re PR c++/11295 (ICE when using a non-trivial object in a compound statement expression)
[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 as
1075 lvalues, and permits casts to reference type, so use of this extension
1076 is deprecated 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 Use this attribute on the M32R/D to set the addressability of an object,
2544 and of the code generated for a function.
2545 The identifier @var{model-name} is one of @code{small}, @code{medium},
2546 or @code{large}, representing each of the code models.
2547
2548 Small model objects live in the lower 16MB of memory (so that their
2549 addresses can be loaded with the @code{ld24} instruction), and are
2550 callable with the @code{bl} instruction.
2551
2552 Medium model objects may live anywhere in the 32-bit address space (the
2553 compiler will generate @code{seth/add3} instructions to load their addresses),
2554 and are callable with the @code{bl} instruction.
2555
2556 Large model objects may live anywhere in the 32-bit address space (the
2557 compiler will generate @code{seth/add3} instructions to load their addresses),
2558 and may not be reachable with the @code{bl} instruction (the compiler will
2559 generate the much slower @code{seth/add3/jl} instruction sequence).
2560
2561 @item far
2562 @cindex functions which handle memory bank switching
2563 On 68HC11 and 68HC12 the @code{far} attribute causes the compiler to
2564 use a calling convention that takes care of switching memory banks when
2565 entering and leaving a function. This calling convention is also the
2566 default when using the @option{-mlong-calls} option.
2567
2568 On 68HC12 the compiler will use the @code{call} and @code{rtc} instructions
2569 to call and return from a function.
2570
2571 On 68HC11 the compiler will generate a sequence of instructions
2572 to invoke a board-specific routine to switch the memory bank and call the
2573 real function. The board-specific routine simulates a @code{call}.
2574 At the end of a function, it will jump to a board-specific routine
2575 instead of using @code{rts}. The board-specific return routine simulates
2576 the @code{rtc}.
2577
2578 @item near
2579 @cindex functions which do not handle memory bank switching on 68HC11/68HC12
2580 On 68HC11 and 68HC12 the @code{near} attribute causes the compiler to
2581 use the normal calling convention based on @code{jsr} and @code{rts}.
2582 This attribute can be used to cancel the effect of the @option{-mlong-calls}
2583 option.
2584
2585 @item dllimport
2586 @cindex @code{__declspec(dllimport)}
2587 On Windows targets, the @code{dllimport} attribute causes the compiler
2588 to reference a function or variable via a global pointer to a pointer
2589 that is set up by the Windows dll library. The pointer name is formed by
2590 combining @code{_imp__} and the function or variable name. The attribute
2591 implies @code{extern} storage.
2592
2593 Currently, the attribute is ignored for inlined functions. If the
2594 attribute is applied to a symbol @emph{definition}, an error is reported.
2595 If a symbol previously declared @code{dllimport} is later defined, the
2596 attribute is ignored in subsequent references, and a warning is emitted.
2597 The attribute is also overriden by a subsequent declaration as
2598 @code{dllexport}.
2599
2600 When applied to C++ classes, the attribute marks non-inlined
2601 member functions and static data members as imports. However, the
2602 attribute is ignored for virtual methods to allow creation of vtables
2603 using thunks.
2604
2605 On cygwin, mingw and arm-pe targets, @code{__declspec(dllimport)} is
2606 recognized as a synonym for @code{__attribute__ ((dllimport))} for
2607 compatibility with other Windows compilers.
2608
2609 The use of the @code{dllimport} attribute on functions is not necessary,
2610 but provides a small performance benefit by eliminating a thunk in the
2611 dll. The use of the @code{dllimport} attribute on imported variables was
2612 required on older versions of GNU ld, but can now be avoided by passing
2613 the @option{--enable-auto-import} switch to ld. As with functions, using
2614 the attribute for a variable eliminates a thunk in the dll.
2615
2616 One drawback to using this attribute is that a pointer to a function or
2617 variable marked as dllimport cannot be used as a constant address. The
2618 attribute can be disabled for functions by setting the
2619 @option{-mnop-fun-dllimport} flag.
2620
2621 @item dllexport
2622 @cindex @code{__declspec(dllexport)}
2623 On Windows targets the @code{dllexport} attribute causes the compiler to
2624 provide a global pointer to a pointer in a dll, so that it can be
2625 referenced with the @code{dllimport} attribute. The pointer name is
2626 formed by combining @code{_imp__} and the function or variable name.
2627
2628 Currently, the @code{dllexport}attribute is ignored for inlined
2629 functions, but export can be forced by using the
2630 @option{-fkeep-inline-functions} flag. The attribute is also ignored for
2631 undefined symbols.
2632
2633 When applied to C++ classes. the attribute marks defined non-inlined
2634 member functions and static data members as exports. Static consts
2635 initialized in-class are not marked unless they are also defined
2636 out-of-class.
2637
2638 On cygwin, mingw and arm-pe targets, @code{__declspec(dllexport)} is
2639 recognized as a synonym for @code{__attribute__ ((dllexport))} for
2640 compatibility with other Windows compilers.
2641
2642 Alternative methods for including the symbol in the dll's export table
2643 are to use a .def file with an @code{EXPORTS} section or, with GNU ld,
2644 using the @option{--export-all} linker flag.
2645
2646 @end table
2647
2648 You can specify multiple attributes in a declaration by separating them
2649 by commas within the double parentheses or by immediately following an
2650 attribute declaration with another attribute declaration.
2651
2652 @cindex @code{#pragma}, reason for not using
2653 @cindex pragma, reason for not using
2654 Some people object to the @code{__attribute__} feature, suggesting that
2655 ISO C's @code{#pragma} should be used instead. At the time
2656 @code{__attribute__} was designed, there were two reasons for not doing
2657 this.
2658
2659 @enumerate
2660 @item
2661 It is impossible to generate @code{#pragma} commands from a macro.
2662
2663 @item
2664 There is no telling what the same @code{#pragma} might mean in another
2665 compiler.
2666 @end enumerate
2667
2668 These two reasons applied to almost any application that might have been
2669 proposed for @code{#pragma}. It was basically a mistake to use
2670 @code{#pragma} for @emph{anything}.
2671
2672 The ISO C99 standard includes @code{_Pragma}, which now allows pragmas
2673 to be generated from macros. In addition, a @code{#pragma GCC}
2674 namespace is now in use for GCC-specific pragmas. However, it has been
2675 found convenient to use @code{__attribute__} to achieve a natural
2676 attachment of attributes to their corresponding declarations, whereas
2677 @code{#pragma GCC} is of use for constructs that do not naturally form
2678 part of the grammar. @xref{Other Directives,,Miscellaneous
2679 Preprocessing Directives, cpp, The C Preprocessor}.
2680
2681 @node Attribute Syntax
2682 @section Attribute Syntax
2683 @cindex attribute syntax
2684
2685 This section describes the syntax with which @code{__attribute__} may be
2686 used, and the constructs to which attribute specifiers bind, for the C
2687 language. Some details may vary for C++ and Objective-C@. Because of
2688 infelicities in the grammar for attributes, some forms described here
2689 may not be successfully parsed in all cases.
2690
2691 There are some problems with the semantics of attributes in C++. For
2692 example, there are no manglings for attributes, although they may affect
2693 code generation, so problems may arise when attributed types are used in
2694 conjunction with templates or overloading. Similarly, @code{typeid}
2695 does not distinguish between types with different attributes. Support
2696 for attributes in C++ may be restricted in future to attributes on
2697 declarations only, but not on nested declarators.
2698
2699 @xref{Function Attributes}, for details of the semantics of attributes
2700 applying to functions. @xref{Variable Attributes}, for details of the
2701 semantics of attributes applying to variables. @xref{Type Attributes},
2702 for details of the semantics of attributes applying to structure, union
2703 and enumerated types.
2704
2705 An @dfn{attribute specifier} is of the form
2706 @code{__attribute__ ((@var{attribute-list}))}. An @dfn{attribute list}
2707 is a possibly empty comma-separated sequence of @dfn{attributes}, where
2708 each attribute is one of the following:
2709
2710 @itemize @bullet
2711 @item
2712 Empty. Empty attributes are ignored.
2713
2714 @item
2715 A word (which may be an identifier such as @code{unused}, or a reserved
2716 word such as @code{const}).
2717
2718 @item
2719 A word, followed by, in parentheses, parameters for the attribute.
2720 These parameters take one of the following forms:
2721
2722 @itemize @bullet
2723 @item
2724 An identifier. For example, @code{mode} attributes use this form.
2725
2726 @item
2727 An identifier followed by a comma and a non-empty comma-separated list
2728 of expressions. For example, @code{format} attributes use this form.
2729
2730 @item
2731 A possibly empty comma-separated list of expressions. For example,
2732 @code{format_arg} attributes use this form with the list being a single
2733 integer constant expression, and @code{alias} attributes use this form
2734 with the list being a single string constant.
2735 @end itemize
2736 @end itemize
2737
2738 An @dfn{attribute specifier list} is a sequence of one or more attribute
2739 specifiers, not separated by any other tokens.
2740
2741 In GNU C, an attribute specifier list may appear after the colon following a
2742 label, other than a @code{case} or @code{default} label. The only
2743 attribute it makes sense to use after a label is @code{unused}. This
2744 feature is intended for code generated by programs which contains labels
2745 that may be unused but which is compiled with @option{-Wall}. It would
2746 not normally be appropriate to use in it human-written code, though it
2747 could be useful in cases where the code that jumps to the label is
2748 contained within an @code{#ifdef} conditional. GNU C++ does not permit
2749 such placement of attribute lists, as it is permissible for a
2750 declaration, which could begin with an attribute list, to be labelled in
2751 C++. Declarations cannot be labelled in C90 or C99, so the ambiguity
2752 does not arise there.
2753
2754 An attribute specifier list may appear as part of a @code{struct},
2755 @code{union} or @code{enum} specifier. It may go either immediately
2756 after the @code{struct}, @code{union} or @code{enum} keyword, or after
2757 the closing brace. It is ignored if the content of the structure, union
2758 or enumerated type is not defined in the specifier in which the
2759 attribute specifier list is used---that is, in usages such as
2760 @code{struct __attribute__((foo)) bar} with no following opening brace.
2761 Where attribute specifiers follow the closing brace, they are considered
2762 to relate to the structure, union or enumerated type defined, not to any
2763 enclosing declaration the type specifier appears in, and the type
2764 defined is not complete until after the attribute specifiers.
2765 @c Otherwise, there would be the following problems: a shift/reduce
2766 @c conflict between attributes binding the struct/union/enum and
2767 @c binding to the list of specifiers/qualifiers; and "aligned"
2768 @c attributes could use sizeof for the structure, but the size could be
2769 @c changed later by "packed" attributes.
2770
2771 Otherwise, an attribute specifier appears as part of a declaration,
2772 counting declarations of unnamed parameters and type names, and relates
2773 to that declaration (which may be nested in another declaration, for
2774 example in the case of a parameter declaration), or to a particular declarator
2775 within a declaration. Where an
2776 attribute specifier is applied to a parameter declared as a function or
2777 an array, it should apply to the function or array rather than the
2778 pointer to which the parameter is implicitly converted, but this is not
2779 yet correctly implemented.
2780
2781 Any list of specifiers and qualifiers at the start of a declaration may
2782 contain attribute specifiers, whether or not such a list may in that
2783 context contain storage class specifiers. (Some attributes, however,
2784 are essentially in the nature of storage class specifiers, and only make
2785 sense where storage class specifiers may be used; for example,
2786 @code{section}.) There is one necessary limitation to this syntax: the
2787 first old-style parameter declaration in a function definition cannot
2788 begin with an attribute specifier, because such an attribute applies to
2789 the function instead by syntax described below (which, however, is not
2790 yet implemented in this case). In some other cases, attribute
2791 specifiers are permitted by this grammar but not yet supported by the
2792 compiler. All attribute specifiers in this place relate to the
2793 declaration as a whole. In the obsolescent usage where a type of
2794 @code{int} is implied by the absence of type specifiers, such a list of
2795 specifiers and qualifiers may be an attribute specifier list with no
2796 other specifiers or qualifiers.
2797
2798 An attribute specifier list may appear immediately before a declarator
2799 (other than the first) in a comma-separated list of declarators in a
2800 declaration of more than one identifier using a single list of
2801 specifiers and qualifiers. Such attribute specifiers apply
2802 only to the identifier before whose declarator they appear. For
2803 example, in
2804
2805 @smallexample
2806 __attribute__((noreturn)) void d0 (void),
2807 __attribute__((format(printf, 1, 2))) d1 (const char *, ...),
2808 d2 (void)
2809 @end smallexample
2810
2811 @noindent
2812 the @code{noreturn} attribute applies to all the functions
2813 declared; the @code{format} attribute only applies to @code{d1}.
2814
2815 An attribute specifier list may appear immediately before the comma,
2816 @code{=} or semicolon terminating the declaration of an identifier other
2817 than a function definition. At present, such attribute specifiers apply
2818 to the declared object or function, but in future they may attach to the
2819 outermost adjacent declarator. In simple cases there is no difference,
2820 but, for example, in
2821
2822 @smallexample
2823 void (****f)(void) __attribute__((noreturn));
2824 @end smallexample
2825
2826 @noindent
2827 at present the @code{noreturn} attribute applies to @code{f}, which
2828 causes a warning since @code{f} is not a function, but in future it may
2829 apply to the function @code{****f}. The precise semantics of what
2830 attributes in such cases will apply to are not yet specified. Where an
2831 assembler name for an object or function is specified (@pxref{Asm
2832 Labels}), at present the attribute must follow the @code{asm}
2833 specification; in future, attributes before the @code{asm} specification
2834 may apply to the adjacent declarator, and those after it to the declared
2835 object or function.
2836
2837 An attribute specifier list may, in future, be permitted to appear after
2838 the declarator in a function definition (before any old-style parameter
2839 declarations or the function body).
2840
2841 Attribute specifiers may be mixed with type qualifiers appearing inside
2842 the @code{[]} of a parameter array declarator, in the C99 construct by
2843 which such qualifiers are applied to the pointer to which the array is
2844 implicitly converted. Such attribute specifiers apply to the pointer,
2845 not to the array, but at present this is not implemented and they are
2846 ignored.
2847
2848 An attribute specifier list may appear at the start of a nested
2849 declarator. At present, there are some limitations in this usage: the
2850 attributes correctly apply to the declarator, but for most individual
2851 attributes the semantics this implies are not implemented.
2852 When attribute specifiers follow the @code{*} of a pointer
2853 declarator, they may be mixed with any type qualifiers present.
2854 The following describes the formal semantics of this syntax. It will make the
2855 most sense if you are familiar with the formal specification of
2856 declarators in the ISO C standard.
2857
2858 Consider (as in C99 subclause 6.7.5 paragraph 4) a declaration @code{T
2859 D1}, where @code{T} contains declaration specifiers that specify a type
2860 @var{Type} (such as @code{int}) and @code{D1} is a declarator that
2861 contains an identifier @var{ident}. The type specified for @var{ident}
2862 for derived declarators whose type does not include an attribute
2863 specifier is as in the ISO C standard.
2864
2865 If @code{D1} has the form @code{( @var{attribute-specifier-list} D )},
2866 and the declaration @code{T D} specifies the type
2867 ``@var{derived-declarator-type-list} @var{Type}'' for @var{ident}, then
2868 @code{T D1} specifies the type ``@var{derived-declarator-type-list}
2869 @var{attribute-specifier-list} @var{Type}'' for @var{ident}.
2870
2871 If @code{D1} has the form @code{*
2872 @var{type-qualifier-and-attribute-specifier-list} D}, and the
2873 declaration @code{T D} specifies the type
2874 ``@var{derived-declarator-type-list} @var{Type}'' for @var{ident}, then
2875 @code{T D1} specifies the type ``@var{derived-declarator-type-list}
2876 @var{type-qualifier-and-attribute-specifier-list} @var{Type}'' for
2877 @var{ident}.
2878
2879 For example,
2880
2881 @smallexample
2882 void (__attribute__((noreturn)) ****f) (void);
2883 @end smallexample
2884
2885 @noindent
2886 specifies the type ``pointer to pointer to pointer to pointer to
2887 non-returning function returning @code{void}''. As another example,
2888
2889 @smallexample
2890 char *__attribute__((aligned(8))) *f;
2891 @end smallexample
2892
2893 @noindent
2894 specifies the type ``pointer to 8-byte-aligned pointer to @code{char}''.
2895 Note again that this does not work with most attributes; for example,
2896 the usage of @samp{aligned} and @samp{noreturn} attributes given above
2897 is not yet supported.
2898
2899 For compatibility with existing code written for compiler versions that
2900 did not implement attributes on nested declarators, some laxity is
2901 allowed in the placing of attributes. If an attribute that only applies
2902 to types is applied to a declaration, it will be treated as applying to
2903 the type of that declaration. If an attribute that only applies to
2904 declarations is applied to the type of a declaration, it will be treated
2905 as applying to that declaration; and, for compatibility with code
2906 placing the attributes immediately before the identifier declared, such
2907 an attribute applied to a function return type will be treated as
2908 applying to the function type, and such an attribute applied to an array
2909 element type will be treated as applying to the array type. If an
2910 attribute that only applies to function types is applied to a
2911 pointer-to-function type, it will be treated as applying to the pointer
2912 target type; if such an attribute is applied to a function return type
2913 that is not a pointer-to-function type, it will be treated as applying
2914 to the function type.
2915
2916 @node Function Prototypes
2917 @section Prototypes and Old-Style Function Definitions
2918 @cindex function prototype declarations
2919 @cindex old-style function definitions
2920 @cindex promotion of formal parameters
2921
2922 GNU C extends ISO C to allow a function prototype to override a later
2923 old-style non-prototype definition. Consider the following example:
2924
2925 @example
2926 /* @r{Use prototypes unless the compiler is old-fashioned.} */
2927 #ifdef __STDC__
2928 #define P(x) x
2929 #else
2930 #define P(x) ()
2931 #endif
2932
2933 /* @r{Prototype function declaration.} */
2934 int isroot P((uid_t));
2935
2936 /* @r{Old-style function definition.} */
2937 int
2938 isroot (x) /* ??? lossage here ??? */
2939 uid_t x;
2940 @{
2941 return x == 0;
2942 @}
2943 @end example
2944
2945 Suppose the type @code{uid_t} happens to be @code{short}. ISO C does
2946 not allow this example, because subword arguments in old-style
2947 non-prototype definitions are promoted. Therefore in this example the
2948 function definition's argument is really an @code{int}, which does not
2949 match the prototype argument type of @code{short}.
2950
2951 This restriction of ISO C makes it hard to write code that is portable
2952 to traditional C compilers, because the programmer does not know
2953 whether the @code{uid_t} type is @code{short}, @code{int}, or
2954 @code{long}. Therefore, in cases like these GNU C allows a prototype
2955 to override a later old-style definition. More precisely, in GNU C, a
2956 function prototype argument type overrides the argument type specified
2957 by a later old-style definition if the former type is the same as the
2958 latter type before promotion. Thus in GNU C the above example is
2959 equivalent to the following:
2960
2961 @example
2962 int isroot (uid_t);
2963
2964 int
2965 isroot (uid_t x)
2966 @{
2967 return x == 0;
2968 @}
2969 @end example
2970
2971 @noindent
2972 GNU C++ does not support old-style function definitions, so this
2973 extension is irrelevant.
2974
2975 @node C++ Comments
2976 @section C++ Style Comments
2977 @cindex //
2978 @cindex C++ comments
2979 @cindex comments, C++ style
2980
2981 In GNU C, you may use C++ style comments, which start with @samp{//} and
2982 continue until the end of the line. Many other C implementations allow
2983 such comments, and they are included in the 1999 C standard. However,
2984 C++ style comments are not recognized if you specify an @option{-std}
2985 option specifying a version of ISO C before C99, or @option{-ansi}
2986 (equivalent to @option{-std=c89}).
2987
2988 @node Dollar Signs
2989 @section Dollar Signs in Identifier Names
2990 @cindex $
2991 @cindex dollar signs in identifier names
2992 @cindex identifier names, dollar signs in
2993
2994 In GNU C, you may normally use dollar signs in identifier names.
2995 This is because many traditional C implementations allow such identifiers.
2996 However, dollar signs in identifiers are not supported on a few target
2997 machines, typically because the target assembler does not allow them.
2998
2999 @node Character Escapes
3000 @section The Character @key{ESC} in Constants
3001
3002 You can use the sequence @samp{\e} in a string or character constant to
3003 stand for the ASCII character @key{ESC}.
3004
3005 @node Alignment
3006 @section Inquiring on Alignment of Types or Variables
3007 @cindex alignment
3008 @cindex type alignment
3009 @cindex variable alignment
3010
3011 The keyword @code{__alignof__} allows you to inquire about how an object
3012 is aligned, or the minimum alignment usually required by a type. Its
3013 syntax is just like @code{sizeof}.
3014
3015 For example, if the target machine requires a @code{double} value to be
3016 aligned on an 8-byte boundary, then @code{__alignof__ (double)} is 8.
3017 This is true on many RISC machines. On more traditional machine
3018 designs, @code{__alignof__ (double)} is 4 or even 2.
3019
3020 Some machines never actually require alignment; they allow reference to any
3021 data type even at an odd address. For these machines, @code{__alignof__}
3022 reports the @emph{recommended} alignment of a type.
3023
3024 If the operand of @code{__alignof__} is an lvalue rather than a type,
3025 its value is the required alignment for its type, taking into account
3026 any minimum alignment specified with GCC's @code{__attribute__}
3027 extension (@pxref{Variable Attributes}). For example, after this
3028 declaration:
3029
3030 @example
3031 struct foo @{ int x; char y; @} foo1;
3032 @end example
3033
3034 @noindent
3035 the value of @code{__alignof__ (foo1.y)} is 1, even though its actual
3036 alignment is probably 2 or 4, the same as @code{__alignof__ (int)}.
3037
3038 It is an error to ask for the alignment of an incomplete type.
3039
3040 @node Variable Attributes
3041 @section Specifying Attributes of Variables
3042 @cindex attribute of variables
3043 @cindex variable attributes
3044
3045 The keyword @code{__attribute__} allows you to specify special
3046 attributes of variables or structure fields. This keyword is followed
3047 by an attribute specification inside double parentheses. Some
3048 attributes are currently defined generically for variables.
3049 Other attributes are defined for variables on particular target
3050 systems. Other attributes are available for functions
3051 (@pxref{Function Attributes}) and for types (@pxref{Type Attributes}).
3052 Other front ends might define more attributes
3053 (@pxref{C++ Extensions,,Extensions to the C++ Language}).
3054
3055 You may also specify attributes with @samp{__} preceding and following
3056 each keyword. This allows you to use them in header files without
3057 being concerned about a possible macro of the same name. For example,
3058 you may use @code{__aligned__} instead of @code{aligned}.
3059
3060 @xref{Attribute Syntax}, for details of the exact syntax for using
3061 attributes.
3062
3063 @table @code
3064 @cindex @code{aligned} attribute
3065 @item aligned (@var{alignment})
3066 This attribute specifies a minimum alignment for the variable or
3067 structure field, measured in bytes. For example, the declaration:
3068
3069 @smallexample
3070 int x __attribute__ ((aligned (16))) = 0;
3071 @end smallexample
3072
3073 @noindent
3074 causes the compiler to allocate the global variable @code{x} on a
3075 16-byte boundary. On a 68040, this could be used in conjunction with
3076 an @code{asm} expression to access the @code{move16} instruction which
3077 requires 16-byte aligned operands.
3078
3079 You can also specify the alignment of structure fields. For example, to
3080 create a double-word aligned @code{int} pair, you could write:
3081
3082 @smallexample
3083 struct foo @{ int x[2] __attribute__ ((aligned (8))); @};
3084 @end smallexample
3085
3086 @noindent
3087 This is an alternative to creating a union with a @code{double} member
3088 that forces the union to be double-word aligned.
3089
3090 As in the preceding examples, you can explicitly specify the alignment
3091 (in bytes) that you wish the compiler to use for a given variable or
3092 structure field. Alternatively, you can leave out the alignment factor
3093 and just ask the compiler to align a variable or field to the maximum
3094 useful alignment for the target machine you are compiling for. For
3095 example, you could write:
3096
3097 @smallexample
3098 short array[3] __attribute__ ((aligned));
3099 @end smallexample
3100
3101 Whenever you leave out the alignment factor in an @code{aligned} attribute
3102 specification, the compiler automatically sets the alignment for the declared
3103 variable or field to the largest alignment which is ever used for any data
3104 type on the target machine you are compiling for. Doing this can often make
3105 copy operations more efficient, because the compiler can use whatever
3106 instructions copy the biggest chunks of memory when performing copies to
3107 or from the variables or fields that you have aligned this way.
3108
3109 The @code{aligned} attribute can only increase the alignment; but you
3110 can decrease it by specifying @code{packed} as well. See below.
3111
3112 Note that the effectiveness of @code{aligned} attributes may be limited
3113 by inherent limitations in your linker. On many systems, the linker is
3114 only able to arrange for variables to be aligned up to a certain maximum
3115 alignment. (For some linkers, the maximum supported alignment may
3116 be very very small.) If your linker is only able to align variables
3117 up to a maximum of 8 byte alignment, then specifying @code{aligned(16)}
3118 in an @code{__attribute__} will still only provide you with 8 byte
3119 alignment. See your linker documentation for further information.
3120
3121 @item cleanup (@var{cleanup_function})
3122 @cindex @code{cleanup} attribute
3123 The @code{cleanup} attribute runs a function when the variable goes
3124 out of scope. This attribute can only be applied to auto function
3125 scope variables; it may not be applied to parameters or variables
3126 with static storage duration. The function must take one parameter,
3127 a pointer to a type compatible with the variable. The return value
3128 of the function (if any) is ignored.
3129
3130 If @option{-fexceptions} is enabled, then @var{cleanup_function}
3131 will be run during the stack unwinding that happens during the
3132 processing of the exception. Note that the @code{cleanup} attribute
3133 does not allow the exception to be caught, only to perform an action.
3134 It is undefined what happens if @var{cleanup_function} does not
3135 return normally.
3136
3137 @item common
3138 @itemx nocommon
3139 @cindex @code{common} attribute
3140 @cindex @code{nocommon} attribute
3141 @opindex fcommon
3142 @opindex fno-common
3143 The @code{common} attribute requests GCC to place a variable in
3144 ``common'' storage. The @code{nocommon} attribute requests the
3145 opposite -- to allocate space for it directly.
3146
3147 These attributes override the default chosen by the
3148 @option{-fno-common} and @option{-fcommon} flags respectively.
3149
3150 @item deprecated
3151 @cindex @code{deprecated} attribute
3152 The @code{deprecated} attribute results in a warning if the variable
3153 is used anywhere in the source file. This is useful when identifying
3154 variables that are expected to be removed in a future version of a
3155 program. The warning also includes the location of the declaration
3156 of the deprecated variable, to enable users to easily find further
3157 information about why the variable is deprecated, or what they should
3158 do instead. Note that the warning only occurs for uses:
3159
3160 @smallexample
3161 extern int old_var __attribute__ ((deprecated));
3162 extern int old_var;
3163 int new_fn () @{ return old_var; @}
3164 @end smallexample
3165
3166 results in a warning on line 3 but not line 2.
3167
3168 The @code{deprecated} attribute can also be used for functions and
3169 types (@pxref{Function Attributes}, @pxref{Type Attributes}.)
3170
3171 @item mode (@var{mode})
3172 @cindex @code{mode} attribute
3173 This attribute specifies the data type for the declaration---whichever
3174 type corresponds to the mode @var{mode}. This in effect lets you
3175 request an integer or floating point type according to its width.
3176
3177 You may also specify a mode of @samp{byte} or @samp{__byte__} to
3178 indicate the mode corresponding to a one-byte integer, @samp{word} or
3179 @samp{__word__} for the mode of a one-word integer, and @samp{pointer}
3180 or @samp{__pointer__} for the mode used to represent pointers.
3181
3182 @item packed
3183 @cindex @code{packed} attribute
3184 The @code{packed} attribute specifies that a variable or structure field
3185 should have the smallest possible alignment---one byte for a variable,
3186 and one bit for a field, unless you specify a larger value with the
3187 @code{aligned} attribute.
