builtin-types.def (BT_FN_COMPLEX_LONGDOUBLE_COMPLEX_LONGDOUBLE_COMPLEX_LONGDOUBLE...
[gcc.git] / gcc / doc / extend.texi
1 @c Copyright (C) 1988,1989,1992,1993,1994,1996,1998,1999,2000,2001,2002, 2003
2 @c Free Software Foundation, Inc.
3 @c This is part of the GCC manual.
4 @c For copying conditions, see the file gcc.texi.
5
6 @node C Implementation
7 @chapter C Implementation-defined behavior
8 @cindex implementation-defined behavior, C language
9
10 A conforming implementation of ISO C is required to document its
11 choice of behavior in each of the areas that are designated
12 ``implementation defined.'' The following lists all such areas,
13 along with the section number from the ISO/IEC 9899:1999 standard.
14
15 @menu
16 * Translation implementation::
17 * Environment implementation::
18 * Identifiers implementation::
19 * Characters implementation::
20 * Integers implementation::
21 * Floating point implementation::
22 * Arrays and pointers implementation::
23 * Hints implementation::
24 * Structures unions enumerations and bit-fields implementation::
25 * Qualifiers implementation::
26 * Preprocessing directives implementation::
27 * Library functions implementation::
28 * Architecture implementation::
29 * Locale-specific behavior implementation::
30 @end menu
31
32 @node Translation implementation
33 @section Translation
34
35 @itemize @bullet
36 @item
37 @cite{How a diagnostic is identified (3.10, 5.1.1.3).}
38
39 Diagnostics consist of all the output sent to stderr by GCC.
40
41 @item
42 @cite{Whether each nonempty sequence of white-space characters other than
43 new-line is retained or replaced by one space character in translation
44 phase 3 (5.1.1.2).}
45 @end itemize
46
47 @node Environment implementation
48 @section Environment
49
50 The behavior of these points are dependent on the implementation
51 of the C library, and are not defined by GCC itself.
52
53 @node Identifiers implementation
54 @section Identifiers
55
56 @itemize @bullet
57 @item
58 @cite{Which additional multibyte characters may appear in identifiers
59 and their correspondence to universal character names (6.4.2).}
60
61 @item
62 @cite{The number of significant initial characters in an identifier
63 (5.2.4.1, 6.4.2).}
64
65 For internal names, all characters are significant. For external names,
66 the number of significant characters are defined by the linker; for
67 almost all targets, all characters are significant.
68
69 @end itemize
70
71 @node Characters implementation
72 @section Characters
73
74 @itemize @bullet
75 @item
76 @cite{The number of bits in a byte (3.6).}
77
78 @item
79 @cite{The values of the members of the execution character set (5.2.1).}
80
81 @item
82 @cite{The unique value of the member of the execution character set produced
83 for each of the standard alphabetic escape sequences (5.2.2).}
84
85 @item
86 @cite{The value of a @code{char} object into which has been stored any
87 character other than a member of the basic execution character set (6.2.5).}
88
89 @item
90 @cite{Which of @code{signed char} or @code{unsigned char} has the same range,
91 representation, and behavior as ``plain'' @code{char} (6.2.5, 6.3.1.1).}
92
93 @item
94 @cite{The mapping of members of the source character set (in character
95 constants and string literals) to members of the execution character
96 set (6.4.4.4, 5.1.1.2).}
97
98 @item
99 @cite{The value of an integer character constant containing more than one
100 character or containing a character or escape sequence that does not map
101 to a single-byte execution character (6.4.4.4).}
102
103 @item
104 @cite{The value of a wide character constant containing more than one
105 multibyte character, or containing a multibyte character or escape
106 sequence not represented in the extended execution character set (6.4.4.4).}
107
108 @item
109 @cite{The current locale used to convert a wide character constant consisting
110 of a single multibyte character that maps to a member of the extended
111 execution character set into a corresponding wide character code (6.4.4.4).}
112
113 @item
114 @cite{The current locale used to convert a wide string literal into
115 corresponding wide character codes (6.4.5).}
116
117 @item
118 @cite{The value of a string literal containing a multibyte character or escape
119 sequence not represented in the execution character set (6.4.5).}
120 @end itemize
121
122 @node Integers implementation
123 @section Integers
124
125 @itemize @bullet
126 @item
127 @cite{Any extended integer types that exist in the implementation (6.2.5).}
128
129 @item
130 @cite{Whether signed integer types are represented using sign and magnitude,
131 two's complement, or one's complement, and whether the extraordinary value
132 is a trap representation or an ordinary value (6.2.6.2).}
133
134 GCC supports only two's complement integer types, and all bit patterns
135 are ordinary values.
136
137 @item
138 @cite{The rank of any extended integer type relative to another extended
139 integer type with the same precision (6.3.1.1).}
140
141 @item
142 @cite{The result of, or the signal raised by, converting an integer to a
143 signed integer type when the value cannot be represented in an object of
144 that type (6.3.1.3).}
145
146 @item
147 @cite{The results of some bitwise operations on signed integers (6.5).}
148 @end itemize
149
150 @node Floating point implementation
151 @section Floating point
152
153 @itemize @bullet
154 @item
155 @cite{The accuracy of the floating-point operations and of the library
156 functions in @code{<math.h>} and @code{<complex.h>} that return floating-point
157 results (5.2.4.2.2).}
158
159 @item
160 @cite{The rounding behaviors characterized by non-standard values
161 of @code{FLT_ROUNDS} @gol
162 (5.2.4.2.2).}
163
164 @item
165 @cite{The evaluation methods characterized by non-standard negative
166 values of @code{FLT_EVAL_METHOD} (5.2.4.2.2).}
167
168 @item
169 @cite{The direction of rounding when an integer is converted to a
170 floating-point number that cannot exactly represent the original
171 value (6.3.1.4).}
172
173 @item
174 @cite{The direction of rounding when a floating-point number is
175 converted to a narrower floating-point number (6.3.1.5).}
176
177 @item
178 @cite{How the nearest representable value or the larger or smaller
179 representable value immediately adjacent to the nearest representable
180 value is chosen for certain floating constants (6.4.4.2).}
181
182 @item
183 @cite{Whether and how floating expressions are contracted when not
184 disallowed by the @code{FP_CONTRACT} pragma (6.5).}
185
186 @item
187 @cite{The default state for the @code{FENV_ACCESS} pragma (7.6.1).}
188
189 @item
190 @cite{Additional floating-point exceptions, rounding modes, environments,
191 and classifications, and their macro names (7.6, 7.12).}
192
193 @item
194 @cite{The default state for the @code{FP_CONTRACT} pragma (7.12.2).}
195
196 @item
197 @cite{Whether the ``inexact'' floating-point exception can be raised
198 when the rounded result actually does equal the mathematical result
199 in an IEC 60559 conformant implementation (F.9).}
200
201 @item
202 @cite{Whether the ``underflow'' (and ``inexact'') floating-point
203 exception can be raised when a result is tiny but not inexact in an
204 IEC 60559 conformant implementation (F.9).}
205
206 @end itemize
207
208 @node Arrays and pointers implementation
209 @section Arrays and pointers
210
211 @itemize @bullet
212 @item
213 @cite{The result of converting a pointer to an integer or
214 vice versa (6.3.2.3).}
215
216 A cast from pointer to integer discards most-significant bits if the
217 pointer representation is larger than the integer type,
218 sign-extends@footnote{Future versions of GCC may zero-extend, or use
219 a target-defined @code{ptr_extend} pattern. Do not rely on sign extension.}
220 if the pointer representation is smaller than the integer type, otherwise
221 the bits are unchanged.
222 @c ??? We've always claimed that pointers were unsigned entities.
223 @c Shouldn't we therefore be doing zero-extension? If so, the bug
224 @c is in convert_to_integer, where we call type_for_size and request
225 @c a signed integral type. On the other hand, it might be most useful
226 @c for the target if we extend according to POINTERS_EXTEND_UNSIGNED.
227
228 A cast from integer to pointer discards most-significant bits if the
229 pointer representation is smaller than the integer type, extends according
230 to the signedness of the integer type if the pointer representation
231 is larger than the integer type, otherwise the bits are unchanged.
232
233 When casting from pointer to integer and back again, the resulting
234 pointer must reference the same object as the original pointer, otherwise
235 the behavior is undefined. That is, one may not use integer arithmetic to
236 avoid the undefined behavior of pointer arithmetic as proscribed in 6.5.6/8.
237
238 @item
239 @cite{The size of the result of subtracting two pointers to elements
240 of the same array (6.5.6).}
241
242 @end itemize
243
244 @node Hints implementation
245 @section Hints
246
247 @itemize @bullet
248 @item
249 @cite{The extent to which suggestions made by using the @code{register}
250 storage-class specifier are effective (6.7.1).}
251
252 The @code{register} specifier affects code generation only in these ways:
253
254 @itemize @bullet
255 @item
256 When used as part of the register variable extension, see
257 @ref{Explicit Reg Vars}.
258
259 @item
260 When @option{-O0} is in use, the compiler allocates distinct stack
261 memory for all variables that do not have the @code{register}
262 storage-class specifier; if @code{register} is specified, the variable
263 may have a shorter lifespan than the code would indicate and may never
264 be placed in memory.
265
266 @item
267 On some rare x86 targets, @code{setjmp} doesn't save the registers in
268 all circumstances. In those cases, GCC doesn't allocate any variables
269 in registers unless they are marked @code{register}.
270
271 @end itemize
272
273 @item
274 @cite{The extent to which suggestions made by using the inline function
275 specifier are effective (6.7.4).}
276
277 GCC will not inline any functions if the @option{-fno-inline} option is
278 used or if @option{-O0} is used. Otherwise, GCC may still be unable to
279 inline a function for many reasons; the @option{-Winline} option may be
280 used to determine if a function has not been inlined and why not.
281
282 @end itemize
283
284 @node Structures unions enumerations and bit-fields implementation
285 @section Structures, unions, enumerations, and bit-fields
286
287 @itemize @bullet
288 @item
289 @cite{Whether a ``plain'' int bit-field is treated as a @code{signed int}
290 bit-field or as an @code{unsigned int} bit-field (6.7.2, 6.7.2.1).}
291
292 @item
293 @cite{Allowable bit-field types other than @code{_Bool}, @code{signed int},
294 and @code{unsigned int} (6.7.2.1).}
295
296 @item
297 @cite{Whether a bit-field can straddle a storage-unit boundary (6.7.2.1).}
298
299 @item
300 @cite{The order of allocation of bit-fields within a unit (6.7.2.1).}
301
302 @item
303 @cite{The alignment of non-bit-field members of structures (6.7.2.1).}
304
305 @item
306 @cite{The integer type compatible with each enumerated type (6.7.2.2).}
307
308 @end itemize
309
310 @node Qualifiers implementation
311 @section Qualifiers
312
313 @itemize @bullet
314 @item
315 @cite{What constitutes an access to an object that has volatile-qualified
316 type (6.7.3).}
317
318 @end itemize
319
320 @node Preprocessing directives implementation
321 @section Preprocessing directives
322
323 @itemize @bullet
324 @item
325 @cite{How sequences in both forms of header names are mapped to headers
326 or external source file names (6.4.7).}
327
328 @item
329 @cite{Whether the value of a character constant in a constant expression
330 that controls conditional inclusion matches the value of the same character
331 constant in the execution character set (6.10.1).}
332
333 @item
334 @cite{Whether the value of a single-character character constant in a
335 constant expression that controls conditional inclusion may have a
336 negative value (6.10.1).}
337
338 @item
339 @cite{The places that are searched for an included @samp{<>} delimited
340 header, and how the places are specified or the header is
341 identified (6.10.2).}
342
343 @item
344 @cite{How the named source file is searched for in an included @samp{""}
345 delimited header (6.10.2).}
346
347 @item
348 @cite{The method by which preprocessing tokens (possibly resulting from
349 macro expansion) in a @code{#include} directive are combined into a header
350 name (6.10.2).}
351
352 @item
353 @cite{The nesting limit for @code{#include} processing (6.10.2).}
354
355 GCC imposes a limit of 200 nested @code{#include}s.
356
357 @item
358 @cite{Whether the @samp{#} operator inserts a @samp{\} character before
359 the @samp{\} character that begins a universal character name in a
360 character constant or string literal (6.10.3.2).}
361
362 @item
363 @cite{The behavior on each recognized non-@code{STDC #pragma}
364 directive (6.10.6).}
365
366 @item
367 @cite{The definitions for @code{__DATE__} and @code{__TIME__} when
368 respectively, the date and time of translation are not available (6.10.8).}
369
370 If the date and time are not available, @code{__DATE__} expands to
371 @code{@w{"??? ?? ????"}} and @code{__TIME__} expands to
372 @code{"??:??:??"}.
373
374 @end itemize
375
376 @node Library functions implementation
377 @section Library functions
378
379 The behavior of these points are dependent on the implementation
380 of the C library, and are not defined by GCC itself.
381
382 @node Architecture implementation
383 @section Architecture
384
385 @itemize @bullet
386 @item
387 @cite{The values or expressions assigned to the macros specified in the
388 headers @code{<float.h>}, @code{<limits.h>}, and @code{<stdint.h>}
389 (5.2.4.2, 7.18.2, 7.18.3).}
390
391 @item
392 @cite{The number, order, and encoding of bytes in any object
393 (when not explicitly specified in this International Standard) (6.2.6.1).}
394
395 @item
396 @cite{The value of the result of the sizeof operator (6.5.3.4).}
397
398 @end itemize
399
400 @node Locale-specific behavior implementation
401 @section Locale-specific behavior
402
403 The behavior of these points are dependent on the implementation
404 of the C library, and are not defined by GCC itself.
405
406 @node C Extensions
407 @chapter Extensions to the C Language Family
408 @cindex extensions, C language
409 @cindex C language extensions
410
411 @opindex pedantic
412 GNU C provides several language features not found in ISO standard C@.
413 (The @option{-pedantic} option directs GCC to print a warning message if
414 any of these features is used.) To test for the availability of these
415 features in conditional compilation, check for a predefined macro
416 @code{__GNUC__}, which is always defined under GCC@.
417
418 These extensions are available in C and Objective-C@. Most of them are
419 also available in C++. @xref{C++ Extensions,,Extensions to the
420 C++ Language}, for extensions that apply @emph{only} to C++.
421
422 Some features that are in ISO C99 but not C89 or C++ are also, as
423 extensions, accepted by GCC in C89 mode and in C++.
424
425 @menu
426 * Statement Exprs:: Putting statements and declarations inside expressions.
427 * Local Labels:: Labels local to a block.
428 * Labels as Values:: Getting pointers to labels, and computed gotos.
429 * Nested Functions:: As in Algol and Pascal, lexical scoping of functions.
430 * Constructing Calls:: Dispatching a call to another function.
431 * Typeof:: @code{typeof}: referring to the type of an expression.
432 * Lvalues:: Using @samp{?:}, @samp{,} and casts in lvalues.
433 * Conditionals:: Omitting the middle operand of a @samp{?:} expression.
434 * Long Long:: Double-word integers---@code{long long int}.
435 * Complex:: Data types for complex numbers.
436 * Hex Floats:: Hexadecimal floating-point constants.
437 * Zero Length:: Zero-length arrays.
438 * Variable Length:: Arrays whose length is computed at run time.
439 * Empty Structures:: Structures with no members.
440 * Variadic Macros:: Macros with a variable number of arguments.
441 * Escaped Newlines:: Slightly looser rules for escaped newlines.
442 * Subscripting:: Any array can be subscripted, even if not an lvalue.
443 * Pointer Arith:: Arithmetic on @code{void}-pointers and function pointers.
444 * Initializers:: Non-constant initializers.
445 * Compound Literals:: Compound literals give structures, unions
446 or arrays as values.
447 * Designated Inits:: Labeling elements of initializers.
448 * Cast to Union:: Casting to union type from any member of the union.
449 * Case Ranges:: `case 1 ... 9' and such.
450 * Mixed Declarations:: Mixing declarations and code.
451 * Function Attributes:: Declaring that functions have no side effects,
452 or that they can never return.
453 * Attribute Syntax:: Formal syntax for attributes.
454 * Function Prototypes:: Prototype declarations and old-style definitions.
455 * C++ Comments:: C++ comments are recognized.
456 * Dollar Signs:: Dollar sign is allowed in identifiers.
457 * Character Escapes:: @samp{\e} stands for the character @key{ESC}.
458 * Variable Attributes:: Specifying attributes of variables.
459 * Type Attributes:: Specifying attributes of types.
460 * Alignment:: Inquiring about the alignment of a type or variable.
461 * Inline:: Defining inline functions (as fast as macros).
462 * Extended Asm:: Assembler instructions with C expressions as operands.
463 (With them you can define ``built-in'' functions.)
464 * Constraints:: Constraints for asm operands
465 * Asm Labels:: Specifying the assembler name to use for a C symbol.
466 * Explicit Reg Vars:: Defining variables residing in specified registers.
467 * Alternate Keywords:: @code{__const__}, @code{__asm__}, etc., for header files.
468 * Incomplete Enums:: @code{enum foo;}, with details to follow.
469 * Function Names:: Printable strings which are the name of the current
470 function.
471 * Return Address:: Getting the return or frame address of a function.
472 * Vector Extensions:: Using vector instructions through built-in functions.
473 * Other Builtins:: Other built-in functions.
474 * Target Builtins:: Built-in functions specific to particular targets.
475 * Pragmas:: Pragmas accepted by GCC.
476 * Unnamed Fields:: Unnamed struct/union fields within structs/unions.
477 * Thread-Local:: Per-thread variables.
478 @end menu
479
480 @node Statement Exprs
481 @section Statements and Declarations in Expressions
482 @cindex statements inside expressions
483 @cindex declarations inside expressions
484 @cindex expressions containing statements
485 @cindex macros, statements in expressions
486
487 @c the above section title wrapped and causes an underfull hbox.. i
488 @c changed it from "within" to "in". --mew 4feb93
489 A compound statement enclosed in parentheses may appear as an expression
490 in GNU C@. This allows you to use loops, switches, and local variables
491 within an expression.
492
493 Recall that a compound statement is a sequence of statements surrounded
494 by braces; in this construct, parentheses go around the braces. For
495 example:
496
497 @example
498 (@{ int y = foo (); int z;
499 if (y > 0) z = y;
500 else z = - y;
501 z; @})
502 @end example
503
504 @noindent
505 is a valid (though slightly more complex than necessary) expression
506 for the absolute value of @code{foo ()}.
507
508 The last thing in the compound statement should be an expression
509 followed by a semicolon; the value of this subexpression serves as the
510 value of the entire construct. (If you use some other kind of statement
511 last within the braces, the construct has type @code{void}, and thus
512 effectively no value.)
513
514 This feature is especially useful in making macro definitions ``safe'' (so
515 that they evaluate each operand exactly once). For example, the
516 ``maximum'' function is commonly defined as a macro in standard C as
517 follows:
518
519 @example
520 #define max(a,b) ((a) > (b) ? (a) : (b))
521 @end example
522
523 @noindent
524 @cindex side effects, macro argument
525 But this definition computes either @var{a} or @var{b} twice, with bad
526 results if the operand has side effects. In GNU C, if you know the
527 type of the operands (here let's assume @code{int}), you can define
528 the macro safely as follows:
529
530 @example
531 #define maxint(a,b) \
532 (@{int _a = (a), _b = (b); _a > _b ? _a : _b; @})
533 @end example
534
535 Embedded statements are not allowed in constant expressions, such as
536 the value of an enumeration constant, the width of a bit-field, or
537 the initial value of a static variable.
538
539 If you don't know the type of the operand, you can still do this, but you
540 must use @code{typeof} (@pxref{Typeof}).
541
542 In G++, the result value of a statement expression undergoes array and
543 function pointer decay, and is returned by value to the enclosing
544 expression. For instance, if @code{A} is a class, then
545
546 @smallexample
547 A a;
548
549 (@{a;@}).Foo ()
550 @end smallexample
551
552 @noindent
553 will construct a temporary @code{A} object to hold the result of the
554 statement expression, and that will be used to invoke @code{Foo}.
555 Therefore the @code{this} pointer observed by @code{Foo} will not be the
556 address of @code{a}.
557
558 Any temporaries created within a statement within a statement expression
559 will be destroyed at the statement's end. This makes statement
560 expressions inside macros slightly different from function calls. In
561 the latter case temporaries introduced during argument evaluation will
562 be destroyed at the end of the statement that includes the function
563 call. In the statement expression case they will be destroyed during
564 the statement expression. For instance,
565
566 @smallexample
567 #define macro(a) (@{__typeof__(a) b = (a); b + 3; @})
568 template<typename T> T function(T a) @{ T b = a; return b + 3; @}
569
570 void foo ()
571 @{
572 macro (X ());
573 function (X ());
574 @}
575 @end smallexample
576
577 @noindent
578 will have different places where temporaries are destroyed. For the
579 @code{macro} case, the temporary @code{X} will be destroyed just after
580 the initialization of @code{b}. In the @code{function} case that
581 temporary will be destroyed when the function returns.
582
583 These considerations mean that it is probably a bad idea to use
584 statement-expressions of this form in header files that are designed to
585 work with C++. (Note that some versions of the GNU C Library contained
586 header files using statement-expression that lead to precisely this
587 bug.)
588
589 @node Local Labels
590 @section Locally Declared Labels
591 @cindex local labels
592 @cindex macros, local labels
593
594 GCC allows you to declare @dfn{local labels} in any nested block
595 scope. A local label is just like an ordinary label, but you can
596 only reference it (with a @code{goto} statement, or by taking its
597 address) within the block in which it was declared.
598
599 A local label declaration looks like this:
600
601 @example
602 __label__ @var{label};
603 @end example
604
605 @noindent
606 or
607
608 @example
609 __label__ @var{label1}, @var{label2}, /* @r{@dots{}} */;
610 @end example
611
612 Local label declarations must come at the beginning of the block,
613 before any ordinary declarations or statements.
614
615 The label declaration defines the label @emph{name}, but does not define
616 the label itself. You must do this in the usual way, with
617 @code{@var{label}:}, within the statements of the statement expression.
618
619 The local label feature is useful for complex macros. If a macro
620 contains nested loops, a @code{goto} can be useful for breaking out of
621 them. However, an ordinary label whose scope is the whole function
622 cannot be used: if the macro can be expanded several times in one
623 function, the label will be multiply defined in that function. A
624 local label avoids this problem. For example:
625
626 @example
627 #define SEARCH(value, array, target) \
628 do @{ \
629 __label__ found; \
630 typeof (target) _SEARCH_target = (target); \
631 typeof (*(array)) *_SEARCH_array = (array); \
632 int i, j; \
633 int value; \
634 for (i = 0; i < max; i++) \
635 for (j = 0; j < max; j++) \
636 if (_SEARCH_array[i][j] == _SEARCH_target) \
637 @{ (value) = i; goto found; @} \
638 (value) = -1; \
639 found:; \
640 @} while (0)
641 @end example
642
643 This could also be written using a statement-expression:
644
645 @example
646 #define SEARCH(array, target) \
647 (@{ \
648 __label__ found; \
649 typeof (target) _SEARCH_target = (target); \
650 typeof (*(array)) *_SEARCH_array = (array); \
651 int i, j; \
652 int value; \
653 for (i = 0; i < max; i++) \
654 for (j = 0; j < max; j++) \
655 if (_SEARCH_array[i][j] == _SEARCH_target) \
656 @{ value = i; goto found; @} \
657 value = -1; \
658 found: \
659 value; \
660 @})
661 @end example
662
663 Local label declarations also make the labels they declare visible to
664 nested functions, if there are any. @xref{Nested Functions}, for details.
665
666 @node Labels as Values
667 @section Labels as Values
668 @cindex labels as values
669 @cindex computed gotos
670 @cindex goto with computed label
671 @cindex address of a label
672
673 You can get the address of a label defined in the current function
674 (or a containing function) with the unary operator @samp{&&}. The
675 value has type @code{void *}. This value is a constant and can be used
676 wherever a constant of that type is valid. For example:
677
678 @example
679 void *ptr;
680 /* @r{@dots{}} */
681 ptr = &&foo;
682 @end example
683
684 To use these values, you need to be able to jump to one. This is done
685 with the computed goto statement@footnote{The analogous feature in
686 Fortran is called an assigned goto, but that name seems inappropriate in
687 C, where one can do more than simply store label addresses in label
688 variables.}, @code{goto *@var{exp};}. For example,
689
690 @example
691 goto *ptr;
692 @end example
693
694 @noindent
695 Any expression of type @code{void *} is allowed.
696
697 One way of using these constants is in initializing a static array that
698 will serve as a jump table:
699
700 @example
701 static void *array[] = @{ &&foo, &&bar, &&hack @};
702 @end example
703
704 Then you can select a label with indexing, like this:
705
706 @example
707 goto *array[i];
708 @end example
709
710 @noindent
711 Note that this does not check whether the subscript is in bounds---array
712 indexing in C never does that.
713
714 Such an array of label values serves a purpose much like that of the
715 @code{switch} statement. The @code{switch} statement is cleaner, so
716 use that rather than an array unless the problem does not fit a
717 @code{switch} statement very well.
718
719 Another use of label values is in an interpreter for threaded code.
720 The labels within the interpreter function can be stored in the
721 threaded code for super-fast dispatching.
722
723 You may not use this mechanism to jump to code in a different function.
724 If you do that, totally unpredictable things will happen. The best way to
725 avoid this is to store the label address only in automatic variables and
726 never pass it as an argument.
727
728 An alternate way to write the above example is
729
730 @example
731 static const int array[] = @{ &&foo - &&foo, &&bar - &&foo,
732 &&hack - &&foo @};
733 goto *(&&foo + array[i]);
734 @end example
735
736 @noindent
737 This is more friendly to code living in shared libraries, as it reduces
738 the number of dynamic relocations that are needed, and by consequence,
739 allows the data to be read-only.
740
741 @node Nested Functions
742 @section Nested Functions
743 @cindex nested functions
744 @cindex downward funargs
745 @cindex thunks
746
747 A @dfn{nested function} is a function defined inside another function.
748 (Nested functions are not supported for GNU C++.) The nested function's
749 name is local to the block where it is defined. For example, here we
750 define a nested function named @code{square}, and call it twice:
751
752 @example
753 @group
754 foo (double a, double b)
755 @{
756 double square (double z) @{ return z * z; @}
757
758 return square (a) + square (b);
759 @}
760 @end group
761 @end example
762
763 The nested function can access all the variables of the containing
764 function that are visible at the point of its definition. This is
765 called @dfn{lexical scoping}. For example, here we show a nested
766 function which uses an inherited variable named @code{offset}:
767
768 @example
769 @group
770 bar (int *array, int offset, int size)
771 @{
772 int access (int *array, int index)
773 @{ return array[index + offset]; @}
774 int i;
775 /* @r{@dots{}} */
776 for (i = 0; i < size; i++)
777 /* @r{@dots{}} */ access (array, i) /* @r{@dots{}} */
778 @}
779 @end group
780 @end example
781
782 Nested function definitions are permitted within functions in the places
783 where variable definitions are allowed; that is, in any block, before
784 the first statement in the block.
785
786 It is possible to call the nested function from outside the scope of its
787 name by storing its address or passing the address to another function:
788
789 @example
790 hack (int *array, int size)
791 @{
792 void store (int index, int value)
793 @{ array[index] = value; @}
794
795 intermediate (store, size);
796 @}
797 @end example
798
799 Here, the function @code{intermediate} receives the address of
800 @code{store} as an argument. If @code{intermediate} calls @code{store},
801 the arguments given to @code{store} are used to store into @code{array}.
802 But this technique works only so long as the containing function
803 (@code{hack}, in this example) does not exit.
804
805 If you try to call the nested function through its address after the
806 containing function has exited, all hell will break loose. If you try
807 to call it after a containing scope level has exited, and if it refers
808 to some of the variables that are no longer in scope, you may be lucky,
809 but it's not wise to take the risk. If, however, the nested function
810 does not refer to anything that has gone out of scope, you should be
811 safe.
812
813 GCC implements taking the address of a nested function using a technique
814 called @dfn{trampolines}. A paper describing them is available as
815
816 @noindent
817 @uref{http://people.debian.org/~aaronl/Usenix88-lexic.pdf}.
818
819 A nested function can jump to a label inherited from a containing
820 function, provided the label was explicitly declared in the containing
821 function (@pxref{Local Labels}). Such a jump returns instantly to the
822 containing function, exiting the nested function which did the
823 @code{goto} and any intermediate functions as well. Here is an example:
824
825 @example
826 @group
827 bar (int *array, int offset, int size)
828 @{
829 __label__ failure;
830 int access (int *array, int index)
831 @{
832 if (index > size)
833 goto failure;
834 return array[index + offset];
835 @}
836 int i;
837 /* @r{@dots{}} */
838 for (i = 0; i < size; i++)
839 /* @r{@dots{}} */ access (array, i) /* @r{@dots{}} */
840 /* @r{@dots{}} */
841 return 0;
842
843 /* @r{Control comes here from @code{access}
844 if it detects an error.} */
845 failure:
846 return -1;
847 @}
848 @end group
849 @end example
850
851 A nested function always has internal linkage. Declaring one with
852 @code{extern} is erroneous. If you need to declare the nested function
853 before its definition, use @code{auto} (which is otherwise meaningless
854 for function declarations).
855
856 @example
857 bar (int *array, int offset, int size)
858 @{
859 __label__ failure;
860 auto int access (int *, int);
861 /* @r{@dots{}} */
862 int access (int *array, int index)
863 @{
864 if (index > size)
865 goto failure;
866 return array[index + offset];
867 @}
868 /* @r{@dots{}} */
869 @}
870 @end example
871
872 @node Constructing Calls
873 @section Constructing Function Calls
874 @cindex constructing calls
875 @cindex forwarding calls
876
877 Using the built-in functions described below, you can record
878 the arguments a function received, and call another function
879 with the same arguments, without knowing the number or types
880 of the arguments.
881
882 You can also record the return value of that function call,
883 and later return that value, without knowing what data type
884 the function tried to return (as long as your caller expects
885 that data type).
886
887 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} {void *} __builtin_apply_args ()
888 This built-in function returns a pointer to data
889 describing how to perform a call with the same arguments as were passed
890 to the current function.
891
892 The function saves the arg pointer register, structure value address,
893 and all registers that might be used to pass arguments to a function
894 into a block of memory allocated on the stack. Then it returns the
895 address of that block.
896 @end deftypefn
897
898 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} {void *} __builtin_apply (void (*@var{function})(), void *@var{arguments}, size_t @var{size})
899 This built-in function invokes @var{function}
900 with a copy of the parameters described by @var{arguments}
901 and @var{size}.
902
903 The value of @var{arguments} should be the value returned by
904 @code{__builtin_apply_args}. The argument @var{size} specifies the size
905 of the stack argument data, in bytes.
906
907 This function returns a pointer to data describing
908 how to return whatever value was returned by @var{function}. The data
909 is saved in a block of memory allocated on the stack.
910
911 It is not always simple to compute the proper value for @var{size}. The
912 value is used by @code{__builtin_apply} to compute the amount of data
913 that should be pushed on the stack and copied from the incoming argument
914 area.
915 @end deftypefn
916
917 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} {void} __builtin_return (void *@var{result})
918 This built-in function returns the value described by @var{result} from
919 the containing function. You should specify, for @var{result}, a value
920 returned by @code{__builtin_apply}.
921 @end deftypefn
922
923 @node Typeof
924 @section Referring to a Type with @code{typeof}
925 @findex typeof
926 @findex sizeof
927 @cindex macros, types of arguments
928
929 Another way to refer to the type of an expression is with @code{typeof}.
930 The syntax of using of this keyword looks like @code{sizeof}, but the
931 construct acts semantically like a type name defined with @code{typedef}.
932
933 There are two ways of writing the argument to @code{typeof}: with an
934 expression or with a type. Here is an example with an expression:
935
936 @example
937 typeof (x[0](1))
938 @end example
939
940 @noindent
941 This assumes that @code{x} is an array of pointers to functions;
942 the type described is that of the values of the functions.
943
944 Here is an example with a typename as the argument:
945
946 @example
947 typeof (int *)
948 @end example
949
950 @noindent
951 Here the type described is that of pointers to @code{int}.
952
953 If you are writing a header file that must work when included in ISO C
954 programs, write @code{__typeof__} instead of @code{typeof}.
955 @xref{Alternate Keywords}.
956
957 A @code{typeof}-construct can be used anywhere a typedef name could be
958 used. For example, you can use it in a declaration, in a cast, or inside
959 of @code{sizeof} or @code{typeof}.
960
961 @code{typeof} is often useful in conjunction with the
962 statements-within-expressions feature. Here is how the two together can
963 be used to define a safe ``maximum'' macro that operates on any
964 arithmetic type and evaluates each of its arguments exactly once:
965
966 @example
967 #define max(a,b) \
968 (@{ typeof (a) _a = (a); \
969 typeof (b) _b = (b); \
970 _a > _b ? _a : _b; @})
971 @end example
972
973 @cindex underscores in variables in macros
974 @cindex @samp{_} in variables in macros
975 @cindex local variables in macros
976 @cindex variables, local, in macros
977 @cindex macros, local variables in
978
979 The reason for using names that start with underscores for the local
980 variables is to avoid conflicts with variable names that occur within the
981 expressions that are substituted for @code{a} and @code{b}. Eventually we
982 hope to design a new form of declaration syntax that allows you to declare
983 variables whose scopes start only after their initializers; this will be a
984 more reliable way to prevent such conflicts.
985
986 @noindent
987 Some more examples of the use of @code{typeof}:
988
989 @itemize @bullet
990 @item
991 This declares @code{y} with the type of what @code{x} points to.
992
993 @example
994 typeof (*x) y;
995 @end example
996
997 @item
998 This declares @code{y} as an array of such values.
999
1000 @example
1001 typeof (*x) y[4];
1002 @end example
1003
1004 @item
1005 This declares @code{y} as an array of pointers to characters:
1006
1007 @example
1008 typeof (typeof (char *)[4]) y;
1009 @end example
1010
1011 @noindent
1012 It is equivalent to the following traditional C declaration:
1013
1014 @example
1015 char *y[4];
1016 @end example
1017
1018 To see the meaning of the declaration using @code{typeof}, and why it
1019 might be a useful way to write, let's rewrite it with these macros:
1020
1021 @example
1022 #define pointer(T) typeof(T *)
1023 #define array(T, N) typeof(T [N])
1024 @end example
1025
1026 @noindent
1027 Now the declaration can be rewritten this way:
1028
1029 @example
1030 array (pointer (char), 4) y;
1031 @end example
1032
1033 @noindent
1034 Thus, @code{array (pointer (char), 4)} is the type of arrays of 4
1035 pointers to @code{char}.
1036 @end itemize
1037
1038 @emph{Compatibility Note:} In addition to @code{typeof}, GCC 2 supported
1039 a more limited extension which permitted one to write
1040
1041 @example
1042 typedef @var{T} = @var{expr};
1043 @end example
1044
1045 @noindent
1046 with the effect of declaring @var{T} to have the type of the expression
1047 @var{expr}. This extension does not work with GCC 3 (versions between
1048 3.0 and 3.2 will crash; 3.2.1 and later give an error). Code which
1049 relies on it should be rewritten to use @code{typeof}:
1050
1051 @example
1052 typedef typeof(@var{expr}) @var{T};
1053 @end example
1054
1055 @noindent
1056 This will work with all versions of GCC@.
1057
1058 @node Lvalues
1059 @section Generalized Lvalues
1060 @cindex compound expressions as lvalues
1061 @cindex expressions, compound, as lvalues
1062 @cindex conditional expressions as lvalues
1063 @cindex expressions, conditional, as lvalues
1064 @cindex casts as lvalues
1065 @cindex generalized lvalues
1066 @cindex lvalues, generalized
1067 @cindex extensions, @code{?:}
1068 @cindex @code{?:} extensions
1069
1070 Compound expressions, conditional expressions and casts are allowed as
1071 lvalues provided their operands are lvalues. This means that you can take
1072 their addresses or store values into them.
1073
1074 Standard C++ allows compound expressions and conditional expressions
1075 as lvalues, and permits casts to reference type, so use of this
1076 extension is not supported for C++ code.
1077
1078 For example, a compound expression can be assigned, provided the last
1079 expression in the sequence is an lvalue. These two expressions are
1080 equivalent:
1081
1082 @example
1083 (a, b) += 5
1084 a, (b += 5)
1085 @end example
1086
1087 Similarly, the address of the compound expression can be taken. These two
1088 expressions are equivalent:
1089
1090 @example
1091 &(a, b)
1092 a, &b
1093 @end example
1094
1095 A conditional expression is a valid lvalue if its type is not void and the
1096 true and false branches are both valid lvalues. For example, these two
1097 expressions are equivalent:
1098
1099 @example
1100 (a ? b : c) = 5
1101 (a ? b = 5 : (c = 5))
1102 @end example
1103
1104 A cast is a valid lvalue if its operand is an lvalue. A simple
1105 assignment whose left-hand side is a cast works by converting the
1106 right-hand side first to the specified type, then to the type of the
1107 inner left-hand side expression. After this is stored, the value is
1108 converted back to the specified type to become the value of the
1109 assignment. Thus, if @code{a} has type @code{char *}, the following two
1110 expressions are equivalent:
1111
1112 @example
1113 (int)a = 5
1114 (int)(a = (char *)(int)5)
1115 @end example
1116
1117 An assignment-with-arithmetic operation such as @samp{+=} applied to a cast
1118 performs the arithmetic using the type resulting from the cast, and then
1119 continues as in the previous case. Therefore, these two expressions are
1120 equivalent:
1121
1122 @example
1123 (int)a += 5
1124 (int)(a = (char *)(int) ((int)a + 5))
1125 @end example
1126
1127 You cannot take the address of an lvalue cast, because the use of its
1128 address would not work out coherently. Suppose that @code{&(int)f} were
1129 permitted, where @code{f} has type @code{float}. Then the following
1130 statement would try to store an integer bit-pattern where a floating
1131 point number belongs:
1132
1133 @example
1134 *&(int)f = 1;
1135 @end example
1136
1137 This is quite different from what @code{(int)f = 1} would do---that
1138 would convert 1 to floating point and store it. Rather than cause this
1139 inconsistency, we think it is better to prohibit use of @samp{&} on a cast.
1140
1141 If you really do want an @code{int *} pointer with the address of
1142 @code{f}, you can simply write @code{(int *)&f}.
1143
1144 @node Conditionals
1145 @section Conditionals with Omitted Operands
1146 @cindex conditional expressions, extensions
1147 @cindex omitted middle-operands
1148 @cindex middle-operands, omitted
1149 @cindex extensions, @code{?:}
1150 @cindex @code{?:} extensions
1151
1152 The middle operand in a conditional expression may be omitted. Then
1153 if the first operand is nonzero, its value is the value of the conditional
1154 expression.
1155
1156 Therefore, the expression
1157
1158 @example
1159 x ? : y
1160 @end example
1161
1162 @noindent
1163 has the value of @code{x} if that is nonzero; otherwise, the value of
1164 @code{y}.
1165
1166 This example is perfectly equivalent to
1167
1168 @example
1169 x ? x : y
1170 @end example
1171
1172 @cindex side effect in ?:
1173 @cindex ?: side effect
1174 @noindent
1175 In this simple case, the ability to omit the middle operand is not
1176 especially useful. When it becomes useful is when the first operand does,
1177 or may (if it is a macro argument), contain a side effect. Then repeating
1178 the operand in the middle would perform the side effect twice. Omitting
1179 the middle operand uses the value already computed without the undesirable
1180 effects of recomputing it.
1181
1182 @node Long Long
1183 @section Double-Word Integers
1184 @cindex @code{long long} data types
1185 @cindex double-word arithmetic
1186 @cindex multiprecision arithmetic
1187 @cindex @code{LL} integer suffix
1188 @cindex @code{ULL} integer suffix
1189
1190 ISO C99 supports data types for integers that are at least 64 bits wide,
1191 and as an extension GCC supports them in C89 mode and in C++.
1192 Simply write @code{long long int} for a signed integer, or
1193 @code{unsigned long long int} for an unsigned integer. To make an
1194 integer constant of type @code{long long int}, add the suffix @samp{LL}
1195 to the integer. To make an integer constant of type @code{unsigned long
1196 long int}, add the suffix @samp{ULL} to the integer.
1197
1198 You can use these types in arithmetic like any other integer types.
1199 Addition, subtraction, and bitwise boolean operations on these types
1200 are open-coded on all types of machines. Multiplication is open-coded
1201 if the machine supports fullword-to-doubleword a widening multiply
1202 instruction. Division and shifts are open-coded only on machines that
1203 provide special support. The operations that are not open-coded use
1204 special library routines that come with GCC@.
1205
1206 There may be pitfalls when you use @code{long long} types for function
1207 arguments, unless you declare function prototypes. If a function
1208 expects type @code{int} for its argument, and you pass a value of type
1209 @code{long long int}, confusion will result because the caller and the
1210 subroutine will disagree about the number of bytes for the argument.
1211 Likewise, if the function expects @code{long long int} and you pass
1212 @code{int}. The best way to avoid such problems is to use prototypes.
