crustc project rewrites Rust compiler in C
FractalFir has released a new project on GitHub titled **CrustC**, a lightweight compiler that translates a C‑like language into efficient machine code. The repository, which has already attracted a modest amount of community interest, was highlighted on Hacker News where the post received 81 up‑votes and 12 comments, indicating a growing curiosity among developers.
CrustC is designed to provide a simple, statically typed language with a syntax closely resembling C, while offering modern tooling and safety guarantees. The compiler targets multiple back‑ends, including native binaries and WebAssembly, and includes a small standard library that focuses on performance and minimalism. The GitHub page lists several key features such as zero‑cost abstractions, a built‑in garbage collector, and an emphasis on compile‑time safety checks. The project is still in early stages, with the current release offering a functional compiler and a basic runtime, and the developer community is actively discussing potential extensions and use cases.
The attention on Hacker News suggests that CrustC may appeal to developers looking for a minimal yet powerful language for systems programming or educational purposes. As the project continues to evolve, its contributors are planning to expand the language’s feature set, improve documentation, and foster community contributions to broaden its applicability across different platforms.