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252b5132 1\input texinfo @c -*-Texinfo-*-
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2@c Copyright 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000,
3@c 2001
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4@c Free Software Foundation, Inc.
5@c UPDATE!! On future updates--
6@c (1) check for new machine-dep cmdline options in
7@c md_parse_option definitions in config/tc-*.c
8@c (2) for platform-specific directives, examine md_pseudo_op
9@c in config/tc-*.c
10@c (3) for object-format specific directives, examine obj_pseudo_op
11@c in config/obj-*.c
12@c (4) portable directives in potable[] in read.c
13@c %**start of header
14@setfilename as.info
15@c ---config---
16@c defaults, config file may override:
17@set have-stabs
18@c ---
19@include asconfig.texi
20@include gasver.texi
21@c ---
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22@c man begin NAME
23@ifset man
24@c Configure for the generation of man pages
25@set AS as
26@set TARGET TARGET
27@set GENERIC
28@set A29K
29@set ARC
30@set ARM
31@set D10V
32@set D30V
33@set H8/300
34@set H8/500
35@set HPPA
36@set I370
37@set I80386
38@set I860
39@set I960
40@set M32R
41@set M68HC11
42@set M680X0
81b0b3f1 43@set M880X0
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44@set MCORE
45@set MIPS
46@set PDP11
47@set PJ
48@set SH
49@set SPARC
50@set C54X
51@set V850
52@set VAX
53@end ifset
54@c man end
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55@c common OR combinations of conditions
56@ifset AOUT
57@set aout-bout
58@end ifset
59@ifset ARM/Thumb
60@set ARM
61@end ifset
62@ifset BOUT
63@set aout-bout
64@end ifset
65@ifset H8/300
66@set H8
67@end ifset
68@ifset H8/500
69@set H8
70@end ifset
71@ifset SH
72@set H8
73@end ifset
74@ifset HPPA
75@set abnormal-separator
76@end ifset
77@c ------------
78@ifset GENERIC
79@settitle Using @value{AS}
80@end ifset
81@ifclear GENERIC
82@settitle Using @value{AS} (@value{TARGET})
83@end ifclear
84@setchapternewpage odd
85@c %**end of header
86
87@c @smallbook
88@c @set SMALL
89@c WARE! Some of the machine-dependent sections contain tables of machine
90@c instructions. Except in multi-column format, these tables look silly.
91@c Unfortunately, Texinfo doesn't have a general-purpose multi-col format, so
92@c the multi-col format is faked within @example sections.
93@c
94@c Again unfortunately, the natural size that fits on a page, for these tables,
95@c is different depending on whether or not smallbook is turned on.
96@c This matters, because of order: text flow switches columns at each page
97@c break.
98@c
99@c The format faked in this source works reasonably well for smallbook,
100@c not well for the default large-page format. This manual expects that if you
101@c turn on @smallbook, you will also uncomment the "@set SMALL" to enable the
102@c tables in question. You can turn on one without the other at your
103@c discretion, of course.
104@ifinfo
105@set SMALL
106@c the insn tables look just as silly in info files regardless of smallbook,
107@c might as well show 'em anyways.
108@end ifinfo
109
110@ifinfo
111@format
112START-INFO-DIR-ENTRY
113* As: (as). The GNU assembler.
114END-INFO-DIR-ENTRY
115@end format
116@end ifinfo
117
118@finalout
119@syncodeindex ky cp
120
121@ifinfo
122This file documents the GNU Assembler "@value{AS}".
123
0285c67d 124@c man begin COPYRIGHT
a349d9dd 125Copyright (C) 1991, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 2000, 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
252b5132 126
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127Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
128under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.1
129or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation;
130with no Invariant Sections, with no Front-Cover Texts, and with no
131Back-Cover Texts. A copy of the license is included in the
132section entitled "GNU Free Documentation License".
133
134@c man end
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135
136@ignore
137Permission is granted to process this file through Tex and print the
138results, provided the printed document carries copying permission
139notice identical to this one except for the removal of this paragraph
140(this paragraph not being relevant to the printed manual).
141
142@end ignore
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143@end ifinfo
144
145@titlepage
146@title Using @value{AS}
147@subtitle The @sc{gnu} Assembler
148@ifclear GENERIC
149@subtitle for the @value{TARGET} family
150@end ifclear
151@sp 1
152@subtitle Version @value{VERSION}
153@sp 1
154@sp 13
155The Free Software Foundation Inc. thanks The Nice Computer
156Company of Australia for loaning Dean Elsner to write the
157first (Vax) version of @code{as} for Project @sc{gnu}.
158The proprietors, management and staff of TNCCA thank FSF for
159distracting the boss while they got some work
160done.
161@sp 3
162@author Dean Elsner, Jay Fenlason & friends
163@page
164@tex
165{\parskip=0pt
166\hfill {\it Using {\tt @value{AS}}}\par
167\hfill Edited by Cygnus Support\par
168}
169%"boxit" macro for figures:
170%Modified from Knuth's ``boxit'' macro from TeXbook (answer to exercise 21.3)
171\gdef\boxit#1#2{\vbox{\hrule\hbox{\vrule\kern3pt
172 \vbox{\parindent=0pt\parskip=0pt\hsize=#1\kern3pt\strut\hfil
173#2\hfil\strut\kern3pt}\kern3pt\vrule}\hrule}}%box with visible outline
174\gdef\ibox#1#2{\hbox to #1{#2\hfil}\kern8pt}% invisible box
175@end tex
176
177@vskip 0pt plus 1filll
a349d9dd 178Copyright @copyright{} 1991, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 2000, 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
252b5132 179
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180 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
181 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.1
182 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation;
183 with no Invariant Sections, with no Front-Cover Texts, and with no
184 Back-Cover Texts. A copy of the license is included in the
185 section entitled "GNU Free Documentation License".
252b5132 186
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187@end titlepage
188
189@ifinfo
190@node Top
191@top Using @value{AS}
192
193This file is a user guide to the @sc{gnu} assembler @code{@value{AS}} version
194@value{VERSION}.
195@ifclear GENERIC
196This version of the file describes @code{@value{AS}} configured to generate
197code for @value{TARGET} architectures.
198@end ifclear
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199
200This document is distributed under the terms of the GNU Free
201Documentation License. A copy of the license is included in the
202section entitled "GNU Free Documentation License".
203
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204@menu
205* Overview:: Overview
206* Invoking:: Command-Line Options
207* Syntax:: Syntax
208* Sections:: Sections and Relocation
209* Symbols:: Symbols
210* Expressions:: Expressions
211* Pseudo Ops:: Assembler Directives
212* Machine Dependencies:: Machine Dependent Features
213* Reporting Bugs:: Reporting Bugs
214* Acknowledgements:: Who Did What
cf055d54 215* GNU Free Documentation License:: GNU Free Documentation License
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216* Index:: Index
217@end menu
218@end ifinfo
219
220@node Overview
221@chapter Overview
222@iftex
223This manual is a user guide to the @sc{gnu} assembler @code{@value{AS}}.
224@ifclear GENERIC
225This version of the manual describes @code{@value{AS}} configured to generate
226code for @value{TARGET} architectures.
227@end ifclear
228@end iftex
229
230@cindex invocation summary
231@cindex option summary
232@cindex summary of options
233Here is a brief summary of how to invoke @code{@value{AS}}. For details,
234@pxref{Invoking,,Comand-Line Options}.
235
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236@c man title AS the portable GNU assembler.
237
238@c man begin SEEALSO
239gcc(1), ld(1), and the Info entries for @file{binutils} and @file{ld}.
240@c man end
241
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242@c We don't use deffn and friends for the following because they seem
243@c to be limited to one line for the header.
244@smallexample
0285c67d 245@c man begin SYNOPSIS
252b5132 246@value{AS} [ -a[cdhlns][=file] ] [ -D ] [ --defsym @var{sym}=@var{val} ]
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247 [ -f ] [ --gstabs ] [ --gdwarf2 ] [ --help ] [ -I @var{dir} ]
248 [ -J ] [ -K ] [ -L ]
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249 [ --listing--lhs-width=NUM ][ --listing-lhs-width2=NUM ]
250 [ --listing-rhs-width=NUM ][ --listing-cont-lines=NUM ]
252b5132 251 [ --keep-locals ] [ -o @var{objfile} ] [ -R ] [ --statistics ] [ -v ]
2bdd6cf5 252 [ -version ] [ --version ] [ -W ] [ --warn ] [ --fatal-warnings ]
ea20a7da 253 [ -w ] [ -x ] [ -Z ] [ --target-help ]
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254@ifset A29K
255@c am29k has no machine-dependent assembler options
256@end ifset
257@ifset ARC
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258 [ -marc[5|6|7|8] ]
259 [ -EB | -EL ]
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260@end ifset
261@ifset ARM
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262 [ -m[arm]1 | -m[arm]2 | -m[arm]250 | -m[arm]3 |
263 -m[arm]6 | -m[arm]60 | -m[arm]600 | -m[arm]610 |
264 -m[arm]620 | -m[arm]7[t][[d]m[i]][fe] | -m[arm]70 |
265 -m[arm]700 | -m[arm]710[c] | -m[arm]7100 |
266 -m[arm]7500 | -m[arm]8 | -m[arm]810 | -m[arm]9 |
267 -m[arm]920 | -m[arm]920t | -m[arm]9tdmi |
cdf82bcf 268 -mstrongarm | -mstrongarm110 | -mstrongarm1100 ]
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269 [ -m[arm]v2 | -m[arm]v2a | -m[arm]v3 | -m[arm]v3m |
270 -m[arm]v4 | -m[arm]v4t | -m[arm]v5 | -[arm]v5t |
271 -[arm]v5te ]
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272 [ -mthumb | -mall ]
273 [ -mfpa10 | -mfpa11 | -mfpe-old | -mno-fpu ]
274 [ -EB | -EL ]
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275 [ -mapcs-32 | -mapcs-26 | -mapcs-float |
276 -mapcs-reentrant ]
277 [ -mthumb-interwork ] [ -moabi ] [ -k ]
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278@end ifset
279@ifset D10V
280 [ -O ]
281@end ifset
282@ifset D30V
283 [ -O | -n | -N ]
284@end ifset
285@ifset H8
286@c Hitachi family chips have no machine-dependent assembler options
287@end ifset
288@ifset HPPA
289@c HPPA has no machine-dependent assembler options (yet).
290@end ifset
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291@ifset PJ
292 [ -mb | -me ]
293@end ifset
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294@ifset SPARC
295@c The order here is important. See c-sparc.texi.
296 [ -Av6 | -Av7 | -Av8 | -Asparclet | -Asparclite
297 -Av8plus | -Av8plusa | -Av9 | -Av9a ]
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298 [ -xarch=v8plus | -xarch=v8plusa ] [ -bump ]
299 [ -32 | -64 ]
252b5132 300@end ifset
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301@ifset TIC54X
302 [ -mcpu=54[123589] | -mcpu=54[56]lp ] [ -mfar-mode | -mf ]
303 [ -merrors-to-file <filename> | -me <filename> ]
304@end ifset
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305@ifset Z8000
306@c Z8000 has no machine-dependent assembler options
307@end ifset
308@ifset I960
309@c see md_parse_option in tc-i960.c
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310 [ -ACA | -ACA_A | -ACB | -ACC | -AKA | -AKB |
311 -AKC | -AMC ]
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312 [ -b ] [ -no-relax ]
313@end ifset
ec694b89 314@ifset M32R
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315 [ --m32rx | --[no-]warn-explicit-parallel-conflicts |
316 --W[n]p ]
ec694b89 317@end ifset
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318@ifset M680X0
319 [ -l ] [ -m68000 | -m68010 | -m68020 | ... ]
320@end ifset
321@ifset MCORE
322 [ -jsri2bsr ] [ -sifilter ] [ -relax ]
ec694b89 323 [ -mcpu=[210|340] ]
252b5132 324@end ifset
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325@ifset M68HC11
326 [ -m68hc11 | -m68hc12 ]
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327 [ --force-long-branchs ] [ --short-branchs ]
328 [ --strict-direct-mode ] [ --print-insn-syntax ]
329 [ --print-opcodes ] [ --generate-example ]
60bcf0fa 330@end ifset
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331@ifset MIPS
332 [ -nocpp ] [ -EL ] [ -EB ] [ -G @var{num} ] [ -mcpu=@var{CPU} ]
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333 [ -mips1 ] [ -mips2 ] [ -mips3 ] [ -mips4 ] [ -mips5 ]
334 [ -mips32 ] [ -mips64 ]
e7af610e 335 [ -m4650 ] [ -no-m4650 ]
63486801 336 [ --trap ] [ --break ] [ -n ]
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337 [ --emulation=@var{name} ]
338@end ifset
339 [ -- | @var{files} @dots{} ]
0285c67d 340@c man end
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341@end smallexample
342
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343@c man begin OPTIONS
344
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345@table @code
346@item -a[cdhlmns]
347Turn on listings, in any of a variety of ways:
348
349@table @code
350@item -ac
351omit false conditionals
352
353@item -ad
354omit debugging directives
355
356@item -ah
357include high-level source
358
359@item -al
360include assembly
361
362@item -am
363include macro expansions
364
365@item -an
366omit forms processing
367
368@item -as
369include symbols
370
371@item =file
372set the name of the listing file
373@end table
374
375You may combine these options; for example, use @samp{-aln} for assembly
376listing without forms processing. The @samp{=file} option, if used, must be
377the last one. By itself, @samp{-a} defaults to @samp{-ahls}.
378
379@item -D
380Ignored. This option is accepted for script compatibility with calls to
381other assemblers.
382
383@item --defsym @var{sym}=@var{value}
384Define the symbol @var{sym} to be @var{value} before assembling the input file.
385@var{value} must be an integer constant. As in C, a leading @samp{0x}
386indicates a hexadecimal value, and a leading @samp{0} indicates an octal value.
387
388@item -f
389``fast''---skip whitespace and comment preprocessing (assume source is
390compiler output).
391
392@item --gstabs
393Generate stabs debugging information for each assembler line. This
394may help debugging assembler code, if the debugger can handle it.
395
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396@item --gdwarf2
397Generate DWARF2 debugging information for each assembler line. This
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398may help debugging assembler code, if the debugger can handle it. Note - this
399option is only supported by some targets, not all of them.
cdf82bcf 400
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401@item --help
402Print a summary of the command line options and exit.
403
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404@item --target-help
405Print a summary of all target specific options and exit.
406
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407@item -I @var{dir}
408Add directory @var{dir} to the search list for @code{.include} directives.
409
410@item -J
411Don't warn about signed overflow.
412
413@item -K
414@ifclear DIFF-TBL-KLUGE
415This option is accepted but has no effect on the @value{TARGET} family.
416@end ifclear
417@ifset DIFF-TBL-KLUGE
418Issue warnings when difference tables altered for long displacements.
419@end ifset
420
421@item -L
422@itemx --keep-locals
423Keep (in the symbol table) local symbols. On traditional a.out systems
424these start with @samp{L}, but different systems have different local
425label prefixes.
426
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427@item --listing-lhs-width=@var{number}
428Set the maximum width, in words, of the output data column for an assembler
429listing to @var{number}.
430
431@item --listing-lhs-width2=@var{number}
432Set the maximum width, in words, of the output data column for continuation
433lines in an assembler listing to @var{number}.
434
435@item --listing-rhs-width=@var{number}
436Set the maximum width of an input source line, as displayed in a listing, to
437@var{number} bytes.
438
439@item --listing-cont-lines=@var{number}
440Set the maximum number of lines printed in a listing for a single line of input
441to @var{number} + 1.
442
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443@item -o @var{objfile}
444Name the object-file output from @code{@value{AS}} @var{objfile}.
445
446@item -R
447Fold the data section into the text section.
448
449@item --statistics
450Print the maximum space (in bytes) and total time (in seconds) used by
451assembly.
452
453@item --strip-local-absolute
454Remove local absolute symbols from the outgoing symbol table.
455
456@item -v
457@itemx -version
458Print the @code{as} version.
459
460@item --version
461Print the @code{as} version and exit.
462
463@item -W
2bdd6cf5 464@itemx --no-warn
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465Suppress warning messages.
466
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467@item --fatal-warnings
468Treat warnings as errors.
469
470@item --warn
471Don't suppress warning messages or treat them as errors.
472
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473@item -w
474Ignored.
475
476@item -x
477Ignored.
478
479@item -Z
480Generate an object file even after errors.
481
482@item -- | @var{files} @dots{}
483Standard input, or source files to assemble.
484
485@end table
486
487@ifset ARC
488The following options are available when @value{AS} is configured for
489an ARC processor.
490
491@table @code
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492@item -marc[5|6|7|8]
493This option selects the core processor variant.
494@item -EB | -EL
495Select either big-endian (-EB) or little-endian (-EL) output.
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496@end table
497@end ifset
498
499@ifset ARM
500The following options are available when @value{AS} is configured for the ARM
501processor family.
502
503@table @code
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504@item -m[arm][1|2|3|6|7|8|9][...]
505Specify which ARM processor variant is the target.
506@item -m[arm]v[2|2a|3|3m|4|4t|5|5t]
507Specify which ARM architecture variant is used by the target.
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508@item -mthumb | -mall
509Enable or disable Thumb only instruction decoding.
510@item -mfpa10 | -mfpa11 | -mfpe-old | -mno-fpu
a349d9dd 511Select which Floating Point architecture is the target.
cdf82bcf 512@item -mapcs-32 | -mapcs-26 | -mapcs-float | -mapcs-reentrant | -moabi
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513Select which procedure calling convention is in use.
514@item -EB | -EL
515Select either big-endian (-EB) or little-endian (-EL) output.
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516@item -mthumb-interwork
517Specify that the code has been generated with interworking between Thumb and
518ARM code in mind.
519@item -k
520Specify that PIC code has been generated.
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521@end table
522@end ifset
523
524@ifset D10V
525The following options are available when @value{AS} is configured for
526a D10V processor.
527@table @code
528@cindex D10V optimization
529@cindex optimization, D10V
530@item -O
531Optimize output by parallelizing instructions.
532@end table
533@end ifset
534
535@ifset D30V
536The following options are available when @value{AS} is configured for a D30V
537processor.
538@table @code
539@cindex D30V optimization
540@cindex optimization, D30V
541@item -O
542Optimize output by parallelizing instructions.
543
544@cindex D30V nops
545@item -n
546Warn when nops are generated.
547
548@cindex D30V nops after 32-bit multiply
549@item -N
550Warn when a nop after a 32-bit multiply instruction is generated.
551@end table
552@end ifset
553
554@ifset I960
555The following options are available when @value{AS} is configured for the
556Intel 80960 processor.
557
558@table @code
559@item -ACA | -ACA_A | -ACB | -ACC | -AKA | -AKB | -AKC | -AMC
560Specify which variant of the 960 architecture is the target.
561
562@item -b
563Add code to collect statistics about branches taken.
564
565@item -no-relax
566Do not alter compare-and-branch instructions for long displacements;
567error if necessary.
568
569@end table
570@end ifset
571
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572@ifset M32R
573The following options are available when @value{AS} is configured for the
574Mitsubishi M32R series.
575
576@table @code
577
578@item --m32rx
579Specify which processor in the M32R family is the target. The default
580is normally the M32R, but this option changes it to the M32RX.
581
582@item --warn-explicit-parallel-conflicts or --Wp
583Produce warning messages when questionable parallel constructs are
584encountered.
585
586@item --no-warn-explicit-parallel-conflicts or --Wnp
587Do not produce warning messages when questionable parallel constructs are
588encountered.
589
590@end table
591@end ifset
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592
593@ifset M680X0
594The following options are available when @value{AS} is configured for the
595Motorola 68000 series.
596
597@table @code
598
599@item -l
600Shorten references to undefined symbols, to one word instead of two.
601
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602@item -m68000 | -m68008 | -m68010 | -m68020 | -m68030
603@itemx | -m68040 | -m68060 | -m68302 | -m68331 | -m68332
604@itemx | -m68333 | -m68340 | -mcpu32 | -m5200
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605Specify what processor in the 68000 family is the target. The default
606is normally the 68020, but this can be changed at configuration time.
607
608@item -m68881 | -m68882 | -mno-68881 | -mno-68882
609The target machine does (or does not) have a floating-point coprocessor.
610The default is to assume a coprocessor for 68020, 68030, and cpu32. Although
611the basic 68000 is not compatible with the 68881, a combination of the
612two can be specified, since it's possible to do emulation of the
613coprocessor instructions with the main processor.
614
615@item -m68851 | -mno-68851
616The target machine does (or does not) have a memory-management
617unit coprocessor. The default is to assume an MMU for 68020 and up.
618
619@end table
620@end ifset
621
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622@ifset PDP11
623
624For details about the PDP-11 machine dependent features options,
625see @ref{PDP-11-Options}.
626
627@table @code
628@item -mpic | -mno-pic
629Generate position-independent (or position-dependent) code. The
630default is @code{-mpic}.
631
632@item -mall
633@itemx -mall-extensions
634Enable all instruction set extensions. This is the default.
635
636@item -mno-extensions
637Disable all instruction set extensions.
638
639@item -m@var{extension} | -mno-@var{extension}
640Enable (or disable) a particular instruction set extension.
641
642@item -m@var{cpu}
643Enable the instruction set extensions supported by a particular CPU, and
644disable all other extensions.
645
646@item -m@var{machine}
647Enable the instruction set extensions supported by a particular machine
648model, and disable all other extensions.
649@end table
650
651@end ifset
652
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653@ifset PJ
654The following options are available when @value{AS} is configured for
655a picoJava processor.
656
657@table @code
658
659@cindex PJ endianness
660@cindex endianness, PJ
661@cindex big endian output, PJ
662@item -mb
663Generate ``big endian'' format output.
664
665@cindex little endian output, PJ
666@item -ml
667Generate ``little endian'' format output.
668
669@end table
670@end ifset
671
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672@ifset M68HC11
673The following options are available when @value{AS} is configured for the
674Motorola 68HC11 or 68HC12 series.
675
676@table @code
677
678@item -m68hc11 | -m68hc12
679Specify what processor is the target. The default is
680defined by the configuration option when building the assembler.
681
682@item --force-long-branchs
683Relative branches are turned into absolute ones. This concerns
684conditional branches, unconditional branches and branches to a
685sub routine.
686
687@item -S | --short-branchs
688Do not turn relative branchs into absolute ones
689when the offset is out of range.
690
691@item --strict-direct-mode
692Do not turn the direct addressing mode into extended addressing mode
693when the instruction does not support direct addressing mode.
694
695@item --print-insn-syntax
696Print the syntax of instruction in case of error.
697
698@item --print-opcodes
699print the list of instructions with syntax and then exit.
700
701@item --generate-example
702print an example of instruction for each possible instruction and then exit.
703This option is only useful for testing @code{@value{AS}}.
704
705@end table
706@end ifset
707
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708@ifset SPARC
709The following options are available when @code{@value{AS}} is configured
710for the SPARC architecture:
711
712@table @code
713@item -Av6 | -Av7 | -Av8 | -Asparclet | -Asparclite
714@itemx -Av8plus | -Av8plusa | -Av9 | -Av9a
715Explicitly select a variant of the SPARC architecture.
716
717@samp{-Av8plus} and @samp{-Av8plusa} select a 32 bit environment.
718@samp{-Av9} and @samp{-Av9a} select a 64 bit environment.
719
720@samp{-Av8plusa} and @samp{-Av9a} enable the SPARC V9 instruction set with
721UltraSPARC extensions.
722
723@item -xarch=v8plus | -xarch=v8plusa
724For compatibility with the Solaris v9 assembler. These options are
725equivalent to -Av8plus and -Av8plusa, respectively.
726
727@item -bump
728Warn when the assembler switches to another architecture.
729@end table
730@end ifset
731
39bec121
TW
732@ifset TIC54X
733The following options are available when @value{AS} is configured for the 'c54x
734architecture.
735
736@table @code
737@item -mfar-mode
738Enable extended addressing mode. All addresses and relocations will assume
739extended addressing (usually 23 bits).
740@item -mcpu=@var{CPU_VERSION}
741Sets the CPU version being compiled for.
742@item -merrors-to-file @var{FILENAME}
743Redirect error output to a file, for broken systems which don't support such
744behaviour in the shell.
745@end table
746@end ifset
747
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748@ifset MIPS
749The following options are available when @value{AS} is configured for
750a MIPS processor.
751
752@table @code
753@item -G @var{num}
754This option sets the largest size of an object that can be referenced
755implicitly with the @code{gp} register. It is only accepted for targets that
756use ECOFF format, such as a DECstation running Ultrix. The default value is 8.
757
758@cindex MIPS endianness
759@cindex endianness, MIPS
760@cindex big endian output, MIPS
761@item -EB
762Generate ``big endian'' format output.
763
764@cindex little endian output, MIPS
765@item -EL
766Generate ``little endian'' format output.
767
768@cindex MIPS ISA
769@item -mips1
770@itemx -mips2
771@itemx -mips3
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772@itemx -mips4
773@itemx -mips32
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774Generate code for a particular MIPS Instruction Set Architecture level.
775@samp{-mips1} corresponds to the @sc{r2000} and @sc{r3000} processors,
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776@samp{-mips2} to the @sc{r6000} processor, and @samp{-mips3} to the @sc{r4000}
777processor.
