Using GCC as code generator

Using GCC as code generator

[Hong Lin]

Hi, 
I am currently exploring the possibility of using gcc backend to generate
binary code from an intermediate representation. I appreciate very much if
anyone could point me to any references or give any suggestions. In
particular, I need to find out the answer for
1. Up to dated specification of the intermediate representation that gcc
uses (tree, RTL)
2. the way to invoke gcc backend independantly of the frontend
Thank you.
Hong

Re: Using GCC as code generator

[Eric Christopher]

On Fri, 2003-01-24 at 12:50, Hong Lin wrote:
> Hi, 
> I am currently exploring the possibility of using gcc backend to generate
> binary code from an intermediate representation. I appreciate very much if
> anyone could point me to any references or give any suggestions. In
> particular, I need to find out the answer for
> 1. Up to dated specification of the intermediate representation that gcc
> uses (tree, RTL)

This is in the documentation available on gcc.gnu.org.

> 2. the way to invoke gcc backend independantly of the frontend

This is not possible, and unlikely necessary for what your aims are.

-eric

-- 
Strapping on the jetpack...

Re: Using GCC as code generator

[Jim Wilson]

>2. the way to invoke gcc backend independantly of the frontend
>Thank you.

Unfortunately, FSF policy prevents us from having independent frontends and
backends.  The reason for the policy is to prevent parts of GCC from being
used with proprietary compilers.

Thus, at present, if you want to feed IR into gcc, you need to hack gcc first.

You might find it easier to write an IR to C conversion pass, and then feed
the C code into gcc.

Jim