P-code and compiler portability
Kenneth C. Louden · ACM SIGPLAN Notices · 1990
P-Code generation as an intermediate step between the fron t end and back end of a compiler is a standard method fo r improving the portability of a compiler .But P-cod e continues to suffer from a number of drawbacks as a means t o create truly portable compilers .Two such drawbacks are th e lack of a P-code standard, and the difficulty o f representing optimization information in P-code format .A Modula-2 compiler written by Michael L .Powell at DE C Western Research does use a version of P--code whic h transmits optimizing information .This note reports on th e experience I have had porting that compiler from a VAX to a Sequent Balance .I have found that the P-code version use d supports optimization in important ways, but still does no t represent register allocation information well .A suggestio n is made to improve register allocation across the P-cod e interface .