Modern Compiler Implementation in Java

The second edition features a redesigned compiler project in Java, for a subset of Java itself.

Andrew W. Appel (Author), Jens Palsberg (With)

9780521820608, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 21 October 2002

512 pages, 80 b/w illus. 35 tables 135 exercises
25.7 x 20.8 x 3.3 cm, 1.051 kg

'… I recommend this book as a textbook for both beginning and advanced compiler courses … a well-written book, which strictly adheres to a no-nonsense style, and therefore is a pleasure to read.' Computing Reviews

This textbook describes all phases of a compiler: lexical analysis, parsing, abstract syntax, semantic actions, intermediate representations, instruction selection via tree matching, dataflow analysis, graph-coloring register allocation, and runtime systems. It includes good coverage of current techniques in code generation and register allocation, as well as the compilation of functional and object-oriented languages, that is missing from most books. The most accepted and successful techniques are described concisely, rather than as an exhaustive catalog of every possible variant, and illustrated with actual Java classes. This second edition has been extensively rewritten to include more discussion of Java and object-oriented programming concepts, such as visitor patterns. A unique feature is the newly redesigned compiler project in Java, for a subset of Java itself. The project includes both front-end and back-end phases, so that students can build a complete working compiler in one semester.

Part I. Fundamentals of Compilation: 1. Introduction
2. Lexical analysis
3. Parsing
4. Abstract syntax
5. Semantic analysis
6. Activation records
7. Translation to intermediate code
8. Basic blocks and traces
9. Instruction selection
10. Liveness analysis
11. Register allocation
12. Putting it all together
Part II. Advanced Topics: 13. Garbage collection
14. Object-oriented languages
15. Functional programming languages
16. Polymorphic types
17. Dataflow analysis
18. Loop optimizations
19. Static single-assignment form
20. Pipelining and scheduling
21. The memory hierarchy
Appendix: Mini-Java reference manual.

Subject Areas: Compilers [UMC]