How does a bootstrapping compiler get developed?

A bootstrapping compiler is developed by writing an initial version in a different language, then self-compiling subsequent versions.

The process of developing a bootstrapping compiler is a fascinating one, and it involves a bit of a paradox. The term 'bootstrapping' comes from the phrase 'to pull oneself up by one's bootstraps', which is essentially what a bootstrapping compiler does. It's a compiler that can compile its own source code. But how can a compiler compile itself? The answer lies in a process called bootstrapping.

The first step in creating a bootstrapping compiler is to write an initial version of the compiler in a different language. This language is often a low-level language like assembly, but it could also be a high-level language. This initial compiler is called the bootstrap compiler. The bootstrap compiler is used to compile the source code of the new compiler, written in the new language itself, into an executable program.

Once the bootstrap compiler has compiled the new compiler, the new compiler can then be used to compile its own source code. This is the self-compiling stage. The output from this stage is a new version of the compiler, which is then used to compile the next version, and so on. This process can be repeated as many times as necessary until the compiler is fully developed and optimised.

The bootstrapping process is a clever solution to the chicken-and-egg problem of compiler development. It allows the developers to write the compiler in the language that it's intended to compile, which can make the development process easier and more efficient. It also allows the compiler to be optimised and improved over time, as each new version of the compiler can be used to compile the next version.

In summary, the development of a bootstrapping compiler involves writing an initial version in a different language, then using this bootstrap compiler to compile the new compiler's source code. The new compiler can then compile its own source code, and this process is repeated until the compiler is fully developed.