How to write a tiny compiler

In plain words

How to Write a Tiny Compiler is a blog series that teaches the fundamentals of compiler design by building a simple compiler in JavaScript. The compiler translates LISP-like syntax into C-like syntax, covering key concepts including code generation and abstract syntax trees. It is designed for developers interested in understanding how compilers work, breaking down what seems like a complex topic into manageable concepts and practical implementation.

written from the facts on this page · September 2026

From the sources

Nothing in computer science sounds more challenging than writing a compiler. And indeed, it is challenging - very challenging. You probably have to be one of those genius guys in order to be able to write a real compiler. Nevertheless, in this series of blog posts, we are going to show the basic structure of a compiler by implementing a very simple compiler in javascript : our compiler is going to compile code in LISP -like syntax into C -like syntax. This is not going to be easy - but I can guarantee you that you are going to enjoy. I know that for sure because in this series there will be a lot of code snippets and all the code snippets are going to be interactive. You can modify the code…from blog.klipse.tech

• 
  Ultra Tiny Compiler in less than 90 lines of code2016 · github.com · ▲61

  Ultra Tiny Compiler. Contribute to antonmedv/ultra-tiny-compiler development by creating an account on GitHub.

• 
  A compiler for a small language into x86-64 assembly2020 · github.com · ▲74

  Compiler for a small language into x86-64 Assembly - MauriceGit/compiler

• 
  A self-hosted js compiler in 1k loc2017 · github.com · ▲47

  Minimal self-hosted JavaScript compiler in 1k lines of code - maierfelix/mini-js

• 
  TinyGo – LLVM-based Go compiler for microcontrollers2018 · github.com · ▲177

  Go compiler for small places. Microcontrollers, WebAssembly (WASM/WASI), and command-line tools. Based on LLVM. - tinygo-org/tinygo

• 
  A compiler and VM for a simple language, in 150 lines of code2022 · gist.github.com · ▲200

  A complete compiler for a simple language (in less than 150 LoC) - 00_readme.md

• 
  My C compiler compiled itself2024 · github.com · ▲275

  One of the most challenging projects of my life :)

• 
  /dev/null▲468

  a social network for devs

  Dev tools · 2d ago · dev-null.sh

• 
  Whiteboard (YC W26) – an open-source IDE for thoughtful software design▲423

  open-source IDE for thoughtful software design. Contribute to devdotfast/whiteboard development by creating an account on GitHub.

  Dev tools · 27d ago · github.com

• 
  Reladraw – A diagram language where you decide where to place things▲411

  Contribute to reladraw/reladraw development by creating an account on GitHub.

  Dev tools · 25d ago · github.com

• 
  OpenBot▲362

  Grok Bot alternative: free, local, open-source, multiplayer

  Dev tools · 22d ago · openbot.run

• 
  Talanoa▲340

  Hi HN, I’m a fullstack developer, and honestly, I’ve lost count of how many side projects I’ve worked on over the years. But one idea kept coming back to me: a different kind of email client. It first came to me in 2014: “What if we could handle emails more like conversations?” Every year, I’d revisit this concept in my “Build Notes.” Ten years later, no one had built exactly what I had in mind — so I finally decided to do it myself. That’s how Talanoa was born. I wanted something focused on people, not timelines. I was tired of marking messages as unread just to remember to reply later, or…

  Dev tools · 20d ago · talanoa.email

• 
  CoreSpeed▲332

  One MCP for everything your agents need: apps, memory, tools

  Dev tools · 27d ago · corespeed.io

• 
  Lottie by Airbnb▲1,138

  Easily add high-quality animation to any native app

  Dev tools · 2017 · airbnb.com

• 
  Web Gradients▲906

  Curated collection of 180 free fresh background gradients 🚀

  Work · 2017 · webgradients.com

• 
  Culture Codes▲858

  Company culture decks aggregated all in one place

  Life & fun · 2017 · tettra.com

• 
  TensorFlow 1.0▲823

  Open-source machine learning library by Google

  AI · 2017 · tensorflow.org

• 
  Milanote▲763

  The notes app for creative work

  Work · 2017 · milanote.com

• 
  A guide to all HTML5 elements and attributes▲728

  A free guide to all HTML elements and attributes.

  Life & fun · 2017 · htmlreference.io