plurality of functions;
• program code for scanning the plurality of functions for commonalties and identifying a first function and a second function that are functionally duplicative, wherein the object code comprising the first function and second function is different;
• program code for building a call graph for each of the plurality of functions including the first function and the second function, program code for identifying call and caller references to each of the plurality of functions from said call graph including the first function and the second function;
• program code for building a data flow graph for each of the plurality of functions wherein the data flow graph tracks data values through possible execution paths and identifies functional equivalence among the plurality of functions;
• program code for re-routing call references directed to the second function to the first function;
• and
• program code for deleting the second function.