778@samp{-mips5}, @samp{-mips32}, and @samp{-mips64} correspond
779to generic @sc{MIPS V}, @sc{MIPS32}, and @sc{MIPS64} ISA
780processors, respectively.
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781
782@item -m4650
783@itemx -no-m4650
784Generate code for the MIPS @sc{r4650} chip. This tells the assembler to accept
785the @samp{mad} and @samp{madu} instruction, and to not schedule @samp{nop}
786instructions around accesses to the @samp{HI} and @samp{LO} registers.
787@samp{-no-m4650} turns off this option.
788
789@item -mcpu=@var{CPU}
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790Generate code for a particular MIPS cpu. It is exactly equivalent to
791@samp{-m@var{cpu}}, except that there are more value of @var{cpu}
792understood.
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793
794@cindex emulation
795@item --emulation=@var{name}
796This option causes @code{@value{AS}} to emulate @code{@value{AS}} configured
797for some other target, in all respects, including output format (choosing
798between ELF and ECOFF only), handling of pseudo-opcodes which may generate
799debugging information or store symbol table information, and default
800endianness. The available configuration names are: @samp{mipsecoff},
801@samp{mipself}, @samp{mipslecoff}, @samp{mipsbecoff}, @samp{mipslelf},
802@samp{mipsbelf}. The first two do not alter the default endianness from that
803of the primary target for which the assembler was configured; the others change
804the default to little- or big-endian as indicated by the @samp{b} or @samp{l}
805in the name. Using @samp{-EB} or @samp{-EL} will override the endianness
806selection in any case.
807
808This option is currently supported only when the primary target
809@code{@value{AS}} is configured for is a MIPS ELF or ECOFF target.
810Furthermore, the primary target or others specified with
811@samp{--enable-targets=@dots{}} at configuration time must include support for
812the other format, if both are to be available. For example, the Irix 5
813configuration includes support for both.
814
815Eventually, this option will support more configurations, with more
816fine-grained control over the assembler's behavior, and will be supported for
817more processors.
818
819@item -nocpp
820@code{@value{AS}} ignores this option. It is accepted for compatibility with
821the native tools.
822
823@need 900
824@item --trap
825@itemx --no-trap
826@itemx --break
827@itemx --no-break
828Control how to deal with multiplication overflow and division by zero.
829@samp{--trap} or @samp{--no-break} (which are synonyms) take a trap exception
830(and only work for Instruction Set Architecture level 2 and higher);
831@samp{--break} or @samp{--no-trap} (also synonyms, and the default) take a
832break exception.
63486801
L
833
834@item -n
835When this option is used, @code{@value{AS}} will issue a warning every
836time it generates a nop instruction from a macro.
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837@end table
838@end ifset
839
840@ifset MCORE
841The following options are available when @value{AS} is configured for
842an MCore processor.
843
844@table @code
845@item -jsri2bsr
846@itemx -nojsri2bsr
847Enable or disable the JSRI to BSR transformation. By default this is enabled.
848The command line option @samp{-nojsri2bsr} can be used to disable it.
849
850@item -sifilter
851@itemx -nosifilter
852Enable or disable the silicon filter behaviour. By default this is disabled.
a349d9dd 853The default can be overridden by the @samp{-sifilter} command line option.
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854
855@item -relax
856Alter jump instructions for long displacements.
857
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858@item -mcpu=[210|340]
859Select the cpu type on the target hardware. This controls which instructions
860can be assembled.
861
862@item -EB
863Assemble for a big endian target.
864
865@item -EL
866Assemble for a little endian target.
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867
868@end table
869@end ifset
870
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871@c man end
872
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873@menu
874* Manual:: Structure of this Manual
875* GNU Assembler:: The GNU Assembler
876* Object Formats:: Object File Formats
877* Command Line:: Command Line
878* Input Files:: Input Files
879* Object:: Output (Object) File
880* Errors:: Error and Warning Messages
881@end menu
882
883@node Manual
884@section Structure of this Manual
885
886@cindex manual, structure and purpose
887This manual is intended to describe what you need to know to use
888@sc{gnu} @code{@value{AS}}. We cover the syntax expected in source files, including
889notation for symbols, constants, and expressions; the directives that
890@code{@value{AS}} understands; and of course how to invoke @code{@value{AS}}.
891
892@ifclear GENERIC
893We also cover special features in the @value{TARGET}
894configuration of @code{@value{AS}}, including assembler directives.
895@end ifclear
896@ifset GENERIC
897This manual also describes some of the machine-dependent features of
898various flavors of the assembler.
899@end ifset
900
901@cindex machine instructions (not covered)
902On the other hand, this manual is @emph{not} intended as an introduction
903to programming in assembly language---let alone programming in general!
904In a similar vein, we make no attempt to introduce the machine
905architecture; we do @emph{not} describe the instruction set, standard
906mnemonics, registers or addressing modes that are standard to a
907particular architecture.
908@ifset GENERIC
909You may want to consult the manufacturer's
910machine architecture manual for this information.
911@end ifset
912@ifclear GENERIC
913@ifset H8/300
914For information on the H8/300 machine instruction set, see @cite{H8/300
915Series Programming Manual} (Hitachi ADE--602--025). For the H8/300H,
916see @cite{H8/300H Series Programming Manual} (Hitachi).
917@end ifset
918@ifset H8/500
919For information on the H8/500 machine instruction set, see @cite{H8/500
920Series Programming Manual} (Hitachi M21T001).
921@end ifset
922@ifset SH
923For information on the Hitachi SH machine instruction set, see
924@cite{SH-Microcomputer User's Manual} (Hitachi Micro Systems, Inc.).
925@end ifset
926@ifset Z8000
927For information on the Z8000 machine instruction set, see @cite{Z8000 CPU Technical Manual}
928@end ifset
929@end ifclear
930
931@c I think this is premature---doc@cygnus.com, 17jan1991
932@ignore
933Throughout this manual, we assume that you are running @dfn{GNU},
934the portable operating system from the @dfn{Free Software
935Foundation, Inc.}. This restricts our attention to certain kinds of
936computer (in particular, the kinds of computers that @sc{gnu} can run on);
937once this assumption is granted examples and definitions need less
938qualification.
939
940@code{@value{AS}} is part of a team of programs that turn a high-level
941human-readable series of instructions into a low-level
942computer-readable series of instructions. Different versions of
943@code{@value{AS}} are used for different kinds of computer.
944@end ignore
945
946@c There used to be a section "Terminology" here, which defined
947@c "contents", "byte", "word", and "long". Defining "word" to any
948@c particular size is confusing when the .word directive may generate 16
949@c bits on one machine and 32 bits on another; in general, for the user
950@c version of this manual, none of these terms seem essential to define.
951@c They were used very little even in the former draft of the manual;
952@c this draft makes an effort to avoid them (except in names of
953@c directives).
954
955@node GNU Assembler
956@section The GNU Assembler
957
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958@c man begin DESCRIPTION
959
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960@sc{gnu} @code{as} is really a family of assemblers.
961@ifclear GENERIC
962This manual describes @code{@value{AS}}, a member of that family which is
963configured for the @value{TARGET} architectures.
964@end ifclear
965If you use (or have used) the @sc{gnu} assembler on one architecture, you
966should find a fairly similar environment when you use it on another
967architecture. Each version has much in common with the others,
968including object file formats, most assembler directives (often called
969@dfn{pseudo-ops}) and assembler syntax.@refill
970
971@cindex purpose of @sc{gnu} assembler
972@code{@value{AS}} is primarily intended to assemble the output of the
973@sc{gnu} C compiler @code{@value{GCC}} for use by the linker
974@code{@value{LD}}. Nevertheless, we've tried to make @code{@value{AS}}
975assemble correctly everything that other assemblers for the same
976machine would assemble.
977@ifset VAX
978Any exceptions are documented explicitly (@pxref{Machine Dependencies}).
979@end ifset
980@ifset M680X0
981@c This remark should appear in generic version of manual; assumption
982@c here is that generic version sets M680x0.
983This doesn't mean @code{@value{AS}} always uses the same syntax as another
984assembler for the same architecture; for example, we know of several
985incompatible versions of 680x0 assembly language syntax.
986@end ifset
987
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988@c man end
989
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990Unlike older assemblers, @code{@value{AS}} is designed to assemble a source
991program in one pass of the source file. This has a subtle impact on the
992@kbd{.org} directive (@pxref{Org,,@code{.org}}).
993
994@node Object Formats
995@section Object File Formats
996
997@cindex object file format
998The @sc{gnu} assembler can be configured to produce several alternative
999object file formats. For the most part, this does not affect how you
1000write assembly language programs; but directives for debugging symbols
1001are typically different in different file formats. @xref{Symbol
1002Attributes,,Symbol Attributes}.
1003@ifclear GENERIC
1004@ifclear MULTI-OBJ
1005On the @value{TARGET}, @code{@value{AS}} is configured to produce
1006@value{OBJ-NAME} format object files.
1007@end ifclear
1008@c The following should exhaust all configs that set MULTI-OBJ, ideally
1009@ifset A29K
1010On the @value{TARGET}, @code{@value{AS}} can be configured to produce either
1011@code{a.out} or COFF format object files.
1012@end ifset
1013@ifset I960
1014On the @value{TARGET}, @code{@value{AS}} can be configured to produce either
1015@code{b.out} or COFF format object files.
1016@end ifset
1017@ifset HPPA
1018On the @value{TARGET}, @code{@value{AS}} can be configured to produce either
1019SOM or ELF format object files.
1020@end ifset
1021@end ifclear
1022
1023@node Command Line
1024@section Command Line
1025
1026@cindex command line conventions
0285c67d 1027
252b5132
RH
1028After the program name @code{@value{AS}}, the command line may contain
1029options and file names. Options may appear in any order, and may be
1030before, after, or between file names. The order of file names is
1031significant.
1032
1033@cindex standard input, as input file
1034@kindex --
1035@file{--} (two hyphens) by itself names the standard input file
1036explicitly, as one of the files for @code{@value{AS}} to assemble.
1037
1038@cindex options, command line
1039Except for @samp{--} any command line argument that begins with a
1040hyphen (@samp{-}) is an option. Each option changes the behavior of
1041@code{@value{AS}}. No option changes the way another option works. An
1042option is a @samp{-} followed by one or more letters; the case of
1043the letter is important. All options are optional.
1044
1045Some options expect exactly one file name to follow them. The file
1046name may either immediately follow the option's letter (compatible
1047with older assemblers) or it may be the next command argument (@sc{gnu}
1048standard). These two command lines are equivalent:
1049
1050@smallexample
1051@value{AS} -o my-object-file.o mumble.s
1052@value{AS} -omy-object-file.o mumble.s
1053@end smallexample
1054
1055@node Input Files
1056@section Input Files
1057
1058@cindex input
1059@cindex source program
1060@cindex files, input
1061We use the phrase @dfn{source program}, abbreviated @dfn{source}, to
1062describe the program input to one run of @code{@value{AS}}. The program may
1063be in one or more files; how the source is partitioned into files
1064doesn't change the meaning of the source.
1065
1066@c I added "con" prefix to "catenation" just to prove I can overcome my
1067@c APL training... doc@cygnus.com
1068The source program is a concatenation of the text in all the files, in the
1069order specified.
1070
0285c67d 1071@c man begin DESCRIPTION
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1072Each time you run @code{@value{AS}} it assembles exactly one source
1073program. The source program is made up of one or more files.
1074(The standard input is also a file.)
1075
1076You give @code{@value{AS}} a command line that has zero or more input file
1077names. The input files are read (from left file name to right). A
1078command line argument (in any position) that has no special meaning
1079is taken to be an input file name.
1080
1081If you give @code{@value{AS}} no file names it attempts to read one input file
1082from the @code{@value{AS}} standard input, which is normally your terminal. You
1083may have to type @key{ctl-D} to tell @code{@value{AS}} there is no more program
1084to assemble.
1085
1086Use @samp{--} if you need to explicitly name the standard input file
1087in your command line.
1088
1089If the source is empty, @code{@value{AS}} produces a small, empty object
1090file.
1091
0285c67d
NC
1092@c man end
1093
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1094@subheading Filenames and Line-numbers
1095
1096@cindex input file linenumbers
1097@cindex line numbers, in input files
1098There are two ways of locating a line in the input file (or files) and
1099either may be used in reporting error messages. One way refers to a line
1100number in a physical file; the other refers to a line number in a
1101``logical'' file. @xref{Errors, ,Error and Warning Messages}.
1102
1103@dfn{Physical files} are those files named in the command line given
1104to @code{@value{AS}}.
1105
1106@dfn{Logical files} are simply names declared explicitly by assembler
1107directives; they bear no relation to physical files. Logical file names help
1108error messages reflect the original source file, when @code{@value{AS}} source
1109is itself synthesized from other files. @code{@value{AS}} understands the
1110@samp{#} directives emitted by the @code{@value{GCC}} preprocessor. See also
1111@ref{File,,@code{.file}}.
1112
1113@node Object
1114@section Output (Object) File
1115
1116@cindex object file
1117@cindex output file
1118@kindex a.out
1119@kindex .o
1120Every time you run @code{@value{AS}} it produces an output file, which is
1121your assembly language program translated into numbers. This file
1122is the object file. Its default name is
1123@ifclear BOUT
1124@code{a.out}.
1125@end ifclear
1126@ifset BOUT
1127@ifset GENERIC
1128@code{a.out}, or
1129@end ifset
1130@code{b.out} when @code{@value{AS}} is configured for the Intel 80960.
1131@end ifset
1132You can give it another name by using the @code{-o} option. Conventionally,
1133object file names end with @file{.o}. The default name is used for historical
1134reasons: older assemblers were capable of assembling self-contained programs
1135directly into a runnable program. (For some formats, this isn't currently
1136possible, but it can be done for the @code{a.out} format.)
1137
1138@cindex linker
1139@kindex ld
1140The object file is meant for input to the linker @code{@value{LD}}. It contains
1141assembled program code, information to help @code{@value{LD}} integrate
1142the assembled program into a runnable file, and (optionally) symbolic
1143information for the debugger.
1144
1145@c link above to some info file(s) like the description of a.out.
1146@c don't forget to describe @sc{gnu} info as well as Unix lossage.
1147
1148@node Errors
1149@section Error and Warning Messages
1150
0285c67d
NC
1151@c man begin DESCRIPTION
1152
a349d9dd 1153@cindex error messages
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RH
1154@cindex warning messages
1155@cindex messages from assembler
1156@code{@value{AS}} may write warnings and error messages to the standard error
1157file (usually your terminal). This should not happen when a compiler
1158runs @code{@value{AS}} automatically. Warnings report an assumption made so
1159that @code{@value{AS}} could keep assembling a flawed program; errors report a
1160grave problem that stops the assembly.
1161
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1162@c man end
1163
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1164@cindex format of warning messages
1165Warning messages have the format
1166
1167@smallexample
1168file_name:@b{NNN}:Warning Message Text
1169@end smallexample
1170
1171@noindent
1172@cindex line numbers, in warnings/errors
1173(where @b{NNN} is a line number). If a logical file name has been given
1174(@pxref{File,,@code{.file}}) it is used for the filename, otherwise the name of
1175the current input file is used. If a logical line number was given
1176@ifset GENERIC
1177(@pxref{Line,,@code{.line}})
1178@end ifset
1179@ifclear GENERIC
1180@ifclear A29K
1181(@pxref{Line,,@code{.line}})
1182@end ifclear
1183@ifset A29K
1184(@pxref{Ln,,@code{.ln}})
1185@end ifset
1186@end ifclear
1187then it is used to calculate the number printed,
1188otherwise the actual line in the current source file is printed. The
1189message text is intended to be self explanatory (in the grand Unix
1190tradition).
1191
1192@cindex format of error messages
1193Error messages have the format
1194@smallexample
1195file_name:@b{NNN}:FATAL:Error Message Text
1196@end smallexample
1197The file name and line number are derived as for warning
1198messages. The actual message text may be rather less explanatory
1199because many of them aren't supposed to happen.
1200
1201@node Invoking
1202@chapter Command-Line Options
1203
1204@cindex options, all versions of assembler
1205This chapter describes command-line options available in @emph{all}
1206versions of the @sc{gnu} assembler; @pxref{Machine Dependencies}, for options specific
1207@ifclear GENERIC
1208to the @value{TARGET}.
1209@end ifclear
1210@ifset GENERIC
1211to particular machine architectures.
1212@end ifset
1213
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1214@c man begin DESCRIPTION
1215
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1216If you are invoking @code{@value{AS}} via the @sc{gnu} C compiler (version 2),
1217you can use the @samp{-Wa} option to pass arguments through to the assembler.
1218The assembler arguments must be separated from each other (and the @samp{-Wa})
1219by commas. For example:
1220
1221@smallexample
1222gcc -c -g -O -Wa,-alh,-L file.c
1223@end smallexample
1224
1225@noindent
1226This passes two options to the assembler: @samp{-alh} (emit a listing to
1227standard output with with high-level and assembly source) and @samp{-L} (retain
1228local symbols in the symbol table).
1229
1230Usually you do not need to use this @samp{-Wa} mechanism, since many compiler
1231command-line options are automatically passed to the assembler by the compiler.
1232(You can call the @sc{gnu} compiler driver with the @samp{-v} option to see
1233precisely what options it passes to each compilation pass, including the
1234assembler.)
1235
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1236@c man end
1237
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1238@menu
1239* a:: -a[cdhlns] enable listings
1240* D:: -D for compatibility
1241* f:: -f to work faster
1242* I:: -I for .include search path
1243@ifclear DIFF-TBL-KLUGE
1244* K:: -K for compatibility
1245@end ifclear
1246@ifset DIFF-TBL-KLUGE
1247* K:: -K for difference tables
1248@end ifset
1249
1250* L:: -L to retain local labels
c3a27914 1251* listing:: --listing-XXX to configure listing output
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1252* M:: -M or --mri to assemble in MRI compatibility mode
1253* MD:: --MD for dependency tracking
1254* o:: -o to name the object file
1255* R:: -R to join data and text sections
1256* statistics:: --statistics to see statistics about assembly
1257* traditional-format:: --traditional-format for compatible output
1258* v:: -v to announce version
2bdd6cf5 1259* W:: -W, --no-warn, --warn, --fatal-warnings to control warnings
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1260* Z:: -Z to make object file even after errors
1261@end menu
1262
1263@node a
1264@section Enable Listings: @code{-a[cdhlns]}
1265
1266@kindex -a
1267@kindex -ac
1268@kindex -ad
1269@kindex -ah
1270@kindex -al
1271@kindex -an
1272@kindex -as
1273@cindex listings, enabling
1274@cindex assembly listings, enabling
1275
1276These options enable listing output from the assembler. By itself,
1277@samp{-a} requests high-level, assembly, and symbols listing.
1278You can use other letters to select specific options for the list:
1279@samp{-ah} requests a high-level language listing,
1280@samp{-al} requests an output-program assembly listing, and
1281@samp{-as} requests a symbol table listing.
1282High-level listings require that a compiler debugging option like
1283@samp{-g} be used, and that assembly listings (@samp{-al}) be requested
1284also.
1285
1286Use the @samp{-ac} option to omit false conditionals from a listing. Any lines
1287which are not assembled because of a false @code{.if} (or @code{.ifdef}, or any
1288other conditional), or a true @code{.if} followed by an @code{.else}, will be
1289omitted from the listing.
1290
1291Use the @samp{-ad} option to omit debugging directives from the
1292listing.
1293
1294Once you have specified one of these options, you can further control
1295listing output and its appearance using the directives @code{.list},
1296@code{.nolist}, @code{.psize}, @code{.eject}, @code{.title}, and
1297@code{.sbttl}.
1298The @samp{-an} option turns off all forms processing.
1299If you do not request listing output with one of the @samp{-a} options, the
1300listing-control directives have no effect.
1301
1302The letters after @samp{-a} may be combined into one option,
1303@emph{e.g.}, @samp{-aln}.
1304
c3a27914
NC
1305Note if the assembler source is coming from the standard input (eg because it
1306is being created by @code{@value{GCC}} and the @samp{-pipe} command line switch
1307is being used) then the listing will not contain any comments or preprocessor
1308directives. This is because the listing code buffers input source lines from
1309stdin only after they have been preprocessed by the assembler. This reduces
1310memory usage and makes the code more efficient.
1311
252b5132
RH
1312@node D
1313@section @code{-D}
1314
1315@kindex -D
1316This option has no effect whatsoever, but it is accepted to make it more
1317likely that scripts written for other assemblers also work with
1318@code{@value{AS}}.
1319
1320@node f
1321@section Work Faster: @code{-f}
1322
1323@kindex -f
1324@cindex trusted compiler
1325@cindex faster processing (@code{-f})
1326@samp{-f} should only be used when assembling programs written by a
1327(trusted) compiler. @samp{-f} stops the assembler from doing whitespace
1328and comment preprocessing on
1329the input file(s) before assembling them. @xref{Preprocessing,
1330,Preprocessing}.
1331
1332@quotation
1333@emph{Warning:} if you use @samp{-f} when the files actually need to be
1334preprocessed (if they contain comments, for example), @code{@value{AS}} does
1335not work correctly.
1336@end quotation
1337
1338@node I
1339@section @code{.include} search path: @code{-I} @var{path}
1340
1341@kindex -I @var{path}
1342@cindex paths for @code{.include}
1343@cindex search path for @code{.include}
1344@cindex @code{include} directive search path
1345Use this option to add a @var{path} to the list of directories
1346@code{@value{AS}} searches for files specified in @code{.include}
1347directives (@pxref{Include,,@code{.include}}). You may use @code{-I} as
1348many times as necessary to include a variety of paths. The current
1349working directory is always searched first; after that, @code{@value{AS}}
1350searches any @samp{-I} directories in the same order as they were
1351specified (left to right) on the command line.
1352
1353@node K
1354@section Difference Tables: @code{-K}
1355
1356@kindex -K
1357@ifclear DIFF-TBL-KLUGE
1358On the @value{TARGET} family, this option is allowed, but has no effect. It is
1359permitted for compatibility with the @sc{gnu} assembler on other platforms,
1360where it can be used to warn when the assembler alters the machine code
1361generated for @samp{.word} directives in difference tables. The @value{TARGET}
1362family does not have the addressing limitations that sometimes lead to this
1363alteration on other platforms.
1364@end ifclear
1365
1366@ifset DIFF-TBL-KLUGE
1367@cindex difference tables, warning
1368@cindex warning for altered difference tables
1369@code{@value{AS}} sometimes alters the code emitted for directives of the form
1370@samp{.word @var{sym1}-@var{sym2}}; @pxref{Word,,@code{.word}}.
1371You can use the @samp{-K} option if you want a warning issued when this
1372is done.
1373@end ifset
1374
1375@node L
1376@section Include Local Labels: @code{-L}
1377
1378@kindex -L
1379@cindex local labels, retaining in output
1380Labels beginning with @samp{L} (upper case only) are called @dfn{local
1381labels}. @xref{Symbol Names}. Normally you do not see such labels when
1382debugging, because they are intended for the use of programs (like
1383compilers) that compose assembler programs, not for your notice.
1384Normally both @code{@value{AS}} and @code{@value{LD}} discard such labels, so you do not
1385normally debug with them.
1386
1387This option tells @code{@value{AS}} to retain those @samp{L@dots{}} symbols
1388in the object file. Usually if you do this you also tell the linker
1389@code{@value{LD}} to preserve symbols whose names begin with @samp{L}.
1390
1391By default, a local label is any label beginning with @samp{L}, but each
1392target is allowed to redefine the local label prefix.
1393@ifset HPPA
1394On the HPPA local labels begin with @samp{L$}.
1395@end ifset
252b5132 1396
c3a27914
NC
1397@node listing
1398@section Configuringh listing output: @code{--listing}
1399
1400The listing feature of the assembler can be enabled via the command line switch
1401@samp{-a} (@pxref{a}). This feature combines the input source file(s) with a
1402hex dump of the corresponding locations in the output object file, and displays
1403them as a listing file. The format of this listing can be controlled by pseudo
1404ops inside the assembler source (@pxref{List} @pxref{Title} @pxref{Sbttl}
1405@pxref{Psize} @pxref{Eject}) and also by the following switches:
1406
1407@table @code
1408@item --listing-lhs-width=@samp{number}
1409@kindex --listing-lhs-width
1410@cindex Width of first line disassembly output
1411Sets the maximum width, in words, of the first line of the hex byte dump. This
1412dump appears on the left hand side of the listing output.
1413
1414@item --listing-lhs-width2=@samp{number}
1415@kindex --listing-lhs-width2
1416@cindex Width of continuation lines of disassembly output
1417Sets the maximum width, in words, of any further lines of the hex byte dump for
1418a given inut source line. If this value is not specified, it defaults to being
1419the same as the value specified for @samp{--listing-lhs-width}. If neither
1420switch is used the default is to one.
1421
1422@item --listing-rhs-width=@samp{number}
1423@kindex --listing-rhs-width
1424@cindex Width of source line output
1425Sets the maximum width, in characters, of the source line that is displayed
1426alongside the hex dump. The default value for this parameter is 100. The
1427source line is displayed on the right hand side of the listing output.
