Unit 1: Overview of Translation Process
1.1 Introduction to Compiler
- A compiler translates high-level source code into low-level machine code.
- Enables execution of user programs on hardware.
- Key roles: translating code, error reporting, optimization.
- Ensures syntax and semantic correctness.
- Commonly used for C, C++, Java, etc.
- Improves portability and performance.
- Divided into phases: lexical, syntax, semantic analysis, etc.
1.2 Compiler Structure
- Divided into Front-End and Back-End:
- Front-End: Lexical, Syntax, Semantic Analysis.
- Back-End: Optimization and Code Generation.
- Improves modularity and reusability.
Diagram:
Source Code
Lexical Analysis
Syntax Analysis
Semantic Analysis
|
Intermediate Code Generation
Code Optimization
Code Generation
Target Code
1.3 Major Data Structures in Compiler
- Symbol Table: Stores identifier info.
- AST: Represents program structure.
- Intermediate Representation: Used for transformation.
- Parse Tree: Detailed syntax representation.
- CFG: Represents control flow.
1.4 Bootstrapping and Porting
- Bootstrapping: Writing compiler in its own language.
- Porting: Adapting compiler to different systems.
- Ensures flexibility and reuse.
1.5 Compiler Design Models
- Analysis-Synthesis Model:
- Analysis: Breaks source into IR.
- Synthesis: Generates target code.
- Encourages modularity and platform independence.
1.6 Phases of Compilation
- Lexical Analysis: Tokenizing.
- Syntax Analysis: Grammar checking.
- Semantic Analysis: Logic checking.
- Intermediate Code Generation.
- Code Optimization.
- Code Generation.
- Error Handling throughout.
1.7 Compiler Design Tools
- Lex: Generates lexical analyzers.
- Yacc: Generates parsers.
- AST Generators: Syntax tree creation.
- Debuggers & Profilers: Testing tools.
- LALR Parser Generators: Efficient parsing.