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Summary of Progress (September 15 – September 22)
In this first week of Milestone 1, I focused on building an understanding of the DMD compiler’s internals, especially how error handling works, as I prepare to add SARIF support. I also spent time getting comfortable with contributing to the DMD codebase and learning more about compiler design.
What I Worked On:
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Learning DMD Compiler Internals:
Since my goal is to improve error messages, I started by exploring the DMD compiler’s codebase with a focus on how errors are processed and reported. Understanding the flow of error messages is key for when I integrate SARIF support, which will allow error reports to be serialized in a standard format. While it’s been a lot to absorb, I’m starting to understand how things are connected. -
Reading "Crafting Interpreters":
My mentor recommended the Crafting Interpreters book, and I’ve been focusing on the sections about parsing. Even though this book is more about interpreters, the parsing concepts are very similar to what happens in compilers. This is helping me get a handle on how compilers like DMD break down code and, more importantly, how errors are caught and reported during that process. -
DMD Contribution Setup:
Another key task this week was setting up my environment for contributing to DMD. I followed the D contributor guide, cloned the repository, and built the compiler. Along the way, I documented the process, so feel free to check out my notes here: D Contributor Tutorial Notes.Going through previous contributions helped me understand the coding standards and how typical issues are handled. I’ll be applying these lessons as I start implementing SARIF support.
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Compiler Design Playlist (in Hindi):
I watched a Compiler Design Playlist by Abhishek Sharma, which is in Hindi. It was great for solidifying my understanding of the basic theory behind compilers, such as lexical analysis and syntax parsing. Even though this is theoretical, it has helped me connect the dots between compiler theory and the real code I’m working on in DMD. -
Attending DConf Virtually:
I also attended DConf 2024 virtually, which ran from September 18th to 20th. This was a fantastic opportunity to get a better sense of the community and see the latest projects and features being developed in the D language.
Challenges:
- Understanding Error Handling and the DMD Codebase:
One of the main challenges I faced this week was getting a clear understanding of how error handling is managed within the DMD compiler. While I’ve been able to pinpoint the key areas where errors are generated and processed, the system is quite complex and tightly integrated into the broader DMD codebase. It will take more time and exploration to fully grasp how everything fits together. Additionally, navigating the DMD codebase itself has been a learning curve. There’s a lot to absorb, and I may need to reach out to the D community for advice and clarification as I continue digging deeper.
Next Week’s Plan:
- Continue focusing on error handling in DMD, trying to understand the full process from where errors are generated to how they are reported.
- Begin outlining how I’ll integrate SARIF support into DMD and start with a basic proof-of-concept, with the help of my mentor.
- Keep learning by exploring more of the DMD codebase and connecting with the D community for feedback and suggestions.
This week was all about getting familiar with the codebase, setting up my tools, and building the necessary knowledge. I’m excited to move forward and begin the actual work on improving D error messages in the coming weeks.
