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1@c Copyright (C) 1988,1989,1992,1993,1994,1996,1998,1999,2000,2001,2002,
2@c 2003 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
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3@c This is part of the GCC manual.
4@c For copying conditions, see the file gcc.texi.
5
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6@node C Implementation
7@chapter C Implementation-defined behavior
8@cindex implementation-defined behavior, C language
9
10A conforming implementation of ISO C is required to document its
11choice of behavior in each of the areas that are designated
12``implementation defined.'' The following lists all such areas,
13along 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
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39Diagnostics consist of all the output sent to stderr by GCC.
40
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41@item
42@cite{Whether each nonempty sequence of white-space characters other than
43new-line is retained or replaced by one space character in translation
44phase 3 (5.1.1.2).}
45@end itemize
46
47@node Environment implementation
48@section Environment
49
0c688a7d 50The behavior of these points are dependent on the implementation
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51of 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
59and 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).}
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64
65For internal names, all characters are significant. For external names,
66the number of significant characters are defined by the linker; for
67almost all targets, all characters are significant.
68
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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
83for 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
87character 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,
39ffd3cb 91representation, and behavior as ``plain'' @code{char} (6.2.5, 6.3.1.1).}
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92
93@item
94@cite{The mapping of members of the source character set (in character
95constants and string literals) to members of the execution character
96set (6.4.4.4, 5.1.1.2).}
97
98@item
99@cite{The value of an integer character constant containing more than one
100character or containing a character or escape sequence that does not map
101to 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
105multibyte character, or containing a multibyte character or escape
106sequence 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
110of a single multibyte character that maps to a member of the extended
111execution 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
115corresponding wide character codes (6.4.5).}
116
117@item
118@cite{The value of a string literal containing a multibyte character or escape
119sequence 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,
131two's complement, or one's complement, and whether the extraordinary value
132is a trap representation or an ordinary value (6.2.6.2).}
133
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134GCC supports only two's complement integer types, and all bit patterns
135are ordinary values.
136
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137@item
138@cite{The rank of any extended integer type relative to another extended
139integer 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
143signed integer type when the value cannot be represented in an object of
144that 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
39ffd3cb 156functions in @code{<math.h>} and @code{<complex.h>} that return floating-point
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157results (5.2.4.2.2).}
158
159@item
160@cite{The rounding behaviors characterized by non-standard values
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161of @code{FLT_ROUNDS} @gol
162(5.2.4.2.2).}
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163
164@item
165@cite{The evaluation methods characterized by non-standard negative
166values 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
170floating-point number that cannot exactly represent the original
171value (6.3.1.4).}
172
173@item
174@cite{The direction of rounding when a floating-point number is
175converted 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
179representable value immediately adjacent to the nearest representable
180value is chosen for certain floating constants (6.4.4.2).}
181
182@item
183@cite{Whether and how floating expressions are contracted when not
184disallowed 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,
191and 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
198when the rounded result actually does equal the mathematical result
199in an IEC 60559 conformant implementation (F.9).}
200
201@item
202@cite{Whether the ``underflow'' (and ``inexact'') floating-point
203exception can be raised when a result is tiny but not inexact in an
204IEC 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
214vice versa (6.3.2.3).}
215
cbf4c36f 216A cast from pointer to integer discards most-significant bits if the
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217pointer representation is larger than the integer type,
218sign-extends@footnote{Future versions of GCC may zero-extend, or use
219a target-defined @code{ptr_extend} pattern. Do not rely on sign extension.}
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220if the pointer representation is smaller than the integer type, otherwise
221the 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
228A cast from integer to pointer discards most-significant bits if the
229pointer representation is smaller than the integer type, extends according
230to the signedness of the integer type if the pointer representation
231is larger than the integer type, otherwise the bits are unchanged.
232
233When casting from pointer to integer and back again, the resulting
234pointer must reference the same object as the original pointer, otherwise
235the behavior is undefined. That is, one may not use integer arithmetic to
236avoid the undefined behavior of pointer arithmetic as proscribed in 6.5.6/8.
237
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238@item
239@cite{The size of the result of subtracting two pointers to elements
240of 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}
250storage-class specifier are effective (6.7.1).}
251
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252The @code{register} specifier affects code generation only in these ways:
253
254@itemize @bullet
255@item
256When used as part of the register variable extension, see
257@ref{Explicit Reg Vars}.
258
259@item
260When @option{-O0} is in use, the compiler allocates distinct stack
261memory for all variables that do not have the @code{register}
262storage-class specifier; if @code{register} is specified, the variable
263may have a shorter lifespan than the code would indicate and may never
264be placed in memory.
265
266@item
267On some rare x86 targets, @code{setjmp} doesn't save the registers in
268all circumstances. In those cases, GCC doesn't allocate any variables
269in registers unless they are marked @code{register}.
270
271@end itemize
272
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273@item
274@cite{The extent to which suggestions made by using the inline function
275specifier are effective (6.7.4).}
276
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277GCC will not inline any functions if the @option{-fno-inline} option is
278used or if @option{-O0} is used. Otherwise, GCC may still be unable to
279inline a function for many reasons; the @option{-Winline} option may be
280used to determine if a function has not been inlined and why not.
281
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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}
290bit-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},
294and @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
316type (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
326or external source file names (6.4.7).}
327
328@item
329@cite{Whether the value of a character constant in a constant expression
330that controls conditional inclusion matches the value of the same character
331constant in the execution character set (6.10.1).}
332
333@item
334@cite{Whether the value of a single-character character constant in a
335constant expression that controls conditional inclusion may have a
336negative value (6.10.1).}
337
338@item
339@cite{The places that are searched for an included @samp{<>} delimited
340header, and how the places are specified or the header is
341identified (6.10.2).}
342
343@item
344@cite{How the named source file is searched for in an included @samp{""}
345delimited header (6.10.2).}
346
347@item
348@cite{The method by which preprocessing tokens (possibly resulting from
349macro expansion) in a @code{#include} directive are combined into a header
350name (6.10.2).}
351
352@item
353@cite{The nesting limit for @code{#include} processing (6.10.2).}
354
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355GCC imposes a limit of 200 nested @code{#include}s.
356
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357@item
358@cite{Whether the @samp{#} operator inserts a @samp{\} character before
359the @samp{\} character that begins a universal character name in a
360character constant or string literal (6.10.3.2).}
361
362@item
363@cite{The behavior on each recognized non-@code{STDC #pragma}
364directive (6.10.6).}
365
366@item
367@cite{The definitions for @code{__DATE__} and @code{__TIME__} when
368respectively, the date and time of translation are not available (6.10.8).}
369
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370If the date and time are not available, @code{__DATE__} expands to
371@code{@w{"??? ?? ????"}} and @code{__TIME__} expands to
372@code{"??:??:??"}.
cba57c9d 373
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374@end itemize
375
376@node Library functions implementation
377@section Library functions
378
0c688a7d 379The behavior of these points are dependent on the implementation
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380of 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
39ffd3cb 388headers @code{<float.h>}, @code{<limits.h>}, and @code{<stdint.h>}
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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
0c688a7d 403The behavior of these points are dependent on the implementation
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404of the C library, and are not defined by GCC itself.
405
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406@node C Extensions
407@chapter Extensions to the C Language Family
408@cindex extensions, C language
409@cindex C language extensions
410
84330467 411@opindex pedantic
161d7b59 412GNU C provides several language features not found in ISO standard C@.
f0523f02 413(The @option{-pedantic} option directs GCC to print a warning message if
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414any of these features is used.) To test for the availability of these
415features in conditional compilation, check for a predefined macro
161d7b59 416@code{__GNUC__}, which is always defined under GCC@.
c1f7febf 417
161d7b59 418These extensions are available in C and Objective-C@. Most of them are
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419also available in C++. @xref{C++ Extensions,,Extensions to the
420C++ Language}, for extensions that apply @emph{only} to C++.
421
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422Some features that are in ISO C99 but not C89 or C++ are also, as
423extensions, accepted by GCC in C89 mode and in C++.
5490d604 424
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425@menu
426* Statement Exprs:: Putting statements and declarations inside expressions.
427* Local Labels:: Labels local to a statement-expression.
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.
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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.
6f4d7222 436* Hex Floats:: Hexadecimal floating-point constants.
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437* Zero Length:: Zero-length arrays.
438* Variable Length:: Arrays whose length is computed at run time.
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439* Variadic Macros:: Macros with a variable number of arguments.
440* Escaped Newlines:: Slightly looser rules for escaped newlines.
441* Multi-line Strings:: String literals with embedded newlines.
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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.
4b404517 445* Compound Literals:: Compound literals give structures, unions
c1f7febf 446 or arrays as values.
4b404517 447* Designated Inits:: Labeling elements of initializers.
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448* Cast to Union:: Casting to union type from any member of the union.
449* Case Ranges:: `case 1 ... 9' and such.
4b404517 450* Mixed Declarations:: Mixing declarations and code.
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451* Function Attributes:: Declaring that functions have no side effects,
452 or that they can never return.
2c5e91d2 453* Attribute Syntax:: Formal syntax for attributes.
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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.
1255c85c 472* Vector Extensions:: Using vector instructions through built-in functions.
c5c76735 473* Other Builtins:: Other built-in functions.
0975678f 474* Target Builtins:: Built-in functions specific to particular targets.
0168a849 475* Pragmas:: Pragmas accepted by GCC.
b11cc610 476* Unnamed Fields:: Unnamed struct/union fields within structs/unions.
3d78f2e9 477* Thread-Local:: Per-thread variables.
c1f7febf 478@end menu
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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
490A compound statement enclosed in parentheses may appear as an expression
161d7b59 491in GNU C@. This allows you to use loops, switches, and local variables
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492within an expression.
493
494Recall that a compound statement is a sequence of statements surrounded
495by braces; in this construct, parentheses go around the braces. For
496example:
497
498@example
499(@{ int y = foo (); int z;
500 if (y > 0) z = y;
501 else z = - y;
502 z; @})
503@end example
504
505@noindent
506is a valid (though slightly more complex than necessary) expression
507for the absolute value of @code{foo ()}.
508
509The last thing in the compound statement should be an expression
510followed by a semicolon; the value of this subexpression serves as the
511value of the entire construct. (If you use some other kind of statement
512last within the braces, the construct has type @code{void}, and thus
513effectively no value.)
514
515This feature is especially useful in making macro definitions ``safe'' (so
516that they evaluate each operand exactly once). For example, the
517``maximum'' function is commonly defined as a macro in standard C as
518follows:
519
520@example
521#define max(a,b) ((a) > (b) ? (a) : (b))
522@end example
523
524@noindent
525@cindex side effects, macro argument
526But this definition computes either @var{a} or @var{b} twice, with bad
527results if the operand has side effects. In GNU C, if you know the
528type of the operands (here let's assume @code{int}), you can define
529the macro safely as follows:
530
531@example
532#define maxint(a,b) \
533 (@{int _a = (a), _b = (b); _a > _b ? _a : _b; @})
534@end example
535
536Embedded statements are not allowed in constant expressions, such as
c771326b 537the value of an enumeration constant, the width of a bit-field, or
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538the initial value of a static variable.
539
540If you don't know the type of the operand, you can still do this, but you
95f79357 541must use @code{typeof} (@pxref{Typeof}).
c1f7febf 542
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543Statement expressions are not supported fully in G++, and their fate
544there is unclear. (It is possible that they will become fully supported
545at some point, or that they will be deprecated, or that the bugs that
546are present will continue to exist indefinitely.) Presently, statement
02f52e19 547expressions do not work well as default arguments.
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548
549In addition, there are semantic issues with statement-expressions in
550C++. If you try to use statement-expressions instead of inline
551functions in C++, you may be surprised at the way object destruction is
552handled. For example:
553
554@example
555#define foo(a) (@{int b = (a); b + 3; @})
556@end example
557
558@noindent
559does not work the same way as:
560
561@example
54e1d3a6 562inline int foo(int a) @{ int b = a; return b + 3; @}
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563@end example
564
565@noindent
566In particular, if the expression passed into @code{foo} involves the
567creation of temporaries, the destructors for those temporaries will be
568run earlier in the case of the macro than in the case of the function.
569
570These considerations mean that it is probably a bad idea to use
571statement-expressions of this form in header files that are designed to
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572work with C++. (Note that some versions of the GNU C Library contained
573header files using statement-expression that lead to precisely this
574bug.)
b98e139b 575
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576@node Local Labels
577@section Locally Declared Labels
578@cindex local labels
579@cindex macros, local labels
580
581Each statement expression is a scope in which @dfn{local labels} can be
582declared. A local label is simply an identifier; you can jump to it
583with an ordinary @code{goto} statement, but only from within the
584statement expression it belongs to.
585
586A local label declaration looks like this:
587
588@example
589__label__ @var{label};
590@end example
591
592@noindent
593or
594
595@example
0d893a63 596__label__ @var{label1}, @var{label2}, /* @r{@dots{}} */;
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597@end example
598
599Local label declarations must come at the beginning of the statement
600expression, right after the @samp{(@{}, before any ordinary
601declarations.
602
603The label declaration defines the label @emph{name}, but does not define
604the label itself. You must do this in the usual way, with
605@code{@var{label}:}, within the statements of the statement expression.
606
607The local label feature is useful because statement expressions are
608often used in macros. If the macro contains nested loops, a @code{goto}
609can be useful for breaking out of them. However, an ordinary label
610whose scope is the whole function cannot be used: if the macro can be
611expanded several times in one function, the label will be multiply
612defined in that function. A local label avoids this problem. For
613example:
614
615@example
616#define SEARCH(array, target) \
310668e8 617(@{ \
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618 __label__ found; \
619 typeof (target) _SEARCH_target = (target); \
620 typeof (*(array)) *_SEARCH_array = (array); \
621 int i, j; \
622 int value; \
623 for (i = 0; i < max; i++) \
624 for (j = 0; j < max; j++) \
625 if (_SEARCH_array[i][j] == _SEARCH_target) \
310668e8 626 @{ value = i; goto found; @} \
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627 value = -1; \
628 found: \
629 value; \
630@})
631@end example
632
633@node Labels as Values
634@section Labels as Values
635@cindex labels as values
636@cindex computed gotos
637@cindex goto with computed label
638@cindex address of a label
639
640You can get the address of a label defined in the current function
641(or a containing function) with the unary operator @samp{&&}. The
642value has type @code{void *}. This value is a constant and can be used
643wherever a constant of that type is valid. For example:
644
645@example
646void *ptr;
0d893a63 647/* @r{@dots{}} */
c1f7febf
RK
648ptr = &&foo;
649@end example
650
651To use these values, you need to be able to jump to one. This is done
652with the computed goto statement@footnote{The analogous feature in
653Fortran is called an assigned goto, but that name seems inappropriate in
654C, where one can do more than simply store label addresses in label
655variables.}, @code{goto *@var{exp};}. For example,
656
657@example
658goto *ptr;
659@end example
660
661@noindent
662Any expression of type @code{void *} is allowed.
663
664One way of using these constants is in initializing a static array that
665will serve as a jump table:
666
667@example
668static void *array[] = @{ &&foo, &&bar, &&hack @};
669@end example
670
671Then you can select a label with indexing, like this:
672
673@example
674goto *array[i];
675@end example
676
677@noindent
678Note that this does not check whether the subscript is in bounds---array
679indexing in C never does that.
680
681Such an array of label values serves a purpose much like that of the
682@code{switch} statement. The @code{switch} statement is cleaner, so
683use that rather than an array unless the problem does not fit a
684@code{switch} statement very well.
685
686Another use of label values is in an interpreter for threaded code.
687The labels within the interpreter function can be stored in the
688threaded code for super-fast dispatching.
689
02f52e19 690You may not use this mechanism to jump to code in a different function.
47620e09 691If you do that, totally unpredictable things will happen. The best way to
c1f7febf
RK
692avoid this is to store the label address only in automatic variables and
693never pass it as an argument.
694
47620e09
RH
695An alternate way to write the above example is
696
697@example
310668e8
JM
698static const int array[] = @{ &&foo - &&foo, &&bar - &&foo,
699 &&hack - &&foo @};
47620e09
RH
700goto *(&&foo + array[i]);
701@end example
702
703@noindent
704This is more friendly to code living in shared libraries, as it reduces
705the number of dynamic relocations that are needed, and by consequence,
706allows the data to be read-only.
707
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708@node Nested Functions
709@section Nested Functions
710@cindex nested functions
711@cindex downward funargs
712@cindex thunks
713
714A @dfn{nested function} is a function defined inside another function.
715(Nested functions are not supported for GNU C++.) The nested function's
716name is local to the block where it is defined. For example, here we
717define a nested function named @code{square}, and call it twice:
718
719@example
720@group
721foo (double a, double b)
722@{
723 double square (double z) @{ return z * z; @}
724
725 return square (a) + square (b);
726@}
727@end group
728@end example
729
730The nested function can access all the variables of the containing
731function that are visible at the point of its definition. This is
732called @dfn{lexical scoping}. For example, here we show a nested
733function which uses an inherited variable named @code{offset}:
734
735@example
aee96fe9 736@group
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RK
737bar (int *array, int offset, int size)
738@{
739 int access (int *array, int index)
740 @{ return array[index + offset]; @}
741 int i;
0d893a63 742 /* @r{@dots{}} */
c1f7febf 743 for (i = 0; i < size; i++)
0d893a63 744 /* @r{@dots{}} */ access (array, i) /* @r{@dots{}} */
c1f7febf 745@}
aee96fe9 746@end group
c1f7febf
RK
747@end example
748
749Nested function definitions are permitted within functions in the places
750where variable definitions are allowed; that is, in any block, before
751the first statement in the block.
752
753It is possible to call the nested function from outside the scope of its
754name by storing its address or passing the address to another function:
755
756@example
757hack (int *array, int size)
758@{
759 void store (int index, int value)
760 @{ array[index] = value; @}
761
762 intermediate (store, size);
763@}
764@end example
765
766Here, the function @code{intermediate} receives the address of
767@code{store} as an argument. If @code{intermediate} calls @code{store},
768the arguments given to @code{store} are used to store into @code{array}.
769But this technique works only so long as the containing function
770(@code{hack}, in this example) does not exit.
771
772If you try to call the nested function through its address after the
773containing function has exited, all hell will break loose. If you try
774to call it after a containing scope level has exited, and if it refers
775to some of the variables that are no longer in scope, you may be lucky,
776but it's not wise to take the risk. If, however, the nested function
777does not refer to anything that has gone out of scope, you should be
778safe.
779
9c34dbbf
ZW
780GCC implements taking the address of a nested function using a technique
781called @dfn{trampolines}. A paper describing them is available as
782
783@noindent
b73b1546 784@uref{http://people.debian.org/~aaronl/Usenix88-lexic.pdf}.
c1f7febf
RK
785
786A nested function can jump to a label inherited from a containing
787function, provided the label was explicitly declared in the containing
788function (@pxref{Local Labels}). Such a jump returns instantly to the
789containing function, exiting the nested function which did the
790@code{goto} and any intermediate functions as well. Here is an example:
791
792@example
793@group
794bar (int *array, int offset, int size)
795@{
796 __label__ failure;
797 int access (int *array, int index)
798 @{
799 if (index > size)
800 goto failure;
801 return array[index + offset];
802 @}
803 int i;
0d893a63 804 /* @r{@dots{}} */
c1f7febf 805 for (i = 0; i < size; i++)
0d893a63
MK
806 /* @r{@dots{}} */ access (array, i) /* @r{@dots{}} */
807 /* @r{@dots{}} */
c1f7febf
RK
808 return 0;
809
810 /* @r{Control comes here from @code{access}
811 if it detects an error.} */
812 failure:
813 return -1;
814@}
815@end group
816@end example
817
818A nested function always has internal linkage. Declaring one with
819@code{extern} is erroneous. If you need to declare the nested function
820before its definition, use @code{auto} (which is otherwise meaningless
821for function declarations).
822
823@example
824bar (int *array, int offset, int size)
825@{
826 __label__ failure;
827 auto int access (int *, int);
0d893a63 828 /* @r{@dots{}} */
c1f7febf
RK
829 int access (int *array, int index)
830 @{
831 if (index > size)
832 goto failure;
833 return array[index + offset];
834 @}
0d893a63 835 /* @r{@dots{}} */
c1f7febf
RK
836@}
837@end example
838
839@node Constructing Calls
840@section Constructing Function Calls
841@cindex constructing calls
842@cindex forwarding calls
843
844Using the built-in functions described below, you can record
845the arguments a function received, and call another function
846with the same arguments, without knowing the number or types
847of the arguments.
848
849You can also record the return value of that function call,
850and later return that value, without knowing what data type
851the function tried to return (as long as your caller expects
852that data type).
853
84330467
JM
854@deftypefn {Built-in Function} {void *} __builtin_apply_args ()
855This built-in function returns a pointer to data
c1f7febf
RK
856describing how to perform a call with the same arguments as were passed
857to the current function.
858
859The function saves the arg pointer register, structure value address,
860and all registers that might be used to pass arguments to a function
861into a block of memory allocated on the stack. Then it returns the
862address of that block.
84330467 863@end deftypefn
c1f7febf 864
84330467
JM
865@deftypefn {Built-in Function} {void *} __builtin_apply (void (*@var{function})(), void *@var{arguments}, size_t @var{size})
866This built-in function invokes @var{function}
867with a copy of the parameters described by @var{arguments}
868and @var{size}.
c1f7febf
RK
869
870The value of @var{arguments} should be the value returned by
871@code{__builtin_apply_args}. The argument @var{size} specifies the size
872of the stack argument data, in bytes.
873
84330467 874This function returns a pointer to data describing
c1f7febf
RK
875how to return whatever value was returned by @var{function}. The data
876is saved in a block of memory allocated on the stack.
877
878It is not always simple to compute the proper value for @var{size}. The
879value is used by @code{__builtin_apply} to compute the amount of data
880that should be pushed on the stack and copied from the incoming argument
881area.
84330467 882@end deftypefn
c1f7febf 883
84330467 884@deftypefn {Built-in Function} {void} __builtin_return (void *@var{result})
c1f7febf
RK
885This built-in function returns the value described by @var{result} from
886the containing function. You should specify, for @var{result}, a value
887returned by @code{__builtin_apply}.
84330467 888@end deftypefn
c1f7febf 889
c1f7febf
RK
890@node Typeof
891@section Referring to a Type with @code{typeof}
892@findex typeof
893@findex sizeof
894@cindex macros, types of arguments
895
896Another way to refer to the type of an expression is with @code{typeof}.
897The syntax of using of this keyword looks like @code{sizeof}, but the
898construct acts semantically like a type name defined with @code{typedef}.
899
900There are two ways of writing the argument to @code{typeof}: with an
901expression or with a type. Here is an example with an expression:
902
903@example
904typeof (x[0](1))
905@end example
906
907@noindent
89aed483
JM
908This assumes that @code{x} is an array of pointers to functions;
909the type described is that of the values of the functions.
c1f7febf
RK
910
911Here is an example with a typename as the argument:
912
913@example
914typeof (int *)
915@end example
916
917@noindent
918Here the type described is that of pointers to @code{int}.
919
5490d604 920If you are writing a header file that must work when included in ISO C
c1f7febf
RK
921programs, write @code{__typeof__} instead of @code{typeof}.
922@xref{Alternate Keywords}.
923
924A @code{typeof}-construct can be used anywhere a typedef name could be
925used. For example, you can use it in a declaration, in a cast, or inside
926of @code{sizeof} or @code{typeof}.
927
95f79357
ZW
928@code{typeof} is often useful in conjunction with the
929statements-within-expressions feature. Here is how the two together can
930be used to define a safe ``maximum'' macro that operates on any
931arithmetic type and evaluates each of its arguments exactly once:
932
933@example
934#define max(a,b) \
935 (@{ typeof (a) _a = (a); \
936 typeof (b) _b = (b); \
937 _a > _b ? _a : _b; @})
938@end example
939
526278c9
VR
940@cindex underscores in variables in macros
941@cindex @samp{_} in variables in macros
942@cindex local variables in macros
943@cindex variables, local, in macros
944@cindex macros, local variables in
945
946The reason for using names that start with underscores for the local
947variables is to avoid conflicts with variable names that occur within the
948expressions that are substituted for @code{a} and @code{b}. Eventually we
949hope to design a new form of declaration syntax that allows you to declare
950variables whose scopes start only after their initializers; this will be a
951more reliable way to prevent such conflicts.
952
95f79357
ZW
953@noindent
954Some more examples of the use of @code{typeof}:
955
c1f7febf
RK
956@itemize @bullet
957@item
958This declares @code{y} with the type of what @code{x} points to.
959
960@example
961typeof (*x) y;
962@end example
963
964@item
965This declares @code{y} as an array of such values.
966
967@example
968typeof (*x) y[4];
969@end example
970
971@item
972This declares @code{y} as an array of pointers to characters:
973
974@example
975typeof (typeof (char *)[4]) y;
976@end example
977
978@noindent
979It is equivalent to the following traditional C declaration:
980
981@example
982char *y[4];
983@end example
984
985To see the meaning of the declaration using @code{typeof}, and why it
986might be a useful way to write, let's rewrite it with these macros:
987
988@example
989#define pointer(T) typeof(T *)
990#define array(T, N) typeof(T [N])
991@end example
992
993@noindent
994Now the declaration can be rewritten this way:
995
996@example
997array (pointer (char), 4) y;
998@end example
999
1000@noindent
1001Thus, @code{array (pointer (char), 4)} is the type of arrays of 4
1002pointers to @code{char}.
1003@end itemize
1004
95f79357
ZW
1005@emph{Compatibility Note:} In addition to @code{typeof}, GCC 2 supported
1006a more limited extension which permitted one to write
1007
1008@example
1009typedef @var{T} = @var{expr};
1010@end example
1011
1012@noindent
1013with the effect of declaring @var{T} to have the type of the expression
1014@var{expr}. This extension does not work with GCC 3 (versions between
10153.0 and 3.2 will crash; 3.2.1 and later give an error). Code which
1016relies on it should be rewritten to use @code{typeof}:
1017
1018@example
1019typedef typeof(@var{expr}) @var{T};
1020@end example
1021
1022@noindent
1023This will work with all versions of GCC@.
1024
c1f7febf
RK
1025@node Lvalues
1026@section Generalized Lvalues
1027@cindex compound expressions as lvalues
1028@cindex expressions, compound, as lvalues
1029@cindex conditional expressions as lvalues
1030@cindex expressions, conditional, as lvalues
1031@cindex casts as lvalues
1032@cindex generalized lvalues
1033@cindex lvalues, generalized
1034@cindex extensions, @code{?:}
1035@cindex @code{?:} extensions
1036Compound expressions, conditional expressions and casts are allowed as
1037lvalues provided their operands are lvalues. This means that you can take
1038their addresses or store values into them.
1039
1040Standard C++ allows compound expressions and conditional expressions as
1041lvalues, and permits casts to reference type, so use of this extension
1042is deprecated for C++ code.
1043
1044For example, a compound expression can be assigned, provided the last
1045expression in the sequence is an lvalue. These two expressions are
1046equivalent:
1047
1048@example
1049(a, b) += 5
1050a, (b += 5)
1051@end example
1052
1053Similarly, the address of the compound expression can be taken. These two
1054expressions are equivalent:
1055
1056@example
1057&(a, b)
1058a, &b
1059@end example
1060
1061A conditional expression is a valid lvalue if its type is not void and the
1062true and false branches are both valid lvalues. For example, these two
1063expressions are equivalent:
1064
1065@example
1066(a ? b : c) = 5
1067(a ? b = 5 : (c = 5))
1068@end example
1069
1070A cast is a valid lvalue if its operand is an lvalue. A simple
1071assignment whose left-hand side is a cast works by converting the
1072right-hand side first to the specified type, then to the type of the
1073inner left-hand side expression. After this is stored, the value is
1074converted back to the specified type to become the value of the
1075assignment. Thus, if @code{a} has type @code{char *}, the following two
1076expressions are equivalent:
1077
1078@example
1079(int)a = 5
1080(int)(a = (char *)(int)5)
1081@end example
1082
1083An assignment-with-arithmetic operation such as @samp{+=} applied to a cast
1084performs the arithmetic using the type resulting from the cast, and then
1085continues as in the previous case. Therefore, these two expressions are
1086equivalent:
1087
1088@example
1089(int)a += 5
1090(int)(a = (char *)(int) ((int)a + 5))
1091@end example
1092
1093You cannot take the address of an lvalue cast, because the use of its
1094address would not work out coherently. Suppose that @code{&(int)f} were
1095permitted, where @code{f} has type @code{float}. Then the following
1096statement would try to store an integer bit-pattern where a floating
1097point number belongs:
1098
1099@example
1100*&(int)f = 1;
1101@end example
1102
1103This is quite different from what @code{(int)f = 1} would do---that
1104would convert 1 to floating point and store it. Rather than cause this
1105inconsistency, we think it is better to prohibit use of @samp{&} on a cast.
1106
1107If you really do want an @code{int *} pointer with the address of
1108@code{f}, you can simply write @code{(int *)&f}.
1109
1110@node Conditionals
1111@section Conditionals with Omitted Operands
1112@cindex conditional expressions, extensions
1113@cindex omitted middle-operands
1114@cindex middle-operands, omitted
1115@cindex extensions, @code{?:}
1116@cindex @code{?:} extensions
1117
1118The middle operand in a conditional expression may be omitted. Then
1119if the first operand is nonzero, its value is the value of the conditional
1120expression.
1121
1122Therefore, the expression
1123
1124@example
1125x ? : y
1126@end example
1127
1128@noindent
1129has the value of @code{x} if that is nonzero; otherwise, the value of
1130@code{y}.
1131
1132This example is perfectly equivalent to
1133
1134@example
1135x ? x : y
1136@end example
1137
1138@cindex side effect in ?:
1139@cindex ?: side effect
1140@noindent
1141In this simple case, the ability to omit the middle operand is not
1142especially useful. When it becomes useful is when the first operand does,
1143or may (if it is a macro argument), contain a side effect. Then repeating
1144the operand in the middle would perform the side effect twice. Omitting
1145the middle operand uses the value already computed without the undesirable
1146effects of recomputing it.
1147
1148@node Long Long
1149@section Double-Word Integers
1150@cindex @code{long long} data types
1151@cindex double-word arithmetic
1152@cindex multiprecision arithmetic
4b404517
JM
1153@cindex @code{LL} integer suffix
1154@cindex @code{ULL} integer suffix
c1f7febf 1155
4b404517
JM
1156ISO C99 supports data types for integers that are at least 64 bits wide,
1157and as an extension GCC supports them in C89 mode and in C++.
1158Simply write @code{long long int} for a signed integer, or
c1f7febf 1159@code{unsigned long long int} for an unsigned integer. To make an
84330467 1160integer constant of type @code{long long int}, add the suffix @samp{LL}
c1f7febf 1161to the integer. To make an integer constant of type @code{unsigned long
84330467 1162long int}, add the suffix @samp{ULL} to the integer.
c1f7febf
RK
1163
1164You can use these types in arithmetic like any other integer types.
1165Addition, subtraction, and bitwise boolean operations on these types
1166are open-coded on all types of machines. Multiplication is open-coded
1167if the machine supports fullword-to-doubleword a widening multiply
1168instruction. Division and shifts are open-coded only on machines that
1169provide special support. The operations that are not open-coded use
161d7b59 1170special library routines that come with GCC@.
c1f7febf
RK
1171
1172There may be pitfalls when you use @code{long long} types for function
1173arguments, unless you declare function prototypes. If a function
1174expects type @code{int} for its argument, and you pass a value of type
1175@code{long long int}, confusion will result because the caller and the
1176subroutine will disagree about the number of bytes for the argument.
1177Likewise, if the function expects @code{long long int} and you pass
1178@code{int}. The best way to avoid such problems is to use prototypes.
1179
1180@node Complex
1181@section Complex Numbers
1182@cindex complex numbers
4b404517
JM
1183@cindex @code{_Complex} keyword
1184@cindex @code{__complex__} keyword
c1f7febf 1185
4b404517
JM
1186ISO C99 supports complex floating data types, and as an extension GCC
1187supports them in C89 mode and in C++, and supports complex integer data
1188types which are not part of ISO C99. You can declare complex types
1189using the keyword @code{_Complex}. As an extension, the older GNU
1190keyword @code{__complex__} is also supported.
c1f7febf 1191
4b404517 1192For example, @samp{_Complex double x;} declares @code{x} as a
c1f7febf 1193variable whose real part and imaginary part are both of type
4b404517 1194@code{double}. @samp{_Complex short int y;} declares @code{y} to
c1f7febf
RK
1195have real and imaginary parts of type @code{short int}; this is not
1196likely to be useful, but it shows that the set of complex types is
1197complete.
1198
1199To write a constant with a complex data type, use the suffix @samp{i} or
1200@samp{j} (either one; they are equivalent). For example, @code{2.5fi}
4b404517
JM
1201has type @code{_Complex float} and @code{3i} has type
1202@code{_Complex int}. Such a constant always has a pure imaginary
c1f7febf 1203value, but you can form any complex value you like by adding one to a
4b404517
JM
1204real constant. This is a GNU extension; if you have an ISO C99
1205conforming C library (such as GNU libc), and want to construct complex
1206constants of floating type, you should include @code{<complex.h>} and
1207use the macros @code{I} or @code{_Complex_I} instead.
c1f7febf 1208
4b404517
JM
1209@cindex @code{__real__} keyword
1210@cindex @code{__imag__} keyword
c1f7febf
RK
1211To extract the real part of a complex-valued expression @var{exp}, write
1212@code{__real__ @var{exp}}. Likewise, use @code{__imag__} to
4b404517
JM
1213extract the imaginary part. This is a GNU extension; for values of
1214floating type, you should use the ISO C99 functions @code{crealf},
1215@code{creal}, @code{creall}, @code{cimagf}, @code{cimag} and
1216@code{cimagl}, declared in @code{<complex.h>} and also provided as
161d7b59 1217built-in functions by GCC@.
c1f7febf 1218
4b404517 1219@cindex complex conjugation
c1f7febf 1220The operator @samp{~} performs complex conjugation when used on a value
4b404517
JM
1221with a complex type. This is a GNU extension; for values of
1222floating type, you should use the ISO C99 functions @code{conjf},
1223@code{conj} and @code{conjl}, declared in @code{<complex.h>} and also
161d7b59 1224provided as built-in functions by GCC@.
c1f7febf 1225
f0523f02 1226GCC can allocate complex automatic variables in a noncontiguous
c1f7febf 1227fashion; it's even possible for the real part to be in a register while
580fb356
JW
1228the imaginary part is on the stack (or vice-versa). Only the DWARF2
1229debug info format can represent this, so use of DWARF2 is recommended.
1230If you are using the stabs debug info format, GCC describes a noncontiguous
1231complex variable as if it were two separate variables of noncomplex type.
c1f7febf
RK
1232If the variable's actual name is @code{foo}, the two fictitious
1233variables are named @code{foo$real} and @code{foo$imag}. You can
1234examine and set these two fictitious variables with your debugger.
1235
6f4d7222 1236@node Hex Floats
6b42b9ea
UD
1237@section Hex Floats
1238@cindex hex floats
c5c76735 1239
4b404517 1240ISO C99 supports floating-point numbers written not only in the usual
6f4d7222 1241decimal notation, such as @code{1.55e1}, but also numbers such as
4b404517
JM
1242@code{0x1.fp3} written in hexadecimal format. As a GNU extension, GCC
1243supports this in C89 mode (except in some cases when strictly
1244conforming) and in C++. In that format the
84330467 1245@samp{0x} hex introducer and the @samp{p} or @samp{P} exponent field are
6f4d7222 1246mandatory. The exponent is a decimal number that indicates the power of
84330467 12472 by which the significant part will be multiplied. Thus @samp{0x1.f} is
aee96fe9
JM
1248@tex
1249$1 {15\over16}$,
1250@end tex
1251@ifnottex
12521 15/16,
1253@end ifnottex
1254@samp{p3} multiplies it by 8, and the value of @code{0x1.fp3}
6f4d7222
UD
1255is the same as @code{1.55e1}.
1256
1257Unlike for floating-point numbers in the decimal notation the exponent
1258is always required in the hexadecimal notation. Otherwise the compiler
1259would not be able to resolve the ambiguity of, e.g., @code{0x1.f}. This
84330467 1260could mean @code{1.0f} or @code{1.9375} since @samp{f} is also the
6f4d7222
UD
1261extension for floating-point constants of type @code{float}.
1262
c1f7febf
RK
1263@node Zero Length
1264@section Arrays of Length Zero
1265@cindex arrays of length zero
1266@cindex zero-length arrays
1267@cindex length-zero arrays
ffc5c6a9 1268@cindex flexible array members
c1f7febf 1269
161d7b59 1270Zero-length arrays are allowed in GNU C@. They are very useful as the
584ef5fe 1271last element of a structure which is really a header for a variable-length
c1f7febf
RK
1272object:
1273
1274@example
1275struct line @{
1276 int length;
1277 char contents[0];
1278@};
1279
584ef5fe
RH
1280struct line *thisline = (struct line *)
1281 malloc (sizeof (struct line) + this_length);
1282thisline->length = this_length;
c1f7febf
RK
1283@end example
1284
3764f879 1285In ISO C90, you would have to give @code{contents} a length of 1, which
c1f7febf
RK
1286means either you waste space or complicate the argument to @code{malloc}.
1287
02f52e19 1288In ISO C99, you would use a @dfn{flexible array member}, which is
584ef5fe
RH
1289slightly different in syntax and semantics:
1290
1291@itemize @bullet
1292@item
1293Flexible array members are written as @code{contents[]} without
1294the @code{0}.
1295
1296@item
1297Flexible array members have incomplete type, and so the @code{sizeof}
1298operator may not be applied. As a quirk of the original implementation
1299of zero-length arrays, @code{sizeof} evaluates to zero.
1300
1301@item
1302Flexible array members may only appear as the last member of a
e7b6a0ee 1303@code{struct} that is otherwise non-empty.
