Learn LLVM 17, 2nd Edition: A beginner’s guide to learning LLVM compiler tools and core libraries with C++

Kai Nacke, Amy Kwan

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

LLVM 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.

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 essen