3188
3189 Here is a structure in which the field @code{x} is packed, so that it
3190 immediately follows @code{a}:
3191
3192 @example
3193 struct foo
3194 @{
3195 char a;
3196 int x[2] __attribute__ ((packed));
3197 @};
3198 @end example
3199
3200 @item section ("@var{section-name}")
3201 @cindex @code{section} variable attribute
3202 Normally, the compiler places the objects it generates in sections like
3203 @code{data} and @code{bss}. Sometimes, however, you need additional sections,
3204 or you need certain particular variables to appear in special sections,
3205 for example to map to special hardware. The @code{section}
3206 attribute specifies that a variable (or function) lives in a particular
3207 section. For example, this small program uses several specific section names:
3208
3209 @smallexample
3210 struct duart a __attribute__ ((section ("DUART_A"))) = @{ 0 @};
3211 struct duart b __attribute__ ((section ("DUART_B"))) = @{ 0 @};
3212 char stack[10000] __attribute__ ((section ("STACK"))) = @{ 0 @};
3213 int init_data __attribute__ ((section ("INITDATA"))) = 0;
3214
3215 main()
3216 @{
3217 /* Initialize stack pointer */
3218 init_sp (stack + sizeof (stack));
3219
3220 /* Initialize initialized data */
3221 memcpy (&init_data, &data, &edata - &data);
3222
3223 /* Turn on the serial ports */
3224 init_duart (&a);
3225 init_duart (&b);
3226 @}
3227 @end smallexample
3228
3229 @noindent
3230 Use the @code{section} attribute with an @emph{initialized} definition
3231 of a @emph{global} variable, as shown in the example. GCC issues
3232 a warning and otherwise ignores the @code{section} attribute in
3233 uninitialized variable declarations.
3234
3235 You may only use the @code{section} attribute with a fully initialized
3236 global definition because of the way linkers work. The linker requires
3237 each object be defined once, with the exception that uninitialized
3238 variables tentatively go in the @code{common} (or @code{bss}) section
3239 and can be multiply ``defined''. You can force a variable to be
3240 initialized with the @option{-fno-common} flag or the @code{nocommon}
3241 attribute.
3242
3243 Some file formats do not support arbitrary sections so the @code{section}
3244 attribute is not available on all platforms.
3245 If you need to map the entire contents of a module to a particular
3246 section, consider using the facilities of the linker instead.
3247
3248 @item shared
3249 @cindex @code{shared} variable attribute
3250 On Windows, in addition to putting variable definitions in a named
3251 section, the section can also be shared among all running copies of an
3252 executable or DLL@. For example, this small program defines shared data
3253 by putting it in a named section @code{shared} and marking the section
3254 shareable:
3255
3256 @smallexample
3257 int foo __attribute__((section ("shared"), shared)) = 0;
3258
3259 int
3260 main()
3261 @{
3262 /* Read and write foo. All running
3263 copies see the same value. */
3264 return 0;
3265 @}
3266 @end smallexample
3267
3268 @noindent
3269 You may only use the @code{shared} attribute along with @code{section}
3270 attribute with a fully initialized global definition because of the way
3271 linkers work. See @code{section} attribute for more information.
3272
3273 The @code{shared} attribute is only available on Windows@.
3274
3275 @item tls_model ("@var{tls_model}")
3276 @cindex @code{tls_model} attribute
3277 The @code{tls_model} attribute sets thread-local storage model
3278 (@pxref{Thread-Local}) of a particular @code{__thread} variable,
3279 overriding @code{-ftls-model=} command line switch on a per-variable
3280 basis.
3281 The @var{tls_model} argument should be one of @code{global-dynamic},
3282 @code{local-dynamic}, @code{initial-exec} or @code{local-exec}.
3283
3284 Not all targets support this attribute.
3285
3286 @item transparent_union
3287 This attribute, attached to a function parameter which is a union, means
3288 that the corresponding argument may have the type of any union member,
3289 but the argument is passed as if its type were that of the first union
3290 member. For more details see @xref{Type Attributes}. You can also use
3291 this attribute on a @code{typedef} for a union data type; then it
3292 applies to all function parameters with that type.
3293
3294 @item unused
3295 This attribute, attached to a variable, means that the variable is meant
3296 to be possibly unused. GCC will not produce a warning for this
3297 variable.
3298
3299 @item vector_size (@var{bytes})
3300 This attribute specifies the vector size for the variable, measured in
3301 bytes. For example, the declaration:
3302
3303 @smallexample
3304 int foo __attribute__ ((vector_size (16)));
3305 @end smallexample
3306
3307 @noindent
3308 causes the compiler to set the mode for @code{foo}, to be 16 bytes,
3309 divided into @code{int} sized units. Assuming a 32-bit int (a vector of
3310 4 units of 4 bytes), the corresponding mode of @code{foo} will be V4SI@.
3311
3312 This attribute is only applicable to integral and float scalars,
3313 although arrays, pointers, and function return values are allowed in
3314 conjunction with this construct.
3315
3316 Aggregates with this attribute are invalid, even if they are of the same
3317 size as a corresponding scalar. For example, the declaration:
3318
3319 @smallexample
3320 struct S @{ int a; @};
3321 struct S __attribute__ ((vector_size (16))) foo;
3322 @end smallexample
3323
3324 @noindent
3325 is invalid even if the size of the structure is the same as the size of
3326 the @code{int}.
3327
3328 @item weak
3329 The @code{weak} attribute is described in @xref{Function Attributes}.
3330
3331 @item dllimport
3332 The @code{dllimport} attribute is described in @xref{Function Attributes}.
3333
3334 @item dlexport
3335 The @code{dllexport} attribute is described in @xref{Function Attributes}.
3336
3337 @end table
3338
3339 @subsection M32R/D Variable Attributes
3340
3341 One attribute is currently defined for the M32R/D.
3342
3343 @table @code
3344 @item model (@var{model-name})
3345 @cindex variable addressability on the M32R/D
3346 Use this attribute on the M32R/D to set the addressability of an object.
3347 The identifier @var{model-name} is one of @code{small}, @code{medium},
3348 or @code{large}, representing each of the code models.
3349
3350 Small model objects live in the lower 16MB of memory (so that their
3351 addresses can be loaded with the @code{ld24} instruction).
3352
3353 Medium and large model objects may live anywhere in the 32-bit address space
3354 (the compiler will generate @code{seth/add3} instructions to load their
3355 addresses).
3356 @end table
3357
3358 @subsection i386 Variable Attributes
3359
3360 Two attributes are currently defined for i386 configurations:
3361 @code{ms_struct} and @code{gcc_struct}
3362
3363 @table @code
3364 @item ms_struct
3365 @itemx gcc_struct
3366 @cindex @code{ms_struct} attribute
3367 @cindex @code{gcc_struct} attribute
3368
3369 If @code{packed} is used on a structure, or if bit-fields are used
3370 it may be that the Microsoft ABI packs them differently
3371 than GCC would normally pack them. Particularly when moving packed
3372 data between functions compiled with GCC and the native Microsoft compiler
3373 (either via function call or as data in a file), it may be necessary to access
3374 either format.
3375
3376 Currently @option{-m[no-]ms-bitfields} is provided for the Windows X86
3377 compilers to match the native Microsoft compiler.
3378 @end table
3379
3380 @node Type Attributes
3381 @section Specifying Attributes of Types
3382 @cindex attribute of types
3383 @cindex type attributes
3384
3385 The keyword @code{__attribute__} allows you to specify special
3386 attributes of @code{struct} and @code{union} types when you define such
3387 types. This keyword is followed by an attribute specification inside
3388 double parentheses. Six attributes are currently defined for types:
3389 @code{aligned}, @code{packed}, @code{transparent_union}, @code{unused},
3390 @code{deprecated} and @code{may_alias}. Other attributes are defined for
3391 functions (@pxref{Function Attributes}) and for variables
3392 (@pxref{Variable Attributes}).
3393
3394 You may also specify any one of these attributes with @samp{__}
3395 preceding and following its keyword. This allows you to use these
3396 attributes in header files without being concerned about a possible
3397 macro of the same name. For example, you may use @code{__aligned__}
3398 instead of @code{aligned}.
3399
3400 You may specify the @code{aligned} and @code{transparent_union}
3401 attributes either in a @code{typedef} declaration or just past the
3402 closing curly brace of a complete enum, struct or union type
3403 @emph{definition} and the @code{packed} attribute only past the closing
3404 brace of a definition.
3405
3406 You may also specify attributes between the enum, struct or union
3407 tag and the name of the type rather than after the closing brace.
3408
3409 @xref{Attribute Syntax}, for details of the exact syntax for using
3410 attributes.
3411
3412 @table @code
3413 @cindex @code{aligned} attribute
3414 @item aligned (@var{alignment})
3415 This attribute specifies a minimum alignment (in bytes) for variables
3416 of the specified type. For example, the declarations:
3417
3418 @smallexample
3419 struct S @{ short f[3]; @} __attribute__ ((aligned (8)));
3420 typedef int more_aligned_int __attribute__ ((aligned (8)));
3421 @end smallexample
3422
3423 @noindent
3424 force the compiler to insure (as far as it can) that each variable whose
3425 type is @code{struct S} or @code{more_aligned_int} will be allocated and
3426 aligned @emph{at least} on a 8-byte boundary. On a SPARC, having all
3427 variables of type @code{struct S} aligned to 8-byte boundaries allows
3428 the compiler to use the @code{ldd} and @code{std} (doubleword load and
3429 store) instructions when copying one variable of type @code{struct S} to
3430 another, thus improving run-time efficiency.
3431
3432 Note that the alignment of any given @code{struct} or @code{union} type
3433 is required by the ISO C standard to be at least a perfect multiple of
3434 the lowest common multiple of the alignments of all of the members of
3435 the @code{struct} or @code{union} in question. This means that you @emph{can}
3436 effectively adjust the alignment of a @code{struct} or @code{union}
3437 type by attaching an @code{aligned} attribute to any one of the members
3438 of such a type, but the notation illustrated in the example above is a
3439 more obvious, intuitive, and readable way to request the compiler to
3440 adjust the alignment of an entire @code{struct} or @code{union} type.
3441
3442 As in the preceding example, you can explicitly specify the alignment
3443 (in bytes) that you wish the compiler to use for a given @code{struct}
3444 or @code{union} type. Alternatively, you can leave out the alignment factor
3445 and just ask the compiler to align a type to the maximum
3446 useful alignment for the target machine you are compiling for. For
3447 example, you could write:
3448
3449 @smallexample
3450 struct S @{ short f[3]; @} __attribute__ ((aligned));
3451 @end smallexample
3452
3453 Whenever you leave out the alignment factor in an @code{aligned}
3454 attribute specification, the compiler automatically sets the alignment
3455 for the type to the largest alignment which is ever used for any data
3456 type on the target machine you are compiling for. Doing this can often
3457 make copy operations more efficient, because the compiler can use
3458 whatever instructions copy the biggest chunks of memory when performing
3459 copies to or from the variables which have types that you have aligned
3460 this way.
3461
3462 In the example above, if the size of each @code{short} is 2 bytes, then
3463 the size of the entire @code{struct S} type is 6 bytes. The smallest
3464 power of two which is greater than or equal to that is 8, so the
3465 compiler sets the alignment for the entire @code{struct S} type to 8
3466 bytes.
3467
3468 Note that although you can ask the compiler to select a time-efficient
3469 alignment for a given type and then declare only individual stand-alone
3470 objects of that type, the compiler's ability to select a time-efficient
3471 alignment is primarily useful only when you plan to create arrays of
3472 variables having the relevant (efficiently aligned) type. If you
3473 declare or use arrays of variables of an efficiently-aligned type, then
3474 it is likely that your program will also be doing pointer arithmetic (or
3475 subscripting, which amounts to the same thing) on pointers to the
3476 relevant type, and the code that the compiler generates for these
3477 pointer arithmetic operations will often be more efficient for
3478 efficiently-aligned types than for other types.
3479
3480 The @code{aligned} attribute can only increase the alignment; but you
3481 can decrease it by specifying @code{packed} as well. See below.
3482
3483 Note that the effectiveness of @code{aligned} attributes may be limited
3484 by inherent limitations in your linker. On many systems, the linker is
3485 only able to arrange for variables to be aligned up to a certain maximum
3486 alignment. (For some linkers, the maximum supported alignment may
3487 be very very small.) If your linker is only able to align variables
3488 up to a maximum of 8 byte alignment, then specifying @code{aligned(16)}
3489 in an @code{__attribute__} will still only provide you with 8 byte
3490 alignment. See your linker documentation for further information.
3491
3492 @item packed
3493 This attribute, attached to @code{struct} or @code{union} type
3494 definition, specifies that each member of the structure or union is
3495 placed to minimize the memory required. When attached to an @code{enum}
3496 definition, it indicates that the smallest integral type should be used.
3497
3498 @opindex fshort-enums
3499 Specifying this attribute for @code{struct} and @code{union} types is
3500 equivalent to specifying the @code{packed} attribute on each of the
3501 structure or union members. Specifying the @option{-fshort-enums}
3502 flag on the line is equivalent to specifying the @code{packed}
3503 attribute on all @code{enum} definitions.
3504
3505 In the following example @code{struct my_packed_struct}'s members are
3506 packed closely together, but the internal layout of its @code{s} member
3507 is not packed -- to do that, @code{struct my_unpacked_struct} would need to
3508 be packed too.
3509
3510 @smallexample
3511 struct my_unpacked_struct
3512 @{
3513 char c;
3514 int i;
3515 @};
3516
3517 struct my_packed_struct __attribute__ ((__packed__))
3518 @{
3519 char c;
3520 int i;
3521 struct my_unpacked_struct s;
3522 @};
3523 @end smallexample
3524
3525 You may only specify this attribute on the definition of a @code{enum},
3526 @code{struct} or @code{union}, not on a @code{typedef} which does not
3527 also define the enumerated type, structure or union.
3528
3529 @item transparent_union
3530 This attribute, attached to a @code{union} type definition, indicates
3531 that any function parameter having that union type causes calls to that
3532 function to be treated in a special way.
3533
3534 First, the argument corresponding to a transparent union type can be of
3535 any type in the union; no cast is required. Also, if the union contains
3536 a pointer type, the corresponding argument can be a null pointer
3537 constant or a void pointer expression; and if the union contains a void
3538 pointer type, the corresponding argument can be any pointer expression.
3539 If the union member type is a pointer, qualifiers like @code{const} on
3540 the referenced type must be respected, just as with normal pointer
3541 conversions.
3542
3543 Second, the argument is passed to the function using the calling
3544 conventions of the first member of the transparent union, not the calling
3545 conventions of the union itself. All members of the union must have the
3546 same machine representation; this is necessary for this argument passing
3547 to work properly.
3548
3549 Transparent unions are designed for library functions that have multiple
3550 interfaces for compatibility reasons. For example, suppose the
3551 @code{wait} function must accept either a value of type @code{int *} to
3552 comply with Posix, or a value of type @code{union wait *} to comply with
3553 the 4.1BSD interface. If @code{wait}'s parameter were @code{void *},
3554 @code{wait} would accept both kinds of arguments, but it would also
3555 accept any other pointer type and this would make argument type checking
3556 less useful. Instead, @code{<sys/wait.h>} might define the interface
3557 as follows:
3558
3559 @smallexample
3560 typedef union
3561 @{
3562 int *__ip;
3563 union wait *__up;
3564 @} wait_status_ptr_t __attribute__ ((__transparent_union__));
3565
3566 pid_t wait (wait_status_ptr_t);
3567 @end smallexample
3568
3569 This interface allows either @code{int *} or @code{union wait *}
3570 arguments to be passed, using the @code{int *} calling convention.
3571 The program can call @code{wait} with arguments of either type:
3572
3573 @example
3574 int w1 () @{ int w; return wait (&w); @}
3575 int w2 () @{ union wait w; return wait (&w); @}
3576 @end example
3577
3578 With this interface, @code{wait}'s implementation might look like this:
3579
3580 @example
3581 pid_t wait (wait_status_ptr_t p)
3582 @{
3583 return waitpid (-1, p.__ip, 0);
3584 @}
3585 @end example
3586
3587 @item unused
3588 When attached to a type (including a @code{union} or a @code{struct}),
3589 this attribute means that variables of that type are meant to appear
3590 possibly unused. GCC will not produce a warning for any variables of
3591 that type, even if the variable appears to do nothing. This is often
3592 the case with lock or thread classes, which are usually defined and then
3593 not referenced, but contain constructors and destructors that have
3594 nontrivial bookkeeping functions.
3595
3596 @item deprecated
3597 The @code{deprecated} attribute results in a warning if the type
3598 is used anywhere in the source file. This is useful when identifying
3599 types that are expected to be removed in a future version of a program.
3600 If possible, the warning also includes the location of the declaration
3601 of the deprecated type, to enable users to easily find further
3602 information about why the type is deprecated, or what they should do
3603 instead. Note that the warnings only occur for uses and then only
3604 if the type is being applied to an identifier that itself is not being
3605 declared as deprecated.
3606
3607 @smallexample
3608 typedef int T1 __attribute__ ((deprecated));
3609 T1 x;
3610 typedef T1 T2;
3611 T2 y;
3612 typedef T1 T3 __attribute__ ((deprecated));
3613 T3 z __attribute__ ((deprecated));
3614 @end smallexample
3615
3616 results in a warning on line 2 and 3 but not lines 4, 5, or 6. No
3617 warning is issued for line 4 because T2 is not explicitly
3618 deprecated. Line 5 has no warning because T3 is explicitly
3619 deprecated. Similarly for line 6.
3620
3621 The @code{deprecated} attribute can also be used for functions and
3622 variables (@pxref{Function Attributes}, @pxref{Variable Attributes}.)
3623
3624 @item may_alias
3625 Accesses to objects with types with this attribute are not subjected to
3626 type-based alias analysis, but are instead assumed to be able to alias
3627 any other type of objects, just like the @code{char} type. See
3628 @option{-fstrict-aliasing} for more information on aliasing issues.
3629
3630 Example of use:
3631
3632 @smallexample
3633 typedef short __attribute__((__may_alias__)) short_a;
3634
3635 int
3636 main (void)
3637 @{
3638 int a = 0x12345678;
3639 short_a *b = (short_a *) &a;
3640
3641 b[1] = 0;
3642
3643 if (a == 0x12345678)
3644 abort();
3645
3646 exit(0);
3647 @}
3648 @end smallexample
3649
3650 If you replaced @code{short_a} with @code{short} in the variable
3651 declaration, the above program would abort when compiled with
3652 @option{-fstrict-aliasing}, which is on by default at @option{-O2} or
3653 above in recent GCC versions.
3654
3655 @subsection i386 Type Attributes
3656
3657 Two attributes are currently defined for i386 configurations:
3658 @code{ms_struct} and @code{gcc_struct}
3659
3660 @item ms_struct
3661 @itemx gcc_struct
3662 @cindex @code{ms_struct}
3663 @cindex @code{gcc_struct}
3664
3665 If @code{packed} is used on a structure, or if bit-fields are used
3666 it may be that the Microsoft ABI packs them differently
3667 than GCC would normally pack them. Particularly when moving packed
3668 data between functions compiled with GCC and the native Microsoft compiler
3669 (either via function call or as data in a file), it may be necessary to access
3670 either format.
3671
3672 Currently @option{-m[no-]ms-bitfields} is provided for the Windows X86
3673 compilers to match the native Microsoft compiler.
3674 @end table
3675
3676 To specify multiple attributes, separate them by commas within the
3677 double parentheses: for example, @samp{__attribute__ ((aligned (16),
3678 packed))}.
3679
3680 @node Inline
3681 @section An Inline Function is As Fast As a Macro
3682 @cindex inline functions
3683 @cindex integrating function code
3684 @cindex open coding
3685 @cindex macros, inline alternative
3686
3687 By declaring a function @code{inline}, you can direct GCC to
3688 integrate that function's code into the code for its callers. This
3689 makes execution faster by eliminating the function-call overhead; in
3690 addition, if any of the actual argument values are constant, their known
3691 values may permit simplifications at compile time so that not all of the
3692 inline function's code needs to be included. The effect on code size is
3693 less predictable; object code may be larger or smaller with function
3694 inlining, depending on the particular case. Inlining of functions is an
3695 optimization and it really ``works'' only in optimizing compilation. If
3696 you don't use @option{-O}, no function is really inline.
3697
3698 Inline functions are included in the ISO C99 standard, but there are
3699 currently substantial differences between what GCC implements and what
3700 the ISO C99 standard requires.
3701
3702 To declare a function inline, use the @code{inline} keyword in its
3703 declaration, like this:
3704
3705 @example
3706 inline int
3707 inc (int *a)
3708 @{
3709 (*a)++;
3710 @}
3711 @end example
3712
3713 (If you are writing a header file to be included in ISO C programs, write
3714 @code{__inline__} instead of @code{inline}. @xref{Alternate Keywords}.)
3715 You can also make all ``simple enough'' functions inline with the option
3716 @option{-finline-functions}.
3717
3718 @opindex Winline
3719 Note that certain usages in a function definition can make it unsuitable
3720 for inline substitution. Among these usages are: use of varargs, use of
3721 alloca, use of variable sized data types (@pxref{Variable Length}),
3722 use of computed goto (@pxref{Labels as Values}), use of nonlocal goto,
3723 and nested functions (@pxref{Nested Functions}). Using @option{-Winline}
3724 will warn when a function marked @code{inline} could not be substituted,
3725 and will give the reason for the failure.
3726
3727 Note that in C and Objective-C, unlike C++, the @code{inline} keyword
3728 does not affect the linkage of the function.
3729
3730 @cindex automatic @code{inline} for C++ member fns
3731 @cindex @code{inline} automatic for C++ member fns
3732 @cindex member fns, automatically @code{inline}
3733 @cindex C++ member fns, automatically @code{inline}
3734 @opindex fno-default-inline
3735 GCC automatically inlines member functions defined within the class
3736 body of C++ programs even if they are not explicitly declared
3737 @code{inline}. (You can override this with @option{-fno-default-inline};
3738 @pxref{C++ Dialect Options,,Options Controlling C++ Dialect}.)
3739
3740 @cindex inline functions, omission of
3741 @opindex fkeep-inline-functions
3742 When a function is both inline and @code{static}, if all calls to the
3743 function are integrated into the caller, and the function's address is
3744 never used, then the function's own assembler code is never referenced.
3745 In this case, GCC does not actually output assembler code for the
3746 function, unless you specify the option @option{-fkeep-inline-functions}.
3747 Some calls cannot be integrated for various reasons (in particular,
3748 calls that precede the function's definition cannot be integrated, and
3749 neither can recursive calls within the definition). If there is a
3750 nonintegrated call, then the function is compiled to assembler code as
3751 usual. The function must also be compiled as usual if the program
3752 refers to its address, because that can't be inlined.
3753
3754 @cindex non-static inline function
3755 When an inline function is not @code{static}, then the compiler must assume
3756 that there may be calls from other source files; since a global symbol can
3757 be defined only once in any program, the function must not be defined in
3758 the other source files, so the calls therein cannot be integrated.
3759 Therefore, a non-@code{static} inline function is always compiled on its
3760 own in the usual fashion.
3761
3762 If you specify both @code{inline} and @code{extern} in the function
3763 definition, then the definition is used only for inlining. In no case
3764 is the function compiled on its own, not even if you refer to its
3765 address explicitly. Such an address becomes an external reference, as
3766 if you had only declared the function, and had not defined it.
3767
3768 This combination of @code{inline} and @code{extern} has almost the
3769 effect of a macro. The way to use it is to put a function definition in
3770 a header file with these keywords, and put another copy of the
3771 definition (lacking @code{inline} and @code{extern}) in a library file.
3772 The definition in the header file will cause most calls to the function
3773 to be inlined. If any uses of the function remain, they will refer to
3774 the single copy in the library.
3775
3776 Since GCC eventually will implement ISO C99 semantics for
3777 inline functions, it is best to use @code{static inline} only
3778 to guarentee compatibility. (The
3779 existing semantics will remain available when @option{-std=gnu89} is
3780 specified, but eventually the default will be @option{-std=gnu99} and
3781 that will implement the C99 semantics, though it does not do so yet.)
3782
3783 GCC does not inline any functions when not optimizing unless you specify
3784 the @samp{always_inline} attribute for the function, like this:
3785
3786 @example
3787 /* Prototype. */
3788 inline void foo (const char) __attribute__((always_inline));
3789 @end example
3790
3791 @node Extended Asm
3792 @section Assembler Instructions with C Expression Operands
3793 @cindex extended @code{asm}
3794 @cindex @code{asm} expressions
3795 @cindex assembler instructions
3796 @cindex registers
3797
3798 In an assembler instruction using @code{asm}, you can specify the
3799 operands of the instruction using C expressions. This means you need not
3800 guess which registers or memory locations will contain the data you want
3801 to use.
3802
3803 You must specify an assembler instruction template much like what
3804 appears in a machine description, plus an operand constraint string for
3805 each operand.
3806
3807 For example, here is how to use the 68881's @code{fsinx} instruction:
3808
3809 @example
3810 asm ("fsinx %1,%0" : "=f" (result) : "f" (angle));
3811 @end example
3812
3813 @noindent
3814 Here @code{angle} is the C expression for the input operand while
3815 @code{result} is that of the output operand. Each has @samp{"f"} as its
3816 operand constraint, saying that a floating point register is required.
3817 The @samp{=} in @samp{=f} indicates that the operand is an output; all
3818 output operands' constraints must use @samp{=}. The constraints use the
3819 same language used in the machine description (@pxref{Constraints}).
3820
3821 Each operand is described by an operand-constraint string followed by
3822 the C expression in parentheses. A colon separates the assembler
3823 template from the first output operand and another separates the last
3824 output operand from the first input, if any. Commas separate the
3825 operands within each group. The total number of operands is currently
3826 limited to 30; this limitation may be lifted in some future version of
3827 GCC.
3828
3829 If there are no output operands but there are input operands, you must
3830 place two consecutive colons surrounding the place where the output
3831 operands would go.
3832
3833 As of GCC version 3.1, it is also possible to specify input and output
3834 operands using symbolic names which can be referenced within the
3835 assembler code. These names are specified inside square brackets
3836 preceding the constraint string, and can be referenced inside the
3837 assembler code using @code{%[@var{name}]} instead of a percentage sign
3838 followed by the operand number. Using named operands the above example
3839 could look like:
3840
3841 @example
3842 asm ("fsinx %[angle],%[output]"
3843 : [output] "=f" (result)
3844 : [angle] "f" (angle));
3845 @end example
3846
3847 @noindent
3848 Note that the symbolic operand names have no relation whatsoever to
3849 other C identifiers. You may use any name you like, even those of
3850 existing C symbols, but you must ensure that no two operands within the same
3851 assembler construct use the same symbolic name.
3852
3853 Output operand expressions must be lvalues; the compiler can check this.
3854 The input operands need not be lvalues. The compiler cannot check
3855 whether the operands have data types that are reasonable for the
3856 instruction being executed. It does not parse the assembler instruction
3857 template and does not know what it means or even whether it is valid
3858 assembler input. The extended @code{asm} feature is most often used for
3859 machine instructions the compiler itself does not know exist. If
3860 the output expression cannot be directly addressed (for example, it is a
3861 bit-field), your constraint must allow a register. In that case, GCC
3862 will use the register as the output of the @code{asm}, and then store
3863 that register into the output.
3864
3865 The ordinary output operands must be write-only; GCC will assume that
3866 the values in these operands before the instruction are dead and need
3867 not be generated. Extended asm supports input-output or read-write
3868 operands. Use the constraint character @samp{+} to indicate such an
3869 operand and list it with the output operands.
3870
3871 When the constraints for the read-write operand (or the operand in which
3872 only some of the bits are to be changed) allows a register, you may, as
3873 an alternative, logically split its function into two separate operands,
3874 one input operand and one write-only output operand. The connection
3875 between them is expressed by constraints which say they need to be in
3876 the same location when the instruction executes. You can use the same C
3877 expression for both operands, or different expressions. For example,
3878 here we write the (fictitious) @samp{combine} instruction with
3879 @code{bar} as its read-only source operand and @code{foo} as its
3880 read-write destination:
3881
3882 @example
3883 asm ("combine %2,%0" : "=r" (foo) : "0" (foo), "g" (bar));
3884 @end example
3885
3886 @noindent
3887 The constraint @samp{"0"} for operand 1 says that it must occupy the
3888 same location as operand 0. A number in constraint is allowed only in
3889 an input operand and it must refer to an output operand.
