Foundations of Programming Languages: Build Interpreters with Scala

Ever wondered how programming languages actually work under the hood? Understanding the core mechanics of languages allows you to learn new syntax faster and choose the right tool for any software project. This text-based course guides you through the fundamental building blocks of programming languages. By studying how code is parsed, evaluated, and executed, you will transition from just writing code to understanding how compilers and interpreters process it. You will gain hands-on experience by building your own basic interpreters using Scala. What you'll learn: - Understand the foundational mechanics of syntax, parsing, and abstract syntax trees - Build functional interpreters from scratch to evaluate custom expressions and variables - Analyze different type systems, including static, dynamic, and modern type inference patterns - Evaluate the trade-offs between various programming paradigms and memory management models - Design domain-specific mini-languages tailored to solve unique software problems - Apply pattern matching and functional programming concepts in Scala to process language structures The journey begins with core terminology and the basic anatomy of a programming language, before moving into environment models, functions, and state. You will then apply these concepts by reading interpreter code and exploring topics like types and scoping. This course is designed for beginner developers, computer science students, and curious programmers who want to deepen their understanding of how languages work. No prior experience with compilers or Scala is required. Start exploring the inner workings of code and elevate your programming perspective today.