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Language Implementation: IDEs, Codegen, and Runtime

Packt via Coursera

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Details

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Provider

Coursera
Pricing

Paid Course
Languages

English
Certificate

Certificate Available
Effort

9 weeks, 1 hour a week
Sessions

Self-Paced
Level

Intermediate
Subtitles

English

Found in

Part of

Build Your Own Programming Language

Overview

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Explore advanced topics in programming language implementation, including IDE integration, preprocessors, bytecode and native code generation, and runtime system features. This course equips you with the knowledge to extend your language with modern development tools and execution models. This course covers the integration of programming languages with development environments, the use of preprocessors and transpilers, and the generation of both bytecode and native code. Learners will also study the implementation of operators, domain-specific control structures, and memory management through garbage collection. By the end of the course, you will understand how to enhance your language with advanced features and prepare it for real-world use. With a focus on practical implementation and real-world applicability, this course presents advanced concepts through detailed explanations, examples, and quizzes. Learners will gain insights into extending language functionality and optimizing execution. This course is part three of a three-course Specialization designed to build a complete and cohesive understanding of the subject. While it offers valuable skills on its own, you'll gain the most benefit by progressing through all three courses as a structured learning journey. This course is based on Build Your Own Programming Language, by Clinton L. Jeffery.

Syllabus

Syntax Coloring in an IDE
- This module explores the process of integrating language support into an IDE, focusing on syntax highlighting, error detection, and efficient communication between the editor and compiler. Learners will gain practical skills in implementing lexical analysis and configuring IDE extensions for better developer experiences.
Preprocessors and Transpilers
- This module explores the role of preprocessors and transpilers in programming, focusing on how they transform code and enable cross-platform execution. Learners will gain insight into macro expansion, code generation, and the unique features of the Unicon language. The module provides practical knowledge on translating high-level code into executable formats.
Bytecode Interpreters
- This module explores the fundamentals of bytecode and virtual machines, guiding learners through the design of custom instruction sets and the implementation of interpreters that enable cross-platform code execution. It covers the relationship between bytecode and intermediate code, as well as the development of runtime systems for abstract machines.
Generating Bytecode
- This module explores the process of converting intermediate code into Jzero bytecode, comparing assembler and binary formats, and integrating a runtime system for program execution. Learners will gain hands-on understanding of bytecode generation and its role in program execution on custom interpreters.
Native Code Generation
- This module explores the process of generating native x64 code from intermediate code, focusing on register allocation, assembler tools, and the translation of high-level constructs into machine-specific instructions. Learners will gain hands-on knowledge of optimizing compiler techniques and implementing code generation strategies.
Implementing Operators and Built-In Functions
- This module explores the implementation of operators and built-in functions in programming languages, focusing on integrating them into runtime systems and enhancing language expressiveness. Learners will examine how these elements interact with control structures and how they can be implemented at both bytecode and native levels. The content provides practical insights into extending language capabilities for specific application domains.
Domain Control Structures
- This module explores the design, implementation, and impact of novel control structures in domain-specific languages. Learners will gain insights into how to introduce custom control structures, analyze their usability, and understand their role in enhancing language expressiveness and domain suitability.
Garbage Collection
- This module explores the fundamentals of garbage collection in programming languages, including reference counting and mark-and-sweep techniques. Learners will analyze their strengths and limitations and understand how to implement effective memory management strategies.
Final Thoughts
- This module guides learners through a reflective review of key concepts in compiler construction, explores advanced topics like interpreter implementation, and provides resources for further study in programming language design and optimization.