Compiler Construction

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.

Details

Code 11114
Type Course
ECTS 5
Site Bern
Track(s) T1 – Distributed Software Systems
Semester S2025

Teaching

Learning Outcomes

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.

Here are just a couple of reasons of why it is worth to take that 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.
Lecturer(s) Timo Kehrer
Language english
Course Page

The course page in ILIAS can be found at https://ilias.unibe.ch/goto_ilias3_unibe_crs_3273357.html.

Schedules and Rooms

Period Weekly
Schedule Tuesday, 14:15 - 17:00
Location UniBE, Engehaldenstrasse 8
Room 002

Additional information

Comment

First Lecture
The first lecture will take place on Tuesday, 18.02.2025 at 14:15 in UniBE, Engehaldenstrasse 8, room 002.