c2hs

Generate Haskell FFI bindings from C headers

TLDR

Generate Haskell bindings from C header

$ c2hs [header.h] [bindings.chs]

Specify include path

$ c2hs -C -I[/path/to/includes] [bindings.chs]

Pass preprocessor defines

$ c2hs -C -D[MACRO=value] [bindings.chs]

Specify output directory

$ c2hs -o [output_dir] [bindings.chs]

Show help

$ c2hs --help

SYNOPSIS

c2hs [options] header.h binding.chs

c2hs is a C to Haskell interface generator that simplifies creating FFI bindings to C libraries. It extracts interface information from C header files and generates Haskell code with foreign imports and correct type marshaling.The tool processes .chs files containing Haskell code with embedded hooks that reference C structures and functions.

PARAMETERS

-C options

Pass options to C preprocessor (-I, -D, etc.)

-o directory

Output directory for generated files

-c compiler

Use specific C compiler

--cppopts=options

C preprocessor options

-d type

Dump internal information (trace, genbind, ctrav, chs)

-k

Keep intermediate files

--help

Show help

--version

Show version

WORKFLOW

1. Write .chs file with Haskell code and C hooks2. Run c2hs to generate .hs file3. Compile generated Haskell module

CABAL INTEGRATION

Cabal automatically processes .chs files and runs c2hs with appropriate flags.

CAVEATS

Generated code is BSD licensed. Requires C header files to be accessible. Complex C constructs may need manual binding.