RakuAST: A Herculean Rewrite of a Compiler Frontend

The RakuAST project undertook a complete rewrite and redesign of the Raku programming language's compiler frontend. The author tackled the project by systematically fixing failing spec tests, one by one. This involved addressing the complexities of Raku's syntax, including private methods, metamethods, and hypermethod calls. The biggest hurdle was the intricate timing and sequencing required within the Raku compilation process, necessitating precise control over the order of component compilation. Over 900 commits later, the project successfully achieved its primary goal. Additionally, it bootstrapped the compiler, enabling self-compilation, which presented further challenges in managing circular dependencies and the intricacies of the extensive standard library. The project's success was aided by contributions from several community members.