hobbes
A language and embedded JIT compiler for efficient dynamic expression evaluation, data storage, and analysis in C++ applications.
What is hobbes?
Hobbes is a strongly typed language and embedded JIT compiler that allows C++ applications to dynamically evaluate expressions, record structured data, and perform real-time analysis. It solves the problem of integrating high-performance, dynamic scripting capabilities directly into C++ systems without sacrificing efficiency.
C++ developers building systems that require dynamic expression evaluation, real-time data analysis, or embedded scripting, particularly in performance-sensitive domains like financial systems or monitoring tools.
Developers choose Hobbes for its tight C++ integration, minimal runtime overhead, and ability to compile and execute code dynamically with LLVM-based JIT compilation, all while providing a rich type system and data analysis features.
Overview
A language and an embedded JIT compiler
Use Cases
Best For
- Embedding a JIT-compiled scripting language within C++ applications
- Recording and analyzing structured application data in real-time
- Building custom query engines for live data streams
- Implementing remote evaluation and RPC between processes
- Adding dynamic expression evaluation to monitoring or financial systems
- Creating domain-specific languages with custom parsers
Not Ideal For
- Applications requiring sandboxed execution for security, like user-submitted plugins or scripts
- Simple ad-hoc scripting where lightweight interpreters like Lua or Python would be easier to integrate
- Projects targeting web or mobile platforms without deep C++ backends
- Teams lacking expertise in C++ or LLVM compilation toolchains
Pros & Cons
Pros
Uses LLVM to compile expressions at runtime, enabling near-native speed for dynamic code execution directly within C++ processes.
Automatically binds C++ functions and data structures with minimal overhead, allowing direct memory access and efficient integration.
Provides the `hog` utility for structured data recording and live analysis, supporting real-time queries and comprehensions for monitoring.
Offers a strongly typed language with type classes, pattern matching, and custom grammars, enabling complex data transformations and safe compile-time checks.
Cons
Lacks array bounds checks and sandboxing by design, making it vulnerable to memory errors and unsuitable for untrusted code execution.
Requires LLVM and specific build tools like cmake, which can be cumbersome to install and maintain across different environments.
As a niche project, it has fewer community resources, libraries, and documentation compared to mainstream scripting languages.
Frequently Asked Questions
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