Re: Choosing a language for compiler design

Our distinguished moderator added this comment:
> [Depends what your goals are. If it's maximum portability, write it in C.
> If you want to get it working quickly, write it in Lisp. -John]


sestoft@ellemose.dina.kvl.dk (Peter Sestoft) writes:
> (Standard) ML is another language for implementing a compiler fast.
> It offers algebraic datatypes and polymorphic typechecking, so you'll
> have to suffer neither the C `segmentation fault' nor the Lisp `cannot
> take car of nil' messages.
>
> In fact, one guy teaching compiler construction objected to the use of
> ML in his course on the grounds that it would make the project too
> easy.


Hmmm, if you are willing to open things up to these sorts of vehicles,
you probably should have a look at Icon (a SNOBOL successor). I've
seen in various older articles and whatnot the very comment above used
relative to SNOBOL - using it is was supposedly too easy to justify in
a compiler construction course. Certainly Icon would be even better.


/Jon


--
Jon Anthony
Organon Motives, Inc.
Belmont, MA 02178
617.484.3383
jsa@organon.com
--

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