Module 5: Static Semantics and Intermediate Code Generation

No. of lectures : 10

Topics Covered

1. Basic Concepts and Issues
2. Syntax Directed Analysis
3. S-attributed Definitions
4. Semantic analysis using S-attributes. This involves writing attribute grammars for declaration processing, type checking and generating intermediate code for different language constructs.
5. L-attributed Definitions

Objectives At the conclusion of the module, the student should be able to:

1. Understand the issues in static semantic analysis.

2. Understand how to perform such analyses in a syntax directed fashion by augmenting the CFG with semantic rules and the parsing process by attribute evaluation.

3. Understand what S-attributed definitions are and see how the evaluation of attributes in a S-attributed definition can be integrated with parsing.

4. Understand the issues involved in performing semantic analysis such as processing of declarations in block structured languages, type checking and type coercion and intermediate code generation for assignment statement and other language constructs. Should also be able to write attribute grammars to implement the required translation.

5. Understand L-attributed definitions, their advantage over S-attributed definitions and the evaluation of attributes in a L-attributed definition.