CLI Reference

Command-line interface reference for the XXML compiler. Compile XXML source files to native executables or LLVM IR.

Synopsis

bash

xxml [options] <input.XXML> -o <output>

Basic Usage

Compile to Executable

bash

xxml Hello.XXML -o hello.exe

Generate LLVM IR Only

bash

xxml Hello.XXML -o hello.ll --ir

Legacy Mode (LLVM IR Only)

bash

xxml Hello.XXML -o hello.ll 2

Options

Option	Description
`-o <file>`	Output file (.ll for IR, .exe/.dll for binary)
`--ir`	Generate LLVM IR only (same as mode 2)
`--processor`	Compile annotation processor to DLL
`--use-processor=<dll>`	Load annotation processor DLL (can be repeated)
`--stl-warnings`	Show warnings for standard library files (off by default)
`2`	Legacy mode: LLVM IR only

Output Formats

Executable (.exe)

Default compilation target. Produces a native Windows executable.

bash

xxml MyApp.XXML -o myapp.exe

LLVM IR (.ll)

Human-readable LLVM intermediate representation. Useful for debugging and optimization analysis.

bash

xxml MyApp.XXML -o myapp.ll --ir

Dynamic Library (.dll)

For annotation processors or shared libraries.

bash

xxml --processor MyProcessor.XXML -o MyProcessor.dll

Annotation Processors

Compiling a Processor

bash

xxml --processor MyAnnotation.XXML -o MyAnnotation.dll

Using a Processor

bash

xxml --use-processor=MyAnnotation.dll App.XXML -o app.exe

Multiple Processors

bash

xxml --use-processor=Proc1.dll --use-processor=Proc2.dll App.XXML -o app.exe

Warning Control

By default, warnings from standard library files are suppressed. Enable them with:

bash

xxml MyApp.XXML -o myapp.exe --stl-warnings

Examples

Basic Compilation

bash

# Compile hello world
xxml Hello.XXML -o hello.exe

# Run the executable
./hello.exe

Debug with LLVM IR

bash

# Generate IR for inspection
xxml MyApp.XXML -o myapp.ll --ir

# View the generated IR
cat myapp.ll

Annotation Processor Workflow

bash

# 1. Create annotation processor source (MyLogger.XXML)
# 2. Compile to DLL
xxml --processor MyLogger.XXML -o MyLogger.dll

# 3. Use processor when compiling application
xxml --use-processor=MyLogger.dll App.XXML -o app.exe

Exit Codes

Code	Meaning
`0`	Successful compilation
`1`	Error (missing arguments, file not found, compilation error)

File Extensions

Extension	Description
`.XXML`	XXML source file
`.exe`	Native executable
`.dll`	Dynamic library
`.ll`	LLVM IR text format

Environment

The compiler expects:

Standard library files in Language/ subdirectory relative to compiler location
LLVM tools (llc, lld-link) available in PATH for executable generation
Visual Studio Build Tools for Windows linking

Compilation Pipeline

text

Source (.XXML)
    ↓
Lexical Analysis
    ↓
Syntax Analysis (AST)
    ↓
Semantic Analysis
    ↓
LLVM IR Generation (.ll)
    ↓
LLVM Compilation (.obj)
    ↓
Linking (.exe / .dll)

Troubleshooting

"Could not open file"

Verify the input file path exists and is accessible.

"No output file specified"

Use -o flag to specify output: xxml input.XXML -o output.exe

Linker Errors

Ensure LLVM tools and Visual Studio Build Tools are installed and in PATH.

Standard Library Not Found

Verify Language/ directory exists relative to compiler location with core STL files.

Note

For debugging compilation issues, use the --ir flag to generate LLVM IR and inspect the generated code.

Next Steps

Learn about the Import System for module organization, or explore the Compiler Architecture for internals.