U.S. patent application number 09/846983 was filed with the patent office on 2002-10-24 for method and system for displaying translation information.
Invention is credited to Davis, Alan L., Humphreys, Jonathan F., Kanagasabai, Raj, Snider, Todd M..
Application Number | 20020157084 09/846983 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27557713 |
Filed Date | 2002-10-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020157084 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Davis, Alan L. ; et
al. |
October 24, 2002 |
Method and system for displaying translation information
Abstract
An interactive translation system (10) includes a front end
(40), a back end (42), and a user interface (16). The front end
(40) is operable to identify source elements (86) in a source file
(24). The back end (42) is operable to generate a translation file
having translation elements corresponding to translation of said
identified source elements (86) and having an interface (16) for
receiving inputs for modifying said translation.
Inventors: |
Davis, Alan L.; (Sugarland,
TX) ; Humphreys, Jonathan F.; (Missouri City, TX)
; Snider, Todd M.; (Sugarland, TX) ; Kanagasabai,
Raj; (Sugarland, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
P O BOX 655474, M/S 3999
DALLAS
TX
75265
|
Family ID: |
27557713 |
Appl. No.: |
09/846983 |
Filed: |
May 1, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09846983 |
May 1, 2001 |
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09106244 |
Jun 29, 1998 |
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6101599 |
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09106244 |
Jun 29, 1998 |
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09429339 |
Oct 28, 1999 |
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60106243 |
Oct 29, 1998 |
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60106246 |
Oct 29, 1998 |
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60106242 |
Oct 29, 1998 |
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60106244 |
Oct 29, 1998 |
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60106245 |
Oct 29, 1998 |
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60106247 |
Oct 29, 1998 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
717/141 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 8/44 20130101; G06F
8/52 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
717/5 |
International
Class: |
G06F 009/45 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A translation system, comprising: a front end for identifying
source elements in a source file; and a back end for generating a
translation file having translation elements corresponding to
translation of said identified source elements and having an
interface for receiving inputs for modifying said translation.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the source file is for a source
device and the translation file is for a disparate target
device.
3. The system of claim 11 wherein the source file is a linear
assembly file for a target device and the translation file is a
scheduled assembly file for that device.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the source file is an assembly
language file.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the translation file is an
assembly language file.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein said translation is a
context-dependent translation based on static analysis of the
source file.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the back end further comprises: a
translator for performing a context-dependent translation, the
translator comprising: a translation machine description for
mapping source opcodes to target opcodes; a source machine
description containing a description of source opcodes and source
operands in a generic representation; a target machine description
containing a description of target opcodes and target operands in a
generic representation; and wherein the translator receives a
source instruction from said front end, utilizes the translation
machine description and source machine description and target
machine description to translate source elements into target
elements.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein the proper target opcode is
chosen from a group of potential target opcodes by comparing the
target opcode and target operand with the source opcode and source
operand.
9. The system of claim 7, wherein two or more source opcodes can be
combined to a single target opcode when there is a target opcode
that represents the two or more source code opcodes.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein the user interface is a
graphical user interface.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein the graphical user interface
displays at least a portion of the source elements in a source
window, at least a portion of the translation elements in a
translation window, and the source and translation windows are
displayed side-by-side.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein corresponding groups of
elements of the source and translation files are aligned in the
source and translation windows.
13. The system of claim 11, wherein at least one of the source and
translation windows is operable to display a status icon for an
element in the window.
14. A method for performing translation comprising: receiving a
source file; identifying source elements in the source file;
generating a translation file having translation elements by
performing a context-dependent translation of the source elements;
displaying the translation elements in an interface for receiving
user inputs; and in response to user inputs, automatically
regenerating selected translation elements based on the user
inputs.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the source file is for a source
device and the translation file is for a disparate target
device.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein the source file is a linear
assembly file for a target device and the translation file is a
scheduled assembly file for said target device.
17. The method of claim 14, wherein the source file is an assembly
language file.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the translation file is an
assembly language file.
19. The method of claim 14, further comprising: performing static
analysis of the source elements in the source file; and performing
context-dependent translation of the source elements based on the
static analysis.
20. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of generating a
translation file further comprises: converting an opcode of a
source machine to an opcode of a translation machine file by
comparing the source opcode to possible translation opcodes;
converting the operand of the source opcode by comparing an operand
of the source opcode in a generic expression with a generic
expression for a translation operand; combining the translation
opcode and the translation operand to form a translation.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein the step of converting an
opcode of the source file further comprises choosing a translation
opcode from a group of potential translation opcodes by comparing
the translation opcode and translation operand with the source
opcode and source operand.
22. The method of claim 20, wherein the step of converting the
source opcode further comprises the step of combining two or more
source opcodes into a single translation opcode when there is a
translation opcode that represents the two or more source
opcodes.
23. The method of claim 14, wherein the user interface is a
graphical user interface.
24. The method of claim 23, further comprising: displaying the
source elements in a source window; displaying the translation
elements in a translation window; and displaying the source and
translation windows side-by-side in the graphical user
interface.
25. The method of claim 24, further comprising aligning
corresponding groups of elements of the source and translation
files in the source and translation windows.
26. The method of claim 24, further comprising displaying a status
icon for an element in at least one of the source and translation
windows.
27. A translation system, comprising: a computer capable of
executing a program, and an interactive program for translating
code for a first processor into code for a second processor and
capable of being executed on said computer.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to translation systems for
computer programs, and more particularly to an interactive
translation system and method.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A digital signal processor (DSP) is a computer chip adapted
for a particular purpose. DSPs are used to electronically process
digitized analogue or digital signals. The signals may be voice,
data, radio, or other similar signals. DSPs are often found in
telephony systems, radio systems, CD players, computers, and
TVs.
[0003] DSPs are typically programmed using assembly language.
Assembly language is used because it allows for the creation of
highly optimized programs for the DSP. Assembly language may also
be used because of a lack of tools, such as compilers, available
for the DSP. As new DSP chips replace older DSP chips, the assembly
language used on the new DSP chips is often different from the
assembly language used on the old DSP chips. Thus, in order to
utilize new DSP chips, assembly language programs for old DSP chips
must be rewritten for new DSP chips.
[0004] Rewriting an assembly language program from an old DSP chip
to work on a new DSP chip is a tedious, time consuming and
difficult process. Typically, the rewriting is done manually, with
the programmer starting from scratch and writing the entire program
for the new DSP chip, or by using simple tools, or by using
simulators that run the old DSP program on the new DSP chip. These
methods are problematic because they are slow and prone to
inaccuracies or inefficiencies.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In accordance with the present invention, an interactive
translation system and method are provided that substantially
eliminate or reduce disadvantages and problems associated with
previously developed translation or migration systems and methods.
In particular, the interactive translation system and method
combine static translation with an interactive environment in order
to provide both accurate and efficient translations with minimal
user intervention.
[0006] In one embodiment of the present invention, an interactive
translation system includes a front end, a back end, and a user
interface. The front end is operable to identify source elements in
a source file. The back end is operable to generate a translation
file having translation elements corresponding to translation of
the identified source elements and having an interface for
receiving inputs for modifying the translation.
[0007] More specifically, in accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention, the source and translation files are assembly
language files. In this and other embodiments, the source and the
translation files may be for disparate source and target devices or
disparate formats for a same device.
[0008] In another embodiment, a method for performing translation
is provided. The method receives a source file and identifies
source elements in the source file. The method generates a
translation file having translation elements for a target device by
performing a context-dependent translation of the source elements.
The method displays the translation elements in an interface for
receiving user inputs and in response to user inputs automatically
regenerates selected translation elements based on the user
input.
[0009] Technical advantages of the present invention include
providing an improved translation system and method. In particular,
the translation system and method combine static analysis of a
source program with an interactive environment that prompts a user
for information about the source program that is not statically
determinable. The static analysis provides for efficient
translation while the interactive environment provides information
not available from static analysis. In this way, the translation is
both accurate and efficient.
