Modern Compiler Design
By: Dick Grune, Kees van Reeuwijk, Henri E. Bal, Ceriel J.H. Jacobs, Koen Langendoen
About This Book
"Modern Compiler Design" makes the topic of compiler design more accessible by focusing on principles and techniques of wide application. By carefully distinguishing between the essential (material that has a high chance of being useful) and the incidental (material that will be of benefit only in exceptional cases) much useful information was packed in this comprehensive volume. The student who has finished this book can expect to understand the workings of and add to a language processor for each of the modern paradigms, and be able to read the literature on how to proceed. The first provides a firm basis, the second potential for growth.
AI Overview
"Modern Compiler Design" by Dick Grune, Kees van Reeuwijk, Henri E. Bal, Ceriel J.H. Jacobs, and Koen Langendoen is a comprehensive textbook on compiler design, focusing on the essential techniques common to all major programming paradigms. Here is a detailed overview of the book:
Key Themes
Compiler Design Stages: The book covers the various stages of compiler design, starting with lexical analysis and parsing, and moving through the internal representation of a program to code generation and optimization.
Programming Paradigms: It addresses the specific issues involved in creating compilers for imperative, object-oriented, functional, logic, and distributed programs.
Implementation and Optimization: Practical emphasis is placed on implementation and optimization techniques, including tools for automating compiler design.
Techniques and Paradigms: The book includes new material covering developments in compiler design over the last twelve years, such as procedural abstraction, binary rewriting, and just-in-time compilation.
Plot Summary
The book is conceptually divided into two parts:
- Part 1: Chapters 1 through 10 cover techniques for program processing in general, including a chapter on memory management in both the compiler and generated code.
- Part 2: Chapters 11 through 14 focus on specific techniques required by various programming paradigms. The interactions between these parts are outlined in a table showing the four phases of compiler construction: analysis, context handling, synthesis, and run-time systems.
Critical Reception
Overall Reception: The book is generally well-received for its detailed and theoretical approach to compiler design. It is considered a valuable resource for those needing a deep understanding of the subject, although it may not be suitable for everyone due to its dry style of writing.
Goodreads Rating: The book has not been reviewed on Goodreads yet, but it is described as providing readers with the skills required for modern compiler construction, covering all major programming types.
Barnes & Noble Description: The book makes the topic of compiler design more accessible by focusing on principles and techniques of wide application, making it a valuable resource for both students and professionals.
In summary, "Modern Compiler Design" is a detailed textbook that provides a comprehensive overview of compiler design techniques, focusing on both general and specific aspects of compiler construction. It is highly regarded for its theoretical approach and practical emphasis on implementation and optimization techniques.