Part 1 "Test Techniques various" Definition-use pairs are identified during which of the following static analysis activities? 1 credit [K2]

Question

Exhibit

Options

• AControl flow analysis
• BData flow activities
• CCoding standards analysis
• DCyclomatic complexity analysis

• A
  6% (2)
• B
  88% (28)
• C
  3% (1)
• D
  3% (1)

Explanation

Data flow analysis (option B) is correct because it specifically tracks how variables are defined (written/assigned) and used (read/referenced) throughout a program's execution paths. Identifying definition-use pairs - where a variable is defined at one point and used at another - is the core purpose of data flow analysis, making it the natural home for this activity.

Why the distractors are wrong:

• A (Control flow analysis) maps the sequence and branching of execution paths (if/else, loops), not variable lifecycles.
• C (Coding standards analysis) checks whether code conforms to style and formatting rules (naming conventions, indentation), with no concern for variable state.
• D (Cyclomatic complexity analysis) counts independent paths through code to measure complexity - again, structural, not data-oriented.

Memory tip: Think "definition-use = data." Data flow analysis follows the data (variables) as they are defined then used - the name practically tells you the answer. If a question mentions variable lifecycles, data anomalies (dd, du, ku patterns), or def-use pairs, it's always data flow.

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