Re: 'Compiler Construction' by Niklaus Wirth info & review.

> I understand that Nikalus Wirth has a new book out titled 'Compiler
> Construction' that includes a PC platform compiler. I have a couple of
> questions.
>


The book Project Oberon: Design of an operating system and compiler by
Wirth is also very useful.


> Has anyone in the US seen or received this book yet?


Yes, I picked up a copy from the san jose, CA computer literacy
bookstores.


> Does the compiler generate dos or win95 executables?


No. It should not be too difficult to recode it in C or C++ or Java
since the whole thing is < 1500 lines. you have to design a code
generator but what exists can give a good framework. You would require
the intel manuals ( about 60 US$ ). Dos or win95 executable format - i
don't know how to do it. if someone knows please tell me. one thing
is you can create a .com file for dos. all dos does is load it and run
it. so it is pretty simple.


A few words about the book compiler construction. It is an
introductory book on compiler construction. It implements a pascal
like languge called oberon-0. The language is reasonably complete.


features :
*) written in oberon
*) Base types integer and boolean only. has records, arrays and
single inheritence. no methods or abstract methods or multiple
inheritance.
*) complete control statement syntax
*) code generation for an simple RISC abstract machine. includes
interpreter for the abstract machine.
*) Explores compiler writing using no tools. parser is recursive
descent and has some good implementation suggestions for error
recovery. scanner is simple but efficient.
*) tend to think it was designed for an introductory course in
compiler construction.
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