fix: multi-arg calls, uninitialized symbols, param limit; add banner img; update docs

- Fix segfault from uninitialized Symbol structs in scope/hir_lower/sema
- Fix null ReadFile crash in Cli_MergeFileInto (missing stdlib files)
- Extend function params from 6 to 9 (bux_str_format needs 9 args)
- Add ExprList/HirArgList linked lists for >2 call arguments
- Add banner image to README
- Update docs: C backend is now primary (not QBE)

README.md

@@ -1,8 +1,10 @@
 # Bux Programming Language
 
-> **Status:** Self-hosting phase — `buxc2` compiles `.bux` → QBE SSA → native binary. Bootstrap (`buxc`, Nim) maintains backward compatibility via C transpiler.
+![Bux Language](bux-lang-01.jpeg)
 
-Bux is a fast, compiled, strongly-typed systems programming language. Features a QBE backend for native code generation, raw multi-line strings, gradual ownership, async/await, generics, algebraic enums, and a package manager.
+> **Status:** Self-hosting phase — `buxc2` compiles `.bux` → C → native binary. Bootstrap (`buxc`, Nim) builds the self-hosted compiler.
+
+Bux is a fast, compiled, strongly-typed systems programming language. Features a C backend for native code generation, raw multi-line strings, gradual ownership, async/await, generics, algebraic enums, and a package manager.
 
 ---
 
@@ -148,7 +150,7 @@ func Main() -> int {
 | **Interfaces** | `interface` + `extend` for trait-like behavior |
 | **Error Handling** | `Result<T,E>`, `Option<T>`, and the `?` operator |
 | **Standard Library** | `Io`, `Array`, `String`, `Map`, `Fs`, `Mem`, `Set`, `Path`, `Math`, `Task`, `Channel` |
-| **Backend** | QBE native codegen (self-hosting), C transpiler (bootstrap) |
+| **Backend** | C transpiler (self-hosting + bootstrap) |
 | **Strings** | Raw multi-line backtick strings (`...`), C-string interop |
 | **Gradual Ownership** | `@[Checked]` + `&T`/`&mut T` borrow checking |
 | **Async/Await** | `async func`, `spawn`, `.await` with stackful coroutines |
@@ -189,7 +191,7 @@ bux/
 # Build bootstrap compiler (Nim → C)
 make build
 
-# Build self-hosted compiler (Bux → QBE SSA → native)
+# Build self-hosted compiler (Bux → C → native)
 make selfhost
 
 # Run all tests

_selfhost/src/ast.bux

@@ -96,6 +96,11 @@ const ekMatch: int = 22;
 const ekSpawn: int = 24;
 const ekAwait: int = 25;
 
+struct ExprList {
+    expr: *Expr,
+    next: *ExprList,
+}
+
 struct Expr {
     kind: int,
     line: uint32,
@@ -121,6 +126,9 @@ struct Expr {
     // Struct init fields
     structName: String,
     structFieldCount: int,
+    // Call arguments (linked list for multi-arg support)
+    callArgs: *ExprList,
+    callArgCount: int,
 }
 
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -241,6 +249,9 @@ struct Decl {
     param3: Param,
     param4: Param,
     param5: Param,
+    param6: Param,
+    param7: Param,
+    param8: Param,
     retType: *TypeExpr,
     // Body
     refBody: *Block,
@@ -361,7 +372,8 @@ func Ast_MakeExpr(kind: int, line: uint32, col: uint32) -> Expr {
         child1: null as *Expr, child2: null as *Expr, child3: null as *Expr,
         refType: null as *TypeExpr, refBlock: null as *Block,
         genericCallee: "", genericTypeArg0: "", genericTypeArg1: "", genericTypeArgCount: 0,
-        structName: "", structFieldCount: 0 };
+        structName: "", structFieldCount: 0,
+        callArgs: null as *ExprList, callArgCount: 0 };
 }
 
