Awesome

This project aims to develop a reusable compiler backend for the i386, x86_64, ARM and AArch64 architecture based on the Tiny C compiler (TCC).

The idea is to define and implement an intermediate representation language (IR) on bytecode level which includes type and control flow information, with similar features like the C language, in a compact (binary) format easy to generate and parse. The backend reads this intermediate representation and generates object, executable or shared library object files compatible with the C ABI of the target platform.

Planned features

Analyze, reorganize, untangle, trim, modularize the code (not striving for perfection)
Frontend/backend separation with a clear, minimal API and a decent modularization of the code
Minimal, refactored C frontend to help understand and document the use of the backend API
Implement a frontend for Oberon-0 that directly uses the backend API as a proof of conept of the API
Define and implement an IR which includes type and control flow information, and a module concept based on separate symbol and object files
Streamline and document backend API (DLL capable)
Implement optimizer on IR level
Implement a generator for the Oberon+ frontend compatible with the IR
Backport new TCC features if need be

Status on January 30, 2024

The source code of TCC 0.9.27 was downloaded from here on 2024-01-15, and then fully decomposed, reorganized and refactored over a period of two weeks. The preprocessor, immediate execution (-run), the C67 backend, and many other features not used for the purpose were removed; the code and data structures have been trimmed accordingly. Mutual dependencies have been resolved and the code modularized so that a minimal API is now available for the backend that covers all platform specifics. The code still has a high number of global variables and gotos, and further structuring will be done where necessary (reentrancy is no project goal so far). There is a (temporary) minimized and refactored C frontend using the backend API, and working executables can be demonstrably generated (with and without debug information, using the musl runtime library), so far on Linux i386.

Status on February 1, 2024

The Oberon-0 parser is implemented (reusing the C compiler driver). Files can successfully be parsed. Code generator is pending.

Precompiled versions

Not available at this time.

How to build

Qt Creator 3.x is currently used for development. There are *.pro files which are compatible with qmake, but there is no Qt dependency otherwise.

Additional Credits

and many others