A tool for compiler construction based on aspect-oriented specifications

Aspect-oriented programming (AOP) provides a way to modularize crosscutting concerns. Crosscuting concerns can be found in various representations of software artifacts and in different steps of software life cycle (e.g., source code, models, requirements, language grammars). This paper provides an introduction to the AspectLISA tool and its aspect-oriented specification language for programming language definition and compiler construction. AspectLISA is a mature, well-tested system for automatically generating compilers, interpreters, and other language related tools from formal incremental and reusable aspect-oriented attribute grammar-based specifications. In the paper we discuss about the issues involved in the design and implementation of domain-specific aspect language for compiler construction, as well as some benefits of aspect-oriented specifications.