Re: Integrating C preprocessor with the parser

IBM's "new" C/370 compiler does much of what has been described.
In particular:
- when an error occurs (and the source listing option is on),
the parser prints the line a second time with full
macro expansion and points at the offending token.
- in most cases, errors do not "cascade".
- optionally, macro expansion can be interlisted with source.
- optionally, assembler output can be interlisted with source.
- the output of the preprocessor alone can be produced.


This is accomplished despite the compiler being 3-phases; information is
passed among the phases using work files. (The phases are preprocessor,
translation and optimisation.)


This compiler has been available for about two years. After using typical
Unix compilers with no output listings and terrible syntax error handling,
the IBM compiler was a joy. Unfortunately, IBM does not provide a "lint"
with the compiler.


- Peter Ludemann (an IBM employee, but these opinions are mine alone)
pgl@cup.portal.com

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