如何开发像Coffee Script这样的编程语言？

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

• 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 2

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 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.