1213
1214 @node Complex
1215 @section Complex Numbers
1216 @cindex complex numbers
1217 @cindex @code{_Complex} keyword
1218 @cindex @code{__complex__} keyword
1219
1220 ISO C99 supports complex floating data types, and as an extension GCC
1221 supports them in C89 mode and in C++, and supports complex integer data
1222 types which are not part of ISO C99. You can declare complex types
1223 using the keyword @code{_Complex}. As an extension, the older GNU
1224 keyword @code{__complex__} is also supported.
1225
1226 For example, @samp{_Complex double x;} declares @code{x} as a
1227 variable whose real part and imaginary part are both of type
1228 @code{double}. @samp{_Complex short int y;} declares @code{y} to
1229 have real and imaginary parts of type @code{short int}; this is not
1230 likely to be useful, but it shows that the set of complex types is
1231 complete.
1232
1233 To write a constant with a complex data type, use the suffix @samp{i} or
1234 @samp{j} (either one; they are equivalent). For example, @code{2.5fi}
1235 has type @code{_Complex float} and @code{3i} has type
1236 @code{_Complex int}. Such a constant always has a pure imaginary
1237 value, but you can form any complex value you like by adding one to a
1238 real constant. This is a GNU extension; if you have an ISO C99
1239 conforming C library (such as GNU libc), and want to construct complex
1240 constants of floating type, you should include @code{<complex.h>} and
1241 use the macros @code{I} or @code{_Complex_I} instead.
1242
1243 @cindex @code{__real__} keyword
1244 @cindex @code{__imag__} keyword
1245 To extract the real part of a complex-valued expression @var{exp}, write
1246 @code{__real__ @var{exp}}. Likewise, use @code{__imag__} to
1247 extract the imaginary part. This is a GNU extension; for values of
1248 floating type, you should use the ISO C99 functions @code{crealf},
1249 @code{creal}, @code{creall}, @code{cimagf}, @code{cimag} and
1250 @code{cimagl}, declared in @code{<complex.h>} and also provided as
1251 built-in functions by GCC@.
1252
1253 @cindex complex conjugation
1254 The operator @samp{~} performs complex conjugation when used on a value
1255 with a complex type. This is a GNU extension; for values of
1256 floating type, you should use the ISO C99 functions @code{conjf},
1257 @code{conj} and @code{conjl}, declared in @code{<complex.h>} and also
1258 provided as built-in functions by GCC@.
1259
1260 GCC can allocate complex automatic variables in a noncontiguous
1261 fashion; it's even possible for the real part to be in a register while
1262 the imaginary part is on the stack (or vice-versa). Only the DWARF2
1263 debug info format can represent this, so use of DWARF2 is recommended.
1264 If you are using the stabs debug info format, GCC describes a noncontiguous
1265 complex variable as if it were two separate variables of noncomplex type.
1266 If the variable's actual name is @code{foo}, the two fictitious
1267 variables are named @code{foo$real} and @code{foo$imag}. You can
1268 examine and set these two fictitious variables with your debugger.
1269
1270 @node Hex Floats
1271 @section Hex Floats
1272 @cindex hex floats
1273
1274 ISO C99 supports floating-point numbers written not only in the usual
1275 decimal notation, such as @code{1.55e1}, but also numbers such as
1276 @code{0x1.fp3} written in hexadecimal format. As a GNU extension, GCC
1277 supports this in C89 mode (except in some cases when strictly
1278 conforming) and in C++. In that format the
1279 @samp{0x} hex introducer and the @samp{p} or @samp{P} exponent field are
1280 mandatory. The exponent is a decimal number that indicates the power of
1281 2 by which the significant part will be multiplied. Thus @samp{0x1.f} is
1282 @tex
1283 $1 {15\over16}$,
1284 @end tex
1285 @ifnottex
1286 1 15/16,
1287 @end ifnottex
1288 @samp{p3} multiplies it by 8, and the value of @code{0x1.fp3}
1289 is the same as @code{1.55e1}.
1290
1291 Unlike for floating-point numbers in the decimal notation the exponent
1292 is always required in the hexadecimal notation. Otherwise the compiler
1293 would not be able to resolve the ambiguity of, e.g., @code{0x1.f}. This
1294 could mean @code{1.0f} or @code{1.9375} since @samp{f} is also the
1295 extension for floating-point constants of type @code{float}.
1296
1297 @node Zero Length
1298 @section Arrays of Length Zero
1299 @cindex arrays of length zero
1300 @cindex zero-length arrays
1301 @cindex length-zero arrays
1302 @cindex flexible array members
1303
1304 Zero-length arrays are allowed in GNU C@. They are very useful as the
1305 last element of a structure which is really a header for a variable-length
1306 object:
1307
1308 @example
1309 struct line @{
1310 int length;
1311 char contents[0];
1312 @};
1313
1314 struct line *thisline = (struct line *)
1315 malloc (sizeof (struct line) + this_length);
1316 thisline->length = this_length;
1317 @end example
1318
1319 In ISO C90, you would have to give @code{contents} a length of 1, which
1320 means either you waste space or complicate the argument to @code{malloc}.
1321
1322 In ISO C99, you would use a @dfn{flexible array member}, which is
1323 slightly different in syntax and semantics:
1324
1325 @itemize @bullet
1326 @item
1327 Flexible array members are written as @code{contents[]} without
1328 the @code{0}.
1329
1330 @item
1331 Flexible array members have incomplete type, and so the @code{sizeof}
1332 operator may not be applied. As a quirk of the original implementation
1333 of zero-length arrays, @code{sizeof} evaluates to zero.
1334
1335 @item
1336 Flexible array members may only appear as the last member of a
1337 @code{struct} that is otherwise non-empty.
1338
1339 @item
1340 A structure containing a flexible array member, or a union containing
1341 such a structure (possibly recursively), may not be a member of a
1342 structure or an element of an array. (However, these uses are
1343 permitted by GCC as extensions.)
1344 @end itemize
1345
1346 GCC versions before 3.0 allowed zero-length arrays to be statically
1347 initialized, as if they were flexible arrays. In addition to those
1348 cases that were useful, it also allowed initializations in situations
1349 that would corrupt later data. Non-empty initialization of zero-length
1350 arrays is now treated like any case where there are more initializer
1351 elements than the array holds, in that a suitable warning about "excess
1352 elements in array" is given, and the excess elements (all of them, in
1353 this case) are ignored.
1354
1355 Instead GCC allows static initialization of flexible array members.
1356 This is equivalent to defining a new structure containing the original
1357 structure followed by an array of sufficient size to contain the data.
1358 I.e.@: in the following, @code{f1} is constructed as if it were declared
1359 like @code{f2}.
1360
1361 @example
1362 struct f1 @{
1363 int x; int y[];
1364 @} f1 = @{ 1, @{ 2, 3, 4 @} @};
1365
1366 struct f2 @{
1367 struct f1 f1; int data[3];
1368 @} f2 = @{ @{ 1 @}, @{ 2, 3, 4 @} @};
1369 @end example
1370
1371 @noindent
1372 The convenience of this extension is that @code{f1} has the desired
1373 type, eliminating the need to consistently refer to @code{f2.f1}.
1374
1375 This has symmetry with normal static arrays, in that an array of
1376 unknown size is also written with @code{[]}.
1377
1378 Of course, this extension only makes sense if the extra data comes at
1379 the end of a top-level object, as otherwise we would be overwriting
1380 data at subsequent offsets. To avoid undue complication and confusion
1381 with initialization of deeply nested arrays, we simply disallow any
1382 non-empty initialization except when the structure is the top-level
1383 object. For example:
1384
1385 @example
1386 struct foo @{ int x; int y[]; @};
1387 struct bar @{ struct foo z; @};
1388
1389 struct foo a = @{ 1, @{ 2, 3, 4 @} @}; // @r{Valid.}
1390 struct bar b = @{ @{ 1, @{ 2, 3, 4 @} @} @}; // @r{Invalid.}
1391 struct bar c = @{ @{ 1, @{ @} @} @}; // @r{Valid.}
1392 struct foo d[1] = @{ @{ 1 @{ 2, 3, 4 @} @} @}; // @r{Invalid.}
1393 @end example
1394
1395 @node Empty Structures
1396 @section Structures With No Members
1397 @cindex empty structures
1398 @cindex zero-size structures
1399
1400 GCC permits a C structure to have no members:
1401
1402 @example
1403 struct empty @{
1404 @};
1405 @end example
1406
1407 The structure will have size zero. In C++, empty structures are part
1408 of the language. G++ treats empty structures as if they had a single
1409 member of type @code{char}.
1410
1411 @node Variable Length
1412 @section Arrays of Variable Length
1413 @cindex variable-length arrays
1414 @cindex arrays of variable length
1415 @cindex VLAs
1416
1417 Variable-length automatic arrays are allowed in ISO C99, and as an
1418 extension GCC accepts them in C89 mode and in C++. (However, GCC's
1419 implementation of variable-length arrays does not yet conform in detail
1420 to the ISO C99 standard.) These arrays are
1421 declared like any other automatic arrays, but with a length that is not
1422 a constant expression. The storage is allocated at the point of
1423 declaration and deallocated when the brace-level is exited. For
1424 example:
1425
1426 @example
1427 FILE *
1428 concat_fopen (char *s1, char *s2, char *mode)
1429 @{
1430 char str[strlen (s1) + strlen (s2) + 1];
1431 strcpy (str, s1);
1432 strcat (str, s2);
1433 return fopen (str, mode);
1434 @}
1435 @end example
1436
1437 @cindex scope of a variable length array
1438 @cindex variable-length array scope
1439 @cindex deallocating variable length arrays
1440 Jumping or breaking out of the scope of the array name deallocates the
1441 storage. Jumping into the scope is not allowed; you get an error
1442 message for it.
1443
1444 @cindex @code{alloca} vs variable-length arrays
1445 You can use the function @code{alloca} to get an effect much like
1446 variable-length arrays. The function @code{alloca} is available in
1447 many other C implementations (but not in all). On the other hand,
1448 variable-length arrays are more elegant.
1449
1450 There are other differences between these two methods. Space allocated
1451 with @code{alloca} exists until the containing @emph{function} returns.
1452 The space for a variable-length array is deallocated as soon as the array
1453 name's scope ends. (If you use both variable-length arrays and
1454 @code{alloca} in the same function, deallocation of a variable-length array
1455 will also deallocate anything more recently allocated with @code{alloca}.)
1456
1457 You can also use variable-length arrays as arguments to functions:
1458
1459 @example
1460 struct entry
1461 tester (int len, char data[len][len])
1462 @{
1463 /* @r{@dots{}} */
1464 @}
1465 @end example
1466
1467 The length of an array is computed once when the storage is allocated
1468 and is remembered for the scope of the array in case you access it with
1469 @code{sizeof}.
1470
1471 If you want to pass the array first and the length afterward, you can
1472 use a forward declaration in the parameter list---another GNU extension.
1473
1474 @example
1475 struct entry
1476 tester (int len; char data[len][len], int len)
1477 @{
1478 /* @r{@dots{}} */
1479 @}
1480 @end example
1481
1482 @cindex parameter forward declaration
1483 The @samp{int len} before the semicolon is a @dfn{parameter forward
1484 declaration}, and it serves the purpose of making the name @code{len}
1485 known when the declaration of @code{data} is parsed.
1486
1487 You can write any number of such parameter forward declarations in the
1488 parameter list. They can be separated by commas or semicolons, but the
1489 last one must end with a semicolon, which is followed by the ``real''
1490 parameter declarations. Each forward declaration must match a ``real''
1491 declaration in parameter name and data type. ISO C99 does not support
1492 parameter forward declarations.
1493
1494 @node Variadic Macros
1495 @section Macros with a Variable Number of Arguments.
1496 @cindex variable number of arguments
1497 @cindex macro with variable arguments
1498 @cindex rest argument (in macro)
1499 @cindex variadic macros
1500
1501 In the ISO C standard of 1999, a macro can be declared to accept a
1502 variable number of arguments much as a function can. The syntax for
1503 defining the macro is similar to that of a function. Here is an
1504 example:
1505
1506 @smallexample
1507 #define debug(format, ...) fprintf (stderr, format, __VA_ARGS__)
1508 @end smallexample
1509
1510 Here @samp{@dots{}} is a @dfn{variable argument}. In the invocation of
1511 such a macro, it represents the zero or more tokens until the closing
1512 parenthesis that ends the invocation, including any commas. This set of
1513 tokens replaces the identifier @code{__VA_ARGS__} in the macro body
1514 wherever it appears. See the CPP manual for more information.
1515
1516 GCC has long supported variadic macros, and used a different syntax that
1517 allowed you to give a name to the variable arguments just like any other
1518 argument. Here is an example:
1519
1520 @example
1521 #define debug(format, args...) fprintf (stderr, format, args)
1522 @end example
1523
1524 This is in all ways equivalent to the ISO C example above, but arguably
1525 more readable and descriptive.
1526
1527 GNU CPP has two further variadic macro extensions, and permits them to
1528 be used with either of the above forms of macro definition.
1529
1530 In standard C, you are not allowed to leave the variable argument out
1531 entirely; but you are allowed to pass an empty argument. For example,
1532 this invocation is invalid in ISO C, because there is no comma after
1533 the string:
1534
1535 @example
1536 debug ("A message")
1537 @end example
1538
1539 GNU CPP permits you to completely omit the variable arguments in this
1540 way. In the above examples, the compiler would complain, though since
1541 the expansion of the macro still has the extra comma after the format
1542 string.
1543
1544 To help solve this problem, CPP behaves specially for variable arguments
1545 used with the token paste operator, @samp{##}. If instead you write
1546
1547 @smallexample
1548 #define debug(format, ...) fprintf (stderr, format, ## __VA_ARGS__)
1549 @end smallexample
1550
1551 and if the variable arguments are omitted or empty, the @samp{##}
1552 operator causes the preprocessor to remove the comma before it. If you
1553 do provide some variable arguments in your macro invocation, GNU CPP
1554 does not complain about the paste operation and instead places the
1555 variable arguments after the comma. Just like any other pasted macro
1556 argument, these arguments are not macro expanded.
1557
1558 @node Escaped Newlines
1559 @section Slightly Looser Rules for Escaped Newlines
1560 @cindex escaped newlines
1561 @cindex newlines (escaped)
1562
1563 Recently, the preprocessor has relaxed its treatment of escaped
1564 newlines. Previously, the newline had to immediately follow a
1565 backslash. The current implementation allows whitespace in the form
1566 of spaces, horizontal and vertical tabs, and form feeds between the
1567 backslash and the subsequent newline. The preprocessor issues a
1568 warning, but treats it as a valid escaped newline and combines the two
1569 lines to form a single logical line. This works within comments and
1570 tokens, as well as between tokens. Comments are @emph{not} treated as
1571 whitespace for the purposes of this relaxation, since they have not
1572 yet been replaced with spaces.
1573
1574 @node Subscripting
1575 @section Non-Lvalue Arrays May Have Subscripts
1576 @cindex subscripting
1577 @cindex arrays, non-lvalue
1578
1579 @cindex subscripting and function values
1580 In ISO C99, arrays that are not lvalues still decay to pointers, and
1581 may be subscripted, although they may not be modified or used after
1582 the next sequence point and the unary @samp{&} operator may not be
1583 applied to them. As an extension, GCC allows such arrays to be
1584 subscripted in C89 mode, though otherwise they do not decay to
1585 pointers outside C99 mode. For example,
1586 this is valid in GNU C though not valid in C89:
1587
1588 @example
1589 @group
1590 struct foo @{int a[4];@};
1591
1592 struct foo f();
1593
1594 bar (int index)
1595 @{
1596 return f().a[index];
1597 @}
1598 @end group
1599 @end example
1600
1601 @node Pointer Arith
1602 @section Arithmetic on @code{void}- and Function-Pointers
1603 @cindex void pointers, arithmetic
1604 @cindex void, size of pointer to
1605 @cindex function pointers, arithmetic
1606 @cindex function, size of pointer to
1607
1608 In GNU C, addition and subtraction operations are supported on pointers to
1609 @code{void} and on pointers to functions. This is done by treating the
1610 size of a @code{void} or of a function as 1.
1611
1612 A consequence of this is that @code{sizeof} is also allowed on @code{void}
1613 and on function types, and returns 1.
1614
1615 @opindex Wpointer-arith
1616 The option @option{-Wpointer-arith} requests a warning if these extensions
1617 are used.
1618
1619 @node Initializers
1620 @section Non-Constant Initializers
1621 @cindex initializers, non-constant
1622 @cindex non-constant initializers
1623
1624 As in standard C++ and ISO C99, the elements of an aggregate initializer for an
1625 automatic variable are not required to be constant expressions in GNU C@.
1626 Here is an example of an initializer with run-time varying elements:
1627
1628 @example
1629 foo (float f, float g)
1630 @{
1631 float beat_freqs[2] = @{ f-g, f+g @};
1632 /* @r{@dots{}} */
1633 @}
1634 @end example
1635
1636 @node Compound Literals
1637 @section Compound Literals
1638 @cindex constructor expressions
1639 @cindex initializations in expressions
1640 @cindex structures, constructor expression
1641 @cindex expressions, constructor
1642 @cindex compound literals
1643 @c The GNU C name for what C99 calls compound literals was "constructor expressions".
1644
1645 ISO C99 supports compound literals. A compound literal looks like
1646 a cast containing an initializer. Its value is an object of the
1647 type specified in the cast, containing the elements specified in
1648 the initializer; it is an lvalue. As an extension, GCC supports
1649 compound literals in C89 mode and in C++.
1650
1651 Usually, the specified type is a structure. Assume that
1652 @code{struct foo} and @code{structure} are declared as shown:
1653
1654 @example
1655 struct foo @{int a; char b[2];@} structure;
1656 @end example
1657
1658 @noindent
1659 Here is an example of constructing a @code{struct foo} with a compound literal:
1660
1661 @example
1662 structure = ((struct foo) @{x + y, 'a', 0@});
1663 @end example
1664
1665 @noindent
1666 This is equivalent to writing the following:
1667
1668 @example
1669 @{
1670 struct foo temp = @{x + y, 'a', 0@};
1671 structure = temp;
1672 @}
1673 @end example
1674
1675 You can also construct an array. If all the elements of the compound literal
1676 are (made up of) simple constant expressions, suitable for use in
1677 initializers of objects of static storage duration, then the compound
1678 literal can be coerced to a pointer to its first element and used in
1679 such an initializer, as shown here:
1680
1681 @example
1682 char **foo = (char *[]) @{ "x", "y", "z" @};
1683 @end example
1684
1685 Compound literals for scalar types and union types are is
1686 also allowed, but then the compound literal is equivalent
1687 to a cast.
1688
1689 As a GNU extension, GCC allows initialization of objects with static storage
1690 duration by compound literals (which is not possible in ISO C99, because
1691 the initializer is not a constant).
1692 It is handled as if the object was initialized only with the bracket
1693 enclosed list if compound literal's and object types match.
1694 The initializer list of the compound literal must be constant.
1695 If the object being initialized has array type of unknown size, the size is
1696 determined by compound literal size.
1697
1698 @example
1699 static struct foo x = (struct foo) @{1, 'a', 'b'@};
1700 static int y[] = (int []) @{1, 2, 3@};
1701 static int z[] = (int [3]) @{1@};
1702 @end example
1703
1704 @noindent
1705 The above lines are equivalent to the following:
1706 @example
1707 static struct foo x = @{1, 'a', 'b'@};
1708 static int y[] = @{1, 2, 3@};
1709 static int z[] = @{1, 0, 0@};
1710 @end example
1711
1712 @node Designated Inits
1713 @section Designated Initializers
1714 @cindex initializers with labeled elements
1715 @cindex labeled elements in initializers
1716 @cindex case labels in initializers
1717 @cindex designated initializers
1718
1719 Standard C89 requires the elements of an initializer to appear in a fixed
1720 order, the same as the order of the elements in the array or structure
1721 being initialized.
1722
1723 In ISO C99 you can give the elements in any order, specifying the array
1724 indices or structure field names they apply to, and GNU C allows this as
1725 an extension in C89 mode as well. This extension is not
1726 implemented in GNU C++.
1727
1728 To specify an array index, write
1729 @samp{[@var{index}] =} before the element value. For example,
1730
1731 @example
1732 int a[6] = @{ [4] = 29, [2] = 15 @};
1733 @end example
1734
1735 @noindent
1736 is equivalent to
1737
1738 @example
1739 int a[6] = @{ 0, 0, 15, 0, 29, 0 @};
1740 @end example
1741
1742 @noindent
1743 The index values must be constant expressions, even if the array being
1744 initialized is automatic.
1745
1746 An alternative syntax for this which has been obsolete since GCC 2.5 but
1747 GCC still accepts is to write @samp{[@var{index}]} before the element
1748 value, with no @samp{=}.
1749
1750 To initialize a range of elements to the same value, write
1751 @samp{[@var{first} ... @var{last}] = @var{value}}. This is a GNU
1752 extension. For example,
1753
1754 @example
1755 int widths[] = @{ [0 ... 9] = 1, [10 ... 99] = 2, [100] = 3 @};
1756 @end example
1757
1758 @noindent
1759 If the value in it has side-effects, the side-effects will happen only once,
1760 not for each initialized field by the range initializer.
1761
1762 @noindent
1763 Note that the length of the array is the highest value specified
1764 plus one.
1765
1766 In a structure initializer, specify the name of a field to initialize
1767 with @samp{.@var{fieldname} =} before the element value. For example,
1768 given the following structure,
1769
1770 @example
1771 struct point @{ int x, y; @};
1772 @end example
1773
1774 @noindent
1775 the following initialization
1776
1777 @example
1778 struct point p = @{ .y = yvalue, .x = xvalue @};
1779 @end example
1780
1781 @noindent
1782 is equivalent to
1783
1784 @example
1785 struct point p = @{ xvalue, yvalue @};
1786 @end example
1787
1788 Another syntax which has the same meaning, obsolete since GCC 2.5, is
1789 @samp{@var{fieldname}:}, as shown here:
1790
1791 @example
1792 struct point p = @{ y: yvalue, x: xvalue @};
1793 @end example
1794
1795 @cindex designators
1796 The @samp{[@var{index}]} or @samp{.@var{fieldname}} is known as a
1797 @dfn{designator}. You can also use a designator (or the obsolete colon
1798 syntax) when initializing a union, to specify which element of the union
1799 should be used. For example,
1800
1801 @example
1802 union foo @{ int i; double d; @};
1803
1804 union foo f = @{ .d = 4 @};
1805 @end example
1806
1807 @noindent
1808 will convert 4 to a @code{double} to store it in the union using
1809 the second element. By contrast, casting 4 to type @code{union foo}
1810 would store it into the union as the integer @code{i}, since it is
1811 an integer. (@xref{Cast to Union}.)
1812
1813 You can combine this technique of naming elements with ordinary C
1814 initialization of successive elements. Each initializer element that
1815 does not have a designator applies to the next consecutive element of the
1816 array or structure. For example,
1817
1818 @example
1819 int a[6] = @{ [1] = v1, v2, [4] = v4 @};
1820 @end example
1821
1822 @noindent
1823 is equivalent to
1824
1825 @example
1826 int a[6] = @{ 0, v1, v2, 0, v4, 0 @};
1827 @end example
1828
1829 Labeling the elements of an array initializer is especially useful
1830 when the indices are characters or belong to an @code{enum} type.
1831 For example:
1832
1833 @example
1834 int whitespace[256]
1835 = @{ [' '] = 1, ['\t'] = 1, ['\h'] = 1,
1836 ['\f'] = 1, ['\n'] = 1, ['\r'] = 1 @};
1837 @end example
1838
1839 @cindex designator lists
1840 You can also write a series of @samp{.@var{fieldname}} and
1841 @samp{[@var{index}]} designators before an @samp{=} to specify a
1842 nested subobject to initialize; the list is taken relative to the
1843 subobject corresponding to the closest surrounding brace pair. For
1844 example, with the @samp{struct point} declaration above:
1845
1846 @smallexample
1847 struct point ptarray[10] = @{ [2].y = yv2, [2].x = xv2, [0].x = xv0 @};
1848 @end smallexample
1849
1850 @noindent
1851 If the same field is initialized multiple times, it will have value from
1852 the last initialization. If any such overridden initialization has
1853 side-effect, it is unspecified whether the side-effect happens or not.
1854 Currently, gcc will discard them and issue a warning.
1855
1856 @node Case Ranges
1857 @section Case Ranges
1858 @cindex case ranges
1859 @cindex ranges in case statements
1860
1861 You can specify a range of consecutive values in a single @code{case} label,
1862 like this:
1863
1864 @example
1865 case @var{low} ... @var{high}:
1866 @end example
1867
1868 @noindent
1869 This has the same effect as the proper number of individual @code{case}
1870 labels, one for each integer value from @var{low} to @var{high}, inclusive.
1871
1872 This feature is especially useful for ranges of ASCII character codes:
1873
1874 @example
1875 case 'A' ... 'Z':
1876 @end example
1877
1878 @strong{Be careful:} Write spaces around the @code{...}, for otherwise
1879 it may be parsed wrong when you use it with integer values. For example,
1880 write this:
1881
1882 @example
1883 case 1 ... 5:
1884 @end example
1885
1886 @noindent
1887 rather than this:
1888
1889 @example
1890 case 1...5:
1891 @end example
1892
1893 @node Cast to Union
1894 @section Cast to a Union Type
1895 @cindex cast to a union
1896 @cindex union, casting to a
1897
1898 A cast to union type is similar to other casts, except that the type
1899 specified is a union type. You can specify the type either with
1900 @code{union @var{tag}} or with a typedef name. A cast to union is actually
1901 a constructor though, not a cast, and hence does not yield an lvalue like
1902 normal casts. (@xref{Compound Literals}.)
1903
1904 The types that may be cast to the union type are those of the members
1905 of the union. Thus, given the following union and variables:
1906
1907 @example
1908 union foo @{ int i; double d; @};
1909 int x;
1910 double y;
1911 @end example
1912
1913 @noindent
1914 both @code{x} and @code{y} can be cast to type @code{union foo}.
1915
1916 Using the cast as the right-hand side of an assignment to a variable of
1917 union type is equivalent to storing in a member of the union:
1918
1919 @example
1920 union foo u;
1921 /* @r{@dots{}} */
1922 u = (union foo) x @equiv{} u.i = x
1923 u = (union foo) y @equiv{} u.d = y
1924 @end example
1925
1926 You can also use the union cast as a function argument:
1927
1928 @example
1929 void hack (union foo);
1930 /* @r{@dots{}} */
1931 hack ((union foo) x);
1932 @end example
1933
1934 @node Mixed Declarations
1935 @section Mixed Declarations and Code
1936 @cindex mixed declarations and code
1937 @cindex declarations, mixed with code
1938 @cindex code, mixed with declarations
1939
1940 ISO C99 and ISO C++ allow declarations and code to be freely mixed
1941 within compound statements. As an extension, GCC also allows this in
1942 C89 mode. For example, you could do:
1943
1944 @example
1945 int i;
1946 /* @r{@dots{}} */
1947 i++;
1948 int j = i + 2;
1949 @end example
1950
1951 Each identifier is visible from where it is declared until the end of
1952 the enclosing block.
1953
1954 @node Function Attributes
1955 @section Declaring Attributes of Functions
1956 @cindex function attributes
1957 @cindex declaring attributes of functions
1958 @cindex functions that never return
1959 @cindex functions that have no side effects
1960 @cindex functions in arbitrary sections
1961 @cindex functions that behave like malloc
1962 @cindex @code{volatile} applied to function
1963 @cindex @code{const} applied to function
1964 @cindex functions with @code{printf}, @code{scanf}, @code{strftime} or @code{strfmon} style arguments
1965 @cindex functions with non-null pointer arguments
1966 @cindex functions that are passed arguments in registers on the 386
1967 @cindex functions that pop the argument stack on the 386
1968 @cindex functions that do not pop the argument stack on the 386
1969
1970 In GNU C, you declare certain things about functions called in your program
1971 which help the compiler optimize function calls and check your code more
1972 carefully.
1973
1974 The keyword @code{__attribute__} allows you to specify special
1975 attributes when making a declaration. This keyword is followed by an
1976 attribute specification inside double parentheses. The following
1977 attributes are currently defined for functions on all targets:
1978 @code{noreturn}, @code{noinline}, @code{always_inline},
1979 @code{pure}, @code{const}, @code{nothrow},
1980 @code{format}, @code{format_arg}, @code{no_instrument_function},
1981 @code{section}, @code{constructor}, @code{destructor}, @code{used},
1982 @code{unused}, @code{deprecated}, @code{weak}, @code{malloc},
1983 @code{alias}, and @code{nonnull}. Several other attributes are defined
1984 for functions on particular target systems. Other attributes, including
1985 @code{section} are supported for variables declarations
1986 (@pxref{Variable Attributes}) and for types (@pxref{Type Attributes}).
1987
1988 You may also specify attributes with @samp{__} preceding and following
1989 each keyword. This allows you to use them in header files without
1990 being concerned about a possible macro of the same name. For example,
1991 you may use @code{__noreturn__} instead of @code{noreturn}.
1992
1993 @xref{Attribute Syntax}, for details of the exact syntax for using
1994 attributes.
1995
1996 @table @code
1997 @cindex @code{noreturn} function attribute
1998 @item noreturn
1999 A few standard library functions, such as @code{abort} and @code{exit},
2000 cannot return. GCC knows this automatically. Some programs define
2001 their own functions that never return. You can declare them
2002 @code{noreturn} to tell the compiler this fact. For example,
2003
2004 @smallexample
2005 @group
2006 void fatal () __attribute__ ((noreturn));
2007
2008 void
2009 fatal (/* @r{@dots{}} */)
2010 @{
2011 /* @r{@dots{}} */ /* @r{Print error message.} */ /* @r{@dots{}} */
2012 exit (1);
2013 @}
2014 @end group
2015 @end smallexample
2016
2017 The @code{noreturn} keyword tells the compiler to assume that
2018 @code{fatal} cannot return. It can then optimize without regard to what
2019 would happen if @code{fatal} ever did return. This makes slightly
2020 better code. More importantly, it helps avoid spurious warnings of
2021 uninitialized variables.
2022
2023 Do not assume that registers saved by the calling function are
2024 restored before calling the @code{noreturn} function.
2025
2026 It does not make sense for a @code{noreturn} function to have a return
2027 type other than @code{void}.
2028
2029 The attribute @code{noreturn} is not implemented in GCC versions
2030 earlier than 2.5. An alternative way to declare that a function does
2031 not return, which works in the current version and in some older
2032 versions, is as follows:
2033
2034 @smallexample
2035 typedef void voidfn ();
2036
2037 volatile voidfn fatal;
2038 @end smallexample
2039
2040 @cindex @code{noinline} function attribute
2041 @item noinline
2042 This function attribute prevents a function from being considered for
2043 inlining.
2044
2045 @cindex @code{always_inline} function attribute
2046 @item always_inline
2047 Generally, functions are not inlined unless optimization is specified.
2048 For functions declared inline, this attribute inlines the function even
2049 if no optimization level was specified.
2050
2051 @cindex @code{pure} function attribute
2052 @item pure
2053 Many functions have no effects except the return value and their
2054 return value depends only on the parameters and/or global variables.
2055 Such a function can be subject
2056 to common subexpression elimination and loop optimization just as an
2057 arithmetic operator would be. These functions should be declared
2058 with the attribute @code{pure}. For example,
2059
2060 @smallexample
2061 int square (int) __attribute__ ((pure));
2062 @end smallexample
2063
2064 @noindent
2065 says that the hypothetical function @code{square} is safe to call
2066 fewer times than the program says.
2067
2068 Some of common examples of pure functions are @code{strlen} or @code{memcmp}.
2069 Interesting non-pure functions are functions with infinite loops or those
2070 depending on volatile memory or other system resource, that may change between
2071 two consecutive calls (such as @code{feof} in a multithreading environment).
2072
2073 The attribute @code{pure} is not implemented in GCC versions earlier
2074 than 2.96.
2075 @cindex @code{const} function attribute
2076 @item const
2077 Many functions do not examine any values except their arguments, and
2078 have no effects except the return value. Basically this is just slightly
2079 more strict class than the @code{pure} attribute above, since function is not
2080 allowed to read global memory.
2081
2082 @cindex pointer arguments
2083 Note that a function that has pointer arguments and examines the data
2084 pointed to must @emph{not} be declared @code{const}. Likewise, a
2085 function that calls a non-@code{const} function usually must not be
2086 @code{const}. It does not make sense for a @code{const} function to
2087 return @code{void}.
2088
2089 The attribute @code{const} is not implemented in GCC versions earlier
2090 than 2.5. An alternative way to declare that a function has no side
2091 effects, which works in the current version and in some older versions,
2092 is as follows:
2093
2094 @smallexample
2095 typedef int intfn ();
2096
2097 extern const intfn square;
2098 @end smallexample
2099
2100 This approach does not work in GNU C++ from 2.6.0 on, since the language
2101 specifies that the @samp{const} must be attached to the return value.
2102
2103 @cindex @code{nothrow} function attribute
2104 @item nothrow
2105 The @code{nothrow} attribute is used to inform the compiler that a
2106 function cannot throw an exception. For example, most functions in
2107 the standard C library can be guaranteed not to throw an exception
2108 with the notable exceptions of @code{qsort} and @code{bsearch} that
2109 take function pointer arguments. The @code{nothrow} attribute is not
2110 implemented in GCC versions earlier than 3.2.
2111
2112 @item format (@var{archetype}, @var{string-index}, @var{first-to-check})
2113 @cindex @code{format} function attribute
2114 @opindex Wformat
2115 The @code{format} attribute specifies that a function takes @code{printf},
2116 @code{scanf}, @code{strftime} or @code{strfmon} style arguments which
2117 should be type-checked against a format string. For example, the
2118 declaration:
2119
2120 @smallexample
2121 extern int
2122 my_printf (void *my_object, const char *my_format, ...)
2123 __attribute__ ((format (printf, 2, 3)));
2124 @end smallexample
2125
2126 @noindent
2127 causes the compiler to check the arguments in calls to @code{my_printf}
2128 for consistency with the @code{printf} style format string argument
2129 @code{my_format}.
2130
2131 The parameter @var{archetype} determines how the format string is
2132 interpreted, and should be @code{printf}, @code{scanf}, @code{strftime}
2133 or @code{strfmon}. (You can also use @code{__printf__},
2134 @code{__scanf__}, @code{__strftime__} or @code{__strfmon__}.) The
2135 parameter @var{string-index} specifies which argument is the format
2136 string argument (starting from 1), while @var{first-to-check} is the
2137 number of the first argument to check against the format string. For
2138 functions where the arguments are not available to be checked (such as
2139 @code{vprintf}), specify the third parameter as zero. In this case the
2140 compiler only checks the format string for consistency. For
2141 @code{strftime} formats, the third parameter is required to be zero.
2142 Since non-static C++ methods have an implicit @code{this} argument, the
2143 arguments of such methods should be counted from two, not one, when
2144 giving values for @var{string-index} and @var{first-to-check}.
2145
2146 In the example above, the format string (@code{my_format}) is the second
2147 argument of the function @code{my_print}, and the arguments to check
2148 start with the third argument, so the correct parameters for the format
2149 attribute are 2 and 3.
2150
2151 @opindex ffreestanding
2152 The @code{format} attribute allows you to identify your own functions
2153 which take format strings as arguments, so that GCC can check the
2154 calls to these functions for errors. The compiler always (unless
2155 @option{-ffreestanding} is used) checks formats
2156 for the standard library functions @code{printf}, @code{fprintf},
2157 @code{sprintf}, @code{scanf}, @code{fscanf}, @code{sscanf}, @code{strftime},
2158 @code{vprintf}, @code{vfprintf} and @code{vsprintf} whenever such
2159 warnings are requested (using @option{-Wformat}), so there is no need to
2160 modify the header file @file{stdio.h}. In C99 mode, the functions
2161 @code{snprintf}, @code{vsnprintf}, @code{vscanf}, @code{vfscanf} and
2162 @code{vsscanf} are also checked. Except in strictly conforming C
2163 standard modes, the X/Open function @code{strfmon} is also checked as
2164 are @code{printf_unlocked} and @code{fprintf_unlocked}.
2165 @xref{C Dialect Options,,Options Controlling C Dialect}.
2166
2167 @item format_arg (@var{string-index})
2168 @cindex @code{format_arg} function attribute
2169 @opindex Wformat-nonliteral
2170 The @code{format_arg} attribute specifies that a function takes a format
2171 string for a @code{printf}, @code{scanf}, @code{strftime} or
2172 @code{strfmon} style function and modifies it (for example, to translate
2173 it into another language), so the result can be passed to a
2174 @code{printf}, @code{scanf}, @code{strftime} or @code{strfmon} style
2175 function (with the remaining arguments to the format function the same
2176 as they would have been for the unmodified string). For example, the
2177 declaration:
2178
2179 @smallexample
2180 extern char *
2181 my_dgettext (char *my_domain, const char *my_format)
2182 __attribute__ ((format_arg (2)));
2183 @end smallexample
2184
2185 @noindent
2186 causes the compiler to check the arguments in calls to a @code{printf},
2187 @code{scanf}, @code{strftime} or @code{strfmon} type function, whose
2188 format string argument is a call to the @code{my_dgettext} function, for
2189 consistency with the format string argument @code{my_format}. If the
2190 @code{format_arg} attribute had not been specified, all the compiler
2191 could tell in such calls to format functions would be that the format
2192 string argument is not constant; this would generate a warning when
2193 @option{-Wformat-nonliteral} is used, but the calls could not be checked
2194 without the attribute.
2195
2196 The parameter @var{string-index} specifies which argument is the format
2197 string argument (starting from one). Since non-static C++ methods have
2198 an implicit @code{this} argument, the arguments of such methods should
2199 be counted from two.
2200
2201 The @code{format-arg} attribute allows you to identify your own
2202 functions which modify format strings, so that GCC can check the
2203 calls to @code{printf}, @code{scanf}, @code{strftime} or @code{strfmon}
2204 type function whose operands are a call to one of your own function.
2205 The compiler always treats @code{gettext}, @code{dgettext}, and
2206 @code{dcgettext} in this manner except when strict ISO C support is
2207 requested by @option{-ansi} or an appropriate @option{-std} option, or
2208 @option{-ffreestanding} is used. @xref{C Dialect Options,,Options
2209 Controlling C Dialect}.
2210
2211 @item nonnull (@var{arg-index}, @dots{})
2212 @cindex @code{nonnull} function attribute
2213 The @code{nonnull} attribute specifies that some function parameters should
2214 be non-null pointers. For instance, the declaration:
2215
2216 @smallexample
2217 extern void *
2218 my_memcpy (void *dest, const void *src, size_t len)
2219 __attribute__((nonnull (1, 2)));
2220 @end smallexample
2221
2222 @noindent
2223 causes the compiler to check that, in calls to @code{my_memcpy},
2224 arguments @var{dest} and @var{src} are non-null. If the compiler
2225 determines that a null pointer is passed in an argument slot marked
2226 as non-null, and the @option{-Wnonnull} option is enabled, a warning
2227 is issued. The compiler may also choose to make optimizations based
2228 on the knowledge that certain function arguments will not be null.
2229
2230 If no argument index list is given to the @code{nonnull} attribute,
2231 all pointer arguments are marked as non-null. To illustrate, the
2232 following declaration is equivalent to the previous example:
2233
2234 @smallexample
2235 extern void *
2236 my_memcpy (void *dest, const void *src, size_t len)
2237 __attribute__((nonnull));
2238 @end smallexample
2239
2240 @item no_instrument_function
2241 @cindex @code{no_instrument_function} function attribute
2242 @opindex finstrument-functions
2243 If @option{-finstrument-functions} is given, profiling function calls will
2244 be generated at entry and exit of most user-compiled functions.
2245 Functions with this attribute will not be so instrumented.
2246
2247 @item section ("@var{section-name}")
2248 @cindex @code{section} function attribute
2249 Normally, the compiler places the code it generates in the @code{text} section.
2250 Sometimes, however, you need additional sections, or you need certain
2251 particular functions to appear in special sections. The @code{section}
2252 attribute specifies that a function lives in a particular section.
2253 For example, the declaration:
2254
2255 @smallexample
2256 extern void foobar (void) __attribute__ ((section ("bar")));
2257 @end smallexample
2258
2259 @noindent
2260 puts the function @code{foobar} in the @code{bar} section.
2261
2262 Some file formats do not support arbitrary sections so the @code{section}
2263 attribute is not available on all platforms.
2264 If you need to map the entire contents of a module to a particular
2265 section, consider using the facilities of the linker instead.
2266
2267 @item constructor
2268 @itemx destructor
2269 @cindex @code{constructor} function attribute
2270 @cindex @code{destructor} function attribute
2271 The @code{constructor} attribute causes the function to be called
2272 automatically before execution enters @code{main ()}. Similarly, the
2273 @code{destructor} attribute causes the function to be called
2274 automatically after @code{main ()} has completed or @code{exit ()} has
2275 been called. Functions with these attributes are useful for
2276 initializing data that will be used implicitly during the execution of
2277 the program.
