Learn Compiler Design: From B. K.
Sharma
UNIT I
Introduction to Compiler
Learn Compiler Design: From B. K. Sharma
Unit I: Syllabus
• Introduction to Compiler
• Structure of a compiler
• Lexical Analysis
• Role of Lexical Analyzer
• Input Buffering
• Specification of Tokens
• Recognition of Tokens
Learn Compiler Design: From B. K. Sharma
Unit I: Syllabus
• Lex
• Finite Automata
• Regular
• Expressions to Automata
• Minimizing DFA.
Learn Compiler Design: From B. K. Sharma
Mapping of Lesson with Course Outcome
(CO)
Lesson CO
Lesson 1: Introduction Apply the knowledge of
to Compiler theory of computation in
specifying and recognizing
tokens
Learn Compiler Design: From B. K. Sharma
Lesson 1: Learning Outcomes
At the end of this lesson, students will be able to
1: Define the compiler.
2: Identify Source Language, Target Language,
Target Machine Code.
3: Differentiate between Pure Machine code,
Augmented Machine code and Virtual Machine
Code.
4 : Justify “Why study Compiler Design?”
5 : List and explain different translators.
Learn Compiler Design: From B. K. Sharma
What is Compiler? (Original Meaning)
A compiler reads a program written in the
source language and translate it into an
equivalent program in machine language.
Source Machine
program Compiler code
Error
messages
Learn Compiler Design: From B. K. Sharma
What is Compiler? (Broader Meaning)
A compiler reads a program written in the
source language and translate it into an
equivalent program in target language.
Source Program Target Program
Compiler
High-Level Assembly or Machine
Language Language
Or
Error Intermediate Language
messages [Byte Code, MSIL]
Learn Compiler Design: From B. K. Sharma
What is Compiler? (Broader Meaning)
Is a program that translates one language
to another.
Takes as input a source program typically
written in a high level language.
Produces an equivalent target program
typically in assembly or machine language.
Reports error messages as part of the
translation process.
Learn Compiler Design: From B. K. Sharma
Examples of Source Language
Source language:
High-level programming languages (C, C++,
Java, C#)
Text-formatting languages (TROFF)
Query languages (SQL)
Logic-level specification languages(Prolog,
Answer-set-programming(ASP)
Learn Compiler Design: From B. K. Sharma
Examples of Target Language
Target language:
Machine language
Assembly Language
Intermediate Language [Byte Code,
MSIL]
Learn Compiler Design: From B. K. Sharma
Examples of Target Machine Code
Target machine code:
Pure machine code
Augmented machine code
Virtual machine code (e.g. byte code)
Learn Compiler Design: From B. K. Sharma
How does code execute?
Can the code be executed directly by CPU?
Can the code be executed collectively by
CPU
and Operating System?
Can the code be executed by Virtual
Machine?
(a machine that does not exist but is
simulated by another machine)
Learn Compiler Design: From B. K. Sharma
How does code execute?
Target machine code:
Pure machine code:
Compiler generated code for a particular machine
not assuming any OS or Library Routines.
This is pure code because it includes nothing
beyond the instruction set.
Pure code can execute on bare hardware without
dependence on any other software.
Each CPU has its own specific machine language
that produce pure machine code
Learn Compiler Design: From B. K. Sharma
How does code execute?
Target machine code:
Augmented machine code:
Compilers generate code for a machine
architecture augmented with operating system
routines and run-time language support routines.
To use such a program, a particular operating
system must be used and a collection of run-time
support routines (I/O, storage allocation,
mathematical functions, etc.) must be available.
Learn Compiler Design: From B. K. Sharma
How does code execute?
Target machine code:
Augmented machine code:
The combination of machine instruction and OS and
runtime routines define a virtual machine—a
computer that exists only as a hardware/software
combination.
Learn Compiler Design: From B. K. Sharma
How does code execute?
Target machine code:
Augmented machine code:
The compiler reads the C++ source code from a
file that ends with .cpp and produces a machine
code file that is executable
On Windows computers, executable files produced
by the C++ compiler end with .exe; other
operating systems follow different naming
conventions
Learn Compiler Design: From B. K. Sharma
How does code execute?
Target machine code:
Augmented machine code:
The operating system loads the machine code into
main memory where the hardware runs it directly
without further processing.
Learn Compiler Design: From B. K. Sharma
How does code execute?
Target machine code:
Virtual machine code:
Generated code can consist entirely of virtual
instructions (no native code at all).
This supports transportable code, that can run on
a variety of computers.
Java, with its JVM (Java Virtual Machine) is a
great example of this approach.
Learn Compiler Design: From B. K. Sharma
How does code execute?
Target machine code:
Virtual machine code:
Languages like Java and C# are hybrid languages
because they use both a compiler and a virtual
machine.
They first compile the source code to virtual
machine code, that is, to machine code for a
virtual computer (a computer that doesn't exist
but is simulated by another computer).
Learn Compiler Design: From B. K. Sharma
How does code execute?
Target machine code:
Virtual machine code:
After compiling the source code, a virtual machine
(VM) executes the code by simulating the actions
of a real computer.
The operating system loads the VM into main
memory and runs it; it is the VM that reads and
runs the virtual machine code.
Learn Compiler Design: From B. K. Sharma
Why study Compiler Design?
We can learn to drive a car without knowing the
mechanics of how the car works.
But never a good driver.
In long terms contributions to society and progress
and technology, who will score more:
Driver or People who designed the Car
?
Designing a compiler means designing / creating
the technology.
Learn Compiler Design: From B. K. Sharma
Why study Compiler Design?
Using something is usually enough when
everything goes as expected.
But if something goes wrong, only a true
understanding of the inner workings and
details will help to fix it.
Learning Compilers Design gives you with
both theoretical and practical knowledge
that is crucial in order to implement a
programming language.
Learn Compiler Design: From B. K. Sharma
What Do Compilers Do?
No matter what target code or target
machine code format are generated,
compilers do the same job: Translation.
Learn Compiler Design: From B. K. Sharma
A Translator
A program that accepts as input a program
written in a source language and translates
it into a target language.
Depending on the level of translation, we
have different names for translators:
Learn Compiler Design: From B. K. Sharma
Translator
Assembler Compiler Interpreter Preprocessor Editor Profiler
Assembler: translates from assembly code into a
machine language.
Compiler: translates from a high level language
(like C) to a low-level language
(machine code, virtual machine code,
assembly language).
Learn Compiler Design: From B. K. Sharma
Translator
Assembler Compiler Interpreter Preprocessor Editor Profiler
Interpreter: It reads a high-level language
program and data and it executes
the program immediately. No target
code is produced.
Preprocessor: Translates from a high-level
language into a related high-level
language.
Learn Compiler Design: From B. K. Sharma
Translator
Assembler Compiler Interpreter Preprocessor Editor Profiler
Editor: They can process text based on the
logical structure of the text(MS-Word’s
Bullets and Numbering).
Profiler:A program that analyzes a text or code
and produces some structural or/and
statistical information about the text.
Learn Compiler Design: From B. K. Sharma
Summary:
1:A compiler reads a program written in the source
language and translate it into an equivalent program in
target language.
2: Examples of source languages are High-level
programming languages (e.g., C, C++, Java)
3: Examples of target languages are machine language,
assembly language, Intermediate language (Byte Code,
MSIL)
4: Examples of Target Machine Code are Pure Machine
Code, Augmented Machine Code, Virtual Machine Code.
5: Different translators are Assemblers, compiler,
Interpreter pre-processor, Editor, profiler
