(zstix.io) zstix - Make a Lisp in Python

ROAM_REFS: https://zstix.io/posts/make-a-lisp-in-python/

• Make a Lisp in Python

2024-08-08

#build-log #language-design #python #lisp

I've been spending a lot of time learning how programming languages are created. At the moment, I am half-way through reading Writing a Compiler in Go (which, along with the first book in the series, is fantastic). I have lofty aspirations for making my own VM and self-compiled language, but I have a lot more to learn first.

The books covers building a fairly robust interpreter (and later compiler) for a C-like language. I've already written several thousand lines of code and probably have another thousand or two to go. It's been rewarding, but also a lot to think about. I wanted to take a little brain break and build a dirt-simple lisp-like language.

It turned out to be pretty easy to build (and it was a lot of fun). I thought it would be a fun tutorial for folks, so join me as we make our very own programming language!