Compiler Design

Compiler design is a fundamental field within computer science that explores the theory and practice of building compilers—specialized programs that translate source code written in a high-level programming language into a lower-level language, such as machine code, that a computer can execute. This intricate process involves several distinct phases, including lexical analysis (scanning the code into tokens), syntax analysis (parsing tokens into a structured representation like an abstract syntax tree), semantic analysis (checking for logical and type errors), and finally, code optimization and generation to produce an efficient executable program. By bridging the gap between human-readable programming languages and computer hardware, compiler design applies principles from formal languages, automata theory, and algorithms to create the essential tools that power software development.

  1. Introduction to Compilation
    1. Purpose and Importance of Compilation
      1. Translation from High-Level to Machine Code
        1. Performance Benefits over Interpretation
          1. Early Error Detection
            1. Code Portability
            2. The Role of the Compiler
              1. Source Code Analysis
                1. Target Code Synthesis
                  1. Error Detection and Reporting
                    1. Code Optimization
                      1. Symbol Management
                        1. Interface with Operating System
                        2. Compiler Structure Overview
                          1. Analysis Phase (Front-End)
                            1. Synthesis Phase (Back-End)
                              1. Symbol Table Management
                                1. Error Handling System
                                2. Major Phases of Compilation
                                  1. Lexical Analysis
                                    1. Syntax Analysis
                                      1. Semantic Analysis
                                        1. Intermediate Code Generation
                                          1. Code Optimization
                                            1. Code Generation
                                              1. Linking and Loading
                                              2. Compiler Organization
                                                1. Single-Pass Compilers
                                                  1. Multi-Pass Compilers
                                                    1. Pass Coordination
                                                      1. Data Structures Between Passes

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                                                    2. Programming Language Foundations