Re: Why can't we build a C compiler?

"R." <waterloo.edu!cognos!rayt@RELAY.CS.NET>
Wed, 25 Jan 89 17:38:21 EST

          From comp.compilers
Related articles
[8 earlier articles]
Re: Why Can't We Build a C Compiler? frode@m2cs.naggum.se (Frode Odegard) (1988-12-29)
Re: Why Can't We Build a C Compiler? unido!gmdzi!jc@uunet.uu.net (1989-01-05)
Why can't we build a C compiler? think!compass!worley@EDDIE.MIT.EDU (1988-12-19)
Re: Why Can't We Build a C Compiler? jbs@fenchurch.mit.edu (1989-01-03)
Re: Why can't we build a C compiler? uokmax!glcowin@Central.Sun.COM (1989-01-18)
Re: Why can't we build a C compiler? limonce@pilot.njin.net (1989-01-24)
Re: Why can't we build a C compiler? waterloo.edu!cognos!rayt@RELAY.CS.NET (R.) (1989-01-25)
Re: Why can't we build a C compiler? kurt@tc.fluke.com (1989-01-25)
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From: "R." <waterloo.edu!cognos!rayt@RELAY.CS.NET>
Newsgroups: comp.compilers
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 89 17:38:21 EST
References: <3210@ima.ima.isc.com>
Organization: Cognos Inc., Ottawa, Canada

In article <3210@ima.ima.isc.com> Greg Cowin, in reference to C,
indicates that semantics is a major problem in ANY language
definition, since the present methods of its specification are
either informal or "complex and arcane"; one can hardly disagree.
However, he continues, "[i]n fact, to some degree the grammar
is insignificant. Formalization of syntax is a simpler problem
than the formalization of semantics." My comment here is that
one method of defining the semantics is THROUGH a grammar; in
my case, Van Wijngaarden grammars, which allow one full recursively
ennumerable capabilities. A major problem with such systems is
efficiency; but techniques are becoming available which allow
the parsing of such grammars in polynomial time. The theoretical
power is available, but it seems the trick is to actually FIND such
a grammar definition for normal programming languages. This is
an area of present research.




Ray Tigg 3755 Riverside Dr.
Cognos Incorporated Ottawa, Ontario
(613) 738-1440 x5013 CANADA K1G 3Z4


UUCP: uunet!mitel!sce!cognos!rayt
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