Tandem Computers Incorporated

Compaq Computer Corporation, Inc.

Kristy A Andrews

Paul Del Vigna, Jr

Mark E Molloy

James L Herren

David R Cutler

A system and method that implement a strategy for automatically generating self-checking tests of source-to-source translation. The tests make certain that software components produced by a source-to-source computer language translator continue to be binary-compatible with all other software components with which they previously interacted correctly, including components that remain in the original programming language. To that end, the correctness of procedure interfaces in a target computer program is also verified. With this strategy, correct translation of text preprocessor mechanisms such as macros, conditionally compiled regions of code, and source file inclusion can be achieved. The target program is the result of translating a source program written in a different language from the target program. The system creates a set of procedure calls to each procedure in the source program. The system also creates a set of callable procedures with the same interface specification as in the source program. However, the callable procedures created by the system to serve to perform tests on variables and other data that is passed to each procedures' interface specification. The system-generated procedure calls are designed to assign different test values to ensure that a valid interface exists. For example, high, low, zero, and random values, or other values, are chosen for a variable to test. The procedure calls, and callable procedures, are generated in the source language and are also translated into the target language by a translator. The procedure calls and callable procedures in both language formats are then cross-linked and executed to determine whether the translator is translating correctly with respect to the procedure interface specifications.

System for automatically generating tests to ensure binary compatibility between software components produced by a source-to-source computer language translator

A system for identifying the file structure of a computer program, preserving the file structure of the code after translation of source code from one high-level computer language to another, combining pieces of a source file that were generated in different translation sessions, and ensuring textual consistency of each piece of generated code in the resultant code files.

System for ensuring the accuracy of file structures in a source-to-source computer program translator

A method, system, apparatus, and program for translating one computer language to another using doubly-rooted tree data structures. A doubly-rooted tree is the combination of two sets of hierarchically related objects sharing a common set of leaves. An N-rooted tree is also described. When a doubly-rooted tree is constructed in the specified manner and then translated to a second doubly-rooted tree, source language code is transformed into target language code. In addition, the translation preserves preprocessor characteristics of the source language code including macros, conditionally compiled regions of code, source inclusion statements, and comments.

Method and apparatus for translating source code from one high-level

A method and apparatus for translating source code written in one computer language to source code written in another language wherein translated static fragments are generated in the face of textual inconsistencies. Exactly one target language definition of each source language static fragment is generated and the differences are encapsulated in new parameters.

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Palo Alto, CA, United States of America

Kristy A Andrews