How to install C-Mera on Linux?

Install a Lisp compiler like SBCL or CCL, then Clon via Quicklisp, and build with autotools (autoreconf, configure, make). Detailed steps are in the Build Instructions section of the README.

C-Mera vs traditional C preprocessors for code generation?

C-Mera uses Common Lisp macros, which are more powerful and Turing-complete, allowing complex transformations beyond C preprocessor macros, but it requires Lisp knowledge and adds a dependency on the Lisp ecosystem.

How to write a macro in C-Mera?

Use Common Lisp's defmacro within the C-Mera environment, as shown in examples like the match macro from the ELS'14 paper. Load the system in Lisp and work in the appropriate package (e.g., cmu-c).

Is C-Mera actively maintained?

The README states it's 'slow, not dead,' with infrequent commits and maintenance as a side project. This means updates are sporadic, so it may not keep pace with language standards or bug fixes quickly.

Can C-Mera generate modern C++17 or CUDA code?

C-Mera's C++ support is a subset, and CUDA support is available via cm-cuda, but coverage of latest features may be limited. Check the generator source files for specific syntax support, as noted in the Overview.

How to extend C-Mera for a new C-like language?

Build on C-Mera's core by creating a new generator in a subdirectory, as demonstrated by the concise derived generators for CUDA and GLSL. Browse the source code for examples of extensibility.

C-mera — Lisp Macro Compiler for C/C++

What is C-mera?

C-Mera is a source-to-source compiler that transforms S-expression-based notation for C-like languages into their native syntax. It leverages Common Lisp's macro system to enable powerful meta-programming without introducing new language semantics, making it a flexible tool for code generation across multiple C-family languages.

Target Audience

Developers working with C-family languages (C, C++, CUDA, GLSL, OpenCL) who need advanced code generation, meta-programming, or domain-specific language creation using Lisp's macro capabilities.

Value Proposition

C-Mera provides a lightweight, extensible system for ad-hoc code generation that stays close to the semantics of target languages while harnessing the full power of Common Lisp macros, unlike traditional preprocessors or template engines.

Next-level syntax for C-like languages :)

Use Cases

Best For

Generating C, C++, CUDA, GLSL, or OpenCL code from a common S-expression notation.
Implementing high-level programming paradigms like Feature-Oriented Programming in C-like languages via Lisp macros.
Creating domain-specific languages (DSLs) for high-performance graphics or image processing applications.
Exploring implementation variants and generative programming for performance-critical code.
Writing structured, programmable representations of C-like code with editor support (Emacs/Vim).
Extending code generation to new C-like languages by building on C-Mera's core.

Not Ideal For

Projects requiring actively maintained, full-featured support for all C-family languages (e.g., OpenCL is noted as not actively maintained)
Teams without any Common Lisp expertise, as meta-programming heavily depends on Lisp macros
Environments where simple, dependency-light build processes are critical, due to requirements for specific Lisp compilers and autotools

Pros & Cons

Pros

Structured S-expression Syntax

Uses Lisp-like S-expressions to represent C-like code, enabling more programmable and abstractable forms for meta-programming, as demonstrated in examples like strcmp implementation.

Multi-language Code Generation

Supports generating code for C, C++, CUDA, GLSL, and OpenCL from a common foundation, allowing cross-language meta-programming with minimal changes, as listed in the key features.

Extensible via Lisp Macros

Leverages Common Lisp's full macro system for advanced code transformation, enabling high-level paradigms like Feature-Oriented Programming without altering language semantics, referenced in the papers section.

Editor Integration

Includes Emacs (cm-mode) and Vim plugins for syntax highlighting and indentation, facilitating development in familiar environments, with setup instructions provided.

Cons

Incomplete Language Support

Missing features like 'unless' and 'do-while' are noted as open issues, and some generators (e.g., OpenCL) are not actively maintained, limiting out-of-the-box usability.

Complex Setup and Dependencies

Requires installing specific Lisp compilers (CCL recommended), the Clon library, and using autotools for building, which adds overhead compared to simpler tools, as detailed in Build Instructions.

Slow Maintenance Pace

The project is maintained slowly with infrequent commits, as admitted in the README, which could affect long-term support and responsiveness to issues.

What is C-mera?

Target Audience

Developers working with C-family languages (C, C++, CUDA, GLSL, OpenCL) who need advanced code generation, meta-programming, or domain-specific language creation using Lisp's macro capabilities.

Value Proposition

Use Cases

Best For

Generating C, C++, CUDA, GLSL, or OpenCL code from a common S-expression notation.
Implementing high-level programming paradigms like Feature-Oriented Programming in C-like languages via Lisp macros.
Creating domain-specific languages (DSLs) for high-performance graphics or image processing applications.
Exploring implementation variants and generative programming for performance-critical code.
Writing structured, programmable representations of C-like code with editor support (Emacs/Vim).
Extending code generation to new C-like languages by building on C-Mera's core.

Not Ideal For

Projects requiring actively maintained, full-featured support for all C-family languages (e.g., OpenCL is noted as not actively maintained)
Teams without any Common Lisp expertise, as meta-programming heavily depends on Lisp macros
Environments where simple, dependency-light build processes are critical, due to requirements for specific Lisp compilers and autotools

Pros & Cons

Pros

Structured S-expression Syntax

Uses Lisp-like S-expressions to represent C-like code, enabling more programmable and abstractable forms for meta-programming, as demonstrated in examples like strcmp implementation.

Multi-language Code Generation

Supports generating code for C, C++, CUDA, GLSL, and OpenCL from a common foundation, allowing cross-language meta-programming with minimal changes, as listed in the key features.

Extensible via Lisp Macros

Editor Integration

Includes Emacs (cm-mode) and Vim plugins for syntax highlighting and indentation, facilitating development in familiar environments, with setup instructions provided.

Cons

Incomplete Language Support

Missing features like 'unless' and 'do-while' are noted as open issues, and some generators (e.g., OpenCL) are not actively maintained, limiting out-of-the-box usability.

Complex Setup and Dependencies

Requires installing specific Lisp compilers (CCL recommended), the Clon library, and using autotools for building, which adds overhead compared to simpler tools, as detailed in Build Instructions.

Slow Maintenance Pace

The project is maintained slowly with infrequent commits, as admitted in the README, which could affect long-term support and responsiveness to issues.

C-mera

What is C-mera?

Overview

Use Cases

Best For

Not Ideal For

Pros & Cons

Pros

Cons

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Projects

Found a gem we're missing?

C-mera

What is C-mera?

Overview

Use Cases

Best For

Not Ideal For

Pros & Cons

Pros

Cons

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Projects

Found a gem we're missing?