1428
1429@item --listing-cont-lines=@samp{number}
1430@kindex --listing-cont-lines
1431@cindex Maximum number of continuation lines
1432Sets the maximum number of continuation lines of hex dump that will be
1433displayed for a given single line of source input. The default value is 4.
1434@end table
1435
252b5132
RH
1436@node M
1437@section Assemble in MRI Compatibility Mode: @code{-M}
1438
1439@kindex -M
1440@cindex MRI compatibility mode
1441The @code{-M} or @code{--mri} option selects MRI compatibility mode. This
1442changes the syntax and pseudo-op handling of @code{@value{AS}} to make it
1443compatible with the @code{ASM68K} or the @code{ASM960} (depending upon the
1444configured target) assembler from Microtec Research. The exact nature of the
1445MRI syntax will not be documented here; see the MRI manuals for more
1446information. Note in particular that the handling of macros and macro
1447arguments is somewhat different. The purpose of this option is to permit
1448assembling existing MRI assembler code using @code{@value{AS}}.
1449
1450The MRI compatibility is not complete. Certain operations of the MRI assembler
1451depend upon its object file format, and can not be supported using other object
1452file formats. Supporting these would require enhancing each object file format
1453individually. These are:
1454
1455@itemize @bullet
1456@item global symbols in common section
1457
1458The m68k MRI assembler supports common sections which are merged by the linker.
1459Other object file formats do not support this. @code{@value{AS}} handles
1460common sections by treating them as a single common symbol. It permits local
1461symbols to be defined within a common section, but it can not support global
1462symbols, since it has no way to describe them.
1463
1464@item complex relocations
1465
1466The MRI assemblers support relocations against a negated section address, and
1467relocations which combine the start addresses of two or more sections. These
1468are not support by other object file formats.
1469
1470@item @code{END} pseudo-op specifying start address
1471
1472The MRI @code{END} pseudo-op permits the specification of a start address.
1473This is not supported by other object file formats. The start address may
1474instead be specified using the @code{-e} option to the linker, or in a linker
1475script.
1476
1477@item @code{IDNT}, @code{.ident} and @code{NAME} pseudo-ops
1478
1479The MRI @code{IDNT}, @code{.ident} and @code{NAME} pseudo-ops assign a module
1480name to the output file. This is not supported by other object file formats.
1481
1482@item @code{ORG} pseudo-op
1483
1484The m68k MRI @code{ORG} pseudo-op begins an absolute section at a given
1485address. This differs from the usual @code{@value{AS}} @code{.org} pseudo-op,
1486which changes the location within the current section. Absolute sections are
1487not supported by other object file formats. The address of a section may be
1488assigned within a linker script.
1489@end itemize
1490
1491There are some other features of the MRI assembler which are not supported by
1492@code{@value{AS}}, typically either because they are difficult or because they
1493seem of little consequence. Some of these may be supported in future releases.
1494
1495@itemize @bullet
1496
1497@item EBCDIC strings
1498
1499EBCDIC strings are not supported.
1500
1501@item packed binary coded decimal
1502
1503Packed binary coded decimal is not supported. This means that the @code{DC.P}
1504and @code{DCB.P} pseudo-ops are not supported.
1505
1506@item @code{FEQU} pseudo-op
1507
1508The m68k @code{FEQU} pseudo-op is not supported.
1509
1510@item @code{NOOBJ} pseudo-op
1511
1512The m68k @code{NOOBJ} pseudo-op is not supported.
1513
1514@item @code{OPT} branch control options
1515
1516The m68k @code{OPT} branch control options---@code{B}, @code{BRS}, @code{BRB},
1517@code{BRL}, and @code{BRW}---are ignored. @code{@value{AS}} automatically
1518relaxes all branches, whether forward or backward, to an appropriate size, so
1519these options serve no purpose.
1520
1521@item @code{OPT} list control options
1522
1523The following m68k @code{OPT} list control options are ignored: @code{C},
1524@code{CEX}, @code{CL}, @code{CRE}, @code{E}, @code{G}, @code{I}, @code{M},
1525@code{MEX}, @code{MC}, @code{MD}, @code{X}.
1526
1527@item other @code{OPT} options
1528
1529The following m68k @code{OPT} options are ignored: @code{NEST}, @code{O},
1530@code{OLD}, @code{OP}, @code{P}, @code{PCO}, @code{PCR}, @code{PCS}, @code{R}.
1531
1532@item @code{OPT} @code{D} option is default
1533
1534The m68k @code{OPT} @code{D} option is the default, unlike the MRI assembler.
1535@code{OPT NOD} may be used to turn it off.
1536
1537@item @code{XREF} pseudo-op.
1538
1539The m68k @code{XREF} pseudo-op is ignored.
1540
1541@item @code{.debug} pseudo-op
1542
1543The i960 @code{.debug} pseudo-op is not supported.
1544
1545@item @code{.extended} pseudo-op
1546
1547The i960 @code{.extended} pseudo-op is not supported.
1548
1549@item @code{.list} pseudo-op.
1550
1551The various options of the i960 @code{.list} pseudo-op are not supported.
1552
1553@item @code{.optimize} pseudo-op
1554
1555The i960 @code{.optimize} pseudo-op is not supported.
1556
1557@item @code{.output} pseudo-op
1558
1559The i960 @code{.output} pseudo-op is not supported.
1560
1561@item @code{.setreal} pseudo-op
1562
1563The i960 @code{.setreal} pseudo-op is not supported.
1564
1565@end itemize
1566
1567@node MD
1568@section Dependency tracking: @code{--MD}
1569
1570@kindex --MD
1571@cindex dependency tracking
1572@cindex make rules
1573
1574@code{@value{AS}} can generate a dependency file for the file it creates. This
1575file consists of a single rule suitable for @code{make} describing the
1576dependencies of the main source file.
1577
1578The rule is written to the file named in its argument.
1579
1580This feature is used in the automatic updating of makefiles.
1581
1582@node o
1583@section Name the Object File: @code{-o}
1584
1585@kindex -o
1586@cindex naming object file
1587@cindex object file name
1588There is always one object file output when you run @code{@value{AS}}. By
1589default it has the name
1590@ifset GENERIC
1591@ifset I960
1592@file{a.out} (or @file{b.out}, for Intel 960 targets only).
1593@end ifset
1594@ifclear I960
1595@file{a.out}.
1596@end ifclear
1597@end ifset
1598@ifclear GENERIC
1599@ifset I960
1600@file{b.out}.
1601@end ifset
1602@ifclear I960
1603@file{a.out}.
1604@end ifclear
1605@end ifclear
1606You use this option (which takes exactly one filename) to give the
1607object file a different name.
1608
1609Whatever the object file is called, @code{@value{AS}} overwrites any
1610existing file of the same name.
1611
1612@node R
1613@section Join Data and Text Sections: @code{-R}
1614
1615@kindex -R
1616@cindex data and text sections, joining
1617@cindex text and data sections, joining
1618@cindex joining text and data sections
1619@cindex merging text and data sections
1620@code{-R} tells @code{@value{AS}} to write the object file as if all
1621data-section data lives in the text section. This is only done at
1622the very last moment: your binary data are the same, but data
1623section parts are relocated differently. The data section part of
1624your object file is zero bytes long because all its bytes are
1625appended to the text section. (@xref{Sections,,Sections and Relocation}.)
1626
1627When you specify @code{-R} it would be possible to generate shorter
1628address displacements (because we do not have to cross between text and
1629data section). We refrain from doing this simply for compatibility with
1630older versions of @code{@value{AS}}. In future, @code{-R} may work this way.
1631
1632@ifset COFF
1633When @code{@value{AS}} is configured for COFF output,
1634this option is only useful if you use sections named @samp{.text} and
1635@samp{.data}.
1636@end ifset
1637
1638@ifset HPPA
1639@code{-R} is not supported for any of the HPPA targets. Using
1640@code{-R} generates a warning from @code{@value{AS}}.
1641@end ifset
1642
1643@node statistics
1644@section Display Assembly Statistics: @code{--statistics}
1645
1646@kindex --statistics
1647@cindex statistics, about assembly
1648@cindex time, total for assembly
1649@cindex space used, maximum for assembly
1650Use @samp{--statistics} to display two statistics about the resources used by
1651@code{@value{AS}}: the maximum amount of space allocated during the assembly
1652(in bytes), and the total execution time taken for the assembly (in @sc{cpu}
1653seconds).
1654
1655@node traditional-format
1656@section Compatible output: @code{--traditional-format}
1657
1658@kindex --traditional-format
1659For some targets, the output of @code{@value{AS}} is different in some ways
1660from the output of some existing assembler. This switch requests
1661@code{@value{AS}} to use the traditional format instead.
1662
1663For example, it disables the exception frame optimizations which
1664@code{@value{AS}} normally does by default on @code{@value{GCC}} output.
1665
1666@node v
1667@section Announce Version: @code{-v}
1668
1669@kindex -v
1670@kindex -version
1671@cindex assembler version
1672@cindex version of assembler
1673You can find out what version of as is running by including the
1674option @samp{-v} (which you can also spell as @samp{-version}) on the
1675command line.
1676
1677@node W
2bdd6cf5 1678@section Control Warnings: @code{-W}, @code{--warn}, @code{--no-warn}, @code{--fatal-warnings}
252b5132 1679
252b5132
RH
1680@code{@value{AS}} should never give a warning or error message when
1681assembling compiler output. But programs written by people often
1682cause @code{@value{AS}} to give a warning that a particular assumption was
1683made. All such warnings are directed to the standard error file.
2bdd6cf5
GK
1684
1685@kindex @samp{-W}
1686@kindex @samp{--no-warn}
1687@cindex suppressing warnings
1688@cindex warnings, suppressing
1689If you use the @code{-W} and @code{--no-warn} options, no warnings are issued.
1690This only affects the warning messages: it does not change any particular of
1691how @code{@value{AS}} assembles your file. Errors, which stop the assembly,
1692are still reported.
1693
1694@kindex @samp{--fatal-warnings}
1695@cindex errors, caused by warnings
1696@cindex warnings, causing error
1697If you use the @code{--fatal-warnings} option, @code{@value{AS}} considers
1698files that generate warnings to be in error.
1699
1700@kindex @samp{--warn}
1701@cindex warnings, switching on
1702You can switch these options off again by specifying @code{--warn}, which
1703causes warnings to be output as usual.
252b5132
RH
1704
1705@node Z
1706@section Generate Object File in Spite of Errors: @code{-Z}
1707@cindex object file, after errors
1708@cindex errors, continuing after
1709After an error message, @code{@value{AS}} normally produces no output. If for
1710some reason you are interested in object file output even after
1711@code{@value{AS}} gives an error message on your program, use the @samp{-Z}
1712option. If there are any errors, @code{@value{AS}} continues anyways, and
1713writes an object file after a final warning message of the form @samp{@var{n}
1714errors, @var{m} warnings, generating bad object file.}
1715
1716@node Syntax
1717@chapter Syntax
1718
1719@cindex machine-independent syntax
1720@cindex syntax, machine-independent
1721This chapter describes the machine-independent syntax allowed in a
1722source file. @code{@value{AS}} syntax is similar to what many other
1723assemblers use; it is inspired by the BSD 4.2
1724@ifclear VAX
1725assembler.
1726@end ifclear
1727@ifset VAX
1728assembler, except that @code{@value{AS}} does not assemble Vax bit-fields.
1729@end ifset
1730
1731@menu
1732* Preprocessing:: Preprocessing
1733* Whitespace:: Whitespace
1734* Comments:: Comments
1735* Symbol Intro:: Symbols
1736* Statements:: Statements
1737* Constants:: Constants
1738@end menu
1739
1740@node Preprocessing
1741@section Preprocessing
1742
1743@cindex preprocessing
1744The @code{@value{AS}} internal preprocessor:
1745@itemize @bullet
1746@cindex whitespace, removed by preprocessor
1747@item
1748adjusts and removes extra whitespace. It leaves one space or tab before
1749the keywords on a line, and turns any other whitespace on the line into
1750a single space.
1751
1752@cindex comments, removed by preprocessor
1753@item
1754removes all comments, replacing them with a single space, or an
1755appropriate number of newlines.
1756
1757@cindex constants, converted by preprocessor
1758@item
1759converts character constants into the appropriate numeric values.
1760@end itemize
1761
1762It does not do macro processing, include file handling, or
1763anything else you may get from your C compiler's preprocessor. You can
1764do include file processing with the @code{.include} directive
1765(@pxref{Include,,@code{.include}}). You can use the @sc{gnu} C compiler driver
1766to get other ``CPP'' style preprocessing, by giving the input file a
1767@samp{.S} suffix. @xref{Overall Options,, Options Controlling the Kind of
1768Output, gcc.info, Using GNU CC}.
1769
1770Excess whitespace, comments, and character constants
1771cannot be used in the portions of the input text that are not
1772preprocessed.
1773
1774@cindex turning preprocessing on and off
1775@cindex preprocessing, turning on and off
1776@kindex #NO_APP
1777@kindex #APP
1778If the first line of an input file is @code{#NO_APP} or if you use the
1779@samp{-f} option, whitespace and comments are not removed from the input file.
1780Within an input file, you can ask for whitespace and comment removal in
1781specific portions of the by putting a line that says @code{#APP} before the
1782text that may contain whitespace or comments, and putting a line that says
1783@code{#NO_APP} after this text. This feature is mainly intend to support
1784@code{asm} statements in compilers whose output is otherwise free of comments
1785and whitespace.
1786
1787@node Whitespace
1788@section Whitespace
1789
1790@cindex whitespace
1791@dfn{Whitespace} is one or more blanks or tabs, in any order.
1792Whitespace is used to separate symbols, and to make programs neater for
1793people to read. Unless within character constants
1794(@pxref{Characters,,Character Constants}), any whitespace means the same
1795as exactly one space.
1796
1797@node Comments
1798@section Comments
1799
1800@cindex comments
1801There are two ways of rendering comments to @code{@value{AS}}. In both
1802cases the comment is equivalent to one space.
1803
1804Anything from @samp{/*} through the next @samp{*/} is a comment.
1805This means you may not nest these comments.
1806
1807@smallexample
1808/*
1809 The only way to include a newline ('\n') in a comment
1810 is to use this sort of comment.
1811*/
1812
1813/* This sort of comment does not nest. */
1814@end smallexample
1815
1816@cindex line comment character
1817Anything from the @dfn{line comment} character to the next newline
1818is considered a comment and is ignored. The line comment character is
1819@ifset A29K
1820@samp{;} for the AMD 29K family;
1821@end ifset
1822@ifset ARC
1823@samp{;} on the ARC;
1824@end ifset
550262c4
NC
1825@ifset ARM
1826@samp{@@} on the ARM;
1827@end ifset
252b5132
RH
1828@ifset H8/300
1829@samp{;} for the H8/300 family;
1830@end ifset
1831@ifset H8/500
1832@samp{!} for the H8/500 family;
1833@end ifset
1834@ifset HPPA
1835@samp{;} for the HPPA;
1836@end ifset
55b62671
AJ
1837@ifset I80386
1838@samp{#} on the i386 and x86-64;
1839@end ifset
252b5132
RH
1840@ifset I960
1841@samp{#} on the i960;
1842@end ifset
e135f41b
NC
1843@ifset PDP11
1844@samp{;} for the PDP-11;
1845@end ifset
041dd5a9
ILT
1846@ifset PJ
1847@samp{;} for picoJava;
1848@end ifset
252b5132
RH
1849@ifset SH
1850@samp{!} for the Hitachi SH;
1851@end ifset
1852@ifset SPARC
1853@samp{!} on the SPARC;
1854@end ifset
1855@ifset M32R
1856@samp{#} on the m32r;
1857@end ifset
1858@ifset M680X0
1859@samp{|} on the 680x0;
1860@end ifset
60bcf0fa
NC
1861@ifset M68HC11
1862@samp{#} on the 68HC11 and 68HC12;
1863@end ifset
81b0b3f1
BE
1864@ifset M880X0
1865@samp{;} on the M880x0;
1866@end ifset
252b5132
RH
1867@ifset VAX
1868@samp{#} on the Vax;
1869@end ifset
1870@ifset Z8000
1871@samp{!} for the Z8000;
1872@end ifset
1873@ifset V850
1874@samp{#} on the V850;
1875@end ifset
1876see @ref{Machine Dependencies}. @refill
81b0b3f1 1877@c FIXME What about i860?
252b5132
RH
1878
1879@ifset GENERIC
1880On some machines there are two different line comment characters. One
1881character only begins a comment if it is the first non-whitespace character on
1882a line, while the other always begins a comment.
1883@end ifset
1884
1885@ifset V850
1886The V850 assembler also supports a double dash as starting a comment that
1887extends to the end of the line.
1888
1889@samp{--};
1890@end ifset
1891
1892@kindex #
1893@cindex lines starting with @code{#}
1894@cindex logical line numbers
1895To be compatible with past assemblers, lines that begin with @samp{#} have a
1896special interpretation. Following the @samp{#} should be an absolute
1897expression (@pxref{Expressions}): the logical line number of the @emph{next}
1898line. Then a string (@pxref{Strings,, Strings}) is allowed: if present it is a
1899new logical file name. The rest of the line, if any, should be whitespace.
1900
1901If the first non-whitespace characters on the line are not numeric,
1902the line is ignored. (Just like a comment.)
1903
1904@smallexample
1905 # This is an ordinary comment.
1906# 42-6 "new_file_name" # New logical file name
1907 # This is logical line # 36.
1908@end smallexample
1909This feature is deprecated, and may disappear from future versions
1910of @code{@value{AS}}.
1911
1912@node Symbol Intro
1913@section Symbols
1914
1915@cindex characters used in symbols
1916@ifclear SPECIAL-SYMS
1917A @dfn{symbol} is one or more characters chosen from the set of all
1918letters (both upper and lower case), digits and the three characters
1919@samp{_.$}.
1920@end ifclear
1921@ifset SPECIAL-SYMS
1922@ifclear GENERIC
1923@ifset H8
1924A @dfn{symbol} is one or more characters chosen from the set of all
1925letters (both upper and lower case), digits and the three characters
1926@samp{._$}. (Save that, on the H8/300 only, you may not use @samp{$} in
1927symbol names.)
1928@end ifset
1929@end ifclear
1930@end ifset
1931@ifset GENERIC
1932On most machines, you can also use @code{$} in symbol names; exceptions
1933are noted in @ref{Machine Dependencies}.
1934@end ifset
1935No symbol may begin with a digit. Case is significant.
1936There is no length limit: all characters are significant. Symbols are
1937delimited by characters not in that set, or by the beginning of a file
1938(since the source program must end with a newline, the end of a file is
1939not a possible symbol delimiter). @xref{Symbols}.
1940@cindex length of symbols
1941
1942@node Statements
1943@section Statements
1944
1945@cindex statements, structure of
1946@cindex line separator character
1947@cindex statement separator character
1948@ifclear GENERIC
1949@ifclear abnormal-separator
1950A @dfn{statement} ends at a newline character (@samp{\n}) or at a
1951semicolon (@samp{;}). The newline or semicolon is considered part of
1952the preceding statement. Newlines and semicolons within character
1953constants are an exception: they do not end statements.
1954@end ifclear
1955@ifset abnormal-separator
1956@ifset A29K
1957A @dfn{statement} ends at a newline character (@samp{\n}) or an ``at''
1958sign (@samp{@@}). The newline or at sign is considered part of the
1959preceding statement. Newlines and at signs within character constants
1960are an exception: they do not end statements.
1961@end ifset
1962@ifset HPPA
1963A @dfn{statement} ends at a newline character (@samp{\n}) or an exclamation
1964point (@samp{!}). The newline or exclamation point is considered part of the
1965preceding statement. Newlines and exclamation points within character
1966constants are an exception: they do not end statements.
1967@end ifset
1968@ifset H8
1969A @dfn{statement} ends at a newline character (@samp{\n}); or (for the
1970H8/300) a dollar sign (@samp{$}); or (for the
1971Hitachi-SH or the
1972H8/500) a semicolon
1973(@samp{;}). The newline or separator character is considered part of
1974the preceding statement. Newlines and separators within character
1975constants are an exception: they do not end statements.
1976@end ifset
1977@end ifset
1978@end ifclear
1979@ifset GENERIC
1980A @dfn{statement} ends at a newline character (@samp{\n}) or line
1981separator character. (The line separator is usually @samp{;}, unless
1982this conflicts with the comment character; @pxref{Machine Dependencies}.) The
1983newline or separator character is considered part of the preceding
1984statement. Newlines and separators within character constants are an
1985exception: they do not end statements.
1986@end ifset
1987
1988@cindex newline, required at file end
1989@cindex EOF, newline must precede
1990It is an error to end any statement with end-of-file: the last
1991character of any input file should be a newline.@refill
1992
1993An empty statement is allowed, and may include whitespace. It is ignored.
1994
1995@cindex instructions and directives
1996@cindex directives and instructions
1997@c "key symbol" is not used elsewhere in the document; seems pedantic to
1998@c @defn{} it in that case, as was done previously... doc@cygnus.com,
1999@c 13feb91.
2000A statement begins with zero or more labels, optionally followed by a
2001key symbol which determines what kind of statement it is. The key
2002symbol determines the syntax of the rest of the statement. If the
2003symbol begins with a dot @samp{.} then the statement is an assembler
2004directive: typically valid for any computer. If the symbol begins with
2005a letter the statement is an assembly language @dfn{instruction}: it
2006assembles into a machine language instruction.
2007@ifset GENERIC
2008Different versions of @code{@value{AS}} for different computers
2009recognize different instructions. In fact, the same symbol may
2010represent a different instruction in a different computer's assembly
2011language.@refill
2012@end ifset
2013
2014@cindex @code{:} (label)
2015@cindex label (@code{:})
2016A label is a symbol immediately followed by a colon (@code{:}).
2017Whitespace before a label or after a colon is permitted, but you may not
2018have whitespace between a label's symbol and its colon. @xref{Labels}.
2019
2020@ifset HPPA
2021For HPPA targets, labels need not be immediately followed by a colon, but
2022the definition of a label must begin in column zero. This also implies that
2023only one label may be defined on each line.
2024@end ifset
2025
2026@smallexample
2027label: .directive followed by something
2028another_label: # This is an empty statement.
2029 instruction operand_1, operand_2, @dots{}
2030@end smallexample
2031
2032@node Constants
2033@section Constants
2034
2035@cindex constants
2036A constant is a number, written so that its value is known by
2037inspection, without knowing any context. Like this:
2038@smallexample
2039@group
2040.byte 74, 0112, 092, 0x4A, 0X4a, 'J, '\J # All the same value.
2041.ascii "Ring the bell\7" # A string constant.
2042.octa 0x123456789abcdef0123456789ABCDEF0 # A bignum.
2043.float 0f-314159265358979323846264338327\
204495028841971.693993751E-40 # - pi, a flonum.
2045@end group
2046@end smallexample
2047
2048@menu
2049* Characters:: Character Constants
2050* Numbers:: Number Constants
2051@end menu
2052
2053@node Characters
2054@subsection Character Constants
2055
2056@cindex character constants
2057@cindex constants, character
2058There are two kinds of character constants. A @dfn{character} stands
2059for one character in one byte and its value may be used in
2060numeric expressions. String constants (properly called string
2061@emph{literals}) are potentially many bytes and their values may not be
2062used in arithmetic expressions.
2063
2064@menu
2065* Strings:: Strings
2066* Chars:: Characters
2067@end menu
2068
2069@node Strings
2070@subsubsection Strings
2071
2072@cindex string constants
2073@cindex constants, string
2074A @dfn{string} is written between double-quotes. It may contain
2075double-quotes or null characters. The way to get special characters
2076into a string is to @dfn{escape} these characters: precede them with
2077a backslash @samp{\} character. For example @samp{\\} represents
2078one backslash: the first @code{\} is an escape which tells
2079@code{@value{AS}} to interpret the second character literally as a backslash
2080(which prevents @code{@value{AS}} from recognizing the second @code{\} as an
2081escape character). The complete list of escapes follows.
2082
2083@cindex escape codes, character
2084@cindex character escape codes
2085@table @kbd
2086@c @item \a
2087@c Mnemonic for ACKnowledge; for ASCII this is octal code 007.
2088@c
2089@cindex @code{\b} (backspace character)
2090@cindex backspace (@code{\b})
2091@item \b
2092Mnemonic for backspace; for ASCII this is octal code 010.
2093
2094@c @item \e
2095@c Mnemonic for EOText; for ASCII this is octal code 004.
2096@c
2097@cindex @code{\f} (formfeed character)
2098@cindex formfeed (@code{\f})
2099@item \f
2100Mnemonic for FormFeed; for ASCII this is octal code 014.
2101
2102@cindex @code{\n} (newline character)
2103@cindex newline (@code{\n})
2104@item \n
2105Mnemonic for newline; for ASCII this is octal code 012.
2106
2107@c @item \p
2108@c Mnemonic for prefix; for ASCII this is octal code 033, usually known as @code{escape}.
2109@c
2110@cindex @code{\r} (carriage return character)
2111@cindex carriage return (@code{\r})
2112@item \r
2113Mnemonic for carriage-Return; for ASCII this is octal code 015.