 func Ast_MakeIdent(name: String, line: uint32, col: uint32) -> Expr {

_selfhost/src/c_backend.bux

@@ -134,12 +134,29 @@ func CBE_EmitExpr(cbe: *CEmitter, node: *HirNode) {
     if kind == hCall {
         StringBuilder_Append(&cbe.sb, node.strValue);
         StringBuilder_Append(&cbe.sb, "(");
+        var needsComma: bool = false;
         if node.child1 != null as *HirNode {
             CBE_EmitExpr(cbe, node.child1);
+            needsComma = true;
         }
         if node.child2 != null as *HirNode {
+            if needsComma {
                 StringBuilder_Append(&cbe.sb, ", ");
+            }
             CBE_EmitExpr(cbe, node.child2);
+            needsComma = true;
+        }
+        // Emit extra args from linked list
+        var ai: int = 0;
+        var curExtra: *HirArgList = node.extraData as *HirArgList;
+        while ai < node.extraCount {
+            if needsComma {
+                StringBuilder_Append(&cbe.sb, ", ");
+            }
+            CBE_EmitExpr(cbe, curExtra.node);
+            needsComma = true;
+            curExtra = curExtra.next;
+            ai = ai + 1;
         }
         StringBuilder_Append(&cbe.sb, ")");
         return;
@@ -414,6 +431,9 @@ func CBE_EmitFuncDecl(cbe: *CEmitter, f: *HirFunc) {
         if i == 3 { pname = f.param3.name; ptype = f.param3.typeName; }
         if i == 4 { pname = f.param4.name; ptype = f.param4.typeName; }
         if i == 5 { pname = f.param5.name; ptype = f.param5.typeName; }
+        if i == 6 { pname = f.param6.name; ptype = f.param6.typeName; }
+        if i == 7 { pname = f.param7.name; ptype = f.param7.typeName; }
+        if i == 8 { pname = f.param8.name; ptype = f.param8.typeName; }
         // Emit type
         if String_Eq(ptype, "String") || String_Eq(ptype, "str") {
             StringBuilder_Append(&cbe.sb, "String ");
@@ -474,6 +494,9 @@ func CBE_FuncHasGeneric(f: *HirFunc) -> bool {
         if pi == 3 { ptype = f.param3.typeName; }
         if pi == 4 { ptype = f.param4.typeName; }
         if pi == 5 { ptype = f.param5.typeName; }
+        if pi == 6 { ptype = f.param6.typeName; }
+        if pi == 7 { ptype = f.param7.typeName; }
+        if pi == 8 { ptype = f.param8.typeName; }
         if CBE_IsGenericTypeName(ptype) { return true; }
         pi = pi + 1;
     }

_selfhost/src/cli.bux

@@ -400,8 +400,13 @@ func Cli_CollectStdlibImports(mod: *Module, outPaths: *String, maxCount: int, st
 func Cli_MergeFileInto(target: *Module, path: String, skipNames: *String, skipCount: int) -> int {
     Print("DEBUG: MergeFileInto ");
     PrintLine(path);
+    if !FileExists(path) {
+        Print("Error: stdlib file not found: ");
+        PrintLine(path);
+        return 0;
+    }
     let source: String = ReadFile(path);
-    if String_Eq(source, "") { return 0; }
+    if source == null as String || String_Eq(source, "") { return 0; }
     let lex: *Lexer = Lexer_Tokenize(source);
     if Lexer_DiagCount(lex) > 0 { return 0; }
     let mod: *Module = Parser_Parse(lex.tokens, lex.tokenCount);

_selfhost/src/hir.bux

@@ -34,6 +34,15 @@ const hMatch: int = 28;
 const hSpawn: int = 29;
 const hAwait: int = 30;
 
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// HirArgList — linked list for call arguments beyond 2
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+struct HirArgList {
+    node: *HirNode,
+    next: *HirArgList,
+}
+
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // HirNode — unified struct with tagged union pattern
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -76,6 +85,9 @@ struct HirFunc {
     param3: HirParam;
     param4: HirParam;
     param5: HirParam;
+    param6: HirParam;
+    param7: HirParam;
+    param8: HirParam;
     retTypeKind: int;
     retTypeName: String;
     body: *HirNode;

