Usage
To build a 64 bit Windows compatible binary on Windows called <squash-test.exe> do the following:
./squash.exe -64 test_program2.c -o squash-test.exe
To build a 64 bit Windows compatible binary on Linux (cross-compile for windows) called <squash-test.exe> do the following:
./squash -64 test_program2.c -o squash-test.exe
I have designed and implemented a C-based compiler toolchain that can parse, analyze, and compile C code into a working Windows executable.
Core Compiler Components
Built a lexer to tokenize input (numbers, identifiers, expressions, etc.). Implemented a recursive descent parser that: Constructs an AST (Abstract Syntax Tree). Correctly handles operator precedence, associativity, and parentheses. Supports expressions, variables, functions, if statements, and while loops. Provide parsing functions such as: ParseNumber, ParseIdentifier, ParseFunction, ParseVariable. Maintains a symbol table for variables and functions.
Code Generation
Traverses the AST to generate code using structured, readable functions. Produces assembly via a custom assembler. Converts assembly into machine code.
PE Executable Builder
Implements a Portable Executable (PE) builder in C that: Generates valid 32-bit and 64-bit Windows executables. Uses structured headers (DOS header, PE headers, sections). Supports linking and importing Windows APIs detected during parsing. Accepts .text section input from the assembler. Ensures executables run correctly (no crashes or invalid instructions). Applies specific header constraints (e.g., OS version = 4, subsystem version = 4).
Handles security flags:
32-bit: DllCharacteristics = 0x8100 (NX enabled, ASLR disabled).
64-bit: ASLR enabled.
Testing
Created a test program that validates:
Console output
Function compilation Expressions and statements if and while constructs Windows API imports The test program compiles into a working PE executable (PE 32bit and PE 64 bit).
Extended Language Features (Enhancements)
The compiler is enhanced to support a much broader subset of C, including: Control flow: for, do, break, continue, goto, switch, else if Types and qualifiers: int, char, double, long, short, signed, unsigned, const, static, volatile, etc.
Advanced features:
Pointers, arrays, structs, unions, typedefs Function pointers (still a work in progress) Type casting and sizeof Memory management (malloc, calloc, realloc, free) Arithmetic operators (including %) Escape sequences Preprocessor support: #define, #include, #ifndef, #endif Header guards and forward declarations Error handling: Syntax errors and compile-time diagnostics
Additional Testing
A second test program (test_program2.c) validates all new features, including: Preprocessor directives Header inclusion and guards Extended language constructs
Future directions
The plan is to eventually support a standard library by either shims or a drop in replacement all with an open alternative (no object file binaries). The plan is to also compile to ELF format for Linux compatibility, and provide optimisations (dead code elimination, constant folding, among others) for efficient compiler output.
In short:
Herein is a fully functional, self-contained C compiler (subset → extended C) with a focus on minimalism in C, complete with lexer, parser, AST, code generation, assembler, and PE executable builder, plus comprehensive feature support and test programs.
-Gerallt.