How to can I develop a programming language like Coffee Script?

Question

What are the initial requirement that i need to know to develop a programming language like coffee script that basically has its own syntax but after compilation changes into another language. I did Google on that but couldn't find the right answer.

Answer 1

A good first step is to read Programming Languages: Application and Interpretation. It'll teach you how to design and implement languages with interpreters.

Answer 2

• Specify your language with a basic formal grammar in something like EBNF.

  statement        = if-statement
                   | return-statement
                   | expression
                   | ...
  
  if-statement     = "if" "(" expression ")" "{" statements "}"
  
  return-statement = "return" expression ";"
  
  ...
  

• Learn about simple parsing by recursive descent and operator precedence.

• Write a parser that creates an abstract syntax tree from a source file.

• Write a code generator that converts this AST into your target language; or

• Write an interpreter that merely evaluates the AST.

Answer 3

The initial requirements are:

• Determine the target computer language
• Develop the syntax of your new language
• Map the syntax of your new language to the target language.

You'll still have plenty of work ahead, but basically, you're translating your new language into a target language.