Retargetable compiler
A retargetable compiler is a compiler that can relatively easily be modified to generate code for different CPU architectures. The object code produced by these is frequently of lesser quality than that produced by a compiler developed specifically for a processor. Retargetable compilers are often also cross compilers.
Typically the design of a compiler divides the functionality so that the code generation is separate from parsing and syntax checking. The design and implementation of a retargetable compiler uses polymorphism in the code generating section so that code can be generated for any of several different processors.
Examples of retargetable compilers:
External reference
- A Retargetable C Compiler: Design and Implementation (ISBN 0805316701)