What is Lisp written in?
Lisp is a functional programming language based on the lambda calculus, first released in 1958.
Implementation
| Layer | Written in | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Compiler | Assembly (since 1958) | Original Lisp interpreter written in IBM 704 assembly by Steve Russell |
Compiler implementation
The Lisp compiler, written in Assembly, translates Lisp source code into an executable or intermediate format. The choice of implementation language affects the compiler's portability, build-time dependencies, and the path toward Lisp eventually becoming self-hosting.
Many language compilers are written in C or C++ for maximum portability and performance. When a compiler is written in a higher-level language, it can leverage that language's abstractions for clearer compiler code, at the cost of a longer bootstrap dependency chain.
Explore in the Graph
See Lisp's full lineage, including all implementation and influence relationships, in the interactive graph.
Open Interactive Graph →Or view the Lisp language page for the complete record.