Batch, conversational, and incremental compilers
Harry Katzan · 1969
Compiler-writing techniques have received a great deal of pragmatic and academic attention and are now fairly well-defined. It was and still is generally felt that the compiler is independent of the operating system in which it resides, if it resides in one at all. The invention of time-sharing systems with conversational capability, however, has required that compiler experts re-evaluate existing concepts to make better use of external facilities. This was done and conversational and incremental compilers have evolved. A generalized and consolidated discussion of these relatively new concepts is the subject of this paper. First, a model of a batch compiler is introduced. The concepts are then modified and extended for a conversational programming environment. Finally, a recent development termed "incremental" compilation, which satisfies the needs of both batch and conversational compiling as well as interactive computing, is presented. First, some introductory material is required.