diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index 18063b94d2..67fa7b06ef 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -38,6 +38,15 @@ set(CMAKE_MODULE_PATH "${CMAKE_CURRENT_LIST_DIR}/cmake/Modules")
 
 option(BUILD_IDLC "Build IDL preprocessor" ${not_crosscompiling})
 option(BUILD_DDSPERF "Build ddsperf tool" ${not_crosscompiling})
+option(BUILD_IDLC_ONLY "Only build the IDLC preprocessor" OFF)
+
+if(BUILD_IDLC_ONLY)
+  set(BUILD_DDSPERF NO)
+  set(ENABLE_SECURITY NO)
+  set(BUILD_EXAMPLES NO)
+  set(BUILD_IDLC_XTESTS NO)
+  set(BUILD_TESTING OFF)
+endif()
 
 set(CMAKE_C_STANDARD 99)
 if(CMAKE_SYSTEM_NAME STREQUAL "VxWorks")
diff --git a/src/CMakeLists.txt b/src/CMakeLists.txt
index 98f0c409ed..f783392205 100644
--- a/src/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/src/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -93,10 +93,17 @@ if(NOT ENABLE_SECURITY)
   message(STATUS "Building without OMG DDS Security support")
 endif()
 
-add_subdirectory(tools)
 add_subdirectory(ddsrt)
-if(BUILD_IDLC)
+
+if(BUILD_IDLC_ONLY)
   add_subdirectory(idl)
+  add_subdirectory(tools/_confgen)
+else()
+  add_subdirectory(tools)
+  if(BUILD_IDLC)
+    add_subdirectory(idl)
+  endif()
+  add_subdirectory(security)
 endif()
-add_subdirectory(security)
+
 add_subdirectory(core)
diff --git a/src/idl/CMakeLists.txt b/src/idl/CMakeLists.txt
index 1cf75ed482..24c9064f94 100644
--- a/src/idl/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/src/idl/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 #
-# Copyright(c) 2021 to 2022 ZettaScale Technology and others
+# Copyright(c) 2006 to 2022 ZettaScale Technology and others
 #
 # This program and the accompanying materials are made available under the
 # terms of the Eclipse Public License v. 2.0 which is available at
@@ -9,189 +9,11 @@
 #
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: EPL-2.0 OR BSD-3-Clause
 #
-include(GenerateExportHeader)
-include(HashUtilities)
 
-find_package(Threads QUIET REQUIRED)
+set(CMAKE_INSTALL_TOOLSDIR "${CMAKE_INSTALL_DATADIR}/${PROJECT_NAME}/idl")
 
-set(binary_dir "${CMAKE_CURRENT_BINARY_DIR}")
-set(source_dir "${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}")
-
-configure_file(include/idl/version.h.in include/idl/version.h @ONLY)
-
-check_hashes(
-  _bison_hash_correct
-  HASH_FILES
-    src/parser.y
-  APPEND_FILES
-    ${CMAKE_CURRENT_LIST_DIR}/src/parser.c
-    ${CMAKE_CURRENT_LIST_DIR}/src/parser.h
-)
-
-if(NOT ${_bison_hash_correct})
-  find_package(BISON 3.0.4)
-
-  if(BISON_FOUND)
-    message(STATUS "Running Bison, parser.y was updated.")
-    message(STATUS "${source_dir}")
-
-    file(REMOVE src/parser.c)
-    file(REMOVE src/parser.h)
-
-    # Run bison targetting an intermediate file
-    bison_target(bison_t src/parser.y ${binary_dir}/parser.c DEFINES_FILE ${binary_dir}/parser.h)
-
-    # Run postprocessing (copying/hashing)
-    add_custom_command(
-      OUTPUT
-        ${binary_dir}/src/parser.c
-        ${binary_dir}/src/parser.h
-      COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} ARGS
-        "-Dsource_dir=${source_dir}"
-        "-Dbinary_dir=${binary_dir}"
-        "-DMAIN_PROJECT_DIR=${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}"
-        -P ${CMAKE_CURRENT_LIST_DIR}/postprocess-parser.cmake
-      DEPENDS ${binary_dir}/parser.c ${binary_dir}/parser.h
-    )
-  else()
-    message(FATAL_ERROR "parser.y was updated but parser.c not regenerated, and no bison available!")
-  endif()
-else()
-  file(COPY ${source_dir}/src/parser.c DESTINATION ${binary_dir}/src)
-  file(COPY ${source_dir}/src/parser.h DESTINATION ${binary_dir}/src)
-endif()
-
-set_source_files_properties(${binary_dir}/src/parser.c ${binary_dir}/src/parser.h PROPERTIES GENERATED TRUE)
-
-set(headers
-  include/idl/expression.h
-  include/idl/file.h
-  include/idl/print.h
-  include/idl/processor.h
-  include/idl/retcode.h
-  include/idl/scope.h
-  include/idl/stream.h
-  include/idl/string.h
-  include/idl/symbol.h
-  include/idl/tree.h
-  include/idl/vector.h
-  include/idl/visit.h
-  include/idl/heap.h
-  ${binary_dir}/include/idl/version.h)
-
-set(sources
-  src/symbol.c
-  src/directive.c
-  src/expression.c
-  src/file.c
-  src/processor.c
-  src/scanner.c
-  src/string.c
-  src/annotation.c
-  src/scope.c
-  src/string.c
-  src/tree.c
-  src/vector.c
-  src/visit.c
-  src/print.c
-  src/keylist.c
-  src/hashid.c
-  src/parser.c
-  src/heap.c
-  src/annotation.h
-  src/directive.h
-  src/expression.h
-  src/file.h
-  src/hashid.h
-  src/parser.h
-  src/scanner.h
-  src/scope.h
-  src/symbol.h
-  src/tree.h
-  src/keylist.h)
-
-# import generic utility sources from ddsrt to avoid duplication
-# NOTE: an additional INTERFACE library defined in ddsrt would be ideal, but
-#       the GENERATED property is not propagated before 3.20. using an OBJECT
-#       library and propagating the object files through an INTERFACE library
-#       can be done, but a proper export header can only be generated from the
-#       final library.
