Translator writing systems

Abstract

Compiler writing has long been a glamour field within programming and has a well developed folklore. More recently, the attention of researchers has been directed toward various schemes for automating different parts of the compiler writer''s task. This paper contains neither a history of nor an introduction to these developments; the references at the end of this section provide what introductory material there is in the literature. Although we will make comparisons between individual systems and between various techniques, this is certainly not a consumer''s guide to translator writing systems. Our intended purpose is to carefully consider the existing work in an attempt to form a unified scientific basis for future research.