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`llvm-api-swift` is a library representing Swift LLVM API, a pure Swift interface to the [LLVM API](https://llvm.org/docs/) and its associated libraries.
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It provides native, easy-to-use components to create compilers codegen backend. It contains LLVM bindings,
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components and toolset for efficiently use LLVM as compilers backend implementation on Swift.
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## Overview
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The `llvm-api-swift` provides a robust and comprehensive interface to the LLVM Compiler Infrastructure,
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leveraging the `LLVM-C API` to offer a blend of safety, flexibility, and extendability. This library
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is designed to serve as a powerful tool for developers looking to create backends for compilers, enabling
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them to harness the full potential of **LLVM** in a secure and user-friendly manner.
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## Safety
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Safety is a paramount concern in the design of this library. By building on the `LLVM-C API`, we ensure that
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interactions
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with the **LLVM** infrastructure are conducted in a type-safe and memory-safe manner. The library employs Swift’s
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stringent
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safety guarantees to prevent common issues such as null pointer dereferencing, buffer overflows, and memory leaks. This
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commitment to safety allows developers to focus on the functionality of their compiler backends without worrying about
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underlying security vulnerabilities.
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## Flexibility
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Flexibility is another core attribute of the `llvm-api-swift`. The library provides a rich set of APIs that cover a wide
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range of LLVM’s capabilities, from module management and inline assembly to debugging metadata and function iteration.
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Developers can easily access and manipulate **LLVM** constructs, enabling the creation of highly customized and
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optimized
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compiler backends. The library’s design ensures that it can adapt to various use cases and requirements, making it an
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ideal choice for a diverse set of compiler development projects based on Swift.
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## Extendability
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The 'llvm-api-swift' is built with extendability in mind. It is designed to be easily extendable, allowing developers to
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add
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new functionalities and support for additional **LLVM** features as needed. The modular structure of the library
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facilitates
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the incorporation of new components, ensuring that it can grow and evolve alongside the **LLVM** ecosystem. This
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extendability ensures that the library remains relevant and useful as **LLVM** continues to advance and expand its
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capabilities.
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## Why LLVM?
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**LLVM** (Low-Level Virtual Machine) is a powerful and versatile compiler infrastructure that provides a collection of
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modular and reusable compiler and toolchain technologies. It is widely used in the development of modern compilers,
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providing a framework for optimizing intermediate representations and generating machine code for various target
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architectures. LLVM’s ability to support multiple languages and platforms, coupled with its extensive optimization
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capabilities, makes it an essential tool for compiler developers. By leveraging **LLVM**, developers can create highly
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efficient and portable compilers that meet the demands of today’s diverse computing environments.
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## Design
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The `llvm-api-awift` library adheres to the structure of the `LLVM C API`, ensuring easy navigation through the extensive LLVM
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functions. Logical elements are grouped into modules, providing a clear organizational structure. Within these modules,
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Rust structures are introduced to wrap LLVM types, implementing corresponding functions for the wrapped LLVM types. This
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approach enhances flexibility and usability while maintaining the original LLVM code structure. The design avoids
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unnecessary complexity in the code and documentation, remaining fully aligned with the `LLVM API`. This alignment allows
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developers to easily navigate the `llvm-api-swift` library using existing LLVM-C documentation.
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### Compatibility with LLVM-C API
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When creating the library, we were guided by **full compatibility** with [LLVM-C API](https://llvm.org/doxygen/group__LLVMC.html).
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When implementing Swift types, we were guided by the approach of abstracting away from C types, completely transforming them into Swift types.
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At the same time adhering to the principles of a safety and reliability implementation - without explicit memory management, means of safe techniques, functions provided by Swift.
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