Compiler Construction
About this course
Programs that run on a computer are written in a computer language, and the languages used for writing computer programs have significantly evolved over time. By abstracting from the details of the underlying computer architecture, higher-level languages aim at making the process of developing a program simpler and more understandable than when using a lower-level language. Modern languages offer us a variety of different concepts for expressing (executable) programs. Domain-specific (modeling) languages are even created specifically to solve problems in a particular domain of interest. However, programs written in a higher-level language must be translated into a lower-level, executable representation, which requires various forms of compilers doing this job for us.
This course will provide students with an introduction to modern compiler construction. The first two-thirds of the course will cover classical topics ranging from scanning and parsing over semantic analysis and interpretation to code generation and optimization. In the exercises, we will develop a fully functional interpreter for our own programming language. The remaining third of the course is dedicated to study the transition form classical compiler techniques into principles of model-driven software development. In the exercises, we will develop a fully functional, domain-specific modeling environment.
Organisation
- Lecturer(s): Timo Kehrer
- Assistant(s): Jan-Andrea Bard
- Material: ILIAS
- Podcast: ILIAS
- Registration: Academia
- Language: English
- Course repetition: Spring Semester 2026
Prerequisites
Learning outcomes
Why should I take this course?
The magic of computer languages:
- Ever wanted to make your own programming language or wondered how they are designed and built?
- If so, this is already enough. But there are also very practical reasons:
Little languages are everywhere:
- Even if you will most likely not be faced with the task of implementing a fully-fledged compiler in your professional life, there is a good chance you will find yourself in need of writing a parser in order to process various documents written in tiny little languages.
Domain-specific Languages and Model-driven Development
- There has been a hype on DSLs and Model-driven development in the past, and larger software development projects in various domains successfully adopted these paradigms.
- Building sophisticated model-driven software engineering environments is the backbone of running these projects.
Schedule (Spring Semester 2025)
- Lectures: Tuesdays 14:15 - 16:00, Hörsaal 2 002, Engehalde, E8
- Exercises: Tuesdays 16:15 - 17:00, Hörsaal 2 002, Engehalde, E8
| Date | Topic |
|---|---|
| Part I: Classical Compiler Construction | |
| 18-02 | Introduction |
| 25-02 | Lexical Analysis: Handwritten Scanners |
| 04-03 | Q&A: Lexical Analysis: Scanner Generators |
| 11-03 | Syntax Analysis: Grammars and Syntax Trees |
| 18-03 | Syntax Analysis: Top-Down Parsing |
| 25-03 | Syntax Analysis: Parser Generators |
| 01-04 | Excursus: LR Parsing |
| 08-04 | Semantic Analysis and Interpretation (I) |
| 15-04 | Semantic Analysis and Interpretation (II) |
| 22-04 | (No class) |
| 29-04 | PEGs, Packrats and Parser Combinators |
| 06-05 | Code Generation and Optimization |
| Part II: Modeling Language Engineering | |
| 13-05 | Defining/Implementing Modeling Languages |
| 20-05 | Modeling Technologies |
| 27-05 | Q&A |
Exam
- Date: TBA
- Location: TBA
- Type: TBA
- Registration: Academia
Repetition exam
- Date: TBA
- Location: TBA
- Type: TBA
- Registration: Academia