A compiler is software that translates or converts a program written in a high-level language (Source Language) into a low-level language (Machine Language or Assembly Language). Compiler design is the process of developing a compiler.
- The Key objectives of compiler design are to automate the translation process, check correctness of input code, and reporting errors in source code.
- It acts as the "translator" of the programming world, bridging the gap between human-readable code and machine-understandable instructions.
- It involves many stages like lexical analysis, syntax analysis (parsing), semantic analysis, code generation, code optimization, etc.
- Most of the early high level languages like C and C++ were compiled. However modern languages like Java and Python use both interpreter and compiler. Please note that compiler only translates but interpreter runs as well.
Introduction
Compiler design explains how high-level programs are converted into machine code, covering compilers vs interpreters, compilation phases, tools, symbol tables, error handling, and the evolution of programming languages.
- Introduction
- Phases of a Compiler
- Passes of a Compiler
- Compiler construction tools
- Symbol Table in Compiler
- Error Handling in Compiler Design
- Generations of Programming Languages
Lexical Analysis
Lexical analysis is the first compiler phase that converts source code into tokens using regular expressions and NFA/DFA, with tools like Flex used to automatically generate token analyzers for C programs.
- Lexical Analysis
- Program to detect tokens in a C program
- Flex (Fast Lexical Analyzer Generator )
Quiz on Lexical Analysis
Syntax Analysis
Syntax analysis verifies the grammatical structure of a program using context-free grammars, FIRST and FOLLOW sets, and different parsing techniques such as top-down, bottom-up, shift-reduce, SLR, CLR, LALR, and operator precedence parsers.
- Introduction to Syntax Analysis
- FIRST and FOLLOW
- Classification of Context Free Grammars(CFG)
- Ambiguous Grammar
- Introduction to Parsers
- Classification of top down parsers
- Bottom Up Parser
- Shift Reduce Parser in Compiler
- SLR, CLR and LALR Parsers
- Operator grammar and precedence parser
Syntax Directed Translation
Syntax directed translation uses grammar-based semantic rules to guide program translation, where S-attributed SDTs rely only on synthesized attributes and L-attributed SDTs use both inherited and synthesized attributes evaluated from left to right.
- Syntax Directed Translation
- S – attributed and L – attributed SDTs in Syntax directed translation
Quiz on Parsing and Syntax Directed Translation
Code Generation and Optimization
Code generation and optimization transform intermediate code into efficient target code using techniques like three-address code, loop detection, object code generation, and data flow analysis.
- Code Optimization
- Intermediate Code Generation
- Issues in the design of a code generator
- Three address code in Compiler
- Detection of a Loop in Three Address Code
- Introduction of Object Code
- Data flow analysis in Compiler
Quiz on Code Generation and Optimization
Runtime Environments
Runtime environments deal with how programs are executed and managed at runtime, including scoping rules, memory allocation strategies, linking, loading, and system-level execution such as developing a Linux-based shell.
- Static and Dynamic Scoping
- Runtime Environments
- Linker
- Loader in C/C++
- Developing a Linux based shell
- Storage Allocation Strategies
Quick Links
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Compiler Design Basics
Lexical Analysis
Syntax Analysis & Parsers
Syntax Directed Translation & Intermediate Code Generation
Code Optimization & Runtime Environments
Practice Questions