2278
2279 These attributes are not currently implemented for Objective-C@.
2280
2281 @cindex @code{unused} attribute.
2282 @item unused
2283 This attribute, attached to a function, means that the function is meant
2284 to be possibly unused. GCC will not produce a warning for this
2285 function.
2286
2287 @cindex @code{used} attribute.
2288 @item used
2289 This attribute, attached to a function, means that code must be emitted
2290 for the function even if it appears that the function is not referenced.
2291 This is useful, for example, when the function is referenced only in
2292 inline assembly.
2293
2294 @cindex @code{deprecated} attribute.
2295 @item deprecated
2296 The @code{deprecated} attribute results in a warning if the function
2297 is used anywhere in the source file. This is useful when identifying
2298 functions that are expected to be removed in a future version of a
2299 program. The warning also includes the location of the declaration
2300 of the deprecated function, to enable users to easily find further
2301 information about why the function is deprecated, or what they should
2302 do instead. Note that the warnings only occurs for uses:
2303
2304 @smallexample
2305 int old_fn () __attribute__ ((deprecated));
2306 int old_fn ();
2307 int (*fn_ptr)() = old_fn;
2308 @end smallexample
2309
2310 results in a warning on line 3 but not line 2.
2311
2312 The @code{deprecated} attribute can also be used for variables and
2313 types (@pxref{Variable Attributes}, @pxref{Type Attributes}.)
2314
2315 @item weak
2316 @cindex @code{weak} attribute
2317 The @code{weak} attribute causes the declaration to be emitted as a weak
2318 symbol rather than a global. This is primarily useful in defining
2319 library functions which can be overridden in user code, though it can
2320 also be used with non-function declarations. Weak symbols are supported
2321 for ELF targets, and also for a.out targets when using the GNU assembler
2322 and linker.
2323
2324 @item malloc
2325 @cindex @code{malloc} attribute
2326 The @code{malloc} attribute is used to tell the compiler that a function
2327 may be treated as if it were the malloc function. The compiler assumes
2328 that calls to malloc result in pointers that cannot alias anything.
2329 This will often improve optimization.
2330
2331 @item alias ("@var{target}")
2332 @cindex @code{alias} attribute
2333 The @code{alias} attribute causes the declaration to be emitted as an
2334 alias for another symbol, which must be specified. For instance,
2335
2336 @smallexample
2337 void __f () @{ /* @r{Do something.} */; @}
2338 void f () __attribute__ ((weak, alias ("__f")));
2339 @end smallexample
2340
2341 declares @samp{f} to be a weak alias for @samp{__f}. In C++, the
2342 mangled name for the target must be used.
2343
2344 Not all target machines support this attribute.
2345
2346 @item visibility ("@var{visibility_type}")
2347 @cindex @code{visibility} attribute
2348 The @code{visibility} attribute on ELF targets causes the declaration
2349 to be emitted with default, hidden, protected or internal visibility.
2350
2351 @smallexample
2352 void __attribute__ ((visibility ("protected")))
2353 f () @{ /* @r{Do something.} */; @}
2354 int i __attribute__ ((visibility ("hidden")));
2355 @end smallexample
2356
2357 See the ELF gABI for complete details, but the short story is:
2358
2359 @table @dfn
2360 @item default
2361 Default visibility is the normal case for ELF. This value is
2362 available for the visibility attribute to override other options
2363 that may change the assumed visibility of symbols.
2364
2365 @item hidden
2366 Hidden visibility indicates that the symbol will not be placed into
2367 the dynamic symbol table, so no other @dfn{module} (executable or
2368 shared library) can reference it directly.
2369
2370 @item protected
2371 Protected visibility indicates that the symbol will be placed in the
2372 dynamic symbol table, but that references within the defining module
2373 will bind to the local symbol. That is, the symbol cannot be overridden
2374 by another module.
2375
2376 @item internal
2377 Internal visibility is like hidden visibility, but with additional
2378 processor specific semantics. Unless otherwise specified by the psABI,
2379 gcc defines internal visibility to mean that the function is @emph{never}
2380 called from another module. Note that hidden symbols, while they cannot
2381 be referenced directly by other modules, can be referenced indirectly via
2382 function pointers. By indicating that a symbol cannot be called from
2383 outside the module, gcc may for instance omit the load of a PIC register
2384 since it is known that the calling function loaded the correct value.
2385 @end table
2386
2387 Not all ELF targets support this attribute.
2388
2389 @item regparm (@var{number})
2390 @cindex @code{regparm} attribute
2391 @cindex functions that are passed arguments in registers on the 386
2392 On the Intel 386, the @code{regparm} attribute causes the compiler to
2393 pass up to @var{number} integer arguments in registers EAX,
2394 EDX, and ECX instead of on the stack. Functions that take a
2395 variable number of arguments will continue to be passed all of their
2396 arguments on the stack.
2397
2398 Beware that on some ELF systems this attribute is unsuitable for
2399 global functions in shared libraries with lazy binding (which is the
2400 default). Lazy binding will send the first call via resolving code in
2401 the loader, which might assume EAX, EDX and ECX can be clobbered, as
2402 per the standard calling conventions. Solaris 8 is affected by this.
2403 GNU systems with GLIBC 2.1 or higher, and FreeBSD, are believed to be
2404 safe since the loaders there save all registers. (Lazy binding can be
2405 disabled with the linker or the loader if desired, to avoid the
2406 problem.)
2407
2408 @item stdcall
2409 @cindex functions that pop the argument stack on the 386
2410 On the Intel 386, the @code{stdcall} attribute causes the compiler to
2411 assume that the called function will pop off the stack space used to
2412 pass arguments, unless it takes a variable number of arguments.
2413
2414 @item fastcall
2415 @cindex functions that pop the argument stack on the 386
2416 On the Intel 386, the @code{fastcall} attribute causes the compiler to
2417 pass the first two arguments in the registers ECX and EDX. Subsequent
2418 arguments are passed on the stack. The called function will pop the
2419 arguments off the stack. If the number of arguments is variable all
2420 arguments are pushed on the stack.
2421
2422 @item cdecl
2423 @cindex functions that do pop the argument stack on the 386
2424 @opindex mrtd
2425 On the Intel 386, the @code{cdecl} attribute causes the compiler to
2426 assume that the calling function will pop off the stack space used to
2427 pass arguments. This is
2428 useful to override the effects of the @option{-mrtd} switch.
2429
2430 @item longcall/shortcall
2431 @cindex functions called via pointer on the RS/6000 and PowerPC
2432 On the RS/6000 and PowerPC, the @code{longcall} attribute causes the
2433 compiler to always call this function via a pointer, just as it would if
2434 the @option{-mlongcall} option had been specified. The @code{shortcall}
2435 attribute causes the compiler not to do this. These attributes override
2436 both the @option{-mlongcall} switch and the @code{#pragma longcall}
2437 setting.
2438
2439 @xref{RS/6000 and PowerPC Options}, for more information on whether long
2440 calls are necessary.
2441
2442 @item long_call/short_call
2443 @cindex indirect calls on ARM
2444 This attribute specifies how a particular function is called on
2445 ARM@. Both attributes override the @option{-mlong-calls} (@pxref{ARM Options})
2446 command line switch and @code{#pragma long_calls} settings. The
2447 @code{long_call} attribute causes the compiler to always call the
2448 function by first loading its address into a register and then using the
2449 contents of that register. The @code{short_call} attribute always places
2450 the offset to the function from the call site into the @samp{BL}
2451 instruction directly.
2452
2453 @item function_vector
2454 @cindex calling functions through the function vector on the H8/300 processors
2455 Use this attribute on the H8/300 and H8/300H to indicate that the specified
2456 function should be called through the function vector. Calling a
2457 function through the function vector will reduce code size, however;
2458 the function vector has a limited size (maximum 128 entries on the H8/300
2459 and 64 entries on the H8/300H) and shares space with the interrupt vector.
2460
2461 You must use GAS and GLD from GNU binutils version 2.7 or later for
2462 this attribute to work correctly.
2463
2464 @item interrupt
2465 @cindex interrupt handler functions
2466 Use this attribute on the ARM, AVR, C4x, M32R/D and Xstormy16 ports to indicate
2467 that the specified function is an interrupt handler. The compiler will
2468 generate function entry and exit sequences suitable for use in an
2469 interrupt handler when this attribute is present.
2470
2471 Note, interrupt handlers for the H8/300, H8/300H and SH processors can
2472 be specified via the @code{interrupt_handler} attribute.
2473
2474 Note, on the AVR, interrupts will be enabled inside the function.
2475
2476 Note, for the ARM, you can specify the kind of interrupt to be handled by
2477 adding an optional parameter to the interrupt attribute like this:
2478
2479 @smallexample
2480 void f () __attribute__ ((interrupt ("IRQ")));
2481 @end smallexample
2482
2483 Permissible values for this parameter are: IRQ, FIQ, SWI, ABORT and UNDEF@.
2484
2485 @item interrupt_handler
2486 @cindex interrupt handler functions on the H8/300 and SH processors
2487 Use this attribute on the H8/300, H8/300H and SH to indicate that the
2488 specified function is an interrupt handler. The compiler will generate
2489 function entry and exit sequences suitable for use in an interrupt
2490 handler when this attribute is present.
2491
2492 @item sp_switch
2493 Use this attribute on the SH to indicate an @code{interrupt_handler}
2494 function should switch to an alternate stack. It expects a string
2495 argument that names a global variable holding the address of the
2496 alternate stack.
2497
2498 @smallexample
2499 void *alt_stack;
2500 void f () __attribute__ ((interrupt_handler,
2501 sp_switch ("alt_stack")));
2502 @end smallexample
2503
2504 @item trap_exit
2505 Use this attribute on the SH for an @code{interrupt_handle} to return using
2506 @code{trapa} instead of @code{rte}. This attribute expects an integer
2507 argument specifying the trap number to be used.
2508
2509 @item eightbit_data
2510 @cindex eight bit data on the H8/300 and H8/300H
2511 Use this attribute on the H8/300 and H8/300H to indicate that the specified
2512 variable should be placed into the eight bit data section.
2513 The compiler will generate more efficient code for certain operations
2514 on data in the eight bit data area. Note the eight bit data area is limited to
2515 256 bytes of data.
2516
2517 You must use GAS and GLD from GNU binutils version 2.7 or later for
2518 this attribute to work correctly.
2519
2520 @item tiny_data
2521 @cindex tiny data section on the H8/300H
2522 Use this attribute on the H8/300H to indicate that the specified
2523 variable should be placed into the tiny data section.
2524 The compiler will generate more efficient code for loads and stores
2525 on data in the tiny data section. Note the tiny data area is limited to
2526 slightly under 32kbytes of data.
2527
2528 @item signal
2529 @cindex signal handler functions on the AVR processors
2530 Use this attribute on the AVR to indicate that the specified
2531 function is a signal handler. The compiler will generate function
2532 entry and exit sequences suitable for use in a signal handler when this
2533 attribute is present. Interrupts will be disabled inside the function.
2534
2535 @item naked
2536 @cindex function without a prologue/epilogue code
2537 Use this attribute on the ARM, AVR, C4x and IP2K ports to indicate that the
2538 specified function does not need prologue/epilogue sequences generated by
2539 the compiler. It is up to the programmer to provide these sequences.
2540
2541 @item model (@var{model-name})
2542 @cindex function addressability on the M32R/D
2543 @cindex variable addressability on the IA-64
2544
2545 On the M32R/D, use this attribute to set the addressability of an
2546 object, and of the code generated for a function. The identifier
2547 @var{model-name} is one of @code{small}, @code{medium}, or
2548 @code{large}, representing each of the code models.
2549
2550 Small model objects live in the lower 16MB of memory (so that their
2551 addresses can be loaded with the @code{ld24} instruction), and are
2552 callable with the @code{bl} instruction.
2553
2554 Medium model objects may live anywhere in the 32-bit address space (the
2555 compiler will generate @code{seth/add3} instructions to load their addresses),
2556 and are callable with the @code{bl} instruction.
2557
2558 Large model objects may live anywhere in the 32-bit address space (the
2559 compiler will generate @code{seth/add3} instructions to load their addresses),
2560 and may not be reachable with the @code{bl} instruction (the compiler will
2561 generate the much slower @code{seth/add3/jl} instruction sequence).
2562
2563 On IA-64, use this attribute to set the addressability of an object.
2564 At present, the only supported identifier for @var{model-name} is
2565 @code{small}, indicating addressability via ``small'' (22-bit)
2566 addresses (so that their addresses can be loaded with the @code{addl}
2567 instruction). Caveat: such addressing is by definition not position
2568 independent and hence this attribute must not be used for objects
2569 defined by shared libraries.
2570
2571 @item far
2572 @cindex functions which handle memory bank switching
2573 On 68HC11 and 68HC12 the @code{far} attribute causes the compiler to
2574 use a calling convention that takes care of switching memory banks when
2575 entering and leaving a function. This calling convention is also the
2576 default when using the @option{-mlong-calls} option.
2577
2578 On 68HC12 the compiler will use the @code{call} and @code{rtc} instructions
2579 to call and return from a function.
2580
2581 On 68HC11 the compiler will generate a sequence of instructions
2582 to invoke a board-specific routine to switch the memory bank and call the
2583 real function. The board-specific routine simulates a @code{call}.
2584 At the end of a function, it will jump to a board-specific routine
2585 instead of using @code{rts}. The board-specific return routine simulates
2586 the @code{rtc}.
2587
2588 @item near
2589 @cindex functions which do not handle memory bank switching on 68HC11/68HC12
2590 On 68HC11 and 68HC12 the @code{near} attribute causes the compiler to
2591 use the normal calling convention based on @code{jsr} and @code{rts}.
2592 This attribute can be used to cancel the effect of the @option{-mlong-calls}
2593 option.
2594
2595 @item dllimport
2596 @cindex @code{__declspec(dllimport)}
2597 On Windows targets, the @code{dllimport} attribute causes the compiler
2598 to reference a function or variable via a global pointer to a pointer
2599 that is set up by the Windows dll library. The pointer name is formed by
2600 combining @code{_imp__} and the function or variable name. The attribute
2601 implies @code{extern} storage.
2602
2603 Currently, the attribute is ignored for inlined functions. If the
2604 attribute is applied to a symbol @emph{definition}, an error is reported.
2605 If a symbol previously declared @code{dllimport} is later defined, the
2606 attribute is ignored in subsequent references, and a warning is emitted.
2607 The attribute is also overriden by a subsequent declaration as
2608 @code{dllexport}.
2609
2610 When applied to C++ classes, the attribute marks non-inlined
2611 member functions and static data members as imports. However, the
2612 attribute is ignored for virtual methods to allow creation of vtables
2613 using thunks.
2614
2615 On cygwin, mingw and arm-pe targets, @code{__declspec(dllimport)} is
2616 recognized as a synonym for @code{__attribute__ ((dllimport))} for
2617 compatibility with other Windows compilers.
2618
2619 The use of the @code{dllimport} attribute on functions is not necessary,
2620 but provides a small performance benefit by eliminating a thunk in the
2621 dll. The use of the @code{dllimport} attribute on imported variables was
2622 required on older versions of GNU ld, but can now be avoided by passing
2623 the @option{--enable-auto-import} switch to ld. As with functions, using
2624 the attribute for a variable eliminates a thunk in the dll.
2625
2626 One drawback to using this attribute is that a pointer to a function or
2627 variable marked as dllimport cannot be used as a constant address. The
2628 attribute can be disabled for functions by setting the
2629 @option{-mnop-fun-dllimport} flag.
2630
2631 @item dllexport
2632 @cindex @code{__declspec(dllexport)}
2633 On Windows targets the @code{dllexport} attribute causes the compiler to
2634 provide a global pointer to a pointer in a dll, so that it can be
2635 referenced with the @code{dllimport} attribute. The pointer name is
2636 formed by combining @code{_imp__} and the function or variable name.
2637
2638 Currently, the @code{dllexport}attribute is ignored for inlined
2639 functions, but export can be forced by using the
2640 @option{-fkeep-inline-functions} flag. The attribute is also ignored for
2641 undefined symbols.
2642
2643 When applied to C++ classes. the attribute marks defined non-inlined
2644 member functions and static data members as exports. Static consts
2645 initialized in-class are not marked unless they are also defined
2646 out-of-class.
2647
2648 On cygwin, mingw and arm-pe targets, @code{__declspec(dllexport)} is
2649 recognized as a synonym for @code{__attribute__ ((dllexport))} for
2650 compatibility with other Windows compilers.
2651
2652 Alternative methods for including the symbol in the dll's export table
2653 are to use a .def file with an @code{EXPORTS} section or, with GNU ld,
2654 using the @option{--export-all} linker flag.
2655
2656 @end table
2657
2658 You can specify multiple attributes in a declaration by separating them
2659 by commas within the double parentheses or by immediately following an
2660 attribute declaration with another attribute declaration.
2661
2662 @cindex @code{#pragma}, reason for not using
2663 @cindex pragma, reason for not using
2664 Some people object to the @code{__attribute__} feature, suggesting that
2665 ISO C's @code{#pragma} should be used instead. At the time
2666 @code{__attribute__} was designed, there were two reasons for not doing
2667 this.
2668
2669 @enumerate
2670 @item
2671 It is impossible to generate @code{#pragma} commands from a macro.
2672
2673 @item
2674 There is no telling what the same @code{#pragma} might mean in another
2675 compiler.
2676 @end enumerate
2677
2678 These two reasons applied to almost any application that might have been
2679 proposed for @code{#pragma}. It was basically a mistake to use
2680 @code{#pragma} for @emph{anything}.
2681
2682 The ISO C99 standard includes @code{_Pragma}, which now allows pragmas
2683 to be generated from macros. In addition, a @code{#pragma GCC}
2684 namespace is now in use for GCC-specific pragmas. However, it has been
2685 found convenient to use @code{__attribute__} to achieve a natural
2686 attachment of attributes to their corresponding declarations, whereas
2687 @code{#pragma GCC} is of use for constructs that do not naturally form
2688 part of the grammar. @xref{Other Directives,,Miscellaneous
2689 Preprocessing Directives, cpp, The C Preprocessor}.
2690
2691 @node Attribute Syntax
2692 @section Attribute Syntax
2693 @cindex attribute syntax
2694
2695 This section describes the syntax with which @code{__attribute__} may be
2696 used, and the constructs to which attribute specifiers bind, for the C
2697 language. Some details may vary for C++ and Objective-C@. Because of
2698 infelicities in the grammar for attributes, some forms described here
2699 may not be successfully parsed in all cases.
2700
2701 There are some problems with the semantics of attributes in C++. For
2702 example, there are no manglings for attributes, although they may affect
2703 code generation, so problems may arise when attributed types are used in
2704 conjunction with templates or overloading. Similarly, @code{typeid}
2705 does not distinguish between types with different attributes. Support
2706 for attributes in C++ may be restricted in future to attributes on
2707 declarations only, but not on nested declarators.
2708
2709 @xref{Function Attributes}, for details of the semantics of attributes
2710 applying to functions. @xref{Variable Attributes}, for details of the
2711 semantics of attributes applying to variables. @xref{Type Attributes},
2712 for details of the semantics of attributes applying to structure, union
2713 and enumerated types.
2714
2715 An @dfn{attribute specifier} is of the form
2716 @code{__attribute__ ((@var{attribute-list}))}. An @dfn{attribute list}
2717 is a possibly empty comma-separated sequence of @dfn{attributes}, where
2718 each attribute is one of the following:
2719
2720 @itemize @bullet
2721 @item
2722 Empty. Empty attributes are ignored.
2723
2724 @item
2725 A word (which may be an identifier such as @code{unused}, or a reserved
2726 word such as @code{const}).
2727
2728 @item
2729 A word, followed by, in parentheses, parameters for the attribute.
2730 These parameters take one of the following forms:
2731
2732 @itemize @bullet
2733 @item
2734 An identifier. For example, @code{mode} attributes use this form.
2735
2736 @item
2737 An identifier followed by a comma and a non-empty comma-separated list
2738 of expressions. For example, @code{format} attributes use this form.
2739
2740 @item
2741 A possibly empty comma-separated list of expressions. For example,
2742 @code{format_arg} attributes use this form with the list being a single
2743 integer constant expression, and @code{alias} attributes use this form
2744 with the list being a single string constant.
2745 @end itemize
2746 @end itemize
2747
2748 An @dfn{attribute specifier list} is a sequence of one or more attribute
2749 specifiers, not separated by any other tokens.
2750
2751 In GNU C, an attribute specifier list may appear after the colon following a
2752 label, other than a @code{case} or @code{default} label. The only
2753 attribute it makes sense to use after a label is @code{unused}. This
2754 feature is intended for code generated by programs which contains labels
2755 that may be unused but which is compiled with @option{-Wall}. It would
2756 not normally be appropriate to use in it human-written code, though it
2757 could be useful in cases where the code that jumps to the label is
2758 contained within an @code{#ifdef} conditional. GNU C++ does not permit
2759 such placement of attribute lists, as it is permissible for a
2760 declaration, which could begin with an attribute list, to be labelled in
2761 C++. Declarations cannot be labelled in C90 or C99, so the ambiguity
2762 does not arise there.
2763
2764 An attribute specifier list may appear as part of a @code{struct},
2765 @code{union} or @code{enum} specifier. It may go either immediately
2766 after the @code{struct}, @code{union} or @code{enum} keyword, or after
2767 the closing brace. It is ignored if the content of the structure, union
2768 or enumerated type is not defined in the specifier in which the
2769 attribute specifier list is used---that is, in usages such as
2770 @code{struct __attribute__((foo)) bar} with no following opening brace.
2771 Where attribute specifiers follow the closing brace, they are considered
2772 to relate to the structure, union or enumerated type defined, not to any
2773 enclosing declaration the type specifier appears in, and the type
2774 defined is not complete until after the attribute specifiers.
2775 @c Otherwise, there would be the following problems: a shift/reduce
2776 @c conflict between attributes binding the struct/union/enum and
2777 @c binding to the list of specifiers/qualifiers; and "aligned"
2778 @c attributes could use sizeof for the structure, but the size could be
2779 @c changed later by "packed" attributes.
2780
2781 Otherwise, an attribute specifier appears as part of a declaration,
2782 counting declarations of unnamed parameters and type names, and relates
2783 to that declaration (which may be nested in another declaration, for
2784 example in the case of a parameter declaration), or to a particular declarator
2785 within a declaration. Where an
2786 attribute specifier is applied to a parameter declared as a function or
2787 an array, it should apply to the function or array rather than the
2788 pointer to which the parameter is implicitly converted, but this is not
2789 yet correctly implemented.
2790
2791 Any list of specifiers and qualifiers at the start of a declaration may
2792 contain attribute specifiers, whether or not such a list may in that
2793 context contain storage class specifiers. (Some attributes, however,
2794 are essentially in the nature of storage class specifiers, and only make
2795 sense where storage class specifiers may be used; for example,
2796 @code{section}.) There is one necessary limitation to this syntax: the
2797 first old-style parameter declaration in a function definition cannot
2798 begin with an attribute specifier, because such an attribute applies to
2799 the function instead by syntax described below (which, however, is not
2800 yet implemented in this case). In some other cases, attribute
2801 specifiers are permitted by this grammar but not yet supported by the
2802 compiler. All attribute specifiers in this place relate to the
2803 declaration as a whole. In the obsolescent usage where a type of
2804 @code{int} is implied by the absence of type specifiers, such a list of
2805 specifiers and qualifiers may be an attribute specifier list with no
2806 other specifiers or qualifiers.
2807
2808 An attribute specifier list may appear immediately before a declarator
2809 (other than the first) in a comma-separated list of declarators in a
2810 declaration of more than one identifier using a single list of
2811 specifiers and qualifiers. Such attribute specifiers apply
2812 only to the identifier before whose declarator they appear. For
2813 example, in
2814
2815 @smallexample
2816 __attribute__((noreturn)) void d0 (void),
2817 __attribute__((format(printf, 1, 2))) d1 (const char *, ...),
2818 d2 (void)
2819 @end smallexample
2820
2821 @noindent
2822 the @code{noreturn} attribute applies to all the functions
2823 declared; the @code{format} attribute only applies to @code{d1}.
2824
2825 An attribute specifier list may appear immediately before the comma,
2826 @code{=} or semicolon terminating the declaration of an identifier other
2827 than a function definition. At present, such attribute specifiers apply
2828 to the declared object or function, but in future they may attach to the
2829 outermost adjacent declarator. In simple cases there is no difference,
2830 but, for example, in
2831
2832 @smallexample
2833 void (****f)(void) __attribute__((noreturn));
2834 @end smallexample
2835
2836 @noindent
2837 at present the @code{noreturn} attribute applies to @code{f}, which
2838 causes a warning since @code{f} is not a function, but in future it may
2839 apply to the function @code{****f}. The precise semantics of what
2840 attributes in such cases will apply to are not yet specified. Where an
2841 assembler name for an object or function is specified (@pxref{Asm
2842 Labels}), at present the attribute must follow the @code{asm}
2843 specification; in future, attributes before the @code{asm} specification
2844 may apply to the adjacent declarator, and those after it to the declared
2845 object or function.
2846
2847 An attribute specifier list may, in future, be permitted to appear after
2848 the declarator in a function definition (before any old-style parameter
2849 declarations or the function body).
2850
2851 Attribute specifiers may be mixed with type qualifiers appearing inside
2852 the @code{[]} of a parameter array declarator, in the C99 construct by
2853 which such qualifiers are applied to the pointer to which the array is
2854 implicitly converted. Such attribute specifiers apply to the pointer,
2855 not to the array, but at present this is not implemented and they are
2856 ignored.
2857
2858 An attribute specifier list may appear at the start of a nested
2859 declarator. At present, there are some limitations in this usage: the
2860 attributes correctly apply to the declarator, but for most individual
2861 attributes the semantics this implies are not implemented.
2862 When attribute specifiers follow the @code{*} of a pointer
2863 declarator, they may be mixed with any type qualifiers present.
2864 The following describes the formal semantics of this syntax. It will make the
2865 most sense if you are familiar with the formal specification of
2866 declarators in the ISO C standard.
2867
2868 Consider (as in C99 subclause 6.7.5 paragraph 4) a declaration @code{T
2869 D1}, where @code{T} contains declaration specifiers that specify a type
2870 @var{Type} (such as @code{int}) and @code{D1} is a declarator that
2871 contains an identifier @var{ident}. The type specified for @var{ident}
2872 for derived declarators whose type does not include an attribute
2873 specifier is as in the ISO C standard.
2874
2875 If @code{D1} has the form @code{( @var{attribute-specifier-list} D )},
2876 and the declaration @code{T D} specifies the type
2877 ``@var{derived-declarator-type-list} @var{Type}'' for @var{ident}, then
2878 @code{T D1} specifies the type ``@var{derived-declarator-type-list}
2879 @var{attribute-specifier-list} @var{Type}'' for @var{ident}.
2880
2881 If @code{D1} has the form @code{*
2882 @var{type-qualifier-and-attribute-specifier-list} D}, and the
2883 declaration @code{T D} specifies the type
2884 ``@var{derived-declarator-type-list} @var{Type}'' for @var{ident}, then
2885 @code{T D1} specifies the type ``@var{derived-declarator-type-list}
2886 @var{type-qualifier-and-attribute-specifier-list} @var{Type}'' for
2887 @var{ident}.
2888
2889 For example,
2890
2891 @smallexample
2892 void (__attribute__((noreturn)) ****f) (void);
2893 @end smallexample
2894
2895 @noindent
2896 specifies the type ``pointer to pointer to pointer to pointer to
2897 non-returning function returning @code{void}''. As another example,
2898
2899 @smallexample
2900 char *__attribute__((aligned(8))) *f;
2901 @end smallexample
2902
2903 @noindent
2904 specifies the type ``pointer to 8-byte-aligned pointer to @code{char}''.
2905 Note again that this does not work with most attributes; for example,
2906 the usage of @samp{aligned} and @samp{noreturn} attributes given above
2907 is not yet supported.
2908
2909 For compatibility with existing code written for compiler versions that
2910 did not implement attributes on nested declarators, some laxity is
2911 allowed in the placing of attributes. If an attribute that only applies
2912 to types is applied to a declaration, it will be treated as applying to
2913 the type of that declaration. If an attribute that only applies to
2914 declarations is applied to the type of a declaration, it will be treated
2915 as applying to that declaration; and, for compatibility with code
2916 placing the attributes immediately before the identifier declared, such
2917 an attribute applied to a function return type will be treated as
2918 applying to the function type, and such an attribute applied to an array
2919 element type will be treated as applying to the array type. If an
2920 attribute that only applies to function types is applied to a
2921 pointer-to-function type, it will be treated as applying to the pointer
2922 target type; if such an attribute is applied to a function return type
2923 that is not a pointer-to-function type, it will be treated as applying
2924 to the function type.
2925
2926 @node Function Prototypes
2927 @section Prototypes and Old-Style Function Definitions
2928 @cindex function prototype declarations
2929 @cindex old-style function definitions
2930 @cindex promotion of formal parameters
2931
2932 GNU C extends ISO C to allow a function prototype to override a later
2933 old-style non-prototype definition. Consider the following example:
2934
2935 @example
2936 /* @r{Use prototypes unless the compiler is old-fashioned.} */
2937 #ifdef __STDC__
2938 #define P(x) x
2939 #else
2940 #define P(x) ()
2941 #endif
2942
2943 /* @r{Prototype function declaration.} */
2944 int isroot P((uid_t));
2945
2946 /* @r{Old-style function definition.} */
2947 int
2948 isroot (x) /* ??? lossage here ??? */
2949 uid_t x;
2950 @{
2951 return x == 0;
2952 @}
2953 @end example
2954
2955 Suppose the type @code{uid_t} happens to be @code{short}. ISO C does
2956 not allow this example, because subword arguments in old-style
2957 non-prototype definitions are promoted. Therefore in this example the
2958 function definition's argument is really an @code{int}, which does not
2959 match the prototype argument type of @code{short}.
2960
2961 This restriction of ISO C makes it hard to write code that is portable
2962 to traditional C compilers, because the programmer does not know
2963 whether the @code{uid_t} type is @code{short}, @code{int}, or
2964 @code{long}. Therefore, in cases like these GNU C allows a prototype
2965 to override a later old-style definition. More precisely, in GNU C, a
2966 function prototype argument type overrides the argument type specified
2967 by a later old-style definition if the former type is the same as the
2968 latter type before promotion. Thus in GNU C the above example is
2969 equivalent to the following:
2970
2971 @example
2972 int isroot (uid_t);
2973
2974 int
2975 isroot (uid_t x)
2976 @{
2977 return x == 0;
2978 @}
2979 @end example
2980
2981 @noindent
2982 GNU C++ does not support old-style function definitions, so this
2983 extension is irrelevant.
2984
2985 @node C++ Comments
2986 @section C++ Style Comments
2987 @cindex //
2988 @cindex C++ comments
2989 @cindex comments, C++ style
2990
2991 In GNU C, you may use C++ style comments, which start with @samp{//} and
2992 continue until the end of the line. Many other C implementations allow
2993 such comments, and they are included in the 1999 C standard. However,
2994 C++ style comments are not recognized if you specify an @option{-std}
2995 option specifying a version of ISO C before C99, or @option{-ansi}
2996 (equivalent to @option{-std=c89}).
2997
2998 @node Dollar Signs
2999 @section Dollar Signs in Identifier Names
3000 @cindex $
3001 @cindex dollar signs in identifier names
3002 @cindex identifier names, dollar signs in
3003
3004 In GNU C, you may normally use dollar signs in identifier names.
3005 This is because many traditional C implementations allow such identifiers.
3006 However, dollar signs in identifiers are not supported on a few target
3007 machines, typically because the target assembler does not allow them.
3008
3009 @node Character Escapes
3010 @section The Character @key{ESC} in Constants
3011
3012 You can use the sequence @samp{\e} in a string or character constant to
3013 stand for the ASCII character @key{ESC}.
3014
3015 @node Alignment
3016 @section Inquiring on Alignment of Types or Variables
3017 @cindex alignment
3018 @cindex type alignment
3019 @cindex variable alignment
3020
3021 The keyword @code{__alignof__} allows you to inquire about how an object
3022 is aligned, or the minimum alignment usually required by a type. Its
3023 syntax is just like @code{sizeof}.
3024
3025 For example, if the target machine requires a @code{double} value to be
3026 aligned on an 8-byte boundary, then @code{__alignof__ (double)} is 8.
3027 This is true on many RISC machines. On more traditional machine
3028 designs, @code{__alignof__ (double)} is 4 or even 2.
3029
3030 Some machines never actually require alignment; they allow reference to any
3031 data type even at an odd address. For these machines, @code{__alignof__}
3032 reports the @emph{recommended} alignment of a type.
3033
3034 If the operand of @code{__alignof__} is an lvalue rather than a type,
3035 its value is the required alignment for its type, taking into account
3036 any minimum alignment specified with GCC's @code{__attribute__}
3037 extension (@pxref{Variable Attributes}). For example, after this
3038 declaration:
3039
3040 @example
3041 struct foo @{ int x; char y; @} foo1;
3042 @end example
3043
3044 @noindent
3045 the value of @code{__alignof__ (foo1.y)} is 1, even though its actual
3046 alignment is probably 2 or 4, the same as @code{__alignof__ (int)}.
3047
3048 It is an error to ask for the alignment of an incomplete type.
3049
3050 @node Variable Attributes
3051 @section Specifying Attributes of Variables
3052 @cindex attribute of variables
3053 @cindex variable attributes
3054
3055 The keyword @code{__attribute__} allows you to specify special
3056 attributes of variables or structure fields. This keyword is followed
3057 by an attribute specification inside double parentheses. Some
3058 attributes are currently defined generically for variables.
3059 Other attributes are defined for variables on particular target
3060 systems. Other attributes are available for functions
3061 (@pxref{Function Attributes}) and for types (@pxref{Type Attributes}).
3062 Other front ends might define more attributes
3063 (@pxref{C++ Extensions,,Extensions to the C++ Language}).
3064
3065 You may also specify attributes with @samp{__} preceding and following
3066 each keyword. This allows you to use them in header files without
3067 being concerned about a possible macro of the same name. For example,
3068 you may use @code{__aligned__} instead of @code{aligned}.
3069
3070 @xref{Attribute Syntax}, for details of the exact syntax for using
3071 attributes.
3072
3073 @table @code
3074 @cindex @code{aligned} attribute
3075 @item aligned (@var{alignment})
3076 This attribute specifies a minimum alignment for the variable or
3077 structure field, measured in bytes. For example, the declaration:
3078
3079 @smallexample
3080 int x __attribute__ ((aligned (16))) = 0;
3081 @end smallexample
3082
3083 @noindent
3084 causes the compiler to allocate the global variable @code{x} on a
3085 16-byte boundary. On a 68040, this could be used in conjunction with
3086 an @code{asm} expression to access the @code{move16} instruction which
3087 requires 16-byte aligned operands.
3088
3089 You can also specify the alignment of structure fields. For example, to
3090 create a double-word aligned @code{int} pair, you could write:
3091
3092 @smallexample
3093 struct foo @{ int x[2] __attribute__ ((aligned (8))); @};
3094 @end smallexample
3095
3096 @noindent
3097 This is an alternative to creating a union with a @code{double} member
3098 that forces the union to be double-word aligned.
3099
3100 As in the preceding examples, you can explicitly specify the alignment
3101 (in bytes) that you wish the compiler to use for a given variable or
3102 structure field. Alternatively, you can leave out the alignment factor
3103 and just ask the compiler to align a variable or field to the maximum
3104 useful alignment for the target machine you are compiling for. For
3105 example, you could write:
3106
3107 @smallexample
3108 short array[3] __attribute__ ((aligned));
3109 @end smallexample
3110
3111 Whenever you leave out the alignment factor in an @code{aligned} attribute
3112 specification, the compiler automatically sets the alignment for the declared
3113 variable or field to the largest alignment which is ever used for any data
3114 type on the target machine you are compiling for. Doing this can often make
3115 copy operations more efficient, because the compiler can use whatever
3116 instructions copy the biggest chunks of memory when performing copies to
3117 or from the variables or fields that you have aligned this way.
3118
3119 The @code{aligned} attribute can only increase the alignment; but you
3120 can decrease it by specifying @code{packed} as well. See below.
3121
3122 Note that the effectiveness of @code{aligned} attributes may be limited
3123 by inherent limitations in your linker. On many systems, the linker is
3124 only able to arrange for variables to be aligned up to a certain maximum
3125 alignment. (For some linkers, the maximum supported alignment may
3126 be very very small.) If your linker is only able to align variables
3127 up to a maximum of 8 byte alignment, then specifying @code{aligned(16)}
3128 in an @code{__attribute__} will still only provide you with 8 byte
3129 alignment. See your linker documentation for further information.
3130
3131 @item cleanup (@var{cleanup_function})
3132 @cindex @code{cleanup} attribute
3133 The @code{cleanup} attribute runs a function when the variable goes
3134 out of scope. This attribute can only be applied to auto function
3135 scope variables; it may not be applied to parameters or variables
3136 with static storage duration. The function must take one parameter,
3137 a pointer to a type compatible with the variable. The return value
3138 of the function (if any) is ignored.
3139
3140 If @option{-fexceptions} is enabled, then @var{cleanup_function}
3141 will be run during the stack unwinding that happens during the
3142 processing of the exception. Note that the @code{cleanup} attribute
3143 does not allow the exception to be caught, only to perform an action.
3144 It is undefined what happens if @var{cleanup_function} does not
3145 return normally.
3146
3147 @item common
3148 @itemx nocommon
3149 @cindex @code{common} attribute
3150 @cindex @code{nocommon} attribute
3151 @opindex fcommon
3152 @opindex fno-common
3153 The @code{common} attribute requests GCC to place a variable in
3154 ``common'' storage. The @code{nocommon} attribute requests the
3155 opposite -- to allocate space for it directly.
3156
3157 These attributes override the default chosen by the
3158 @option{-fno-common} and @option{-fcommon} flags respectively.
3159
3160 @item deprecated
3161 @cindex @code{deprecated} attribute
3162 The @code{deprecated} attribute results in a warning if the variable
3163 is used anywhere in the source file. This is useful when identifying
3164 variables that are expected to be removed in a future version of a
3165 program. The warning also includes the location of the declaration
3166 of the deprecated variable, to enable users to easily find further
3167 information about why the variable is deprecated, or what they should
3168 do instead. Note that the warning only occurs for uses:
3169
3170 @smallexample
3171 extern int old_var __attribute__ ((deprecated));
3172 extern int old_var;
3173 int new_fn () @{ return old_var; @}
3174 @end smallexample
3175
3176 results in a warning on line 3 but not line 2.
3177
3178 The @code{deprecated} attribute can also be used for functions and
3179 types (@pxref{Function Attributes}, @pxref{Type Attributes}.)
3180
3181 @item mode (@var{mode})
3182 @cindex @code{mode} attribute
3183 This attribute specifies the data type for the declaration---whichever
3184 type corresponds to the mode @var{mode}. This in effect lets you
3185 request an integer or floating point type according to its width.
3186
3187 You may also specify a mode of @samp{byte} or @samp{__byte__} to
3188 indicate the mode corresponding to a one-byte integer, @samp{word} or
3189 @samp{__word__} for the mode of a one-word integer, and @samp{pointer}
3190 or @samp{__pointer__} for the mode used to represent pointers.
3191
3192 @item packed
3193 @cindex @code{packed} attribute
3194 The @code{packed} attribute specifies that a variable or structure field
3195 should have the smallest possible alignment---one byte for a variable,
3196 and one bit for a field, unless you specify a larger value with the
3197 @code{aligned} attribute.
3198
3199 Here is a structure in which the field @code{x} is packed, so that it
3200 immediately follows @code{a}:
3201
3202 @example
3203 struct foo
3204 @{
3205 char a;
3206 int x[2] __attribute__ ((packed));
3207 @};
3208 @end example
3209
3210 @item section ("@var{section-name}")
3211 @cindex @code{section} variable attribute
3212 Normally, the compiler places the objects it generates in sections like
3213 @code{data} and @code{bss}. Sometimes, however, you need additional sections,
3214 or you need certain particular variables to appear in special sections,
3215 for example to map to special hardware. The @code{section}
3216 attribute specifies that a variable (or function) lives in a particular
3217 section. For example, this small program uses several specific section names:
3218
3219 @smallexample
3220 struct duart a __attribute__ ((section ("DUART_A"))) = @{ 0 @};
3221 struct duart b __attribute__ ((section ("DUART_B"))) = @{ 0 @};
3222 char stack[10000] __attribute__ ((section ("STACK"))) = @{ 0 @};
3223 int init_data __attribute__ ((section ("INITDATA"))) = 0;
3224
3225 main()
3226 @{
3227 /* Initialize stack pointer */
3228 init_sp (stack + sizeof (stack));
3229
3230 /* Initialize initialized data */
3231 memcpy (&init_data, &data, &edata - &data);
3232
3233 /* Turn on the serial ports */
3234 init_duart (&a);
3235 init_duart (&b);
3236 @}
3237 @end smallexample
3238
3239 @noindent
3240 Use the @code{section} attribute with an @emph{initialized} definition
3241 of a @emph{global} variable, as shown in the example. GCC issues
3242 a warning and otherwise ignores the @code{section} attribute in
3243 uninitialized variable declarations.
