Native C# compiler

Florian

I was just thinking about the following...

"A C# compiler that compiles C# source code to native machine code that doesn't need the Common Language Runtime (CLR) to execute."

How can this be accomplished?

Well, theoretically it shouldn't be so hard. It's already possible to generate native machine code for managed assemblies using the NGEN utility. The only problem is: These assemblies still need the CLR to be executed. So, how can we get rid of this (heavy) dependency?

The idea is: A small, native C# runtime library, like the GNU libc for C.

What about memory management? The C# language doesn't support explicit memory management, and if there is no CLR, how do we handle "new"? Well, one solution are smart pointers. The C# compiler/runtime library could take care of object lifetime management and use smart pointers under the hood.

What about reflection and interoperability? The native libraries could still use the CLI metadata format. In fact, a similar approach is used already in Windows 8 for the Windows Runtime: Native COM objects are exposed through .winmd files to the C# compiler.

Well, would such a compiler be useful to anybody? I like the C# language a lot and would prefer to use it for system programming over C++ because it has a very clean structure and is well architected. The problem is the CLR, its the security model etc. which comes at a pretty high cost, not to speak of crossing the managed/unmanaged code barrier using platform invocation services. Having a C# compiler that translates your source files directly to machine code, with a neat C# runtime library instead of a CLR as the only dependency, doesn't seem such a bad idea to me.

What do you think of this topic?

3 Replies

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Vulpes14y ago
Whilst it's true that Vala isn't C#, I suspect it's the nearest you'll ever get to 'unmanaged C#' in practice.

I can't see the Mono guys being interested in the idea when Vala is already available under the GNOME umbrella even if it is taking 'years' to reach version 1.0.

Microsoft have plenty on their plate with Windows 8 and, as they're already offering three platforms for Metro development, I can't see them wanting to muddy the waters with anything else.

Also, most system programmers will be content to stick with the C/C++ they know and love.
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Florian14y ago
I heard of Vala and it comes close: Vala simply isn't C# - what I'm talking about is a standard-compatible (ECMA-334) C# compiler that directly generates machine code rather than MSIL, linked to a native glibc-like standard library that uses the .NET metadata format (or something alike) to expose the types defined in ECMA TR-084. This is sort of the approach Microsoft has taken for the Windows Runtime, except for the fact that code in C# wouldn't depend on the CLR anymore (applications written in C# targeting the WinRT are still managed code and require the CLR).
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Vulpes14y ago
You might be interested in Vala.

Check out my article on the subject:

http://www.c-sharpcorner.com/uploadfile/b942f9/anyone-for-vala/
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