Implementation of a compiler for the functional programming language PHI - [phi]

Abstract

This thesis describes the design and implementation of a prototype compiler for the functional programming language PHI. The design is highly modularized and the authors think this should facilitate the understanding of both concept and implementation. The front-end of the computer implements machine independent lexical and syntactic analyzers; top-down parsing techniques are employed. The back-end implements a machine dependent one-pass semantic analyzer and code generator. Since this implementation is a prototype, it does not possess all of the qualities desirable in a full implementation. The basic concepts of PHI: functions and data definitions are implemented, as well as the integer, natural number, and Boolean types. However the necessary hooks are present and the design is mature enough to allow expanding the prototype to a full implementation.