C Backend

Noun · Development

Definitions

  1. A compiler backend that generates C source code as an intermediate representation, which is then compiled to native machine code by a C compiler — a strategy used by languages like Zig, Nim, Chicken Scheme, and early Haskell to leverage C's portability and optimization ecosystem.

    In plain English: A compiler strategy where a new language first translates to C code, then uses a C compiler to produce the final program — riding on decades of C optimization work.

    Example: "Nim's C backend means you get GCC-level optimizations for free and can deploy anywhere GCC runs."

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