Bootstrapping

Programming Language Translators

Prepared by

Manuel E. Bermdez, Ph.D.

Associate Professor
University of Florida

Bootstrapping
The notion of implementing a language, by means of using
(part of) that languages own implementation.
Notation: T-diagram

Source

Target
Language
Written in

Bootstrapping
Diagram Purpose:
APPLICATION
C

APPLICATION
C

M
Object Coincides

Source Coincides

Execution

Bootstrapping
Example: We wish to have a Pascual compiler for a new
Processor, M.

How do we get it ?

M
M

Possibility #1: Write the compiler directly by hand, in machine

language? In assembly language ?

Bootstrapping
Possibility # 2: Write the Pascal compiler in some other
language L, that is already implemented on M. Then,
compile the compiler.
P
L

M
M

But, ... this is probably too much work.

M
M

L Compiler

Bootstrapping
Possibility # 3: First, implement P, a subset of
Pascal. Then, write the desired compiler in P,
and compile it.
Step 1:
P
L

M
M

Now P is implemented.

M
M

Bootstrapping
Step 2:
Pascal
P
Write this

Pascal

M
P

M
M

If P is choosen well, the P -> M compiler and the

Pascal -> M compiler (in P) together, are easier
to write than the Pascal -> M (in L) compiler.
Theoretically, this process can go on indefinitely,
bootstrapping up the level of the language. In
practice, however, new constructs interfere with
each other (and with old ones), until further
bootstrapping becomes ummanageable

Bootstrapping
Example: Now, lets suppose we wish to port
Pascal to a new machine, M.
Possibility #1: Same as for M.
Possibility #2: Same as for M.
Possibility #3: Same as for M.

Bootstrapping
Possibility #4:
Step 1: Same as for M (implement P on M).
Step 2: Modify the Pascal compiler.
Pascal

M
By hand

Pascal

Pascal

M
P

M
M

M
M

Bootstrapping
Possibility #5: Dont use P! Use the
implementation of Pascal on M instead.
Step 1:
Pascal

M
By hand

Pascal

Pascal

M
Pascal

Pascal

M
M

M
M

Bootstrapping
Step 2:
Pascal
Pascal
By hand

Pascal

M
Pascal

M
M

Note: Possibility #5 is called cross-compiling.

Bootstrapping
Many compilers undergo a long chain of
bootstrapping steps. For example, XPL (a
dialect of PL/I), was written first in Algol, then
in XPL, and ported to a B5500 and then an IBM
360. Eight bootstraping steps were required.