Mathematics of if-else statements

Are there any mathematical/logical approaches to analyze nested
if-else statements in order to simplify or optimize them, or to
understand the flow of successive tests. For example, if I have


if (a > 10) {
      if (a < 20) {
            statement1;
      } else {
            statement2;
      }
} else {
statement3;
}
where a is an integer, say.


Now, I can define the logical parameters C1 : (a>10), and C2 = (a<20)
Then I can write the truth table


C1 C2 Result
--- --- -----------
  T T statement1
  F T statement3
  T F statement2
  F F statement3


Then I can rearrange the if-else statements noting that the above truth
table can also be written as (!C1 means not(C1))


!C1 !C2 Result
--- --- -----------
  F F statement1
  T F statement3
  F T statement2
  T T statement3


so that


if (a < 10) {
        statement3;
} else {
        if (a > 20) {
                statement2;
        } else {
                statement1;
        }
}


My point is that such an analysis tool using math/logic may help
re-organize or optimize code, but I don't claim that the above example
is very useful. So any body familiar with such tools?


Thanks
Bora Eryilmaz

Return to the comp.compilers page.
Search the comp.compilers archives again.