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A code generation interface for ANSI C
Author(s) -
Fraser Christopher W.,
Hanson David R.
Publication year - 1991
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.4380210906
Subject(s) - ansi c , porting , compiler , interface (matter) , computer science , programming language , code (set theory) , code generation , operating system , generator (circuit theory) , parallel computing , software , set (abstract data type) , physics , power (physics) , bubble , quantum mechanics , maximum bubble pressure method , key (lock)
1cc is a retargetable, production compiler for ANSI C; it has been ported to the VAX, Motorola 68020, SPARC, and MIPS R3000, and some versions have been in use for over a year and a half. It is smaller and faster than generally available alternatives, and its local code is comparable. This paper describes the interface between the target‐independent front end and the target‐dependent back ends. The interface consists of shared data structures, a few functions, and a dag language. While this approach couples the front and back ends tightly, it results in efficient, compact compilers. The interface is illustrated by detailing a code generator that emits naive VAX code.