[0010] Other technical advantages will be readily apparent to one
skilled in the art from the following figures, description, and
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] For a more complete understanding of the present invention
and its advantages, reference is now made to the following
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a translation system
in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a high-level flow diagram illustrating an
operation of the translation system of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a screen display illustrating details of a
graphical user interface for the translation system of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a screen display illustrating a translation wizard
for the graphical user interface of FIG. 3;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for
converting source elements into translation elements using pattern
matching in the translator of the translation system of FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 6 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a high-level
pattern matching of instructions in accordance with the method of
FIG. 5;
[0018] FIG. 7 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a low-level
pattern matching of operands in accordance with the method of FIG.
5;
[0019] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for
transforming loops for translation in the transformer of the
translation system of FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for loop
identification for the method of FIG. 8;
[0021] FIG. 10 is an exemplary diagram illustrating loop
identification in accordance with the method of FIG. 9;
[0022] FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for
eliminating registers by loop rotation for the method of FIG.
8;
[0023] FIG. 12 is an exemplary diagram illustrating loop rotation
in accordance with the method of FIG. 11;
[0024] FIG. 13 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for loop
peeling for the method of FIG. 8;
[0025] FIG. 14 is an exemplary diagram illustrating the
transformation of loop elements in accordance with the method of
FIG. 8;
[0026] FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating details of the
source and translation files in the display processor for the
translation system of FIG. 1;
[0027] FIGS. 16-18 are block diagrams illustrating details of the
display processor for the source and translation files;
[0028] FIGS. 19A and B are a flow diagram illustrating a method for
generating a translation display in the display processor; and
[0029] FIG. 20 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for
translating include files for the translation system of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0030] FIG. 1 illustrates a translation system 10 in accordance
with one embodiment of the present invention. As described in more
detail below, the translation system 10 combines static analysis of
a source file with an interactive environment that prompts a user
for information about the source file that is not statically
determinable from the source file. In this way, both an efficient
and accurate translation of the source file is provided.
[0031] Referring to FIG. 1, the translation system 10 includes a
data storage 12, a translation tool 14, and a graphical user
interface (GUI) 16. The data storage 12, translation tool 14, and
graphical user interface 16 may reside on a single computer system
or a distributed computer system. The computers may each be a
personal computer, file server, work station, minicomputer,
mainframe, or any other suitable device capable of processing
information based on programming instructions. In a distributed
embodiment, the data storage 12, translation tool 14, and graphical
user interface 16 may be connected by a local area network (LAN)
such as an Intranet, a wide area network (WAN) such as the
Internet, or other suitable network.
[0032] The data storage 12, the translation tool 14, and the
graphical user interface 16 include computer software and data that
are loaded into system memory and executed by a microprocessor. The
graphical user interface 16 is displayed on a terminal 18 that
includes a processor and software, a keyboard, a monitor, and other
suitable equipment to permit the user to enter data and changes.
The computer software and data are generally identified by modules,
interfaces, files, and the like that are stored and/or loaded into
memory for processing. It will be understood that the computer
software and data may be otherwise combined and/or divided for
processing without departing from the scope of the present
invention. Accordingly, the labels of the modules, interfaces, and
files are for illustrative purposes and may be suitably varied. The
computer software and files may when needed, be loaded into memory
from disk storage (not shown). Disk storage may include a variety
of types of storage media such as, for example, floppy disk drives,
hard disk drives, CD-ROM drives, or magnetic tape drives. System
memory may include one or more memory devices such as RAM, ROM,
disk storage, and the like.
[0033] The data storage 12 includes data files 20 and tool resource
files 22. Generally described, the data files 20 include source
files 24, 26 that are processed by the translation tool 14 to
generate translation files 24, 26. The tool resource files 22
include files used by the translation tool in processing the data
files 20 that may be built into the tool 14 or separately loaded
when needed.
[0034] The data files 20 include a source file 24, one or more
source include files 26, a translation file 28, and one or more
translation include files 30. The source file 24 includes a
plurality of source elements that define operations of a source
device. The source elements include source instructions, comments,
directives, and the like. An instruction is an atomic command
capable of being executed on a processing device, representing an
operation to be performed. It includes an opcode, which specifies
the operation to be performed, and operands, which specify objects
on which the operation is to be performed. Comments are
non-executable code that typically provide information about the
purpose, effect, or use of instructions, set of instructions, file
structure, and the like. Directives are non-executable statements
that modify the interpretation of the instructions.
[0035] The source include files 26 are each called by the source
file 24 to perform a predefined operation or set of operations. As
used herein, each means each of at least a subset of the identified
items. The include file 26 typically includes code to perform (or
performs) an operation used by a number of files and is therefore
most efficiently programmed as a separate file that can be used or
called by any number of source files 24.
[0036] The translation file 28 is a translation of the source file
24. The translation file 28 includes translation elements that
correspond to the source elements. A translation element or group
of translation elements corresponds to a source element when it is
translated, converted, or derived from or otherwise based upon a
source element or group of source elements. The translation
elements include instructions, comments, directives, and the
like.
[0037] The translation include files 30 are each a translation of a
source include file 26. The translation include files 30 are called
by the translation file 28 the same way or in a similar way in
which the source include files 26 are called by the source file
24.
[0038] The tool resource files 22 include a source machine
description 32, a target machine description 34, a translation
machine description 36, and oracle files 38. As described in more
detail below, the tool resource files 22 are used by the
translation tool 14 to translate the source file 24 and any source
include files 26 into the translation file 28 and the translation
include files 30.
[0039] The source machine description 32 is a model of the source
device. The target machine description 34 is a model of the target
device. In one embodiment, as described in more detail below, the
models each describe the registers and the instructions and
addressing modes of their associated device using abstractions that
are independent of the device being described. The addressing modes
are a means of specifying the operands in an instruction for a
device. Thus, the source machine description 32 defines
instructions and operands for the source device. The target machine
description 34 defines instructions and operands for the target
device. The source and target machine descriptions 32 and 34 are
modular in that each is used anytime a file is to be translated
from or to their corresponding device; that is, a machine
description may be used as a source or target machine
description.
[0040] The translation machine description 36 provides translation
between the source and target machine descriptions 32 and 34. As
described in more detail below, the translation machine description
36 maps instructions and their associated operands from the source
files 24 and 26 to the translation files 28 and 30. The translation
machine description 36 is a specially designed model that describes
the translation between specific source and target machine
description files 32 and 34.
[0041] The oracle files 38 provide for customization of the
translation tool 14. The oracle files 38 are used to describe
device characteristics not modeled by the machine descriptions 32,
34, and 36. In one embodiment, the oracle files are device
dependent. In this and other embodiments, an oracle file 38 may be
loaded and used by the analyzer, translator, transformer, or
display processor of the translation tool 14 to aid
translation.
[0042] In one embodiment of the present invention, the translation
system 10 translates between assembly language files. In this
embodiment, the source and translation files 24, 26, 28, and 30 are
assembly language files. The machine description and oracle files
32, 34, 36, and 38 are preferably models represented in some
high-level language or in some language specifically designed for
modeling a processor. Preferably, they are compiled and linked into
the tool 14, although clearly they may also be separately loaded.
Assembly language is a programming language in which there is
generally a one-to-one correspondence between statements expressed
in the language and executable instructions of a processing device.
Assembly language is used for programming digital signal processors
(DSP) and other suitable devices.
[0043] In the assembly language embodiment, the translation system
10 may convert an assembly language file for one device into an
assembly language file for another device or convert a linear
assembly language file into a scheduled assembly language file for
a same or different device. A linear assembly language is a
programming language in which there is a one-to-one correspondence
between statements expressed in the language and executable
instructions of an abstract processing device. The instructions of
the abstract device represent those of an actual device, except in
the abstract device all of the operations represented by any given
instruction are completed before any of those for a subsequent
instruction. Scheduled assembly language is an assembly language
for an actual device, in which the execution of the instructions
may overlap in such a way that some or all of the operations
represented by any given instruction may not complete before those
of a subsequent instruction. The translation system 10 may be used
to convert other low-level or suitable programming files from
operation on a first device to operation on a second device or from
a first format to a second format for a same or different
device.