3890
3891 Only a number in the constraint can guarantee that one operand will be in
3892 the same place as another. The mere fact that @code{foo} is the value
3893 of both operands is not enough to guarantee that they will be in the
3894 same place in the generated assembler code. The following would not
3895 work reliably:
3896
3897 @example
3898 asm ("combine %2,%0" : "=r" (foo) : "r" (foo), "g" (bar));
3899 @end example
3900
3901 Various optimizations or reloading could cause operands 0 and 1 to be in
3902 different registers; GCC knows no reason not to do so. For example, the
3903 compiler might find a copy of the value of @code{foo} in one register and
3904 use it for operand 1, but generate the output operand 0 in a different
3905 register (copying it afterward to @code{foo}'s own address). Of course,
3906 since the register for operand 1 is not even mentioned in the assembler
3907 code, the result will not work, but GCC can't tell that.
3908
3909 As of GCC version 3.1, one may write @code{[@var{name}]} instead of
3910 the operand number for a matching constraint. For example:
3911
3912 @example
3913 asm ("cmoveq %1,%2,%[result]"
3914 : [result] "=r"(result)
3915 : "r" (test), "r"(new), "[result]"(old));
3916 @end example
3917
3918 Some instructions clobber specific hard registers. To describe this,
3919 write a third colon after the input operands, followed by the names of
3920 the clobbered hard registers (given as strings). Here is a realistic
3921 example for the VAX:
3922
3923 @example
3924 asm volatile ("movc3 %0,%1,%2"
3925 : /* no outputs */
3926 : "g" (from), "g" (to), "g" (count)
3927 : "r0", "r1", "r2", "r3", "r4", "r5");
3928 @end example
3929
3930 You may not write a clobber description in a way that overlaps with an
3931 input or output operand. For example, you may not have an operand
3932 describing a register class with one member if you mention that register
3933 in the clobber list. Variables declared to live in specific registers
3934 (@pxref{Explicit Reg Vars}), and used as asm input or output operands must
3935 have no part mentioned in the clobber description.
3936 There is no way for you to specify that an input
3937 operand is modified without also specifying it as an output
3938 operand. Note that if all the output operands you specify are for this
3939 purpose (and hence unused), you will then also need to specify
3940 @code{volatile} for the @code{asm} construct, as described below, to
3941 prevent GCC from deleting the @code{asm} statement as unused.
3942
3943 If you refer to a particular hardware register from the assembler code,
3944 you will probably have to list the register after the third colon to
3945 tell the compiler the register's value is modified. In some assemblers,
3946 the register names begin with @samp{%}; to produce one @samp{%} in the
3947 assembler code, you must write @samp{%%} in the input.
3948
3949 If your assembler instruction can alter the condition code register, add
3950 @samp{cc} to the list of clobbered registers. GCC on some machines
3951 represents the condition codes as a specific hardware register;
3952 @samp{cc} serves to name this register. On other machines, the
3953 condition code is handled differently, and specifying @samp{cc} has no
3954 effect. But it is valid no matter what the machine.
3955
3956 If your assembler instruction modifies memory in an unpredictable
3957 fashion, add @samp{memory} to the list of clobbered registers. This
3958 will cause GCC to not keep memory values cached in registers across
3959 the assembler instruction. You will also want to add the
3960 @code{volatile} keyword if the memory affected is not listed in the
3961 inputs or outputs of the @code{asm}, as the @samp{memory} clobber does
3962 not count as a side-effect of the @code{asm}.
3963
3964 You can put multiple assembler instructions together in a single
3965 @code{asm} template, separated by the characters normally used in assembly
3966 code for the system. A combination that works in most places is a newline
3967 to break the line, plus a tab character to move to the instruction field
3968 (written as @samp{\n\t}). Sometimes semicolons can be used, if the
3969 assembler allows semicolons as a line-breaking character. Note that some
3970 assembler dialects use semicolons to start a comment.
3971 The input operands are guaranteed not to use any of the clobbered
3972 registers, and neither will the output operands' addresses, so you can
3973 read and write the clobbered registers as many times as you like. Here
3974 is an example of multiple instructions in a template; it assumes the
3975 subroutine @code{_foo} accepts arguments in registers 9 and 10:
3976
3977 @example
3978 asm ("movl %0,r9\n\tmovl %1,r10\n\tcall _foo"
3979 : /* no outputs */
3980 : "g" (from), "g" (to)
3981 : "r9", "r10");
3982 @end example
3983
3984 Unless an output operand has the @samp{&} constraint modifier, GCC
3985 may allocate it in the same register as an unrelated input operand, on
3986 the assumption the inputs are consumed before the outputs are produced.
3987 This assumption may be false if the assembler code actually consists of
3988 more than one instruction. In such a case, use @samp{&} for each output
3989 operand that may not overlap an input. @xref{Modifiers}.
3990
3991 If you want to test the condition code produced by an assembler
3992 instruction, you must include a branch and a label in the @code{asm}
3993 construct, as follows:
3994
3995 @example
3996 asm ("clr %0\n\tfrob %1\n\tbeq 0f\n\tmov #1,%0\n0:"
3997 : "g" (result)
3998 : "g" (input));
3999 @end example
4000
4001 @noindent
4002 This assumes your assembler supports local labels, as the GNU assembler
4003 and most Unix assemblers do.
4004
4005 Speaking of labels, jumps from one @code{asm} to another are not
4006 supported. The compiler's optimizers do not know about these jumps, and
4007 therefore they cannot take account of them when deciding how to
4008 optimize.
4009
4010 @cindex macros containing @code{asm}
4011 Usually the most convenient way to use these @code{asm} instructions is to
4012 encapsulate them in macros that look like functions. For example,
4013
4014 @example
4015 #define sin(x) \
4016 (@{ double __value, __arg = (x); \
4017 asm ("fsinx %1,%0": "=f" (__value): "f" (__arg)); \
4018 __value; @})
4019 @end example
4020
4021 @noindent
4022 Here the variable @code{__arg} is used to make sure that the instruction
4023 operates on a proper @code{double} value, and to accept only those
4024 arguments @code{x} which can convert automatically to a @code{double}.
4025
4026 Another way to make sure the instruction operates on the correct data
4027 type is to use a cast in the @code{asm}. This is different from using a
4028 variable @code{__arg} in that it converts more different types. For
4029 example, if the desired type were @code{int}, casting the argument to
4030 @code{int} would accept a pointer with no complaint, while assigning the
4031 argument to an @code{int} variable named @code{__arg} would warn about
4032 using a pointer unless the caller explicitly casts it.
4033
4034 If an @code{asm} has output operands, GCC assumes for optimization
4035 purposes the instruction has no side effects except to change the output
4036 operands. This does not mean instructions with a side effect cannot be
4037 used, but you must be careful, because the compiler may eliminate them
4038 if the output operands aren't used, or move them out of loops, or
4039 replace two with one if they constitute a common subexpression. Also,
4040 if your instruction does have a side effect on a variable that otherwise
4041 appears not to change, the old value of the variable may be reused later
4042 if it happens to be found in a register.
4043
4044 You can prevent an @code{asm} instruction from being deleted, moved
4045 significantly, or combined, by writing the keyword @code{volatile} after
4046 the @code{asm}. For example:
4047
4048 @example
4049 #define get_and_set_priority(new) \
4050 (@{ int __old; \
4051 asm volatile ("get_and_set_priority %0, %1" \
4052 : "=g" (__old) : "g" (new)); \
4053 __old; @})
4054 @end example
4055
4056 @noindent
4057 If you write an @code{asm} instruction with no outputs, GCC will know
4058 the instruction has side-effects and will not delete the instruction or
4059 move it outside of loops.
4060
4061 The @code{volatile} keyword indicates that the instruction has
4062 important side-effects. GCC will not delete a volatile @code{asm} if
4063 it is reachable. (The instruction can still be deleted if GCC can
4064 prove that control-flow will never reach the location of the
4065 instruction.) In addition, GCC will not reschedule instructions
4066 across a volatile @code{asm} instruction. For example:
4067
4068 @example
4069 *(volatile int *)addr = foo;
4070 asm volatile ("eieio" : : );
4071 @end example
4072
4073 @noindent
4074 Assume @code{addr} contains the address of a memory mapped device
4075 register. The PowerPC @code{eieio} instruction (Enforce In-order
4076 Execution of I/O) tells the CPU to make sure that the store to that
4077 device register happens before it issues any other I/O@.
4078
4079 Note that even a volatile @code{asm} instruction can be moved in ways
4080 that appear insignificant to the compiler, such as across jump
4081 instructions. You can't expect a sequence of volatile @code{asm}
4082 instructions to remain perfectly consecutive. If you want consecutive
4083 output, use a single @code{asm}. Also, GCC will perform some
4084 optimizations across a volatile @code{asm} instruction; GCC does not
4085 ``forget everything'' when it encounters a volatile @code{asm}
4086 instruction the way some other compilers do.
4087
4088 An @code{asm} instruction without any operands or clobbers (an ``old
4089 style'' @code{asm}) will be treated identically to a volatile
4090 @code{asm} instruction.
4091
4092 It is a natural idea to look for a way to give access to the condition
4093 code left by the assembler instruction. However, when we attempted to
4094 implement this, we found no way to make it work reliably. The problem
4095 is that output operands might need reloading, which would result in
4096 additional following ``store'' instructions. On most machines, these
4097 instructions would alter the condition code before there was time to
4098 test it. This problem doesn't arise for ordinary ``test'' and
4099 ``compare'' instructions because they don't have any output operands.
4100
4101 For reasons similar to those described above, it is not possible to give
4102 an assembler instruction access to the condition code left by previous
4103 instructions.
4104
4105 If you are writing a header file that should be includable in ISO C
4106 programs, write @code{__asm__} instead of @code{asm}. @xref{Alternate
4107 Keywords}.
4108
4109 @subsection i386 floating point asm operands
4110
4111 There are several rules on the usage of stack-like regs in
4112 asm_operands insns. These rules apply only to the operands that are
4113 stack-like regs:
4114
4115 @enumerate
4116 @item
4117 Given a set of input regs that die in an asm_operands, it is
4118 necessary to know which are implicitly popped by the asm, and
4119 which must be explicitly popped by gcc.
4120
4121 An input reg that is implicitly popped by the asm must be
4122 explicitly clobbered, unless it is constrained to match an
4123 output operand.
4124
4125 @item
4126 For any input reg that is implicitly popped by an asm, it is
4127 necessary to know how to adjust the stack to compensate for the pop.
4128 If any non-popped input is closer to the top of the reg-stack than
4129 the implicitly popped reg, it would not be possible to know what the
4130 stack looked like---it's not clear how the rest of the stack ``slides
4131 up''.
4132
4133 All implicitly popped input regs must be closer to the top of
4134 the reg-stack than any input that is not implicitly popped.
4135
4136 It is possible that if an input dies in an insn, reload might
4137 use the input reg for an output reload. Consider this example:
4138
4139 @example
4140 asm ("foo" : "=t" (a) : "f" (b));
4141 @end example
4142
4143 This asm says that input B is not popped by the asm, and that
4144 the asm pushes a result onto the reg-stack, i.e., the stack is one
4145 deeper after the asm than it was before. But, it is possible that
4146 reload will think that it can use the same reg for both the input and
4147 the output, if input B dies in this insn.
4148
4149 If any input operand uses the @code{f} constraint, all output reg
4150 constraints must use the @code{&} earlyclobber.
4151
4152 The asm above would be written as
4153
4154 @example
4155 asm ("foo" : "=&t" (a) : "f" (b));
4156 @end example
4157
4158 @item
4159 Some operands need to be in particular places on the stack. All
4160 output operands fall in this category---there is no other way to
4161 know which regs the outputs appear in unless the user indicates
4162 this in the constraints.
4163
4164 Output operands must specifically indicate which reg an output
4165 appears in after an asm. @code{=f} is not allowed: the operand
4166 constraints must select a class with a single reg.
4167
4168 @item
4169 Output operands may not be ``inserted'' between existing stack regs.
4170 Since no 387 opcode uses a read/write operand, all output operands
4171 are dead before the asm_operands, and are pushed by the asm_operands.
4172 It makes no sense to push anywhere but the top of the reg-stack.
4173
4174 Output operands must start at the top of the reg-stack: output
4175 operands may not ``skip'' a reg.
4176
4177 @item
4178 Some asm statements may need extra stack space for internal
4179 calculations. This can be guaranteed by clobbering stack registers
4180 unrelated to the inputs and outputs.
4181
4182 @end enumerate
4183
4184 Here are a couple of reasonable asms to want to write. This asm
4185 takes one input, which is internally popped, and produces two outputs.
4186
4187 @example
4188 asm ("fsincos" : "=t" (cos), "=u" (sin) : "0" (inp));
4189 @end example
4190
4191 This asm takes two inputs, which are popped by the @code{fyl2xp1} opcode,
4192 and replaces them with one output. The user must code the @code{st(1)}
4193 clobber for reg-stack.c to know that @code{fyl2xp1} pops both inputs.
4194
4195 @example
4196 asm ("fyl2xp1" : "=t" (result) : "0" (x), "u" (y) : "st(1)");
4197 @end example
4198
4199 @include md.texi
4200
4201 @node Asm Labels
4202 @section Controlling Names Used in Assembler Code
4203 @cindex assembler names for identifiers
4204 @cindex names used in assembler code
4205 @cindex identifiers, names in assembler code
4206
4207 You can specify the name to be used in the assembler code for a C
4208 function or variable by writing the @code{asm} (or @code{__asm__})
4209 keyword after the declarator as follows:
4210
4211 @example
4212 int foo asm ("myfoo") = 2;
4213 @end example
4214
4215 @noindent
4216 This specifies that the name to be used for the variable @code{foo} in
4217 the assembler code should be @samp{myfoo} rather than the usual
4218 @samp{_foo}.
4219
4220 On systems where an underscore is normally prepended to the name of a C
4221 function or variable, this feature allows you to define names for the
4222 linker that do not start with an underscore.
4223
4224 It does not make sense to use this feature with a non-static local
4225 variable since such variables do not have assembler names. If you are
4226 trying to put the variable in a particular register, see @ref{Explicit
4227 Reg Vars}. GCC presently accepts such code with a warning, but will
4228 probably be changed to issue an error, rather than a warning, in the
4229 future.
4230
4231 You cannot use @code{asm} in this way in a function @emph{definition}; but
4232 you can get the same effect by writing a declaration for the function
4233 before its definition and putting @code{asm} there, like this:
4234
4235 @example
4236 extern func () asm ("FUNC");
4237
4238 func (x, y)
4239 int x, y;
4240 /* @r{@dots{}} */
4241 @end example
4242
4243 It is up to you to make sure that the assembler names you choose do not
4244 conflict with any other assembler symbols. Also, you must not use a
4245 register name; that would produce completely invalid assembler code. GCC
4246 does not as yet have the ability to store static variables in registers.
4247 Perhaps that will be added.
4248
4249 @node Explicit Reg Vars
4250 @section Variables in Specified Registers
4251 @cindex explicit register variables
4252 @cindex variables in specified registers
4253 @cindex specified registers
4254 @cindex registers, global allocation
4255
4256 GNU C allows you to put a few global variables into specified hardware
4257 registers. You can also specify the register in which an ordinary
4258 register variable should be allocated.
4259
4260 @itemize @bullet
4261 @item
4262 Global register variables reserve registers throughout the program.
4263 This may be useful in programs such as programming language
4264 interpreters which have a couple of global variables that are accessed
4265 very often.
4266
4267 @item
4268 Local register variables in specific registers do not reserve the
4269 registers. The compiler's data flow analysis is capable of determining
4270 where the specified registers contain live values, and where they are
4271 available for other uses. Stores into local register variables may be deleted
4272 when they appear to be dead according to dataflow analysis. References
4273 to local register variables may be deleted or moved or simplified.
4274
4275 These local variables are sometimes convenient for use with the extended
4276 @code{asm} feature (@pxref{Extended Asm}), if you want to write one
4277 output of the assembler instruction directly into a particular register.
4278 (This will work provided the register you specify fits the constraints
4279 specified for that operand in the @code{asm}.)
4280 @end itemize
4281
4282 @menu
4283 * Global Reg Vars::
4284 * Local Reg Vars::
4285 @end menu
4286
4287 @node Global Reg Vars
4288 @subsection Defining Global Register Variables
4289 @cindex global register variables
4290 @cindex registers, global variables in
4291
4292 You can define a global register variable in GNU C like this:
4293
4294 @example
4295 register int *foo asm ("a5");
4296 @end example
4297
4298 @noindent
4299 Here @code{a5} is the name of the register which should be used. Choose a
4300 register which is normally saved and restored by function calls on your
4301 machine, so that library routines will not clobber it.
4302
4303 Naturally the register name is cpu-dependent, so you would need to
4304 conditionalize your program according to cpu type. The register
4305 @code{a5} would be a good choice on a 68000 for a variable of pointer
4306 type. On machines with register windows, be sure to choose a ``global''
4307 register that is not affected magically by the function call mechanism.
4308
4309 In addition, operating systems on one type of cpu may differ in how they
4310 name the registers; then you would need additional conditionals. For
4311 example, some 68000 operating systems call this register @code{%a5}.
4312
4313 Eventually there may be a way of asking the compiler to choose a register
4314 automatically, but first we need to figure out how it should choose and
4315 how to enable you to guide the choice. No solution is evident.
4316
4317 Defining a global register variable in a certain register reserves that
4318 register entirely for this use, at least within the current compilation.
4319 The register will not be allocated for any other purpose in the functions
4320 in the current compilation. The register will not be saved and restored by
4321 these functions. Stores into this register are never deleted even if they
4322 would appear to be dead, but references may be deleted or moved or
4323 simplified.
4324
4325 It is not safe to access the global register variables from signal
4326 handlers, or from more than one thread of control, because the system
4327 library routines may temporarily use the register for other things (unless
4328 you recompile them specially for the task at hand).
4329
4330 @cindex @code{qsort}, and global register variables
4331 It is not safe for one function that uses a global register variable to
4332 call another such function @code{foo} by way of a third function
4333 @code{lose} that was compiled without knowledge of this variable (i.e.@: in a
4334 different source file in which the variable wasn't declared). This is
4335 because @code{lose} might save the register and put some other value there.
4336 For example, you can't expect a global register variable to be available in
4337 the comparison-function that you pass to @code{qsort}, since @code{qsort}
4338 might have put something else in that register. (If you are prepared to
4339 recompile @code{qsort} with the same global register variable, you can
4340 solve this problem.)
4341
4342 If you want to recompile @code{qsort} or other source files which do not
4343 actually use your global register variable, so that they will not use that
4344 register for any other purpose, then it suffices to specify the compiler
4345 option @option{-ffixed-@var{reg}}. You need not actually add a global
4346 register declaration to their source code.
4347
4348 A function which can alter the value of a global register variable cannot
4349 safely be called from a function compiled without this variable, because it
4350 could clobber the value the caller expects to find there on return.
4351 Therefore, the function which is the entry point into the part of the
4352 program that uses the global register variable must explicitly save and
4353 restore the value which belongs to its caller.
4354
4355 @cindex register variable after @code{longjmp}
4356 @cindex global register after @code{longjmp}
4357 @cindex value after @code{longjmp}
4358 @findex longjmp
4359 @findex setjmp
4360 On most machines, @code{longjmp} will restore to each global register
4361 variable the value it had at the time of the @code{setjmp}. On some
4362 machines, however, @code{longjmp} will not change the value of global
4363 register variables. To be portable, the function that called @code{setjmp}
4364 should make other arrangements to save the values of the global register
4365 variables, and to restore them in a @code{longjmp}. This way, the same
4366 thing will happen regardless of what @code{longjmp} does.
4367
4368 All global register variable declarations must precede all function
4369 definitions. If such a declaration could appear after function
4370 definitions, the declaration would be too late to prevent the register from
4371 being used for other purposes in the preceding functions.
4372
4373 Global register variables may not have initial values, because an
4374 executable file has no means to supply initial contents for a register.
4375
4376 On the SPARC, there are reports that g3 @dots{} g7 are suitable
4377 registers, but certain library functions, such as @code{getwd}, as well
4378 as the subroutines for division and remainder, modify g3 and g4. g1 and
4379 g2 are local temporaries.
4380
4381 On the 68000, a2 @dots{} a5 should be suitable, as should d2 @dots{} d7.
4382 Of course, it will not do to use more than a few of those.
4383
4384 @node Local Reg Vars
4385 @subsection Specifying Registers for Local Variables
4386 @cindex local variables, specifying registers
4387 @cindex specifying registers for local variables
4388 @cindex registers for local variables
4389
4390 You can define a local register variable with a specified register
4391 like this:
4392
4393 @example
4394 register int *foo asm ("a5");
4395 @end example
4396
4397 @noindent
4398 Here @code{a5} is the name of the register which should be used. Note
4399 that this is the same syntax used for defining global register
4400 variables, but for a local variable it would appear within a function.
4401
4402 Naturally the register name is cpu-dependent, but this is not a
4403 problem, since specific registers are most often useful with explicit
4404 assembler instructions (@pxref{Extended Asm}). Both of these things
4405 generally require that you conditionalize your program according to
4406 cpu type.
4407
4408 In addition, operating systems on one type of cpu may differ in how they
4409 name the registers; then you would need additional conditionals. For
4410 example, some 68000 operating systems call this register @code{%a5}.
4411
4412 Defining such a register variable does not reserve the register; it
4413 remains available for other uses in places where flow control determines
4414 the variable's value is not live. However, these registers are made
4415 unavailable for use in the reload pass; excessive use of this feature
4416 leaves the compiler too few available registers to compile certain
4417 functions.
4418
4419 This option does not guarantee that GCC will generate code that has
4420 this variable in the register you specify at all times. You may not
4421 code an explicit reference to this register in an @code{asm} statement
4422 and assume it will always refer to this variable.
4423
4424 Stores into local register variables may be deleted when they appear to be dead
4425 according to dataflow analysis. References to local register variables may
4426 be deleted or moved or simplified.
4427
4428 @node Alternate Keywords
4429 @section Alternate Keywords
4430 @cindex alternate keywords
4431 @cindex keywords, alternate
4432
4433 @option{-ansi} and the various @option{-std} options disable certain
4434 keywords. This causes trouble when you want to use GNU C extensions, or
4435 a general-purpose header file that should be usable by all programs,
4436 including ISO C programs. The keywords @code{asm}, @code{typeof} and
4437 @code{inline} are not available in programs compiled with
4438 @option{-ansi} or @option{-std} (although @code{inline} can be used in a
4439 program compiled with @option{-std=c99}). The ISO C99 keyword
4440 @code{restrict} is only available when @option{-std=gnu99} (which will
4441 eventually be the default) or @option{-std=c99} (or the equivalent
4442 @option{-std=iso9899:1999}) is used.
4443
4444 The way to solve these problems is to put @samp{__} at the beginning and
4445 end of each problematical keyword. For example, use @code{__asm__}
4446 instead of @code{asm}, and @code{__inline__} instead of @code{inline}.
4447
4448 Other C compilers won't accept these alternative keywords; if you want to
4449 compile with another compiler, you can define the alternate keywords as
4450 macros to replace them with the customary keywords. It looks like this:
4451
4452 @example
4453 #ifndef __GNUC__
4454 #define __asm__ asm
4455 #endif
4456 @end example
4457
4458 @findex __extension__
4459 @opindex pedantic
4460 @option{-pedantic} and other options cause warnings for many GNU C extensions.
4461 You can
4462 prevent such warnings within one expression by writing
4463 @code{__extension__} before the expression. @code{__extension__} has no
4464 effect aside from this.
4465
4466 @node Incomplete Enums
4467 @section Incomplete @code{enum} Types
4468
4469 You can define an @code{enum} tag without specifying its possible values.
4470 This results in an incomplete type, much like what you get if you write
4471 @code{struct foo} without describing the elements. A later declaration
4472 which does specify the possible values completes the type.
4473
4474 You can't allocate variables or storage using the type while it is
4475 incomplete. However, you can work with pointers to that type.
4476
4477 This extension may not be very useful, but it makes the handling of
4478 @code{enum} more consistent with the way @code{struct} and @code{union}
4479 are handled.
4480
4481 This extension is not supported by GNU C++.
4482
4483 @node Function Names
4484 @section Function Names as Strings
4485 @cindex @code{__func__} identifier
4486 @cindex @code{__FUNCTION__} identifier
4487 @cindex @code{__PRETTY_FUNCTION__} identifier
4488
4489 GCC provides three magic variables which hold the name of the current
4490 function, as a string. The first of these is @code{__func__}, which
4491 is part of the C99 standard:
4492
4493 @display
4494 The identifier @code{__func__} is implicitly declared by the translator
4495 as if, immediately following the opening brace of each function
4496 definition, the declaration
4497
4498 @smallexample
4499 static const char __func__[] = "function-name";
4500 @end smallexample
4501
4502 appeared, where function-name is the name of the lexically-enclosing
4503 function. This name is the unadorned name of the function.
4504 @end display
4505
4506 @code{__FUNCTION__} is another name for @code{__func__}. Older
4507 versions of GCC recognize only this name. However, it is not
4508 standardized. For maximum portability, we recommend you use
4509 @code{__func__}, but provide a fallback definition with the
4510 preprocessor:
4511
4512 @smallexample
4513 #if __STDC_VERSION__ < 199901L
4514 # if __GNUC__ >= 2
4515 # define __func__ __FUNCTION__
4516 # else
4517 # define __func__ "<unknown>"
4518 # endif
4519 #endif
4520 @end smallexample
4521
4522 In C, @code{__PRETTY_FUNCTION__} is yet another name for
4523 @code{__func__}. However, in C++, @code{__PRETTY_FUNCTION__} contains
4524 the type signature of the function as well as its bare name. For
4525 example, this program:
4526
4527 @smallexample
4528 extern "C" @{
4529 extern int printf (char *, ...);
4530 @}
4531
4532 class a @{
4533 public:
4534 void sub (int i)
4535 @{
4536 printf ("__FUNCTION__ = %s\n", __FUNCTION__);
4537 printf ("__PRETTY_FUNCTION__ = %s\n", __PRETTY_FUNCTION__);
4538 @}
4539 @};
4540
4541 int
4542 main (void)
4543 @{
4544 a ax;
4545 ax.sub (0);
4546 return 0;
4547 @}
4548 @end smallexample
4549
4550 @noindent
4551 gives this output:
4552
4553 @smallexample
4554 __FUNCTION__ = sub
4555 __PRETTY_FUNCTION__ = void a::sub(int)
4556 @end smallexample
4557
4558 These identifiers are not preprocessor macros. In GCC 3.3 and
4559 earlier, in C only, @code{__FUNCTION__} and @code{__PRETTY_FUNCTION__}
4560 were treated as string literals; they could be used to initialize
4561 @code{char} arrays, and they could be concatenated with other string
4562 literals. GCC 3.4 and later treat them as variables, like
4563 @code{__func__}. In C++, @code{__FUNCTION__} and
4564 @code{__PRETTY_FUNCTION__} have always been variables.
4565
4566 @node Return Address
4567 @section Getting the Return or Frame Address of a Function
4568
4569 These functions may be used to get information about the callers of a
4570 function.
4571
4572 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} {void *} __builtin_return_address (unsigned int @var{level})
4573 This function returns the return address of the current function, or of
4574 one of its callers. The @var{level} argument is number of frames to
4575 scan up the call stack. A value of @code{0} yields the return address
4576 of the current function, a value of @code{1} yields the return address
4577 of the caller of the current function, and so forth. When inlining
4578 the expected behavior is that the function will return the address of
4579 the function that will be returned to. To work around this behavior use
4580 the @code{noinline} function attribute.
4581
4582 The @var{level} argument must be a constant integer.
4583
4584 On some machines it may be impossible to determine the return address of
4585 any function other than the current one; in such cases, or when the top
4586 of the stack has been reached, this function will return @code{0} or a
4587 random value. In addition, @code{__builtin_frame_address} may be used
4588 to determine if the top of the stack has been reached.
