Programming Language Implementation: A Practical Introduction with Python

The approach to implementing programming languages has shifted noticeably over the past two decades. The success of Java, with its virtual-machine approach, has paved the way for alternative methods of implementing mainstream languages, diverging from traditional machine-language targeted compilation. Since then, many successful modern programming languages such as JavaScript, Ruby, and Python have offered alternative implementation techniques such as incremental interpreters, virtual machines, and just-in-time compilers. The rise of domain-specific languages, sometimes called little languages, has likewise been influenced and supported by this shift. Domain-specific languages can solve problems in specific problem areas within their specialized domains, unlike general-purpose languages such as Python or C++, which solve problems in a wide spectrum of domains. In this book we explore the various techniques and perspectives brought about by this shift in programming language implementation. We particularly focus on domain-specific languages, which rarely use full-blown compilers for implementation in favor of an interpretation or virtual-machine approach. A “from day one” approach gets students started with implementing programming languages right away. Small, realistic languages are used to cover interpretation, virtual machines, and compilers. Implementation is “from scratch,” so all steps are transparent and accessible to the student. The approach to implementing programming languages has shifted noticeably over the past two decades. The success of Java, with its virtual-machine approach, has paved the way for alternative methods of implementing mainstream languages, diverging from traditional machine-language targeted compilation. Since then, many successful modern programming languages such as JavaScript, Ruby, and Python have offered alternative implementation techniques such as incremental interpreters, virtual machines, and just-in-time compilers. The rise of domain-specific languages, sometimes called little languages, has likewise been influenced and supported by this shift. Domain-specific languages can solve problems in specific problem areas within their specialized domains, unlike general-purpose languages such as Python or C++, which solve problems in a wide spectrum of domains. In this book we explore the various techniques and perspectives brought about by this shift in programming language implementation. We particularly focus on domain-specific languages, which rarely use full-blown compilers for implementation in favor of an interpretation or virtual-machine approach. A “from day one” approach gets students started with implementing programming languages right away. Small, realistic languages are used to cover interpretation, virtual machines, and compilers. Implementation is “from scratch,” so all steps are transparent and accessible to the student.