📅 最后修改于: 2023-12-03 15:12:42.286000 🧑 作者: Mango
Compiler design is an integral branch of computer science that deals with the translation of high-level programming languages into machine language. Compilers help in the process of creating software, as their high-level code is transformed into executable binary code that can be run on a computer. In this chapter, we will briefly introduce the process of compiler design, its components, and the various types of compilers available.
A compiler has four main components:
Lexical Analyzer - The action of this component is to break a source program into tokens. The tokens are simple language units such as words, symbols, and strings.
Syntax Analyzer - The syntax analyzer, also known as the parser, checks whether the tokens generated by the lexical analyzer form a grammatically correct statement in the programming language in question.
Semantic Analyzer - The semantic analyzer checks whether the program that passes through the syntax analyzer makes sense. In other words, it verifies that there are no errors in the code that would cause it to malfunction.
Code Generator - The last component of a compiler is the code generator. It takes the verified program as input and produces the machine code that can be executed by the computer.
There are several types of compilers available, classified as follows:
Source-to-Source Compiler: This type of compiler takes input high-level source code in one programming language and generates output high-level source code in another language.
Native Compiler: A native compiler is one that generates machine code for a specific type of computer architecture. It generates machine code that is executable directly by the computer without any need for an interpreter.
Cross Compiler: A cross-compiler is similar to the native compiler, but it generates machine code that is executable on a different type of computer architecture. For example, a compiler that generates code for a Macintosh computer while executing on a Windows-based computer architecture.
Just-In-Time (JIT) Compiler: The JIT compiler does not translate the entire program at once. It only translates the part of the program that is required at a given moment, which reduces the time needed to start the program.
In conclusion, the use and importance of compilers in modern software development cannot be overemphasized. A good understanding of the principles of compiler design is essential for any programmer who aspires to develop or modify software.