Architecture and Compiler

Architecture and Compiler Design

TumorScript's reference implementation is engineered in modular Lua, organized into three distinct pipeline stages: lexical analysis, abstract syntax tree (AST) construction, and the biomorphic virtual runtime.

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1. System Pipeline Overview

Source (.tmq)
     │
     ▼
┌──────────────┐
│  src/lexer   │ ──► Tokens (INDENT/DEDENT, Braces Check)
└──────────────┘
     │
     ▼
┌──────────────┐
│  src/parser  │ ──► Abstract Syntax Tree + 20% Quarantine Check
└──────────────┘
     │
     ▼
┌──────────────┐
│ src/runtime  │ ──► Dynamic Heap (src/memory) + Execution (src/interpreter)
└──────────────┘

---

2. Lexical Analyzer (src/lexer.lua)

The lexer converts stream text into discrete tokens while enforcing biomorphic structural rules:

• Indentation Tracking: Manages an indentation level stack (indent_stack), generating virtual INDENT and DEDENT tokens.
• Line-Insensitive Braces: Enforces that { can only occur when quarantine was the directly preceding keyword.
• Multiline String & Comment Strip: Treats # as full-line or trailing comments, stripping them prior to AST emission.

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3. The 20% Quarantine Limit

To preserve the language's core philosophy (preventing developers from simply enclosing entire programs in quarantine), the parser calculates total physical lines upon initial read.

local q_lines = math.max(1, line_end - line_start + 1)
self.quarantine_lines = self.quarantine_lines + q_lines
local ratio = self.quarantine_lines / math.max(self.total_lines, 1)

if ratio > 0.20 then
    error(string.format(
        "QUARANTINE_OVERFLOW at line %d: quarantine blocks exceed 20%% limit (%.1f%% used)",
        line, ratio * 100))
end

If the aggregated line count of all quarantine chambers exceeds $20%$, compilation immediately halts with QUARANTINE_OVERFLOW.

---

4. Memory Layout (src/memory.lua)

Every variable in TumorScript is represented in the heap as an organic memory block:

local function make_dna(value)
    return {
        type = "dna",
        value = value,
        original_value = value,
        mutation_rate = 0.005,
        read_count = 0,
        is_malignant = false,
    }
end

Scope Stacks

Scopes are modeled as nested tables. Entering a function or quarantine chamber invokes push_scope(), creating isolated namespace layers. Leaving invokes pop_scope(), which recalculates the active living population and deducts deceased variables from system statistics.

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5. Execution Engine (src/interpreter.lua)

The interpreter conducts a two-phase walk over the AST:

1. Registration Pass: Traverses top-level nodes to register all gene definitions and cell blueprints into module lookup tables.
2. Execution Pass: Evaluates sequential statements, automatically triggering the parameterless main() gene if declared.