A Retargetable C Compiler

Examines the design and implementation of lcc, a production-quality, retargetable compiler for the ANSI C programming language. This title explores the interaction between compiler theory and practice through the discussion of lcc. It is suitable for senior undergraduate or graduate level second course.

This new text examines the design and implementation of lcc, a production-quality, retargetable compiler for the ANSI C programming language, designed at AT&T Bell Laboratories and Princeton University. The authors' innovative approach--a "literate program" that intermingles the text with the source code--gives a detailed tour of the code that explains the implementation and design decisions reflected in the software. And while most books describe toy compilers or focus on isolated pieces of code, the authors provide the entire source code for a real compiler, which is available via ftp. Structured as a self-study guide that describes the real-world tradeoffs encountered in building a production-quality compiler, this book is useful to individuals who work in application areas applying or creating language-based tools and techniques.

• Explores the interaction between compiler theory and practice through the discussion of lcc.
• Covers compiler theory only as needed to understand the implementation of lcc, focusing instead on practical, applied issues.
• Encourages a broader understanding of programming in C through an examination of lcc, a production-quality compiler in use since 1988.
• Provides full code generators for the MIPS R3000, SPARC, and Intel 80x86 architectures and successors.
• The full source code for the lcc compiler, the three back ends, and the code-generator generator is freely available.
• Uses icons and brief indices in the margins to cross- reference code fragments and connect code usage.

Audience

Senior undergraduate or graduate level second course. Any researcher or implementer of compilers for parallel or advanced computers.

0805316701B04062001

Designed as a self-study guide, the book describes the real-world tradeoffs encountered in building a production-quality, platform-retargetable compiler. The authors examine the implementation of lcc, a production-quality, research-oriented retargetable compiler, designed at AT&T Bell Laboratories for the ANSI C programming language. The authors' innovative approach-a "literate program" that intermingles the text with the source code-uses a line-by-line explanation of the code to demonstrate how lcc is built.