# Niffler [](https://travis-ci.com/dominicletz/niffler)
Niffler is a C-JIT implemented is nif binding to [libtcc](https://bellard.org/tcc/). Niffler allows converting small c fragments into nif backed functions *AT RUNTIME*
*Warning:* Even though cute the Niffler is a very dangerous creature that when treated without
enough attention can quickly cause havoc accross your whole project.
# Module Example:
```
defmodule Example do
use Niffler
defnif :count_zeros, [str: :binary], ret: :int do
"""
ret = 0;
while(str.size--) {
if (*str.data++ == 0) ret++;
}
"""
end
end
{:ok, [2]} = Example.count_zeros([<<0,11,0>>])
```
# Shell Example:
```
iex> {:ok, prog} = Niffler.compile("ret = a * b;", [a: :int, b: :int], [ret: :int])
iex> Niffler.run(prog, [3, 4])
{:ok, [12]}
```
# Benchmarks
```
> mix run bench/count_zeros.exs
...
Benchmarking count_zeros_elixir...
Benchmarking count_zeros_nif...
Name ips average deviation median 99th %
count_zeros_nif 6.87 K 145.47 μs ±15.18% 141.22 μs 223.31 μs
count_zeros_elixir 3.54 K 282.68 μs ±12.06% 271.96 μs 404.90 μs
Comparison:
count_zeros_nif 6.87 K
count_zeros_elixir 3.54 K - 1.94x slower +137.22 μs
```
# Todos
This library is work in progress. Feel free to open a PR to any of these:
* Test on windows
* Compile functions on module load not on first call
* Use async thread to avoid blocking in long-running nifs
* Better documentation
* Include c-standard library libtcc1.a
