It seems it would be a lot easier to work on the GCC compiler, and work with others to bootstrap GCC (if it hasn't already been done). Getting the GCC Rust compiler able to compile some version of rustc probably wouldn't be that hard, and then you can just use that version to compile up the chain to modern Rust.

[–] BatmanAoD@programming.dev 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

That's the mrustc project the author mentions. He wants Rust to be bootstrapped earlier in the process.

[–] sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.works 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Sure, but I guess I don't really understand the argument. Why would Rust need to be involved earlier in the process? Isn't the point to have a way to compile rustc completely from source?

I guess it's cool to have multiple ways to get there, but that project would take way less work and get to the same end goal. It sounds to me like the author is trying to justify a cool project instead of trying to solve a real problem. That's completely fine, but I think most people would be happy with the mrustc project.

[–] BatmanAoD@programming.dev 3 points 3 weeks ago

I asked, and it's to replace some of the bits that require Perl: https://hachyderm.io/@notgull/113035157972265244

You can see the full (current) sequence here: https://bootstrapping.miraheze.org/wiki/Live-bootstrap