-#       see: https://gitlab.kitware.com/cmake/cmake/-/issues/18399
-set(script "${PROJECT_SOURCE_DIR}/src/ddsrt/rename.cmake")
-set(templates
-  include/dds/ddsrt/misc.h
-  include/dds/ddsrt/attributes.h
-  include/dds/ddsrt/endian.h
-  include/dds/ddsrt/md5.h
-  src/md5.c)
-# FIXME: move general functionality to ddsrt
-
-foreach(source ${templates})
-  set(input "${PROJECT_SOURCE_DIR}/src/ddsrt/${source}")
-  # map include path. i.e. map include/dds/ddsrt to include/idl
-  string(REGEX REPLACE "(/dds(rt)?)+" "/idl" source "${source}")
-  set(output "${binary_dir}/${source}")
-  # process source file. i.e. replace dds and ddsrt with idl
-  add_custom_command(
-    OUTPUT ${output}
-    COMMAND "${CMAKE_COMMAND}" -DNAMESPACE=idl
-                               -DINPUT_FILE=${input}
-                               -DOUTPUT_DIRECTORY=${binary_dir}
-                               -DOUTPUT_FILE=${output}
-                               -P ${script}
-    DEPENDS ${input} ${script})
-  if(source MATCHES "^include/.*\\.h")
-    list(APPEND headers ${output})
-  else()
-    list(APPEND sources ${output})
-  endif()
-endforeach()
-
-add_library(idl SHARED ${headers} ${sources})
-
-set_target_properties(
-  idl PROPERTIES
-  OUTPUT_NAME "cycloneddsidl"
-  VERSION ${PROJECT_VERSION}
-  SOVERSION ${PROJECT_VERSION_MAJOR})
-
-generate_export_header(idl EXPORT_FILE_NAME include/idl/export.h)
-
-
-target_include_directories(
-  idl
-  PUBLIC
-    "$<BUILD_INTERFACE:${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/include>"
-    "$<BUILD_INTERFACE:${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/src>"
-    "$<BUILD_INTERFACE:${CMAKE_CURRENT_BINARY_DIR}/include>"
-    "$<BUILD_INTERFACE:${CMAKE_CURRENT_BINARY_DIR}>"
-  INTERFACE
-    "$<INSTALL_INTERFACE:include>")
-
-target_link_libraries(idl PRIVATE Threads::Threads)
-
-install(
-  DIRECTORY
-    "${source_dir}/include/idl"
-    "${binary_dir}/include/idl"
-  DESTINATION "${CMAKE_INSTALL_INCLUDEDIR}"
-  COMPONENT dev
-  FILES_MATCHING PATTERN "*.h")
-
-install(
-  TARGETS idl
-  EXPORT "${CMAKE_PROJECT_NAME}"
-  RUNTIME DESTINATION "${CMAKE_INSTALL_BINDIR}" COMPONENT lib
-  LIBRARY DESTINATION "${CMAKE_INSTALL_LIBDIR}" COMPONENT lib
-  ARCHIVE DESTINATION "${CMAKE_INSTALL_LIBDIR}" COMPONENT lib)
-
-if (INSTALL_PDB)
-  install(FILES $<TARGET_PDB_FILE:idl>
-    DESTINATION "${CMAKE_INSTALL_BINDIR}"
-    COMPONENT dev
-    OPTIONAL)
-endif()
-
-if(BUILD_TESTING)
-  add_subdirectory(tests)
+add_subdirectory(idlparser)
+if(BUILD_IDLC)
+  add_subdirectory(idlpp)
+  add_subdirectory(idlc)
 endif()
diff --git a/src/tools/idlc/CMakeLists.txt b/src/idl/idlc/CMakeLists.txt
similarity index 100%
rename from src/tools/idlc/CMakeLists.txt
rename to src/idl/idlc/CMakeLists.txt
diff --git a/src/tools/idlc/include/idlc/generator.h b/src/idl/idlc/include/idlc/generator.h
similarity index 100%
rename from src/tools/idlc/include/idlc/generator.h
rename to src/idl/idlc/include/idlc/generator.h
diff --git a/src/tools/idlc/include/idlc/options.h b/src/idl/idlc/include/idlc/options.h
similarity index 100%
rename from src/tools/idlc/include/idlc/options.h
rename to src/idl/idlc/include/idlc/options.h
diff --git a/src/tools/idlc/src/config.h.in b/src/idl/idlc/src/config.h.in
similarity index 100%
rename from src/tools/idlc/src/config.h.in
rename to src/idl/idlc/src/config.h.in
diff --git a/src/tools/idlc/src/descriptor.c b/src/idl/idlc/src/descriptor.c
similarity index 100%
rename from src/tools/idlc/src/descriptor.c
rename to src/idl/idlc/src/descriptor.c
diff --git a/src/tools/idlc/src/descriptor.h b/src/idl/idlc/src/descriptor.h
similarity index 100%
rename from src/tools/idlc/src/descriptor.h
rename to src/idl/idlc/src/descriptor.h
diff --git a/src/tools/idlc/src/descriptor_type_meta.c b/src/idl/idlc/src/descriptor_type_meta.c
similarity index 100%
rename from src/tools/idlc/src/descriptor_type_meta.c
rename to src/idl/idlc/src/descriptor_type_meta.c
diff --git a/src/tools/idlc/src/descriptor_type_meta.h b/src/idl/idlc/src/descriptor_type_meta.h
similarity index 100%
rename from src/tools/idlc/src/descriptor_type_meta.h
rename to src/idl/idlc/src/descriptor_type_meta.h
diff --git a/src/tools/idlc/src/generator.c b/src/idl/idlc/src/generator.c
