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14 <h1>Clang: a C language front-end for LLVM</h1>
15 <h2>About</h2>
16 <p>The goal of the Clang project is to create a new <a href="http://llvm.org/svn/llvm-project/cfe/trunk/LICENSE.TXT">BSD Licensed</a> C, C++, & ObjC front-end for the <a href="http://www.llvm.org/">LLVM</a> compiler.
17 <br><br>
18 <p>In the context of this website, the term Clang actually refers to two things:
19 <p>1) A "code name" for the LLVM compiler front-end.
20 <p>2) A specific library in the LLVM front-end -- in particular the "driver" that makes all the other libraries work together.
21 <br><br>
22 <p>The developers of Clang include contributers from Apple and numerous other volunteers.
23 <h2>Why?</h2>
24 <p>The development of a new front-end was started out of a need -- a need for a compiler that allows better diagnostics, better integration with IDEs, a license that is compatible with commercial products, and a compiler that is easier to develop and maintain. All of these were motiviations for starting work on a new C/C++/ObjC front-end that could meet these needs.
25 <p>An excellent introduction to Clang can be found in the following video lectures:
26 <ul>
27 <li><a href="clang_video-05-25-2007.html">Clang Introduction</a>
28 <li><a href="clang_video-07-25-2007.html">Features and Performance of Clang</a>
29 </ul>
30 <h2>Features/Goals</h2>
31 Some of the goals for the project include the following:
32 <ul>
33 <li>Unified parser for C-based languages
34 <li>Language conformance with C99, ObjC, C++
35 <li>Real-world, production quality compiler
36 <li>GCC compatibility
37 <li>Library based architecture with finely crafted C++ API’s
38 <li>High performance
39 <li>Better integration with IDEs
40 <li>Expressive diagnostics
41 <li>BSD License
42 </ul>
43 Of course this is only a rough outline of the goals and features of Clang. To get a true sense of what the new LLVM front-end is all about, as well as why you might want to considering using it, see the <a href="features.html">Features</a> section.
44 <h2>Get Involved</h2>
45 If you are interested in working on Clang, then check out the <a href="get_involved.html">Get Involved</a> section.
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