Fifteen compilers in fifteen days

  • Authors:
  • Jeremy D. Frens;Andrew Meneely

  • Affiliations:
  • Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI;Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI

  • Venue:
  • Proceedings of the 37th SIGCSE technical symposium on Computer science education
  • Year:
  • 2006

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Abstract

Traditional approaches to semester-long projects in compiler courses force students to implement the early stages of a compiler in depth; since many students fall behind, they have little opportunity to implement the back end. Consequently, students have a deep knowledge of early material and no knowledge of latter material. We propose an approach based on incremental development and test-driven development; this approach solves the emphasis problem, provides experience with useful tools, and allows for such a course to be taught in a three or four weeks.