Binary AST

When the riddlc compiler parses a RIDDL document, it translates it to an Abstract Syntax Tree (AST) in memory. The AST is then used by other passes to validate and translate the AST into other forms. The binary AST (BAST) translator converts the AST in memory into a binary format that is stored for later usage. Saving the BAST format and then reading it back into the compiler avoids the time to both parse the RIDDL document and validate it for consistency.

Consequently, the riddlc offers a translator from validated AST to BAST format and the ability to read BAST files instead of RIDDL files. The content of a BAST file must contain a valid domain definition from which portions can be imported with the import keyword like this:

import domain Kitchen from "rbbq.bast"