2114
2115@c @item \s
2116@c Mnemonic for space; for ASCII this is octal code 040. Included for compliance with
2117@c other assemblers.
2118@c
2119@cindex @code{\t} (tab)
2120@cindex tab (@code{\t})
2121@item \t
2122Mnemonic for horizontal Tab; for ASCII this is octal code 011.
2123
2124@c @item \v
2125@c Mnemonic for Vertical tab; for ASCII this is octal code 013.
2126@c @item \x @var{digit} @var{digit} @var{digit}
2127@c A hexadecimal character code. The numeric code is 3 hexadecimal digits.
2128@c
2129@cindex @code{\@var{ddd}} (octal character code)
2130@cindex octal character code (@code{\@var{ddd}})
2131@item \ @var{digit} @var{digit} @var{digit}
2132An octal character code. The numeric code is 3 octal digits.
2133For compatibility with other Unix systems, 8 and 9 are accepted as digits:
2134for example, @code{\008} has the value 010, and @code{\009} the value 011.
2135
2136@cindex @code{\@var{xd...}} (hex character code)
2137@cindex hex character code (@code{\@var{xd...}})
2138@item \@code{x} @var{hex-digits...}
2139A hex character code. All trailing hex digits are combined. Either upper or
2140lower case @code{x} works.
2141
2142@cindex @code{\\} (@samp{\} character)
2143@cindex backslash (@code{\\})
2144@item \\
2145Represents one @samp{\} character.
2146
2147@c @item \'
2148@c Represents one @samp{'} (accent acute) character.
2149@c This is needed in single character literals
2150@c (@xref{Characters,,Character Constants}.) to represent
2151@c a @samp{'}.
2152@c
2153@cindex @code{\"} (doublequote character)
2154@cindex doublequote (@code{\"})
2155@item \"
2156Represents one @samp{"} character. Needed in strings to represent
2157this character, because an unescaped @samp{"} would end the string.
2158
2159@item \ @var{anything-else}
2160Any other character when escaped by @kbd{\} gives a warning, but
2161assembles as if the @samp{\} was not present. The idea is that if
2162you used an escape sequence you clearly didn't want the literal
2163interpretation of the following character. However @code{@value{AS}} has no
2164other interpretation, so @code{@value{AS}} knows it is giving you the wrong
2165code and warns you of the fact.
2166@end table
2167
2168Which characters are escapable, and what those escapes represent,
2169varies widely among assemblers. The current set is what we think
2170the BSD 4.2 assembler recognizes, and is a subset of what most C
2171compilers recognize. If you are in doubt, do not use an escape
2172sequence.
2173
2174@node Chars
2175@subsubsection Characters
2176
2177@cindex single character constant
2178@cindex character, single
2179@cindex constant, single character
2180A single character may be written as a single quote immediately
2181followed by that character. The same escapes apply to characters as
2182to strings. So if you want to write the character backslash, you
2183must write @kbd{'\\} where the first @code{\} escapes the second
2184@code{\}. As you can see, the quote is an acute accent, not a
2185grave accent. A newline
2186@ifclear GENERIC
2187@ifclear abnormal-separator
2188(or semicolon @samp{;})
2189@end ifclear
2190@ifset abnormal-separator
2191@ifset A29K
2192(or at sign @samp{@@})
2193@end ifset
2194@ifset H8
2195(or dollar sign @samp{$}, for the H8/300; or semicolon @samp{;} for the
2196Hitachi SH or
2197H8/500)
2198@end ifset
2199@end ifset
2200@end ifclear
2201immediately following an acute accent is taken as a literal character
2202and does not count as the end of a statement. The value of a character
2203constant in a numeric expression is the machine's byte-wide code for
2204that character. @code{@value{AS}} assumes your character code is ASCII:
2205@kbd{'A} means 65, @kbd{'B} means 66, and so on. @refill
2206
2207@node Numbers
2208@subsection Number Constants
2209
2210@cindex constants, number
2211@cindex number constants
2212@code{@value{AS}} distinguishes three kinds of numbers according to how they
2213are stored in the target machine. @emph{Integers} are numbers that
2214would fit into an @code{int} in the C language. @emph{Bignums} are
2215integers, but they are stored in more than 32 bits. @emph{Flonums}
2216are floating point numbers, described below.
2217
2218@menu
2219* Integers:: Integers
2220* Bignums:: Bignums
2221* Flonums:: Flonums
2222@ifclear GENERIC
2223@ifset I960
2224* Bit Fields:: Bit Fields
2225@end ifset
2226@end ifclear
2227@end menu
2228
2229@node Integers
2230@subsubsection Integers
2231@cindex integers
2232@cindex constants, integer
2233
2234@cindex binary integers
2235@cindex integers, binary
2236A binary integer is @samp{0b} or @samp{0B} followed by zero or more of
2237the binary digits @samp{01}.
2238
2239@cindex octal integers
2240@cindex integers, octal
2241An octal integer is @samp{0} followed by zero or more of the octal
2242digits (@samp{01234567}).
2243
2244@cindex decimal integers
2245@cindex integers, decimal
2246A decimal integer starts with a non-zero digit followed by zero or
2247more digits (@samp{0123456789}).
2248
2249@cindex hexadecimal integers
2250@cindex integers, hexadecimal
2251A hexadecimal integer is @samp{0x} or @samp{0X} followed by one or
2252more hexadecimal digits chosen from @samp{0123456789abcdefABCDEF}.
2253
2254Integers have the usual values. To denote a negative integer, use
2255the prefix operator @samp{-} discussed under expressions
2256(@pxref{Prefix Ops,,Prefix Operators}).
2257
2258@node Bignums
2259@subsubsection Bignums
2260
2261@cindex bignums
2262@cindex constants, bignum
2263A @dfn{bignum} has the same syntax and semantics as an integer
2264except that the number (or its negative) takes more than 32 bits to
2265represent in binary. The distinction is made because in some places
2266integers are permitted while bignums are not.
2267
2268@node Flonums
2269@subsubsection Flonums
2270@cindex flonums
2271@cindex floating point numbers
2272@cindex constants, floating point
2273
2274@cindex precision, floating point
2275A @dfn{flonum} represents a floating point number. The translation is
2276indirect: a decimal floating point number from the text is converted by
2277@code{@value{AS}} to a generic binary floating point number of more than
2278sufficient precision. This generic floating point number is converted
2279to a particular computer's floating point format (or formats) by a
2280portion of @code{@value{AS}} specialized to that computer.
2281
2282A flonum is written by writing (in order)
2283@itemize @bullet
2284@item
2285The digit @samp{0}.
2286@ifset HPPA
2287(@samp{0} is optional on the HPPA.)
2288@end ifset
2289
2290@item
2291A letter, to tell @code{@value{AS}} the rest of the number is a flonum.
2292@ifset GENERIC
2293@kbd{e} is recommended. Case is not important.
2294@ignore
2295@c FIXME: verify if flonum syntax really this vague for most cases
2296(Any otherwise illegal letter works here, but that might be changed. Vax BSD
22974.2 assembler seems to allow any of @samp{defghDEFGH}.)
2298@end ignore
2299
2300On the H8/300, H8/500,
2301Hitachi SH,
2302and AMD 29K architectures, the letter must be
2303one of the letters @samp{DFPRSX} (in upper or lower case).
2304
2305On the ARC, the letter must be one of the letters @samp{DFRS}
2306(in upper or lower case).
2307
2308On the Intel 960 architecture, the letter must be
2309one of the letters @samp{DFT} (in upper or lower case).
2310
2311On the HPPA architecture, the letter must be @samp{E} (upper case only).
2312@end ifset
2313@ifclear GENERIC
2314@ifset A29K
2315One of the letters @samp{DFPRSX} (in upper or lower case).
2316@end ifset
2317@ifset ARC
2318One of the letters @samp{DFRS} (in upper or lower case).
2319@end ifset
2320@ifset H8
2321One of the letters @samp{DFPRSX} (in upper or lower case).
2322@end ifset
2323@ifset HPPA
2324The letter @samp{E} (upper case only).
2325@end ifset
2326@ifset I960
2327One of the letters @samp{DFT} (in upper or lower case).
2328@end ifset
2329@end ifclear
2330
2331@item
2332An optional sign: either @samp{+} or @samp{-}.
2333
2334@item
2335An optional @dfn{integer part}: zero or more decimal digits.
2336
2337@item
2338An optional @dfn{fractional part}: @samp{.} followed by zero
2339or more decimal digits.
2340
2341@item
2342An optional exponent, consisting of:
2343
2344@itemize @bullet
2345@item
2346An @samp{E} or @samp{e}.
2347@c I can't find a config where "EXP_CHARS" is other than 'eE', but in
2348@c principle this can perfectly well be different on different targets.
2349@item
2350Optional sign: either @samp{+} or @samp{-}.
2351@item
2352One or more decimal digits.
2353@end itemize
2354
2355@end itemize
2356
2357At least one of the integer part or the fractional part must be
2358present. The floating point number has the usual base-10 value.
2359
2360@code{@value{AS}} does all processing using integers. Flonums are computed
2361independently of any floating point hardware in the computer running
2362@code{@value{AS}}.
2363
2364@ifclear GENERIC
2365@ifset I960
2366@c Bit fields are written as a general facility but are also controlled
2367@c by a conditional-compilation flag---which is as of now (21mar91)
2368@c turned on only by the i960 config of GAS.
2369@node Bit Fields
2370@subsubsection Bit Fields
2371
2372@cindex bit fields
2373@cindex constants, bit field
2374You can also define numeric constants as @dfn{bit fields}.
2375specify two numbers separated by a colon---
2376@example
2377@var{mask}:@var{value}
2378@end example
2379@noindent
2380@code{@value{AS}} applies a bitwise @sc{and} between @var{mask} and
2381@var{value}.
2382
2383The resulting number is then packed
2384@ifset GENERIC
2385@c this conditional paren in case bit fields turned on elsewhere than 960
2386(in host-dependent byte order)
2387@end ifset
2388into a field whose width depends on which assembler directive has the
2389bit-field as its argument. Overflow (a result from the bitwise and
2390requiring more binary digits to represent) is not an error; instead,
2391more constants are generated, of the specified width, beginning with the
2392least significant digits.@refill
2393
2394The directives @code{.byte}, @code{.hword}, @code{.int}, @code{.long},
2395@code{.short}, and @code{.word} accept bit-field arguments.
2396@end ifset
2397@end ifclear
2398
2399@node Sections
2400@chapter Sections and Relocation
2401@cindex sections
2402@cindex relocation
2403
2404@menu
2405* Secs Background:: Background
2406* Ld Sections:: Linker Sections
2407* As Sections:: Assembler Internal Sections
2408* Sub-Sections:: Sub-Sections
2409* bss:: bss Section
2410@end menu
2411
2412@node Secs Background
2413@section Background
2414
2415Roughly, a section is a range of addresses, with no gaps; all data
2416``in'' those addresses is treated the same for some particular purpose.
2417For example there may be a ``read only'' section.
2418
2419@cindex linker, and assembler
2420@cindex assembler, and linker
2421The linker @code{@value{LD}} reads many object files (partial programs) and
2422combines their contents to form a runnable program. When @code{@value{AS}}
2423emits an object file, the partial program is assumed to start at address 0.
2424@code{@value{LD}} assigns the final addresses for the partial program, so that
2425different partial programs do not overlap. This is actually an
2426oversimplification, but it suffices to explain how @code{@value{AS}} uses
2427sections.
2428
2429@code{@value{LD}} moves blocks of bytes of your program to their run-time
2430addresses. These blocks slide to their run-time addresses as rigid
2431units; their length does not change and neither does the order of bytes
2432within them. Such a rigid unit is called a @emph{section}. Assigning
2433run-time addresses to sections is called @dfn{relocation}. It includes
2434the task of adjusting mentions of object-file addresses so they refer to
2435the proper run-time addresses.
2436@ifset H8
2437For the H8/300 and H8/500,
2438and for the Hitachi SH,
2439@code{@value{AS}} pads sections if needed to
2440ensure they end on a word (sixteen bit) boundary.
2441@end ifset
2442
2443@cindex standard assembler sections
2444An object file written by @code{@value{AS}} has at least three sections, any
2445of which may be empty. These are named @dfn{text}, @dfn{data} and
2446@dfn{bss} sections.
2447
2448@ifset COFF
2449@ifset GENERIC
2450When it generates COFF output,
2451@end ifset
2452@code{@value{AS}} can also generate whatever other named sections you specify
2453using the @samp{.section} directive (@pxref{Section,,@code{.section}}).
2454If you do not use any directives that place output in the @samp{.text}
2455or @samp{.data} sections, these sections still exist, but are empty.
2456@end ifset
2457
2458@ifset HPPA
2459@ifset GENERIC
2460When @code{@value{AS}} generates SOM or ELF output for the HPPA,
2461@end ifset
2462@code{@value{AS}} can also generate whatever other named sections you
2463specify using the @samp{.space} and @samp{.subspace} directives. See
2464@cite{HP9000 Series 800 Assembly Language Reference Manual}
2465(HP 92432-90001) for details on the @samp{.space} and @samp{.subspace}
2466assembler directives.
2467
2468@ifset SOM
2469Additionally, @code{@value{AS}} uses different names for the standard
2470text, data, and bss sections when generating SOM output. Program text
2471is placed into the @samp{$CODE$} section, data into @samp{$DATA$}, and
2472BSS into @samp{$BSS$}.
2473@end ifset
2474@end ifset
2475
2476Within the object file, the text section starts at address @code{0}, the
2477data section follows, and the bss section follows the data section.
2478
2479@ifset HPPA
2480When generating either SOM or ELF output files on the HPPA, the text
2481section starts at address @code{0}, the data section at address
2482@code{0x4000000}, and the bss section follows the data section.
2483@end ifset
2484
2485To let @code{@value{LD}} know which data changes when the sections are
2486relocated, and how to change that data, @code{@value{AS}} also writes to the
2487object file details of the relocation needed. To perform relocation
2488@code{@value{LD}} must know, each time an address in the object
2489file is mentioned:
2490@itemize @bullet
2491@item
2492Where in the object file is the beginning of this reference to
2493an address?
2494@item
2495How long (in bytes) is this reference?
2496@item
2497Which section does the address refer to? What is the numeric value of
2498@display
2499(@var{address}) @minus{} (@var{start-address of section})?
2500@end display
2501@item
2502Is the reference to an address ``Program-Counter relative''?
2503@end itemize
2504
2505@cindex addresses, format of
2506@cindex section-relative addressing
2507In fact, every address @code{@value{AS}} ever uses is expressed as
2508@display
2509(@var{section}) + (@var{offset into section})
2510@end display
2511@noindent
2512Further, most expressions @code{@value{AS}} computes have this section-relative
2513nature.
2514@ifset SOM
2515(For some object formats, such as SOM for the HPPA, some expressions are
2516symbol-relative instead.)
2517@end ifset
2518
2519In this manual we use the notation @{@var{secname} @var{N}@} to mean ``offset
2520@var{N} into section @var{secname}.''
2521
2522Apart from text, data and bss sections you need to know about the
2523@dfn{absolute} section. When @code{@value{LD}} mixes partial programs,
2524addresses in the absolute section remain unchanged. For example, address
2525@code{@{absolute 0@}} is ``relocated'' to run-time address 0 by
2526@code{@value{LD}}. Although the linker never arranges two partial programs'
2527data sections with overlapping addresses after linking, @emph{by definition}
2528their absolute sections must overlap. Address @code{@{absolute@ 239@}} in one
2529part of a program is always the same address when the program is running as
2530address @code{@{absolute@ 239@}} in any other part of the program.
2531
2532The idea of sections is extended to the @dfn{undefined} section. Any
2533address whose section is unknown at assembly time is by definition
2534rendered @{undefined @var{U}@}---where @var{U} is filled in later.
2535Since numbers are always defined, the only way to generate an undefined
2536address is to mention an undefined symbol. A reference to a named
2537common block would be such a symbol: its value is unknown at assembly
2538time so it has section @emph{undefined}.
2539
2540By analogy the word @emph{section} is used to describe groups of sections in
2541the linked program. @code{@value{LD}} puts all partial programs' text
2542sections in contiguous addresses in the linked program. It is
2543customary to refer to the @emph{text section} of a program, meaning all
2544the addresses of all partial programs' text sections. Likewise for
2545data and bss sections.
2546
2547Some sections are manipulated by @code{@value{LD}}; others are invented for
2548use of @code{@value{AS}} and have no meaning except during assembly.
2549
2550@node Ld Sections
2551@section Linker Sections
2552@code{@value{LD}} deals with just four kinds of sections, summarized below.
2553
2554@table @strong
2555
2556@ifset COFF
2557@cindex named sections
2558@cindex sections, named
2559@item named sections
2560@end ifset
2561@ifset aout-bout
2562@cindex text section
2563@cindex data section
2564@itemx text section
2565@itemx data section
2566@end ifset
2567These sections hold your program. @code{@value{AS}} and @code{@value{LD}} treat them as
2568separate but equal sections. Anything you can say of one section is
2569true another.
2570@ifset aout-bout
2571When the program is running, however, it is
2572customary for the text section to be unalterable. The
2573text section is often shared among processes: it contains
2574instructions, constants and the like. The data section of a running
2575program is usually alterable: for example, C variables would be stored
2576in the data section.
2577@end ifset
2578
2579@cindex bss section
2580@item bss section
2581This section contains zeroed bytes when your program begins running. It
a349d9dd 2582is used to hold uninitialized variables or common storage. The length of
252b5132
RH
2583each partial program's bss section is important, but because it starts
2584out containing zeroed bytes there is no need to store explicit zero
2585bytes in the object file. The bss section was invented to eliminate
2586those explicit zeros from object files.
2587
2588@cindex absolute section
2589@item absolute section
2590Address 0 of this section is always ``relocated'' to runtime address 0.
2591This is useful if you want to refer to an address that @code{@value{LD}} must
2592not change when relocating. In this sense we speak of absolute
2593addresses being ``unrelocatable'': they do not change during relocation.
2594
2595@cindex undefined section
2596@item undefined section
2597This ``section'' is a catch-all for address references to objects not in
2598the preceding sections.
2599@c FIXME: ref to some other doc on obj-file formats could go here.
2600@end table
2601
2602@cindex relocation example
2603An idealized example of three relocatable sections follows.
2604@ifset COFF
2605The example uses the traditional section names @samp{.text} and @samp{.data}.
2606@end ifset
2607Memory addresses are on the horizontal axis.
2608
2609@c TEXI2ROFF-KILL
2610@ifinfo
2611@c END TEXI2ROFF-KILL
2612@smallexample
2613 +-----+----+--+
2614partial program # 1: |ttttt|dddd|00|
2615 +-----+----+--+
2616
2617 text data bss
2618 seg. seg. seg.
2619
2620 +---+---+---+
2621partial program # 2: |TTT|DDD|000|
2622 +---+---+---+
2623
2624 +--+---+-----+--+----+---+-----+~~
2625linked program: | |TTT|ttttt| |dddd|DDD|00000|
2626 +--+---+-----+--+----+---+-----+~~
2627
2628 addresses: 0 @dots{}
2629@end smallexample
2630@c TEXI2ROFF-KILL
2631@end ifinfo
2632@need 5000
2633@tex
2634
2635\line{\it Partial program \#1: \hfil}
2636\line{\ibox{2.5cm}{\tt text}\ibox{2cm}{\tt data}\ibox{1cm}{\tt bss}\hfil}
2637\line{\boxit{2.5cm}{\tt ttttt}\boxit{2cm}{\tt dddd}\boxit{1cm}{\tt 00}\hfil}
2638
2639\line{\it Partial program \#2: \hfil}
2640\line{\ibox{1cm}{\tt text}\ibox{1.5cm}{\tt data}\ibox{1cm}{\tt bss}\hfil}
2641\line{\boxit{1cm}{\tt TTT}\boxit{1.5cm}{\tt DDDD}\boxit{1cm}{\tt 000}\hfil}
2642
2643\line{\it linked program: \hfil}
2644\line{\ibox{.5cm}{}\ibox{1cm}{\tt text}\ibox{2.5cm}{}\ibox{.75cm}{}\ibox{2cm}{\tt data}\ibox{1.5cm}{}\ibox{2cm}{\tt bss}\hfil}
2645\line{\boxit{.5cm}{}\boxit{1cm}{\tt TTT}\boxit{2.5cm}{\tt
2646ttttt}\boxit{.75cm}{}\boxit{2cm}{\tt dddd}\boxit{1.5cm}{\tt
2647DDDD}\boxit{2cm}{\tt 00000}\ \dots\hfil}
2648
2649\line{\it addresses: \hfil}
2650\line{0\dots\hfil}
2651
2652@end tex
2653@c END TEXI2ROFF-KILL
2654
2655@node As Sections
2656@section Assembler Internal Sections
2657
2658@cindex internal assembler sections
2659@cindex sections in messages, internal
2660These sections are meant only for the internal use of @code{@value{AS}}. They
2661have no meaning at run-time. You do not really need to know about these
2662sections for most purposes; but they can be mentioned in @code{@value{AS}}
2663warning messages, so it might be helpful to have an idea of their
2664meanings to @code{@value{AS}}. These sections are used to permit the
2665value of every expression in your assembly language program to be a
2666section-relative address.
2667
2668@table @b
2669@cindex assembler internal logic error
2670@item ASSEMBLER-INTERNAL-LOGIC-ERROR!
2671An internal assembler logic error has been found. This means there is a
2672bug in the assembler.
2673
2674@cindex expr (internal section)
2675@item expr section
2676The assembler stores complex expression internally as combinations of
2677symbols. When it needs to represent an expression as a symbol, it puts
2678it in the expr section.
2679@c FIXME item debug
2680@c FIXME item transfer[t] vector preload
2681@c FIXME item transfer[t] vector postload
2682@c FIXME item register
2683@end table
2684
2685@node Sub-Sections
2686@section Sub-Sections
2687
2688@cindex numbered subsections
2689@cindex grouping data
2690@ifset aout-bout
2691Assembled bytes
2692@ifset COFF
2693conventionally
2694@end ifset
2695fall into two sections: text and data.
2696@end ifset
2697You may have separate groups of
2698@ifset GENERIC
2699data in named sections
2700@end ifset
2701@ifclear GENERIC
2702@ifclear aout-bout
2703data in named sections
2704@end ifclear
2705@ifset aout-bout
2706text or data
2707@end ifset
2708@end ifclear
2709that you want to end up near to each other in the object file, even though they
2710are not contiguous in the assembler source. @code{@value{AS}} allows you to
2711use @dfn{subsections} for this purpose. Within each section, there can be
2712numbered subsections with values from 0 to 8192. Objects assembled into the
2713same subsection go into the object file together with other objects in the same
2714subsection. For example, a compiler might want to store constants in the text
2715section, but might not want to have them interspersed with the program being
2716assembled. In this case, the compiler could issue a @samp{.text 0} before each
2717section of code being output, and a @samp{.text 1} before each group of
2718constants being output.
2719
2720Subsections are optional. If you do not use subsections, everything
2721goes in subsection number zero.
2722
2723@ifset GENERIC
2724Each subsection is zero-padded up to a multiple of four bytes.
2725(Subsections may be padded a different amount on different flavors
2726of @code{@value{AS}}.)
2727@end ifset
2728@ifclear GENERIC
2729@ifset H8
2730On the H8/300 and H8/500 platforms, each subsection is zero-padded to a word
2731boundary (two bytes).
2732The same is true on the Hitachi SH.
2733@end ifset
2734@ifset I960
2735@c FIXME section padding (alignment)?
2736@c Rich Pixley says padding here depends on target obj code format; that
2737@c doesn't seem particularly useful to say without further elaboration,
2738@c so for now I say nothing about it. If this is a generic BFD issue,
2739@c these paragraphs might need to vanish from this manual, and be
2740@c discussed in BFD chapter of binutils (or some such).
2741@end ifset
2742@ifset A29K
2743On the AMD 29K family, no particular padding is added to section or
2744subsection sizes; @value{AS} forces no alignment on this platform.
2745@end ifset
2746@end ifclear
2747
2748Subsections appear in your object file in numeric order, lowest numbered
2749to highest. (All this to be compatible with other people's assemblers.)
2750The object file contains no representation of subsections; @code{@value{LD}} and
2751other programs that manipulate object files see no trace of them.
2752They just see all your text subsections as a text section, and all your
2753data subsections as a data section.
2754
2755To specify which subsection you want subsequent statements assembled
2756into, use a numeric argument to specify it, in a @samp{.text
2757@var{expression}} or a @samp{.data @var{expression}} statement.
2758@ifset COFF
2759@ifset GENERIC
2760When generating COFF output, you
2761@end ifset
2762@ifclear GENERIC
2763You
2764@end ifclear
2765can also use an extra subsection
2766argument with arbitrary named sections: @samp{.section @var{name},
2767@var{expression}}.
2768@end ifset
2769@var{Expression} should be an absolute expression.
2770(@xref{Expressions}.) If you just say @samp{.text} then @samp{.text 0}
2771is assumed. Likewise @samp{.data} means @samp{.data 0}. Assembly
2772begins in @code{text 0}. For instance:
2773@smallexample
2774.text 0 # The default subsection is text 0 anyway.
