SAsargstuff·Apr 11, 2022Submission
Literal Hands on Coding Method(s)?
Anyone tried modifying the AST-tree of a compiler for a given program(s) in VR space?
Is this a viable method for remote office code reviews?
Example working concept [1] would be comparing "old" K&R C / C89 vs. port to "modern" C.
aka Virtual chalk board in VR 2 or 3D to support video conference.
[1] "Old C code -- how to upgrade it?" https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=30957273#30962540
Concept example:
Given "old" c code line of : (--(char)hash_ptr.parm.v.p) = fpop(sst);
A) "traditional method": run it through the compiler/debugger, "compile/debug/pray resolve all issues)
B) Advanced method:
Assuming the license terms on the working binary allows decompilation;
1) Use a disassembler to psudo C on the original binary and same hardware.
2) Diff the resulting pseudo source code to see where things get interpreted differently.
Read the rest
3) Then use combination of "tree differ" ([2]) and
compiler explorer to review the "differences", ([3])
C) Next setup up approach:
1) open source decompile to pseudo-C
software: ghidra [4]; retdec [5]
compiler ware: gcc -fdump-translation-unit or clang -ast-dump
2) Then use something graphbiz's dotty in conjunction with [6] nicst's tree diff util.
D) Current, everything but the kitchen sink approach:
Almost verything but the VR aspect,
Non-free software for non-vr space ast idea: http://www.semdesigns.com/Products/DMS/DMSToolkit.html
Query:
Is there an open source interactive VR "full compiler stack" tree visualization, so one can "hand manipulate"/ move in/out of compile AST new code or color code diffs between old/new code and/or versions all in 3d?
Resources:
[2] ast tree diff utils : https://github.com/syntax-tree/awesome-syntax-tree
[3] compiler explorer : https://godbolt.org/z/v4TdvE83b
[4] ghidra: ghidra-sre.org
[5] retdec: https://github.com/avast/retdec
[6] nicst utils : https://github.com/syntax-tree/awesome-syntax-tree