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Assignment SCDlab

The tools used to construct a compiler include lexical analyzers, parsers, semantic analyzers, intermediate code generators, optimization passes, code generators, and assemblers/linkers. Lexical analyzers tokenize the source code into meaningful units like keywords and identifiers. Parsers check that tokens are arranged according to the language's syntax rules. Semantic analyzers perform deeper analysis to ensure semantics like variable types are consistent. Intermediate code generators translate source code into a lower-level representation. Optimization passes improve efficiency. Code generators produce machine code or bytecode. Assemblers/linkers assemble machine code and link object files into executables. These tools automate compiling high-level languages into executable binaries.

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Noor-Ul Ain
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17 views

Assignment SCDlab

The tools used to construct a compiler include lexical analyzers, parsers, semantic analyzers, intermediate code generators, optimization passes, code generators, and assemblers/linkers. Lexical analyzers tokenize the source code into meaningful units like keywords and identifiers. Parsers check that tokens are arranged according to the language's syntax rules. Semantic analyzers perform deeper analysis to ensure semantics like variable types are consistent. Intermediate code generators translate source code into a lower-level representation. Optimization passes improve efficiency. Code generators produce machine code or bytecode. Assemblers/linkers assemble machine code and link object files into executables. These tools automate compiling high-level languages into executable binaries.

Uploaded by

Noor-Ul Ain
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY, TAXILA

Software Construction & Development (LAB)


Assignment # 01

SUBMITTED TO:
MAM RABIA

SUBMITTED BY:
NOOR-UL-AIN

REGISTRATION #:
21-SE-78

SOFTWARE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT


ASSIGNMENT # 01

QUESTION#1:

What tools we can use to construct a compiler? Give names and describe how they work?

1. Lexical Analyzer (Lexer):

• Description: The lexical analyzer, also known as the lexer, is the first phase of a
compiler. Its primary function is to read the input source code character by
character and group them into meaningful tokens based on predefined rules
defined by the programmer. These rules are typically specified using regular
expressions or similar patterns.

For example, in a programming language, tokens could include keywords (if, else, while),
identifiers (variable names), literals (numbers, strings), and punctuation (parentheses,
semicolons). The lexer also removes whitespace and comments from the source code.

• Tools: Lex (Unix) and Flex (a modern replacement for Lex) are commonly used
tools for generating lexical analyzers. They take a set of regular expressions along
with corresponding actions and generate code in a target language (e.g., C or
C++).

2. Syntax Analyzer (Parser):

• Description: The syntax analyzer, or parser, processes the stream of tokens


produced by the lexer and verifies whether the arrangement of tokens conforms to
the syntactic rules of the programming language. It typically constructs a parse
tree or abstract syntax tree (AST) representing the structure of the source code.

The parser checks for correctness in terms of the language grammar, ensuring that statements and
expressions are properly formed. It may use techniques like recursive descent parsing, LR
parsing, or LL parsing, depending on the grammar of the language.
• Tools: Yacc (Yet Another Compiler Compiler, Unix) and Bison (GNU parser
generator, a modern alternative to Yacc) are commonly used tools for generating
parsers. They take context-free grammar as input and generate code (usually in C
or C++) for parsing the input based on that grammar.

3. Semantic Analyzer:

• Description: The semantic analyzer performs deeper analysis beyond syntax


checking. It checks whether the semantics of the program are correct, ensuring
that variable types are used consistently, variables are declared before use,
functions are called with the correct number and type of arguments, etc. It also
performs tasks like type checking and scope resolution.

This stage often involves building and traversing symbol tables to keep track of identifiers and
their attributes (e.g., type, scope). Semantic analysis ensures that the code makes sense according
to the rules of the programming language.

• Implementation: The semantic analyzer is typically implemented as custom code


integrated into the compiler. It traverses the AST or other intermediate
representations generated by the parser and performs various semantic checks and
transformations.

4. Intermediate Code Generator:

• Description: The intermediate code generator translates the source code into an
intermediate representation (IR) that is easier to analyze and optimize than the
original source code. This IR is typically a low-level, platform-independent
language that captures the essential semantics of the source code.

Generating IR allows for separation of concerns between front-end (parsing and semantic
analysis) and back-end (code optimization and generation) stages of the compiler. It simplifies
the implementation of optimization passes and facilitates retargeting the compiler to different
platforms.
• Implementation: The intermediate code generator is implemented as part of the
compiler and typically generates IR in the form of a tree or linear code. The IR
may resemble assembly language or a simplified version of the source language.

5. Optimization Passes:

• Description: Optimization passes analyze the intermediate representation and


apply transformations to improve the efficiency, speed, or size of the resulting
code. These transformations can range from simple peephole optimizations to
complex analyses such as loop optimization and data flow analysis.

Optimization passes aim to reduce redundant computations, eliminate dead code, optimize
memory access patterns, and overall improve the performance characteristics of the generated
code.

• Implementation: Optimization passes are implemented as separate modules


within the compiler. Each pass focuses on a specific optimization technique and
operates on the intermediate representation. The compiler may apply multiple
passes in a predefined sequence or based on user-specified options.

6. Code Generator:

• Description: The code generator translates the optimized intermediate


representation into machine code or bytecode suitable for the target platform. It
maps the high-level constructs of the source language to specific instructions or
operations supported by the target architecture or virtual machine.

Code generation involves selecting appropriate instructions, allocating registers, and managing
memory layout to produce efficient executable code.

• Implementation: The code generator is implemented as part of the compiler


back-end. It traverses the optimized intermediate representation and emits
machine code or bytecode instructions according to the target platform's
instruction set architecture (ISA) or bytecode format.

7. Assembler/Linker:
• Description: The assembler translates assembly code (generated by the code
generator) into machine code specific to the target architecture. It converts
human-readable assembly mnemonics and operands into binary instructions
executable by the target processor.

The linker combines multiple object files produced by the assembler into a single executable or
library. It resolves references to external symbols, assigns addresses to code and data sections,
and performs other tasks necessary for generating a coherent executable.

• Tools: GNU Assembler (GAS), LLVM's Integrated Assembler, GNU linker (ld),
Microsoft Linker (link.exe) are commonly used tools for assembling and linking
code.

Each of these tools plays a crucial role in the compilation process, transforming the source code
into executable binaries or other target artifacts. Their integration enables the automation of
various stages of compilation, making it possible to efficiently translate high-level programming
languages into machine-executable code.

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