3244
3245 You may only use the @code{section} attribute with a fully initialized
3246 global definition because of the way linkers work. The linker requires
3247 each object be defined once, with the exception that uninitialized
3248 variables tentatively go in the @code{common} (or @code{bss}) section
3249 and can be multiply ``defined''. You can force a variable to be
3250 initialized with the @option{-fno-common} flag or the @code{nocommon}
3251 attribute.
3252
3253 Some file formats do not support arbitrary sections so the @code{section}
3254 attribute is not available on all platforms.
3255 If you need to map the entire contents of a module to a particular
3256 section, consider using the facilities of the linker instead.
3257
3258 @item shared
3259 @cindex @code{shared} variable attribute
3260 On Windows, in addition to putting variable definitions in a named
3261 section, the section can also be shared among all running copies of an
3262 executable or DLL@. For example, this small program defines shared data
3263 by putting it in a named section @code{shared} and marking the section
3264 shareable:
3265
3266 @smallexample
3267 int foo __attribute__((section ("shared"), shared)) = 0;
3268
3269 int
3270 main()
3271 @{
3272 /* Read and write foo. All running
3273 copies see the same value. */
3274 return 0;
3275 @}
3276 @end smallexample
3277
3278 @noindent
3279 You may only use the @code{shared} attribute along with @code{section}
3280 attribute with a fully initialized global definition because of the way
3281 linkers work. See @code{section} attribute for more information.
3282
3283 The @code{shared} attribute is only available on Windows@.
3284
3285 @item tls_model ("@var{tls_model}")
3286 @cindex @code{tls_model} attribute
3287 The @code{tls_model} attribute sets thread-local storage model
3288 (@pxref{Thread-Local}) of a particular @code{__thread} variable,
3289 overriding @code{-ftls-model=} command line switch on a per-variable
3290 basis.
3291 The @var{tls_model} argument should be one of @code{global-dynamic},
3292 @code{local-dynamic}, @code{initial-exec} or @code{local-exec}.
3293
3294 Not all targets support this attribute.
3295
3296 @item transparent_union
3297 This attribute, attached to a function parameter which is a union, means
3298 that the corresponding argument may have the type of any union member,
3299 but the argument is passed as if its type were that of the first union
3300 member. For more details see @xref{Type Attributes}. You can also use
3301 this attribute on a @code{typedef} for a union data type; then it
3302 applies to all function parameters with that type.
3303
3304 @item unused
3305 This attribute, attached to a variable, means that the variable is meant
3306 to be possibly unused. GCC will not produce a warning for this
3307 variable.
3308
3309 @item vector_size (@var{bytes})
3310 This attribute specifies the vector size for the variable, measured in
3311 bytes. For example, the declaration:
3312
3313 @smallexample
3314 int foo __attribute__ ((vector_size (16)));
3315 @end smallexample
3316
3317 @noindent
3318 causes the compiler to set the mode for @code{foo}, to be 16 bytes,
3319 divided into @code{int} sized units. Assuming a 32-bit int (a vector of
3320 4 units of 4 bytes), the corresponding mode of @code{foo} will be V4SI@.
3321
3322 This attribute is only applicable to integral and float scalars,
3323 although arrays, pointers, and function return values are allowed in
3324 conjunction with this construct.
3325
3326 Aggregates with this attribute are invalid, even if they are of the same
3327 size as a corresponding scalar. For example, the declaration:
3328
3329 @smallexample
3330 struct S @{ int a; @};
3331 struct S __attribute__ ((vector_size (16))) foo;
3332 @end smallexample
3333
3334 @noindent
3335 is invalid even if the size of the structure is the same as the size of
3336 the @code{int}.
3337
3338 @item weak
3339 The @code{weak} attribute is described in @xref{Function Attributes}.
3340
3341 @item dllimport
3342 The @code{dllimport} attribute is described in @xref{Function Attributes}.
3343
3344 @item dlexport
3345 The @code{dllexport} attribute is described in @xref{Function Attributes}.
3346
3347 @end table
3348
3349 @subsection M32R/D Variable Attributes
3350
3351 One attribute is currently defined for the M32R/D.
3352
3353 @table @code
3354 @item model (@var{model-name})
3355 @cindex variable addressability on the M32R/D
3356 Use this attribute on the M32R/D to set the addressability of an object.
3357 The identifier @var{model-name} is one of @code{small}, @code{medium},
3358 or @code{large}, representing each of the code models.
3359
3360 Small model objects live in the lower 16MB of memory (so that their
3361 addresses can be loaded with the @code{ld24} instruction).
3362
3363 Medium and large model objects may live anywhere in the 32-bit address space
3364 (the compiler will generate @code{seth/add3} instructions to load their
3365 addresses).
3366 @end table
3367
3368 @subsection i386 Variable Attributes
3369
3370 Two attributes are currently defined for i386 configurations:
3371 @code{ms_struct} and @code{gcc_struct}
3372
3373 @table @code
3374 @item ms_struct
3375 @itemx gcc_struct
3376 @cindex @code{ms_struct} attribute
3377 @cindex @code{gcc_struct} attribute
3378
3379 If @code{packed} is used on a structure, or if bit-fields are used
3380 it may be that the Microsoft ABI packs them differently
3381 than GCC would normally pack them. Particularly when moving packed
3382 data between functions compiled with GCC and the native Microsoft compiler
3383 (either via function call or as data in a file), it may be necessary to access
3384 either format.
3385
3386 Currently @option{-m[no-]ms-bitfields} is provided for the Windows X86
3387 compilers to match the native Microsoft compiler.
3388 @end table
3389
3390 @node Type Attributes
3391 @section Specifying Attributes of Types
3392 @cindex attribute of types
3393 @cindex type attributes
3394
3395 The keyword @code{__attribute__} allows you to specify special
3396 attributes of @code{struct} and @code{union} types when you define such
3397 types. This keyword is followed by an attribute specification inside
3398 double parentheses. Six attributes are currently defined for types:
3399 @code{aligned}, @code{packed}, @code{transparent_union}, @code{unused},
3400 @code{deprecated} and @code{may_alias}. Other attributes are defined for
3401 functions (@pxref{Function Attributes}) and for variables
3402 (@pxref{Variable Attributes}).
3403
3404 You may also specify any one of these attributes with @samp{__}
3405 preceding and following its keyword. This allows you to use these
3406 attributes in header files without being concerned about a possible
3407 macro of the same name. For example, you may use @code{__aligned__}
3408 instead of @code{aligned}.
3409
3410 You may specify the @code{aligned} and @code{transparent_union}
3411 attributes either in a @code{typedef} declaration or just past the
3412 closing curly brace of a complete enum, struct or union type
3413 @emph{definition} and the @code{packed} attribute only past the closing
3414 brace of a definition.
3415
3416 You may also specify attributes between the enum, struct or union
3417 tag and the name of the type rather than after the closing brace.
3418
3419 @xref{Attribute Syntax}, for details of the exact syntax for using
3420 attributes.
3421
3422 @table @code
3423 @cindex @code{aligned} attribute
3424 @item aligned (@var{alignment})
3425 This attribute specifies a minimum alignment (in bytes) for variables
3426 of the specified type. For example, the declarations:
3427
3428 @smallexample
3429 struct S @{ short f[3]; @} __attribute__ ((aligned (8)));
3430 typedef int more_aligned_int __attribute__ ((aligned (8)));
3431 @end smallexample
3432
3433 @noindent
3434 force the compiler to insure (as far as it can) that each variable whose
3435 type is @code{struct S} or @code{more_aligned_int} will be allocated and
3436 aligned @emph{at least} on a 8-byte boundary. On a SPARC, having all
3437 variables of type @code{struct S} aligned to 8-byte boundaries allows
3438 the compiler to use the @code{ldd} and @code{std} (doubleword load and
3439 store) instructions when copying one variable of type @code{struct S} to
3440 another, thus improving run-time efficiency.
3441
3442 Note that the alignment of any given @code{struct} or @code{union} type
3443 is required by the ISO C standard to be at least a perfect multiple of
3444 the lowest common multiple of the alignments of all of the members of
3445 the @code{struct} or @code{union} in question. This means that you @emph{can}
3446 effectively adjust the alignment of a @code{struct} or @code{union}
3447 type by attaching an @code{aligned} attribute to any one of the members
3448 of such a type, but the notation illustrated in the example above is a
3449 more obvious, intuitive, and readable way to request the compiler to
3450 adjust the alignment of an entire @code{struct} or @code{union} type.
3451
3452 As in the preceding example, you can explicitly specify the alignment
3453 (in bytes) that you wish the compiler to use for a given @code{struct}
3454 or @code{union} type. Alternatively, you can leave out the alignment factor
3455 and just ask the compiler to align a type to the maximum
3456 useful alignment for the target machine you are compiling for. For
3457 example, you could write:
3458
3459 @smallexample
3460 struct S @{ short f[3]; @} __attribute__ ((aligned));
3461 @end smallexample
3462
3463 Whenever you leave out the alignment factor in an @code{aligned}
3464 attribute specification, the compiler automatically sets the alignment
3465 for the type to the largest alignment which is ever used for any data
3466 type on the target machine you are compiling for. Doing this can often
3467 make copy operations more efficient, because the compiler can use
3468 whatever instructions copy the biggest chunks of memory when performing
3469 copies to or from the variables which have types that you have aligned
3470 this way.
3471
3472 In the example above, if the size of each @code{short} is 2 bytes, then
3473 the size of the entire @code{struct S} type is 6 bytes. The smallest
3474 power of two which is greater than or equal to that is 8, so the
3475 compiler sets the alignment for the entire @code{struct S} type to 8
3476 bytes.
3477
3478 Note that although you can ask the compiler to select a time-efficient
3479 alignment for a given type and then declare only individual stand-alone
3480 objects of that type, the compiler's ability to select a time-efficient
3481 alignment is primarily useful only when you plan to create arrays of
3482 variables having the relevant (efficiently aligned) type. If you
3483 declare or use arrays of variables of an efficiently-aligned type, then
3484 it is likely that your program will also be doing pointer arithmetic (or
3485 subscripting, which amounts to the same thing) on pointers to the
3486 relevant type, and the code that the compiler generates for these
3487 pointer arithmetic operations will often be more efficient for
3488 efficiently-aligned types than for other types.
3489
3490 The @code{aligned} attribute can only increase the alignment; but you
3491 can decrease it by specifying @code{packed} as well. See below.
3492
3493 Note that the effectiveness of @code{aligned} attributes may be limited
3494 by inherent limitations in your linker. On many systems, the linker is
3495 only able to arrange for variables to be aligned up to a certain maximum
3496 alignment. (For some linkers, the maximum supported alignment may
3497 be very very small.) If your linker is only able to align variables
3498 up to a maximum of 8 byte alignment, then specifying @code{aligned(16)}
3499 in an @code{__attribute__} will still only provide you with 8 byte
3500 alignment. See your linker documentation for further information.
3501
3502 @item packed
3503 This attribute, attached to @code{struct} or @code{union} type
3504 definition, specifies that each member of the structure or union is
3505 placed to minimize the memory required. When attached to an @code{enum}
3506 definition, it indicates that the smallest integral type should be used.
3507
3508 @opindex fshort-enums
3509 Specifying this attribute for @code{struct} and @code{union} types is
3510 equivalent to specifying the @code{packed} attribute on each of the
3511 structure or union members. Specifying the @option{-fshort-enums}
3512 flag on the line is equivalent to specifying the @code{packed}
3513 attribute on all @code{enum} definitions.
3514
3515 In the following example @code{struct my_packed_struct}'s members are
3516 packed closely together, but the internal layout of its @code{s} member
3517 is not packed -- to do that, @code{struct my_unpacked_struct} would need to
3518 be packed too.
3519
3520 @smallexample
3521 struct my_unpacked_struct
3522 @{
3523 char c;
3524 int i;
3525 @};
3526
3527 struct my_packed_struct __attribute__ ((__packed__))
3528 @{
3529 char c;
3530 int i;
3531 struct my_unpacked_struct s;
3532 @};
3533 @end smallexample
3534
3535 You may only specify this attribute on the definition of a @code{enum},
3536 @code{struct} or @code{union}, not on a @code{typedef} which does not
3537 also define the enumerated type, structure or union.
3538
3539 @item transparent_union
3540 This attribute, attached to a @code{union} type definition, indicates
3541 that any function parameter having that union type causes calls to that
3542 function to be treated in a special way.
3543
3544 First, the argument corresponding to a transparent union type can be of
3545 any type in the union; no cast is required. Also, if the union contains
3546 a pointer type, the corresponding argument can be a null pointer
3547 constant or a void pointer expression; and if the union contains a void
3548 pointer type, the corresponding argument can be any pointer expression.
3549 If the union member type is a pointer, qualifiers like @code{const} on
3550 the referenced type must be respected, just as with normal pointer
3551 conversions.
3552
3553 Second, the argument is passed to the function using the calling
3554 conventions of the first member of the transparent union, not the calling
3555 conventions of the union itself. All members of the union must have the
3556 same machine representation; this is necessary for this argument passing
3557 to work properly.
3558
3559 Transparent unions are designed for library functions that have multiple
3560 interfaces for compatibility reasons. For example, suppose the
3561 @code{wait} function must accept either a value of type @code{int *} to
3562 comply with Posix, or a value of type @code{union wait *} to comply with
3563 the 4.1BSD interface. If @code{wait}'s parameter were @code{void *},
3564 @code{wait} would accept both kinds of arguments, but it would also
3565 accept any other pointer type and this would make argument type checking
3566 less useful. Instead, @code{<sys/wait.h>} might define the interface
3567 as follows:
3568
3569 @smallexample
3570 typedef union
3571 @{
3572 int *__ip;
3573 union wait *__up;
3574 @} wait_status_ptr_t __attribute__ ((__transparent_union__));
3575
3576 pid_t wait (wait_status_ptr_t);
3577 @end smallexample
3578
3579 This interface allows either @code{int *} or @code{union wait *}
3580 arguments to be passed, using the @code{int *} calling convention.
3581 The program can call @code{wait} with arguments of either type:
3582
3583 @example
3584 int w1 () @{ int w; return wait (&w); @}
3585 int w2 () @{ union wait w; return wait (&w); @}
3586 @end example
3587
3588 With this interface, @code{wait}'s implementation might look like this:
3589
3590 @example
3591 pid_t wait (wait_status_ptr_t p)
3592 @{
3593 return waitpid (-1, p.__ip, 0);
3594 @}
3595 @end example
3596
3597 @item unused
3598 When attached to a type (including a @code{union} or a @code{struct}),
3599 this attribute means that variables of that type are meant to appear
3600 possibly unused. GCC will not produce a warning for any variables of
3601 that type, even if the variable appears to do nothing. This is often
3602 the case with lock or thread classes, which are usually defined and then
3603 not referenced, but contain constructors and destructors that have
3604 nontrivial bookkeeping functions.
3605
3606 @item deprecated
3607 The @code{deprecated} attribute results in a warning if the type
3608 is used anywhere in the source file. This is useful when identifying
3609 types that are expected to be removed in a future version of a program.
3610 If possible, the warning also includes the location of the declaration
3611 of the deprecated type, to enable users to easily find further
3612 information about why the type is deprecated, or what they should do
3613 instead. Note that the warnings only occur for uses and then only
3614 if the type is being applied to an identifier that itself is not being
3615 declared as deprecated.
3616
3617 @smallexample
3618 typedef int T1 __attribute__ ((deprecated));
3619 T1 x;
3620 typedef T1 T2;
3621 T2 y;
3622 typedef T1 T3 __attribute__ ((deprecated));
3623 T3 z __attribute__ ((deprecated));
3624 @end smallexample
3625
3626 results in a warning on line 2 and 3 but not lines 4, 5, or 6. No
3627 warning is issued for line 4 because T2 is not explicitly
3628 deprecated. Line 5 has no warning because T3 is explicitly
3629 deprecated. Similarly for line 6.
3630
3631 The @code{deprecated} attribute can also be used for functions and
3632 variables (@pxref{Function Attributes}, @pxref{Variable Attributes}.)
3633
3634 @item may_alias
3635 Accesses to objects with types with this attribute are not subjected to
3636 type-based alias analysis, but are instead assumed to be able to alias
3637 any other type of objects, just like the @code{char} type. See
3638 @option{-fstrict-aliasing} for more information on aliasing issues.
3639
3640 Example of use:
3641
3642 @smallexample
3643 typedef short __attribute__((__may_alias__)) short_a;
3644
3645 int
3646 main (void)
3647 @{
3648 int a = 0x12345678;
3649 short_a *b = (short_a *) &a;
3650
3651 b[1] = 0;
3652
3653 if (a == 0x12345678)
3654 abort();
3655
3656 exit(0);
3657 @}
3658 @end smallexample
3659
3660 If you replaced @code{short_a} with @code{short} in the variable
3661 declaration, the above program would abort when compiled with
3662 @option{-fstrict-aliasing}, which is on by default at @option{-O2} or
3663 above in recent GCC versions.
3664
3665 @subsection i386 Type Attributes
3666
3667 Two attributes are currently defined for i386 configurations:
3668 @code{ms_struct} and @code{gcc_struct}
3669
3670 @item ms_struct
3671 @itemx gcc_struct
3672 @cindex @code{ms_struct}
3673 @cindex @code{gcc_struct}
3674
3675 If @code{packed} is used on a structure, or if bit-fields are used
3676 it may be that the Microsoft ABI packs them differently
3677 than GCC would normally pack them. Particularly when moving packed
3678 data between functions compiled with GCC and the native Microsoft compiler
3679 (either via function call or as data in a file), it may be necessary to access
3680 either format.
3681
3682 Currently @option{-m[no-]ms-bitfields} is provided for the Windows X86
3683 compilers to match the native Microsoft compiler.
3684 @end table
3685
3686 To specify multiple attributes, separate them by commas within the
3687 double parentheses: for example, @samp{__attribute__ ((aligned (16),
3688 packed))}.
3689
3690 @node Inline
3691 @section An Inline Function is As Fast As a Macro
3692 @cindex inline functions
3693 @cindex integrating function code
3694 @cindex open coding
3695 @cindex macros, inline alternative
3696
3697 By declaring a function @code{inline}, you can direct GCC to
3698 integrate that function's code into the code for its callers. This
3699 makes execution faster by eliminating the function-call overhead; in
3700 addition, if any of the actual argument values are constant, their known
3701 values may permit simplifications at compile time so that not all of the
3702 inline function's code needs to be included. The effect on code size is
3703 less predictable; object code may be larger or smaller with function
3704 inlining, depending on the particular case. Inlining of functions is an
3705 optimization and it really ``works'' only in optimizing compilation. If
3706 you don't use @option{-O}, no function is really inline.
3707
3708 Inline functions are included in the ISO C99 standard, but there are
3709 currently substantial differences between what GCC implements and what
3710 the ISO C99 standard requires.
3711
3712 To declare a function inline, use the @code{inline} keyword in its
3713 declaration, like this:
3714
3715 @example
3716 inline int
3717 inc (int *a)
3718 @{
3719 (*a)++;
3720 @}
3721 @end example
3722
3723 (If you are writing a header file to be included in ISO C programs, write
3724 @code{__inline__} instead of @code{inline}. @xref{Alternate Keywords}.)
3725 You can also make all ``simple enough'' functions inline with the option
3726 @option{-finline-functions}.
3727
3728 @opindex Winline
3729 Note that certain usages in a function definition can make it unsuitable
3730 for inline substitution. Among these usages are: use of varargs, use of
3731 alloca, use of variable sized data types (@pxref{Variable Length}),
3732 use of computed goto (@pxref{Labels as Values}), use of nonlocal goto,
3733 and nested functions (@pxref{Nested Functions}). Using @option{-Winline}
3734 will warn when a function marked @code{inline} could not be substituted,
3735 and will give the reason for the failure.
3736
3737 Note that in C and Objective-C, unlike C++, the @code{inline} keyword
3738 does not affect the linkage of the function.
3739
3740 @cindex automatic @code{inline} for C++ member fns
3741 @cindex @code{inline} automatic for C++ member fns
3742 @cindex member fns, automatically @code{inline}
3743 @cindex C++ member fns, automatically @code{inline}
3744 @opindex fno-default-inline
3745 GCC automatically inlines member functions defined within the class
3746 body of C++ programs even if they are not explicitly declared
3747 @code{inline}. (You can override this with @option{-fno-default-inline};
3748 @pxref{C++ Dialect Options,,Options Controlling C++ Dialect}.)
3749
3750 @cindex inline functions, omission of
3751 @opindex fkeep-inline-functions
3752 When a function is both inline and @code{static}, if all calls to the
3753 function are integrated into the caller, and the function's address is
3754 never used, then the function's own assembler code is never referenced.
3755 In this case, GCC does not actually output assembler code for the
3756 function, unless you specify the option @option{-fkeep-inline-functions}.
3757 Some calls cannot be integrated for various reasons (in particular,
3758 calls that precede the function's definition cannot be integrated, and
3759 neither can recursive calls within the definition). If there is a
3760 nonintegrated call, then the function is compiled to assembler code as
3761 usual. The function must also be compiled as usual if the program
3762 refers to its address, because that can't be inlined.
3763
3764 @cindex non-static inline function
3765 When an inline function is not @code{static}, then the compiler must assume
3766 that there may be calls from other source files; since a global symbol can
3767 be defined only once in any program, the function must not be defined in
3768 the other source files, so the calls therein cannot be integrated.
3769 Therefore, a non-@code{static} inline function is always compiled on its
3770 own in the usual fashion.
3771
3772 If you specify both @code{inline} and @code{extern} in the function
3773 definition, then the definition is used only for inlining. In no case
3774 is the function compiled on its own, not even if you refer to its
3775 address explicitly. Such an address becomes an external reference, as
3776 if you had only declared the function, and had not defined it.
3777
3778 This combination of @code{inline} and @code{extern} has almost the
3779 effect of a macro. The way to use it is to put a function definition in
3780 a header file with these keywords, and put another copy of the
3781 definition (lacking @code{inline} and @code{extern}) in a library file.
3782 The definition in the header file will cause most calls to the function
3783 to be inlined. If any uses of the function remain, they will refer to
3784 the single copy in the library.
3785
3786 Since GCC eventually will implement ISO C99 semantics for
3787 inline functions, it is best to use @code{static inline} only
3788 to guarentee compatibility. (The
3789 existing semantics will remain available when @option{-std=gnu89} is
3790 specified, but eventually the default will be @option{-std=gnu99} and
3791 that will implement the C99 semantics, though it does not do so yet.)
3792
3793 GCC does not inline any functions when not optimizing unless you specify
3794 the @samp{always_inline} attribute for the function, like this:
3795
3796 @example
3797 /* Prototype. */
3798 inline void foo (const char) __attribute__((always_inline));
3799 @end example
3800
3801 @node Extended Asm
3802 @section Assembler Instructions with C Expression Operands
3803 @cindex extended @code{asm}
3804 @cindex @code{asm} expressions
3805 @cindex assembler instructions
3806 @cindex registers
3807
3808 In an assembler instruction using @code{asm}, you can specify the
3809 operands of the instruction using C expressions. This means you need not
3810 guess which registers or memory locations will contain the data you want
3811 to use.
3812
3813 You must specify an assembler instruction template much like what
3814 appears in a machine description, plus an operand constraint string for
3815 each operand.
3816
3817 For example, here is how to use the 68881's @code{fsinx} instruction:
3818
3819 @example
3820 asm ("fsinx %1,%0" : "=f" (result) : "f" (angle));
3821 @end example
3822
3823 @noindent
3824 Here @code{angle} is the C expression for the input operand while
3825 @code{result} is that of the output operand. Each has @samp{"f"} as its
3826 operand constraint, saying that a floating point register is required.
3827 The @samp{=} in @samp{=f} indicates that the operand is an output; all
3828 output operands' constraints must use @samp{=}. The constraints use the
3829 same language used in the machine description (@pxref{Constraints}).
3830
3831 Each operand is described by an operand-constraint string followed by
3832 the C expression in parentheses. A colon separates the assembler
3833 template from the first output operand and another separates the last
3834 output operand from the first input, if any. Commas separate the
3835 operands within each group. The total number of operands is currently
3836 limited to 30; this limitation may be lifted in some future version of
3837 GCC.
3838
3839 If there are no output operands but there are input operands, you must
3840 place two consecutive colons surrounding the place where the output
3841 operands would go.
3842
3843 As of GCC version 3.1, it is also possible to specify input and output
3844 operands using symbolic names which can be referenced within the
3845 assembler code. These names are specified inside square brackets
3846 preceding the constraint string, and can be referenced inside the
3847 assembler code using @code{%[@var{name}]} instead of a percentage sign
3848 followed by the operand number. Using named operands the above example
3849 could look like:
3850
3851 @example
3852 asm ("fsinx %[angle],%[output]"
3853 : [output] "=f" (result)
3854 : [angle] "f" (angle));
3855 @end example
3856
3857 @noindent
3858 Note that the symbolic operand names have no relation whatsoever to
3859 other C identifiers. You may use any name you like, even those of
3860 existing C symbols, but you must ensure that no two operands within the same
3861 assembler construct use the same symbolic name.
3862
3863 Output operand expressions must be lvalues; the compiler can check this.
3864 The input operands need not be lvalues. The compiler cannot check
3865 whether the operands have data types that are reasonable for the
3866 instruction being executed. It does not parse the assembler instruction
3867 template and does not know what it means or even whether it is valid
3868 assembler input. The extended @code{asm} feature is most often used for
3869 machine instructions the compiler itself does not know exist. If
3870 the output expression cannot be directly addressed (for example, it is a
3871 bit-field), your constraint must allow a register. In that case, GCC
3872 will use the register as the output of the @code{asm}, and then store
3873 that register into the output.
3874
3875 The ordinary output operands must be write-only; GCC will assume that
3876 the values in these operands before the instruction are dead and need
3877 not be generated. Extended asm supports input-output or read-write
3878 operands. Use the constraint character @samp{+} to indicate such an
3879 operand and list it with the output operands.
3880
3881 When the constraints for the read-write operand (or the operand in which
3882 only some of the bits are to be changed) allows a register, you may, as
3883 an alternative, logically split its function into two separate operands,
3884 one input operand and one write-only output operand. The connection
3885 between them is expressed by constraints which say they need to be in
3886 the same location when the instruction executes. You can use the same C
3887 expression for both operands, or different expressions. For example,
3888 here we write the (fictitious) @samp{combine} instruction with
3889 @code{bar} as its read-only source operand and @code{foo} as its
3890 read-write destination:
3891
3892 @example
3893 asm ("combine %2,%0" : "=r" (foo) : "0" (foo), "g" (bar));
3894 @end example
3895
3896 @noindent
3897 The constraint @samp{"0"} for operand 1 says that it must occupy the
3898 same location as operand 0. A number in constraint is allowed only in
3899 an input operand and it must refer to an output operand.
3900
3901 Only a number in the constraint can guarantee that one operand will be in
3902 the same place as another. The mere fact that @code{foo} is the value
3903 of both operands is not enough to guarantee that they will be in the
3904 same place in the generated assembler code. The following would not
3905 work reliably:
3906
3907 @example
3908 asm ("combine %2,%0" : "=r" (foo) : "r" (foo), "g" (bar));
3909 @end example
3910
3911 Various optimizations or reloading could cause operands 0 and 1 to be in
3912 different registers; GCC knows no reason not to do so. For example, the
3913 compiler might find a copy of the value of @code{foo} in one register and
3914 use it for operand 1, but generate the output operand 0 in a different
3915 register (copying it afterward to @code{foo}'s own address). Of course,
3916 since the register for operand 1 is not even mentioned in the assembler
3917 code, the result will not work, but GCC can't tell that.
3918
3919 As of GCC version 3.1, one may write @code{[@var{name}]} instead of
3920 the operand number for a matching constraint. For example:
3921
3922 @example
3923 asm ("cmoveq %1,%2,%[result]"
3924 : [result] "=r"(result)
3925 : "r" (test), "r"(new), "[result]"(old));
3926 @end example
3927
3928 Some instructions clobber specific hard registers. To describe this,
3929 write a third colon after the input operands, followed by the names of
3930 the clobbered hard registers (given as strings). Here is a realistic
3931 example for the VAX:
3932
3933 @example
3934 asm volatile ("movc3 %0,%1,%2"
3935 : /* no outputs */
3936 : "g" (from), "g" (to), "g" (count)
3937 : "r0", "r1", "r2", "r3", "r4", "r5");
3938 @end example
3939
3940 You may not write a clobber description in a way that overlaps with an
3941 input or output operand. For example, you may not have an operand
3942 describing a register class with one member if you mention that register
3943 in the clobber list. Variables declared to live in specific registers
3944 (@pxref{Explicit Reg Vars}), and used as asm input or output operands must
3945 have no part mentioned in the clobber description.
3946 There is no way for you to specify that an input
3947 operand is modified without also specifying it as an output
3948 operand. Note that if all the output operands you specify are for this
3949 purpose (and hence unused), you will then also need to specify
3950 @code{volatile} for the @code{asm} construct, as described below, to
3951 prevent GCC from deleting the @code{asm} statement as unused.
3952
3953 If you refer to a particular hardware register from the assembler code,
3954 you will probably have to list the register after the third colon to
3955 tell the compiler the register's value is modified. In some assemblers,
3956 the register names begin with @samp{%}; to produce one @samp{%} in the
3957 assembler code, you must write @samp{%%} in the input.
3958
3959 If your assembler instruction can alter the condition code register, add
3960 @samp{cc} to the list of clobbered registers. GCC on some machines
3961 represents the condition codes as a specific hardware register;
3962 @samp{cc} serves to name this register. On other machines, the
3963 condition code is handled differently, and specifying @samp{cc} has no
3964 effect. But it is valid no matter what the machine.
3965
3966 If your assembler instruction modifies memory in an unpredictable
3967 fashion, add @samp{memory} to the list of clobbered registers. This
3968 will cause GCC to not keep memory values cached in registers across
3969 the assembler instruction. You will also want to add the
3970 @code{volatile} keyword if the memory affected is not listed in the
3971 inputs or outputs of the @code{asm}, as the @samp{memory} clobber does
3972 not count as a side-effect of the @code{asm}.
3973
3974 You can put multiple assembler instructions together in a single
3975 @code{asm} template, separated by the characters normally used in assembly
3976 code for the system. A combination that works in most places is a newline
3977 to break the line, plus a tab character to move to the instruction field
3978 (written as @samp{\n\t}). Sometimes semicolons can be used, if the
3979 assembler allows semicolons as a line-breaking character. Note that some
3980 assembler dialects use semicolons to start a comment.
3981 The input operands are guaranteed not to use any of the clobbered
3982 registers, and neither will the output operands' addresses, so you can
3983 read and write the clobbered registers as many times as you like. Here
3984 is an example of multiple instructions in a template; it assumes the
3985 subroutine @code{_foo} accepts arguments in registers 9 and 10:
3986
3987 @example
3988 asm ("movl %0,r9\n\tmovl %1,r10\n\tcall _foo"
3989 : /* no outputs */
3990 : "g" (from), "g" (to)
3991 : "r9", "r10");
3992 @end example
3993
3994 Unless an output operand has the @samp{&} constraint modifier, GCC
3995 may allocate it in the same register as an unrelated input operand, on
3996 the assumption the inputs are consumed before the outputs are produced.
3997 This assumption may be false if the assembler code actually consists of
3998 more than one instruction. In such a case, use @samp{&} for each output
3999 operand that may not overlap an input. @xref{Modifiers}.
4000
4001 If you want to test the condition code produced by an assembler
4002 instruction, you must include a branch and a label in the @code{asm}
4003 construct, as follows:
4004
4005 @example
4006 asm ("clr %0\n\tfrob %1\n\tbeq 0f\n\tmov #1,%0\n0:"
4007 : "g" (result)
4008 : "g" (input));
4009 @end example
4010
4011 @noindent
4012 This assumes your assembler supports local labels, as the GNU assembler
4013 and most Unix assemblers do.
4014
4015 Speaking of labels, jumps from one @code{asm} to another are not
4016 supported. The compiler's optimizers do not know about these jumps, and
4017 therefore they cannot take account of them when deciding how to
4018 optimize.
4019
4020 @cindex macros containing @code{asm}
4021 Usually the most convenient way to use these @code{asm} instructions is to
4022 encapsulate them in macros that look like functions. For example,
4023
4024 @example
4025 #define sin(x) \
4026 (@{ double __value, __arg = (x); \
4027 asm ("fsinx %1,%0": "=f" (__value): "f" (__arg)); \
4028 __value; @})
4029 @end example
4030
4031 @noindent
4032 Here the variable @code{__arg} is used to make sure that the instruction
4033 operates on a proper @code{double} value, and to accept only those
4034 arguments @code{x} which can convert automatically to a @code{double}.
4035
4036 Another way to make sure the instruction operates on the correct data
4037 type is to use a cast in the @code{asm}. This is different from using a
4038 variable @code{__arg} in that it converts more different types. For
4039 example, if the desired type were @code{int}, casting the argument to
4040 @code{int} would accept a pointer with no complaint, while assigning the
4041 argument to an @code{int} variable named @code{__arg} would warn about
4042 using a pointer unless the caller explicitly casts it.
4043
4044 If an @code{asm} has output operands, GCC assumes for optimization
4045 purposes the instruction has no side effects except to change the output
4046 operands. This does not mean instructions with a side effect cannot be
4047 used, but you must be careful, because the compiler may eliminate them
4048 if the output operands aren't used, or move them out of loops, or
4049 replace two with one if they constitute a common subexpression. Also,
4050 if your instruction does have a side effect on a variable that otherwise
4051 appears not to change, the old value of the variable may be reused later
4052 if it happens to be found in a register.
4053
4054 You can prevent an @code{asm} instruction from being deleted, moved
4055 significantly, or combined, by writing the keyword @code{volatile} after
4056 the @code{asm}. For example:
4057
4058 @example
4059 #define get_and_set_priority(new) \
4060 (@{ int __old; \
4061 asm volatile ("get_and_set_priority %0, %1" \
4062 : "=g" (__old) : "g" (new)); \
4063 __old; @})
4064 @end example
4065
4066 @noindent
4067 If you write an @code{asm} instruction with no outputs, GCC will know
4068 the instruction has side-effects and will not delete the instruction or
4069 move it outside of loops.
4070
4071 The @code{volatile} keyword indicates that the instruction has
4072 important side-effects. GCC will not delete a volatile @code{asm} if
4073 it is reachable. (The instruction can still be deleted if GCC can
4074 prove that control-flow will never reach the location of the
4075 instruction.) In addition, GCC will not reschedule instructions
4076 across a volatile @code{asm} instruction. For example:
4077
4078 @example
4079 *(volatile int *)addr = foo;
4080 asm volatile ("eieio" : : );
4081 @end example
4082
4083 @noindent
4084 Assume @code{addr} contains the address of a memory mapped device
4085 register. The PowerPC @code{eieio} instruction (Enforce In-order
4086 Execution of I/O) tells the CPU to make sure that the store to that
4087 device register happens before it issues any other I/O@.
4088
4089 Note that even a volatile @code{asm} instruction can be moved in ways
4090 that appear insignificant to the compiler, such as across jump
4091 instructions. You can't expect a sequence of volatile @code{asm}
4092 instructions to remain perfectly consecutive. If you want consecutive
4093 output, use a single @code{asm}. Also, GCC will perform some
4094 optimizations across a volatile @code{asm} instruction; GCC does not
4095 ``forget everything'' when it encounters a volatile @code{asm}
4096 instruction the way some other compilers do.
4097
4098 An @code{asm} instruction without any operands or clobbers (an ``old
4099 style'' @code{asm}) will be treated identically to a volatile
4100 @code{asm} instruction.
4101
4102 It is a natural idea to look for a way to give access to the condition
4103 code left by the assembler instruction. However, when we attempted to
4104 implement this, we found no way to make it work reliably. The problem
4105 is that output operands might need reloading, which would result in
4106 additional following ``store'' instructions. On most machines, these
4107 instructions would alter the condition code before there was time to
4108 test it. This problem doesn't arise for ordinary ``test'' and
4109 ``compare'' instructions because they don't have any output operands.
4110
4111 For reasons similar to those described above, it is not possible to give
4112 an assembler instruction access to the condition code left by previous
4113 instructions.
4114
4115 If you are writing a header file that should be includable in ISO C
4116 programs, write @code{__asm__} instead of @code{asm}. @xref{Alternate
4117 Keywords}.
4118
4119 @subsection i386 floating point asm operands
4120
4121 There are several rules on the usage of stack-like regs in
4122 asm_operands insns. These rules apply only to the operands that are
4123 stack-like regs:
4124
4125 @enumerate
4126 @item
4127 Given a set of input regs that die in an asm_operands, it is
4128 necessary to know which are implicitly popped by the asm, and
4129 which must be explicitly popped by gcc.
4130
4131 An input reg that is implicitly popped by the asm must be
4132 explicitly clobbered, unless it is constrained to match an
4133 output operand.
4134
4135 @item
4136 For any input reg that is implicitly popped by an asm, it is
4137 necessary to know how to adjust the stack to compensate for the pop.
4138 If any non-popped input is closer to the top of the reg-stack than
4139 the implicitly popped reg, it would not be possible to know what the
4140 stack looked like---it's not clear how the rest of the stack ``slides
4141 up''.
4142
4143 All implicitly popped input regs must be closer to the top of
4144 the reg-stack than any input that is not implicitly popped.
4145
4146 It is possible that if an input dies in an insn, reload might
4147 use the input reg for an output reload. Consider this example:
4148
4149 @example
4150 asm ("foo" : "=t" (a) : "f" (b));
4151 @end example
4152
4153 This asm says that input B is not popped by the asm, and that
4154 the asm pushes a result onto the reg-stack, i.e., the stack is one
4155 deeper after the asm than it was before. But, it is possible that
4156 reload will think that it can use the same reg for both the input and
4157 the output, if input B dies in this insn.
4158
4159 If any input operand uses the @code{f} constraint, all output reg
4160 constraints must use the @code{&} earlyclobber.
4161
4162 The asm above would be written as
4163
4164 @example
4165 asm ("foo" : "=&t" (a) : "f" (b));
4166 @end example
4167
4168 @item
4169 Some operands need to be in particular places on the stack. All
4170 output operands fall in this category---there is no other way to
4171 know which regs the outputs appear in unless the user indicates
4172 this in the constraints.
4173
4174 Output operands must specifically indicate which reg an output
4175 appears in after an asm. @code{=f} is not allowed: the operand
4176 constraints must select a class with a single reg.
4177
4178 @item
4179 Output operands may not be ``inserted'' between existing stack regs.
4180 Since no 387 opcode uses a read/write operand, all output operands
4181 are dead before the asm_operands, and are pushed by the asm_operands.
4182 It makes no sense to push anywhere but the top of the reg-stack.
4183
4184 Output operands must start at the top of the reg-stack: output
4185 operands may not ``skip'' a reg.
4186
4187 @item
4188 Some asm statements may need extra stack space for internal
4189 calculations. This can be guaranteed by clobbering stack registers
4190 unrelated to the inputs and outputs.
4191
4192 @end enumerate
4193
4194 Here are a couple of reasonable asms to want to write. This asm
4195 takes one input, which is internally popped, and produces two outputs.
4196
4197 @example
4198 asm ("fsincos" : "=t" (cos), "=u" (sin) : "0" (inp));
4199 @end example
4200
4201 This asm takes two inputs, which are popped by the @code{fyl2xp1} opcode,
4202 and replaces them with one output. The user must code the @code{st(1)}
4203 clobber for reg-stack.c to know that @code{fyl2xp1} pops both inputs.
4204
4205 @example
4206 asm ("fyl2xp1" : "=t" (result) : "0" (x), "u" (y) : "st(1)");
4207 @end example
4208
4209 @include md.texi
4210
4211 @node Asm Labels
4212 @section Controlling Names Used in Assembler Code
4213 @cindex assembler names for identifiers
4214 @cindex names used in assembler code
4215 @cindex identifiers, names in assembler code
4216
4217 You can specify the name to be used in the assembler code for a C
4218 function or variable by writing the @code{asm} (or @code{__asm__})
4219 keyword after the declarator as follows:
4220
4221 @example
4222 int foo asm ("myfoo") = 2;
4223 @end example
4224
4225 @noindent
4226 This specifies that the name to be used for the variable @code{foo} in
4227 the assembler code should be @samp{myfoo} rather than the usual
4228 @samp{_foo}.
4229
4230 On systems where an underscore is normally prepended to the name of a C
4231 function or variable, this feature allows you to define names for the
4232 linker that do not start with an underscore.
4233
4234 It does not make sense to use this feature with a non-static local
4235 variable since such variables do not have assembler names. If you are
4236 trying to put the variable in a particular register, see @ref{Explicit
4237 Reg Vars}. GCC presently accepts such code with a warning, but will
4238 probably be changed to issue an error, rather than a warning, in the
4239 future.
