Olhanense Compiler
“A programming language inspired by the dialect of Olhão, with a multi-phase compiler and stack-based virtual machine.”
Overview
Olhanense replaces traditional keywords with regional Algarve expressions while retaining a real compiler pipeline. .moh files pass through lexing, parsing, semantic analysis, bytecode generation and execution in a custom VM.
The Challenge
Keeping the syntax expressive and culturally distinctive while making the type system, semantic errors and execution predictable.
Approach & Architecture
The ANTLR grammar feeds a Java pipeline with a symbol table, type checker, code-generation visitor and a VM built around an operand stack, constant pool and exception handlers.
Key Features
- ANTLR 4 generated lexer and parser
- Type inference and semantic validation
- Bytecode generation
- Stack-based virtual machine with exception support
Technical & Ethical Notes
The compiler and VM are functional. The web playground and editor extensions remain future ideas and are not part of the current implementation.