Learning to implement dynamically typed language compiler

Posted by TriArc on Programmers See other posts from Programmers or by TriArc
Published on 2011-03-10T01:54:18Z Indexed on 2011/03/10 16:19 UTC
Read the original article Hit count: 472

Filed under:

dynamic-typing

|

compiler

I'm interested in learning how to create a compiler for a dynamically typed language. Most compiler books, college courses and articles/tutorials I've come across are specifically for statically typed languages. I've thought of a few ways to do it, but I'd like to know how it's usually done. I know type inferencing is a pretty common strategy, but what about others?

Where can I find out more about how to create a dynamically typed language?

Edit 1: I meant dynamically typed. Sorry about the confusion.

I've written toy compilers for statically typed languages and written some interpreters for dynamically typed languages. Now, I'm interested in learning more about creating compilers for a dynamically typed language. I'm specifically experimenting with LLVM and since I need to specify the type of every method and argument, I'm thinking of ways to implement a dynamically typed language on something like LLVM.

© Programmers or respective owner

Related posts about dynamic-typing

What functionality does dynamic typing allow?

as seen on Programmers - Search for 'Programmers'
I've been using python for a few days now and I think I understand the difference between dynamic and static typing. What I don't understand is under what circumstances it would be preferred. It is flexible and readable, but at the expense of more runtime checks and additional required unit testing… >>> More
What can I do with dynamic typing that I can not do with static typing

as seen on Programmers - Search for 'Programmers'
I've been using python for a few days now and I think I understand the difference between dynamic and static typing. What I don't understand is why it's useful. I keep hearing about its "flexibility" but it seems like it just moves a bunch of compile time checks to runtime, which means more unit tests… >>> More
SQLite3's dynamic typing

as seen on Stack Overflow - Search for 'Stack Overflow'
SQLite3 uses dynamic typing rather than static typing, in contrast to other flavors of SQL. The SQLite website reads: Most SQL database engines (every SQL database engine other than SQLite, as far as we know) uses static, rigid typing. With static typing, the datatype of a value is determined… >>> More
Structural Typing or Dynamic Typing?

as seen on Stack Overflow - Search for 'Stack Overflow'
I think that the future is for one or both of these type systems. But when would you use Structural over Dynamic and vice vera? >>> More
Are there any empirical studies on the effect of different languages on software quality?

as seen on Programmers - Search for 'Programmers'
The proponents of functional programming languages assert that functional programming makes it easier to reason about code. Those in favor of statically typed languages say that their compilers catch enough errors to make up for the additional complexity of type systems. But everything I read on these… >>> More

Related posts about compiler

IDEA modular problem (jsp)

as seen on Stack Overflow - Search for 'Stack Overflow'
I have project in with 2 separate modules(frontend and backend, first depends on second). When I'm trying to access backend code from frontend code, things going fine. Things turn for the worse when I do the same from jsp. This is stacktrase for simple accessign bean <jsp:useBean id="mybean"… >>> More
Help with a compiler warning: Initialization from distinct Objective-C type when types match

as seen on Stack Overflow - Search for 'Stack Overflow'
Here is the function where I get the compiler warning, I can't seem to figure out what is causing it. Any help is appreciated. -(void)displaySelector{ //warning on the following line: InstanceSelectorViewController *controller = [[InstanceSelectorViewController alloc] initWithCreator:self]; … >>> More
Sometimes Java web app hang

as seen on Stack Overflow - Search for 'Stack Overflow'
The web app occasionally get hang for about 30 seconds when user request a web page, the server's CPU and memory usage are ok, and the jstack shows: "http-9999-3" daemon prio=6 tid=0x552f3400 nid=0xf40 runnable [0x578fc000] java.lang.Thread.State: RUNNABLE at org.eclipse.jdt.internal.compiler… >>> More
Need help regarding one LALR(1) parsing.

as seen on Stack Overflow - Search for 'Stack Overflow'
I am trying to parse a context-free language, called Context Free Art. I have created its parser in Javascript using a YACC-like JS LALR(1) parser generator JSCC. Take the example of following CFA (Context Free Art) code. This code is a valid CFA. startshape A rule A { CIRCLE { s 1} } Notice the… >>> More
Port Compiler Options (8 replies)

as seen on .NET 247 - Search for '.NET 247'
I currently own a license for Crossworks for ARM and would like to compile the port using it. With the code for the CLR now available, is it possible to compile the port with any ARM compiler or are we still restricted to the Keil ARM gcc compilers? >>> More