4240
4241 You cannot use @code{asm} in this way in a function @emph{definition}; but
4242 you can get the same effect by writing a declaration for the function
4243 before its definition and putting @code{asm} there, like this:
4244
4245 @example
4246 extern func () asm ("FUNC");
4247
4248 func (x, y)
4249 int x, y;
4250 /* @r{@dots{}} */
4251 @end example
4252
4253 It is up to you to make sure that the assembler names you choose do not
4254 conflict with any other assembler symbols. Also, you must not use a
4255 register name; that would produce completely invalid assembler code. GCC
4256 does not as yet have the ability to store static variables in registers.
4257 Perhaps that will be added.
4258
4259 @node Explicit Reg Vars
4260 @section Variables in Specified Registers
4261 @cindex explicit register variables
4262 @cindex variables in specified registers
4263 @cindex specified registers
4264 @cindex registers, global allocation
4265
4266 GNU C allows you to put a few global variables into specified hardware
4267 registers. You can also specify the register in which an ordinary
4268 register variable should be allocated.
4269
4270 @itemize @bullet
4271 @item
4272 Global register variables reserve registers throughout the program.
4273 This may be useful in programs such as programming language
4274 interpreters which have a couple of global variables that are accessed
4275 very often.
4276
4277 @item
4278 Local register variables in specific registers do not reserve the
4279 registers. The compiler's data flow analysis is capable of determining
4280 where the specified registers contain live values, and where they are
4281 available for other uses. Stores into local register variables may be deleted
4282 when they appear to be dead according to dataflow analysis. References
4283 to local register variables may be deleted or moved or simplified.
4284
4285 These local variables are sometimes convenient for use with the extended
4286 @code{asm} feature (@pxref{Extended Asm}), if you want to write one
4287 output of the assembler instruction directly into a particular register.
4288 (This will work provided the register you specify fits the constraints
4289 specified for that operand in the @code{asm}.)
4290 @end itemize
4291
4292 @menu
4293 * Global Reg Vars::
4294 * Local Reg Vars::
4295 @end menu
4296
4297 @node Global Reg Vars
4298 @subsection Defining Global Register Variables
4299 @cindex global register variables
4300 @cindex registers, global variables in
4301
4302 You can define a global register variable in GNU C like this:
4303
4304 @example
4305 register int *foo asm ("a5");
4306 @end example
4307
4308 @noindent
4309 Here @code{a5} is the name of the register which should be used. Choose a
4310 register which is normally saved and restored by function calls on your
4311 machine, so that library routines will not clobber it.
4312
4313 Naturally the register name is cpu-dependent, so you would need to
4314 conditionalize your program according to cpu type. The register
4315 @code{a5} would be a good choice on a 68000 for a variable of pointer
4316 type. On machines with register windows, be sure to choose a ``global''
4317 register that is not affected magically by the function call mechanism.
4318
4319 In addition, operating systems on one type of cpu may differ in how they
4320 name the registers; then you would need additional conditionals. For
4321 example, some 68000 operating systems call this register @code{%a5}.
4322
4323 Eventually there may be a way of asking the compiler to choose a register
4324 automatically, but first we need to figure out how it should choose and
4325 how to enable you to guide the choice. No solution is evident.
4326
4327 Defining a global register variable in a certain register reserves that
4328 register entirely for this use, at least within the current compilation.
4329 The register will not be allocated for any other purpose in the functions
4330 in the current compilation. The register will not be saved and restored by
4331 these functions. Stores into this register are never deleted even if they
4332 would appear to be dead, but references may be deleted or moved or
4333 simplified.
4334
4335 It is not safe to access the global register variables from signal
4336 handlers, or from more than one thread of control, because the system
4337 library routines may temporarily use the register for other things (unless
4338 you recompile them specially for the task at hand).
4339
4340 @cindex @code{qsort}, and global register variables
4341 It is not safe for one function that uses a global register variable to
4342 call another such function @code{foo} by way of a third function
4343 @code{lose} that was compiled without knowledge of this variable (i.e.@: in a
4344 different source file in which the variable wasn't declared). This is
4345 because @code{lose} might save the register and put some other value there.
4346 For example, you can't expect a global register variable to be available in
4347 the comparison-function that you pass to @code{qsort}, since @code{qsort}
4348 might have put something else in that register. (If you are prepared to
4349 recompile @code{qsort} with the same global register variable, you can
4350 solve this problem.)
4351
4352 If you want to recompile @code{qsort} or other source files which do not
4353 actually use your global register variable, so that they will not use that
4354 register for any other purpose, then it suffices to specify the compiler
4355 option @option{-ffixed-@var{reg}}. You need not actually add a global
4356 register declaration to their source code.
4357
4358 A function which can alter the value of a global register variable cannot
4359 safely be called from a function compiled without this variable, because it
4360 could clobber the value the caller expects to find there on return.
4361 Therefore, the function which is the entry point into the part of the
4362 program that uses the global register variable must explicitly save and
4363 restore the value which belongs to its caller.
4364
4365 @cindex register variable after @code{longjmp}
4366 @cindex global register after @code{longjmp}
4367 @cindex value after @code{longjmp}
4368 @findex longjmp
4369 @findex setjmp
4370 On most machines, @code{longjmp} will restore to each global register
4371 variable the value it had at the time of the @code{setjmp}. On some
4372 machines, however, @code{longjmp} will not change the value of global
4373 register variables. To be portable, the function that called @code{setjmp}
4374 should make other arrangements to save the values of the global register
4375 variables, and to restore them in a @code{longjmp}. This way, the same
4376 thing will happen regardless of what @code{longjmp} does.
4377
4378 All global register variable declarations must precede all function
4379 definitions. If such a declaration could appear after function
4380 definitions, the declaration would be too late to prevent the register from
4381 being used for other purposes in the preceding functions.
4382
4383 Global register variables may not have initial values, because an
4384 executable file has no means to supply initial contents for a register.
4385
4386 On the SPARC, there are reports that g3 @dots{} g7 are suitable
4387 registers, but certain library functions, such as @code{getwd}, as well
4388 as the subroutines for division and remainder, modify g3 and g4. g1 and
4389 g2 are local temporaries.
4390
4391 On the 68000, a2 @dots{} a5 should be suitable, as should d2 @dots{} d7.
4392 Of course, it will not do to use more than a few of those.
4393
4394 @node Local Reg Vars
4395 @subsection Specifying Registers for Local Variables
4396 @cindex local variables, specifying registers
4397 @cindex specifying registers for local variables
4398 @cindex registers for local variables
4399
4400 You can define a local register variable with a specified register
4401 like this:
4402
4403 @example
4404 register int *foo asm ("a5");
4405 @end example
4406
4407 @noindent
4408 Here @code{a5} is the name of the register which should be used. Note
4409 that this is the same syntax used for defining global register
4410 variables, but for a local variable it would appear within a function.
4411
4412 Naturally the register name is cpu-dependent, but this is not a
4413 problem, since specific registers are most often useful with explicit
4414 assembler instructions (@pxref{Extended Asm}). Both of these things
4415 generally require that you conditionalize your program according to
4416 cpu type.
4417
4418 In addition, operating systems on one type of cpu may differ in how they
4419 name the registers; then you would need additional conditionals. For
4420 example, some 68000 operating systems call this register @code{%a5}.
4421
4422 Defining such a register variable does not reserve the register; it
4423 remains available for other uses in places where flow control determines
4424 the variable's value is not live. However, these registers are made
4425 unavailable for use in the reload pass; excessive use of this feature
4426 leaves the compiler too few available registers to compile certain
4427 functions.
4428
4429 This option does not guarantee that GCC will generate code that has
4430 this variable in the register you specify at all times. You may not
4431 code an explicit reference to this register in an @code{asm} statement
4432 and assume it will always refer to this variable.
4433
4434 Stores into local register variables may be deleted when they appear to be dead
4435 according to dataflow analysis. References to local register variables may
4436 be deleted or moved or simplified.
4437
4438 @node Alternate Keywords
4439 @section Alternate Keywords
4440 @cindex alternate keywords
4441 @cindex keywords, alternate
4442
4443 @option{-ansi} and the various @option{-std} options disable certain
4444 keywords. This causes trouble when you want to use GNU C extensions, or
4445 a general-purpose header file that should be usable by all programs,
4446 including ISO C programs. The keywords @code{asm}, @code{typeof} and
4447 @code{inline} are not available in programs compiled with
4448 @option{-ansi} or @option{-std} (although @code{inline} can be used in a
4449 program compiled with @option{-std=c99}). The ISO C99 keyword
4450 @code{restrict} is only available when @option{-std=gnu99} (which will
4451 eventually be the default) or @option{-std=c99} (or the equivalent
4452 @option{-std=iso9899:1999}) is used.
4453
4454 The way to solve these problems is to put @samp{__} at the beginning and
4455 end of each problematical keyword. For example, use @code{__asm__}
4456 instead of @code{asm}, and @code{__inline__} instead of @code{inline}.
4457
4458 Other C compilers won't accept these alternative keywords; if you want to
4459 compile with another compiler, you can define the alternate keywords as
4460 macros to replace them with the customary keywords. It looks like this:
4461
4462 @example
4463 #ifndef __GNUC__
4464 #define __asm__ asm
4465 #endif
4466 @end example
4467
4468 @findex __extension__
4469 @opindex pedantic
4470 @option{-pedantic} and other options cause warnings for many GNU C extensions.
4471 You can
4472 prevent such warnings within one expression by writing
4473 @code{__extension__} before the expression. @code{__extension__} has no
4474 effect aside from this.
4475
4476 @node Incomplete Enums
4477 @section Incomplete @code{enum} Types
4478
4479 You can define an @code{enum} tag without specifying its possible values.
4480 This results in an incomplete type, much like what you get if you write
4481 @code{struct foo} without describing the elements. A later declaration
4482 which does specify the possible values completes the type.
4483
4484 You can't allocate variables or storage using the type while it is
4485 incomplete. However, you can work with pointers to that type.
4486
4487 This extension may not be very useful, but it makes the handling of
4488 @code{enum} more consistent with the way @code{struct} and @code{union}
4489 are handled.
4490
4491 This extension is not supported by GNU C++.
4492
4493 @node Function Names
4494 @section Function Names as Strings
4495 @cindex @code{__func__} identifier
4496 @cindex @code{__FUNCTION__} identifier
4497 @cindex @code{__PRETTY_FUNCTION__} identifier
4498
4499 GCC provides three magic variables which hold the name of the current
4500 function, as a string. The first of these is @code{__func__}, which
4501 is part of the C99 standard:
4502
4503 @display
4504 The identifier @code{__func__} is implicitly declared by the translator
4505 as if, immediately following the opening brace of each function
4506 definition, the declaration
4507
4508 @smallexample
4509 static const char __func__[] = "function-name";
4510 @end smallexample
4511
4512 appeared, where function-name is the name of the lexically-enclosing
4513 function. This name is the unadorned name of the function.
4514 @end display
4515
4516 @code{__FUNCTION__} is another name for @code{__func__}. Older
4517 versions of GCC recognize only this name. However, it is not
4518 standardized. For maximum portability, we recommend you use
4519 @code{__func__}, but provide a fallback definition with the
4520 preprocessor:
4521
4522 @smallexample
4523 #if __STDC_VERSION__ < 199901L
4524 # if __GNUC__ >= 2
4525 # define __func__ __FUNCTION__
4526 # else
4527 # define __func__ "<unknown>"
4528 # endif
4529 #endif
4530 @end smallexample
4531
4532 In C, @code{__PRETTY_FUNCTION__} is yet another name for
4533 @code{__func__}. However, in C++, @code{__PRETTY_FUNCTION__} contains
4534 the type signature of the function as well as its bare name. For
4535 example, this program:
4536
4537 @smallexample
4538 extern "C" @{
4539 extern int printf (char *, ...);
4540 @}
4541
4542 class a @{
4543 public:
4544 void sub (int i)
4545 @{
4546 printf ("__FUNCTION__ = %s\n", __FUNCTION__);
4547 printf ("__PRETTY_FUNCTION__ = %s\n", __PRETTY_FUNCTION__);
4548 @}
4549 @};
4550
4551 int
4552 main (void)
4553 @{
4554 a ax;
4555 ax.sub (0);
4556 return 0;
4557 @}
4558 @end smallexample
4559
4560 @noindent
4561 gives this output:
4562
4563 @smallexample
4564 __FUNCTION__ = sub
4565 __PRETTY_FUNCTION__ = void a::sub(int)
4566 @end smallexample
4567
4568 These identifiers are not preprocessor macros. In GCC 3.3 and
4569 earlier, in C only, @code{__FUNCTION__} and @code{__PRETTY_FUNCTION__}
4570 were treated as string literals; they could be used to initialize
4571 @code{char} arrays, and they could be concatenated with other string
4572 literals. GCC 3.4 and later treat them as variables, like
4573 @code{__func__}. In C++, @code{__FUNCTION__} and
4574 @code{__PRETTY_FUNCTION__} have always been variables.
4575
4576 @node Return Address
4577 @section Getting the Return or Frame Address of a Function
4578
4579 These functions may be used to get information about the callers of a
4580 function.
4581
4582 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} {void *} __builtin_return_address (unsigned int @var{level})
4583 This function returns the return address of the current function, or of
4584 one of its callers. The @var{level} argument is number of frames to
4585 scan up the call stack. A value of @code{0} yields the return address
4586 of the current function, a value of @code{1} yields the return address
4587 of the caller of the current function, and so forth. When inlining
4588 the expected behavior is that the function will return the address of
4589 the function that will be returned to. To work around this behavior use
4590 the @code{noinline} function attribute.
4591
4592 The @var{level} argument must be a constant integer.
4593
4594 On some machines it may be impossible to determine the return address of
4595 any function other than the current one; in such cases, or when the top
4596 of the stack has been reached, this function will return @code{0} or a
4597 random value. In addition, @code{__builtin_frame_address} may be used
4598 to determine if the top of the stack has been reached.
4599
4600 This function should only be used with a nonzero argument for debugging
4601 purposes.
4602 @end deftypefn
4603
4604 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} {void *} __builtin_frame_address (unsigned int @var{level})
4605 This function is similar to @code{__builtin_return_address}, but it
4606 returns the address of the function frame rather than the return address
4607 of the function. Calling @code{__builtin_frame_address} with a value of
4608 @code{0} yields the frame address of the current function, a value of
4609 @code{1} yields the frame address of the caller of the current function,
4610 and so forth.
4611
4612 The frame is the area on the stack which holds local variables and saved
4613 registers. The frame address is normally the address of the first word
4614 pushed on to the stack by the function. However, the exact definition
4615 depends upon the processor and the calling convention. If the processor
4616 has a dedicated frame pointer register, and the function has a frame,
4617 then @code{__builtin_frame_address} will return the value of the frame
4618 pointer register.
4619
4620 On some machines it may be impossible to determine the frame address of
4621 any function other than the current one; in such cases, or when the top
4622 of the stack has been reached, this function will return @code{0} if
4623 the first frame pointer is properly initialized by the startup code.
4624
4625 This function should only be used with a nonzero argument for debugging
4626 purposes.
4627 @end deftypefn
4628
4629 @node Vector Extensions
4630 @section Using vector instructions through built-in functions
4631
4632 On some targets, the instruction set contains SIMD vector instructions that
4633 operate on multiple values contained in one large register at the same time.
4634 For example, on the i386 the MMX, 3Dnow! and SSE extensions can be used
4635 this way.
4636
4637 The first step in using these extensions is to provide the necessary data
4638 types. This should be done using an appropriate @code{typedef}:
4639
4640 @example
4641 typedef int v4si __attribute__ ((mode(V4SI)));
4642 @end example
4643
4644 The base type @code{int} is effectively ignored by the compiler, the
4645 actual properties of the new type @code{v4si} are defined by the
4646 @code{__attribute__}. It defines the machine mode to be used; for vector
4647 types these have the form @code{V@var{n}@var{B}}; @var{n} should be the
4648 number of elements in the vector, and @var{B} should be the base mode of the
4649 individual elements. The following can be used as base modes:
4650
4651 @table @code
4652 @item QI
4653 An integer that is as wide as the smallest addressable unit, usually 8 bits.
4654 @item HI
4655 An integer, twice as wide as a QI mode integer, usually 16 bits.
4656 @item SI
4657 An integer, four times as wide as a QI mode integer, usually 32 bits.
4658 @item DI
4659 An integer, eight times as wide as a QI mode integer, usually 64 bits.
4660 @item SF
4661 A floating point value, as wide as a SI mode integer, usually 32 bits.
4662 @item DF
4663 A floating point value, as wide as a DI mode integer, usually 64 bits.
4664 @end table
4665
4666 Specifying a combination that is not valid for the current architecture
4667 will cause gcc to synthesize the instructions using a narrower mode.
4668 For example, if you specify a variable of type @code{V4SI} and your
4669 architecture does not allow for this specific SIMD type, gcc will
4670 produce code that uses 4 @code{SIs}.
4671
4672 The types defined in this manner can be used with a subset of normal C
4673 operations. Currently, gcc will allow using the following operators on
4674 these types: @code{+, -, *, /, unary minus}@.
4675
4676 The operations behave like C++ @code{valarrays}. Addition is defined as
4677 the addition of the corresponding elements of the operands. For
4678 example, in the code below, each of the 4 elements in @var{a} will be
4679 added to the corresponding 4 elements in @var{b} and the resulting
4680 vector will be stored in @var{c}.
4681
4682 @example
4683 typedef int v4si __attribute__ ((mode(V4SI)));
4684
4685 v4si a, b, c;
4686
4687 c = a + b;
4688 @end example
4689
4690 Subtraction, multiplication, and division operate in a similar manner.
4691 Likewise, the result of using the unary minus operator on a vector type
4692 is a vector whose elements are the negative value of the corresponding
4693 elements in the operand.
4694
4695 You can declare variables and use them in function calls and returns, as
4696 well as in assignments and some casts. You can specify a vector type as
4697 a return type for a function. Vector types can also be used as function
4698 arguments. It is possible to cast from one vector type to another,
4699 provided they are of the same size (in fact, you can also cast vectors
4700 to and from other datatypes of the same size).
4701
4702 You cannot operate between vectors of different lengths or different
4703 signedness without a cast.
4704
4705 A port that supports hardware vector operations, usually provides a set
4706 of built-in functions that can be used to operate on vectors. For
4707 example, a function to add two vectors and multiply the result by a
4708 third could look like this:
4709
4710 @example
4711 v4si f (v4si a, v4si b, v4si c)
4712 @{
4713 v4si tmp = __builtin_addv4si (a, b);
4714 return __builtin_mulv4si (tmp, c);
4715 @}
4716
4717 @end example
4718
4719 @node Other Builtins
4720 @section Other built-in functions provided by GCC
4721 @cindex built-in functions
4722 @findex __builtin_isgreater
4723 @findex __builtin_isgreaterequal
4724 @findex __builtin_isless
4725 @findex __builtin_islessequal
4726 @findex __builtin_islessgreater
4727 @findex __builtin_isunordered
4728 @findex _Exit
4729 @findex _exit
4730 @findex abort
4731 @findex abs
4732 @findex acos
4733 @findex acosf
4734 @findex acosh
4735 @findex acoshf
4736 @findex acoshl
4737 @findex acosl
4738 @findex alloca
4739 @findex asin
4740 @findex asinf
4741 @findex asinh
4742 @findex asinhf
4743 @findex asinhl
4744 @findex asinl
4745 @findex atan
4746 @findex atan2
4747 @findex atan2f
4748 @findex atan2l
4749 @findex atanf
4750 @findex atanh
4751 @findex atanhf
4752 @findex atanhl
4753 @findex atanl
4754 @findex bcmp
4755 @findex bzero
4756 @findex cabs
4757 @findex cabsf
4758 @findex cabsl
4759 @findex cacos
4760 @findex cacosf
4761 @findex cacosh
4762 @findex cacoshf
4763 @findex cacoshl
4764 @findex cacosl
4765 @findex calloc
4766 @findex carg
4767 @findex cargf
4768 @findex cargl
4769 @findex casin
4770 @findex casinf
4771 @findex casinh
4772 @findex casinhf
4773 @findex casinhl
4774 @findex casinl
4775 @findex catan
4776 @findex catanf
4777 @findex catanh
4778 @findex catanhf
4779 @findex catanhl
4780 @findex catanl
4781 @findex cbrt
4782 @findex cbrtf
4783 @findex cbrtl
4784 @findex ccos
4785 @findex ccosf
4786 @findex ccosh
4787 @findex ccoshf
4788 @findex ccoshl
4789 @findex ccosl
4790 @findex ceil
4791 @findex ceilf
4792 @findex ceill
4793 @findex cexp
4794 @findex cexpf
4795 @findex cexpl
4796 @findex cimag
4797 @findex cimagf
4798 @findex cimagl
4799 @findex conj
4800 @findex conjf
4801 @findex conjl
4802 @findex copysign
4803 @findex copysignf
4804 @findex copysignl
4805 @findex cos
4806 @findex cosf
4807 @findex cosh
4808 @findex coshf
4809 @findex coshl
4810 @findex cosl
4811 @findex cpow
4812 @findex cpowf
4813 @findex cpowl
4814 @findex cproj
4815 @findex cprojf
4816 @findex cprojl
4817 @findex creal
4818 @findex crealf
4819 @findex creall
4820 @findex csin
4821 @findex csinf
4822 @findex csinh
4823 @findex csinhf
4824 @findex csinhl
4825 @findex csinl
4826 @findex csqrt
4827 @findex csqrtf
4828 @findex csqrtl
4829 @findex ctan
4830 @findex ctanf
4831 @findex ctanh
4832 @findex ctanhf
4833 @findex ctanhl
4834 @findex ctanl
4835 @findex dcgettext
4836 @findex dgettext
4837 @findex drem
4838 @findex dremf
4839 @findex dreml
4840 @findex erf
4841 @findex erfc
4842 @findex erfcf
4843 @findex erfcl
4844 @findex erff
4845 @findex erfl
4846 @findex exit
4847 @findex exp
4848 @findex exp10
4849 @findex exp10f
4850 @findex exp10l
4851 @findex exp2
4852 @findex exp2f
4853 @findex exp2l
4854 @findex expf
4855 @findex expl
4856 @findex expm1
4857 @findex expm1f
4858 @findex expm1l
4859 @findex fabs
4860 @findex fabsf
4861 @findex fabsl
4862 @findex fdim
4863 @findex fdimf
4864 @findex fdiml
4865 @findex ffs
4866 @findex floor
4867 @findex floorf
4868 @findex floorl
4869 @findex fma
4870 @findex fmaf
4871 @findex fmal
4872 @findex fmax
4873 @findex fmaxf
4874 @findex fmaxl
4875 @findex fmin
4876 @findex fminf
4877 @findex fminl
4878 @findex fmod
4879 @findex fmodf
4880 @findex fmodl
4881 @findex fprintf
4882 @findex fprintf_unlocked
4883 @findex fputs
4884 @findex fputs_unlocked
4885 @findex frexp
4886 @findex frexpf
4887 @findex frexpl
4888 @findex fscanf
4889 @findex gamma
4890 @findex gammaf
4891 @findex gammal
4892 @findex gettext
4893 @findex hypot
4894 @findex hypotf
4895 @findex hypotl
4896 @findex ilogb
4897 @findex ilogbf
4898 @findex ilogbl
4899 @findex imaxabs
4900 @findex index
4901 @findex j0
4902 @findex j0f
4903 @findex j0l
4904 @findex j1
4905 @findex j1f
4906 @findex j1l
4907 @findex jn
4908 @findex jnf
4909 @findex jnl
4910 @findex labs
4911 @findex ldexp
4912 @findex ldexpf
4913 @findex ldexpl
4914 @findex lgamma
4915 @findex lgammaf
4916 @findex lgammal
4917 @findex llabs
4918 @findex llrint
4919 @findex llrintf
4920 @findex llrintl
4921 @findex llround
4922 @findex llroundf
4923 @findex llroundl
4924 @findex log
4925 @findex log10
4926 @findex log10f
4927 @findex log10l
4928 @findex log1p
4929 @findex log1pf
4930 @findex log1pl
4931 @findex log2
4932 @findex log2f
4933 @findex log2l
4934 @findex logb
4935 @findex logbf
4936 @findex logbl
4937 @findex logf
4938 @findex logl
4939 @findex lrint
4940 @findex lrintf
4941 @findex lrintl
4942 @findex lround
4943 @findex lroundf
4944 @findex lroundl
4945 @findex malloc
4946 @findex memcmp
4947 @findex memcpy
4948 @findex mempcpy
4949 @findex memset
4950 @findex modf
4951 @findex modff
4952 @findex modfl
4953 @findex nearbyint
4954 @findex nearbyintf
4955 @findex nearbyintl
4956 @findex nextafter
4957 @findex nextafterf
4958 @findex nextafterl
4959 @findex nexttoward
4960 @findex nexttowardf
4961 @findex nexttowardl
4962 @findex pow
4963 @findex pow10
4964 @findex pow10f
4965 @findex pow10l
4966 @findex powf
4967 @findex powl
4968 @findex printf
4969 @findex printf_unlocked
4970 @findex putchar
4971 @findex puts
4972 @findex remainder
4973 @findex remainderf
4974 @findex remainderl
4975 @findex remquo
4976 @findex remquof
4977 @findex remquol
4978 @findex rindex
4979 @findex rint
4980 @findex rintf
4981 @findex rintl
4982 @findex round
4983 @findex roundf
4984 @findex roundl
4985 @findex scalb
4986 @findex scalbf
4987 @findex scalbl
4988 @findex scalbln
4989 @findex scalblnf
4990 @findex scalblnf
4991 @findex scalbn
4992 @findex scalbnf
4993 @findex scanfnl
4994 @findex significand
4995 @findex significandf
4996 @findex significandl
4997 @findex sin
4998 @findex sincos
4999 @findex sincosf
5000 @findex sincosl
5001 @findex sinf
5002 @findex sinh
5003 @findex sinhf
5004 @findex sinhl
5005 @findex sinl
5006 @findex snprintf
5007 @findex sprintf
5008 @findex sqrt
5009 @findex sqrtf
5010 @findex sqrtl
5011 @findex sscanf
5012 @findex stpcpy
5013 @findex strcat
5014 @findex strchr
5015 @findex strcmp
5016 @findex strcpy
5017 @findex strcspn
5018 @findex strdup
5019 @findex strfmon
5020 @findex strftime
5021 @findex strlen
5022 @findex strncat
5023 @findex strncmp
5024 @findex strncpy
5025 @findex strpbrk
5026 @findex strrchr
5027 @findex strspn
5028 @findex strstr
5029 @findex tan
5030 @findex tanf
5031 @findex tanh
5032 @findex tanhf
5033 @findex tanhl
5034 @findex tanl
5035 @findex tgamma
5036 @findex tgammaf
5037 @findex tgammal
5038 @findex trunc
5039 @findex truncf
5040 @findex truncl
5041 @findex vfprintf
5042 @findex vfscanf
5043 @findex vprintf
5044 @findex vscanf
5045 @findex vsnprintf
5046 @findex vsprintf
5047 @findex vsscanf
5048 @findex y0
5049 @findex y0f
5050 @findex y0l
5051 @findex y1
5052 @findex y1f
5053 @findex y1l
5054 @findex yn
5055 @findex ynf
5056 @findex ynl
5057
5058 GCC provides a large number of built-in functions other than the ones
5059 mentioned above. Some of these are for internal use in the processing
5060 of exceptions or variable-length argument lists and will not be
5061 documented here because they may change from time to time; we do not
5062 recommend general use of these functions.
5063
5064 The remaining functions are provided for optimization purposes.
5065
5066 @opindex fno-builtin
5067 GCC includes built-in versions of many of the functions in the standard
5068 C library. The versions prefixed with @code{__builtin_} will always be
5069 treated as having the same meaning as the C library function even if you
5070 specify the @option{-fno-builtin} option. (@pxref{C Dialect Options})
5071 Many of these functions are only optimized in certain cases; if they are
5072 not optimized in a particular case, a call to the library function will
5073 be emitted.
5074
5075 @opindex ansi
5076 @opindex std
5077 Outside strict ISO C mode (@option{-ansi}, @option{-std=c89} or
5078 @option{-std=c99}), the functions
5079 @code{_exit}, @code{alloca}, @code{bcmp}, @code{bzero},
5080 @code{dcgettext}, @code{dgettext}, @code{dremf}, @code{dreml},
5081 @code{drem}, @code{exp10f}, @code{exp10l}, @code{exp10}, @code{ffsll},
5082 @code{ffsl}, @code{ffs}, @code{fprintf_unlocked}, @code{fputs_unlocked},
5083 @code{gammaf}, @code{gammal}, @code{gamma}, @code{gettext},
5084 @code{index}, @code{j0f}, @code{j0l}, @code{j0}, @code{j1f}, @code{j1l},
5085 @code{j1}, @code{jnf}, @code{jnl}, @code{jn}, @code{mempcpy},
5086 @code{pow10f}, @code{pow10l}, @code{pow10}, @code{printf_unlocked},
5087 @code{rindex}, @code{scalbf}, @code{scalbl}, @code{scalb},
5088 @code{significandf}, @code{significandl}, @code{significand},
5089 @code{sincosf}, @code{sincosl}, @code{sincos}, @code{stpcpy},
5090 @code{strdup}, @code{strfmon}, @code{y0f}, @code{y0l}, @code{y0},
5091 @code{y1f}, @code{y1l}, @code{y1}, @code{ynf}, @code{ynl} and @code{yn}
5092 may be handled as built-in functions.
5093 All these functions have corresponding versions
5094 prefixed with @code{__builtin_}, which may be used even in strict C89
5095 mode.
5096
5097 The ISO C99 functions
5098 @code{_Exit}, @code{acoshf}, @code{acoshl}, @code{acosh}, @code{asinhf},
5099 @code{asinhl}, @code{asinh}, @code{atanhf}, @code{atanhl}, @code{atanh},
5100 @code{cabsf}, @code{cabsl}, @code{cabs}, @code{cacosf}, @code{cacoshf},
5101 @code{cacoshl}, @code{cacosh}, @code{cacosl}, @code{cacos},
5102 @code{cargf}, @code{cargl}, @code{carg}, @code{casinf}, @code{casinhf},
5103 @code{casinhl}, @code{casinh}, @code{casinl}, @code{casin},
5104 @code{catanf}, @code{catanhf}, @code{catanhl}, @code{catanh},
5105 @code{catanl}, @code{catan}, @code{cbrtf}, @code{cbrtl}, @code{cbrt},
5106 @code{ccosf}, @code{ccoshf}, @code{ccoshl}, @code{ccosh}, @code{ccosl},
5107 @code{ccos}, @code{cexpf}, @code{cexpl}, @code{cexp}, @code{cimagf},
5108 @code{cimagl}, @code{cimag},
5109 @code{conjf}, @code{conjl}, @code{conj}, @code{copysignf},
5110 @code{copysignl}, @code{copysign}, @code{cpowf}, @code{cpowl},
5111 @code{cpow}, @code{cprojf}, @code{cprojl}, @code{cproj}, @code{crealf},
5112 @code{creall}, @code{creal}, @code{csinf}, @code{csinhf}, @code{csinhl},
5113 @code{csinh}, @code{csinl}, @code{csin}, @code{csqrtf}, @code{csqrtl},
5114 @code{csqrt}, @code{ctanf}, @code{ctanhf}, @code{ctanhl}, @code{ctanh},
5115 @code{ctanl}, @code{ctan}, @code{erfcf}, @code{erfcl}, @code{erfc},
5116 @code{erff}, @code{erfl}, @code{erf}, @code{exp2f}, @code{exp2l},
5117 @code{exp2}, @code{expm1f}, @code{expm1l}, @code{expm1}, @code{fdimf},
5118 @code{fdiml}, @code{fdim}, @code{fmaf}, @code{fmal}, @code{fmaxf},
5119 @code{fmaxl}, @code{fmax}, @code{fma}, @code{fminf}, @code{fminl},
5120 @code{fmin}, @code{hypotf}, @code{hypotl}, @code{hypot}, @code{ilogbf},
5121 @code{ilogbl}, @code{ilogb}, @code{imaxabs}, @code{lgammaf},
5122 @code{lgammal}, @code{lgamma}, @code{llabs}, @code{llrintf},
5123 @code{llrintl}, @code{llrint}, @code{llroundf}, @code{llroundl},
5124 @code{llround}, @code{log1pf}, @code{log1pl}, @code{log1p},
5125 @code{log2f}, @code{log2l}, @code{log2}, @code{logbf}, @code{logbl},
5126 @code{logb}, @code{lrintf}, @code{lrintl}, @code{lrint}, @code{lroundf},
5127 @code{lroundl}, @code{lround}, @code{nearbyintf}, @code{nearbyintl},
5128 @code{nearbyint}, @code{nextafterf}, @code{nextafterl},
5129 @code{nextafter}, @code{nexttowardf}, @code{nexttowardl},
5130 @code{nexttoward}, @code{remainderf}, @code{remainderl},
5131 @code{remainder}, @code{remquof}, @code{remquol}, @code{remquo},
5132 @code{rintf}, @code{rintl}, @code{rint}, @code{roundf}, @code{roundl},
5133 @code{round}, @code{scalblnf}, @code{scalblnl}, @code{scalbln},
5134 @code{scalbnf}, @code{scalbnl}, @code{scalbn}, @code{snprintf},
5135 @code{tgammaf}, @code{tgammal}, @code{tgamma}, @code{truncf},
5136 @code{truncl}, @code{trunc}, @code{vfscanf}, @code{vscanf},
5137 @code{vsnprintf} and @code{vsscanf}
5138 are handled as built-in functions
5139 except in strict ISO C90 mode (@option{-ansi} or @option{-std=c89}).
5140
5141 There are also built-in versions of the ISO C99 functions
5142 @code{acosf}, @code{acosl}, @code{asinf}, @code{asinl}, @code{atan2f},
5143 @code{atan2l}, @code{atanf}, @code{atanl}, @code{ceilf}, @code{ceill},
5144 @code{cosf}, @code{coshf}, @code{coshl}, @code{cosl}, @code{expf},
5145 @code{expl}, @code{fabsf}, @code{fabsl}, @code{floorf}, @code{floorl},
5146 @code{fmodf}, @code{fmodl}, @code{frexpf}, @code{frexpl}, @code{ldexpf},
5147 @code{ldexpl}, @code{log10f}, @code{log10l}, @code{logf}, @code{logl},
5148 @code{modfl}, @code{modf}, @code{powf}, @code{powl}, @code{sinf},
5149 @code{sinhf}, @code{sinhl}, @code{sinl}, @code{sqrtf}, @code{sqrtl},
5150 @code{tanf}, @code{tanhf}, @code{tanhl} and @code{tanl}
5151 that are recognized in any mode since ISO C90 reserves these names for
5152 the purpose to which ISO C99 puts them. All these functions have
5153 corresponding versions prefixed with @code{__builtin_}.
5154
5155 The ISO C90 functions
5156 @code{abort}, @code{abs}, @code{acos}, @code{asin}, @code{atan2},
5157 @code{atan}, @code{calloc}, @code{ceil}, @code{cosh}, @code{cos},
5158 @code{exit}, @code{exp}, @code{fabs}, @code{floor}, @code{fmod},
5159 @code{fprintf}, @code{fputs}, @code{frexp}, @code{fscanf}, @code{labs},
5160 @code{ldexp}, @code{log10}, @code{log}, @code{malloc}, @code{memcmp},
5161 @code{memcpy}, @code{memset}, @code{modf}, @code{pow}, @code{printf},
5162 @code{putchar}, @code{puts}, @code{scanf}, @code{sinh}, @code{sin},
5163 @code{snprintf}, @code{sprintf}, @code{sqrt}, @code{sscanf},
5164 @code{strcat}, @code{strchr}, @code{strcmp}, @code{strcpy},
5165 @code{strcspn}, @code{strlen}, @code{strncat}, @code{strncmp},
5166 @code{strncpy}, @code{strpbrk}, @code{strrchr}, @code{strspn},
5167 @code{strstr}, @code{tanh}, @code{tan}, @code{vfprintf}, @code{vprintf}
5168 and @code{vsprintf}
5169 are all recognized as built-in functions unless
5170 @option{-fno-builtin} is specified (or @option{-fno-builtin-@var{function}}
5171 is specified for an individual function). All of these functions have
5172 corresponding versions prefixed with @code{__builtin_}.
5173
5174 GCC provides built-in versions of the ISO C99 floating point comparison
5175 macros that avoid raising exceptions for unordered operands. They have
5176 the same names as the standard macros ( @code{isgreater},
5177 @code{isgreaterequal}, @code{isless}, @code{islessequal},
5178 @code{islessgreater}, and @code{isunordered}) , with @code{__builtin_}
5179 prefixed. We intend for a library implementor to be able to simply
5180 @code{#define} each standard macro to its built-in equivalent.
5181
5182 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_types_compatible_p (@var{type1}, @var{type2})
5183
5184 You can use the built-in function @code{__builtin_types_compatible_p} to
5185 determine whether two types are the same.
5186
5187 This built-in function returns 1 if the unqualified versions of the
5188 types @var{type1} and @var{type2} (which are types, not expressions) are
5189 compatible, 0 otherwise. The result of this built-in function can be
5190 used in integer constant expressions.
5191
5192 This built-in function ignores top level qualifiers (e.g., @code{const},
5193 @code{volatile}). For example, @code{int} is equivalent to @code{const
5194 int}.
5195
5196 The type @code{int[]} and @code{int[5]} are compatible. On the other
5197 hand, @code{int} and @code{char *} are not compatible, even if the size
5198 of their types, on the particular architecture are the same. Also, the
5199 amount of pointer indirection is taken into account when determining
5200 similarity. Consequently, @code{short *} is not similar to
5201 @code{short **}. Furthermore, two types that are typedefed are
5202 considered compatible if their underlying types are compatible.
5203
5204 An @code{enum} type is considered to be compatible with another
5205 @code{enum} type. For example, @code{enum @{foo, bar@}} is similar to
5206 @code{enum @{hot, dog@}}.
5207
5208 You would typically use this function in code whose execution varies
5209 depending on the arguments' types. For example:
5210
5211 @smallexample
5212 #define foo(x) \
5213 (@{ \
5214 typeof (x) tmp; \
5215 if (__builtin_types_compatible_p (typeof (x), long double)) \
5216 tmp = foo_long_double (tmp); \
5217 else if (__builtin_types_compatible_p (typeof (x), double)) \
5218 tmp = foo_double (tmp); \
5219 else if (__builtin_types_compatible_p (typeof (x), float)) \
5220 tmp = foo_float (tmp); \
5221 else \
5222 abort (); \
5223 tmp; \
5224 @})
5225 @end smallexample
5226
5227 @emph{Note:} This construct is only available for C.
5228
5229 @end deftypefn
5230
5231 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} @var{type} __builtin_choose_expr (@var{const_exp}, @var{exp1}, @var{exp2})
5232
5233 You can use the built-in function @code{__builtin_choose_expr} to
5234 evaluate code depending on the value of a constant expression. This
5235 built-in function returns @var{exp1} if @var{const_exp}, which is a
5236 constant expression that must be able to be determined at compile time,
5237 is nonzero. Otherwise it returns 0.
5238
5239 This built-in function is analogous to the @samp{? :} operator in C,
5240 except that the expression returned has its type unaltered by promotion
5241 rules. Also, the built-in function does not evaluate the expression
5242 that was not chosen. For example, if @var{const_exp} evaluates to true,
5243 @var{exp2} is not evaluated even if it has side-effects.
5244
5245 This built-in function can return an lvalue if the chosen argument is an
5246 lvalue.
5247
5248 If @var{exp1} is returned, the return type is the same as @var{exp1}'s
5249 type. Similarly, if @var{exp2} is returned, its return type is the same
5250 as @var{exp2}.
5251
5252 Example:
5253
5254 @smallexample
5255 #define foo(x) \
5256 __builtin_choose_expr ( \
5257 __builtin_types_compatible_p (typeof (x), double), \
5258 foo_double (x), \
5259 __builtin_choose_expr ( \
5260 __builtin_types_compatible_p (typeof (x), float), \
5261 foo_float (x), \
5262 /* @r{The void expression results in a compile-time error} \
5263 @r{when assigning the result to something.} */ \
5264 (void)0))
5265 @end smallexample
5266
5267 @emph{Note:} This construct is only available for C. Furthermore, the
5268 unused expression (@var{exp1} or @var{exp2} depending on the value of
5269 @var{const_exp}) may still generate syntax errors. This may change in
5270 future revisions.
5271
5272 @end deftypefn
5273
5274 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_constant_p (@var{exp})
5275 You can use the built-in function @code{__builtin_constant_p} to
5276 determine if a value is known to be constant at compile-time and hence
5277 that GCC can perform constant-folding on expressions involving that
5278 value. The argument of the function is the value to test. The function
5279 returns the integer 1 if the argument is known to be a compile-time
5280 constant and 0 if it is not known to be a compile-time constant. A
5281 return of 0 does not indicate that the value is @emph{not} a constant,
5282 but merely that GCC cannot prove it is a constant with the specified
5283 value of the @option{-O} option.
