Difference between revisions of "Compiler"
From Conservapedia
m (add category: Computer Science) |
(more detail on phases within a compiler) |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
A '''compiler''' is a computer program which translates source code written in a high-level [[programming language]] into executable machine code. The act of doing this is called [[compilation]]. | A '''compiler''' is a computer program which translates source code written in a high-level [[programming language]] into executable machine code. The act of doing this is called [[compilation]]. | ||
| − | + | ==Outline of the compilation process== | |
| + | In the freely available online book "Basics of Compiler Design"<ref>{{cite web | ||
| + | | url = http://www.diku.dk/hjemmesider/ansatte/torbenm/Basics/ | ||
| + | | title = Basics of Compiler Design | ||
| + | | accessdate = 2012-03-19}}</ref>, Professor Torben Mogensen identifies seven phases within a compiler, with the various phases being performed in one or more passes over the program. | ||
| − | :'''Lexical analysis''': convert source code into sequence of tokens. | + | :'''Lexical analysis''': convert source code into sequence of tokens, such as variable names, keywords, numbers, and special symbols such as '+'. |
| − | :''' | + | :'''Syntax analysis''' or '''parsing''': structure tokens into parse tree or syntax tree which represents the structure of the program. |
| − | :'''Semantic analysis''': annotate parse tree with semantic actions. | + | :'''Semantic analysis''': annotate parse tree with semantic actions, and perform various consistency checks. |
| − | :''' | + | :'''Intermediate code generation''': use the annotated parse tree to generate code in some simple machine-independent intermediate language. |
| + | |||
| + | :'''Register allocation''': map the symbolic names used in the intermediate code on to the registers available in the target machine code. | ||
| + | |||
| + | :'''Assembly code generation''': translate the intermediate code into assembly language for the target machine. | ||
| + | |||
| + | :'''Assembly and linking''': translate the assembly language into executable machine code. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==References== | ||
| + | <references/> | ||
[[Category:Computer Science]] | [[Category:Computer Science]] | ||
Revision as of 16:03, March 19, 2012
A compiler is a computer program which translates source code written in a high-level programming language into executable machine code. The act of doing this is called compilation.
Outline of the compilation process
In the freely available online book "Basics of Compiler Design"[1], Professor Torben Mogensen identifies seven phases within a compiler, with the various phases being performed in one or more passes over the program.
- Lexical analysis: convert source code into sequence of tokens, such as variable names, keywords, numbers, and special symbols such as '+'.
- Syntax analysis or parsing: structure tokens into parse tree or syntax tree which represents the structure of the program.
- Semantic analysis: annotate parse tree with semantic actions, and perform various consistency checks.
- Intermediate code generation: use the annotated parse tree to generate code in some simple machine-independent intermediate language.
- Register allocation: map the symbolic names used in the intermediate code on to the registers available in the target machine code.
- Assembly code generation: translate the intermediate code into assembly language for the target machine.
- Assembly and linking: translate the assembly language into executable machine code.
References
- ↑ Basics of Compiler Design. Retrieved on 2012-03-19.
