_{CTO Emeritus of Analog Devices, Inc. Ph.D. - Stanford.}

Optimizing Compilers for Modern Architectures: A Dependence-based Approach

By: Randy Allen, Ken Kennedy

2001

_{Lawrence Gussman Professor Emeritus of Computer Science at Columbia University. Ph.D. Princeton.}

_{Note: the following books are not recommended by Professor Aho. They are books that have been used as reference texts in one/some courses he has taught.}

Compilers: Principles, Techniques, and Tools

By: Alfred Aho, Jeffrey Ullman, Ravi Sethi

2006

A compiler is a software program that converts source code written in a high-level programming language into machine code, which can be executed by a computer. In other words, it’s a translator that takes human-readable code and turns it into machine-readable code. Compilers are an essential part of the software development process, as they allow developers to write code in a language that is more easily understood by humans, and then convert that code into a form that can be executed by a computer.

There are different types of compilers, such as single-pass compilers and multi-pass compilers. Single-pass compilers convert source code into machine code in a single pass, while multi-pass compilers divide the compilation process into multiple passes, each of which performs a specific task.

Another type of compiler is the just-in-time (JIT) compiler, which compiles source code at runtime, rather than ahead of time. This allows for faster execution times, as the code is only compiled when it is needed, rather than before it is executed.

There are also different types of compilers based on the programming languages they support. For example, C++ compilers are used to convert C++ code into machine code, while Java compilers are used to convert Java code into machine code.

The application of compilers is wide-ranging, they are used in a variety of industries such as gaming, finance, scientific computing, and embedded systems. In the gaming industry, compilers are used to convert the source code of video games into machine code that can be executed on a variety of platforms, such as consoles and personal computers. In the financial industry, compilers are used to convert the source code of financial applications into machine code that can be executed on trading platforms. In scientific computing, compilers are used to convert the source code of simulations and modeling into machine code that can run on supercomputers. In embedded systems, compilers are used to convert the source code of embedded systems into machine code that can run on microcontrollers and other small devices.

Despite the many benefits of compilers, they also have some limitations. For example, the machine code generated by a compiler may not be as efficient as hand-written assembly code, and the compilation process can be time-consuming for large projects.

Overall, compilers are an essential part of the software development process, and they play a vital role in the functioning of many industries. They allow developers to write code in a language that is more easily understood by humans, and then convert that code into a form that can be executed by a computer, making the process of software development faster and more efficient.