LLVM
LLVM (Low Level Virtual Machine) is an open source compiler infrastructure project that provides reusable components for building compiler front ends and back ends. It uses an intermediate representation that allows for optimization and translation to multiple targets.
compiler
optimization
intermediate-representation
open-source
LLVM (Low Level Virtual Machine)
Open source compiler infrastructure project providing reusable components for building compiler front ends and back ends, utilizing an intermediate representation for optimization and target translation
What is LLVM?
LLVM (Low Level Virtual Machine) is an open source compiler infrastructure project that provides reusable components for building compiler front ends and back ends. It uses an intermediate representation (IR) that allows for optimization and translation to multiple targets.
Some key aspects of LLVM:
- Focused on providing high-quality optimizing compiler components
- Uses a common IR (LLVM IR) that front ends can target and back ends can consume
- Modular by design, allowing reuse across multiple compiler projects
- Performs aggressive interprocedural optimizations
- Supports multiple source languages (C/C++, Objective-C, Swift, Rust, etc.) and CPU architectures (x86, ARM, PowerPC, etc.)
- Used as the compiler framework for major projects like Clang, Rust, Julia, and Swift
- Implemented in C++ with APIs available in various languages
- Available under the open source BSD-style LLVM License
Overall, LLVM powers much of the latest generation of compilers and runtimes through its intermediate representation and code optimization capabilities.
LLVM Features
Features
- Modular design
- Multiple frontends
- Multiple backends
- Intermediate representation
- Code optimization
- JIT compilation
Pricing
- Open Source
Pros
High performance
Portable
Permissive licensing
Wide adoption
Active development
Cons
Complex codebase
Steep learning curve
Limited documentation
Official Links
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