Programming Research Group  -  University of Amsterdam  -  TR P9901


    Generation of Software Renovation Factories from Compilers


			   Alex Sellink
			  Chris  Verhoef


When a compiler is designed  carefully,  it is possible  to extract
its grammar.  We reengineer  the  extracted  grammar to one that is
geared towards  reengineering.  From this reengineering  grammar we
generate  an  architecture  called a software  renovation  factory.
This includes:  generic analysis and  transformation  functionality
and a native  pattern  language  using the  concrete  syntax of the
language  for which  the  renovation  is  necessary.  Moreover,  we
generate the grammar in HTML format so that reengineers can quickly
understand the language.  We applied our approach  successfully  to
an  exceptionally  complex  and  large  proprietary  language.  Our
approach   enables  rapid   development   of  software   renovation
factories.  We believe that our approach can partly  solve the lack
of Year 2000 tool support for many languages.