similarity index 100%
rename from src/tools/idlc/src/generator.c
rename to src/idl/idlc/src/generator.c
diff --git a/src/tools/idlc/src/generator.h b/src/idl/idlc/src/generator.h
similarity index 100%
rename from src/tools/idlc/src/generator.h
rename to src/idl/idlc/src/generator.h
diff --git a/src/tools/idlc/src/idlc.c b/src/idl/idlc/src/idlc.c
similarity index 100%
rename from src/tools/idlc/src/idlc.c
rename to src/idl/idlc/src/idlc.c
diff --git a/src/tools/idlc/src/options.c b/src/idl/idlc/src/options.c
similarity index 100%
rename from src/tools/idlc/src/options.c
rename to src/idl/idlc/src/options.c
diff --git a/src/tools/idlc/src/options.h b/src/idl/idlc/src/options.h
similarity index 100%
rename from src/tools/idlc/src/options.h
rename to src/idl/idlc/src/options.h
diff --git a/src/tools/idlc/src/plugin.c b/src/idl/idlc/src/plugin.c
similarity index 100%
rename from src/tools/idlc/src/plugin.c
rename to src/idl/idlc/src/plugin.c
diff --git a/src/tools/idlc/src/plugin.h b/src/idl/idlc/src/plugin.h
similarity index 100%
rename from src/tools/idlc/src/plugin.h
rename to src/idl/idlc/src/plugin.h
diff --git a/src/tools/idlc/src/types.c b/src/idl/idlc/src/types.c
similarity index 100%
rename from src/tools/idlc/src/types.c
rename to src/idl/idlc/src/types.c
diff --git a/src/tools/idlc/tests/CMakeLists.txt b/src/idl/idlc/tests/CMakeLists.txt
similarity index 100%
rename from src/tools/idlc/tests/CMakeLists.txt
rename to src/idl/idlc/tests/CMakeLists.txt
diff --git a/src/tools/idlc/tests/descriptor.c b/src/idl/idlc/tests/descriptor.c
similarity index 100%
rename from src/tools/idlc/tests/descriptor.c
rename to src/idl/idlc/tests/descriptor.c
diff --git a/src/tools/idlc/tests/test_common.c b/src/idl/idlc/tests/test_common.c
similarity index 100%
rename from src/tools/idlc/tests/test_common.c
rename to src/idl/idlc/tests/test_common.c
diff --git a/src/tools/idlc/tests/test_common.h b/src/idl/idlc/tests/test_common.h
similarity index 100%
rename from src/tools/idlc/tests/test_common.h
rename to src/idl/idlc/tests/test_common.h
diff --git a/src/tools/idlc/tests/type_meta.c b/src/idl/idlc/tests/type_meta.c
similarity index 100%
rename from src/tools/idlc/tests/type_meta.c
rename to src/idl/idlc/tests/type_meta.c
diff --git a/src/tools/idlc/xtests/CMakeLists.txt b/src/idl/idlc/xtests/CMakeLists.txt
similarity index 100%
rename from src/tools/idlc/xtests/CMakeLists.txt
rename to src/idl/idlc/xtests/CMakeLists.txt
diff --git a/src/tools/idlc/xtests/Compile.cmake b/src/idl/idlc/xtests/Compile.cmake
similarity index 100%
rename from src/tools/idlc/xtests/Compile.cmake
rename to src/idl/idlc/xtests/Compile.cmake
diff --git a/src/tools/idlc/xtests/common.h b/src/idl/idlc/xtests/common.h
similarity index 100%
rename from src/tools/idlc/xtests/common.h
rename to src/idl/idlc/xtests/common.h
diff --git a/src/tools/idlc/xtests/main.c b/src/idl/idlc/xtests/main.c
similarity index 100%
rename from src/tools/idlc/xtests/main.c
rename to src/idl/idlc/xtests/main.c
diff --git a/src/tools/idlc/xtests/test_alias.idl b/src/idl/idlc/xtests/test_alias.idl
similarity index 100%
rename from src/tools/idlc/xtests/test_alias.idl
rename to src/idl/idlc/xtests/test_alias.idl
diff --git a/src/tools/idlc/xtests/test_basic.idl b/src/idl/idlc/xtests/test_basic.idl
similarity index 100%
rename from src/tools/idlc/xtests/test_basic.idl
rename to src/idl/idlc/xtests/test_basic.idl
diff --git a/src/tools/idlc/xtests/test_bitmask.idl b/src/idl/idlc/xtests/test_bitmask.idl
similarity index 100%
rename from src/tools/idlc/xtests/test_bitmask.idl
rename to src/idl/idlc/xtests/test_bitmask.idl
diff --git a/src/tools/idlc/xtests/test_bool.idl b/src/idl/idlc/xtests/test_bool.idl
similarity index 100%
rename from src/tools/idlc/xtests/test_bool.idl
rename to src/idl/idlc/xtests/test_bool.idl
diff --git a/src/tools/idlc/xtests/test_bounded_seq.idl b/src/idl/idlc/xtests/test_bounded_seq.idl
similarity index 100%
rename from src/tools/idlc/xtests/test_bounded_seq.idl
rename to src/idl/idlc/xtests/test_bounded_seq.idl
diff --git a/src/tools/idlc/xtests/test_enum.idl b/src/idl/idlc/xtests/test_enum.idl
similarity index 100%
rename from src/tools/idlc/xtests/test_enum.idl
rename to src/idl/idlc/xtests/test_enum.idl