[0044] Thus, the present invention provides a translation system
using a computer capable of executing a program and an interactive
program for translating code for a first processor into code for a
second processor and capable of being executed on the computer.
[0045] The translation tool 14 includes a front end 40 and a back
end 42. Generally described, the front end 40 performs
preprocessing functions that convert data and information into
internal representations that can be conveniently processed by the
back end 42 or other part of the translation tool 14. The front and
back ends 40 and 42 may be part of a same program, each be a
separate program, set of programs, or part of one or more programs,
partially combined and separated between any number of programs,
and the like.
[0046] The front end 40 is operable to identify instructions and
other source elements in the source file 24. In one embodiment, the
front end 40 includes a parser that steps through the source file
24 and generates a list of discrete source elements. As previously
described, the elements include instructions, directives, and
comments of the source file 24. The discrete elements are passed to
the back end 42 for translation and other suitable action. In one
embodiment, the front end 40 is further operable to reorder the
source elements into logical sections of related elements for
internal analysis and processing. In this embodiment, the discrete
elements are passed to the back end 42 and processed as a logical
section. A section is a logical sequence of instructions that form
an independent thread of processing and may contain calls or
branches, but remains coherent during loading and execution of the
source file. After processing, the elements are returned to
original source order for display to a user.
[0047] In one embodiment, the back end 42 includes an analyzer 44,
a translator 46, a transformer 48, and a display processor 50. The
analyzer 44 analyzes the source elements and divides them into
basic blocks. A basic block is a maximal length sequence of code
where execution (control) only enters from the beginning of the
sequence and only exits from the end of the sequence. The analyzer
44 also receives user input via the graphical user interface 16 and
reanalyzes the source elements in response to any user input. The
analyzer 44 passes the results of its analysis to the translator
46. One analysis is to track values in source registers to
determine their value when the source program executes. Another
analysis determines lifetimes of registers accessed in source
elements.
[0048] The translator 46 translates the source elements identified
by the analyzer 44 into translation elements. As described in more
detail below, the translator 46 utilizes the source, target, and
translation machine descriptions 32, 34, and 36 to match
instructional and operand patterns between the source and target
devices. In this way, the translator 46 efficiently maps source
instructions to translation instructions without the need for
customized coding for the source and target devices. The translator
46 generates an initial translation that is passed to the
transformer 48 for further processing and communicates with the
graphical user interface 16 via messages.
[0049] The transformer 48 provides fix-ups and optimization for the
initial translation generated by the translator 46. As described in
more detail below, for example, the transformer 48 identifies and
manipulates loops to aid the translation process. The transformer
48 also allocates registers to temporary variables introduced by
the translation and schedules translation instructions for the
target processor. The transformer 48 passes an intermediate
translation including the fix-ups and optimization to the display
processor 50. The transformer 48 also communicates with the
graphical user interface 16 via messages.
[0050] The display processor 50 receives the source file and the
initial and the intermediate translations and generates a display
of the source and translation files that is output to the graphical
user interface 16. As used herein, identified files, data, and
information include those files, data, or information, any
representations of or based on those files, data, or information,
and any previous or subsequent forms of those files, data, or
information.
[0051] In one embodiment, as described in more detail below, the
display processor 50 builds a display in which corresponding groups
of elements in the source and translation files are aligned, in
which source and corresponding translation instructions are
associated with each other, and in which the source and translation
files are displayed side-by-side. The display is passed to the
graphical user interface 16 for display to the user.
[0052] The graphical user interface 16 displays the source and
translation files to the user for review and modification. The
graphical user interface 16 passes user modification back to the
translation tool 14 for reanalysis, retranslation, and other
appropriate action. The user modifications include any user input
operable to modify the translation, the translation process, and
the like. Once the user is satisfied with the translation, the then
existing intermediate translation is saved as the translation file
28.
[0053] FIG. 2 is a high-level flow diagram illustrating operation
of the translation system 10 in accordance with one embodiment of
the present invention. It will be understood that the translation
process may include other or different operations in the same or a
different order.
[0054] Referring to FIG. 2, the source file 24 is received by the
translation tool 14 at step 52. Next, at step 54, the source and
target devices are identified for or by the translation tool 14.
The source and target devices may be identified by a user or based
on other information provided to the translation tool 14.
Proceeding to step 56, the translation tool 14 loads the source,
target, and translation machine descriptions 32, 34, and 36 for the
source and target devices. Any oracle files 38 for a target or
source for the translation tool 14 are loaded at step 58.
[0055] At step 60, the front end 40 of the translation tool 14
identifies source elements in the source file 24. The source
elements are statically analyzed by the analyzer 44 at step 62.
Next, at step 64, a translation file is generated having
translation elements by performing context-dependent translation of
the source elements. The translation is performed by the translator
46 with fix-ups and optimizations performed by the transformer
48.
[0056] Proceeding to step 66, a screen display of the source and
translation files is generated by the display processor 50 of the
translation tool 14. Next, at state 68, the source and translation
files are displayed by the graphical user interface 16 for review
and modification by the user. In response to user modifications
received by the graphical user interface 16, state 68 returns to
step 62 in which the source elements are reanalyzed and
retranslated based on the user modification.
[0057] After the user is satisfied with the translation, state 68
leads to step 70 in which the intermediate translation file being
reviewed by the user is saved as the final translation file 28.
Step 70 leads to the end of the process. Accordingly, the
translation tool 14 automatically translates the source file 24
based on a static analysis and displays the translation to the user
for review and modification. As used herein, an event is automatic
in that the event is predefined and carried out by the computer
process. The event may be immediate or in response to a user action
or other suitable event. In this way, the source file 24 is
efficiently and accurately translated into the translation file
28.
[0058] FIG. 3 is a screen display illustrating one embodiment of
the graphical user interface 16. As described in more detail below,
the graphical user interface 16 provides an intuitive interface for
the user to review, modify, and save a translation 28, 30.
[0059] Referring to FIG. 3, the graphical user interface 16
includes software programs operating on the monitor, a graphical
interface window 72 having a source window 74, a translation window
76, and an output window 78. The graphical interface window 72
includes a menu bar 80 with a variety of pull down menus disposed
along the top edge of the window 72. A toolbar 82 is disposed
immediately below the menu bar 80. A status bar 84 is disposed
along the bottom edge of the window 72.
[0060] Using the menu bar 80 or other commands, the user may
specify certain global information that can be used by the
translation process. For example, a user may specify a
compatibility mode, assumptions about status bits, and register
liveness at entry points, at exit points, and at function call
sites. This information is used each time a particular translation
issue is encountered, reducing the need for user interaction.
[0061] The toolbar 82 includes a plurality of arrow icons that
allow the user to quickly traverse through errors or other issues
within the source and translation windows 74 and 76. In one
embodiment, the arrows may traverse the user to the first,
previous, next, and last error or issue for a translation.
[0062] The source window 74 displays the source elements 86 he
while the translation window 76 displays the translation elements
88. For the embodiment of FIG. 3, the source and translation
windows 74 and 76 are displayed side-by-side to allow simultaneous
viewing of the source and translation elements 86 and 88 by the
user. In addition, corresponding groups of elements 90 are aligned
in the source and display windows 74 and 76 to allow simultaneous
viewing of source elements 86 and their translations 88.
Synchronized scroll bars 92 are provided for the windows 74 and 76
to maintain alignment during any review and modification by the
user. In response to a user selection of an element, the
corresponding source and translation elements 94 are highlighted.
Thus, the user is immediately informed of the translation
corresponding to any source element 86. Similarly, a translation
element 88 may be immediately identified with its source element
86.
