binfmtc(1)

💖 binfmtc(1) — the binfmt_C page, bestie edition 💖

okay so. this is the manual for binfmtc-interpreter, part of binfmt_C, and honestly? it's giving "tiny script that runs your C files like they're real executables" and I'm obsessed. sit down, grab a strawberry 🍓, let's get into it.

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✨ NAME ✨

binfmtc-interpreter — the binfmt_misc</> C handler, aka the little guy who makes your C source files act like they're actual programs 🧚

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🌸 SYNOPSIS 🌸

binfmtc-interpreter C-source-file-name [command-line opions ...]

(yes, opions. that's literally how it's spelled in the original, and we respect the typo, we do not touch the typo 💅)

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🦋 DESCRIPTION 🦋

binfmtc-interpreter takes a C source file that you named on the command line, compiles it using a C compiler, and then runs the resulting file. that's the whole vibe. compile, then yeet it into execution. 🔥

it's built to be a handler for binfmt_misc, which is this Linux system that lets arbitrary files be treated as executables. like, the operating system sees your file and goes "oh? you're an executable now? periodt." 👑

and the command-line options you pass? those get passed on to the compiled binary, not eaten by the interpreter. cute, right?

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🎀 FILE MAGIC 🎀

there is a requirement, and I need you to hear me on this one.

for a C source file to be handled, it must have the magic characters /*BINFMTC: at the very beginning of the file. no magic line, no magic. that's the rule, no cap. ✨

and plot twist: that same line is also where you specify the additional command-line options for the C compiler. so it's doing double duty. main character energy fr fr. 💜

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🌈 ENVIRONMENT 🌈

here's where you configure your whole situation. so many levers to pull, so many vibes to curate.

• GCC — the compiler being used. the default is to use gcc.
• CC — the compiler being used, but only if the GCC variable isn't set. like, it's the backup bestie. 🫶
• BINFMTCTMPDIR — the temporary directory used for the binary and for execution.
  • it falls back to $TMPDIR, then $TEMPDIR, or /tmp if none of those are set. very "I'll find a home wherever" of it. 🙈
• BINFMTC_DEBUG — enables debug output if it's set. use this when you're nosy (affectionate). 🔍
• BINFMTC_GCC_OPTS — additional GCC options. use BINFMTC_DEBUG to verify the options being passed on to gcc, because bestie, you deserve to know what's happening.
  • the default is -O2 -Wall -g ⭐

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👑 AUTHOR 👑

Junichi Uekawa (dancer@debian.org) — iconic, legendary, we thank them for their service 🎀

the upstream page is available at http://www.netfort.gr.jp/~dancer/software/

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💀 SEE ALSO 💀

the whole friend group, if you want to hang out with the siblings:

• binfmtasm-interpreter(1)
• binfmtcxx-interpreter(1)
• binfmtf-interpreter(1)
• binfmtf95-interpreter(1)
• binfmtgcj-interpreter(1)

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and that's the page!! 🦋 this manual is from the binfmt_misc era, credited to Dancer, dated 2009 Feb 8, and it's the binfmtc(1) page — so if anyone asks, that's the whole receipt. love u, go compile something, bye 💖✨🌸