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Compiler Design Notes

The document outlines the fundamentals of compilers, explaining their role in translating high-level programming languages into low-level languages. It distinguishes between compilers and Integrated Development Environments (IDEs), detailing the components of a Language Processing System that converts source code into executable machine code. Additionally, it compares compilers and interpreters, highlighting their operational differences.

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4 views3 pages

Compiler Design Notes

The document outlines the fundamentals of compilers, explaining their role in translating high-level programming languages into low-level languages. It distinguishes between compilers and Integrated Development Environments (IDEs), detailing the components of a Language Processing System that converts source code into executable machine code. Additionally, it compares compilers and interpreters, highlighting their operational differences.

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faratndc12314003
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Compiler Design: Lecture Notes

Introduction to Compilers & Language Processing Systems

Prepared For: Mantaka Mahir


Institution: Military Institute of Science and Technology (MIST), Dhaka
Source: Classroom Audio Extraction

1. What is a Compiler?

A Compiler is fundamentally a software program that translates a high-level programming language


into a low-level programming language.

• Input: High-Level Language (Source Code) — e.g., C, Java, Python. These languages are human-
readable.

• Output: Low-Level Language (Target Code) — Usually Assembly Language or directly Machine
Code.

2. IDE vs. Compiler

It is crucial to distinguish between a Compiler and an Integrated Development Environment (IDE).

The Classroom Analogy:


Think of the classroom as an IDE. It contains everything needed for teaching and learning: a
whiteboard, projector, AC, desks, and chairs. An IDE similarly provides all the tools a developer
needs (code editor, debugger, file manager) in one unified environment (e.g., Code::Blocks).

The Compiler is just one specific tool attached to the IDE (like MinGW in Code::Blocks). Its sole
job is to translate the code.

3. The Language Processing System

The journey of a high-level C program (e.g., one containing #include <stdio.h>) to executable machine
code (0s and 1s) goes through a complete Language Processing System.

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Source Code (High-Level Language)

Preprocessor

Pure High-Level Language

Compiler

Assembly Language

Assembler

Relocatable Machine Code

Linker & Loader

Target Machine Code (Executable)

Detailed Phases of the System:

• Preprocessor: Processes preprocessor directives (like #include <stdio.h>) by fetching the details of
library functions and adding them to the code. It also replaces macros (e.g., #define PI 3.1416) with
their actual values. The output is "Pure" High-Level Language.

• Compiler: Takes the pure high-level language and converts it into Assembly Language (e.g.,
instructions like MOV A, ADD B).

• Assembler: Translates the assembly language into Relocatable Object/Machine Code.

• Linker: Links the relocatable machine code with necessary external library functions.

• Loader: Loads the linked code into the Main Memory (RAM) for execution, finally generating the
absolute executable machine code.

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4. Compiler vs. Interpreter

Both are language translators, but they operate differently:

• Compiler: Reads the entire source code at once. If there are any errors, it displays all of them
together after scanning the whole program.

• Interpreter: Translates and executes the code line-by-line.

Note on Java: Java utilizes both a compiler and an interpreter. The Java compiler translates
source code into bytecode, which is then executed line-by-line by the Java Virtual Machine (JVM),
acting as an interpreter.

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