[Oopic-compiler-devel] Python parsers

[Neil D. <nd...@us...>]

I've been having a look at the parsers / compiler generators that Brian
mentioned (http://www.python.org/topics/parsing.html), and there are plenty
of options, all with varying degrees of development, features etc.

One of them, Spark, has a very interesting tutorial describing the process
of creating a compiler using Spark, which gives some very interesting
insights into creating a compiler using Python.  I'm not suggesting we
necessarily use Spark, but I think the article is well worth a read, as it
clarifies how the lexing, parsing, semantic analysis and code generation
all fit together.  The article is here:

  <http://www.foretec.com/python/workshops/1998-11/proceedings/papers/aycock-little/aycock-little.html>

Whether we use Python or C, or whether we use Spark or not, I think this
article is worth reading.  I have a 2-inch thick book on compiler design
which is pretty heavy reading, but the above article is quite readable.

Neil
-- 
Neil Durant
<nd...@us...>