Create own programming language (OOP)

Beginners
1

Is there an example project available on how I can build my own programming language? I would like to create a compiler for a new OOP language with LLVM, but I can’t find a way to get started.

The idea is a Java-like programming language, but with different requirements.

  • Fully object-oriented

  • Fully typed

  • Native code

  • Generics

  • No virtual machine

  • No byte code

  • No scripting

  • No header files like in C++

  • No multiple inheritance

If possible, unsigned data types should also be available.

2

I would reconmend you to start learning llvm using the Kleidoscope tutorial: My First Language Frontend with LLVM Tutorial — LLVM 20.0.0git documentation

3

Unfortunately, this example doesn’t help me.

4

What exactly do you need help with in this case? Writing a new language from scratch is a huge task and require a lot of experimentation, this guide shows you how to get started with writing a language on top of LLVM, sure that toy language doesn’t really support all of the features you want, but it should be enough for you to get to “Hello world”.

5

Hi!

Is this your first try at making a language?

If this is your first try at creating a language, I recommend starting with something like Introduction · Crafting Interpreters
r/ProgrammingLanguages is also a great community that helped me quite a bit when I first got into PL design, their Discord is very active and friendly.
Learning LLVM can come at a much later stage once you have a language specification and you’re well into creating a frontend for it.

I also recommend starting very small, and progressing in small steps, one feature at a time. Start by making a simple compiler that processes expressions, then add variables, functions, conditionals, etc.
(If you want I can elaborate a bit on what roadmap I’d personally recommend, I’ve been there before; most of my compiler knowledge is self-taught)

OOP and Generics are, IMHO, very late stage features that need a lot of careful planning and designing before you even write a line of code for them.

6

I haven’t used it myself, but a tutorial language with objects is Cool, part of a Stanford course - search for “stanford cool language”. You’d still need the LLVM information.

7

A working example with object orientation would help me. It’s easier for me to have a working project to experiment with instead of constantly looking at these toy projects where nothing works.