I loved the Dragon book, but I agree not a practical book. I probably loved it because at the time I&#x27;d already been experimenting with compiler writing for 5-6 years, and it gave me a theoretical grounding for a lot of stuff I&#x27;d been doing or doing subtly &quot;wrong&quot;.<p>I think it - and similar books - should be banished from first compiler classes, and instead be used later. Much more practical books like Wirth&#x27;s that actually walk you through writing a compiler would be much better for most beginners.