_selfhost/src/hir_lower.bux

@@ -180,11 +180,34 @@ func Lcx_LowerExpr(ctx: *LowerCtx, expr: *Expr) -> *HirNode {
             // Lower receiver as first argument
             let recv: *HirNode = Lcx_LowerExpr(ctx, expr.child1.child1);
             n.child1 = recv;
-            // Lower remaining arguments
+            // Lower remaining arguments from linked list
-            if expr.child2 != null as *Expr {
+            var arg: *ExprList = expr.callArgs;
-                let extra: *HirNode = Lcx_LowerExpr(ctx, expr.child2);
+            var argIdx: int = 0;
-                // Chain extra args after receiver via child2/child3
+            while arg != null as *ExprList {
-                n.child2 = extra;
+                let lowered: *HirNode = Lcx_LowerExpr(ctx, arg.expr);
+                if argIdx == 0 {
+                    n.child2 = lowered;
+                } else if argIdx == 1 {
+                    // Third argument — start linked list
+                    let firstExtra: *HirArgList = bux_alloc(sizeof(HirArgList)) as *HirArgList;
+                    firstExtra.node = lowered;
+                    firstExtra.next = null as *HirArgList;
+                    n.extraData = firstExtra as *void;
+                    n.extraCount = 1;
+                } else {
+                    // Additional args — append to linked list
+                    var cur: *HirArgList = n.extraData as *HirArgList;
+                    while cur.next != null as *HirArgList {
+                        cur = cur.next;
+                    }
+                    let newNode: *HirArgList = bux_alloc(sizeof(HirArgList)) as *HirArgList;
+                    newNode.node = lowered;
+                    newNode.next = null as *HirArgList;
+                    cur.next = newNode;
+                    n.extraCount = n.extraCount + 1;
+                }
+                arg = arg.next;
+                argIdx = argIdx + 1;
             }
             return n;
         }
@@ -192,12 +215,36 @@ func Lcx_LowerExpr(ctx: *LowerCtx, expr: *Expr) -> *HirNode {
         if expr.child1 != null as *Expr && expr.child1.kind == ekIdent {
             n.strValue = expr.child1.strValue;
         }
-        // Lower arguments
+        // Lower arguments from linked list
-        if expr.child2 != null as *Expr {
+        var arg: *ExprList = expr.callArgs;
-            n.child1 = Lcx_LowerExpr(ctx, expr.child2);
+        var argIdx: int = 0;
+        while arg != null as *ExprList {
+            let lowered: *HirNode = Lcx_LowerExpr(ctx, arg.expr);
+            if argIdx == 0 {
+                n.child1 = lowered;
+            } else if argIdx == 1 {
+                n.child2 = lowered;
+            } else if argIdx == 2 {
+                // Third argument — start linked list
+                let firstExtra: *HirArgList = bux_alloc(sizeof(HirArgList)) as *HirArgList;
+                firstExtra.node = lowered;
+                firstExtra.next = null as *HirArgList;
+                n.extraData = firstExtra as *void;
+                n.extraCount = 1;
+            } else {
+                // Additional args — append to linked list
+                var cur: *HirArgList = n.extraData as *HirArgList;
+                while cur.next != null as *HirArgList {
+                    cur = cur.next;
                 }
-        if expr.child3 != null as *Expr {
+                let newNode: *HirArgList = bux_alloc(sizeof(HirArgList)) as *HirArgList;
-            n.child2 = Lcx_LowerExpr(ctx, expr.child3);
+                newNode.node = lowered;
+                newNode.next = null as *HirArgList;
+                cur.next = newNode;
+                n.extraCount = n.extraCount + 1;
+            }
+            arg = arg.next;
+            argIdx = argIdx + 1;
         }
         return n;
     }
@@ -359,6 +406,9 @@ func Lcx_LowerStmt(ctx: *LowerCtx, stmt: *Stmt) -> *HirNode {
         sym.name = stmt.strValue;
         sym.typeKind = alloca.typeKind;
         sym.typeName = alloca.typeName;
+        sym.isMutable = false;
+        sym.isPublic = false;
+        sym.decl = null as *Decl;
         discard Scope_Define(ctx.scope, sym);
         // store the init value
         n.kind = hStore;
@@ -495,6 +545,9 @@ func Lcx_LowerFunc(ctx: *LowerCtx, decl: *Decl) -> *HirFunc {
     Lcx_LowerParam(&f.param3, &decl.param3);
     Lcx_LowerParam(&f.param4, &decl.param4);
     Lcx_LowerParam(&f.param5, &decl.param5);
+    Lcx_LowerParam(&f.param6, &decl.param6);
+    Lcx_LowerParam(&f.param7, &decl.param7);
+    Lcx_LowerParam(&f.param8, &decl.param8);
 
     if decl.retType != null as *TypeExpr {
         f.retTypeName = decl.retType.typeName;
@@ -514,12 +567,18 @@ func Lcx_LowerFunc(ctx: *LowerCtx, decl: *Decl) -> *HirFunc {
         else if pi == 3 { p = &decl.param3; }
         else if pi == 4 { p = &decl.param4; }
         else if pi == 5 { p = &decl.param5; }
+        else if pi == 6 { p = &decl.param6; }
+        else if pi == 7 { p = &decl.param7; }
+        else if pi == 8 { p = &decl.param8; }
         if p != null as *Param && p.refParamType != null as *TypeExpr {
             var sym: Symbol;
             sym.kind = skVar;
             sym.name = p.name;
             sym.typeKind = Lcx_ResolveTypeKind(p.refParamType);
             sym.typeName = p.refParamType.typeName;
+            sym.isMutable = false;
+            sym.isPublic = false;
+            sym.decl = null as *Decl;
             discard Scope_Define(ctx.scope, sym);
         }
         pi = pi + 1;

_selfhost/src/lexer.bux

@@ -711,7 +711,7 @@ func Lexer_GetToken(lex: *Lexer, index: int) -> LexToken {
     if index >= 0 && index < lex.tokenCount {
         return lex.tokens[index];
     }
-    var empty: LexToken;
+    var empty: LexToken = LexToken { kind: tkEndOfFile, text: "", line: 0, column: 0 };
     return empty;
 }
 

_selfhost/src/parser.bux

@@ -214,6 +214,8 @@ func parserMakeExpr(kind: int, line: uint32, col: uint32) -> *Expr {
     e.genericTypeArgCount = 0;
     e.structName = "";
     e.structFieldCount = 0;
+    e.callArgs = null as *ExprList;
+    e.callArgCount = 0;
     return e;
 }
 