2984fe64
JM
1304
1305@item
1306A structure containing a flexible array member, or a union containing
1307such a structure (possibly recursively), may not be a member of a
1308structure or an element of an array. (However, these uses are
1309permitted by GCC as extensions.)
ffc5c6a9 1310@end itemize
a25f1211 1311
ffc5c6a9 1312GCC versions before 3.0 allowed zero-length arrays to be statically
e7b6a0ee
DD
1313initialized, as if they were flexible arrays. In addition to those
1314cases that were useful, it also allowed initializations in situations
1315that would corrupt later data. Non-empty initialization of zero-length
1316arrays is now treated like any case where there are more initializer
1317elements than the array holds, in that a suitable warning about "excess
1318elements in array" is given, and the excess elements (all of them, in
1319this case) are ignored.
ffc5c6a9
RH
1320
1321Instead GCC allows static initialization of flexible array members.
1322This is equivalent to defining a new structure containing the original
1323structure followed by an array of sufficient size to contain the data.
e979f9e8 1324I.e.@: in the following, @code{f1} is constructed as if it were declared
ffc5c6a9 1325like @code{f2}.
a25f1211
RH
1326
1327@example
ffc5c6a9
RH
1328struct f1 @{
1329 int x; int y[];
1330@} f1 = @{ 1, @{ 2, 3, 4 @} @};
1331
1332struct f2 @{
1333 struct f1 f1; int data[3];
1334@} f2 = @{ @{ 1 @}, @{ 2, 3, 4 @} @};
1335@end example
584ef5fe 1336
ffc5c6a9
RH
1337@noindent
1338The convenience of this extension is that @code{f1} has the desired
1339type, eliminating the need to consistently refer to @code{f2.f1}.
1340
1341This has symmetry with normal static arrays, in that an array of
1342unknown size is also written with @code{[]}.
a25f1211 1343
ffc5c6a9
RH
1344Of course, this extension only makes sense if the extra data comes at
1345the end of a top-level object, as otherwise we would be overwriting
1346data at subsequent offsets. To avoid undue complication and confusion
1347with initialization of deeply nested arrays, we simply disallow any
1348non-empty initialization except when the structure is the top-level
1349object. For example:
584ef5fe 1350
ffc5c6a9
RH
1351@example
1352struct foo @{ int x; int y[]; @};
1353struct bar @{ struct foo z; @};
1354
13ba36b4
JM
1355struct foo a = @{ 1, @{ 2, 3, 4 @} @}; // @r{Valid.}
1356struct bar b = @{ @{ 1, @{ 2, 3, 4 @} @} @}; // @r{Invalid.}
1357struct bar c = @{ @{ 1, @{ @} @} @}; // @r{Valid.}
1358struct foo d[1] = @{ @{ 1 @{ 2, 3, 4 @} @} @}; // @r{Invalid.}
a25f1211 1359@end example
4b606faf 1360
c1f7febf
RK
1361@node Variable Length
1362@section Arrays of Variable Length
1363@cindex variable-length arrays
1364@cindex arrays of variable length
4b404517 1365@cindex VLAs
c1f7febf 1366
4b404517
JM
1367Variable-length automatic arrays are allowed in ISO C99, and as an
1368extension GCC accepts them in C89 mode and in C++. (However, GCC's
1369implementation of variable-length arrays does not yet conform in detail
1370to the ISO C99 standard.) These arrays are
c1f7febf
RK
1371declared like any other automatic arrays, but with a length that is not
1372a constant expression. The storage is allocated at the point of
1373declaration and deallocated when the brace-level is exited. For
1374example:
1375
1376@example
1377FILE *
1378concat_fopen (char *s1, char *s2, char *mode)
1379@{
1380 char str[strlen (s1) + strlen (s2) + 1];
1381 strcpy (str, s1);
1382 strcat (str, s2);
1383 return fopen (str, mode);
1384@}
1385@end example
1386
1387@cindex scope of a variable length array
1388@cindex variable-length array scope
1389@cindex deallocating variable length arrays
1390Jumping or breaking out of the scope of the array name deallocates the
1391storage. Jumping into the scope is not allowed; you get an error
1392message for it.
1393
1394@cindex @code{alloca} vs variable-length arrays
1395You can use the function @code{alloca} to get an effect much like
1396variable-length arrays. The function @code{alloca} is available in
1397many other C implementations (but not in all). On the other hand,
1398variable-length arrays are more elegant.
1399
1400There are other differences between these two methods. Space allocated
1401with @code{alloca} exists until the containing @emph{function} returns.
1402The space for a variable-length array is deallocated as soon as the array
1403name's scope ends. (If you use both variable-length arrays and
1404@code{alloca} in the same function, deallocation of a variable-length array
1405will also deallocate anything more recently allocated with @code{alloca}.)
1406
1407You can also use variable-length arrays as arguments to functions:
1408
1409@example
1410struct entry
1411tester (int len, char data[len][len])
1412@{
0d893a63 1413 /* @r{@dots{}} */
c1f7febf
RK
1414@}
1415@end example
1416
1417The length of an array is computed once when the storage is allocated
1418and is remembered for the scope of the array in case you access it with
1419@code{sizeof}.
1420
1421If you want to pass the array first and the length afterward, you can
1422use a forward declaration in the parameter list---another GNU extension.
1423
1424@example
1425struct entry
1426tester (int len; char data[len][len], int len)
1427@{
0d893a63 1428 /* @r{@dots{}} */
c1f7febf
RK
1429@}
1430@end example
1431
1432@cindex parameter forward declaration
1433The @samp{int len} before the semicolon is a @dfn{parameter forward
1434declaration}, and it serves the purpose of making the name @code{len}
1435known when the declaration of @code{data} is parsed.
1436
1437You can write any number of such parameter forward declarations in the
1438parameter list. They can be separated by commas or semicolons, but the
1439last one must end with a semicolon, which is followed by the ``real''
1440parameter declarations. Each forward declaration must match a ``real''
4b404517
JM
1441declaration in parameter name and data type. ISO C99 does not support
1442parameter forward declarations.
c1f7febf 1443
ccd96f0a
NB
1444@node Variadic Macros
1445@section Macros with a Variable Number of Arguments.
c1f7febf
RK
1446@cindex variable number of arguments
1447@cindex macro with variable arguments
1448@cindex rest argument (in macro)
ccd96f0a 1449@cindex variadic macros
c1f7febf 1450
ccd96f0a
NB
1451In the ISO C standard of 1999, a macro can be declared to accept a
1452variable number of arguments much as a function can. The syntax for
1453defining the macro is similar to that of a function. Here is an
1454example:
c1f7febf 1455
478c9e72 1456@smallexample
ccd96f0a 1457#define debug(format, ...) fprintf (stderr, format, __VA_ARGS__)
478c9e72 1458@end smallexample
c1f7febf 1459
ccd96f0a
NB
1460Here @samp{@dots{}} is a @dfn{variable argument}. In the invocation of
1461such a macro, it represents the zero or more tokens until the closing
1462parenthesis that ends the invocation, including any commas. This set of
1463tokens replaces the identifier @code{__VA_ARGS__} in the macro body
1464wherever it appears. See the CPP manual for more information.
1465
1466GCC has long supported variadic macros, and used a different syntax that
1467allowed you to give a name to the variable arguments just like any other
1468argument. Here is an example:
c1f7febf
RK
1469
1470@example
ccd96f0a 1471#define debug(format, args...) fprintf (stderr, format, args)
c1f7febf
RK
1472@end example
1473
ccd96f0a
NB
1474This is in all ways equivalent to the ISO C example above, but arguably
1475more readable and descriptive.
c1f7febf 1476
ccd96f0a
NB
1477GNU CPP has two further variadic macro extensions, and permits them to
1478be used with either of the above forms of macro definition.
1479
1480In standard C, you are not allowed to leave the variable argument out
1481entirely; but you are allowed to pass an empty argument. For example,
1482this invocation is invalid in ISO C, because there is no comma after
1483the string:
c1f7febf
RK
1484
1485@example
ccd96f0a 1486debug ("A message")
c1f7febf
RK
1487@end example
1488
ccd96f0a
NB
1489GNU CPP permits you to completely omit the variable arguments in this
1490way. In the above examples, the compiler would complain, though since
1491the expansion of the macro still has the extra comma after the format
1492string.
1493
1494To help solve this problem, CPP behaves specially for variable arguments
1495used with the token paste operator, @samp{##}. If instead you write
c1f7febf 1496
478c9e72 1497@smallexample
ccd96f0a 1498#define debug(format, ...) fprintf (stderr, format, ## __VA_ARGS__)
478c9e72 1499@end smallexample
c1f7febf 1500
ccd96f0a
NB
1501and if the variable arguments are omitted or empty, the @samp{##}
1502operator causes the preprocessor to remove the comma before it. If you
1503do provide some variable arguments in your macro invocation, GNU CPP
1504does not complain about the paste operation and instead places the
1505variable arguments after the comma. Just like any other pasted macro
1506argument, these arguments are not macro expanded.
1507
1508@node Escaped Newlines
1509@section Slightly Looser Rules for Escaped Newlines
1510@cindex escaped newlines
1511@cindex newlines (escaped)
1512
f458d1d5
ZW
1513Recently, the preprocessor has relaxed its treatment of escaped
1514newlines. Previously, the newline had to immediately follow a
ccd96f0a
NB
1515backslash. The current implementation allows whitespace in the form of
1516spaces, horizontal and vertical tabs, and form feeds between the
1517backslash and the subsequent newline. The preprocessor issues a
1518warning, but treats it as a valid escaped newline and combines the two
1519lines to form a single logical line. This works within comments and
1520tokens, including multi-line strings, as well as between tokens.
1521Comments are @emph{not} treated as whitespace for the purposes of this
1522relaxation, since they have not yet been replaced with spaces.
1523
1524@node Multi-line Strings
1525@section String Literals with Embedded Newlines
1526@cindex multi-line string literals
1527
1528As an extension, GNU CPP permits string literals to cross multiple lines
1529without escaping the embedded newlines. Each embedded newline is
1530replaced with a single @samp{\n} character in the resulting string
1531literal, regardless of what form the newline took originally.
1532
1533CPP currently allows such strings in directives as well (other than the
1534@samp{#include} family). This is deprecated and will eventually be
1535removed.
c1f7febf
RK
1536
1537@node Subscripting
1538@section Non-Lvalue Arrays May Have Subscripts
1539@cindex subscripting
1540@cindex arrays, non-lvalue
1541
1542@cindex subscripting and function values
207bf485
JM
1543In ISO C99, arrays that are not lvalues still decay to pointers, and
1544may be subscripted, although they may not be modified or used after
1545the next sequence point and the unary @samp{&} operator may not be
1546applied to them. As an extension, GCC allows such arrays to be
1547subscripted in C89 mode, though otherwise they do not decay to
1548pointers outside C99 mode. For example,
4b404517 1549this is valid in GNU C though not valid in C89:
c1f7febf
RK
1550
1551@example
1552@group
1553struct foo @{int a[4];@};
1554
1555struct foo f();
1556
1557bar (int index)
1558@{
1559 return f().a[index];
1560@}
1561@end group
1562@end example
1563
1564@node Pointer Arith
1565@section Arithmetic on @code{void}- and Function-Pointers
1566@cindex void pointers, arithmetic
1567@cindex void, size of pointer to
1568@cindex function pointers, arithmetic
1569@cindex function, size of pointer to
1570
1571In GNU C, addition and subtraction operations are supported on pointers to
1572@code{void} and on pointers to functions. This is done by treating the
1573size of a @code{void} or of a function as 1.
1574
1575A consequence of this is that @code{sizeof} is also allowed on @code{void}
1576and on function types, and returns 1.
1577
84330467
JM
1578@opindex Wpointer-arith
1579The option @option{-Wpointer-arith} requests a warning if these extensions
c1f7febf
RK
1580are used.
1581
1582@node Initializers
1583@section Non-Constant Initializers
1584@cindex initializers, non-constant
1585@cindex non-constant initializers
1586
4b404517 1587As in standard C++ and ISO C99, the elements of an aggregate initializer for an
161d7b59 1588automatic variable are not required to be constant expressions in GNU C@.
c1f7febf
RK
1589Here is an example of an initializer with run-time varying elements:
1590
1591@example
1592foo (float f, float g)
1593@{
1594 float beat_freqs[2] = @{ f-g, f+g @};
0d893a63 1595 /* @r{@dots{}} */
c1f7febf
RK
1596@}
1597@end example
1598
4b404517
JM
1599@node Compound Literals
1600@section Compound Literals
c1f7febf
RK
1601@cindex constructor expressions
1602@cindex initializations in expressions
1603@cindex structures, constructor expression
1604@cindex expressions, constructor
4b404517
JM
1605@cindex compound literals
1606@c The GNU C name for what C99 calls compound literals was "constructor expressions".
c1f7febf 1607
4b404517 1608ISO C99 supports compound literals. A compound literal looks like
c1f7febf
RK
1609a cast containing an initializer. Its value is an object of the
1610type specified in the cast, containing the elements specified in
db3acfa5
JM
1611the initializer; it is an lvalue. As an extension, GCC supports
1612compound literals in C89 mode and in C++.
c1f7febf
RK
1613
1614Usually, the specified type is a structure. Assume that
1615@code{struct foo} and @code{structure} are declared as shown:
1616
1617@example
1618struct foo @{int a; char b[2];@} structure;
1619@end example
1620
1621@noindent
4b404517 1622Here is an example of constructing a @code{struct foo} with a compound literal:
c1f7febf
RK
1623
1624@example
1625structure = ((struct foo) @{x + y, 'a', 0@});
1626@end example
1627
1628@noindent
1629This is equivalent to writing the following:
1630
1631@example
1632@{
1633 struct foo temp = @{x + y, 'a', 0@};
1634 structure = temp;
1635@}
1636@end example
1637
4b404517 1638You can also construct an array. If all the elements of the compound literal
c1f7febf 1639are (made up of) simple constant expressions, suitable for use in
db3acfa5
JM
1640initializers of objects of static storage duration, then the compound
1641literal can be coerced to a pointer to its first element and used in
1642such an initializer, as shown here:
c1f7febf
RK
1643
1644@example
1645char **foo = (char *[]) @{ "x", "y", "z" @};
1646@end example
1647
4b404517
JM
1648Compound literals for scalar types and union types are is
1649also allowed, but then the compound literal is equivalent
c1f7febf
RK
1650to a cast.
1651
59c83dbf
JJ
1652As a GNU extension, GCC allows initialization of objects with static storage
1653duration by compound literals (which is not possible in ISO C99, because
1654the initializer is not a constant).
1655It is handled as if the object was initialized only with the bracket
1656enclosed list if compound literal's and object types match.
1657The initializer list of the compound literal must be constant.
1658If the object being initialized has array type of unknown size, the size is
ad47f1e5 1659determined by compound literal size.
59c83dbf
JJ
1660
1661@example
1662static struct foo x = (struct foo) @{1, 'a', 'b'@};
1663static int y[] = (int []) @{1, 2, 3@};
1664static int z[] = (int [3]) @{1@};
1665@end example
1666
1667@noindent
1668The above lines are equivalent to the following:
1669@example
1670static struct foo x = @{1, 'a', 'b'@};
1671static int y[] = @{1, 2, 3@};
ad47f1e5 1672static int z[] = @{1, 0, 0@};
59c83dbf
JJ
1673@end example
1674
4b404517
JM
1675@node Designated Inits
1676@section Designated Initializers
c1f7febf
RK
1677@cindex initializers with labeled elements
1678@cindex labeled elements in initializers
1679@cindex case labels in initializers
4b404517 1680@cindex designated initializers
c1f7febf 1681
26d4fec7 1682Standard C89 requires the elements of an initializer to appear in a fixed
c1f7febf
RK
1683order, the same as the order of the elements in the array or structure
1684being initialized.
1685
26d4fec7
JM
1686In ISO C99 you can give the elements in any order, specifying the array
1687indices or structure field names they apply to, and GNU C allows this as
1688an extension in C89 mode as well. This extension is not
c1f7febf
RK
1689implemented in GNU C++.
1690
26d4fec7 1691To specify an array index, write
c1f7febf
RK
1692@samp{[@var{index}] =} before the element value. For example,
1693
1694@example
26d4fec7 1695int a[6] = @{ [4] = 29, [2] = 15 @};
c1f7febf
RK
1696@end example
1697
1698@noindent
1699is equivalent to
1700
1701@example
1702int a[6] = @{ 0, 0, 15, 0, 29, 0 @};
1703@end example
1704
1705@noindent
1706The index values must be constant expressions, even if the array being
1707initialized is automatic.
1708
26d4fec7
JM
1709An alternative syntax for this which has been obsolete since GCC 2.5 but
1710GCC still accepts is to write @samp{[@var{index}]} before the element
1711value, with no @samp{=}.
1712
c1f7febf 1713To initialize a range of elements to the same value, write
26d4fec7
JM
1714@samp{[@var{first} ... @var{last}] = @var{value}}. This is a GNU
1715extension. For example,
c1f7febf
RK
1716
1717@example
1718int widths[] = @{ [0 ... 9] = 1, [10 ... 99] = 2, [100] = 3 @};
1719@end example
1720
8b6a5902
JJ
1721@noindent
1722If the value in it has side-effects, the side-effects will happen only once,
1723not for each initialized field by the range initializer.
1724
c1f7febf
RK
1725@noindent
1726Note that the length of the array is the highest value specified
1727plus one.
1728
1729In a structure initializer, specify the name of a field to initialize
26d4fec7 1730with @samp{.@var{fieldname} =} before the element value. For example,
c1f7febf
RK
1731given the following structure,
1732
1733@example
1734struct point @{ int x, y; @};
1735@end example
1736
1737@noindent
1738the following initialization
1739
1740@example
26d4fec7 1741struct point p = @{ .y = yvalue, .x = xvalue @};
c1f7febf
RK
1742@end example
1743
1744@noindent
1745is equivalent to
1746
1747@example
1748struct point p = @{ xvalue, yvalue @};
1749@end example
1750
26d4fec7
JM
1751Another syntax which has the same meaning, obsolete since GCC 2.5, is
1752@samp{@var{fieldname}:}, as shown here:
c1f7febf
RK
1753
1754@example
26d4fec7 1755struct point p = @{ y: yvalue, x: xvalue @};
c1f7febf
RK
1756@end example
1757
4b404517
JM
1758@cindex designators
1759The @samp{[@var{index}]} or @samp{.@var{fieldname}} is known as a
1760@dfn{designator}. You can also use a designator (or the obsolete colon
1761syntax) when initializing a union, to specify which element of the union
1762should be used. For example,
c1f7febf
RK
1763
1764@example
1765union foo @{ int i; double d; @};
1766
26d4fec7 1767union foo f = @{ .d = 4 @};
c1f7febf
RK
1768@end example
1769
1770@noindent
1771will convert 4 to a @code{double} to store it in the union using
1772the second element. By contrast, casting 4 to type @code{union foo}
1773would store it into the union as the integer @code{i}, since it is
1774an integer. (@xref{Cast to Union}.)
1775
1776You can combine this technique of naming elements with ordinary C
1777initialization of successive elements. Each initializer element that
4b404517 1778does not have a designator applies to the next consecutive element of the
c1f7febf
RK
1779array or structure. For example,
1780
1781@example
1782int a[6] = @{ [1] = v1, v2, [4] = v4 @};
1783@end example
1784
1785@noindent
1786is equivalent to
1787
1788@example
1789int a[6] = @{ 0, v1, v2, 0, v4, 0 @};
1790@end example
1791
1792Labeling the elements of an array initializer is especially useful
1793when the indices are characters or belong to an @code{enum} type.
1794For example:
1795
1796@example
1797int whitespace[256]
1798 = @{ [' '] = 1, ['\t'] = 1, ['\h'] = 1,
1799 ['\f'] = 1, ['\n'] = 1, ['\r'] = 1 @};
1800@end example
1801
4b404517 1802@cindex designator lists
26d4fec7 1803You can also write a series of @samp{.@var{fieldname}} and
4b404517 1804@samp{[@var{index}]} designators before an @samp{=} to specify a
26d4fec7
JM
1805nested subobject to initialize; the list is taken relative to the
1806subobject corresponding to the closest surrounding brace pair. For
1807example, with the @samp{struct point} declaration above:
1808
478c9e72 1809@smallexample
26d4fec7 1810struct point ptarray[10] = @{ [2].y = yv2, [2].x = xv2, [0].x = xv0 @};
478c9e72 1811@end smallexample
26d4fec7 1812
8b6a5902
JJ
1813@noindent
1814If the same field is initialized multiple times, it will have value from
1815the last initialization. If any such overridden initialization has
1816side-effect, it is unspecified whether the side-effect happens or not.
1817Currently, gcc will discard them and issue a warning.
1818
c1f7febf
RK
1819@node Case Ranges
1820@section Case Ranges
1821@cindex case ranges
1822@cindex ranges in case statements
1823
1824You can specify a range of consecutive values in a single @code{case} label,
1825like this:
1826
1827@example
1828case @var{low} ... @var{high}:
1829@end example
1830
1831@noindent
1832This has the same effect as the proper number of individual @code{case}
1833labels, one for each integer value from @var{low} to @var{high}, inclusive.
1834
1835This feature is especially useful for ranges of ASCII character codes:
1836
1837@example
1838case 'A' ... 'Z':
1839@end example
1840
1841@strong{Be careful:} Write spaces around the @code{...}, for otherwise
1842it may be parsed wrong when you use it with integer values. For example,
1843write this:
1844
1845@example
1846case 1 ... 5:
1847@end example
1848
1849@noindent
1850rather than this:
1851
1852@example
1853case 1...5:
1854@end example
1855
1856@node Cast to Union
1857@section Cast to a Union Type
1858@cindex cast to a union
1859@cindex union, casting to a
1860
1861A cast to union type is similar to other casts, except that the type
1862specified is a union type. You can specify the type either with
1863@code{union @var{tag}} or with a typedef name. A cast to union is actually
1864a constructor though, not a cast, and hence does not yield an lvalue like
4b404517 1865normal casts. (@xref{Compound Literals}.)
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RK
1866
1867The types that may be cast to the union type are those of the members
1868of the union. Thus, given the following union and variables:
1869
1870@example
1871union foo @{ int i; double d; @};
1872int x;
1873double y;
1874@end example
1875
1876@noindent
aee96fe9 1877both @code{x} and @code{y} can be cast to type @code{union foo}.
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RK
1878
1879Using the cast as the right-hand side of an assignment to a variable of
1880union type is equivalent to storing in a member of the union:
1881
1882@example
1883union foo u;
0d893a63 1884/* @r{@dots{}} */
c1f7febf
RK
1885u = (union foo) x @equiv{} u.i = x
1886u = (union foo) y @equiv{} u.d = y
1887@end example
1888
1889You can also use the union cast as a function argument:
1890
1891@example
1892void hack (union foo);
0d893a63 1893/* @r{@dots{}} */
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RK
1894hack ((union foo) x);
1895@end example
1896
4b404517
JM
1897@node Mixed Declarations
1898@section Mixed Declarations and Code
1899@cindex mixed declarations and code
1900@cindex declarations, mixed with code
1901@cindex code, mixed with declarations
1902
1903ISO C99 and ISO C++ allow declarations and code to be freely mixed
1904within compound statements. As an extension, GCC also allows this in
1905C89 mode. For example, you could do:
1906
1907@example
1908int i;
0d893a63 1909/* @r{@dots{}} */
4b404517
JM
1910i++;
1911int j = i + 2;
1912@end example
1913
1914Each identifier is visible from where it is declared until the end of
1915the enclosing block.
1916
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RK
1917@node Function Attributes
1918@section Declaring Attributes of Functions
1919@cindex function attributes
1920@cindex declaring attributes of functions
1921@cindex functions that never return
1922@cindex functions that have no side effects
1923@cindex functions in arbitrary sections
2a59078d 1924@cindex functions that behave like malloc
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RK
1925@cindex @code{volatile} applied to function
1926@cindex @code{const} applied to function
26f6672d 1927@cindex functions with @code{printf}, @code{scanf}, @code{strftime} or @code{strfmon} style arguments
b34c7881 1928@cindex functions with non-null pointer arguments
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RK
1929@cindex functions that are passed arguments in registers on the 386
1930@cindex functions that pop the argument stack on the 386
1931@cindex functions that do not pop the argument stack on the 386
1932
1933In GNU C, you declare certain things about functions called in your program
1934which help the compiler optimize function calls and check your code more
1935carefully.
1936
1937The keyword @code{__attribute__} allows you to specify special
1938attributes when making a declaration. This keyword is followed by an
9162542e 1939attribute specification inside double parentheses. The following
eacecf96 1940attributes are currently defined for functions on all targets:
6aa77e6c 1941@code{noreturn}, @code{noinline}, @code{always_inline},
39f2f3c8 1942@code{pure}, @code{const}, @code{nothrow},
9162542e
AO
1943@code{format}, @code{format_arg}, @code{no_instrument_function},
1944@code{section}, @code{constructor}, @code{destructor}, @code{used},
b34c7881
JT
1945@code{unused}, @code{deprecated}, @code{weak}, @code{malloc},
1946@code{alias}, and @code{nonnull}. Several other attributes are defined
1947for functions on particular target systems. Other attributes, including
1948@code{section} are supported for variables declarations
1949(@pxref{Variable Attributes}) and for types (@pxref{Type Attributes}).
c1f7febf
RK
1950
1951You may also specify attributes with @samp{__} preceding and following
1952each keyword. This allows you to use them in header files without
1953being concerned about a possible macro of the same name. For example,
1954you may use @code{__noreturn__} instead of @code{noreturn}.
1955
2c5e91d2
JM
1956@xref{Attribute Syntax}, for details of the exact syntax for using
1957attributes.
1958
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RK
1959@table @code
1960@cindex @code{noreturn} function attribute
1961@item noreturn
1962A few standard library functions, such as @code{abort} and @code{exit},
f0523f02 1963cannot return. GCC knows this automatically. Some programs define
c1f7febf
RK
1964their own functions that never return. You can declare them
1965@code{noreturn} to tell the compiler this fact. For example,
1966
1967@smallexample
aee96fe9 1968@group
c1f7febf
RK
1969void fatal () __attribute__ ((noreturn));
1970
1971void
0d893a63 1972fatal (/* @r{@dots{}} */)
c1f7febf 1973@{
0d893a63 1974 /* @r{@dots{}} */ /* @r{Print error message.} */ /* @r{@dots{}} */
c1f7febf
RK
1975 exit (1);
1976@}
aee96fe9 1977@end group
c1f7febf
RK
1978@end smallexample
1979
1980The @code{noreturn} keyword tells the compiler to assume that
1981@code{fatal} cannot return. It can then optimize without regard to what
1982would happen if @code{fatal} ever did return. This makes slightly
1983better code. More importantly, it helps avoid spurious warnings of
1984uninitialized variables.
1985
1986Do not assume that registers saved by the calling function are
1987restored before calling the @code{noreturn} function.
1988
1989It does not make sense for a @code{noreturn} function to have a return
1990type other than @code{void}.
1991
f0523f02 1992The attribute @code{noreturn} is not implemented in GCC versions
c1f7febf
RK
1993earlier than 2.5. An alternative way to declare that a function does
1994not return, which works in the current version and in some older
1995versions, is as follows:
1996
1997@smallexample
1998typedef void voidfn ();
1999
2000volatile voidfn fatal;
2001@end smallexample
2002
9162542e
AO
2003@cindex @code{noinline} function attribute
2004@item noinline
2005This function attribute prevents a function from being considered for
2006inlining.
2007
6aa77e6c
AH
2008@cindex @code{always_inline} function attribute
2009@item always_inline
2010Generally, functions are not inlined unless optimization is specified.
2011For functions declared inline, this attribute inlines the function even
2012if no optimization level was specified.
2013
2a8f6b90
JH
2014@cindex @code{pure} function attribute
2015@item pure
2016Many functions have no effects except the return value and their
d4047e24 2017return value depends only on the parameters and/or global variables.
2a8f6b90 2018Such a function can be subject
c1f7febf
RK
2019to common subexpression elimination and loop optimization just as an
2020arithmetic operator would be. These functions should be declared
2a8f6b90 2021with the attribute @code{pure}. For example,
c1f7febf
RK
2022
2023@smallexample
2a8f6b90 2024int square (int) __attribute__ ((pure));
c1f7febf
RK
2025@end smallexample
2026
2027@noindent
2028says that the hypothetical function @code{square} is safe to call
2029fewer times than the program says.
2030
2a8f6b90
JH
2031Some of common examples of pure functions are @code{strlen} or @code{memcmp}.
2032Interesting non-pure functions are functions with infinite loops or those
2033depending on volatile memory or other system resource, that may change between
2a59078d 2034two consecutive calls (such as @code{feof} in a multithreading environment).
2a8f6b90 2035
f0523f02 2036The attribute @code{pure} is not implemented in GCC versions earlier
2a8f6b90
JH
2037than 2.96.
2038@cindex @code{const} function attribute
2039@item const
2040Many functions do not examine any values except their arguments, and
2041have no effects except the return value. Basically this is just slightly
84330467 2042more strict class than the @code{pure} attribute above, since function is not
2a59078d 2043allowed to read global memory.
2a8f6b90
JH
2044
2045@cindex pointer arguments
2046Note that a function that has pointer arguments and examines the data
2047pointed to must @emph{not} be declared @code{const}. Likewise, a
2048function that calls a non-@code{const} function usually must not be
2049@code{const}. It does not make sense for a @code{const} function to
2050return @code{void}.
2051
f0523f02 2052The attribute @code{const} is not implemented in GCC versions earlier
c1f7febf
RK
2053than 2.5. An alternative way to declare that a function has no side
2054effects, which works in the current version and in some older versions,
2055is as follows:
2056
2057@smallexample
2058typedef int intfn ();
2059
2060extern const intfn square;
2061@end smallexample
2062
2063This approach does not work in GNU C++ from 2.6.0 on, since the language
2064specifies that the @samp{const} must be attached to the return value.
2065
39f2f3c8
RS
2066@cindex @code{nothrow} function attribute
2067@item nothrow
2068The @code{nothrow} attribute is used to inform the compiler that a
2069function cannot throw an exception. For example, most functions in
2070the standard C library can be guaranteed not to throw an exception
2071with the notable exceptions of @code{qsort} and @code{bsearch} that
2072take function pointer arguments. The @code{nothrow} attribute is not
2073implemented in GCC versions earlier than 3.2.
c1f7febf
RK
2074
2075@item format (@var{archetype}, @var{string-index}, @var{first-to-check})
2076@cindex @code{format} function attribute
84330467 2077@opindex Wformat
bb72a084 2078The @code{format} attribute specifies that a function takes @code{printf},
26f6672d
JM
2079@code{scanf}, @code{strftime} or @code{strfmon} style arguments which
2080should be type-checked against a format string. For example, the
2081declaration:
c1f7febf
RK
2082
2083@smallexample
2084extern int
2085my_printf (void *my_object, const char *my_format, ...)
2086 __attribute__ ((format (printf, 2, 3)));
2087@end smallexample
2088
2089@noindent
2090causes the compiler to check the arguments in calls to @code{my_printf}
2091for consistency with the @code{printf} style format string argument
2092@code{my_format}.
2093
2094The parameter @var{archetype} determines how the format string is
26f6672d
JM
2095interpreted, and should be @code{printf}, @code{scanf}, @code{strftime}
2096or @code{strfmon}. (You can also use @code{__printf__},
2097@code{__scanf__}, @code{__strftime__} or @code{__strfmon__}.) The
c1f7febf
RK
2098parameter @var{string-index} specifies which argument is the format
2099string argument (starting from 1), while @var{first-to-check} is the
2100number of the first argument to check against the format string. For
2101functions where the arguments are not available to be checked (such as
2102@code{vprintf}), specify the third parameter as zero. In this case the
b722c82c
JM
2103compiler only checks the format string for consistency. For
2104@code{strftime} formats, the third parameter is required to be zero.
f57a2e3a
BE
2105Since non-static C++ methods have an implicit @code{this} argument, the
2106arguments of such methods should be counted from two, not one, when
2107giving values for @var{string-index} and @var{first-to-check}.
c1f7febf
RK
2108
2109In the example above, the format string (@code{my_format}) is the second
2110argument of the function @code{my_print}, and the arguments to check
2111start with the third argument, so the correct parameters for the format
2112attribute are 2 and 3.
2113
84330467 2114@opindex ffreestanding
c1f7febf 2115The @code{format} attribute allows you to identify your own functions
f0523f02 2116which take format strings as arguments, so that GCC can check the
b722c82c 2117calls to these functions for errors. The compiler always (unless
84330467 2118@option{-ffreestanding} is used) checks formats
b722c82c 2119for the standard library functions @code{printf}, @code{fprintf},
bb72a084 2120@code{sprintf}, @code{scanf}, @code{fscanf}, @code{sscanf}, @code{strftime},
c1f7febf 2121@code{vprintf}, @code{vfprintf} and @code{vsprintf} whenever such
84330467 2122warnings are requested (using @option{-Wformat}), so there is no need to
b722c82c
JM
2123modify the header file @file{stdio.h}. In C99 mode, the functions
2124@code{snprintf}, @code{vsnprintf}, @code{vscanf}, @code{vfscanf} and
26f6672d 2125@code{vsscanf} are also checked. Except in strictly conforming C
b4c984fb
KG
2126standard modes, the X/Open function @code{strfmon} is also checked as
2127are @code{printf_unlocked} and @code{fprintf_unlocked}.
b722c82c 2128@xref{C Dialect Options,,Options Controlling C Dialect}.
c1f7febf
RK
2129
2130@item format_arg (@var{string-index})
2131@cindex @code{format_arg} function attribute
84330467 2132@opindex Wformat-nonliteral
26f6672d
JM
2133The @code{format_arg} attribute specifies that a function takes a format
2134string for a @code{printf}, @code{scanf}, @code{strftime} or
2135@code{strfmon} style function and modifies it (for example, to translate
2136it into another language), so the result can be passed to a
2137@code{printf}, @code{scanf}, @code{strftime} or @code{strfmon} style
2138function (with the remaining arguments to the format function the same
2139as they would have been for the unmodified string). For example, the
2140declaration:
c1f7febf
RK
2141
2142@smallexample
2143extern char *
2144my_dgettext (char *my_domain, const char *my_format)
2145 __attribute__ ((format_arg (2)));
2146@end smallexample
2147
2148@noindent
26f6672d
JM
2149causes the compiler to check the arguments in calls to a @code{printf},
2150@code{scanf}, @code{strftime} or @code{strfmon} type function, whose
2151format string argument is a call to the @code{my_dgettext} function, for
2152consistency with the format string argument @code{my_format}. If the
2153@code{format_arg} attribute had not been specified, all the compiler
2154could tell in such calls to format functions would be that the format
2155string argument is not constant; this would generate a warning when
84330467 2156@option{-Wformat-nonliteral} is used, but the calls could not be checked
26f6672d 2157without the attribute.
c1f7febf
RK
2158
2159The parameter @var{string-index} specifies which argument is the format
f57a2e3a
BE
2160string argument (starting from one). Since non-static C++ methods have
2161an implicit @code{this} argument, the arguments of such methods should
2162be counted from two.
c1f7febf
RK
2163
2164The @code{format-arg} attribute allows you to identify your own
f0523f02 2165functions which modify format strings, so that GCC can check the
26f6672d
JM
2166calls to @code{printf}, @code{scanf}, @code{strftime} or @code{strfmon}
2167type function whose operands are a call to one of your own function.
2168The compiler always treats @code{gettext}, @code{dgettext}, and
2169@code{dcgettext} in this manner except when strict ISO C support is
84330467
JM
2170requested by @option{-ansi} or an appropriate @option{-std} option, or
2171@option{-ffreestanding} is used. @xref{C Dialect Options,,Options
26f6672d 2172Controlling C Dialect}.
c1f7febf 2173
390de769 2174@item nonnull (@var{arg-index}, @dots{})
b34c7881
JT
2175@cindex @code{nonnull} function attribute
2176The @code{nonnull} attribute specifies that some function parameters should
2177be non-null pointers. For instance, the declaration:
2178
2179@smallexample
2180extern void *
2181my_memcpy (void *dest, const void *src, size_t len)
2182 __attribute__((nonnull (1, 2)));
2183@end smallexample
2184
2185@noindent
2186causes the compiler to check that, in calls to @code{my_memcpy},
2187arguments @var{dest} and @var{src} are non-null. If the compiler
2188determines that a null pointer is passed in an argument slot marked
2189as non-null, and the @option{-Wnonnull} option is enabled, a warning
2190is issued. The compiler may also choose to make optimizations based
2191on the knowledge that certain function arguments will not be null.
2192
2193If no argument index list is given to the @code{nonnull} attribute,
2194all pointer arguments are marked as non-null. To illustrate, the
2195following declaration is equivalent to the previous example:
2196
2197@smallexample
2198extern void *
2199my_memcpy (void *dest, const void *src, size_t len)
2200 __attribute__((nonnull));
2201@end smallexample
2202
07417085
KR
2203@item no_instrument_function
2204@cindex @code{no_instrument_function} function attribute
84330467
JM
2205@opindex finstrument-functions
2206If @option{-finstrument-functions} is given, profiling function calls will
07417085
KR
2207be generated at entry and exit of most user-compiled functions.
2208Functions with this attribute will not be so instrumented.
2209
84330467 2210@item section ("@var{section-name}")
c1f7febf
RK
2211@cindex @code{section} function attribute
2212Normally, the compiler places the code it generates in the @code{text} section.
2213Sometimes, however, you need additional sections, or you need certain
2214particular functions to appear in special sections. The @code{section}
2215attribute specifies that a function lives in a particular section.
2216For example, the declaration:
2217
2218@smallexample
2219extern void foobar (void) __attribute__ ((section ("bar")));
2220@end smallexample
2221
2222@noindent
2223puts the function @code{foobar} in the @code{bar} section.
2224
2225Some file formats do not support arbitrary sections so the @code{section}
2226attribute is not available on all platforms.
2227If you need to map the entire contents of a module to a particular
2228section, consider using the facilities of the linker instead.
