Re: Good practical language and OS agnostic text?

compilers@is-not-my.name writes:


> Guys, I'm having a bear of a time finding a good practical language
> and OS agnostic text on writing a compiler. I'm weak in math and not
> interested in the theoretical details. I want to understand the hows
> and whys of compiler writing. [...]


First, don't expect to understand much of compilation without at least
some background in discrete maths (some basic language theory, but
also graph theory if you go down later stages), and of course
algorithmics and programming.


Second, don't think compilation is all about language theory. For
instance, control-flow analysis is heavy on graph traversals, code
generation may use subtle algorithmics (e.g., dynamic programming), etc.
And optimization techniques may use whatever will provide a suitable
model (some loop optimizations make heavy use of linear algebra).


Of course, if you're interested in compilers you'll become interested
into all the theories/topics they use. And I think it's a very nice way
to learn a lot about computer science.


OK, now my suggestion: "Modern Compiler Implementation", by Andrew
Appel, which imho has the perfect balance between theory and
implementation. You are allowed to choose the implementation language:
the book exists in C, Java, and ML versions.


-- Alain.

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