What Programming Language Should I Use to Create My Own Language?

If you're aiming to create a self-hosted programming language, you should consider the path you want to take: Do you want to build everything from the ground up, or would you prefer using a framework like LLVM? The choice also depends on your familiarity with a language. If you go for a language close to your target, you might gain valuable insights for writing your language.

Using the LLVM compiler infrastructure is a great choice! It supports languages like C++ and Rust very well. Basically, you'd create a program that reads your new programming language's source code, parses it, generates LLVM code, and then uses LLVM to convert that into machine code. It saves you a lot of hassle by providing optimization and compatibility across platforms. If you're looking for resources on LLVM, check out their documentation as it makes generating LLVM IR a breeze!

It's essential to define your end goals—whether you want to write a new language, extend an existing one, or build a compiler. Once you clarify that, choosing the appropriate host language will be a lot easier. Some options like Haskell are friendly for this, but you should base your choice on what you ultimately want to achieve.

Ultimately, the best host language for your compiler depends on how comfortable you are with it. Rust is on the rise in terms of job openings and is a smart choice for building compilers due to its features. Even though C++ has a more established job market, Rust is becoming increasingly popular in big tech companies, making it a wise investment for your future.

Rust is fantastic for writing compilers, especially due to its memory safety features and pattern matching capabilities. While functional languages like OCaml and Haskell are also excellent for this purpose, if your focus is on industry relevance, it really depends on your specific career path. Industry indices often rank programming languages, so it might help to look those up for insights!