2229
2230@item constructor
2231@itemx destructor
2232@cindex @code{constructor} function attribute
2233@cindex @code{destructor} function attribute
2234The @code{constructor} attribute causes the function to be called
2235automatically before execution enters @code{main ()}. Similarly, the
2236@code{destructor} attribute causes the function to be called
2237automatically after @code{main ()} has completed or @code{exit ()} has
2238been called. Functions with these attributes are useful for
2239initializing data that will be used implicitly during the execution of
2240the program.
2241
161d7b59 2242These attributes are not currently implemented for Objective-C@.
c1f7febf 2243
9162542e 2244@cindex @code{unused} attribute.
c1f7febf
RK
2245@item unused
2246This attribute, attached to a function, means that the function is meant
f0523f02 2247to be possibly unused. GCC will not produce a warning for this
c1f7febf
RK
2248function. GNU C++ does not currently support this attribute as
2249definitions without parameters are valid in C++.
2250
9162542e
AO
2251@cindex @code{used} attribute.
2252@item used
2253This attribute, attached to a function, means that code must be emitted
2254for the function even if it appears that the function is not referenced.
2255This is useful, for example, when the function is referenced only in
2256inline assembly.
2257
e23bd218
IR
2258@cindex @code{deprecated} attribute.
2259@item deprecated
2260The @code{deprecated} attribute results in a warning if the function
2261is used anywhere in the source file. This is useful when identifying
2262functions that are expected to be removed in a future version of a
2263program. The warning also includes the location of the declaration
2264of the deprecated function, to enable users to easily find further
2265information about why the function is deprecated, or what they should
2266do instead. Note that the warnings only occurs for uses:
2267
2268@smallexample
2269int old_fn () __attribute__ ((deprecated));
2270int old_fn ();
2271int (*fn_ptr)() = old_fn;
2272@end smallexample
2273
2274results in a warning on line 3 but not line 2.
2275
2276The @code{deprecated} attribute can also be used for variables and
2277types (@pxref{Variable Attributes}, @pxref{Type Attributes}.)
2278
c1f7febf
RK
2279@item weak
2280@cindex @code{weak} attribute
2281The @code{weak} attribute causes the declaration to be emitted as a weak
2282symbol rather than a global. This is primarily useful in defining
2283library functions which can be overridden in user code, though it can
2284also be used with non-function declarations. Weak symbols are supported
2285for ELF targets, and also for a.out targets when using the GNU assembler
2286and linker.
2287
140592a0
AG
2288@item malloc
2289@cindex @code{malloc} attribute
2290The @code{malloc} attribute is used to tell the compiler that a function
2291may be treated as if it were the malloc function. The compiler assumes
2292that calls to malloc result in a pointers that cannot alias anything.
2293This will often improve optimization.
2294
84330467 2295@item alias ("@var{target}")
c1f7febf
RK
2296@cindex @code{alias} attribute
2297The @code{alias} attribute causes the declaration to be emitted as an
2298alias for another symbol, which must be specified. For instance,
2299
2300@smallexample
47bd70b5 2301void __f () @{ /* @r{Do something.} */; @}
c1f7febf
RK
2302void f () __attribute__ ((weak, alias ("__f")));
2303@end smallexample
2304
2305declares @samp{f} to be a weak alias for @samp{__f}. In C++, the
2306mangled name for the target must be used.
2307
af3e86c2
RK
2308Not all target machines support this attribute.
2309
47bd70b5
JJ
2310@item visibility ("@var{visibility_type}")
2311@cindex @code{visibility} attribute
2312The @code{visibility} attribute on ELF targets causes the declaration
d5c4db17 2313to be emitted with default, hidden, protected or internal visibility.
47bd70b5
JJ
2314
2315@smallexample
2316void __attribute__ ((visibility ("protected")))
2317f () @{ /* @r{Do something.} */; @}
2318int i __attribute__ ((visibility ("hidden")));
2319@end smallexample
2320
9e8aab55
RH
2321See the ELF gABI for complete details, but the short story is
2322
2323@table @dfn
d5c4db17
RH
2324@item default
2325Default visibility is the normal case for ELF. This value is
3bcf1b13 2326available for the visibility attribute to override other options
d5c4db17
RH
2327that may change the assumed visibility of symbols.
2328
9e8aab55
RH
2329@item hidden
2330Hidden visibility indicates that the symbol will not be placed into
2331the dynamic symbol table, so no other @dfn{module} (executable or
2332shared library) can reference it directly.
2333
2334@item protected
2335Protected visibility indicates that the symbol will be placed in the
2336dynamic symbol table, but that references within the defining module
2337will bind to the local symbol. That is, the symbol cannot be overridden
2338by another module.
2339
2340@item internal
2341Internal visibility is like hidden visibility, but with additional
2342processor specific semantics. Unless otherwise specified by the psABI,
2343gcc defines internal visibility to mean that the function is @emph{never}
2344called from another module. Note that hidden symbols, while then cannot
2345be referenced directly by other modules, can be referenced indirectly via
2346function pointers. By indicating that a symbol cannot be called from
2347outside the module, gcc may for instance omit the load of a PIC register
2348since it is known that the calling function loaded the correct value.
2349@end table
2350
47bd70b5
JJ
2351Not all ELF targets support this attribute.
2352
dce81a1a
JJ
2353@item tls_model ("@var{tls_model}")
2354@cindex @code{tls_model} attribute
2355The @code{tls_model} attribute sets thread-local storage model
2356(@pxref{Thread-Local}) of a particular @code{__thread} variable,
2357overriding @code{-ftls-model=} command line switch on a per-variable
2358basis.
2359The @var{tls_model} argument should be one of @code{global-dynamic},
2360@code{local-dynamic}, @code{initial-exec} or @code{local-exec}.
2361
c1f7febf
RK
2362@item regparm (@var{number})
2363@cindex functions that are passed arguments in registers on the 386
2364On the Intel 386, the @code{regparm} attribute causes the compiler to
84330467
JM
2365pass up to @var{number} integer arguments in registers EAX,
2366EDX, and ECX instead of on the stack. Functions that take a
c1f7febf
RK
2367variable number of arguments will continue to be passed all of their
2368arguments on the stack.
2369
2370@item stdcall
2371@cindex functions that pop the argument stack on the 386
2372On the Intel 386, the @code{stdcall} attribute causes the compiler to
2373assume that the called function will pop off the stack space used to
2374pass arguments, unless it takes a variable number of arguments.
2375
e91f04de
CH
2376@item fastcall
2377@cindex functions that pop the argument stack on the 386
2378On the Intel 386, the @code{fastcall} attribute causes the compiler to
2379pass the first two arguments in the registers ECX and EDX. Subsequent
2380arguments are passed on the stack. The called function will pop the
2381arguments off the stack. If the number of arguments is variable all
2382arguments are pushed on the stack.
2383
c1f7febf
RK
2384@item cdecl
2385@cindex functions that do pop the argument stack on the 386
84330467 2386@opindex mrtd
c1f7febf
RK
2387On the Intel 386, the @code{cdecl} attribute causes the compiler to
2388assume that the calling function will pop off the stack space used to
2389pass arguments. This is
84330467 2390useful to override the effects of the @option{-mrtd} switch.
c1f7febf 2391
a5c76ee6 2392@item longcall/shortcall
c1f7febf
RK
2393@cindex functions called via pointer on the RS/6000 and PowerPC
2394On the RS/6000 and PowerPC, the @code{longcall} attribute causes the
a5c76ee6
ZW
2395compiler to always call this function via a pointer, just as it would if
2396the @option{-mlongcall} option had been specified. The @code{shortcall}
2397attribute causes the compiler not to do this. These attributes override
2398both the @option{-mlongcall} switch and the @code{#pragma longcall}
2399setting.
2400
2401@xref{RS/6000 and PowerPC Options}, for more information on when long
2402calls are and are not necessary.
c1f7febf 2403
c27ba912
DM
2404@item long_call/short_call
2405@cindex indirect calls on ARM
2406This attribute allows to specify how to call a particular function on
161d7b59 2407ARM@. Both attributes override the @option{-mlong-calls} (@pxref{ARM Options})
c27ba912
DM
2408command line switch and @code{#pragma long_calls} settings. The
2409@code{long_call} attribute causes the compiler to always call the
2410function by first loading its address into a register and then using the
2411contents of that register. The @code{short_call} attribute always places
2412the offset to the function from the call site into the @samp{BL}
2413instruction directly.
2414
c1f7febf
RK
2415@item function_vector
2416@cindex calling functions through the function vector on the H8/300 processors
88ab0d1c 2417Use this attribute on the H8/300 and H8/300H to indicate that the specified
c1f7febf
RK
2418function should be called through the function vector. Calling a
2419function through the function vector will reduce code size, however;
2420the function vector has a limited size (maximum 128 entries on the H8/300
2421and 64 entries on the H8/300H) and shares space with the interrupt vector.
2422
2423You must use GAS and GLD from GNU binutils version 2.7 or later for
88ab0d1c 2424this attribute to work correctly.
c1f7febf 2425
6d3d9133
NC
2426@item interrupt
2427@cindex interrupt handler functions
86143814 2428Use this attribute on the ARM, AVR, C4x, M32R/D and Xstormy16 ports to indicate
9f339dde
GK
2429that the specified function is an interrupt handler. The compiler will
2430generate function entry and exit sequences suitable for use in an
2431interrupt handler when this attribute is present.
6d3d9133 2432
b93e3893
AO
2433Note, interrupt handlers for the H8/300, H8/300H and SH processors can
2434be specified via the @code{interrupt_handler} attribute.
6d3d9133
NC
2435
2436Note, on the AVR interrupts will be enabled inside the function.
2437
2438Note, for the ARM you can specify the kind of interrupt to be handled by
2439adding an optional parameter to the interrupt attribute like this:
2440
2441@smallexample
2442void f () __attribute__ ((interrupt ("IRQ")));
2443@end smallexample
2444
161d7b59 2445Permissible values for this parameter are: IRQ, FIQ, SWI, ABORT and UNDEF@.
6d3d9133 2446
b93e3893
AO
2447@item interrupt_handler
2448@cindex interrupt handler functions on the H8/300 and SH processors
88ab0d1c 2449Use this attribute on the H8/300, H8/300H and SH to indicate that the
b93e3893
AO
2450specified function is an interrupt handler. The compiler will generate
2451function entry and exit sequences suitable for use in an interrupt
2452handler when this attribute is present.
2453
2454@item sp_switch
88ab0d1c 2455Use this attribute on the SH to indicate an @code{interrupt_handler}
b93e3893
AO
2456function should switch to an alternate stack. It expects a string
2457argument that names a global variable holding the address of the
2458alternate stack.
2459
2460@smallexample
2461void *alt_stack;
aee96fe9
JM
2462void f () __attribute__ ((interrupt_handler,
2463 sp_switch ("alt_stack")));
b93e3893
AO
2464@end smallexample
2465
2466@item trap_exit
88ab0d1c 2467Use this attribute on the SH for an @code{interrupt_handle} to return using
b93e3893
AO
2468@code{trapa} instead of @code{rte}. This attribute expects an integer
2469argument specifying the trap number to be used.
2470
c1f7febf
RK
2471@item eightbit_data
2472@cindex eight bit data on the H8/300 and H8/300H
88ab0d1c 2473Use this attribute on the H8/300 and H8/300H to indicate that the specified
c1f7febf
RK
2474variable should be placed into the eight bit data section.
2475The compiler will generate more efficient code for certain operations
2476on data in the eight bit data area. Note the eight bit data area is limited to
2477256 bytes of data.
2478
2479You must use GAS and GLD from GNU binutils version 2.7 or later for
88ab0d1c 2480this attribute to work correctly.
c1f7febf
RK
2481
2482@item tiny_data
2483@cindex tiny data section on the H8/300H
88ab0d1c 2484Use this attribute on the H8/300H to indicate that the specified
c1f7febf
RK
2485variable should be placed into the tiny data section.
2486The compiler will generate more efficient code for loads and stores
2487on data in the tiny data section. Note the tiny data area is limited to
2488slightly under 32kbytes of data.
845da534 2489
052a4b28
DC
2490@item signal
2491@cindex signal handler functions on the AVR processors
88ab0d1c 2492Use this attribute on the AVR to indicate that the specified
052a4b28
DC
2493function is an signal handler. The compiler will generate function
2494entry and exit sequences suitable for use in an signal handler when this
767094dd 2495attribute is present. Interrupts will be disabled inside function.
052a4b28
DC
2496
2497@item naked
6d3d9133 2498@cindex function without a prologue/epilogue code
86143814 2499Use this attribute on the ARM, AVR, C4x and IP2K ports to indicate that the
e3223ea2
DC
2500specified function do not need prologue/epilogue sequences generated by
2501the compiler. It is up to the programmer to provide these sequences.
052a4b28 2502
845da534
DE
2503@item model (@var{model-name})
2504@cindex function addressability on the M32R/D
2505Use this attribute on the M32R/D to set the addressability of an object,
2506and the code generated for a function.
2507The identifier @var{model-name} is one of @code{small}, @code{medium},
2508or @code{large}, representing each of the code models.
2509
2510Small model objects live in the lower 16MB of memory (so that their
2511addresses can be loaded with the @code{ld24} instruction), and are
2512callable with the @code{bl} instruction.
2513
02f52e19 2514Medium model objects may live anywhere in the 32-bit address space (the
845da534
DE
2515compiler will generate @code{seth/add3} instructions to load their addresses),
2516and are callable with the @code{bl} instruction.
2517
02f52e19 2518Large model objects may live anywhere in the 32-bit address space (the
845da534
DE
2519compiler will generate @code{seth/add3} instructions to load their addresses),
2520and may not be reachable with the @code{bl} instruction (the compiler will
2521generate the much slower @code{seth/add3/jl} instruction sequence).
2522
c1f7febf
RK
2523@end table
2524
2525You can specify multiple attributes in a declaration by separating them
2526by commas within the double parentheses or by immediately following an
2527attribute declaration with another attribute declaration.
2528
2529@cindex @code{#pragma}, reason for not using
2530@cindex pragma, reason for not using
9f1bbeaa
JM
2531Some people object to the @code{__attribute__} feature, suggesting that
2532ISO C's @code{#pragma} should be used instead. At the time
2533@code{__attribute__} was designed, there were two reasons for not doing
2534this.
c1f7febf
RK
2535
2536@enumerate
2537@item
2538It is impossible to generate @code{#pragma} commands from a macro.
2539
2540@item
2541There is no telling what the same @code{#pragma} might mean in another
2542compiler.
2543@end enumerate
2544
9f1bbeaa
JM
2545These two reasons applied to almost any application that might have been
2546proposed for @code{#pragma}. It was basically a mistake to use
2547@code{#pragma} for @emph{anything}.
2548
2549The ISO C99 standard includes @code{_Pragma}, which now allows pragmas
2550to be generated from macros. In addition, a @code{#pragma GCC}
2551namespace is now in use for GCC-specific pragmas. However, it has been
2552found convenient to use @code{__attribute__} to achieve a natural
2553attachment of attributes to their corresponding declarations, whereas
2554@code{#pragma GCC} is of use for constructs that do not naturally form
2555part of the grammar. @xref{Other Directives,,Miscellaneous
2556Preprocessing Directives, cpp, The C Preprocessor}.
c1f7febf 2557
2c5e91d2
JM
2558@node Attribute Syntax
2559@section Attribute Syntax
2560@cindex attribute syntax
2561
2562This section describes the syntax with which @code{__attribute__} may be
2563used, and the constructs to which attribute specifiers bind, for the C
161d7b59 2564language. Some details may vary for C++ and Objective-C@. Because of
2c5e91d2
JM
2565infelicities in the grammar for attributes, some forms described here
2566may not be successfully parsed in all cases.
2567
91d231cb
JM
2568There are some problems with the semantics of attributes in C++. For
2569example, there are no manglings for attributes, although they may affect
2570code generation, so problems may arise when attributed types are used in
2571conjunction with templates or overloading. Similarly, @code{typeid}
2572does not distinguish between types with different attributes. Support
2573for attributes in C++ may be restricted in future to attributes on
2574declarations only, but not on nested declarators.
2575
2c5e91d2
JM
2576@xref{Function Attributes}, for details of the semantics of attributes
2577applying to functions. @xref{Variable Attributes}, for details of the
2578semantics of attributes applying to variables. @xref{Type Attributes},
2579for details of the semantics of attributes applying to structure, union
2580and enumerated types.
2581
2582An @dfn{attribute specifier} is of the form
2583@code{__attribute__ ((@var{attribute-list}))}. An @dfn{attribute list}
2584is a possibly empty comma-separated sequence of @dfn{attributes}, where
2585each attribute is one of the following:
2586
2587@itemize @bullet
2588@item
2589Empty. Empty attributes are ignored.
2590
2591@item
2592A word (which may be an identifier such as @code{unused}, or a reserved
2593word such as @code{const}).
2594
2595@item
2596A word, followed by, in parentheses, parameters for the attribute.
2597These parameters take one of the following forms:
2598
2599@itemize @bullet
2600@item
2601An identifier. For example, @code{mode} attributes use this form.
2602
2603@item
2604An identifier followed by a comma and a non-empty comma-separated list
2605of expressions. For example, @code{format} attributes use this form.
2606
2607@item
2608A possibly empty comma-separated list of expressions. For example,
2609@code{format_arg} attributes use this form with the list being a single
2610integer constant expression, and @code{alias} attributes use this form
2611with the list being a single string constant.
2612@end itemize
2613@end itemize
2614
2615An @dfn{attribute specifier list} is a sequence of one or more attribute
2616specifiers, not separated by any other tokens.
2617
2618An attribute specifier list may appear after the colon following a
2619label, other than a @code{case} or @code{default} label. The only
2620attribute it makes sense to use after a label is @code{unused}. This
2621feature is intended for code generated by programs which contains labels
2622that may be unused but which is compiled with @option{-Wall}. It would
2623not normally be appropriate to use in it human-written code, though it
2624could be useful in cases where the code that jumps to the label is
2625contained within an @code{#ifdef} conditional.
2626
2627An attribute specifier list may appear as part of a @code{struct},
2628@code{union} or @code{enum} specifier. It may go either immediately
2629after the @code{struct}, @code{union} or @code{enum} keyword, or after
2630the closing brace. It is ignored if the content of the structure, union
2631or enumerated type is not defined in the specifier in which the
2632attribute specifier list is used---that is, in usages such as
2633@code{struct __attribute__((foo)) bar} with no following opening brace.
2634Where attribute specifiers follow the closing brace, they are considered
2635to relate to the structure, union or enumerated type defined, not to any
2636enclosing declaration the type specifier appears in, and the type
2637defined is not complete until after the attribute specifiers.
2638@c Otherwise, there would be the following problems: a shift/reduce
4fe9b91c 2639@c conflict between attributes binding the struct/union/enum and
2c5e91d2
JM
2640@c binding to the list of specifiers/qualifiers; and "aligned"
2641@c attributes could use sizeof for the structure, but the size could be
2642@c changed later by "packed" attributes.
2643
2644Otherwise, an attribute specifier appears as part of a declaration,
2645counting declarations of unnamed parameters and type names, and relates
2646to that declaration (which may be nested in another declaration, for
91d231cb
JM
2647example in the case of a parameter declaration), or to a particular declarator
2648within a declaration. Where an
ff867905
JM
2649attribute specifier is applied to a parameter declared as a function or
2650an array, it should apply to the function or array rather than the
2651pointer to which the parameter is implicitly converted, but this is not
2652yet correctly implemented.
2c5e91d2
JM
2653
2654Any list of specifiers and qualifiers at the start of a declaration may
2655contain attribute specifiers, whether or not such a list may in that
2656context contain storage class specifiers. (Some attributes, however,
2657are essentially in the nature of storage class specifiers, and only make
2658sense where storage class specifiers may be used; for example,
2659@code{section}.) There is one necessary limitation to this syntax: the
2660first old-style parameter declaration in a function definition cannot
2661begin with an attribute specifier, because such an attribute applies to
2662the function instead by syntax described below (which, however, is not
2663yet implemented in this case). In some other cases, attribute
2664specifiers are permitted by this grammar but not yet supported by the
2665compiler. All attribute specifiers in this place relate to the
c771326b 2666declaration as a whole. In the obsolescent usage where a type of
2c5e91d2
JM
2667@code{int} is implied by the absence of type specifiers, such a list of
2668specifiers and qualifiers may be an attribute specifier list with no
2669other specifiers or qualifiers.
2670
2671An attribute specifier list may appear immediately before a declarator
2672(other than the first) in a comma-separated list of declarators in a
2673declaration of more than one identifier using a single list of
4b01f8d8 2674specifiers and qualifiers. Such attribute specifiers apply
9c34dbbf
ZW
2675only to the identifier before whose declarator they appear. For
2676example, in
2677
2678@smallexample
2679__attribute__((noreturn)) void d0 (void),
2680 __attribute__((format(printf, 1, 2))) d1 (const char *, ...),
2681 d2 (void)
2682@end smallexample
2683
2684@noindent
2685the @code{noreturn} attribute applies to all the functions
4b01f8d8 2686declared; the @code{format} attribute only applies to @code{d1}.
2c5e91d2
JM
2687
2688An attribute specifier list may appear immediately before the comma,
2689@code{=} or semicolon terminating the declaration of an identifier other
2690than a function definition. At present, such attribute specifiers apply
2691to the declared object or function, but in future they may attach to the
2692outermost adjacent declarator. In simple cases there is no difference,
f282ffb3 2693but, for example, in
9c34dbbf
ZW
2694
2695@smallexample
2696void (****f)(void) __attribute__((noreturn));
2697@end smallexample
2698
2699@noindent
2700at present the @code{noreturn} attribute applies to @code{f}, which
2701causes a warning since @code{f} is not a function, but in future it may
2702apply to the function @code{****f}. The precise semantics of what
2703attributes in such cases will apply to are not yet specified. Where an
2704assembler name for an object or function is specified (@pxref{Asm
2705Labels}), at present the attribute must follow the @code{asm}
2706specification; in future, attributes before the @code{asm} specification
2707may apply to the adjacent declarator, and those after it to the declared
2708object or function.
2c5e91d2
JM
2709
2710An attribute specifier list may, in future, be permitted to appear after
2711the declarator in a function definition (before any old-style parameter
2712declarations or the function body).
2713
0e03329a
JM
2714Attribute specifiers may be mixed with type qualifiers appearing inside
2715the @code{[]} of a parameter array declarator, in the C99 construct by
2716which such qualifiers are applied to the pointer to which the array is
2717implicitly converted. Such attribute specifiers apply to the pointer,
2718not to the array, but at present this is not implemented and they are
2719ignored.
2720
2c5e91d2
JM
2721An attribute specifier list may appear at the start of a nested
2722declarator. At present, there are some limitations in this usage: the
91d231cb
JM
2723attributes correctly apply to the declarator, but for most individual
2724attributes the semantics this implies are not implemented.
2725When attribute specifiers follow the @code{*} of a pointer
4b01f8d8 2726declarator, they may be mixed with any type qualifiers present.
91d231cb 2727The following describes the formal semantics of this syntax. It will make the
2c5e91d2
JM
2728most sense if you are familiar with the formal specification of
2729declarators in the ISO C standard.
2730
2731Consider (as in C99 subclause 6.7.5 paragraph 4) a declaration @code{T
2732D1}, where @code{T} contains declaration specifiers that specify a type
2733@var{Type} (such as @code{int}) and @code{D1} is a declarator that
2734contains an identifier @var{ident}. The type specified for @var{ident}
2735for derived declarators whose type does not include an attribute
2736specifier is as in the ISO C standard.
2737
2738If @code{D1} has the form @code{( @var{attribute-specifier-list} D )},
2739and the declaration @code{T D} specifies the type
2740``@var{derived-declarator-type-list} @var{Type}'' for @var{ident}, then
2741@code{T D1} specifies the type ``@var{derived-declarator-type-list}
2742@var{attribute-specifier-list} @var{Type}'' for @var{ident}.
2743
2744If @code{D1} has the form @code{*
2745@var{type-qualifier-and-attribute-specifier-list} D}, and the
2746declaration @code{T D} specifies the type
2747``@var{derived-declarator-type-list} @var{Type}'' for @var{ident}, then
2748@code{T D1} specifies the type ``@var{derived-declarator-type-list}
2749@var{type-qualifier-and-attribute-specifier-list} @var{Type}'' for
2750@var{ident}.
2751
f282ffb3 2752For example,
9c34dbbf
ZW
2753
2754@smallexample
2755void (__attribute__((noreturn)) ****f) (void);
2756@end smallexample
2757
2758@noindent
2759specifies the type ``pointer to pointer to pointer to pointer to
2760non-returning function returning @code{void}''. As another example,
2761
2762@smallexample
2763char *__attribute__((aligned(8))) *f;
2764@end smallexample
2765
2766@noindent
2767specifies the type ``pointer to 8-byte-aligned pointer to @code{char}''.
91d231cb
JM
2768Note again that this does not work with most attributes; for example,
2769the usage of @samp{aligned} and @samp{noreturn} attributes given above
2770is not yet supported.
2771
2772For compatibility with existing code written for compiler versions that
2773did not implement attributes on nested declarators, some laxity is
2774allowed in the placing of attributes. If an attribute that only applies
2775to types is applied to a declaration, it will be treated as applying to
2776the type of that declaration. If an attribute that only applies to
2777declarations is applied to the type of a declaration, it will be treated
2778as applying to that declaration; and, for compatibility with code
2779placing the attributes immediately before the identifier declared, such
2780an attribute applied to a function return type will be treated as
2781applying to the function type, and such an attribute applied to an array
2782element type will be treated as applying to the array type. If an
2783attribute that only applies to function types is applied to a
2784pointer-to-function type, it will be treated as applying to the pointer
2785target type; if such an attribute is applied to a function return type
2786that is not a pointer-to-function type, it will be treated as applying
2787to the function type.
2c5e91d2 2788
c1f7febf
RK
2789@node Function Prototypes
2790@section Prototypes and Old-Style Function Definitions
2791@cindex function prototype declarations
2792@cindex old-style function definitions
2793@cindex promotion of formal parameters
2794
5490d604 2795GNU C extends ISO C to allow a function prototype to override a later
c1f7febf
RK
2796old-style non-prototype definition. Consider the following example:
2797
2798@example
2799/* @r{Use prototypes unless the compiler is old-fashioned.} */
d863830b 2800#ifdef __STDC__
c1f7febf
RK
2801#define P(x) x
2802#else
2803#define P(x) ()
2804#endif
2805
2806/* @r{Prototype function declaration.} */
2807int isroot P((uid_t));
2808
2809/* @r{Old-style function definition.} */
2810int
2811isroot (x) /* ??? lossage here ??? */
2812 uid_t x;
2813@{
2814 return x == 0;
2815@}
2816@end example
2817
5490d604 2818Suppose the type @code{uid_t} happens to be @code{short}. ISO C does
c1f7febf
RK
2819not allow this example, because subword arguments in old-style
2820non-prototype definitions are promoted. Therefore in this example the
2821function definition's argument is really an @code{int}, which does not
2822match the prototype argument type of @code{short}.
2823
5490d604 2824This restriction of ISO C makes it hard to write code that is portable
c1f7febf
RK
2825to traditional C compilers, because the programmer does not know
2826whether the @code{uid_t} type is @code{short}, @code{int}, or
2827@code{long}. Therefore, in cases like these GNU C allows a prototype
2828to override a later old-style definition. More precisely, in GNU C, a
2829function prototype argument type overrides the argument type specified
2830by a later old-style definition if the former type is the same as the
2831latter type before promotion. Thus in GNU C the above example is
2832equivalent to the following:
2833
2834@example
2835int isroot (uid_t);
2836
2837int
2838isroot (uid_t x)
2839@{
2840 return x == 0;
2841@}
2842@end example
2843
9c34dbbf 2844@noindent
c1f7febf
RK
2845GNU C++ does not support old-style function definitions, so this
2846extension is irrelevant.
2847
2848@node C++ Comments
2849@section C++ Style Comments
2850@cindex //
2851@cindex C++ comments
2852@cindex comments, C++ style
2853
2854In GNU C, you may use C++ style comments, which start with @samp{//} and
2855continue until the end of the line. Many other C implementations allow
f458d1d5
ZW
2856such comments, and they are included in the 1999 C standard. However,
2857C++ style comments are not recognized if you specify an @option{-std}
2858option specifying a version of ISO C before C99, or @option{-ansi}
2859(equivalent to @option{-std=c89}).
c1f7febf
RK
2860
2861@node Dollar Signs
2862@section Dollar Signs in Identifier Names
2863@cindex $
2864@cindex dollar signs in identifier names
2865@cindex identifier names, dollar signs in
2866
79188db9
RK
2867In GNU C, you may normally use dollar signs in identifier names.
2868This is because many traditional C implementations allow such identifiers.
2869However, dollar signs in identifiers are not supported on a few target
2870machines, typically because the target assembler does not allow them.
c1f7febf
RK
2871
2872@node Character Escapes
2873@section The Character @key{ESC} in Constants
2874
2875You can use the sequence @samp{\e} in a string or character constant to
2876stand for the ASCII character @key{ESC}.
2877
2878@node Alignment
2879@section Inquiring on Alignment of Types or Variables
2880@cindex alignment
2881@cindex type alignment
2882@cindex variable alignment
2883
2884The keyword @code{__alignof__} allows you to inquire about how an object
2885is aligned, or the minimum alignment usually required by a type. Its
2886syntax is just like @code{sizeof}.
2887
2888For example, if the target machine requires a @code{double} value to be
2889aligned on an 8-byte boundary, then @code{__alignof__ (double)} is 8.
2890This is true on many RISC machines. On more traditional machine
2891designs, @code{__alignof__ (double)} is 4 or even 2.
2892
2893Some machines never actually require alignment; they allow reference to any
2894data type even at an odd addresses. For these machines, @code{__alignof__}
2895reports the @emph{recommended} alignment of a type.
2896
5372b3fb
NB
2897If the operand of @code{__alignof__} is an lvalue rather than a type,
2898its value is the required alignment for its type, taking into account
2899any minimum alignment specified with GCC's @code{__attribute__}
2900extension (@pxref{Variable Attributes}). For example, after this
2901declaration:
c1f7febf
RK
2902
2903@example
2904struct foo @{ int x; char y; @} foo1;
2905@end example
2906
2907@noindent
5372b3fb
NB
2908the value of @code{__alignof__ (foo1.y)} is 1, even though its actual
2909alignment is probably 2 or 4, the same as @code{__alignof__ (int)}.
c1f7febf 2910
9d27bffe
SS
2911It is an error to ask for the alignment of an incomplete type.
2912
c1f7febf
RK
2913@node Variable Attributes
2914@section Specifying Attributes of Variables
2915@cindex attribute of variables
2916@cindex variable attributes
2917
2918The keyword @code{__attribute__} allows you to specify special
2919attributes of variables or structure fields. This keyword is followed
e23bd218 2920by an attribute specification inside double parentheses. Ten
c1f7febf
RK
2921attributes are currently defined for variables: @code{aligned},
2922@code{mode}, @code{nocommon}, @code{packed}, @code{section},
e23bd218
IR
2923@code{transparent_union}, @code{unused}, @code{deprecated},
2924@code{vector_size}, and @code{weak}. Some other attributes are defined
2925for variables on particular target systems. Other attributes are
2926available for functions (@pxref{Function Attributes}) and for types
2927(@pxref{Type Attributes}). Other front ends might define more
2928attributes (@pxref{C++ Extensions,,Extensions to the C++ Language}).
c1f7febf
RK
2929
2930You may also specify attributes with @samp{__} preceding and following
2931each keyword. This allows you to use them in header files without
2932being concerned about a possible macro of the same name. For example,
2933you may use @code{__aligned__} instead of @code{aligned}.
2934
2c5e91d2
JM
2935@xref{Attribute Syntax}, for details of the exact syntax for using
2936attributes.
2937
c1f7febf
RK
2938@table @code
2939@cindex @code{aligned} attribute
2940@item aligned (@var{alignment})
2941This attribute specifies a minimum alignment for the variable or
2942structure field, measured in bytes. For example, the declaration:
2943
2944@smallexample
2945int x __attribute__ ((aligned (16))) = 0;
2946@end smallexample
2947
2948@noindent
2949causes the compiler to allocate the global variable @code{x} on a
295016-byte boundary. On a 68040, this could be used in conjunction with
2951an @code{asm} expression to access the @code{move16} instruction which
2952requires 16-byte aligned operands.
2953
2954You can also specify the alignment of structure fields. For example, to
2955create a double-word aligned @code{int} pair, you could write:
2956
2957@smallexample
2958struct foo @{ int x[2] __attribute__ ((aligned (8))); @};
2959@end smallexample
2960
2961@noindent
2962This is an alternative to creating a union with a @code{double} member
2963that forces the union to be double-word aligned.
2964
c1f7febf
RK
2965As in the preceding examples, you can explicitly specify the alignment
2966(in bytes) that you wish the compiler to use for a given variable or
2967structure field. Alternatively, you can leave out the alignment factor
2968and just ask the compiler to align a variable or field to the maximum
2969useful alignment for the target machine you are compiling for. For
2970example, you could write:
2971
2972@smallexample
2973short array[3] __attribute__ ((aligned));
2974@end smallexample
2975
2976Whenever you leave out the alignment factor in an @code{aligned} attribute
2977specification, the compiler automatically sets the alignment for the declared
2978variable or field to the largest alignment which is ever used for any data
2979type on the target machine you are compiling for. Doing this can often make
2980copy operations more efficient, because the compiler can use whatever
2981instructions copy the biggest chunks of memory when performing copies to
2982or from the variables or fields that you have aligned this way.
2983
2984The @code{aligned} attribute can only increase the alignment; but you
2985can decrease it by specifying @code{packed} as well. See below.
2986
2987Note that the effectiveness of @code{aligned} attributes may be limited
2988by inherent limitations in your linker. On many systems, the linker is
2989only able to arrange for variables to be aligned up to a certain maximum
2990alignment. (For some linkers, the maximum supported alignment may
2991be very very small.) If your linker is only able to align variables
2992up to a maximum of 8 byte alignment, then specifying @code{aligned(16)}
2993in an @code{__attribute__} will still only provide you with 8 byte
2994alignment. See your linker documentation for further information.
2995
2996@item mode (@var{mode})
2997@cindex @code{mode} attribute
2998This attribute specifies the data type for the declaration---whichever
2999type corresponds to the mode @var{mode}. This in effect lets you
3000request an integer or floating point type according to its width.
3001
3002You may also specify a mode of @samp{byte} or @samp{__byte__} to
3003indicate the mode corresponding to a one-byte integer, @samp{word} or
3004@samp{__word__} for the mode of a one-word integer, and @samp{pointer}
3005or @samp{__pointer__} for the mode used to represent pointers.
3006
3007@item nocommon
3008@cindex @code{nocommon} attribute
84330467 3009@opindex fno-common
f0523f02 3010This attribute specifies requests GCC not to place a variable
c1f7febf 3011``common'' but instead to allocate space for it directly. If you
f0523f02 3012specify the @option{-fno-common} flag, GCC will do this for all
c1f7febf
RK
3013variables.
3014
3015Specifying the @code{nocommon} attribute for a variable provides an
3016initialization of zeros. A variable may only be initialized in one
3017source file.
3018
3019@item packed
3020@cindex @code{packed} attribute
3021The @code{packed} attribute specifies that a variable or structure field
3022should have the smallest possible alignment---one byte for a variable,
3023and one bit for a field, unless you specify a larger value with the
3024@code{aligned} attribute.
3025
3026Here is a structure in which the field @code{x} is packed, so that it
3027immediately follows @code{a}:
3028
3029@example
3030struct foo
3031@{
3032 char a;
3033 int x[2] __attribute__ ((packed));
3034@};
3035@end example
3036
84330467 3037@item section ("@var{section-name}")
c1f7febf
RK
3038@cindex @code{section} variable attribute
3039Normally, the compiler places the objects it generates in sections like
3040@code{data} and @code{bss}. Sometimes, however, you need additional sections,
3041or you need certain particular variables to appear in special sections,
3042for example to map to special hardware. The @code{section}
3043attribute specifies that a variable (or function) lives in a particular
3044section. For example, this small program uses several specific section names:
3045
3046@smallexample
3047struct duart a __attribute__ ((section ("DUART_A"))) = @{ 0 @};
3048struct duart b __attribute__ ((section ("DUART_B"))) = @{ 0 @};
3049char stack[10000] __attribute__ ((section ("STACK"))) = @{ 0 @};
3050int init_data __attribute__ ((section ("INITDATA"))) = 0;
3051
3052main()
3053@{
3054 /* Initialize stack pointer */
3055 init_sp (stack + sizeof (stack));
3056
3057 /* Initialize initialized data */
3058 memcpy (&init_data, &data, &edata - &data);
3059
3060 /* Turn on the serial ports */
3061 init_duart (&a);
3062 init_duart (&b);
3063@}
3064@end smallexample
3065
3066@noindent
3067Use the @code{section} attribute with an @emph{initialized} definition
f0523f02 3068of a @emph{global} variable, as shown in the example. GCC issues
c1f7febf
RK
3069a warning and otherwise ignores the @code{section} attribute in
3070uninitialized variable declarations.
3071
3072You may only use the @code{section} attribute with a fully initialized
3073global definition because of the way linkers work. The linker requires
3074each object be defined once, with the exception that uninitialized
3075variables tentatively go in the @code{common} (or @code{bss}) section
84330467
JM
3076and can be multiply ``defined''. You can force a variable to be
3077initialized with the @option{-fno-common} flag or the @code{nocommon}
c1f7febf
RK
3078attribute.
3079
3080Some file formats do not support arbitrary sections so the @code{section}
3081attribute is not available on all platforms.
3082If you need to map the entire contents of a module to a particular
3083section, consider using the facilities of the linker instead.
