Elements of Compiler Design gives the essentials of compiler writing. This introductory book maintains a balance between a theoretical and practical approach to this important subject. From a theoretical viewpoint, it introduces rudimental models, such as automata and grammars, underlying compilation and its essential phases. Based on these models, it demonstrates the concepts, methods, and techniques employed in compiler design with enough rigor to make them quite clear. From a practical point of view, this book describes most compiler techniques as algorithms. In fact, running throughout this book, a case study designs a new programming language and constructs its compiler. While discussing various methods concerning compilers, the text illustrates their implementation in reality by this case study. In addition, the book presents many worked-out examples and computer programs to emphases the applications of the compiler algorithms. Essential software tools are covered, too.