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 Description:

Discover 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.

Table of Contents

Part 1: Clang Setup and Architecture

Chapter 1: Environment Setup

Chapter 2: Clang Architecture

Chapter 3: Clang AST

Chapter 4: Basic Libraries and Tools

Part 2: Clang Tools

Chapter 5: Clang-Tidy Linter Framework

Chapter 6: Advanced Code Analysis

Chapter 7: Refactoring Tools

Chapter 8: IDE Support and Clangd

Part 3: Appendix

Chapter 9: Appendix 1: Compilation Database

Chapter 10: Appendix 2: Build Speed Optimization

About the Author

Ivan V. Murashko is a C++ software engineer: He got his PhD from Peter the Great St.Petersburg Polytechnic University and has over 20 years of C++ programming experience; since 2020 he has worked with LLVM compilers. His area of interest includes clang compiler frontend and clang tools (clang-tidy, clangd).