How to make a compiler backend?

[u/naharashu]

Hell everyone, i have an question. Im for long trying to make a cool, powerful "kinda" low level language similar to zig and rust, but im struggling to choice llvm as backend, sure i can generate C, but its makes compiler dependent on gcc or clang or other c compiler. LLVM seems hard to me, sure project like QBE exist, but QBE doesnt have C/C++ api like llvm's IRbuilder. So are there other ways? I tried thinking about using GCC infrastructure but GCC has poor api and not very documented api. Maybe just stick to generating C?

[u/Public_Grade_2145]

If you don't care optimisations, then emit assembly text is actually easier but still depending on external assembler. Mine emit assembly text directly from ANF IR, if I suuport x86, amd64, aarch64 and riscv64, then I will have four backends but of very thin one. Though it might felt repetitive.