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Cranelift code generation comes to Rust [LWN.net] (lwn.net)

Rust Cranelift code-generation compilation Wasmtime WebAssembly E-graphs

Cranelift, an Apache-2.0-licensed code-generation backend developed for the Wasmtime runtime, has been made available for Rust as an optional component in its nightly toolchain since October 2023. Focusing on fast compilation by prioritizing essential optimizations, it uses E-graphs to efficiently address optimization challenges. Unlike many JIT compilers, Cranelift is suitable for non-WebAssembly projects, providing a promising alternative for Rust developers seeking quicker compilation times.
Main Points
- Cranelift available for RustCranelift is an Apache-2.0-licensed code-generation backend developed as part of the Wasmtime runtime for WebAssembly, available as an optional component in the Rust nightly toolchain since October 2023.
- Cranelift's fast compilation focusDesigned to compete with existing compilers, Cranelift prioritizes essential optimizations to generate code more quickly.
- E-graphs optimization approachCranelift uses E-graphs for optimization, addressing the phase-ordering problem more efficiently than traditional optimization methods.
- Cranelift's broader applicabilityCranelift supports non-WebAssembly projects, differing from many JIT compilers by not depending on fallback to an interpreter.
- Performance comparison with LLVMIn tests, Cranelift showed significantly faster compilation times than LLVM, with a study highlighting its performance benefits.
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An alternate pattern-matching conditional for Elisp [LWN.net] (lwn.net)

Elisp Emacs pattern-matching conditional cond* pcase Richard Stallman community discourse

The article discusses the development and community discussions surrounding a new pattern-matching conditional, cond, in Emacs Lisp (Elisp), introduced by Richard Stallman as a simpler alternative to the existing pcase macro. It covers the motivations behind the effort, including the desire for simplification and better maintainability, as well as the extensive debates within the Emacs community regarding the necessity, design, and implementation of cond. Highlighted are the various viewpoints on cond*’s inclusion, its advantages over pcase, and the political considerations influencing its adoption. The article emphasizes the importance of community consensus and cooperation in the evolution of Emacs.
Main Points
- Development of cond* by Richard StallmanRichard Stallman's development of a new pattern-matching conditional, cond*, aims to simplify and clarify pattern-matching in Elisp, offering a simpler alternative to the complex pcase.
- Community discussions on cond*The emacs-devel mailing list has been a platform for extensive discussions on the necessity, design, and implications of introducing cond* as an alternative to pcase.
- Stallman's approach to simplificationStallman's approach to developing cond* focuses on avoiding the complexity of pcase by combining the cond and let constructs, aiming for a more intuitive pattern-matching mechanism.
- Debates on implementation and impactThe addition of cond* to Emacs has spurred debates about its implementation, documentation, and potential impact, highlighting differing opinions within the Emacs community.
- Influence of political considerationsPolitical considerations and the aim to maintain a cohesive community influenced the decision to incorporate cond* into Emacs, reflecting the importance of consensus among contributors.
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