CODEWITHSUNDEEP
compiler-construction
Delan Azabani
Delan Azabani

Reputation: 81384

Writing a temporary compiler to write a compiler in the new language

What is the term used to refer to when you create a new language and write the compiler for that language, in a different one, then once the 'temporary' compiler is well-developed, rewrite it in the same language using that temporary compiler?

Upvotes: 2

Views: 277

Answers (3)

Alex Blakemore
Alex Blakemore

Reputation: 11896

Once you get into the new language, its called "bootstrapping"

You don't need the temporary compiler to handle the whole language, just enough to let you get started with the first version of the real compiler. Then keep adding features and using them in the next rev.

Upvotes: 2

John Kugelman
John Kugelman

Reputation: 361605

Q: "If one needs a compiler for language X to obtain a compiler for language X (which is written in language X), how did the first compiler get written?"

A: Bootstrapping

Upvotes: 4

sepp2k
sepp2k

Reputation: 370132

The term for that is "bootstrapping".

Upvotes: 5

Related Questions