@@ -337,18 +339,27 @@ func parserParsePostfix(p: *Parser) -> *Expr {
             let col: uint32 = parserCurToken(p).column;
             let e: *Expr = parserMakeExpr(ekCall, line, col);
             e.child1 = left;
-            // Parse arguments (up to 8)
+            // Parse all arguments into linked list
-            // child2 = first arg, child3 = second arg, extra = rest
+            var argCount: int = 0;
-            if !parserCheck(p, tkRParen) {
+            var firstArg: *ExprList = null as *ExprList;
-                e.child2 = parserParseExpr(p);
+            var lastArg: *ExprList = null as *ExprList;
-                if parserMatch(p, tkComma) {
+            while !parserCheck(p, tkRParen) {
-                    e.child3 = parserParseExpr(p);
+                let argExpr: *Expr = parserParseExpr(p);
-                    // Consume any remaining arguments (we only store 2)
+                let argNode: *ExprList = bux_alloc(sizeof(ExprList)) as *ExprList;
-                    while parserMatch(p, tkComma) {
+                argNode.expr = argExpr;
-                        discard parserParseExpr(p);
+                argNode.next = null as *ExprList;
-                    }
+                if firstArg == null as *ExprList {
+                    firstArg = argNode;
+                    lastArg = argNode;
+                } else {
+                    lastArg.next = argNode;
+                    lastArg = argNode;
                 }
+                argCount = argCount + 1;
+                if !parserMatch(p, tkComma) { break; }
             }
+            e.callArgs = firstArg;
+            e.callArgCount = argCount;
             discard parserExpect(p, tkRParen, "expected ')'");
             left = e;
             continue;
@@ -842,7 +853,7 @@ func parserParseParamList(p: *Parser) -> *Decl {
 
     discard parserExpect(p, tkLParen, "expected '('");
     while !parserCheck(p, tkRParen) && parserPeek(p, 0) != tkEndOfFile {
-        if d.paramCount >= 6 { break; }
+        if d.paramCount >= 9 { break; }
         let nameTok: LexToken = parserExpectIdentOrKeyword(p, "expected parameter name");
         discard parserExpect(p, tkColon, "expected ':' in parameter");
         let ptype: *TypeExpr = parserParseType(p);
@@ -865,6 +876,15 @@ func parserParseParamList(p: *Parser) -> *Decl {
         } else if d.paramCount == 5 {
             d.param5.name = nameTok.text;
             d.param5.refParamType = ptype;
+        } else if d.paramCount == 6 {
+            d.param6.name = nameTok.text;
+            d.param6.refParamType = ptype;
+        } else if d.paramCount == 7 {
+            d.param7.name = nameTok.text;
+            d.param7.refParamType = ptype;
+        } else if d.paramCount == 8 {
+            d.param8.name = nameTok.text;
+            d.param8.refParamType = ptype;
         }
         d.paramCount = d.paramCount + 1;
 
@@ -916,6 +936,9 @@ func parserParseFuncDecl(p: *Parser, isPublic: bool, isExtern: bool, isAsync: bo
     d.param3 = params.param3;
     d.param4 = params.param4;
     d.param5 = params.param5;
+    d.param6 = params.param6;
+    d.param7 = params.param7;
+    d.param8 = params.param8;
 
     // Return type
     if parserMatch(p, tkArrow) {

_selfhost/src/scope.bux

@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ func Scope_Lookup(scope: *Scope, name: String) -> Symbol {
         }
         cur = cur.parent;
     }
-    var empty: Symbol;
+    var empty: Symbol = Symbol { kind: 0, name: "", typeKind: 0, typeName: "", isMutable: false, isPublic: false, decl: null as *Decl };
     return empty;
 }
 
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ func Scope_LookupLocal(scope: *Scope, name: String) -> Symbol {
         }
         i = i + 1;
     }
-    var empty: Symbol;
+    var empty: Symbol = Symbol { kind: 0, name: "", typeKind: 0, typeName: "", isMutable: false, isPublic: false, decl: null as *Decl };
     return empty;
 }
 

_selfhost/src/sema.bux

@@ -231,11 +231,10 @@ func Sema_CheckExpr(sema: *Sema, expr: *Expr) -> int {
     // Call
     if kind == ekCall {
         discard Sema_CheckExpr(sema, expr.child1);
-        if expr.child2 != null as *Expr {
+        var arg: *ExprList = expr.callArgs;
-            discard Sema_CheckExpr(sema, expr.child2);
+        while arg != null as *ExprList {
-        }
+            discard Sema_CheckExpr(sema, arg.expr);
-        if expr.child3 != null as *Expr {
+            arg = arg.next;
-            discard Sema_CheckExpr(sema, expr.child3);
         }
         // Try to resolve return type from function declaration
         if expr.child1.kind == ekIdent {
@@ -635,6 +634,7 @@ func Sema_Analyze(mod: *Module) -> *Sema {
             // Add type params to scope
             if decl.typeParamCount >= 1 {
                 var tpSym: Symbol;
+                Sema_ZeroInitSymbol(&tpSym);
                 tpSym.kind = skType;
                 tpSym.name = decl.typeParam0;
                 tpSym.typeKind = tyTypeParam;
@@ -643,6 +643,7 @@ func Sema_Analyze(mod: *Module) -> *Sema {
             }
             if decl.typeParamCount >= 2 {
                 var tpSym2: Symbol;
+                Sema_ZeroInitSymbol(&tpSym2);
                 tpSym2.kind = skType;
                 tpSym2.name = decl.typeParam1;
                 tpSym2.typeKind = tyTypeParam;
@@ -660,6 +661,9 @@ func Sema_Analyze(mod: *Module) -> *Sema {
                 else if i == 3 { p = &decl.param3; }
                 else if i == 4 { p = &decl.param4; }
                 else if i == 5 { p = &decl.param5; }
+                else if i == 6 { p = &decl.param6; }
+                else if i == 7 { p = &decl.param7; }
+                else if i == 8 { p = &decl.param8; }
                 var pSym: Symbol;
                 Sema_ZeroInitSymbol(&pSym);
                 pSym.kind = skVar;
@@ -679,6 +683,9 @@ func Sema_Analyze(mod: *Module) -> *Sema {
                 else if i == 3 { pSym.name = decl.param3.name; }
                 else if i == 4 { pSym.name = decl.param4.name; }
                 else if i == 5 { pSym.name = decl.param5.name; }
+                else if i == 6 { pSym.name = decl.param6.name; }
+                else if i == 7 { pSym.name = decl.param7.name; }
+                else if i == 8 { pSym.name = decl.param8.name; }
                 discard Scope_Define(&funcScope, pSym);
                 i = i + 1;
             }

