A Survey and Critique of Some Models of Code Generation

Abstract : Various work on code generation is discussed, particularly from the point of view of simplifying and/or automating the derivation of this phase of compilers. Code generators, which typically translate an intermediate notation into target machine code in one or more steps, have been relatively ad hoc as compared to the first phase of compilers, which translates a source language into the intermediate notation. Progress in formalizing the code generation process is summarized, with the conclusion that considerably more work remains. Future directions of research are suggested.