An Experiment in Table Driven Code Generation
Abstract
We have constructed a local code generator for the VAX-11 using a parser-like instruction pattern matcher. The code generator replaces the second pass of the UNIX Portable C compiler. This paper describes the design of the code generator and the special considerations imposed by the pattern matching process. We summarize the structure of the machine description grammar and its associated semantic actions, as well as the tools we developed to manipulate the large VAX description. In our experience, this approach makes the instruction selection phase of the compiler easier and faster to implement, and more likely to be correct than traditional techniques.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1982
- Accession Number
- ADA120610
Entities
People
- Robert A. Schulman
- Robert R. Henry
- Susan L. Graham
Organizations
- University of California, Berkeley