C++ Code Indexing with Glean at Meta - Understanding Large Codebases

Explore a technical conference talk from C++Now 2024 where Michael Park, a Software Engineer at Meta, delves into the complexities of code indexing through Glean, a system developed at Meta for managing large-scale codebases. Learn about the critical role of code indexing in powering developer tools, from IDE navigation to semantic analysis capabilities like dead code elimination. Discover how Glean effectively indexes multiple programming languages across Meta's extensive codebase, including C++, Buck2 build system definitions, and Thrift RPC protocol definitions. Gain detailed insights into the specific challenges of C++ indexing, with particular attention to handling macro definitions and their usage patterns. The presentation provides a comprehensive look at how Meta approaches code organization and analysis at scale, offering valuable perspectives for developers working with large C++ codebases.