From Source Code To Machine Code

Introduction

Ever wondered how computers turn source code into working software? You can learn the art by building your own mini-compiler.

A succinct book walks through a minimal yet complete compiler implementation. Compiles a static-typed language into x64 ELF executables.

Contents

Part I: Interpreter

1. Introduction
2. A Simple Calculator
3. Interpreter: Variables and Scopes
4. Interpreter: Control Flows and Functions

Part II: Bytecode Compiler

5. How Computers Work
6. The Virtual Machine and Bytecode
7. Compiler: Variables and Expressions
8. Compiler: Control Flows
9. Compiler: Functions and Non-Local Variables

Part III: Machine Code

10. A Crash Course on x64 Assembly
11. The x64 Instruction Encoding
12. From Virtual Machine to Real Machine
13. Binary Executables
14. Pointers and Memory

The book is available for purchase.