While many programming languages are available today, sometimes existing languages may not meet our needs. In such cases, creating a new programming language can be a great solution.
So, you can wonder: How to create my own programming language? This post will provide you with a detailed answer. We will also discuss some tools to create programming languages. Let’s check it out right now!
How To Create a Programming Language?
It is not easy to create a programming language. You need to have knowledge of computer science, programming, and software engineering.
Yet, with the right resources and approach, you can create a programming language. Below is the detailed process of creating a programming language.
Step 1: Get Acquainted with Technology
The first step is to get familiar with the technology. This not only includes the basic computing concepts but also the language-specific technologies used in the development process.
Step 2: Learn the Term
You should read about compilers and become familiar with the terminology. Therefore, you can better understand the way programming languages work. Then make informed decisions when designing your language.
Step 3: Towards a Specific Language
Choosing a specific language serving as a foundation for your work is essential.
It can ensure your programming language is efficient and easy to use. Here are some tips for choosing a language before creating your own:
- Consider the long term
- Check for sustainability
- Prioritize data safety and security
- Consider your project requirements
- Think about cross-platform development opportunities
Step 4: Think About the Concept
When creating a language, thinking about the semantics and concepts is essential to ensure effective communication.
Semantics refers to the study of meaning in language. Besides, concepts are the fundamental ideas. The semantic part of language construction is its concept.
Step 5: Identify The Mission
You also need to determine what problem your language will solve. You should consider factors such as:
- Intended audience
- The language’s purpose
- The efficiency of the language
This will help you determine the design and features of the language.
Step 6: Do Experiments
Experimentation with syntax is a vital part of designing a new programming language. Language creators should strive to strike a balance between simplicity and expressiveness. At the same time, experiment with different syntax ideas to find unique and elegant solutions.
Step 7: Create Formal Writing
Formal writing is essential when creating a programming language. It describes the set of rules that define the language’s syntax.
These rules ensure that programs written in the language are valid and can be parsed correctly by compilers or interpreters.
Step 8: Interpret or Compile?
It is necessary to decide whether your programming language will be an interpreted or compiled language.
The processor has to wait for each instruction to be translated before executed. Meanwhile, compiled programs run faster than interpreted programs. However, any changes require recompilation.
Step 9: Create a Scanner
The scanner is responsible for reading the source code. Then convert it into a format that the compiler or interpreter can process. Besides, by creating a scanner, the language designer can precisely define the language’s syntax.
Step 10: Use More Information
Another critical component is using parser information. It helps identify syntax, semantic errors, and provides the structure of the source code.
Besides, it also creates an intermediate representation and facilitates the development of tools that enhance the programming experience.
Step 11: Write an Executor
An executor is a crucial component in enabling concurrency in the language. An executor framework allows a programming language to efficiently run multiple threads and execute tasks without creating new threads every time.
Step 12: Write More Test Programs
It is essential to test your program’s functionality and ensure it works as intended. Writing many test programs helps achieve this goal in several ways:
- Ensure correct syntax
- Verify expected behavior
- Detect bugs
- Ensure compatibility
Step 13: Troubleshoot for Users
Considering troubleshooting for users when creating a new programming language can help ensure that users can effectively use and debug programs written in the language.
Troubleshooting also helps identify the symptoms and eliminate the potential cause of the problem.
Tools To Support Creating Programming Languages
Creating a programming language can be a difficult task. However, some tools available can make the process easier and more efficient. Here are the top 6 tools to subsidize creating programming languages.
1. RAD Studio
RAD Studio is a comprehensive, integrated development environment (IDE). It can build high-performance native applications in Delphi and modern C++ for multiple platforms.
RAD Studio supports Delphi, C++, and various integration options for other languages. However, it can be expensive and difficult to learn for beginners.
2. Cloud9 IDE
Cloud9 IDE is an online integrated software development environment. It supports many programming languages, such as: C, C++, PHP, Perl, and Python.
Cloud 9 IDE clones the entire development environment with a built-in terminal for command-line wizards. However, Cloud9 IDE is an online tool. It requires a stable internet connection, and the free version has limited features.
3. Embold
Embold provides deeper and faster code checks than standard linters. This code can reduce confusion with its highly responsive and visual UI.
Embold also provides several profound analysis tools. Therefore, it enables users to access real-time insights, prioritize issues, and suggest solutions.
4. Notepad++
Notepad++ is fast and lightweight. It opens quickly and can stay open without using much memory.
Besides, it is also highly flexible. Notepad++ provides handy plugins for text manipulation, programming, and more.
However, Notepad++ is not an integrated development environment (IDE) but a text editor. Therefore, it does not provide features like code debugging and project management.
5. IntelliJ IDEA
IntelliJ IDEA is an Integrated Development Environment (IDE). It provides a comprehensive set of tools for building programming languages.
It has intelligent code completion for a range of languages, support for the microservices framework, and built-in developer tools like version control and terminal.
6. Zend Studio
Zend Studio is a useful tool for PHP development and the Zend Framework. It is available for almost all PHP tools. It can run Zend Framework example projects and get formal confirmation of programming skills through Zend certification.
However, it has limited support for developing mobile apps and limited versatility compared to other programming languages.
Final Thoughts
We have provided a detailed process for creating a programming language. Also, we have recommended tools Rad Studio, Cloud9 IDE, Notepad++, etc.
Hopefully, with the above information, you can start making your own programming language. Thank you for reading!