Traditional MSVC linking of a large C++ project (say, Chrome or Unreal Engine) can take minutes. LLD reduces that to seconds.
To use Clang on Windows, you'll need to install it first. There are several ways to do this:
Clang on Windows is no longer an experimental tool for enthusiasts; it is a production-ready, first-class citizen. If you prefer Clang's error messages, specific language standards compliance, or are cross-developing for other platforms, it is an excellent choice. windows clang
Under the "Desktop development with C++" workload, check in the optional components. 2. Via LLVM Official Binaries
Windows Clang: A Comprehensive Guide to Using Clang on Windows Traditional MSVC linking of a large C++ project
In the early days of Windows development, the Microsoft Visual C++ (MSVC) compiler was the undisputed king. It spoke the language of Windows perfectly but lived in its own world, with a unique set of command-line flags and a standard library that sometimes marched to its own beat. The "story" of Clang on Windows is one of a flexible newcomer learning to fit into this established ecosystem while bringing modern features to the table. The Two Faces of Clang To survive on Windows, Clang had to become "bilingual." When you install it, you get two distinct personalities: clang.exe (The Traditionalist): This version behaves like the Clang you'd find on Linux or macOS. It uses GCC-style flags (like
set(CMAKE_CXX_COMPILER "clang++.exe")
Using Clang on Windows offers several advantages, including: