Add documentation on the steps to create a compiler plugin #9514

steps_to_compiler_plugin.md

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+
+# Steps to Create a Compiler Plugin
+
+Creating a compiler plugin typically involves extending the capabilities of an existing compiler by adding custom functionality. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to create a compiler plugin:
+
+## 1. Choose the Compiler Framework
+Select the compiler for which you want to create the plugin. For example:
+- **Clang** (LLVM-based) is widely used for C, C++, and other languages.
+- **GCC** allows adding plugins to extend its capabilities.
+- Other language compilers may also allow plugins (e.g., Rust, Swift).
+
+## 2. Set Up the Development Environment
+Ensure you have the necessary development tools installed. For Clang/LLVM:
+- Download and install **LLVM**.
+- Set up **CMake** for building the plugin.
+
+For **GCC**:
+- Install GCC and its plugin development libraries.
+
+Example for Clang:
+```bash
+sudo apt-get install clang llvm cmake
+```
+
+## 3. Understand Plugin Interface
+Review the documentation for the specific compiler to understand how plugins are structured. For **Clang**, plugins interact with Clang’s Abstract Syntax Tree (AST) and provide custom actions like analyzing, modifying, or emitting code.
+
+## 4. Create the Plugin Source Code
+Write the code for your plugin based on the functionality you want to extend or modify. For Clang plugins, you’ll interact with the AST.
+
+Example for a basic Clang plugin:
+```cpp
+#include "clang/Frontend/FrontendPluginRegistry.h"
+#include "clang/AST/ASTConsumer.h"
+#include "clang/AST/RecursiveASTVisitor.h"
+#include "clang/Frontend/CompilerInstance.h"
+#include "clang/Parse/ParseAST.h"
+
+using namespace clang;
+
+class MyASTVisitor : public RecursiveASTVisitor<MyASTVisitor> {
+ public:
+   bool VisitFunctionDecl(FunctionDecl *f) {
+       llvm::outs() << "Found function: " << f->getNameAsString() << "\n";
+       return true;
+   }
+};
+
+class MyASTConsumer : public ASTConsumer {
+ public:
+   void HandleTranslationUnit(ASTContext &context) override {
+       MyASTVisitor Visitor;
+       Visitor.TraverseDecl(context.getTranslationUnitDecl());
+   }
+};
+
+class MyFrontendAction : public PluginASTAction {
+ protected:
+   std::unique_ptr<ASTConsumer> CreateASTConsumer(CompilerInstance &CI, llvm::StringRef) override {
+       return std::make_unique<MyASTConsumer>();
+   }
+
+   bool ParseArgs(const CompilerInstance &CI, const std::vector<std::string> &args) override {
+       return true;
+   }
+};
+
+static FrontendPluginRegistry::Add<MyFrontendAction>
+X("my-plugin", "My custom plugin");
+```
+
+## 5. Build the Plugin
+Set up a build system using **CMake** (for Clang) or the appropriate build tool for your compiler.
+Create a `CMakeLists.txt` for building the plugin:
+
+Example CMake configuration:
+```cmake
+cmake_minimum_required(VERSION 3.10)
+project(MyPlugin)
+
+find_package(LLVM REQUIRED CONFIG)
+list(APPEND CMAKE_MODULE_PATH "${LLVM_CMAKE_DIR}")
+include(AddLLVM)
+
+add_clang_library(MyPlugin
+  MyPlugin.cpp
+  LINK_LIBS clangTooling clangBasic clangAST)
+```
+
+Build the plugin:
+```bash
+mkdir build && cd build
+cmake ..
+make
+```
+
+## 6. Test the Plugin
+To test the plugin, pass it to the compiler using appropriate flags:
+
+For Clang:
+```bash
+clang -cc1 -load ./MyPlugin.so -plugin my-plugin example.cpp
+```
+
+For GCC (if creating a GCC plugin):
+```bash
+gcc -fplugin=./my_plugin.so example.c
+```
+
+## 7. Handle Command-Line Arguments
+If you need to pass arguments to your plugin, handle them in the `ParseArgs` method.
+
+Example:
+```cpp
+bool ParseArgs(const CompilerInstance &CI, const std::vector<std::string> &args) override {
+   for (const auto &arg : args) {
+       llvm::outs() << "Plugin argument: " << arg << "\n";
+   }
+   return true;
+}
+```
+
+## 8. Debug and Refine
+Debug and refine your plugin by adding additional functionality or analyzing code as needed. Use compiler output and logs for troubleshooting.
+
+## 9. Deploy the Plugin
+Once the plugin is stable, package it and share it for use in other projects. You can provide documentation on how to load and use the plugin with relevant compilers.
+
+## 10. Documentation and Support
+Write documentation explaining how to use and extend your plugin, including supported compiler versions, build instructions, and usage examples.
+
+## Example Resources:
+- **Clang Plugin Documentation:** [Clang Plugins](https://clang.llvm.org/docs/ClangPlugins.html)
+- **GCC Plugin Documentation:** [GCC Plugins](https://gcc.gnu.org/onlinedocs/gccint/Plugins.html)
+
+---
+
+## Purpose
+This PR adds documentation for creating a compiler plugin, detailing the steps for plugin development, testing, and deployment using common compiler frameworks like Clang and GCC. This addition serves as a resource for developers seeking to extend compiler functionality.
+
+## Changes Made
+
+- **Page addition:** Added new documentation for creating a compiler plugin with detailed steps.
+  - `permalink`: Added to ensure accessibility of the new page.
+
+# Page Management Instructions
+
+Here are the detailed instructions for page removal, renaming, and restructuring that you can include in your documentation:
+
+## Page Removal
+- **Ensure the entry is removed from the corresponding left navigation YAML file** (if applicable). This prevents broken links in the navigation.
+- **Add `redirect_from` on an alternative page for proper redirection.** This allows users to be redirected seamlessly to the new location.
+- **If no alternative page exists, add redirection in the `redirections.js` file.** This ensures that users are redirected even if they try to access a removed page directly.
+
+## Page Rename
+- **Add front-matter `redirect_from` to handle existing links.** This maintains the accessibility of previously linked content.
+- **Add `redirect_to:` front-matter (if applicable) to redirect users to the new location.** This guides users to the updated page seamlessly.
+
+## Page Restructure
+- **Add `permalink` to any restructured pages.** This ensures that the new structure remains accessible through a fixed URL.
+- **Include `redirect_from` front-matter to manage changes in page structure.** This helps redirect users from old URLs to the new paths effectively.
+- **Add `redirect_to:` front-matter (if applicable) to guide users to new pages.** This provides clear navigation for users transitioning to the new structure.
+
+
+thank you