article

Chirp on crickets: teaching compilers using an embedded robot controller

Authors:

Fred G. MartinAuthors Info & Claims

ACM SIGCSE Bulletin, Volume 38, Issue 1

Pages 82 - 86

https://doi.org/10.1145/1124706.1121370

Published: 03 March 2006 Publication History

Abstract

Traditionally, the topics of compiler construction and language processing have been taught as an elective course in Computer Science curricula. As such, students may graduate with little understanding or experience with the useful techniques embodied in modern compiler construction.In this paper, we present the design of Chirp, a language specification and compiler implementation. As a language, Chirp is based on Java/C syntax conventions and is matched with the stack-based virtual machine that is built into the simple yet versatile Handy Cricket educational robot controller. As a compiler, the Chirp design is a series of Java components. These modules demonstrate key compiler construction techniques including lexing, parsing, intermediate representation, semantic analysis, error handling and code generation.We have designed a 6-week teaching module to be integrated into an intermediate-level undergraduate programming class. In the module, students will incrementally build the Chirp compiler, culminating with code generation for the Cricket controller. They will test their work on both physical Cricket-based robots and a web-based Cricket simulator. The Chirp system and our pedagogical design provides a realistic and engaging environment to teach compilers in undergraduate core programming courses.

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Cited By

Stamenković SJovanović NChakraborty P(2020)Evaluation of simulation systems suitable for teaching compiler construction coursesComputer Applications in Engineering Education10.1002/cae.2223128:3(606-625)Online publication date: 31-Mar-2020
https://doi.org/10.1002/cae.22231
Kundra DSureka A(2016)An Experience Report on Teaching Compiler Design Concepts Using Case-Based and Project-Based Learning Approaches2016 IEEE Eighth International Conference on Technology for Education (T4E)10.1109/T4E.2016.052(216-219)Online publication date: Dec-2016
https://doi.org/10.1109/T4E.2016.052
Mahoney WPedersen J(2010)Teaching compiler code generationACM SIGCSE Bulletin10.1145/1709424.170944041:4(30-34)Online publication date: 18-Jan-2010
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/1709424.1709440
Show More Cited By

Index Terms

Chirp on crickets: teaching compilers using an embedded robot controller
1. Social and professional topics
  1. Professional topics
    1. Computing education
      1. Computing education programs
        Computer science education
        Information science education
2. Software and its engineering
  1. Software notations and tools
    1. Compilers

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Published In

cover image ACM SIGCSE Bulletin

ACM SIGCSE Bulletin Volume 38, Issue 1

March 2006

553 pages

ISSN:0097-8418

DOI:10.1145/1124706

Issue’s Table of Contents

SIGCSE '06: Proceedings of the 37th SIGCSE technical symposium on Computer science education
March 2006
612 pages
ISBN:1595932593
DOI:10.1145/1121341
Program Chairs:
Doug Baldwin
SUNY Geneseo
,
Paul Tymann
Rochester Institute of Technology
,
Susan Haller
SUNY Potsdam
,
Ingrid Russell
University of Hartford

Copyright © 2006 ACM.

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Association for Computing Machinery

New York, NY, United States

Publication History

Published: 03 March 2006

Published in SIGCSE Volume 38, Issue 1

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Cited By

Stamenković SJovanović NChakraborty P(2020)Evaluation of simulation systems suitable for teaching compiler construction coursesComputer Applications in Engineering Education10.1002/cae.2223128:3(606-625)Online publication date: 31-Mar-2020
https://doi.org/10.1002/cae.22231
Kundra DSureka A(2016)An Experience Report on Teaching Compiler Design Concepts Using Case-Based and Project-Based Learning Approaches2016 IEEE Eighth International Conference on Technology for Education (T4E)10.1109/T4E.2016.052(216-219)Online publication date: Dec-2016
https://doi.org/10.1109/T4E.2016.052
Mahoney WPedersen J(2010)Teaching compiler code generationACM SIGCSE Bulletin10.1145/1709424.170944041:4(30-34)Online publication date: 18-Jan-2010
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/1709424.1709440
Štuikys VŠtuikys V(2015)Background to Design Smart LOs and Supporting ToolsSmart Learning Objects for Smart Education in Computer Science10.1007/978-3-319-16913-2_9(185-209)Online publication date: 2015
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16913-2_9
Dol SGandhamal D(2014)TPFOSSSProceedings of the 2014 IEEE Sixth International Conference on Technology for Education10.1109/T4E.2014.56(245-248)Online publication date: 18-Dec-2014
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1109/T4E.2014.56
Rodriguez-Cerezo DHenriques PSierra J(2014)Attribute grammars made easier: EvDebugger a visual debugger for attribute grammars2014 International Symposium on Computers in Education (SIIE)10.1109/SIIE.2014.7017699(23-28)Online publication date: Nov-2014
https://doi.org/10.1109/SIIE.2014.7017699
Blikstein PHourcade JSawhney NReardon E(2013)Gears of our childhoodProceedings of the 12th International Conference on Interaction Design and Children10.1145/2485760.2485786(173-182)Online publication date: 24-Jun-2013
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/2485760.2485786
Xu L(2008)A modular approach to language engineering using XML and inexpensive robotsJournal of Computing Sciences in Colleges10.5555/1352627.135264923:5(133-141)Online publication date: 1-May-2008
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.5555/1352627.1352649
Xu L(2008)Language engineering in the context of a popular, inexpensive robot platformACM SIGCSE Bulletin10.1145/1352322.135215440:1(43-47)Online publication date: 12-Mar-2008
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/1352322.1352154
Xu LDougherty JRodger SFitzgerald SGuzdial M(2008)Language engineering in the context of a popular, inexpensive robot platformProceedings of the 39th SIGCSE technical symposium on Computer science education10.1145/1352135.1352154(43-47)Online publication date: 12-Mar-2008
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/1352135.1352154
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