Looking for hobby project team..

[sh3rmy]

Hi all,

I'm have plans for a hobby project and am looking for anyone (preferably in Australia) who is keen on joining in. The project is purely for knowledge sake and not to produce commercial quality stuff, just have a bit of fun and learn a load of stuff about what goes on behind the scenes of a computer.

Over the last 4 to 5 years I have researched a lot in my spare time about all these sub projects and have a basic understanding of what is required, and now am keen to get started.

Project "Sparroh"

-> Write a crude assembler. (SparrohASM)
-> Write a crude high level language. (SparrohHLL)
-> Use both to write a basic bootloader and an OS (SparrohOS)

What is the deal with the name? Well I originally chose Sparrow as it is small which this OS is going to be not to mention the size of the team. Someone already had sparrow.org so i tried other combinations of letters until I came to Sparroh and ended up getting sparroh.org. I guess the logo will be a sparrow, if it gets that far.

I am mainly looking for any volunteers in Australia due to the fact I'm in based in Australia and find, what with the time difference and everything in other countries, it just easier if you're in Australia too. However I am flexible on this. Not looking for a big team, just 1 or 2 people interested in getting into a hobby project and who don't want to go in alone. We could bounce ideas off each other, yell and curse at each other, or whatever.

If your interested send me an email or post on here.

Cheers,

Michael
at sparroh org

[Thomas]

Hi Michael,
This book might be of use to you. http://www1.idc.ac.il/tecs/. Hope it helps.

--Thomas

[Combuster]

Just for the record: Beginner mistakes.

[sh3rmy]

@Thomas: Thanks for the site mate. I have added it to my favourites and will definately be reading through it. I have been getting a lot of ideas from P.D Terry's book on compilers. http://www.scifac.ru.ac.za/compilers/ Cheers for the link!!

@Combuster: Thanks for your concern. As I said was hoping maybe 1 or 2 people might join in. Didn't want a whole team though. Just someone to help build something together and to keep each other motivated. Cheers for the comment and I will note that.

[Thomas]

Hi Michael,
I have read that book already ( TD Terry 's Compiler Book). But it does not cover compiler design methods entirely. It does not even cover the general LL(k) parsing method. Just LL(1) that's it .It does not cover bottom up parsing methods or code code optimization fully. You might want to read the following books as well.

1) System Programming - Beck ( using SIC computer -- very instructional)
2) Modern Compiler Design - David Galles
3) Compiler Design and Implementation - Andrew S Appel
4) The Dragon Book
5) Compiler Design in C - Allen Holub ( Out of print )
6) Modern Compiler Design - ( from three authors from Netherlands , do not remember the name) . This is an all round book that is quite down to the earth and gives many implementation hints as well .

--Thomas

[fronty]

Thomas's list is quite good, but I'd add Engineering a Compiler by Cooper and Torczon (or something). Just remember not to rely on dragon book like it's bible or something.

[sh3rmy]

@Thomas: Wow that IS a nice list. Looks like I have more reading to do. Thanks for that, and I will start hunting around for them. Does your numbering indicate anything? ie Order in which to study, or ranking of books? Now you know that I have read P.D. Terry's book, what book would be next to read?

@Fronty: Thats for the suggestion mate. I'll add it to Thomas's list.

[Thomas]

Hi Michael,
I do not know about the order. But the first 2 books are quite easy to read and understand.

--Thomas

[sh3rmy]

Thanks mate, I'll see how I go.

[gerryg400]

Sh3rmy, is your HLL a new one. Or will you implement c ? Or something else ?

[rocko384]

I'm willing to join in. Alas, I live in the U.S. I've already attempted a bootloader, and I'm working on grasping the concept of the bootloader starting up the kernel....wait, I just figured it out, nvm =D anyway, it could work, with delayed e-mails and all...

[sh3rmy]

Sh3rmy, is your HLL a new one. Or will you implement c ? Or something else ?

I'm looking to implement a C-like language. I don't want to say it will be C as it won't support all C's features. Passing of variables between functions may be different, format of the object files may be different etc. So to answer your question yes it will be a new HLL. But as with a lot of other languages, php, java, etc, it will have a C like feel and will be easy to pick up if your a competent C programmer.

[NickJohnson]

If your language is going to be like C and be a system programming language, and not attempt to add anything major to C (like C++ and ObjC do), why not just implement C? Compiler writing is quite a challenge even when you aren't designing a language. If you're going to make something new, you might as well make it really different.

[sh3rmy]

If your language is going to be like C and be a system programming language, and not attempt to add anything major to C (like C++ and ObjC do), why not just implement C? Compiler writing is quite a challenge even when you aren't designing a language. If you're going to make something new, you might as well make it really different.

Fair point.