Browse Hierarchy ECS652U: Compilers

In this module, the students will learn how modern compilers work. A compiler is a tool for translating computer programs written in a higher-level programming language (such as Java or C) to a lower-level language or machine code. Major components of a compiler are lexical and syntactic analysis, semantic analysis, code generation and optimization. The module will provide an introduction to a range of concepts in programming language design and implementation, including runtime organization, memory management, assembler, linker, loader, static vs dynamic types and scopes, compilers vs interpreters, just-in-time compilation, bootstrapping, data-flow analysis, and link-time optimizations. The coursework includes 3-5 programming assignments, each of which builds a different component of the compiler. The students are encouraged to work in small teams. At the end of the semester, each team will have implemented a working (albeit simple) compiler from basic blocks and templates provided. Most students find it very rewarding experience.