4589
4590 This function should only be used with a nonzero argument for debugging
4591 purposes.
4592 @end deftypefn
4593
4594 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} {void *} __builtin_frame_address (unsigned int @var{level})
4595 This function is similar to @code{__builtin_return_address}, but it
4596 returns the address of the function frame rather than the return address
4597 of the function. Calling @code{__builtin_frame_address} with a value of
4598 @code{0} yields the frame address of the current function, a value of
4599 @code{1} yields the frame address of the caller of the current function,
4600 and so forth.
4601
4602 The frame is the area on the stack which holds local variables and saved
4603 registers. The frame address is normally the address of the first word
4604 pushed on to the stack by the function. However, the exact definition
4605 depends upon the processor and the calling convention. If the processor
4606 has a dedicated frame pointer register, and the function has a frame,
4607 then @code{__builtin_frame_address} will return the value of the frame
4608 pointer register.
4609
4610 On some machines it may be impossible to determine the frame address of
4611 any function other than the current one; in such cases, or when the top
4612 of the stack has been reached, this function will return @code{0} if
4613 the first frame pointer is properly initialized by the startup code.
4614
4615 This function should only be used with a nonzero argument for debugging
4616 purposes.
4617 @end deftypefn
4618
4619 @node Vector Extensions
4620 @section Using vector instructions through built-in functions
4621
4622 On some targets, the instruction set contains SIMD vector instructions that
4623 operate on multiple values contained in one large register at the same time.
4624 For example, on the i386 the MMX, 3Dnow! and SSE extensions can be used
4625 this way.
4626
4627 The first step in using these extensions is to provide the necessary data
4628 types. This should be done using an appropriate @code{typedef}:
4629
4630 @example
4631 typedef int v4si __attribute__ ((mode(V4SI)));
4632 @end example
4633
4634 The base type @code{int} is effectively ignored by the compiler, the
4635 actual properties of the new type @code{v4si} are defined by the
4636 @code{__attribute__}. It defines the machine mode to be used; for vector
4637 types these have the form @code{V@var{n}@var{B}}; @var{n} should be the
4638 number of elements in the vector, and @var{B} should be the base mode of the
4639 individual elements. The following can be used as base modes:
4640
4641 @table @code
4642 @item QI
4643 An integer that is as wide as the smallest addressable unit, usually 8 bits.
4644 @item HI
4645 An integer, twice as wide as a QI mode integer, usually 16 bits.
4646 @item SI
4647 An integer, four times as wide as a QI mode integer, usually 32 bits.
4648 @item DI
4649 An integer, eight times as wide as a QI mode integer, usually 64 bits.
4650 @item SF
4651 A floating point value, as wide as a SI mode integer, usually 32 bits.
4652 @item DF
4653 A floating point value, as wide as a DI mode integer, usually 64 bits.
4654 @end table
4655
4656 Specifying a combination that is not valid for the current architecture
4657 will cause gcc to synthesize the instructions using a narrower mode.
4658 For example, if you specify a variable of type @code{V4SI} and your
4659 architecture does not allow for this specific SIMD type, gcc will
4660 produce code that uses 4 @code{SIs}.
4661
4662 The types defined in this manner can be used with a subset of normal C
4663 operations. Currently, gcc will allow using the following operators on
4664 these types: @code{+, -, *, /, unary minus}@.
4665
4666 The operations behave like C++ @code{valarrays}. Addition is defined as
4667 the addition of the corresponding elements of the operands. For
4668 example, in the code below, each of the 4 elements in @var{a} will be
4669 added to the corresponding 4 elements in @var{b} and the resulting
4670 vector will be stored in @var{c}.
4671
4672 @example
4673 typedef int v4si __attribute__ ((mode(V4SI)));
4674
4675 v4si a, b, c;
4676
4677 c = a + b;
4678 @end example
4679
4680 Subtraction, multiplication, and division operate in a similar manner.
4681 Likewise, the result of using the unary minus operator on a vector type
4682 is a vector whose elements are the negative value of the corresponding
4683 elements in the operand.
4684
4685 You can declare variables and use them in function calls and returns, as
4686 well as in assignments and some casts. You can specify a vector type as
4687 a return type for a function. Vector types can also be used as function
4688 arguments. It is possible to cast from one vector type to another,
4689 provided they are of the same size (in fact, you can also cast vectors
4690 to and from other datatypes of the same size).
4691
4692 You cannot operate between vectors of different lengths or different
4693 signedness without a cast.
4694
4695 A port that supports hardware vector operations, usually provides a set
4696 of built-in functions that can be used to operate on vectors. For
4697 example, a function to add two vectors and multiply the result by a
4698 third could look like this:
4699
4700 @example
4701 v4si f (v4si a, v4si b, v4si c)
4702 @{
4703 v4si tmp = __builtin_addv4si (a, b);
4704 return __builtin_mulv4si (tmp, c);
4705 @}
4706
4707 @end example
4708
4709 @node Other Builtins
4710 @section Other built-in functions provided by GCC
4711 @cindex built-in functions
4712 @findex __builtin_isgreater
4713 @findex __builtin_isgreaterequal
4714 @findex __builtin_isless
4715 @findex __builtin_islessequal
4716 @findex __builtin_islessgreater
4717 @findex __builtin_isunordered
4718 @findex abort
4719 @findex abs
4720 @findex alloca
4721 @findex atan
4722 @findex atan2
4723 @findex atan2f
4724 @findex atan2l
4725 @findex atanf
4726 @findex atanl
4727 @findex bcmp
4728 @findex bzero
4729 @findex cabs
4730 @findex cabsf
4731 @findex cabsl
4732 @findex calloc
4733 @findex ceil
4734 @findex ceilf
4735 @findex ceill
4736 @findex cimag
4737 @findex cimagf
4738 @findex cimagl
4739 @findex conj
4740 @findex conjf
4741 @findex conjl
4742 @findex cos
4743 @findex cosf
4744 @findex cosl
4745 @findex creal
4746 @findex crealf
4747 @findex creall
4748 @findex exit
4749 @findex _exit
4750 @findex _Exit
4751 @findex exp
4752 @findex expf
4753 @findex expl
4754 @findex fabs
4755 @findex fabsf
4756 @findex fabsl
4757 @findex ffs
4758 @findex floor
4759 @findex floorf
4760 @findex floorl
4761 @findex fmod
4762 @findex fmodf
4763 @findex fmodl
4764 @findex fprintf
4765 @findex fprintf_unlocked
4766 @findex fputs
4767 @findex fputs_unlocked
4768 @findex imaxabs
4769 @findex index
4770 @findex labs
4771 @findex llabs
4772 @findex log
4773 @findex logf
4774 @findex logl
4775 @findex malloc
4776 @findex memcmp
4777 @findex memcpy
4778 @findex mempcpy
4779 @findex memset
4780 @findex nearbyint
4781 @findex nearbyintf
4782 @findex nearbyintl
4783 @findex pow
4784 @findex powf
4785 @findex powl
4786 @findex printf
4787 @findex printf_unlocked
4788 @findex putchar
4789 @findex puts
4790 @findex rindex
4791 @findex round
4792 @findex roundf
4793 @findex roundl
4794 @findex scanf
4795 @findex sin
4796 @findex sinf
4797 @findex sinl
4798 @findex snprintf
4799 @findex sprintf
4800 @findex sqrt
4801 @findex sqrtf
4802 @findex sqrtl
4803 @findex sscanf
4804 @findex stpcpy
4805 @findex strcat
4806 @findex strchr
4807 @findex strcmp
4808 @findex strcpy
4809 @findex strcspn
4810 @findex strdup
4811 @findex strlen
4812 @findex strncat
4813 @findex strncmp
4814 @findex strncpy
4815 @findex strpbrk
4816 @findex strrchr
4817 @findex strspn
4818 @findex strstr
4819 @findex tan
4820 @findex tanf
4821 @findex tanl
4822 @findex trunc
4823 @findex truncf
4824 @findex truncl
4825 @findex vprintf
4826 @findex vscanf
4827 @findex vsnprintf
4828 @findex vsprintf
4829 @findex vsscanf
4830
4831 GCC provides a large number of built-in functions other than the ones
4832 mentioned above. Some of these are for internal use in the processing
4833 of exceptions or variable-length argument lists and will not be
4834 documented here because they may change from time to time; we do not
4835 recommend general use of these functions.
4836
4837 The remaining functions are provided for optimization purposes.
4838
4839 @opindex fno-builtin
4840 GCC includes built-in versions of many of the functions in the standard
4841 C library. The versions prefixed with @code{__builtin_} will always be
4842 treated as having the same meaning as the C library function even if you
4843 specify the @option{-fno-builtin} option. (@pxref{C Dialect Options})
4844 Many of these functions are only optimized in certain cases; if they are
4845 not optimized in a particular case, a call to the library function will
4846 be emitted.
4847
4848 @opindex ansi
4849 @opindex std
4850 Outside strict ISO C mode (@option{-ansi}, @option{-std=c89} or
4851 @option{-std=c99}), the functions @code{alloca}, @code{bcmp},
4852 @code{bzero}, @code{_exit}, @code{ffs}, @code{fprintf_unlocked},
4853 @code{fputs_unlocked}, @code{index}, @code{mempcpy}, @code{printf_unlocked},
4854 @code{rindex}, @code{stpcpy} and @code{strdup}
4855 may be handled as built-in functions.
4856 All these functions have corresponding versions
4857 prefixed with @code{__builtin_}, which may be used even in strict C89
4858 mode.
4859
4860 The ISO C99 functions
4861 @code{cabs}, @code{cabsf}, @code{cabsl},
4862 @code{conj}, @code{conjf}, @code{conjl},
4863 @code{creal}, @code{crealf}, @code{creall},
4864 @code{cimag}, @code{cimagf}, @code{cimagl},
4865 @code{_Exit}, @code{imaxabs}, @code{llabs},
4866 @code{nearbyint}, @code{nearbyintf}, @code{nearbyintl},
4867 @code{round}, @code{roundf}, @code{roundl}, @code{snprintf},
4868 @code{trunc}, @code{truncf}, @code{truncl},
4869 @code{vscanf}, @code{vsnprintf} and @code{vsscanf}
4870 are handled as built-in functions
4871 except in strict ISO C90 mode (@option{-ansi} or @option{-std=c89}).
4872
4873 There are also built-in versions of the ISO C99 functions @code{atan2f},
4874 @code{atan2l}, @code{atanf}, @code{atanl}, @code{ceilf}, @code{ceill},
4875 @code{cosf}, @code{cosl},
4876 @code{expf}, @code{expl}, @code{fabsf}, @code{fabsl}, @code{floorf},
4877 @code{floorl}, @code{fmodf}, @code{fmodl},
4878 @code{logf}, @code{logl}, @code{powf}, @code{powl},
4879 @code{sinf}, @code{sinl}, @code{sqrtf}, @code{sqrtl},
4880 @code{tanf} and @code{tanl}
4881 that are recognized in any mode since ISO C90 reserves these names for
4882 the purpose to which ISO C99 puts them. All these functions have
4883 corresponding versions prefixed with @code{__builtin_}.
4884
4885 The ISO C90 functions @code{abort}, @code{abs}, @code{atan}, @code{atan2},
4886 @code{calloc}, @code{ceil}, @code{cos}, @code{exit},
4887 @code{exp}, @code{fabs}, @code{floor}, @code{fmod},
4888 @code{fprintf}, @code{fputs}, @code{labs}, @code{log}, @code{malloc},
4889 @code{memcmp}, @code{memcpy}, @code{memset}, @code{pow}, @code{printf},
4890 @code{putchar}, @code{puts}, @code{scanf}, @code{sin}, @code{snprintf},
4891 @code{sprintf}, @code{sqrt}, @code{sscanf},
4892 @code{strcat}, @code{strchr}, @code{strcmp},
4893 @code{strcpy}, @code{strcspn}, @code{strlen}, @code{strncat}, @code{strncmp},
4894 @code{strncpy}, @code{strpbrk}, @code{strrchr}, @code{strspn}, @code{strstr},
4895 @code{tan}, @code{vprintf} and @code{vsprintf}
4896 are all recognized as built-in functions unless
4897 @option{-fno-builtin} is specified (or @option{-fno-builtin-@var{function}}
4898 is specified for an individual function). All of these functions have
4899 corresponding versions prefixed with @code{__builtin_}.
4900
4901 GCC provides built-in versions of the ISO C99 floating point comparison
4902 macros that avoid raising exceptions for unordered operands. They have
4903 the same names as the standard macros ( @code{isgreater},
4904 @code{isgreaterequal}, @code{isless}, @code{islessequal},
4905 @code{islessgreater}, and @code{isunordered}) , with @code{__builtin_}
4906 prefixed. We intend for a library implementor to be able to simply
4907 @code{#define} each standard macro to its built-in equivalent.
4908
4909 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_types_compatible_p (@var{type1}, @var{type2})
4910
4911 You can use the built-in function @code{__builtin_types_compatible_p} to
4912 determine whether two types are the same.
4913
4914 This built-in function returns 1 if the unqualified versions of the
4915 types @var{type1} and @var{type2} (which are types, not expressions) are
4916 compatible, 0 otherwise. The result of this built-in function can be
4917 used in integer constant expressions.
4918
4919 This built-in function ignores top level qualifiers (e.g., @code{const},
4920 @code{volatile}). For example, @code{int} is equivalent to @code{const
4921 int}.
4922
4923 The type @code{int[]} and @code{int[5]} are compatible. On the other
4924 hand, @code{int} and @code{char *} are not compatible, even if the size
4925 of their types, on the particular architecture are the same. Also, the
4926 amount of pointer indirection is taken into account when determining
4927 similarity. Consequently, @code{short *} is not similar to
4928 @code{short **}. Furthermore, two types that are typedefed are
4929 considered compatible if their underlying types are compatible.
4930
4931 An @code{enum} type is considered to be compatible with another
4932 @code{enum} type. For example, @code{enum @{foo, bar@}} is similar to
4933 @code{enum @{hot, dog@}}.
4934
4935 You would typically use this function in code whose execution varies
4936 depending on the arguments' types. For example:
4937
4938 @smallexample
4939 #define foo(x) \
4940 (@{ \
4941 typeof (x) tmp; \
4942 if (__builtin_types_compatible_p (typeof (x), long double)) \
4943 tmp = foo_long_double (tmp); \
4944 else if (__builtin_types_compatible_p (typeof (x), double)) \
4945 tmp = foo_double (tmp); \
4946 else if (__builtin_types_compatible_p (typeof (x), float)) \
4947 tmp = foo_float (tmp); \
4948 else \
4949 abort (); \
4950 tmp; \
4951 @})
4952 @end smallexample
4953
4954 @emph{Note:} This construct is only available for C.
4955
4956 @end deftypefn
4957
4958 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} @var{type} __builtin_choose_expr (@var{const_exp}, @var{exp1}, @var{exp2})
4959
4960 You can use the built-in function @code{__builtin_choose_expr} to
4961 evaluate code depending on the value of a constant expression. This
4962 built-in function returns @var{exp1} if @var{const_exp}, which is a
4963 constant expression that must be able to be determined at compile time,
4964 is nonzero. Otherwise it returns 0.
4965
4966 This built-in function is analogous to the @samp{? :} operator in C,
4967 except that the expression returned has its type unaltered by promotion
4968 rules. Also, the built-in function does not evaluate the expression
4969 that was not chosen. For example, if @var{const_exp} evaluates to true,
4970 @var{exp2} is not evaluated even if it has side-effects.
4971
4972 This built-in function can return an lvalue if the chosen argument is an
4973 lvalue.
4974
4975 If @var{exp1} is returned, the return type is the same as @var{exp1}'s
4976 type. Similarly, if @var{exp2} is returned, its return type is the same
4977 as @var{exp2}.
4978
4979 Example:
4980
4981 @smallexample
4982 #define foo(x) \
4983 __builtin_choose_expr ( \
4984 __builtin_types_compatible_p (typeof (x), double), \
4985 foo_double (x), \
4986 __builtin_choose_expr ( \
4987 __builtin_types_compatible_p (typeof (x), float), \
4988 foo_float (x), \
4989 /* @r{The void expression results in a compile-time error} \
4990 @r{when assigning the result to something.} */ \
4991 (void)0))
4992 @end smallexample
4993
4994 @emph{Note:} This construct is only available for C. Furthermore, the
4995 unused expression (@var{exp1} or @var{exp2} depending on the value of
4996 @var{const_exp}) may still generate syntax errors. This may change in
4997 future revisions.
4998
4999 @end deftypefn
5000
5001 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_constant_p (@var{exp})
5002 You can use the built-in function @code{__builtin_constant_p} to
5003 determine if a value is known to be constant at compile-time and hence
5004 that GCC can perform constant-folding on expressions involving that
5005 value. The argument of the function is the value to test. The function
5006 returns the integer 1 if the argument is known to be a compile-time
5007 constant and 0 if it is not known to be a compile-time constant. A
5008 return of 0 does not indicate that the value is @emph{not} a constant,
5009 but merely that GCC cannot prove it is a constant with the specified
5010 value of the @option{-O} option.
5011
5012 You would typically use this function in an embedded application where
5013 memory was a critical resource. If you have some complex calculation,
5014 you may want it to be folded if it involves constants, but need to call
5015 a function if it does not. For example:
5016
5017 @smallexample
5018 #define Scale_Value(X) \
5019 (__builtin_constant_p (X) \
5020 ? ((X) * SCALE + OFFSET) : Scale (X))
5021 @end smallexample
5022
5023 You may use this built-in function in either a macro or an inline
5024 function. However, if you use it in an inlined function and pass an
5025 argument of the function as the argument to the built-in, GCC will
5026 never return 1 when you call the inline function with a string constant
5027 or compound literal (@pxref{Compound Literals}) and will not return 1
5028 when you pass a constant numeric value to the inline function unless you
5029 specify the @option{-O} option.
5030
5031 You may also use @code{__builtin_constant_p} in initializers for static
5032 data. For instance, you can write
5033
5034 @smallexample
5035 static const int table[] = @{
5036 __builtin_constant_p (EXPRESSION) ? (EXPRESSION) : -1,
5037 /* @r{@dots{}} */
5038 @};
5039 @end smallexample
5040
5041 @noindent
5042 This is an acceptable initializer even if @var{EXPRESSION} is not a
5043 constant expression. GCC must be more conservative about evaluating the
5044 built-in in this case, because it has no opportunity to perform
5045 optimization.
5046
5047 Previous versions of GCC did not accept this built-in in data
5048 initializers. The earliest version where it is completely safe is
5049 3.0.1.
5050 @end deftypefn
5051
5052 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} long __builtin_expect (long @var{exp}, long @var{c})
5053 @opindex fprofile-arcs
5054 You may use @code{__builtin_expect} to provide the compiler with
5055 branch prediction information. In general, you should prefer to
5056 use actual profile feedback for this (@option{-fprofile-arcs}), as
5057 programmers are notoriously bad at predicting how their programs
5058 actually perform. However, there are applications in which this
5059 data is hard to collect.
5060
5061 The return value is the value of @var{exp}, which should be an
5062 integral expression. The value of @var{c} must be a compile-time
5063 constant. The semantics of the built-in are that it is expected
5064 that @var{exp} == @var{c}. For example:
5065
5066 @smallexample
5067 if (__builtin_expect (x, 0))
5068 foo ();
5069 @end smallexample
5070
5071 @noindent
5072 would indicate that we do not expect to call @code{foo}, since
5073 we expect @code{x} to be zero. Since you are limited to integral
5074 expressions for @var{exp}, you should use constructions such as
5075
5076 @smallexample
5077 if (__builtin_expect (ptr != NULL, 1))
5078 error ();
5079 @end smallexample
5080
5081 @noindent
5082 when testing pointer or floating-point values.
5083 @end deftypefn
5084
5085 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} void __builtin_prefetch (const void *@var{addr}, ...)
5086 This function is used to minimize cache-miss latency by moving data into
5087 a cache before it is accessed.
5088 You can insert calls to @code{__builtin_prefetch} into code for which
5089 you know addresses of data in memory that is likely to be accessed soon.
5090 If the target supports them, data prefetch instructions will be generated.
5091 If the prefetch is done early enough before the access then the data will
5092 be in the cache by the time it is accessed.
5093
5094 The value of @var{addr} is the address of the memory to prefetch.
5095 There are two optional arguments, @var{rw} and @var{locality}.
5096 The value of @var{rw} is a compile-time constant one or zero; one
5097 means that the prefetch is preparing for a write to the memory address
5098 and zero, the default, means that the prefetch is preparing for a read.
5099 The value @var{locality} must be a compile-time constant integer between
5100 zero and three. A value of zero means that the data has no temporal
5101 locality, so it need not be left in the cache after the access. A value
5102 of three means that the data has a high degree of temporal locality and
5103 should be left in all levels of cache possible. Values of one and two
5104 mean, respectively, a low or moderate degree of temporal locality. The
5105 default is three.
5106
5107 @smallexample
5108 for (i = 0; i < n; i++)
5109 @{
5110 a[i] = a[i] + b[i];
5111 __builtin_prefetch (&a[i+j], 1, 1);
5112 __builtin_prefetch (&b[i+j], 0, 1);
5113 /* @r{@dots{}} */
5114 @}
5115 @end smallexample
5116
5117 Data prefetch does not generate faults if @var{addr} is invalid, but
5118 the address expression itself must be valid. For example, a prefetch
5119 of @code{p->next} will not fault if @code{p->next} is not a valid
5120 address, but evaluation will fault if @code{p} is not a valid address.
5121
5122 If the target does not support data prefetch, the address expression
5123 is evaluated if it includes side effects but no other code is generated
5124 and GCC does not issue a warning.
5125 @end deftypefn
5126
5127 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} double __builtin_huge_val (void)
5128 Returns a positive infinity, if supported by the floating-point format,
5129 else @code{DBL_MAX}. This function is suitable for implementing the
5130 ISO C macro @code{HUGE_VAL}.
5131 @end deftypefn
5132
5133 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} float __builtin_huge_valf (void)
5134 Similar to @code{__builtin_huge_val}, except the return type is @code{float}.
5135 @end deftypefn
5136
5137 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} {long double} __builtin_huge_vall (void)
5138 Similar to @code{__builtin_huge_val}, except the return
5139 type is @code{long double}.
5140 @end deftypefn
5141
5142 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} double __builtin_inf (void)
5143 Similar to @code{__builtin_huge_val}, except a warning is generated
5144 if the target floating-point format does not support infinities.
5145 This function is suitable for implementing the ISO C99 macro @code{INFINITY}.
5146 @end deftypefn
5147
5148 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} float __builtin_inff (void)
5149 Similar to @code{__builtin_inf}, except the return type is @code{float}.
5150 @end deftypefn
5151
5152 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} {long double} __builtin_infl (void)
5153 Similar to @code{__builtin_inf}, except the return
5154 type is @code{long double}.
5155 @end deftypefn
5156
5157 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} double __builtin_nan (const char *str)
5158 This is an implementation of the ISO C99 function @code{nan}.
5159
5160 Since ISO C99 defines this function in terms of @code{strtod}, which we
5161 do not implement, a description of the parsing is in order. The string
5162 is parsed as by @code{strtol}; that is, the base is recognized by
5163 leading @samp{0} or @samp{0x} prefixes. The number parsed is placed
5164 in the significand such that the least significant bit of the number
5165 is at the least significant bit of the significand. The number is
5166 truncated to fit the significand field provided. The significand is
5167 forced to be a quiet NaN.
5168
5169 This function, if given a string literal, is evaluated early enough
5170 that it is considered a compile-time constant.
5171 @end deftypefn
5172
5173 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} float __builtin_nanf (const char *str)
5174 Similar to @code{__builtin_nan}, except the return type is @code{float}.
5175 @end deftypefn
5176
5177 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} {long double} __builtin_nanl (const char *str)
5178 Similar to @code{__builtin_nan}, except the return type is @code{long double}.
5179 @end deftypefn
5180
5181 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} double __builtin_nans (const char *str)
5182 Similar to @code{__builtin_nan}, except the significand is forced
5183 to be a signaling NaN. The @code{nans} function is proposed by
5184 @uref{http://std.dkuug.dk/JTC1/SC22/WG14/www/docs/n965.htm,,WG14 N965}.
5185 @end deftypefn
5186
5187 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} float __builtin_nansf (const char *str)
5188 Similar to @code{__builtin_nans}, except the return type is @code{float}.
5189 @end deftypefn
5190
5191 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} {long double} __builtin_nansl (const char *str)
5192 Similar to @code{__builtin_nans}, except the return type is @code{long double}.
5193 @end deftypefn
5194
5195 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_ffs (unsigned int x)
5196 Returns one plus the index of the least significant 1-bit of @var{x}, or
5197 if @var{x} is zero, returns zero.
5198 @end deftypefn
5199
5200 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_clz (unsigned int x)
5201 Returns the number of leading 0-bits in @var{x}, starting at the most
5202 significant bit position. If @var{x} is 0, the result is undefined.
5203 @end deftypefn
5204
5205 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_ctz (unsigned int x)
5206 Returns the number of trailing 0-bits in @var{x}, starting at the least
5207 significant bit position. If @var{x} is 0, the result is undefined.
5208 @end deftypefn
5209
5210 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_popcount (unsigned int x)
5211 Returns the number of 1-bits in @var{x}.
5212 @end deftypefn
5213
5214 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_parity (unsigned int x)
5215 Returns the parity of @var{x}, i.@:e. the number of 1-bits in @var{x}
5216 modulo 2.
5217 @end deftypefn
5218
5219 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_ffsl (unsigned long)
5220 Similar to @code{__builtin_ffs}, except the argument type is
5221 @code{unsigned long}.
5222 @end deftypefn
5223
5224 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_clzl (unsigned long)
5225 Similar to @code{__builtin_clz}, except the argument type is
5226 @code{unsigned long}.
5227 @end deftypefn
5228
5229 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_ctzl (unsigned long)
5230 Similar to @code{__builtin_ctz}, except the argument type is
5231 @code{unsigned long}.
5232 @end deftypefn
5233
5234 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_popcountl (unsigned long)
5235 Similar to @code{__builtin_popcount}, except the argument type is
5236 @code{unsigned long}.
5237 @end deftypefn
5238
5239 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_parityl (unsigned long)
5240 Similar to @code{__builtin_parity}, except the argument type is
5241 @code{unsigned long}.
5242 @end deftypefn
5243
5244 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_ffsll (unsigned long long)
5245 Similar to @code{__builtin_ffs}, except the argument type is
5246 @code{unsigned long long}.
5247 @end deftypefn
5248
5249 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_clzll (unsigned long long)
5250 Similar to @code{__builtin_clz}, except the argument type is
5251 @code{unsigned long long}.
5252 @end deftypefn
5253
5254 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_ctzll (unsigned long long)
5255 Similar to @code{__builtin_ctz}, except the argument type is
5256 @code{unsigned long long}.
5257 @end deftypefn
5258
5259 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_popcountll (unsigned long long)
5260 Similar to @code{__builtin_popcount}, except the argument type is
5261 @code{unsigned long long}.
5262 @end deftypefn
5263
5264 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_parityll (unsigned long long)
5265 Similar to @code{__builtin_parity}, except the argument type is
5266 @code{unsigned long long}.
5267 @end deftypefn
5268
5269
5270 @node Target Builtins
5271 @section Built-in Functions Specific to Particular Target Machines
5272
5273 On some target machines, GCC supports many built-in functions specific
5274 to those machines. Generally these generate calls to specific machine
5275 instructions, but allow the compiler to schedule those calls.
5276
5277 @menu
5278 * Alpha Built-in Functions::
5279 * ARM Built-in Functions::
5280 * X86 Built-in Functions::
5281 * PowerPC AltiVec Built-in Functions::
5282 @end menu
5283
5284 @node Alpha Built-in Functions
5285 @subsection Alpha Built-in Functions
5286
5287 These built-in functions are available for the Alpha family of
5288 processors, depending on the command-line switches used.
5289
5290 The following built-in functions are always available. They
5291 all generate the machine instruction that is part of the name.
