Compiler Construction

Aim

The aim of this course is to give a comprehensive introduction to the theoretical and practical issues underlying the design and implementation of compilers. After the completion of the course you should be able to:

• explain and apply fundamental principles and techniques of compiler design
• explain and use methods for lexical analysis, top-down and bottom-up parsing
• explain and use methods for semantic analysis, syntax-directed translation, code optimization
• explain methods and theory for construction of lexer and parser generators, code generator generators
• explain methods for generation and optimization of code for RISC-based architectures
• construct and implement a top-down parser and a bottom-up parser for a given context-free grammar
• use lexer and parser generators to build a lexical analyzer and a parser for a real compiler
• explain and use methods for machine code generation
• design and implement a complete compiler including: lexer, parser, memory management, semantic analysis, optimization, and machine code generation

Content

• Different types of translators such as compilers and preprocessors.
• Methods for lexical analysis and syntax analysis.
• Management of declarations.
• Different types of internal representations.
• Memory management and run-time organization.
• Code generation and code optimization, especially with regards to RISC processors.
• Methods for handling errors.
• Compiler construction and compiler generation tools.
• Language design.

A complete compiler for a Pascal-like language is constructed during the laboratory sessions. Certain modules of this compiler will be automatically generated using compiler generation tools, whereas other parts will be implemented by hand.