LLVM

Noun · Development

Definitions

  1. A modular compiler infrastructure that provides reusable components for building compilers, including a powerful optimizer and code generators for many CPU architectures. Originally 'Low Level Virtual Machine' but now just LLVM. Powers Clang (C/C++), Rust, Swift, Zig, and many other languages. Won the ACM Software System Award in 2012.

    In plain English: A toolkit for building compilers that handles the hard parts (optimization, machine code generation) so language creators don't have to.

    Example: "Write a new language frontend that emits LLVM IR and you instantly get world-class optimizations and support for x86, ARM, RISC-V, and WebAssembly."

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