qbe ☆

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Description:
Compiler Backend

Type: Formula | Tracked Since: Dec 28, 2025

Links: Homepage | formulae.brew.sh

Category: Developer tools

Tags: compiler backend code-generation qbe llvm-alternative

Install: brew install qbe

About:
Qbe is a lightweight compiler backend designed to serve as a simpler alternative to LLVM. It provides register allocation and machine code generation for multiple architectures, enabling developers to create compilers without the complexity of larger systems.

Key Features:

Lightweight and simple design
Multiple architecture support (x86_64, ARM64, RISC-V)
Integrated register allocator
C-based API for easy integration

Use Cases:

Building custom programming language compilers
Creating domain-specific language (DSL) compilers
Educational projects on compiler design
Porting existing compilers to lighter backends

Alternatives:

LLVM – Much larger and more complex, but with more features and optimizations
Cranelift – Similar goals but part of the WebAssembly ecosystem with different focus

Version History

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