5292
5293 @example
5294 long __builtin_alpha_implver (void)
5295 long __builtin_alpha_rpcc (void)
5296 long __builtin_alpha_amask (long)
5297 long __builtin_alpha_cmpbge (long, long)
5298 long __builtin_alpha_extbl (long, long)
5299 long __builtin_alpha_extwl (long, long)
5300 long __builtin_alpha_extll (long, long)
5301 long __builtin_alpha_extql (long, long)
5302 long __builtin_alpha_extwh (long, long)
5303 long __builtin_alpha_extlh (long, long)
5304 long __builtin_alpha_extqh (long, long)
5305 long __builtin_alpha_insbl (long, long)
5306 long __builtin_alpha_inswl (long, long)
5307 long __builtin_alpha_insll (long, long)
5308 long __builtin_alpha_insql (long, long)
5309 long __builtin_alpha_inswh (long, long)
5310 long __builtin_alpha_inslh (long, long)
5311 long __builtin_alpha_insqh (long, long)
5312 long __builtin_alpha_mskbl (long, long)
5313 long __builtin_alpha_mskwl (long, long)
5314 long __builtin_alpha_mskll (long, long)
5315 long __builtin_alpha_mskql (long, long)
5316 long __builtin_alpha_mskwh (long, long)
5317 long __builtin_alpha_msklh (long, long)
5318 long __builtin_alpha_mskqh (long, long)
5319 long __builtin_alpha_umulh (long, long)
5320 long __builtin_alpha_zap (long, long)
5321 long __builtin_alpha_zapnot (long, long)
5322 @end example
5323
5324 The following built-in functions are always with @option{-mmax}
5325 or @option{-mcpu=@var{cpu}} where @var{cpu} is @code{pca56} or
5326 later. They all generate the machine instruction that is part
5327 of the name.
5328
5329 @example
5330 long __builtin_alpha_pklb (long)
5331 long __builtin_alpha_pkwb (long)
5332 long __builtin_alpha_unpkbl (long)
5333 long __builtin_alpha_unpkbw (long)
5334 long __builtin_alpha_minub8 (long, long)
5335 long __builtin_alpha_minsb8 (long, long)
5336 long __builtin_alpha_minuw4 (long, long)
5337 long __builtin_alpha_minsw4 (long, long)
5338 long __builtin_alpha_maxub8 (long, long)
5339 long __builtin_alpha_maxsb8 (long, long)
5340 long __builtin_alpha_maxuw4 (long, long)
5341 long __builtin_alpha_maxsw4 (long, long)
5342 long __builtin_alpha_perr (long, long)
5343 @end example
5344
5345 The following built-in functions are always with @option{-mcix}
5346 or @option{-mcpu=@var{cpu}} where @var{cpu} is @code{ev67} or
5347 later. They all generate the machine instruction that is part
5348 of the name.
5349
5350 @example
5351 long __builtin_alpha_cttz (long)
5352 long __builtin_alpha_ctlz (long)
5353 long __builtin_alpha_ctpop (long)
5354 @end example
5355
5356 The following builtins are available on systems that use the OSF/1
5357 PALcode. Normally they invoke the @code{rduniq} and @code{wruniq}
5358 PAL calls, but when invoked with @option{-mtls-kernel}, they invoke
5359 @code{rdval} and @code{wrval}.
5360
5361 @example
5362 void *__builtin_thread_pointer (void)
5363 void __builtin_set_thread_pointer (void *)
5364 @end example
5365
5366 @node ARM Built-in Functions
5367 @subsection ARM Built-in Functions
5368
5369 These built-in functions are available for the ARM family of
5370 processors, when the @option{-mcpu=iwmmxt} switch is used:
5371
5372 @example
5373 typedef int __v2si __attribute__ ((__mode__ (__V2SI__)))
5374
5375 v2si __builtin_arm_waddw (v2si, v2si)
5376 v2si __builtin_arm_waddw (v2si, v2si)
5377 v2si __builtin_arm_wsubw (v2si, v2si)
5378 v2si __builtin_arm_wsubw (v2si, v2si)
5379 v2si __builtin_arm_waddwss (v2si, v2si)
5380 v2si __builtin_arm_wsubwss (v2si, v2si)
5381 v2si __builtin_arm_wsubwss (v2si, v2si)
5382 v2si __builtin_arm_wsubwss (v2si, v2si)
5383 v2si __builtin_arm_wsubwss (v2si, v2si)
5384 v2si __builtin_arm_waddwus (v2si, v2si)
5385 v2si __builtin_arm_wsubwus (v2si, v2si)
5386 v2si __builtin_arm_wsubwus (v2si, v2si)
5387 v2si __builtin_arm_wmaxuw (v2si, v2si)
5388 v2si __builtin_arm_wmaxsw (v2si, v2si)
5389 v2si __builtin_arm_wavg2br (v2si, v2si)
5390 v2si __builtin_arm_wavg2hr (v2si, v2si)
5391 v2si __builtin_arm_wavg2b (v2si, v2si)
5392 v2si __builtin_arm_wavg2h (v2si, v2si)
5393 v2si __builtin_arm_waccb (v2si)
5394 v2si __builtin_arm_wacch (v2si)
5395 v2si __builtin_arm_waccw (v2si)
5396 v2si __builtin_arm_wmacs (v2si, v2si, v2si)
5397 v2si __builtin_arm_wmacsz (v2si, v2si, v2si)
5398 v2si __builtin_arm_wmacu (v2si, v2si, v2si)
5399 v2si __builtin_arm_wmacuz (v2si, v2si)
5400 v2si __builtin_arm_wsadb (v2si, v2si)
5401 v2si __builtin_arm_wsadbz (v2si, v2si)
5402 v2si __builtin_arm_wsadh (v2si, v2si)
5403 v2si __builtin_arm_wsadhz (v2si, v2si)
5404 v2si __builtin_arm_walign (v2si, v2si)
5405 v2si __builtin_arm_tmia (v2si, int, int)
5406 v2si __builtin_arm_tmiaph (v2si, int, int)
5407 v2si __builtin_arm_tmiabb (v2si, int, int)
5408 v2si __builtin_arm_tmiabt (v2si, int, int)
5409 v2si __builtin_arm_tmiatb (v2si, int, int)
5410 v2si __builtin_arm_tmiatt (v2si, int, int)
5411 int __builtin_arm_tmovmskb (v2si)
5412 int __builtin_arm_tmovmskh (v2si)
5413 int __builtin_arm_tmovmskw (v2si)
5414 v2si __builtin_arm_wmadds (v2si, v2si)
5415 v2si __builtin_arm_wmaddu (v2si, v2si)
5416 v2si __builtin_arm_wpackhss (v2si, v2si)
5417 v2si __builtin_arm_wpackwss (v2si, v2si)
5418 v2si __builtin_arm_wpackdss (v2si, v2si)
5419 v2si __builtin_arm_wpackhus (v2si, v2si)
5420 v2si __builtin_arm_wpackwus (v2si, v2si)
5421 v2si __builtin_arm_wpackdus (v2si, v2si)
5422 v2si __builtin_arm_waddb (v2si, v2si)
5423 v2si __builtin_arm_waddh (v2si, v2si)
5424 v2si __builtin_arm_waddw (v2si, v2si)
5425 v2si __builtin_arm_waddbss (v2si, v2si)
5426 v2si __builtin_arm_waddhss (v2si, v2si)
5427 v2si __builtin_arm_waddwss (v2si, v2si)
5428 v2si __builtin_arm_waddbus (v2si, v2si)
5429 v2si __builtin_arm_waddhus (v2si, v2si)
5430 v2si __builtin_arm_waddwus (v2si, v2si)
5431 v2si __builtin_arm_wsubb (v2si, v2si)
5432 v2si __builtin_arm_wsubh (v2si, v2si)
5433 v2si __builtin_arm_wsubw (v2si, v2si)
5434 v2si __builtin_arm_wsubbss (v2si, v2si)
5435 v2si __builtin_arm_wsubhss (v2si, v2si)
5436 v2si __builtin_arm_wsubwss (v2si, v2si)
5437 v2si __builtin_arm_wsubbus (v2si, v2si)
5438 v2si __builtin_arm_wsubhus (v2si, v2si)
5439 v2si __builtin_arm_wsubwus (v2si, v2si)
5440 v2si __builtin_arm_wand (v2si, v2si)
5441 v2si __builtin_arm_wandn (v2si, v2si)
5442 v2si __builtin_arm_wor (v2si, v2si)
5443 v2si __builtin_arm_wxor (v2si, v2si)
5444 v2si __builtin_arm_wcmpeqb (v2si, v2si)
5445 v2si __builtin_arm_wcmpeqh (v2si, v2si)
5446 v2si __builtin_arm_wcmpeqw (v2si, v2si)
5447 v2si __builtin_arm_wcmpgtub (v2si, v2si)
5448 v2si __builtin_arm_wcmpgtuh (v2si, v2si)
5449 v2si __builtin_arm_wcmpgtuw (v2si, v2si)
5450 v2si __builtin_arm_wcmpgtsb (v2si, v2si)
5451 v2si __builtin_arm_wcmpgtsh (v2si, v2si)
5452 v2si __builtin_arm_wcmpgtsw (v2si, v2si)
5453 int __builtin_arm_textrmsb (v2si, int)
5454 int __builtin_arm_textrmsh (v2si, int)
5455 int __builtin_arm_textrmsw (v2si, int)
5456 int __builtin_arm_textrmub (v2si, int)
5457 int __builtin_arm_textrmuh (v2si, int)
5458 int __builtin_arm_textrmuw (v2si, int)
5459 v2si __builtin_arm_tinsrb (v2si, int, int)
5460 v2si __builtin_arm_tinsrh (v2si, int, int)
5461 v2si __builtin_arm_tinsrw (v2si, int, int)
5462 v2si __builtin_arm_wmaxsw (v2si, v2si)
5463 v2si __builtin_arm_wmaxsh (v2si, v2si)
5464 v2si __builtin_arm_wmaxsb (v2si, v2si)
5465 v2si __builtin_arm_wmaxuw (v2si, v2si)
5466 v2si __builtin_arm_wmaxuh (v2si, v2si)
5467 v2si __builtin_arm_wmaxub (v2si, v2si)
5468 v2si __builtin_arm_wminsw (v2si, v2si)
5469 v2si __builtin_arm_wminsh (v2si, v2si)
5470 v2si __builtin_arm_wminsb (v2si, v2si)
5471 v2si __builtin_arm_wminuw (v2si, v2si)
5472 v2si __builtin_arm_wminuh (v2si, v2si)
5473 v2si __builtin_arm_wminub (v2si, v2si)
5474 v2si __builtin_arm_wmuluh (v2si, v2si)
5475 v2si __builtin_arm_wmulsh (v2si, v2si)
5476 v2si __builtin_arm_wmulul (v2si, v2si)
5477 v2si __builtin_arm_wshufh (v2si, int)
5478 v2si __builtin_arm_wsllh (v2si, v2si)
5479 v2si __builtin_arm_wsllw (v2si, v2si)
5480 v2si __builtin_arm_wslld (v2si, v2si)
5481 v2si __builtin_arm_wsrah (v2si, v2si)
5482 v2si __builtin_arm_wsraw (v2si, v2si)
5483 v2si __builtin_arm_wsrad (v2si, v2si)
5484 v2si __builtin_arm_wsrlh (v2si, v2si)
5485 v2si __builtin_arm_wsrlw (v2si, v2si)
5486 v2si __builtin_arm_wsrld (v2si, v2si)
5487 v2si __builtin_arm_wrorh (v2si, v2si)
5488 v2si __builtin_arm_wrorw (v2si, v2si)
5489 v2si __builtin_arm_wrord (v2si, v2si)
5490 v2si __builtin_arm_wsllhi (v2si, int)
5491 v2si __builtin_arm_wsllwi (v2si, int)
5492 v2si __builtin_arm_wslldi (v2si, v2si)
5493 v2si __builtin_arm_wsrahi (v2si, int)
5494 v2si __builtin_arm_wsrawi (v2si, int)
5495 v2si __builtin_arm_wsradi (v2si, v2si)
5496 v2si __builtin_arm_wsrlwi (v2si, int)
5497 v2si __builtin_arm_wsrldi (v2si, int)
5498 v2si __builtin_arm_wrorhi (v2si, int)
5499 v2si __builtin_arm_wrorwi (v2si, int)
5500 v2si __builtin_arm_wrordi (v2si, int)
5501 v2si __builtin_arm_wunpckihb (v2si, v2si)
5502 v2si __builtin_arm_wunpckihh (v2si, v2si)
5503 v2si __builtin_arm_wunpckihw (v2si, v2si)
5504 v2si __builtin_arm_wunpckilb (v2si, v2si)
5505 v2si __builtin_arm_wunpckilh (v2si, v2si)
5506 v2si __builtin_arm_wunpckilw (v2si, v2si)
5507 v2si __builtin_arm_wunpckehsb (v2si)
5508 v2si __builtin_arm_wunpckehsh (v2si)
5509 v2si __builtin_arm_wunpckehsw (v2si)
5510 v2si __builtin_arm_wunpckehub (v2si)
5511 v2si __builtin_arm_wunpckehuh (v2si)
5512 v2si __builtin_arm_wunpckehuw (v2si)
5513 v2si __builtin_arm_wunpckelsb (v2si)
5514 v2si __builtin_arm_wunpckelsh (v2si)
5515 v2si __builtin_arm_wunpckelsw (v2si)
5516 v2si __builtin_arm_wunpckelub (v2si)
5517 v2si __builtin_arm_wunpckeluh (v2si)
5518 v2si __builtin_arm_wunpckeluw (v2si)
5519 v2si __builtin_arm_wsubwss (v2si, v2si)
5520 v2si __builtin_arm_wsraw (v2si, v2si)
5521 v2si __builtin_arm_wsrad (v2si, v2si)
5522 @end example
5523
5524 @node X86 Built-in Functions
5525 @subsection X86 Built-in Functions
5526
5527 These built-in functions are available for the i386 and x86-64 family
5528 of computers, depending on the command-line switches used.
5529
5530 The following machine modes are available for use with MMX built-in functions
5531 (@pxref{Vector Extensions}): @code{V2SI} for a vector of two 32-bit integers,
5532 @code{V4HI} for a vector of four 16-bit integers, and @code{V8QI} for a
5533 vector of eight 8-bit integers. Some of the built-in functions operate on
5534 MMX registers as a whole 64-bit entity, these use @code{DI} as their mode.
5535
5536 If 3Dnow extensions are enabled, @code{V2SF} is used as a mode for a vector
5537 of two 32-bit floating point values.
5538
5539 If SSE extensions are enabled, @code{V4SF} is used for a vector of four 32-bit
5540 floating point values. Some instructions use a vector of four 32-bit
5541 integers, these use @code{V4SI}. Finally, some instructions operate on an
5542 entire vector register, interpreting it as a 128-bit integer, these use mode
5543 @code{TI}.
5544
5545 The following built-in functions are made available by @option{-mmmx}.
5546 All of them generate the machine instruction that is part of the name.
5547
5548 @example
5549 v8qi __builtin_ia32_paddb (v8qi, v8qi)
5550 v4hi __builtin_ia32_paddw (v4hi, v4hi)
5551 v2si __builtin_ia32_paddd (v2si, v2si)
5552 v8qi __builtin_ia32_psubb (v8qi, v8qi)
5553 v4hi __builtin_ia32_psubw (v4hi, v4hi)
5554 v2si __builtin_ia32_psubd (v2si, v2si)
5555 v8qi __builtin_ia32_paddsb (v8qi, v8qi)
5556 v4hi __builtin_ia32_paddsw (v4hi, v4hi)
5557 v8qi __builtin_ia32_psubsb (v8qi, v8qi)
5558 v4hi __builtin_ia32_psubsw (v4hi, v4hi)
5559 v8qi __builtin_ia32_paddusb (v8qi, v8qi)
5560 v4hi __builtin_ia32_paddusw (v4hi, v4hi)
5561 v8qi __builtin_ia32_psubusb (v8qi, v8qi)
5562 v4hi __builtin_ia32_psubusw (v4hi, v4hi)
5563 v4hi __builtin_ia32_pmullw (v4hi, v4hi)
5564 v4hi __builtin_ia32_pmulhw (v4hi, v4hi)
5565 di __builtin_ia32_pand (di, di)
5566 di __builtin_ia32_pandn (di,di)
5567 di __builtin_ia32_por (di, di)
5568 di __builtin_ia32_pxor (di, di)
5569 v8qi __builtin_ia32_pcmpeqb (v8qi, v8qi)
5570 v4hi __builtin_ia32_pcmpeqw (v4hi, v4hi)
5571 v2si __builtin_ia32_pcmpeqd (v2si, v2si)
5572 v8qi __builtin_ia32_pcmpgtb (v8qi, v8qi)
5573 v4hi __builtin_ia32_pcmpgtw (v4hi, v4hi)
5574 v2si __builtin_ia32_pcmpgtd (v2si, v2si)
5575 v8qi __builtin_ia32_punpckhbw (v8qi, v8qi)
5576 v4hi __builtin_ia32_punpckhwd (v4hi, v4hi)
5577 v2si __builtin_ia32_punpckhdq (v2si, v2si)
5578 v8qi __builtin_ia32_punpcklbw (v8qi, v8qi)
5579 v4hi __builtin_ia32_punpcklwd (v4hi, v4hi)
5580 v2si __builtin_ia32_punpckldq (v2si, v2si)
5581 v8qi __builtin_ia32_packsswb (v4hi, v4hi)
5582 v4hi __builtin_ia32_packssdw (v2si, v2si)
5583 v8qi __builtin_ia32_packuswb (v4hi, v4hi)
5584 @end example
5585
5586 The following built-in functions are made available either with
5587 @option{-msse}, or with a combination of @option{-m3dnow} and
5588 @option{-march=athlon}. All of them generate the machine
5589 instruction that is part of the name.
5590
5591 @example
5592 v4hi __builtin_ia32_pmulhuw (v4hi, v4hi)
5593 v8qi __builtin_ia32_pavgb (v8qi, v8qi)
5594 v4hi __builtin_ia32_pavgw (v4hi, v4hi)
5595 v4hi __builtin_ia32_psadbw (v8qi, v8qi)
5596 v8qi __builtin_ia32_pmaxub (v8qi, v8qi)
5597 v4hi __builtin_ia32_pmaxsw (v4hi, v4hi)
5598 v8qi __builtin_ia32_pminub (v8qi, v8qi)
5599 v4hi __builtin_ia32_pminsw (v4hi, v4hi)
5600 int __builtin_ia32_pextrw (v4hi, int)
5601 v4hi __builtin_ia32_pinsrw (v4hi, int, int)
5602 int __builtin_ia32_pmovmskb (v8qi)
5603 void __builtin_ia32_maskmovq (v8qi, v8qi, char *)
5604 void __builtin_ia32_movntq (di *, di)
5605 void __builtin_ia32_sfence (void)
5606 @end example
5607
5608 The following built-in functions are available when @option{-msse} is used.
5609 All of them generate the machine instruction that is part of the name.
5610
5611 @example
5612 int __builtin_ia32_comieq (v4sf, v4sf)
5613 int __builtin_ia32_comineq (v4sf, v4sf)
5614 int __builtin_ia32_comilt (v4sf, v4sf)
5615 int __builtin_ia32_comile (v4sf, v4sf)
5616 int __builtin_ia32_comigt (v4sf, v4sf)
5617 int __builtin_ia32_comige (v4sf, v4sf)
5618 int __builtin_ia32_ucomieq (v4sf, v4sf)
5619 int __builtin_ia32_ucomineq (v4sf, v4sf)
5620 int __builtin_ia32_ucomilt (v4sf, v4sf)
5621 int __builtin_ia32_ucomile (v4sf, v4sf)
5622 int __builtin_ia32_ucomigt (v4sf, v4sf)
5623 int __builtin_ia32_ucomige (v4sf, v4sf)
5624 v4sf __builtin_ia32_addps (v4sf, v4sf)
5625 v4sf __builtin_ia32_subps (v4sf, v4sf)
5626 v4sf __builtin_ia32_mulps (v4sf, v4sf)
5627 v4sf __builtin_ia32_divps (v4sf, v4sf)
5628 v4sf __builtin_ia32_addss (v4sf, v4sf)
5629 v4sf __builtin_ia32_subss (v4sf, v4sf)
5630 v4sf __builtin_ia32_mulss (v4sf, v4sf)
5631 v4sf __builtin_ia32_divss (v4sf, v4sf)
5632 v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpeqps (v4sf, v4sf)
5633 v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpltps (v4sf, v4sf)
5634 v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpleps (v4sf, v4sf)
5635 v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpgtps (v4sf, v4sf)
5636 v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpgeps (v4sf, v4sf)
5637 v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpunordps (v4sf, v4sf)
5638 v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpneqps (v4sf, v4sf)
5639 v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpnltps (v4sf, v4sf)
5640 v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpnleps (v4sf, v4sf)
5641 v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpngtps (v4sf, v4sf)
5642 v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpngeps (v4sf, v4sf)
5643 v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpordps (v4sf, v4sf)
5644 v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpeqss (v4sf, v4sf)
5645 v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpltss (v4sf, v4sf)
5646 v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpless (v4sf, v4sf)
5647 v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpunordss (v4sf, v4sf)
5648 v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpneqss (v4sf, v4sf)
5649 v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpnlts (v4sf, v4sf)
5650 v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpnless (v4sf, v4sf)
5651 v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpordss (v4sf, v4sf)
5652 v4sf __builtin_ia32_maxps (v4sf, v4sf)
5653 v4sf __builtin_ia32_maxss (v4sf, v4sf)
5654 v4sf __builtin_ia32_minps (v4sf, v4sf)
5655 v4sf __builtin_ia32_minss (v4sf, v4sf)
5656 v4sf __builtin_ia32_andps (v4sf, v4sf)
5657 v4sf __builtin_ia32_andnps (v4sf, v4sf)
5658 v4sf __builtin_ia32_orps (v4sf, v4sf)
5659 v4sf __builtin_ia32_xorps (v4sf, v4sf)
5660 v4sf __builtin_ia32_movss (v4sf, v4sf)
5661 v4sf __builtin_ia32_movhlps (v4sf, v4sf)
5662 v4sf __builtin_ia32_movlhps (v4sf, v4sf)
5663 v4sf __builtin_ia32_unpckhps (v4sf, v4sf)
5664 v4sf __builtin_ia32_unpcklps (v4sf, v4sf)
5665 v4sf __builtin_ia32_cvtpi2ps (v4sf, v2si)
5666 v4sf __builtin_ia32_cvtsi2ss (v4sf, int)
5667 v2si __builtin_ia32_cvtps2pi (v4sf)
5668 int __builtin_ia32_cvtss2si (v4sf)
5669 v2si __builtin_ia32_cvttps2pi (v4sf)
5670 int __builtin_ia32_cvttss2si (v4sf)
5671 v4sf __builtin_ia32_rcpps (v4sf)
5672 v4sf __builtin_ia32_rsqrtps (v4sf)
5673 v4sf __builtin_ia32_sqrtps (v4sf)
5674 v4sf __builtin_ia32_rcpss (v4sf)
5675 v4sf __builtin_ia32_rsqrtss (v4sf)
5676 v4sf __builtin_ia32_sqrtss (v4sf)
5677 v4sf __builtin_ia32_shufps (v4sf, v4sf, int)
5678 void __builtin_ia32_movntps (float *, v4sf)
5679 int __builtin_ia32_movmskps (v4sf)
5680 @end example
5681
5682 The following built-in functions are available when @option{-msse} is used.
5683
5684 @table @code
5685 @item v4sf __builtin_ia32_loadaps (float *)
5686 Generates the @code{movaps} machine instruction as a load from memory.
5687 @item void __builtin_ia32_storeaps (float *, v4sf)
5688 Generates the @code{movaps} machine instruction as a store to memory.
5689 @item v4sf __builtin_ia32_loadups (float *)
5690 Generates the @code{movups} machine instruction as a load from memory.
5691 @item void __builtin_ia32_storeups (float *, v4sf)
5692 Generates the @code{movups} machine instruction as a store to memory.
5693 @item v4sf __builtin_ia32_loadsss (float *)
5694 Generates the @code{movss} machine instruction as a load from memory.
5695 @item void __builtin_ia32_storess (float *, v4sf)
5696 Generates the @code{movss} machine instruction as a store to memory.
5697 @item v4sf __builtin_ia32_loadhps (v4sf, v2si *)
5698 Generates the @code{movhps} machine instruction as a load from memory.
5699 @item v4sf __builtin_ia32_loadlps (v4sf, v2si *)
5700 Generates the @code{movlps} machine instruction as a load from memory
5701 @item void __builtin_ia32_storehps (v4sf, v2si *)
5702 Generates the @code{movhps} machine instruction as a store to memory.
5703 @item void __builtin_ia32_storelps (v4sf, v2si *)
5704 Generates the @code{movlps} machine instruction as a store to memory.
5705 @end table
5706
5707 The following built-in functions are available when @option{-mpni} is used.
5708 All of them generate the machine instruction that is part of the name.
5709
5710 @example
5711 v2df __builtin_ia32_addsubpd (v2df, v2df)
5712 v2df __builtin_ia32_addsubps (v2df, v2df)
5713 v2df __builtin_ia32_haddpd (v2df, v2df)
5714 v2df __builtin_ia32_haddps (v2df, v2df)
5715 v2df __builtin_ia32_hsubpd (v2df, v2df)
5716 v2df __builtin_ia32_hsubps (v2df, v2df)
5717 v16qi __builtin_ia32_lddqu (char const *)
5718 void __builtin_ia32_monitor (void *, unsigned int, unsigned int)
5719 v2df __builtin_ia32_movddup (v2df)
5720 v4sf __builtin_ia32_movshdup (v4sf)
5721 v4sf __builtin_ia32_movsldup (v4sf)
5722 void __builtin_ia32_mwait (unsigned int, unsigned int)
5723 @end example
5724
5725 The following built-in functions are available when @option{-mpni} is used.
5726
5727 @table @code
5728 @item v2df __builtin_ia32_loadddup (double const *)
5729 Generates the @code{movddup} machine instruction as a load from memory.
5730 @end table
5731
5732 The following built-in functions are available when @option{-m3dnow} is used.
5733 All of them generate the machine instruction that is part of the name.
5734
5735 @example
5736 void __builtin_ia32_femms (void)
5737 v8qi __builtin_ia32_pavgusb (v8qi, v8qi)
5738 v2si __builtin_ia32_pf2id (v2sf)
5739 v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfacc (v2sf, v2sf)
5740 v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfadd (v2sf, v2sf)
5741 v2si __builtin_ia32_pfcmpeq (v2sf, v2sf)
5742 v2si __builtin_ia32_pfcmpge (v2sf, v2sf)
5743 v2si __builtin_ia32_pfcmpgt (v2sf, v2sf)
5744 v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfmax (v2sf, v2sf)
5745 v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfmin (v2sf, v2sf)
5746 v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfmul (v2sf, v2sf)
5747 v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfrcp (v2sf)
5748 v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfrcpit1 (v2sf, v2sf)
5749 v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfrcpit2 (v2sf, v2sf)
5750 v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfrsqrt (v2sf)
5751 v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfrsqrtit1 (v2sf, v2sf)
5752 v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfsub (v2sf, v2sf)
5753 v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfsubr (v2sf, v2sf)
5754 v2sf __builtin_ia32_pi2fd (v2si)
5755 v4hi __builtin_ia32_pmulhrw (v4hi, v4hi)
5756 @end example
5757
5758 The following built-in functions are available when both @option{-m3dnow}
5759 and @option{-march=athlon} are used. All of them generate the machine
5760 instruction that is part of the name.
5761
5762 @example
5763 v2si __builtin_ia32_pf2iw (v2sf)
5764 v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfnacc (v2sf, v2sf)
5765 v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfpnacc (v2sf, v2sf)
5766 v2sf __builtin_ia32_pi2fw (v2si)
5767 v2sf __builtin_ia32_pswapdsf (v2sf)
5768 v2si __builtin_ia32_pswapdsi (v2si)
5769 @end example
5770
5771 @node PowerPC AltiVec Built-in Functions
5772 @subsection PowerPC AltiVec Built-in Functions
5773
5774 These built-in functions are available for the PowerPC family
5775 of computers, depending on the command-line switches used.