[0063] The graphical user interface 16 marks problematic or other
elements for which review or additional information is indicated in
one of the source and translation windows 74 and 76 with a status
icon 96. In one embodiment, the source window 74 icons include a
red octagon for an error situation, a yellow diamond for a warning
situation, a green square for an efficiency situation, and a green
arrow for a linkage situation, all as depicted in FIG. 3. In this
embodiment, the red octagon indicates an error situation where the
translation is known to be incorrect, impossible, or beyond the
limits of the translator 14. The user is prompted to supply
information to allow a correct translation to be produced. The
yellow diamond icon indicates a warning situation where the
translation is probably correct, but depends on a particular
assumption. The user may confirm or deny the assumption. The green
square indicates an efficiency situation where the translation is
correct, but could be improved with additional information. The
user is prompted to provide the information to improve efficiency
of the translation. Such information may be "global" in the sense
that it is effective for the entire translation and not just for an
identified source or target element. The green arrow indicates a
linkage point situation, such as a call or branch, where the
translation depends on whether one or more registers are live at a
particular point in the file. A register is live if it currently
contains a value that will subsequently be used in another
instruction. It will be understood that other or different status
icons 96 may be used by the translation system to prompt the user
for information that is needed or would improve translation.
[0064] The output window 78 contains a listing of error or issue
lines 98 to be reviewed and/or resolved by the user. This separate
listing allows the user to quickly determine the number and type of
issues to be resolved. Each listing 98 in the output window 78
provides a source line number and a description of the error or
issue to be resolved. Clicking on the error or issue line 98 will
allow the user to move the display to the appropriate place in the
source and translation windows 74 and 76.
[0065] FIG. 4 illustrates a translation wizard 100 for assisting
the user in resolving translation errors or issues. Referring to
FIG. 4, the translation wizard 100 provides a dialog box that
explains a selected translation issue with the line in question and
allows the user to respond with information and guidance to the
translator. Accordingly, a user is assisted with translation errors
or issues to maximize translation efficiency while ensuring that
the translation is accurate. Quantifications to a translation or
additional information to aid the translation process is passed by
the graphical user interface 16 back to the translation tool 14
where the translation is regenerated based on the user input.
Accordingly, the translation is continually updated during
interaction with the user. After the translation is completed, the
user saves the translation as the translation file 28. The
translation file 28 may then be loaded onto the target device for
operation.
[0066] The actual translation between a source code and a target
code requires the interpretation of a source command set into a
translation command set. Any given computer language, including
assembly language, includes a set of operation commands, often
called opcodes. An example of an opcode is MULT which is a command
to multiply. Different opcodes may exist between one set of
assembly language instructions and another set of assembly language
instructions. This means that for a given assembly language, its
opcodes may differ from the target's assembly language opcodes.
Indeed, one opcode in a source assembly language may translate to
many different opcodes in a target assembly language.
Alternatively, many source assembly language opcodes may translate
to a single target assembly language opcode, or there may be a
many-to-many relationship between source and target opcodes.
Associated with each opcode, in general, is a corresponding
operand. An operand is the argument (or arguments) to the opcode.
For example, given an opcode of MULT, it may have the operand of
(a, b). The entire instruction would thus be MULT (a, b) which
would mean multiply the contents of register a with the contents of
register b. Where an opcode is a specific operation to be
performed, the operand specifies objects on which the operation is
to be performed. A given opcode may have several different operands
that can be associated with the one opcode depending upon the use
of the opcode. The combination of opcode and operand forms an
instruction. The differing opcodes and operands between a source
and target machine motivates a translation device capable of
translating efficiently between a source code and a target
code.
[0067] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for
converting source elements into translation elements using pattern
matching in the translator 46 of the translation system of FIG. 1.
In step 120, the next source code instruction is read. The source
code instruction in the source file 24 or include file 26 is read
by front end 40 and analyzed by translator 46 in back end 42. As
discussed previously, source machine description 32 models the
source device. That is, source machine description 32 contains
rules that map its operands into a device independent expression
representation. Additionally, source machine description 32
contains a listing of all source opcodes. Target machine
description 34 includes rules that map the device independent
expressions into its operands and a listing of all target opcodes.
Translation machine description 36 contains a listing of all source
opcodes and a listing of all target opcodes. The lists are
associated with each other such that a source opcode is associated
with its corresponding target opcode. As discussed previously, one
source instruction could correspond to one or many target
instructions, or vice versa.
[0068] After reading in the instruction in the front end 40 in step
120, in step 122 the maximum length of a possible translation set
for that instruction is selected from the translation machine
description 36 by translator 46. Since more than one source opcode
could translate as a set to one or more target opcodes, it is
necessary to know the maximum length of a set of opcodes which
begins with the opcode in the instruction read at step 120. Then,
translator 46 initially reads ahead the number of opcodes in the
source code corresponding to the maximum set length and compares
that set of opcodes against possible target opcodes using the
opcode translation rules from the translation machine description.
This is the pattern matching aspect of the present invention. Next,
at step 124 the source opcodes in the current set are compared to
potential target opcodes. In cases where there are potentially many
target opcodes associated with one source opcode, the matching step
124 would return all possible matching opcodes. Proceeding to
decisional step 126, if a match exists, the Yes branch of
decisional step 126 leads to step 132.
[0069] At step 132 the operand associated with the source opcode is
examined to determine if there is a match between that operand and
the target code operands for the potential target opcodes. In this
case, the pattern matching is done by locating the expression tree
representation of the source operand in the source machine
description 32 and attempting to match the source expression tree
representation to the target expression tree representation from
the target machine description 34, which may include a number of
operands for the opcode. Then, at decisional step 134, if a match
exists, the Yes branch of decisional step 134 leads to step 138. At
step 138, the target instruction including the matching opcode and
operand is saved as the translation for the source instruction.
[0070] After the current instruction or instruction set has been
translated, at decisional step 140 it is determined if the current
instruction is the last instruction in the source file 24. If the
instruction is the last instruction in the source file, the Yes
branch of decisional step 140 leads to the end of the process, and
translation is complete. If additional instructions remain to be
translated in the source file 24, the No branch of decisional step
140 returns to step 120 in which the next instruction is read and
then translated as previously described.
[0071] Returning to decisional step 126, if there is no match of
opcodes, the No branch of decisional step 126 leads to decisional
step 135. At decisional step 135, it is determined if the current
set of opcodes is the shortest possible length for a set of opcodes
for the instruction read at step 120. If the current set of opcodes
is not of the shortest possible length, the No branch of decisional
step 135 leads to step 136. At step 136, a next shortest length set
of opcodes, which begins with the current opcode read in at step
120, is selected for comparison at step 124.
[0072] Returning to decisional step 135, if the current set of
opcodes is of the shortest possible length for a set which begins
with the current opcode, then there is no match for the current
opcode on the translation machine, and the instruction including
the opcode is untranslatable with current information. Accordingly,
if the current set of opcodes is of the shortest possible length,
the Yes branch of decisional step 135 leads to step 137. At step
137, the instruction read at step 120 is marked as untranslatable.
Step 137 leads to decisional step 140 in which the process is
repeated for any additional instructions in the source file 24.
[0073] Returning to decisional step 134, if a match does not exist
between the source code operand and any target code operands for
the potential target opcode, then the potential target opcode is
not a valid translation. Accordingly, the current set of opcodes
has no valid translation, and the No branch of decisional step 134
leads to decisional step 135 in which it is determined if a
different opcode set is available for translation of the current
opcode associated with the instruction read at step 120.
[0074] FIG. 6 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a high-level
pattern matching of instructions in accordance with the method of
FIG. 5. As can be seen, the one ADD opcode from the source
instruction can be translated into one of several different target
opcodes, such as ADDM, ADDK, and ADDI. The selection of which is
the correct target opcode is determined by what operand is
associated with the source operand code in the source instruction.
In the present invention, when the source opcode is compared to the
target opcodes as listed in machine language description 36, all
possible ADD's of the target code are selected as potential
matches. The correct opcode is then determined by matching
operands, as discussed above.
[0075] Also illustrated is how two opcodes, MULT and ADD, in the
source opcodes can translate to a single opcode MAC in the
translation. The present invention uses an iterative process to
determine if related commands can be translated in to a single
command on the translation machine. When translating a command such
as MULT, the translator checks translation machine description 36
to see what is the largest number of source opcodes that could
possibly translate to a target opcode. Assuming that the number is
two, translator 46 looks ahead one more instruction to see if the
combination of MULT and the next instruction matches a target
opcode. If the next command is ADD, then the source opcodes of MULT
and ADD would translate to the target opcode of MAC. If the next
opcode was not ADD, then the next shortest match length, which, in
this case is one, would be employed. This means translator 46 does
not read ahead and the opcode MULT is matched with a target opcode
MULT.