3084
593d3a34
MK
3085@item shared
3086@cindex @code{shared} variable attribute
02f52e19
AJ
3087On Windows NT, in addition to putting variable definitions in a named
3088section, the section can also be shared among all running copies of an
161d7b59 3089executable or DLL@. For example, this small program defines shared data
84330467 3090by putting it in a named section @code{shared} and marking the section
593d3a34
MK
3091shareable:
3092
3093@smallexample
3094int foo __attribute__((section ("shared"), shared)) = 0;
3095
3096int
3097main()
3098@{
310668e8
JM
3099 /* Read and write foo. All running
3100 copies see the same value. */
593d3a34
MK
3101 return 0;
3102@}
3103@end smallexample
3104
3105@noindent
3106You may only use the @code{shared} attribute along with @code{section}
02f52e19 3107attribute with a fully initialized global definition because of the way
593d3a34
MK
3108linkers work. See @code{section} attribute for more information.
3109
161d7b59 3110The @code{shared} attribute is only available on Windows NT@.
593d3a34 3111
c1f7febf
RK
3112@item transparent_union
3113This attribute, attached to a function parameter which is a union, means
3114that the corresponding argument may have the type of any union member,
3115but the argument is passed as if its type were that of the first union
3116member. For more details see @xref{Type Attributes}. You can also use
3117this attribute on a @code{typedef} for a union data type; then it
3118applies to all function parameters with that type.
3119
3120@item unused
3121This attribute, attached to a variable, means that the variable is meant
f0523f02 3122to be possibly unused. GCC will not produce a warning for this
c1f7febf
RK
3123variable.
3124
e23bd218
IR
3125@item deprecated
3126The @code{deprecated} attribute results in a warning if the variable
3127is used anywhere in the source file. This is useful when identifying
3128variables that are expected to be removed in a future version of a
3129program. The warning also includes the location of the declaration
3130of the deprecated variable, to enable users to easily find further
3131information about why the variable is deprecated, or what they should
3132do instead. Note that the warnings only occurs for uses:
3133
3134@smallexample
3135extern int old_var __attribute__ ((deprecated));
3136extern int old_var;
3137int new_fn () @{ return old_var; @}
3138@end smallexample
3139
3140results in a warning on line 3 but not line 2.
3141
3142The @code{deprecated} attribute can also be used for functions and
3143types (@pxref{Function Attributes}, @pxref{Type Attributes}.)
3144
1b9191d2
AH
3145@item vector_size (@var{bytes})
3146This attribute specifies the vector size for the variable, measured in
3147bytes. For example, the declaration:
3148
3149@smallexample
3150int foo __attribute__ ((vector_size (16)));
3151@end smallexample
3152
3153@noindent
3154causes the compiler to set the mode for @code{foo}, to be 16 bytes,
3155divided into @code{int} sized units. Assuming a 32-bit int (a vector of
31564 units of 4 bytes), the corresponding mode of @code{foo} will be V4SI@.
3157
3158This attribute is only applicable to integral and float scalars,
3159although arrays, pointers, and function return values are allowed in
3160conjunction with this construct.
3161
3162Aggregates with this attribute are invalid, even if they are of the same
3163size as a corresponding scalar. For example, the declaration:
3164
3165@smallexample
ad706f54 3166struct S @{ int a; @};
1b9191d2
AH
3167struct S __attribute__ ((vector_size (16))) foo;
3168@end smallexample
3169
3170@noindent
3171is invalid even if the size of the structure is the same as the size of
3172the @code{int}.
3173
c1f7febf
RK
3174@item weak
3175The @code{weak} attribute is described in @xref{Function Attributes}.
845da534
DE
3176
3177@item model (@var{model-name})
3178@cindex variable addressability on the M32R/D
3179Use this attribute on the M32R/D to set the addressability of an object.
3180The identifier @var{model-name} is one of @code{small}, @code{medium},
3181or @code{large}, representing each of the code models.
3182
3183Small model objects live in the lower 16MB of memory (so that their
3184addresses can be loaded with the @code{ld24} instruction).
3185
02f52e19 3186Medium and large model objects may live anywhere in the 32-bit address space
845da534
DE
3187(the compiler will generate @code{seth/add3} instructions to load their
3188addresses).
3189
fe77449a
DR
3190@subsection i386 Variable Attributes
3191
3192Two attributes are currently defined for i386 configurations:
3193@code{ms_struct} and @code{gcc_struct}
3194
3195@item ms_struct
3196@itemx gcc_struct
3197@cindex @code{ms_struct}
3198@cindex @code{gcc_struct}
3199
3200If @code{packed} is used on a structure, or if bit-fields are used
3201it may be that the Microsoft ABI packs them differently
3202than GCC would normally pack them. Particularly when moving packed
3203data between functions compiled with GCC and the native Microsoft compiler
3204(either via function call or as data in a file), it may be necessary to access
3205either format.
3206
3207Currently @option{-m[no-]ms-bitfields} is provided for the Windows X86
3208compilers to match the native Microsoft compiler.
3209
c1f7febf
RK
3210@end table
3211
3212To specify multiple attributes, separate them by commas within the
3213double parentheses: for example, @samp{__attribute__ ((aligned (16),
3214packed))}.
3215
3216@node Type Attributes
3217@section Specifying Attributes of Types
3218@cindex attribute of types
3219@cindex type attributes
3220
3221The keyword @code{__attribute__} allows you to specify special
3222attributes of @code{struct} and @code{union} types when you define such
3223types. This keyword is followed by an attribute specification inside
d18b1ed8 3224double parentheses. Six attributes are currently defined for types:
e23bd218 3225@code{aligned}, @code{packed}, @code{transparent_union}, @code{unused},
d18b1ed8
OS
3226@code{deprecated} and @code{may_alias}. Other attributes are defined for
3227functions (@pxref{Function Attributes}) and for variables
3228(@pxref{Variable Attributes}).
c1f7febf
RK
3229
3230You may also specify any one of these attributes with @samp{__}
3231preceding and following its keyword. This allows you to use these
3232attributes in header files without being concerned about a possible
3233macro of the same name. For example, you may use @code{__aligned__}
3234instead of @code{aligned}.
3235
3236You may specify the @code{aligned} and @code{transparent_union}
3237attributes either in a @code{typedef} declaration or just past the
3238closing curly brace of a complete enum, struct or union type
3239@emph{definition} and the @code{packed} attribute only past the closing
3240brace of a definition.
3241
4051959b
JM
3242You may also specify attributes between the enum, struct or union
3243tag and the name of the type rather than after the closing brace.
3244
2c5e91d2
JM
3245@xref{Attribute Syntax}, for details of the exact syntax for using
3246attributes.
3247
c1f7febf
RK
3248@table @code
3249@cindex @code{aligned} attribute
3250@item aligned (@var{alignment})
3251This attribute specifies a minimum alignment (in bytes) for variables
3252of the specified type. For example, the declarations:
3253
3254@smallexample
f69eecfb
JL
3255struct S @{ short f[3]; @} __attribute__ ((aligned (8)));
3256typedef int more_aligned_int __attribute__ ((aligned (8)));
c1f7febf
RK
3257@end smallexample
3258
3259@noindent
d863830b 3260force the compiler to insure (as far as it can) that each variable whose
c1f7febf 3261type is @code{struct S} or @code{more_aligned_int} will be allocated and
981f6289 3262aligned @emph{at least} on a 8-byte boundary. On a SPARC, having all
c1f7febf
RK
3263variables of type @code{struct S} aligned to 8-byte boundaries allows
3264the compiler to use the @code{ldd} and @code{std} (doubleword load and
3265store) instructions when copying one variable of type @code{struct S} to
3266another, thus improving run-time efficiency.
3267
3268Note that the alignment of any given @code{struct} or @code{union} type
5490d604 3269is required by the ISO C standard to be at least a perfect multiple of
c1f7febf
RK
3270the lowest common multiple of the alignments of all of the members of
3271the @code{struct} or @code{union} in question. This means that you @emph{can}
3272effectively adjust the alignment of a @code{struct} or @code{union}
3273type by attaching an @code{aligned} attribute to any one of the members
3274of such a type, but the notation illustrated in the example above is a
3275more obvious, intuitive, and readable way to request the compiler to
3276adjust the alignment of an entire @code{struct} or @code{union} type.
3277
3278As in the preceding example, you can explicitly specify the alignment
3279(in bytes) that you wish the compiler to use for a given @code{struct}
3280or @code{union} type. Alternatively, you can leave out the alignment factor
3281and just ask the compiler to align a type to the maximum
3282useful alignment for the target machine you are compiling for. For
3283example, you could write:
3284
3285@smallexample
3286struct S @{ short f[3]; @} __attribute__ ((aligned));
3287@end smallexample
3288
3289Whenever you leave out the alignment factor in an @code{aligned}
3290attribute specification, the compiler automatically sets the alignment
3291for the type to the largest alignment which is ever used for any data
3292type on the target machine you are compiling for. Doing this can often
3293make copy operations more efficient, because the compiler can use
3294whatever instructions copy the biggest chunks of memory when performing
3295copies to or from the variables which have types that you have aligned
3296this way.
3297
3298In the example above, if the size of each @code{short} is 2 bytes, then
3299the size of the entire @code{struct S} type is 6 bytes. The smallest
3300power of two which is greater than or equal to that is 8, so the
3301compiler sets the alignment for the entire @code{struct S} type to 8
3302bytes.
3303
3304Note that although you can ask the compiler to select a time-efficient
3305alignment for a given type and then declare only individual stand-alone
3306objects of that type, the compiler's ability to select a time-efficient
3307alignment is primarily useful only when you plan to create arrays of
3308variables having the relevant (efficiently aligned) type. If you
3309declare or use arrays of variables of an efficiently-aligned type, then
3310it is likely that your program will also be doing pointer arithmetic (or
3311subscripting, which amounts to the same thing) on pointers to the
3312relevant type, and the code that the compiler generates for these
3313pointer arithmetic operations will often be more efficient for
3314efficiently-aligned types than for other types.
3315
3316The @code{aligned} attribute can only increase the alignment; but you
3317can decrease it by specifying @code{packed} as well. See below.
3318
3319Note that the effectiveness of @code{aligned} attributes may be limited
3320by inherent limitations in your linker. On many systems, the linker is
3321only able to arrange for variables to be aligned up to a certain maximum
3322alignment. (For some linkers, the maximum supported alignment may
3323be very very small.) If your linker is only able to align variables
3324up to a maximum of 8 byte alignment, then specifying @code{aligned(16)}
3325in an @code{__attribute__} will still only provide you with 8 byte
3326alignment. See your linker documentation for further information.
3327
3328@item packed
3329This attribute, attached to an @code{enum}, @code{struct}, or
3330@code{union} type definition, specified that the minimum required memory
3331be used to represent the type.
3332
84330467 3333@opindex fshort-enums
c1f7febf
RK
3334Specifying this attribute for @code{struct} and @code{union} types is
3335equivalent to specifying the @code{packed} attribute on each of the
84330467 3336structure or union members. Specifying the @option{-fshort-enums}
c1f7febf
RK
3337flag on the line is equivalent to specifying the @code{packed}
3338attribute on all @code{enum} definitions.
3339
3340You may only specify this attribute after a closing curly brace on an
1cd4bca9
BK
3341@code{enum} definition, not in a @code{typedef} declaration, unless that
3342declaration also contains the definition of the @code{enum}.
c1f7febf
RK
3343
3344@item transparent_union
3345This attribute, attached to a @code{union} type definition, indicates
3346that any function parameter having that union type causes calls to that
3347function to be treated in a special way.
3348
3349First, the argument corresponding to a transparent union type can be of
3350any type in the union; no cast is required. Also, if the union contains
3351a pointer type, the corresponding argument can be a null pointer
3352constant or a void pointer expression; and if the union contains a void
3353pointer type, the corresponding argument can be any pointer expression.
3354If the union member type is a pointer, qualifiers like @code{const} on
3355the referenced type must be respected, just as with normal pointer
3356conversions.
3357
3358Second, the argument is passed to the function using the calling
3359conventions of first member of the transparent union, not the calling
3360conventions of the union itself. All members of the union must have the
3361same machine representation; this is necessary for this argument passing
3362to work properly.
3363
3364Transparent unions are designed for library functions that have multiple
3365interfaces for compatibility reasons. For example, suppose the
3366@code{wait} function must accept either a value of type @code{int *} to
3367comply with Posix, or a value of type @code{union wait *} to comply with
3368the 4.1BSD interface. If @code{wait}'s parameter were @code{void *},
3369@code{wait} would accept both kinds of arguments, but it would also
3370accept any other pointer type and this would make argument type checking
3371less useful. Instead, @code{<sys/wait.h>} might define the interface
3372as follows:
3373
3374@smallexample
3375typedef union
3376 @{
3377 int *__ip;
3378 union wait *__up;
3379 @} wait_status_ptr_t __attribute__ ((__transparent_union__));
3380
3381pid_t wait (wait_status_ptr_t);
3382@end smallexample
3383
3384This interface allows either @code{int *} or @code{union wait *}
3385arguments to be passed, using the @code{int *} calling convention.
3386The program can call @code{wait} with arguments of either type:
3387
3388@example
3389int w1 () @{ int w; return wait (&w); @}
3390int w2 () @{ union wait w; return wait (&w); @}
3391@end example
3392
3393With this interface, @code{wait}'s implementation might look like this:
3394
3395@example
3396pid_t wait (wait_status_ptr_t p)
3397@{
3398 return waitpid (-1, p.__ip, 0);
3399@}
3400@end example
d863830b
JL
3401
3402@item unused
3403When attached to a type (including a @code{union} or a @code{struct}),
3404this attribute means that variables of that type are meant to appear
f0523f02 3405possibly unused. GCC will not produce a warning for any variables of
d863830b
JL
3406that type, even if the variable appears to do nothing. This is often
3407the case with lock or thread classes, which are usually defined and then
3408not referenced, but contain constructors and destructors that have
956d6950 3409nontrivial bookkeeping functions.
d863830b 3410
e23bd218
IR
3411@item deprecated
3412The @code{deprecated} attribute results in a warning if the type
3413is used anywhere in the source file. This is useful when identifying
3414types that are expected to be removed in a future version of a program.
3415If possible, the warning also includes the location of the declaration
3416of the deprecated type, to enable users to easily find further
3417information about why the type is deprecated, or what they should do
3418instead. Note that the warnings only occur for uses and then only
adc9fe67 3419if the type is being applied to an identifier that itself is not being
e23bd218
IR
3420declared as deprecated.
3421
3422@smallexample
3423typedef int T1 __attribute__ ((deprecated));
3424T1 x;
3425typedef T1 T2;
3426T2 y;
3427typedef T1 T3 __attribute__ ((deprecated));
3428T3 z __attribute__ ((deprecated));
3429@end smallexample
3430
3431results in a warning on line 2 and 3 but not lines 4, 5, or 6. No
3432warning is issued for line 4 because T2 is not explicitly
3433deprecated. Line 5 has no warning because T3 is explicitly
3434deprecated. Similarly for line 6.
3435
3436The @code{deprecated} attribute can also be used for functions and
3437variables (@pxref{Function Attributes}, @pxref{Variable Attributes}.)
3438
d18b1ed8
OS
3439@item may_alias
3440Accesses to objects with types with this attribute are not subjected to
3441type-based alias analysis, but are instead assumed to be able to alias
3442any other type of objects, just like the @code{char} type. See
3443@option{-fstrict-aliasing} for more information on aliasing issues.
3444
3445Example of use:
3446
478c9e72 3447@smallexample
d18b1ed8
OS
3448typedef short __attribute__((__may_alias__)) short_a;
3449
3450int
3451main (void)
3452@{
3453 int a = 0x12345678;
3454 short_a *b = (short_a *) &a;
3455
3456 b[1] = 0;
3457
3458 if (a == 0x12345678)
3459 abort();
3460
3461 exit(0);
3462@}
478c9e72 3463@end smallexample
d18b1ed8
OS
3464
3465If you replaced @code{short_a} with @code{short} in the variable
3466declaration, the above program would abort when compiled with
3467@option{-fstrict-aliasing}, which is on by default at @option{-O2} or
3468above in recent GCC versions.
fe77449a
DR
3469
3470@subsection i386 Type Attributes
3471
3472Two attributes are currently defined for i386 configurations:
3473@code{ms_struct} and @code{gcc_struct}
3474
3475@item ms_struct
3476@itemx gcc_struct
3477@cindex @code{ms_struct}
3478@cindex @code{gcc_struct}
3479
3480If @code{packed} is used on a structure, or if bit-fields are used
3481it may be that the Microsoft ABI packs them differently
3482than GCC would normally pack them. Particularly when moving packed
3483data between functions compiled with GCC and the native Microsoft compiler
3484(either via function call or as data in a file), it may be necessary to access
3485either format.
3486
3487Currently @option{-m[no-]ms-bitfields} is provided for the Windows X86
3488compilers to match the native Microsoft compiler.
c1f7febf
RK
3489@end table
3490
3491To specify multiple attributes, separate them by commas within the
3492double parentheses: for example, @samp{__attribute__ ((aligned (16),
3493packed))}.
3494
3495@node Inline
3496@section An Inline Function is As Fast As a Macro
3497@cindex inline functions
3498@cindex integrating function code
3499@cindex open coding
3500@cindex macros, inline alternative
3501
f0523f02 3502By declaring a function @code{inline}, you can direct GCC to
c1f7febf
RK
3503integrate that function's code into the code for its callers. This
3504makes execution faster by eliminating the function-call overhead; in
3505addition, if any of the actual argument values are constant, their known
3506values may permit simplifications at compile time so that not all of the
3507inline function's code needs to be included. The effect on code size is
3508less predictable; object code may be larger or smaller with function
3509inlining, depending on the particular case. Inlining of functions is an
3510optimization and it really ``works'' only in optimizing compilation. If
84330467 3511you don't use @option{-O}, no function is really inline.
c1f7febf 3512
4b404517
JM
3513Inline functions are included in the ISO C99 standard, but there are
3514currently substantial differences between what GCC implements and what
3515the ISO C99 standard requires.
3516
c1f7febf
RK
3517To declare a function inline, use the @code{inline} keyword in its
3518declaration, like this:
3519
3520@example
3521inline int
3522inc (int *a)
3523@{
3524 (*a)++;
3525@}
3526@end example
3527
5490d604 3528(If you are writing a header file to be included in ISO C programs, write
c1f7febf 3529@code{__inline__} instead of @code{inline}. @xref{Alternate Keywords}.)
c1f7febf 3530You can also make all ``simple enough'' functions inline with the option
84330467 3531@option{-finline-functions}.
247b14bd 3532
84330467 3533@opindex Winline
247b14bd
RH
3534Note that certain usages in a function definition can make it unsuitable
3535for inline substitution. Among these usages are: use of varargs, use of
3536alloca, use of variable sized data types (@pxref{Variable Length}),
3537use of computed goto (@pxref{Labels as Values}), use of nonlocal goto,
84330467 3538and nested functions (@pxref{Nested Functions}). Using @option{-Winline}
247b14bd
RH
3539will warn when a function marked @code{inline} could not be substituted,
3540and will give the reason for the failure.
c1f7febf 3541
2147b154 3542Note that in C and Objective-C, unlike C++, the @code{inline} keyword
c1f7febf
RK
3543does not affect the linkage of the function.
3544
3545@cindex automatic @code{inline} for C++ member fns
3546@cindex @code{inline} automatic for C++ member fns
3547@cindex member fns, automatically @code{inline}
3548@cindex C++ member fns, automatically @code{inline}
84330467 3549@opindex fno-default-inline
f0523f02 3550GCC automatically inlines member functions defined within the class
c1f7febf 3551body of C++ programs even if they are not explicitly declared
84330467 3552@code{inline}. (You can override this with @option{-fno-default-inline};
c1f7febf
RK
3553@pxref{C++ Dialect Options,,Options Controlling C++ Dialect}.)
3554
3555@cindex inline functions, omission of
84330467 3556@opindex fkeep-inline-functions
c1f7febf
RK
3557When a function is both inline and @code{static}, if all calls to the
3558function are integrated into the caller, and the function's address is
3559never used, then the function's own assembler code is never referenced.
f0523f02 3560In this case, GCC does not actually output assembler code for the
84330467 3561function, unless you specify the option @option{-fkeep-inline-functions}.
c1f7febf
RK
3562Some calls cannot be integrated for various reasons (in particular,
3563calls that precede the function's definition cannot be integrated, and
3564neither can recursive calls within the definition). If there is a
3565nonintegrated call, then the function is compiled to assembler code as
3566usual. The function must also be compiled as usual if the program
3567refers to its address, because that can't be inlined.
3568
3569@cindex non-static inline function
3570When an inline function is not @code{static}, then the compiler must assume
3571that there may be calls from other source files; since a global symbol can
3572be defined only once in any program, the function must not be defined in
3573the other source files, so the calls therein cannot be integrated.
3574Therefore, a non-@code{static} inline function is always compiled on its
3575own in the usual fashion.
3576
3577If you specify both @code{inline} and @code{extern} in the function
3578definition, then the definition is used only for inlining. In no case
3579is the function compiled on its own, not even if you refer to its
3580address explicitly. Such an address becomes an external reference, as
3581if you had only declared the function, and had not defined it.
3582
3583This combination of @code{inline} and @code{extern} has almost the
3584effect of a macro. The way to use it is to put a function definition in
3585a header file with these keywords, and put another copy of the
3586definition (lacking @code{inline} and @code{extern}) in a library file.
3587The definition in the header file will cause most calls to the function
3588to be inlined. If any uses of the function remain, they will refer to
3589the single copy in the library.
3590
4b404517
JM
3591For future compatibility with when GCC implements ISO C99 semantics for
3592inline functions, it is best to use @code{static inline} only. (The
3593existing semantics will remain available when @option{-std=gnu89} is
3594specified, but eventually the default will be @option{-std=gnu99} and
3595that will implement the C99 semantics, though it does not do so yet.)
3596
6aa77e6c
AH
3597GCC does not inline any functions when not optimizing unless you specify
3598the @samp{always_inline} attribute for the function, like this:
3599
3600@example
3601/* Prototype. */
3602inline void foo (const char) __attribute__((always_inline));
3603@end example
c1f7febf
RK
3604
3605@node Extended Asm
3606@section Assembler Instructions with C Expression Operands
3607@cindex extended @code{asm}
3608@cindex @code{asm} expressions
3609@cindex assembler instructions
3610@cindex registers
3611
c85f7c16
JL
3612In an assembler instruction using @code{asm}, you can specify the
3613operands of the instruction using C expressions. This means you need not
3614guess which registers or memory locations will contain the data you want
c1f7febf
RK
3615to use.
3616
c85f7c16
JL
3617You must specify an assembler instruction template much like what
3618appears in a machine description, plus an operand constraint string for
3619each operand.
c1f7febf
RK
3620
3621For example, here is how to use the 68881's @code{fsinx} instruction:
3622
3623@example
3624asm ("fsinx %1,%0" : "=f" (result) : "f" (angle));
3625@end example
3626
3627@noindent
3628Here @code{angle} is the C expression for the input operand while
3629@code{result} is that of the output operand. Each has @samp{"f"} as its
c85f7c16
JL
3630operand constraint, saying that a floating point register is required.
3631The @samp{=} in @samp{=f} indicates that the operand is an output; all
3632output operands' constraints must use @samp{=}. The constraints use the
3633same language used in the machine description (@pxref{Constraints}).
3634
3635Each operand is described by an operand-constraint string followed by
3636the C expression in parentheses. A colon separates the assembler
3637template from the first output operand and another separates the last
3638output operand from the first input, if any. Commas separate the
84b72302
RH
3639operands within each group. The total number of operands is currently
3640limited to 30; this limitation may be lifted in some future version of
3641GCC.
c85f7c16
JL
3642
3643If there are no output operands but there are input operands, you must
3644place two consecutive colons surrounding the place where the output
c1f7febf
RK
3645operands would go.
3646
84b72302
RH
3647As of GCC version 3.1, it is also possible to specify input and output
3648operands using symbolic names which can be referenced within the
3649assembler code. These names are specified inside square brackets
3650preceding the constraint string, and can be referenced inside the
3651assembler code using @code{%[@var{name}]} instead of a percentage sign
3652followed by the operand number. Using named operands the above example
3653could look like:
3654
3655@example
3656asm ("fsinx %[angle],%[output]"
3657 : [output] "=f" (result)
3658 : [angle] "f" (angle));
3659@end example
3660
3661@noindent
3662Note that the symbolic operand names have no relation whatsoever to
3663other C identifiers. You may use any name you like, even those of
3664existing C symbols, but must ensure that no two operands within the same
3665assembler construct use the same symbolic name.
3666
c1f7febf 3667Output operand expressions must be lvalues; the compiler can check this.
c85f7c16
JL
3668The input operands need not be lvalues. The compiler cannot check
3669whether the operands have data types that are reasonable for the
3670instruction being executed. It does not parse the assembler instruction
3671template and does not know what it means or even whether it is valid
3672assembler input. The extended @code{asm} feature is most often used for
3673machine instructions the compiler itself does not know exist. If
3674the output expression cannot be directly addressed (for example, it is a
f0523f02 3675bit-field), your constraint must allow a register. In that case, GCC
c85f7c16
JL
3676will use the register as the output of the @code{asm}, and then store
3677that register into the output.
3678
f0523f02 3679The ordinary output operands must be write-only; GCC will assume that
c85f7c16
JL
3680the values in these operands before the instruction are dead and need
3681not be generated. Extended asm supports input-output or read-write
3682operands. Use the constraint character @samp{+} to indicate such an
3683operand and list it with the output operands.
3684
3685When the constraints for the read-write operand (or the operand in which
3686only some of the bits are to be changed) allows a register, you may, as
3687an alternative, logically split its function into two separate operands,
3688one input operand and one write-only output operand. The connection
3689between them is expressed by constraints which say they need to be in
3690the same location when the instruction executes. You can use the same C
3691expression for both operands, or different expressions. For example,
3692here we write the (fictitious) @samp{combine} instruction with
3693@code{bar} as its read-only source operand and @code{foo} as its
3694read-write destination:
c1f7febf
RK
3695
3696@example
3697asm ("combine %2,%0" : "=r" (foo) : "0" (foo), "g" (bar));
3698@end example
3699
3700@noindent
c85f7c16 3701The constraint @samp{"0"} for operand 1 says that it must occupy the
84b72302
RH
3702same location as operand 0. A number in constraint is allowed only in
3703an input operand and it must refer to an output operand.
c1f7febf 3704
84b72302 3705Only a number in the constraint can guarantee that one operand will be in
c85f7c16
JL
3706the same place as another. The mere fact that @code{foo} is the value
3707of both operands is not enough to guarantee that they will be in the
3708same place in the generated assembler code. The following would not
3709work reliably:
c1f7febf
RK
3710
3711@example
3712asm ("combine %2,%0" : "=r" (foo) : "r" (foo), "g" (bar));
3713@end example
3714
3715Various optimizations or reloading could cause operands 0 and 1 to be in
f0523f02 3716different registers; GCC knows no reason not to do so. For example, the
c1f7febf
RK
3717compiler might find a copy of the value of @code{foo} in one register and
3718use it for operand 1, but generate the output operand 0 in a different
3719register (copying it afterward to @code{foo}'s own address). Of course,
3720since the register for operand 1 is not even mentioned in the assembler
f0523f02 3721code, the result will not work, but GCC can't tell that.
c1f7febf 3722
84b72302
RH
3723As of GCC version 3.1, one may write @code{[@var{name}]} instead of
3724the operand number for a matching constraint. For example:
3725
3726@example
3727asm ("cmoveq %1,%2,%[result]"
3728 : [result] "=r"(result)
3729 : "r" (test), "r"(new), "[result]"(old));
3730@end example
3731
c85f7c16
JL
3732Some instructions clobber specific hard registers. To describe this,
3733write a third colon after the input operands, followed by the names of
3734the clobbered hard registers (given as strings). Here is a realistic
3735example for the VAX:
c1f7febf
RK
3736
3737@example
3738asm volatile ("movc3 %0,%1,%2"
3739 : /* no outputs */
3740 : "g" (from), "g" (to), "g" (count)
3741 : "r0", "r1", "r2", "r3", "r4", "r5");
3742@end example
3743
c5c76735
JL
3744You may not write a clobber description in a way that overlaps with an
3745input or output operand. For example, you may not have an operand
3746describing a register class with one member if you mention that register
acb5d088
HPN
3747in the clobber list. Variables declared to live in specific registers
3748(@pxref{Explicit Reg Vars}), and used as asm input or output operands must
3749have no part mentioned in the clobber description.
3750There is no way for you to specify that an input
c5c76735
JL
3751operand is modified without also specifying it as an output
3752operand. Note that if all the output operands you specify are for this
3753purpose (and hence unused), you will then also need to specify
3754@code{volatile} for the @code{asm} construct, as described below, to
f0523f02 3755prevent GCC from deleting the @code{asm} statement as unused.
8fe1938e 3756
c1f7febf 3757If you refer to a particular hardware register from the assembler code,
c85f7c16
JL
3758you will probably have to list the register after the third colon to
3759tell the compiler the register's value is modified. In some assemblers,
3760the register names begin with @samp{%}; to produce one @samp{%} in the
3761assembler code, you must write @samp{%%} in the input.
3762
3763If your assembler instruction can alter the condition code register, add
f0523f02 3764@samp{cc} to the list of clobbered registers. GCC on some machines
c85f7c16
JL
3765represents the condition codes as a specific hardware register;
3766@samp{cc} serves to name this register. On other machines, the
3767condition code is handled differently, and specifying @samp{cc} has no
3768effect. But it is valid no matter what the machine.
c1f7febf
RK
3769
3770If your assembler instruction modifies memory in an unpredictable
c85f7c16 3771fashion, add @samp{memory} to the list of clobbered registers. This
f0523f02 3772will cause GCC to not keep memory values cached in registers across
dd40655a
GK
3773the assembler instruction. You will also want to add the
3774@code{volatile} keyword if the memory affected is not listed in the
3775inputs or outputs of the @code{asm}, as the @samp{memory} clobber does
3776not count as a side-effect of the @code{asm}.
c1f7febf 3777
c85f7c16 3778You can put multiple assembler instructions together in a single
8720914b
HPN
3779@code{asm} template, separated by the characters normally used in assembly
3780code for the system. A combination that works in most places is a newline
3781to break the line, plus a tab character to move to the instruction field
3782(written as @samp{\n\t}). Sometimes semicolons can be used, if the
3783assembler allows semicolons as a line-breaking character. Note that some
3784assembler dialects use semicolons to start a comment.
3785The input operands are guaranteed not to use any of the clobbered
c85f7c16
JL
3786registers, and neither will the output operands' addresses, so you can
3787read and write the clobbered registers as many times as you like. Here
3788is an example of multiple instructions in a template; it assumes the
3789subroutine @code{_foo} accepts arguments in registers 9 and 10:
c1f7febf
RK
3790
3791@example
8720914b 3792asm ("movl %0,r9\n\tmovl %1,r10\n\tcall _foo"
c1f7febf
RK
3793 : /* no outputs */
3794 : "g" (from), "g" (to)
3795 : "r9", "r10");
3796@end example
3797
f0523f02 3798Unless an output operand has the @samp{&} constraint modifier, GCC
c85f7c16
JL
3799may allocate it in the same register as an unrelated input operand, on
3800the assumption the inputs are consumed before the outputs are produced.
c1f7febf
RK
3801This assumption may be false if the assembler code actually consists of
3802more than one instruction. In such a case, use @samp{&} for each output
c85f7c16 3803operand that may not overlap an input. @xref{Modifiers}.
c1f7febf 3804
c85f7c16
JL
3805If you want to test the condition code produced by an assembler
3806instruction, you must include a branch and a label in the @code{asm}
3807construct, as follows:
c1f7febf
RK
3808
3809@example
8720914b 3810asm ("clr %0\n\tfrob %1\n\tbeq 0f\n\tmov #1,%0\n0:"
c1f7febf
RK
3811 : "g" (result)
3812 : "g" (input));
3813@end example
3814
3815@noindent
3816This assumes your assembler supports local labels, as the GNU assembler
3817and most Unix assemblers do.
3818
3819Speaking of labels, jumps from one @code{asm} to another are not
c85f7c16
JL
3820supported. The compiler's optimizers do not know about these jumps, and
3821therefore they cannot take account of them when deciding how to
c1f7febf
RK
3822optimize.
3823
3824@cindex macros containing @code{asm}
3825Usually the most convenient way to use these @code{asm} instructions is to
3826encapsulate them in macros that look like functions. For example,
3827
3828@example
3829#define sin(x) \
3830(@{ double __value, __arg = (x); \
3831 asm ("fsinx %1,%0": "=f" (__value): "f" (__arg)); \
3832 __value; @})
3833@end example
3834
3835@noindent
3836Here the variable @code{__arg} is used to make sure that the instruction
3837operates on a proper @code{double} value, and to accept only those
3838arguments @code{x} which can convert automatically to a @code{double}.
3839
c85f7c16
JL
3840Another way to make sure the instruction operates on the correct data
3841type is to use a cast in the @code{asm}. This is different from using a
c1f7febf
RK
3842variable @code{__arg} in that it converts more different types. For
3843example, if the desired type were @code{int}, casting the argument to
3844@code{int} would accept a pointer with no complaint, while assigning the
3845argument to an @code{int} variable named @code{__arg} would warn about
3846using a pointer unless the caller explicitly casts it.
3847
f0523f02 3848If an @code{asm} has output operands, GCC assumes for optimization
c85f7c16
JL
3849purposes the instruction has no side effects except to change the output
3850operands. This does not mean instructions with a side effect cannot be
3851used, but you must be careful, because the compiler may eliminate them
3852if the output operands aren't used, or move them out of loops, or
3853replace two with one if they constitute a common subexpression. Also,
3854if your instruction does have a side effect on a variable that otherwise
3855appears not to change, the old value of the variable may be reused later
3856if it happens to be found in a register.
c1f7febf
RK
3857
3858You can prevent an @code{asm} instruction from being deleted, moved
3859significantly, or combined, by writing the keyword @code{volatile} after
3860the @code{asm}. For example:
3861
3862@example
310668e8
JM
3863#define get_and_set_priority(new) \
3864(@{ int __old; \
3865 asm volatile ("get_and_set_priority %0, %1" \
3866 : "=g" (__old) : "g" (new)); \
c85f7c16 3867 __old; @})
24f98470 3868@end example
c1f7febf
RK
3869
3870@noindent
f0523f02 3871If you write an @code{asm} instruction with no outputs, GCC will know
c85f7c16 3872the instruction has side-effects and will not delete the instruction or
e71b34aa 3873move it outside of loops.
c85f7c16 3874
e71b34aa
MM
3875The @code{volatile} keyword indicates that the instruction has
3876important side-effects. GCC will not delete a volatile @code{asm} if
3877it is reachable. (The instruction can still be deleted if GCC can
3878prove that control-flow will never reach the location of the
3879instruction.) In addition, GCC will not reschedule instructions
3880across a volatile @code{asm} instruction. For example:
3881
3882@example
bd78000b 3883*(volatile int *)addr = foo;
e71b34aa
MM
3884asm volatile ("eieio" : : );
3885@end example
3886
ebb48a4d 3887@noindent
e71b34aa
MM
3888Assume @code{addr} contains the address of a memory mapped device
3889register. The PowerPC @code{eieio} instruction (Enforce In-order
aee96fe9 3890Execution of I/O) tells the CPU to make sure that the store to that
161d7b59 3891device register happens before it issues any other I/O@.
c1f7febf
RK
3892
3893Note that even a volatile @code{asm} instruction can be moved in ways
3894that appear insignificant to the compiler, such as across jump
3895instructions. You can't expect a sequence of volatile @code{asm}
3896instructions to remain perfectly consecutive. If you want consecutive
e71b34aa
MM
3897output, use a single @code{asm}. Also, GCC will perform some
3898optimizations across a volatile @code{asm} instruction; GCC does not
3899``forget everything'' when it encounters a volatile @code{asm}
3900instruction the way some other compilers do.
3901
3902An @code{asm} instruction without any operands or clobbers (an ``old
3903style'' @code{asm}) will be treated identically to a volatile
3904@code{asm} instruction.
c1f7febf
RK
3905
3906It is a natural idea to look for a way to give access to the condition
3907code left by the assembler instruction. However, when we attempted to
3908implement this, we found no way to make it work reliably. The problem
3909is that output operands might need reloading, which would result in
3910additional following ``store'' instructions. On most machines, these
3911instructions would alter the condition code before there was time to
3912test it. This problem doesn't arise for ordinary ``test'' and
3913``compare'' instructions because they don't have any output operands.
3914
eda3fbbe
GB
3915For reasons similar to those described above, it is not possible to give
3916an assembler instruction access to the condition code left by previous
3917instructions.
3918
5490d604 3919If you are writing a header file that should be includable in ISO C
c1f7febf
RK
3920programs, write @code{__asm__} instead of @code{asm}. @xref{Alternate
3921Keywords}.
3922
fe0ce426
JH
3923@subsection i386 floating point asm operands
3924
3925There are several rules on the usage of stack-like regs in
3926asm_operands insns. These rules apply only to the operands that are
3927stack-like regs:
3928
3929@enumerate
3930@item
3931Given a set of input regs that die in an asm_operands, it is
3932necessary to know which are implicitly popped by the asm, and
3933which must be explicitly popped by gcc.
3934
3935An input reg that is implicitly popped by the asm must be
3936explicitly clobbered, unless it is constrained to match an
3937output operand.
3938
3939@item
3940For any input reg that is implicitly popped by an asm, it is
3941necessary to know how to adjust the stack to compensate for the pop.
3942If any non-popped input is closer to the top of the reg-stack than
3943the implicitly popped reg, it would not be possible to know what the
84330467 3944stack looked like---it's not clear how the rest of the stack ``slides
fe0ce426
JH
3945up''.
3946
3947All implicitly popped input regs must be closer to the top of
3948the reg-stack than any input that is not implicitly popped.
3949
3950It is possible that if an input dies in an insn, reload might
3951use the input reg for an output reload. Consider this example:
3952
3953@example
3954asm ("foo" : "=t" (a) : "f" (b));
3955@end example
3956
3957This asm says that input B is not popped by the asm, and that
c771326b 3958the asm pushes a result onto the reg-stack, i.e., the stack is one
fe0ce426
JH
3959deeper after the asm than it was before. But, it is possible that
3960reload will think that it can use the same reg for both the input and
3961the output, if input B dies in this insn.
