Talk Proposal: Hacking on GraalVM: A (very) Rough Guide

[Andrew Dinn]

Title: Hacking on GraalVM: A (very) Rough Guide

Andrew Dinn and Josh Matsuoka

Abstract:
The GraalVM project provides, among other options, a means to deliver
Java programs as compact, self-contained, fast-startup native images.
GraalVM has been moving from research to development for quite a few
years now. However, it is only just beginning to be properly integrated
with the latest OpenJDK releases and there is still much to be done to
get it fully productized and to improve usability and performance.

This talk will recount our joint experiences of trying to add new and/or
improved capabilities to the the GraalVM code base. Our story will
stumble gracelessly from one pitfall to the next cock-up in the hope
that by exposing and explaining our own history of lamentable error and
occasional failure you will be able to avoid being doomed to repeat it.

We will provide a guide to getting started and building GraalVM, an
overview of the how the compiler, native image generator and other
elements of the GraalVM toolkit operate plus a map of what code sits
where in the source tree and how it fits together and offer tips for
debugging the Graal compiler and native image generator -- all the tasks
you will need to perform in order to attain a vantage point from which
to change or add to the current functionality.

Preferred time 40 minutes.
Video recording and dissemination under the usual FOSDEM terms is
acceptable.


regards,


Andrew Dinn
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Senior Principal Software Engineer
Red Hat UK Ltd
Registered in England and Wales under Company Registration No. 03798903
Directors: Michael Cunningham, Michael ("Mike") O'Neill