Higgs, an Experimental JIT Compiler written in D

Maxime Chevalier-Boisvert
May 2nd @ 3:30 PM

Duration: 50 minutes
Talk type: Presentation
Level: Intermediate
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Abstract:  Just-in-time (JIT) compilers are highly complex pieces of software which manipulate symbolic representations of code at multiple levels of abstraction, generate machine instructions, and introspect the state of programs at execution time. We present an experience report on the usage of D in implementing Higgs, an optimizing JIT compiler for JavaScript. We discuss how various features of D did or did not address our technical and practical concerns and provide some recommendations for future development of the language.

Benefits: An experience report on the usage of D in writing complex systems software—a complete JIT compiler including an x86 backend. Exposure to the world of JIT compilers and dynamic language optimization. A JIT compiler writer's perspective on the usage of JIT compilation for CTFE.

Speaker Bio: Maxime Chevalier-Boisvert holds a master's degree from McGill University and is currently pursuing a PhD at Université de Montréal as part of the Dynamic Language Team. Her area of study is compiler design and optimization, with a focus on dynamic programming languages, JIT compilers and type analysis.