What is CoffeeScript written in?

CoffeeScript is self-hosting: its compiler is written in CoffeeScript itself.

CoffeeScript is a programming language which compiles to JavaScript, first released in 2009.

Implementation

LayerWritten inNotes
CompilerCoffeeScript (since 2010)CoffeeScript compiler is self-hosting

Self-hosting

CoffeeScript is a self-hosting language: its compiler is written in CoffeeScript itself. Self-hosting means the compiler can compile its own source code, which is a milestone in a language's maturity. New versions of the compiler are built using an older version of the same compiler, a process called bootstrapping.

Self-hosting also acts as a practical stress test: if a language can compile its own compiler, most core language features have been validated in a complex, real-world workload. See what is compiler bootstrapping for a full explanation.

Explore in the Graph

See CoffeeScript's full lineage, including all implementation and influence relationships, in the interactive graph.

Open Interactive Graph →

Or view the CoffeeScript language page for the complete record.

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