Ask HN: How to learn LLVM and why?

13 points·SakiWatanabe··3 comments

In the 500+ comments discussion yesterday[1] about the blog post "Being a Developer After 40"[2]. The author suggests ignore all the hype and learn all you can about LLVM. How do I get started and will learning LLVM benefit me? Can anyone share your experience? [1] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=11569726 [2] https://medium.com/@akosma/being-a-developer-after-40-3c5dd112210c

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I tried to write a C/C++ checker using LLVM/clang's libTooling, while solving a real problem we've encountered maintaining HPC code [1]. I found that I learned a lot about it that way. I wrote a brief article about the process [2]. Since then I've also participated in producing the official binaries for the linux distro I use at work. It's old enough that making it work requires lots of annoying bootstrapping. Getting used to the build process makes it a lot easier to start out new LLVM-based projects IMO.

[1] https://github.com/androm3da/sample-checker

[2] https://androm3da.github.io/#clang

I wanted to write something similar, but was turned off by the way you have to compile LLVM projects: your project mixed with LLVM sources. Also, its not that easy to get started.

You may find this link helpful for both the why and how: http://adriansampson.net/blog/llvm.html

( HN discussion: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=9998140 )

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