Writing a C Compiler, in Zig
A new series chronicles the development of 'paella', a C compiler written entirely in Zig. This detailed, chapter-by-chapter log serves as both a practical guide to compiler construction and a hands-on exercise in learning the increasingly popular Zig programming language. It appeals to HN's fascination with low-level systems programming and the exploration of modern, high-performance languages.
The Lowdown
This article introduces a new series documenting the creation of 'paella', a C compiler, implemented using the Zig programming language. The author undertook this project as a dual learning experience: to understand compiler development by following Nora Sandler's 'Writing a C Compiler' book, and concurrently, to deeply familiarize themselves with Zig.
Key aspects covered in the documented chapters include:
- Chapter 1: Intro - Setting the stage for the project.
- Chapter 2-4: Unary, Binary, Logic - Implementing fundamental arithmetic and logical operations.
- Chapter 5: Variables - Handling variable declaration and usage.
- Chapter 6-8: Conditions, Blocks, Loops - Incorporating control flow structures.
- Chapter 9: Functions - Implementing function definitions and calls.
- Chapter 10: Linking - Addressing the final stage of compiling and linking the code.
The author notes that these articles were originally written as they progressed through the project and have been collected here with minimal editing. They express an intention to continue adding to the series if they proceed further with the source material.