[I apologize beforehand for being completely out of context.]
Are there fundamental reasons for not re-using the gcc backends for native code generation? I'm thinking of the (im?)possibility to convert the cps to some of the intermediate languages of gcc.
If it wouldn't cause bad constraints the obvious gain is the many targets (for free), the gcc optimizations, not having to maintain backends and free future development.
Of course, there's the practical problem that gcc needs to be adapted for this kind of use---but shouldn't it be adapted that way anyway? :)
Just an (old) idea...
Mikael