I am not yet through this book but from what I have seen so far this book is one of a kind. The examples are well-written and advanced Java examples that are a joy to read (you can actually learn something about Java from reading these examples!). I used to have the old 1st edition (which used C), but this one is so much better. If there's one book about compiler writing (and debugger writing and so on) you MUST have, this is it! This book is, as it says, not a book about theory, but a practical, down-to-earth book about making amazing software with the gentle help of an amazing instructor.
I bought this book because I wanted to know more about making a compiler FOR the .NET framework (as per the title). Instead of teaching you ANYTHING about generating MSIL code, this books teaches you the very basics of how to make a Basic interpreter in Basic. As if a more idiotic project could be dreamed up. I feel ripped off for $49.99 - this book should have been a free, gratis project at [...] or something like that. It should never have been a book that people can buy because it is not worth it!