diff --git a/src/tools/idlc/xtests/test_optional.idl b/src/idl/idlc/xtests/test_optional.idl
similarity index 100%
rename from src/tools/idlc/xtests/test_optional.idl
rename to src/idl/idlc/xtests/test_optional.idl
diff --git a/src/tools/idlc/xtests/test_optional_mutable.idl b/src/idl/idlc/xtests/test_optional_mutable.idl
similarity index 100%
rename from src/tools/idlc/xtests/test_optional_mutable.idl
rename to src/idl/idlc/xtests/test_optional_mutable.idl
diff --git a/src/tools/idlc/xtests/test_struct_alignment.idl b/src/idl/idlc/xtests/test_struct_alignment.idl
similarity index 100%
rename from src/tools/idlc/xtests/test_struct_alignment.idl
rename to src/idl/idlc/xtests/test_struct_alignment.idl
diff --git a/src/tools/idlc/xtests/test_struct_external.idl b/src/idl/idlc/xtests/test_struct_external.idl
similarity index 100%
rename from src/tools/idlc/xtests/test_struct_external.idl
rename to src/idl/idlc/xtests/test_struct_external.idl
diff --git a/src/tools/idlc/xtests/test_struct_inherit.idl b/src/idl/idlc/xtests/test_struct_inherit.idl
similarity index 100%
rename from src/tools/idlc/xtests/test_struct_inherit.idl
rename to src/idl/idlc/xtests/test_struct_inherit.idl
diff --git a/src/tools/idlc/xtests/test_struct_inherit_appendable.idl b/src/idl/idlc/xtests/test_struct_inherit_appendable.idl
similarity index 100%
rename from src/tools/idlc/xtests/test_struct_inherit_appendable.idl
rename to src/idl/idlc/xtests/test_struct_inherit_appendable.idl
diff --git a/src/tools/idlc/xtests/test_struct_inherit_mutable.idl b/src/idl/idlc/xtests/test_struct_inherit_mutable.idl
similarity index 100%
rename from src/tools/idlc/xtests/test_struct_inherit_mutable.idl
rename to src/idl/idlc/xtests/test_struct_inherit_mutable.idl
diff --git a/src/tools/idlc/xtests/test_struct_inherit_mutable_keys.idl b/src/idl/idlc/xtests/test_struct_inherit_mutable_keys.idl
similarity index 100%
rename from src/tools/idlc/xtests/test_struct_inherit_mutable_keys.idl
rename to src/idl/idlc/xtests/test_struct_inherit_mutable_keys.idl
diff --git a/src/tools/idlc/xtests/test_struct_keys.idl b/src/idl/idlc/xtests/test_struct_keys.idl
similarity index 100%
rename from src/tools/idlc/xtests/test_struct_keys.idl
rename to src/idl/idlc/xtests/test_struct_keys.idl
diff --git a/src/tools/idlc/xtests/test_struct_r.idl b/src/idl/idlc/xtests/test_struct_r.idl
similarity index 100%
rename from src/tools/idlc/xtests/test_struct_r.idl
rename to src/idl/idlc/xtests/test_struct_r.idl
diff --git a/src/tools/idlc/xtests/test_typedef_member.idl b/src/idl/idlc/xtests/test_typedef_member.idl
similarity index 100%
rename from src/tools/idlc/xtests/test_typedef_member.idl
rename to src/idl/idlc/xtests/test_typedef_member.idl
diff --git a/src/tools/idlc/xtests/test_union.idl b/src/idl/idlc/xtests/test_union.idl
similarity index 100%
rename from src/tools/idlc/xtests/test_union.idl
rename to src/idl/idlc/xtests/test_union.idl
diff --git a/src/tools/idlc/xtests/test_union_external.idl b/src/idl/idlc/xtests/test_union_external.idl
similarity index 100%
rename from src/tools/idlc/xtests/test_union_external.idl
rename to src/idl/idlc/xtests/test_union_external.idl
diff --git a/src/tools/idlc/xtests/test_union_member_types_r.idl b/src/idl/idlc/xtests/test_union_member_types_r.idl
similarity index 100%
rename from src/tools/idlc/xtests/test_union_member_types_r.idl
rename to src/idl/idlc/xtests/test_union_member_types_r.idl
diff --git a/src/tools/idlc/xtests/test_union_r.idl b/src/idl/idlc/xtests/test_union_r.idl
similarity index 100%
rename from src/tools/idlc/xtests/test_union_r.idl
rename to src/idl/idlc/xtests/test_union_r.idl
diff --git a/src/idl/idlparser/CMakeLists.txt b/src/idl/idlparser/CMakeLists.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..1cf75ed482
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/idl/idlparser/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,197 @@
+#
+# Copyright(c) 2021 to 2022 ZettaScale Technology and others
+#
+# This program and the accompanying materials are made available under the
+# terms of the Eclipse Public License v. 2.0 which is available at
+# http://www.eclipse.org/legal/epl-2.0, or the Eclipse Distribution License
+# v. 1.0 which is available at
+# http://www.eclipse.org/org/documents/edl-v10.php.
