A. A. Grau

A program which translates an algorithmic language such as ALGOL into the machine language of an electronic computer performs the following functions: Analysis. From the program in algorithmic language are determined the operations which the computer must perform in the execution of the target program and the logical interdependence of these. Optimization. Of the many possibilities for optimization that exist, two are pertinent to this note: (2a) the elimination of superfluous operations, and (2b) the execution at translation time of those operations which do not depend on results produced by the target program. Synthesis. The sequence of operations which arise from steps 1 and 2 is expressed in the language of the computer and placed into the target program.