Steps toward a compiler for BLISS-360.

Abstract

The design of a compiler for the IBM s/360 systems implementation language BLISS-360, a modification of the PDP-10 language BLISS-10, is described. The compiler has a two-pass structure that is based upon the XPL Compiler Generator System. The first of these passes, which uses the XPL prototype compiler Skeleton, is examined in some detail. Fundamental data structures are described for this pass, including a constant table, a dictionary for variable definitions, and an intermediate language table to retain the source program structure and semantics. Modifications which allow the Skeleton compiler to perform a syntax analysis of BLISS-360 programs are discussed and demonstrated. General requirements are defined for the functions to be performed by the second pass, including machine language code generation from the intermediate language, storage allocation and building program interface linkage.