The art of compiler construction is a fascinating subject- It integrates the mathe matical foundations of formal languages, a wealth of well-established techniques for syntactic analysis, semantic analysis and optimization, and a tremendous amount of practical experience accumulated over the past four decades in designing and us ing high-level languages and their translators. For many undergraduates, however, learning this richly loaded craft is a challenge.

Dr. Parsons presents an undergraduate text on this fascinating art. It expounds, in a lucid style, the fundamentals and the practical considerations of compiler con struction. The techniques covered are immediately applicable, and the coverage is tailored to the needs of an undergraduate course. The algorithms are presented in a readable Pascal-like notation, and the examples vividly bring out the essence of the algorithms.

While constructing a compiler is a highly practical endeavor, the fundamentals of the craft are firmly rooted in mathematical foundations. A theory component is indispensable in even an undergraduate compiler course. The book elucidates the required theory informally and with abundant intuitive motivation. The abstract concepts are blended nicely with the more practical aspects of compiler construction, making the abstract concepts tangible and their utility perspicuous.

Compiler construction is no longer the exclusive domain of systems programmers and language designers. The ideas and techniques used in writing high-quality com pilers are also useful in many aspects of software development and in an increasing variety of new applications. A study of the subject should be a valuable intellec tual experience. Facilitating such a study at the undergraduate level is the purpose served by this readable text on the art of compiler construction.