Re: Add __GNUC_PATCHLEVEL__

[Jonathan Larmour <jlarmour at cygnus dot co dot uk>]

Jeffrey A Law wrote:
> 
>   > Wed Jun  2 17:34:42 1999  Jonathan Larmour  <jlarmour@cygnus.co.uk>
>   >
>   >         * gcc.c (default_compilers): Add new __GNUC_PATCHLEVEL__ define to
>   >         default cpp spec
>   >         * gcc.c (do_spec_1): Add support for %v3 spec used by
>   >         __GNUC_PATCHLEVEL__
> I believe this change has been overtaken by events.  We no longer spin the
> patchlevel number, except when we make minor releases and we're going to be
> trying hard to avoid any new features, incompatible changes in minor releass.

Actually this patch was intended to be of more benefit to people who do
their own tools (like Cygnus :-)), rather than FSF GCC. The problem is that
the macro has to be available ubiquitously otherwise people have to use a
#ifdef test as well as a #if one.

It also provides an escape route if FSF GCC ever finds out that a minor
patch release did introduce an incompatible change after all, or more
relevantly and importantly, a bug. Code may be able to work around this, but
only if they know which compiler is being used, and not everyone uses
autoconf. This was in fact the original motivation for me to do this.

Someone suggested elsewhere the macro name of __GNUC_MICRO__. I would be
happy if you wanted to change the name to that. Less typing :).

Jifl
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