A "micro compiler" doesn't qualify as "real production compiler". I think pointing out that a lexer/parser could have been used is relevant in this case.
Lexer/parser generators aren't used in practice even for hobbyists, so pointing out standard tools could have been used is weird since the tools are obviously not that popular.
Xtext is very marginal compared to the far wider world of custom languages. Antlr not so much, but still, tons of people write rec. des. parsers themselves.
I know a lit of hobbyists and professionals who just roll recursive decent parsers given the reduced complexity and better error recovery. Using these tools, they don't necessarily help unless you have icky syntax to deal with or really care about that last ounce of performance.