+#
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: EPL-2.0 OR BSD-3-Clause
+#
+include(GenerateExportHeader)
+include(HashUtilities)
+
+find_package(Threads QUIET REQUIRED)
+
+set(binary_dir "${CMAKE_CURRENT_BINARY_DIR}")
+set(source_dir "${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}")
+
+configure_file(include/idl/version.h.in include/idl/version.h @ONLY)
+
+check_hashes(
+  _bison_hash_correct
+  HASH_FILES
+    src/parser.y
+  APPEND_FILES
+    ${CMAKE_CURRENT_LIST_DIR}/src/parser.c
+    ${CMAKE_CURRENT_LIST_DIR}/src/parser.h
+)
+
+if(NOT ${_bison_hash_correct})
+  find_package(BISON 3.0.4)
+
+  if(BISON_FOUND)
+    message(STATUS "Running Bison, parser.y was updated.")
+    message(STATUS "${source_dir}")
+
+    file(REMOVE src/parser.c)
+    file(REMOVE src/parser.h)
+
+    # Run bison targetting an intermediate file
+    bison_target(bison_t src/parser.y ${binary_dir}/parser.c DEFINES_FILE ${binary_dir}/parser.h)
+
+    # Run postprocessing (copying/hashing)
+    add_custom_command(
+      OUTPUT
+        ${binary_dir}/src/parser.c
+        ${binary_dir}/src/parser.h
+      COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} ARGS
+        "-Dsource_dir=${source_dir}"
+        "-Dbinary_dir=${binary_dir}"
+        "-DMAIN_PROJECT_DIR=${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}"
+        -P ${CMAKE_CURRENT_LIST_DIR}/postprocess-parser.cmake
+      DEPENDS ${binary_dir}/parser.c ${binary_dir}/parser.h
+    )
+  else()
+    message(FATAL_ERROR "parser.y was updated but parser.c not regenerated, and no bison available!")
+  endif()
+else()
+  file(COPY ${source_dir}/src/parser.c DESTINATION ${binary_dir}/src)
+  file(COPY ${source_dir}/src/parser.h DESTINATION ${binary_dir}/src)
+endif()
+
+set_source_files_properties(${binary_dir}/src/parser.c ${binary_dir}/src/parser.h PROPERTIES GENERATED TRUE)
+
+set(headers
+  include/idl/expression.h
+  include/idl/file.h
+  include/idl/print.h
+  include/idl/processor.h
+  include/idl/retcode.h
+  include/idl/scope.h
+  include/idl/stream.h
+  include/idl/string.h
+  include/idl/symbol.h
+  include/idl/tree.h
+  include/idl/vector.h
+  include/idl/visit.h
+  include/idl/heap.h
+  ${binary_dir}/include/idl/version.h)
+
+set(sources
+  src/symbol.c
+  src/directive.c
+  src/expression.c
+  src/file.c
+  src/processor.c
+  src/scanner.c
+  src/string.c
+  src/annotation.c
+  src/scope.c
+  src/string.c
+  src/tree.c
+  src/vector.c
+  src/visit.c
+  src/print.c
+  src/keylist.c
+  src/hashid.c
+  src/parser.c
+  src/heap.c
+  src/annotation.h
+  src/directive.h
+  src/expression.h
+  src/file.h
+  src/hashid.h
+  src/parser.h
+  src/scanner.h
+  src/scope.h
+  src/symbol.h
+  src/tree.h
+  src/keylist.h)
+
+# import generic utility sources from ddsrt to avoid duplication
+# NOTE: an additional INTERFACE library defined in ddsrt would be ideal, but
+#       the GENERATED property is not propagated before 3.20. using an OBJECT
+#       library and propagating the object files through an INTERFACE library
+#       can be done, but a proper export header can only be generated from the
+#       final library.
+#       see: https://gitlab.kitware.com/cmake/cmake/-/issues/18399
+set(script "${PROJECT_SOURCE_DIR}/src/ddsrt/rename.cmake")
+set(templates
+  include/dds/ddsrt/misc.h
+  include/dds/ddsrt/attributes.h
+  include/dds/ddsrt/endian.h
+  include/dds/ddsrt/md5.h
+  src/md5.c)
+# FIXME: move general functionality to ddsrt
+
+foreach(source ${templates})
+  set(input "${PROJECT_SOURCE_DIR}/src/ddsrt/${source}")
+  # map include path. i.e. map include/dds/ddsrt to include/idl
+  string(REGEX REPLACE "(/dds(rt)?)+" "/idl" source "${source}")
+  set(output "${binary_dir}/${source}")
+  # process source file. i.e. replace dds and ddsrt with idl
+  add_custom_command(
+    OUTPUT ${output}
+    COMMAND "${CMAKE_COMMAND}" -DNAMESPACE=idl
+                               -DINPUT_FILE=${input}
+                               -DOUTPUT_DIRECTORY=${binary_dir}
+                               -DOUTPUT_FILE=${output}
+                               -P ${script}
+    DEPENDS ${input} ${script})
+  if(source MATCHES "^include/.*\\.h")
+    list(APPEND headers ${output})
+  else()
+    list(APPEND sources ${output})
+  endif()
+endforeach()
+
+add_library(idl SHARED ${headers} ${sources})
+
+set_target_properties(
+  idl PROPERTIES
+  OUTPUT_NAME "cycloneddsidl"
+  VERSION ${PROJECT_VERSION}
+  SOVERSION ${PROJECT_VERSION_MAJOR})
+
+generate_export_header(idl EXPORT_FILE_NAME include/idl/export.h)
+
+
+target_include_directories(
+  idl
+  PUBLIC
+    "$<BUILD_INTERFACE:${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/include>"
