Dear Reader, the struggle to avoid building a compiler is real. Despite initial resistance to complicated tools like abstract syntax trees (ASTs), the journey ultimately leads to developing one’s own AST library to manage code transformation. Surprising challenges arise, such as adapting to older versions of a language and simplifying transpiled code to meet requirements. The process highlights the complexities and hidden assumptions in coding, ultimately leading to the realization that, despite one’s best efforts, a compiler has indeed been built. The story serves as a cautionary tale for those who seek to avoid the inevitable in the world of programming.
https://rachit.pl/post/you-have-built-a-compiler/