What is clang (and ld) on Mac?
By Junaid, maker of Taskglass · Last reviewed
The C, C++ and Objective-C compiler (clang) and the linker (ld) used during builds.
clang compiles C, C++ and Objective-C code, and ld (the linker) joins compiled pieces into an app or program. They come with Xcode and the Command Line Tools, and are also used by tools like Homebrew, Python and Ruby when installing packages that need compiling. They run during builds and exit afterwards.
- Category
- Developer tools
- Made by
- Apple (LLVM)
- Safe to quit:
- With care
Shown in Activity Monitor as clang, clang++, ld
Why is clang (and ld) using so much CPU or memory?
- Building software in Xcode or from the command line
- Homebrew or package managers compiling from source
- Linking large projects
What to do
- 1Let the build or install finish
- 2Check Terminal or Xcode for a build you didn't mean to start
- 3Stop the build if needed (Control-C in Terminal, or Stop in Xcode)
Safe to quit? With care.
Quitting fails the current build or install, but harms nothing else.
Related processes
Part of the Taskglass Process Library