Re: Altivec Linux support in GCC

[Michel LESPINASSE <walken at zoy dot org>]

On Mon, Apr 14, 2003 at 12:49:48PM -0500, Kumar Gala wrote:
> 1. What are there two options to enable the support? (-maltivec 
> -mabi=altivec).  If I have a Linux PPC targeted GCC why do I need to 
> tell it to use the abi to get altivec code generation?  This just seems 
> confusing to the user (I dont have to specify the abi for any other 
> option).

This is actually very useful when mixing altivec and non-altivec code
- for example you compile most of your program as non-altivec code,
and you write an altivec-enabled version of the most critical
routines, and at runtime you can detect if you have altivec and go use
the right routine. In that context, you want to compile your altivec
code with -maltivec but NOT -mabi=altivec.

Cheers,

-- 
Michel "Walken" LESPINASSE
"In this time of war against Osama bin Laden and the oppressive
Taliban regime, we are thankful that OUR leader isn't the spoiled son
of a powerful politician from a wealthy oil family who is supported by
religious fundamentalists, operates through clandestine organizations,
has no respect for the democratic electoral process, bombs innocents,
and uses war to deny people their civil liberties." --The Boondocks