Re: Language used to write compilers

Scott Moore <samiam@moorecad.com> wrote:
>Joe H. wrote:
>
>> Question - what languages are used to write compilers? My world is
>> Unix/Linux - should I wait until a course is offered using C/C++?
>
>Many compilers are written in Pascal. It is perhaps the only language
>with a single character lookahead buffer built into to the language.


If you are coming from the UNIX/Linux world I would recommend C. C is
well integrated with UNIX, although you might want to also consider
C++. The other GNU tools that come with gcc are also C centric. And
if you are used to using pointers and linked lists again C (or other
Algol-like languages) come naturally, provided you use them with care.
You can look at C as a high-level language that was designed to also
have low-level features in order to do system programs such as OS or
compilers or device drivers relatively easier resulting in a less than
safe development environment as long as you are willing to live with
it. Most production quality C/C++ and even Java compilers were
written in C. But, it's good to learn Java for applications
development.


Napi


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