this is a compiler for FALSE language written in Red (in less than 50 lines of code)
in the src/ directory you will find:
- false.red - the implementation written in Red
- false.txt - the original document
- false-args.red - example how to run false programs from command-line
- false-factorial.red - compute the factorial function (and inter-op tricks)
- false-test.red - tests written along the way
I've recently learned this new language called Red and I was looking for a good enough use-case to use it. As the FALSE language might not be practical for everyday use, I have found this journey in the work of esoteric languages interesting and educational.
Even for the seasoned programmer, most of development is done using some language, at the level of variables and functions, mostly writing procedures, classes and interfaces.
Writing a compiler to understand language - is quite mind boggling; rarely you will need to know how functions work, or need to define the control-flow itself.
I am working on a mini tutorial to show how FALSE can be built starting from the concept of calculator, simply adding numbers - and extending it with words - variables and functions, up to a full blown compiler.