[llvm-dev] Can LLVM optimize for a stack machine backend?

[Xiaohui Liu via llvm-dev]

Hi all,

I am developing a high-level language that compiles to bytecode for a stack-based virtual machine. There are only two stacks similar to Forth.

LLVM IR seems register-machine oriented and most backends target register machines. I have seen several attempts to use it for a stack machine backend, such as this, this, and this. What is the state of the art of using LLVM to optimize for a stack machine? Or LLVM is not a good choice for this job?

Regards,

Xiaohui

[Quentin Colombet via llvm-dev]

Hi Xiaohui,

I think the situation didn’t really change with respect to what you found.

In particular I believe the advice from Chris that you already found (https://lists.llvm.org/pipermail/llvm-dev/2008-November/018626.html) is the best thing you can do right now.

Cheers,

-Quentin

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[Petr Penzin via llvm-dev]

This is a bit out of date, LLVM now has a stack-based target included by default - WebAssembly. It has a "stackifier" implementation (look for files with Stackify in the name inside llvm/lib/Target/WebAssembly). However, stack transformations are in fact somewhat of a pain point, that's one of the reasons Emscripten (C/C++ to Wasm compiler) uses an additional tool after emitting code using Clang/LLVM, though another popular Wasm toolchain does not.

Best,
Petr