I built a Python -> C transpiler. Then it transpiled itself.

📰 Dev.to · Johnny

Learn how to build a Python to C transpiler and apply it to real-world scenarios, such as running Python scripts in initramfs

advanced Published 20 Jun 2026
Action Steps
  1. Build a Python to C transpiler using a parsing library such as pyparsing
  2. Define a grammar for the Python language and map it to C syntax
  3. Implement a translator that converts Python code to C code
  4. Test the transpiler with sample Python scripts and verify the generated C code
  5. Apply the transpiler to a real-world scenario, such as running Python scripts in initramfs
Who Needs to Know This

Software engineers and developers who work with Python and C can benefit from this transpiler, which allows them to run Python scripts in environments where an interpreter is not available

Key Insight

💡 A Python to C transpiler can be used to run Python scripts in environments where an interpreter is not available, such as initramfs

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🚀 Built a Python to C transpiler and used it to run Python scripts in initramfs! #python #c #transpiler

Key Takeaways

Learn how to build a Python to C transpiler and apply it to real-world scenarios, such as running Python scripts in initramfs

Full Article

Title: I built a Python -> C transpiler. Then it transpiled itself.

URL Source: https://dev.to/jhi2/i-built-a-python-c-transpiler-then-it-transpiled-itself-3p8i

Published Time: 2026-06-20T15:54:24Z

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# I built a Python -> C transpiler. Then it transpiled itself. - DEV Community
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Posted on Jun 20

# I built a Python -> C transpiler. Then it transpiled itself.

[#ai](https://dev.to/t/ai)[#c](https://dev.to/t/c)[#python](https://dev.to/t/python)[#opensource](https://dev.to/t/opensource)

A few weeks ago I needed to run Python scripts in initramfs — the tiny Linux environment that exists before your actual OS boots. No interpreter. No dynam
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