Facebook Has Been Working On C++ Modules Support For GCC

Written by Michael Larabel in Standards on 8 October 2017 at 08:29 AM EDT. 26 Comments
STANDARDS
For C++20 the long-awaited modules system is likely to finally land. Facebook engineers have been working on a C++ modules implementation already for the GNU Compiler Collection.

Since LLVM Clang 5.0 has been an experimental C++ modules implementation there while on the GCC side there hasn't been any implementation merged to master, but then again this technical specification isn't yet set in stone for C++20. Nathan Sidwell of Facebook has been among the developers working on supporting C++ modules within GCC's G++ front-end. Those unfamiliar with the proposed C++ module system can see the current TS.

At the recent GNU Tools Cauldron 2017, Sidwell presented on his G++ modules work. There is a c++-modules code branch available with the -fmodules flag for enabling said support, but a lot of work remains on the TODO list. He said during his presentation that GCC's C++ module system will not be ready for next year's GCC 8 release, meaning GCC 9 in 2019 at the earliest.

Those wanting to learn more can see Sidwell's recently uploaded PDF slide deck from the Cauldron while no video recording is yet available.

Additional information on this work can be found via the GCC cxx-modules Wiki page.
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