c - Lisp compiler design for embedded systems? -

i researching development of lisp compiler targets embedded devices (16kb or of ram) , low level systems programming (i.e. kernel modules), both of necessitate complexity guarantees , access low level constructs.

even though need these constructs, don't want language "low level", in want provide user high level constructs still deliver low level guarantees (i.e. lisp macros, support aspect oriented programming, logic or constraint solving, , functional paradigms, etc.).

my current train of thought need to:

• create thin wrapper of s-expression syntax on c99
• write macros define higher levels of abstraction, while still exposing low level structs, pointers, etc.
• feed resultant c99 code gcc, , binary run

i want know if reasoning sound on - code generated such process able operate such small memory footprint? don't intend language have runtime component.

dale c (/a c-like language), written lisp's syntax , several high-level compile-time features (macros, type inference, anonymous functions, modules... nothing impacts runtime).

prescheme same destination reached working opposite direction: restricted dialect of scheme removes runtime features can't translated 1:1 c (such continuations, general tail calls, gc, runtime dynamic typing). prescheme continues support scheme runtime features @ top-level, because can moved "compile time". prescheme part of scheme48 , used implement runtime.

alternatively, main concern space not bare-metal performance, easier crunch interpreter down small sizes; picobit ([1], [2]) designed run in <7kb while providing pretty complete scheme implementation.