The new ASF Compiler
An Excercise in Self-Applicability

J.F.Th. Kamperman & H.R. Walters (CWI)

(Available as P9504-15.ps.gz)

Abstract

We call a compiler bootstrapped when it is able to compile its own source. To achieve this situation, the compiler must be expressed in its own language, and an initial interpreter or compiler for this language must be available.

We describe the tools and techniques used for the bootstrapping of the new ASF compiler, which is itself expressed in ASF+SDF. As initial compiler, the previous version of the ASF compiler, ASF2C, and the meta-environment are used.

Both as a case-study in the manipulation of algebraic specifications, and as case-study in software-engineering of a portable compiler, the project is interesting to the ASF+SDF community.