Add new blog post (write a compiler)

Author: drdv

src/blog/posts/202602-write-a-compiler.md

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+---
+draft: false
+date: 2026-02-26
+categories:
+  - python
+slug: 202602-write-a-compiler
+description: Write a Compiler course with David Beazley
+---
+
+# Write a Compiler (with David Beazley)
+
+Every year I tend to take a course somewhere — the topics are quite diverse,
+ranging from applied math to psychology (it's fun and helps me stay sharp). Normally I
+choose something in Stanford or MIT but this year I stumbled upon the [Write a
+Compiler](https://dabeaz.com/compiler.html) course by David Beazley and I couldn't
+resist. I must say, a week is a long enough period to show you what you are made of ...
+
+<!-- more -->
+
+It was intense &mdash; even though I ended up using Python[^1] to complete the projects! 
+
+The course hours were between 9:30am and 5:30pm US Central Time/Chicago, while I was
+taking it from France (so, between 4:30pm and 12:30am local time for me). As I suspected
+what would happen, I kicked my kids out for a week (there are many advantages of being
+divorced). I guess a "bachelor coding week" is a good description of what happened
+&mdash; it took me 16 hours of coding a day to keep up with the pace (and I am veeery
+comfortable with Python, tree recursion etc.)! Coming to think of it, I might have
+forgotten to take a shower during the course.
+
+## A typical day 
+
+I start coding around 7am (local time in France), a quick lunch, continue coding until
+3pm, take a nap for an hour or so, then join Zoom and of we go, super engaging
+discussions (geeky comments and ideas). Around 8pm there is a break and I have dinner (I
+take my time to prepare something nice). We continue working and around 10pm I start
+losing steam. I mostly listen to the discussion and go to sleep. The next day I catch-up
+in the morning (when I am fresh) ...
+
+## The end result
+
+I was able to have a working compiler for the Wab language by the end of day four and
+started working on Wabbi. Now I plan to repeat the process using Rust and then look into
+Wabbit and types.
+
+This was such a treat! The course was organized flawlessly (I must admit that I have
+stolen some ideas for my courses). I really enjoyed the challenge and learned many
+things. **Having independent educators like this is a gift**.
+
+Thanks Dave! 
+
+[^1]: Initially, I was considering using Rust or Racket.