Comment by vidarh

I loved the Dragon book, but I agree not a practical book. I probably loved it because at the time I'd already been experimenting with compiler writing for 5-6 years, and it gave me a theoretical grounding for a lot of stuff I'd been doing or doing subtly "wrong".

I think it - and similar books - should be banished from first compiler classes, and instead be used later. Much more practical books like Wirth's that actually walk you through writing a compiler would be much better for most beginners.