docs/BuildAndTest.md

@@ -32,7 +32,13 @@ make build
 make dev
 ```
 
-The output is a single binary: `buxc`.
+The output is a single binary: `buxc` (bootstrap compiler in Nim).
+
+The self-hosted compiler `buxc2` is built from `src_bux/*.bux` sources via:
+```bash
+make selfhost
+```
+This compiles `buxc2` using the bootstrap compiler. The self-hosted compiler generates C code and invokes `cc` to produce native binaries.
 
 ---
 
@@ -164,12 +170,18 @@ bux/
 ./buxc build -v
 ```
 
-### Inspecting Generated C
+### Inspecting Generated C (bootstrap)
 ```bash
 ./buxc build
 cat build/main.c
 ```
 
+### Inspecting Generated C (self-hosted)
+```bash
+cd _selfhost && ../buxc build
+cat build/main.c
+```
+
 ### Common Errors
 
 | Error | Cause | Fix |

src_bux/ast.bux

@@ -96,6 +96,11 @@ const ekMatch: int = 22;
 const ekSpawn: int = 24;
 const ekAwait: int = 25;
 
+struct ExprList {
+    expr: *Expr,
+    next: *ExprList,
+}
+
 struct Expr {
     kind: int,
     line: uint32,
@@ -121,6 +126,9 @@ struct Expr {
     // Struct init fields
     structName: String,
     structFieldCount: int,
+    // Call arguments (linked list for multi-arg support)
+    callArgs: *ExprList,
+    callArgCount: int,
 }
 
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -241,6 +249,9 @@ struct Decl {
     param3: Param,
     param4: Param,
     param5: Param,
+    param6: Param,
+    param7: Param,
+    param8: Param,
     retType: *TypeExpr,
     // Body
     refBody: *Block,
@@ -361,7 +372,8 @@ func Ast_MakeExpr(kind: int, line: uint32, col: uint32) -> Expr {
         child1: null as *Expr, child2: null as *Expr, child3: null as *Expr,
         refType: null as *TypeExpr, refBlock: null as *Block,
         genericCallee: "", genericTypeArg0: "", genericTypeArg1: "", genericTypeArgCount: 0,
-        structName: "", structFieldCount: 0 };
+        structName: "", structFieldCount: 0,
+        callArgs: null as *ExprList, callArgCount: 0 };
 }
 
 func Ast_MakeIdent(name: String, line: uint32, col: uint32) -> Expr {

src_bux/c_backend.bux

@@ -134,12 +134,29 @@ func CBE_EmitExpr(cbe: *CEmitter, node: *HirNode) {
     if kind == hCall {
         StringBuilder_Append(&cbe.sb, node.strValue);
         StringBuilder_Append(&cbe.sb, "(");
+        var needsComma: bool = false;
         if node.child1 != null as *HirNode {
             CBE_EmitExpr(cbe, node.child1);
+            needsComma = true;
         }
         if node.child2 != null as *HirNode {
+            if needsComma {
                 StringBuilder_Append(&cbe.sb, ", ");
+            }
             CBE_EmitExpr(cbe, node.child2);
+            needsComma = true;
+        }
+        // Emit extra args from linked list
+        var ai: int = 0;
+        var curExtra: *HirArgList = node.extraData as *HirArgList;
+        while ai < node.extraCount {
+            if needsComma {
+                StringBuilder_Append(&cbe.sb, ", ");
+            }
+            CBE_EmitExpr(cbe, curExtra.node);
+            needsComma = true;
+            curExtra = curExtra.next;
+            ai = ai + 1;
         }
         StringBuilder_Append(&cbe.sb, ")");
         return;
@@ -414,6 +431,9 @@ func CBE_EmitFuncDecl(cbe: *CEmitter, f: *HirFunc) {
         if i == 3 { pname = f.param3.name; ptype = f.param3.typeName; }
         if i == 4 { pname = f.param4.name; ptype = f.param4.typeName; }
         if i == 5 { pname = f.param5.name; ptype = f.param5.typeName; }
+        if i == 6 { pname = f.param6.name; ptype = f.param6.typeName; }
+        if i == 7 { pname = f.param7.name; ptype = f.param7.typeName; }
+        if i == 8 { pname = f.param8.name; ptype = f.param8.typeName; }
         // Emit type
         if String_Eq(ptype, "String") || String_Eq(ptype, "str") {
             StringBuilder_Append(&cbe.sb, "String ");
@@ -474,6 +494,9 @@ func CBE_FuncHasGeneric(f: *HirFunc) -> bool {
         if pi == 3 { ptype = f.param3.typeName; }
         if pi == 4 { ptype = f.param4.typeName; }
         if pi == 5 { ptype = f.param5.typeName; }
+        if pi == 6 { ptype = f.param6.typeName; }
+        if pi == 7 { ptype = f.param7.typeName; }
+        if pi == 8 { ptype = f.param8.typeName; }
         if CBE_IsGenericTypeName(ptype) { return true; }
         pi = pi + 1;
     }

