Compiler Construction provides an in-depth treatment of programming language translation, compilation, and run-time systems, organized around a significant programming project to build a compiler for a simple but non-trivial core programming language. The course integrates both theory and practice. Topics covered include data structures for tree languages; lexical analysis, syntax analysis and abstract syntax; symbol tables and semantic analysis; translation, intermediate code, basic blocks and traces; machine targets and instruction selection; liveness analysis and graph coloring register allocation. Supplemental topics may include garbage collection, object-oriented languages, higher-order languages, dataflow analysis, optimization, polymorphism, dynamic compilation, scheduling, pipelining and memory hierarchies. Upon completion of the course students will understand how programs map to execution on modern processors, and the impact of language design on language implementation.
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Requisite and Incompatibility
To enrol in this course you must have completed COMP6442 AND COMP6310. Students who have previously completed COMP3710 or COMP6470 - please contact CSS Student Services for a Permission Code.
Referenced entries (4)
Links and code mentions retain their original context above. They may describe options, prerequisites or exclusions.
- COMP6442 · 2027
- COMP6310 · 2027
- COMP3710 · 2027 · saved source not linked
- COMP6470 · 2027
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
Explain how programs that process other programs treat the other programs as their input data, and describe the benefits of having program representations other than source code.
Distinguish a language definition (syntax and semantics) from a particular language implementation (evaluation by interpreter or by compilation).
Use formal grammars to specify the syntax of languages, and understand key issues of ambiguity, associativity and precedence.
Sketch a low-level run-time representation of core language constructs, such as objects or closures.
Identify and implement essential steps for automatically converting source code into assembly or other low-level languages.
Define useful static analyses in terms of a conceptual framework such as data-flow analysis and use the results of a static analysis for program optimization.
Critique language designs and implications for language implementation.
Published offerings
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Complete offering text
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage. There are no current offerings for this course.
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assets/Courses/Computational Foundations/8000/Compiler Construction/Compiler Construction - ANU.html
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