Re: [boost] Clang: Open-source C/C++ front end under development

From: Fei Liu (feiliu_at_[hidden])
Date: 2007-08-31 11:06:55

Doug Gregor wrote:
> Hello fellow Boosters,
>
> The need for an extensible, complete open-source C++ parser has been  
> discussed on Boost over the years. There are myriad projects that  
> parse approximations to C++ suitable for specific tasks (e.g.,  
> documentation generation), but there has never been a  community  
> project meant to handle all of C++ or serve as a common platform for  
> new C++ tools. That is going to change, and I hope Boost will be  
> involved.
>
> Apple has begun development of "Clang", which aims to be a high- 
> quality C/C++ parser and compiler. Clang is designed as a library for  
> C++ tools, from IDE-supported tools like indexing, searching, and  
> refactoring to documentation tools, static checkers, and a full C++  
> front end to the Low Level Virtual Machine (LLVM). LLVM is an  
> advanced, open-source compiler infrastructure supporting all of the  
> back-end functionality needed for a C++ compiler. Like LLVM, Clang is  
> written in a modern C++ style, with a clean separation between the  
> different phases of translation in C++ (lexical analysis, parsing,  
> semantic analysis, lowering, code generation, etc.), all of which  
> make Clang a pleasure to work with.
>
> Clang is still in the early stages of development. At present, it  
> parses and type-checks most of C, with code generation for some  
> simple constructs. C++ support is not available yet, but Apple has  
> dedicated significant resources to making Clang a successful C++  
> parser and compiler.
>
> That said, Clang needs our help. Collectively, Boost developers have  
> more knowledge about and a deeper understanding of C++ than any other  
> community within C++. We have the C++ expertise to help implement the  
> language well, and the library-design savvy to help build powerful,  
> accessible interfaces that simplify the task of building new and  
> improved tools for C++. The Clang team is asking for help  
> implementing C and C++ features and are very open to new contributors.
>
> Clang has the potential to be a top-notch, open-source C++ compiler  
> and tool platform, from which we would all benefit. Let's help Clang  
> get there sooner!
>
> Links:
> 	Clang: http://clang.llvm.org/
> 	LLVM: http://llvm.org/
> 	Steve Naroff's talk motivating Clang:
> 		- Video: http://llvm.org/devmtg/2007-05/09-Naroff-CFE.mov
> 		- Slides: http://llvm.org/devmtg/2007-05/09-Naroff-CFE.pdf
> 	Clang announcement: http://lists.cs.uiuc.edu/pipermail/llvmdev/2007- 
> July/009817.html
>
> 	Cheers,	
> 	Doug
>
> _______________________________________________
> Unsubscribe & other changes: http://lists.boost.org/mailman/listinfo.cgi/boost
>   
Sounds promising, but here:
[root_at_maple clang]# make -j3
Makefile:4: ../../Makefile.common: No such file or directory
make: *** No rule to make target `../../Makefile.common'.  Stop.
[root_at_maple clang]# ls
AST    clang.xcodeproj  docs    include  Lex          Makefile        
NOTES.txt  README.txt  test      www
Basic  CodeGen          Driver  INPUTS   LICENSE.TXT  ModuleInfo.txt  
Parse      Sema        TODO.txt
[root_at_maple clang]# find -name Makefile.common
[root_at_maple clang]#