Clang Compiler Frontend

Boost your productivity with a variety of compiler tools that integrate seamlessly into your IDE Key Features Expand your understanding of the C++ programming language by learning about how the C++ compiler works and how to utilize its advanced features Explore techniques for static code analysis and use them to create lint checks Enhance your IDE to support advanced compiler tools Purchase of the print or Kindle book includes a free PDF eBook Book DescriptionDiscover the power of Clang, a versatile compiler known for its compilation speed and insightful error and warning messages. This book will get you acquainted with the capabilities of Clang, helping you harness its features for performance improvements and modularity by creating custom compiler tools. While focused on Clang compiler frontend, this book also covers other parts of LLVM, essential to understanding Clang's functionality, to keep up with the constantly evolving LLVM project. Starting with LLVM fundamentals, from installation procedures to development tools, this book walks you through Clang's internal architecture and its integral role within LLVM. As you progress, you’ll also tackle optimizing compilation performance through features such as C++ modules and header maps. The later chapters cover tools developed using the Clang/LLVM, including clang-tidy for linting, refactoring tools, and IDE support, and feature many examples to illustrate the material. By the end of this book, you’ll have a solid understanding of Clang, different Clang Tools, and how to use them to their fullest potential.What you will learn Get to grips with compiler architecture Gain an understanding of the inner workings of Clang Familiarize yourself with features specific to Clang Investigate various techniques for static code analysis Acquire knowledge on how to use AST matchers Create custom code modification and refactoring tools Explore tools for integrating compiler tools with IDEs Who this book is for This book is for experienced C++ software engineers who have no prior experience with compiler design but want to gain the knoweldge they need to get up and running. Engineers who want to learn about how Clang works and familiarize themselves with its specific features will also benefit from this book.

Learn how to build and use the complete spectrum of real-world compilers, including the frontend, optimization pipeline, and a new backend by leveraging the power of LLVM core libraries Key Features Get to grips with using LLVM libraries step by step Understand the high-level design of LLVM compilers and apply these principles to your own compiler Add a new backend to target an unsupported CPU architecture Purchase of the print or Kindle book includes a free PDF eBook Book DescriptionLLVM was built to bridge the gap between the theoretical knowledge found in compiler textbooks and the practical demands of compiler development. With a modular codebase and advanced tools, LLVM empowers developers to build compilers with ease. This book serves as a practical introduction to LLVM, guiding you progressively through complex scenarios and ensuring that you navigate the challenges of building and working with compilers like a pro. The book starts by showing you how to configure, build, and install LLVM libraries, tools, and external projects. You’ll then be introduced to LLVM's design, unraveling its applications in each compiler stage: frontend, optimizer, and backend. Using a real programming language subset, you'll build a frontend, generate LLVM IR, optimize it through the pipeline, and generate machine code. Advanced chapters extend your expertise, covering topics such as extending LLVM with a new pass, using LLVM tools for debugging, and enhancing the quality of your code. You'll also focus on just-in-time compilation issues and the current state of JIT-compilation support with LLVM. Finally, you’ll develop a new backend for LLVM, gaining insights into target description and how instruction selection works. By the end of this book, you'll have hands-on experience with the LLVM compiler development framework through real-world examples and source code snippets.What you will learn Configure, compile, and install the LLVM framework Understand how the LLVM source is organized Discover what you need to do to use LLVM in your own projects Explore how a compiler is structured, and implement a tiny compiler Generate LLVM IR for common source language constructs Set up an optimization pipeline and tailor it for your own needs Extend LLVM with transformation passes and clang tooling Add new machine instructions and a complete backend Who this book is for This book is for compiler developers, enthusiasts, and engineers new to LLVM. C++ software engineers looking to use compiler-based tools for code analysis and improvement, as well as casual users of LLVM libraries who want to gain more knowledge of LLVM essentials will also find this book useful. Intermediate-level experience with C++ programming is necessary to understand the concepts covered in this book.