3962
3963If any input operand uses the @code{f} constraint, all output reg
3964constraints must use the @code{&} earlyclobber.
3965
3966The asm above would be written as
3967
3968@example
3969asm ("foo" : "=&t" (a) : "f" (b));
3970@end example
3971
3972@item
3973Some operands need to be in particular places on the stack. All
84330467 3974output operands fall in this category---there is no other way to
fe0ce426
JH
3975know which regs the outputs appear in unless the user indicates
3976this in the constraints.
3977
3978Output operands must specifically indicate which reg an output
3979appears in after an asm. @code{=f} is not allowed: the operand
3980constraints must select a class with a single reg.
3981
3982@item
3983Output operands may not be ``inserted'' between existing stack regs.
3984Since no 387 opcode uses a read/write operand, all output operands
3985are dead before the asm_operands, and are pushed by the asm_operands.
3986It makes no sense to push anywhere but the top of the reg-stack.
3987
3988Output operands must start at the top of the reg-stack: output
3989operands may not ``skip'' a reg.
3990
3991@item
3992Some asm statements may need extra stack space for internal
3993calculations. This can be guaranteed by clobbering stack registers
3994unrelated to the inputs and outputs.
3995
3996@end enumerate
3997
3998Here are a couple of reasonable asms to want to write. This asm
3999takes one input, which is internally popped, and produces two outputs.
4000
4001@example
4002asm ("fsincos" : "=t" (cos), "=u" (sin) : "0" (inp));
4003@end example
4004
4005This asm takes two inputs, which are popped by the @code{fyl2xp1} opcode,
4006and replaces them with one output. The user must code the @code{st(1)}
4007clobber for reg-stack.c to know that @code{fyl2xp1} pops both inputs.
4008
4009@example
4010asm ("fyl2xp1" : "=t" (result) : "0" (x), "u" (y) : "st(1)");
4011@end example
4012
c1f7febf 4013@include md.texi
c1f7febf
RK
4014
4015@node Asm Labels
4016@section Controlling Names Used in Assembler Code
4017@cindex assembler names for identifiers
4018@cindex names used in assembler code
4019@cindex identifiers, names in assembler code
4020
4021You can specify the name to be used in the assembler code for a C
4022function or variable by writing the @code{asm} (or @code{__asm__})
4023keyword after the declarator as follows:
4024
4025@example
4026int foo asm ("myfoo") = 2;
4027@end example
4028
4029@noindent
4030This specifies that the name to be used for the variable @code{foo} in
4031the assembler code should be @samp{myfoo} rather than the usual
4032@samp{_foo}.
4033
4034On systems where an underscore is normally prepended to the name of a C
4035function or variable, this feature allows you to define names for the
4036linker that do not start with an underscore.
4037
0adc3c19
MM
4038It does not make sense to use this feature with a non-static local
4039variable since such variables do not have assembler names. If you are
4040trying to put the variable in a particular register, see @ref{Explicit
4041Reg Vars}. GCC presently accepts such code with a warning, but will
4042probably be changed to issue an error, rather than a warning, in the
4043future.
4044
c1f7febf
RK
4045You cannot use @code{asm} in this way in a function @emph{definition}; but
4046you can get the same effect by writing a declaration for the function
4047before its definition and putting @code{asm} there, like this:
4048
4049@example
4050extern func () asm ("FUNC");
4051
4052func (x, y)
4053 int x, y;
0d893a63 4054/* @r{@dots{}} */
c1f7febf
RK
4055@end example
4056
4057It is up to you to make sure that the assembler names you choose do not
4058conflict with any other assembler symbols. Also, you must not use a
f0523f02
JM
4059register name; that would produce completely invalid assembler code. GCC
4060does not as yet have the ability to store static variables in registers.
c1f7febf
RK
4061Perhaps that will be added.
4062
4063@node Explicit Reg Vars
4064@section Variables in Specified Registers
4065@cindex explicit register variables
4066@cindex variables in specified registers
4067@cindex specified registers
4068@cindex registers, global allocation
4069
4070GNU C allows you to put a few global variables into specified hardware
4071registers. You can also specify the register in which an ordinary
4072register variable should be allocated.
4073
4074@itemize @bullet
4075@item
4076Global register variables reserve registers throughout the program.
4077This may be useful in programs such as programming language
4078interpreters which have a couple of global variables that are accessed
4079very often.
4080
4081@item
4082Local register variables in specific registers do not reserve the
4083registers. The compiler's data flow analysis is capable of determining
4084where the specified registers contain live values, and where they are
8d344fbc 4085available for other uses. Stores into local register variables may be deleted
0deaf590
JL
4086when they appear to be dead according to dataflow analysis. References
4087to local register variables may be deleted or moved or simplified.
c1f7febf
RK
4088
4089These local variables are sometimes convenient for use with the extended
4090@code{asm} feature (@pxref{Extended Asm}), if you want to write one
4091output of the assembler instruction directly into a particular register.
4092(This will work provided the register you specify fits the constraints
4093specified for that operand in the @code{asm}.)
4094@end itemize
4095
4096@menu
4097* Global Reg Vars::
4098* Local Reg Vars::
4099@end menu
4100
4101@node Global Reg Vars
4102@subsection Defining Global Register Variables
4103@cindex global register variables
4104@cindex registers, global variables in
4105
4106You can define a global register variable in GNU C like this:
4107
4108@example
4109register int *foo asm ("a5");
4110@end example
4111
4112@noindent
4113Here @code{a5} is the name of the register which should be used. Choose a
4114register which is normally saved and restored by function calls on your
4115machine, so that library routines will not clobber it.
4116
4117Naturally the register name is cpu-dependent, so you would need to
4118conditionalize your program according to cpu type. The register
4119@code{a5} would be a good choice on a 68000 for a variable of pointer
4120type. On machines with register windows, be sure to choose a ``global''
4121register that is not affected magically by the function call mechanism.
4122
4123In addition, operating systems on one type of cpu may differ in how they
4124name the registers; then you would need additional conditionals. For
4125example, some 68000 operating systems call this register @code{%a5}.
4126
4127Eventually there may be a way of asking the compiler to choose a register
4128automatically, but first we need to figure out how it should choose and
4129how to enable you to guide the choice. No solution is evident.
4130
4131Defining a global register variable in a certain register reserves that
4132register entirely for this use, at least within the current compilation.
4133The register will not be allocated for any other purpose in the functions
4134in the current compilation. The register will not be saved and restored by
4135these functions. Stores into this register are never deleted even if they
4136would appear to be dead, but references may be deleted or moved or
4137simplified.
4138
4139It is not safe to access the global register variables from signal
4140handlers, or from more than one thread of control, because the system
4141library routines may temporarily use the register for other things (unless
4142you recompile them specially for the task at hand).
4143
4144@cindex @code{qsort}, and global register variables
4145It is not safe for one function that uses a global register variable to
4146call another such function @code{foo} by way of a third function
e979f9e8 4147@code{lose} that was compiled without knowledge of this variable (i.e.@: in a
c1f7febf
RK
4148different source file in which the variable wasn't declared). This is
4149because @code{lose} might save the register and put some other value there.
4150For example, you can't expect a global register variable to be available in
4151the comparison-function that you pass to @code{qsort}, since @code{qsort}
4152might have put something else in that register. (If you are prepared to
4153recompile @code{qsort} with the same global register variable, you can
4154solve this problem.)
4155
4156If you want to recompile @code{qsort} or other source files which do not
4157actually use your global register variable, so that they will not use that
4158register for any other purpose, then it suffices to specify the compiler
84330467 4159option @option{-ffixed-@var{reg}}. You need not actually add a global
c1f7febf
RK
4160register declaration to their source code.
4161
4162A function which can alter the value of a global register variable cannot
4163safely be called from a function compiled without this variable, because it
4164could clobber the value the caller expects to find there on return.
4165Therefore, the function which is the entry point into the part of the
4166program that uses the global register variable must explicitly save and
4167restore the value which belongs to its caller.
4168
4169@cindex register variable after @code{longjmp}
4170@cindex global register after @code{longjmp}
4171@cindex value after @code{longjmp}
4172@findex longjmp
4173@findex setjmp
4174On most machines, @code{longjmp} will restore to each global register
4175variable the value it had at the time of the @code{setjmp}. On some
4176machines, however, @code{longjmp} will not change the value of global
4177register variables. To be portable, the function that called @code{setjmp}
4178should make other arrangements to save the values of the global register
4179variables, and to restore them in a @code{longjmp}. This way, the same
4180thing will happen regardless of what @code{longjmp} does.
4181
4182All global register variable declarations must precede all function
4183definitions. If such a declaration could appear after function
4184definitions, the declaration would be too late to prevent the register from
4185being used for other purposes in the preceding functions.
4186
4187Global register variables may not have initial values, because an
4188executable file has no means to supply initial contents for a register.
4189
981f6289 4190On the SPARC, there are reports that g3 @dots{} g7 are suitable
c1f7febf
RK
4191registers, but certain library functions, such as @code{getwd}, as well
4192as the subroutines for division and remainder, modify g3 and g4. g1 and
4193g2 are local temporaries.
4194
4195On the 68000, a2 @dots{} a5 should be suitable, as should d2 @dots{} d7.
4196Of course, it will not do to use more than a few of those.
4197
4198@node Local Reg Vars
4199@subsection Specifying Registers for Local Variables
4200@cindex local variables, specifying registers
4201@cindex specifying registers for local variables
4202@cindex registers for local variables
4203
4204You can define a local register variable with a specified register
4205like this:
4206
4207@example
4208register int *foo asm ("a5");
4209@end example
4210
4211@noindent
4212Here @code{a5} is the name of the register which should be used. Note
4213that this is the same syntax used for defining global register
4214variables, but for a local variable it would appear within a function.
4215
4216Naturally the register name is cpu-dependent, but this is not a
4217problem, since specific registers are most often useful with explicit
4218assembler instructions (@pxref{Extended Asm}). Both of these things
4219generally require that you conditionalize your program according to
4220cpu type.
4221
4222In addition, operating systems on one type of cpu may differ in how they
4223name the registers; then you would need additional conditionals. For
4224example, some 68000 operating systems call this register @code{%a5}.
4225
c1f7febf
RK
4226Defining such a register variable does not reserve the register; it
4227remains available for other uses in places where flow control determines
4228the variable's value is not live. However, these registers are made
e5e809f4
JL
4229unavailable for use in the reload pass; excessive use of this feature
4230leaves the compiler too few available registers to compile certain
4231functions.
4232
f0523f02 4233This option does not guarantee that GCC will generate code that has
e5e809f4
JL
4234this variable in the register you specify at all times. You may not
4235code an explicit reference to this register in an @code{asm} statement
4236and assume it will always refer to this variable.
c1f7febf 4237
8d344fbc 4238Stores into local register variables may be deleted when they appear to be dead
0deaf590
JL
4239according to dataflow analysis. References to local register variables may
4240be deleted or moved or simplified.
4241
c1f7febf
RK
4242@node Alternate Keywords
4243@section Alternate Keywords
4244@cindex alternate keywords
4245@cindex keywords, alternate
4246
5490d604 4247@option{-ansi} and the various @option{-std} options disable certain
f458d1d5
ZW
4248keywords. This causes trouble when you want to use GNU C extensions, or
4249a general-purpose header file that should be usable by all programs,
4250including ISO C programs. The keywords @code{asm}, @code{typeof} and
4251@code{inline} are not available in programs compiled with
4252@option{-ansi} or @option{-std} (although @code{inline} can be used in a
4253program compiled with @option{-std=c99}). The ISO C99 keyword
5490d604
JM
4254@code{restrict} is only available when @option{-std=gnu99} (which will
4255eventually be the default) or @option{-std=c99} (or the equivalent
bd819a4a 4256@option{-std=iso9899:1999}) is used.
c1f7febf
RK
4257
4258The way to solve these problems is to put @samp{__} at the beginning and
4259end of each problematical keyword. For example, use @code{__asm__}
f458d1d5 4260instead of @code{asm}, and @code{__inline__} instead of @code{inline}.
c1f7febf
RK
4261
4262Other C compilers won't accept these alternative keywords; if you want to
4263compile with another compiler, you can define the alternate keywords as
4264macros to replace them with the customary keywords. It looks like this:
4265
4266@example
4267#ifndef __GNUC__
4268#define __asm__ asm
4269#endif
4270@end example
4271
6e6b0525 4272@findex __extension__
84330467
JM
4273@opindex pedantic
4274@option{-pedantic} and other options cause warnings for many GNU C extensions.
dbe519e0 4275You can
c1f7febf
RK
4276prevent such warnings within one expression by writing
4277@code{__extension__} before the expression. @code{__extension__} has no
4278effect aside from this.
4279
4280@node Incomplete Enums
4281@section Incomplete @code{enum} Types
4282
4283You can define an @code{enum} tag without specifying its possible values.
4284This results in an incomplete type, much like what you get if you write
4285@code{struct foo} without describing the elements. A later declaration
4286which does specify the possible values completes the type.
4287
4288You can't allocate variables or storage using the type while it is
4289incomplete. However, you can work with pointers to that type.
4290
4291This extension may not be very useful, but it makes the handling of
4292@code{enum} more consistent with the way @code{struct} and @code{union}
4293are handled.
4294
4295This extension is not supported by GNU C++.
4296
4297@node Function Names
4298@section Function Names as Strings
4b404517
JM
4299@cindex @code{__FUNCTION__} identifier
4300@cindex @code{__PRETTY_FUNCTION__} identifier
4301@cindex @code{__func__} identifier
c1f7febf 4302
f0523f02 4303GCC predefines two magic identifiers to hold the name of the current
767094dd
JM
4304function. The identifier @code{__FUNCTION__} holds the name of the function
4305as it appears in the source. The identifier @code{__PRETTY_FUNCTION__}
22acfb79
NM
4306holds the name of the function pretty printed in a language specific
4307fashion.
c1f7febf
RK
4308
4309These names are always the same in a C function, but in a C++ function
4310they may be different. For example, this program:
4311
4312@smallexample
4313extern "C" @{
4314extern int printf (char *, ...);
4315@}
4316
4317class a @{
4318 public:
a721a601 4319 void sub (int i)
c1f7febf
RK
4320 @{
4321 printf ("__FUNCTION__ = %s\n", __FUNCTION__);
4322 printf ("__PRETTY_FUNCTION__ = %s\n", __PRETTY_FUNCTION__);
4323 @}
4324@};
4325
4326int
4327main (void)
4328@{
4329 a ax;
4330 ax.sub (0);
4331 return 0;
4332@}
4333@end smallexample
4334
4335@noindent
4336gives this output:
4337
4338@smallexample
4339__FUNCTION__ = sub
4340__PRETTY_FUNCTION__ = int a::sub (int)
4341@end smallexample
4342
22acfb79 4343The compiler automagically replaces the identifiers with a string
767094dd 4344literal containing the appropriate name. Thus, they are neither
22acfb79 4345preprocessor macros, like @code{__FILE__} and @code{__LINE__}, nor
767094dd
JM
4346variables. This means that they catenate with other string literals, and
4347that they can be used to initialize char arrays. For example
22acfb79
NM
4348
4349@smallexample
4350char here[] = "Function " __FUNCTION__ " in " __FILE__;
4351@end smallexample
4352
4353On the other hand, @samp{#ifdef __FUNCTION__} does not have any special
c1f7febf
RK
4354meaning inside a function, since the preprocessor does not do anything
4355special with the identifier @code{__FUNCTION__}.
4356
9aa8a1df
NB
4357Note that these semantics are deprecated, and that GCC 3.2 will handle
4358@code{__FUNCTION__} and @code{__PRETTY_FUNCTION__} the same way as
4359@code{__func__}. @code{__func__} is defined by the ISO standard C99:
22acfb79
NM
4360
4361@display
4362The identifier @code{__func__} is implicitly declared by the translator
4363as if, immediately following the opening brace of each function
4364definition, the declaration
4365
4366@smallexample
4367static const char __func__[] = "function-name";
4368@end smallexample
4369
4370appeared, where function-name is the name of the lexically-enclosing
767094dd 4371function. This name is the unadorned name of the function.
22acfb79
NM
4372@end display
4373
4374By this definition, @code{__func__} is a variable, not a string literal.
4375In particular, @code{__func__} does not catenate with other string
4376literals.
4377
4378In @code{C++}, @code{__FUNCTION__} and @code{__PRETTY_FUNCTION__} are
4379variables, declared in the same way as @code{__func__}.
4380
c1f7febf
RK
4381@node Return Address
4382@section Getting the Return or Frame Address of a Function
4383
4384These functions may be used to get information about the callers of a
4385function.
4386
84330467 4387@deftypefn {Built-in Function} {void *} __builtin_return_address (unsigned int @var{level})
c1f7febf
RK
4388This function returns the return address of the current function, or of
4389one of its callers. The @var{level} argument is number of frames to
4390scan up the call stack. A value of @code{0} yields the return address
4391of the current function, a value of @code{1} yields the return address
95b1627e
EC
4392of the caller of the current function, and so forth. When inlining
4393the expected behavior is that the function will return the address of
4394the function that will be returned to. To work around this behavior use
4395the @code{noinline} function attribute.
c1f7febf
RK
4396
4397The @var{level} argument must be a constant integer.
4398
4399On some machines it may be impossible to determine the return address of
4400any function other than the current one; in such cases, or when the top
dd96fbc5
L
4401of the stack has been reached, this function will return @code{0} or a
4402random value. In addition, @code{__builtin_frame_address} may be used
4403to determine if the top of the stack has been reached.
c1f7febf 4404
df2a54e9 4405This function should only be used with a nonzero argument for debugging
c1f7febf 4406purposes.
84330467 4407@end deftypefn
c1f7febf 4408
84330467 4409@deftypefn {Built-in Function} {void *} __builtin_frame_address (unsigned int @var{level})
c1f7febf
RK
4410This function is similar to @code{__builtin_return_address}, but it
4411returns the address of the function frame rather than the return address
4412of the function. Calling @code{__builtin_frame_address} with a value of
4413@code{0} yields the frame address of the current function, a value of
4414@code{1} yields the frame address of the caller of the current function,
4415and so forth.
4416
4417The frame is the area on the stack which holds local variables and saved
4418registers. The frame address is normally the address of the first word
4419pushed on to the stack by the function. However, the exact definition
4420depends upon the processor and the calling convention. If the processor
4421has a dedicated frame pointer register, and the function has a frame,
4422then @code{__builtin_frame_address} will return the value of the frame
4423pointer register.
4424
dd96fbc5
L
4425On some machines it may be impossible to determine the frame address of
4426any function other than the current one; in such cases, or when the top
4427of the stack has been reached, this function will return @code{0} if
4428the first frame pointer is properly initialized by the startup code.
4429
df2a54e9 4430This function should only be used with a nonzero argument for debugging
dd96fbc5 4431purposes.
84330467 4432@end deftypefn
c1f7febf 4433
1255c85c
BS
4434@node Vector Extensions
4435@section Using vector instructions through built-in functions
4436
4437On some targets, the instruction set contains SIMD vector instructions that
4438operate on multiple values contained in one large register at the same time.
4439For example, on the i386 the MMX, 3Dnow! and SSE extensions can be used
4440this way.
4441
4442The first step in using these extensions is to provide the necessary data
4443types. This should be done using an appropriate @code{typedef}:
4444
4445@example
4446typedef int v4si __attribute__ ((mode(V4SI)));
4447@end example
4448
4449The base type @code{int} is effectively ignored by the compiler, the
4450actual properties of the new type @code{v4si} are defined by the
4451@code{__attribute__}. It defines the machine mode to be used; for vector
80ebf43e
BS
4452types these have the form @code{V@var{n}@var{B}}; @var{n} should be the
4453number of elements in the vector, and @var{B} should be the base mode of the
1255c85c
BS
4454individual elements. The following can be used as base modes:
4455
4456@table @code
4457@item QI
4458An integer that is as wide as the smallest addressable unit, usually 8 bits.
4459@item HI
4460An integer, twice as wide as a QI mode integer, usually 16 bits.
4461@item SI
4462An integer, four times as wide as a QI mode integer, usually 32 bits.
4463@item DI
4464An integer, eight times as wide as a QI mode integer, usually 64 bits.
4465@item SF
4466A floating point value, as wide as a SI mode integer, usually 32 bits.
4467@item DF
4468A floating point value, as wide as a DI mode integer, usually 64 bits.
4469@end table
4470
cb2a532e
AH
4471Specifying a combination that is not valid for the current architecture
4472will cause gcc to synthesize the instructions using a narrower mode.
4473For example, if you specify a variable of type @code{V4SI} and your
4474architecture does not allow for this specific SIMD type, gcc will
4475produce code that uses 4 @code{SIs}.
4476
4477The types defined in this manner can be used with a subset of normal C
4478operations. Currently, gcc will allow using the following operators on
4479these types: @code{+, -, *, /, unary minus}@.
4480
4481The operations behave like C++ @code{valarrays}. Addition is defined as
4482the addition of the corresponding elements of the operands. For
4483example, in the code below, each of the 4 elements in @var{a} will be
4484added to the corresponding 4 elements in @var{b} and the resulting
4485vector will be stored in @var{c}.
4486
4487@example
4488typedef int v4si __attribute__ ((mode(V4SI)));
4489
4490v4si a, b, c;
4491
4492c = a + b;
4493@end example
4494
4495Subtraction, multiplication, and division operate in a similar manner.
4496Likewise, the result of using the unary minus operator on a vector type
4497is a vector whose elements are the negative value of the corresponding
4498elements in the operand.
4499
4500You can declare variables and use them in function calls and returns, as
4501well as in assignments and some casts. You can specify a vector type as
4502a return type for a function. Vector types can also be used as function
4503arguments. It is possible to cast from one vector type to another,
4504provided they are of the same size (in fact, you can also cast vectors
4505to and from other datatypes of the same size).
4506
4507You cannot operate between vectors of different lengths or different
90a21764 4508signedness without a cast.
cb2a532e
AH
4509
4510A port that supports hardware vector operations, usually provides a set
4511of built-in functions that can be used to operate on vectors. For
4512example, a function to add two vectors and multiply the result by a
4513third could look like this:
1255c85c
BS
4514
4515@example
4516v4si f (v4si a, v4si b, v4si c)
4517@{
4518 v4si tmp = __builtin_addv4si (a, b);
4519 return __builtin_mulv4si (tmp, c);
4520@}
4521
4522@end example
4523
185ebd6c 4524@node Other Builtins
f0523f02 4525@section Other built-in functions provided by GCC
c771326b 4526@cindex built-in functions
01702459
JM
4527@findex __builtin_isgreater
4528@findex __builtin_isgreaterequal
4529@findex __builtin_isless
4530@findex __builtin_islessequal
4531@findex __builtin_islessgreater
4532@findex __builtin_isunordered
4533@findex abort
4534@findex abs
4535@findex alloca
46847aa6
RS
4536@findex atan2
4537@findex atan2f
4538@findex atan2l
01702459
JM
4539@findex bcmp
4540@findex bzero
b052d8ee
RS
4541@findex ceil
4542@findex ceilf
4543@findex ceill
341e3d11
JM
4544@findex cimag
4545@findex cimagf
4546@findex cimagl
4547@findex conj
4548@findex conjf
4549@findex conjl
01702459
JM
4550@findex cos
4551@findex cosf
4552@findex cosl
341e3d11
JM
4553@findex creal
4554@findex crealf
4555@findex creall
01702459
JM
4556@findex exit
4557@findex _exit
796cdb65 4558@findex _Exit
e7b489c8
RS
4559@findex exp
4560@findex expf
4561@findex expl
01702459
JM
4562@findex fabs
4563@findex fabsf
4564@findex fabsl
4565@findex ffs
b052d8ee
RS
4566@findex floor
4567@findex floorf
4568@findex floorl
4569@findex fmod
4570@findex fmodf
4571@findex fmodl
18f988a0 4572@findex fprintf
b4c984fb 4573@findex fprintf_unlocked
01702459 4574@findex fputs
b4c984fb 4575@findex fputs_unlocked
e78f4a97 4576@findex imaxabs
c7b6c6cd 4577@findex index
01702459
JM
4578@findex labs
4579@findex llabs
e7b489c8
RS
4580@findex log
4581@findex logf
4582@findex logl
01702459
JM
4583@findex memcmp
4584@findex memcpy
4585@findex memset
b052d8ee
RS
4586@findex nearbyint
4587@findex nearbyintf
4588@findex nearbyintl
46847aa6
RS
4589@findex pow
4590@findex powf
4591@findex powl
01702459 4592@findex printf
b4c984fb 4593@findex printf_unlocked
08291658
RS
4594@findex putchar
4595@findex puts
c7b6c6cd 4596@findex rindex
b052d8ee
RS
4597@findex round
4598@findex roundf
4599@findex roundl
08291658 4600@findex scanf
01702459
JM
4601@findex sin
4602@findex sinf
4603@findex sinl
08291658
RS
4604@findex snprintf
4605@findex sprintf
01702459
JM
4606@findex sqrt
4607@findex sqrtf
4608@findex sqrtl
08291658 4609@findex sscanf
d118937d 4610@findex strcat
01702459
JM
4611@findex strchr
4612@findex strcmp
4613@findex strcpy
d118937d 4614@findex strcspn
01702459 4615@findex strlen
d118937d 4616@findex strncat
da9e9f08
KG
4617@findex strncmp
4618@findex strncpy
01702459
JM
4619@findex strpbrk
4620@findex strrchr
d118937d 4621@findex strspn
01702459 4622@findex strstr
4977bab6
ZW
4623@findex trunc
4624@findex truncf
4625@findex truncl
08291658
RS
4626@findex vprintf
4627@findex vscanf
4628@findex vsnprintf
4629@findex vsprintf
4630@findex vsscanf
185ebd6c 4631
f0523f02 4632GCC provides a large number of built-in functions other than the ones
185ebd6c
RH
4633mentioned above. Some of these are for internal use in the processing
4634of exceptions or variable-length argument lists and will not be
4635documented here because they may change from time to time; we do not
4636recommend general use of these functions.
4637
4638The remaining functions are provided for optimization purposes.
4639
84330467 4640@opindex fno-builtin
9c34dbbf
ZW
4641GCC includes built-in versions of many of the functions in the standard
4642C library. The versions prefixed with @code{__builtin_} will always be
4643treated as having the same meaning as the C library function even if you
4644specify the @option{-fno-builtin} option. (@pxref{C Dialect Options})
4645Many of these functions are only optimized in certain cases; if they are
01702459
JM
4646not optimized in a particular case, a call to the library function will
4647be emitted.
4648
84330467
JM
4649@opindex ansi
4650@opindex std
b052d8ee
RS
4651Outside strict ISO C mode (@option{-ansi}, @option{-std=c89} or
4652@option{-std=c99}), the functions @code{alloca}, @code{bcmp},
4653@code{bzero}, @code{_exit}, @code{ffs}, @code{fprintf_unlocked},
4654@code{fputs_unlocked}, @code{index}, @code{printf_unlocked},
4655and @code{rindex} may be handled as built-in functions.
4656All these functions have corresponding versions
9c34dbbf
ZW
4657prefixed with @code{__builtin_}, which may be used even in strict C89
4658mode.
01702459 4659
4977bab6
ZW
4660The ISO C99 functions @code{conj}, @code{conjf}, @code{conjl}, @code{creal},
4661@code{crealf}, @code{creall}, @code{cimag}, @code{cimagf}, @code{cimagl},
08291658
RS
4662@code{_Exit}, @code{imaxabs}, @code{llabs},
4663@code{nearbyint}, @code{nearbyintf}, @code{nearbyintl},
4664@code{round}, @code{roundf}, @code{roundl}, @code{snprintf},
4665@code{trunc}, @code{truncf}, @code{truncl},
4666@code{vscanf}, @code{vsnprintf} and @code{vsscanf}
4667are handled as built-in functions
b052d8ee 4668except in strict ISO C90 mode (@option{-ansi} or @option{-std=c89}).
46847aa6
RS
4669
4670There are also built-in versions of the ISO C99 functions @code{atan2f},
4671@code{atan2l}, @code{ceilf}, @code{ceill}, @code{cosf}, @code{cosl},
4672@code{expf}, @code{expl}, @code{fabsf}, @code{fabsl}, @code{floorf},
b052d8ee
RS
4673@code{floorl}, @code{fmodf}, @code{fmodl},
4674@code{logf}, @code{logl}, @code{powf}, @code{powl},
46847aa6
RS
4675@code{sinf}, @code{sinl}, @code{sqrtf} and @code{sqrtl}
4676that are recognized in any mode since ISO C90 reserves these names for
4677the purpose to which ISO C99 puts them. All these functions have
4678corresponding versions prefixed with @code{__builtin_}.
4679
b052d8ee
RS
4680The ISO C90 functions @code{abort}, @code{abs}, @code{atan2}, @code{ceil},
4681@code{cos}, @code{exit},
4682@code{exp}, @code{fabs}, @code{floor}, @code{fmod},
46847aa6
RS
4683@code{fprintf}, @code{fputs}, @code{labs}, @code{log},
4684@code{memcmp}, @code{memcpy}, @code{memset}, @code{pow}, @code{printf},
08291658 4685@code{putchar}, @code{puts}, @code{scanf}, @code{sin}, @code{snprintf},
efa66a74 4686@code{sprintf}, @code{sqrt}, @code{sscanf},
08291658 4687@code{strcat}, @code{strchr}, @code{strcmp},
4977bab6 4688@code{strcpy}, @code{strcspn}, @code{strlen}, @code{strncat}, @code{strncmp},
08291658
RS
4689@code{strncpy}, @code{strpbrk}, @code{strrchr}, @code{strspn}, @code{strstr},
4690@code{vprintf} and @code{vsprintf}
4691are all recognized as built-in functions unless
46847aa6
RS
4692@option{-fno-builtin} is specified (or @option{-fno-builtin-@var{function}}
4693is specified for an individual function). All of these functions have
4977bab6 4694corresponding versions prefixed with @code{__builtin_}.
9c34dbbf
ZW
4695
4696GCC provides built-in versions of the ISO C99 floating point comparison
4697macros that avoid raising exceptions for unordered operands. They have
4698the same names as the standard macros ( @code{isgreater},
4699@code{isgreaterequal}, @code{isless}, @code{islessequal},
4700@code{islessgreater}, and @code{isunordered}) , with @code{__builtin_}
4701prefixed. We intend for a library implementor to be able to simply
4702@code{#define} each standard macro to its built-in equivalent.
185ebd6c 4703
ecbcf7b3
AH
4704@deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_types_compatible_p (@var{type1}, @var{type2})
4705
4706You can use the built-in function @code{__builtin_types_compatible_p} to
4707determine whether two types are the same.
4708
4709This built-in function returns 1 if the unqualified versions of the
4710types @var{type1} and @var{type2} (which are types, not expressions) are
4711compatible, 0 otherwise. The result of this built-in function can be
4712used in integer constant expressions.
4713
4714This built-in function ignores top level qualifiers (e.g., @code{const},
4715@code{volatile}). For example, @code{int} is equivalent to @code{const
4716int}.
4717
4718The type @code{int[]} and @code{int[5]} are compatible. On the other
4719hand, @code{int} and @code{char *} are not compatible, even if the size
4720of their types, on the particular architecture are the same. Also, the
4721amount of pointer indirection is taken into account when determining
4722similarity. Consequently, @code{short *} is not similar to
4723@code{short **}. Furthermore, two types that are typedefed are
4724considered compatible if their underlying types are compatible.
4725
4726An @code{enum} type is considered to be compatible with another
4727@code{enum} type. For example, @code{enum @{foo, bar@}} is similar to
4728@code{enum @{hot, dog@}}.
4729
4730You would typically use this function in code whose execution varies
4731depending on the arguments' types. For example:
4732
4733@smallexample
6e5bb5ad
JM
4734#define foo(x) \
4735 (@{ \
4736 typeof (x) tmp; \
4737 if (__builtin_types_compatible_p (typeof (x), long double)) \
4738 tmp = foo_long_double (tmp); \
4739 else if (__builtin_types_compatible_p (typeof (x), double)) \
4740 tmp = foo_double (tmp); \
4741 else if (__builtin_types_compatible_p (typeof (x), float)) \
4742 tmp = foo_float (tmp); \
4743 else \
4744 abort (); \
4745 tmp; \
ecbcf7b3
AH
4746 @})
4747@end smallexample
4748
4749@emph{Note:} This construct is only available for C.
4750
4751@end deftypefn
4752
4753@deftypefn {Built-in Function} @var{type} __builtin_choose_expr (@var{const_exp}, @var{exp1}, @var{exp2})
4754
4755You can use the built-in function @code{__builtin_choose_expr} to
4756evaluate code depending on the value of a constant expression. This
4757built-in function returns @var{exp1} if @var{const_exp}, which is a
4758constant expression that must be able to be determined at compile time,
4759is nonzero. Otherwise it returns 0.
4760
4761This built-in function is analogous to the @samp{? :} operator in C,
4762except that the expression returned has its type unaltered by promotion
4763rules. Also, the built-in function does not evaluate the expression
4764that was not chosen. For example, if @var{const_exp} evaluates to true,
4765@var{exp2} is not evaluated even if it has side-effects.
4766
4767This built-in function can return an lvalue if the chosen argument is an
4768lvalue.
4769
4770If @var{exp1} is returned, the return type is the same as @var{exp1}'s
4771type. Similarly, if @var{exp2} is returned, its return type is the same
4772as @var{exp2}.
4773
4774Example:
4775
4776@smallexample
478c9e72
JJ
4777#define foo(x) \
4778 __builtin_choose_expr ( \
4779 __builtin_types_compatible_p (typeof (x), double), \
4780 foo_double (x), \
4781 __builtin_choose_expr ( \
4782 __builtin_types_compatible_p (typeof (x), float), \
4783 foo_float (x), \
4784 /* @r{The void expression results in a compile-time error} \
4785 @r{when assigning the result to something.} */ \
ecbcf7b3
AH
4786 (void)0))
4787@end smallexample
4788
4789@emph{Note:} This construct is only available for C. Furthermore, the
4790unused expression (@var{exp1} or @var{exp2} depending on the value of
4791@var{const_exp}) may still generate syntax errors. This may change in
4792future revisions.
4793
4794@end deftypefn
4795
84330467
JM
4796@deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_constant_p (@var{exp})
4797You can use the built-in function @code{__builtin_constant_p} to
185ebd6c 4798determine if a value is known to be constant at compile-time and hence
f0523f02 4799that GCC can perform constant-folding on expressions involving that
185ebd6c
RH
4800value. The argument of the function is the value to test. The function
4801returns the integer 1 if the argument is known to be a compile-time
4802constant and 0 if it is not known to be a compile-time constant. A
4803return of 0 does not indicate that the value is @emph{not} a constant,
f0523f02 4804but merely that GCC cannot prove it is a constant with the specified
84330467 4805value of the @option{-O} option.
185ebd6c
RH
4806
4807You would typically use this function in an embedded application where
4808memory was a critical resource. If you have some complex calculation,
4809you may want it to be folded if it involves constants, but need to call
4810a function if it does not. For example:
4811
4d390518 4812@smallexample
310668e8
JM
4813#define Scale_Value(X) \
4814 (__builtin_constant_p (X) \
4815 ? ((X) * SCALE + OFFSET) : Scale (X))
185ebd6c
RH
4816@end smallexample
4817
84330467 4818You may use this built-in function in either a macro or an inline
185ebd6c 4819function. However, if you use it in an inlined function and pass an
f0523f02 4820argument of the function as the argument to the built-in, GCC will
185ebd6c 4821never return 1 when you call the inline function with a string constant
4b404517 4822or compound literal (@pxref{Compound Literals}) and will not return 1
185ebd6c 4823when you pass a constant numeric value to the inline function unless you
84330467 4824specify the @option{-O} option.
13104975
ZW
4825
4826You may also use @code{__builtin_constant_p} in initializers for static
4827data. For instance, you can write
4828
4829@smallexample
79323c50 4830static const int table[] = @{
13104975 4831 __builtin_constant_p (EXPRESSION) ? (EXPRESSION) : -1,
0d893a63 4832 /* @r{@dots{}} */
79323c50 4833@};
13104975
ZW
4834@end smallexample
4835
4836@noindent
4837This is an acceptable initializer even if @var{EXPRESSION} is not a
4838constant expression. GCC must be more conservative about evaluating the
4839built-in in this case, because it has no opportunity to perform
4840optimization.
4841
4842Previous versions of GCC did not accept this built-in in data
4843initializers. The earliest version where it is completely safe is
48443.0.1.
84330467 4845@end deftypefn
185ebd6c 4846
84330467
JM
4847@deftypefn {Built-in Function} long __builtin_expect (long @var{exp}, long @var{c})
4848@opindex fprofile-arcs
02f52e19 4849You may use @code{__builtin_expect} to provide the compiler with
994a57cd 4850branch prediction information. In general, you should prefer to
84330467 4851use actual profile feedback for this (@option{-fprofile-arcs}), as
994a57cd 4852programmers are notoriously bad at predicting how their programs
60b6e1f5 4853actually perform. However, there are applications in which this
994a57cd
RH
4854data is hard to collect.
4855
4856The return value is the value of @var{exp}, which should be an
4857integral expression. The value of @var{c} must be a compile-time
84330467 4858constant. The semantics of the built-in are that it is expected
994a57cd
RH
4859that @var{exp} == @var{c}. For example:
4860
4861@smallexample
4862if (__builtin_expect (x, 0))
4863 foo ();
4864@end smallexample
4865
4866@noindent
4867would indicate that we do not expect to call @code{foo}, since
4868we expect @code{x} to be zero. Since you are limited to integral
4869expressions for @var{exp}, you should use constructions such as
4870
4871@smallexample
4872if (__builtin_expect (ptr != NULL, 1))
4873 error ();
4874@end smallexample
4875
4876@noindent
4877when testing pointer or floating-point values.
84330467 4878@end deftypefn
994a57cd 4879
3bca17dd 4880@deftypefn {Built-in Function} void __builtin_prefetch (const void *@var{addr}, ...)
a9ccbb60
JJ
4881This function is used to minimize cache-miss latency by moving data into
4882a cache before it is accessed.