src_bux/cli.bux

@@ -400,8 +400,13 @@ func Cli_CollectStdlibImports(mod: *Module, outPaths: *String, maxCount: int, st
 func Cli_MergeFileInto(target: *Module, path: String, skipNames: *String, skipCount: int) -> int {
     Print("DEBUG: MergeFileInto ");
     PrintLine(path);
+    if !FileExists(path) {
+        Print("Error: stdlib file not found: ");
+        PrintLine(path);
+        return 0;
+    }
     let source: String = ReadFile(path);
-    if String_Eq(source, "") { return 0; }
+    if source == null as String || String_Eq(source, "") { return 0; }
     let lex: *Lexer = Lexer_Tokenize(source);
     if Lexer_DiagCount(lex) > 0 { return 0; }
     let mod: *Module = Parser_Parse(lex.tokens, lex.tokenCount);

src_bux/hir.bux

@@ -34,6 +34,15 @@ const hMatch: int = 28;
 const hSpawn: int = 29;
 const hAwait: int = 30;
 
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// HirArgList — linked list for call arguments beyond 2
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+struct HirArgList {
+    node: *HirNode,
+    next: *HirArgList,
+}
+
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // HirNode — unified struct with tagged union pattern
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -76,6 +85,9 @@ struct HirFunc {
     param3: HirParam;
     param4: HirParam;
     param5: HirParam;
+    param6: HirParam;
+    param7: HirParam;
+    param8: HirParam;
     retTypeKind: int;
     retTypeName: String;
     body: *HirNode;

src_bux/hir_lower.bux

@@ -180,11 +180,34 @@ func Lcx_LowerExpr(ctx: *LowerCtx, expr: *Expr) -> *HirNode {
             // Lower receiver as first argument
             let recv: *HirNode = Lcx_LowerExpr(ctx, expr.child1.child1);
             n.child1 = recv;
-            // Lower remaining arguments
+            // Lower remaining arguments from linked list
-            if expr.child2 != null as *Expr {
+            var arg: *ExprList = expr.callArgs;
-                let extra: *HirNode = Lcx_LowerExpr(ctx, expr.child2);
+            var argIdx: int = 0;
-                // Chain extra args after receiver via child2/child3
+            while arg != null as *ExprList {
-                n.child2 = extra;
+                let lowered: *HirNode = Lcx_LowerExpr(ctx, arg.expr);
+                if argIdx == 0 {
+                    n.child2 = lowered;
+                } else if argIdx == 1 {
+                    // Third argument — start linked list
+                    let firstExtra: *HirArgList = bux_alloc(sizeof(HirArgList)) as *HirArgList;
+                    firstExtra.node = lowered;
+                    firstExtra.next = null as *HirArgList;
+                    n.extraData = firstExtra as *void;
+                    n.extraCount = 1;
+                } else {
+                    // Additional args — append to linked list
+                    var cur: *HirArgList = n.extraData as *HirArgList;
+                    while cur.next != null as *HirArgList {
+                        cur = cur.next;
+                    }
+                    let newNode: *HirArgList = bux_alloc(sizeof(HirArgList)) as *HirArgList;
+                    newNode.node = lowered;
+                    newNode.next = null as *HirArgList;
+                    cur.next = newNode;
+                    n.extraCount = n.extraCount + 1;
+                }
+                arg = arg.next;
+                argIdx = argIdx + 1;
             }
             return n;
         }
@@ -192,12 +215,36 @@ func Lcx_LowerExpr(ctx: *LowerCtx, expr: *Expr) -> *HirNode {
         if expr.child1 != null as *Expr && expr.child1.kind == ekIdent {
             n.strValue = expr.child1.strValue;
         }
-        // Lower arguments
+        // Lower arguments from linked list
-        if expr.child2 != null as *Expr {
+        var arg: *ExprList = expr.callArgs;
-            n.child1 = Lcx_LowerExpr(ctx, expr.child2);
+        var argIdx: int = 0;
+        while arg != null as *ExprList {
+            let lowered: *HirNode = Lcx_LowerExpr(ctx, arg.expr);
+            if argIdx == 0 {
+                n.child1 = lowered;
+            } else if argIdx == 1 {
+                n.child2 = lowered;
+            } else if argIdx == 2 {
+                // Third argument — start linked list
+                let firstExtra: *HirArgList = bux_alloc(sizeof(HirArgList)) as *HirArgList;
+                firstExtra.node = lowered;
+                firstExtra.next = null as *HirArgList;
+                n.extraData = firstExtra as *void;
+                n.extraCount = 1;
+            } else {
+                // Additional args — append to linked list
+                var cur: *HirArgList = n.extraData as *HirArgList;
+                while cur.next != null as *HirArgList {
+                    cur = cur.next;
                 }
-        if expr.child3 != null as *Expr {
+                let newNode: *HirArgList = bux_alloc(sizeof(HirArgList)) as *HirArgList;
-            n.child2 = Lcx_LowerExpr(ctx, expr.child3);
+                newNode.node = lowered;
+                newNode.next = null as *HirArgList;
+                cur.next = newNode;
+                n.extraCount = n.extraCount + 1;
+            }
+            arg = arg.next;
+            argIdx = argIdx + 1;
         }
         return n;
     }
@@ -359,6 +406,9 @@ func Lcx_LowerStmt(ctx: *LowerCtx, stmt: *Stmt) -> *HirNode {
         sym.name = stmt.strValue;
         sym.typeKind = alloca.typeKind;
         sym.typeName = alloca.typeName;
+        sym.isMutable = false;
+        sym.isPublic = false;
+        sym.decl = null as *Decl;
         discard Scope_Define(ctx.scope, sym);
         // store the init value
         n.kind = hStore;
@@ -495,6 +545,9 @@ func Lcx_LowerFunc(ctx: *LowerCtx, decl: *Decl) -> *HirFunc {
     Lcx_LowerParam(&f.param3, &decl.param3);
     Lcx_LowerParam(&f.param4, &decl.param4);
     Lcx_LowerParam(&f.param5, &decl.param5);
+    Lcx_LowerParam(&f.param6, &decl.param6);
+    Lcx_LowerParam(&f.param7, &decl.param7);
+    Lcx_LowerParam(&f.param8, &decl.param8);
 
