Automated Compiler Test Case Generation.
Abstract
This report discusses the overall design of a software tool for the automation of validation of compilers for conformance to the specification of the high-order programming language they process. Such compiler validation is currently tedious, time-consuming, error-prone, and not completely effective. The generation of test cases for compiler validation is here envisioned as a two-step process. The starting point for this implementation is the SEMANOL tool, which consists of a machine-representable exact specification of a high-order language that is used to check the consistency of the HOL specification and to directly execute programs written in that HOL. SEMANOL is used by the Analyzer to generate constraints to which compiler test cases must adhere. The Synthesizer then uses these constraints to generate the test cases via a tree-building process. Although a considerable degree of human intervention is still required in the development of compiler test programs when a tool such as the one designed under this effort is employed, a vast improvement in the process of compiler validation and verification expected to result.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1978
- Accession Number
- ADA052726
Entities
People
- Eric R. Anderson
- Frank C. Belz
- Paul T. Berning