🛠 Compiler Theory

🛠 Compiler Theory Course

Course Code: 27019-COs
Academy: Engineering Office for Technology and Software Services

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🧩 Introduction

This course explores the design and implementation of compilers, the fundamental software systems that translate high-level programming languages into machine code. You’ll gain both theoretical understanding and practical skills, covering everything from lexical analysis to code generation and optimization.

🎯 Target Audience

• Computer Science and Software Engineering Students

• Software Developers interested in Compiler Design

• Academics and Researchers in Programming Languages

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🕒 Course Duration

• 6 Weeks

• 12 Sessions

• 1.5 Hours per Session

• Total: 18 Hours

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✅ Course Objectives

• Understand fundamental concepts of compiler design

• Master lexical, syntactic, semantic analysis stages

• Learn code generation and optimization techniques

• Gain hands-on experience with compiler tools and frameworks

• Develop a simple compiler as a final project

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📚 Course Modules

🔹 Module 1: Introduction to Compiler Theory

• Definition and goals of a Compiler

• Differences between Compiler and Interpreter

• Overview of compiler construction phases

• Examples of programming languages and compilation processes

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🔹 Module 2: Lexical Analysis

• Role of Lexical Analysis in compilation

• Understanding Tokens and pattern recognition

• Building a lexical analyzer with tools like Flex

• Practical examples converting source code into tokens

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🔹 Module 3: Syntax Analysis

• Grammar theories and classification: Context-Free, Context-Sensitive

• Parsing techniques: LL Parsers, LR Parsers

• Building parsers using Bison or Yacc

• Syntax tree construction and error handling

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🔹 Module 4: Semantic Analysis

• Semantic checking and type checking

• Symbol tables and scope management

• Detecting and correcting semantic errors

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🔹 Module 5: Intermediate Code Generation

• Definition and importance of Intermediate Code

• Types of intermediate code: Three-Address Code

• Translating expressions into intermediate code

• Practical code generation exercises

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🔹 Module 6: Code Optimization

• Techniques: Loop optimization, Dead code elimination

• Intermediate-level code optimization

• Improving efficiency and reducing code size

• Optimization examples

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🔹 Module 7: Target Code Generation

• Translating intermediate code to Machine Code

• Register allocation strategies

• Generating efficient code for different processors

• Practical examples of target code generation

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🔹 Module 8: Advanced Topics and Research

• Automata theory applications in compiler design

• Formal languages and their role

• Static analysis and security improvements

• Building a custom compiler for a simple programming language (final project)

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🛠 Tools & Technologies

• Flex & Bison for lexical and syntax analysis

• LLVM or GCC for target code generation

• Python or C++ for practical projects

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📌 Prerequisites

• Good understanding of programming fundamentals and data structures

• Basic knowledge of mathematical logic and automata theory

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🏅 Deliverables

• Certificate of Completion

• Hands-on Projects and Compiler Construction Exercises

• Source code and tool configurations

• Final project: Simple custom compiler