     if decl.retType != null as *TypeExpr {
         f.retTypeName = decl.retType.typeName;
@@ -514,12 +567,18 @@ func Lcx_LowerFunc(ctx: *LowerCtx, decl: *Decl) -> *HirFunc {
         else if pi == 3 { p = &decl.param3; }
         else if pi == 4 { p = &decl.param4; }
         else if pi == 5 { p = &decl.param5; }
+        else if pi == 6 { p = &decl.param6; }
+        else if pi == 7 { p = &decl.param7; }
+        else if pi == 8 { p = &decl.param8; }
         if p != null as *Param && p.refParamType != null as *TypeExpr {
             var sym: Symbol;
             sym.kind = skVar;
             sym.name = p.name;
             sym.typeKind = Lcx_ResolveTypeKind(p.refParamType);
             sym.typeName = p.refParamType.typeName;
+            sym.isMutable = false;
+            sym.isPublic = false;
+            sym.decl = null as *Decl;
             discard Scope_Define(ctx.scope, sym);
         }
         pi = pi + 1;

src_bux/lexer.bux

@@ -711,7 +711,7 @@ func Lexer_GetToken(lex: *Lexer, index: int) -> LexToken {
     if index >= 0 && index < lex.tokenCount {
         return lex.tokens[index];
     }
-    var empty: LexToken;
+    var empty: LexToken = LexToken { kind: tkEndOfFile, text: "", line: 0, column: 0 };
     return empty;
 }
 

src_bux/parser.bux

@@ -214,6 +214,8 @@ func parserMakeExpr(kind: int, line: uint32, col: uint32) -> *Expr {
     e.genericTypeArgCount = 0;
     e.structName = "";
     e.structFieldCount = 0;
+    e.callArgs = null as *ExprList;
+    e.callArgCount = 0;
     return e;
 }
 
@@ -337,18 +339,27 @@ func parserParsePostfix(p: *Parser) -> *Expr {
             let col: uint32 = parserCurToken(p).column;
             let e: *Expr = parserMakeExpr(ekCall, line, col);
             e.child1 = left;
-            // Parse arguments (up to 8)
+            // Parse all arguments into linked list
-            // child2 = first arg, child3 = second arg, extra = rest
+            var argCount: int = 0;
-            if !parserCheck(p, tkRParen) {
+            var firstArg: *ExprList = null as *ExprList;
-                e.child2 = parserParseExpr(p);
+            var lastArg: *ExprList = null as *ExprList;
-                if parserMatch(p, tkComma) {
+            while !parserCheck(p, tkRParen) {
-                    e.child3 = parserParseExpr(p);
+                let argExpr: *Expr = parserParseExpr(p);
-                    // Consume any remaining arguments (we only store 2)
+                let argNode: *ExprList = bux_alloc(sizeof(ExprList)) as *ExprList;
-                    while parserMatch(p, tkComma) {
+                argNode.expr = argExpr;
-                        discard parserParseExpr(p);
+                argNode.next = null as *ExprList;
-                    }
+                if firstArg == null as *ExprList {
+                    firstArg = argNode;
+                    lastArg = argNode;
+                } else {
+                    lastArg.next = argNode;
+                    lastArg = argNode;
                 }
+                argCount = argCount + 1;
+                if !parserMatch(p, tkComma) { break; }
             }
+            e.callArgs = firstArg;
+            e.callArgCount = argCount;
             discard parserExpect(p, tkRParen, "expected ')'");
             left = e;
             continue;
@@ -842,7 +853,7 @@ func parserParseParamList(p: *Parser) -> *Decl {
 