[0076] FIG. 7 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a low-level
pattern matching of operands in accordance with the method of FIG.
5. A source operand, such as *str(k), can be converted into a
device independent expression or representation. In one embodiment,
the expression or representation can be what is commonly known as
an expression tree. An expression tree breaks down an operand into
basic components. As can be seen the first level of this expression
tree 148 shows a star indicating direct addressing. Next, a plus
sign representative of a positive offset is seen followed by REG
for register and CONST for constant. This means the operand is an
indirect offset of a register by a constant. The source operand is
mapped to an expression tree based upon the rules in the source
machine description and thus, operands, expressions and opcodes are
described in source machine description 32. Similarly, the
expression tree is mapped to a related target opcode based upon the
rules in the target machine description and thus, operands,
expressions and opcodes are described in target machine description
34.
[0077] Sometimes when translating codes between architectures the
source code may use registers that do not exist in the target
machine (e.g. nontranslatable registers). Special techniques can be
used to successfully translate a source code under certain
conditions. If the lifetime of a given register can be isolated to
a single basic block, the translator may be able to translate
instructions involving that register, even though the target
machine has no such register. The lifetime of a register is the
segment of an execution path of the code that starts from a
definition of the register (e.g. an instruction writes a value into
that register) and ends with the last use of the register (e.g. an
instruction reads the value from that register) A basic block is
the maximal sequence of code where execution only enters at the
beginning and exits at the end (no branching in or out).
[0078] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for
eliminating registers in loops for translation in accordance with
the teachings of the present invention. The method begins at step
160 in which the next block of the source code with a live register
at the exit is reviewed. In step 162 block structure is examined to
see if it is a loop structure. A full discussion of loop structure
determination is discussed below in conjunction with FIG. 9. At
decisional step 162, if the block is not a proper loop structure,
the No branch leads to decisional step 180 where it is determined
if there is any more source code to examine. If there is any
remaining code to examine, the Yes branch of decisional step 180
returns to step 160 and execution starts again for a next block. If
no code remains to be examined, execution ends.
[0079] Returning to decisional step 164, if a proper loop structure
exists, the Yes branch leads to step 166. At step 166, it is
determined if the use of the register after exit from the loop is
the same as in the loop. If so, the Yes branch of decisional step
168 leads to step 176 at which loop rotation (or "hoist") is
performed. Loop rotation is further discussed below in conjunction
with FIG. 11. If the register is not the same, the No branch of
decisional step 168 leads to step 170 in which the block is checked
to see if it is a candidate for a peel iteration. In order for a
peel iteration to be performed, there must only be a single entry
and exit into a loop, there is no use of the register after exit
from a loop, the loop count must be statically determinable and the
loop count must be able to be decreased by one loop iteration. If
all four criteria are fulfilled, then the Yes branch of decisional
step 172 leads to step 174 at which a peel iteration is performed
followed by a loop rotation in step 176. Then, execution reaches
step 180 where it is determined if there is any more code to review
as discussed before. Returning to decisional step 172, if the four
criteria are not met, then the No branch of decisional step 172
also leads to step 180.
[0080] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for
identifying loops in accordance with the teachings of the method of
FIG. 8. In step 190, a block of source code is received where the
register is active at the exit of a loop. This is known as an
active block. In step 192, a set of all successors for the active
block is determined. A successor block is a block that has the flow
of the original block directly enter the successor block. Next, in
step 194, a set of predecessor blocks to the active blocks are
determined. A predecessor block is a block that has an execution
flow from it to the active block.
[0081] In step 196, the successor blocks to the predecessor block
are located. A second set of predecessors to the second set of
successors are determined in step 198. In step 200, if the set of
the first predecessors from step 194 are different from the set of
the second predecessors determined in step 198, then the flow
structure is not suited for loop rotation, which is an optimization
for the translation. If the set of the first predecessors are the
same as the set of the second predecessor, then loop rotation,
discussed further in FIG. 10, can be used.
[0082] FIG. 10 is an exemplary diagram illustrating the
identification of a loop. Illustrated are four blocks of code. In
first block 202 a variable is defined. In second block 204 a use of
that variable is defined. In third block 206 the variable is
defined again, and another use of the variable is found in fourth
block 208. Each block may represent one or more lines of a source
code, but each are a basic block. There is a loop from third block
206 to second block 204 for a fixed number of iterations. First
block 202 is also known as a pre-header block, second block 204 is
also known as a header block, third block 206 is also known as a
tail block and fourth block 208 is also known as a post-tail block.
Using the method outlined in conjunction with FIG. 9, we can denote
first block 202 as the first active block by labeling in Bph. Thus
Bph={first block 202}. The successor of Bph is second block 204.
Thus S.sub.1={second block 204}. The set of all predecessors to
successor second block 204 is first block 202 and third block 206
since both can lead to second block 204 (first block 202 directly
and third block 206 via the loop). Thus, P.sub.1=[first block 202,
third block 206}. The successor to these predecessors are second
block 204 and fourth block 208. Thus S.sub.2={second block 204,
fourth block 208}. Finally, the predecessors to these successors
are first block 202 and third block 206. Thus P.sub.2={first block
202, third block 206}. Now, both sets of predecessor are examined.
Since P.sub.1 and P.sub.2 are identical sets the structure shown in
FIG. 10 can be used with loop rotation as described in conjunction
with FIG. 11.
[0083] FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for
eliminating registers by loop rotation. In a first step 210 a
proper segment of code is received. Next, in step 212 use of the
register inside of the loop structure 204 is combined with the
definition of the register outside the loop structure 202. The use
of the register outside the loop structure 208 is combined with the
definition of the register inside the loop structure 206 in step
214. This removes the lifetime of the register between the block
outside of the loop 208 and the block inside the loop 206, between
the last block in the loop 206 and the block outside the loop 208
and the last block in the loop 206 and the first block in the loop
204.
[0084] FIG. 12 illustrates loop rotation in accordance with the
method of FIG. 11 applied to the loop of FIG. 10. Illustrated is a
first block 202 also known as a pre-header block where the register
variable is defined. A second block 204, also known as a header
block, uses the register variable. A third block 206, known as a
tail block, defines the use of the register variable again. First
block 202, the header block, and third block 206, the tail block,
comprise the loop structure which goes from the output of the tail
block, along back edge 205 to the header block. Typically, looping
will occur for a set number of iterations. A fourth block 208, also
known as the post-tail block, uses the register variable again. The
uses in block four 208 and block two 204 are identical.
[0085] Following the method outlined in FIG. 11, the use of the
variable in block two 204 can be removed from the loop and combined
with the definition of the register value in first block 202.
Similarly, the use of the register in block four 208 can be
combined with the definition of the register in block three 206.
The result removes the use of the register variable from the blocks
after the loop and allows the translation of the code.
[0086] FIG. 13 is a flow diagram illustrating loop peeling for the
method of FIG. 8. The method begins at decisional step 216 in which
it is determined if the use of the register is atomized. That is,
in some cases an opcode represents multiple commands and are not
atomized. If use of the register is not atomized, the No branch of
decisional step 216 leads to step 218. The use is internally
atomized in step 218 and execution continues at step 220. If use of
the register is atomized, the Yes branch of decisional step 216
leads to step 220. In step 220, the loop count is decreased by one.
In step 224, one instance of the loop body is copied to immediately
follow the loop. Then, in step 226 unnecessary definitions of the
register can be eliminated.
[0087] FIG. 14 is an exemplary diagram of loop peeling as described
in conjunction with FIG. 13. Illustrated are four basic blocks.
First block 202 contains a definition for the variable to be stored
in the untranslatable register (e.g. one that does not exist in the
target machine). Second block 204 contains a use of the variable,
while third block 206 contains another definition. There is no use
of the register in fourth block 208, or what is known as the
tail-end block. To peel, the loop count is decreased by one, and a
copy of the interior loop is copied immediately after the end of
the interior loop block 206, forming a new block 204' and a new
block 206'. Now, the structure is in condition for loop rotation.
