Compiler Construction provides an in-depth treatment of programming language translation, compilation, and run-time systems, organised 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 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 colouring register allocation. Supplemental topics may include garbage collection, object-oriented languages, higher-order languages, dataflow analysis, optimisation, 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.
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.
Indicative Assessment
- Programming Assignments (45) [LO 3,5,6]
- Quizzes and mid-semester tests (25) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6]
- Final Exam (30) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6]
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Workload
Lectures, labs, assignments and self-study for a combined total of 130 hours.
Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Recommended: Modern Compiler Implementation in Java, second edition, Andrew W. Appel with Jens Palsberg, Cambridge University Press, 2002, 978-0521820608
Suggested: Engineering a Compiler, third edition, Keith D. Cooper and Linda Torczon, Elsevier, 2022, 978-0128154120
Supplementary: Compilers: Principles, Techniques, and Tools, Aho, Lam, Sethi, and Ullman, Addison-Wesley, 2007, 978-0133002140
Assumed Knowledge
Programming skills in Java, C++, or other object oriented programming language.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $4980 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $6360 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
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.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4283 | 19 Feb 2024 | 26 Feb 2024 | 05 Apr 2024 | 24 May 2024 | In Person | View |