LANCE is a software platform for fast implementation of C compilers. It includes a C frontend, a set of code optimization passes on the intermediate representation (IR) level, a C++ library for IR analysis and manipulation, and a backend interface for assembly code generation.

LANCE is mainly intended for C compiler development for embedded processors. The system has been applied both in academic and industrial compiler development projects for a variety of different target architectures.

Main features:

• ANSI C frontend (C89)
• Extensible, modular compiler architecture
• Executable three address code IR
• Library of standard („Dragon Book style“) IR optimizations
• C++ API for IR access and analysis
• Visualization of control and data flow graphs
• Backend interface for code selection
• Code instrumentation interface
• Free licensing for research purposes