5284
5285 You would typically use this function in an embedded application where
5286 memory was a critical resource. If you have some complex calculation,
5287 you may want it to be folded if it involves constants, but need to call
5288 a function if it does not. For example:
5289
5290 @smallexample
5291 #define Scale_Value(X) \
5292 (__builtin_constant_p (X) \
5293 ? ((X) * SCALE + OFFSET) : Scale (X))
5294 @end smallexample
5295
5296 You may use this built-in function in either a macro or an inline
5297 function. However, if you use it in an inlined function and pass an
5298 argument of the function as the argument to the built-in, GCC will
5299 never return 1 when you call the inline function with a string constant
5300 or compound literal (@pxref{Compound Literals}) and will not return 1
5301 when you pass a constant numeric value to the inline function unless you
5302 specify the @option{-O} option.
5303
5304 You may also use @code{__builtin_constant_p} in initializers for static
5305 data. For instance, you can write
5306
5307 @smallexample
5308 static const int table[] = @{
5309 __builtin_constant_p (EXPRESSION) ? (EXPRESSION) : -1,
5310 /* @r{@dots{}} */
5311 @};
5312 @end smallexample
5313
5314 @noindent
5315 This is an acceptable initializer even if @var{EXPRESSION} is not a
5316 constant expression. GCC must be more conservative about evaluating the
5317 built-in in this case, because it has no opportunity to perform
5318 optimization.
5319
5320 Previous versions of GCC did not accept this built-in in data
5321 initializers. The earliest version where it is completely safe is
5322 3.0.1.
5323 @end deftypefn
5324
5325 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} long __builtin_expect (long @var{exp}, long @var{c})
5326 @opindex fprofile-arcs
5327 You may use @code{__builtin_expect} to provide the compiler with
5328 branch prediction information. In general, you should prefer to
5329 use actual profile feedback for this (@option{-fprofile-arcs}), as
5330 programmers are notoriously bad at predicting how their programs
5331 actually perform. However, there are applications in which this
5332 data is hard to collect.
5333
5334 The return value is the value of @var{exp}, which should be an
5335 integral expression. The value of @var{c} must be a compile-time
5336 constant. The semantics of the built-in are that it is expected
5337 that @var{exp} == @var{c}. For example:
5338
5339 @smallexample
5340 if (__builtin_expect (x, 0))
5341 foo ();
5342 @end smallexample
5343
5344 @noindent
5345 would indicate that we do not expect to call @code{foo}, since
5346 we expect @code{x} to be zero. Since you are limited to integral
5347 expressions for @var{exp}, you should use constructions such as
5348
5349 @smallexample
5350 if (__builtin_expect (ptr != NULL, 1))
5351 error ();
5352 @end smallexample
5353
5354 @noindent
5355 when testing pointer or floating-point values.
5356 @end deftypefn
5357
5358 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} void __builtin_prefetch (const void *@var{addr}, ...)
5359 This function is used to minimize cache-miss latency by moving data into
5360 a cache before it is accessed.
5361 You can insert calls to @code{__builtin_prefetch} into code for which
5362 you know addresses of data in memory that is likely to be accessed soon.
5363 If the target supports them, data prefetch instructions will be generated.
5364 If the prefetch is done early enough before the access then the data will
5365 be in the cache by the time it is accessed.
5366
5367 The value of @var{addr} is the address of the memory to prefetch.
5368 There are two optional arguments, @var{rw} and @var{locality}.
5369 The value of @var{rw} is a compile-time constant one or zero; one
5370 means that the prefetch is preparing for a write to the memory address
5371 and zero, the default, means that the prefetch is preparing for a read.
5372 The value @var{locality} must be a compile-time constant integer between
5373 zero and three. A value of zero means that the data has no temporal
5374 locality, so it need not be left in the cache after the access. A value
5375 of three means that the data has a high degree of temporal locality and
5376 should be left in all levels of cache possible. Values of one and two
5377 mean, respectively, a low or moderate degree of temporal locality. The
5378 default is three.
5379
5380 @smallexample
5381 for (i = 0; i < n; i++)
5382 @{
5383 a[i] = a[i] + b[i];
5384 __builtin_prefetch (&a[i+j], 1, 1);
5385 __builtin_prefetch (&b[i+j], 0, 1);
5386 /* @r{@dots{}} */
5387 @}
5388 @end smallexample
5389
5390 Data prefetch does not generate faults if @var{addr} is invalid, but
5391 the address expression itself must be valid. For example, a prefetch
5392 of @code{p->next} will not fault if @code{p->next} is not a valid
5393 address, but evaluation will fault if @code{p} is not a valid address.
5394
5395 If the target does not support data prefetch, the address expression
5396 is evaluated if it includes side effects but no other code is generated
5397 and GCC does not issue a warning.
5398 @end deftypefn
5399
5400 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} double __builtin_huge_val (void)
5401 Returns a positive infinity, if supported by the floating-point format,
5402 else @code{DBL_MAX}. This function is suitable for implementing the
5403 ISO C macro @code{HUGE_VAL}.
5404 @end deftypefn
5405
5406 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} float __builtin_huge_valf (void)
5407 Similar to @code{__builtin_huge_val}, except the return type is @code{float}.
5408 @end deftypefn
5409
5410 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} {long double} __builtin_huge_vall (void)
5411 Similar to @code{__builtin_huge_val}, except the return
5412 type is @code{long double}.
5413 @end deftypefn
5414
5415 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} double __builtin_inf (void)
5416 Similar to @code{__builtin_huge_val}, except a warning is generated
5417 if the target floating-point format does not support infinities.
5418 This function is suitable for implementing the ISO C99 macro @code{INFINITY}.
5419 @end deftypefn
5420
5421 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} float __builtin_inff (void)
5422 Similar to @code{__builtin_inf}, except the return type is @code{float}.
5423 @end deftypefn
5424
5425 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} {long double} __builtin_infl (void)
5426 Similar to @code{__builtin_inf}, except the return
5427 type is @code{long double}.
5428 @end deftypefn
5429
5430 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} double __builtin_nan (const char *str)
5431 This is an implementation of the ISO C99 function @code{nan}.
5432
5433 Since ISO C99 defines this function in terms of @code{strtod}, which we
5434 do not implement, a description of the parsing is in order. The string
5435 is parsed as by @code{strtol}; that is, the base is recognized by
5436 leading @samp{0} or @samp{0x} prefixes. The number parsed is placed
5437 in the significand such that the least significant bit of the number
5438 is at the least significant bit of the significand. The number is
5439 truncated to fit the significand field provided. The significand is
5440 forced to be a quiet NaN.
5441
5442 This function, if given a string literal, is evaluated early enough
5443 that it is considered a compile-time constant.
5444 @end deftypefn
5445
5446 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} float __builtin_nanf (const char *str)
5447 Similar to @code{__builtin_nan}, except the return type is @code{float}.
5448 @end deftypefn
5449
5450 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} {long double} __builtin_nanl (const char *str)
5451 Similar to @code{__builtin_nan}, except the return type is @code{long double}.
5452 @end deftypefn
5453
5454 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} double __builtin_nans (const char *str)
5455 Similar to @code{__builtin_nan}, except the significand is forced
5456 to be a signaling NaN. The @code{nans} function is proposed by
5457 @uref{http://std.dkuug.dk/JTC1/SC22/WG14/www/docs/n965.htm,,WG14 N965}.
5458 @end deftypefn
5459
5460 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} float __builtin_nansf (const char *str)
5461 Similar to @code{__builtin_nans}, except the return type is @code{float}.
5462 @end deftypefn
5463
5464 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} {long double} __builtin_nansl (const char *str)
5465 Similar to @code{__builtin_nans}, except the return type is @code{long double}.
5466 @end deftypefn
5467
5468 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_ffs (unsigned int x)
5469 Returns one plus the index of the least significant 1-bit of @var{x}, or
5470 if @var{x} is zero, returns zero.
5471 @end deftypefn
5472
5473 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_clz (unsigned int x)
5474 Returns the number of leading 0-bits in @var{x}, starting at the most
5475 significant bit position. If @var{x} is 0, the result is undefined.
5476 @end deftypefn
5477
5478 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_ctz (unsigned int x)
5479 Returns the number of trailing 0-bits in @var{x}, starting at the least
5480 significant bit position. If @var{x} is 0, the result is undefined.
5481 @end deftypefn
5482
5483 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_popcount (unsigned int x)
5484 Returns the number of 1-bits in @var{x}.
5485 @end deftypefn
5486
5487 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_parity (unsigned int x)
5488 Returns the parity of @var{x}, i.@:e. the number of 1-bits in @var{x}
5489 modulo 2.
5490 @end deftypefn
5491
5492 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_ffsl (unsigned long)
5493 Similar to @code{__builtin_ffs}, except the argument type is
5494 @code{unsigned long}.
5495 @end deftypefn
5496
5497 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_clzl (unsigned long)
5498 Similar to @code{__builtin_clz}, except the argument type is
5499 @code{unsigned long}.
5500 @end deftypefn
5501
5502 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_ctzl (unsigned long)
5503 Similar to @code{__builtin_ctz}, except the argument type is
5504 @code{unsigned long}.
5505 @end deftypefn
5506
5507 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_popcountl (unsigned long)
5508 Similar to @code{__builtin_popcount}, except the argument type is
5509 @code{unsigned long}.
5510 @end deftypefn
5511
5512 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_parityl (unsigned long)
5513 Similar to @code{__builtin_parity}, except the argument type is
5514 @code{unsigned long}.
5515 @end deftypefn
5516
5517 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_ffsll (unsigned long long)
5518 Similar to @code{__builtin_ffs}, except the argument type is
5519 @code{unsigned long long}.
5520 @end deftypefn
5521
5522 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_clzll (unsigned long long)
5523 Similar to @code{__builtin_clz}, except the argument type is
5524 @code{unsigned long long}.
5525 @end deftypefn
5526
5527 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_ctzll (unsigned long long)
5528 Similar to @code{__builtin_ctz}, except the argument type is
5529 @code{unsigned long long}.
5530 @end deftypefn
5531
5532 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_popcountll (unsigned long long)
5533 Similar to @code{__builtin_popcount}, except the argument type is
5534 @code{unsigned long long}.
5535 @end deftypefn
5536
5537 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_parityll (unsigned long long)
5538 Similar to @code{__builtin_parity}, except the argument type is
5539 @code{unsigned long long}.
5540 @end deftypefn
5541
5542
5543 @node Target Builtins
5544 @section Built-in Functions Specific to Particular Target Machines
5545
5546 On some target machines, GCC supports many built-in functions specific
5547 to those machines. Generally these generate calls to specific machine
5548 instructions, but allow the compiler to schedule those calls.
5549
5550 @menu
5551 * Alpha Built-in Functions::
5552 * ARM Built-in Functions::
5553 * X86 Built-in Functions::
5554 * PowerPC AltiVec Built-in Functions::
5555 @end menu
5556
5557 @node Alpha Built-in Functions
5558 @subsection Alpha Built-in Functions
5559
5560 These built-in functions are available for the Alpha family of
5561 processors, depending on the command-line switches used.
5562
5563 The following built-in functions are always available. They
5564 all generate the machine instruction that is part of the name.
5565
5566 @example
5567 long __builtin_alpha_implver (void)
5568 long __builtin_alpha_rpcc (void)
5569 long __builtin_alpha_amask (long)
5570 long __builtin_alpha_cmpbge (long, long)
5571 long __builtin_alpha_extbl (long, long)
5572 long __builtin_alpha_extwl (long, long)
5573 long __builtin_alpha_extll (long, long)
5574 long __builtin_alpha_extql (long, long)
5575 long __builtin_alpha_extwh (long, long)
5576 long __builtin_alpha_extlh (long, long)
5577 long __builtin_alpha_extqh (long, long)
5578 long __builtin_alpha_insbl (long, long)
5579 long __builtin_alpha_inswl (long, long)
5580 long __builtin_alpha_insll (long, long)
5581 long __builtin_alpha_insql (long, long)
5582 long __builtin_alpha_inswh (long, long)
5583 long __builtin_alpha_inslh (long, long)
5584 long __builtin_alpha_insqh (long, long)
5585 long __builtin_alpha_mskbl (long, long)
5586 long __builtin_alpha_mskwl (long, long)
5587 long __builtin_alpha_mskll (long, long)
5588 long __builtin_alpha_mskql (long, long)
5589 long __builtin_alpha_mskwh (long, long)
5590 long __builtin_alpha_msklh (long, long)
5591 long __builtin_alpha_mskqh (long, long)
5592 long __builtin_alpha_umulh (long, long)
5593 long __builtin_alpha_zap (long, long)
5594 long __builtin_alpha_zapnot (long, long)
5595 @end example
5596
5597 The following built-in functions are always with @option{-mmax}
5598 or @option{-mcpu=@var{cpu}} where @var{cpu} is @code{pca56} or
5599 later. They all generate the machine instruction that is part
5600 of the name.
5601
5602 @example
5603 long __builtin_alpha_pklb (long)
5604 long __builtin_alpha_pkwb (long)
5605 long __builtin_alpha_unpkbl (long)
5606 long __builtin_alpha_unpkbw (long)
5607 long __builtin_alpha_minub8 (long, long)
5608 long __builtin_alpha_minsb8 (long, long)
5609 long __builtin_alpha_minuw4 (long, long)
5610 long __builtin_alpha_minsw4 (long, long)
5611 long __builtin_alpha_maxub8 (long, long)
5612 long __builtin_alpha_maxsb8 (long, long)
5613 long __builtin_alpha_maxuw4 (long, long)
5614 long __builtin_alpha_maxsw4 (long, long)
5615 long __builtin_alpha_perr (long, long)
5616 @end example
5617
5618 The following built-in functions are always with @option{-mcix}
5619 or @option{-mcpu=@var{cpu}} where @var{cpu} is @code{ev67} or
5620 later. They all generate the machine instruction that is part
5621 of the name.
5622
5623 @example
5624 long __builtin_alpha_cttz (long)
5625 long __builtin_alpha_ctlz (long)
5626 long __builtin_alpha_ctpop (long)
5627 @end example
5628
5629 The following builtins are available on systems that use the OSF/1
5630 PALcode. Normally they invoke the @code{rduniq} and @code{wruniq}
5631 PAL calls, but when invoked with @option{-mtls-kernel}, they invoke
5632 @code{rdval} and @code{wrval}.
5633
5634 @example
5635 void *__builtin_thread_pointer (void)
5636 void __builtin_set_thread_pointer (void *)
5637 @end example
5638
5639 @node ARM Built-in Functions
5640 @subsection ARM Built-in Functions
5641
5642 These built-in functions are available for the ARM family of
5643 processors, when the @option{-mcpu=iwmmxt} switch is used:
5644
5645 @example
5646 typedef int __v2si __attribute__ ((__mode__ (__V2SI__)))
5647
5648 v2si __builtin_arm_waddw (v2si, v2si)
5649 v2si __builtin_arm_waddw (v2si, v2si)
5650 v2si __builtin_arm_wsubw (v2si, v2si)
5651 v2si __builtin_arm_wsubw (v2si, v2si)
5652 v2si __builtin_arm_waddwss (v2si, v2si)
5653 v2si __builtin_arm_wsubwss (v2si, v2si)
5654 v2si __builtin_arm_wsubwss (v2si, v2si)
5655 v2si __builtin_arm_wsubwss (v2si, v2si)
5656 v2si __builtin_arm_wsubwss (v2si, v2si)
5657 v2si __builtin_arm_waddwus (v2si, v2si)
5658 v2si __builtin_arm_wsubwus (v2si, v2si)
5659 v2si __builtin_arm_wsubwus (v2si, v2si)
5660 v2si __builtin_arm_wmaxuw (v2si, v2si)
5661 v2si __builtin_arm_wmaxsw (v2si, v2si)
5662 v2si __builtin_arm_wavg2br (v2si, v2si)
5663 v2si __builtin_arm_wavg2hr (v2si, v2si)
5664 v2si __builtin_arm_wavg2b (v2si, v2si)
5665 v2si __builtin_arm_wavg2h (v2si, v2si)
5666 v2si __builtin_arm_waccb (v2si)
5667 v2si __builtin_arm_wacch (v2si)
5668 v2si __builtin_arm_waccw (v2si)
5669 v2si __builtin_arm_wmacs (v2si, v2si, v2si)
5670 v2si __builtin_arm_wmacsz (v2si, v2si, v2si)
5671 v2si __builtin_arm_wmacu (v2si, v2si, v2si)
5672 v2si __builtin_arm_wmacuz (v2si, v2si)
5673 v2si __builtin_arm_wsadb (v2si, v2si)
5674 v2si __builtin_arm_wsadbz (v2si, v2si)
5675 v2si __builtin_arm_wsadh (v2si, v2si)
5676 v2si __builtin_arm_wsadhz (v2si, v2si)
5677 v2si __builtin_arm_walign (v2si, v2si)
5678 v2si __builtin_arm_tmia (v2si, int, int)
5679 v2si __builtin_arm_tmiaph (v2si, int, int)
5680 v2si __builtin_arm_tmiabb (v2si, int, int)
5681 v2si __builtin_arm_tmiabt (v2si, int, int)
5682 v2si __builtin_arm_tmiatb (v2si, int, int)
5683 v2si __builtin_arm_tmiatt (v2si, int, int)
5684 int __builtin_arm_tmovmskb (v2si)
5685 int __builtin_arm_tmovmskh (v2si)
5686 int __builtin_arm_tmovmskw (v2si)
5687 v2si __builtin_arm_wmadds (v2si, v2si)
5688 v2si __builtin_arm_wmaddu (v2si, v2si)
5689 v2si __builtin_arm_wpackhss (v2si, v2si)
5690 v2si __builtin_arm_wpackwss (v2si, v2si)
5691 v2si __builtin_arm_wpackdss (v2si, v2si)
5692 v2si __builtin_arm_wpackhus (v2si, v2si)
5693 v2si __builtin_arm_wpackwus (v2si, v2si)
5694 v2si __builtin_arm_wpackdus (v2si, v2si)
5695 v2si __builtin_arm_waddb (v2si, v2si)
5696 v2si __builtin_arm_waddh (v2si, v2si)
5697 v2si __builtin_arm_waddw (v2si, v2si)
5698 v2si __builtin_arm_waddbss (v2si, v2si)
5699 v2si __builtin_arm_waddhss (v2si, v2si)
5700 v2si __builtin_arm_waddwss (v2si, v2si)
5701 v2si __builtin_arm_waddbus (v2si, v2si)
5702 v2si __builtin_arm_waddhus (v2si, v2si)
5703 v2si __builtin_arm_waddwus (v2si, v2si)
5704 v2si __builtin_arm_wsubb (v2si, v2si)
5705 v2si __builtin_arm_wsubh (v2si, v2si)
5706 v2si __builtin_arm_wsubw (v2si, v2si)
5707 v2si __builtin_arm_wsubbss (v2si, v2si)
5708 v2si __builtin_arm_wsubhss (v2si, v2si)
5709 v2si __builtin_arm_wsubwss (v2si, v2si)
5710 v2si __builtin_arm_wsubbus (v2si, v2si)
5711 v2si __builtin_arm_wsubhus (v2si, v2si)
5712 v2si __builtin_arm_wsubwus (v2si, v2si)
5713 v2si __builtin_arm_wand (v2si, v2si)
5714 v2si __builtin_arm_wandn (v2si, v2si)
5715 v2si __builtin_arm_wor (v2si, v2si)
5716 v2si __builtin_arm_wxor (v2si, v2si)
5717 v2si __builtin_arm_wcmpeqb (v2si, v2si)
5718 v2si __builtin_arm_wcmpeqh (v2si, v2si)
5719 v2si __builtin_arm_wcmpeqw (v2si, v2si)
5720 v2si __builtin_arm_wcmpgtub (v2si, v2si)
5721 v2si __builtin_arm_wcmpgtuh (v2si, v2si)
5722 v2si __builtin_arm_wcmpgtuw (v2si, v2si)
5723 v2si __builtin_arm_wcmpgtsb (v2si, v2si)
5724 v2si __builtin_arm_wcmpgtsh (v2si, v2si)
5725 v2si __builtin_arm_wcmpgtsw (v2si, v2si)
5726 int __builtin_arm_textrmsb (v2si, int)
5727 int __builtin_arm_textrmsh (v2si, int)
5728 int __builtin_arm_textrmsw (v2si, int)
5729 int __builtin_arm_textrmub (v2si, int)
5730 int __builtin_arm_textrmuh (v2si, int)
5731 int __builtin_arm_textrmuw (v2si, int)
5732 v2si __builtin_arm_tinsrb (v2si, int, int)
5733 v2si __builtin_arm_tinsrh (v2si, int, int)
5734 v2si __builtin_arm_tinsrw (v2si, int, int)
5735 v2si __builtin_arm_wmaxsw (v2si, v2si)
5736 v2si __builtin_arm_wmaxsh (v2si, v2si)
5737 v2si __builtin_arm_wmaxsb (v2si, v2si)
5738 v2si __builtin_arm_wmaxuw (v2si, v2si)
5739 v2si __builtin_arm_wmaxuh (v2si, v2si)
5740 v2si __builtin_arm_wmaxub (v2si, v2si)
5741 v2si __builtin_arm_wminsw (v2si, v2si)
5742 v2si __builtin_arm_wminsh (v2si, v2si)
5743 v2si __builtin_arm_wminsb (v2si, v2si)
5744 v2si __builtin_arm_wminuw (v2si, v2si)
5745 v2si __builtin_arm_wminuh (v2si, v2si)
5746 v2si __builtin_arm_wminub (v2si, v2si)
5747 v2si __builtin_arm_wmuluh (v2si, v2si)
5748 v2si __builtin_arm_wmulsh (v2si, v2si)
5749 v2si __builtin_arm_wmulul (v2si, v2si)
5750 v2si __builtin_arm_wshufh (v2si, int)
5751 v2si __builtin_arm_wsllh (v2si, v2si)
5752 v2si __builtin_arm_wsllw (v2si, v2si)
5753 v2si __builtin_arm_wslld (v2si, v2si)
5754 v2si __builtin_arm_wsrah (v2si, v2si)
5755 v2si __builtin_arm_wsraw (v2si, v2si)
5756 v2si __builtin_arm_wsrad (v2si, v2si)
5757 v2si __builtin_arm_wsrlh (v2si, v2si)
5758 v2si __builtin_arm_wsrlw (v2si, v2si)
5759 v2si __builtin_arm_wsrld (v2si, v2si)
5760 v2si __builtin_arm_wrorh (v2si, v2si)
5761 v2si __builtin_arm_wrorw (v2si, v2si)
5762 v2si __builtin_arm_wrord (v2si, v2si)
5763 v2si __builtin_arm_wsllhi (v2si, int)
5764 v2si __builtin_arm_wsllwi (v2si, int)
5765 v2si __builtin_arm_wslldi (v2si, v2si)
5766 v2si __builtin_arm_wsrahi (v2si, int)
5767 v2si __builtin_arm_wsrawi (v2si, int)
5768 v2si __builtin_arm_wsradi (v2si, v2si)
5769 v2si __builtin_arm_wsrlwi (v2si, int)
5770 v2si __builtin_arm_wsrldi (v2si, int)
5771 v2si __builtin_arm_wrorhi (v2si, int)
5772 v2si __builtin_arm_wrorwi (v2si, int)
5773 v2si __builtin_arm_wrordi (v2si, int)
5774 v2si __builtin_arm_wunpckihb (v2si, v2si)
5775 v2si __builtin_arm_wunpckihh (v2si, v2si)
5776 v2si __builtin_arm_wunpckihw (v2si, v2si)
5777 v2si __builtin_arm_wunpckilb (v2si, v2si)
5778 v2si __builtin_arm_wunpckilh (v2si, v2si)
5779 v2si __builtin_arm_wunpckilw (v2si, v2si)
5780 v2si __builtin_arm_wunpckehsb (v2si)
5781 v2si __builtin_arm_wunpckehsh (v2si)
5782 v2si __builtin_arm_wunpckehsw (v2si)
5783 v2si __builtin_arm_wunpckehub (v2si)
5784 v2si __builtin_arm_wunpckehuh (v2si)
5785 v2si __builtin_arm_wunpckehuw (v2si)
5786 v2si __builtin_arm_wunpckelsb (v2si)
5787 v2si __builtin_arm_wunpckelsh (v2si)
5788 v2si __builtin_arm_wunpckelsw (v2si)
5789 v2si __builtin_arm_wunpckelub (v2si)
5790 v2si __builtin_arm_wunpckeluh (v2si)
5791 v2si __builtin_arm_wunpckeluw (v2si)
5792 v2si __builtin_arm_wsubwss (v2si, v2si)
5793 v2si __builtin_arm_wsraw (v2si, v2si)
5794 v2si __builtin_arm_wsrad (v2si, v2si)
5795 @end example
5796
5797 @node X86 Built-in Functions
5798 @subsection X86 Built-in Functions
5799
5800 These built-in functions are available for the i386 and x86-64 family
5801 of computers, depending on the command-line switches used.
5802
5803 The following machine modes are available for use with MMX built-in functions
5804 (@pxref{Vector Extensions}): @code{V2SI} for a vector of two 32-bit integers,
5805 @code{V4HI} for a vector of four 16-bit integers, and @code{V8QI} for a
5806 vector of eight 8-bit integers. Some of the built-in functions operate on
5807 MMX registers as a whole 64-bit entity, these use @code{DI} as their mode.
5808
5809 If 3Dnow extensions are enabled, @code{V2SF} is used as a mode for a vector
5810 of two 32-bit floating point values.
5811
5812 If SSE extensions are enabled, @code{V4SF} is used for a vector of four 32-bit
5813 floating point values. Some instructions use a vector of four 32-bit
5814 integers, these use @code{V4SI}. Finally, some instructions operate on an
5815 entire vector register, interpreting it as a 128-bit integer, these use mode
5816 @code{TI}.
5817
5818 The following built-in functions are made available by @option{-mmmx}.
5819 All of them generate the machine instruction that is part of the name.
5820
5821 @example
5822 v8qi __builtin_ia32_paddb (v8qi, v8qi)
5823 v4hi __builtin_ia32_paddw (v4hi, v4hi)
5824 v2si __builtin_ia32_paddd (v2si, v2si)
5825 v8qi __builtin_ia32_psubb (v8qi, v8qi)
5826 v4hi __builtin_ia32_psubw (v4hi, v4hi)
5827 v2si __builtin_ia32_psubd (v2si, v2si)
5828 v8qi __builtin_ia32_paddsb (v8qi, v8qi)
5829 v4hi __builtin_ia32_paddsw (v4hi, v4hi)
5830 v8qi __builtin_ia32_psubsb (v8qi, v8qi)
5831 v4hi __builtin_ia32_psubsw (v4hi, v4hi)
5832 v8qi __builtin_ia32_paddusb (v8qi, v8qi)
5833 v4hi __builtin_ia32_paddusw (v4hi, v4hi)
5834 v8qi __builtin_ia32_psubusb (v8qi, v8qi)
5835 v4hi __builtin_ia32_psubusw (v4hi, v4hi)
5836 v4hi __builtin_ia32_pmullw (v4hi, v4hi)
5837 v4hi __builtin_ia32_pmulhw (v4hi, v4hi)
5838 di __builtin_ia32_pand (di, di)
5839 di __builtin_ia32_pandn (di,di)
5840 di __builtin_ia32_por (di, di)
5841 di __builtin_ia32_pxor (di, di)
5842 v8qi __builtin_ia32_pcmpeqb (v8qi, v8qi)
5843 v4hi __builtin_ia32_pcmpeqw (v4hi, v4hi)
5844 v2si __builtin_ia32_pcmpeqd (v2si, v2si)
5845 v8qi __builtin_ia32_pcmpgtb (v8qi, v8qi)
5846 v4hi __builtin_ia32_pcmpgtw (v4hi, v4hi)
5847 v2si __builtin_ia32_pcmpgtd (v2si, v2si)
5848 v8qi __builtin_ia32_punpckhbw (v8qi, v8qi)
5849 v4hi __builtin_ia32_punpckhwd (v4hi, v4hi)
5850 v2si __builtin_ia32_punpckhdq (v2si, v2si)
5851 v8qi __builtin_ia32_punpcklbw (v8qi, v8qi)
5852 v4hi __builtin_ia32_punpcklwd (v4hi, v4hi)
5853 v2si __builtin_ia32_punpckldq (v2si, v2si)
5854 v8qi __builtin_ia32_packsswb (v4hi, v4hi)
5855 v4hi __builtin_ia32_packssdw (v2si, v2si)
5856 v8qi __builtin_ia32_packuswb (v4hi, v4hi)
5857 @end example
5858
5859 The following built-in functions are made available either with
5860 @option{-msse}, or with a combination of @option{-m3dnow} and
5861 @option{-march=athlon}. All of them generate the machine
5862 instruction that is part of the name.
5863
5864 @example
5865 v4hi __builtin_ia32_pmulhuw (v4hi, v4hi)
5866 v8qi __builtin_ia32_pavgb (v8qi, v8qi)
5867 v4hi __builtin_ia32_pavgw (v4hi, v4hi)
5868 v4hi __builtin_ia32_psadbw (v8qi, v8qi)
5869 v8qi __builtin_ia32_pmaxub (v8qi, v8qi)
5870 v4hi __builtin_ia32_pmaxsw (v4hi, v4hi)
5871 v8qi __builtin_ia32_pminub (v8qi, v8qi)
5872 v4hi __builtin_ia32_pminsw (v4hi, v4hi)
5873 int __builtin_ia32_pextrw (v4hi, int)
5874 v4hi __builtin_ia32_pinsrw (v4hi, int, int)
5875 int __builtin_ia32_pmovmskb (v8qi)
5876 void __builtin_ia32_maskmovq (v8qi, v8qi, char *)
5877 void __builtin_ia32_movntq (di *, di)
5878 void __builtin_ia32_sfence (void)
5879 @end example
5880
5881 The following built-in functions are available when @option{-msse} is used.
5882 All of them generate the machine instruction that is part of the name.
5883
5884 @example
5885 int __builtin_ia32_comieq (v4sf, v4sf)
5886 int __builtin_ia32_comineq (v4sf, v4sf)
5887 int __builtin_ia32_comilt (v4sf, v4sf)
5888 int __builtin_ia32_comile (v4sf, v4sf)
5889 int __builtin_ia32_comigt (v4sf, v4sf)
5890 int __builtin_ia32_comige (v4sf, v4sf)
5891 int __builtin_ia32_ucomieq (v4sf, v4sf)
5892 int __builtin_ia32_ucomineq (v4sf, v4sf)
5893 int __builtin_ia32_ucomilt (v4sf, v4sf)
5894 int __builtin_ia32_ucomile (v4sf, v4sf)
5895 int __builtin_ia32_ucomigt (v4sf, v4sf)
5896 int __builtin_ia32_ucomige (v4sf, v4sf)
5897 v4sf __builtin_ia32_addps (v4sf, v4sf)
5898 v4sf __builtin_ia32_subps (v4sf, v4sf)
5899 v4sf __builtin_ia32_mulps (v4sf, v4sf)
5900 v4sf __builtin_ia32_divps (v4sf, v4sf)
5901 v4sf __builtin_ia32_addss (v4sf, v4sf)
5902 v4sf __builtin_ia32_subss (v4sf, v4sf)
5903 v4sf __builtin_ia32_mulss (v4sf, v4sf)
5904 v4sf __builtin_ia32_divss (v4sf, v4sf)
5905 v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpeqps (v4sf, v4sf)
5906 v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpltps (v4sf, v4sf)
5907 v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpleps (v4sf, v4sf)
5908 v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpgtps (v4sf, v4sf)
5909 v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpgeps (v4sf, v4sf)
5910 v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpunordps (v4sf, v4sf)
5911 v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpneqps (v4sf, v4sf)
5912 v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpnltps (v4sf, v4sf)
5913 v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpnleps (v4sf, v4sf)
5914 v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpngtps (v4sf, v4sf)
5915 v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpngeps (v4sf, v4sf)
5916 v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpordps (v4sf, v4sf)
5917 v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpeqss (v4sf, v4sf)
5918 v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpltss (v4sf, v4sf)
5919 v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpless (v4sf, v4sf)
5920 v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpunordss (v4sf, v4sf)
5921 v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpneqss (v4sf, v4sf)
5922 v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpnlts (v4sf, v4sf)
5923 v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpnless (v4sf, v4sf)
5924 v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpordss (v4sf, v4sf)
5925 v4sf __builtin_ia32_maxps (v4sf, v4sf)
5926 v4sf __builtin_ia32_maxss (v4sf, v4sf)
5927 v4sf __builtin_ia32_minps (v4sf, v4sf)
5928 v4sf __builtin_ia32_minss (v4sf, v4sf)
5929 v4sf __builtin_ia32_andps (v4sf, v4sf)
5930 v4sf __builtin_ia32_andnps (v4sf, v4sf)
5931 v4sf __builtin_ia32_orps (v4sf, v4sf)
5932 v4sf __builtin_ia32_xorps (v4sf, v4sf)
5933 v4sf __builtin_ia32_movss (v4sf, v4sf)
5934 v4sf __builtin_ia32_movhlps (v4sf, v4sf)
5935 v4sf __builtin_ia32_movlhps (v4sf, v4sf)
5936 v4sf __builtin_ia32_unpckhps (v4sf, v4sf)
5937 v4sf __builtin_ia32_unpcklps (v4sf, v4sf)
5938 v4sf __builtin_ia32_cvtpi2ps (v4sf, v2si)
5939 v4sf __builtin_ia32_cvtsi2ss (v4sf, int)
5940 v2si __builtin_ia32_cvtps2pi (v4sf)
5941 int __builtin_ia32_cvtss2si (v4sf)
5942 v2si __builtin_ia32_cvttps2pi (v4sf)
5943 int __builtin_ia32_cvttss2si (v4sf)
5944 v4sf __builtin_ia32_rcpps (v4sf)
5945 v4sf __builtin_ia32_rsqrtps (v4sf)
5946 v4sf __builtin_ia32_sqrtps (v4sf)
5947 v4sf __builtin_ia32_rcpss (v4sf)
5948 v4sf __builtin_ia32_rsqrtss (v4sf)
5949 v4sf __builtin_ia32_sqrtss (v4sf)
5950 v4sf __builtin_ia32_shufps (v4sf, v4sf, int)
5951 void __builtin_ia32_movntps (float *, v4sf)
5952 int __builtin_ia32_movmskps (v4sf)
5953 @end example
5954
5955 The following built-in functions are available when @option{-msse} is used.
5956
5957 @table @code
5958 @item v4sf __builtin_ia32_loadaps (float *)
5959 Generates the @code{movaps} machine instruction as a load from memory.
5960 @item void __builtin_ia32_storeaps (float *, v4sf)
5961 Generates the @code{movaps} machine instruction as a store to memory.
5962 @item v4sf __builtin_ia32_loadups (float *)
5963 Generates the @code{movups} machine instruction as a load from memory.
5964 @item void __builtin_ia32_storeups (float *, v4sf)
5965 Generates the @code{movups} machine instruction as a store to memory.
5966 @item v4sf __builtin_ia32_loadsss (float *)
5967 Generates the @code{movss} machine instruction as a load from memory.
5968 @item void __builtin_ia32_storess (float *, v4sf)
5969 Generates the @code{movss} machine instruction as a store to memory.
5970 @item v4sf __builtin_ia32_loadhps (v4sf, v2si *)
5971 Generates the @code{movhps} machine instruction as a load from memory.
5972 @item v4sf __builtin_ia32_loadlps (v4sf, v2si *)
5973 Generates the @code{movlps} machine instruction as a load from memory
5974 @item void __builtin_ia32_storehps (v4sf, v2si *)
5975 Generates the @code{movhps} machine instruction as a store to memory.
5976 @item void __builtin_ia32_storelps (v4sf, v2si *)
5977 Generates the @code{movlps} machine instruction as a store to memory.
5978 @end table
5979
5980 The following built-in functions are available when @option{-mpni} is used.
5981 All of them generate the machine instruction that is part of the name.
5982
5983 @example
5984 v2df __builtin_ia32_addsubpd (v2df, v2df)
5985 v2df __builtin_ia32_addsubps (v2df, v2df)
5986 v2df __builtin_ia32_haddpd (v2df, v2df)
5987 v2df __builtin_ia32_haddps (v2df, v2df)
5988 v2df __builtin_ia32_hsubpd (v2df, v2df)
5989 v2df __builtin_ia32_hsubps (v2df, v2df)
5990 v16qi __builtin_ia32_lddqu (char const *)
5991 void __builtin_ia32_monitor (void *, unsigned int, unsigned int)
5992 v2df __builtin_ia32_movddup (v2df)
5993 v4sf __builtin_ia32_movshdup (v4sf)
5994 v4sf __builtin_ia32_movsldup (v4sf)
5995 void __builtin_ia32_mwait (unsigned int, unsigned int)
5996 @end example
5997
5998 The following built-in functions are available when @option{-mpni} is used.
5999
6000 @table @code
6001 @item v2df __builtin_ia32_loadddup (double const *)
6002 Generates the @code{movddup} machine instruction as a load from memory.
6003 @end table
6004
6005 The following built-in functions are available when @option{-m3dnow} is used.
6006 All of them generate the machine instruction that is part of the name.
6007
6008 @example
6009 void __builtin_ia32_femms (void)
6010 v8qi __builtin_ia32_pavgusb (v8qi, v8qi)
6011 v2si __builtin_ia32_pf2id (v2sf)
6012 v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfacc (v2sf, v2sf)
6013 v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfadd (v2sf, v2sf)
6014 v2si __builtin_ia32_pfcmpeq (v2sf, v2sf)
6015 v2si __builtin_ia32_pfcmpge (v2sf, v2sf)
6016 v2si __builtin_ia32_pfcmpgt (v2sf, v2sf)
6017 v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfmax (v2sf, v2sf)
6018 v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfmin (v2sf, v2sf)
6019 v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfmul (v2sf, v2sf)
6020 v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfrcp (v2sf)
6021 v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfrcpit1 (v2sf, v2sf)
6022 v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfrcpit2 (v2sf, v2sf)
6023 v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfrsqrt (v2sf)
6024 v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfrsqrtit1 (v2sf, v2sf)
6025 v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfsub (v2sf, v2sf)
6026 v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfsubr (v2sf, v2sf)
6027 v2sf __builtin_ia32_pi2fd (v2si)
6028 v4hi __builtin_ia32_pmulhrw (v4hi, v4hi)
6029 @end example
6030
6031 The following built-in functions are available when both @option{-m3dnow}
6032 and @option{-march=athlon} are used. All of them generate the machine
6033 instruction that is part of the name.
6034
6035 @example
6036 v2si __builtin_ia32_pf2iw (v2sf)
6037 v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfnacc (v2sf, v2sf)
6038 v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfpnacc (v2sf, v2sf)
6039 v2sf __builtin_ia32_pi2fw (v2si)
6040 v2sf __builtin_ia32_pswapdsf (v2sf)
6041 v2si __builtin_ia32_pswapdsi (v2si)
6042 @end example
6043
6044 @node PowerPC AltiVec Built-in Functions
6045 @subsection PowerPC AltiVec Built-in Functions
6046
6047 These built-in functions are available for the PowerPC family
6048 of computers, depending on the command-line switches used.
6049
6050 The following machine modes are available for use with AltiVec built-in
6051 functions (@pxref{Vector Extensions}): @code{V4SI} for a vector of four
6052 32-bit integers, @code{V4SF} for a vector of four 32-bit floating point
6053 numbers, @code{V8HI} for a vector of eight 16-bit integers, and
6054 @code{V16QI} for a vector of sixteen 8-bit integers.
6055
6056 The following functions are made available by including
6057 @code{<altivec.h>} and using @option{-maltivec} and
6058 @option{-mabi=altivec}. The functions implement the functionality
6059 described in Motorola's AltiVec Programming Interface Manual.
6060
6061 There are a few differences from Motorola's documentation and GCC's
6062 implementation. Vector constants are done with curly braces (not
6063 parentheses). Vector initializers require no casts if the vector
6064 constant is of the same type as the variable it is initializing. The
6065 @code{vector bool} type is deprecated and will be discontinued in
6066 further revisions. Use @code{vector signed} instead. If @code{signed}
6067 or @code{unsigned} is omitted, the vector type will default to
6068 @code{signed}. Lastly, all overloaded functions are implemented with macros
6069 for the C implementation. So code the following example will not work:
6070
6071 @smallexample
6072 vec_add ((vector signed int)@{1, 2, 3, 4@}, foo);
6073 @end smallexample
6074
6075 Since vec_add is a macro, the vector constant in the above example will
6076 be treated as four different arguments. Wrap the entire argument in
6077 parentheses for this to work. The C++ implementation does not use
6078 macros.
6079
6080 @emph{Note:} Only the @code{<altivec.h>} interface is supported.
6081 Internally, GCC uses built-in functions to achieve the functionality in
6082 the aforementioned header file, but they are not supported and are
6083 subject to change without notice.