4883You can insert calls to @code{__builtin_prefetch} into code for which
4884you know addresses of data in memory that is likely to be accessed soon.
4885If the target supports them, data prefetch instructions will be generated.
4886If the prefetch is done early enough before the access then the data will
4887be in the cache by the time it is accessed.
4888
4889The value of @var{addr} is the address of the memory to prefetch.
e83d297b 4890There are two optional arguments, @var{rw} and @var{locality}.
a9ccbb60 4891The value of @var{rw} is a compile-time constant one or zero; one
e83d297b
JJ
4892means that the prefetch is preparing for a write to the memory address
4893and zero, the default, means that the prefetch is preparing for a read.
a9ccbb60
JJ
4894The value @var{locality} must be a compile-time constant integer between
4895zero and three. A value of zero means that the data has no temporal
4896locality, so it need not be left in the cache after the access. A value
4897of three means that the data has a high degree of temporal locality and
4898should be left in all levels of cache possible. Values of one and two
e83d297b
JJ
4899mean, respectively, a low or moderate degree of temporal locality. The
4900default is three.
a9ccbb60
JJ
4901
4902@smallexample
4903for (i = 0; i < n; i++)
4904 @{
4905 a[i] = a[i] + b[i];
4906 __builtin_prefetch (&a[i+j], 1, 1);
4907 __builtin_prefetch (&b[i+j], 0, 1);
0d893a63 4908 /* @r{@dots{}} */
a9ccbb60
JJ
4909 @}
4910@end smallexample
4911
f282ffb3 4912Data prefetch does not generate faults if @var{addr} is invalid, but
a9ccbb60
JJ
4913the address expression itself must be valid. For example, a prefetch
4914of @code{p->next} will not fault if @code{p->next} is not a valid
4915address, but evaluation will fault if @code{p} is not a valid address.
4916
4917If the target does not support data prefetch, the address expression
4918is evaluated if it includes side effects but no other code is generated
4919and GCC does not issue a warning.
4920@end deftypefn
4921
ab5e2615
RH
4922@deftypefn {Built-in Function} double __builtin_huge_val (void)
4923Returns a positive infinity, if supported by the floating-point format,
4924else @code{DBL_MAX}. This function is suitable for implementing the
4925ISO C macro @code{HUGE_VAL}.
4926@end deftypefn
4927
4928@deftypefn {Built-in Function} float __builtin_huge_valf (void)
4929Similar to @code{__builtin_huge_val}, except the return type is @code{float}.
4930@end deftypefn
4931
4932@deftypefn {Built-in Function} long double __builtin_huge_vall (void)
4933Similar to @code{__builtin_huge_val}, except the return
4934type is @code{long double}.
4935@end deftypefn
4936
4937@deftypefn {Built-in Function} double __builtin_inf (void)
4938Similar to @code{__builtin_huge_val}, except a warning is generated
4939if the target floating-point format does not support infinities.
4940This function is suitable for implementing the ISO C99 macro @code{INFINITY}.
4941@end deftypefn
4942
4943@deftypefn {Built-in Function} float __builtin_inff (void)
4944Similar to @code{__builtin_inf}, except the return type is @code{float}.
4945@end deftypefn
4946
4947@deftypefn {Built-in Function} long double __builtin_infl (void)
4948Similar to @code{__builtin_inf}, except the return
4949type is @code{long double}.
4950@end deftypefn
4951
1472e41c
RH
4952@deftypefn {Built-in Function} double __builtin_nan (const char *str)
4953This is an implementation of the ISO C99 function @code{nan}.
4954
4955Since ISO C99 defines this function in terms of @code{strtod}, which we
c0478a66 4956do not implement, a description of the parsing is in order. The string
1472e41c
RH
4957is parsed as by @code{strtol}; that is, the base is recognized by
4958leading @samp{0} or @samp{0x} prefixes. The number parsed is placed
4959in the significand such that the least significant bit of the number
4960is at the least significant bit of the significand. The number is
4961truncated to fit the significand field provided. The significand is
4962forced to be a quiet NaN.
4963
4964This function, if given a string literal, is evaluated early enough
4965that it is considered a compile-time constant.
4966@end deftypefn
4967
4968@deftypefn {Built-in Function} float __builtin_nanf (const char *str)
4969Similar to @code{__builtin_nan}, except the return type is @code{float}.
4970@end deftypefn
4971
4972@deftypefn {Built-in Function} long double __builtin_nanl (const char *str)
4973Similar to @code{__builtin_nan}, except the return type is @code{long double}.
4974@end deftypefn
4975
4976@deftypefn {Built-in Function} double __builtin_nans (const char *str)
4977Similar to @code{__builtin_nan}, except the significand is forced
4978to be a signaling NaN. The @code{nans} function is proposed by
34bdc247 4979@uref{http://std.dkuug.dk/JTC1/SC22/WG14/www/docs/n965.htm,,WG14 N965}.
1472e41c
RH
4980@end deftypefn
4981
4982@deftypefn {Built-in Function} float __builtin_nansf (const char *str)
4983Similar to @code{__builtin_nans}, except the return type is @code{float}.
4984@end deftypefn
4985
4986@deftypefn {Built-in Function} long double __builtin_nansl (const char *str)
4987Similar to @code{__builtin_nans}, except the return type is @code{long double}.
4988@end deftypefn
4989
2928cd7a
RH
4990@deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_ffs (unsigned int x)
4991Returns one plus the index of the least significant 1-bit of @var{x}, or
4992if @var{x} is zero, returns zero.
4993@end deftypefn
4994
4995@deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_clz (unsigned int x)
4996Returns the number of leading 0-bits in @var{x}, starting at the most
4997significant bit position. If @var{x} is 0, the result is undefined.
4998@end deftypefn
4999
5000@deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_ctz (unsigned int x)
5001Returns the number of trailing 0-bits in @var{x}, starting at the least
5002significant bit position. If @var{x} is 0, the result is undefined.
5003@end deftypefn
5004
5005@deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_popcount (unsigned int x)
5006Returns the number of 1-bits in @var{x}.
5007@end deftypefn
5008
5009@deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_parity (unsigned int x)
5010Returns the parity of @var{x}, i.@:e. the number of 1-bits in @var{x}
5011modulo 2.
5012@end deftypefn
5013
5014@deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_ffsl (unsigned long)
5015Similar to @code{__builtin_ffs}, except the argument type is
5016@code{unsigned long}.
5017@end deftypefn
5018
5019@deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_clzl (unsigned long)
5020Similar to @code{__builtin_clz}, except the argument type is
5021@code{unsigned long}.
5022@end deftypefn
5023
5024@deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_ctzl (unsigned long)
5025Similar to @code{__builtin_ctz}, except the argument type is
5026@code{unsigned long}.
5027@end deftypefn
5028
5029@deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_popcountl (unsigned long)
5030Similar to @code{__builtin_popcount}, except the argument type is
5031@code{unsigned long}.
5032@end deftypefn
5033
5034@deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_parityl (unsigned long)
5035Similar to @code{__builtin_parity}, except the argument type is
5036@code{unsigned long}.
5037@end deftypefn
5038
5039@deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_ffsll (unsigned long long)
5040Similar to @code{__builtin_ffs}, except the argument type is
5041@code{unsigned long long}.
5042@end deftypefn
5043
5044@deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_clzll (unsigned long long)
5045Similar to @code{__builtin_clz}, except the argument type is
5046@code{unsigned long long}.
5047@end deftypefn
5048
5049@deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_ctzll (unsigned long long)
5050Similar to @code{__builtin_ctz}, except the argument type is
5051@code{unsigned long long}.
5052@end deftypefn
5053
5054@deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_popcountll (unsigned long long)
5055Similar to @code{__builtin_popcount}, except the argument type is
5056@code{unsigned long long}.
5057@end deftypefn
5058
5059@deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_parityll (unsigned long long)
5060Similar to @code{__builtin_parity}, except the argument type is
5061@code{unsigned long long}.
5062@end deftypefn
5063
5064
0975678f
JM
5065@node Target Builtins
5066@section Built-in Functions Specific to Particular Target Machines
5067
5068On some target machines, GCC supports many built-in functions specific
5069to those machines. Generally these generate calls to specific machine
5070instructions, but allow the compiler to schedule those calls.
5071
5072@menu
6d8fd7bb 5073* Alpha Built-in Functions::
0975678f 5074* X86 Built-in Functions::
333c8841 5075* PowerPC AltiVec Built-in Functions::
0975678f
JM
5076@end menu
5077
6d8fd7bb
RH
5078@node Alpha Built-in Functions
5079@subsection Alpha Built-in Functions
5080
5081These built-in functions are available for the Alpha family of
5082processors, depending on the command-line switches used.
5083
95b1627e 5084The following built-in functions are always available. They
6d8fd7bb
RH
5085all generate the machine instruction that is part of the name.
5086
5087@example
5088long __builtin_alpha_implver (void)
5089long __builtin_alpha_rpcc (void)
5090long __builtin_alpha_amask (long)
5091long __builtin_alpha_cmpbge (long, long)
c4b50f1a
RH
5092long __builtin_alpha_extbl (long, long)
5093long __builtin_alpha_extwl (long, long)
5094long __builtin_alpha_extll (long, long)
6d8fd7bb 5095long __builtin_alpha_extql (long, long)
c4b50f1a
RH
5096long __builtin_alpha_extwh (long, long)
5097long __builtin_alpha_extlh (long, long)
6d8fd7bb 5098long __builtin_alpha_extqh (long, long)
c4b50f1a
RH
5099long __builtin_alpha_insbl (long, long)
5100long __builtin_alpha_inswl (long, long)
5101long __builtin_alpha_insll (long, long)
5102long __builtin_alpha_insql (long, long)
5103long __builtin_alpha_inswh (long, long)
5104long __builtin_alpha_inslh (long, long)
5105long __builtin_alpha_insqh (long, long)
5106long __builtin_alpha_mskbl (long, long)
5107long __builtin_alpha_mskwl (long, long)
5108long __builtin_alpha_mskll (long, long)
5109long __builtin_alpha_mskql (long, long)
5110long __builtin_alpha_mskwh (long, long)
5111long __builtin_alpha_msklh (long, long)
5112long __builtin_alpha_mskqh (long, long)
5113long __builtin_alpha_umulh (long, long)
6d8fd7bb
RH
5114long __builtin_alpha_zap (long, long)
5115long __builtin_alpha_zapnot (long, long)
5116@end example
5117
5118The following built-in functions are always with @option{-mmax}
5119or @option{-mcpu=@var{cpu}} where @var{cpu} is @code{pca56} or
5120later. They all generate the machine instruction that is part
5121of the name.
5122
5123@example
5124long __builtin_alpha_pklb (long)
5125long __builtin_alpha_pkwb (long)
5126long __builtin_alpha_unpkbl (long)
5127long __builtin_alpha_unpkbw (long)
5128long __builtin_alpha_minub8 (long, long)
5129long __builtin_alpha_minsb8 (long, long)
5130long __builtin_alpha_minuw4 (long, long)
5131long __builtin_alpha_minsw4 (long, long)
5132long __builtin_alpha_maxub8 (long, long)
5133long __builtin_alpha_maxsb8 (long, long)
5134long __builtin_alpha_maxuw4 (long, long)
5135long __builtin_alpha_maxsw4 (long, long)
5136long __builtin_alpha_perr (long, long)
5137@end example
5138
c4b50f1a
RH
5139The following built-in functions are always with @option{-mcix}
5140or @option{-mcpu=@var{cpu}} where @var{cpu} is @code{ev67} or
5141later. They all generate the machine instruction that is part
5142of the name.
5143
5144@example
5145long __builtin_alpha_cttz (long)
5146long __builtin_alpha_ctlz (long)
5147long __builtin_alpha_ctpop (long)
5148@end example
5149
116b7a5e
RH
5150The following builtins are available on systems that use the OSF/1
5151PALcode. Normally they invoke the @code{rduniq} and @code{wruniq}
5152PAL calls, but when invoked with @option{-mtls-kernel}, they invoke
5153@code{rdval} and @code{wrval}.
5154
5155@example
5156void *__builtin_thread_pointer (void)
5157void __builtin_set_thread_pointer (void *)
5158@end example
5159
0975678f
JM
5160@node X86 Built-in Functions
5161@subsection X86 Built-in Functions
5162
5163These built-in functions are available for the i386 and x86-64 family
5164of computers, depending on the command-line switches used.
5165
5166The following machine modes are available for use with MMX built-in functions
333c8841
AH
5167(@pxref{Vector Extensions}): @code{V2SI} for a vector of two 32-bit integers,
5168@code{V4HI} for a vector of four 16-bit integers, and @code{V8QI} for a
5169vector of eight 8-bit integers. Some of the built-in functions operate on
5170MMX registers as a whole 64-bit entity, these use @code{DI} as their mode.
0975678f
JM
5171
5172If 3Dnow extensions are enabled, @code{V2SF} is used as a mode for a vector
333c8841 5173of two 32-bit floating point values.
0975678f 5174
333c8841
AH
5175If SSE extensions are enabled, @code{V4SF} is used for a vector of four 32-bit
5176floating point values. Some instructions use a vector of four 32-bit
0975678f 5177integers, these use @code{V4SI}. Finally, some instructions operate on an
333c8841 5178entire vector register, interpreting it as a 128-bit integer, these use mode
0975678f
JM
5179@code{TI}.
5180
5181The following built-in functions are made available by @option{-mmmx}.
5182All of them generate the machine instruction that is part of the name.
5183
5184@example
5185v8qi __builtin_ia32_paddb (v8qi, v8qi)
5186v4hi __builtin_ia32_paddw (v4hi, v4hi)
5187v2si __builtin_ia32_paddd (v2si, v2si)
5188v8qi __builtin_ia32_psubb (v8qi, v8qi)
5189v4hi __builtin_ia32_psubw (v4hi, v4hi)
5190v2si __builtin_ia32_psubd (v2si, v2si)
5191v8qi __builtin_ia32_paddsb (v8qi, v8qi)
5192v4hi __builtin_ia32_paddsw (v4hi, v4hi)
5193v8qi __builtin_ia32_psubsb (v8qi, v8qi)
5194v4hi __builtin_ia32_psubsw (v4hi, v4hi)
5195v8qi __builtin_ia32_paddusb (v8qi, v8qi)
5196v4hi __builtin_ia32_paddusw (v4hi, v4hi)
5197v8qi __builtin_ia32_psubusb (v8qi, v8qi)
5198v4hi __builtin_ia32_psubusw (v4hi, v4hi)
5199v4hi __builtin_ia32_pmullw (v4hi, v4hi)
5200v4hi __builtin_ia32_pmulhw (v4hi, v4hi)
5201di __builtin_ia32_pand (di, di)
5202di __builtin_ia32_pandn (di,di)
5203di __builtin_ia32_por (di, di)
5204di __builtin_ia32_pxor (di, di)
5205v8qi __builtin_ia32_pcmpeqb (v8qi, v8qi)
5206v4hi __builtin_ia32_pcmpeqw (v4hi, v4hi)
5207v2si __builtin_ia32_pcmpeqd (v2si, v2si)
5208v8qi __builtin_ia32_pcmpgtb (v8qi, v8qi)
5209v4hi __builtin_ia32_pcmpgtw (v4hi, v4hi)
5210v2si __builtin_ia32_pcmpgtd (v2si, v2si)
5211v8qi __builtin_ia32_punpckhbw (v8qi, v8qi)
5212v4hi __builtin_ia32_punpckhwd (v4hi, v4hi)
5213v2si __builtin_ia32_punpckhdq (v2si, v2si)
5214v8qi __builtin_ia32_punpcklbw (v8qi, v8qi)
5215v4hi __builtin_ia32_punpcklwd (v4hi, v4hi)
5216v2si __builtin_ia32_punpckldq (v2si, v2si)
5217v8qi __builtin_ia32_packsswb (v4hi, v4hi)
5218v4hi __builtin_ia32_packssdw (v2si, v2si)
5219v8qi __builtin_ia32_packuswb (v4hi, v4hi)
5220@end example
5221
5222The following built-in functions are made available either with
5223@option{-msse}, or with a combination of @option{-m3dnow} and
5224@option{-march=athlon}. All of them generate the machine
5225instruction that is part of the name.
5226
5227@example
5228v4hi __builtin_ia32_pmulhuw (v4hi, v4hi)
5229v8qi __builtin_ia32_pavgb (v8qi, v8qi)
5230v4hi __builtin_ia32_pavgw (v4hi, v4hi)
5231v4hi __builtin_ia32_psadbw (v8qi, v8qi)
5232v8qi __builtin_ia32_pmaxub (v8qi, v8qi)
5233v4hi __builtin_ia32_pmaxsw (v4hi, v4hi)
5234v8qi __builtin_ia32_pminub (v8qi, v8qi)
5235v4hi __builtin_ia32_pminsw (v4hi, v4hi)
5236int __builtin_ia32_pextrw (v4hi, int)
5237v4hi __builtin_ia32_pinsrw (v4hi, int, int)
5238int __builtin_ia32_pmovmskb (v8qi)
5239void __builtin_ia32_maskmovq (v8qi, v8qi, char *)
5240void __builtin_ia32_movntq (di *, di)
5241void __builtin_ia32_sfence (void)
5242@end example
5243
5244The following built-in functions are available when @option{-msse} is used.
5245All of them generate the machine instruction that is part of the name.
5246
5247@example
5248int __builtin_ia32_comieq (v4sf, v4sf)
5249int __builtin_ia32_comineq (v4sf, v4sf)
5250int __builtin_ia32_comilt (v4sf, v4sf)
5251int __builtin_ia32_comile (v4sf, v4sf)
5252int __builtin_ia32_comigt (v4sf, v4sf)
5253int __builtin_ia32_comige (v4sf, v4sf)
5254int __builtin_ia32_ucomieq (v4sf, v4sf)
5255int __builtin_ia32_ucomineq (v4sf, v4sf)
5256int __builtin_ia32_ucomilt (v4sf, v4sf)
5257int __builtin_ia32_ucomile (v4sf, v4sf)
5258int __builtin_ia32_ucomigt (v4sf, v4sf)
5259int __builtin_ia32_ucomige (v4sf, v4sf)
5260v4sf __builtin_ia32_addps (v4sf, v4sf)
5261v4sf __builtin_ia32_subps (v4sf, v4sf)
5262v4sf __builtin_ia32_mulps (v4sf, v4sf)
5263v4sf __builtin_ia32_divps (v4sf, v4sf)
5264v4sf __builtin_ia32_addss (v4sf, v4sf)
5265v4sf __builtin_ia32_subss (v4sf, v4sf)
5266v4sf __builtin_ia32_mulss (v4sf, v4sf)
5267v4sf __builtin_ia32_divss (v4sf, v4sf)
5268v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpeqps (v4sf, v4sf)
5269v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpltps (v4sf, v4sf)
5270v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpleps (v4sf, v4sf)
5271v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpgtps (v4sf, v4sf)
5272v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpgeps (v4sf, v4sf)
5273v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpunordps (v4sf, v4sf)
5274v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpneqps (v4sf, v4sf)
5275v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpnltps (v4sf, v4sf)
5276v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpnleps (v4sf, v4sf)
5277v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpngtps (v4sf, v4sf)
5278v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpngeps (v4sf, v4sf)
5279v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpordps (v4sf, v4sf)
5280v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpeqss (v4sf, v4sf)
5281v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpltss (v4sf, v4sf)
5282v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpless (v4sf, v4sf)
0975678f
JM
5283v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpunordss (v4sf, v4sf)
5284v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpneqss (v4sf, v4sf)
5285v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpnlts (v4sf, v4sf)
5286v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpnless (v4sf, v4sf)
0975678f
JM
5287v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpordss (v4sf, v4sf)
5288v4sf __builtin_ia32_maxps (v4sf, v4sf)
5289v4sf __builtin_ia32_maxss (v4sf, v4sf)
5290v4sf __builtin_ia32_minps (v4sf, v4sf)
5291v4sf __builtin_ia32_minss (v4sf, v4sf)
5292v4sf __builtin_ia32_andps (v4sf, v4sf)
5293v4sf __builtin_ia32_andnps (v4sf, v4sf)
5294v4sf __builtin_ia32_orps (v4sf, v4sf)
5295v4sf __builtin_ia32_xorps (v4sf, v4sf)
5296v4sf __builtin_ia32_movss (v4sf, v4sf)
5297v4sf __builtin_ia32_movhlps (v4sf, v4sf)
5298v4sf __builtin_ia32_movlhps (v4sf, v4sf)
5299v4sf __builtin_ia32_unpckhps (v4sf, v4sf)
5300v4sf __builtin_ia32_unpcklps (v4sf, v4sf)
5301v4sf __builtin_ia32_cvtpi2ps (v4sf, v2si)
5302v4sf __builtin_ia32_cvtsi2ss (v4sf, int)
5303v2si __builtin_ia32_cvtps2pi (v4sf)
5304int __builtin_ia32_cvtss2si (v4sf)
5305v2si __builtin_ia32_cvttps2pi (v4sf)
5306int __builtin_ia32_cvttss2si (v4sf)
5307v4sf __builtin_ia32_rcpps (v4sf)
5308v4sf __builtin_ia32_rsqrtps (v4sf)
5309v4sf __builtin_ia32_sqrtps (v4sf)
5310v4sf __builtin_ia32_rcpss (v4sf)
5311v4sf __builtin_ia32_rsqrtss (v4sf)
5312v4sf __builtin_ia32_sqrtss (v4sf)
5313v4sf __builtin_ia32_shufps (v4sf, v4sf, int)
5314void __builtin_ia32_movntps (float *, v4sf)
5315int __builtin_ia32_movmskps (v4sf)
5316@end example
5317
5318The following built-in functions are available when @option{-msse} is used.
5319
5320@table @code
5321@item v4sf __builtin_ia32_loadaps (float *)
5322Generates the @code{movaps} machine instruction as a load from memory.
5323@item void __builtin_ia32_storeaps (float *, v4sf)
5324Generates the @code{movaps} machine instruction as a store to memory.
5325@item v4sf __builtin_ia32_loadups (float *)
5326Generates the @code{movups} machine instruction as a load from memory.
5327@item void __builtin_ia32_storeups (float *, v4sf)
5328Generates the @code{movups} machine instruction as a store to memory.
5329@item v4sf __builtin_ia32_loadsss (float *)
5330Generates the @code{movss} machine instruction as a load from memory.
5331@item void __builtin_ia32_storess (float *, v4sf)
5332Generates the @code{movss} machine instruction as a store to memory.
5333@item v4sf __builtin_ia32_loadhps (v4sf, v2si *)
5334Generates the @code{movhps} machine instruction as a load from memory.
5335@item v4sf __builtin_ia32_loadlps (v4sf, v2si *)
5336Generates the @code{movlps} machine instruction as a load from memory
5337@item void __builtin_ia32_storehps (v4sf, v2si *)
5338Generates the @code{movhps} machine instruction as a store to memory.
5339@item void __builtin_ia32_storelps (v4sf, v2si *)
5340Generates the @code{movlps} machine instruction as a store to memory.
5341@end table
5342
5343The following built-in functions are available when @option{-m3dnow} is used.
5344All of them generate the machine instruction that is part of the name.
5345
5346@example
5347void __builtin_ia32_femms (void)
5348v8qi __builtin_ia32_pavgusb (v8qi, v8qi)
5349v2si __builtin_ia32_pf2id (v2sf)
5350v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfacc (v2sf, v2sf)
5351v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfadd (v2sf, v2sf)
5352v2si __builtin_ia32_pfcmpeq (v2sf, v2sf)
5353v2si __builtin_ia32_pfcmpge (v2sf, v2sf)
5354v2si __builtin_ia32_pfcmpgt (v2sf, v2sf)
5355v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfmax (v2sf, v2sf)
5356v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfmin (v2sf, v2sf)
5357v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfmul (v2sf, v2sf)
5358v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfrcp (v2sf)
5359v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfrcpit1 (v2sf, v2sf)
5360v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfrcpit2 (v2sf, v2sf)
5361v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfrsqrt (v2sf)
5362v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfrsqrtit1 (v2sf, v2sf)
5363v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfsub (v2sf, v2sf)
5364v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfsubr (v2sf, v2sf)
5365v2sf __builtin_ia32_pi2fd (v2si)
5366v4hi __builtin_ia32_pmulhrw (v4hi, v4hi)
5367@end example
5368
5369The following built-in functions are available when both @option{-m3dnow}
5370and @option{-march=athlon} are used. All of them generate the machine
5371instruction that is part of the name.
5372
5373@example
5374v2si __builtin_ia32_pf2iw (v2sf)
5375v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfnacc (v2sf, v2sf)
5376v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfpnacc (v2sf, v2sf)
5377v2sf __builtin_ia32_pi2fw (v2si)
5378v2sf __builtin_ia32_pswapdsf (v2sf)
5379v2si __builtin_ia32_pswapdsi (v2si)
5380@end example
5381
333c8841
AH
5382@node PowerPC AltiVec Built-in Functions
5383@subsection PowerPC AltiVec Built-in Functions
5384
5385These built-in functions are available for the PowerPC family
5386of computers, depending on the command-line switches used.
5387
5388The following machine modes are available for use with AltiVec built-in
5389functions (@pxref{Vector Extensions}): @code{V4SI} for a vector of four
539032-bit integers, @code{V4SF} for a vector of four 32-bit floating point
5391numbers, @code{V8HI} for a vector of eight 16-bit integers, and
5392@code{V16QI} for a vector of sixteen 8-bit integers.
5393
5394The following functions are made available by including
5395@code{<altivec.h>} and using @option{-maltivec} and
5396@option{-mabi=altivec}. The functions implement the functionality
5397described in Motorola's AltiVec Programming Interface Manual.
5398
90989b26
AH
5399There are a few differences from Motorola's documentation and GCC's
5400implementation. Vector constants are done with curly braces (not
5401parentheses). Vector initializers require no casts if the vector
5402constant is of the same type as the variable it is initializing. The
5403@code{vector bool} type is deprecated and will be discontinued in
5404further revisions. Use @code{vector signed} instead. If @code{signed}
5405or @code{unsigned} is omitted, the vector type will default to
8254cb45 5406@code{signed}. Lastly, all overloaded functions are implemented with macros
90989b26
AH
5407for the C implementation. So code the following example will not work:
5408
5409@smallexample
8254cb45 5410 vec_add ((vector signed int)@{1, 2, 3, 4@}, foo);
90989b26
AH
5411@end smallexample
5412
5413Since vec_add is a macro, the vector constant in the above example will
5414be treated as four different arguments. Wrap the entire argument in
5415parentheses for this to work. The C++ implementation does not use
5416macros.
5417
ae4b4a02
AH
5418@emph{Note:} Only the @code{<altivec.h>} interface is supported.
5419Internally, GCC uses built-in functions to achieve the functionality in
5420the aforementioned header file, but they are not supported and are
5421subject to change without notice.
