(A) top-down syntax-directed complier

Abstract

Various techniques have been devised for translating programming languages. Syntax-directed compilation, one of the most important techniques is the use of a formal syntax to control the translation process. With such a technique, META II, a syntax-directed compiler writing language was developed. In this thesis, we review the method of writing compilers by META II. Such an example of, called VALGOL II, a variation on ALGOL, has been described elsewhere. We extend this earlier effect of others, design a compiler, VALGOL III and implement the system on NOVA 840. We describe various aspects of this effort including the comparison of features in our version with that of the earlier one by others.