New features

• c4wa now by default writes binary WASM files, bypassing text format. You can still save WAT file either with option -k (--keep) or with explicit output file name -o file.wat
• There is -a (--alignment) option to customize alignment hints
• There is a built-in WASM interpteter (invoked with -e/--execute)
• Added command line option -v to print preprocessor command
• Optimized order of local variables (grouped by type)
• Added bulk memory compiler option wasm.bulk-memory, emulation available
• min, max are now a system library
• Ignore unused global variables
• Added Python runtime wrapper run-wasm.py
• Added command line option -xh for extended help

Bug fixes

• Made it possible to have exported functions declared as extern

Core language:

• Local scope for variables;
• It is now possible to declare functions with parameter names extern int foo(int a, int b);
• C-compliant variable argument functions void printf(char * fmt, ...);
• Allowed duplicate struct definitions (makes it easier to compile multiple files)

Preprocessor and libraries:

• string library
• Removed -P option, preprocessor is now engaged automatically
• Include files shipped as part of the distribution
• Configurable preprocessor command line
• Better error reporting

Other:

• Stack begins from 1 (to avoid making zero pointers)
• Warnings about unused variables
• Recovery from errors
• Formatting of errors and warnings is more uniform and similar to GCC

New features in this release:

• There is now support for built-in libraries with command line option -l;
• It is now possible to compile multiple source files into one "bundle";
• Completely reworked memory management. Instead of special language construct alloc you can have a choice: access linear memory directly with built-in globals __builtin_memory and __builtin_offset, or use familiar malloc and free with one of the provided memory management libraries;
• There is no longer a pre-set size for DATA section. It will be automatically allocated to accommodate all string literals;
• Added __builtin_popcount, __builtin_popcountl;
• Escapes in string literals are now treated consistently with chars;
• Preprocessor line directives recognized, thus syntax errors reference correct file name and line number.

Bug fixes:

• Fixed relative priority of comparison and equality operators (a < b == c < d);
• __builtin_clzl, __builtin_ctzl return int, not long;
• Fixed assigning constant to a pointer (ptr = 0 allowed, ptr = 1 isn't);
• Fixed boolean types, if (longValue) ... will work now;
• Fixed relative priority of comparison and equality operators (a < b == c < d);
• Fixed a problem when pointer to a struct is declared before struct is defined;
• Fixed struct arrays, e.g. arr[index].member;
• Many instances where using void would trigger an uncaught exception now correctly reported as syntax errors.

Release 0.2 is nearly a full rewrite with a goal to support stack allocation. Now, you can:

• Freely use local variable of type array or struct;
• Take address & of any local variable;
• Use arbitrary-parameter functions like printf in recursive calls.

Additionally, we now support all C operators, arrays inside struct, recursive structs, many new builtin functions, do not force unnecessary returns, and a lot more.