Compiler Design /Construction | Module 4: Semantic Analysis - Understanding Program Meaning by Prakhar Chauhan | Learn Smarter
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Knowledge
Module 4: Semantic Analysis - Understanding Program Meaning

Semantic analysis is a critical phase in compiler design that ensures program correctness by checking the logical meaning of the code beyond mere syntax. It involves various types of checks, such as type checking, scope resolution, and return type validation, forming a bridge between syntactic structure and program intention. By utilizing abstract syntax trees and maintaining a symbol table, semantic analysis aids in detecting errors and ensuring that programs behave as intended.

Sections

  • 4

    Semantic Analysis - Understanding Program Meaning

    Semantic Analysis is a vital step in programming that ensures the logic and meaning of code are correct, going beyond mere grammar to check for logical consistency.

    Learning Practice

  • 4.1

    The Need For Semantic Analysis: Beyond Grammar

    Semantic Analysis is essential for understanding the meaning of programs and ensuring they are logically coherent, going beyond grammatical correctness.

    Learning Practice

  • 4.1.1

    Type Checking: Are You Mixing Apples And Oranges?

    Type checking ensures that operations in a program are performed on compatible data types, catching errors before program execution.

    Learning

  • 4.1.2

    Undeclared Variables And Functions: Have You Introduced Yourself?

    This section covers the importance of declaring variables and functions before use in programming, emphasizing the role of semantic analysis to catch errors related to undeclared entities.

    Learning Practice

  • 4.1.3

    Ambiguous Overloading Resolution: Which One Did You Mean?

    This section discusses ambiguous overloading resolution in programming languages, explaining how semantic analysis addresses function and operator overloading to determine the intended function or operation.

    Learning Practice

  • 4.1.4

    Access Control (Scope Checking): Who's Allowed To See This?

    This section discusses access control in programming, focusing on scope checking to determine variable and function visibility.

    Learning Practice

  • 4.1.5

    Return Type Checking: Did You Deliver What You Promised?

    This section discusses the importance of return type checking in semantic analysis, ensuring that function return types match what is declared.

    Learning Practice

  • 4.1.6

    Control Flow Statement Validation

    This section highlights the importance of control flow statement validation in semantic analysis, ensuring keywords like 'break' and 'continue' are correctly used within loops or switch statements.

    Learning Practice

  • 4.2

    Abstract Syntax Trees (Asts): The Meaningful Blueprint

    This section introduces Abstract Syntax Trees (ASTs) as simplified representations of parse trees, focusing on the essential structure and meaning of programs.

    Learning Practice

  • 4.3

    Attribute Evaluation And Syntax-Directed Translation Schemes (Stds): The Rules Of Meaning

    This section introduces Attribute Evaluation and Syntax-Directed Translation Schemes (STDS), key concepts in semantic analysis that help in attaching meaning to programming constructs through attributes.

    Learning Practice

References

Untitled document (29).pdf

Class Notes

Memorization

What we have learnt

  • Semantic analysis is essent...
  • Type checking, undeclared v...
  • Abstract syntax trees (ASTs...

Final Test

Revision Tests