Add ImportC compiler to dmd

[IGotD-]

On Sunday, 9 May 2021 at 20:57:06 UTC, Walter Bright wrote:
> https://github.com/dlang/dmd/pull/12507
>
> If you could add a C compiler to dmd with 3000 lines of code, 
> so C code could be imported directly? I would!

I'd say no to this.

Why?

Adding a C compiler into the D compiler will increase the 
maintenance work load and open up for new interesting bugs. This 
is the last D needs. Also there are several areas where D needs 
to improve (memory management) and add this split personally is a 
distraction.

I also find this a bit strange coming from a person that thinks 
making GC pointers an own type would increase the complexity of 
the compiler, then suddenly wants to add a complete C compiler 
into the D compiler.

Also the question raises what will be supported and what will 
not. There are a lot of header files out there that are a mix 
between C and C++. Adding importing C++ is difficult and the 
scope what is supported must be limited. This means that a lot of 
header files will not work directly. C++11 and beyond with 
templates, just forget it.

I understand that importC would greatly make FFI easier but I 
think this is easier said than done. It is definitely not worth 
making the D compiler into a Frankensteins monster. I would go 
the conversion tool (that converts C header files to D files) 
route in order to decouple a foreign language to the D language.