5776
5777 The following machine modes are available for use with AltiVec built-in
5778 functions (@pxref{Vector Extensions}): @code{V4SI} for a vector of four
5779 32-bit integers, @code{V4SF} for a vector of four 32-bit floating point
5780 numbers, @code{V8HI} for a vector of eight 16-bit integers, and
5781 @code{V16QI} for a vector of sixteen 8-bit integers.
5782
5783 The following functions are made available by including
5784 @code{<altivec.h>} and using @option{-maltivec} and
5785 @option{-mabi=altivec}. The functions implement the functionality
5786 described in Motorola's AltiVec Programming Interface Manual.
5787
5788 There are a few differences from Motorola's documentation and GCC's
5789 implementation. Vector constants are done with curly braces (not
5790 parentheses). Vector initializers require no casts if the vector
5791 constant is of the same type as the variable it is initializing. The
5792 @code{vector bool} type is deprecated and will be discontinued in
5793 further revisions. Use @code{vector signed} instead. If @code{signed}
5794 or @code{unsigned} is omitted, the vector type will default to
5795 @code{signed}. Lastly, all overloaded functions are implemented with macros
5796 for the C implementation. So code the following example will not work:
5797
5798 @smallexample
5799 vec_add ((vector signed int)@{1, 2, 3, 4@}, foo);
5800 @end smallexample
5801
5802 Since vec_add is a macro, the vector constant in the above example will
5803 be treated as four different arguments. Wrap the entire argument in
5804 parentheses for this to work. The C++ implementation does not use
5805 macros.
5806
5807 @emph{Note:} Only the @code{<altivec.h>} interface is supported.
5808 Internally, GCC uses built-in functions to achieve the functionality in
5809 the aforementioned header file, but they are not supported and are
5810 subject to change without notice.
5811
5812 @smallexample
5813 vector signed char vec_abs (vector signed char, vector signed char);
5814 vector signed short vec_abs (vector signed short, vector signed short);
5815 vector signed int vec_abs (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5816 vector signed float vec_abs (vector signed float, vector signed float);
5817
5818 vector signed char vec_abss (vector signed char, vector signed char);
5819 vector signed short vec_abss (vector signed short, vector signed short);
5820
5821 vector signed char vec_add (vector signed char, vector signed char);
5822 vector unsigned char vec_add (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
5823
5824 vector unsigned char vec_add (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
5825
5826 vector unsigned char vec_add (vector unsigned char,
5827 vector unsigned char);
5828 vector signed short vec_add (vector signed short, vector signed short);
5829 vector unsigned short vec_add (vector signed short,
5830 vector unsigned short);
5831 vector unsigned short vec_add (vector unsigned short,
5832 vector signed short);
5833 vector unsigned short vec_add (vector unsigned short,
5834 vector unsigned short);
5835 vector signed int vec_add (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5836 vector unsigned int vec_add (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
5837 vector unsigned int vec_add (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
5838 vector unsigned int vec_add (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5839 vector float vec_add (vector float, vector float);
5840
5841 vector unsigned int vec_addc (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5842
5843 vector unsigned char vec_adds (vector signed char,
5844 vector unsigned char);
5845 vector unsigned char vec_adds (vector unsigned char,
5846 vector signed char);
5847 vector unsigned char vec_adds (vector unsigned char,
5848 vector unsigned char);
5849 vector signed char vec_adds (vector signed char, vector signed char);
5850 vector unsigned short vec_adds (vector signed short,
5851 vector unsigned short);
5852 vector unsigned short vec_adds (vector unsigned short,
5853 vector signed short);
5854 vector unsigned short vec_adds (vector unsigned short,
5855 vector unsigned short);
5856 vector signed short vec_adds (vector signed short, vector signed short);
5857
5858 vector unsigned int vec_adds (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
5859 vector unsigned int vec_adds (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
5860 vector unsigned int vec_adds (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5861
5862 vector signed int vec_adds (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5863
5864 vector float vec_and (vector float, vector float);
5865 vector float vec_and (vector float, vector signed int);
5866 vector float vec_and (vector signed int, vector float);
5867 vector signed int vec_and (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5868 vector unsigned int vec_and (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
5869 vector unsigned int vec_and (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
5870 vector unsigned int vec_and (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5871 vector signed short vec_and (vector signed short, vector signed short);
5872 vector unsigned short vec_and (vector signed short,
5873 vector unsigned short);
5874 vector unsigned short vec_and (vector unsigned short,
5875 vector signed short);
5876 vector unsigned short vec_and (vector unsigned short,
5877 vector unsigned short);
5878 vector signed char vec_and (vector signed char, vector signed char);
5879 vector unsigned char vec_and (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
5880
5881 vector unsigned char vec_and (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
5882
5883 vector unsigned char vec_and (vector unsigned char,
5884 vector unsigned char);
5885
5886 vector float vec_andc (vector float, vector float);
5887 vector float vec_andc (vector float, vector signed int);
5888 vector float vec_andc (vector signed int, vector float);
5889 vector signed int vec_andc (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5890 vector unsigned int vec_andc (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
5891 vector unsigned int vec_andc (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
5892 vector unsigned int vec_andc (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5893
5894 vector signed short vec_andc (vector signed short, vector signed short);
5895
5896 vector unsigned short vec_andc (vector signed short,
5897 vector unsigned short);
5898 vector unsigned short vec_andc (vector unsigned short,
5899 vector signed short);
5900 vector unsigned short vec_andc (vector unsigned short,
5901 vector unsigned short);
5902 vector signed char vec_andc (vector signed char, vector signed char);
5903 vector unsigned char vec_andc (vector signed char,
5904 vector unsigned char);
5905 vector unsigned char vec_andc (vector unsigned char,
5906 vector signed char);
5907 vector unsigned char vec_andc (vector unsigned char,
5908 vector unsigned char);
5909
5910 vector unsigned char vec_avg (vector unsigned char,
5911 vector unsigned char);
5912 vector signed char vec_avg (vector signed char, vector signed char);
5913 vector unsigned short vec_avg (vector unsigned short,
5914 vector unsigned short);
5915 vector signed short vec_avg (vector signed short, vector signed short);
5916 vector unsigned int vec_avg (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5917 vector signed int vec_avg (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5918
5919 vector float vec_ceil (vector float);
5920
5921 vector signed int vec_cmpb (vector float, vector float);
5922
5923 vector signed char vec_cmpeq (vector signed char, vector signed char);
5924 vector signed char vec_cmpeq (vector unsigned char,
5925 vector unsigned char);
5926 vector signed short vec_cmpeq (vector signed short,
5927 vector signed short);
5928 vector signed short vec_cmpeq (vector unsigned short,
5929 vector unsigned short);
5930 vector signed int vec_cmpeq (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5931 vector signed int vec_cmpeq (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5932 vector signed int vec_cmpeq (vector float, vector float);
5933
5934 vector signed int vec_cmpge (vector float, vector float);
5935
5936 vector signed char vec_cmpgt (vector unsigned char,
5937 vector unsigned char);
5938 vector signed char vec_cmpgt (vector signed char, vector signed char);
5939 vector signed short vec_cmpgt (vector unsigned short,
5940 vector unsigned short);
5941 vector signed short vec_cmpgt (vector signed short,
5942 vector signed short);
5943 vector signed int vec_cmpgt (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5944 vector signed int vec_cmpgt (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5945 vector signed int vec_cmpgt (vector float, vector float);
5946
5947 vector signed int vec_cmple (vector float, vector float);
5948
5949 vector signed char vec_cmplt (vector unsigned char,
5950 vector unsigned char);
5951 vector signed char vec_cmplt (vector signed char, vector signed char);
5952 vector signed short vec_cmplt (vector unsigned short,
5953 vector unsigned short);
5954 vector signed short vec_cmplt (vector signed short,
5955 vector signed short);
5956 vector signed int vec_cmplt (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5957 vector signed int vec_cmplt (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5958 vector signed int vec_cmplt (vector float, vector float);
5959
5960 vector float vec_ctf (vector unsigned int, const char);
5961 vector float vec_ctf (vector signed int, const char);
5962
5963 vector signed int vec_cts (vector float, const char);
5964
5965 vector unsigned int vec_ctu (vector float, const char);
5966
5967 void vec_dss (const char);
5968
5969 void vec_dssall (void);
5970
5971 void vec_dst (void *, int, const char);
5972
5973 void vec_dstst (void *, int, const char);
5974
5975 void vec_dststt (void *, int, const char);
5976
5977 void vec_dstt (void *, int, const char);
5978
5979 vector float vec_expte (vector float, vector float);
5980
5981 vector float vec_floor (vector float, vector float);
5982
5983 vector float vec_ld (int, vector float *);
5984 vector float vec_ld (int, float *):
5985 vector signed int vec_ld (int, int *);
5986 vector signed int vec_ld (int, vector signed int *);
5987 vector unsigned int vec_ld (int, vector unsigned int *);
5988 vector unsigned int vec_ld (int, unsigned int *);
5989 vector signed short vec_ld (int, short *, vector signed short *);
5990 vector unsigned short vec_ld (int, unsigned short *,
5991 vector unsigned short *);
5992 vector signed char vec_ld (int, signed char *);
5993 vector signed char vec_ld (int, vector signed char *);
5994 vector unsigned char vec_ld (int, unsigned char *);
5995 vector unsigned char vec_ld (int, vector unsigned char *);
5996
5997 vector signed char vec_lde (int, signed char *);
5998 vector unsigned char vec_lde (int, unsigned char *);
5999 vector signed short vec_lde (int, short *);
6000 vector unsigned short vec_lde (int, unsigned short *);
6001 vector float vec_lde (int, float *);
6002 vector signed int vec_lde (int, int *);
6003 vector unsigned int vec_lde (int, unsigned int *);
6004
6005 void float vec_ldl (int, float *);
6006 void float vec_ldl (int, vector float *);
6007 void signed int vec_ldl (int, vector signed int *);
6008 void signed int vec_ldl (int, int *);
6009 void unsigned int vec_ldl (int, unsigned int *);
6010 void unsigned int vec_ldl (int, vector unsigned int *);
6011 void signed short vec_ldl (int, vector signed short *);
6012 void signed short vec_ldl (int, short *);
6013 void unsigned short vec_ldl (int, vector unsigned short *);
6014 void unsigned short vec_ldl (int, unsigned short *);
6015 void signed char vec_ldl (int, vector signed char *);
6016 void signed char vec_ldl (int, signed char *);
6017 void unsigned char vec_ldl (int, vector unsigned char *);
6018 void unsigned char vec_ldl (int, unsigned char *);
6019
6020 vector float vec_loge (vector float);
6021
6022 vector unsigned char vec_lvsl (int, void *, int *);
6023
6024 vector unsigned char vec_lvsr (int, void *, int *);
6025
6026 vector float vec_madd (vector float, vector float, vector float);
6027
6028 vector signed short vec_madds (vector signed short, vector signed short,
6029 vector signed short);
6030
6031 vector unsigned char vec_max (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6032
6033 vector unsigned char vec_max (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6034
6035 vector unsigned char vec_max (vector unsigned char,
6036 vector unsigned char);
6037 vector signed char vec_max (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6038 vector unsigned short vec_max (vector signed short,
6039 vector unsigned short);
6040 vector unsigned short vec_max (vector unsigned short,
6041 vector signed short);
6042 vector unsigned short vec_max (vector unsigned short,
6043 vector unsigned short);
6044 vector signed short vec_max (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6045 vector unsigned int vec_max (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6046 vector unsigned int vec_max (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6047 vector unsigned int vec_max (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6048 vector signed int vec_max (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6049 vector float vec_max (vector float, vector float);
6050
6051 vector signed char vec_mergeh (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6052 vector unsigned char vec_mergeh (vector unsigned char,
6053 vector unsigned char);
6054 vector signed short vec_mergeh (vector signed short,
6055 vector signed short);
6056 vector unsigned short vec_mergeh (vector unsigned short,
6057 vector unsigned short);
6058 vector float vec_mergeh (vector float, vector float);
6059 vector signed int vec_mergeh (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6060 vector unsigned int vec_mergeh (vector unsigned int,
6061 vector unsigned int);
6062
6063 vector signed char vec_mergel (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6064 vector unsigned char vec_mergel (vector unsigned char,
6065 vector unsigned char);
6066 vector signed short vec_mergel (vector signed short,
6067 vector signed short);
6068 vector unsigned short vec_mergel (vector unsigned short,
6069 vector unsigned short);
6070 vector float vec_mergel (vector float, vector float);
6071 vector signed int vec_mergel (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6072 vector unsigned int vec_mergel (vector unsigned int,
6073 vector unsigned int);
6074
6075 vector unsigned short vec_mfvscr (void);
6076
6077 vector unsigned char vec_min (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6078
6079 vector unsigned char vec_min (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6080
6081 vector unsigned char vec_min (vector unsigned char,
6082 vector unsigned char);
6083 vector signed char vec_min (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6084 vector unsigned short vec_min (vector signed short,
6085 vector unsigned short);
6086 vector unsigned short vec_min (vector unsigned short,
6087 vector signed short);
6088 vector unsigned short vec_min (vector unsigned short,
6089 vector unsigned short);
6090 vector signed short vec_min (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6091 vector unsigned int vec_min (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6092 vector unsigned int vec_min (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6093 vector unsigned int vec_min (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6094 vector signed int vec_min (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6095 vector float vec_min (vector float, vector float);
6096
6097 vector signed short vec_mladd (vector signed short, vector signed short,
6098 vector signed short);
6099 vector signed short vec_mladd (vector signed short,
6100 vector unsigned short,
6101 vector unsigned short);
6102 vector signed short vec_mladd (vector unsigned short,
6103 vector signed short,
6104 vector signed short);
6105 vector unsigned short vec_mladd (vector unsigned short,
6106 vector unsigned short,
6107 vector unsigned short);
6108
6109 vector signed short vec_mradds (vector signed short,
6110 vector signed short,
6111 vector signed short);
6112
6113 vector unsigned int vec_msum (vector unsigned char,
6114 vector unsigned char,
6115 vector unsigned int);
6116 vector signed int vec_msum (vector signed char, vector unsigned char,
6117 vector signed int);
6118 vector unsigned int vec_msum (vector unsigned short,
6119 vector unsigned short,
6120 vector unsigned int);
6121 vector signed int vec_msum (vector signed short, vector signed short,
6122 vector signed int);
6123
6124 vector unsigned int vec_msums (vector unsigned short,
6125 vector unsigned short,
6126 vector unsigned int);
6127 vector signed int vec_msums (vector signed short, vector signed short,
6128 vector signed int);
6129
6130 void vec_mtvscr (vector signed int);
6131 void vec_mtvscr (vector unsigned int);
6132 void vec_mtvscr (vector signed short);
6133 void vec_mtvscr (vector unsigned short);
6134 void vec_mtvscr (vector signed char);
6135 void vec_mtvscr (vector unsigned char);
6136
6137 vector unsigned short vec_mule (vector unsigned char,
6138 vector unsigned char);
6139 vector signed short vec_mule (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6140 vector unsigned int vec_mule (vector unsigned short,
6141 vector unsigned short);
6142 vector signed int vec_mule (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6143
6144 vector unsigned short vec_mulo (vector unsigned char,
6145 vector unsigned char);
6146 vector signed short vec_mulo (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6147 vector unsigned int vec_mulo (vector unsigned short,
6148 vector unsigned short);
6149 vector signed int vec_mulo (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6150
6151 vector float vec_nmsub (vector float, vector float, vector float);
6152
6153 vector float vec_nor (vector float, vector float);
6154 vector signed int vec_nor (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6155 vector unsigned int vec_nor (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6156 vector signed short vec_nor (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6157 vector unsigned short vec_nor (vector unsigned short,
6158 vector unsigned short);
6159 vector signed char vec_nor (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6160 vector unsigned char vec_nor (vector unsigned char,
6161 vector unsigned char);
6162
6163 vector float vec_or (vector float, vector float);
6164 vector float vec_or (vector float, vector signed int);
6165 vector float vec_or (vector signed int, vector float);
6166 vector signed int vec_or (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6167 vector unsigned int vec_or (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6168 vector unsigned int vec_or (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6169 vector unsigned int vec_or (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6170 vector signed short vec_or (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6171 vector unsigned short vec_or (vector signed short,
6172 vector unsigned short);
6173 vector unsigned short vec_or (vector unsigned short,
6174 vector signed short);
6175 vector unsigned short vec_or (vector unsigned short,
6176 vector unsigned short);
6177 vector signed char vec_or (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6178 vector unsigned char vec_or (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6179 vector unsigned char vec_or (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6180 vector unsigned char vec_or (vector unsigned char,
6181 vector unsigned char);
6182
6183 vector signed char vec_pack (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6184 vector unsigned char vec_pack (vector unsigned short,
6185 vector unsigned short);
6186 vector signed short vec_pack (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6187 vector unsigned short vec_pack (vector unsigned int,
6188 vector unsigned int);
6189
6190 vector signed short vec_packpx (vector unsigned int,
6191 vector unsigned int);
6192
6193 vector unsigned char vec_packs (vector unsigned short,
6194 vector unsigned short);
6195 vector signed char vec_packs (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6196
6197 vector unsigned short vec_packs (vector unsigned int,
6198 vector unsigned int);
6199 vector signed short vec_packs (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6200
6201 vector unsigned char vec_packsu (vector unsigned short,
6202 vector unsigned short);
6203 vector unsigned char vec_packsu (vector signed short,
6204 vector signed short);
6205 vector unsigned short vec_packsu (vector unsigned int,
6206 vector unsigned int);
6207 vector unsigned short vec_packsu (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6208
6209 vector float vec_perm (vector float, vector float,
6210 vector unsigned char);
6211 vector signed int vec_perm (vector signed int, vector signed int,
6212 vector unsigned char);
6213 vector unsigned int vec_perm (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int,
6214 vector unsigned char);
6215 vector signed short vec_perm (vector signed short, vector signed short,
6216 vector unsigned char);
6217 vector unsigned short vec_perm (vector unsigned short,
6218 vector unsigned short,
6219 vector unsigned char);
6220 vector signed char vec_perm (vector signed char, vector signed char,
6221 vector unsigned char);
6222 vector unsigned char vec_perm (vector unsigned char,
6223 vector unsigned char,
6224 vector unsigned char);
6225
6226 vector float vec_re (vector float);
6227
6228 vector signed char vec_rl (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6229 vector unsigned char vec_rl (vector unsigned char,
6230 vector unsigned char);
6231 vector signed short vec_rl (vector signed short, vector unsigned short);
6232
6233 vector unsigned short vec_rl (vector unsigned short,
6234 vector unsigned short);
6235 vector signed int vec_rl (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6236 vector unsigned int vec_rl (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6237
6238 vector float vec_round (vector float);
6239
6240 vector float vec_rsqrte (vector float);
6241
6242 vector float vec_sel (vector float, vector float, vector signed int);
6243 vector float vec_sel (vector float, vector float, vector unsigned int);
6244 vector signed int vec_sel (vector signed int, vector signed int,
6245 vector signed int);
6246 vector signed int vec_sel (vector signed int, vector signed int,
6247 vector unsigned int);
6248 vector unsigned int vec_sel (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int,
6249 vector signed int);
6250 vector unsigned int vec_sel (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int,
6251 vector unsigned int);
6252 vector signed short vec_sel (vector signed short, vector signed short,
6253 vector signed short);
6254 vector signed short vec_sel (vector signed short, vector signed short,
6255 vector unsigned short);
6256 vector unsigned short vec_sel (vector unsigned short,
6257 vector unsigned short,
6258 vector signed short);
6259 vector unsigned short vec_sel (vector unsigned short,
6260 vector unsigned short,
6261 vector unsigned short);
6262 vector signed char vec_sel (vector signed char, vector signed char,
6263 vector signed char);
6264 vector signed char vec_sel (vector signed char, vector signed char,
6265 vector unsigned char);
6266 vector unsigned char vec_sel (vector unsigned char,
6267 vector unsigned char,
6268 vector signed char);
6269 vector unsigned char vec_sel (vector unsigned char,
6270 vector unsigned char,
6271 vector unsigned char);
6272
6273 vector signed char vec_sl (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6274 vector unsigned char vec_sl (vector unsigned char,
6275 vector unsigned char);
6276 vector signed short vec_sl (vector signed short, vector unsigned short);
6277
6278 vector unsigned short vec_sl (vector unsigned short,
6279 vector unsigned short);
6280 vector signed int vec_sl (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6281 vector unsigned int vec_sl (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6282
6283 vector float vec_sld (vector float, vector float, const char);
6284 vector signed int vec_sld (vector signed int, vector signed int,
6285 const char);
6286 vector unsigned int vec_sld (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int,
6287 const char);
6288 vector signed short vec_sld (vector signed short, vector signed short,
6289 const char);
6290 vector unsigned short vec_sld (vector unsigned short,
6291 vector unsigned short, const char);
6292 vector signed char vec_sld (vector signed char, vector signed char,
6293 const char);
6294 vector unsigned char vec_sld (vector unsigned char,
6295 vector unsigned char,
6296 const char);
6297
6298 vector signed int vec_sll (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6299 vector signed int vec_sll (vector signed int, vector unsigned short);
6300 vector signed int vec_sll (vector signed int, vector unsigned char);
6301 vector unsigned int vec_sll (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6302 vector unsigned int vec_sll (vector unsigned int,
6303 vector unsigned short);
6304 vector unsigned int vec_sll (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned char);
6305
6306 vector signed short vec_sll (vector signed short, vector unsigned int);
6307 vector signed short vec_sll (vector signed short,
6308 vector unsigned short);
6309 vector signed short vec_sll (vector signed short, vector unsigned char);
6310
6311 vector unsigned short vec_sll (vector unsigned short,
6312 vector unsigned int);
6313 vector unsigned short vec_sll (vector unsigned short,
6314 vector unsigned short);
6315 vector unsigned short vec_sll (vector unsigned short,
6316 vector unsigned char);
6317 vector signed char vec_sll (vector signed char, vector unsigned int);
6318 vector signed char vec_sll (vector signed char, vector unsigned short);
6319 vector signed char vec_sll (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6320 vector unsigned char vec_sll (vector unsigned char,
6321 vector unsigned int);
6322 vector unsigned char vec_sll (vector unsigned char,
6323 vector unsigned short);
6324 vector unsigned char vec_sll (vector unsigned char,
6325 vector unsigned char);
6326
6327 vector float vec_slo (vector float, vector signed char);
6328 vector float vec_slo (vector float, vector unsigned char);
6329 vector signed int vec_slo (vector signed int, vector signed char);
6330 vector signed int vec_slo (vector signed int, vector unsigned char);
6331 vector unsigned int vec_slo (vector unsigned int, vector signed char);
6332 vector unsigned int vec_slo (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned char);
6333
6334 vector signed short vec_slo (vector signed short, vector signed char);
6335 vector signed short vec_slo (vector signed short, vector unsigned char);
6336
6337 vector unsigned short vec_slo (vector unsigned short,
6338 vector signed char);
6339 vector unsigned short vec_slo (vector unsigned short,
6340 vector unsigned char);
6341 vector signed char vec_slo (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6342 vector signed char vec_slo (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6343 vector unsigned char vec_slo (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6344
6345 vector unsigned char vec_slo (vector unsigned char,
6346 vector unsigned char);
6347
6348 vector signed char vec_splat (vector signed char, const char);
6349 vector unsigned char vec_splat (vector unsigned char, const char);
6350 vector signed short vec_splat (vector signed short, const char);
6351 vector unsigned short vec_splat (vector unsigned short, const char);
6352 vector float vec_splat (vector float, const char);
6353 vector signed int vec_splat (vector signed int, const char);
6354 vector unsigned int vec_splat (vector unsigned int, const char);
6355
6356 vector signed char vec_splat_s8 (const char);
6357
6358 vector signed short vec_splat_s16 (const char);
6359
6360 vector signed int vec_splat_s32 (const char);
6361
6362 vector unsigned char vec_splat_u8 (const char);
6363
6364 vector unsigned short vec_splat_u16 (const char);
6365
6366 vector unsigned int vec_splat_u32 (const char);
6367
6368 vector signed char vec_sr (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6369 vector unsigned char vec_sr (vector unsigned char,
6370 vector unsigned char);
6371 vector signed short vec_sr (vector signed short, vector unsigned short);
6372
6373 vector unsigned short vec_sr (vector unsigned short,
6374 vector unsigned short);
6375 vector signed int vec_sr (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6376 vector unsigned int vec_sr (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6377
6378 vector signed char vec_sra (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6379 vector unsigned char vec_sra (vector unsigned char,
6380 vector unsigned char);
6381 vector signed short vec_sra (vector signed short,
6382 vector unsigned short);
6383 vector unsigned short vec_sra (vector unsigned short,
6384 vector unsigned short);
6385 vector signed int vec_sra (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6386 vector unsigned int vec_sra (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6387
6388 vector signed int vec_srl (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6389 vector signed int vec_srl (vector signed int, vector unsigned short);
6390 vector signed int vec_srl (vector signed int, vector unsigned char);
6391 vector unsigned int vec_srl (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6392 vector unsigned int vec_srl (vector unsigned int,
6393 vector unsigned short);
6394 vector unsigned int vec_srl (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned char);
6395
6396 vector signed short vec_srl (vector signed short, vector unsigned int);
6397 vector signed short vec_srl (vector signed short,
6398 vector unsigned short);
6399 vector signed short vec_srl (vector signed short, vector unsigned char);
6400
6401 vector unsigned short vec_srl (vector unsigned short,
6402 vector unsigned int);
6403 vector unsigned short vec_srl (vector unsigned short,
6404 vector unsigned short);
6405 vector unsigned short vec_srl (vector unsigned short,
6406 vector unsigned char);
6407 vector signed char vec_srl (vector signed char, vector unsigned int);
6408 vector signed char vec_srl (vector signed char, vector unsigned short);
6409 vector signed char vec_srl (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6410 vector unsigned char vec_srl (vector unsigned char,
6411 vector unsigned int);
6412 vector unsigned char vec_srl (vector unsigned char,
6413 vector unsigned short);
6414 vector unsigned char vec_srl (vector unsigned char,
6415 vector unsigned char);
6416
6417 vector float vec_sro (vector float, vector signed char);
6418 vector float vec_sro (vector float, vector unsigned char);
6419 vector signed int vec_sro (vector signed int, vector signed char);
6420 vector signed int vec_sro (vector signed int, vector unsigned char);
6421 vector unsigned int vec_sro (vector unsigned int, vector signed char);
6422 vector unsigned int vec_sro (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned char);
6423
6424 vector signed short vec_sro (vector signed short, vector signed char);
6425 vector signed short vec_sro (vector signed short, vector unsigned char);
6426
6427 vector unsigned short vec_sro (vector unsigned short,
6428 vector signed char);
6429 vector unsigned short vec_sro (vector unsigned short,
6430 vector unsigned char);
6431 vector signed char vec_sro (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6432 vector signed char vec_sro (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6433 vector unsigned char vec_sro (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6434
6435 vector unsigned char vec_sro (vector unsigned char,
6436 vector unsigned char);
6437
6438 void vec_st (vector float, int, float *);
6439 void vec_st (vector float, int, vector float *);
6440 void vec_st (vector signed int, int, int *);
6441 void vec_st (vector signed int, int, unsigned int *);
6442 void vec_st (vector unsigned int, int, unsigned int *);
6443 void vec_st (vector unsigned int, int, vector unsigned int *);
6444 void vec_st (vector signed short, int, short *);
6445 void vec_st (vector signed short, int, vector unsigned short *);
6446 void vec_st (vector signed short, int, vector signed short *);
6447 void vec_st (vector unsigned short, int, unsigned short *);
6448 void vec_st (vector unsigned short, int, vector unsigned short *);
6449 void vec_st (vector signed char, int, signed char *);
6450 void vec_st (vector signed char, int, unsigned char *);
6451 void vec_st (vector signed char, int, vector signed char *);
6452 void vec_st (vector unsigned char, int, unsigned char *);
6453 void vec_st (vector unsigned char, int, vector unsigned char *);
6454
6455 void vec_ste (vector signed char, int, unsigned char *);
6456 void vec_ste (vector signed char, int, signed char *);
6457 void vec_ste (vector unsigned char, int, unsigned char *);
6458 void vec_ste (vector signed short, int, short *);
6459 void vec_ste (vector signed short, int, unsigned short *);
6460 void vec_ste (vector unsigned short, int, void *);
6461 void vec_ste (vector signed int, int, unsigned int *);
6462 void vec_ste (vector signed int, int, int *);
6463 void vec_ste (vector unsigned int, int, unsigned int *);
6464 void vec_ste (vector float, int, float *);
6465
6466 void vec_stl (vector float, int, vector float *);
6467 void vec_stl (vector float, int, float *);
6468 void vec_stl (vector signed int, int, vector signed int *);
6469 void vec_stl (vector signed int, int, int *);
6470 void vec_stl (vector signed int, int, unsigned int *);
6471 void vec_stl (vector unsigned int, int, vector unsigned int *);
6472 void vec_stl (vector unsigned int, int, unsigned int *);
6473 void vec_stl (vector signed short, int, short *);
6474 void vec_stl (vector signed short, int, unsigned short *);
6475 void vec_stl (vector signed short, int, vector signed short *);
6476 void vec_stl (vector unsigned short, int, unsigned short *);
6477 void vec_stl (vector unsigned short, int, vector signed short *);
6478 void vec_stl (vector signed char, int, signed char *);
6479 void vec_stl (vector signed char, int, unsigned char *);
6480 void vec_stl (vector signed char, int, vector signed char *);
6481 void vec_stl (vector unsigned char, int, unsigned char *);
6482 void vec_stl (vector unsigned char, int, vector unsigned char *);
6483
