Tool Profile

Compilers by Niklaus Wirth

A short compiler book praised for clarity and completeness.

Why developers recommend it

A commenter called it a fantastic intro with pristine clarity.

Reference ID

compilers-by-niklaus-wirth

Hacker News Mentions

2026-04-16

“Another fantastic intro to compiler writing is the short little book ‘Compilers’ by Niklaus Wirth” with “pristine clarity”.

Want to write a compiler? Just read these two papers (2008)