Compilers

Summary module description:

Aims:
To present the theory and practice of compilers.

Assessable learning outcomes:
This module introduces the concepts underlying compiler design and compiler writing, such as: regular expressions, grammars, parsing, and finite state machines. Compiler design is presented using both hand-written lexical analysers and compilers and by using lexical analysers and compilers generated with the Unix tools Lex and YACC.

Additional outcomes:
Appreciation of all standard computation as a transformation from an input text to an output text.

Outline content:
Lexical analysis;
Writing simple lexical analysers in C;
Regular expressions and finite state machines;
Writing simple lexical analysers with Lex;
Introduction to compilation;
Roles of lexical analysis and parsing;
Grammars and parsing methods;
Top-down and bottom-up parsing;
Symbol tables and hashing;
Code generation and code optimisation.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Lectures

Summative Assessment Methods:
Written exam 70%
Set exercise 30%

Other information on summative assessment:

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:
The Module Convener will apply the following penalties for work submitted late, in accordance with the University policy.
where the piece of work is submitted up to one calendar week after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for the piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Length of examination:
One 2-hour examination paper in May/June.

Requirements for a pass:
40%