GATE CS - COMPILER DESIGN:Introduction to Compiler Design
Mastering introduction to compiler design concepts and implementation.
Introduction to Compiler Design for GATE CS
GATE Compiler Design marks cluster on parsing (FIRST/FOLLOW, LL/LR) and SDT / intermediate code, not on writing a production compiler. This chapter is the phase map.
What a compiler does
Source → target (often via IR). Front end: lexical → syntax → semantic. Back end: IR → optimize → codegen.
Phases (and typical GATE weight)
| Phase | Output / ask |
|---|---|
| Lexical analysis | Tokens; regex / DFA for identifiers |
| Syntax analysis | Parse tree; LL/LR tables |
| Semantic analysis | Type checks; attribute flow |
| Intermediate code | Three-address code |
| Optimization | Local opts (constant folding, etc.) |
| Code generation | Registers, instruction selection |
Symbol table lives across phases; error handling is mentioned more than deeply tested.
Analysis vs synthesis
Analysis: understand the program (front end). Synthesis: produce code (back end). GATE’s hard questions are almost all analysis + IR.
Next: Parsing Techniques then the LL/LR deep dive. Hub: GATE.
Progress