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D is a fairly complex language. I'd start with a simpler one, like a Pascal or Javascript compiler.

For the latter, you can look at:

https://github.com/DigitalMars/DMDScript/tree/master/engine/...

Cheers to you for not just trying to force your own creation down people's throats. D is a cool language, but you're right, it's a bit complex for a beginner.

I'd also say the Java compiler is fairly simple too, but it lack any real optimization passes.

A Java compiler lacks optimization and code generation (generating IR is not code generation). So does Javascript. But they are both great languages for learning how lexing, parsing, and semantic analysis works because those operations are relatively simple.

C is a harder one because the multiple "phases of translation" add quite a bit of complexity. It's easy to get lost in the frustrating and pointless complexity of the preprocesser. C++ layers onto that mixing semantic analysis up with parsing, and an unusually complex semantic analysis. Not for beginners.

I suggest reading the source code to a professional compiler because there are books about how compilers work, and then there's how compilers really work. Pro compilers tend to be built differently from academic or side project compilers.

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