The bottom two blocks are fourth box 208 which is blank and new
block 206' which contains a definition of the register. Fourth box
208 is blank since it contains no instance of the untranslatable
register. The definition in new block 206' may not be needed any
more, and, if so, may be removed. Thus, these blocks can be
eliminated. This leaves two basic blocks with no instances of the
untranslatable register, and the two blocks may now be ignored for
purposes of this transformation or optimization. This results in a
structure having a definition in first block 202, a use of the
variable in second block 204, a definition in third block 206 and a
use in fourth block 204. This structure is similar to that in FIG.
12 which we already determined to be able to undergo loop rotation.
Such a loop rotation is illustrated on the right-hand portion of
FIG. 14.
[0088] FIG. 15 is a detailed block diagram illustrating details of
the source and translation files 24 and 28 in the display processor
50. As previously described, the display processor 50 generates a
display of the source and translation files 24 and 28 that is
output to the graphical user interface 16. In the display,
corresponding groups of elements in the source and translation
files 24 and 28 are aligned, source and corresponding translation
instructions are associated with each other, and the source and
translation files 24 and 28 are displayed side-by-side.
Accordingly, an intuitive display is provided by which the user is
able to efficiently review, modify, and save a translation.
[0089] Referring to FIG. 15, a source file 414 includes a plurality
of source elements 422. This source file 414 is an internal
representation of the source file 24 in section order. A
translation file 418 includes a plurality of translation elements
426 corresponding to the source elements 422. In one embodiment,
the translation file 418 is the intermediate translation file
generated by the transformer 48 and passed to the display processor
50.
[0090] The source and translation elements 422 and 426 in the
source and translation files 414 and 418 are associated with each
other through translation 430, source 434, order 438, family 442,
and null relationships 446. The relationships are generated by the
translator 46 and are stored by pointers from and to the related
elements 422 and 426. Exemplary source and translation elements
s.sub.1-s.sub.8 and t.sub.1-t.sub.8 will be used in conjunction
with FIG. 15 to explain the different relations and in conjunction
with FIGS. 16-19 to explain operation of the display processor
50.
[0091] The translation relationships 430 each represent a
relationship from the source element 422 to the corresponding
translation elements 426 that were generated from the source
element 422. Thus, one or more translation elements 426 may be
generated from each source element 422. In one embodiment, the
translation relationships 430 are stored by a pointer from the
original source element 422 to the first corresponding translation
element 426 that was generated from the source element 422. In this
embodiment, as described in more detail below, the remaining
translation elements 426 are associated with the first translation
element 426 via the family relationship 442. For example, source
element s, is related to translation element t.sub.2 via the
translation relationship 430.
[0092] The source relationship 434 relates the translation element
426 to the source element 422 which generated the translation
element 426. Since more than one translation element 426 may be
generated from a single source element 422, a plurality of
translation relationships 430 may refer to a single source element
422. For example, translation elements t.sub.4 and t.sub.5 have the
source relationship 434 to source element s.sub.5.
[0093] The order relationship 438 represents the relationship
between two elements in the file. A next order relation 438a
represents a relationship from an element to a following element.
For example, the next order relationship 438a exists between source
element s.sub.2 and source element s.sub.3. A previous order
relationship 438b represents a relationship from an element to a
preceding element. For example, the previous order relationship
438b exists between the translation element t.sub.3 and the
translation element t.sub.2.
[0094] The family relationship 442 exists between the translation
elements 426 and represents that the family related 442 translation
elements 426 were generated from the same source element 422. For
example, the family relationship 442 between the translation
element t.sub.4 and the translation element t.sub.5 shows that both
were generated from the same source element s.sub.5.
[0095] The null relationship 446 represents the lack of a
relationship. The null relationship 446 typically occurs when an
instruction is not needed on a target device. For example, the
source element s.sub.4 did not generate any translation elements
426, thus, the source element s.sub.4 has the null relation
446.
[0096] The relationships between the source and translation
elements 422 and 426 are used by the display processor 50 to
partition the source and translation files 414 and 418 into a
plurality of partitions 458. Each partition 458 has a group of
source elements 452 and a group of all translation elements 456
corresponding to the group of source elements 452. As described in
more detail below, the partitions 458 allow corresponding groups of
source and translation elements 452 and 456 to be aligned for
display to the user.
[0097] As shown in FIG. 15 a plurality of partition boundaries 454
delimit the plurality of partitions 458. The partitions 458 are
each a minimal length sequence of elements such that the partition
boundary 454 does not cross the translation 430 or source
relationships 434. Stated another way, the partition 458 contains
the minimum number of elements such that no included source element
422 or translation element 426 contains a source 434, translation
430, or family 442 related element in another partition 458.
[0098] In one embodiment, the source and translation elements 422
and 426 are partitioned by first determining a source start element
in the source file 414. The source start element is determined by
picking the first source element following the last source element
in the previous partition 458. If no previous partition 458 has
been delimited, for example, when the method is first starting, the
first source element is chosen as the source start element.
[0099] A translation start element is then determined in the
translation file 418. The translation start element is determined
by picking the first translation element following the last
translation element in the previous partition 458. If no previous
partition 458 has been delimited, for example, when the method is
first starting, the first translation element is chosen as the
translation start element.
[0100] A translation stop element is next determined. The
translation stop element is determined by choosing the last element
in the translation start element's family. If the translation start
element has no family relations 442, thus being the only element in
the family, then the translation stop element is chosen to be the
translation start element.
[0101] The translation stop element is then updated based on the
last element in the family of each translation element between the
translation start and stop elements. If a member of the family of
the translation elements between the translation start and stop
elements occurs later in the file than the current translation stop
element, then the translation stop element is updated to be that
later translation element. If the translation stop element changes
the updating process is repeated to check that no translation
element between the translation start element and the new
translation stop element has a family member later than the new
translation stop element.
[0102] A source stop element is then determined and updated based
on the source stop element's corresponding translation elements.
The source stop element is initially set to be the current source
start element. If the source stop element has corresponding
translation elements between the translation start and stop
elements, the source stop element's corresponding translation
element's family is checked. If the source stop element's
corresponding translation element's family includes a member that
occurs after the translation stop element, the translation stop
element is updated to the last member of the source stop element's
corresponding translation element's family. The source stop element
is then updated to be the next source element in the source file
and the method repeats.
[0103] If the source stop element's corresponding translation
element is outside the translation start and stop elements, s then
the partition 458 has been found. The found partition 458 is
delimited by the ending positions of the source and translation
start and stop elements. The source and translation start elements
delimit the beginning of the partition 458. The source and
translation stop elements delimit the end of the partition 458. The
process is repeated until the end of the source and translation
files 414 and 418 is reached. At this point, the files 414 and 418
are fully partitioned into groups that can be aligned for
display.
[0104] FIGS. 16-18 are a series of block diagrams illustrating
details of the display processor 50 for generating a display for
the source and translation files 414 and 418. Referring to FIG. 16,
a correspondence map 450 is provided as a tool for aligning the
corresponding groups of source and translation elements 452 and
456. The correspondence map 450 includes a plurality of pairs of
source and translation groups 452 and 456. Each group includes
source and translation elements 422 and 426 that are to be aligned.
The correspondence map 450 also includes logical divisions at the
partition boundaries 454.
[0105] In operation, the correspondence map 450 is built
partition-by-partition 458. In one embodiment, the source
instruction elements 422 and translation instruction elements 426
included within the groups 452 and 456 are aligned in the
correspondence map 450 in such a way that the distance between
corresponding source and translation instruction elements, 422 and
426, is minimized while maintaining original source and translation
order. In this embodiment, minimal distance does not require the
related source instruction elements 422 and translation instruction
elements 426 be adjacent to or horizontally aligned with each
other. The distance minimization heuristic maintains the correct
order of both the source elements 422 and the translation elements
426. For example, the correspondence map 450 in FIG. 16 shows
source element s.sub.1 horizontally aligned with translation
element t.sub.1 even though source element s.sub.1 actually
generated the translation element t.sub.2, as shown in FIG. 15.
