Re: Writing a Mac Ada compiler

[Theodore Dennison <dennison@escmail.orl.mmc.com>]

Fraser Wilson <raser@zoom.jtec.com.au> wrote:
> I nearly cried when mfeldman@seas.gwu.edu (Michael Feldman) explained:
> 
> >Ada compilers are not easy. Best to reuse something, especially if it
> >is free.
> 
> It's true they're not easy.  But writing an Ada compiler is a great
> way to learn how compilers work.
> 
..
> 
> And even if it's ultimately a useless endeavour, it was fun.

I don't think we meant to imply that it was "useless". Personally,
I'm a firm believer that learning is never a waste. 

Its just that trying to craft a complete implementation of Ada 
single-handedly in one's spare time is practicly a hopeless task.
The image that springs to mind is that of the old man in Indiana
in the seventies who was building his own turnpike (by himself).
Sure, you'll learn a lot, you'll just never finish it. 

I would like to suggest that, for learning purposes, a smaller
language would be more suitable. This way, you are more likely
to get around to building a code generator (to go with your
parser and lexical analyser). Pascal and C would probably be 
good choices. Oberon would also be a good choice, as a book 
(Written by Nicklaus Wirth) is avaiable on building compilers
that uses Oberon as an example. The complete source to Oberon
is gone over in detail during the course of the text.

Of course, if its really fame and glory you are after, porting
GNAT would be the better choice. :-)

T.E.D.