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LLVM Backend

TechScript supports compiling programs directly to native machine code via the LLVM compiler framework.

🏗️ Direct Compilation Pipeline

When you run tech build --native main.txs, the compiler bypasses the VM bytecode generation and instead runs the native compilation flow:

  1. AST to LLVM IR: The compiler translates the verified AST into LLVM IR (Intermediate Representation) using inkwell (safe Rust bindings for LLVM).
  2. Optimization Passes: LLVM runs standard compilation optimization passes (e.g. constant propagation, loop unrolling, vectorization).
  3. Machine Code Generation: LLVM compiles the IR into target-specific assembly or machine code, linking it with the TechScript native runtime to generate a standalone executable.

🧬 LLVM Backend Features

  • Zero VM Overhead: Executable binary runs on raw CPU instructions instead of stack emulation.
  • Link-Time Optimization (LTO): Combines runtime libraries directly into the output executable for optimization.
  • Native ABI: Supports compiling functions with native C ABI calling conventions, enabling seamless FFI integration.

🛠️ Requirements

To use the LLVM backend, you must have an active LLVM development toolchain installed on your machine and configure the compiler with target options:

tech build --native --target x86_64-pc-windows-msvc main.txs