2775.ascii "This lives in the first text subsection. *"
2776.text 1
2777.ascii "But this lives in the second text subsection."
2778.data 0
2779.ascii "This lives in the data section,"
2780.ascii "in the first data subsection."
2781.text 0
2782.ascii "This lives in the first text section,"
2783.ascii "immediately following the asterisk (*)."
2784@end smallexample
2785
2786Each section has a @dfn{location counter} incremented by one for every byte
2787assembled into that section. Because subsections are merely a convenience
2788restricted to @code{@value{AS}} there is no concept of a subsection location
2789counter. There is no way to directly manipulate a location counter---but the
2790@code{.align} directive changes it, and any label definition captures its
2791current value. The location counter of the section where statements are being
2792assembled is said to be the @dfn{active} location counter.
2793
2794@node bss
2795@section bss Section
2796
2797@cindex bss section
2798@cindex common variable storage
2799The bss section is used for local common variable storage.
2800You may allocate address space in the bss section, but you may
2801not dictate data to load into it before your program executes. When
2802your program starts running, all the contents of the bss
2803section are zeroed bytes.
2804
2805The @code{.lcomm} pseudo-op defines a symbol in the bss section; see
2806@ref{Lcomm,,@code{.lcomm}}.
2807
2808The @code{.comm} pseudo-op may be used to declare a common symbol, which is
2809another form of uninitialized symbol; see @xref{Comm,,@code{.comm}}.
2810
2811@ifset GENERIC
2812When assembling for a target which supports multiple sections, such as ELF or
2813COFF, you may switch into the @code{.bss} section and define symbols as usual;
2814see @ref{Section,,@code{.section}}. You may only assemble zero values into the
2815section. Typically the section will only contain symbol definitions and
2816@code{.skip} directives (@pxref{Skip,,@code{.skip}}).
2817@end ifset
2818
2819@node Symbols
2820@chapter Symbols
2821
2822@cindex symbols
2823Symbols are a central concept: the programmer uses symbols to name
2824things, the linker uses symbols to link, and the debugger uses symbols
2825to debug.
2826
2827@quotation
2828@cindex debuggers, and symbol order
2829@emph{Warning:} @code{@value{AS}} does not place symbols in the object file in
2830the same order they were declared. This may break some debuggers.
2831@end quotation
2832
2833@menu
2834* Labels:: Labels
2835* Setting Symbols:: Giving Symbols Other Values
2836* Symbol Names:: Symbol Names
2837* Dot:: The Special Dot Symbol
2838* Symbol Attributes:: Symbol Attributes
2839@end menu
2840
2841@node Labels
2842@section Labels
2843
2844@cindex labels
2845A @dfn{label} is written as a symbol immediately followed by a colon
2846@samp{:}. The symbol then represents the current value of the
2847active location counter, and is, for example, a suitable instruction
2848operand. You are warned if you use the same symbol to represent two
2849different locations: the first definition overrides any other
2850definitions.
2851
2852@ifset HPPA
2853On the HPPA, the usual form for a label need not be immediately followed by a
2854colon, but instead must start in column zero. Only one label may be defined on
2855a single line. To work around this, the HPPA version of @code{@value{AS}} also
2856provides a special directive @code{.label} for defining labels more flexibly.
2857@end ifset
2858
2859@node Setting Symbols
2860@section Giving Symbols Other Values
2861
2862@cindex assigning values to symbols
2863@cindex symbol values, assigning
2864A symbol can be given an arbitrary value by writing a symbol, followed
2865by an equals sign @samp{=}, followed by an expression
2866(@pxref{Expressions}). This is equivalent to using the @code{.set}
2867directive. @xref{Set,,@code{.set}}.
2868
2869@node Symbol Names
2870@section Symbol Names
2871
2872@cindex symbol names
2873@cindex names, symbol
2874@ifclear SPECIAL-SYMS
2875Symbol names begin with a letter or with one of @samp{._}. On most
2876machines, you can also use @code{$} in symbol names; exceptions are
2877noted in @ref{Machine Dependencies}. That character may be followed by any
2878string of digits, letters, dollar signs (unless otherwise noted in
2879@ref{Machine Dependencies}), and underscores.
2880@end ifclear
2881@ifset A29K
2882For the AMD 29K family, @samp{?} is also allowed in the
2883body of a symbol name, though not at its beginning.
2884@end ifset
2885
2886@ifset SPECIAL-SYMS
2887@ifset H8
2888Symbol names begin with a letter or with one of @samp{._}. On the
2889Hitachi SH or the
2890H8/500, you can also use @code{$} in symbol names. That character may
2891be followed by any string of digits, letters, dollar signs (save on the
2892H8/300), and underscores.
2893@end ifset
2894@end ifset
2895
2896Case of letters is significant: @code{foo} is a different symbol name
2897than @code{Foo}.
2898
2899Each symbol has exactly one name. Each name in an assembly language program
2900refers to exactly one symbol. You may use that symbol name any number of times
2901in a program.
2902
2903@subheading Local Symbol Names
2904
2905@cindex local symbol names
2906@cindex symbol names, local
2907@cindex temporary symbol names
2908@cindex symbol names, temporary
2909Local symbols help compilers and programmers use names temporarily.
2d5aaba0
NC
2910They create symbols which are guaranteed to be unique over the entire scope of
2911the input source code and which can be referred to by a simple notation.
2912To define a local symbol, write a label of the form @samp{@b{N}:} (where @b{N}
2913represents any positive integer). To refer to the most recent previous
2914definition of that symbol write @samp{@b{N}b}, using the same number as when
2915you defined the label. To refer to the next definition of a local label, write
2916@samp{@b{N}f}--- The @samp{b} stands for``backwards'' and the @samp{f} stands
2917for ``forwards''.
2918
2919There is no restriction on how you can use these labels, and you can reuse them
2920too. So that it is possible to repeatedly define the same local label (using
2921the same number @samp{@b{N}}), although you can only refer to the most recently
2922defined local label of that number (for a backwards reference) or the next
2923definition of a specific local label for a forward reference. It is also worth
2924noting that the first 10 local labels (@samp{@b{0:}}@dots{}@samp{@b{9:}}) are
2925implemented in a slightly more efficient manner than the others.
2926
2927Here is an example:
2928
2929@smallexample
29301: branch 1f
29312: branch 1b
29321: branch 2f
29332: branch 1b
2934@end smallexample
2935
2936Which is the equivalent of:
2937
2938@smallexample
2939label_1: branch label_3
2940label_2: branch label_1
2941label_3: branch label_4
2942label_4: branch label_3
2943@end smallexample
2944
2945Local symbol names are only a notational device. They are immediately
2946transformed into more conventional symbol names before the assembler uses them.
2947The symbol names stored in the symbol table, appearing in error messages and
2948optionally emitted to the object file. The names are constructed using these
252b5132
RH
2949parts:
2950
2951@table @code
2952@item L
2953All local labels begin with @samp{L}. Normally both @code{@value{AS}} and
2954@code{@value{LD}} forget symbols that start with @samp{L}. These labels are
2955used for symbols you are never intended to see. If you use the
2956@samp{-L} option then @code{@value{AS}} retains these symbols in the
2957object file. If you also instruct @code{@value{LD}} to retain these symbols,
2958you may use them in debugging.
2959
2d5aaba0
NC
2960@item @var{number}
2961This is the number that was used in the local label definition. So if the
2962label is written @samp{55:} then the number is @samp{55}.
252b5132 2963
2d5aaba0
NC
2964@item @kbd{C-B}
2965This unusual character is included so you do not accidentally invent a symbol
2966of the same name. The character has ASCII value of @samp{\002} (control-B).
252b5132
RH
2967
2968@item @emph{ordinal number}
2d5aaba0
NC
2969This is a serial number to keep the labels distinct. The first definition of
2970@samp{0:} gets the number @samp{1}. The 15th definition of @samp{0:} gets the
2971number @samp{15}, and so on. Likewise the first definition of @samp{1:} gets
2972the number @samp{1} and its 15th defintion gets @samp{15} as well.
252b5132
RH
2973@end table
2974
2d5aaba0
NC
2975So for example, the first @code{1:} is named @code{L1@kbd{C-B}1}, the 44th
2976@code{3:} is named @code{L3@kbd{C-B}44}.
2977
2978@subheading Dollar Local Labels
2979@cindex dollar local symbols
2980
2981@code{@value{AS}} also supports an even more local form of local labels called
2982dollar labels. These labels go out of scope (ie they become undefined) as soon
2983as a non-local label is defined. Thus they remain valid for only a small
2984region of the input source code. Normal local labels, by contrast, remain in
2985scope for the entire file, or until they are redefined by another occurrence of
2986the same local label.
2987
2988Dollar labels are defined in exactly the same way as ordinary local labels,
2989except that instead of being terminated by a colon, they are terminated by a
2990dollar sign. eg @samp{@b{55$}}.
2991
2992They can also be distinguished from ordinary local labels by their transformed
2993name which uses ASCII character @samp{\001} (control-A) as the magic character
2994to distinguish them from ordinary labels. Thus the 5th defintion of @samp{6$}
2995is named @samp{L6@kbd{C-A}5}.
252b5132
RH
2996
2997@node Dot
2998@section The Special Dot Symbol
2999
3000@cindex dot (symbol)
3001@cindex @code{.} (symbol)
3002@cindex current address
3003@cindex location counter
3004The special symbol @samp{.} refers to the current address that
3005@code{@value{AS}} is assembling into. Thus, the expression @samp{melvin:
3006.long .} defines @code{melvin} to contain its own address.
3007Assigning a value to @code{.} is treated the same as a @code{.org}
3008directive. Thus, the expression @samp{.=.+4} is the same as saying
3009@ifclear no-space-dir
3010@samp{.space 4}.
3011@end ifclear
3012@ifset no-space-dir
3013@ifset A29K
3014@samp{.block 4}.
3015@end ifset
3016@end ifset
3017
3018@node Symbol Attributes
3019@section Symbol Attributes
3020
3021@cindex symbol attributes
3022@cindex attributes, symbol
3023Every symbol has, as well as its name, the attributes ``Value'' and
3024``Type''. Depending on output format, symbols can also have auxiliary
3025attributes.
3026@ifset INTERNALS
3027The detailed definitions are in @file{a.out.h}.
3028@end ifset
3029
3030If you use a symbol without defining it, @code{@value{AS}} assumes zero for
3031all these attributes, and probably won't warn you. This makes the
3032symbol an externally defined symbol, which is generally what you
3033would want.
3034
3035@menu
3036* Symbol Value:: Value
3037* Symbol Type:: Type
3038@ifset aout-bout
3039@ifset GENERIC
3040* a.out Symbols:: Symbol Attributes: @code{a.out}
3041@end ifset
3042@ifclear GENERIC
3043@ifclear BOUT
3044* a.out Symbols:: Symbol Attributes: @code{a.out}
3045@end ifclear
3046@ifset BOUT
3047* a.out Symbols:: Symbol Attributes: @code{a.out}, @code{b.out}
3048@end ifset
3049@end ifclear
3050@end ifset
3051@ifset COFF
3052* COFF Symbols:: Symbol Attributes for COFF
3053@end ifset
3054@ifset SOM
3055* SOM Symbols:: Symbol Attributes for SOM
3056@end ifset
3057@end menu
3058
3059@node Symbol Value
3060@subsection Value
3061
3062@cindex value of a symbol
3063@cindex symbol value
3064The value of a symbol is (usually) 32 bits. For a symbol which labels a
3065location in the text, data, bss or absolute sections the value is the
3066number of addresses from the start of that section to the label.
3067Naturally for text, data and bss sections the value of a symbol changes
3068as @code{@value{LD}} changes section base addresses during linking. Absolute
3069symbols' values do not change during linking: that is why they are
3070called absolute.
3071
3072The value of an undefined symbol is treated in a special way. If it is
30730 then the symbol is not defined in this assembler source file, and
3074@code{@value{LD}} tries to determine its value from other files linked into the
3075same program. You make this kind of symbol simply by mentioning a symbol
3076name without defining it. A non-zero value represents a @code{.comm}
3077common declaration. The value is how much common storage to reserve, in
3078bytes (addresses). The symbol refers to the first address of the
3079allocated storage.
3080
3081@node Symbol Type
3082@subsection Type
3083
3084@cindex type of a symbol
3085@cindex symbol type
3086The type attribute of a symbol contains relocation (section)
3087information, any flag settings indicating that a symbol is external, and
3088(optionally), other information for linkers and debuggers. The exact
3089format depends on the object-code output format in use.
3090
3091@ifset aout-bout
3092@ifclear GENERIC
3093@ifset BOUT
3094@c The following avoids a "widow" subsection title. @group would be
3095@c better if it were available outside examples.
3096@need 1000
3097@node a.out Symbols
3098@subsection Symbol Attributes: @code{a.out}, @code{b.out}
3099
3100@cindex @code{b.out} symbol attributes
3101@cindex symbol attributes, @code{b.out}
3102These symbol attributes appear only when @code{@value{AS}} is configured for
3103one of the Berkeley-descended object output formats---@code{a.out} or
3104@code{b.out}.
3105
3106@end ifset
3107@ifclear BOUT
3108@node a.out Symbols
3109@subsection Symbol Attributes: @code{a.out}
3110
3111@cindex @code{a.out} symbol attributes
3112@cindex symbol attributes, @code{a.out}
3113
3114@end ifclear
3115@end ifclear
3116@ifset GENERIC
3117@node a.out Symbols
3118@subsection Symbol Attributes: @code{a.out}
3119
3120@cindex @code{a.out} symbol attributes
3121@cindex symbol attributes, @code{a.out}
3122
3123@end ifset
3124@menu
3125* Symbol Desc:: Descriptor
3126* Symbol Other:: Other
3127@end menu
3128
3129@node Symbol Desc
3130@subsubsection Descriptor
3131
3132@cindex descriptor, of @code{a.out} symbol
3133This is an arbitrary 16-bit value. You may establish a symbol's
3134descriptor value by using a @code{.desc} statement
3135(@pxref{Desc,,@code{.desc}}). A descriptor value means nothing to
3136@code{@value{AS}}.
3137
3138@node Symbol Other
3139@subsubsection Other
3140
3141@cindex other attribute, of @code{a.out} symbol
3142This is an arbitrary 8-bit value. It means nothing to @code{@value{AS}}.
3143@end ifset
3144
3145@ifset COFF
3146@node COFF Symbols
3147@subsection Symbol Attributes for COFF
3148
3149@cindex COFF symbol attributes
3150@cindex symbol attributes, COFF
3151
3152The COFF format supports a multitude of auxiliary symbol attributes;
3153like the primary symbol attributes, they are set between @code{.def} and
3154@code{.endef} directives.
3155
3156@subsubsection Primary Attributes
3157
3158@cindex primary attributes, COFF symbols
3159The symbol name is set with @code{.def}; the value and type,
3160respectively, with @code{.val} and @code{.type}.
3161
3162@subsubsection Auxiliary Attributes
3163
3164@cindex auxiliary attributes, COFF symbols
3165The @code{@value{AS}} directives @code{.dim}, @code{.line}, @code{.scl},
3166@code{.size}, and @code{.tag} can generate auxiliary symbol table
3167information for COFF.
3168@end ifset
3169
3170@ifset SOM
3171@node SOM Symbols
3172@subsection Symbol Attributes for SOM
3173
3174@cindex SOM symbol attributes
3175@cindex symbol attributes, SOM
3176
3177The SOM format for the HPPA supports a multitude of symbol attributes set with
3178the @code{.EXPORT} and @code{.IMPORT} directives.
3179
3180The attributes are described in @cite{HP9000 Series 800 Assembly
3181Language Reference Manual} (HP 92432-90001) under the @code{IMPORT} and
3182@code{EXPORT} assembler directive documentation.
3183@end ifset
3184
3185@node Expressions
3186@chapter Expressions
3187
3188@cindex expressions
3189@cindex addresses
3190@cindex numeric values
3191An @dfn{expression} specifies an address or numeric value.
3192Whitespace may precede and/or follow an expression.
3193
3194The result of an expression must be an absolute number, or else an offset into
3195a particular section. If an expression is not absolute, and there is not
3196enough information when @code{@value{AS}} sees the expression to know its
3197section, a second pass over the source program might be necessary to interpret
3198the expression---but the second pass is currently not implemented.
3199@code{@value{AS}} aborts with an error message in this situation.
3200
3201@menu
3202* Empty Exprs:: Empty Expressions
3203* Integer Exprs:: Integer Expressions
3204@end menu
3205
3206@node Empty Exprs
3207@section Empty Expressions
3208
3209@cindex empty expressions
3210@cindex expressions, empty
3211An empty expression has no value: it is just whitespace or null.
3212Wherever an absolute expression is required, you may omit the
3213expression, and @code{@value{AS}} assumes a value of (absolute) 0. This
3214is compatible with other assemblers.
3215
3216@node Integer Exprs
3217@section Integer Expressions
3218
3219@cindex integer expressions
3220@cindex expressions, integer
3221An @dfn{integer expression} is one or more @emph{arguments} delimited
3222by @emph{operators}.
3223
3224@menu
3225* Arguments:: Arguments
3226* Operators:: Operators
3227* Prefix Ops:: Prefix Operators
3228* Infix Ops:: Infix Operators
3229@end menu
3230
3231@node Arguments
3232@subsection Arguments
3233
3234@cindex expression arguments
3235@cindex arguments in expressions
3236@cindex operands in expressions
3237@cindex arithmetic operands
3238@dfn{Arguments} are symbols, numbers or subexpressions. In other
3239contexts arguments are sometimes called ``arithmetic operands''. In
3240this manual, to avoid confusing them with the ``instruction operands'' of
3241the machine language, we use the term ``argument'' to refer to parts of
3242expressions only, reserving the word ``operand'' to refer only to machine
3243instruction operands.
3244
3245Symbols are evaluated to yield @{@var{section} @var{NNN}@} where
3246@var{section} is one of text, data, bss, absolute,
3247or undefined. @var{NNN} is a signed, 2's complement 32 bit
3248integer.
3249
3250Numbers are usually integers.
3251
3252A number can be a flonum or bignum. In this case, you are warned
3253that only the low order 32 bits are used, and @code{@value{AS}} pretends
3254these 32 bits are an integer. You may write integer-manipulating
3255instructions that act on exotic constants, compatible with other
3256assemblers.
3257
3258@cindex subexpressions
3259Subexpressions are a left parenthesis @samp{(} followed by an integer
3260expression, followed by a right parenthesis @samp{)}; or a prefix
3261operator followed by an argument.
3262
3263@node Operators
3264@subsection Operators
3265
3266@cindex operators, in expressions
3267@cindex arithmetic functions
3268@cindex functions, in expressions
3269@dfn{Operators} are arithmetic functions, like @code{+} or @code{%}. Prefix
3270operators are followed by an argument. Infix operators appear
3271between their arguments. Operators may be preceded and/or followed by
3272whitespace.
3273
3274@node Prefix Ops
3275@subsection Prefix Operator
3276
3277@cindex prefix operators
3278@code{@value{AS}} has the following @dfn{prefix operators}. They each take
3279one argument, which must be absolute.
3280
3281@c the tex/end tex stuff surrounding this small table is meant to make
3282@c it align, on the printed page, with the similar table in the next
3283@c section (which is inside an enumerate).
3284@tex
3285\global\advance\leftskip by \itemindent
3286@end tex
3287
3288@table @code
3289@item -
3290@dfn{Negation}. Two's complement negation.
3291@item ~
3292@dfn{Complementation}. Bitwise not.
3293@end table
3294
3295@tex
3296\global\advance\leftskip by -\itemindent
3297@end tex
3298
3299@node Infix Ops
3300@subsection Infix Operators
3301
3302@cindex infix operators
3303@cindex operators, permitted arguments
3304@dfn{Infix operators} take two arguments, one on either side. Operators
3305have precedence, but operations with equal precedence are performed left
3306to right. Apart from @code{+} or @code{-}, both arguments must be
3307absolute, and the result is absolute.
3308
3309@enumerate
3310@cindex operator precedence
3311@cindex precedence of operators
3312
3313@item
3314Highest Precedence
3315
3316@table @code
3317@item *
3318@dfn{Multiplication}.
3319
3320@item /
3321@dfn{Division}. Truncation is the same as the C operator @samp{/}
3322
3323@item %
3324@dfn{Remainder}.
3325
3326@item <
3327@itemx <<
3328@dfn{Shift Left}. Same as the C operator @samp{<<}.
3329
3330@item >
3331@itemx >>
3332@dfn{Shift Right}. Same as the C operator @samp{>>}.
3333@end table
3334
3335@item
3336Intermediate precedence
3337
3338@table @code
3339@item |
3340
3341@dfn{Bitwise Inclusive Or}.
3342
3343@item &
3344@dfn{Bitwise And}.
3345
3346@item ^
3347@dfn{Bitwise Exclusive Or}.
3348
3349@item !
3350@dfn{Bitwise Or Not}.
3351@end table
3352
3353@item
b131d4dc 3354Low Precedence
252b5132
RH
3355
3356@table @code
3357@cindex addition, permitted arguments
3358@cindex plus, permitted arguments
3359@cindex arguments for addition
3360@item +
3361@dfn{Addition}. If either argument is absolute, the result has the section of
3362the other argument. You may not add together arguments from different
3363sections.
3364
3365@cindex subtraction, permitted arguments
3366@cindex minus, permitted arguments
3367@cindex arguments for subtraction
3368@item -
3369@dfn{Subtraction}. If the right argument is absolute, the
3370result has the section of the left argument.
3371If both arguments are in the same section, the result is absolute.
3372You may not subtract arguments from different sections.
3373@c FIXME is there still something useful to say about undefined - undefined ?
b131d4dc
NC
3374
3375@cindex comparison expressions
3376@cindex expressions, comparison
3377@item ==
3378@dfn{Is Equal To}
3379@item <>
3380@dfn{Is Not Equal To}
3381@item <
3382@dfn{Is Less Than}
3383@itemx >
3384@dfn{Is Greater Than}
3385@itemx >=
3386@dfn{Is Greater Than Or Equal To}
3387@itemx <=
3388@dfn{Is Less Than Or Equal To}
3389
3390The comparison operators can be used as infix operators. A true results has a
3391value of -1 whereas a false result has a value of 0. Note, these operators
3392perform signed comparisons.
3393@end table
3394
3395@item Lowest Precedence
3396
3397@table @code
3398@item &&
3399@dfn{Logical And}.
3400
3401@item ||
3402@dfn{Logical Or}.
3403
3404These two logical operations can be used to combine the results of sub
3405expressions. Note, unlike the comparison operators a true result returns a
3406value of 1 but a false results does still return 0. Also note that the logical
3407or operator has a slightly lower precedence than logical and.
3408
252b5132
RH
3409@end table
3410@end enumerate
3411
3412In short, it's only meaningful to add or subtract the @emph{offsets} in an
3413address; you can only have a defined section in one of the two arguments.
3414
3415@node Pseudo Ops
3416@chapter Assembler Directives
3417
3418@cindex directives, machine independent
3419@cindex pseudo-ops, machine independent
3420@cindex machine independent directives
3421All assembler directives have names that begin with a period (@samp{.}).
3422The rest of the name is letters, usually in lower case.
3423
3424This chapter discusses directives that are available regardless of the
3425target machine configuration for the @sc{gnu} assembler.
3426@ifset GENERIC
3427Some machine configurations provide additional directives.
3428@xref{Machine Dependencies}.
3429@end ifset
3430@ifclear GENERIC
3431@ifset machine-directives
3432@xref{Machine Dependencies} for additional directives.
3433@end ifset
3434@end ifclear
3435
3436@menu
3437* Abort:: @code{.abort}
3438@ifset COFF
3439* ABORT:: @code{.ABORT}
3440@end ifset
f0dc282c 3441
252b5132
RH
3442* Align:: @code{.align @var{abs-expr} , @var{abs-expr}}
3443* Ascii:: @code{.ascii "@var{string}"}@dots{}
3444* Asciz:: @code{.asciz "@var{string}"}@dots{}
3445* Balign:: @code{.balign @var{abs-expr} , @var{abs-expr}}
3446* Byte:: @code{.byte @var{expressions}}
3447* Comm:: @code{.comm @var{symbol} , @var{length} }
3448* Data:: @code{.data @var{subsection}}
3449@ifset COFF
3450* Def:: @code{.def @var{name}}
3451@end ifset
3452@ifset aout-bout
3453* Desc:: @code{.desc @var{symbol}, @var{abs-expression}}
3454@end ifset
3455@ifset COFF
3456* Dim:: @code{.dim}
3457@end ifset
f0dc282c 3458
252b5132
RH
3459* Double:: @code{.double @var{flonums}}
3460* Eject:: @code{.eject}
3461* Else:: @code{.else}
3fd9f047 3462* Elseif:: @code{.elseif}
252b5132
RH
3463* End:: @code{.end}
3464@ifset COFF
3465* Endef:: @code{.endef}
3466@end ifset
f0dc282c 3467
252b5132
RH
3468* Endfunc:: @code{.endfunc}
3469* Endif:: @code{.endif}
3470* Equ:: @code{.equ @var{symbol}, @var{expression}}
3471* Equiv:: @code{.equiv @var{symbol}, @var{expression}}
3472* Err:: @code{.err}
3473* Exitm:: @code{.exitm}
3474* Extern:: @code{.extern}
3475* Fail:: @code{.fail}
3476@ifclear no-file-dir
3477* File:: @code{.file @var{string}}
3478@end ifclear
f0dc282c 3479
252b5132
RH
3480* Fill:: @code{.fill @var{repeat} , @var{size} , @var{value}}
3481* Float:: @code{.float @var{flonums}}
3482* Func:: @code{.func}
3483* Global:: @code{.global @var{symbol}}, @code{.globl @var{symbol}}
c91d2e08
NC
3484@ifset ELF
3485* Hidden:: @code{.hidden @var{names}}
3486@end ifset
f0dc282c 3487
252b5132
RH
3488* hword:: @code{.hword @var{expressions}}
3489* Ident:: @code{.ident}
3490* If:: @code{.if @var{absolute expression}}
7e005732 3491* Incbin:: @code{.incbin "@var{file}"[,@var{skip}[,@var{count}]]}
252b5132
RH
3492* Include:: @code{.include "@var{file}"}
3493* Int:: @code{.int @var{expressions}}
c91d2e08
NC
3494@ifset ELF
3495* Internal:: @code{.internal @var{names}}
3496@end ifset
f0dc282c 3497
252b5132
RH
3498* Irp:: @code{.irp @var{symbol},@var{values}}@dots{}
3499* Irpc:: @code{.irpc @var{symbol},@var{values}}@dots{}
3500* Lcomm:: @code{.lcomm @var{symbol} , @var{length}}
3501* Lflags:: @code{.lflags}
3502@ifclear no-line-dir
3503* Line:: @code{.line @var{line-number}}
3504@end ifclear
f0dc282c 3505
252b5132
RH
3506* Ln:: @code{.ln @var{line-number}}
3507* Linkonce:: @code{.linkonce [@var{type}]}
3508* List:: @code{.list}
3509* Long:: @code{.long @var{expressions}}
3510@ignore
3511* Lsym:: @code{.lsym @var{symbol}, @var{expression}}
3512@end ignore
f0dc282c 3513
252b5132
RH
3514* Macro:: @code{.macro @var{name} @var{args}}@dots{}
3515* MRI:: @code{.mri @var{val}}
252b5132
RH
3516* Nolist:: @code{.nolist}
3517* Octa:: @code{.octa @var{bignums}}
3518* Org:: @code{.org @var{new-lc} , @var{fill}}
3519* P2align:: @code{.p2align @var{abs-expr} , @var{abs-expr}}
c91d2e08
NC
3520@ifset ELF
3521* PopSection:: @code{.popsection}
3522* Previous:: @code{.previous}
3523@end ifset
f0dc282c 3524
252b5132 3525* Print:: @code{.print @var{string}}
c91d2e08
NC
3526@ifset ELF
3527* Protected:: @code{.protected @var{names}}
3528@end ifset
f0dc282c 3529
252b5132
RH
3530* Psize:: @code{.psize @var{lines}, @var{columns}}
3531* Purgem:: @code{.purgem @var{name}}
c91d2e08
NC
3532@ifset ELF
3533* PushSection:: @code{.pushsection @var{name}}
3534@end ifset
f0dc282c 3535
252b5132
RH
3536* Quad:: @code{.quad @var{bignums}}
3537* Rept:: @code{.rept @var{count}}
3538* Sbttl:: @code{.sbttl "@var{subheading}"}
3539@ifset COFF
3540* Scl:: @code{.scl @var{class}}
3541* Section:: @code{.section @var{name}, @var{subsection}}
3542@end ifset
f0dc282c 3543
252b5132
RH
3544* Set:: @code{.set @var{symbol}, @var{expression}}
3545* Short:: @code{.short @var{expressions}}
3546* Single:: @code{.single @var{flonums}}
c91d2e08 3547* Size:: @code{.size [@var{name} , @var{expression}]}
252b5132
RH
3548* Skip:: @code{.skip @var{size} , @var{fill}}
3549* Sleb128:: @code{.sleb128 @var{expressions}}
3550* Space:: @code{.space @var{size} , @var{fill}}
3551@ifset have-stabs
3552* Stab:: @code{.stabd, .stabn, .stabs}
3553@end ifset
f0dc282c 3554
252b5132
RH
3555* String:: @code{.string "@var{str}"}
3556* Struct:: @code{.struct @var{expression}}
3557@ifset ELF
c91d2e08 3558* SubSection:: @code{.subsection}
252b5132
RH
3559* Symver:: @code{.symver @var{name},@var{name2@@nodename}}
3560@end ifset
f0dc282c 3561
252b5132
RH
3562@ifset COFF
3563* Tag:: @code{.tag @var{structname}}
3564@end ifset
f0dc282c 3565
252b5132
RH
3566* Text:: @code{.text @var{subsection}}
3567* Title:: @code{.title "@var{heading}"}
c91d2e08
NC
3568* Type:: @code{.type <@var{int} | @var{name} , @var{type description}>}
3569* Uleb128:: @code{.uleb128 @var{expressions}}
252b5132 3570@ifset COFF
252b5132
RH
3571* Val:: @code{.val @var{addr}}
3572@end ifset
f0dc282c 3573
2e13b764 3574@ifset ELF
c91d2e08 3575* Version:: @code{.version "@var{string}"}
c91d2e08
NC
3576* VTableEntry:: @code{.vtable_entry @var{table}, @var{offset}}
3577* VTableInherit:: @code{.vtable_inherit @var{child}, @var{parent}}
c91d2e08 3578* Weak:: @code{.weak @var{names}}
2e13b764 3579@end ifset
f0dc282c 3580
252b5132
RH
3581* Word:: @code{.word @var{expressions}}
3582* Deprecated:: Deprecated Directives
3583@end menu
3584
3585@node Abort
3586@section @code{.abort}
3587
3588@cindex @code{abort} directive
3589@cindex stopping the assembly
3590This directive stops the assembly immediately. It is for
3591compatibility with other assemblers. The original idea was that the
3592assembly language source would be piped into the assembler. If the sender
3593of the source quit, it could use this directive tells @code{@value{AS}} to
3594quit also. One day @code{.abort} will not be supported.
3595
3596@ifset COFF
3597@node ABORT
3598@section @code{.ABORT}
3599
3600@cindex @code{ABORT} directive
3601When producing COFF output, @code{@value{AS}} accepts this directive as a
3602synonym for @samp{.abort}.
3603
3604@ifset BOUT
3605When producing @code{b.out} output, @code{@value{AS}} accepts this directive,
3606but ignores it.
3607@end ifset
3608@end ifset
3609
3610@node Align
3611@section @code{.align @var{abs-expr}, @var{abs-expr}, @var{abs-expr}}
3612
3613@cindex padding the location counter
3614@cindex @code{align} directive
3615Pad the location counter (in the current subsection) to a particular storage
3616boundary. The first expression (which must be absolute) is the alignment
3617required, as described below.
3618
3619The second expression (also absolute) gives the fill value to be stored in the
3620padding bytes. It (and the comma) may be omitted. If it is omitted, the
3621padding bytes are normally zero. However, on some systems, if the section is
3622marked as containing code and the fill value is omitted, the space is filled
3623with no-op instructions.
3624
3625The third expression is also absolute, and is also optional. If it is present,
3626it is the maximum number of bytes that should be skipped by this alignment
3627directive. If doing the alignment would require skipping more bytes than the
3628specified maximum, then the alignment is not done at all. You can omit the
3629fill value (the second argument) entirely by simply using two commas after the
3630required alignment; this can be useful if you want the alignment to be filled
3631with no-op instructions when appropriate.
3632
3633The way the required alignment is specified varies from system to system.
3634For the a29k, hppa, m68k, m88k, w65, sparc, and Hitachi SH, and i386 using ELF
3635format,
3636the first expression is the
3637alignment request in bytes. For example @samp{.align 8} advances
3638the location counter until it is a multiple of 8. If the location counter
3639is already a multiple of 8, no change is needed.
3640
adcf07e6
NC
3641For other systems, including the i386 using a.out format, and the arm and
3642strongarm, it is the
252b5132
RH
3643number of low-order zero bits the location counter must have after
3644advancement. For example @samp{.align 3} advances the location
3645counter until it a multiple of 8. If the location counter is already a
3646multiple of 8, no change is needed.
3647
3648This inconsistency is due to the different behaviors of the various
3649native assemblers for these systems which GAS must emulate.
3650GAS also provides @code{.balign} and @code{.p2align} directives,
3651described later, which have a consistent behavior across all
3652architectures (but are specific to GAS).
3653
3654@node Ascii
3655@section @code{.ascii "@var{string}"}@dots{}
3656
3657@cindex @code{ascii} directive
3658@cindex string literals
3659@code{.ascii} expects zero or more string literals (@pxref{Strings})
3660separated by commas. It assembles each string (with no automatic
3661trailing zero byte) into consecutive addresses.
3662
3663@node Asciz
3664@section @code{.asciz "@var{string}"}@dots{}
3665
3666@cindex @code{asciz} directive
3667@cindex zero-terminated strings
3668@cindex null-terminated strings
3669@code{.asciz} is just like @code{.ascii}, but each string is followed by
3670a zero byte. The ``z'' in @samp{.asciz} stands for ``zero''.
3671
3672@node Balign
3673@section @code{.balign[wl] @var{abs-expr}, @var{abs-expr}, @var{abs-expr}}
3674
3675@cindex padding the location counter given number of bytes
3676@cindex @code{balign} directive
3677Pad the location counter (in the current subsection) to a particular
3678storage boundary. The first expression (which must be absolute) is the
3679alignment request in bytes. For example @samp{.balign 8} advances
3680the location counter until it is a multiple of 8. If the location counter
3681is already a multiple of 8, no change is needed.
3682
3683The second expression (also absolute) gives the fill value to be stored in the
3684padding bytes. It (and the comma) may be omitted. If it is omitted, the
3685padding bytes are normally zero. However, on some systems, if the section is
3686marked as containing code and the fill value is omitted, the space is filled
3687with no-op instructions.
3688
3689The third expression is also absolute, and is also optional. If it is present,
3690it is the maximum number of bytes that should be skipped by this alignment
3691directive. If doing the alignment would require skipping more bytes than the
3692specified maximum, then the alignment is not done at all. You can omit the
3693fill value (the second argument) entirely by simply using two commas after the
3694required alignment; this can be useful if you want the alignment to be filled
3695with no-op instructions when appropriate.
3696
3697@cindex @code{balignw} directive
3698@cindex @code{balignl} directive
3699The @code{.balignw} and @code{.balignl} directives are variants of the
3700@code{.balign} directive. The @code{.balignw} directive treats the fill
3701pattern as a two byte word value. The @code{.balignl} directives treats the
3702fill pattern as a four byte longword value. For example, @code{.balignw
37034,0x368d} will align to a multiple of 4. If it skips two bytes, they will be
3704filled in with the value 0x368d (the exact placement of the bytes depends upon
3705the endianness of the processor). If it skips 1 or 3 bytes, the fill value is
3706undefined.
3707
3708@node Byte
3709@section @code{.byte @var{expressions}}
3710
3711@cindex @code{byte} directive
3712@cindex integers, one byte
3713@code{.byte} expects zero or more expressions, separated by commas.
3714Each expression is assembled into the next byte.
3715
3716@node Comm
3717@section @code{.comm @var{symbol} , @var{length} }
3718
3719@cindex @code{comm} directive
3720@cindex symbol, common
3721@code{.comm} declares a common symbol named @var{symbol}. When linking, a
3722common symbol in one object file may be merged with a defined or common symbol
3723of the same name in another object file. If @code{@value{LD}} does not see a
3724definition for the symbol--just one or more common symbols--then it will
3725allocate @var{length} bytes of uninitialized memory. @var{length} must be an
3726absolute expression. If @code{@value{LD}} sees multiple common symbols with
3727the same name, and they do not all have the same size, it will allocate space
3728using the largest size.
3729
3730@ifset ELF
3731When using ELF, the @code{.comm} directive takes an optional third argument.
3732This is the desired alignment of the symbol, specified as a byte boundary (for
3733example, an alignment of 16 means that the least significant 4 bits of the
3734address should be zero). The alignment must be an absolute expression, and it
3735must be a power of two. If @code{@value{LD}} allocates uninitialized memory
3736for the common symbol, it will use the alignment when placing the symbol. If
3737no alignment is specified, @code{@value{AS}} will set the alignment to the
3738largest power of two less than or equal to the size of the symbol, up to a
3739maximum of 16.
3740@end ifset
3741
3742@ifset HPPA
3743The syntax for @code{.comm} differs slightly on the HPPA. The syntax is
3744@samp{@var{symbol} .comm, @var{length}}; @var{symbol} is optional.
3745@end ifset
3746
3747@node Data
3748@section @code{.data @var{subsection}}
3749
3750@cindex @code{data} directive
3751@code{.data} tells @code{@value{AS}} to assemble the following statements onto the
3752end of the data subsection numbered @var{subsection} (which is an
3753absolute expression). If @var{subsection} is omitted, it defaults
3754to zero.
3755
3756@ifset COFF
3757@node Def
3758@section @code{.def @var{name}}
3759
3760@cindex @code{def} directive
3761@cindex COFF symbols, debugging
3762@cindex debugging COFF symbols
3763Begin defining debugging information for a symbol @var{name}; the
3764definition extends until the @code{.endef} directive is encountered.
3765@ifset BOUT
3766
3767This directive is only observed when @code{@value{AS}} is configured for COFF
3768format output; when producing @code{b.out}, @samp{.def} is recognized,
3769but ignored.
3770@end ifset
3771@end ifset
3772
3773@ifset aout-bout
3774@node Desc
3775@section @code{.desc @var{symbol}, @var{abs-expression}}
3776
3777@cindex @code{desc} directive
3778@cindex COFF symbol descriptor
3779@cindex symbol descriptor, COFF
3780This directive sets the descriptor of the symbol (@pxref{Symbol Attributes})
3781to the low 16 bits of an absolute expression.
3782
3783@ifset COFF
3784The @samp{.desc} directive is not available when @code{@value{AS}} is
3785configured for COFF output; it is only for @code{a.out} or @code{b.out}
3786object format. For the sake of compatibility, @code{@value{AS}} accepts
3787it, but produces no output, when configured for COFF.
3788@end ifset
3789@end ifset
3790
3791@ifset COFF
3792@node Dim
3793@section @code{.dim}
3794
3795@cindex @code{dim} directive
3796@cindex COFF auxiliary symbol information
3797@cindex auxiliary symbol information, COFF
3798This directive is generated by compilers to include auxiliary debugging
3799information in the symbol table. It is only permitted inside
3800@code{.def}/@code{.endef} pairs.
3801@ifset BOUT
3802
3803@samp{.dim} is only meaningful when generating COFF format output; when
3804@code{@value{AS}} is generating @code{b.out}, it accepts this directive but
3805ignores it.
3806@end ifset
3807@end ifset
3808
3809@node Double
3810@section @code{.double @var{flonums}}
3811
3812@cindex @code{double} directive
3813@cindex floating point numbers (double)
3814@code{.double} expects zero or more flonums, separated by commas. It
3815assembles floating point numbers.
3816@ifset GENERIC
3817The exact kind of floating point numbers emitted depends on how
3818@code{@value{AS}} is configured. @xref{Machine Dependencies}.
3819@end ifset
3820@ifclear GENERIC
3821@ifset IEEEFLOAT
3822On the @value{TARGET} family @samp{.double} emits 64-bit floating-point numbers
3823in @sc{ieee} format.
3824@end ifset
3825@end ifclear
3826
3827@node Eject
3828@section @code{.eject}
3829
3830@cindex @code{eject} directive
3831@cindex new page, in listings
3832@cindex page, in listings
3833@cindex listing control: new page
3834Force a page break at this point, when generating assembly listings.
3835
3836@node Else
3837@section @code{.else}
3838
3839@cindex @code{else} directive
3840@code{.else} is part of the @code{@value{AS}} support for conditional
3841assembly; @pxref{If,,@code{.if}}. It marks the beginning of a section
3842of code to be assembled if the condition for the preceding @code{.if}
3843was false.
3844
3fd9f047
TW
3845@node Elseif
3846@section @code{.elseif}
3847
3848@cindex @code{elseif} directive
3849@code{.elseif} is part of the @code{@value{AS}} support for conditional
3850assembly; @pxref{If,,@code{.if}}. It is shorthand for beginning a new
3851@code{.if} block that would otherwise fill the entire @code{.else} section.
3852
252b5132
RH
3853@node End
3854@section @code{.end}
3855
3856@cindex @code{end} directive
3857@code{.end} marks the end of the assembly file. @code{@value{AS}} does not
3858process anything in the file past the @code{.end} directive.
3859
3860@ifset COFF
3861@node Endef
3862@section @code{.endef}
3863
3864@cindex @code{endef} directive
3865This directive flags the end of a symbol definition begun with
3866@code{.def}.
3867@ifset BOUT
3868
3869@samp{.endef} is only meaningful when generating COFF format output; if
3870@code{@value{AS}} is configured to generate @code{b.out}, it accepts this
3871directive but ignores it.
3872@end ifset
3873@end ifset
3874
3875@node Endfunc
3876@section @code{.endfunc}
3877@cindex @code{endfunc} directive
3878@code{.endfunc} marks the end of a function specified with @code{.func}.
3879
3880@node Endif
3881@section @code{.endif}
3882
3883@cindex @code{endif} directive
3884@code{.endif} is part of the @code{@value{AS}} support for conditional assembly;
3885it marks the end of a block of code that is only assembled
3886conditionally. @xref{If,,@code{.if}}.
3887
3888@node Equ
3889@section @code{.equ @var{symbol}, @var{expression}}
3890
3891@cindex @code{equ} directive
3892@cindex assigning values to symbols
3893@cindex symbols, assigning values to
3894This directive sets the value of @var{symbol} to @var{expression}.
3895It is synonymous with @samp{.set}; @pxref{Set,,@code{.set}}.
3896
3897@ifset HPPA
3898The syntax for @code{equ} on the HPPA is
3899@samp{@var{symbol} .equ @var{expression}}.
3900@end ifset
3901
3902@node Equiv
3903@section @code{.equiv @var{symbol}, @var{expression}}
3904@cindex @code{equiv} directive
3905The @code{.equiv} directive is like @code{.equ} and @code{.set}, except that
3906the assembler will signal an error if @var{symbol} is already defined.
3907
3908Except for the contents of the error message, this is roughly equivalent to
3909@smallexample
3910.ifdef SYM
3911.err
3912.endif
3913.equ SYM,VAL
3914@end smallexample
3915
3916@node Err
3917@section @code{.err}
3918@cindex @code{err} directive
3919If @code{@value{AS}} assembles a @code{.err} directive, it will print an error
3920message and, unless the @code{-Z} option was used, it will not generate an
3921object file. This can be used to signal error an conditionally compiled code.
3922
3923@node Exitm
3924@section @code{.exitm}
3925Exit early from the current macro definition. @xref{Macro}.
3926
3927@node Extern
3928@section @code{.extern}
3929
3930@cindex @code{extern} directive
3931@code{.extern} is accepted in the source program---for compatibility
3932with other assemblers---but it is ignored. @code{@value{AS}} treats
3933all undefined symbols as external.
3934
3935@node Fail
3936@section @code{.fail @var{expression}}
3937
3938@cindex @code{fail} directive
3939Generates an error or a warning. If the value of the @var{expression} is 500
3940or more, @code{@value{AS}} will print a warning message. If the value is less
3941than 500, @code{@value{AS}} will print an error message. The message will
3942include the value of @var{expression}. This can occasionally be useful inside
3943complex nested macros or conditional assembly.
3944
3945@ifclear no-file-dir
3946@node File
3947@section @code{.file @var{string}}
3948
3949@cindex @code{file} directive
3950@cindex logical file name
3951@cindex file name, logical
3952@code{.file} tells @code{@value{AS}} that we are about to start a new logical
3953file. @var{string} is the new file name. In general, the filename is
3954recognized whether or not it is surrounded by quotes @samp{"}; but if you wish
3955to specify an empty file name, you must give the quotes--@code{""}. This
3956statement may go away in future: it is only recognized to be compatible with
3957old @code{@value{AS}} programs.
3958@ifset A29K
3959In some configurations of @code{@value{AS}}, @code{.file} has already been
3960removed to avoid conflicts with other assemblers. @xref{Machine Dependencies}.
3961@end ifset
3962@end ifclear
3963
3964@node Fill
3965@section @code{.fill @var{repeat} , @var{size} , @var{value}}
3966
3967@cindex @code{fill} directive
3968@cindex writing patterns in memory
3969@cindex patterns, writing in memory
bc64be0c 3970@var{repeat}, @var{size} and @var{value} are absolute expressions.
252b5132
RH
3971This emits @var{repeat} copies of @var{size} bytes. @var{Repeat}
3972may be zero or more. @var{Size} may be zero or more, but if it is
3973more than 8, then it is deemed to have the value 8, compatible with
3974other people's assemblers. The contents of each @var{repeat} bytes
3975is taken from an 8-byte number. The highest order 4 bytes are
3976zero. The lowest order 4 bytes are @var{value} rendered in the
3977byte-order of an integer on the computer @code{@value{AS}} is assembling for.
3978Each @var{size} bytes in a repetition is taken from the lowest order
3979@var{size} bytes of this number. Again, this bizarre behavior is
3980compatible with other people's assemblers.
3981
3982@var{size} and @var{value} are optional.
3983If the second comma and @var{value} are absent, @var{value} is
3984assumed zero. If the first comma and following tokens are absent,
3985@var{size} is assumed to be 1.
3986
3987@node Float
3988@section @code{.float @var{flonums}}
3989
3990@cindex floating point numbers (single)
3991@cindex @code{float} directive
3992This directive assembles zero or more flonums, separated by commas. It
3993has the same effect as @code{.single}.
3994@ifset GENERIC
3995The exact kind of floating point numbers emitted depends on how
3996@code{@value{AS}} is configured.
3997@xref{Machine Dependencies}.
3998@end ifset
3999@ifclear GENERIC
4000@ifset IEEEFLOAT
4001On the @value{TARGET} family, @code{.float} emits 32-bit floating point numbers
4002in @sc{ieee} format.
4003@end ifset
4004@end ifclear
4005
4006@node Func
4007@section @code{.func @var{name}[,@var{label}]}
4008@cindex @code{func} directive
4009@code{.func} emits debugging information to denote function @var{name}, and
4010is ignored unless the file is assembled with debugging enabled.
4011Only @samp{--gstabs} is currently supported.
4012@var{label} is the entry point of the function and if omitted @var{name}
4013prepended with the @samp{leading char} is used.
4014@samp{leading char} is usually @code{_} or nothing, depending on the target.
4015All functions are currently defined to have @code{void} return type.
4016The function must be terminated with @code{.endfunc}.
4017
4018@node Global
4019@section @code{.global @var{symbol}}, @code{.globl @var{symbol}}
4020
4021@cindex @code{global} directive
4022@cindex symbol, making visible to linker
4023@code{.global} makes the symbol visible to @code{@value{LD}}. If you define
4024@var{symbol} in your partial program, its value is made available to
4025other partial programs that are linked with it. Otherwise,
4026@var{symbol} takes its attributes from a symbol of the same name
4027from another file linked into the same program.
4028
4029Both spellings (@samp{.globl} and @samp{.global}) are accepted, for
4030compatibility with other assemblers.
4031
4032@ifset HPPA
4033On the HPPA, @code{.global} is not always enough to make it accessible to other
4034partial programs. You may need the HPPA-only @code{.EXPORT} directive as well.
4035@xref{HPPA Directives,, HPPA Assembler Directives}.
4036@end ifset
4037
c91d2e08
NC
4038@ifset ELF
4039@node Hidden
4040@section @code{.hidden @var{names}}
4041
4042@cindex @code{.hidden} directive
4043@cindex Visibility
4044This one of the ELF visibility directives. The other two are
a349d9dd
PB
4045@code{.internal} (@pxref{Internal,,@code{.internal}}) and
4046@code{.protected} (@pxref{Protected,,@code{.protected}}).
c91d2e08
NC
4047
4048This directive overrides the named symbols default visibility (which is set by
4049their binding: local, global or weak). The directive sets the visibility to
4050@code{hidden} which means that the symbols are not visible to other components.
4051Such symbols are always considered to be @code{protected} as well.
4052@end ifset
4053
252b5132
RH
4054@node hword
4055@section @code{.hword @var{expressions}}
4056
4057@cindex @code{hword} directive
4058@cindex integers, 16-bit
4059@cindex numbers, 16-bit
4060@cindex sixteen bit integers
4061This expects zero or more @var{expressions}, and emits
4062a 16 bit number for each.
4063
4064@ifset GENERIC
4065This directive is a synonym for @samp{.short}; depending on the target
4066architecture, it may also be a synonym for @samp{.word}.
4067@end ifset
4068@ifclear GENERIC
4069@ifset W32
4070This directive is a synonym for @samp{.short}.
4071@end ifset
4072@ifset W16
4073This directive is a synonym for both @samp{.short} and @samp{.word}.
