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Compiler Design (All Modules) - 09

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25 views1 page

Compiler Design (All Modules) - 09

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ag2896323
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o If the DFA reaches an "accepting state" upon encountering the last character in the pattern, a token is

identified (e.g., "int" for keyword DFA).


o If no valid transition exists for a character, an error is reported.

Benefits of Using DFA:

 Efficiency: DFAs offer efficient token recognition due to their deterministic nature (always one valid transition
per state-character combination).
 Simplicity: They are relatively easy to understand and implement compared to some other techniques like
regular expressions.
 Error Handling: DFAs can explicitly handle unexpected characters by transitioning to an error state, aiding in
error detection during compilation.

Limitations:

 Complexity: For very complex token patterns, DFAs can become large and unwieldy.
 Flexibility: May not be suitable for all types of token patterns, particularly those involving repetition or choices
(better handled by regular expressions).

In Conclusion:

DFAs are a powerful tool for recognizing tokens in compiler design. They offer efficiency, simplicity, and clear error
handling. However, for more complex token patterns, other techniques like regular expressions might be more suitable.
The choice between DFAs and other techniques depends on the specific needs of the compiler and the complexity of the
programming language being compiled.

Q7.3: Design of a lexical analyzer generator.

Ans: A lexical analyzer generator, also known as a scanner generator, is a tool that automates the process of creating
lexical analyzers for specific programming languages. Here's a breakdown of the key aspects involved in its design:

Functionality:

 The generator takes a high-level specification of the tokens in a programming language as input. This
specification can be written in a dedicated language provided by the generator or in a more general format like
regular expressions.
 Based on this specification, the generator automatically builds a program (often in a language like C) that
implements the lexical analyzer for the given language.

How Does an Lexical Analyzer Generator Work?

1. Language Specification: You define the patterns and actions for recognizing tokens using the LAG's specific
language. This might involve:
o Patterns: Regular expressions or other notations to specify the character sequences for different token
types (keywords, identifiers, operators).
o Actions: Code snippets that are executed when a token is matched. These actions might involve
emitting the token, storing its value, or performing other tasks.
2. Code Generation: The LAG takes your specifications and generates the actual scanner code in a target language
like C. This code implements the logic for reading characters, applying patterns, and performing actions based on
the matched tokens.
3. Scanner Integration: The generated scanner code can then be integrated into your compiler to perform lexical
analysis on the source code.

Benefits of Using a Lexical Analyzer Generator:

 Reduced Development Time: Writing lexer rules in a high-level language is faster and less error-prone compared
to manual coding.
 Increased Reliability: Reduces the risk of errors in the lexical analysis logic.

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