5422
333c8841
AH
5423@smallexample
5424vector signed char vec_abs (vector signed char, vector signed char);
5425vector signed short vec_abs (vector signed short, vector signed short);
5426vector signed int vec_abs (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5427vector signed float vec_abs (vector signed float, vector signed float);
5428
5429vector signed char vec_abss (vector signed char, vector signed char);
5430vector signed short vec_abss (vector signed short, vector signed short);
5431
5432vector signed char vec_add (vector signed char, vector signed char);
5433vector unsigned char vec_add (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
5434
5435vector unsigned char vec_add (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
5436
924fcc4e
JM
5437vector unsigned char vec_add (vector unsigned char,
5438 vector unsigned char);
333c8841 5439vector signed short vec_add (vector signed short, vector signed short);
924fcc4e
JM
5440vector unsigned short vec_add (vector signed short,
5441 vector unsigned short);
5442vector unsigned short vec_add (vector unsigned short,
5443 vector signed short);
6e5bb5ad
JM
5444vector unsigned short vec_add (vector unsigned short,
5445 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
5446vector signed int vec_add (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5447vector unsigned int vec_add (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
5448vector unsigned int vec_add (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
5449vector unsigned int vec_add (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5450vector float vec_add (vector float, vector float);
5451
5452vector unsigned int vec_addc (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5453
924fcc4e
JM
5454vector unsigned char vec_adds (vector signed char,
5455 vector unsigned char);
5456vector unsigned char vec_adds (vector unsigned char,
5457 vector signed char);
5458vector unsigned char vec_adds (vector unsigned char,
5459 vector unsigned char);
333c8841 5460vector signed char vec_adds (vector signed char, vector signed char);
924fcc4e
JM
5461vector unsigned short vec_adds (vector signed short,
5462 vector unsigned short);
5463vector unsigned short vec_adds (vector unsigned short,
5464 vector signed short);
6e5bb5ad
JM
5465vector unsigned short vec_adds (vector unsigned short,
5466 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
5467vector signed short vec_adds (vector signed short, vector signed short);
5468
5469vector unsigned int vec_adds (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
5470vector unsigned int vec_adds (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
5471vector unsigned int vec_adds (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5472
5473vector signed int vec_adds (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5474
5475vector float vec_and (vector float, vector float);
5476vector float vec_and (vector float, vector signed int);
5477vector float vec_and (vector signed int, vector float);
5478vector signed int vec_and (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5479vector unsigned int vec_and (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
5480vector unsigned int vec_and (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
5481vector unsigned int vec_and (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5482vector signed short vec_and (vector signed short, vector signed short);
924fcc4e
JM
5483vector unsigned short vec_and (vector signed short,
5484 vector unsigned short);
5485vector unsigned short vec_and (vector unsigned short,
5486 vector signed short);
6e5bb5ad
JM
5487vector unsigned short vec_and (vector unsigned short,
5488 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
5489vector signed char vec_and (vector signed char, vector signed char);
5490vector unsigned char vec_and (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
5491
5492vector unsigned char vec_and (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
5493
924fcc4e
JM
5494vector unsigned char vec_and (vector unsigned char,
5495 vector unsigned char);
333c8841
AH
5496
5497vector float vec_andc (vector float, vector float);
5498vector float vec_andc (vector float, vector signed int);
5499vector float vec_andc (vector signed int, vector float);
5500vector signed int vec_andc (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5501vector unsigned int vec_andc (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
5502vector unsigned int vec_andc (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
5503vector unsigned int vec_andc (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5504
5505vector signed short vec_andc (vector signed short, vector signed short);
5506
924fcc4e
JM
5507vector unsigned short vec_andc (vector signed short,
5508 vector unsigned short);
5509vector unsigned short vec_andc (vector unsigned short,
5510 vector signed short);
6e5bb5ad
JM
5511vector unsigned short vec_andc (vector unsigned short,
5512 vector unsigned short);
333c8841 5513vector signed char vec_andc (vector signed char, vector signed char);
924fcc4e
JM
5514vector unsigned char vec_andc (vector signed char,
5515 vector unsigned char);
5516vector unsigned char vec_andc (vector unsigned char,
5517 vector signed char);
5518vector unsigned char vec_andc (vector unsigned char,
5519 vector unsigned char);
333c8841 5520
924fcc4e
JM
5521vector unsigned char vec_avg (vector unsigned char,
5522 vector unsigned char);
333c8841 5523vector signed char vec_avg (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6e5bb5ad
JM
5524vector unsigned short vec_avg (vector unsigned short,
5525 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
5526vector signed short vec_avg (vector signed short, vector signed short);
5527vector unsigned int vec_avg (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5528vector signed int vec_avg (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5529
5530vector float vec_ceil (vector float);
5531
5532vector signed int vec_cmpb (vector float, vector float);
5533
5534vector signed char vec_cmpeq (vector signed char, vector signed char);
924fcc4e
JM
5535vector signed char vec_cmpeq (vector unsigned char,
5536 vector unsigned char);
5537vector signed short vec_cmpeq (vector signed short,
5538 vector signed short);
6e5bb5ad
JM
5539vector signed short vec_cmpeq (vector unsigned short,
5540 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
5541vector signed int vec_cmpeq (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5542vector signed int vec_cmpeq (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5543vector signed int vec_cmpeq (vector float, vector float);
5544
5545vector signed int vec_cmpge (vector float, vector float);
5546
924fcc4e
JM
5547vector signed char vec_cmpgt (vector unsigned char,
5548 vector unsigned char);
333c8841 5549vector signed char vec_cmpgt (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6e5bb5ad
JM
5550vector signed short vec_cmpgt (vector unsigned short,
5551 vector unsigned short);
924fcc4e
JM
5552vector signed short vec_cmpgt (vector signed short,
5553 vector signed short);
333c8841
AH
5554vector signed int vec_cmpgt (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5555vector signed int vec_cmpgt (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5556vector signed int vec_cmpgt (vector float, vector float);
5557
5558vector signed int vec_cmple (vector float, vector float);
5559
924fcc4e
JM
5560vector signed char vec_cmplt (vector unsigned char,
5561 vector unsigned char);
333c8841 5562vector signed char vec_cmplt (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6e5bb5ad
JM
5563vector signed short vec_cmplt (vector unsigned short,
5564 vector unsigned short);
924fcc4e
JM
5565vector signed short vec_cmplt (vector signed short,
5566 vector signed short);
333c8841
AH
5567vector signed int vec_cmplt (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5568vector signed int vec_cmplt (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5569vector signed int vec_cmplt (vector float, vector float);
5570
5571vector float vec_ctf (vector unsigned int, const char);
5572vector float vec_ctf (vector signed int, const char);
5573
5574vector signed int vec_cts (vector float, const char);
5575
5576vector unsigned int vec_ctu (vector float, const char);
5577
5578void vec_dss (const char);
5579
5580void vec_dssall (void);
5581
5582void vec_dst (void *, int, const char);
5583
5584void vec_dstst (void *, int, const char);
5585
5586void vec_dststt (void *, int, const char);
5587
5588void vec_dstt (void *, int, const char);
5589
5590vector float vec_expte (vector float, vector float);
5591
5592vector float vec_floor (vector float, vector float);
5593
5594vector float vec_ld (int, vector float *);
5595vector float vec_ld (int, float *):
5596vector signed int vec_ld (int, int *);
5597vector signed int vec_ld (int, vector signed int *);
5598vector unsigned int vec_ld (int, vector unsigned int *);
5599vector unsigned int vec_ld (int, unsigned int *);
5600vector signed short vec_ld (int, short *, vector signed short *);
6e5bb5ad
JM
5601vector unsigned short vec_ld (int, unsigned short *,
5602 vector unsigned short *);
333c8841
AH
5603vector signed char vec_ld (int, signed char *);
5604vector signed char vec_ld (int, vector signed char *);
5605vector unsigned char vec_ld (int, unsigned char *);
5606vector unsigned char vec_ld (int, vector unsigned char *);
5607
5608vector signed char vec_lde (int, signed char *);
5609vector unsigned char vec_lde (int, unsigned char *);
5610vector signed short vec_lde (int, short *);
5611vector unsigned short vec_lde (int, unsigned short *);
5612vector float vec_lde (int, float *);
5613vector signed int vec_lde (int, int *);
5614vector unsigned int vec_lde (int, unsigned int *);
5615
5616void float vec_ldl (int, float *);
5617void float vec_ldl (int, vector float *);
5618void signed int vec_ldl (int, vector signed int *);
5619void signed int vec_ldl (int, int *);
5620void unsigned int vec_ldl (int, unsigned int *);
5621void unsigned int vec_ldl (int, vector unsigned int *);
5622void signed short vec_ldl (int, vector signed short *);
5623void signed short vec_ldl (int, short *);
5624void unsigned short vec_ldl (int, vector unsigned short *);
5625void unsigned short vec_ldl (int, unsigned short *);
5626void signed char vec_ldl (int, vector signed char *);
5627void signed char vec_ldl (int, signed char *);
5628void unsigned char vec_ldl (int, vector unsigned char *);
5629void unsigned char vec_ldl (int, unsigned char *);
5630
5631vector float vec_loge (vector float);
5632
5633vector unsigned char vec_lvsl (int, void *, int *);
5634
5635vector unsigned char vec_lvsr (int, void *, int *);
5636
5637vector float vec_madd (vector float, vector float, vector float);
5638
6e5bb5ad
JM
5639vector signed short vec_madds (vector signed short, vector signed short,
5640 vector signed short);
333c8841
AH
5641
5642vector unsigned char vec_max (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
5643
5644vector unsigned char vec_max (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
5645
924fcc4e
JM
5646vector unsigned char vec_max (vector unsigned char,
5647 vector unsigned char);
333c8841 5648vector signed char vec_max (vector signed char, vector signed char);
924fcc4e
JM
5649vector unsigned short vec_max (vector signed short,
5650 vector unsigned short);
5651vector unsigned short vec_max (vector unsigned short,
5652 vector signed short);
6e5bb5ad
JM
5653vector unsigned short vec_max (vector unsigned short,
5654 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
5655vector signed short vec_max (vector signed short, vector signed short);
5656vector unsigned int vec_max (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
5657vector unsigned int vec_max (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
5658vector unsigned int vec_max (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5659vector signed int vec_max (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5660vector float vec_max (vector float, vector float);
5661
5662vector signed char vec_mergeh (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6e5bb5ad
JM
5663vector unsigned char vec_mergeh (vector unsigned char,
5664 vector unsigned char);
924fcc4e
JM
5665vector signed short vec_mergeh (vector signed short,
5666 vector signed short);
6e5bb5ad
JM
5667vector unsigned short vec_mergeh (vector unsigned short,
5668 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
5669vector float vec_mergeh (vector float, vector float);
5670vector signed int vec_mergeh (vector signed int, vector signed int);
924fcc4e
JM
5671vector unsigned int vec_mergeh (vector unsigned int,
5672 vector unsigned int);
333c8841
AH
5673
5674vector signed char vec_mergel (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6e5bb5ad
JM
5675vector unsigned char vec_mergel (vector unsigned char,
5676 vector unsigned char);
924fcc4e
JM
5677vector signed short vec_mergel (vector signed short,
5678 vector signed short);
6e5bb5ad
JM
5679vector unsigned short vec_mergel (vector unsigned short,
5680 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
5681vector float vec_mergel (vector float, vector float);
5682vector signed int vec_mergel (vector signed int, vector signed int);
924fcc4e
JM
5683vector unsigned int vec_mergel (vector unsigned int,
5684 vector unsigned int);
333c8841
AH
5685
5686vector unsigned short vec_mfvscr (void);
5687
5688vector unsigned char vec_min (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
5689
5690vector unsigned char vec_min (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
5691
924fcc4e
JM
5692vector unsigned char vec_min (vector unsigned char,
5693 vector unsigned char);
333c8841 5694vector signed char vec_min (vector signed char, vector signed char);
924fcc4e
JM
5695vector unsigned short vec_min (vector signed short,
5696 vector unsigned short);
5697vector unsigned short vec_min (vector unsigned short,
5698 vector signed short);
6e5bb5ad
JM
5699vector unsigned short vec_min (vector unsigned short,
5700 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
5701vector signed short vec_min (vector signed short, vector signed short);
5702vector unsigned int vec_min (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
5703vector unsigned int vec_min (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
5704vector unsigned int vec_min (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5705vector signed int vec_min (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5706vector float vec_min (vector float, vector float);
5707
6e5bb5ad
JM
5708vector signed short vec_mladd (vector signed short, vector signed short,
5709 vector signed short);
924fcc4e
JM
5710vector signed short vec_mladd (vector signed short,
5711 vector unsigned short,
6e5bb5ad 5712 vector unsigned short);
924fcc4e
JM
5713vector signed short vec_mladd (vector unsigned short,
5714 vector signed short,
6e5bb5ad
JM
5715 vector signed short);
5716vector unsigned short vec_mladd (vector unsigned short,
5717 vector unsigned short,
5718 vector unsigned short);
5719
924fcc4e
JM
5720vector signed short vec_mradds (vector signed short,
5721 vector signed short,
6e5bb5ad
JM
5722 vector signed short);
5723
924fcc4e
JM
5724vector unsigned int vec_msum (vector unsigned char,
5725 vector unsigned char,
6e5bb5ad
JM
5726 vector unsigned int);
5727vector signed int vec_msum (vector signed char, vector unsigned char,
5728 vector signed int);
924fcc4e
JM
5729vector unsigned int vec_msum (vector unsigned short,
5730 vector unsigned short,
6e5bb5ad
JM
5731 vector unsigned int);
5732vector signed int vec_msum (vector signed short, vector signed short,
5733 vector signed int);
5734
5735vector unsigned int vec_msums (vector unsigned short,
924fcc4e
JM
5736 vector unsigned short,
5737 vector unsigned int);
6e5bb5ad
JM
5738vector signed int vec_msums (vector signed short, vector signed short,
5739 vector signed int);
333c8841
AH
5740
5741void vec_mtvscr (vector signed int);
5742void vec_mtvscr (vector unsigned int);
5743void vec_mtvscr (vector signed short);
5744void vec_mtvscr (vector unsigned short);
5745void vec_mtvscr (vector signed char);
5746void vec_mtvscr (vector unsigned char);
5747
924fcc4e
JM
5748vector unsigned short vec_mule (vector unsigned char,
5749 vector unsigned char);
333c8841 5750vector signed short vec_mule (vector signed char, vector signed char);
924fcc4e
JM
5751vector unsigned int vec_mule (vector unsigned short,
5752 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
5753vector signed int vec_mule (vector signed short, vector signed short);
5754
924fcc4e
JM
5755vector unsigned short vec_mulo (vector unsigned char,
5756 vector unsigned char);
333c8841 5757vector signed short vec_mulo (vector signed char, vector signed char);
924fcc4e
JM
5758vector unsigned int vec_mulo (vector unsigned short,
5759 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
5760vector signed int vec_mulo (vector signed short, vector signed short);
5761
5762vector float vec_nmsub (vector float, vector float, vector float);
5763
5764vector float vec_nor (vector float, vector float);
5765vector signed int vec_nor (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5766vector unsigned int vec_nor (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5767vector signed short vec_nor (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6e5bb5ad
JM
5768vector unsigned short vec_nor (vector unsigned short,
5769 vector unsigned short);
333c8841 5770vector signed char vec_nor (vector signed char, vector signed char);
924fcc4e
JM
5771vector unsigned char vec_nor (vector unsigned char,
5772 vector unsigned char);
333c8841
AH
5773
5774vector float vec_or (vector float, vector float);
5775vector float vec_or (vector float, vector signed int);
5776vector float vec_or (vector signed int, vector float);
5777vector signed int vec_or (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5778vector unsigned int vec_or (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
5779vector unsigned int vec_or (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
5780vector unsigned int vec_or (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5781vector signed short vec_or (vector signed short, vector signed short);
924fcc4e
JM
5782vector unsigned short vec_or (vector signed short,
5783 vector unsigned short);
5784vector unsigned short vec_or (vector unsigned short,
5785 vector signed short);
5786vector unsigned short vec_or (vector unsigned short,
5787 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
5788vector signed char vec_or (vector signed char, vector signed char);
5789vector unsigned char vec_or (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
5790vector unsigned char vec_or (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
924fcc4e
JM
5791vector unsigned char vec_or (vector unsigned char,
5792 vector unsigned char);
333c8841
AH
5793
5794vector signed char vec_pack (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6e5bb5ad
JM
5795vector unsigned char vec_pack (vector unsigned short,
5796 vector unsigned short);
333c8841 5797vector signed short vec_pack (vector signed int, vector signed int);
924fcc4e
JM
5798vector unsigned short vec_pack (vector unsigned int,
5799 vector unsigned int);
333c8841 5800
924fcc4e
JM
5801vector signed short vec_packpx (vector unsigned int,
5802 vector unsigned int);
333c8841 5803
6e5bb5ad
JM
5804vector unsigned char vec_packs (vector unsigned short,
5805 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
5806vector signed char vec_packs (vector signed short, vector signed short);
5807
924fcc4e
JM
5808vector unsigned short vec_packs (vector unsigned int,
5809 vector unsigned int);
333c8841
AH
5810vector signed short vec_packs (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5811
6e5bb5ad
JM
5812vector unsigned char vec_packsu (vector unsigned short,
5813 vector unsigned short);
924fcc4e
JM
5814vector unsigned char vec_packsu (vector signed short,
5815 vector signed short);
5816vector unsigned short vec_packsu (vector unsigned int,
5817 vector unsigned int);
333c8841
AH
5818vector unsigned short vec_packsu (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5819
924fcc4e
JM
5820vector float vec_perm (vector float, vector float,
5821 vector unsigned char);
6e5bb5ad
JM
5822vector signed int vec_perm (vector signed int, vector signed int,
5823 vector unsigned char);
5824vector unsigned int vec_perm (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int,
5825 vector unsigned char);
5826vector signed short vec_perm (vector signed short, vector signed short,
5827 vector unsigned char);
5828vector unsigned short vec_perm (vector unsigned short,
5829 vector unsigned short,
5830 vector unsigned char);
5831vector signed char vec_perm (vector signed char, vector signed char,
5832 vector unsigned char);
924fcc4e
JM
5833vector unsigned char vec_perm (vector unsigned char,
5834 vector unsigned char,
6e5bb5ad 5835 vector unsigned char);
333c8841
AH
5836
5837vector float vec_re (vector float);
5838
5839vector signed char vec_rl (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
924fcc4e
JM
5840vector unsigned char vec_rl (vector unsigned char,
5841 vector unsigned char);
333c8841
AH
5842vector signed short vec_rl (vector signed short, vector unsigned short);
5843
924fcc4e
JM
5844vector unsigned short vec_rl (vector unsigned short,
5845 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
5846vector signed int vec_rl (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
5847vector unsigned int vec_rl (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5848
5849vector float vec_round (vector float);
5850
5851vector float vec_rsqrte (vector float);
5852
5853vector float vec_sel (vector float, vector float, vector signed int);
5854vector float vec_sel (vector float, vector float, vector unsigned int);
6e5bb5ad
JM
5855vector signed int vec_sel (vector signed int, vector signed int,
5856 vector signed int);
5857vector signed int vec_sel (vector signed int, vector signed int,
5858 vector unsigned int);
5859vector unsigned int vec_sel (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int,
5860 vector signed int);
5861vector unsigned int vec_sel (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int,
5862 vector unsigned int);
5863vector signed short vec_sel (vector signed short, vector signed short,
5864 vector signed short);
5865vector signed short vec_sel (vector signed short, vector signed short,
5866 vector unsigned short);
5867vector unsigned short vec_sel (vector unsigned short,
924fcc4e
JM
5868 vector unsigned short,
5869 vector signed short);
6e5bb5ad
JM
5870vector unsigned short vec_sel (vector unsigned short,
5871 vector unsigned short,
5872 vector unsigned short);
5873vector signed char vec_sel (vector signed char, vector signed char,
5874 vector signed char);
5875vector signed char vec_sel (vector signed char, vector signed char,
5876 vector unsigned char);
924fcc4e
JM
5877vector unsigned char vec_sel (vector unsigned char,
5878 vector unsigned char,
6e5bb5ad 5879 vector signed char);
924fcc4e
JM
5880vector unsigned char vec_sel (vector unsigned char,
5881 vector unsigned char,
6e5bb5ad 5882 vector unsigned char);
333c8841
AH
5883
5884vector signed char vec_sl (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
924fcc4e
JM
5885vector unsigned char vec_sl (vector unsigned char,
5886 vector unsigned char);
333c8841
AH
5887vector signed short vec_sl (vector signed short, vector unsigned short);
5888
924fcc4e
JM
5889vector unsigned short vec_sl (vector unsigned short,
5890 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
5891vector signed int vec_sl (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
5892vector unsigned int vec_sl (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5893
5894vector float vec_sld (vector float, vector float, const char);
6e5bb5ad
JM
5895vector signed int vec_sld (vector signed int, vector signed int,
5896 const char);
5897vector unsigned int vec_sld (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int,
5898 const char);
5899vector signed short vec_sld (vector signed short, vector signed short,
5900 const char);
5901vector unsigned short vec_sld (vector unsigned short,
5902 vector unsigned short, const char);
5903vector signed char vec_sld (vector signed char, vector signed char,
5904 const char);
924fcc4e
JM
5905vector unsigned char vec_sld (vector unsigned char,
5906 vector unsigned char,
6e5bb5ad 5907 const char);
333c8841
AH
5908
5909vector signed int vec_sll (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
5910vector signed int vec_sll (vector signed int, vector unsigned short);
5911vector signed int vec_sll (vector signed int, vector unsigned char);
5912vector unsigned int vec_sll (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
924fcc4e
JM
5913vector unsigned int vec_sll (vector unsigned int,
5914 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
5915vector unsigned int vec_sll (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned char);
5916
5917vector signed short vec_sll (vector signed short, vector unsigned int);
924fcc4e
JM
5918vector signed short vec_sll (vector signed short,
5919 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
5920vector signed short vec_sll (vector signed short, vector unsigned char);
5921
924fcc4e
JM
5922vector unsigned short vec_sll (vector unsigned short,
5923 vector unsigned int);
6e5bb5ad
JM
5924vector unsigned short vec_sll (vector unsigned short,
5925 vector unsigned short);
924fcc4e
JM
5926vector unsigned short vec_sll (vector unsigned short,
5927 vector unsigned char);
333c8841
AH
5928vector signed char vec_sll (vector signed char, vector unsigned int);
5929vector signed char vec_sll (vector signed char, vector unsigned short);
5930vector signed char vec_sll (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
924fcc4e
JM
5931vector unsigned char vec_sll (vector unsigned char,
5932 vector unsigned int);
5933vector unsigned char vec_sll (vector unsigned char,
5934 vector unsigned short);
5935vector unsigned char vec_sll (vector unsigned char,
5936 vector unsigned char);
333c8841
AH
5937
5938vector float vec_slo (vector float, vector signed char);
5939vector float vec_slo (vector float, vector unsigned char);
5940vector signed int vec_slo (vector signed int, vector signed char);
5941vector signed int vec_slo (vector signed int, vector unsigned char);
5942vector unsigned int vec_slo (vector unsigned int, vector signed char);
5943vector unsigned int vec_slo (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned char);
5944
5945vector signed short vec_slo (vector signed short, vector signed char);
5946vector signed short vec_slo (vector signed short, vector unsigned char);
5947
924fcc4e
JM
5948vector unsigned short vec_slo (vector unsigned short,
5949 vector signed char);
5950vector unsigned short vec_slo (vector unsigned short,
5951 vector unsigned char);
333c8841
AH
5952vector signed char vec_slo (vector signed char, vector signed char);
5953vector signed char vec_slo (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
5954vector unsigned char vec_slo (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
5955
924fcc4e
JM
5956vector unsigned char vec_slo (vector unsigned char,
5957 vector unsigned char);
333c8841
AH
5958
5959vector signed char vec_splat (vector signed char, const char);
5960vector unsigned char vec_splat (vector unsigned char, const char);
5961vector signed short vec_splat (vector signed short, const char);
5962vector unsigned short vec_splat (vector unsigned short, const char);
5963vector float vec_splat (vector float, const char);
5964vector signed int vec_splat (vector signed int, const char);
5965vector unsigned int vec_splat (vector unsigned int, const char);
5966
5967vector signed char vec_splat_s8 (const char);
5968
5969vector signed short vec_splat_s16 (const char);
5970
5971vector signed int vec_splat_s32 (const char);
5972
5973vector unsigned char vec_splat_u8 (const char);
5974
5975vector unsigned short vec_splat_u16 (const char);
5976
5977vector unsigned int vec_splat_u32 (const char);
5978
5979vector signed char vec_sr (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
924fcc4e
JM
5980vector unsigned char vec_sr (vector unsigned char,
5981 vector unsigned char);
333c8841
AH
5982vector signed short vec_sr (vector signed short, vector unsigned short);
5983
924fcc4e
JM
5984vector unsigned short vec_sr (vector unsigned short,
5985 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
5986vector signed int vec_sr (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
5987vector unsigned int vec_sr (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5988
5989vector signed char vec_sra (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
924fcc4e
JM
5990vector unsigned char vec_sra (vector unsigned char,
5991 vector unsigned char);
5992vector signed short vec_sra (vector signed short,
5993 vector unsigned short);
6e5bb5ad
JM
5994vector unsigned short vec_sra (vector unsigned short,
5995 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
5996vector signed int vec_sra (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
5997vector unsigned int vec_sra (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5998
5999vector signed int vec_srl (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6000vector signed int vec_srl (vector signed int, vector unsigned short);
6001vector signed int vec_srl (vector signed int, vector unsigned char);
6002vector unsigned int vec_srl (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
924fcc4e
JM
6003vector unsigned int vec_srl (vector unsigned int,
6004 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
6005vector unsigned int vec_srl (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned char);
6006
6007vector signed short vec_srl (vector signed short, vector unsigned int);
924fcc4e
JM
6008vector signed short vec_srl (vector signed short,
6009 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
6010vector signed short vec_srl (vector signed short, vector unsigned char);
6011
924fcc4e
JM
6012vector unsigned short vec_srl (vector unsigned short,
6013 vector unsigned int);
6e5bb5ad
JM
6014vector unsigned short vec_srl (vector unsigned short,
6015 vector unsigned short);
924fcc4e
JM
6016vector unsigned short vec_srl (vector unsigned short,
6017 vector unsigned char);
333c8841
AH
6018vector signed char vec_srl (vector signed char, vector unsigned int);
6019vector signed char vec_srl (vector signed char, vector unsigned short);
6020vector signed char vec_srl (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
924fcc4e
JM
6021vector unsigned char vec_srl (vector unsigned char,
6022 vector unsigned int);
6023vector unsigned char vec_srl (vector unsigned char,
6024 vector unsigned short);
6025vector unsigned char vec_srl (vector unsigned char,
6026 vector unsigned char);
333c8841
AH
6027
6028vector float vec_sro (vector float, vector signed char);
6029vector float vec_sro (vector float, vector unsigned char);
6030vector signed int vec_sro (vector signed int, vector signed char);
6031vector signed int vec_sro (vector signed int, vector unsigned char);
6032vector unsigned int vec_sro (vector unsigned int, vector signed char);
6033vector unsigned int vec_sro (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned char);
6034
6035vector signed short vec_sro (vector signed short, vector signed char);
6036vector signed short vec_sro (vector signed short, vector unsigned char);
6037
924fcc4e
JM
6038vector unsigned short vec_sro (vector unsigned short,
6039 vector signed char);
6040vector unsigned short vec_sro (vector unsigned short,
6041 vector unsigned char);
333c8841
AH
6042vector signed char vec_sro (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6043vector signed char vec_sro (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6044vector unsigned char vec_sro (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6045
924fcc4e
JM
6046vector unsigned char vec_sro (vector unsigned char,
6047 vector unsigned char);
333c8841
AH
6048
6049void vec_st (vector float, int, float *);
6050void vec_st (vector float, int, vector float *);
6051void vec_st (vector signed int, int, int *);
6052void vec_st (vector signed int, int, unsigned int *);
6053void vec_st (vector unsigned int, int, unsigned int *);
6054void vec_st (vector unsigned int, int, vector unsigned int *);
6055void vec_st (vector signed short, int, short *);
6056void vec_st (vector signed short, int, vector unsigned short *);
6057void vec_st (vector signed short, int, vector signed short *);
6058void vec_st (vector unsigned short, int, unsigned short *);
6059void vec_st (vector unsigned short, int, vector unsigned short *);
6060void vec_st (vector signed char, int, signed char *);
6061void vec_st (vector signed char, int, unsigned char *);
6062void vec_st (vector signed char, int, vector signed char *);
6063void vec_st (vector unsigned char, int, unsigned char *);
6064void vec_st (vector unsigned char, int, vector unsigned char *);
6065
6066void vec_ste (vector signed char, int, unsigned char *);
6067void vec_ste (vector signed char, int, signed char *);
6068void vec_ste (vector unsigned char, int, unsigned char *);
6069void vec_ste (vector signed short, int, short *);
6070void vec_ste (vector signed short, int, unsigned short *);
6071void vec_ste (vector unsigned short, int, void *);
6072void vec_ste (vector signed int, int, unsigned int *);
6073void vec_ste (vector signed int, int, int *);
6074void vec_ste (vector unsigned int, int, unsigned int *);
6075void vec_ste (vector float, int, float *);
6076
6077void vec_stl (vector float, int, vector float *);
6078void vec_stl (vector float, int, float *);
6079void vec_stl (vector signed int, int, vector signed int *);
6080void vec_stl (vector signed int, int, int *);
6081void vec_stl (vector signed int, int, unsigned int *);
6082void vec_stl (vector unsigned int, int, vector unsigned int *);
6083void vec_stl (vector unsigned int, int, unsigned int *);
6084void vec_stl (vector signed short, int, short *);
6085void vec_stl (vector signed short, int, unsigned short *);
6086void vec_stl (vector signed short, int, vector signed short *);
6087void vec_stl (vector unsigned short, int, unsigned short *);
6088void vec_stl (vector unsigned short, int, vector signed short *);
6089void vec_stl (vector signed char, int, signed char *);
6090void vec_stl (vector signed char, int, unsigned char *);
6091void vec_stl (vector signed char, int, vector signed char *);
6092void vec_stl (vector unsigned char, int, unsigned char *);
6093void vec_stl (vector unsigned char, int, vector unsigned char *);
6094
6095vector signed char vec_sub (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6096vector unsigned char vec_sub (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6097
6098vector unsigned char vec_sub (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6099
924fcc4e
JM
6100vector unsigned char vec_sub (vector unsigned char,
6101 vector unsigned char);
333c8841 6102vector signed short vec_sub (vector signed short, vector signed short);
924fcc4e
JM
6103vector unsigned short vec_sub (vector signed short,
6104 vector unsigned short);
6105vector unsigned short vec_sub (vector unsigned short,
6106 vector signed short);
6e5bb5ad
JM
6107vector unsigned short vec_sub (vector unsigned short,
6108 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
6109vector signed int vec_sub (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6110vector unsigned int vec_sub (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6111vector unsigned int vec_sub (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6112vector unsigned int vec_sub (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6113vector float vec_sub (vector float, vector float);
6114
6115vector unsigned int vec_subc (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6116
924fcc4e
JM
6117vector unsigned char vec_subs (vector signed char,
6118 vector unsigned char);
6119vector unsigned char vec_subs (vector unsigned char,
6120 vector signed char);
6121vector unsigned char vec_subs (vector unsigned char,
6122 vector unsigned char);
333c8841 6123vector signed char vec_subs (vector signed char, vector signed char);
924fcc4e
JM
6124vector unsigned short vec_subs (vector signed short,
6125 vector unsigned short);
6126vector unsigned short vec_subs (vector unsigned short,
6127 vector signed short);
6e5bb5ad
JM
6128vector unsigned short vec_subs (vector unsigned short,
6129 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
6130vector signed short vec_subs (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6131
6132vector unsigned int vec_subs (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6133vector unsigned int vec_subs (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6134vector unsigned int vec_subs (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6135
6136vector signed int vec_subs (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6137
924fcc4e
JM
6138vector unsigned int vec_sum4s (vector unsigned char,
6139 vector unsigned int);
333c8841
AH
6140vector signed int vec_sum4s (vector signed char, vector signed int);
6141vector signed int vec_sum4s (vector signed short, vector signed int);
6142
6143vector signed int vec_sum2s (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6144
6145vector signed int vec_sums (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6146
6147vector float vec_trunc (vector float);
6148
6149vector signed short vec_unpackh (vector signed char);
6150vector unsigned int vec_unpackh (vector signed short);
6151vector signed int vec_unpackh (vector signed short);
6152
6153vector signed short vec_unpackl (vector signed char);
6154vector unsigned int vec_unpackl (vector signed short);
6155vector signed int vec_unpackl (vector signed short);
6156
6157vector float vec_xor (vector float, vector float);
6158vector float vec_xor (vector float, vector signed int);
6159vector float vec_xor (vector signed int, vector float);
6160vector signed int vec_xor (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6161vector unsigned int vec_xor (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6162vector unsigned int vec_xor (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6163vector unsigned int vec_xor (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6164vector signed short vec_xor (vector signed short, vector signed short);
924fcc4e
JM
6165vector unsigned short vec_xor (vector signed short,
6166 vector unsigned short);
6167vector unsigned short vec_xor (vector unsigned short,
6168 vector signed short);
6e5bb5ad
JM
6169vector unsigned short vec_xor (vector unsigned short,
6170 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
6171vector signed char vec_xor (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6172vector unsigned char vec_xor (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6173
6174vector unsigned char vec_xor (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6175
924fcc4e
JM
6176vector unsigned char vec_xor (vector unsigned char,
6177 vector unsigned char);
333c8841
AH
6178
6179vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6180
6181vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6182vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6183
924fcc4e
JM
6184vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector unsigned char,
6185 vector unsigned char);
6186vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector signed short,
6187 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
6188vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6189
924fcc4e
JM
6190vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector unsigned short,
6191 vector signed short);
6192vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector unsigned short,
6193 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
6194vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6195vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6196vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6197vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6198
6199vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector float, vector float);
6200
6201vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6202
6203vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6204
924fcc4e
JM
6205vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector unsigned char,
6206 vector unsigned char);
333c8841 6207vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector signed char, vector signed char);
924fcc4e
JM
6208vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector signed short,
6209 vector unsigned short);
6210vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector unsigned short,
6211 vector signed short);
6212vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector unsigned short,
6213 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
6214vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6215
6216vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6217vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6218vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6219
6220vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6221vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector float, vector float);
6222
6223vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6224
6225vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6226
924fcc4e
JM
6227vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector unsigned char,
6228 vector unsigned char);
333c8841 6229vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector signed char, vector signed char);
924fcc4e
JM
6230vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector signed short,
6231 vector unsigned short);
f282ffb3 6232vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector unsigned short,
924fcc4e
JM
6233 vector signed short);
6234vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector unsigned short,
6235 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
6236vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6237
6238vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6239vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6240vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6241
6242vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6243vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector float, vector float);
6244
6245vector signed int vec_all_in (vector float, vector float);
6246
6247vector signed int vec_all_le (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6248
6249vector signed int vec_all_le (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6250
924fcc4e
JM
6251vector signed int vec_all_le (vector unsigned char,
6252 vector unsigned char);
333c8841 6253vector signed int vec_all_le (vector signed char, vector signed char);
924fcc4e
JM
6254vector signed int vec_all_le (vector signed short,
6255 vector unsigned short);
6256vector signed int vec_all_le (vector unsigned short,
6257 vector signed short);
6258vector signed int vec_all_le (vector unsigned short,
6259 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
6260vector signed int vec_all_le (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6261
6262vector signed int vec_all_le (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6263vector signed int vec_all_le (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6264vector signed int vec_all_le (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6265
6266vector signed int vec_all_le (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6267vector signed int vec_all_le (vector float, vector float);
6268
6269vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6270
6271vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6272
924fcc4e
JM
6273vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector unsigned char,
6274 vector unsigned char);
333c8841 6275vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector signed char, vector signed char);
924fcc4e
JM
6276vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector signed short,
6277 vector unsigned short);
6278vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector unsigned short,
6279 vector signed short);
6280vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector unsigned short,
6281 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
6282vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6283
6284vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6285vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6286vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6287
6288vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6289vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector float, vector float);
6290
6291vector signed int vec_all_nan (vector float);
6292
6293vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6294
6295vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6296vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6297
924fcc4e
JM
6298vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector unsigned char,
6299 vector unsigned char);
6300vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector signed short,
6301 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
6302vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6303
924fcc4e
JM
6304vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector unsigned short,
6305 vector signed short);
6306vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector unsigned short,
6307 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
6308vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6309vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6310vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6311vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6312
6313vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector float, vector float);
6314
6315vector signed int vec_all_nge (vector float, vector float);
6316
6317vector signed int vec_all_ngt (vector float, vector float);
6318
6319vector signed int vec_all_nle (vector float, vector float);
6320
6321vector signed int vec_all_nlt (vector float, vector float);
6322
6323vector signed int vec_all_numeric (vector float);
6324
6325vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6326
6327vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6328vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6329
924fcc4e
JM
6330vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector unsigned char,
6331 vector unsigned char);
6332vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector signed short,
6333 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
6334vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6335
924fcc4e
JM
6336vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector unsigned short,
6337 vector signed short);
6338vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector unsigned short,
6339 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
6340vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6341vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6342vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6343vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6344
6345vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector float, vector float);
6346
6347vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6348
6349vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6350
924fcc4e
JM
6351vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector unsigned char,
6352 vector unsigned char);
333c8841 6353vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector signed char, vector signed char);
924fcc4e
JM
6354vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector signed short,
6355 vector unsigned short);
6356vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector unsigned short,
6357 vector signed short);
6358vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector unsigned short,
6359 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
6360vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6361
6362vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6363vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6364vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6365
6366vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6367vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector float, vector float);
6368
6369vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6370
6371vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6372
924fcc4e
JM
6373vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector unsigned char,
6374 vector unsigned char);
333c8841 6375vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector signed char, vector signed char);
924fcc4e
JM
6376vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector signed short,
6377 vector unsigned short);
6378vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector unsigned short,
6379 vector signed short);
6380vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector unsigned short,
6381 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
6382vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6383
6384vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6385vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6386vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6387
6388vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6389vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector float, vector float);
6390
6391vector signed int vec_any_le (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6392
6393vector signed int vec_any_le (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6394
924fcc4e
JM
6395vector signed int vec_any_le (vector unsigned char,
6396 vector unsigned char);
333c8841 6397vector signed int vec_any_le (vector signed char, vector signed char);
924fcc4e
JM
6398vector signed int vec_any_le (vector signed short,
6399 vector unsigned short);
6400vector signed int vec_any_le (vector unsigned short,
6401 vector signed short);
6402vector signed int vec_any_le (vector unsigned short,
6403 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
6404vector signed int vec_any_le (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6405
6406vector signed int vec_any_le (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6407vector signed int vec_any_le (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6408vector signed int vec_any_le (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6409
6410vector signed int vec_any_le (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6411vector signed int vec_any_le (vector float, vector float);
6412
6413vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6414
6415vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6416
924fcc4e
JM
6417vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector unsigned char,
6418 vector unsigned char);
333c8841 6419vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector signed char, vector signed char);
924fcc4e
JM
6420vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector signed short,
6421 vector unsigned short);
6422vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector unsigned short,
6423 vector signed short);
6424vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector unsigned short,
6425 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
6426vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6427
6428vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6429vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6430vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6431
6432vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6433vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector float, vector float);
6434
6435vector signed int vec_any_nan (vector float);
6436
6437vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6438
6439vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6440vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6441
924fcc4e
JM
6442vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector unsigned char,
6443 vector unsigned char);
6444vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector signed short,
6445 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
6446vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6447
924fcc4e
JM
6448vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector unsigned short,
6449 vector signed short);
6450vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector unsigned short,
6451 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
6452vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6453vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6454vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6455vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6456
6457vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector float, vector float);
6458
6459vector signed int vec_any_nge (vector float, vector float);
6460
6461vector signed int vec_any_ngt (vector float, vector float);
6462
6463vector signed int vec_any_nle (vector float, vector float);
6464
6465vector signed int vec_any_nlt (vector float, vector float);
6466
6467vector signed int vec_any_numeric (vector float);
6468
6469vector signed int vec_any_out (vector float, vector float);
6470@end smallexample
6471
0168a849
SS
6472@node Pragmas
6473@section Pragmas Accepted by GCC
6474@cindex pragmas
6475@cindex #pragma
6476
6477GCC supports several types of pragmas, primarily in order to compile
6478code originally written for other compilers. Note that in general
6479we do not recommend the use of pragmas; @xref{Function Attributes},
6480for further explanation.
6481
6482@menu
6483* ARM Pragmas::
a5c76ee6 6484* RS/6000 and PowerPC Pragmas::
0168a849 6485* Darwin Pragmas::
41c64394
RH
6486* Solaris Pragmas::
6487* Tru64 Pragmas::
0168a849
SS
6488@end menu
6489
6490@node ARM Pragmas
6491@subsection ARM Pragmas
6492
6493The ARM target defines pragmas for controlling the default addition of
6494@code{long_call} and @code{short_call} attributes to functions.
6495@xref{Function Attributes}, for information about the effects of these
6496attributes.
6497
6498@table @code
6499@item long_calls
6500@cindex pragma, long_calls
6501Set all subsequent functions to have the @code{long_call} attribute.
6502
6503@item no_long_calls
6504@cindex pragma, no_long_calls
6505Set all subsequent functions to have the @code{short_call} attribute.
6506
6507@item long_calls_off
6508@cindex pragma, long_calls_off
6509Do not affect the @code{long_call} or @code{short_call} attributes of
6510subsequent functions.
6511@end table
6512
a5c76ee6
ZW
6513@node RS/6000 and PowerPC Pragmas
6514@subsection RS/6000 and PowerPC Pragmas
6515
6516The RS/6000 and PowerPC targets define one pragma for controlling
6517whether or not the @code{longcall} attribute is added to function
6518declarations by default. This pragma overrides the @option{-mlongcall}
95b1627e 6519option, but not the @code{longcall} and @code{shortcall} attributes.
a5c76ee6
ZW
6520@xref{RS/6000 and PowerPC Options}, for more information about when long
6521calls are and are not necessary.
6522
6523@table @code
6524@item longcall (1)
6525@cindex pragma, longcall
6526Apply the @code{longcall} attribute to all subsequent function
6527declarations.
6528
6529@item longcall (0)
6530Do not apply the @code{longcall} attribute to subsequent function
6531declarations.
6532@end table
6533
0168a849
SS
6534@c Describe c4x pragmas here.
6535@c Describe h8300 pragmas here.
6536@c Describe i370 pragmas here.
6537@c Describe i960 pragmas here.
6538@c Describe sh pragmas here.
6539@c Describe v850 pragmas here.
6540
6541@node Darwin Pragmas
6542@subsection Darwin Pragmas
6543
6544The following pragmas are available for all architectures running the
6545Darwin operating system. These are useful for compatibility with other
85ebf0c6 6546Mac OS compilers.
0168a849
SS
6547
6548@table @code
6549@item mark @var{tokens}@dots{}
6550@cindex pragma, mark
6551This pragma is accepted, but has no effect.
6552
6553@item options align=@var{alignment}
6554@cindex pragma, options align
6555This pragma sets the alignment of fields in structures. The values of
6556@var{alignment} may be @code{mac68k}, to emulate m68k alignment, or
6557@code{power}, to emulate PowerPC alignment. Uses of this pragma nest
6558properly; to restore the previous setting, use @code{reset} for the
6559@var{alignment}.
6560
6561@item segment @var{tokens}@dots{}
6562@cindex pragma, segment
6563This pragma is accepted, but has no effect.
6564
6565@item unused (@var{var} [, @var{var}]@dots{})
6566@cindex pragma, unused
6567This pragma declares variables to be possibly unused. GCC will not
6568produce warnings for the listed variables. The effect is similar to
6569that of the @code{unused} attribute, except that this pragma may appear
6570anywhere within the variables' scopes.
6571@end table
6572
41c64394
RH
6573@node Solaris Pragmas
6574@subsection Solaris Pragmas
6575
6576For compatibility with the SunPRO compiler, the following pragma
6577is supported.
6578
6579@table @code
6580@item redefine_extname @var{oldname} @var{newname}
6581@cindex pragma, redefine_extname
6582
6583This pragma gives the C function @var{oldname} the assembler label
6584@var{newname}. The pragma must appear before the function declaration.
6585This pragma is equivalent to the asm labels extension (@pxref{Asm
6586Labels}). The preprocessor defines @code{__PRAGMA_REDEFINE_EXTNAME}
6587if the pragma is available.
6588@end table
6589
6590@node Tru64 Pragmas
6591@subsection Tru64 Pragmas
6592
6593For compatibility with the Compaq C compiler, the following pragma
6594is supported.
6595
6596@table @code
6597@item extern_prefix @var{string}
6598@cindex pragma, extern_prefix
6599
6600This pragma renames all subsequent function and variable declarations
6601such that @var{string} is prepended to the name. This effect may be
95b1627e 6602terminated by using another @code{extern_prefix} pragma with the
41c64394
RH
6603empty string.
6604
6605This pragma is similar in intent to to the asm labels extension
6606(@pxref{Asm Labels}) in that the system programmer wants to change
6607the assembly-level ABI without changing the source-level API. The
f8dc212b
RO
6608preprocessor defines @code{__PRAGMA_EXTERN_PREFIX} if the pragma is
6609available.
41c64394
RH
6610@end table
6611
3e96a2fd
DD
6612@node Unnamed Fields
6613@section Unnamed struct/union fields within structs/unions.
6614@cindex struct
6615@cindex union
6616
6617For compatibility with other compilers, GCC allows you to define
6618a structure or union that contains, as fields, structures and unions
6619without names. For example:
6620
6621@example
6622struct @{
6623 int a;
6624 union @{
6625 int b;
6626 float c;
6627 @};
6628 int d;
6629@} foo;
6630@end example
6631
6632In this example, the user would be able to access members of the unnamed
6633union with code like @samp{foo.b}. Note that only unnamed structs and
6634unions are allowed, you may not have, for example, an unnamed
6635@code{int}.
6636
6637You must never create such structures that cause ambiguous field definitions.
6638For example, this structure:
6639
6640@example
6641struct @{
6642 int a;
6643 struct @{
6644 int a;
6645 @};
6646@} foo;
6647@end example
6648
6649It is ambiguous which @code{a} is being referred to with @samp{foo.a}.
6650Such constructs are not supported and must be avoided. In the future,
6651such constructs may be detected and treated as compilation errors.
6652
3d78f2e9
RH
6653@node Thread-Local
6654@section Thread-Local Storage
6655@cindex Thread-Local Storage
9217ef40 6656@cindex @acronym{TLS}
3d78f2e9
RH
6657@cindex __thread
6658
9217ef40
RH
6659Thread-local storage (@acronym{TLS}) is a mechanism by which variables
6660are allocated such that there is one instance of the variable per extant
3d78f2e9
RH
6661thread. The run-time model GCC uses to implement this originates
6662in the IA-64 processor-specific ABI, but has since been migrated
6663to other processors as well. It requires significant support from
6664the linker (@command{ld}), dynamic linker (@command{ld.so}), and
6665system libraries (@file{libc.so} and @file{libpthread.so}), so it
9217ef40 6666is not available everywhere.
3d78f2e9
RH
6667
6668At the user level, the extension is visible with a new storage
6669class keyword: @code{__thread}. For example:
6670
6671@example
6672__thread int i;
6673extern __thread struct state s;
6674static __thread char *p;
6675@end example
6676
6677The @code{__thread} specifier may be used alone, with the @code{extern}
6678or @code{static} specifiers, but with no other storage class specifier.
6679When used with @code{extern} or @code{static}, @code{__thread} must appear
6680immediately after the other storage class specifier.
6681
6682The @code{__thread} specifier may be applied to any global, file-scoped
244c2241
RH
6683static, function-scoped static, or static data member of a class. It may
6684not be applied to block-scoped automatic or non-static data member.
3d78f2e9
RH
6685
6686When the address-of operator is applied to a thread-local variable, it is
6687evaluated at run-time and returns the address of the current thread's
6688instance of that variable. An address so obtained may be used by any
6689thread. When a thread terminates, any pointers to thread-local variables
6690in that thread become invalid.
6691
6692No static initialization may refer to the address of a thread-local variable.
6693
244c2241
RH
6694In C++, if an initializer is present for a thread-local variable, it must
6695be a @var{constant-expression}, as defined in 5.19.2 of the ANSI/ISO C++
6696standard.
3d78f2e9
RH
6697
6698See @uref{http://people.redhat.com/drepper/tls.pdf,
6699ELF Handling For Thread-Local Storage} for a detailed explanation of
6700the four thread-local storage addressing models, and how the run-time
6701is expected to function.
6702
9217ef40
RH
6703@menu
6704* C99 Thread-Local Edits::
6705* C++98 Thread-Local Edits::
6706@end menu
6707
6708@node C99 Thread-Local Edits
6709@subsection ISO/IEC 9899:1999 Edits for Thread-Local Storage
6710
6711The following are a set of changes to ISO/IEC 9899:1999 (aka C99)
6712that document the exact semantics of the language extension.
