2024_Research_CppToPython

Authors

• Milos Obrenovic (1041/2024)
• Lazar Kracunovic (1038/2024)

Project Overview

This project implements a translator from C++ to Python based on Abstract Syntax Trees (ASTs).
The goal is to demonstrate how formal grammars and AST-based approaches can be applied to automatic program translation between programming languages.

Key Components

• ANTLR4 Grammar for parsing C++14 source code.
• AST Hierarchy in Java: nodes for expressions, statements, declarations, loops, and functions.
• AST Builder: a visitor that walks the ANTLR parse tree and constructs the internal AST model.
• Code Generation Module: traverses the AST and produces equivalent Python code.
• Testing Framework: compares the output of compiled C++ programs with the output of translated Python code, ensuring correctness.

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How to Build and Run

Prerequisites

• Java 21+
• Gradle (build tool, included via build.gradle)
• ANTLR4 (plugin included in the build)
• Python 3.10+ (to run translated programs)
• G++ (optional, for compiling original C++ tests)

Build

./gradlew build

Tests

Run all tests:

./gradlew testTranslator

To run on individual file:

Steps:

1. Add correct .cpp file in tests/input
2. In example.java modify line CharStream charStream = CharStreams.fromFileName("src/main/tests/input/example.cpp");
3. Run ./gradlew example