6484 vector signed char vec_sub (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6485 vector unsigned char vec_sub (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6486
6487 vector unsigned char vec_sub (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6488
6489 vector unsigned char vec_sub (vector unsigned char,
6490 vector unsigned char);
6491 vector signed short vec_sub (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6492 vector unsigned short vec_sub (vector signed short,
6493 vector unsigned short);
6494 vector unsigned short vec_sub (vector unsigned short,
6495 vector signed short);
6496 vector unsigned short vec_sub (vector unsigned short,
6497 vector unsigned short);
6498 vector signed int vec_sub (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6499 vector unsigned int vec_sub (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6500 vector unsigned int vec_sub (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6501 vector unsigned int vec_sub (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6502 vector float vec_sub (vector float, vector float);
6503
6504 vector unsigned int vec_subc (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6505
6506 vector unsigned char vec_subs (vector signed char,
6507 vector unsigned char);
6508 vector unsigned char vec_subs (vector unsigned char,
6509 vector signed char);
6510 vector unsigned char vec_subs (vector unsigned char,
6511 vector unsigned char);
6512 vector signed char vec_subs (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6513 vector unsigned short vec_subs (vector signed short,
6514 vector unsigned short);
6515 vector unsigned short vec_subs (vector unsigned short,
6516 vector signed short);
6517 vector unsigned short vec_subs (vector unsigned short,
6518 vector unsigned short);
6519 vector signed short vec_subs (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6520
6521 vector unsigned int vec_subs (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6522 vector unsigned int vec_subs (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6523 vector unsigned int vec_subs (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6524
6525 vector signed int vec_subs (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6526
6527 vector unsigned int vec_sum4s (vector unsigned char,
6528 vector unsigned int);
6529 vector signed int vec_sum4s (vector signed char, vector signed int);
6530 vector signed int vec_sum4s (vector signed short, vector signed int);
6531
6532 vector signed int vec_sum2s (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6533
6534 vector signed int vec_sums (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6535
6536 vector float vec_trunc (vector float);
6537
6538 vector signed short vec_unpackh (vector signed char);
6539 vector unsigned int vec_unpackh (vector signed short);
6540 vector signed int vec_unpackh (vector signed short);
6541
6542 vector signed short vec_unpackl (vector signed char);
6543 vector unsigned int vec_unpackl (vector signed short);
6544 vector signed int vec_unpackl (vector signed short);
6545
6546 vector float vec_xor (vector float, vector float);
6547 vector float vec_xor (vector float, vector signed int);
6548 vector float vec_xor (vector signed int, vector float);
6549 vector signed int vec_xor (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6550 vector unsigned int vec_xor (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6551 vector unsigned int vec_xor (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6552 vector unsigned int vec_xor (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6553 vector signed short vec_xor (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6554 vector unsigned short vec_xor (vector signed short,
6555 vector unsigned short);
6556 vector unsigned short vec_xor (vector unsigned short,
6557 vector signed short);
6558 vector unsigned short vec_xor (vector unsigned short,
6559 vector unsigned short);
6560 vector signed char vec_xor (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6561 vector unsigned char vec_xor (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6562
6563 vector unsigned char vec_xor (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6564
6565 vector unsigned char vec_xor (vector unsigned char,
6566 vector unsigned char);
6567
6568 vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6569
6570 vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6571 vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6572
6573 vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector unsigned char,
6574 vector unsigned char);
6575 vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector signed short,
6576 vector unsigned short);
6577 vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6578
6579 vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector unsigned short,
6580 vector signed short);
6581 vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector unsigned short,
6582 vector unsigned short);
6583 vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6584 vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6585 vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6586 vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6587
6588 vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector float, vector float);
6589
6590 vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6591
6592 vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6593
6594 vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector unsigned char,
6595 vector unsigned char);
6596 vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6597 vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector signed short,
6598 vector unsigned short);
6599 vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector unsigned short,
6600 vector signed short);
6601 vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector unsigned short,
6602 vector unsigned short);
6603 vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6604
6605 vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6606 vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6607 vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6608
6609 vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6610 vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector float, vector float);
6611
6612 vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6613
6614 vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6615
6616 vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector unsigned char,
6617 vector unsigned char);
6618 vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6619 vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector signed short,
6620 vector unsigned short);
6621 vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector unsigned short,
6622 vector signed short);
6623 vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector unsigned short,
6624 vector unsigned short);
6625 vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6626
6627 vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6628 vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6629 vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6630
6631 vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6632 vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector float, vector float);
6633
6634 vector signed int vec_all_in (vector float, vector float);
6635
6636 vector signed int vec_all_le (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6637
6638 vector signed int vec_all_le (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6639
6640 vector signed int vec_all_le (vector unsigned char,
6641 vector unsigned char);
6642 vector signed int vec_all_le (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6643 vector signed int vec_all_le (vector signed short,
6644 vector unsigned short);
6645 vector signed int vec_all_le (vector unsigned short,
6646 vector signed short);
6647 vector signed int vec_all_le (vector unsigned short,
6648 vector unsigned short);
6649 vector signed int vec_all_le (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6650
6651 vector signed int vec_all_le (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6652 vector signed int vec_all_le (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6653 vector signed int vec_all_le (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6654
6655 vector signed int vec_all_le (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6656 vector signed int vec_all_le (vector float, vector float);
6657
6658 vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6659
6660 vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6661
6662 vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector unsigned char,
6663 vector unsigned char);
6664 vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6665 vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector signed short,
6666 vector unsigned short);
6667 vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector unsigned short,
6668 vector signed short);
6669 vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector unsigned short,
6670 vector unsigned short);
6671 vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6672
6673 vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6674 vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6675 vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6676
6677 vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6678 vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector float, vector float);
6679
6680 vector signed int vec_all_nan (vector float);
6681
6682 vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6683
6684 vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6685 vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6686
6687 vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector unsigned char,
6688 vector unsigned char);
6689 vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector signed short,
6690 vector unsigned short);
6691 vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6692
6693 vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector unsigned short,
6694 vector signed short);
6695 vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector unsigned short,
6696 vector unsigned short);
6697 vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6698 vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6699 vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6700 vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6701
6702 vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector float, vector float);
6703
6704 vector signed int vec_all_nge (vector float, vector float);
6705
6706 vector signed int vec_all_ngt (vector float, vector float);
6707
6708 vector signed int vec_all_nle (vector float, vector float);
6709
6710 vector signed int vec_all_nlt (vector float, vector float);
6711
6712 vector signed int vec_all_numeric (vector float);
6713
6714 vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6715
6716 vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6717 vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6718
6719 vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector unsigned char,
6720 vector unsigned char);
6721 vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector signed short,
6722 vector unsigned short);
6723 vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6724
6725 vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector unsigned short,
6726 vector signed short);
6727 vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector unsigned short,
6728 vector unsigned short);
6729 vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6730 vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6731 vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6732 vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6733
6734 vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector float, vector float);
6735
6736 vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6737
6738 vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6739
6740 vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector unsigned char,
6741 vector unsigned char);
6742 vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6743 vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector signed short,
6744 vector unsigned short);
6745 vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector unsigned short,
6746 vector signed short);
6747 vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector unsigned short,
6748 vector unsigned short);
6749 vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6750
6751 vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6752 vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6753 vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6754
6755 vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6756 vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector float, vector float);
6757
6758 vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6759
6760 vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6761
6762 vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector unsigned char,
6763 vector unsigned char);
6764 vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6765 vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector signed short,
6766 vector unsigned short);
6767 vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector unsigned short,
6768 vector signed short);
6769 vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector unsigned short,
6770 vector unsigned short);
6771 vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6772
6773 vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6774 vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6775 vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6776
6777 vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6778 vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector float, vector float);
6779
6780 vector signed int vec_any_le (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6781
6782 vector signed int vec_any_le (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6783
6784 vector signed int vec_any_le (vector unsigned char,
6785 vector unsigned char);
6786 vector signed int vec_any_le (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6787 vector signed int vec_any_le (vector signed short,
6788 vector unsigned short);
6789 vector signed int vec_any_le (vector unsigned short,
6790 vector signed short);
6791 vector signed int vec_any_le (vector unsigned short,
6792 vector unsigned short);
6793 vector signed int vec_any_le (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6794
6795 vector signed int vec_any_le (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6796 vector signed int vec_any_le (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6797 vector signed int vec_any_le (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6798
6799 vector signed int vec_any_le (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6800 vector signed int vec_any_le (vector float, vector float);
6801
6802 vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6803
6804 vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6805
6806 vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector unsigned char,
6807 vector unsigned char);
6808 vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6809 vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector signed short,
6810 vector unsigned short);
6811 vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector unsigned short,
6812 vector signed short);
6813 vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector unsigned short,
6814 vector unsigned short);
6815 vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6816
6817 vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6818 vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6819 vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6820
6821 vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6822 vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector float, vector float);
6823
6824 vector signed int vec_any_nan (vector float);
6825
6826 vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6827
6828 vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6829 vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6830
6831 vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector unsigned char,
6832 vector unsigned char);
6833 vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector signed short,
6834 vector unsigned short);
6835 vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6836
6837 vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector unsigned short,
6838 vector signed short);
6839 vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector unsigned short,
6840 vector unsigned short);
6841 vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6842 vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6843 vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6844 vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6845
6846 vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector float, vector float);
6847
6848 vector signed int vec_any_nge (vector float, vector float);
6849
6850 vector signed int vec_any_ngt (vector float, vector float);
6851
6852 vector signed int vec_any_nle (vector float, vector float);
6853
6854 vector signed int vec_any_nlt (vector float, vector float);
6855
6856 vector signed int vec_any_numeric (vector float);
6857
6858 vector signed int vec_any_out (vector float, vector float);
6859 @end smallexample
6860
6861 @node Pragmas
6862 @section Pragmas Accepted by GCC
6863 @cindex pragmas
6864 @cindex #pragma
6865
6866 GCC supports several types of pragmas, primarily in order to compile
6867 code originally written for other compilers. Note that in general
6868 we do not recommend the use of pragmas; @xref{Function Attributes},
6869 for further explanation.
6870
6871 @menu
6872 * ARM Pragmas::
6873 * RS/6000 and PowerPC Pragmas::
6874 * Darwin Pragmas::
6875 * Solaris Pragmas::
6876 * Tru64 Pragmas::
6877 @end menu
6878
6879 @node ARM Pragmas
6880 @subsection ARM Pragmas
6881
6882 The ARM target defines pragmas for controlling the default addition of
6883 @code{long_call} and @code{short_call} attributes to functions.
6884 @xref{Function Attributes}, for information about the effects of these
6885 attributes.
6886
6887 @table @code
6888 @item long_calls
6889 @cindex pragma, long_calls
6890 Set all subsequent functions to have the @code{long_call} attribute.
6891
6892 @item no_long_calls
6893 @cindex pragma, no_long_calls
6894 Set all subsequent functions to have the @code{short_call} attribute.
6895
6896 @item long_calls_off
6897 @cindex pragma, long_calls_off
6898 Do not affect the @code{long_call} or @code{short_call} attributes of
6899 subsequent functions.
6900 @end table
6901
6902 @node RS/6000 and PowerPC Pragmas
6903 @subsection RS/6000 and PowerPC Pragmas
6904
6905 The RS/6000 and PowerPC targets define one pragma for controlling
6906 whether or not the @code{longcall} attribute is added to function
6907 declarations by default. This pragma overrides the @option{-mlongcall}
6908 option, but not the @code{longcall} and @code{shortcall} attributes.
6909 @xref{RS/6000 and PowerPC Options}, for more information about when long
6910 calls are and are not necessary.
6911
6912 @table @code
6913 @item longcall (1)
6914 @cindex pragma, longcall
6915 Apply the @code{longcall} attribute to all subsequent function
6916 declarations.
6917
6918 @item longcall (0)
6919 Do not apply the @code{longcall} attribute to subsequent function
6920 declarations.
6921 @end table
6922
6923 @c Describe c4x pragmas here.
6924 @c Describe h8300 pragmas here.
6925 @c Describe i370 pragmas here.
6926 @c Describe i960 pragmas here.
6927 @c Describe sh pragmas here.
6928 @c Describe v850 pragmas here.
6929
6930 @node Darwin Pragmas
6931 @subsection Darwin Pragmas
6932
6933 The following pragmas are available for all architectures running the
6934 Darwin operating system. These are useful for compatibility with other
6935 Mac OS compilers.
6936
6937 @table @code
6938 @item mark @var{tokens}@dots{}
6939 @cindex pragma, mark
6940 This pragma is accepted, but has no effect.
6941
6942 @item options align=@var{alignment}
6943 @cindex pragma, options align
6944 This pragma sets the alignment of fields in structures. The values of
6945 @var{alignment} may be @code{mac68k}, to emulate m68k alignment, or
6946 @code{power}, to emulate PowerPC alignment. Uses of this pragma nest
6947 properly; to restore the previous setting, use @code{reset} for the
6948 @var{alignment}.
6949
6950 @item segment @var{tokens}@dots{}
6951 @cindex pragma, segment
6952 This pragma is accepted, but has no effect.
6953
6954 @item unused (@var{var} [, @var{var}]@dots{})
6955 @cindex pragma, unused
6956 This pragma declares variables to be possibly unused. GCC will not
6957 produce warnings for the listed variables. The effect is similar to
6958 that of the @code{unused} attribute, except that this pragma may appear
6959 anywhere within the variables' scopes.
6960 @end table
6961
6962 @node Solaris Pragmas
6963 @subsection Solaris Pragmas
6964
6965 For compatibility with the SunPRO compiler, the following pragma
6966 is supported.
6967
6968 @table @code
6969 @item redefine_extname @var{oldname} @var{newname}
6970 @cindex pragma, redefine_extname
6971
6972 This pragma gives the C function @var{oldname} the assembler label
6973 @var{newname}. The pragma must appear before the function declaration.
6974 This pragma is equivalent to the asm labels extension (@pxref{Asm
6975 Labels}). The preprocessor defines @code{__PRAGMA_REDEFINE_EXTNAME}
6976 if the pragma is available.
6977 @end table
6978
6979 @node Tru64 Pragmas
6980 @subsection Tru64 Pragmas
6981
6982 For compatibility with the Compaq C compiler, the following pragma
6983 is supported.
6984
6985 @table @code
6986 @item extern_prefix @var{string}
6987 @cindex pragma, extern_prefix
6988
6989 This pragma renames all subsequent function and variable declarations
6990 such that @var{string} is prepended to the name. This effect may be
6991 terminated by using another @code{extern_prefix} pragma with the
6992 empty string.
6993
6994 This pragma is similar in intent to to the asm labels extension
6995 (@pxref{Asm Labels}) in that the system programmer wants to change
6996 the assembly-level ABI without changing the source-level API. The
6997 preprocessor defines @code{__PRAGMA_EXTERN_PREFIX} if the pragma is
6998 available.
6999 @end table
7000
7001 @node Unnamed Fields
7002 @section Unnamed struct/union fields within structs/unions.
7003 @cindex struct
7004 @cindex union
7005
7006 For compatibility with other compilers, GCC allows you to define
7007 a structure or union that contains, as fields, structures and unions
7008 without names. For example:
7009
7010 @example
7011 struct @{
7012 int a;
7013 union @{
7014 int b;
7015 float c;
7016 @};
7017 int d;
7018 @} foo;
7019 @end example
7020
7021 In this example, the user would be able to access members of the unnamed
7022 union with code like @samp{foo.b}. Note that only unnamed structs and
7023 unions are allowed, you may not have, for example, an unnamed
7024 @code{int}.
7025
7026 You must never create such structures that cause ambiguous field definitions.
7027 For example, this structure:
7028
7029 @example
7030 struct @{
7031 int a;
7032 struct @{
7033 int a;
7034 @};
7035 @} foo;
7036 @end example
7037
7038 It is ambiguous which @code{a} is being referred to with @samp{foo.a}.
7039 Such constructs are not supported and must be avoided. In the future,
7040 such constructs may be detected and treated as compilation errors.
7041
7042 @node Thread-Local
7043 @section Thread-Local Storage
7044 @cindex Thread-Local Storage
7045 @cindex @acronym{TLS}
7046 @cindex __thread
7047
7048 Thread-local storage (@acronym{TLS}) is a mechanism by which variables
7049 are allocated such that there is one instance of the variable per extant
7050 thread. The run-time model GCC uses to implement this originates
7051 in the IA-64 processor-specific ABI, but has since been migrated
7052 to other processors as well. It requires significant support from
7053 the linker (@command{ld}), dynamic linker (@command{ld.so}), and
7054 system libraries (@file{libc.so} and @file{libpthread.so}), so it
7055 is not available everywhere.
7056
7057 At the user level, the extension is visible with a new storage
7058 class keyword: @code{__thread}. For example:
7059
7060 @example
7061 __thread int i;
7062 extern __thread struct state s;
7063 static __thread char *p;
7064 @end example
7065
7066 The @code{__thread} specifier may be used alone, with the @code{extern}
7067 or @code{static} specifiers, but with no other storage class specifier.
7068 When used with @code{extern} or @code{static}, @code{__thread} must appear
7069 immediately after the other storage class specifier.
7070
7071 The @code{__thread} specifier may be applied to any global, file-scoped
7072 static, function-scoped static, or static data member of a class. It may
7073 not be applied to block-scoped automatic or non-static data member.
7074
7075 When the address-of operator is applied to a thread-local variable, it is
7076 evaluated at run-time and returns the address of the current thread's
7077 instance of that variable. An address so obtained may be used by any
7078 thread. When a thread terminates, any pointers to thread-local variables
7079 in that thread become invalid.
7080
7081 No static initialization may refer to the address of a thread-local variable.
7082
7083 In C++, if an initializer is present for a thread-local variable, it must
7084 be a @var{constant-expression}, as defined in 5.19.2 of the ANSI/ISO C++
7085 standard.
7086
7087 See @uref{http://people.redhat.com/drepper/tls.pdf,
7088 ELF Handling For Thread-Local Storage} for a detailed explanation of
7089 the four thread-local storage addressing models, and how the run-time
7090 is expected to function.
7091
7092 @menu
7093 * C99 Thread-Local Edits::
7094 * C++98 Thread-Local Edits::
7095 @end menu
7096
7097 @node C99 Thread-Local Edits
7098 @subsection ISO/IEC 9899:1999 Edits for Thread-Local Storage
7099
7100 The following are a set of changes to ISO/IEC 9899:1999 (aka C99)
7101 that document the exact semantics of the language extension.
7102
7103 @itemize @bullet
7104 @item
7105 @cite{5.1.2 Execution environments}
7106
7107 Add new text after paragraph 1
7108
7109 @quotation
7110 Within either execution environment, a @dfn{thread} is a flow of
7111 control within a program. It is implementation defined whether
7112 or not there may be more than one thread associated with a program.
7113 It is implementation defined how threads beyond the first are
7114 created, the name and type of the function called at thread
7115 startup, and how threads may be terminated. However, objects
7116 with thread storage duration shall be initialized before thread
7117 startup.
7118 @end quotation
7119
7120 @item
7121 @cite{6.2.4 Storage durations of objects}
7122
7123 Add new text before paragraph 3
7124
7125 @quotation
7126 An object whose identifier is declared with the storage-class
7127 specifier @w{@code{__thread}} has @dfn{thread storage duration}.
7128 Its lifetime is the entire execution of the thread, and its
7129 stored value is initialized only once, prior to thread startup.
7130 @end quotation
7131
7132 @item
7133 @cite{6.4.1 Keywords}
7134
7135 Add @code{__thread}.
7136
7137 @item
7138 @cite{6.7.1 Storage-class specifiers}
7139
7140 Add @code{__thread} to the list of storage class specifiers in
7141 paragraph 1.
7142
7143 Change paragraph 2 to
7144
7145 @quotation
7146 With the exception of @code{__thread}, at most one storage-class
7147 specifier may be given [@dots{}]. The @code{__thread} specifier may
7148 be used alone, or immediately following @code{extern} or
7149 @code{static}.
7150 @end quotation
7151
7152 Add new text after paragraph 6
7153
7154 @quotation
7155 The declaration of an identifier for a variable that has
7156 block scope that specifies @code{__thread} shall also
7157 specify either @code{extern} or @code{static}.
7158
7159 The @code{__thread} specifier shall be used only with
7160 variables.
7161 @end quotation
7162 @end itemize
7163
7164 @node C++98 Thread-Local Edits
7165 @subsection ISO/IEC 14882:1998 Edits for Thread-Local Storage
7166
7167 The following are a set of changes to ISO/IEC 14882:1998 (aka C++98)
7168 that document the exact semantics of the language extension.
7169
7170 @itemize @bullet
7171 @item
7172 @b{[intro.execution]}
7173
7174 New text after paragraph 4
7175
7176 @quotation
7177 A @dfn{thread} is a flow of control within the abstract machine.
7178 It is implementation defined whether or not there may be more than
7179 one thread.
7180 @end quotation
7181
7182 New text after paragraph 7
7183
7184 @quotation
7185 It is unspecified whether additional action must be taken to
7186 ensure when and whether side effects are visible to other threads.
7187 @end quotation
7188
7189 @item
7190 @b{[lex.key]}
7191
7192 Add @code{__thread}.
7193
7194 @item
7195 @b{[basic.start.main]}
7196
7197 Add after paragraph 5
7198
7199 @quotation
7200 The thread that begins execution at the @code{main} function is called
7201 the @dfn{main thread}. It is implementation defined how functions
7202 beginning threads other than the main thread are designated or typed.
7203 A function so designated, as well as the @code{main} function, is called
7204 a @dfn{thread startup function}. It is implementation defined what
7205 happens if a thread startup function returns. It is implementation
7206 defined what happens to other threads when any thread calls @code{exit}.
7207 @end quotation
7208
7209 @item
7210 @b{[basic.start.init]}
7211
7212 Add after paragraph 4
7213
7214 @quotation
7215 The storage for an object of thread storage duration shall be
7216 statically initialized before the first statement of the thread startup
7217 function. An object of thread storage duration shall not require
7218 dynamic initialization.
7219 @end quotation
7220
7221 @item
7222 @b{[basic.start.term]}
7223
7224 Add after paragraph 3
7225
7226 @quotation
7227 The type of an object with thread storage duration shall not have a
7228 non-trivial destructor, nor shall it be an array type whose elements
7229 (directly or indirectly) have non-trivial destructors.
7230 @end quotation
7231
7232 @item
7233 @b{[basic.stc]}
7234
7235 Add ``thread storage duration'' to the list in paragraph 1.
7236
7237 Change paragraph 2
7238
7239 @quotation
7240 Thread, static, and automatic storage durations are associated with
7241 objects introduced by declarations [@dots{}].
7242 @end quotation
7243
7244 Add @code{__thread} to the list of specifiers in paragraph 3.
7245
7246 @item
7247 @b{[basic.stc.thread]}
7248
7249 New section before @b{[basic.stc.static]}
7250
7251 @quotation
7252 The keyword @code{__thread} applied to a non-local object gives the
7253 object thread storage duration.
7254
7255 A local variable or class data member declared both @code{static}
7256 and @code{__thread} gives the variable or member thread storage
7257 duration.
7258 @end quotation
7259
7260 @item
7261 @b{[basic.stc.static]}
7262
7263 Change paragraph 1
7264
7265 @quotation
7266 All objects which have neither thread storage duration, dynamic
7267 storage duration nor are local [@dots{}].
7268 @end quotation
7269
7270 @item
7271 @b{[dcl.stc]}
7272
7273 Add @code{__thread} to the list in paragraph 1.
7274
7275 Change paragraph 1
7276
7277 @quotation
7278 With the exception of @code{__thread}, at most one
7279 @var{storage-class-specifier} shall appear in a given
7280 @var{decl-specifier-seq}. The @code{__thread} specifier may
7281 be used alone, or immediately following the @code{extern} or
7282 @code{static} specifiers. [@dots{}]
7283 @end quotation
7284
7285 Add after paragraph 5
7286
7287 @quotation
7288 The @code{__thread} specifier can be applied only to the names of objects
7289 and to anonymous unions.
7290 @end quotation
7291
7292 @item
7293 @b{[class.mem]}
7294
7295 Add after paragraph 6
7296
7297 @quotation
7298 Non-@code{static} members shall not be @code{__thread}.
7299 @end quotation
7300 @end itemize
7301
7302 @node C++ Extensions
7303 @chapter Extensions to the C++ Language
7304 @cindex extensions, C++ language
7305 @cindex C++ language extensions
7306
7307 The GNU compiler provides these extensions to the C++ language (and you
7308 can also use most of the C language extensions in your C++ programs). If you
7309 want to write code that checks whether these features are available, you can
7310 test for the GNU compiler the same way as for C programs: check for a
7311 predefined macro @code{__GNUC__}. You can also use @code{__GNUG__} to
7312 test specifically for GNU C++ (@pxref{Standard Predefined,,Standard
7313 Predefined Macros,cpp.info,The C Preprocessor}).
7314
7315 @menu
7316 * Min and Max:: C++ Minimum and maximum operators.
7317 * Volatiles:: What constitutes an access to a volatile object.
7318 * Restricted Pointers:: C99 restricted pointers and references.
7319 * Vague Linkage:: Where G++ puts inlines, vtables and such.
7320 * C++ Interface:: You can use a single C++ header file for both
7321 declarations and definitions.
7322 * Template Instantiation:: Methods for ensuring that exactly one copy of
7323 each needed template instantiation is emitted.
7324 * Bound member functions:: You can extract a function pointer to the
7325 method denoted by a @samp{->*} or @samp{.*} expression.
7326 * C++ Attributes:: Variable, function, and type attributes for C++ only.
7327 * Java Exceptions:: Tweaking exception handling to work with Java.
7328 * Deprecated Features:: Things will disappear from g++.
7329 * Backwards Compatibility:: Compatibilities with earlier definitions of C++.
7330 @end menu
7331
7332 @node Min and Max
7333 @section Minimum and Maximum Operators in C++
7334
7335 It is very convenient to have operators which return the ``minimum'' or the
7336 ``maximum'' of two arguments. In GNU C++ (but not in GNU C),
7337
7338 @table @code
7339 @item @var{a} <? @var{b}
7340 @findex <?
7341 @cindex minimum operator
7342 is the @dfn{minimum}, returning the smaller of the numeric values
7343 @var{a} and @var{b};
7344
7345 @item @var{a} >? @var{b}
7346 @findex >?
7347 @cindex maximum operator
7348 is the @dfn{maximum}, returning the larger of the numeric values @var{a}
7349 and @var{b}.
7350 @end table
7351
7352 These operations are not primitive in ordinary C++, since you can
7353 use a macro to return the minimum of two things in C++, as in the
7354 following example.
