Re: Is it just me or...

> 1) Why isn't a compiler-type class taught in college that deals with
> the applications of compiler techniques in everyday, non-compiler
> design, programs. Maybe imbedded languages, or errant data parsing,
> etc, etc, etc. Although I've never written a 'formal' compiler, I've
> written a embedded selection language, and user interface language, a
> sorting language, etc, etc, etc. Most of these generated machine code
> directly into a code-aliased memory block and then jumped in and went
> to town. It seems to me that your standard CS student is more likely
> to run into this application of compiler theory more than the actual
> writing of 'full' compilers. After 10+ years in CS, I've only met a
> handful of 'real' compiler writers.


Compiler courses are run. I'm on my final year of a B.Sc. (Hons)
degree in Software Engineering, and I'm doing Programming Language
Implementation and Compiling Techniques. Currently we have implemented
a recusrive decent compiler for a small Pascal like language (small
yes, but that's the way people learn). I guess there are many other
courses like this, but I also agree on your point regarding the
books. They are typically weak with simple or tiny langauges, or they
contain mathematical notation relating to formal specs. Maybe someone
can write a book which takes an informal approach to compiler
development.


I personally believe that this area of computing is interesting and a
marketable skill to have. Applications are commonly being built with
embedded languages (look what it has done for Microsoft Word and
Excel, they're not humble word processors and spreadsheets anymore!)


T


--
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* Tim Roberts <tim@novelty.demon.co.uk>
* http://www.novelty.demon.co.uk
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