Best Compiler Design Books of 2025

Wilson Cook Avatar
Wilson Cook
Last Updated: Apr 26, 2023

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Compiler design books are an essential resource for anyone interested in understanding the intricacies of programming languages and compiling processes. These books offer a comprehensive guide to the design and implementation of compilers, covering topics such as lexical analysis, parsing, code generation, and optimization. They provide a solid foundation for understanding how programming languages are translated into machine code and how compilers can be designed to optimize performance and efficiency. Some popular compiler design books include "Compilers: Principles, Techniques, and Tools" by Alfred V. Aho, "Modern Compiler Implementation in C" by Andrew W. Appel, and "Engineering a Compiler" by Keith D. Cooper and Linda Torczon.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Crafting Interpreters Cover #TOP 1
Crafting Interpreters
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Modern CMake for C++: Discover a better approach to building, testing, and packaging your software Cover #TOP 2
Modern CMake for C++: Discover a better approach to building, testing, and packaging your software
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Build Your Own Programming Language: A programmer's guide to designing compilers, interpreters, and DSLs for solving modern computing problems Cover #TOP 3
Build Your Own Programming Language: A programmer's guide to designing compilers, interpreters, and DSLs for solving modern computing problems
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Compiler Design Books

Nystrom, Robert
Jul 28, 2021
Crafting Interpreters Cover
Crafting Interpreters

The book "Crafting Interpreters" is a must-read for software engineers who want to gain a better understanding of programming languages and how they are built. The book covers both high-level concepts and gritty details, teaching readers everything they need to know to implement a full-featured, efficient scripting language. The author takes readers through the process of building a language from scratch, covering topics such as parsing, semantics, bytecode representation, and garbage collection. By the end of the book, readers will have built a language that features rich syntax, dynamic typing, and more. Overall, this book is a valuable resource that will make readers stronger software engineers.

Modern CMake for C++: Discover a better approach to building, testing, and packaging your software

Swidzinski, Rafal
Feb 28, 2022
Modern CMake for C++: Discover a better approach to building, testing, and packaging your software Cover
Modern CMake for C++: Discover a better approach to building, testing, and packaging your software

Modern CMake for C++ is a comprehensive guide to building, testing, and packaging software using CMake. The book covers best practices for building C++ code, managing dependencies, and adding quality checks and tests to your projects. It also delves into the structure of source directories, building targets, and packages. By the end, readers will have gained practical knowledge of the CMake language and be able to use it confidently on a professional level. Overall, this book offers a simpler, more comprehensive approach to building C++ solutions, making it a must-read for developers looking to streamline their workflow.

Build Your Own Programming Language: A programmer's guide to designing compilers, interpreters, and DSLs for solving modern computing problems

Jeffery, Clinton L.
Dec 31, 2021
Build Your Own Programming Language: A programmer's guide to designing compilers, interpreters, and DSLs for solving modern computing problems Cover
Build Your Own Programming Language: A programmer's guide to designing compilers, interpreters, and DSLs for solving modern computing problems

This book, written by the creator of the Unicon programming language, provides a comprehensive guide to designing compilers, interpreters, and domain-specific languages (DSLs) for modern computing problems. The author emphasizes building custom programming languages as a solution to the increasing complexity of software. The book covers everything from implementing the frontend of a compiler to garbage collection, with relevant examples provided in both Unicon and Java. Overall, this book is an excellent resource for programmers who want to reduce development time and create custom languages to solve domain-specific problems.

Compilers: Principles, Techniques, and Tools

Aho, Alfred
Ullman, Jeffrey
Sethi, Ravi
Lam, Monica
Addison Wesley
Aug 31, 2006
Compilers: Principles, Techniques, and Tools Cover
Compilers: Principles, Techniques, and Tools

The "Dragon Book" is a classic reference for students, professors, and developers interested in compilers. The latest edition reflects updates in programming languages, software engineering, and computer architecture since the last publication in 1986. The authors focus on broader software design and development issues while maintaining their reputation as authoritative sources on compilers. The book is recommended for anyone interested in learning about compilers or computer science in general.

#TOP 5

Program Proofs

Leino, K. Rustan M.
Leino, Kaleb
Mar 7, 2023

Program Proofs is a comprehensive textbook that teaches formal reasoning about computer programs using the verification-aware programming language Dafny. K. Rustan M. Leino explains how to write specifications for programs, how to ensure that programs satisfy those specifications, and how to write proofs that connect specifications and programs. The book gradually builds up to complex concepts and applications, using real program text from a real programming language. It also features engaging illustrations and hands-on learning exercises. This book is an excellent resource for students interested in compiler design and program verification.

#TOP 6

Essentials of Compilation: An Incremental Approach in Racket

Siek, Jeremy G.
Feb 21, 2023
Essentials of Compilation: An Incremental Approach in Racket Cover
Essentials of Compilation: An Incremental Approach in Racket

This book, titled "Essentials of Compilation: An Incremental Approach in Racket," offers a unique and hands-on approach to understanding and building compilers. The author, Jeremy Siek, breaks down the challenge of compiler construction into bite-sized pieces, making it accessible for both students and professionals. Rather than dedicating one chapter to each stage of the process, Siek provides an incremental approach that allows readers to write every single line of code themselves. This book is already widely used and proven in the classroom, and includes extensive ancillary resources such as source code and solutions. Overall, this book is a rigorous but accessible guide to compiler design that invites readers to learn by doing.

