Building Programming Language Interpreters: A bottom-up approach to runtimes, execution, and implementation in C++

Explore why you might build a new programming language, which aspects influence runtime and language design choices, and how to implement a working first-version interpreter for that language in C++.

Free with your book: DRM-free PDF version + access to Packt's next-gen Reader*

Key Features

Design a domain-specific language to solve focused problems and reduce complexity and bugs

Follow a bottom-up approach, from runtime design to interpreter implementation

Build an interpreter from scratch as a functional, minimum viable product

Book DescriptionDesigning a custom programming language can be the most effective way to solve certain types of problems—especially when precision, safety, or domain-specific expressiveness matters. This book guides you through the full process of designing and implementing your own programming language and interpreter, from language design to execution, using modern C++.

You’ll start by exploring when and why building a domain-specific language is worth it, and how to design one to fit a specific problem domain. Along the way, you’ll examine real-world interpreter architectures and see how their design decisions affect language behavior, capabilities, and runtime trade-offs.

The book then walks through the entire process of interpreter implementation: defining syntax, building a lexer and parser, designing an abstract syntax tree, generating executable instructions, and implementing a runtime. All examples are in modern C++, with a focus on clean architecture and real-world usability.

By the end, you’ll have a fully working interpreter for a domain-specific language designed to handle network protocols—plus the knowledge and tools to design your own programming language from scratch.

*Email sign-up and proof of purchase requiredWhat you will learn

Design a domain-specific language and interpreter from scratch

Write an interpreter that can be embedded into existing environments

Understand how runtime shapes language execution and interpreter design

Reason about language design and runtime trade-offs

Define and implement the execution model of an interpreted language

Implement a lexer, parser, analyzer, and instruction emitter in C++

Who this book is forThis book is tailored for intermediate to advanced software developers, particularly those interested in language design and implementation. It's ideal for programmers seeking to expand their skill set and tackle complex problems efficiently. Professionals working in roles such as software engineers, language designers, or system architects will benefit from the practical insights and hands-on experience provided in the book. Good understanding of C++ programming and basic understanding of language design concepts are recommended to fully grasp the content.