System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to validating data arguments in a program. In one embodiment, a method includes, in response to an electronic request, identifying a data argument within a code segment of source code of the program. The data argument is non-control data passed between one or more functions of the program. The method includes storing data characteristics about the data argument within a control flow graph derived from the source code. The control flow graph represents execution paths within the program. The data characteristics indicate a state of the data argument and at least one relationship associated with the data argument. The method includes providing the control flow graph as an electronic output to facilitate adjustments in the source code.