The Complete Course of Compiler Design (C++): Build a Compiler From Scratch (A to Z)

Want to learn Compiler Design in a clear, practical, and professional way? This long-form YouTube course teaches you the full compiler pipeline—from lexical analysis and parsing to semantic analysis, intermediate code generation, optimization, and code generation. You’ll also build real components like a simple lexer, simple parser, and a simple ICG using C++.

What You’ll Learn in This Compiler Design Course

• Master the complete theory and practice of Compiler Design and build C++ compilers from scratch.
• Understand the full compilation process and how compilers differ from interpreters.
• Learn Lexical Analysis: tokens, lexemes, regular expressions, finite automata (NFA → DFA), transition tables.
• Learn Syntax Analysis: CFG, parse trees, left recursion, left factoring, LL(k), LR parsing, parsing tables.
• Learn Semantic Analysis and syntax-directed translation.
• Build Intermediate Code Generation (ICG) with AST, DAGs, three-address code, quadruples & triples.
• Understand Runtime Environments: stack/heap, activation records, scope management.
• Apply key Optimization Techniques: constant folding, dead code elimination, common subexpression elimination.
• Study Code Generation: target program code, memory management, instruction selection, register allocation.
• Explore advanced topics: JIT, dynamic vs static compilation, HotSpot, and DSLs.
• Build a Simple Lexer, a Simple Parser, and a Simple ICG step-by-step in C++.

Who This Course Is For

• Beginners who have never designed a compiler before (the course starts from scratch).
• Developers, engineers, programmers, and students who want to build a C++ compiler professionally.
• Intermediate/advanced learners who want to strengthen compiler fundamentals and implementation skills.

Why Learning Compiler Design Matters

Compiler Design is one of the most valuable “deep CS” skills because it teaches you how programming languages are translated, analyzed, and optimized. Understanding compilers strengthens your foundations in language syntax, parsing, symbol tables, optimization, and code generation. If you want to work on language tooling, performance, static analysis, interpreters, or systems programming, compiler knowledge is a major advantage.

Course Structure (11 Sections Overview)

1. Welcome & Foundations: overview, early computers, why compilers matter, environment setup.
2. Compiler Basics: compiler vs interpreter, compilation pipeline and workflow.
3. Lexical Analysis: tokens/lexemes, regex, automata, NFA→DFA, transition tables, examples + quiz questions.
4. Syntax Analysis: CFG, parse trees, left recursion/factoring, parsing approaches and code demos.
5. Parsing Techniques: recursive descent, FIRST/FOLLOW sets, predictive parsing, LL(k), LR parsing + tables.
6. Semantic Analysis: meaning checks and syntax-directed translation.
7. Intermediate Code Generation: AST, DAGs, three-address code, quadruples & triples.
8. Runtime Environments: stack/heap, activation records, scope management, implementations in C++.
9. Optimization: constant folding, dead code elimination, common subexpression elimination.
10. Code Generation: input to code generator, target code, memory, instruction selection, register allocation.
11. Advanced Topics & Projects: JIT, dynamic/static compilation, HotSpot, DSLs + build lexer/parser/ICG projects.

Requirements

• Basic notions of C++ can help, but you can still follow because the course starts from scratch.
• Install Visual Studio Code and the needed environment (explained in the course).
• A decent computer + motivation to learn.

FAQ (Search-Friendly)

Is this course good for beginners?

Yes. The course starts from scratch and gradually moves from fundamentals to advanced implementation, with step-by-step explanations and exercises.

How long is the course?

The total length is 11h 16m (about 11.5 hours) across 98 lectures in 11 sections.

Will I build real compiler components?

Yes. You’ll build a simple lexer, a simple parser, and a simple intermediate code generator (ICG) in C++.

Do I need strong C++ knowledge?

Having basic C++ helps, but the course explains the workflow and builds concepts progressively, so you can still follow along as you learn.

Does it cover optimization and modern compilation topics?

Yes. It includes optimization techniques and also introduces advanced topics like JIT, dynamic vs static compilation, and HotSpot, plus Domain-Specific Languages (DSLs).

Watch the Compiler Design Course Video

Final Thoughts

If you want a complete, practical path to mastering Compiler Design and building a C++ compiler from scratch, this long-form course gives you both the theory and hands-on implementation you need. Watch the full video, take notes during the parsing and code-generation sections, and follow the projects to solidify your skills.

Keywords: compiler design course, build a compiler in C++, lexical analysis, syntax analysis, semantic analysis, parser, lexer, intermediate code generation, three address code, LL parsing, LR parsing, runtime environments, optimization, code generation, DSL, JIT compilation.