Skip to content

Solnix Compiler Architecture

Overview

The Solnix compiler implements a straightforward compilation pipeline that transforms Solnix source code into libbpf-compatible C code, which is then compiled to eBPF bytecode using clang. The current implementation focuses on simplicity and compatibility rather than complex optimizations or comprehensive safety verification.

Solnix Source (.snx)
       │
       ▼
   ┌─────────────┐
   │   Parser    │  Lexical analysis + AST construction
   │             │
   └─────────────┘
       │
       ▼
   ┌─────────────┐
   │   Semantic  │  Basic program structure validation
   │   Analysis  │
   └─────────────┘
       │
       ▼
   ┌─────────────┐
   │     IR      │  Simple internal representation
   │ Generation  │
   └─────────────┘
       │
       ▼
   ┌─────────────┐
   │     C Code  │  libbpf-compatible C generation
   │  Emission   │
   └─────────────┘
       │
       ▼
   ┌─────────────┐
   │   Clang     │  Standard eBPF compilation
   │ Compilation │
   └─────────────┘
       │
       ▼
   ELF Object (.o)

Clang eBPF Backend Integration

This document describes how Solnix generates libbpf-compatible C code and uses the clang compiler to produce eBPF bytecode. The compilation process relies on clang’s eBPF target and existing libbpf conventions to generate standard ELF objects, ensuring compatibility with the Linux eBPF toolchain and ecosystem.

Clang Selection Rationale

Technical Advantages

Clang provides proven eBPF compilation capabilities with extensive ecosystem support:

Code Generation Maturity:

  • Production-ready eBPF bytecode generation
  • Robust compilation of libbpf-compatible C code
  • Comprehensive optimization passes for eBPF targets

Architecture Support:

Stable eBPF target support through the standard clang eBPF backend Support for all eBPF target variants (bpf, bpfel, bpfeb) Compatibility with new kernel eBPF features and verifier requirements as they become available through toolchain and kernel updates

Ecosystem Integration:

  • Requires vmlinux.h and standard libbpf headers (bpf/bpf_helpers.h) for compilation
  • Generates C code compatible with existing libbpf-based build systems and Makefile workflows
  • Produces standard eBPF ELF objects usable with common loaders and debugging tools (bpftool, libbpf, perf, etc.)