Conference turris::languages

119.0. "ASN.1 Compilers/Parsers?" by KIRK::PSMITH (Peter H. Smith) Mon Nov 24 1986 15:10

    Is anyone out there working on ASN.1 "compilers"?  ASN.1 ( Abstract
    Syntax Notation 1 ) is being used to define Protocol Data Units
    for various International Standards, such as FTAM, MRX, and RS511.
    To date, most ASN.1 definitions have been small, and it has made
    sense to build syntax tables by hand for each application.  However,
    RS511 is getting pretty big ( 2000+ lines already ), and will probably
    be unstable by nature ( RS511 allows communication with various
    factory floor devices ).
    
    It would be useful to be able to parse the ASN.1 notation and produce
    syntax tables directly.  It would also be useful to be able to define
    transformations from PDU's to native VAX aggregate structures, and
    criteria for separating incoming PDU's into separate classes.  I
    am playing around with a crude compiler, since I haven't found anyone
    else in the company who is working on it.  I just want to be sure
    that there isn't something already available which suits my needs,
    before I put more effort into development.
    
    Please send mail or call if you're working on an ASN.1 application,
    or know someone who is.  I'd like to share ideas and code, if possible.
    
    Peter H. Smith
    DTN 223-7809
    KIRK::PSMITH

    Have you talked to the people involved with DDIS/DDIF? I believe
    DDIS has beendefined so that it is compatible wiht ASN.1 as a data
    specification. It's possible that the same sort of syntax analysis
    needed for DDIF might be what you are looking for. I would suggest
    contacting PIXEL::TRAVIS (Bob) as a starting point.
    
    jack

    Did you get the answer yet?  We are, in fact, working on such a beast.