Schemer
Published:
Project Overview
This project is a self-hosting compiler for a subset of the Scheme programming language, implemented entirely within Scheme. It demonstrates a deep understanding of compiler construction and the powerful meta-circular nature of Lisp-family languages.
The compiler processes Scheme source code and translates it into a target representation, tackling the fundamental stages of modern compilation. Building a compiler in the very language it compiles is a classic challenge in computer science, showcasing both the expressiveness of the language and a solid grasp of theoretical concepts.
Key Stages & Features
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Lexical Analysis & Parsing: The compiler first tokenizes the S-expression-based source code and then parses it into an Abstract Syntax Tree (AST), creating a structured, hierarchical representation of the code’s logic.
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Semantic Analysis: It analyzes the AST to check for semantic correctness, ensuring that variables are properly defined and procedures are used with the correct arity, effectively building a symbol table and performing type checking.
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Intermediate Representation (IR): The compiler may transform the AST into an intermediate representation, which is often a more streamlined and machine-friendly format, making optimizations easier to implement.
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Code Generation: The final stage involves traversing the optimized IR or AST to generate executable code for a target platform (e.g., assembly code, C, or another low-level representation).
Technology & Concepts
- Language: Scheme
- Core Concepts: Compilers, Self-Hosting, Bootstrapping, Abstract Syntax Trees (AST), Code Generation, Lexical Scoping, Closures.
This project is a testament to a robust understanding of programming language theory and practice. You can explore the complete source code and design on GitHub.