Q&A for How to Create a Programming Language

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What background or experience do I need to try and develop my own programming language?

Tyrone Showers
Technologist
Tyrone Showers is a Technologist and the Co-owner of Taliferro Group, an IT consulting company based in Seattle, Washington. With over 35 years of professional experience, he specializes in API Design, e-Commerce, Operational Efficiency, and website development. He has a B.S. in Computer Science from DeVry Institute of Technology.

Tyrone Showers

Technologist

Expert Answer

Have a fundamental understanding of logic and how it affects the processing of things. Such as how a piece of code can be used or reused to accomplish the result that you want in your programming language or statement. Everyone has their own way of writing their own language; some are easy to read and some are not; some are easy to compile and some are not; so another thing you have to keep in mind is the speed. The processing power to compile languages and run them as fast as possible. The faster the code runs on a machine, the less likely it is to break.

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What are top 5 best programming languages?

Living Concrete

Top Answerer

There is no "best" programming language. Each programming language has its strengths and weaknesses. It's up to the developer to determine whether or not a programming language suits his or her project based on those strengths and weaknesses.

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How do I publish a programing language?

Community Answer

You should create a website, which, if you are familliar with coding, can be done very cheaply, or you can pay a little bit more to get a drag and drop website editor. You should write everything about how to use the code on the website. After that, you should share it on forums and social media sites. If you have created a real program in your language, this might help, because people see it is a good language.

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Where do I program a new language on a PC?

Community Answer

You can use freeware like Sublime Text and ConTEXT, Notepad++, or even just Notepad to get started!

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What can I test the programming language on? What tools can I use?

Community Answer

Create some examples to test your compiler/interpreter on. Begin simple, and after that gradually build up. Then you use a tool for testing, there are many free tools to use, for example, JUnit for Java, Jest for Javascript and Unittest for Python.

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How do I start learning a programming language?

Community Answer

wikiHow has some great articles about this, such as Start Learning Computer Programming , Learn a Programming Language , and Start Learning to Program . Once you've chosen which language is right for your needs, wikiHow has tutorials on programming languages as well.

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Can I make a new programming language on a Chromebook?

Community Answer

Of course, as long as you have access to Javascript, Python, C#, or another programming language. To make a programming language, you need another programming language.

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Is there any specific language that is easy to make a new language on, and how would I do that?

Community Answer

Java is useful because of the many tools available. In particular a very famous tool called "ANTLR" is available for generating major components of compilers and interpreters.

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Can I make a new language without using another programming language?

Kaydo

Community Answer

Other programming languages can help specify the syntax (rules) in your programming language. It will help to learn Java, C++, Python, etc. Programming languages are meant to solve problems, so focus on that when you're working on yours.

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What should I learn to understand language designing?

Community Answer

You could take a class at your local college, university or trade school, or search for information online.

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What language should I use to build it?

Community Answer

You can use any language you want, though C++ or Java are recommended. You can then either build a run time or create a platform-specific compiler. PSCs are used to create programs such as operating systems and firmware.

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Question

What program do I need to code my own language on a Mac?

Adam Starkey

Community Answer

Any code editor will do fine on a Mac. I use Visual Studio Code on Windows, but it is also availiable for Mac.

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How can I actually learn enough about programming to create a new language?

Graham Trott

Community Answer

Actually, you don't need to be an advanced programmer to be able to create a language. Sure, there are conventions you will be advised to follow - parsers, lexers, compilers etc, but the thing to remember is, these are just advice. You can break all the 'rules' and still create a usable language. You'll learn a lot as you go. Be prepared to face the possibility that you'll reach the point of having to drop everything and start again; this is all part of the learning experience. Don't be afraid - just do it.

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Question

How do I make a programming language by myself at home?

Graham Trott

Community Answer

Start with your language itself. Write out as many statements as you need to fully illustrate what it has to do, then put yourself in the role of a computer having to process these statements. Take it from there. Do a little reading to see how others think you should go about it but don't take their advice as gospel; they're not always right. There are things yet to be discovered and invented - you may have one of them.

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Question

How would the computer read the code?

Craft CGame

Community Answer

It would read it from "machine code" that uses 1 and 0, the ones and zeros are represented in the computer as HIGH voltage (usually 5 volts), and the zero as LOW voltage (0 volts or ground). It uses the code to read and write to memory.

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Question

Can you create a programming language using HTML or CSS?

DarkWolf2244

Community Answer

No, HTML is a markup language used to describe the layout of a web document and CSS is used to style it. Neither can be used to program a language.

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Question

How do you make a parser?

Random Letters

Community Answer

You should probably use a parser generator, like ANTLR or Lark. These will do some of the work for you. ANTLR is really popular for parsing, You just give it a grammar, and you have a parser!

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Question

How to manage burnout in studying programming?

iMetroLive

Community Answer

Start with doing nothing. Take some time off and find a new hobby. Do not overwork. When you do come back make sure that you start off slowly. Try a different language/stack and work with other databases or tools. Change your coding environment.

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Question

How do I install an algorithm alongside a program?

Austin Sauter

Community Answer

Installing an algorithm with a program involves following instructions from the developer or vendor. First, determine the requirements, download the program and installer, run the installer, install dependencies, and test the installation by running the algorithm. The steps may vary, so consult the documentation or contact the developer if unsure.

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Do I have to use a natural language like English, Swahili, or French to create a programming language?

Random Letters

Community Answer

You should write a specification for your language, but using a natural language is not necessary.

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Can I use Scratch to create a programming language?

David Maj

Community Answer

Scratch is a block-based language, so technically you would be creating a programming language within another language, but it is possible using variables and similar features.

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