Subject: Re: What compiler to study?
From: rpw3@rpw3.org (Rob Warnock)
Date: Wed, 14 Dec 2005 06:24:16 -0600
Newsgroups: comp.lang.lisp
Message-ID: <nc6dnS9JBO5tkz3enZ2dnUVZ_t2dnZ2d@speakeasy.net>
elof <elof@image.dk> wrote:
+---------------
| Do not study one of the major lisp compilers as your first step. Instead
| read "Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs" followed by
| In Small Pieces". They describe how lisp interpreters, compilers,
| garbage collecters etc. can and have been built. 
+---------------

There's also a simple Scheme compiler written in Common Lisp in
chapters #22 & #23 of Peter Norvig's "Paradigms of Artificial
Intelligence Programming: Case Studies in Common Lisp" [known
around here as "PAIP", see <http://www.norvig.com/paip.html>].
It generates byte-codes for a very simple hypothetical stack
machine: starts with a simple version, then adds tail call
optimization, then CALL/CC, then finally adds some peephole
optimization. The web site has the source code. I'd probably
suggest reading it between SICP & LiSP.

But I agree that if you're serious about compiling, Queinnec's
LiSP is a must!


-Rob

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