6084
6085 @smallexample
6086 vector signed char vec_abs (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6087 vector signed short vec_abs (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6088 vector signed int vec_abs (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6089 vector signed float vec_abs (vector signed float, vector signed float);
6090
6091 vector signed char vec_abss (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6092 vector signed short vec_abss (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6093
6094 vector signed char vec_add (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6095 vector unsigned char vec_add (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6096
6097 vector unsigned char vec_add (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6098
6099 vector unsigned char vec_add (vector unsigned char,
6100 vector unsigned char);
6101 vector signed short vec_add (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6102 vector unsigned short vec_add (vector signed short,
6103 vector unsigned short);
6104 vector unsigned short vec_add (vector unsigned short,
6105 vector signed short);
6106 vector unsigned short vec_add (vector unsigned short,
6107 vector unsigned short);
6108 vector signed int vec_add (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6109 vector unsigned int vec_add (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6110 vector unsigned int vec_add (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6111 vector unsigned int vec_add (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6112 vector float vec_add (vector float, vector float);
6113
6114 vector unsigned int vec_addc (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6115
6116 vector unsigned char vec_adds (vector signed char,
6117 vector unsigned char);
6118 vector unsigned char vec_adds (vector unsigned char,
6119 vector signed char);
6120 vector unsigned char vec_adds (vector unsigned char,
6121 vector unsigned char);
6122 vector signed char vec_adds (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6123 vector unsigned short vec_adds (vector signed short,
6124 vector unsigned short);
6125 vector unsigned short vec_adds (vector unsigned short,
6126 vector signed short);
6127 vector unsigned short vec_adds (vector unsigned short,
6128 vector unsigned short);
6129 vector signed short vec_adds (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6130
6131 vector unsigned int vec_adds (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6132 vector unsigned int vec_adds (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6133 vector unsigned int vec_adds (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6134
6135 vector signed int vec_adds (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6136
6137 vector float vec_and (vector float, vector float);
6138 vector float vec_and (vector float, vector signed int);
6139 vector float vec_and (vector signed int, vector float);
6140 vector signed int vec_and (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6141 vector unsigned int vec_and (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6142 vector unsigned int vec_and (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6143 vector unsigned int vec_and (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6144 vector signed short vec_and (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6145 vector unsigned short vec_and (vector signed short,
6146 vector unsigned short);
6147 vector unsigned short vec_and (vector unsigned short,
6148 vector signed short);
6149 vector unsigned short vec_and (vector unsigned short,
6150 vector unsigned short);
6151 vector signed char vec_and (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6152 vector unsigned char vec_and (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6153
6154 vector unsigned char vec_and (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6155
6156 vector unsigned char vec_and (vector unsigned char,
6157 vector unsigned char);
6158
6159 vector float vec_andc (vector float, vector float);
6160 vector float vec_andc (vector float, vector signed int);
6161 vector float vec_andc (vector signed int, vector float);
6162 vector signed int vec_andc (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6163 vector unsigned int vec_andc (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6164 vector unsigned int vec_andc (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6165 vector unsigned int vec_andc (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6166
6167 vector signed short vec_andc (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6168
6169 vector unsigned short vec_andc (vector signed short,
6170 vector unsigned short);
6171 vector unsigned short vec_andc (vector unsigned short,
6172 vector signed short);
6173 vector unsigned short vec_andc (vector unsigned short,
6174 vector unsigned short);
6175 vector signed char vec_andc (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6176 vector unsigned char vec_andc (vector signed char,
6177 vector unsigned char);
6178 vector unsigned char vec_andc (vector unsigned char,
6179 vector signed char);
6180 vector unsigned char vec_andc (vector unsigned char,
6181 vector unsigned char);
6182
6183 vector unsigned char vec_avg (vector unsigned char,
6184 vector unsigned char);
6185 vector signed char vec_avg (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6186 vector unsigned short vec_avg (vector unsigned short,
6187 vector unsigned short);
6188 vector signed short vec_avg (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6189 vector unsigned int vec_avg (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6190 vector signed int vec_avg (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6191
6192 vector float vec_ceil (vector float);
6193
6194 vector signed int vec_cmpb (vector float, vector float);
6195
6196 vector signed char vec_cmpeq (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6197 vector signed char vec_cmpeq (vector unsigned char,
6198 vector unsigned char);
6199 vector signed short vec_cmpeq (vector signed short,
6200 vector signed short);
6201 vector signed short vec_cmpeq (vector unsigned short,
6202 vector unsigned short);
6203 vector signed int vec_cmpeq (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6204 vector signed int vec_cmpeq (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6205 vector signed int vec_cmpeq (vector float, vector float);
6206
6207 vector signed int vec_cmpge (vector float, vector float);
6208
6209 vector signed char vec_cmpgt (vector unsigned char,
6210 vector unsigned char);
6211 vector signed char vec_cmpgt (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6212 vector signed short vec_cmpgt (vector unsigned short,
6213 vector unsigned short);
6214 vector signed short vec_cmpgt (vector signed short,
6215 vector signed short);
6216 vector signed int vec_cmpgt (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6217 vector signed int vec_cmpgt (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6218 vector signed int vec_cmpgt (vector float, vector float);
6219
6220 vector signed int vec_cmple (vector float, vector float);
6221
6222 vector signed char vec_cmplt (vector unsigned char,
6223 vector unsigned char);
6224 vector signed char vec_cmplt (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6225 vector signed short vec_cmplt (vector unsigned short,
6226 vector unsigned short);
6227 vector signed short vec_cmplt (vector signed short,
6228 vector signed short);
6229 vector signed int vec_cmplt (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6230 vector signed int vec_cmplt (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6231 vector signed int vec_cmplt (vector float, vector float);
6232
6233 vector float vec_ctf (vector unsigned int, const char);
6234 vector float vec_ctf (vector signed int, const char);
6235
6236 vector signed int vec_cts (vector float, const char);
6237
6238 vector unsigned int vec_ctu (vector float, const char);
6239
6240 void vec_dss (const char);
6241
6242 void vec_dssall (void);
6243
6244 void vec_dst (void *, int, const char);
6245
6246 void vec_dstst (void *, int, const char);
6247
6248 void vec_dststt (void *, int, const char);
6249
6250 void vec_dstt (void *, int, const char);
6251
6252 vector float vec_expte (vector float, vector float);
6253
6254 vector float vec_floor (vector float, vector float);
6255
6256 vector float vec_ld (int, vector float *);
6257 vector float vec_ld (int, float *):
6258 vector signed int vec_ld (int, int *);
6259 vector signed int vec_ld (int, vector signed int *);
6260 vector unsigned int vec_ld (int, vector unsigned int *);
6261 vector unsigned int vec_ld (int, unsigned int *);
6262 vector signed short vec_ld (int, short *, vector signed short *);
6263 vector unsigned short vec_ld (int, unsigned short *,
6264 vector unsigned short *);
6265 vector signed char vec_ld (int, signed char *);
6266 vector signed char vec_ld (int, vector signed char *);
6267 vector unsigned char vec_ld (int, unsigned char *);
6268 vector unsigned char vec_ld (int, vector unsigned char *);
6269
6270 vector signed char vec_lde (int, signed char *);
6271 vector unsigned char vec_lde (int, unsigned char *);
6272 vector signed short vec_lde (int, short *);
6273 vector unsigned short vec_lde (int, unsigned short *);
6274 vector float vec_lde (int, float *);
6275 vector signed int vec_lde (int, int *);
6276 vector unsigned int vec_lde (int, unsigned int *);
6277
6278 void float vec_ldl (int, float *);
6279 void float vec_ldl (int, vector float *);
6280 void signed int vec_ldl (int, vector signed int *);
6281 void signed int vec_ldl (int, int *);
6282 void unsigned int vec_ldl (int, unsigned int *);
6283 void unsigned int vec_ldl (int, vector unsigned int *);
6284 void signed short vec_ldl (int, vector signed short *);
6285 void signed short vec_ldl (int, short *);
6286 void unsigned short vec_ldl (int, vector unsigned short *);
6287 void unsigned short vec_ldl (int, unsigned short *);
6288 void signed char vec_ldl (int, vector signed char *);
6289 void signed char vec_ldl (int, signed char *);
6290 void unsigned char vec_ldl (int, vector unsigned char *);
6291 void unsigned char vec_ldl (int, unsigned char *);
6292
6293 vector float vec_loge (vector float);
6294
6295 vector unsigned char vec_lvsl (int, void *, int *);
6296
6297 vector unsigned char vec_lvsr (int, void *, int *);
6298
6299 vector float vec_madd (vector float, vector float, vector float);
6300
6301 vector signed short vec_madds (vector signed short, vector signed short,
6302 vector signed short);
6303
6304 vector unsigned char vec_max (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6305
6306 vector unsigned char vec_max (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6307
6308 vector unsigned char vec_max (vector unsigned char,
6309 vector unsigned char);
6310 vector signed char vec_max (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6311 vector unsigned short vec_max (vector signed short,
6312 vector unsigned short);
6313 vector unsigned short vec_max (vector unsigned short,
6314 vector signed short);
6315 vector unsigned short vec_max (vector unsigned short,
6316 vector unsigned short);
6317 vector signed short vec_max (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6318 vector unsigned int vec_max (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6319 vector unsigned int vec_max (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6320 vector unsigned int vec_max (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6321 vector signed int vec_max (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6322 vector float vec_max (vector float, vector float);
6323
6324 vector signed char vec_mergeh (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6325 vector unsigned char vec_mergeh (vector unsigned char,
6326 vector unsigned char);
6327 vector signed short vec_mergeh (vector signed short,
6328 vector signed short);
6329 vector unsigned short vec_mergeh (vector unsigned short,
6330 vector unsigned short);
6331 vector float vec_mergeh (vector float, vector float);
6332 vector signed int vec_mergeh (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6333 vector unsigned int vec_mergeh (vector unsigned int,
6334 vector unsigned int);
6335
6336 vector signed char vec_mergel (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6337 vector unsigned char vec_mergel (vector unsigned char,
6338 vector unsigned char);
6339 vector signed short vec_mergel (vector signed short,
6340 vector signed short);
6341 vector unsigned short vec_mergel (vector unsigned short,
6342 vector unsigned short);
6343 vector float vec_mergel (vector float, vector float);
6344 vector signed int vec_mergel (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6345 vector unsigned int vec_mergel (vector unsigned int,
6346 vector unsigned int);
6347
6348 vector unsigned short vec_mfvscr (void);
6349
6350 vector unsigned char vec_min (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6351
6352 vector unsigned char vec_min (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6353
6354 vector unsigned char vec_min (vector unsigned char,
6355 vector unsigned char);
6356 vector signed char vec_min (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6357 vector unsigned short vec_min (vector signed short,
6358 vector unsigned short);
6359 vector unsigned short vec_min (vector unsigned short,
6360 vector signed short);
6361 vector unsigned short vec_min (vector unsigned short,
6362 vector unsigned short);
6363 vector signed short vec_min (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6364 vector unsigned int vec_min (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6365 vector unsigned int vec_min (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6366 vector unsigned int vec_min (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6367 vector signed int vec_min (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6368 vector float vec_min (vector float, vector float);
6369
6370 vector signed short vec_mladd (vector signed short, vector signed short,
6371 vector signed short);
6372 vector signed short vec_mladd (vector signed short,
6373 vector unsigned short,
6374 vector unsigned short);
6375 vector signed short vec_mladd (vector unsigned short,
6376 vector signed short,
6377 vector signed short);
6378 vector unsigned short vec_mladd (vector unsigned short,
6379 vector unsigned short,
6380 vector unsigned short);
6381
6382 vector signed short vec_mradds (vector signed short,
6383 vector signed short,
6384 vector signed short);
6385
6386 vector unsigned int vec_msum (vector unsigned char,
6387 vector unsigned char,
6388 vector unsigned int);
6389 vector signed int vec_msum (vector signed char, vector unsigned char,
6390 vector signed int);
6391 vector unsigned int vec_msum (vector unsigned short,
6392 vector unsigned short,
6393 vector unsigned int);
6394 vector signed int vec_msum (vector signed short, vector signed short,
6395 vector signed int);
6396
6397 vector unsigned int vec_msums (vector unsigned short,
6398 vector unsigned short,
6399 vector unsigned int);
6400 vector signed int vec_msums (vector signed short, vector signed short,
6401 vector signed int);
6402
6403 void vec_mtvscr (vector signed int);
6404 void vec_mtvscr (vector unsigned int);
6405 void vec_mtvscr (vector signed short);
6406 void vec_mtvscr (vector unsigned short);
6407 void vec_mtvscr (vector signed char);
6408 void vec_mtvscr (vector unsigned char);
6409
6410 vector unsigned short vec_mule (vector unsigned char,
6411 vector unsigned char);
6412 vector signed short vec_mule (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6413 vector unsigned int vec_mule (vector unsigned short,
6414 vector unsigned short);
6415 vector signed int vec_mule (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6416
6417 vector unsigned short vec_mulo (vector unsigned char,
6418 vector unsigned char);
6419 vector signed short vec_mulo (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6420 vector unsigned int vec_mulo (vector unsigned short,
6421 vector unsigned short);
6422 vector signed int vec_mulo (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6423
6424 vector float vec_nmsub (vector float, vector float, vector float);
6425
6426 vector float vec_nor (vector float, vector float);
6427 vector signed int vec_nor (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6428 vector unsigned int vec_nor (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6429 vector signed short vec_nor (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6430 vector unsigned short vec_nor (vector unsigned short,
6431 vector unsigned short);
6432 vector signed char vec_nor (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6433 vector unsigned char vec_nor (vector unsigned char,
6434 vector unsigned char);
6435
6436 vector float vec_or (vector float, vector float);
6437 vector float vec_or (vector float, vector signed int);
6438 vector float vec_or (vector signed int, vector float);
6439 vector signed int vec_or (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6440 vector unsigned int vec_or (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6441 vector unsigned int vec_or (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6442 vector unsigned int vec_or (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6443 vector signed short vec_or (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6444 vector unsigned short vec_or (vector signed short,
6445 vector unsigned short);
6446 vector unsigned short vec_or (vector unsigned short,
6447 vector signed short);
6448 vector unsigned short vec_or (vector unsigned short,
6449 vector unsigned short);
6450 vector signed char vec_or (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6451 vector unsigned char vec_or (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6452 vector unsigned char vec_or (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6453 vector unsigned char vec_or (vector unsigned char,
6454 vector unsigned char);
6455
6456 vector signed char vec_pack (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6457 vector unsigned char vec_pack (vector unsigned short,
6458 vector unsigned short);
6459 vector signed short vec_pack (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6460 vector unsigned short vec_pack (vector unsigned int,
6461 vector unsigned int);
6462
6463 vector signed short vec_packpx (vector unsigned int,
6464 vector unsigned int);
6465
6466 vector unsigned char vec_packs (vector unsigned short,
6467 vector unsigned short);
6468 vector signed char vec_packs (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6469
6470 vector unsigned short vec_packs (vector unsigned int,
6471 vector unsigned int);
6472 vector signed short vec_packs (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6473
6474 vector unsigned char vec_packsu (vector unsigned short,
6475 vector unsigned short);
6476 vector unsigned char vec_packsu (vector signed short,
6477 vector signed short);
6478 vector unsigned short vec_packsu (vector unsigned int,
6479 vector unsigned int);
6480 vector unsigned short vec_packsu (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6481
6482 vector float vec_perm (vector float, vector float,
6483 vector unsigned char);
6484 vector signed int vec_perm (vector signed int, vector signed int,
6485 vector unsigned char);
6486 vector unsigned int vec_perm (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int,
6487 vector unsigned char);
6488 vector signed short vec_perm (vector signed short, vector signed short,
6489 vector unsigned char);
6490 vector unsigned short vec_perm (vector unsigned short,
6491 vector unsigned short,
6492 vector unsigned char);
6493 vector signed char vec_perm (vector signed char, vector signed char,
6494 vector unsigned char);
6495 vector unsigned char vec_perm (vector unsigned char,
6496 vector unsigned char,
6497 vector unsigned char);
6498
6499 vector float vec_re (vector float);
6500
6501 vector signed char vec_rl (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6502 vector unsigned char vec_rl (vector unsigned char,
6503 vector unsigned char);
6504 vector signed short vec_rl (vector signed short, vector unsigned short);
6505
6506 vector unsigned short vec_rl (vector unsigned short,
6507 vector unsigned short);
6508 vector signed int vec_rl (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6509 vector unsigned int vec_rl (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6510
6511 vector float vec_round (vector float);
6512
6513 vector float vec_rsqrte (vector float);
6514
6515 vector float vec_sel (vector float, vector float, vector signed int);
6516 vector float vec_sel (vector float, vector float, vector unsigned int);
6517 vector signed int vec_sel (vector signed int, vector signed int,
6518 vector signed int);
6519 vector signed int vec_sel (vector signed int, vector signed int,
6520 vector unsigned int);
6521 vector unsigned int vec_sel (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int,
6522 vector signed int);
6523 vector unsigned int vec_sel (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int,
6524 vector unsigned int);
6525 vector signed short vec_sel (vector signed short, vector signed short,
6526 vector signed short);
6527 vector signed short vec_sel (vector signed short, vector signed short,
6528 vector unsigned short);
6529 vector unsigned short vec_sel (vector unsigned short,
6530 vector unsigned short,
6531 vector signed short);
6532 vector unsigned short vec_sel (vector unsigned short,
6533 vector unsigned short,
6534 vector unsigned short);
6535 vector signed char vec_sel (vector signed char, vector signed char,
6536 vector signed char);
6537 vector signed char vec_sel (vector signed char, vector signed char,
6538 vector unsigned char);
6539 vector unsigned char vec_sel (vector unsigned char,
6540 vector unsigned char,
6541 vector signed char);
6542 vector unsigned char vec_sel (vector unsigned char,
6543 vector unsigned char,
6544 vector unsigned char);
6545
6546 vector signed char vec_sl (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6547 vector unsigned char vec_sl (vector unsigned char,
6548 vector unsigned char);
6549 vector signed short vec_sl (vector signed short, vector unsigned short);
6550
6551 vector unsigned short vec_sl (vector unsigned short,
6552 vector unsigned short);
6553 vector signed int vec_sl (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6554 vector unsigned int vec_sl (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6555
6556 vector float vec_sld (vector float, vector float, const char);
6557 vector signed int vec_sld (vector signed int, vector signed int,
6558 const char);
6559 vector unsigned int vec_sld (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int,
6560 const char);
6561 vector signed short vec_sld (vector signed short, vector signed short,
6562 const char);
6563 vector unsigned short vec_sld (vector unsigned short,
6564 vector unsigned short, const char);
6565 vector signed char vec_sld (vector signed char, vector signed char,
6566 const char);
6567 vector unsigned char vec_sld (vector unsigned char,
6568 vector unsigned char,
6569 const char);
6570
6571 vector signed int vec_sll (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6572 vector signed int vec_sll (vector signed int, vector unsigned short);
6573 vector signed int vec_sll (vector signed int, vector unsigned char);
6574 vector unsigned int vec_sll (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6575 vector unsigned int vec_sll (vector unsigned int,
6576 vector unsigned short);
6577 vector unsigned int vec_sll (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned char);
6578
6579 vector signed short vec_sll (vector signed short, vector unsigned int);
6580 vector signed short vec_sll (vector signed short,
6581 vector unsigned short);
6582 vector signed short vec_sll (vector signed short, vector unsigned char);
6583
6584 vector unsigned short vec_sll (vector unsigned short,
6585 vector unsigned int);
6586 vector unsigned short vec_sll (vector unsigned short,
6587 vector unsigned short);
6588 vector unsigned short vec_sll (vector unsigned short,
6589 vector unsigned char);
6590 vector signed char vec_sll (vector signed char, vector unsigned int);
6591 vector signed char vec_sll (vector signed char, vector unsigned short);
6592 vector signed char vec_sll (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6593 vector unsigned char vec_sll (vector unsigned char,
6594 vector unsigned int);
6595 vector unsigned char vec_sll (vector unsigned char,
6596 vector unsigned short);
6597 vector unsigned char vec_sll (vector unsigned char,
6598 vector unsigned char);
6599
6600 vector float vec_slo (vector float, vector signed char);
6601 vector float vec_slo (vector float, vector unsigned char);
6602 vector signed int vec_slo (vector signed int, vector signed char);
6603 vector signed int vec_slo (vector signed int, vector unsigned char);
6604 vector unsigned int vec_slo (vector unsigned int, vector signed char);
6605 vector unsigned int vec_slo (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned char);
6606
6607 vector signed short vec_slo (vector signed short, vector signed char);
6608 vector signed short vec_slo (vector signed short, vector unsigned char);
6609
6610 vector unsigned short vec_slo (vector unsigned short,
6611 vector signed char);
6612 vector unsigned short vec_slo (vector unsigned short,
6613 vector unsigned char);
6614 vector signed char vec_slo (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6615 vector signed char vec_slo (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6616 vector unsigned char vec_slo (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6617
6618 vector unsigned char vec_slo (vector unsigned char,
6619 vector unsigned char);
6620
6621 vector signed char vec_splat (vector signed char, const char);
6622 vector unsigned char vec_splat (vector unsigned char, const char);
6623 vector signed short vec_splat (vector signed short, const char);
6624 vector unsigned short vec_splat (vector unsigned short, const char);
6625 vector float vec_splat (vector float, const char);
6626 vector signed int vec_splat (vector signed int, const char);
6627 vector unsigned int vec_splat (vector unsigned int, const char);
6628
6629 vector signed char vec_splat_s8 (const char);
6630
6631 vector signed short vec_splat_s16 (const char);
6632
6633 vector signed int vec_splat_s32 (const char);
6634
6635 vector unsigned char vec_splat_u8 (const char);
6636
6637 vector unsigned short vec_splat_u16 (const char);
6638
6639 vector unsigned int vec_splat_u32 (const char);
6640
6641 vector signed char vec_sr (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6642 vector unsigned char vec_sr (vector unsigned char,
6643 vector unsigned char);
6644 vector signed short vec_sr (vector signed short, vector unsigned short);
6645
6646 vector unsigned short vec_sr (vector unsigned short,
6647 vector unsigned short);
6648 vector signed int vec_sr (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6649 vector unsigned int vec_sr (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6650
6651 vector signed char vec_sra (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6652 vector unsigned char vec_sra (vector unsigned char,
6653 vector unsigned char);
6654 vector signed short vec_sra (vector signed short,
6655 vector unsigned short);
6656 vector unsigned short vec_sra (vector unsigned short,
6657 vector unsigned short);
6658 vector signed int vec_sra (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6659 vector unsigned int vec_sra (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6660
6661 vector signed int vec_srl (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6662 vector signed int vec_srl (vector signed int, vector unsigned short);
6663 vector signed int vec_srl (vector signed int, vector unsigned char);
6664 vector unsigned int vec_srl (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6665 vector unsigned int vec_srl (vector unsigned int,
6666 vector unsigned short);
6667 vector unsigned int vec_srl (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned char);
6668
6669 vector signed short vec_srl (vector signed short, vector unsigned int);
6670 vector signed short vec_srl (vector signed short,
6671 vector unsigned short);
6672 vector signed short vec_srl (vector signed short, vector unsigned char);
6673
6674 vector unsigned short vec_srl (vector unsigned short,
6675 vector unsigned int);
6676 vector unsigned short vec_srl (vector unsigned short,
6677 vector unsigned short);
6678 vector unsigned short vec_srl (vector unsigned short,
6679 vector unsigned char);
6680 vector signed char vec_srl (vector signed char, vector unsigned int);
6681 vector signed char vec_srl (vector signed char, vector unsigned short);
6682 vector signed char vec_srl (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6683 vector unsigned char vec_srl (vector unsigned char,
6684 vector unsigned int);
6685 vector unsigned char vec_srl (vector unsigned char,
6686 vector unsigned short);
6687 vector unsigned char vec_srl (vector unsigned char,
6688 vector unsigned char);
6689
6690 vector float vec_sro (vector float, vector signed char);
6691 vector float vec_sro (vector float, vector unsigned char);
6692 vector signed int vec_sro (vector signed int, vector signed char);
6693 vector signed int vec_sro (vector signed int, vector unsigned char);
6694 vector unsigned int vec_sro (vector unsigned int, vector signed char);
6695 vector unsigned int vec_sro (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned char);
6696
6697 vector signed short vec_sro (vector signed short, vector signed char);
6698 vector signed short vec_sro (vector signed short, vector unsigned char);
6699
6700 vector unsigned short vec_sro (vector unsigned short,
6701 vector signed char);
6702 vector unsigned short vec_sro (vector unsigned short,
6703 vector unsigned char);
6704 vector signed char vec_sro (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6705 vector signed char vec_sro (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6706 vector unsigned char vec_sro (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6707
6708 vector unsigned char vec_sro (vector unsigned char,
6709 vector unsigned char);
6710
6711 void vec_st (vector float, int, float *);
6712 void vec_st (vector float, int, vector float *);
6713 void vec_st (vector signed int, int, int *);
6714 void vec_st (vector signed int, int, unsigned int *);
6715 void vec_st (vector unsigned int, int, unsigned int *);
6716 void vec_st (vector unsigned int, int, vector unsigned int *);
6717 void vec_st (vector signed short, int, short *);
6718 void vec_st (vector signed short, int, vector unsigned short *);
6719 void vec_st (vector signed short, int, vector signed short *);
6720 void vec_st (vector unsigned short, int, unsigned short *);
6721 void vec_st (vector unsigned short, int, vector unsigned short *);
6722 void vec_st (vector signed char, int, signed char *);
6723 void vec_st (vector signed char, int, unsigned char *);
6724 void vec_st (vector signed char, int, vector signed char *);
6725 void vec_st (vector unsigned char, int, unsigned char *);
6726 void vec_st (vector unsigned char, int, vector unsigned char *);
6727
6728 void vec_ste (vector signed char, int, unsigned char *);
6729 void vec_ste (vector signed char, int, signed char *);
6730 void vec_ste (vector unsigned char, int, unsigned char *);
6731 void vec_ste (vector signed short, int, short *);
6732 void vec_ste (vector signed short, int, unsigned short *);
6733 void vec_ste (vector unsigned short, int, void *);
6734 void vec_ste (vector signed int, int, unsigned int *);
6735 void vec_ste (vector signed int, int, int *);
6736 void vec_ste (vector unsigned int, int, unsigned int *);
6737 void vec_ste (vector float, int, float *);
6738
6739 void vec_stl (vector float, int, vector float *);
6740 void vec_stl (vector float, int, float *);
6741 void vec_stl (vector signed int, int, vector signed int *);
6742 void vec_stl (vector signed int, int, int *);
6743 void vec_stl (vector signed int, int, unsigned int *);
6744 void vec_stl (vector unsigned int, int, vector unsigned int *);
6745 void vec_stl (vector unsigned int, int, unsigned int *);
6746 void vec_stl (vector signed short, int, short *);
6747 void vec_stl (vector signed short, int, unsigned short *);
6748 void vec_stl (vector signed short, int, vector signed short *);
6749 void vec_stl (vector unsigned short, int, unsigned short *);
6750 void vec_stl (vector unsigned short, int, vector signed short *);
6751 void vec_stl (vector signed char, int, signed char *);
6752 void vec_stl (vector signed char, int, unsigned char *);
6753 void vec_stl (vector signed char, int, vector signed char *);
6754 void vec_stl (vector unsigned char, int, unsigned char *);
6755 void vec_stl (vector unsigned char, int, vector unsigned char *);
6756
6757 vector signed char vec_sub (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6758 vector unsigned char vec_sub (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6759
6760 vector unsigned char vec_sub (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6761
6762 vector unsigned char vec_sub (vector unsigned char,
6763 vector unsigned char);
6764 vector signed short vec_sub (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6765 vector unsigned short vec_sub (vector signed short,
6766 vector unsigned short);
6767 vector unsigned short vec_sub (vector unsigned short,
6768 vector signed short);
6769 vector unsigned short vec_sub (vector unsigned short,
6770 vector unsigned short);
6771 vector signed int vec_sub (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6772 vector unsigned int vec_sub (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6773 vector unsigned int vec_sub (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6774 vector unsigned int vec_sub (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6775 vector float vec_sub (vector float, vector float);
6776
6777 vector unsigned int vec_subc (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6778
6779 vector unsigned char vec_subs (vector signed char,
6780 vector unsigned char);
6781 vector unsigned char vec_subs (vector unsigned char,
6782 vector signed char);
6783 vector unsigned char vec_subs (vector unsigned char,
6784 vector unsigned char);
6785 vector signed char vec_subs (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6786 vector unsigned short vec_subs (vector signed short,
6787 vector unsigned short);
6788 vector unsigned short vec_subs (vector unsigned short,
6789 vector signed short);
6790 vector unsigned short vec_subs (vector unsigned short,
6791 vector unsigned short);
6792 vector signed short vec_subs (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6793
6794 vector unsigned int vec_subs (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6795 vector unsigned int vec_subs (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6796 vector unsigned int vec_subs (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6797
6798 vector signed int vec_subs (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6799
6800 vector unsigned int vec_sum4s (vector unsigned char,
6801 vector unsigned int);
6802 vector signed int vec_sum4s (vector signed char, vector signed int);
6803 vector signed int vec_sum4s (vector signed short, vector signed int);
6804
6805 vector signed int vec_sum2s (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6806
6807 vector signed int vec_sums (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6808
6809 vector float vec_trunc (vector float);
6810
6811 vector signed short vec_unpackh (vector signed char);
6812 vector unsigned int vec_unpackh (vector signed short);
6813 vector signed int vec_unpackh (vector signed short);
6814
6815 vector signed short vec_unpackl (vector signed char);
6816 vector unsigned int vec_unpackl (vector signed short);
6817 vector signed int vec_unpackl (vector signed short);
6818
6819 vector float vec_xor (vector float, vector float);
6820 vector float vec_xor (vector float, vector signed int);
6821 vector float vec_xor (vector signed int, vector float);
6822 vector signed int vec_xor (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6823 vector unsigned int vec_xor (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6824 vector unsigned int vec_xor (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6825 vector unsigned int vec_xor (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6826 vector signed short vec_xor (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6827 vector unsigned short vec_xor (vector signed short,
6828 vector unsigned short);
6829 vector unsigned short vec_xor (vector unsigned short,
6830 vector signed short);
6831 vector unsigned short vec_xor (vector unsigned short,
6832 vector unsigned short);
6833 vector signed char vec_xor (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6834 vector unsigned char vec_xor (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6835
6836 vector unsigned char vec_xor (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6837
6838 vector unsigned char vec_xor (vector unsigned char,
6839 vector unsigned char);
6840
6841 vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6842
6843 vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6844 vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6845
6846 vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector unsigned char,
6847 vector unsigned char);
6848 vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector signed short,
6849 vector unsigned short);
6850 vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6851
6852 vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector unsigned short,
6853 vector signed short);
6854 vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector unsigned short,
6855 vector unsigned short);
6856 vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6857 vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6858 vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6859 vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6860
6861 vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector float, vector float);
6862
6863 vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6864
6865 vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6866
6867 vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector unsigned char,
6868 vector unsigned char);
6869 vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6870 vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector signed short,
6871 vector unsigned short);
6872 vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector unsigned short,
6873 vector signed short);
6874 vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector unsigned short,
6875 vector unsigned short);
6876 vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6877
6878 vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6879 vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6880 vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6881
6882 vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6883 vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector float, vector float);
6884
6885 vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6886
6887 vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6888
6889 vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector unsigned char,
6890 vector unsigned char);
6891 vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6892 vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector signed short,
6893 vector unsigned short);
6894 vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector unsigned short,
6895 vector signed short);
6896 vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector unsigned short,
6897 vector unsigned short);
6898 vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6899
6900 vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6901 vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6902 vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6903
6904 vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6905 vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector float, vector float);
6906
6907 vector signed int vec_all_in (vector float, vector float);
6908
6909 vector signed int vec_all_le (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6910
6911 vector signed int vec_all_le (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6912
6913 vector signed int vec_all_le (vector unsigned char,
6914 vector unsigned char);
6915 vector signed int vec_all_le (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6916 vector signed int vec_all_le (vector signed short,
6917 vector unsigned short);
6918 vector signed int vec_all_le (vector unsigned short,
6919 vector signed short);
6920 vector signed int vec_all_le (vector unsigned short,
6921 vector unsigned short);
6922 vector signed int vec_all_le (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6923
6924 vector signed int vec_all_le (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6925 vector signed int vec_all_le (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6926 vector signed int vec_all_le (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6927
6928 vector signed int vec_all_le (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6929 vector signed int vec_all_le (vector float, vector float);
6930
6931 vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6932
6933 vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6934
6935 vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector unsigned char,
6936 vector unsigned char);
6937 vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6938 vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector signed short,
6939 vector unsigned short);
6940 vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector unsigned short,
6941 vector signed short);
6942 vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector unsigned short,
6943 vector unsigned short);
6944 vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6945
6946 vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6947 vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6948 vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6949
6950 vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6951 vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector float, vector float);
6952
6953 vector signed int vec_all_nan (vector float);
6954
6955 vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6956
6957 vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6958 vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6959
6960 vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector unsigned char,
6961 vector unsigned char);
6962 vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector signed short,
6963 vector unsigned short);
6964 vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6965
6966 vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector unsigned short,
6967 vector signed short);
6968 vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector unsigned short,
6969 vector unsigned short);
6970 vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6971 vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6972 vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6973 vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6974
6975 vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector float, vector float);
6976
6977 vector signed int vec_all_nge (vector float, vector float);
6978
6979 vector signed int vec_all_ngt (vector float, vector float);
6980
6981 vector signed int vec_all_nle (vector float, vector float);
6982
6983 vector signed int vec_all_nlt (vector float, vector float);
6984
6985 vector signed int vec_all_numeric (vector float);
6986
6987 vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6988
6989 vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6990 vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6991
6992 vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector unsigned char,
6993 vector unsigned char);
6994 vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector signed short,
6995 vector unsigned short);
6996 vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6997
6998 vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector unsigned short,
6999 vector signed short);
7000 vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector unsigned short,
7001 vector unsigned short);
7002 vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
7003 vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector signed int, vector signed int);
7004 vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
7005 vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
7006
7007 vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector float, vector float);
7008
7009 vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
7010
7011 vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
7012
7013 vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector unsigned char,
7014 vector unsigned char);
7015 vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector signed char, vector signed char);
7016 vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector signed short,
7017 vector unsigned short);
7018 vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector unsigned short,
7019 vector signed short);
7020 vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector unsigned short,
7021 vector unsigned short);
7022 vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector signed short, vector signed short);
7023
7024 vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
7025 vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
7026 vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
7027
7028 vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector signed int, vector signed int);
7029 vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector float, vector float);
7030
7031 vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
7032
7033 vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
7034
7035 vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector unsigned char,
7036 vector unsigned char);
7037 vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector signed char, vector signed char);
7038 vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector signed short,
7039 vector unsigned short);
7040 vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector unsigned short,
7041 vector signed short);
7042 vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector unsigned short,
7043 vector unsigned short);
7044 vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector signed short, vector signed short);
7045
7046 vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
7047 vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
7048 vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
7049
7050 vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector signed int, vector signed int);
7051 vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector float, vector float);
7052
7053 vector signed int vec_any_le (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
7054
7055 vector signed int vec_any_le (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
7056
7057 vector signed int vec_any_le (vector unsigned char,
7058 vector unsigned char);
7059 vector signed int vec_any_le (vector signed char, vector signed char);
7060 vector signed int vec_any_le (vector signed short,
7061 vector unsigned short);
7062 vector signed int vec_any_le (vector unsigned short,
7063 vector signed short);
7064 vector signed int vec_any_le (vector unsigned short,
7065 vector unsigned short);
7066 vector signed int vec_any_le (vector signed short, vector signed short);
7067
7068 vector signed int vec_any_le (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
7069 vector signed int vec_any_le (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
7070 vector signed int vec_any_le (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
7071
7072 vector signed int vec_any_le (vector signed int, vector signed int);
7073 vector signed int vec_any_le (vector float, vector float);
7074
7075 vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
7076
7077 vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
7078
7079 vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector unsigned char,
7080 vector unsigned char);
7081 vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector signed char, vector signed char);
7082 vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector signed short,
7083 vector unsigned short);
7084 vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector unsigned short,
7085 vector signed short);
7086 vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector unsigned short,
7087 vector unsigned short);
7088 vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector signed short, vector signed short);
7089
7090 vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
7091 vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
7092 vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
7093
7094 vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector signed int, vector signed int);
7095 vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector float, vector float);
7096
7097 vector signed int vec_any_nan (vector float);
7098
7099 vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
7100
7101 vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector signed char, vector signed char);
7102 vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
7103
7104 vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector unsigned char,
7105 vector unsigned char);
7106 vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector signed short,
7107 vector unsigned short);
7108 vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector signed short, vector signed short);
7109
7110 vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector unsigned short,
7111 vector signed short);
7112 vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector unsigned short,
7113 vector unsigned short);
7114 vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
7115 vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector signed int, vector signed int);
7116 vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
7117 vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
7118
7119 vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector float, vector float);
7120
7121 vector signed int vec_any_nge (vector float, vector float);
7122
7123 vector signed int vec_any_ngt (vector float, vector float);
7124
7125 vector signed int vec_any_nle (vector float, vector float);
7126
7127 vector signed int vec_any_nlt (vector float, vector float);
7128
7129 vector signed int vec_any_numeric (vector float);
7130
7131 vector signed int vec_any_out (vector float, vector float);
7132 @end smallexample
7133
7134 @node Pragmas
7135 @section Pragmas Accepted by GCC
7136 @cindex pragmas
7137 @cindex #pragma
7138
7139 GCC supports several types of pragmas, primarily in order to compile
7140 code originally written for other compilers. Note that in general
7141 we do not recommend the use of pragmas; @xref{Function Attributes},
7142 for further explanation.
7143
7144 @menu
7145 * ARM Pragmas::
7146 * RS/6000 and PowerPC Pragmas::
7147 * Darwin Pragmas::
7148 * Solaris Pragmas::
7149 * Tru64 Pragmas::
7150 @end menu
7151
7152 @node ARM Pragmas
7153 @subsection ARM Pragmas
7154
7155 The ARM target defines pragmas for controlling the default addition of
7156 @code{long_call} and @code{short_call} attributes to functions.
7157 @xref{Function Attributes}, for information about the effects of these
7158 attributes.
7159
7160 @table @code
7161 @item long_calls
7162 @cindex pragma, long_calls
7163 Set all subsequent functions to have the @code{long_call} attribute.
7164
7165 @item no_long_calls
7166 @cindex pragma, no_long_calls
7167 Set all subsequent functions to have the @code{short_call} attribute.
7168
7169 @item long_calls_off
7170 @cindex pragma, long_calls_off
7171 Do not affect the @code{long_call} or @code{short_call} attributes of
7172 subsequent functions.
7173 @end table
7174
7175 @node RS/6000 and PowerPC Pragmas
7176 @subsection RS/6000 and PowerPC Pragmas
7177
7178 The RS/6000 and PowerPC targets define one pragma for controlling
7179 whether or not the @code{longcall} attribute is added to function
7180 declarations by default. This pragma overrides the @option{-mlongcall}
7181 option, but not the @code{longcall} and @code{shortcall} attributes.
7182 @xref{RS/6000 and PowerPC Options}, for more information about when long
7183 calls are and are not necessary.
7184
7185 @table @code
7186 @item longcall (1)
7187 @cindex pragma, longcall
7188 Apply the @code{longcall} attribute to all subsequent function
7189 declarations.
7190
7191 @item longcall (0)
7192 Do not apply the @code{longcall} attribute to subsequent function
7193 declarations.
7194 @end table
7195
7196 @c Describe c4x pragmas here.
7197 @c Describe h8300 pragmas here.
7198 @c Describe i370 pragmas here.
7199 @c Describe i960 pragmas here.
7200 @c Describe sh pragmas here.
7201 @c Describe v850 pragmas here.
7202
7203 @node Darwin Pragmas
7204 @subsection Darwin Pragmas
7205
7206 The following pragmas are available for all architectures running the
7207 Darwin operating system. These are useful for compatibility with other
7208 Mac OS compilers.
7209
7210 @table @code
7211 @item mark @var{tokens}@dots{}
7212 @cindex pragma, mark
7213 This pragma is accepted, but has no effect.
7214
7215 @item options align=@var{alignment}
7216 @cindex pragma, options align
7217 This pragma sets the alignment of fields in structures. The values of
7218 @var{alignment} may be @code{mac68k}, to emulate m68k alignment, or
7219 @code{power}, to emulate PowerPC alignment. Uses of this pragma nest
7220 properly; to restore the previous setting, use @code{reset} for the
7221 @var{alignment}.
7222
7223 @item segment @var{tokens}@dots{}
7224 @cindex pragma, segment
7225 This pragma is accepted, but has no effect.
7226
7227 @item unused (@var{var} [, @var{var}]@dots{})
7228 @cindex pragma, unused
7229 This pragma declares variables to be possibly unused. GCC will not
7230 produce warnings for the listed variables. The effect is similar to
7231 that of the @code{unused} attribute, except that this pragma may appear
7232 anywhere within the variables' scopes.
7233 @end table
7234
7235 @node Solaris Pragmas
7236 @subsection Solaris Pragmas
7237
7238 For compatibility with the SunPRO compiler, the following pragma
7239 is supported.
