MSDN Magazine - February 2008 - (Page 62)

Joel Pobar roll Create A Language Compiler For The .NET Framework ompiler hackers are celebrities in the world of computer science. I’ve seen Anders Hejlsberg deliver a presentation at the Professional Developers Conference and then walk off stage to a herd of men and women asking him to sign books and pose for photographs. There’s a certain intellectual mystique about individuals who dedicate their time to learning and understanding the ins and outs of lambda expressions, type systems, and assembly languages. Now, you too can share some of this glory by writing your own compiler for the Microsoft® .NET Framework. There are hundreds of compilers for dozens of languages that target the .NET Framework. The .NET CLR wrangles these languages into the same sandpit to play and interact together peacefully. A ninja developer can take advantage of this when building large software systems, adding a bit of C# and a dabble of Python. Sure, these developers are impressive, but they don’t compare to the true masters—the compiler hackers, for it is they who have a deep understanding of virtual machines, language design, and the nuts and bolts of these languages and compilers. In this article, I will walk you through the code for a compiler written in C# (aptly called the “Good for Nothing” compiler), and along the way I will introduce you to the high-level architecture, theory, and .NET Framework APIs that are required to build your own .NET compiler. I will start with a language definition, explore compiler architecture, and then walk you through the code genera62 msdnmagazine tion subsystem that spits out a .NET assembly. The goal is for you to understand the foundations of compiler development and get a firm, high-level understanding of how languages target the CLR efficiently. I won’t be developing the equivalent of a C# 4.0 or an IronRuby, but this discussion will still offer enough meat to ignite your passion for the art of compiler development. your own Language Definition Software languages begin with a specific purpose. This purpose can be anything from expressiveness (such as Visual Basic®), to pro- This article uses the following technologies: .NET Framework This article discusses: Language definition The phases of a compiler ✥The CLR abstract stack ✥ Tools for getting your IL right ✥ ✥ Code download available at: msdn.microsoft.com/msdnmag/code08.aspx Joel Pobar is a former Program Manager on the CLR team at Microsoft. He now hangs out at the Gold Coast in Australia, hacking away on compilers, languages, and other fun stuff. Check out his latest .NET ramblings at callvirt.net/blog. http://msdn.microsoft.com/msdnmag/code08.aspx http://callvirt.net/blog

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of MSDN Magazine - February 2008

MSDN Magazine - February 2008 Contents Toolbox CLR Inside Out Basic Instincts Data Points Cutting Edge Office Space Roll Your Own WinUnit Silverlight PIAB And WCF WF How-To Test Run Foundations .NET Matters {End Bracket}

MSDN Magazine - February 2008

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