The quiz will take 20 minutes at the end of class. The following topics are fair game:
- Creating parse trees for expressions using BNF grammars
- Properties of ambiguous grammars
- How parsing relates to compilation
- What happens during the stages of compilation
- Difference between compilers and interpreters (check the book for this!)
- Variables and reference types in Java
- Variables and references in C
- Stack vs. heap allocation
Expect basic “what does this code do” style questions related to C. Expect those questions to explore the interesting issues we’ve seen in class! That said, I won’t ask you to write any C on this one. Also expect to have to draw a parse tree, answer some short answer questions, etc, etc!
Remember that the quiz is open notes but no other resources can be used. Bring notes on paper – no computer use, textbook use, etc. I’ll expect hand written notes only! Originals, no photocopies! (Of course, all of this is unless you have some accommodation etc etc. :)) And remember… open notes means you need to know all of this really well, and be prepared to just refer lightly to your notes for details. If you rely entirely on your notes you won’t have enough time. Study!