+    "$<BUILD_INTERFACE:${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/src>"
+    "$<BUILD_INTERFACE:${CMAKE_CURRENT_BINARY_DIR}/include>"
+    "$<BUILD_INTERFACE:${CMAKE_CURRENT_BINARY_DIR}>"
+  INTERFACE
+    "$<INSTALL_INTERFACE:include>")
+
+target_link_libraries(idl PRIVATE Threads::Threads)
+
+install(
+  DIRECTORY
+    "${source_dir}/include/idl"
+    "${binary_dir}/include/idl"
+  DESTINATION "${CMAKE_INSTALL_INCLUDEDIR}"
+  COMPONENT dev
+  FILES_MATCHING PATTERN "*.h")
+
+install(
+  TARGETS idl
+  EXPORT "${CMAKE_PROJECT_NAME}"
+  RUNTIME DESTINATION "${CMAKE_INSTALL_BINDIR}" COMPONENT lib
+  LIBRARY DESTINATION "${CMAKE_INSTALL_LIBDIR}" COMPONENT lib
+  ARCHIVE DESTINATION "${CMAKE_INSTALL_LIBDIR}" COMPONENT lib)
+
+if (INSTALL_PDB)
+  install(FILES $<TARGET_PDB_FILE:idl>
+    DESTINATION "${CMAKE_INSTALL_BINDIR}"
+    COMPONENT dev
+    OPTIONAL)
+endif()
+
+if(BUILD_TESTING)
+  add_subdirectory(tests)
+endif()
diff --git a/src/idl/include/idl/expression.h b/src/idl/idlparser/include/idl/expression.h
similarity index 100%
rename from src/idl/include/idl/expression.h
rename to src/idl/idlparser/include/idl/expression.h
diff --git a/src/idl/include/idl/file.h b/src/idl/idlparser/include/idl/file.h
similarity index 100%
rename from src/idl/include/idl/file.h
rename to src/idl/idlparser/include/idl/file.h
diff --git a/src/idl/include/idl/heap.h b/src/idl/idlparser/include/idl/heap.h
similarity index 100%
rename from src/idl/include/idl/heap.h
rename to src/idl/idlparser/include/idl/heap.h
diff --git a/src/idl/include/idl/print.h b/src/idl/idlparser/include/idl/print.h
similarity index 100%
rename from src/idl/include/idl/print.h
rename to src/idl/idlparser/include/idl/print.h
diff --git a/src/idl/include/idl/processor.h b/src/idl/idlparser/include/idl/processor.h
similarity index 100%
rename from src/idl/include/idl/processor.h
rename to src/idl/idlparser/include/idl/processor.h
diff --git a/src/idl/include/idl/retcode.h b/src/idl/idlparser/include/idl/retcode.h
similarity index 100%
rename from src/idl/include/idl/retcode.h
rename to src/idl/idlparser/include/idl/retcode.h
diff --git a/src/idl/include/idl/scope.h b/src/idl/idlparser/include/idl/scope.h
similarity index 100%
rename from src/idl/include/idl/scope.h
rename to src/idl/idlparser/include/idl/scope.h
diff --git a/src/idl/include/idl/stream.h b/src/idl/idlparser/include/idl/stream.h
similarity index 100%
rename from src/idl/include/idl/stream.h
rename to src/idl/idlparser/include/idl/stream.h
diff --git a/src/idl/include/idl/string.h b/src/idl/idlparser/include/idl/string.h
similarity index 100%
rename from src/idl/include/idl/string.h
rename to src/idl/idlparser/include/idl/string.h
diff --git a/src/idl/include/idl/symbol.h b/src/idl/idlparser/include/idl/symbol.h
similarity index 100%
rename from src/idl/include/idl/symbol.h
rename to src/idl/idlparser/include/idl/symbol.h
diff --git a/src/idl/include/idl/tree.h b/src/idl/idlparser/include/idl/tree.h
similarity index 100%
rename from src/idl/include/idl/tree.h
rename to src/idl/idlparser/include/idl/tree.h
diff --git a/src/idl/include/idl/vector.h b/src/idl/idlparser/include/idl/vector.h
similarity index 100%
rename from src/idl/include/idl/vector.h
rename to src/idl/idlparser/include/idl/vector.h
diff --git a/src/idl/include/idl/version.h.in b/src/idl/idlparser/include/idl/version.h.in
similarity index 100%
rename from src/idl/include/idl/version.h.in
rename to src/idl/idlparser/include/idl/version.h.in
diff --git a/src/idl/include/idl/visit.h b/src/idl/idlparser/include/idl/visit.h
similarity index 100%
rename from src/idl/include/idl/visit.h
rename to src/idl/idlparser/include/idl/visit.h
diff --git a/src/idl/postprocess-parser.cmake b/src/idl/idlparser/postprocess-parser.cmake
similarity index 100%
rename from src/idl/postprocess-parser.cmake
rename to src/idl/idlparser/postprocess-parser.cmake
diff --git a/src/idl/src/annotation.c b/src/idl/idlparser/src/annotation.c
similarity index 100%
rename from src/idl/src/annotation.c
rename to src/idl/idlparser/src/annotation.c
diff --git a/src/idl/src/annotation.h b/src/idl/idlparser/src/annotation.h
similarity index 100%
rename from src/idl/src/annotation.h
rename to src/idl/idlparser/src/annotation.h
diff --git a/src/idl/src/directive.c b/src/idl/idlparser/src/directive.c
similarity index 100%
rename from src/idl/src/directive.c
rename to src/idl/idlparser/src/directive.c
diff --git a/src/idl/src/directive.h b/src/idl/idlparser/src/directive.h
similarity index 100%
rename from src/idl/src/directive.h
rename to src/idl/idlparser/src/directive.h
