Compiler Design Course
Our Compiler Design course covers the phases of a compiler, lexical analysis and finite automata, context-free grammars, top-down and bottom-up parsing (LL(1), SLR, LR and LALR), syntax-directed translation, type checking, intermediate code generation, code optimisation and code generation. Lessons are live and one-to-one with a verified subject expert, who explains each concept with worked examples, solves problems from your own module and helps you prepare for exams and coursework. Suitable for computer science and engineering students, following university syllabi in the UK, US, Australia and India (including AKTU, VTU and Anna University style courses).
Reviewed by P. Gaurav, B.Tech in Computer Science and EngineeringLast updated
$12 – $32
per hour
Free demo class · pay only if you continue
What you will learn
Learning outcomes
- Understand compiler architecture and phases
- Perform lexical analysis
- Apply syntax analysis and parsing techniques
- Understand context-free grammars
- Perform semantic analysis
- Generate intermediate code
- Understand runtime environments
- Apply code optimization techniques
- Understand target code generation
- Design basic components of a compiler
Prerequisites
- Basic programming
- Data structures
- Discrete mathematics
- Automata theory basics
- Programming language fundamentals
Tags
Course structure
Syllabus(8 modules)
- Translation process
- Phases of a compiler
- Compiler construction tools
What is Compiler Design?
In short: this course gives one-to-one online tutoring in compiler design. A verified tutor explains lexical analysis, parsing (LL and LR), syntax-directed translation, intermediate code, optimisation and code generation, with worked parsing tables.
Compiler design is the study of how a compiler translates a program written in a high-level language into machine code or another target language. It covers the phases of compilation, lexical analysis, parsing, semantic analysis, intermediate code generation, optimisation and code generation, and builds directly on automata theory and data structures.
This online course teaches Compiler Design one to one with a verified tutor who has studied or taught it at university level, at your pace and aligned with your own module.
Related subject: Compiler design help.
What does the Compiler Design course cover?
| Phase | Key content |
|---|---|
| Introduction | Phases of a compiler, compiler construction tools |
| Lexical analysis | Tokens, regular expressions, finite automata, Lex |
| Syntax analysis | Top-down parsing: recursive descent, LL(1); bottom-up parsing: shift-reduce, SLR, CLR, LALR, Yacc |
| Semantic analysis | Syntax-directed definitions, type checking, type systems |
| Run-time environments | Storage organisation, activation records, parameter passing, symbol tables |
| Intermediate code | Syntax trees, three-address code, quadruples and triples |
| Code generation | Basic blocks, flow graphs, register allocation |
| Code optimisation | Local and global optimisation, data-flow analysis |
How do you build an LL(1) parsing table?
- Remove left recursion and left-factor the grammar.
- Compute FIRST sets for every symbol.
- Compute FOLLOW sets for every non-terminal.
- For each production A → α, add it to M[A, a] for each a in FIRST(α).
- If α can derive ε, add A → α to M[A, b] for each b in FOLLOW(A).
- If any cell has two entries, the grammar is not LL(1).
How do you construct an SLR parsing table?
- Augment the grammar with S' → S.
- Build the canonical collection of LR(0) items using closure and goto.
- Add shift actions from goto on terminals.
- Add reduce actions for completed items on FOLLOW of the left-hand side.
- Add accept for S' → S· on $.
- Fill goto entries for non-terminals and check for conflicts.
What does a worked FIRST set question look like?
Here is a typical question: find FIRST sets for the grammar E → T E′, E′ → + T E′ | ε, T → id.
| Non-terminal | FIRST set | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| T | { id } | T only produces id |
| E′ | { +, ε } | One rule starts with +, the other is ε |
| E | { id } | E starts with T |
Where do students lose marks in Compiler Design?
Students most often lose marks in Compiler Design through the habits below. Each is easy to fix with practice and feedback on your own answers.
| Mark-loser | What to do instead |
|---|---|
| FIRST and FOLLOW errors | Apply the rules systematically, including ε cases |
| Left recursion left in LL(1) grammars | Remove left recursion before building the table |
| Conflicts unexplained | Identify shift-reduce or reduce-reduce conflicts clearly |
| Incomplete parsing tables | Fill every entry and mark errors |
| Three-address code errors | Use one operator per instruction with temporaries |
How is it assessed, and how can a tutor help?
Compiler design modules are usually assessed by written exams on FIRST and FOLLOW, parsing tables, syntax-directed translation and three-address code, plus lab work with Lex and Yacc or a mini-compiler project.
Tutors explain concepts, work through practice problems with you and give feedback on your approach. Graded work you submit must be your own, as set out in our academic integrity policy. For deadline-driven guidance, see assignment help.
