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A pascal compiler for PDP 11 minicomputers
Author(s) -
Bron C.,
De Vries W.
Publication year - 1976
Publication title -
software: practice and experience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.437
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1097-024X
pISSN - 0038-0644
DOI - 10.1002/spe.4380060110
Subject(s) - pascal (unit) , compiler , computer science , programming language , object code , compiler correctness , minicomputer , parallel computing , operating system , code generation , key (lock)
In this paper the development of a cross‐compiler running on the central computing facility is described. The compiler transforms PASCAL source code into object code for the PDP 11 family. The arguments for higher level languages on minicomputers and the choice made for PASCAL are discussed. It is shown that only a minor effort in terms of manpower is required if such a development is based on an existing compiler that is suited to the purpose of adaptation. Even without large amounts of optimization the code produced is both compact and efficient. Some attention is paid to requirements that should be fulfilled in portable compilers. The paper ends with a discussion of some strong points and weak points of the PDP 11 architecture.