#TOP 7

Blazor WebAssembly By Example: Use practical projects to start building web apps with .NET 7, Blazor WebAssembly, and C#, 2nd Edition

Wright, Toi B.
Hanselman, Scott
Feb 28, 2023
Blazor WebAssembly By Example: Use practical projects to start building web apps with .NET 7, Blazor WebAssembly, and C#, 2nd Edition Cover
Blazor WebAssembly By Example: Use practical projects to start building web apps with .NET 7, Blazor WebAssembly, and C#, 2nd Edition

Blazor WebAssembly by Example is a project-based guide that teaches readers how to build single-page web applications with Blazor. The book provides step-by-step instructions for each project, and each project includes a video example. Readers will learn how to work with Blazor WebAssembly without spending too much time on theory, with projects that cover Razor components, JavaScript interop, security, event handling, debugging, and more. By the end of the book, readers will have experience building a wide variety of single-page web applications. This book is a valuable resource for beginners and those who want to dip into specific topics.

Compilers: Principles, Techniques, and Tools

Aho, Alfred V.
Sethi, Ravi
Ullman, Jeffrey D.
Addison-Wesley
Apr 26, 1985
Compilers: Principles, Techniques, and Tools Cover
Compilers: Principles, Techniques, and Tools

Compilers: Principles, Techniques, and Tools is an updated version of the classic book Principles of Compiler Design by Aho and Ullman. The authors cover the latest research and techniques in the field and provide a comprehensive introduction to compiler design. The book covers topics such as context-free grammars, finite state machines, and syntax-directed translation. Written by Ravi Sethi, director of Computing Science Research at AT&T Bell Laboratories, the "dragon book" has been translated into several languages. This book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in compiler design and computer hardware design and architecture.

2023-2027 Monthly Planner 5 Years: Planner Blue Sky Cover - Five Year Monthly Planner From January 2023 To December 2027 - 60 Months - Large Calendar ... Organizer with Holiday - 8.5 x 11 inches

Evan, E.Lamsi
Oct 6, 2022
2023-2027 Monthly Planner 5 Years: Planner Blue Sky Cover - Five Year Monthly Planner From January 2023 To December 2027 - 60 Months - Large Calendar ... Organizer with Holiday - 8.5 x 11 inches Cover
2023-2027 Monthly Planner 5 Years: Planner Blue Sky Cover - Five Year Monthly Planner From January 2023 To December 2027 - 60 Months - Large Calendar ... Organizer with Holiday - 8.5 x 11 inches

The 2023-2027 Monthly Planner 5 Years is a simple and practical planner that helps organize one's life for five years, from January 2023 to December 2027. With an annual view, contacts, passwords, and anniversary sections, this planner is perfect for time and priority management. It also features a large calendar, monthly tables, and ample space for taking notes and planning. The premium matte cover and Blue Sky design make it a fun and unique gift for friends, family, or co-workers. This planner is an excellent choice for individuals who want to stay organized and on top of their goals.

2023-2027 Monthly Planner 5 Years- Black: (Years 2023,2024,2025,2026,2027 / January 2023-December 2027)

Planner, Ariana
Sep 11, 2022
2023-2027 Monthly Planner 5 Years- Black: (Years 2023,2024,2025,2026,2027 / January 2023-December 2027) Cover
2023-2027 Monthly Planner 5 Years- Black: (Years 2023,2024,2025,2026,2027 / January 2023-December 2027)

This 5-year planner is a lifesaver for anyone looking to stay organized from 2023 to 2027. The planner features large, unruled squares for each day, with plenty of room for short notes. Each month is spread over two pages, with inspirational quotes and federal holidays included. The planner also includes a year in review for each year and a notes section on the side of the pages. Additionally, there are birthday, communication, and password logs, as well as extra note pages. This planner is a great gift idea and is designed and printed in the USA.

Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Which language is best for compiler design?

Of those:. 8 C++ 17.8%7 C 15.5%5 Rust 11.1%3 Haskell 6.6%3 Java 6.6%3 Self-hosting 6.6%3 Python 6.6%2 F# 4.4%

2. What is a compiler PDF?

A compiler is a software that takes a program written in a high level language and translates it into an equivalent. program in a target language. Most specifically a compiler takes a computer program and translates it into an. object program.

3. What is taught in compiler design?

Compiler design covers basic translation mechanism and error detection & recovery. It includes lexical, syntax, and semantic analysis as front end, and code generation and optimization as back-end.

4. What is a compiler in a book?

A compiler translates a program written in a high level language into a program written in a lower level language.

Editor's Notes

During our compiler design book research, we found 1,142 compiler design book products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 4,770 customer reviews through our big data system to write the compiler design books list. We found that most customers choose compiler design books with an average price of $30.11.

Written by
Wilson Cook Avatar

Wilson Cook is a talented writer who has an MFA in creative writing from Williams College and has published more than 50 books acquired by hundreds of thousands of people from various countries by now. He is an inveterate reading lover as he has read a vast amount of books since childhood.