AI-Assisted LLVM Compiler Optimization: An ASN.1 Serialization Tale

2025-07-01

While maintaining a Rust library for ASN.1 DER serialization, the author discovered inefficient code in integer length calculation. He experimented with Claude AI to optimize the code and used the Alive2 formal verification tool to validate the results. Surprisingly, Claude AI even helped generate a patch for an LLVM compiler optimization, which passed code review and was ultimately submitted to the LLVM project. This demonstrates the immense potential of AI in software development, particularly in compiler optimization, while also highlighting the importance of manual review when using AI tools.

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Development

Postel's Law: The Open Source Evolutionary Dead End

2025-03-27

Postel's Law, advocating "be conservative in what you do, be liberal in what you accept," has ironically led to an evolutionary dead end for open-source software. Because closed-source producers often violate specifications, open-source consumers are forced to constantly compromise, leading to specifications becoming meaningless, hindering new projects, and reducing competitiveness. The author urges open-source maintainers to strictly adhere to specifications, reject unreasonable user requests, and direct issues to the offending closed-source vendors, avoiding the "three-ring circus" and maintaining specification integrity.

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