Refactor: Separate Compilation and Linking Phases #251
Conversation
This file contains hidden or bidirectional Unicode text that may be interpreted or compiled differently than what appears below. To review, open the file in an editor that reveals hidden Unicode characters.
Learn more about bidirectional Unicode characters
Split monolithic clang invocation into distinct compile-to-object and
link-object phases for better build system integration.
Changes:
- Rename compile_ir_to_machine_code to compile_ir_to_object:
- Generate .o object files instead of executables
- Add -c flag for compile-only mode
- Use stdin pipe for IR input instead of temp file
- Accept LLVM IR via -x ir flag
- Output to target/{stem}.o
- Add link_objects function for separate linking:
- Accept multiple object files as input
- Support custom library paths (-L flags)
- Support custom libraries (-l flags)
- Link with libc and libm by default
- Generate final executable
- Update runner.rs compilation pipeline:
- Call compile_ir_to_object to generate .o file
- Call link_objects with object file and empty lib lists
- Generate executable in target/{stem}
- Execute final linked binary
- Remove temporary IR file writing:
- Stream IR directly to clang via stdin
- Eliminate target/temp.ll intermediate file
- Reduce filesystem I/O overhead
Benefits:
- Enables incremental compilation (recompile only changed modules)
- Supports linking with external static/dynamic libraries
- Matches standard compiler toolchain workflow (gcc/clang)
- Prepares for future multi-file project support
- Allows custom linker scripts and flags
Example workflow:
1. Wave source -> LLVM IR
2. LLVM IR -> object file (.o)
3. Object file(s) + libs -> executable
This establishes a proper compilation pipeline compatible with C/C++
build systems and package managers.
Signed-off-by: LunaStev <luna@lunastev.org>
Sign up for free
to join this conversation on GitHub.
Already have an account?
Sign in to comment
1 participant
Add this suggestion to a batch that can be applied as a single commit.
This suggestion is invalid because no changes were made to the code.
Suggestions cannot be applied while the pull request is closed.
Suggestions cannot be applied while viewing a subset of changes.
Only one suggestion per line can be applied in a batch.
Add this suggestion to a batch that can be applied as a single commit.
Applying suggestions on deleted lines is not supported.
You must change the existing code in this line in order to create a valid suggestion.
Outdated suggestions cannot be applied.
This suggestion has been applied or marked resolved.
Suggestions cannot be applied from pending reviews.
Suggestions cannot be applied on multi-line comments.
Suggestions cannot be applied while the pull request is queued to merge.
Suggestion cannot be applied right now. Please check back later.
Summary
This PR refactors the build pipeline by splitting the monolithic compilation process into distinct Compile-to-Object and Link-Object phases. This modular approach aligns with standard compiler toolchains (like GCC/Clang), enabling better build system integration and paving the way for multi-file project support.
Key Changes
1. Compilation Phase (
compile_ir_to_object)compile_ir_to_machine_codetocompile_ir_to_object..oobject files instead of final executables.stdinusing the-x irflag.-cflag to ensure only compilation occurs.target/{stem}.o.2. Linking Phase (
link_objects)link_objectsfunction to handle the final binary generation.-L) and library names (-l).libcandlibmby default.3. Pipeline Update (
runner.rs).o).Benefits
.llfiles.Example Workflow
graph LR A[Wave Source] -->|Frontend| B[LLVM IR] B -->|Compile| C[Object File] C -->|Link| D[Executable] E[Libraries] --> D