Simple compilers can be class exercises. However, production compilers must respond to concerns about performance and usability.
The architecture must respond to the usage profile of its environment. For example, student compilers must support rapid turnaround of small programs but need not be much concerned with the quality of the code. For production compilers, however, code speed may be paramount.
The architecture must be compatible with its associated software development enviroment. This might, for example, be batch or interactive.
Updated Halloween 95 by
Mary Shaw
Comments to maintainer