How the lessons work
Lessons are live and one to one on video with screen sharing and a shared whiteboard. You can follow a full course or book sessions on the topics you find hardest before exams. See also Theory of Computation, System Software and Principles of Programming Languages.
Compiler design tutor online: who this course is for, prerequisites and study plan
A compiler design tutor online gives you live 1-to-1 lessons on the phases of a compiler, with step-by-step practice on FIRST and FOLLOW sets and LL(1), SLR and LALR parsing tables.
This compiler design course suits third- and fourth-year computer science students taking a compiler design or compiler construction module, and students preparing for competitive exams where compiler design is examined.
Prerequisites: programming, data structures, discrete mathematics and the basics of automata theory, especially regular expressions, finite automata and context-free grammars.
Course length: 40 one-hour lessons across 8 modules.
| Stage | Modules | What you can do afterwards |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction, lexical analysis | Name the phases of a compiler and design a lexical analyser |
| 2 | Syntax analysis | Compute FIRST and FOLLOW sets and build LL(1), SLR and LALR tables |
| 3 | Type checking, run-time environments | Write syntax-directed definitions and explain activation records |
| 4 | Intermediate code, code generation, optimisation | Produce three-address code and apply local and global optimisations |
Where it leads: compiler design builds on our Theory of Computation course and pairs well with System Software.
Compiler Design Course: frequently asked questions
What is compiler design?
The study of how compilers translate high-level programs into machine or target code.
What are the phases of a compiler?
Lexical analysis, syntax analysis, semantic analysis, intermediate code generation, optimisation and code generation.
What is the difference between LL and LR parsing?
LL parsers work top-down from left to right; LR parsers work bottom-up and handle a larger class of grammars.
What are FIRST and FOLLOW sets?
Sets of terminals used to build predictive and SLR parsing tables.
What is three-address code?
An intermediate representation where each instruction has at most three operands.
What are Lex and Yacc?
Tools that generate lexical analysers and parsers from specifications.
Can you help with compiler lab work?
Yes. Tutors explain Lex, Yacc and mini-compiler code; the work you submit must be your own.
Can you help me prepare for my compiler design exam?
Yes. Tutors practise parsing tables and code generation questions.
How much does a Compiler Design tutor cost?
The price depends on the tutor and session length. You see the hourly rate before booking, with no subscription.
Can a tutor do my assignment for me?
No. Tutors explain, guide and give feedback so you can complete your own work, in line with our academic integrity policy.
What does a lexical analyser do?
It groups characters into tokens such as identifiers, keywords and operators.
What is the difference between a compiler and an interpreter?
A compiler translates the whole program into machine code or another target language before it runs, so errors are reported together and the result runs fast. An interpreter translates and runs the program one statement at a time, which makes testing easier but execution slower. Some languages, such as Java, combine both approaches.
Why remove left recursion?
LL parsers cannot handle left-recursive grammars because they loop forever.
What is constant folding?
An optimisation that evaluates constant expressions at compile time.
What is a symbol table?
A data structure storing information about identifiers, such as type and scope.
What is a shift-reduce conflict?
When a parser state allows both shifting the next token and reducing by a rule.
Is compiler design hard?
Compiler design is often seen as one of the harder computer science subjects because it combines theory of computation with programming. Parsing, especially LR and LALR parsing tables, usually needs the most practice. It becomes manageable when you work through each phase with small examples, and your tutor practises the table-building questions examiners like.
Do you offer lessons in my time zone?
Yes. Lessons are online, so you can book times that suit your time zone.
How often should I have lessons?
Weekly lessons suit most students; add extra sessions before mocks and final exams.
Which book is best for compiler design?
The most widely used textbook is Compilers: Principles, Techniques, and Tools by Aho, Lam, Sethi and Ullman, often called the Dragon Book. Many universities also set their own lecture notes. Your tutor follows the book or notes your module uses and adds exam-style parsing questions for practice.
Can I get a compiler design tutor online?
Yes. You can learn with a 1-to-1 compiler design tutor online through live lessons with a shared whiteboard. Your tutor builds parsing tables with you step by step, explains syntax-directed translation and intermediate code, helps you understand Lex and Yacc lab work, and practises past-paper questions.
Keep learning
Related courses
Student reviews
What students say about Compiler Design Course
Used FLN Tutors? Be one of the first to share how it went, in writing or in a short video.
Money-Back Guarantee
Full refund if we miss the agreed deadline, can't find a suitable expert, or major errors can't be fixed by revision.
Learn more →100% Confidential
Your identity, order details and institution are never shared with any third party.
Learn more →Deadline-Backed Delivery
Every order has an agreed deadline. If we don't deliver by it, you can claim a full refund.
Learn more →Get started today
Ready to get expert help?
Tell us what you need and get matched with a tutor who teaches your subject. Delivered on time, every time.