In particular, the course project is to add the following language constructs to PL/0:
comments ("#" to end of line) | |
allow "_" in identifiers | |
if/then/else statements | |
simple for loops, plus break statements | |
procedures with results, plus return statements | |
call-by-reference parameter passing | |
arrays and array indexing | |
booleans as first-class data types, with true and false constants and and and or operators | |
expressions allowed as constants |
Each language addition will require language design and specification work (extending the initial PL/0 language specification to include the new features) as well as implementation work (extending the initial C++ implementation of PL/0 to compile the new features). The details of the project steps will be provided as part of the assignments in the class.
Emphasis in the implementation should be placed on making clean, understandable changes that fit in well to the existing compiler structure. This will make reading the changed code easier, for the instructor, the TA, for you, and for your teammate. Gross, low-level hacks, even for better compiler efficiency, will be neither appreciated nor rewarded.
You are encouraged to organize yourselves into two-person teams to work on the project. When turning in a part of the project, simply list the names of the members of the project team. The grade for that part of the project will be assigned to all members of the team. Teams can be dissolved at any point, after which the two people will do independent work and receive independent grades. You are not required to be on a team, but you are likely to learn more and work less by being on a team. Grading on the project will be joint; you will both be expected to understand all key aspects of the project. (Note: For the other parts of the assignments, such as problems from the book, you must work individually.) You may dissolve your group at any time during the quarter, after which you can do the project independently with independent grading. You can choose to work with a new partner if you have dissolved a partnership or have worked independently. We will try to provide a matchmaking service for interested students.
All implementation work for this class should be done on ceylon, fiji, sumatra, or tahiti. The C++ source for the initial version of the PL/0 compiler is in the directory /cse/courses/cse401/00sp/pl0 . Instructions on installing and using the compiler are here. An overview of the compiler (the overall structure, the files, coding conventions, etc.) is available in the directory as OVERVIEW.
Project Due Dates (tentative, subject to change):
9/29: get PL/0 compiler built; write and compile PL/0 programs | |
10/10 (Tuesday): extend RE description of tokens of PL/0; extend lexical analysis of compiler | |
10/13: extend EBNF description of syntax of PL/0 | |
4/19: extend AST implementation of compiler | |
4/24: extend syntax analysis of compiler | |
5/8: extend type-checker of compiler | |
5/15: extend run-time storage allocation of compiler | |
6/2: extend code generator of compiler |