Compiler construction definition

What is compiler construction?

The study of compiler construction is both an introduction to techniques for the translation and improvement of programs, and a practical exercise in software engineering.
Keith D.
Cooper, Linda Torczon, in Engineering a Compiler (Second Edition), 2012 Compiler construction is a complex task.

What is the difference between a language rewriter and a compiler-compiler?

A language rewriter is usually a program that translates the form of expressions without a change of language.
A compiler-compiler is a compiler that produces a compiler (or part of one), often in a generic and reusable way so as to be able to produce many differing compilers.

What is the difference between compiler and interpreter?

Compilers are not the only language processor used to transform source programs.
An interpreter is computer software that transforms and then executes the indicated operations. : p2 The translation process influences the design of computer languages, which leads to a preference of compilation or interpretation.

Why are compilers important to programmers?

Any program written in a high-level programming language must be translated to object code before it can be executed, so all programmers using such a language use a compiler or an interpreter.
Thus, compilers are very important to programmers.
Improvements to a compiler may lead to a large number of improved features in executable programs.

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