Raz Manual/Getting Started

Getting Started

Your First Raz Program

Create a small source file, compile it to C++, and inspect the generated output.

Raz Gen2 Manual·Getting Started

This page assumes that the Raz Gen2 compiler and its configured GNU C++ toolchain are available in the project checkout.

Create a source file

Create a file named hello.raz with the following contents:

Example 1 — hello.raz

function main() -> i64 {
    let answer: i64 = 40 + 2;
    return answer;
}

The function declares an explicitly typed local binding, evaluates an arithmetic expression, and returns an integer value. The example demonstrates source syntax; it does not prescribe how a platform executable must be launched.

Emit C++

The compiler can write generated C++ to a specified path with --emit-cpp or -o. From the project root, the command shape is: 

./compiler/razc/bin/razc hello.raz --emit-cpp hello.cpp

Check the toolchain page for the available command-line options and the repository's build configuration. The generated hello.cpp is the compiler output to inspect.

Inspect the output

Raz's backend targets C++17. The generated output may contain type mappings and implementation details that are not part of the Raz language contract. In particular, a C++ representation should not be interpreted as a guarantee that Raz exposes all corresponding C++ behavior.

Project testing policy: the primary Raz test runner is compile-only. It verifies successful or rejected compilation and preserves generated C++ for manual review; native compilation and execution are separate checks when needed.

Next steps