Compilers: Principles, Techniques, and Tools
Compilers: Principles, Techniques, and Tools is a computer science textbook by Alfred V. Aho, Monica S. Lam, Ravi Sethi, and Jeffrey D. Ullman about compiler construction for programming languages. First published in 1986, it is widely regarded as the classic definitive compiler technology text. It is known as the Dragon Book to generations of computer scientists as its cover depicts a knight and a dragon in battle, a metaphor for conquering complexity. This name can also refer to Aho and Ullman's older "Principles of Compiler Design". First edition. The first edition (1986) is informally  called the "red dragon book" to distinguish it from the second edition and from Aho & Ullman's 1977 "Principles of Compiler Design" sometimes known as the "green dragon book". Topics covered in the first edition include: Second edition. Following in the tradition of its two predecessors, the second edition (2006) features a dragon and a knight on its cover, and is informally known as the purple dragon. Monica S. Lam of Stanford University became a co-author with this edition. The second edition includes several additional topics, including: