Clee is a modern superset of C++ designed to streamline systems programming by compiling into clean, human-readable C++ output. By bridging the gap between expressive high-level syntax and raw native performance, it eliminates legacy boilerplate while maintaining full compatibility with existing libraries. This evolution allows developers to leverage the industrial power of C++ through a refined, safety-first interface that prioritizes both developer experience and zero-cost abstractions.
Clee was born from the realization that while C++ remains the gold standard for systems programming and performance, its syntax often carries the weight of decades of legacy constraints. The core philosophy of Clee is to decouple the industrial-strength power of the C++ backend from the friction of its traditional frontend.
By acting as a sophisticated evolution of C++, Clee prioritizes developer ergonomics, safety, and modern semantics. It treats code as a medium for human communication first and machine instruction second. The language adopts a "secure by default" posture, enforcing immutability and explicit overrides to prevent the common pitfalls associated with manual memory management and complex inheritance chains.
The language is designed to reduce mental overhead. By adopting a syntax inspired by modern languages like Kotlin and Go, Clee removes the boilerplate and cryptic declarations often found in C++. This allows developers to focus on logic rather than fighting the compiler's syntax.
Clee adheres strictly to the C++ tenet of "you don't pay for what you don't use." Every construct in Clee maps directly to optimized C++ patterns. The transpilation process ensures that the resulting output is not just functional, but indistinguishable from high-quality, hand-written C++ code, allowing the underlying native compiler (Clang, GCC, or MSVC) to perform full optimization.
A language is only as strong as its ecosystem. Clee is designed to be a transparent neighbor to existing C++ code. It provides the ability to consume standard libraries and third-party headers without the need for complex wrappers or "foreign function interfaces." This makes Clee an ideal choice for incrementally upgrading existing C++ projects.
The project follows a structured evolution path. It begins as a transpiler to establish a stable and performant foundation. Once the language reaches maturity, the compiler will undergo a self-hosting phase, where Clee is used to build its own future versions. The ultimate goal is to provide a dual-path toolchain: a high-speed transpiler for rapid development and a native backend for specialized systems deployment.