adminHYBRID (COMPILER AND INTERPRETER) SYSTEM
Hybrid systems combine elements of both, compilers and interpreters. In Hybrid system the source code is compiled to an intermediate representation. The intermediate code is then interpreted or compiled to machine code at runtime. Hybrid systems offer a balance between efficiency and flexibility.
There are several types of hybrid systems and they are; just in time (JIT) compilation, Byte code interpretation and dynamic compilation.
Just in time compilation the code is compiled to machine language at run time.
Byte code interpretation the code is compiled to byte code which is then interpreted by a virtual machine.
Dynamic compilation the code is compiled and recompiled dynamically during execution.
The advantages of hybrid systems are as follows; hybrid systems offer a balance between compilation and interpretation. Hybrid systems can adapt to changing requirements. Hybrid systems can run on multiple platforms.
The disadvantage of hybrid systems is as follows; hybrid systems can be complex to implement and maintain. Hybrid systems introduce additional overheads hybrid systems may be vulnerable to security risk.
Hybrid systems find application in the following devices and systems; hybrid systems enable cross platform development. Hybrid systems support dynamic languages. Hybrid systems can optimize performance critical code.
The future of hybrid systems depends on the advances and development of the following technologies; just in time compilation techniques will continue to improve. Hybrid systems will become more prevalent. Hybrid systems will incorporate better security measures in their design and implementation.
SOURCES:
- Hybrid systems: computation and control edited by Claire J. Tomlin and Mark R. Greenstreet.
- Types and programming languages by Benjamin C. Pierce.
- The art of compiler design by Thomas Pitman and James Peters.
- The Java virtual machine specification by Tim Lindholm, Frank Yellin, Gilad Bracha and Alex Buckley.
- Compilers: principles, techniques and tools by Alfred V. Aho, Ravi Sethi and Jeffrey D. Ullman.
NB: examples of hybrid systems includes; Java compiler (javac) and JVM (Java virtual machine) compiles Java code to byte code which is then interpreted by the JVM. .NET compiler and CLR (common language runtime), compiles .NET languages to intermediate language (IL), which is then interpreted by the CLR. Python with JIT or just in time compiler, some python implementations like PyPy uses a JIT compiler to compile python code to machine code at runtime. Lua JIT, uses a just in time compiler for Lua programming language.