diff --git a/src/idl/src/expression.c b/src/idl/idlparser/src/expression.c
similarity index 100%
rename from src/idl/src/expression.c
rename to src/idl/idlparser/src/expression.c
diff --git a/src/idl/src/expression.h b/src/idl/idlparser/src/expression.h
similarity index 100%
rename from src/idl/src/expression.h
rename to src/idl/idlparser/src/expression.h
diff --git a/src/idl/src/fieldid.h b/src/idl/idlparser/src/fieldid.h
similarity index 100%
rename from src/idl/src/fieldid.h
rename to src/idl/idlparser/src/fieldid.h
diff --git a/src/idl/src/file.c b/src/idl/idlparser/src/file.c
similarity index 100%
rename from src/idl/src/file.c
rename to src/idl/idlparser/src/file.c
diff --git a/src/idl/src/file.h b/src/idl/idlparser/src/file.h
similarity index 100%
rename from src/idl/src/file.h
rename to src/idl/idlparser/src/file.h
diff --git a/src/idl/src/hashid.c b/src/idl/idlparser/src/hashid.c
similarity index 100%
rename from src/idl/src/hashid.c
rename to src/idl/idlparser/src/hashid.c
diff --git a/src/idl/src/hashid.h b/src/idl/idlparser/src/hashid.h
similarity index 100%
rename from src/idl/src/hashid.h
rename to src/idl/idlparser/src/hashid.h
diff --git a/src/idl/src/heap.c b/src/idl/idlparser/src/heap.c
similarity index 100%
rename from src/idl/src/heap.c
rename to src/idl/idlparser/src/heap.c
diff --git a/src/idl/src/keylist.c b/src/idl/idlparser/src/keylist.c
similarity index 100%
rename from src/idl/src/keylist.c
rename to src/idl/idlparser/src/keylist.c
diff --git a/src/idl/src/keylist.h b/src/idl/idlparser/src/keylist.h
similarity index 100%
rename from src/idl/src/keylist.h
rename to src/idl/idlparser/src/keylist.h
diff --git a/src/idl/src/parser.c b/src/idl/idlparser/src/parser.c
similarity index 100%
rename from src/idl/src/parser.c
rename to src/idl/idlparser/src/parser.c
diff --git a/src/idl/src/parser.h b/src/idl/idlparser/src/parser.h
similarity index 100%
rename from src/idl/src/parser.h
rename to src/idl/idlparser/src/parser.h
diff --git a/src/idl/src/parser.y b/src/idl/idlparser/src/parser.y
similarity index 100%
rename from src/idl/src/parser.y
rename to src/idl/idlparser/src/parser.y
diff --git a/src/idl/src/print.c b/src/idl/idlparser/src/print.c
similarity index 100%
rename from src/idl/src/print.c
rename to src/idl/idlparser/src/print.c
diff --git a/src/idl/src/processor.c b/src/idl/idlparser/src/processor.c
similarity index 100%
rename from src/idl/src/processor.c
rename to src/idl/idlparser/src/processor.c
diff --git a/src/idl/src/scanner.c b/src/idl/idlparser/src/scanner.c
similarity index 100%
rename from src/idl/src/scanner.c
rename to src/idl/idlparser/src/scanner.c
diff --git a/src/idl/src/scanner.h b/src/idl/idlparser/src/scanner.h
similarity index 100%
rename from src/idl/src/scanner.h
rename to src/idl/idlparser/src/scanner.h
diff --git a/src/idl/src/scope.c b/src/idl/idlparser/src/scope.c
similarity index 100%
rename from src/idl/src/scope.c
rename to src/idl/idlparser/src/scope.c
diff --git a/src/idl/src/scope.h b/src/idl/idlparser/src/scope.h
similarity index 100%
rename from src/idl/src/scope.h
rename to src/idl/idlparser/src/scope.h
diff --git a/src/idl/src/string.c b/src/idl/idlparser/src/string.c
similarity index 100%
rename from src/idl/src/string.c
rename to src/idl/idlparser/src/string.c
diff --git a/src/idl/src/symbol.c b/src/idl/idlparser/src/symbol.c
similarity index 100%
rename from src/idl/src/symbol.c
rename to src/idl/idlparser/src/symbol.c
diff --git a/src/idl/src/symbol.h b/src/idl/idlparser/src/symbol.h
similarity index 100%
rename from src/idl/src/symbol.h
rename to src/idl/idlparser/src/symbol.h
diff --git a/src/idl/src/tree.c b/src/idl/idlparser/src/tree.c
similarity index 100%
rename from src/idl/src/tree.c
rename to src/idl/idlparser/src/tree.c
diff --git a/src/idl/src/tree.h b/src/idl/idlparser/src/tree.h
similarity index 100%
rename from src/idl/src/tree.h
rename to src/idl/idlparser/src/tree.h
diff --git a/src/idl/src/vector.c b/src/idl/idlparser/src/vector.c
similarity index 100%
rename from src/idl/src/vector.c
rename to src/idl/idlparser/src/vector.c
diff --git a/src/idl/src/visit.c b/src/idl/idlparser/src/visit.c
similarity index 100%
rename from src/idl/src/visit.c
rename to src/idl/idlparser/src/visit.c
diff --git a/src/idl/tests/CMakeLists.txt b/src/idl/idlparser/tests/CMakeLists.txt
similarity index 100%
rename from src/idl/tests/CMakeLists.txt
rename to src/idl/idlparser/tests/CMakeLists.txt
diff --git a/src/idl/tests/annotation.c b/src/idl/idlparser/tests/annotation.c
similarity index 100%
rename from src/idl/tests/annotation.c
rename to src/idl/idlparser/tests/annotation.c
