Key Features of C Compilers

C language compilers typically have the following features:

1. Lexical analysis involves breaking down the source code into tokens, recognizing keywords, identifiers, operators, constants, and so on.
2. Syntax analysis: Organizing morphemes into syntax trees according to grammar rules to check for syntax errors.
3. Semantic analysis involves checking the syntax tree to ensure the correctness of the semantics, including type checking, scope analysis, function call verification, etc.
4. Intermediate code generation: converting the syntax tree into intermediate code (such as three-address code, quadruples, abstract syntax tree, etc.), serving as an intermediate representation for subsequent optimization and target code generation.
5. Code optimization involves improving the efficiency and space utilization of code by optimizing intermediate code, such as constant folding, loop unrolling, and code elimination.
6. Target code generation: Transforming intermediate code into machine code based on the instructions and characteristics of the target machine to create an executable program.
7. Optimizing target code: Improve the efficiency and readability of the generated target code.
8. Error handling: Detect and report errors in the compilation process in a timely manner, providing corresponding error messages and suggestions.
9. Linking: Connecting multiple source files compiled to generate object files, resulting in the final executable program.
10. Debugging support: producing debuggable target code and supporting the use of debugging tools such as setting breakpoints, viewing variables, stepping through code, etc.

Different compilers may have slightly different features, but the above are the basic functions that most C language compilers possess.