Once all the instruction elements in the partition 458 have been
added to the correspondence map 450, null elements 462 may be added
to the partition 458 to equalize the number of elements in the
source group 452 and the translation group 456 that the partition
458 delimits. For example, the null elements 462 shown in FIG. 16
serve to equalize the number of instruction elements in the source
group 452 and the corresponding translation group 456 in two of the
partitions 458.
[0106] Referring to FIG. 17, a source hash table 470 is used for
the insertion of comments and to provide for efficient storage and
lookup of source display entries. The source hash table 470
contains a plurality of buckets 474 and a plurality of hash entries
478. The buckets 474 contain a plurality of hash next pointers 492.
The number of buckets is dependent on a hash function. The source
hash table 470 also contains a source display order thread 482. The
source display order thread 482 includes a source display order
thread head 484 and a display order thread next pointer 494
included within the hash entry 478. The hash entries 478 include a
source line number 486, a display entry pointer 488, the hash next
pointer 492, and the display order thread next pointer 494. The
display entry pointer 488 refers to a display entry 490. The source
line number 486 is computed from the line number in the source file
24 which is related to the information in the display entry 490.
The display entry 490 includes the text that is to be displayed for
the display entry 490 and the source line number 486. The hash next
pointer 492 refers to the next hash entry 478 in the bucket 474.
The display order thread next pointer 494 refers to the next entry
in the display order thread for the hash table.
[0107] The source hash table 470 operates as follows. A
correspondence map line 466 (see FIG. 16) from the correspondence
map 450 is received. The line 466 contains the source element 422
and the translation element 426. The source element 422 is inserted
into the source hash table 470, while the handling of the
translation element 426 will be more fully described in association
with FIG. 18. To insert the source element 422 into the source hash
table 470 the display entry 490 is first created for the source
element 422. If the display entry 490 is to be associated with the
null element 462 then the display entry 490 will be replaced by the
null relation 446 (see FIG. 15). The display entry 490 includes the
appropriate text to be displayed for the source element 422 and the
source line number 486 with which the source element 422 is
associated. The display entry 490 is then associated with the
display entry pointer 488 in the hash entry 478. The hash entry 478
will also include the source line number 486 with which the source
element 422 is associated.
[0108] The hash entry 478 will then be inserted into the source
hash table 470 in the appropriate bucket 474. The appropriate
bucket 474 is determined by the hash function. The hash function
will map a key value to a particular number. In the source hash
table 470, the key for the hash function is the source line number
486 contained within the hash entry 478. The hash function shown in
FIG. 17 takes the source line number 486 and computes modulo 5 on
it. Module means to do integer division and return the remainder as
the result. The result of the source line number 486 modulo 5 is
the appropriate bucket 474 for the inserted hash entry 478.
[0109] Inserting the hash entry 478 involves updating the
appropriate hash next pointer 492. If the hash entry 478 is the
first to be inserted into the bucket 474, the hash next pointer
included in the bucket 474 is updated to be associated with the
hash entry 478. If the hash entry 478 is not the first to be
inserted into the bucket 474, the hash next pointer 492 of the
previous hash entry 478 inserted in the bucket 474 is updated to be
associated with the inserted hash entry 478.
[0110] After the hash entry 478 is inserted into the appropriate
bucket 474, the source display order thread 482 is updated. If the
hash entry 478 is the first hash entry 478 to be inserted into the
source hash table 470, the source display order thread head 484 is
associated with the hash entry 478. If the hash entry 478 is not
the first hash entry 478 to be inserted into the source hash table
470, then the display order thread next pointer 494 of the
previously inserted hash entry 478 is associated with the hash
entry 478. The source display order thread 482 tracks the proper
order that the display entries 490 are to be displayed in for the
source elements 422. The source display order thread 482 allows the
source elements 422 to be displayed in proper order regardless of
the location of the display entry's 490 associated hash entry 478.
This process is performed for every correspondence map line
466.
[0111] Referring to FIG. 18, a translation hash table 500 is used
for the insertion of comments and to provide for efficient storage
and lookup of translation display entries. The operation of the
translation hash table 500 is substantially similar to the
operation of the source hash table 470 except that the display
entries 490 are created from the translation elements 426. The
display entries 490 and hash entries 478 of the translation hash
table 500 use as the source line number 486 the line number of the
source element 422 that generated the translation element 426
associated with the display entry 490. The translation display
order thread 502 allows the translation elements to be displayed in
proper order regardless of the location of the display entry's 490
associated hash entry 478.
[0112] FIGS. 19A and 19B are a flow diagram illustrating a method
for generating a display in the display processor 50. Referring to
FIG. 19A, the method begins at step 610 in which the source file
414 and the translation file 418 are received by the display
processor 50. As previously described, the source file 414 is
received from the front end 40 and the translation file 418 is
received from the transformer 48. The source and translation files
414 and 418 are section ordered and already have the translation
relationships 430, source relationships 434, order relationships
438, family relationships 442, and null relationships 446
established.
[0113] Proceeding to step 614, the source and translation files 414
and 418 are partitioned into the plurality of partitions 458. Each
partition 458 has a group of source elements 422 and a group of all
translation elements 426 corresponding to the group of source
elements 422.
[0114] Next, at step 618, the correspondence map 450 is generated.
In one embodiment, the correspondence map 450 is generated by
inserting all the instruction elements of a given partition 458
such that the distance between the related instruction elements is
minimized. The related instruction elements are any source
instruction elements 422 or translation instruction elements 426
that contain any of the relationships, except the null relationship
446, between them. The minimum distance heuristic preserves the
order of the instruction elements as they appeared in the files.
Thus, as instruction elements are inserted into the correspondence
map 450 the source instruction elements 422 may not line up
horizontally with the source instruction element's 422 related
translation instruction elements 426.
[0115] Next, at step 622, null elements 462 are inserted to
equalize the number of elements in the partitions 458 of the source
and translation groups 452 and 456 of the correspondence map 450.
While inserting null elements 462 an effort is made to align source
elements 422 with related translation elements 426. Again, source
elements 422 and related translation elements 426 may not align
exactly.
[0116] Then, at step 624, a hash table loop is entered which
includes steps 624, 628, 632, 636, 640, 644, and 648. The loop
begins at step 624 with the display processor 50 receiving the
correspondence map line 466. If this is the first iteration of the
loop, the correspondence map line 466 received is the first line of
the correspondence map 450. Otherwise, it is the line immediately
following the correspondence map line 466 that has just been
handled. Each correspondence map line 466 includes a horizontally
aligned pair of source elements 422 and translation elements 426.
Next, at step 628, display entries 490 are created for the source
element 422 and the translation element 426 in the correspondence
map line 466 received at step 624. The display entry 490 for the
source element 422 is then inserted into the source hash table 470
at step 632. At step 636 the source hash table display order thread
482 is updated as described previously with reference to FIG.
17.
[0117] Next, at step 640, the display entry 490 created for the
translation element 426 is associated with the display entry
pointer 488 included within the hash entry 478 that the display
entry 490 is associated with. The hash entry 478 is then inserted
in the appropriate bucket 474 in the translation hash table
500.
[0118] Then, at step 644, the translation hash table display order
thread 502 is updated. The operation of the translation hash table
display order thread 502 is similar to the operation of the source
hash table display order thread 482 and operates in the manner
previously described with reference to FIG. 18.
[0119] Proceeding to decisional step 648, the display processor 50
determines if further correspondence map lines 466 are to be
inserted into the hash tables 470 and 500. If more correspondence
map lines 466 need to be handled, the Yes branch of decisional step
648 returns to step 624 and receives the next correspondence map
line 466. If no more correspondence map lines 466 need to be
inserted, the No branch of decisional step 648 exits the hash table
loop and proceeds to step 652.
