@make[report]
@device[x2700]
@majorheading[compiler construction]
@heading[Peter Stephens]
@section[Description]
The aim of this course is to confront the problems encountered in producing a
production quality compiler; it also introduces students to the quite different
problems of programming in a team.  Students, working in groups of 3 or 4, are
expected to produce an ALGOL 60 compiler on the EMAS Amdahl Service.  Groups
will be provided with a syntax, run time support package, an object file 
generation suite and 120 test programs.  They will also receive a brief guided
tour of the compiler debugging aids on EMAS.  They will have to grapple with 
the "excruciating problems" of stack control and parameter passing in ALGOL.
@section[Organisation]
The course will consist of 12 lecturers interspersed with 6 tutorials all given
by Peter Stephens.  There will also be weekly brainstorming sessions at 8.30 a.m.
for the benefit of groups with problems.

Subjects covered will include -
@begin[itemize]
The EMAS compiler environment and standards.

The problems of ALGOL 60.

The 360 architecture and how to overcome its many 
serious shortcomings.

Lexical scanning & parsing (revision).

Stack control and addressing.

Intermediate Language and code generation.

Call by substitution.

Run time diagnostics

Optimisation (for interest only).
@end[itemize]

Practical work consists of compiler writing in IMP.
@section[Pre Requisites]
Candidates will be assumed to have attended (and completely mastered!) the
CS2 compiler course, to be able to use EMAS and program in IMP80.  Students
are advised to prepare for the course by scrutinising minutely the ALGOL
report and reading the IBM 316 Principles of Operation.
@section[Assessment]
This is a practical course and groups will be assessed on the compiler
produced.  Each group will make a 10 minute presentation in the last week
of the Easter term.  Early in the summer term each group will hand in compiler
listing - proof of performance of 6 test programs and short (individual) write
ups.  The assessor will submit further unseen tests to the compilers as part
of the assessment process.  There are no examination questions associated with
this course.
@section[Restriction]
Because of the amount of supervision required the course will be restricted to
5 broups i.e., 15-20 persons.
@section[Health Warning]
This is an energetic course; the lazy and uncommitted might prefer to select
other options!