| PackageDescription | Modular compiler and toolchain technologies
LLVM is a collection of libraries and tools that make it easy to build
compilers, optimizers, just-in-time code generators, and many other
compiler-related programs.
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LLVM uses a single, language-independent virtual instruction set both
as an offline code representation (to communicate code between
compiler phases and to run-time systems) and as the compiler internal
representation (to analyze and transform programs). This persistent
code representation allows a common set of sophisticated compiler
techniques to be applied at compile-time, link-time, install-time,
run-time, or "idle-time" (between program runs).
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The strengths of the LLVM infrastructure are its extremely
simple design (which makes it easy to understand and use),
source-language independence, powerful mid-level optimizer, automated
compiler debugging support, extensibility, and its stability and
reliability. LLVM is currently being used to host a wide variety of
academic research projects and commercial projects. LLVM includes C
and C++ front-ends, a front-end for a Forth-like language (Stacker),
a young scheme front-end, and Java support is in development. LLVM can
generate code for X86, SparcV9, PowerPC or many other architectures.
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LLVM is the key component of the clang compiler and the gcc plugin called
dragonegg. |