Qualcomm has open-sourced ELD, a new linker designed specifically for embedded systems. ELD aims to be faster and more memory-efficient than traditional linkers like GNU ld, especially beneficial for resource-constrained devices. It achieves this through features like parallel processing, demand paging, and a simplified design focusing on common embedded use cases. ELD supports ELF and is designed for integration with existing embedded workflows, offering potential improvements in link times and memory usage during development.
Qualcomm Developer Technologies has announced the release of ELD, the Embedded Linker, a new open-source linker specifically designed for embedded systems. This linker aims to address the unique challenges and requirements of resource-constrained environments commonly found in embedded development. Traditional linkers, while generally powerful, often lack the fine-grained control and optimization capabilities crucial for embedded systems. ELD seeks to fill this gap by providing developers with a highly configurable and efficient linking process.
Key features of ELD include enhanced control over memory layout, enabling developers to meticulously specify the placement of code and data segments in memory. This level of control is vital for optimizing performance and minimizing memory footprint, both critical factors in embedded systems. Furthermore, ELD boasts improved code size reduction compared to existing solutions. This is achieved through advanced optimization techniques, contributing to smaller binaries and therefore reduced memory usage, a valuable benefit in resource-limited embedded platforms.
ELD's open-source nature, released under the permissive Apache 2.0 license, allows for community contributions and fosters collaborative development. This open approach promotes transparency, allowing developers to inspect, modify, and enhance the linker's functionality to suit their specific needs. Qualcomm emphasizes that ELD has been designed with extensibility in mind, facilitating integration with a wide range of embedded development toolchains and workflows.
The developers highlight ELD's speed and efficiency, particularly crucial in iterative development cycles common in embedded projects. Faster linking translates to reduced development time and quicker feedback loops, ultimately increasing developer productivity. ELD also offers improved diagnostics and error reporting compared to traditional linkers, providing developers with more detailed and actionable information to quickly resolve linking issues.
Qualcomm positions ELD as a modern, purpose-built linker explicitly designed for the complexities of modern embedded systems. They suggest that ELD is not simply a replacement for existing linkers but rather a significant advancement in linking technology for resource-constrained environments, empowering developers with the tools they need to create highly optimized and efficient embedded applications. The project is actively maintained and developed, with Qualcomm encouraging community involvement and contributions to further enhance ELD's capabilities and broaden its applicability within the embedded systems ecosystem.
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https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43644966
Hacker News users generally expressed cautious optimism about ELD, Qualcomm's new embedded linker. Several commenters questioned its practical advantages over existing linkers like ld, particularly regarding its performance and debugging capabilities. Some wondered about its long-term support given Qualcomm's history with open-source projects. Others pointed out potential benefits like improved memory usage and build times, especially for complex embedded systems. The lack of clear benchmarks comparing ELD to established solutions was a recurring concern. A few users expressed interest in trying ELD for their projects, while others remained skeptical, preferring to wait for more evidence of its real-world effectiveness. The discussion also touched on the challenges of embedded development and the need for better tooling.
The Hacker News post titled "ELD: A new open-source embedded linker tool for embedded systems" has generated several comments discussing various aspects of the new linker and its potential impact.
One commenter expressed skepticism about the genuine openness of the project, pointing out Qualcomm's history with open-source projects and suggesting they might abandon it if it doesn't directly benefit their business interests. They questioned the long-term viability of relying on a tool from a vendor with such a track record.
Another commenter focused on the technical merits, praising the linker's claimed performance improvements and the ability to perform link-time garbage collection, which can significantly reduce the size of embedded binaries. They expressed excitement about potentially integrating it into their own workflow.
Several commenters discussed the challenges and complexities of embedded systems development, highlighting the fragmented tooling landscape and the difficulty of achieving optimal performance and code size. They saw ELD as a potential solution to some of these challenges, particularly for developers working with resource-constrained devices.
One commenter, identifying as an embedded developer, shared their experience with existing linkers and expressed frustration with their limitations, especially when dealing with complex projects. They welcomed the introduction of a new linker, hoping it would offer improved performance and debugging capabilities.
The discussion also touched upon the importance of build systems and the integration of ELD with existing tools. One commenter inquired about CMake integration, emphasizing the need for seamless integration with popular build systems for wider adoption.
A few commenters mentioned other linkers like Mold and LLD, comparing their features and performance with ELD. They speculated on whether ELD could compete with these established tools and what advantages it might offer.
Finally, some commenters expressed interest in learning more about the technical details of ELD, particularly its internal workings and optimization strategies. They hoped for more in-depth documentation and examples to facilitate experimentation and evaluation.