An intermediate language for source and target independent code optimization

Abstract

This paper describes an intermediate language to be generated by a syntax analyzer and processed by a code generator. An (essentially) optional code optimization phase may be used before code generation. The language is designed to exclude source and target dependencies (these are specified in a set of auxiliary tables) and has been used to implement a general purpose code optimization module. This module has been incorporated into compilers for several source languages and has resulted in production-quality target code.