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clang-format

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What clang-format is

clang-format is a free, open-source source-code formatter built on LibFormat. It runs as a standalone command-line tool or through editor integrations and supports C, C++, Java, JavaScript, JSON, Objective-C, Protocol Buffers, C#, TableGen, TextProto, and Verilog. Developers can choose LLVM, GNU, Google, Chromium, Microsoft, Mozilla, or WebKit styles, or define project rules in .clang-format or _clang-format files. The tool can format selected line or byte ranges, while git-clang-format targets lines changed in commits or staged changes. clang-format-diff.py reformats lines from unified diff output, and .clang-format-ignore excludes matching paths. Documented integrations include Vim, Emacs, BBEdit, CLion, Visual Studio, and Visual Studio Code. LLVM provides source and pre-built downloads for Windows, macOS, and Linux. The Apache 2.0 License with LLVM exceptions governs the code.

Who it suits

clang-format suits developers who want consistent formatting in command-line, editor, or Git workflows. It supports the listed languages across Windows, macOS, and Linux.

What it does well

  • Free and open source
  • Supports many source-code languages
  • Includes multiple built-in style presets
  • Formats changed Git lines
  • Provides editor integrations

What to know first

  • Range formatting accepts only one input file
  • Style rules require configuration for custom conventions

Verdict

clang-format offers broad language coverage and several ways to apply formatting, from editors to staged Git changes. Its single-file limit for range formatting is the main restriction to account for in automated workflows.

Facts from clang-format's own pages

Configuration
Formatting styles can be set with command-line options or project-level .clang-format or _clang-format files. · clang.llvm.org, 30 Sept 2026
Distribution
The LLVM project provides source and pre-built binary downloads, with listed binaries including Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms. · releases.llvm.org, 30 Sept 2026
Editor integrations
The documentation describes integrations for Vim, Emacs, BBEdit, CLion, Visual Studio, and Visual Studio Code. · clang.llvm.org, 30 Sept 2026
Git integration
The git-clang-format script can format lines changed in commits or staged changes. · clang.llvm.org, 30 Sept 2026
Git workflow
The git-clang-format script can format lines changed in commits or staged changes. · clang.llvm.org, 30 Sept 2026
Ignore rules
A .clang-format-ignore file can contain path patterns for files that clang-format should skip. · clang.llvm.org, 30 Sept 2026
Intended users
The documentation presents ClangFormat as a standalone tool and editor integration for source-code formatting workflows. · clang.llvm.org, 30 Sept 2026
Languages
The standalone tool formats C, C++, Java, JavaScript, JSON, Objective-C, Protobuf, and C# code. · clang.llvm.org, 30 Sept 2026
License
LLVM releases are distributed under the Apache-2.0 license with LLVM exceptions, which the download page describes as OSI-approved. · releases.llvm.org, 30 Sept 2026
Limit
Formatting a line range or byte range can only be used with one input file. · clang.llvm.org, 30 Sept 2026
Linux and macOS availability
The Clang guide describes building on Unix-like systems and says Clang is provided by major BSD and GNU/Linux distributions and is the default compiler for Mac OS X from Xcode 4.2. · clang.llvm.org, 30 Sept 2026
Patch workflow
The clang-format-diff.py script reads unified diff output and reformats the changed lines. · clang.llvm.org, 30 Sept 2026
Purpose
ClangFormat is a set of tools built on LibFormat for formatting source code, available as a standalone tool and through editor integrations. · clang.llvm.org, 30 Sept 2026
Release verification
LLVM source packages and Git tags are signed by release managers, and the page provides keys for verification. · releases.llvm.org, 30 Sept 2026
Selective formatting
The command-line tool can format specified line or byte ranges in a single input file. · clang.llvm.org, 30 Sept 2026
Style configuration
Users can select built-in LLVM, GNU, Google, Chromium, Microsoft, Mozilla, and WebKit styles or configure formatting in a .clang-format file. · clang.llvm.org, 30 Sept 2026
Style presets
Built-in style presets include LLVM, GNU, Google, Chromium, Microsoft, Mozilla, and WebKit. · clang.llvm.org, 30 Sept 2026
Support
The Clang guide directs users who encounter problems to file bugs on the LLVM bug tracker. · clang.llvm.org, 30 Sept 2026
Support and community
LLVM directs users to its Discourse forum and mailing lists, and announces new releases in its Announce category. · releases.llvm.org, 30 Sept 2026
Windows availability
The Clang build guide documents building Clang on Windows using Visual Studio. · clang.llvm.org, 30 Sept 2026

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