6713
6714@itemize @bullet
6715@item
6716@cite{5.1.2 Execution environments}
6717
6718Add new text after paragraph 1
6719
6720@quotation
6721Within either execution environment, a @dfn{thread} is a flow of
6722control within a program. It is implementation defined whether
6723or not there may be more than one thread associated with a program.
6724It is implementation defined how threads beyond the first are
6725created, the name and type of the function called at thread
6726startup, and how threads may be terminated. However, objects
6727with thread storage duration shall be initialized before thread
6728startup.
6729@end quotation
6730
6731@item
6732@cite{6.2.4 Storage durations of objects}
6733
6734Add new text before paragraph 3
6735
6736@quotation
6737An object whose identifier is declared with the storage-class
6738specifier @w{@code{__thread}} has @dfn{thread storage duration}.
6739Its lifetime is the entire execution of the thread, and its
6740stored value is initialized only once, prior to thread startup.
6741@end quotation
6742
6743@item
6744@cite{6.4.1 Keywords}
6745
6746Add @code{__thread}.
6747
6748@item
6749@cite{6.7.1 Storage-class specifiers}
6750
6751Add @code{__thread} to the list of storage class specifiers in
6752paragraph 1.
6753
6754Change paragraph 2 to
6755
6756@quotation
6757With the exception of @code{__thread}, at most one storage-class
6758specifier may be given [@dots{}]. The @code{__thread} specifier may
6759be used alone, or immediately following @code{extern} or
6760@code{static}.
6761@end quotation
6762
6763Add new text after paragraph 6
6764
6765@quotation
6766The declaration of an identifier for a variable that has
6767block scope that specifies @code{__thread} shall also
6768specify either @code{extern} or @code{static}.
6769
6770The @code{__thread} specifier shall be used only with
6771variables.
6772@end quotation
6773@end itemize
6774
6775@node C++98 Thread-Local Edits
6776@subsection ISO/IEC 14882:1998 Edits for Thread-Local Storage
6777
6778The following are a set of changes to ISO/IEC 14882:1998 (aka C++98)
6779that document the exact semantics of the language extension.
6780
6781@itemize @bullet
8d23a2c8 6782@item
9217ef40
RH
6783@b{[intro.execution]}
6784
6785New text after paragraph 4
6786
6787@quotation
6788A @dfn{thread} is a flow of control within the abstract machine.
6789It is implementation defined whether or not there may be more than
6790one thread.
6791@end quotation
6792
6793New text after paragraph 7
6794
6795@quotation
95b1627e 6796It is unspecified whether additional action must be taken to
9217ef40
RH
6797ensure when and whether side effects are visible to other threads.
6798@end quotation
6799
6800@item
6801@b{[lex.key]}
6802
6803Add @code{__thread}.
6804
6805@item
6806@b{[basic.start.main]}
6807
6808Add after paragraph 5
6809
6810@quotation
6811The thread that begins execution at the @code{main} function is called
95b1627e 6812the @dfn{main thread}. It is implementation defined how functions
9217ef40
RH
6813beginning threads other than the main thread are designated or typed.
6814A function so designated, as well as the @code{main} function, is called
6815a @dfn{thread startup function}. It is implementation defined what
6816happens if a thread startup function returns. It is implementation
6817defined what happens to other threads when any thread calls @code{exit}.
6818@end quotation
6819
6820@item
6821@b{[basic.start.init]}
6822
6823Add after paragraph 4
6824
6825@quotation
6826The storage for an object of thread storage duration shall be
c0478a66 6827statically initialized before the first statement of the thread startup
9217ef40
RH
6828function. An object of thread storage duration shall not require
6829dynamic initialization.
6830@end quotation
6831
6832@item
6833@b{[basic.start.term]}
6834
6835Add after paragraph 3
6836
6837@quotation
244c2241
RH
6838The type of an object with thread storage duration shall not have a
6839non-trivial destructor, nor shall it be an array type whose elements
6840(directly or indirectly) have non-trivial destructors.
9217ef40
RH
6841@end quotation
6842
6843@item
6844@b{[basic.stc]}
6845
6846Add ``thread storage duration'' to the list in paragraph 1.
6847
6848Change paragraph 2
6849
6850@quotation
6851Thread, static, and automatic storage durations are associated with
6852objects introduced by declarations [@dots{}].
6853@end quotation
6854
6855Add @code{__thread} to the list of specifiers in paragraph 3.
6856
6857@item
6858@b{[basic.stc.thread]}
6859
6860New section before @b{[basic.stc.static]}
6861
6862@quotation
6863The keyword @code{__thread} applied to an non-local object gives the
6864object thread storage duration.
6865
6866A local variable or class data member declared both @code{static}
6867and @code{__thread} gives the variable or member thread storage
6868duration.
6869@end quotation
6870
6871@item
6872@b{[basic.stc.static]}
6873
6874Change paragraph 1
6875
6876@quotation
6877All objects which have neither thread storage duration, dynamic
6878storage duration nor are local [@dots{}].
6879@end quotation
6880
6881@item
6882@b{[dcl.stc]}
6883
6884Add @code{__thread} to the list in paragraph 1.
6885
6886Change paragraph 1
6887
6888@quotation
6889With the exception of @code{__thread}, at most one
6890@var{storage-class-specifier} shall appear in a given
6891@var{decl-specifier-seq}. The @code{__thread} specifier may
6892be used alone, or immediately following the @code{extern} or
6893@code{static} specifiers. [@dots{}]
6894@end quotation
6895
6896Add after paragraph 5
6897
6898@quotation
6899The @code{__thread} specifier can be applied only to the names of objects
6900and to anonymous unions.
6901@end quotation
6902
6903@item
6904@b{[class.mem]}
6905
6906Add after paragraph 6
6907
6908@quotation
6909Non-@code{static} members shall not be @code{__thread}.
6910@end quotation
6911@end itemize
6912
c1f7febf
RK
6913@node C++ Extensions
6914@chapter Extensions to the C++ Language
6915@cindex extensions, C++ language
6916@cindex C++ language extensions
6917
6918The GNU compiler provides these extensions to the C++ language (and you
6919can also use most of the C language extensions in your C++ programs). If you
6920want to write code that checks whether these features are available, you can
6921test for the GNU compiler the same way as for C programs: check for a
6922predefined macro @code{__GNUC__}. You can also use @code{__GNUG__} to
6923test specifically for GNU C++ (@pxref{Standard Predefined,,Standard
6924Predefined Macros,cpp.info,The C Preprocessor}).
6925
6926@menu
c1f7febf 6927* Min and Max:: C++ Minimum and maximum operators.
02cac427 6928* Volatiles:: What constitutes an access to a volatile object.
49419c8f 6929* Restricted Pointers:: C99 restricted pointers and references.
7a81cf7f 6930* Vague Linkage:: Where G++ puts inlines, vtables and such.
c1f7febf 6931* C++ Interface:: You can use a single C++ header file for both
e6f3b89d 6932 declarations and definitions.
c1f7febf 6933* Template Instantiation:: Methods for ensuring that exactly one copy of
e6f3b89d 6934 each needed template instantiation is emitted.
0ded1f18
JM
6935* Bound member functions:: You can extract a function pointer to the
6936 method denoted by a @samp{->*} or @samp{.*} expression.
e6f3b89d 6937* C++ Attributes:: Variable, function, and type attributes for C++ only.
1f730ff7 6938* Java Exceptions:: Tweaking exception handling to work with Java.
e6f3b89d
PE
6939* Deprecated Features:: Things might disappear from g++.
6940* Backwards Compatibility:: Compatibilities with earlier definitions of C++.
c1f7febf
RK
6941@end menu
6942
c1f7febf
RK
6943@node Min and Max
6944@section Minimum and Maximum Operators in C++
6945
6946It is very convenient to have operators which return the ``minimum'' or the
6947``maximum'' of two arguments. In GNU C++ (but not in GNU C),
6948
6949@table @code
6950@item @var{a} <? @var{b}
6951@findex <?
6952@cindex minimum operator
6953is the @dfn{minimum}, returning the smaller of the numeric values
6954@var{a} and @var{b};
6955
6956@item @var{a} >? @var{b}
6957@findex >?
6958@cindex maximum operator
6959is the @dfn{maximum}, returning the larger of the numeric values @var{a}
6960and @var{b}.
6961@end table
6962
6963These operations are not primitive in ordinary C++, since you can
6964use a macro to return the minimum of two things in C++, as in the
6965following example.
6966
6967@example
6968#define MIN(X,Y) ((X) < (Y) ? : (X) : (Y))
6969@end example
6970
6971@noindent
6972You might then use @w{@samp{int min = MIN (i, j);}} to set @var{min} to
6973the minimum value of variables @var{i} and @var{j}.
6974
6975However, side effects in @code{X} or @code{Y} may cause unintended
6976behavior. For example, @code{MIN (i++, j++)} will fail, incrementing
95f79357
ZW
6977the smaller counter twice. The GNU C @code{typeof} extension allows you
6978to write safe macros that avoid this kind of problem (@pxref{Typeof}).
6979However, writing @code{MIN} and @code{MAX} as macros also forces you to
6980use function-call notation for a fundamental arithmetic operation.
6981Using GNU C++ extensions, you can write @w{@samp{int min = i <? j;}}
6982instead.
c1f7febf
RK
6983
6984Since @code{<?} and @code{>?} are built into the compiler, they properly
6985handle expressions with side-effects; @w{@samp{int min = i++ <? j++;}}
6986works correctly.
6987
02cac427
NS
6988@node Volatiles
6989@section When is a Volatile Object Accessed?
6990@cindex accessing volatiles
6991@cindex volatile read
6992@cindex volatile write
6993@cindex volatile access
6994
767094dd
JM
6995Both the C and C++ standard have the concept of volatile objects. These
6996are normally accessed by pointers and used for accessing hardware. The
8117da65 6997standards encourage compilers to refrain from optimizations
02cac427 6998concerning accesses to volatile objects that it might perform on
767094dd
JM
6999non-volatile objects. The C standard leaves it implementation defined
7000as to what constitutes a volatile access. The C++ standard omits to
02cac427 7001specify this, except to say that C++ should behave in a similar manner
767094dd 7002to C with respect to volatiles, where possible. The minimum either
8117da65 7003standard specifies is that at a sequence point all previous accesses to
02cac427 7004volatile objects have stabilized and no subsequent accesses have
767094dd 7005occurred. Thus an implementation is free to reorder and combine
02cac427 7006volatile accesses which occur between sequence points, but cannot do so
767094dd 7007for accesses across a sequence point. The use of volatiles does not
02cac427
NS
7008allow you to violate the restriction on updating objects multiple times
7009within a sequence point.
7010
7011In most expressions, it is intuitively obvious what is a read and what is
767094dd 7012a write. For instance
02cac427
NS
7013
7014@example
c771326b
JM
7015volatile int *dst = @var{somevalue};
7016volatile int *src = @var{someothervalue};
02cac427
NS
7017*dst = *src;
7018@end example
7019
7020@noindent
7021will cause a read of the volatile object pointed to by @var{src} and stores the
767094dd 7022value into the volatile object pointed to by @var{dst}. There is no
02cac427
NS
7023guarantee that these reads and writes are atomic, especially for objects
7024larger than @code{int}.
7025
7026Less obvious expressions are where something which looks like an access
767094dd 7027is used in a void context. An example would be,
02cac427
NS
7028
7029@example
c771326b 7030volatile int *src = @var{somevalue};
02cac427
NS
7031*src;
7032@end example
7033
7034With C, such expressions are rvalues, and as rvalues cause a read of
f0523f02 7035the object, GCC interprets this as a read of the volatile being pointed
767094dd 7036to. The C++ standard specifies that such expressions do not undergo
02cac427 7037lvalue to rvalue conversion, and that the type of the dereferenced
767094dd 7038object may be incomplete. The C++ standard does not specify explicitly
02cac427 7039that it is this lvalue to rvalue conversion which is responsible for
767094dd
JM
7040causing an access. However, there is reason to believe that it is,
7041because otherwise certain simple expressions become undefined. However,
f0523f02 7042because it would surprise most programmers, G++ treats dereferencing a
02cac427 7043pointer to volatile object of complete type in a void context as a read
767094dd 7044of the object. When the object has incomplete type, G++ issues a
02cac427
NS
7045warning.
7046
7047@example
7048struct S;
7049struct T @{int m;@};
c771326b
JM
7050volatile S *ptr1 = @var{somevalue};
7051volatile T *ptr2 = @var{somevalue};
02cac427
NS
7052*ptr1;
7053*ptr2;
7054@end example
7055
7056In this example, a warning is issued for @code{*ptr1}, and @code{*ptr2}
767094dd 7057causes a read of the object pointed to. If you wish to force an error on
02cac427
NS
7058the first case, you must force a conversion to rvalue with, for instance
7059a static cast, @code{static_cast<S>(*ptr1)}.
7060
f0523f02 7061When using a reference to volatile, G++ does not treat equivalent
02cac427 7062expressions as accesses to volatiles, but instead issues a warning that
767094dd 7063no volatile is accessed. The rationale for this is that otherwise it
02cac427
NS
7064becomes difficult to determine where volatile access occur, and not
7065possible to ignore the return value from functions returning volatile
767094dd 7066references. Again, if you wish to force a read, cast the reference to
02cac427
NS
7067an rvalue.
7068
535233a8
NS
7069@node Restricted Pointers
7070@section Restricting Pointer Aliasing
7071@cindex restricted pointers
7072@cindex restricted references
7073@cindex restricted this pointer
7074
49419c8f 7075As with gcc, g++ understands the C99 feature of restricted pointers,
535233a8 7076specified with the @code{__restrict__}, or @code{__restrict} type
767094dd 7077qualifier. Because you cannot compile C++ by specifying the @option{-std=c99}
535233a8
NS
7078language flag, @code{restrict} is not a keyword in C++.
7079
7080In addition to allowing restricted pointers, you can specify restricted
7081references, which indicate that the reference is not aliased in the local
7082context.
7083
7084@example
7085void fn (int *__restrict__ rptr, int &__restrict__ rref)
7086@{
0d893a63 7087 /* @r{@dots{}} */
535233a8
NS
7088@}
7089@end example
7090
7091@noindent
7092In the body of @code{fn}, @var{rptr} points to an unaliased integer and
7093@var{rref} refers to a (different) unaliased integer.
7094
7095You may also specify whether a member function's @var{this} pointer is
7096unaliased by using @code{__restrict__} as a member function qualifier.
7097
7098@example
7099void T::fn () __restrict__
7100@{
0d893a63 7101 /* @r{@dots{}} */
535233a8
NS
7102@}
7103@end example
7104
7105@noindent
7106Within the body of @code{T::fn}, @var{this} will have the effective
767094dd 7107definition @code{T *__restrict__ const this}. Notice that the
535233a8
NS
7108interpretation of a @code{__restrict__} member function qualifier is
7109different to that of @code{const} or @code{volatile} qualifier, in that it
767094dd 7110is applied to the pointer rather than the object. This is consistent with
535233a8
NS
7111other compilers which implement restricted pointers.
7112
7113As with all outermost parameter qualifiers, @code{__restrict__} is
767094dd 7114ignored in function definition matching. This means you only need to
535233a8
NS
7115specify @code{__restrict__} in a function definition, rather than
7116in a function prototype as well.
7117
7a81cf7f
JM
7118@node Vague Linkage
7119@section Vague Linkage
7120@cindex vague linkage
7121
7122There are several constructs in C++ which require space in the object
7123file but are not clearly tied to a single translation unit. We say that
7124these constructs have ``vague linkage''. Typically such constructs are
7125emitted wherever they are needed, though sometimes we can be more
7126clever.
7127
7128@table @asis
7129@item Inline Functions
7130Inline functions are typically defined in a header file which can be
7131included in many different compilations. Hopefully they can usually be
7132inlined, but sometimes an out-of-line copy is necessary, if the address
7133of the function is taken or if inlining fails. In general, we emit an
7134out-of-line copy in all translation units where one is needed. As an
7135exception, we only emit inline virtual functions with the vtable, since
7136it will always require a copy.
7137
7138Local static variables and string constants used in an inline function
7139are also considered to have vague linkage, since they must be shared
7140between all inlined and out-of-line instances of the function.
7141
7142@item VTables
7143@cindex vtable
7144C++ virtual functions are implemented in most compilers using a lookup
7145table, known as a vtable. The vtable contains pointers to the virtual
7146functions provided by a class, and each object of the class contains a
7147pointer to its vtable (or vtables, in some multiple-inheritance
7148situations). If the class declares any non-inline, non-pure virtual
7149functions, the first one is chosen as the ``key method'' for the class,
7150and the vtable is only emitted in the translation unit where the key
7151method is defined.
7152
7153@emph{Note:} If the chosen key method is later defined as inline, the
7154vtable will still be emitted in every translation unit which defines it.
7155Make sure that any inline virtuals are declared inline in the class
7156body, even if they are not defined there.
7157
7158@item type_info objects
7159@cindex type_info
7160@cindex RTTI
7161C++ requires information about types to be written out in order to
7162implement @samp{dynamic_cast}, @samp{typeid} and exception handling.
7163For polymorphic classes (classes with virtual functions), the type_info
7164object is written out along with the vtable so that @samp{dynamic_cast}
7165can determine the dynamic type of a class object at runtime. For all
7166other types, we write out the type_info object when it is used: when
7167applying @samp{typeid} to an expression, throwing an object, or
7168referring to a type in a catch clause or exception specification.
7169
7170@item Template Instantiations
7171Most everything in this section also applies to template instantiations,
7172but there are other options as well.
7173@xref{Template Instantiation,,Where's the Template?}.
7174
7175@end table
7176
7177When used with GNU ld version 2.8 or later on an ELF system such as
7178Linux/GNU or Solaris 2, or on Microsoft Windows, duplicate copies of
7179these constructs will be discarded at link time. This is known as
7180COMDAT support.
7181
7182On targets that don't support COMDAT, but do support weak symbols, GCC
7183will use them. This way one copy will override all the others, but
7184the unused copies will still take up space in the executable.
7185
7186For targets which do not support either COMDAT or weak symbols,
7187most entities with vague linkage will be emitted as local symbols to
7188avoid duplicate definition errors from the linker. This will not happen
7189for local statics in inlines, however, as having multiple copies will
7190almost certainly break things.
7191
7192@xref{C++ Interface,,Declarations and Definitions in One Header}, for
7193another way to control placement of these constructs.
7194
c1f7febf
RK
7195@node C++ Interface
7196@section Declarations and Definitions in One Header
7197
7198@cindex interface and implementation headers, C++
7199@cindex C++ interface and implementation headers
7200C++ object definitions can be quite complex. In principle, your source
7201code will need two kinds of things for each object that you use across
7202more than one source file. First, you need an @dfn{interface}
7203specification, describing its structure with type declarations and
7204function prototypes. Second, you need the @dfn{implementation} itself.
7205It can be tedious to maintain a separate interface description in a
7206header file, in parallel to the actual implementation. It is also
7207dangerous, since separate interface and implementation definitions may
7208not remain parallel.
7209
7210@cindex pragmas, interface and implementation
7211With GNU C++, you can use a single header file for both purposes.
7212
7213@quotation
7214@emph{Warning:} The mechanism to specify this is in transition. For the
7215nonce, you must use one of two @code{#pragma} commands; in a future
7216release of GNU C++, an alternative mechanism will make these
7217@code{#pragma} commands unnecessary.
7218@end quotation
7219
7220The header file contains the full definitions, but is marked with
7221@samp{#pragma interface} in the source code. This allows the compiler
7222to use the header file only as an interface specification when ordinary
7223source files incorporate it with @code{#include}. In the single source
7224file where the full implementation belongs, you can use either a naming
7225convention or @samp{#pragma implementation} to indicate this alternate
7226use of the header file.
7227
7228@table @code
7229@item #pragma interface
7230@itemx #pragma interface "@var{subdir}/@var{objects}.h"
7231@kindex #pragma interface
7232Use this directive in @emph{header files} that define object classes, to save
7233space in most of the object files that use those classes. Normally,
7234local copies of certain information (backup copies of inline member
7235functions, debugging information, and the internal tables that implement
7236virtual functions) must be kept in each object file that includes class
7237definitions. You can use this pragma to avoid such duplication. When a
7238header file containing @samp{#pragma interface} is included in a
7239compilation, this auxiliary information will not be generated (unless
7240the main input source file itself uses @samp{#pragma implementation}).
7241Instead, the object files will contain references to be resolved at link
7242time.
7243
7244The second form of this directive is useful for the case where you have
7245multiple headers with the same name in different directories. If you
7246use this form, you must specify the same string to @samp{#pragma
7247implementation}.
7248
7249@item #pragma implementation
7250@itemx #pragma implementation "@var{objects}.h"
7251@kindex #pragma implementation
7252Use this pragma in a @emph{main input file}, when you want full output from
7253included header files to be generated (and made globally visible). The
7254included header file, in turn, should use @samp{#pragma interface}.
7255Backup copies of inline member functions, debugging information, and the
7256internal tables used to implement virtual functions are all generated in
7257implementation files.
7258
7259@cindex implied @code{#pragma implementation}
7260@cindex @code{#pragma implementation}, implied
7261@cindex naming convention, implementation headers
7262If you use @samp{#pragma implementation} with no argument, it applies to
7263an include file with the same basename@footnote{A file's @dfn{basename}
7264was the name stripped of all leading path information and of trailing
7265suffixes, such as @samp{.h} or @samp{.C} or @samp{.cc}.} as your source
7266file. For example, in @file{allclass.cc}, giving just
7267@samp{#pragma implementation}
7268by itself is equivalent to @samp{#pragma implementation "allclass.h"}.
7269
7270In versions of GNU C++ prior to 2.6.0 @file{allclass.h} was treated as
7271an implementation file whenever you would include it from
7272@file{allclass.cc} even if you never specified @samp{#pragma
7273implementation}. This was deemed to be more trouble than it was worth,
7274however, and disabled.
7275
7276If you use an explicit @samp{#pragma implementation}, it must appear in
7277your source file @emph{before} you include the affected header files.
7278
7279Use the string argument if you want a single implementation file to
7280include code from multiple header files. (You must also use
7281@samp{#include} to include the header file; @samp{#pragma
7282implementation} only specifies how to use the file---it doesn't actually
7283include it.)
7284
7285There is no way to split up the contents of a single header file into
7286multiple implementation files.
7287@end table
7288
7289@cindex inlining and C++ pragmas
7290@cindex C++ pragmas, effect on inlining
7291@cindex pragmas in C++, effect on inlining
7292@samp{#pragma implementation} and @samp{#pragma interface} also have an
7293effect on function inlining.
7294
7295If you define a class in a header file marked with @samp{#pragma
7296interface}, the effect on a function defined in that class is similar to
7297an explicit @code{extern} declaration---the compiler emits no code at
7298all to define an independent version of the function. Its definition
7299is used only for inlining with its callers.
7300
84330467 7301@opindex fno-implement-inlines
c1f7febf
RK
7302Conversely, when you include the same header file in a main source file
7303that declares it as @samp{#pragma implementation}, the compiler emits
7304code for the function itself; this defines a version of the function
7305that can be found via pointers (or by callers compiled without
7306inlining). If all calls to the function can be inlined, you can avoid
84330467 7307emitting the function by compiling with @option{-fno-implement-inlines}.
c1f7febf
RK
7308If any calls were not inlined, you will get linker errors.
7309
7310@node Template Instantiation
7311@section Where's the Template?
7312
7313@cindex template instantiation
7314
7315C++ templates are the first language feature to require more
7316intelligence from the environment than one usually finds on a UNIX
7317system. Somehow the compiler and linker have to make sure that each
7318template instance occurs exactly once in the executable if it is needed,
7319and not at all otherwise. There are two basic approaches to this
7320problem, which I will refer to as the Borland model and the Cfront model.
7321
7322@table @asis
7323@item Borland model
7324Borland C++ solved the template instantiation problem by adding the code
469b759e
JM
7325equivalent of common blocks to their linker; the compiler emits template
7326instances in each translation unit that uses them, and the linker
7327collapses them together. The advantage of this model is that the linker
7328only has to consider the object files themselves; there is no external
7329complexity to worry about. This disadvantage is that compilation time
7330is increased because the template code is being compiled repeatedly.
7331Code written for this model tends to include definitions of all
7332templates in the header file, since they must be seen to be
7333instantiated.
c1f7febf
RK
7334
7335@item Cfront model
7336The AT&T C++ translator, Cfront, solved the template instantiation
7337problem by creating the notion of a template repository, an
469b759e
JM
7338automatically maintained place where template instances are stored. A
7339more modern version of the repository works as follows: As individual
7340object files are built, the compiler places any template definitions and
7341instantiations encountered in the repository. At link time, the link
7342wrapper adds in the objects in the repository and compiles any needed
7343instances that were not previously emitted. The advantages of this
7344model are more optimal compilation speed and the ability to use the
7345system linker; to implement the Borland model a compiler vendor also
c1f7febf 7346needs to replace the linker. The disadvantages are vastly increased
469b759e
JM
7347complexity, and thus potential for error; for some code this can be
7348just as transparent, but in practice it can been very difficult to build
c1f7febf 7349multiple programs in one directory and one program in multiple
469b759e
JM
7350directories. Code written for this model tends to separate definitions
7351of non-inline member templates into a separate file, which should be
7352compiled separately.
c1f7febf
RK
7353@end table
7354
469b759e 7355When used with GNU ld version 2.8 or later on an ELF system such as
a4b3b54a
JM
7356Linux/GNU or Solaris 2, or on Microsoft Windows, g++ supports the
7357Borland model. On other systems, g++ implements neither automatic
7358model.
469b759e
JM
7359
7360A future version of g++ will support a hybrid model whereby the compiler
7361will emit any instantiations for which the template definition is
7362included in the compile, and store template definitions and
7363instantiation context information into the object file for the rest.
7364The link wrapper will extract that information as necessary and invoke
7365the compiler to produce the remaining instantiations. The linker will
7366then combine duplicate instantiations.
7367
7368In the mean time, you have the following options for dealing with
7369template instantiations:
c1f7febf
RK
7370
7371@enumerate
d863830b 7372@item
84330467
JM
7373@opindex frepo
7374Compile your template-using code with @option{-frepo}. The compiler will
d863830b
JL
7375generate files with the extension @samp{.rpo} listing all of the
7376template instantiations used in the corresponding object files which
7377could be instantiated there; the link wrapper, @samp{collect2}, will
7378then update the @samp{.rpo} files to tell the compiler where to place
7379those instantiations and rebuild any affected object files. The
7380link-time overhead is negligible after the first pass, as the compiler
7381will continue to place the instantiations in the same files.
7382
7383This is your best option for application code written for the Borland
7384model, as it will just work. Code written for the Cfront model will
7385need to be modified so that the template definitions are available at
7386one or more points of instantiation; usually this is as simple as adding
7387@code{#include <tmethods.cc>} to the end of each template header.
7388
7389For library code, if you want the library to provide all of the template
7390instantiations it needs, just try to link all of its object files
7391together; the link will fail, but cause the instantiations to be
7392generated as a side effect. Be warned, however, that this may cause
7393conflicts if multiple libraries try to provide the same instantiations.
7394For greater control, use explicit instantiation as described in the next
7395option.
7396
c1f7febf 7397@item
84330467
JM
7398@opindex fno-implicit-templates
7399Compile your code with @option{-fno-implicit-templates} to disable the
c1f7febf
RK
7400implicit generation of template instances, and explicitly instantiate
7401all the ones you use. This approach requires more knowledge of exactly
7402which instances you need than do the others, but it's less
7403mysterious and allows greater control. You can scatter the explicit
7404instantiations throughout your program, perhaps putting them in the
7405translation units where the instances are used or the translation units
7406that define the templates themselves; you can put all of the explicit
7407instantiations you need into one big file; or you can create small files
7408like
7409
7410@example
7411#include "Foo.h"
7412#include "Foo.cc"
7413
7414template class Foo<int>;
7415template ostream& operator <<
7416 (ostream&, const Foo<int>&);
7417@end example
7418
7419for each of the instances you need, and create a template instantiation
7420library from those.
7421
7422If you are using Cfront-model code, you can probably get away with not
84330467 7423using @option{-fno-implicit-templates} when compiling files that don't
c1f7febf
RK
7424@samp{#include} the member template definitions.
7425
7426If you use one big file to do the instantiations, you may want to
84330467 7427compile it without @option{-fno-implicit-templates} so you get all of the
c1f7febf
RK
7428instances required by your explicit instantiations (but not by any
7429other files) without having to specify them as well.
7430
7431g++ has extended the template instantiation syntax outlined in the
03d0f4af 7432Working Paper to allow forward declaration of explicit instantiations
4003d7f9 7433(with @code{extern}), instantiation of the compiler support data for a
e979f9e8 7434template class (i.e.@: the vtable) without instantiating any of its
4003d7f9
JM
7435members (with @code{inline}), and instantiation of only the static data
7436members of a template class, without the support data or member
7437functions (with (@code{static}):
c1f7febf
RK
7438
7439@example
7440extern template int max (int, int);
c1f7febf 7441inline template class Foo<int>;
4003d7f9 7442static template class Foo<int>;
c1f7febf
RK
7443@end example
7444
7445@item
7446Do nothing. Pretend g++ does implement automatic instantiation
7447management. Code written for the Borland model will work fine, but
7448each translation unit will contain instances of each of the templates it
7449uses. In a large program, this can lead to an unacceptable amount of code
7450duplication.
7451
c1f7febf
RK
7452@xref{C++ Interface,,Declarations and Definitions in One Header}, for
7453more discussion of these pragmas.
7454@end enumerate
7455
0ded1f18
JM
7456@node Bound member functions
7457@section Extracting the function pointer from a bound pointer to member function
7458
7459@cindex pmf
7460@cindex pointer to member function
7461@cindex bound pointer to member function
7462
7463In C++, pointer to member functions (PMFs) are implemented using a wide
7464pointer of sorts to handle all the possible call mechanisms; the PMF
7465needs to store information about how to adjust the @samp{this} pointer,
7466and if the function pointed to is virtual, where to find the vtable, and
7467where in the vtable to look for the member function. If you are using
7468PMFs in an inner loop, you should really reconsider that decision. If
7469that is not an option, you can extract the pointer to the function that
7470would be called for a given object/PMF pair and call it directly inside
7471the inner loop, to save a bit of time.
7472
7473Note that you will still be paying the penalty for the call through a
7474function pointer; on most modern architectures, such a call defeats the
161d7b59 7475branch prediction features of the CPU@. This is also true of normal
0ded1f18
JM
7476virtual function calls.
7477
7478The syntax for this extension is
7479
7480@example
7481extern A a;
7482extern int (A::*fp)();
7483typedef int (*fptr)(A *);
7484
7485fptr p = (fptr)(a.*fp);
7486@end example
7487
e979f9e8 7488For PMF constants (i.e.@: expressions of the form @samp{&Klasse::Member}),
767094dd 7489no object is needed to obtain the address of the function. They can be
0fb6bbf5
ML
7490converted to function pointers directly:
7491
7492@example
7493fptr p1 = (fptr)(&A::foo);
7494@end example
7495
84330467
JM
7496@opindex Wno-pmf-conversions
7497You must specify @option{-Wno-pmf-conversions} to use this extension.
0ded1f18 7498
5c25e11d
PE
7499@node C++ Attributes
7500@section C++-Specific Variable, Function, and Type Attributes
7501
7502Some attributes only make sense for C++ programs.
7503
7504@table @code
7505@item init_priority (@var{priority})
7506@cindex init_priority attribute
7507
7508
7509In Standard C++, objects defined at namespace scope are guaranteed to be
7510initialized in an order in strict accordance with that of their definitions
7511@emph{in a given translation unit}. No guarantee is made for initializations
7512across translation units. However, GNU C++ allows users to control the
3844cd2e 7513order of initialization of objects defined at namespace scope with the
5c25e11d
PE
7514@code{init_priority} attribute by specifying a relative @var{priority},
7515a constant integral expression currently bounded between 101 and 65535
7516inclusive. Lower numbers indicate a higher priority.
7517
7518In the following example, @code{A} would normally be created before
7519@code{B}, but the @code{init_priority} attribute has reversed that order:
7520
478c9e72 7521@smallexample
5c25e11d
PE
7522Some_Class A __attribute__ ((init_priority (2000)));
7523Some_Class B __attribute__ ((init_priority (543)));
478c9e72 7524@end smallexample
5c25e11d
PE
7525
7526@noindent
7527Note that the particular values of @var{priority} do not matter; only their
7528relative ordering.
7529
60c87482
BM
7530@item java_interface
7531@cindex java_interface attribute
7532
02f52e19 7533This type attribute informs C++ that the class is a Java interface. It may
60c87482 7534only be applied to classes declared within an @code{extern "Java"} block.
02f52e19
AJ
7535Calls to methods declared in this interface will be dispatched using GCJ's
7536interface table mechanism, instead of regular virtual table dispatch.
60c87482 7537
5c25e11d
PE
7538@end table
7539
1f730ff7
ZW
7540@node Java Exceptions
7541@section Java Exceptions
7542
7543The Java language uses a slightly different exception handling model
7544from C++. Normally, GNU C++ will automatically detect when you are
7545writing C++ code that uses Java exceptions, and handle them
7546appropriately. However, if C++ code only needs to execute destructors
7547when Java exceptions are thrown through it, GCC will guess incorrectly.
9c34dbbf 7548Sample problematic code is:
1f730ff7 7549
478c9e72 7550@smallexample
1f730ff7 7551 struct S @{ ~S(); @};
9c34dbbf 7552 extern void bar(); // is written in Java, and may throw exceptions
1f730ff7
ZW
7553 void foo()
7554 @{
7555 S s;
7556 bar();
7557 @}
478c9e72 7558@end smallexample
1f730ff7
ZW
7559
7560@noindent
7561The usual effect of an incorrect guess is a link failure, complaining of
7562a missing routine called @samp{__gxx_personality_v0}.
7563
7564You can inform the compiler that Java exceptions are to be used in a
7565translation unit, irrespective of what it might think, by writing
7566@samp{@w{#pragma GCC java_exceptions}} at the head of the file. This
7567@samp{#pragma} must appear before any functions that throw or catch
7568exceptions, or run destructors when exceptions are thrown through them.
7569
7570You cannot mix Java and C++ exceptions in the same translation unit. It
7571is believed to be safe to throw a C++ exception from one file through
9c34dbbf
ZW
7572another file compiled for the Java exception model, or vice versa, but
7573there may be bugs in this area.
1f730ff7 7574
e6f3b89d
PE
7575@node Deprecated Features
7576@section Deprecated Features
7577
7578In the past, the GNU C++ compiler was extended to experiment with new
767094dd 7579features, at a time when the C++ language was still evolving. Now that
e6f3b89d 7580the C++ standard is complete, some of those features are superseded by
767094dd
JM
7581superior alternatives. Using the old features might cause a warning in
7582some cases that the feature will be dropped in the future. In other
e6f3b89d
PE
7583cases, the feature might be gone already.
7584
7585While the list below is not exhaustive, it documents some of the options
7586that are now deprecated:
7587
7588@table @code
7589@item -fexternal-templates
7590@itemx -falt-external-templates
7591These are two of the many ways for g++ to implement template
767094dd 7592instantiation. @xref{Template Instantiation}. The C++ standard clearly
e6f3b89d 7593defines how template definitions have to be organized across
767094dd 7594implementation units. g++ has an implicit instantiation mechanism that
e6f3b89d
PE
7595should work just fine for standard-conforming code.
7596
7597@item -fstrict-prototype
7598@itemx -fno-strict-prototype
7599Previously it was possible to use an empty prototype parameter list to
7600indicate an unspecified number of parameters (like C), rather than no
767094dd 7601parameters, as C++ demands. This feature has been removed, except where
e6f3b89d
PE
7602it is required for backwards compatibility @xref{Backwards Compatibility}.
7603@end table
7604
ad1a6d45
NS
7605The named return value extension has been deprecated, and is now
7606removed from g++.
e6f3b89d 7607
82c18d5c 7608The use of initializer lists with new expressions has been deprecated,
ad1a6d45
NS
7609and is now removed from g++.
7610
7611Floating and complex non-type template parameters have been deprecated,
7612and are now removed from g++.
7613
7614The implicit typename extension has been deprecated and will be removed
05713b80 7615from g++ at some point. In some cases g++ determines that a dependent
ad1a6d45
NS
7616type such as @code{TPL<T>::X} is a type without needing a
7617@code{typename} keyword, contrary to the standard.
82c18d5c 7618
e6f3b89d
PE
7619@node Backwards Compatibility
7620@section Backwards Compatibility
7621@cindex Backwards Compatibility
7622@cindex ARM [Annotated C++ Reference Manual]
7623
aee96fe9 7624Now that there is a definitive ISO standard C++, G++ has a specification
767094dd 7625to adhere to. The C++ language evolved over time, and features that
e6f3b89d 7626used to be acceptable in previous drafts of the standard, such as the ARM
767094dd 7627[Annotated C++ Reference Manual], are no longer accepted. In order to allow
aee96fe9 7628compilation of C++ written to such drafts, G++ contains some backwards
767094dd 7629compatibilities. @emph{All such backwards compatibility features are
aee96fe9 7630liable to disappear in future versions of G++.} They should be considered
e6f3b89d
PE
7631deprecated @xref{Deprecated Features}.
7632
7633@table @code
7634@item For scope
7635If a variable is declared at for scope, it used to remain in scope until
7636the end of the scope which contained the for statement (rather than just
aee96fe9 7637within the for scope). G++ retains this, but issues a warning, if such a
e6f3b89d
PE
7638variable is accessed outside the for scope.
7639
ad1a6d45 7640@item Implicit C language
630d3d5a 7641Old C system header files did not contain an @code{extern "C" @{@dots{}@}}
767094dd
JM
7642scope to set the language. On such systems, all header files are
7643implicitly scoped inside a C language scope. Also, an empty prototype
e6f3b89d
PE
7644@code{()} will be treated as an unspecified number of arguments, rather
7645than no arguments, as C++ demands.
7646@end table
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