Computer language engineering

Lectures: up to 4 sessions / week, 1 hour / session

This course analyzes issues associated with the implementation of higher-level programming languages. Topics covered include: fundamental concepts, functions, and structures of compilers, the interaction of theory and practice, and using tools in building software. The course includes a multi-person project on compiler design and implementation.

6.170 and proficiency in Java

There are no required texts. Optional references:

Appel, Andrew. Modern Compiler Implementations in Java (Tiger Book). 2nd ed. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press, 2002. ISBN: 9780521820608.

Muchnick, Steven. Advanced Compiler Design and Implementation (Whale Book). San Francisco, CA: Morgan Kaufmann, 1997. ISBN: 9781558603202.

The calendar below includes lectures (L), recitations (R), projects (P), and quizzes (Q).

SA = Prof. Saman Amarasinghe

MR = Prof. Martin Rinard

L2: Regular expressions, language specification by formal grammars (MR)

P1: Scanner/parser project assigned

P1: Scanner/parser project due

P2: Semantic checker project assigned

P2: Semantic checker project due

P3: Code generator project assigned

P3: Code generator project due

P4: Data-flow analysis project assigned

P4: Data-flow analysis project due

P5: Optimizer project assigned

L18: Loop optimization (SA)

P5: Optimizer project design due

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