Programming Language Construction

Definition

Programming language construction involves designing and implementing programming languages. It includes creating syntax rules, defining data types, and developing compilers or interpreters that translate code written in a specific language into machine-readable instructions.

Analogy

Imagine programming language construction as building a new city from scratch. You design the layout (syntax), establish rules (semantics), create buildings (data types), and develop transportation systems (compilers/interpreters) so that people can communicate effectively within this new city.

Related terms

Syntax: This term refers to the set of rules that define how statements are structured in a programming language.

Semantics: This term refers to the meaning behind statements written in a programming language.

Compiler/Interpreter: These terms refer to software tools that translate human-readable code into machine-executable instructions or interpret code directly without prior translation.