7355
7356 @example
7357 #define MIN(X,Y) ((X) < (Y) ? : (X) : (Y))
7358 @end example
7359
7360 @noindent
7361 You might then use @w{@samp{int min = MIN (i, j);}} to set @var{min} to
7362 the minimum value of variables @var{i} and @var{j}.
7363
7364 However, side effects in @code{X} or @code{Y} may cause unintended
7365 behavior. For example, @code{MIN (i++, j++)} will fail, incrementing
7366 the smaller counter twice. The GNU C @code{typeof} extension allows you
7367 to write safe macros that avoid this kind of problem (@pxref{Typeof}).
7368 However, writing @code{MIN} and @code{MAX} as macros also forces you to
7369 use function-call notation for a fundamental arithmetic operation.
7370 Using GNU C++ extensions, you can write @w{@samp{int min = i <? j;}}
7371 instead.
7372
7373 Since @code{<?} and @code{>?} are built into the compiler, they properly
7374 handle expressions with side-effects; @w{@samp{int min = i++ <? j++;}}
7375 works correctly.
7376
7377 @node Volatiles
7378 @section When is a Volatile Object Accessed?
7379 @cindex accessing volatiles
7380 @cindex volatile read
7381 @cindex volatile write
7382 @cindex volatile access
7383
7384 Both the C and C++ standard have the concept of volatile objects. These
7385 are normally accessed by pointers and used for accessing hardware. The
7386 standards encourage compilers to refrain from optimizations
7387 concerning accesses to volatile objects that it might perform on
7388 non-volatile objects. The C standard leaves it implementation defined
7389 as to what constitutes a volatile access. The C++ standard omits to
7390 specify this, except to say that C++ should behave in a similar manner
7391 to C with respect to volatiles, where possible. The minimum either
7392 standard specifies is that at a sequence point all previous accesses to
7393 volatile objects have stabilized and no subsequent accesses have
7394 occurred. Thus an implementation is free to reorder and combine
7395 volatile accesses which occur between sequence points, but cannot do so
7396 for accesses across a sequence point. The use of volatiles does not
7397 allow you to violate the restriction on updating objects multiple times
7398 within a sequence point.
7399
7400 In most expressions, it is intuitively obvious what is a read and what is
7401 a write. For instance
7402
7403 @example
7404 volatile int *dst = @var{somevalue};
7405 volatile int *src = @var{someothervalue};
7406 *dst = *src;
7407 @end example
7408
7409 @noindent
7410 will cause a read of the volatile object pointed to by @var{src} and stores the
7411 value into the volatile object pointed to by @var{dst}. There is no
7412 guarantee that these reads and writes are atomic, especially for objects
7413 larger than @code{int}.
7414
7415 Less obvious expressions are where something which looks like an access
7416 is used in a void context. An example would be,
7417
7418 @example
7419 volatile int *src = @var{somevalue};
7420 *src;
7421 @end example
7422
7423 With C, such expressions are rvalues, and as rvalues cause a read of
7424 the object, GCC interprets this as a read of the volatile being pointed
7425 to. The C++ standard specifies that such expressions do not undergo
7426 lvalue to rvalue conversion, and that the type of the dereferenced
7427 object may be incomplete. The C++ standard does not specify explicitly
7428 that it is this lvalue to rvalue conversion which is responsible for
7429 causing an access. However, there is reason to believe that it is,
7430 because otherwise certain simple expressions become undefined. However,
7431 because it would surprise most programmers, G++ treats dereferencing a
7432 pointer to volatile object of complete type in a void context as a read
7433 of the object. When the object has incomplete type, G++ issues a
7434 warning.
7435
7436 @example
7437 struct S;
7438 struct T @{int m;@};
7439 volatile S *ptr1 = @var{somevalue};
7440 volatile T *ptr2 = @var{somevalue};
7441 *ptr1;
7442 *ptr2;
7443 @end example
7444
7445 In this example, a warning is issued for @code{*ptr1}, and @code{*ptr2}
7446 causes a read of the object pointed to. If you wish to force an error on
7447 the first case, you must force a conversion to rvalue with, for instance
7448 a static cast, @code{static_cast<S>(*ptr1)}.
7449
7450 When using a reference to volatile, G++ does not treat equivalent
7451 expressions as accesses to volatiles, but instead issues a warning that
7452 no volatile is accessed. The rationale for this is that otherwise it
7453 becomes difficult to determine where volatile access occur, and not
7454 possible to ignore the return value from functions returning volatile
7455 references. Again, if you wish to force a read, cast the reference to
7456 an rvalue.
7457
7458 @node Restricted Pointers
7459 @section Restricting Pointer Aliasing
7460 @cindex restricted pointers
7461 @cindex restricted references
7462 @cindex restricted this pointer
7463
7464 As with gcc, g++ understands the C99 feature of restricted pointers,
7465 specified with the @code{__restrict__}, or @code{__restrict} type
7466 qualifier. Because you cannot compile C++ by specifying the @option{-std=c99}
7467 language flag, @code{restrict} is not a keyword in C++.
7468
7469 In addition to allowing restricted pointers, you can specify restricted
7470 references, which indicate that the reference is not aliased in the local
7471 context.
7472
7473 @example
7474 void fn (int *__restrict__ rptr, int &__restrict__ rref)
7475 @{
7476 /* @r{@dots{}} */
7477 @}
7478 @end example
7479
7480 @noindent
7481 In the body of @code{fn}, @var{rptr} points to an unaliased integer and
7482 @var{rref} refers to a (different) unaliased integer.
7483
7484 You may also specify whether a member function's @var{this} pointer is
7485 unaliased by using @code{__restrict__} as a member function qualifier.
7486
7487 @example
7488 void T::fn () __restrict__
7489 @{
7490 /* @r{@dots{}} */
7491 @}
7492 @end example
7493
7494 @noindent
7495 Within the body of @code{T::fn}, @var{this} will have the effective
7496 definition @code{T *__restrict__ const this}. Notice that the
7497 interpretation of a @code{__restrict__} member function qualifier is
7498 different to that of @code{const} or @code{volatile} qualifier, in that it
7499 is applied to the pointer rather than the object. This is consistent with
7500 other compilers which implement restricted pointers.
7501
7502 As with all outermost parameter qualifiers, @code{__restrict__} is
7503 ignored in function definition matching. This means you only need to
7504 specify @code{__restrict__} in a function definition, rather than
7505 in a function prototype as well.
7506
7507 @node Vague Linkage
7508 @section Vague Linkage
7509 @cindex vague linkage
7510
7511 There are several constructs in C++ which require space in the object
7512 file but are not clearly tied to a single translation unit. We say that
7513 these constructs have ``vague linkage''. Typically such constructs are
7514 emitted wherever they are needed, though sometimes we can be more
7515 clever.
7516
7517 @table @asis
7518 @item Inline Functions
7519 Inline functions are typically defined in a header file which can be
7520 included in many different compilations. Hopefully they can usually be
7521 inlined, but sometimes an out-of-line copy is necessary, if the address
7522 of the function is taken or if inlining fails. In general, we emit an
7523 out-of-line copy in all translation units where one is needed. As an
7524 exception, we only emit inline virtual functions with the vtable, since
7525 it will always require a copy.
7526
7527 Local static variables and string constants used in an inline function
7528 are also considered to have vague linkage, since they must be shared
7529 between all inlined and out-of-line instances of the function.
7530
7531 @item VTables
7532 @cindex vtable
7533 C++ virtual functions are implemented in most compilers using a lookup
7534 table, known as a vtable. The vtable contains pointers to the virtual
7535 functions provided by a class, and each object of the class contains a
7536 pointer to its vtable (or vtables, in some multiple-inheritance
7537 situations). If the class declares any non-inline, non-pure virtual
7538 functions, the first one is chosen as the ``key method'' for the class,
7539 and the vtable is only emitted in the translation unit where the key
7540 method is defined.
7541
7542 @emph{Note:} If the chosen key method is later defined as inline, the
7543 vtable will still be emitted in every translation unit which defines it.
7544 Make sure that any inline virtuals are declared inline in the class
7545 body, even if they are not defined there.
7546
7547 @item type_info objects
7548 @cindex type_info
7549 @cindex RTTI
7550 C++ requires information about types to be written out in order to
7551 implement @samp{dynamic_cast}, @samp{typeid} and exception handling.
7552 For polymorphic classes (classes with virtual functions), the type_info
7553 object is written out along with the vtable so that @samp{dynamic_cast}
7554 can determine the dynamic type of a class object at runtime. For all
7555 other types, we write out the type_info object when it is used: when
7556 applying @samp{typeid} to an expression, throwing an object, or
7557 referring to a type in a catch clause or exception specification.
7558
7559 @item Template Instantiations
7560 Most everything in this section also applies to template instantiations,
7561 but there are other options as well.
7562 @xref{Template Instantiation,,Where's the Template?}.
7563
7564 @end table
7565
7566 When used with GNU ld version 2.8 or later on an ELF system such as
7567 Linux/GNU or Solaris 2, or on Microsoft Windows, duplicate copies of
7568 these constructs will be discarded at link time. This is known as
7569 COMDAT support.
7570
7571 On targets that don't support COMDAT, but do support weak symbols, GCC
7572 will use them. This way one copy will override all the others, but
7573 the unused copies will still take up space in the executable.
7574
7575 For targets which do not support either COMDAT or weak symbols,
7576 most entities with vague linkage will be emitted as local symbols to
7577 avoid duplicate definition errors from the linker. This will not happen
7578 for local statics in inlines, however, as having multiple copies will
7579 almost certainly break things.
7580
7581 @xref{C++ Interface,,Declarations and Definitions in One Header}, for
7582 another way to control placement of these constructs.
7583
7584 @node C++ Interface
7585 @section Declarations and Definitions in One Header
7586
7587 @cindex interface and implementation headers, C++
7588 @cindex C++ interface and implementation headers
7589 C++ object definitions can be quite complex. In principle, your source
7590 code will need two kinds of things for each object that you use across
7591 more than one source file. First, you need an @dfn{interface}
7592 specification, describing its structure with type declarations and
7593 function prototypes. Second, you need the @dfn{implementation} itself.
7594 It can be tedious to maintain a separate interface description in a
7595 header file, in parallel to the actual implementation. It is also
7596 dangerous, since separate interface and implementation definitions may
7597 not remain parallel.
7598
7599 @cindex pragmas, interface and implementation
7600 With GNU C++, you can use a single header file for both purposes.
7601
7602 @quotation
7603 @emph{Warning:} The mechanism to specify this is in transition. For the
7604 nonce, you must use one of two @code{#pragma} commands; in a future
7605 release of GNU C++, an alternative mechanism will make these
7606 @code{#pragma} commands unnecessary.
7607 @end quotation
7608
7609 The header file contains the full definitions, but is marked with
7610 @samp{#pragma interface} in the source code. This allows the compiler
7611 to use the header file only as an interface specification when ordinary
7612 source files incorporate it with @code{#include}. In the single source
7613 file where the full implementation belongs, you can use either a naming
7614 convention or @samp{#pragma implementation} to indicate this alternate
7615 use of the header file.
7616
7617 @table @code
7618 @item #pragma interface
7619 @itemx #pragma interface "@var{subdir}/@var{objects}.h"
7620 @kindex #pragma interface
7621 Use this directive in @emph{header files} that define object classes, to save
7622 space in most of the object files that use those classes. Normally,
7623 local copies of certain information (backup copies of inline member
7624 functions, debugging information, and the internal tables that implement
7625 virtual functions) must be kept in each object file that includes class
7626 definitions. You can use this pragma to avoid such duplication. When a
7627 header file containing @samp{#pragma interface} is included in a
7628 compilation, this auxiliary information will not be generated (unless
7629 the main input source file itself uses @samp{#pragma implementation}).
7630 Instead, the object files will contain references to be resolved at link
7631 time.
7632
7633 The second form of this directive is useful for the case where you have
7634 multiple headers with the same name in different directories. If you
7635 use this form, you must specify the same string to @samp{#pragma
7636 implementation}.
7637
7638 @item #pragma implementation
7639 @itemx #pragma implementation "@var{objects}.h"
7640 @kindex #pragma implementation
7641 Use this pragma in a @emph{main input file}, when you want full output from
7642 included header files to be generated (and made globally visible). The
7643 included header file, in turn, should use @samp{#pragma interface}.
7644 Backup copies of inline member functions, debugging information, and the
7645 internal tables used to implement virtual functions are all generated in
7646 implementation files.
7647
7648 @cindex implied @code{#pragma implementation}
7649 @cindex @code{#pragma implementation}, implied
7650 @cindex naming convention, implementation headers
7651 If you use @samp{#pragma implementation} with no argument, it applies to
7652 an include file with the same basename@footnote{A file's @dfn{basename}
7653 was the name stripped of all leading path information and of trailing
7654 suffixes, such as @samp{.h} or @samp{.C} or @samp{.cc}.} as your source
7655 file. For example, in @file{allclass.cc}, giving just
7656 @samp{#pragma implementation}
7657 by itself is equivalent to @samp{#pragma implementation "allclass.h"}.
7658
7659 In versions of GNU C++ prior to 2.6.0 @file{allclass.h} was treated as
7660 an implementation file whenever you would include it from
7661 @file{allclass.cc} even if you never specified @samp{#pragma
7662 implementation}. This was deemed to be more trouble than it was worth,
7663 however, and disabled.
7664
7665 If you use an explicit @samp{#pragma implementation}, it must appear in
7666 your source file @emph{before} you include the affected header files.
7667
7668 Use the string argument if you want a single implementation file to
7669 include code from multiple header files. (You must also use
7670 @samp{#include} to include the header file; @samp{#pragma
7671 implementation} only specifies how to use the file---it doesn't actually
7672 include it.)
7673
7674 There is no way to split up the contents of a single header file into
7675 multiple implementation files.
7676 @end table
7677
7678 @cindex inlining and C++ pragmas
7679 @cindex C++ pragmas, effect on inlining
7680 @cindex pragmas in C++, effect on inlining
7681 @samp{#pragma implementation} and @samp{#pragma interface} also have an
7682 effect on function inlining.
7683
7684 If you define a class in a header file marked with @samp{#pragma
7685 interface}, the effect on a function defined in that class is similar to
7686 an explicit @code{extern} declaration---the compiler emits no code at
7687 all to define an independent version of the function. Its definition
7688 is used only for inlining with its callers.
7689
7690 @opindex fno-implement-inlines
7691 Conversely, when you include the same header file in a main source file
7692 that declares it as @samp{#pragma implementation}, the compiler emits
7693 code for the function itself; this defines a version of the function
7694 that can be found via pointers (or by callers compiled without
7695 inlining). If all calls to the function can be inlined, you can avoid
7696 emitting the function by compiling with @option{-fno-implement-inlines}.
7697 If any calls were not inlined, you will get linker errors.
7698
7699 @node Template Instantiation
7700 @section Where's the Template?
7701 @cindex template instantiation
7702
7703 C++ templates are the first language feature to require more
7704 intelligence from the environment than one usually finds on a UNIX
7705 system. Somehow the compiler and linker have to make sure that each
7706 template instance occurs exactly once in the executable if it is needed,
7707 and not at all otherwise. There are two basic approaches to this
7708 problem, which I will refer to as the Borland model and the Cfront model.
7709
7710 @table @asis
7711 @item Borland model
7712 Borland C++ solved the template instantiation problem by adding the code
7713 equivalent of common blocks to their linker; the compiler emits template
7714 instances in each translation unit that uses them, and the linker
7715 collapses them together. The advantage of this model is that the linker
7716 only has to consider the object files themselves; there is no external
7717 complexity to worry about. This disadvantage is that compilation time
7718 is increased because the template code is being compiled repeatedly.
7719 Code written for this model tends to include definitions of all
7720 templates in the header file, since they must be seen to be
7721 instantiated.
7722
7723 @item Cfront model
7724 The AT&T C++ translator, Cfront, solved the template instantiation
7725 problem by creating the notion of a template repository, an
7726 automatically maintained place where template instances are stored. A
7727 more modern version of the repository works as follows: As individual
7728 object files are built, the compiler places any template definitions and
7729 instantiations encountered in the repository. At link time, the link
7730 wrapper adds in the objects in the repository and compiles any needed
7731 instances that were not previously emitted. The advantages of this
7732 model are more optimal compilation speed and the ability to use the
7733 system linker; to implement the Borland model a compiler vendor also
7734 needs to replace the linker. The disadvantages are vastly increased
7735 complexity, and thus potential for error; for some code this can be
7736 just as transparent, but in practice it can been very difficult to build
7737 multiple programs in one directory and one program in multiple
7738 directories. Code written for this model tends to separate definitions
7739 of non-inline member templates into a separate file, which should be
7740 compiled separately.
7741 @end table
7742
7743 When used with GNU ld version 2.8 or later on an ELF system such as
7744 Linux/GNU or Solaris 2, or on Microsoft Windows, g++ supports the
7745 Borland model. On other systems, g++ implements neither automatic
7746 model.
7747
7748 A future version of g++ will support a hybrid model whereby the compiler
7749 will emit any instantiations for which the template definition is
7750 included in the compile, and store template definitions and
7751 instantiation context information into the object file for the rest.
7752 The link wrapper will extract that information as necessary and invoke
7753 the compiler to produce the remaining instantiations. The linker will
7754 then combine duplicate instantiations.
7755
7756 In the mean time, you have the following options for dealing with
7757 template instantiations:
7758
7759 @enumerate
7760 @item
7761 @opindex frepo
7762 Compile your template-using code with @option{-frepo}. The compiler will
7763 generate files with the extension @samp{.rpo} listing all of the
7764 template instantiations used in the corresponding object files which
7765 could be instantiated there; the link wrapper, @samp{collect2}, will
7766 then update the @samp{.rpo} files to tell the compiler where to place
7767 those instantiations and rebuild any affected object files. The
7768 link-time overhead is negligible after the first pass, as the compiler
7769 will continue to place the instantiations in the same files.
7770
7771 This is your best option for application code written for the Borland
7772 model, as it will just work. Code written for the Cfront model will
7773 need to be modified so that the template definitions are available at
7774 one or more points of instantiation; usually this is as simple as adding
7775 @code{#include <tmethods.cc>} to the end of each template header.
7776
7777 For library code, if you want the library to provide all of the template
7778 instantiations it needs, just try to link all of its object files
7779 together; the link will fail, but cause the instantiations to be
7780 generated as a side effect. Be warned, however, that this may cause
7781 conflicts if multiple libraries try to provide the same instantiations.
7782 For greater control, use explicit instantiation as described in the next
7783 option.
7784
7785 @item
7786 @opindex fno-implicit-templates
7787 Compile your code with @option{-fno-implicit-templates} to disable the
7788 implicit generation of template instances, and explicitly instantiate
7789 all the ones you use. This approach requires more knowledge of exactly
7790 which instances you need than do the others, but it's less
7791 mysterious and allows greater control. You can scatter the explicit
7792 instantiations throughout your program, perhaps putting them in the
7793 translation units where the instances are used or the translation units
7794 that define the templates themselves; you can put all of the explicit
7795 instantiations you need into one big file; or you can create small files
7796 like
7797
7798 @example
7799 #include "Foo.h"
7800 #include "Foo.cc"
7801
7802 template class Foo<int>;
7803 template ostream& operator <<
7804 (ostream&, const Foo<int>&);
7805 @end example
7806
7807 for each of the instances you need, and create a template instantiation
7808 library from those.
7809
7810 If you are using Cfront-model code, you can probably get away with not
7811 using @option{-fno-implicit-templates} when compiling files that don't
7812 @samp{#include} the member template definitions.
7813
7814 If you use one big file to do the instantiations, you may want to
7815 compile it without @option{-fno-implicit-templates} so you get all of the
7816 instances required by your explicit instantiations (but not by any
7817 other files) without having to specify them as well.
7818
7819 g++ has extended the template instantiation syntax given in the ISO
7820 standard to allow forward declaration of explicit instantiations
7821 (with @code{extern}), instantiation of the compiler support data for a
7822 template class (i.e.@: the vtable) without instantiating any of its
7823 members (with @code{inline}), and instantiation of only the static data
7824 members of a template class, without the support data or member
7825 functions (with (@code{static}):
7826
7827 @example
7828 extern template int max (int, int);
7829 inline template class Foo<int>;
7830 static template class Foo<int>;
7831 @end example
7832
7833 @item
7834 Do nothing. Pretend g++ does implement automatic instantiation
7835 management. Code written for the Borland model will work fine, but
7836 each translation unit will contain instances of each of the templates it
7837 uses. In a large program, this can lead to an unacceptable amount of code
7838 duplication.
7839
7840 @xref{C++ Interface,,Declarations and Definitions in One Header}, for
7841 more discussion of these pragmas.
7842 @end enumerate
7843
7844 @node Bound member functions
7845 @section Extracting the function pointer from a bound pointer to member function
7846 @cindex pmf
7847 @cindex pointer to member function
7848 @cindex bound pointer to member function
7849
7850 In C++, pointer to member functions (PMFs) are implemented using a wide
7851 pointer of sorts to handle all the possible call mechanisms; the PMF
7852 needs to store information about how to adjust the @samp{this} pointer,
7853 and if the function pointed to is virtual, where to find the vtable, and
7854 where in the vtable to look for the member function. If you are using
7855 PMFs in an inner loop, you should really reconsider that decision. If
7856 that is not an option, you can extract the pointer to the function that
7857 would be called for a given object/PMF pair and call it directly inside
7858 the inner loop, to save a bit of time.
7859
7860 Note that you will still be paying the penalty for the call through a
7861 function pointer; on most modern architectures, such a call defeats the
7862 branch prediction features of the CPU@. This is also true of normal
7863 virtual function calls.
7864
7865 The syntax for this extension is
7866
7867 @example
7868 extern A a;
7869 extern int (A::*fp)();
7870 typedef int (*fptr)(A *);
7871
7872 fptr p = (fptr)(a.*fp);
7873 @end example
7874
7875 For PMF constants (i.e.@: expressions of the form @samp{&Klasse::Member}),
7876 no object is needed to obtain the address of the function. They can be
7877 converted to function pointers directly:
7878
7879 @example
7880 fptr p1 = (fptr)(&A::foo);
7881 @end example
7882
7883 @opindex Wno-pmf-conversions
7884 You must specify @option{-Wno-pmf-conversions} to use this extension.
7885
7886 @node C++ Attributes
7887 @section C++-Specific Variable, Function, and Type Attributes
7888
7889 Some attributes only make sense for C++ programs.
7890
7891 @table @code
7892 @item init_priority (@var{priority})
7893 @cindex init_priority attribute
7894
7895
7896 In Standard C++, objects defined at namespace scope are guaranteed to be
7897 initialized in an order in strict accordance with that of their definitions
7898 @emph{in a given translation unit}. No guarantee is made for initializations
7899 across translation units. However, GNU C++ allows users to control the
7900 order of initialization of objects defined at namespace scope with the
7901 @code{init_priority} attribute by specifying a relative @var{priority},
7902 a constant integral expression currently bounded between 101 and 65535
7903 inclusive. Lower numbers indicate a higher priority.
7904
7905 In the following example, @code{A} would normally be created before
7906 @code{B}, but the @code{init_priority} attribute has reversed that order:
7907
7908 @smallexample
7909 Some_Class A __attribute__ ((init_priority (2000)));
7910 Some_Class B __attribute__ ((init_priority (543)));
7911 @end smallexample
7912
7913 @noindent
7914 Note that the particular values of @var{priority} do not matter; only their
7915 relative ordering.
7916
7917 @item java_interface
7918 @cindex java_interface attribute
7919
7920 This type attribute informs C++ that the class is a Java interface. It may
7921 only be applied to classes declared within an @code{extern "Java"} block.
7922 Calls to methods declared in this interface will be dispatched using GCJ's
7923 interface table mechanism, instead of regular virtual table dispatch.
7924
7925 @end table
7926
7927 @node Java Exceptions
7928 @section Java Exceptions
7929
7930 The Java language uses a slightly different exception handling model
7931 from C++. Normally, GNU C++ will automatically detect when you are
7932 writing C++ code that uses Java exceptions, and handle them
7933 appropriately. However, if C++ code only needs to execute destructors
7934 when Java exceptions are thrown through it, GCC will guess incorrectly.
7935 Sample problematic code is:
7936
7937 @smallexample
7938 struct S @{ ~S(); @};
7939 extern void bar(); // is written in Java, and may throw exceptions
7940 void foo()
7941 @{
7942 S s;
7943 bar();
7944 @}
7945 @end smallexample
7946
7947 @noindent
7948 The usual effect of an incorrect guess is a link failure, complaining of
7949 a missing routine called @samp{__gxx_personality_v0}.
7950
7951 You can inform the compiler that Java exceptions are to be used in a
7952 translation unit, irrespective of what it might think, by writing
7953 @samp{@w{#pragma GCC java_exceptions}} at the head of the file. This
7954 @samp{#pragma} must appear before any functions that throw or catch
7955 exceptions, or run destructors when exceptions are thrown through them.
7956
7957 You cannot mix Java and C++ exceptions in the same translation unit. It
7958 is believed to be safe to throw a C++ exception from one file through
7959 another file compiled for the Java exception model, or vice versa, but
7960 there may be bugs in this area.
7961
7962 @node Deprecated Features
7963 @section Deprecated Features
7964
7965 In the past, the GNU C++ compiler was extended to experiment with new
7966 features, at a time when the C++ language was still evolving. Now that
7967 the C++ standard is complete, some of those features are superseded by
7968 superior alternatives. Using the old features might cause a warning in
7969 some cases that the feature will be dropped in the future. In other
7970 cases, the feature might be gone already.
7971
7972 While the list below is not exhaustive, it documents some of the options
7973 that are now deprecated:
7974
7975 @table @code
7976 @item -fexternal-templates
7977 @itemx -falt-external-templates
7978 These are two of the many ways for g++ to implement template
7979 instantiation. @xref{Template Instantiation}. The C++ standard clearly
7980 defines how template definitions have to be organized across
7981 implementation units. g++ has an implicit instantiation mechanism that
7982 should work just fine for standard-conforming code.
7983
7984 @item -fstrict-prototype
7985 @itemx -fno-strict-prototype
7986 Previously it was possible to use an empty prototype parameter list to
7987 indicate an unspecified number of parameters (like C), rather than no
7988 parameters, as C++ demands. This feature has been removed, except where
7989 it is required for backwards compatibility @xref{Backwards Compatibility}.
7990 @end table
7991
7992 The named return value extension has been deprecated, and is now
7993 removed from g++.
7994
7995 The use of initializer lists with new expressions has been deprecated,
7996 and is now removed from g++.
7997
7998 Floating and complex non-type template parameters have been deprecated,
7999 and are now removed from g++.
8000
8001 The implicit typename extension has been deprecated and is now
8002 removed from g++.
8003
8004 The use of default arguments in function pointers, function typedefs and
8005 and other places where they are not permitted by the standard is
8006 deprecated and will be removed from a future version of g++.
8007
8008 @node Backwards Compatibility
8009 @section Backwards Compatibility
8010 @cindex Backwards Compatibility
8011 @cindex ARM [Annotated C++ Reference Manual]
8012
8013 Now that there is a definitive ISO standard C++, G++ has a specification
8014 to adhere to. The C++ language evolved over time, and features that
8015 used to be acceptable in previous drafts of the standard, such as the ARM
8016 [Annotated C++ Reference Manual], are no longer accepted. In order to allow
8017 compilation of C++ written to such drafts, G++ contains some backwards
8018 compatibilities. @emph{All such backwards compatibility features are
8019 liable to disappear in future versions of G++.} They should be considered
8020 deprecated @xref{Deprecated Features}.
8021
8022 @table @code
8023 @item For scope
8024 If a variable is declared at for scope, it used to remain in scope until
8025 the end of the scope which contained the for statement (rather than just
8026 within the for scope). G++ retains this, but issues a warning, if such a
8027 variable is accessed outside the for scope.
8028
8029 @item Implicit C language
8030 Old C system header files did not contain an @code{extern "C" @{@dots{}@}}
8031 scope to set the language. On such systems, all header files are
8032 implicitly scoped inside a C language scope. Also, an empty prototype
8033 @code{()} will be treated as an unspecified number of arguments, rather
8034 than no arguments, as C++ demands.
8035 @end table