http://localhost:1313/series/compilers/ Recent content in Compilers on UberMongoose Hugo en-us Mon, 17 Apr 2017 19:51:43 +0530 http://localhost:1313/post/how-compilers-work-the-problem-of-parsing/ Mon, 17 Apr 2017 19:51:43 +0530 http://localhost:1313/post/how-compilers-work-the-problem-of-parsing/ <p>Parsing is the second stage of compilation, it comes right after <a href="http://localhost:1313/post/how-compilers-work-lexical-analysis/">lexical analysis</a>. While lexical analysis focuses on breaking down the input text into a set of tokens, parsing focuses on ensuring that the relationships between those tokens are valid. Lexical analysis is about valid words, parsing is about grammatically correct sentences.</p> <p>The problem with parsing, is that at this point during most discussions, the text moves headfirst into theory - and there is quite a bit of it. To make matters worse, it&rsquo;s quite abstract and quite disconnected from much of what comes afterwards (namely parser generation). So instead of going theoretical, let&rsquo;s jump straight into implementing a parser by hand and then come back to the theory. Let&rsquo;s take a look at an example of the Cunning language.</p> http://localhost:1313/post/how-compilers-work-lexical-analysis/ Thu, 12 Feb 2015 08:20:12 +0530 http://localhost:1313/post/how-compilers-work-lexical-analysis/ <p>Compilers are wonderful, if somewhat under appreciated programs. Like the foundations of great buildings, they form the latticework on which modern computing is built. Unfortunately, they have been a bit neglected of late. Writing code tends to be more about innovating and creating exciting new businesses than the actual pleasure of knowing how things work, how to break them and how to fix them again. The modern day queen of compilers, Grace Hopper<a href="#grace">[1]</a> , started life by taking clocks apart and trying to put them back together.</p>