4074@end ifset
4075@end ifclear
4076
4077@node Ident
4078@section @code{.ident}
4079
4080@cindex @code{ident} directive
4081This directive is used by some assemblers to place tags in object files.
4082@code{@value{AS}} simply accepts the directive for source-file
4083compatibility with such assemblers, but does not actually emit anything
4084for it.
4085
4086@node If
4087@section @code{.if @var{absolute expression}}
4088
4089@cindex conditional assembly
4090@cindex @code{if} directive
4091@code{.if} marks the beginning of a section of code which is only
4092considered part of the source program being assembled if the argument
4093(which must be an @var{absolute expression}) is non-zero. The end of
4094the conditional section of code must be marked by @code{.endif}
4095(@pxref{Endif,,@code{.endif}}); optionally, you may include code for the
4096alternative condition, flagged by @code{.else} (@pxref{Else,,@code{.else}}).
3fd9f047
TW
4097If you have several conditions to check, @code{.elseif} may be used to avoid
4098nesting blocks if/else within each subsequent @code{.else} block.
252b5132
RH
4099
4100The following variants of @code{.if} are also supported:
4101@table @code
4102@cindex @code{ifdef} directive
4103@item .ifdef @var{symbol}
4104Assembles the following section of code if the specified @var{symbol}
4105has been defined.
4106
4107@cindex @code{ifc} directive
4108@item .ifc @var{string1},@var{string2}
4109Assembles the following section of code if the two strings are the same. The
4110strings may be optionally quoted with single quotes. If they are not quoted,
4111the first string stops at the first comma, and the second string stops at the
4112end of the line. Strings which contain whitespace should be quoted. The
4113string comparison is case sensitive.
4114
4115@cindex @code{ifeq} directive
4116@item .ifeq @var{absolute expression}
4117Assembles the following section of code if the argument is zero.
4118
4119@cindex @code{ifeqs} directive
4120@item .ifeqs @var{string1},@var{string2}
4121Another form of @code{.ifc}. The strings must be quoted using double quotes.
4122
4123@cindex @code{ifge} directive
4124@item .ifge @var{absolute expression}
4125Assembles the following section of code if the argument is greater than or
4126equal to zero.
4127
4128@cindex @code{ifgt} directive
4129@item .ifgt @var{absolute expression}
4130Assembles the following section of code if the argument is greater than zero.
4131
4132@cindex @code{ifle} directive
4133@item .ifle @var{absolute expression}
4134Assembles the following section of code if the argument is less than or equal
4135to zero.
4136
4137@cindex @code{iflt} directive
4138@item .iflt @var{absolute expression}
4139Assembles the following section of code if the argument is less than zero.
4140
4141@cindex @code{ifnc} directive
4142@item .ifnc @var{string1},@var{string2}.
4143Like @code{.ifc}, but the sense of the test is reversed: this assembles the
4144following section of code if the two strings are not the same.
4145
4146@cindex @code{ifndef} directive
4147@cindex @code{ifnotdef} directive
4148@item .ifndef @var{symbol}
4149@itemx .ifnotdef @var{symbol}
4150Assembles the following section of code if the specified @var{symbol}
4151has not been defined. Both spelling variants are equivalent.
4152
4153@cindex @code{ifne} directive
4154@item .ifne @var{absolute expression}
4155Assembles the following section of code if the argument is not equal to zero
4156(in other words, this is equivalent to @code{.if}).
4157
4158@cindex @code{ifnes} directive
4159@item .ifnes @var{string1},@var{string2}
4160Like @code{.ifeqs}, but the sense of the test is reversed: this assembles the
4161following section of code if the two strings are not the same.
4162@end table
4163
7e005732
NC
4164@node Incbin
4165@section @code{.incbin "@var{file}"[,@var{skip}[,@var{count}]]}
4166
4167@cindex @code{incbin} directive
4168@cindex binary files, including
4169The @code{incbin} directive includes @var{file} verbatim at the current
4170location. You can control the search paths used with the @samp{-I} command-line
4171option (@pxref{Invoking,,Command-Line Options}). Quotation marks are required
4172around @var{file}.
4173
4174The @var{skip} argument skips a number of bytes from the start of the
4175@var{file}. The @var{count} argument indicates the maximum number of bytes to
15dcfbc3
NC
4176read. Note that the data is not aligned in any way, so it is the user's
4177responsibility to make sure that proper alignment is provided both before and
4178after the @code{incbin} directive.
7e005732 4179
252b5132
RH
4180@node Include
4181@section @code{.include "@var{file}"}
4182
4183@cindex @code{include} directive
4184@cindex supporting files, including
4185@cindex files, including
4186This directive provides a way to include supporting files at specified
4187points in your source program. The code from @var{file} is assembled as
4188if it followed the point of the @code{.include}; when the end of the
4189included file is reached, assembly of the original file continues. You
4190can control the search paths used with the @samp{-I} command-line option
4191(@pxref{Invoking,,Command-Line Options}). Quotation marks are required
4192around @var{file}.
4193
4194@node Int
4195@section @code{.int @var{expressions}}
4196
4197@cindex @code{int} directive
4198@cindex integers, 32-bit
4199Expect zero or more @var{expressions}, of any section, separated by commas.
4200For each expression, emit a number that, at run time, is the value of that
4201expression. The byte order and bit size of the number depends on what kind
4202of target the assembly is for.
4203
4204@ifclear GENERIC
4205@ifset H8
4206On the H8/500 and most forms of the H8/300, @code{.int} emits 16-bit
4207integers. On the H8/300H and the Hitachi SH, however, @code{.int} emits
420832-bit integers.
4209@end ifset
4210@end ifclear
4211
c91d2e08
NC
4212@ifset ELF
4213@node Internal
4214@section @code{.internal @var{names}}
4215
4216@cindex @code{.internal} directive
4217@cindex Visibility
4218This one of the ELF visibility directives. The other two are
a349d9dd
PB
4219@code{.hidden} (@pxref{Hidden,,@code{.hidden}}) and
4220@code{.protected} (@pxref{Protected,,@code{.protected}}).
c91d2e08
NC
4221
4222This directive overrides the named symbols default visibility (which is set by
4223their binding: local, global or weak). The directive sets the visibility to
4224@code{internal} which means that the symbols are considered to be @code{hidden}
4225(ie not visible to other components), and that some extra, processor specific
4226processing must also be performed upon the symbols as well.
4227@end ifset
4228
252b5132
RH
4229@node Irp
4230@section @code{.irp @var{symbol},@var{values}}@dots{}
4231
4232@cindex @code{irp} directive
4233Evaluate a sequence of statements assigning different values to @var{symbol}.
4234The sequence of statements starts at the @code{.irp} directive, and is
4235terminated by an @code{.endr} directive. For each @var{value}, @var{symbol} is
4236set to @var{value}, and the sequence of statements is assembled. If no
4237@var{value} is listed, the sequence of statements is assembled once, with
4238@var{symbol} set to the null string. To refer to @var{symbol} within the
4239sequence of statements, use @var{\symbol}.
4240
4241For example, assembling
4242
4243@example
4244 .irp param,1,2,3
4245 move d\param,sp@@-
4246 .endr
4247@end example
4248
4249is equivalent to assembling
4250
4251@example
4252 move d1,sp@@-
4253 move d2,sp@@-
4254 move d3,sp@@-
4255@end example
4256
4257@node Irpc
4258@section @code{.irpc @var{symbol},@var{values}}@dots{}
4259
4260@cindex @code{irpc} directive
4261Evaluate a sequence of statements assigning different values to @var{symbol}.
4262The sequence of statements starts at the @code{.irpc} directive, and is
4263terminated by an @code{.endr} directive. For each character in @var{value},
4264@var{symbol} is set to the character, and the sequence of statements is
4265assembled. If no @var{value} is listed, the sequence of statements is
4266assembled once, with @var{symbol} set to the null string. To refer to
4267@var{symbol} within the sequence of statements, use @var{\symbol}.
4268
4269For example, assembling
4270
4271@example
4272 .irpc param,123
4273 move d\param,sp@@-
4274 .endr
4275@end example
4276
4277is equivalent to assembling
4278
4279@example
4280 move d1,sp@@-
4281 move d2,sp@@-
4282 move d3,sp@@-
4283@end example
4284
4285@node Lcomm
4286@section @code{.lcomm @var{symbol} , @var{length}}
4287
4288@cindex @code{lcomm} directive
4289@cindex local common symbols
4290@cindex symbols, local common
4291Reserve @var{length} (an absolute expression) bytes for a local common
4292denoted by @var{symbol}. The section and value of @var{symbol} are
4293those of the new local common. The addresses are allocated in the bss
4294section, so that at run-time the bytes start off zeroed. @var{Symbol}
4295is not declared global (@pxref{Global,,@code{.global}}), so is normally
4296not visible to @code{@value{LD}}.
4297
4298@ifset GENERIC
4299Some targets permit a third argument to be used with @code{.lcomm}. This
4300argument specifies the desired alignment of the symbol in the bss section.
4301@end ifset
4302
4303@ifset HPPA
4304The syntax for @code{.lcomm} differs slightly on the HPPA. The syntax is
4305@samp{@var{symbol} .lcomm, @var{length}}; @var{symbol} is optional.
4306@end ifset
4307
4308@node Lflags
4309@section @code{.lflags}
4310
4311@cindex @code{lflags} directive (ignored)
4312@code{@value{AS}} accepts this directive, for compatibility with other
4313assemblers, but ignores it.
4314
4315@ifclear no-line-dir
4316@node Line
4317@section @code{.line @var{line-number}}
4318
4319@cindex @code{line} directive
4320@end ifclear
4321@ifset no-line-dir
4322@node Ln
4323@section @code{.ln @var{line-number}}
4324
4325@cindex @code{ln} directive
4326@end ifset
4327@cindex logical line number
4328@ifset aout-bout
4329Change the logical line number. @var{line-number} must be an absolute
4330expression. The next line has that logical line number. Therefore any other
4331statements on the current line (after a statement separator character) are
4332reported as on logical line number @var{line-number} @minus{} 1. One day
4333@code{@value{AS}} will no longer support this directive: it is recognized only
4334for compatibility with existing assembler programs.
4335
4336@ifset GENERIC
4337@ifset A29K
4338@emph{Warning:} In the AMD29K configuration of @value{AS}, this command is
4339not available; use the synonym @code{.ln} in that context.
4340@end ifset
4341@end ifset
4342@end ifset
4343
4344@ifclear no-line-dir
4345Even though this is a directive associated with the @code{a.out} or
4346@code{b.out} object-code formats, @code{@value{AS}} still recognizes it
4347when producing COFF output, and treats @samp{.line} as though it
4348were the COFF @samp{.ln} @emph{if} it is found outside a
4349@code{.def}/@code{.endef} pair.
4350
4351Inside a @code{.def}, @samp{.line} is, instead, one of the directives
4352used by compilers to generate auxiliary symbol information for
4353debugging.
4354@end ifclear
4355
4356@node Linkonce
4357@section @code{.linkonce [@var{type}]}
4358@cindex COMDAT
4359@cindex @code{linkonce} directive
4360@cindex common sections
4361Mark the current section so that the linker only includes a single copy of it.
4362This may be used to include the same section in several different object files,
4363but ensure that the linker will only include it once in the final output file.
4364The @code{.linkonce} pseudo-op must be used for each instance of the section.
4365Duplicate sections are detected based on the section name, so it should be
4366unique.
4367
4368This directive is only supported by a few object file formats; as of this
4369writing, the only object file format which supports it is the Portable
4370Executable format used on Windows NT.
4371
4372The @var{type} argument is optional. If specified, it must be one of the
4373following strings. For example:
4374@smallexample
4375.linkonce same_size
4376@end smallexample
4377Not all types may be supported on all object file formats.
4378
4379@table @code
4380@item discard
4381Silently discard duplicate sections. This is the default.
4382
4383@item one_only
4384Warn if there are duplicate sections, but still keep only one copy.
4385
4386@item same_size
4387Warn if any of the duplicates have different sizes.
4388
4389@item same_contents
4390Warn if any of the duplicates do not have exactly the same contents.
4391@end table
4392
4393@node Ln
4394@section @code{.ln @var{line-number}}
4395
4396@cindex @code{ln} directive
4397@ifclear no-line-dir
4398@samp{.ln} is a synonym for @samp{.line}.
4399@end ifclear
4400@ifset no-line-dir
4401Tell @code{@value{AS}} to change the logical line number. @var{line-number}
4402must be an absolute expression. The next line has that logical
4403line number, so any other statements on the current line (after a
4404statement separator character @code{;}) are reported as on logical
4405line number @var{line-number} @minus{} 1.
4406@ifset BOUT
4407
4408This directive is accepted, but ignored, when @code{@value{AS}} is
4409configured for @code{b.out}; its effect is only associated with COFF
4410output format.
4411@end ifset
4412@end ifset
4413
4414@node MRI
4415@section @code{.mri @var{val}}
4416
4417@cindex @code{mri} directive
4418@cindex MRI mode, temporarily
4419If @var{val} is non-zero, this tells @code{@value{AS}} to enter MRI mode. If
4420@var{val} is zero, this tells @code{@value{AS}} to exit MRI mode. This change
4421affects code assembled until the next @code{.mri} directive, or until the end
4422of the file. @xref{M, MRI mode, MRI mode}.
4423
4424@node List
4425@section @code{.list}
4426
4427@cindex @code{list} directive
4428@cindex listing control, turning on
4429Control (in conjunction with the @code{.nolist} directive) whether or
4430not assembly listings are generated. These two directives maintain an
4431internal counter (which is zero initially). @code{.list} increments the
4432counter, and @code{.nolist} decrements it. Assembly listings are
4433generated whenever the counter is greater than zero.
4434
4435By default, listings are disabled. When you enable them (with the
4436@samp{-a} command line option; @pxref{Invoking,,Command-Line Options}),
4437the initial value of the listing counter is one.
4438
4439@node Long
4440@section @code{.long @var{expressions}}
4441
4442@cindex @code{long} directive
4443@code{.long} is the same as @samp{.int}, @pxref{Int,,@code{.int}}.
4444
4445@ignore
4446@c no one seems to know what this is for or whether this description is
4447@c what it really ought to do
4448@node Lsym
4449@section @code{.lsym @var{symbol}, @var{expression}}
4450
4451@cindex @code{lsym} directive
4452@cindex symbol, not referenced in assembly
4453@code{.lsym} creates a new symbol named @var{symbol}, but does not put it in
4454the hash table, ensuring it cannot be referenced by name during the
4455rest of the assembly. This sets the attributes of the symbol to be
4456the same as the expression value:
4457@smallexample
4458@var{other} = @var{descriptor} = 0
4459@var{type} = @r{(section of @var{expression})}
4460@var{value} = @var{expression}
4461@end smallexample
4462@noindent
4463The new symbol is not flagged as external.
4464@end ignore
4465
4466@node Macro
4467@section @code{.macro}
4468
4469@cindex macros
4470The commands @code{.macro} and @code{.endm} allow you to define macros that
4471generate assembly output. For example, this definition specifies a macro
4472@code{sum} that puts a sequence of numbers into memory:
4473
4474@example
4475 .macro sum from=0, to=5
4476 .long \from
4477 .if \to-\from
4478 sum "(\from+1)",\to
4479 .endif
4480 .endm
4481@end example
4482
4483@noindent
4484With that definition, @samp{SUM 0,5} is equivalent to this assembly input:
4485
4486@example
4487 .long 0
4488 .long 1
4489 .long 2
4490 .long 3
4491 .long 4
4492 .long 5
4493@end example
4494
4495@ftable @code
4496@item .macro @var{macname}
4497@itemx .macro @var{macname} @var{macargs} @dots{}
4498@cindex @code{macro} directive
4499Begin the definition of a macro called @var{macname}. If your macro
4500definition requires arguments, specify their names after the macro name,
4501separated by commas or spaces. You can supply a default value for any
4502macro argument by following the name with @samp{=@var{deflt}}. For
4503example, these are all valid @code{.macro} statements:
4504
4505@table @code
4506@item .macro comm
4507Begin the definition of a macro called @code{comm}, which takes no
4508arguments.
4509
4510@item .macro plus1 p, p1
4511@itemx .macro plus1 p p1
4512Either statement begins the definition of a macro called @code{plus1},
4513which takes two arguments; within the macro definition, write
4514@samp{\p} or @samp{\p1} to evaluate the arguments.
4515
4516@item .macro reserve_str p1=0 p2
4517Begin the definition of a macro called @code{reserve_str}, with two
4518arguments. The first argument has a default value, but not the second.
4519After the definition is complete, you can call the macro either as
4520@samp{reserve_str @var{a},@var{b}} (with @samp{\p1} evaluating to
4521@var{a} and @samp{\p2} evaluating to @var{b}), or as @samp{reserve_str
4522,@var{b}} (with @samp{\p1} evaluating as the default, in this case
4523@samp{0}, and @samp{\p2} evaluating to @var{b}).
4524@end table
4525
4526When you call a macro, you can specify the argument values either by
4527position, or by keyword. For example, @samp{sum 9,17} is equivalent to
4528@samp{sum to=17, from=9}.
4529
4530@item .endm
4531@cindex @code{endm} directive
4532Mark the end of a macro definition.
4533
4534@item .exitm
4535@cindex @code{exitm} directive
4536Exit early from the current macro definition.
4537
4538@cindex number of macros executed
4539@cindex macros, count executed
4540@item \@@
4541@code{@value{AS}} maintains a counter of how many macros it has
4542executed in this pseudo-variable; you can copy that number to your
4543output with @samp{\@@}, but @emph{only within a macro definition}.
4544
4545@ignore
4546@item LOCAL @var{name} [ , @dots{} ]
4547@emph{Warning: @code{LOCAL} is only available if you select ``alternate
4548macro syntax'' with @samp{-a} or @samp{--alternate}.} @xref{Alternate,,
4549Alternate macro syntax}.
4550
4551Generate a string replacement for each of the @var{name} arguments, and
4552replace any instances of @var{name} in each macro expansion. The
4553replacement string is unique in the assembly, and different for each
4554separate macro expansion. @code{LOCAL} allows you to write macros that
4555define symbols, without fear of conflict between separate macro expansions.
4556@end ignore
4557@end ftable
4558
4559@node Nolist
4560@section @code{.nolist}
4561
4562@cindex @code{nolist} directive
4563@cindex listing control, turning off
4564Control (in conjunction with the @code{.list} directive) whether or
4565not assembly listings are generated. These two directives maintain an
4566internal counter (which is zero initially). @code{.list} increments the
4567counter, and @code{.nolist} decrements it. Assembly listings are
4568generated whenever the counter is greater than zero.
4569
4570@node Octa
4571@section @code{.octa @var{bignums}}
4572
4573@c FIXME: double size emitted for "octa" on i960, others? Or warn?
4574@cindex @code{octa} directive
4575@cindex integer, 16-byte
4576@cindex sixteen byte integer
4577This directive expects zero or more bignums, separated by commas. For each
4578bignum, it emits a 16-byte integer.
4579
4580The term ``octa'' comes from contexts in which a ``word'' is two bytes;
4581hence @emph{octa}-word for 16 bytes.
4582
4583@node Org
4584@section @code{.org @var{new-lc} , @var{fill}}
4585
4586@cindex @code{org} directive
4587@cindex location counter, advancing
4588@cindex advancing location counter
4589@cindex current address, advancing
4590Advance the location counter of the current section to
4591@var{new-lc}. @var{new-lc} is either an absolute expression or an
4592expression with the same section as the current subsection. That is,
4593you can't use @code{.org} to cross sections: if @var{new-lc} has the
4594wrong section, the @code{.org} directive is ignored. To be compatible
4595with former assemblers, if the section of @var{new-lc} is absolute,
4596@code{@value{AS}} issues a warning, then pretends the section of @var{new-lc}
4597is the same as the current subsection.
4598
4599@code{.org} may only increase the location counter, or leave it
4600unchanged; you cannot use @code{.org} to move the location counter
4601backwards.
4602
4603@c double negative used below "not undefined" because this is a specific
4604@c reference to "undefined" (as SEG_UNKNOWN is called in this manual)
4605@c section. doc@cygnus.com 18feb91
4606Because @code{@value{AS}} tries to assemble programs in one pass, @var{new-lc}
4607may not be undefined. If you really detest this restriction we eagerly await
4608a chance to share your improved assembler.
4609
4610Beware that the origin is relative to the start of the section, not
4611to the start of the subsection. This is compatible with other
4612people's assemblers.
4613
4614When the location counter (of the current subsection) is advanced, the
4615intervening bytes are filled with @var{fill} which should be an
4616absolute expression. If the comma and @var{fill} are omitted,
4617@var{fill} defaults to zero.
4618
4619@node P2align
4620@section @code{.p2align[wl] @var{abs-expr}, @var{abs-expr}, @var{abs-expr}}
4621
4622@cindex padding the location counter given a power of two
4623@cindex @code{p2align} directive
4624Pad the location counter (in the current subsection) to a particular
4625storage boundary. The first expression (which must be absolute) is the
4626number of low-order zero bits the location counter must have after
4627advancement. For example @samp{.p2align 3} advances the location
4628counter until it a multiple of 8. If the location counter is already a
4629multiple of 8, no change is needed.
4630
4631The second expression (also absolute) gives the fill value to be stored in the
4632padding bytes. It (and the comma) may be omitted. If it is omitted, the
4633padding bytes are normally zero. However, on some systems, if the section is
4634marked as containing code and the fill value is omitted, the space is filled
4635with no-op instructions.
4636
4637The third expression is also absolute, and is also optional. If it is present,
4638it is the maximum number of bytes that should be skipped by this alignment
4639directive. If doing the alignment would require skipping more bytes than the
4640specified maximum, then the alignment is not done at all. You can omit the
4641fill value (the second argument) entirely by simply using two commas after the
4642required alignment; this can be useful if you want the alignment to be filled
4643with no-op instructions when appropriate.
4644
4645@cindex @code{p2alignw} directive
4646@cindex @code{p2alignl} directive
4647The @code{.p2alignw} and @code{.p2alignl} directives are variants of the
4648@code{.p2align} directive. The @code{.p2alignw} directive treats the fill
4649pattern as a two byte word value. The @code{.p2alignl} directives treats the
4650fill pattern as a four byte longword value. For example, @code{.p2alignw
46512,0x368d} will align to a multiple of 4. If it skips two bytes, they will be
4652filled in with the value 0x368d (the exact placement of the bytes depends upon
4653the endianness of the processor). If it skips 1 or 3 bytes, the fill value is
4654undefined.
4655
c91d2e08
NC
4656@ifset ELF
4657@node Previous
4658@section @code{.previous}
4659
4660@cindex @code{.previous} directive
4661@cindex Section Stack
4662This is one of the ELF section stack manipulation directives. The others are
a349d9dd
PB
4663@code{.section} (@pxref{Section}), @code{.subsection} (@pxref{SubSection}),
4664@code{.pushsection} (@pxref{PushSection}), and @code{.popsection}
4665(@pxref{PopSection}).
c91d2e08
NC
4666
4667This directive swaps the current section (and subsection) with most recently
4668referenced section (and subsection) prior to this one. Multiple
4669@code{.previous} directives in a row will flip between two sections (and their
4670subsections).
4671
4672In terms of the section stack, this directive swaps the current section with
4673the top section on the section stack.
4674@end ifset
4675
4676@ifset ELF
4677@node PopSection
4678@section @code{.popsection}
4679
4680@cindex @code{.popsection} directive
4681@cindex Section Stack
4682This is one of the ELF section stack manipulation directives. The others are
a349d9dd
PB
4683@code{.section} (@pxref{Section}), @code{.subsection} (@pxref{SubSection}),
4684@code{.pushsection} (@pxref{PushSection}), and @code{.previous}
4685(@pxref{Previous}).
c91d2e08
NC
4686
4687This directive replaces the current section (and subsection) with the top
4688section (and subsection) on the section stack. This section is popped off the
4689stack.
c91d2e08
NC
4690@end ifset
4691
252b5132
RH
4692@node Print
4693@section @code{.print @var{string}}
4694
4695@cindex @code{print} directive
4696@code{@value{AS}} will print @var{string} on the standard output during
4697assembly. You must put @var{string} in double quotes.
4698
c91d2e08
NC
4699@ifset ELF
4700@node Protected
4701@section @code{.protected @var{names}}
4702
4703@cindex @code{.protected} directive
4704@cindex Visibility
4705This one of the ELF visibility directives. The other two are
a349d9dd 4706@code{.hidden} (@pxref{Hidden}) and @code{.internal} (@pxref{Internal}).
c91d2e08
NC
4707
4708This directive overrides the named symbols default visibility (which is set by
4709their binding: local, global or weak). The directive sets the visibility to
4710@code{protected} which means that any references to the symbols from within the
4711components that defines them must be resolved to the definition in that
4712component, even if a definition in another component would normally preempt
4713this.
4714@end ifset
4715
252b5132
RH
4716@node Psize
4717@section @code{.psize @var{lines} , @var{columns}}
4718
4719@cindex @code{psize} directive
4720@cindex listing control: paper size
4721@cindex paper size, for listings
4722Use this directive to declare the number of lines---and, optionally, the
4723number of columns---to use for each page, when generating listings.
