← Glossary
What does "LLVM" mean in programming?
LLVM is one of the most common terms in software development. This guide explains what it means, how it is used in practice, and why it matters, with real examples from the developer world.
Definition
A collection of modular compiler and toolchain technologies used as the backend for many languages. Clang (C/C++), Rust, and Swift all use LLVM to generate machine code. LLVM optimises code across multiple platforms from a single intermediate representation.
Example
"Rust uses LLVM as its code generation backend, which gives it highly optimised machine code across different CPU architectures."
Related terms
Ready to practice your English at work?
Lingua-e has interactive exercises built around real developer conversations: standups, code reviews, retrospectives, and more. Practice until it comes naturally.
Try Lingua-e for free