Would it even make sense to write a C# compiler that targets LLVM?

Question

I'm thinking about writing a small C# compiler.

One idea I've been toying with is writing a subset of the C# grammar, say up to 2.0 for ANTLR. Then, using this to target the LLVM and write a native code compiler for C#?

Does this idea even make sense or would this not work? Would there be any way to still make calls to the BCL?

I know there is the CCI (Common Compiler Infrastructure) which would aid me in simply generating .NET executables. But I'm curious if what I said above would be possible?

Answer 1

Mono already can be used with a LLVM backend.

More details in the Mono docs.

Check out the Limitations section, though.

UPDATE: as of Mono 2.8 the LLVM backend has graduated to stable. See the Mono 2.8 release notes.

Answer 2

Beyond Mono already cited, Microsoft is working in its own implementation called LLILC (it isn't just an experiment). So it makes much sense.

Answer 3

Unless you want to rewrite the entire standard library, too, it would be better to find a different project, if you're just looking for something to do. A possibility would be to write a .NET bytecode compiler or an IL assembler.