     discard parserExpect(p, tkLParen, "expected '('");
     while !parserCheck(p, tkRParen) && parserPeek(p, 0) != tkEndOfFile {
-        if d.paramCount >= 6 { break; }
+        if d.paramCount >= 9 { break; }
         let nameTok: LexToken = parserExpectIdentOrKeyword(p, "expected parameter name");
         discard parserExpect(p, tkColon, "expected ':' in parameter");
         let ptype: *TypeExpr = parserParseType(p);
@@ -865,6 +876,15 @@ func parserParseParamList(p: *Parser) -> *Decl {
         } else if d.paramCount == 5 {
             d.param5.name = nameTok.text;
             d.param5.refParamType = ptype;
+        } else if d.paramCount == 6 {
+            d.param6.name = nameTok.text;
+            d.param6.refParamType = ptype;
+        } else if d.paramCount == 7 {
+            d.param7.name = nameTok.text;
+            d.param7.refParamType = ptype;
+        } else if d.paramCount == 8 {
+            d.param8.name = nameTok.text;
+            d.param8.refParamType = ptype;
         }
         d.paramCount = d.paramCount + 1;
 
@@ -916,6 +936,9 @@ func parserParseFuncDecl(p: *Parser, isPublic: bool, isExtern: bool, isAsync: bo
     d.param3 = params.param3;
     d.param4 = params.param4;
     d.param5 = params.param5;
+    d.param6 = params.param6;
+    d.param7 = params.param7;
+    d.param8 = params.param8;
 
     // Return type
     if parserMatch(p, tkArrow) {

src_bux/scope.bux

@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ func Scope_Lookup(scope: *Scope, name: String) -> Symbol {
         }
         cur = cur.parent;
     }
-    var empty: Symbol;
+    var empty: Symbol = Symbol { kind: 0, name: "", typeKind: 0, typeName: "", isMutable: false, isPublic: false, decl: null as *Decl };
     return empty;
 }
 
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ func Scope_LookupLocal(scope: *Scope, name: String) -> Symbol {
         }
         i = i + 1;
     }
-    var empty: Symbol;
+    var empty: Symbol = Symbol { kind: 0, name: "", typeKind: 0, typeName: "", isMutable: false, isPublic: false, decl: null as *Decl };
     return empty;
 }
 

src_bux/sema.bux

@@ -231,11 +231,10 @@ func Sema_CheckExpr(sema: *Sema, expr: *Expr) -> int {
     // Call
     if kind == ekCall {
         discard Sema_CheckExpr(sema, expr.child1);
-        if expr.child2 != null as *Expr {
+        var arg: *ExprList = expr.callArgs;
-            discard Sema_CheckExpr(sema, expr.child2);
+        while arg != null as *ExprList {
-        }
+            discard Sema_CheckExpr(sema, arg.expr);
-        if expr.child3 != null as *Expr {
+            arg = arg.next;
-            discard Sema_CheckExpr(sema, expr.child3);
         }
         // Try to resolve return type from function declaration
         if expr.child1.kind == ekIdent {
@@ -635,6 +634,7 @@ func Sema_Analyze(mod: *Module) -> *Sema {
             // Add type params to scope
             if decl.typeParamCount >= 1 {
                 var tpSym: Symbol;
+                Sema_ZeroInitSymbol(&tpSym);
                 tpSym.kind = skType;
                 tpSym.name = decl.typeParam0;
                 tpSym.typeKind = tyTypeParam;
@@ -643,6 +643,7 @@ func Sema_Analyze(mod: *Module) -> *Sema {
             }
             if decl.typeParamCount >= 2 {
                 var tpSym2: Symbol;
+                Sema_ZeroInitSymbol(&tpSym2);
                 tpSym2.kind = skType;
                 tpSym2.name = decl.typeParam1;
                 tpSym2.typeKind = tyTypeParam;
@@ -660,6 +661,9 @@ func Sema_Analyze(mod: *Module) -> *Sema {
                 else if i == 3 { p = &decl.param3; }
                 else if i == 4 { p = &decl.param4; }
                 else if i == 5 { p = &decl.param5; }
+                else if i == 6 { p = &decl.param6; }
+                else if i == 7 { p = &decl.param7; }
+                else if i == 8 { p = &decl.param8; }
                 var pSym: Symbol;
                 Sema_ZeroInitSymbol(&pSym);
                 pSym.kind = skVar;
@@ -679,6 +683,9 @@ func Sema_Analyze(mod: *Module) -> *Sema {
                 else if i == 3 { pSym.name = decl.param3.name; }
                 else if i == 4 { pSym.name = decl.param4.name; }
                 else if i == 5 { pSym.name = decl.param5.name; }
+                else if i == 6 { pSym.name = decl.param6.name; }
+                else if i == 7 { pSym.name = decl.param7.name; }
+                else if i == 8 { pSym.name = decl.param8.name; }
                 discard Scope_Define(&funcScope, pSym);
                 i = i + 1;
             }