Writing a C Compiler: Build a Real Programming Language from Scratch

A hands-on, example-filled guide to the theory and practice of writing a C compiler: a computer program that translates code written by programmers into code the computer can read.

Compilers are at the heart of everything programmers do, yet even experienced developers find them intimidating. For those eager to truly grasp how compilers work, Writing a C Compiler dispels the mystery. This book guides you through a fun and engaging project where you'll learn what it takes to compile a real-world programming language to actual assembly code.

Writing a C Compiler will take you step by step through the process of building your own compiler for a significant subset of C-no prior experience with compiler construction or assembly code needed. Once you've built a working compiler for the simplest C program, you'll add new features chapter by chapter.