GitHub - davidgiven/ack: The Amsterdam Compiler Kit
Hacker News
February 14, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The Amsterdam Compiler Kit (ACK) is a comprehensive compiler toolchain designed to simplify the process of compiling source code into executable files across various platforms. Originally developed by Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam, ACK supports multiple programming languages, including ANSI C, Pascal, Modula 2, and Basic. It also accommodates older dialects like K&R C through its ANSI C compiler. The toolchain is notable for its flexibility, enabling developers to generate executables for a wide range of platforms such as Linux, macOS, Windows, and even niche systems like the Raspberry Pi.
Installation of ACK requires a few key components: an ANSI C compiler (typically GCC by default), Flex and Yacc for parsing, GNU Make for build processes, Lua with POSIX library support, and Python 3.4 or higher. The setup is straightforward, especially on Unix-like systems including Linux and macOS, as well as Windows using MSYS2 or MINGW32. Users can customize the installation directory ( PREFIX ) and select specific platforms ( PLATS ) to build for.
ACK’s usage is centered around its command-line tool, which supports various options for customization. The primary command, `ack`, handles both compilation and linking. Key features include selecting a target platform with `-m`, specifying output filenames with `-o`, generating assembly files with `-c.s`, enabling optimization levels up to 6 with `-O`, and automatically detecting the language based on file extensions. This tool is particularly valuable for developers working on cross-platform projects, as it streamlines the build process while maintaining compatibility across different architectures.
Despite its powerful capabilities, ACK has some limitations. Its library
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Originally published on Hacker News on 2/14/2026