safe definition

A safe program analysis is one which will not reach invalid conclusions about the behaviour of the program. This may involve making safe approximations to properties of parts of the program. A safe approximation is one which gives less information.

For example, strictness analysis aims to answer the question "will this function evaluate its argument"?. The two possible results are "definitely" and "don't know". A safe approximation for "definitely" is "don't know". The two possible results correspond to the two sets: "the set of all functions which evaluate their argument" and "all functions". A set can be safely approximated by another which contains it.

(03 Feb )

1. Free from harm, injury, or risk; untouched or unthreatened by danger or injury; unharmed; unhurt; secure; whole; as, safe from disease; safe from storms; safe from foes. "And ye dwelled safe." "They escaped all safe all safe to land." (Acts xxvii. 44) "Established in a safe, unenvied throne." (Milton)

2. Conferring safety; securing from harm; not exposing to danger; confining securely; to be relied upon; not dangerous; as, a safe harbor; a safe bridge, etc. "The man of safe discretion." "The King of heaven hath doomed This place our dungeon, not our safe retreat." (Milton)

3. Incapable of doing harm; no longer dangerous; in secure care or custody; as, the prisoner is safe. "But Banquo's safe? Ay, my good lord, safe in a ditch he bides." (Shak) Safe hit, a hit which enables the batter to get to first base even if no error is made by the other side.

4. A place for keeping things in safety. Specifically: A strong and fireproof receptacle (as a movable chest of steel, etc, or a closet or vault of brickwork) for money, valuable papers, or the like.

A ventilated or refrigerated chest or closet for securing provisions from noxious animals or insects.

Synonyms: Secure, unendangered, sure.

Origin: OE. Sauf, F. Sauf, fr. L. Salvus, akin to salus health, welfare, safety. Cf. Salute, Salvation, Sage a plant, Save, Salvo an exception.

(26 Mar )