Re: Ada to C translator for small microcontrollers

[BrianG <me@null.email>]

On 03/26/2012 08:48 AM, Tomi Saarnio wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> As there exists at least one free decent C cross-compiler for smaller
> 8-bit and 16-bit architectures (Pic, Avr, 8051 etc.), but none Ada
> compiler that I know of, I was wondering whether there is a demand for
> an Ada to C translator, that would implement some sort of Ada subset
> and output corresponding ANSI C source code. I am not a compiler or
> Ada expert, so I cannot really estimate the effort how hard this would
> be.
>
> As far as I can see the problem, the first thing is to identify a
> suitable subset(s) to be implemented, and then to come up with the
> corresponding C source idioms.
>
> Any comments on this subject?
>
> Br,
> Kalvin.

If the target has a GCC port, it is not that difficult to create a 
cross-compiler from GNAT, using No_Run_Time (i.e. no tasking, etc; you 
have to build your own binding to the target libraries or registers).  I 
did this once for a uC board I have (there was an in-work Ada project at 
the time, but I only used their instructions for building the 
cross-compiler).  I have no compiler or GCC experience, and was able to 
get it working - not sure if I could, or want to, do it again.

I wonder if it's possible to create a C-target back end?  :-)

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BrianG
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