[0120] At step 652, a comment insertion loop including steps 652,
656, 660, 664, 668, 672, 676, and 680 is entered. In step 652 a
line from the source file 414 is received. The line from the source
file 414 will include either an instruction or comment. At
decisional step 656, a check is made on the line, and if the line
includes a comment, then a display entry 490 is created for the
comment at step 660. The display entry 490 is then buffered at step
660 and a loop back to step 652 occurs where the next line from the
source file 414 is received. If the source file line does not
include a comment, it includes an instruction and the method
continues on to step 664. The decisional step 656 may have
additional determinations to handle a variety of differing types of
elements.
[0121] Next, at step 664, the display entries 490 that were
buffered at step 660, if any, are inserted into the source hash
table 470. The instruction line from the source file 414 that moved
the method from step 656 to step 664 has an associated line number
that is the source line 486 used in creating the hash entries 478
for the buffered display entries at step 660. The source hash table
display order thread 482 is then updated at step 668. The result of
the buffering at step 660, the insertion at step 664, and the
update at step 668 is that the comments that were buffered at step
660 have been keyed to the line number of the source element 422
that the comments precede. Thus resulting in the display of the
comments associated with the source element 422 just prior to the
display of the source element 422.
[0122] Then, at step 672, the display entries buffered at step 660
are inserted into the translation hash table 500. The hash entries
478 created for inserting the comments into the translation hash
table 500 use as the source line number 486 the line number of the
instruction that transitioned the method from step 656 to step 664.
Then, at step 676, the translation hash table display order thread
502 is updated. The translation hash table display order thread 502
is updated in such a manner as to place the hash entries 478
including display entries 490 for the comments buffered in step 660
prior to the hash entry 478 associated with the display entry 490
for the translation element 426 generated from the source element
422. Thus, the comments associated with the instruction in the
source file 414 are displayed just prior to the translation element
426 that the source instruction generated. Because an equal number
of comment lines are added to each of the hash tables 470 and 500,
the corresponding group of source and translation elements remain
aligned.
[0123] Next, at decisional step 680, the buffer utilized in step
660 is reset. Then, a check is made to see if there are more lines
to be checked in the source file 414. If lines remain in the source
file 414 that need to be checked, the Yes branch of decisional step
680 returns to step 652 and the next source file line is received.
If there are no more lines remaining in the source file 414 to be
checked for comments, the No branch of the decisional step 680
proceeds to step 684 and exits the comment insertion loop.
[0124] Referring now to FIG. 19B, at step 684, a display partners
loop including step 684, 688, 696 and 700 is entered. Steps 684 and
688 represent a lock-step traversal of the source and translation
hash table display order threads 482 and 502. The lock-step
traversal represents an entry-by-entry traversal of the display
order threads 482 and 502 using the hash entries 478 to find
successive lines. As shown in steps 684 and 688, when the next hash
entry 478 is stepped to in the source hash table 470, the next hash
entry 478 is stepped to in the translation hash table 500.
[0125] Next, at step 696, the source and translation hash entries
478 are inserted into a display partners list 514. The display
partners list 514 is a list of pairs of display entries 490 that
are meant to be displayed on the same line. There will be an entry
in the display partners list 514 for every pair of display entries
490. The pair of display entries 490 include one display entry 490
from the source hash table 470 and one display entry from the
translation hash table 500.
[0126] Then, at decisional step 700, a check is made to see if
there are any further display entries 490 in the source and
translation hash table display order threads 482 and 502. If
further display entries 490 exist, then the Yes branch of
decisional step 700 returns to step 684 and the next entry in the
source and translation hash table display order threads 482 and 502
are added to the display partners list. If no more display entries
490 are in the threads 482 and 502, the No branch of decisional
step 700 exits the display partners loop and proceeds to step
704.
[0127] At step 704, the source file 414 is opened at its beginning.
Then, at step 708, the line number of the next line in the source
file 414 is received and a display line list loop including steps
708, 712, 716, 720, and 724 is entered. If the source file 414 has
just been opened in step 704 then the next line number is the first
line number in the source file 414. If the source file has not just
been opened at step 704 then the next line number is the line
number immediately following the line number that was just
handled.
[0128] Proceeding to step 712, the line number received from the
source file 414 and step 708 is used to find the display entries
490 associated with that line number in the source hash table 470.
Once the plurality of display entries 490 associated with the line
number have been found in the source hash table 470, the display
pairs for those display entries 490 are found in the display
partners list 514 at step 716.
[0129] Next, at step 720, the display entries 490 found at step 712
and 716 are added to a display line list 518. The display line list
518 is created to facilitate the display of source and translation
elements 422 and 426 in source file order as opposed to section
order. When the front end 40 originally parsed the source file 414
the source elements 422 were ordered by section. However, in one
embodiment, a goal is to display the source and translation
elements 422 and 426 in an order dictated by the order of the
source instructions found in the unsectioned source file, thus, the
display is reordered from the section based order to the
unsectioned order. Then, at decisional step 724, a check is made to
see if the end of the unsectioned source file has been reached. If
the end of the unsectioned source file has not been reached, and
further lines need to be handled from the source file, the No
branch of decisional step 724 returns to step 708 and the next line
number is received from the unsectioned source file. If the end of
the unsectioned source file has been reached then the Yes branch of
decisional step 724 exits the display line loop and proceeds to
step 728.
[0130] At step 728, the display line list 518 is passed to the
graphical user interface 16 for display to the user. As previously
described, the display processor 50 generates a display of the
source and translation files 24 and 28 that is output to the
graphical user interface 16. In the display, corresponding groups
of elements in the source and translation files 24 and 28 are
aligned, source and corresponding translation instructions are
associated with each other, and source and translation files 24 and
28 are displayed side-by-side, as illustrated in FIG. 3.
Accordingly, an intuitive display is provided by which the user is
able to efficiently review, modify and save a translation.
[0131] FIG. 20 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for
translating include files 26 accessed by the source file 24. As
previously described, an include file 26 typically includes code to
perform (or performs) an operation used by a number of files and is
therefore most efficiently programmed as a separate file that can
be used or called by any number of files.
[0132] Referring to FIG. 20, the method begins at step 814 in which
a source include file 26 is received from the graphical user
interface 16. The source include file 26 is received upon selection
of the source include file 26 by the user or other suitable
event.
[0133] Proceeding to step 830, the source include file 26 is
translated into the translation include file 30. The source include
file 26 is translated by the translation tool 14 as previously
described in connection with the source file 24. Accordingly, the
source include file 26 is parsed by the front end 40 and then
analyzed and translated by the back end 42.
[0134] Then, at step 832, in the back end 42, the display processor
50 generates a display similar to that for the source and
translation files 24 and 28. Accordingly, corresponding groups of
elements in the source and translation include files 26 and 30 are
aligned, corresponding instructions are associated with each other,
and the source and translation files are displayed side-by-side. In
addition, problematic or other elements to be reviewed by the user
are indicated with the status icons and listed in an output
window.
[0135] Next, at state 834, the source and translation include files
26 and 30 are displayed by the graphical user interface 16 for
review and modification by the user. In response to user
modifications received by the graphical user interface 16, state
834 returns to step 830 in which the source elements are reanalyzed
and retranslated based on the user modification.
[0136] After the user has performed all of the user's desired
manipulations on the displayed information, state 834 leads to step
838. The translated version of the source include file 26 is saved
as the translation include file 30. The translation include file 30
includes the plurality of translation elements 426 corresponding to
the elements in the source include file 26. A translation include
file name is specified by the user when the translation include
file 30 is saved or otherwise associated with the translation
include file 30.
[0137] Proceeding to step 850, the translation include file name
specified by the user in step 838 is propagated back to the
graphical user interface 16. The translation include file name is
incorporated into the translation file 28 as the include file in
the translation file 28 associated with the source include file
name in the source file 24.
[0138] Thus, it may be seen that the present invention provides a
translation system having a front end 40 and a back end 42. The
front end 40 identifies source elements in a source file 24. The
back end 42 generates a translation file 28 having translation
elements corresponding to translation of the source elements and
has an interface for receiving inputs for modifying said
translation.
[0139] Although the present invention has been described using
several embodiments, various changes and modifications may be
suggested to one skilled in the art after a review of this
description. It is intended that the present invention encompass
such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the
appended claims.
* * * * *