thechristelegacy

Any good texts out there on compiler design that could get me started? Hmm, how about this, a Python compiler written in Python...

andy_m

Seems a bit ambitious, don't you think? Don't forget that the fact that the language is interpreted is one of its greatest strengths. Its dynamic/flexible nature, and the rapid development cycle it allows, are central to the popularity of the language.

Cerulean

Interpreters written in Python is another matter. The introspection provided by Python and it's dynamic nature makes this ridiculously easy.. I know of someone who wrote a PHP interpreter in Python, and i've written a mini language in Python (with integer, strings, dictionary, floating point, and list types) which you can extend with Python (simply specify the name of the Python file, and all functions defined there can be used from the language).

thechristelegacy

I don't plan on actually writing a compiler for the language, it's way past me, but I would still be interested on reading a book on compiler design.

Dietrich

It should be easier to create a Python to C++ translator and then use one of the many C++ compilers to generate the exe file.

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Sane

I know I'm bumping up an old thread, but only because I seriously support the idea of a hidden-source compiler for Python (or at least a good one).

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Dietrich

The beauty of Python is that it is open-source, not hidden-source! Maybe you should contact Microsoft for some of their internal super-hidden-source languages like F#.

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I looked it up on the Intergnats!

Sane

But I still want something that can compile all my modules!! I don't want my clients to need to download 4 seperate Python installations plus my source!!!!!!!!!! I know there is py2exe but the exact problem is no one I know can get it to work...

so "...only because I seriously support the idea of a hidden-source compiler for Python (or at least a good one)."

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DaWei

There isn't anything wrong with open source. Neither is there anything wrong with closed-source, proprietary stuff. Advancement would be considerably slower because of lack of inducement if people couldn't protect and profit from their original ideas. We all want to be philanthropists and charitable -- right after we ensure our next few meals and a roof over our head.

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Dietrich

I fully agree! Still think that a Python to C++ translator should work, then you can use one of the existing C++ compilers. Heck, a lot of Python modules are written in C++. Googling around, there have been some early attempts at this. There is also a Java to C# translator by Microsoft, and an open-source basic to C translator that seems to do very well.

The problem with a Python to C++ translator is that whoever writes it has to be very familiar with both languages.

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I looked it up on the Intergnats!