How is compiler software compiled?

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Compilers are created through a process known as bootstrapping, where a simple version of a compiler is written in a low-level language, such as assembly or C, and used to create more advanced versions. Assemblers, which translate assembly language into machine code, are distinct from compilers and are often written in machine language themselves. The discussion highlights the complexity of writing assemblers, especially in machine language, and the historical context of early computing where programming was done manually through mechanical means. The thread also touches on the evolution of programming languages and the use of open-source code to expedite development. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the foundational role of assemblers and compilers in software development.
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jtbell said:
You're right. I guess I didn't have to re-enter the paper tape loader as often as I thought I remembered. I did have to do it often enough to have that piece of paper with machine language code (written out in octal for ease of reading) taped next to the switches. Probably my programs ran amuck sometimes and wiped out the loader. :-p

A friend of mine who used to managed the computers in the EE dept of my old university recalled almost exactly the same account of manually entering the tape boot-loader code as per your experience (almost word for word actually). So I tend to believe that your memory of this is quite sound. :)

Personally I have no first hand knowledge of this, but here is my hunch: If say the typical up-time of the computer was many days (or even weeks) then it might have been considered thoroughly worthwhile to trade-off 10-15 minutes of your time each re-boot (in manually entering the boot loader code) for the advantage of having that small extra handful of bytes available for user programs. Considering the extremely limited available memory of these early computers, then this does actually make sense.
 

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