Learn how to build and use all parts of real-world compilers, including the frontend, optimization pipeline, and a new backend by leveraging the power of LLVM core libraries Key Features Get to grips with effectively using LLVM libraries step-by-step Understand LLVM compiler high-level design and apply the same principles to your own compiler Use compiler-based tools to improve the quality of code in C++ projects Book DescriptionLLVM was built to bridge the gap between compiler textbooks and actual compiler development. It provides a modular codebase and advanced tools which help developers to build compilers easily. This book provides a practical introduction to LLVM, gradually helping you navigate through complex scenarios with ease when it comes to building and working with compilers. You’ll start by configuring, building, and installing LLVM libraries, tools, and external projects. Next, the book will introduce you to LLVM design and how it works in practice during each LLVM compiler stage: frontend, optimizer, and backend. Using a subset of a real programming language as an example, you will then learn how to develop a frontend and generate LLVM IR, hand it over to the optimization pipeline, and generate machine code from it. Later chapters will show you how to extend LLVM with a new pass and how instruction selection in LLVM works. You’ll also focus on Just-in-Time compilation issues and the current state of JIT-compilation support that LLVM provides, before finally going on to understand how to develop a new backend for LLVM. By the end of this LLVM book, you will have gained real-world experience in working with the LLVM compiler development framework with the help of hands-on examples and source code snippets.What you will learn Configure, compile, and install the LLVM framework Understand how the LLVM source is organized Discover what you need to do to use LLVM in your own projects Explore how a compiler is structured, and implement a tiny compiler Generate LLVM IR for common source language constructs Set up an optimization pipeline and tailor it for your own needs Extend LLVM with transformation passes and clang tooling Add new machine instructions and a complete backend Who this book is for This book is for compiler developers, enthusiasts, and engineers who are new to LLVM and are interested in learning about the LLVM framework. It is also useful for C++ software engineers looking to use compiler-based tools for code analysis and improvement, as well as casual users of LLVM libraries who want to gain more knowledge of LLVM essentials. Intermediate-level experience with C++ programming is mandatory to understand the concepts covered in this book more effectively.

Learn how you can build the next big programming language, compiler, or source code analyzer using LLVM and Clang Key FeaturesExplore Clang, LLVM’s middle-end and backend, in a pragmatic wayDevelop your LLVM skillset and get to grips with a variety of common use casesEngage with real-world LLVM development through various coding examplesBook Description Every programmer or engineer, at some point in their career, works with compilers to optimize their applications. Compilers convert a high-level programming language into low-level machine-executable code. LLVM provides the infrastructure, reusable libraries, and tools needed for developers to build their own compilers. With LLVM’s extensive set of tooling, you can effectively generate code for different backends as well as optimize them. In this book, you’ll explore the LLVM compiler infrastructure and understand how to use it to solve different problems. You’ll start by looking at the structure and design philosophy of important components of LLVM and gradually move on to using Clang libraries to build tools that help you analyze high-level source code. As you advance, the book will show you how to process LLVM IR – a powerful way to transform and optimize the source program for various purposes. Equipped with this knowledge, you’ll be able to leverage LLVM and Clang to create a wide range of useful programming language tools, including compilers, interpreters, IDEs, and source code analyzers. By the end of this LLVM book, you’ll have developed the skills to create powerful tools using the LLVM framework to overcome different real-world challenges. What you will learnFind out how LLVM’s build system works and how to reduce the building resourceGet to grips with running custom testing with LLVM’s LIT frameworkBuild different types of plugins and extensions for ClangCustomize Clang’s toolchain and compiler flagsWrite LLVM passes for the new PassManagerDiscover how to inspect and modify LLVM IRUnderstand how to use LLVM’s profile-guided optimizations (PGO) frameworkCreate custom compiler sanitizersWho this book is for This book is for software engineers of all experience levels who work with LLVM. If you are an academic researcher, this book will help you learn useful LLVM skills in a short time and enable you to build your prototypes and projects quickly. Programming language enthusiasts will also find this book useful for building a new programming language with the help of LLVM.

This book is intended for enthusiasts, computer science students, and compiler engineers interested in learning about the LLVM framework. You need a background in C++ and, although not mandatory, should know at least some compiler theory. Whether you are a newcomer or a compiler expert, this book provides a practical introduction to LLVM and avoids complex scenarios. If you are interested enough and excited about this technology, then this book is definitely for you.