Bootstrapping

Cross compiler

If compiler run on one machine and produces object code for other machine then such compiler is called as cross compiler.

Bootstrapping

  • Bootstrapping is widely used in the compilation development.
  • Bootstrapping is used to produce a self-hosting compiler. Self-hosting compiler is a type of compiler that can compile its own source code.
  • Bootstrap compiler is used to compile the compiler and then you can use this compiled compiler to compile everything else as well as future versions of itself.

A compiler can be characterized by three languages:

  1. Source Language
  2. Target Language
  3. Implementation Language

The T- diagram shows a compiler SCIT for Source S, Target T, implemented in I.


Follow some steps to produce a new language L for machine A:

1. Create a compiler SCAA for subset, S of the desired language, L using language "A" and that compiler runs on machine A.

2. Create a compiler LCSA for language L written in a subset of L.


3. Compile LCSA using the compiler SCAA to obtain LCAALCAA is a compiler for language L, which runs on machine A and produces code for machine A.



The process described by the T-diagrams is called bootstrapping.