diff --git a/src/idl/tests/enum.c b/src/idl/idlparser/tests/enum.c
similarity index 100%
rename from src/idl/tests/enum.c
rename to src/idl/idlparser/tests/enum.c
diff --git a/src/idl/tests/expression.c b/src/idl/idlparser/tests/expression.c
similarity index 100%
rename from src/idl/tests/expression.c
rename to src/idl/idlparser/tests/expression.c
diff --git a/src/idl/tests/file.c b/src/idl/idlparser/tests/file.c
similarity index 100%
rename from src/idl/tests/file.c
rename to src/idl/idlparser/tests/file.c
diff --git a/src/idl/tests/forward.c b/src/idl/idlparser/tests/forward.c
similarity index 100%
rename from src/idl/tests/forward.c
rename to src/idl/idlparser/tests/forward.c
diff --git a/src/idl/tests/inheritance.c b/src/idl/idlparser/tests/inheritance.c
similarity index 100%
rename from src/idl/tests/inheritance.c
rename to src/idl/idlparser/tests/inheritance.c
diff --git a/src/idl/tests/module.c b/src/idl/idlparser/tests/module.c
similarity index 100%
rename from src/idl/tests/module.c
rename to src/idl/idlparser/tests/module.c
diff --git a/src/idl/tests/parser.c b/src/idl/idlparser/tests/parser.c
similarity index 100%
rename from src/idl/tests/parser.c
rename to src/idl/idlparser/tests/parser.c
diff --git a/src/idl/tests/pragma.c b/src/idl/idlparser/tests/pragma.c
similarity index 100%
rename from src/idl/tests/pragma.c
rename to src/idl/idlparser/tests/pragma.c
diff --git a/src/idl/tests/scanner.c b/src/idl/idlparser/tests/scanner.c
similarity index 100%
rename from src/idl/tests/scanner.c
rename to src/idl/idlparser/tests/scanner.c
diff --git a/src/idl/tests/typedef.c b/src/idl/idlparser/tests/typedef.c
similarity index 100%
rename from src/idl/tests/typedef.c
rename to src/idl/idlparser/tests/typedef.c
diff --git a/src/idl/tests/union.c b/src/idl/idlparser/tests/union.c
similarity index 100%
rename from src/idl/tests/union.c
rename to src/idl/idlparser/tests/union.c
diff --git a/src/tools/idlpp/CMakeLists.txt b/src/idl/idlpp/CMakeLists.txt
similarity index 100%
rename from src/tools/idlpp/CMakeLists.txt
rename to src/idl/idlpp/CMakeLists.txt
diff --git a/src/tools/idlpp/src/configed.H.in b/src/idl/idlpp/src/configed.H.in
similarity index 100%
rename from src/tools/idlpp/src/configed.H.in
rename to src/idl/idlpp/src/configed.H.in
diff --git a/src/tools/idlpp/src/directive.c b/src/idl/idlpp/src/directive.c
similarity index 100%
rename from src/tools/idlpp/src/directive.c
rename to src/idl/idlpp/src/directive.c
diff --git a/src/tools/idlpp/src/eval.c b/src/idl/idlpp/src/eval.c
similarity index 100%
rename from src/tools/idlpp/src/eval.c
rename to src/idl/idlpp/src/eval.c
diff --git a/src/tools/idlpp/src/expand.c b/src/idl/idlpp/src/expand.c
similarity index 100%
rename from src/tools/idlpp/src/expand.c
rename to src/idl/idlpp/src/expand.c
diff --git a/src/tools/idlpp/src/internal.H b/src/idl/idlpp/src/internal.H
similarity index 100%
rename from src/tools/idlpp/src/internal.H
rename to src/idl/idlpp/src/internal.H
diff --git a/src/tools/idlpp/src/main.c b/src/idl/idlpp/src/main.c
similarity index 100%
rename from src/tools/idlpp/src/main.c
rename to src/idl/idlpp/src/main.c
diff --git a/src/tools/idlpp/src/mbchar.c b/src/idl/idlpp/src/mbchar.c
similarity index 100%
rename from src/tools/idlpp/src/mbchar.c
rename to src/idl/idlpp/src/mbchar.c
diff --git a/src/tools/idlpp/src/mcpp_lib.h b/src/idl/idlpp/src/mcpp_lib.h
similarity index 100%
rename from src/tools/idlpp/src/mcpp_lib.h
rename to src/idl/idlpp/src/mcpp_lib.h
diff --git a/src/tools/idlpp/src/mcpp_out.h b/src/idl/idlpp/src/mcpp_out.h
similarity index 100%
rename from src/tools/idlpp/src/mcpp_out.h
rename to src/idl/idlpp/src/mcpp_out.h
diff --git a/src/tools/idlpp/src/support.c b/src/idl/idlpp/src/support.c
similarity index 100%
rename from src/tools/idlpp/src/support.c
rename to src/idl/idlpp/src/support.c
diff --git a/src/tools/idlpp/src/system.H b/src/idl/idlpp/src/system.H
similarity index 100%
rename from src/tools/idlpp/src/system.H
rename to src/idl/idlpp/src/system.H
diff --git a/src/tools/idlpp/src/system.c b/src/idl/idlpp/src/system.c
similarity index 100%
rename from src/tools/idlpp/src/system.c
rename to src/idl/idlpp/src/system.c
diff --git a/src/tools/CMakeLists.txt b/src/tools/CMakeLists.txt
index 547515e0fa..266e66a612 100644
--- a/src/tools/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/src/tools/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -13,8 +13,4 @@
 set(CMAKE_INSTALL_TOOLSDIR "${CMAKE_INSTALL_DATADIR}/${PROJECT_NAME}/tools")
 
 add_subdirectory(_confgen)
-if(BUILD_IDLC)
-  add_subdirectory(idlpp)
-  add_subdirectory(idlc)
-endif()
 add_subdirectory(ddsperf)