It wasn't given gcc source code, and was not given internet access. It the extent it could translate gcc source code, it'd need to be able to recall all of the gcc source from its weights.
All of this work is extraordinarily impressive. It is hard to predict the impact of any single research project the week it is released. I doubt we'll ever throw away GCC/LLVM. But, I'd be surprised if the Claude C Compiler didn't have long-term impact on computing down the road.
Right. And the arguably simpler problem, where the model gets the C code directly, is active research: https://www.darpa.mil/research/programs/translating-all-c-to...
All of this work is extraordinarily impressive. It is hard to predict the impact of any single research project the week it is released. I doubt we'll ever throw away GCC/LLVM. But, I'd be surprised if the Claude C Compiler didn't have long-term impact on computing down the road.