# 334: Bag of Heuristics

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2020-06-11
- Length: 1h 09m
- Episode: 334
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-06-11-334-bag-of-heuristics
- Listen: https://makingembeddedsystems.libsyn.com/334-bag-of-heuristics

## Summary

Matt Godbolt, creator of Compiler Explorer (godbolt.org) and the jsbeeb BBC Micro emulator, discusses the evolution of his open-source tools, the technical details of compiler internals, and the nostalgia of 6502 computing. He explains how Compiler Explorer helps developers understand assembly output, manage ABI constraints, and debug compiler bugs, while also detailing the security and privacy challenges of running arbitrary code on a public web service. Godbolt also shares insights into the BBC Micro's hardware quirks, the impact of Hyrum's Law on legacy systems, and the shift from transparent hardware to opaque modern processors.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-06-11-334-bag-of-heuristics#t=6) Introduction and Compiler Explorer Overview
- [4:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-06-11-334-bag-of-heuristics#t=253) Compiler Explorer Features and Learning Assembly
- [15:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-06-11-334-bag-of-heuristics#t=919) Infrastructure, Privacy, and GDPR
- [21:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-06-11-334-bag-of-heuristics#t=1293) Security, Execution, and Community Contributions
- [31:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-06-11-334-bag-of-heuristics#t=1880) 6502 Emulation and the BBC Micro
- [52:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-06-11-334-bag-of-heuristics#t=3125) Compiler Internals, ABI, and LLVM
- [1:04:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-06-11-334-bag-of-heuristics#t=3858) Hyrum's Law and Hardware Transparency

## Topics

- [EDA & CAD tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/eda-and-cad-tools)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Security & privacy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/security-and-privacy)
- [Maker community & events](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/maker-community)
- [Open-source hardware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/open-source-hardware)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- Compiler Explorer (product)
- jsbeeb (product)
- GCC (tool)
- Clang (tool)
- LLVM (tool)
- BBC Micro (product)
- Commodore 64 (product)
- Elite (product)
- Exile (product)
- The Dragon Book (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Debugging Methodologies](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/oxide-and-friends/2022-05-17-debugging-methodologies) (Oxide and Friends)
- [018 - Ghidra](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2019-03-15-018-ghidra) (Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast)
- [Finding Hardware Flaws with Laura Abbott](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2022-05-23-finding-hardware-flaws-with-laura-abbott) (The Amp Hour)
- [Talking Turkeys](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/oxide-and-friends/2021-11-23-talking-turkeys) (Oxide and Friends)
- [058 - Technically Met the Specs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2022-06-15-058-technically-met-the-specs) (Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-06-11-334-bag-of-heuristics. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Embedded.fm.