Re: Need to develop a compiler "source to source".

juoke@katamail.com (Juoke) wrote:


> I need to develop a (complex) compiler that translate from an high-level
> source - given the (e)bnf, quite long... - to another high-level source. I
> know there are dozens of apps, but I'm asking which one would be better,
> in your opinion.


I think you should investigate the Prolog programming language.


Prolog is a declarative language which is especially well suited to
complex textual manipulations, including translations. The translation
rules can be written in a (usually) very intelligible form, so that a
very complex translation can be built up from a (large) set of
relatively simple rules.


Because it is a full programming language, and most versions can
interface to other programming languages anyway, Prolog can be more
practical than seemingly 'easy' tools, in the end, for real life
projects.


There is a Prolog resources list on the web page:


      http://www.magicseyer.com/prolog_links.htm


I have used (and can can recommend) SWI Prolog, which is free:


      http://www.swi-prolog.org/


I think SWI has a great interface and excellent debugger, but you may
wish to try out some other Prologs, some of which have a GUI IDE
(e.g. Amzi, Stawberry).


--
Nick Roberts

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