Decompiling with Definite Clause Grammars

Abstract

Decompiling is the process of deriving a computer program in a high level language from one in machine-code or assembly language. Defense applications of decompiling include maintenance of obsolescent equipment, production of scientific and technical intelligence and assessment of systems for hazards to safety or security. This paper describes an approach to the rapid generation of decompilers through the use of Definite Clause Grammars., a class of abstract grammars which can be executed as prolog programs. The approach is illustrated using toy languages. An environment which permits the integration of diverse sources of knowledge relevant to the decompilation problem and provides a graphical interface is described.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 1991
Accession Number
ADA242987

Entities

People

  • S. T. Hood

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Application Software
  • Assembly Languages
  • C Programming Language
  • Cognition
  • Compilers
  • Computer Programming
  • Computer Programs
  • Computers
  • Engineering
  • Grammars
  • High Level Languages
  • Information Processing
  • Information Systems
  • Language
  • Linguistics
  • Machine Languages
  • Programming Languages

Fields of Study

  • Computer science

Readers

  • Computational Linguistics
  • Defense Technology Research and Development.