7240
7241 @table @code
7242 @item redefine_extname @var{oldname} @var{newname}
7243 @cindex pragma, redefine_extname
7244
7245 This pragma gives the C function @var{oldname} the assembler label
7246 @var{newname}. The pragma must appear before the function declaration.
7247 This pragma is equivalent to the asm labels extension (@pxref{Asm
7248 Labels}). The preprocessor defines @code{__PRAGMA_REDEFINE_EXTNAME}
7249 if the pragma is available.
7250 @end table
7251
7252 @node Tru64 Pragmas
7253 @subsection Tru64 Pragmas
7254
7255 For compatibility with the Compaq C compiler, the following pragma
7256 is supported.
7257
7258 @table @code
7259 @item extern_prefix @var{string}
7260 @cindex pragma, extern_prefix
7261
7262 This pragma renames all subsequent function and variable declarations
7263 such that @var{string} is prepended to the name. This effect may be
7264 terminated by using another @code{extern_prefix} pragma with the
7265 empty string.
7266
7267 This pragma is similar in intent to to the asm labels extension
7268 (@pxref{Asm Labels}) in that the system programmer wants to change
7269 the assembly-level ABI without changing the source-level API. The
7270 preprocessor defines @code{__PRAGMA_EXTERN_PREFIX} if the pragma is
7271 available.
7272 @end table
7273
7274 @node Unnamed Fields
7275 @section Unnamed struct/union fields within structs/unions.
7276 @cindex struct
7277 @cindex union
7278
7279 For compatibility with other compilers, GCC allows you to define
7280 a structure or union that contains, as fields, structures and unions
7281 without names. For example:
7282
7283 @example
7284 struct @{
7285 int a;
7286 union @{
7287 int b;
7288 float c;
7289 @};
7290 int d;
7291 @} foo;
7292 @end example
7293
7294 In this example, the user would be able to access members of the unnamed
7295 union with code like @samp{foo.b}. Note that only unnamed structs and
7296 unions are allowed, you may not have, for example, an unnamed
7297 @code{int}.
7298
7299 You must never create such structures that cause ambiguous field definitions.
7300 For example, this structure:
7301
7302 @example
7303 struct @{
7304 int a;
7305 struct @{
7306 int a;
7307 @};
7308 @} foo;
7309 @end example
7310
7311 It is ambiguous which @code{a} is being referred to with @samp{foo.a}.
7312 Such constructs are not supported and must be avoided. In the future,
7313 such constructs may be detected and treated as compilation errors.
7314
7315 @node Thread-Local
7316 @section Thread-Local Storage
7317 @cindex Thread-Local Storage
7318 @cindex @acronym{TLS}
7319 @cindex __thread
7320
7321 Thread-local storage (@acronym{TLS}) is a mechanism by which variables
7322 are allocated such that there is one instance of the variable per extant
7323 thread. The run-time model GCC uses to implement this originates
7324 in the IA-64 processor-specific ABI, but has since been migrated
7325 to other processors as well. It requires significant support from
7326 the linker (@command{ld}), dynamic linker (@command{ld.so}), and
7327 system libraries (@file{libc.so} and @file{libpthread.so}), so it
7328 is not available everywhere.
7329
7330 At the user level, the extension is visible with a new storage
7331 class keyword: @code{__thread}. For example:
7332
7333 @example
7334 __thread int i;
7335 extern __thread struct state s;
7336 static __thread char *p;
7337 @end example
7338
7339 The @code{__thread} specifier may be used alone, with the @code{extern}
7340 or @code{static} specifiers, but with no other storage class specifier.
7341 When used with @code{extern} or @code{static}, @code{__thread} must appear
7342 immediately after the other storage class specifier.
7343
7344 The @code{__thread} specifier may be applied to any global, file-scoped
7345 static, function-scoped static, or static data member of a class. It may
7346 not be applied to block-scoped automatic or non-static data member.
7347
7348 When the address-of operator is applied to a thread-local variable, it is
7349 evaluated at run-time and returns the address of the current thread's
7350 instance of that variable. An address so obtained may be used by any
7351 thread. When a thread terminates, any pointers to thread-local variables
7352 in that thread become invalid.
7353
7354 No static initialization may refer to the address of a thread-local variable.
7355
7356 In C++, if an initializer is present for a thread-local variable, it must
7357 be a @var{constant-expression}, as defined in 5.19.2 of the ANSI/ISO C++
7358 standard.
7359
7360 See @uref{http://people.redhat.com/drepper/tls.pdf,
7361 ELF Handling For Thread-Local Storage} for a detailed explanation of
7362 the four thread-local storage addressing models, and how the run-time
7363 is expected to function.
7364
7365 @menu
7366 * C99 Thread-Local Edits::
7367 * C++98 Thread-Local Edits::
7368 @end menu
7369
7370 @node C99 Thread-Local Edits
7371 @subsection ISO/IEC 9899:1999 Edits for Thread-Local Storage
7372
7373 The following are a set of changes to ISO/IEC 9899:1999 (aka C99)
7374 that document the exact semantics of the language extension.
7375
7376 @itemize @bullet
7377 @item
7378 @cite{5.1.2 Execution environments}
7379
7380 Add new text after paragraph 1
7381
7382 @quotation
7383 Within either execution environment, a @dfn{thread} is a flow of
7384 control within a program. It is implementation defined whether
7385 or not there may be more than one thread associated with a program.
7386 It is implementation defined how threads beyond the first are
7387 created, the name and type of the function called at thread
7388 startup, and how threads may be terminated. However, objects
7389 with thread storage duration shall be initialized before thread
7390 startup.
7391 @end quotation
7392
7393 @item
7394 @cite{6.2.4 Storage durations of objects}
7395
7396 Add new text before paragraph 3
7397
7398 @quotation
7399 An object whose identifier is declared with the storage-class
7400 specifier @w{@code{__thread}} has @dfn{thread storage duration}.
7401 Its lifetime is the entire execution of the thread, and its
7402 stored value is initialized only once, prior to thread startup.
7403 @end quotation
7404
7405 @item
7406 @cite{6.4.1 Keywords}
7407
7408 Add @code{__thread}.
7409
7410 @item
7411 @cite{6.7.1 Storage-class specifiers}
7412
7413 Add @code{__thread} to the list of storage class specifiers in
7414 paragraph 1.
7415
7416 Change paragraph 2 to
7417
7418 @quotation
7419 With the exception of @code{__thread}, at most one storage-class
7420 specifier may be given [@dots{}]. The @code{__thread} specifier may
7421 be used alone, or immediately following @code{extern} or
7422 @code{static}.
7423 @end quotation
7424
7425 Add new text after paragraph 6
7426
7427 @quotation
7428 The declaration of an identifier for a variable that has
7429 block scope that specifies @code{__thread} shall also
7430 specify either @code{extern} or @code{static}.
7431
7432 The @code{__thread} specifier shall be used only with
7433 variables.
7434 @end quotation
7435 @end itemize
7436
7437 @node C++98 Thread-Local Edits
7438 @subsection ISO/IEC 14882:1998 Edits for Thread-Local Storage
7439
7440 The following are a set of changes to ISO/IEC 14882:1998 (aka C++98)
7441 that document the exact semantics of the language extension.
7442
7443 @itemize @bullet
7444 @item
7445 @b{[intro.execution]}
7446
7447 New text after paragraph 4
7448
7449 @quotation
7450 A @dfn{thread} is a flow of control within the abstract machine.
7451 It is implementation defined whether or not there may be more than
7452 one thread.
7453 @end quotation
7454
7455 New text after paragraph 7
7456
7457 @quotation
7458 It is unspecified whether additional action must be taken to
7459 ensure when and whether side effects are visible to other threads.
7460 @end quotation
7461
7462 @item
7463 @b{[lex.key]}
7464
7465 Add @code{__thread}.
7466
7467 @item
7468 @b{[basic.start.main]}
7469
7470 Add after paragraph 5
7471
7472 @quotation
7473 The thread that begins execution at the @code{main} function is called
7474 the @dfn{main thread}. It is implementation defined how functions
7475 beginning threads other than the main thread are designated or typed.
7476 A function so designated, as well as the @code{main} function, is called
7477 a @dfn{thread startup function}. It is implementation defined what
7478 happens if a thread startup function returns. It is implementation
7479 defined what happens to other threads when any thread calls @code{exit}.
7480 @end quotation
7481
7482 @item
7483 @b{[basic.start.init]}
7484
7485 Add after paragraph 4
7486
7487 @quotation
7488 The storage for an object of thread storage duration shall be
7489 statically initialized before the first statement of the thread startup
7490 function. An object of thread storage duration shall not require
7491 dynamic initialization.
7492 @end quotation
7493
7494 @item
7495 @b{[basic.start.term]}
7496
7497 Add after paragraph 3
7498
7499 @quotation
7500 The type of an object with thread storage duration shall not have a
7501 non-trivial destructor, nor shall it be an array type whose elements
7502 (directly or indirectly) have non-trivial destructors.
7503 @end quotation
7504
7505 @item
7506 @b{[basic.stc]}
7507
7508 Add ``thread storage duration'' to the list in paragraph 1.
7509
7510 Change paragraph 2
7511
7512 @quotation
7513 Thread, static, and automatic storage durations are associated with
7514 objects introduced by declarations [@dots{}].
7515 @end quotation
7516
7517 Add @code{__thread} to the list of specifiers in paragraph 3.
7518
7519 @item
7520 @b{[basic.stc.thread]}
7521
7522 New section before @b{[basic.stc.static]}
7523
7524 @quotation
7525 The keyword @code{__thread} applied to a non-local object gives the
7526 object thread storage duration.
7527
7528 A local variable or class data member declared both @code{static}
7529 and @code{__thread} gives the variable or member thread storage
7530 duration.
7531 @end quotation
7532
7533 @item
7534 @b{[basic.stc.static]}
7535
7536 Change paragraph 1
7537
7538 @quotation
7539 All objects which have neither thread storage duration, dynamic
7540 storage duration nor are local [@dots{}].
7541 @end quotation
7542
7543 @item
7544 @b{[dcl.stc]}
7545
7546 Add @code{__thread} to the list in paragraph 1.
7547
7548 Change paragraph 1
7549
7550 @quotation
7551 With the exception of @code{__thread}, at most one
7552 @var{storage-class-specifier} shall appear in a given
7553 @var{decl-specifier-seq}. The @code{__thread} specifier may
7554 be used alone, or immediately following the @code{extern} or
7555 @code{static} specifiers. [@dots{}]
7556 @end quotation
7557
7558 Add after paragraph 5
7559
7560 @quotation
7561 The @code{__thread} specifier can be applied only to the names of objects
7562 and to anonymous unions.
7563 @end quotation
7564
7565 @item
7566 @b{[class.mem]}
7567
7568 Add after paragraph 6
7569
7570 @quotation
7571 Non-@code{static} members shall not be @code{__thread}.
7572 @end quotation
7573 @end itemize
7574
7575 @node C++ Extensions
7576 @chapter Extensions to the C++ Language
7577 @cindex extensions, C++ language
7578 @cindex C++ language extensions
7579
7580 The GNU compiler provides these extensions to the C++ language (and you
7581 can also use most of the C language extensions in your C++ programs). If you
7582 want to write code that checks whether these features are available, you can
7583 test for the GNU compiler the same way as for C programs: check for a
7584 predefined macro @code{__GNUC__}. You can also use @code{__GNUG__} to
7585 test specifically for GNU C++ (@pxref{Standard Predefined,,Standard
7586 Predefined Macros,cpp.info,The C Preprocessor}).
7587
7588 @menu
7589 * Min and Max:: C++ Minimum and maximum operators.
7590 * Volatiles:: What constitutes an access to a volatile object.
7591 * Restricted Pointers:: C99 restricted pointers and references.
7592 * Vague Linkage:: Where G++ puts inlines, vtables and such.
7593 * C++ Interface:: You can use a single C++ header file for both
7594 declarations and definitions.
7595 * Template Instantiation:: Methods for ensuring that exactly one copy of
7596 each needed template instantiation is emitted.
7597 * Bound member functions:: You can extract a function pointer to the
7598 method denoted by a @samp{->*} or @samp{.*} expression.
7599 * C++ Attributes:: Variable, function, and type attributes for C++ only.
7600 * Java Exceptions:: Tweaking exception handling to work with Java.
7601 * Deprecated Features:: Things will disappear from g++.
7602 * Backwards Compatibility:: Compatibilities with earlier definitions of C++.
7603 @end menu
7604
7605 @node Min and Max
7606 @section Minimum and Maximum Operators in C++
7607
7608 It is very convenient to have operators which return the ``minimum'' or the
7609 ``maximum'' of two arguments. In GNU C++ (but not in GNU C),
7610
7611 @table @code
7612 @item @var{a} <? @var{b}
7613 @findex <?
7614 @cindex minimum operator
7615 is the @dfn{minimum}, returning the smaller of the numeric values
7616 @var{a} and @var{b};
7617
7618 @item @var{a} >? @var{b}
7619 @findex >?
7620 @cindex maximum operator
7621 is the @dfn{maximum}, returning the larger of the numeric values @var{a}
7622 and @var{b}.
7623 @end table
7624
7625 These operations are not primitive in ordinary C++, since you can
7626 use a macro to return the minimum of two things in C++, as in the
7627 following example.
7628
7629 @example
7630 #define MIN(X,Y) ((X) < (Y) ? : (X) : (Y))
7631 @end example
7632
7633 @noindent
7634 You might then use @w{@samp{int min = MIN (i, j);}} to set @var{min} to
7635 the minimum value of variables @var{i} and @var{j}.
7636
7637 However, side effects in @code{X} or @code{Y} may cause unintended
7638 behavior. For example, @code{MIN (i++, j++)} will fail, incrementing
7639 the smaller counter twice. The GNU C @code{typeof} extension allows you
7640 to write safe macros that avoid this kind of problem (@pxref{Typeof}).
7641 However, writing @code{MIN} and @code{MAX} as macros also forces you to
7642 use function-call notation for a fundamental arithmetic operation.
7643 Using GNU C++ extensions, you can write @w{@samp{int min = i <? j;}}
7644 instead.
7645
7646 Since @code{<?} and @code{>?} are built into the compiler, they properly
7647 handle expressions with side-effects; @w{@samp{int min = i++ <? j++;}}
7648 works correctly.
7649
7650 @node Volatiles
7651 @section When is a Volatile Object Accessed?
7652 @cindex accessing volatiles
7653 @cindex volatile read
7654 @cindex volatile write
7655 @cindex volatile access
7656
7657 Both the C and C++ standard have the concept of volatile objects. These
7658 are normally accessed by pointers and used for accessing hardware. The
7659 standards encourage compilers to refrain from optimizations
7660 concerning accesses to volatile objects that it might perform on
7661 non-volatile objects. The C standard leaves it implementation defined
7662 as to what constitutes a volatile access. The C++ standard omits to
7663 specify this, except to say that C++ should behave in a similar manner
7664 to C with respect to volatiles, where possible. The minimum either
7665 standard specifies is that at a sequence point all previous accesses to
7666 volatile objects have stabilized and no subsequent accesses have
7667 occurred. Thus an implementation is free to reorder and combine
7668 volatile accesses which occur between sequence points, but cannot do so
7669 for accesses across a sequence point. The use of volatiles does not
7670 allow you to violate the restriction on updating objects multiple times
7671 within a sequence point.
7672
7673 In most expressions, it is intuitively obvious what is a read and what is
7674 a write. For instance
7675
7676 @example
7677 volatile int *dst = @var{somevalue};
7678 volatile int *src = @var{someothervalue};
7679 *dst = *src;
7680 @end example
7681
7682 @noindent
7683 will cause a read of the volatile object pointed to by @var{src} and stores the
7684 value into the volatile object pointed to by @var{dst}. There is no
7685 guarantee that these reads and writes are atomic, especially for objects
7686 larger than @code{int}.
7687
7688 Less obvious expressions are where something which looks like an access
7689 is used in a void context. An example would be,
7690
7691 @example
7692 volatile int *src = @var{somevalue};
7693 *src;
7694 @end example
7695
7696 With C, such expressions are rvalues, and as rvalues cause a read of
7697 the object, GCC interprets this as a read of the volatile being pointed
7698 to. The C++ standard specifies that such expressions do not undergo
7699 lvalue to rvalue conversion, and that the type of the dereferenced
7700 object may be incomplete. The C++ standard does not specify explicitly
7701 that it is this lvalue to rvalue conversion which is responsible for
7702 causing an access. However, there is reason to believe that it is,
7703 because otherwise certain simple expressions become undefined. However,
7704 because it would surprise most programmers, G++ treats dereferencing a
7705 pointer to volatile object of complete type in a void context as a read
7706 of the object. When the object has incomplete type, G++ issues a
7707 warning.
7708
7709 @example
7710 struct S;
7711 struct T @{int m;@};
7712 volatile S *ptr1 = @var{somevalue};
7713 volatile T *ptr2 = @var{somevalue};
7714 *ptr1;
7715 *ptr2;
7716 @end example
7717
7718 In this example, a warning is issued for @code{*ptr1}, and @code{*ptr2}
7719 causes a read of the object pointed to. If you wish to force an error on
7720 the first case, you must force a conversion to rvalue with, for instance
7721 a static cast, @code{static_cast<S>(*ptr1)}.
7722
7723 When using a reference to volatile, G++ does not treat equivalent
7724 expressions as accesses to volatiles, but instead issues a warning that
7725 no volatile is accessed. The rationale for this is that otherwise it
7726 becomes difficult to determine where volatile access occur, and not
7727 possible to ignore the return value from functions returning volatile
7728 references. Again, if you wish to force a read, cast the reference to
7729 an rvalue.
7730
7731 @node Restricted Pointers
7732 @section Restricting Pointer Aliasing
7733 @cindex restricted pointers
7734 @cindex restricted references
7735 @cindex restricted this pointer
7736
7737 As with gcc, g++ understands the C99 feature of restricted pointers,
7738 specified with the @code{__restrict__}, or @code{__restrict} type
7739 qualifier. Because you cannot compile C++ by specifying the @option{-std=c99}
7740 language flag, @code{restrict} is not a keyword in C++.
7741
7742 In addition to allowing restricted pointers, you can specify restricted
7743 references, which indicate that the reference is not aliased in the local
7744 context.
7745
7746 @example
7747 void fn (int *__restrict__ rptr, int &__restrict__ rref)
7748 @{
7749 /* @r{@dots{}} */
7750 @}
7751 @end example
7752
7753 @noindent
7754 In the body of @code{fn}, @var{rptr} points to an unaliased integer and
7755 @var{rref} refers to a (different) unaliased integer.
7756
7757 You may also specify whether a member function's @var{this} pointer is
7758 unaliased by using @code{__restrict__} as a member function qualifier.
7759
7760 @example
7761 void T::fn () __restrict__
7762 @{
7763 /* @r{@dots{}} */
7764 @}
7765 @end example
7766
7767 @noindent
7768 Within the body of @code{T::fn}, @var{this} will have the effective
7769 definition @code{T *__restrict__ const this}. Notice that the
7770 interpretation of a @code{__restrict__} member function qualifier is
7771 different to that of @code{const} or @code{volatile} qualifier, in that it
7772 is applied to the pointer rather than the object. This is consistent with
7773 other compilers which implement restricted pointers.
7774
7775 As with all outermost parameter qualifiers, @code{__restrict__} is
7776 ignored in function definition matching. This means you only need to
7777 specify @code{__restrict__} in a function definition, rather than
7778 in a function prototype as well.
7779
7780 @node Vague Linkage
7781 @section Vague Linkage
7782 @cindex vague linkage
7783
7784 There are several constructs in C++ which require space in the object
7785 file but are not clearly tied to a single translation unit. We say that
7786 these constructs have ``vague linkage''. Typically such constructs are
7787 emitted wherever they are needed, though sometimes we can be more
7788 clever.
7789
7790 @table @asis
7791 @item Inline Functions
7792 Inline functions are typically defined in a header file which can be
7793 included in many different compilations. Hopefully they can usually be
7794 inlined, but sometimes an out-of-line copy is necessary, if the address
7795 of the function is taken or if inlining fails. In general, we emit an
7796 out-of-line copy in all translation units where one is needed. As an
7797 exception, we only emit inline virtual functions with the vtable, since
7798 it will always require a copy.
7799
7800 Local static variables and string constants used in an inline function
7801 are also considered to have vague linkage, since they must be shared
7802 between all inlined and out-of-line instances of the function.
7803
7804 @item VTables
7805 @cindex vtable
7806 C++ virtual functions are implemented in most compilers using a lookup
7807 table, known as a vtable. The vtable contains pointers to the virtual
7808 functions provided by a class, and each object of the class contains a
7809 pointer to its vtable (or vtables, in some multiple-inheritance
7810 situations). If the class declares any non-inline, non-pure virtual
7811 functions, the first one is chosen as the ``key method'' for the class,
7812 and the vtable is only emitted in the translation unit where the key
7813 method is defined.
7814
7815 @emph{Note:} If the chosen key method is later defined as inline, the
7816 vtable will still be emitted in every translation unit which defines it.
7817 Make sure that any inline virtuals are declared inline in the class
7818 body, even if they are not defined there.
7819
7820 @item type_info objects
7821 @cindex type_info
7822 @cindex RTTI
7823 C++ requires information about types to be written out in order to
7824 implement @samp{dynamic_cast}, @samp{typeid} and exception handling.
7825 For polymorphic classes (classes with virtual functions), the type_info
7826 object is written out along with the vtable so that @samp{dynamic_cast}
7827 can determine the dynamic type of a class object at runtime. For all
7828 other types, we write out the type_info object when it is used: when
7829 applying @samp{typeid} to an expression, throwing an object, or
7830 referring to a type in a catch clause or exception specification.
7831
7832 @item Template Instantiations
7833 Most everything in this section also applies to template instantiations,
7834 but there are other options as well.
7835 @xref{Template Instantiation,,Where's the Template?}.
7836
7837 @end table
7838
7839 When used with GNU ld version 2.8 or later on an ELF system such as
7840 Linux/GNU or Solaris 2, or on Microsoft Windows, duplicate copies of
7841 these constructs will be discarded at link time. This is known as
7842 COMDAT support.
7843
7844 On targets that don't support COMDAT, but do support weak symbols, GCC
7845 will use them. This way one copy will override all the others, but
7846 the unused copies will still take up space in the executable.
7847
7848 For targets which do not support either COMDAT or weak symbols,
7849 most entities with vague linkage will be emitted as local symbols to
7850 avoid duplicate definition errors from the linker. This will not happen
7851 for local statics in inlines, however, as having multiple copies will
7852 almost certainly break things.
7853
7854 @xref{C++ Interface,,Declarations and Definitions in One Header}, for
7855 another way to control placement of these constructs.
7856
7857 @node C++ Interface
7858 @section Declarations and Definitions in One Header
7859
7860 @cindex interface and implementation headers, C++
7861 @cindex C++ interface and implementation headers
7862 C++ object definitions can be quite complex. In principle, your source
7863 code will need two kinds of things for each object that you use across
7864 more than one source file. First, you need an @dfn{interface}
7865 specification, describing its structure with type declarations and
7866 function prototypes. Second, you need the @dfn{implementation} itself.
7867 It can be tedious to maintain a separate interface description in a
7868 header file, in parallel to the actual implementation. It is also
7869 dangerous, since separate interface and implementation definitions may
7870 not remain parallel.
7871
7872 @cindex pragmas, interface and implementation
7873 With GNU C++, you can use a single header file for both purposes.
7874
7875 @quotation
7876 @emph{Warning:} The mechanism to specify this is in transition. For the
7877 nonce, you must use one of two @code{#pragma} commands; in a future
7878 release of GNU C++, an alternative mechanism will make these
7879 @code{#pragma} commands unnecessary.
7880 @end quotation
7881
7882 The header file contains the full definitions, but is marked with
7883 @samp{#pragma interface} in the source code. This allows the compiler
7884 to use the header file only as an interface specification when ordinary
7885 source files incorporate it with @code{#include}. In the single source
7886 file where the full implementation belongs, you can use either a naming
7887 convention or @samp{#pragma implementation} to indicate this alternate
7888 use of the header file.
7889
7890 @table @code
7891 @item #pragma interface
7892 @itemx #pragma interface "@var{subdir}/@var{objects}.h"
7893 @kindex #pragma interface
7894 Use this directive in @emph{header files} that define object classes, to save
7895 space in most of the object files that use those classes. Normally,
7896 local copies of certain information (backup copies of inline member
7897 functions, debugging information, and the internal tables that implement
7898 virtual functions) must be kept in each object file that includes class
7899 definitions. You can use this pragma to avoid such duplication. When a
7900 header file containing @samp{#pragma interface} is included in a
7901 compilation, this auxiliary information will not be generated (unless
7902 the main input source file itself uses @samp{#pragma implementation}).
7903 Instead, the object files will contain references to be resolved at link
7904 time.
7905
7906 The second form of this directive is useful for the case where you have
7907 multiple headers with the same name in different directories. If you
7908 use this form, you must specify the same string to @samp{#pragma
7909 implementation}.
7910
7911 @item #pragma implementation
7912 @itemx #pragma implementation "@var{objects}.h"
7913 @kindex #pragma implementation
7914 Use this pragma in a @emph{main input file}, when you want full output from
7915 included header files to be generated (and made globally visible). The
7916 included header file, in turn, should use @samp{#pragma interface}.
7917 Backup copies of inline member functions, debugging information, and the
7918 internal tables used to implement virtual functions are all generated in
7919 implementation files.
7920
7921 @cindex implied @code{#pragma implementation}
7922 @cindex @code{#pragma implementation}, implied
7923 @cindex naming convention, implementation headers
7924 If you use @samp{#pragma implementation} with no argument, it applies to
7925 an include file with the same basename@footnote{A file's @dfn{basename}
7926 was the name stripped of all leading path information and of trailing
7927 suffixes, such as @samp{.h} or @samp{.C} or @samp{.cc}.} as your source
7928 file. For example, in @file{allclass.cc}, giving just
7929 @samp{#pragma implementation}
7930 by itself is equivalent to @samp{#pragma implementation "allclass.h"}.
7931
7932 In versions of GNU C++ prior to 2.6.0 @file{allclass.h} was treated as
7933 an implementation file whenever you would include it from
7934 @file{allclass.cc} even if you never specified @samp{#pragma
7935 implementation}. This was deemed to be more trouble than it was worth,
7936 however, and disabled.
7937
7938 If you use an explicit @samp{#pragma implementation}, it must appear in
7939 your source file @emph{before} you include the affected header files.
7940
7941 Use the string argument if you want a single implementation file to
7942 include code from multiple header files. (You must also use
7943 @samp{#include} to include the header file; @samp{#pragma
7944 implementation} only specifies how to use the file---it doesn't actually
7945 include it.)
7946
7947 There is no way to split up the contents of a single header file into
7948 multiple implementation files.
7949 @end table
7950
7951 @cindex inlining and C++ pragmas
7952 @cindex C++ pragmas, effect on inlining
7953 @cindex pragmas in C++, effect on inlining
7954 @samp{#pragma implementation} and @samp{#pragma interface} also have an
7955 effect on function inlining.
7956
7957 If you define a class in a header file marked with @samp{#pragma
7958 interface}, the effect on a function defined in that class is similar to
7959 an explicit @code{extern} declaration---the compiler emits no code at
7960 all to define an independent version of the function. Its definition
7961 is used only for inlining with its callers.
7962
7963 @opindex fno-implement-inlines
7964 Conversely, when you include the same header file in a main source file
7965 that declares it as @samp{#pragma implementation}, the compiler emits
7966 code for the function itself; this defines a version of the function
7967 that can be found via pointers (or by callers compiled without
7968 inlining). If all calls to the function can be inlined, you can avoid
7969 emitting the function by compiling with @option{-fno-implement-inlines}.
7970 If any calls were not inlined, you will get linker errors.
7971
7972 @node Template Instantiation
7973 @section Where's the Template?
7974 @cindex template instantiation
7975
7976 C++ templates are the first language feature to require more
7977 intelligence from the environment than one usually finds on a UNIX
7978 system. Somehow the compiler and linker have to make sure that each
7979 template instance occurs exactly once in the executable if it is needed,
7980 and not at all otherwise. There are two basic approaches to this
7981 problem, which I will refer to as the Borland model and the Cfront model.
7982
7983 @table @asis
7984 @item Borland model
7985 Borland C++ solved the template instantiation problem by adding the code
7986 equivalent of common blocks to their linker; the compiler emits template
7987 instances in each translation unit that uses them, and the linker
7988 collapses them together. The advantage of this model is that the linker
7989 only has to consider the object files themselves; there is no external
7990 complexity to worry about. This disadvantage is that compilation time
7991 is increased because the template code is being compiled repeatedly.
7992 Code written for this model tends to include definitions of all
7993 templates in the header file, since they must be seen to be
7994 instantiated.
7995
7996 @item Cfront model
7997 The AT&T C++ translator, Cfront, solved the template instantiation
7998 problem by creating the notion of a template repository, an
7999 automatically maintained place where template instances are stored. A
8000 more modern version of the repository works as follows: As individual
8001 object files are built, the compiler places any template definitions and
8002 instantiations encountered in the repository. At link time, the link
8003 wrapper adds in the objects in the repository and compiles any needed
8004 instances that were not previously emitted. The advantages of this
8005 model are more optimal compilation speed and the ability to use the
8006 system linker; to implement the Borland model a compiler vendor also
8007 needs to replace the linker. The disadvantages are vastly increased
8008 complexity, and thus potential for error; for some code this can be
8009 just as transparent, but in practice it can been very difficult to build
8010 multiple programs in one directory and one program in multiple
8011 directories. Code written for this model tends to separate definitions
8012 of non-inline member templates into a separate file, which should be
8013 compiled separately.
8014 @end table
8015
8016 When used with GNU ld version 2.8 or later on an ELF system such as
8017 Linux/GNU or Solaris 2, or on Microsoft Windows, g++ supports the
8018 Borland model. On other systems, g++ implements neither automatic
8019 model.
8020
8021 A future version of g++ will support a hybrid model whereby the compiler
8022 will emit any instantiations for which the template definition is
8023 included in the compile, and store template definitions and
8024 instantiation context information into the object file for the rest.
8025 The link wrapper will extract that information as necessary and invoke
8026 the compiler to produce the remaining instantiations. The linker will
8027 then combine duplicate instantiations.
8028
8029 In the mean time, you have the following options for dealing with
8030 template instantiations:
8031
8032 @enumerate
8033 @item
8034 @opindex frepo
8035 Compile your template-using code with @option{-frepo}. The compiler will
8036 generate files with the extension @samp{.rpo} listing all of the
8037 template instantiations used in the corresponding object files which
8038 could be instantiated there; the link wrapper, @samp{collect2}, will
8039 then update the @samp{.rpo} files to tell the compiler where to place
8040 those instantiations and rebuild any affected object files. The
8041 link-time overhead is negligible after the first pass, as the compiler
8042 will continue to place the instantiations in the same files.
8043
8044 This is your best option for application code written for the Borland
8045 model, as it will just work. Code written for the Cfront model will
8046 need to be modified so that the template definitions are available at
8047 one or more points of instantiation; usually this is as simple as adding
8048 @code{#include <tmethods.cc>} to the end of each template header.
8049
8050 For library code, if you want the library to provide all of the template
8051 instantiations it needs, just try to link all of its object files
8052 together; the link will fail, but cause the instantiations to be
8053 generated as a side effect. Be warned, however, that this may cause
8054 conflicts if multiple libraries try to provide the same instantiations.
8055 For greater control, use explicit instantiation as described in the next
8056 option.
8057
8058 @item
8059 @opindex fno-implicit-templates
8060 Compile your code with @option{-fno-implicit-templates} to disable the
8061 implicit generation of template instances, and explicitly instantiate
8062 all the ones you use. This approach requires more knowledge of exactly
8063 which instances you need than do the others, but it's less
8064 mysterious and allows greater control. You can scatter the explicit
8065 instantiations throughout your program, perhaps putting them in the
8066 translation units where the instances are used or the translation units
8067 that define the templates themselves; you can put all of the explicit
8068 instantiations you need into one big file; or you can create small files
8069 like
8070
8071 @example
8072 #include "Foo.h"
8073 #include "Foo.cc"
8074
8075 template class Foo<int>;
8076 template ostream& operator <<
8077 (ostream&, const Foo<int>&);
8078 @end example
8079
8080 for each of the instances you need, and create a template instantiation
8081 library from those.
8082
8083 If you are using Cfront-model code, you can probably get away with not
8084 using @option{-fno-implicit-templates} when compiling files that don't
8085 @samp{#include} the member template definitions.
8086
8087 If you use one big file to do the instantiations, you may want to
8088 compile it without @option{-fno-implicit-templates} so you get all of the
8089 instances required by your explicit instantiations (but not by any
8090 other files) without having to specify them as well.
8091
8092 g++ has extended the template instantiation syntax given in the ISO
8093 standard to allow forward declaration of explicit instantiations
8094 (with @code{extern}), instantiation of the compiler support data for a
8095 template class (i.e.@: the vtable) without instantiating any of its
8096 members (with @code{inline}), and instantiation of only the static data
8097 members of a template class, without the support data or member
8098 functions (with (@code{static}):
8099
8100 @example
8101 extern template int max (int, int);
8102 inline template class Foo<int>;
8103 static template class Foo<int>;
8104 @end example
8105
8106 @item
8107 Do nothing. Pretend g++ does implement automatic instantiation
8108 management. Code written for the Borland model will work fine, but
8109 each translation unit will contain instances of each of the templates it
8110 uses. In a large program, this can lead to an unacceptable amount of code
8111 duplication.
8112
8113 @xref{C++ Interface,,Declarations and Definitions in One Header}, for
8114 more discussion of these pragmas.
8115 @end enumerate
8116
8117 @node Bound member functions
8118 @section Extracting the function pointer from a bound pointer to member function
8119 @cindex pmf
8120 @cindex pointer to member function
8121 @cindex bound pointer to member function
8122
8123 In C++, pointer to member functions (PMFs) are implemented using a wide
8124 pointer of sorts to handle all the possible call mechanisms; the PMF
8125 needs to store information about how to adjust the @samp{this} pointer,
8126 and if the function pointed to is virtual, where to find the vtable, and
8127 where in the vtable to look for the member function. If you are using
8128 PMFs in an inner loop, you should really reconsider that decision. If
8129 that is not an option, you can extract the pointer to the function that
8130 would be called for a given object/PMF pair and call it directly inside
8131 the inner loop, to save a bit of time.
8132
8133 Note that you will still be paying the penalty for the call through a
8134 function pointer; on most modern architectures, such a call defeats the
8135 branch prediction features of the CPU@. This is also true of normal
8136 virtual function calls.
8137
8138 The syntax for this extension is
8139
8140 @example
8141 extern A a;
8142 extern int (A::*fp)();
8143 typedef int (*fptr)(A *);
8144
8145 fptr p = (fptr)(a.*fp);
8146 @end example
8147
8148 For PMF constants (i.e.@: expressions of the form @samp{&Klasse::Member}),
8149 no object is needed to obtain the address of the function. They can be
8150 converted to function pointers directly:
8151
8152 @example
8153 fptr p1 = (fptr)(&A::foo);
8154 @end example
8155
8156 @opindex Wno-pmf-conversions
8157 You must specify @option{-Wno-pmf-conversions} to use this extension.
8158
8159 @node C++ Attributes
8160 @section C++-Specific Variable, Function, and Type Attributes
8161
8162 Some attributes only make sense for C++ programs.
8163
8164 @table @code
8165 @item init_priority (@var{priority})
8166 @cindex init_priority attribute
8167
8168
8169 In Standard C++, objects defined at namespace scope are guaranteed to be
8170 initialized in an order in strict accordance with that of their definitions
8171 @emph{in a given translation unit}. No guarantee is made for initializations
8172 across translation units. However, GNU C++ allows users to control the
8173 order of initialization of objects defined at namespace scope with the
8174 @code{init_priority} attribute by specifying a relative @var{priority},
8175 a constant integral expression currently bounded between 101 and 65535
8176 inclusive. Lower numbers indicate a higher priority.
8177
8178 In the following example, @code{A} would normally be created before
8179 @code{B}, but the @code{init_priority} attribute has reversed that order:
8180
8181 @smallexample
8182 Some_Class A __attribute__ ((init_priority (2000)));
8183 Some_Class B __attribute__ ((init_priority (543)));
8184 @end smallexample
8185
8186 @noindent
8187 Note that the particular values of @var{priority} do not matter; only their
8188 relative ordering.
8189
8190 @item java_interface
8191 @cindex java_interface attribute
8192
8193 This type attribute informs C++ that the class is a Java interface. It may
8194 only be applied to classes declared within an @code{extern "Java"} block.
8195 Calls to methods declared in this interface will be dispatched using GCJ's
8196 interface table mechanism, instead of regular virtual table dispatch.
8197
8198 @end table
8199
8200 @node Java Exceptions
8201 @section Java Exceptions
8202
8203 The Java language uses a slightly different exception handling model
8204 from C++. Normally, GNU C++ will automatically detect when you are
8205 writing C++ code that uses Java exceptions, and handle them
8206 appropriately. However, if C++ code only needs to execute destructors
8207 when Java exceptions are thrown through it, GCC will guess incorrectly.
8208 Sample problematic code is:
8209
8210 @smallexample
8211 struct S @{ ~S(); @};
8212 extern void bar(); // is written in Java, and may throw exceptions
8213 void foo()
8214 @{
8215 S s;
8216 bar();
8217 @}
8218 @end smallexample
8219
8220 @noindent
8221 The usual effect of an incorrect guess is a link failure, complaining of
8222 a missing routine called @samp{__gxx_personality_v0}.
8223
8224 You can inform the compiler that Java exceptions are to be used in a
8225 translation unit, irrespective of what it might think, by writing
8226 @samp{@w{#pragma GCC java_exceptions}} at the head of the file. This
8227 @samp{#pragma} must appear before any functions that throw or catch
8228 exceptions, or run destructors when exceptions are thrown through them.
8229
8230 You cannot mix Java and C++ exceptions in the same translation unit. It
8231 is believed to be safe to throw a C++ exception from one file through
8232 another file compiled for the Java exception model, or vice versa, but
8233 there may be bugs in this area.
8234
8235 @node Deprecated Features
8236 @section Deprecated Features
8237
8238 In the past, the GNU C++ compiler was extended to experiment with new
8239 features, at a time when the C++ language was still evolving. Now that
8240 the C++ standard is complete, some of those features are superseded by
8241 superior alternatives. Using the old features might cause a warning in
8242 some cases that the feature will be dropped in the future. In other
8243 cases, the feature might be gone already.
8244
8245 While the list below is not exhaustive, it documents some of the options
8246 that are now deprecated:
8247
8248 @table @code
8249 @item -fexternal-templates
8250 @itemx -falt-external-templates
8251 These are two of the many ways for g++ to implement template
8252 instantiation. @xref{Template Instantiation}. The C++ standard clearly
8253 defines how template definitions have to be organized across
8254 implementation units. g++ has an implicit instantiation mechanism that
8255 should work just fine for standard-conforming code.
8256
8257 @item -fstrict-prototype
8258 @itemx -fno-strict-prototype
8259 Previously it was possible to use an empty prototype parameter list to
8260 indicate an unspecified number of parameters (like C), rather than no
8261 parameters, as C++ demands. This feature has been removed, except where
8262 it is required for backwards compatibility @xref{Backwards Compatibility}.
8263 @end table
8264
8265 The named return value extension has been deprecated, and is now
8266 removed from g++.
8267
8268 The use of initializer lists with new expressions has been deprecated,
8269 and is now removed from g++.
8270
8271 Floating and complex non-type template parameters have been deprecated,
8272 and are now removed from g++.
8273
8274 The implicit typename extension has been deprecated and is now
8275 removed from g++.
8276
8277 The use of default arguments in function pointers, function typedefs and
8278 and other places where they are not permitted by the standard is
8279 deprecated and will be removed from a future version of g++.
8280
8281 @node Backwards Compatibility
8282 @section Backwards Compatibility
8283 @cindex Backwards Compatibility
8284 @cindex ARM [Annotated C++ Reference Manual]
8285
8286 Now that there is a definitive ISO standard C++, G++ has a specification
8287 to adhere to. The C++ language evolved over time, and features that
8288 used to be acceptable in previous drafts of the standard, such as the ARM
8289 [Annotated C++ Reference Manual], are no longer accepted. In order to allow
8290 compilation of C++ written to such drafts, G++ contains some backwards
8291 compatibilities. @emph{All such backwards compatibility features are
8292 liable to disappear in future versions of G++.} They should be considered
8293 deprecated @xref{Deprecated Features}.
8294
8295 @table @code
8296 @item For scope
8297 If a variable is declared at for scope, it used to remain in scope until
8298 the end of the scope which contained the for statement (rather than just
8299 within the for scope). G++ retains this, but issues a warning, if such a
8300 variable is accessed outside the for scope.
8301
8302 @item Implicit C language
8303 Old C system header files did not contain an @code{extern "C" @{@dots{}@}}
8304 scope to set the language. On such systems, all header files are
8305 implicitly scoped inside a C language scope. Also, an empty prototype
8306 @code{()} will be treated as an unspecified number of arguments, rather
8307 than no arguments, as C++ demands.
8308 @end table