Writing interactive compilers and interpreters, P. J. Brown, Wiley, Chichester, 1979. Number of pages: 265. Price: £10.75
Michael J. Rees · Software Practice and Experience · 1982
This book is aimed at implernentors of interactive language systems and succeeds admirably.Whether the reader is a hobbyist, student or professional programmer there are sections of interest to all.Indeed one suspects that the advice specifically aimed at those new to this area of computing would do well to be heeded by those considered to have long experience!Throughout the text the emphasis is on the practicalities of designing and writing the software.How many books on compilers contain chapters on documentation, testing and software installation?Almost every section contains a 'deadly sin' for the programmer to avoid.A copy of the summary of these deadly sins, provided at the end of the book, should be permanently attached to every implementor's desk-a complete programming standard on a postcard.All aspects of the final interactive system are covered in detail, from the definition of the programming language to be supported to the final execution of the internal form of a user's program.As one would suspect, a great deal of the book deals with the interactive interface with the user, the key to the acceptability of the whole system.Good advice is given in the important areas of error checking, error messages and program debugging.Where space allows a number of alternative techniques are presented, their advantages and disadvantages explored and one or two solutions recommended.The positive and lucid way in which the information is presented automatically leads to confidence in the author, even if one was not aware of his long and distinguished practical work in this area.For the technically minded, this book forms a useful introduction to the traditional aspects of compilation/interpretation such as: * language design * dictionary and table management * names, scope and data typesIn addition, the aspects of the interactive user interface which must be integrated with the above are treated in some detail.These include:*: incremental compiling * editing the user program * error checking * input and output * debugging aidsThe great benefit of this book is the description of all the above topics within a single volume.