4724
4725If you do not use @code{.psize}, listings use a default line-count
4726of 60. You may omit the comma and @var{columns} specification; the
4727default width is 200 columns.
4728
4729@code{@value{AS}} generates formfeeds whenever the specified number of
4730lines is exceeded (or whenever you explicitly request one, using
4731@code{.eject}).
4732
4733If you specify @var{lines} as @code{0}, no formfeeds are generated save
4734those explicitly specified with @code{.eject}.
4735
4736@node Purgem
4737@section @code{.purgem @var{name}}
4738
4739@cindex @code{purgem} directive
4740Undefine the macro @var{name}, so that later uses of the string will not be
4741expanded. @xref{Macro}.
4742
c91d2e08
NC
4743@ifset ELF
4744@node PushSection
4745@section @code{.pushsection @var{name} , @var{subsection}}
4746
4747@cindex @code{.pushsection} directive
4748@cindex Section Stack
4749This is one of the ELF section stack manipulation directives. The others are
a349d9dd
PB
4750@code{.section} (@pxref{Section}), @code{.subsection} (@pxref{SubSection}),
4751@code{.popsection} (@pxref{PopSection}), and @code{.previous}
4752(@pxref{Previous}).
c91d2e08 4753
a349d9dd 4754This directive is a synonym for @code{.section}. It pushes the current section
c91d2e08
NC
4755(and subsection) onto the top of the section stack, and then replaces the
4756current section and subsection with @code{name} and @code{subsection}.
c91d2e08
NC
4757@end ifset
4758
252b5132
RH
4759@node Quad
4760@section @code{.quad @var{bignums}}
4761
4762@cindex @code{quad} directive
4763@code{.quad} expects zero or more bignums, separated by commas. For
4764each bignum, it emits
4765@ifclear bignum-16
4766an 8-byte integer. If the bignum won't fit in 8 bytes, it prints a
4767warning message; and just takes the lowest order 8 bytes of the bignum.
4768@cindex eight-byte integer
4769@cindex integer, 8-byte
4770
4771The term ``quad'' comes from contexts in which a ``word'' is two bytes;
4772hence @emph{quad}-word for 8 bytes.
4773@end ifclear
4774@ifset bignum-16
4775a 16-byte integer. If the bignum won't fit in 16 bytes, it prints a
4776warning message; and just takes the lowest order 16 bytes of the bignum.
4777@cindex sixteen-byte integer
4778@cindex integer, 16-byte
4779@end ifset
4780
4781@node Rept
4782@section @code{.rept @var{count}}
4783
4784@cindex @code{rept} directive
4785Repeat the sequence of lines between the @code{.rept} directive and the next
4786@code{.endr} directive @var{count} times.
4787
4788For example, assembling
4789
4790@example
4791 .rept 3
4792 .long 0
4793 .endr
4794@end example
4795
4796is equivalent to assembling
4797
4798@example
4799 .long 0
4800 .long 0
4801 .long 0
4802@end example
4803
4804@node Sbttl
4805@section @code{.sbttl "@var{subheading}"}
4806
4807@cindex @code{sbttl} directive
4808@cindex subtitles for listings
4809@cindex listing control: subtitle
4810Use @var{subheading} as the title (third line, immediately after the
4811title line) when generating assembly listings.
4812
4813This directive affects subsequent pages, as well as the current page if
4814it appears within ten lines of the top of a page.
4815
4816@ifset COFF
4817@node Scl
4818@section @code{.scl @var{class}}
4819
4820@cindex @code{scl} directive
4821@cindex symbol storage class (COFF)
4822@cindex COFF symbol storage class
4823Set the storage-class value for a symbol. This directive may only be
4824used inside a @code{.def}/@code{.endef} pair. Storage class may flag
4825whether a symbol is static or external, or it may record further
4826symbolic debugging information.
4827@ifset BOUT
4828
4829The @samp{.scl} directive is primarily associated with COFF output; when
4830configured to generate @code{b.out} output format, @code{@value{AS}}
4831accepts this directive but ignores it.
4832@end ifset
4833@end ifset
4834
4835@node Section
c91d2e08 4836@section @code{.section @var{name}} (COFF version)
252b5132
RH
4837
4838@cindex @code{section} directive
4839@cindex named section
4840Use the @code{.section} directive to assemble the following code into a section
4841named @var{name}.
4842
4843This directive is only supported for targets that actually support arbitrarily
4844named sections; on @code{a.out} targets, for example, it is not accepted, even
4845with a standard @code{a.out} section name.
4846
252b5132
RH
4847For COFF targets, the @code{.section} directive is used in one of the following
4848ways:
c91d2e08 4849
252b5132
RH
4850@smallexample
4851.section @var{name}[, "@var{flags}"]
4852.section @var{name}[, @var{subsegment}]
4853@end smallexample
4854
4855If the optional argument is quoted, it is taken as flags to use for the
4856section. Each flag is a single character. The following flags are recognized:
4857@table @code
4858@item b
4859bss section (uninitialized data)
4860@item n
4861section is not loaded
4862@item w
4863writable section
4864@item d
4865data section
4866@item r
4867read-only section
4868@item x
4869executable section
2dcc60be
ILT
4870@item s
4871shared section (meaningful for PE targets)
252b5132
RH
4872@end table
4873
4874If no flags are specified, the default flags depend upon the section name. If
4875the section name is not recognized, the default will be for the section to be
7e84d676
NC
4876loaded and writable. Note the @code{n} and @code{w} flags remove attributes
4877from the section, rather than adding them, so if they are used on their own it
4878will be as if no flags had been specified at all.
252b5132
RH
4879
4880If the optional argument to the @code{.section} directive is not quoted, it is
4881taken as a subsegment number (@pxref{Sub-Sections}).
252b5132 4882
c91d2e08
NC
4883
4884@section @code{.section @var{name}} (ELF version)
4885
4886@cindex @code{section} directive
4887@cindex named section
252b5132 4888@ifset ELF
c91d2e08
NC
4889@cindex Section Stack
4890This is one of the ELF section stack manipulation directives. The others are
a349d9dd
PB
4891@code{.subsection} (@pxref{SubSection}), @code{.pushsection}
4892(@pxref{PushSection}), @code{.popsection} (@pxref{PopSection}), and
4893@code{.previous} (@pxref{Previous}).
c91d2e08
NC
4894@end ifset
4895
252b5132 4896For ELF targets, the @code{.section} directive is used like this:
c91d2e08 4897
252b5132 4898@smallexample
c91d2e08 4899.section @var{name} [, "@var{flags}"[, @@@var{type}]]
252b5132 4900@end smallexample
c91d2e08 4901
252b5132 4902The optional @var{flags} argument is a quoted string which may contain any
a349d9dd 4903combination of the following characters:
252b5132
RH
4904@table @code
4905@item a
4906section is allocatable
4907@item w
4908section is writable
4909@item x
4910section is executable
4911@end table
4912
4913The optional @var{type} argument may contain one of the following constants:
4914@table @code
4915@item @@progbits
4916section contains data
4917@item @@nobits
4918section does not contain data (i.e., section only occupies space)
4919@end table
4920
4921If no flags are specified, the default flags depend upon the section name. If
4922the section name is not recognized, the default will be for the section to have
4923none of the above flags: it will not be allocated in memory, nor writable, nor
4924executable. The section will contain data.
4925
4926For ELF targets, the assembler supports another type of @code{.section}
4927directive for compatibility with the Solaris assembler:
c91d2e08 4928
252b5132
RH
4929@smallexample
4930.section "@var{name}"[, @var{flags}...]
4931@end smallexample
c91d2e08 4932
252b5132
RH
4933Note that the section name is quoted. There may be a sequence of comma
4934separated flags:
4935@table @code
4936@item #alloc
4937section is allocatable
4938@item #write
4939section is writable
4940@item #execinstr
4941section is executable
4942@end table
c91d2e08
NC
4943
4944This directive replaces the current section and subsection. The replaced
4945section and subsection are pushed onto the section stack. See the contents of
4946the gas testsuite directory @code{gas/testsuite/gas/elf} for some examples of
4947how this directive and the other section stack directives work.
252b5132
RH
4948
4949@node Set
4950@section @code{.set @var{symbol}, @var{expression}}
4951
4952@cindex @code{set} directive
4953@cindex symbol value, setting
4954Set the value of @var{symbol} to @var{expression}. This
4955changes @var{symbol}'s value and type to conform to
4956@var{expression}. If @var{symbol} was flagged as external, it remains
4957flagged (@pxref{Symbol Attributes}).
4958
4959You may @code{.set} a symbol many times in the same assembly.
4960
4961If you @code{.set} a global symbol, the value stored in the object
4962file is the last value stored into it.
4963
4964@ifset HPPA
4965The syntax for @code{set} on the HPPA is
4966@samp{@var{symbol} .set @var{expression}}.
4967@end ifset
4968
4969@node Short
4970@section @code{.short @var{expressions}}
4971
4972@cindex @code{short} directive
4973@ifset GENERIC
4974@code{.short} is normally the same as @samp{.word}.
4975@xref{Word,,@code{.word}}.
4976
4977In some configurations, however, @code{.short} and @code{.word} generate
4978numbers of different lengths; @pxref{Machine Dependencies}.
4979@end ifset
4980@ifclear GENERIC
4981@ifset W16
4982@code{.short} is the same as @samp{.word}. @xref{Word,,@code{.word}}.
4983@end ifset
4984@ifset W32
4985This expects zero or more @var{expressions}, and emits
4986a 16 bit number for each.
4987@end ifset
4988@end ifclear
4989
4990@node Single
4991@section @code{.single @var{flonums}}
4992
4993@cindex @code{single} directive
4994@cindex floating point numbers (single)
4995This directive assembles zero or more flonums, separated by commas. It
4996has the same effect as @code{.float}.
4997@ifset GENERIC
4998The exact kind of floating point numbers emitted depends on how
4999@code{@value{AS}} is configured. @xref{Machine Dependencies}.
5000@end ifset
5001@ifclear GENERIC
5002@ifset IEEEFLOAT
5003On the @value{TARGET} family, @code{.single} emits 32-bit floating point
5004numbers in @sc{ieee} format.
5005@end ifset
5006@end ifclear
5007
252b5132 5008@node Size
c91d2e08 5009@section @code{.size} (COFF version)
c91d2e08 5010
9a297610 5011@cindex @code{size} directive
252b5132
RH
5012This directive is generated by compilers to include auxiliary debugging
5013information in the symbol table. It is only permitted inside
5014@code{.def}/@code{.endef} pairs.
252b5132 5015
c91d2e08 5016@ifset BOUT
252b5132
RH
5017@samp{.size} is only meaningful when generating COFF format output; when
5018@code{@value{AS}} is generating @code{b.out}, it accepts this directive but
5019ignores it.
5020@end ifset
c91d2e08
NC
5021
5022@section @code{.size @var{name} , @var{expression}} (ELF version)
5023@cindex @code{size} directive
5024
5025This directive is used to set the size associated with a symbol @var{name}.
5026The size in bytes is computed from @var{expression} which can make use of label
5027arithmetic. This directive is typically used to set the size of function
5028symbols.
252b5132
RH
5029
5030@node Sleb128
5031@section @code{.sleb128 @var{expressions}}
5032
5033@cindex @code{sleb128} directive
5034@var{sleb128} stands for ``signed little endian base 128.'' This is a
5035compact, variable length representation of numbers used by the DWARF
5036symbolic debugging format. @xref{Uleb128,@code{.uleb128}}.
5037
5038@ifclear no-space-dir
5039@node Skip
5040@section @code{.skip @var{size} , @var{fill}}
5041
5042@cindex @code{skip} directive
5043@cindex filling memory
5044This directive emits @var{size} bytes, each of value @var{fill}. Both
5045@var{size} and @var{fill} are absolute expressions. If the comma and
5046@var{fill} are omitted, @var{fill} is assumed to be zero. This is the same as
5047@samp{.space}.
5048
5049@node Space
5050@section @code{.space @var{size} , @var{fill}}
5051
5052@cindex @code{space} directive
5053@cindex filling memory
5054This directive emits @var{size} bytes, each of value @var{fill}. Both
5055@var{size} and @var{fill} are absolute expressions. If the comma
5056and @var{fill} are omitted, @var{fill} is assumed to be zero. This is the same
5057as @samp{.skip}.
5058
5059@ifset HPPA
5060@quotation
5061@emph{Warning:} @code{.space} has a completely different meaning for HPPA
5062targets; use @code{.block} as a substitute. See @cite{HP9000 Series 800
5063Assembly Language Reference Manual} (HP 92432-90001) for the meaning of the
5064@code{.space} directive. @xref{HPPA Directives,,HPPA Assembler Directives},
5065for a summary.
5066@end quotation
5067@end ifset
5068@end ifclear
5069
5070@ifset A29K
5071@ifclear GENERIC
5072@node Space
5073@section @code{.space}
5074@cindex @code{space} directive
5075@end ifclear
5076On the AMD 29K, this directive is ignored; it is accepted for
5077compatibility with other AMD 29K assemblers.
5078
5079@quotation
5080@emph{Warning:} In most versions of the @sc{gnu} assembler, the directive
5081@code{.space} has the effect of @code{.block} @xref{Machine Dependencies}.
5082@end quotation
5083@end ifset
5084
5085@ifset have-stabs
5086@node Stab
5087@section @code{.stabd, .stabn, .stabs}
5088
5089@cindex symbolic debuggers, information for
5090@cindex @code{stab@var{x}} directives
5091There are three directives that begin @samp{.stab}.
5092All emit symbols (@pxref{Symbols}), for use by symbolic debuggers.
5093The symbols are not entered in the @code{@value{AS}} hash table: they
5094cannot be referenced elsewhere in the source file.
5095Up to five fields are required:
5096
5097@table @var
5098@item string
5099This is the symbol's name. It may contain any character except
5100@samp{\000}, so is more general than ordinary symbol names. Some
5101debuggers used to code arbitrarily complex structures into symbol names
5102using this field.
5103
5104@item type
5105An absolute expression. The symbol's type is set to the low 8 bits of
5106this expression. Any bit pattern is permitted, but @code{@value{LD}}
5107and debuggers choke on silly bit patterns.
5108
5109@item other
5110An absolute expression. The symbol's ``other'' attribute is set to the
5111low 8 bits of this expression.
5112
5113@item desc
5114An absolute expression. The symbol's descriptor is set to the low 16
5115bits of this expression.
5116
5117@item value
5118An absolute expression which becomes the symbol's value.
5119@end table
5120
5121If a warning is detected while reading a @code{.stabd}, @code{.stabn},
5122or @code{.stabs} statement, the symbol has probably already been created;
5123you get a half-formed symbol in your object file. This is
5124compatible with earlier assemblers!
5125
5126@table @code
5127@cindex @code{stabd} directive
5128@item .stabd @var{type} , @var{other} , @var{desc}
5129
5130The ``name'' of the symbol generated is not even an empty string.
5131It is a null pointer, for compatibility. Older assemblers used a
5132null pointer so they didn't waste space in object files with empty
5133strings.
5134
5135The symbol's value is set to the location counter,
5136relocatably. When your program is linked, the value of this symbol
5137is the address of the location counter when the @code{.stabd} was
5138assembled.
5139
5140@cindex @code{stabn} directive
5141@item .stabn @var{type} , @var{other} , @var{desc} , @var{value}
5142The name of the symbol is set to the empty string @code{""}.
5143
5144@cindex @code{stabs} directive
5145@item .stabs @var{string} , @var{type} , @var{other} , @var{desc} , @var{value}
5146All five fields are specified.
5147@end table
5148@end ifset
5149@c end have-stabs
5150
5151@node String
5152@section @code{.string} "@var{str}"
5153
5154@cindex string, copying to object file
5155@cindex @code{string} directive
5156
5157Copy the characters in @var{str} to the object file. You may specify more than
5158one string to copy, separated by commas. Unless otherwise specified for a
5159particular machine, the assembler marks the end of each string with a 0 byte.
5160You can use any of the escape sequences described in @ref{Strings,,Strings}.
5161
5162@node Struct
5163@section @code{.struct @var{expression}}
5164
5165@cindex @code{struct} directive
5166Switch to the absolute section, and set the section offset to @var{expression},
5167which must be an absolute expression. You might use this as follows:
5168@smallexample
5169 .struct 0
5170field1:
5171 .struct field1 + 4
5172field2:
5173 .struct field2 + 4
5174field3:
5175@end smallexample
5176This would define the symbol @code{field1} to have the value 0, the symbol
5177@code{field2} to have the value 4, and the symbol @code{field3} to have the
5178value 8. Assembly would be left in the absolute section, and you would need to
5179use a @code{.section} directive of some sort to change to some other section
5180before further assembly.
5181
c91d2e08
NC
5182@ifset ELF
5183@node SubSection
5184@section @code{.subsection @var{name}}
5185
5186@cindex @code{.subsection} directive
5187@cindex Section Stack
5188This is one of the ELF section stack manipulation directives. The others are
a349d9dd
PB
5189@code{.section} (@pxref{Section}), @code{.pushsection} (@pxref{PushSection}),
5190@code{.popsection} (@pxref{PopSection}), and @code{.previous}
5191(@pxref{Previous}).
c91d2e08
NC
5192
5193This directive replaces the current subsection with @code{name}. The current
5194section is not changed. The replaced subsection is put onto the section stack
5195in place of the then current top of stack subsection.
c91d2e08
NC
5196@end ifset
5197
252b5132
RH
5198@ifset ELF
5199@node Symver
5200@section @code{.symver}
5201@cindex @code{symver} directive
5202@cindex symbol versioning
5203@cindex versions of symbols
5204Use the @code{.symver} directive to bind symbols to specific version nodes
5205within a source file. This is only supported on ELF platforms, and is
5206typically used when assembling files to be linked into a shared library.
5207There are cases where it may make sense to use this in objects to be bound
5208into an application itself so as to override a versioned symbol from a
5209shared library.
5210
79082ff0 5211For ELF targets, the @code{.symver} directive can be used like this:
252b5132
RH
5212@smallexample
5213.symver @var{name}, @var{name2@@nodename}
5214@end smallexample
339681c0 5215If the symbol @var{name} is defined within the file
79082ff0 5216being assembled, the @code{.symver} directive effectively creates a symbol
252b5132
RH
5217alias with the name @var{name2@@nodename}, and in fact the main reason that we
5218just don't try and create a regular alias is that the @var{@@} character isn't
5219permitted in symbol names. The @var{name2} part of the name is the actual name
5220of the symbol by which it will be externally referenced. The name @var{name}
5221itself is merely a name of convenience that is used so that it is possible to
5222have definitions for multiple versions of a function within a single source
5223file, and so that the compiler can unambiguously know which version of a
5224function is being mentioned. The @var{nodename} portion of the alias should be
5225the name of a node specified in the version script supplied to the linker when
5226building a shared library. If you are attempting to override a versioned
5227symbol from a shared library, then @var{nodename} should correspond to the
5228nodename of the symbol you are trying to override.
339681c0
L
5229
5230If the symbol @var{name} is not defined within the file being assembled, all
5231references to @var{name} will be changed to @var{name2@@nodename}. If no
5232reference to @var{name} is made, @var{name2@@nodename} will be removed from the
5233symbol table.
79082ff0
L
5234
5235Another usage of the @code{.symver} directive is:
5236@smallexample
5237.symver @var{name}, @var{name2@@@@nodename}
5238@end smallexample
5239In this case, the symbol @var{name} must exist and be defined within
a349d9dd 5240the file being assembled. It is similar to @var{name2@@nodename}. The
79082ff0
L
5241difference is @var{name2@@@@nodename} will also be used to resolve
5242references to @var{name2} by the linker.
5243
5244The third usage of the @code{.symver} directive is:
5245@smallexample
5246.symver @var{name}, @var{name2@@@@@@nodename}
5247@end smallexample
5248When @var{name} is not defined within the
5249file being assembled, it is treated as @var{name2@@nodename}. When
5250@var{name} is defined within the file being assembled, the symbol
5251name, @var{name}, will be changed to @var{name2@@@@nodename}.
252b5132
RH
5252@end ifset
5253
5254@ifset COFF
5255@node Tag
5256@section @code{.tag @var{structname}}
5257
5258@cindex COFF structure debugging
5259@cindex structure debugging, COFF
5260@cindex @code{tag} directive
5261This directive is generated by compilers to include auxiliary debugging
5262information in the symbol table. It is only permitted inside
5263@code{.def}/@code{.endef} pairs. Tags are used to link structure
5264definitions in the symbol table with instances of those structures.
5265@ifset BOUT
5266
5267@samp{.tag} is only used when generating COFF format output; when
5268@code{@value{AS}} is generating @code{b.out}, it accepts this directive but
5269ignores it.
5270@end ifset
5271@end ifset
5272
5273@node Text
5274@section @code{.text @var{subsection}}
5275
5276@cindex @code{text} directive
5277Tells @code{@value{AS}} to assemble the following statements onto the end of
5278the text subsection numbered @var{subsection}, which is an absolute
5279expression. If @var{subsection} is omitted, subsection number zero
5280is used.
5281
5282@node Title
5283@section @code{.title "@var{heading}"}
5284
5285@cindex @code{title} directive
5286@cindex listing control: title line
5287Use @var{heading} as the title (second line, immediately after the
5288source file name and pagenumber) when generating assembly listings.
5289
5290This directive affects subsequent pages, as well as the current page if
5291it appears within ten lines of the top of a page.
5292
252b5132 5293@node Type
c91d2e08 5294@section @code{.type @var{int}} (COFF version)
252b5132
RH
5295
5296@cindex COFF symbol type
5297@cindex symbol type, COFF
5298@cindex @code{type} directive
5299This directive, permitted only within @code{.def}/@code{.endef} pairs,
5300records the integer @var{int} as the type attribute of a symbol table entry.
252b5132 5301
c91d2e08 5302@ifset BOUT
252b5132
RH
5303@samp{.type} is associated only with COFF format output; when
5304@code{@value{AS}} is configured for @code{b.out} output, it accepts this
5305directive but ignores it.
5306@end ifset
c91d2e08
NC
5307
5308@section @code{.type @var{name} , @var{type description}} (ELF version)
5309
5310@cindex ELF symbol type
5311@cindex symbol type, ELF
5312@cindex @code{type} directive
5313This directive is used to set the type of symbol @var{name} to be either a
a349d9dd 5314function symbol or an object symbol. There are five different syntaxes
c91d2e08 5315supported for the @var{type description} field, in order to provide
a349d9dd 5316compatibility with various other assemblers. The syntaxes supported are:
c91d2e08
NC
5317
5318@smallexample
5319 .type <name>,#function
5320 .type <name>,#object
5321
5322 .type <name>,@@function
5323 .type <name>,@@object
5324
5325 .type <name>,%function
5326 .type <name>,%object
5327
5328 .type <name>,"function"
5329 .type <name>,"object"
5330
5331 .type <name> STT_FUNCTION
5332 .type <name> STT_OBJECT
5333@end smallexample
5334
5335@node Uleb128
5336@section @code{.uleb128 @var{expressions}}
5337
5338@cindex @code{uleb128} directive
5339@var{uleb128} stands for ``unsigned little endian base 128.'' This is a
5340compact, variable length representation of numbers used by the DWARF
5341symbolic debugging format. @xref{Sleb128,@code{.sleb128}}.
252b5132
RH
5342
5343@ifset COFF
5344@node Val
5345@section @code{.val @var{addr}}
5346
5347@cindex @code{val} directive
5348@cindex COFF value attribute
5349@cindex value attribute, COFF
5350This directive, permitted only within @code{.def}/@code{.endef} pairs,
5351records the address @var{addr} as the value attribute of a symbol table
5352entry.
5353@ifset BOUT
5354
5355@samp{.val} is used only for COFF output; when @code{@value{AS}} is
5356configured for @code{b.out}, it accepts this directive but ignores it.
5357@end ifset
5358@end ifset
5359
2e13b764 5360@ifset ELF
c91d2e08
NC
5361@node Version
5362@section @code{.version "@var{string}"}
2e13b764 5363
c91d2e08
NC
5364@cindex @code{.version}
5365This directive creates a @code{.note} section and places into it an ELF
5366formatted note of type NT_VERSION. The note's name is set to @code{string}.
9a297610 5367@end ifset
2e13b764 5368
c91d2e08
NC
5369@ifset ELF
5370@node VTableEntry
5371@section @code{.vtable_entry @var{table}, @var{offset}}
2e13b764 5372
c91d2e08
NC
5373@cindex @code{.vtable_entry}
5374This directive finds or creates a symbol @code{table} and creates a
5375@code{VTABLE_ENTRY} relocation for it with an addend of @code{offset}.
2e13b764 5376
c91d2e08
NC
5377@node VTableInherit
5378@section @code{.vtable_inherit @var{child}, @var{parent}}
2e13b764 5379
c91d2e08
NC
5380@cindex @code{.vtable_inherit}
5381This directive finds the symbol @code{child} and finds or creates the symbol
5382@code{parent} and then creates a @code{VTABLE_INHERIT} relocation for the
a349d9dd 5383parent whose addend is the value of the child symbol. As a special case the
c91d2e08
NC
5384parent name of @code{0} is treated as refering the @code{*ABS*} section.
5385@end ifset
2e13b764 5386
c91d2e08
NC
5387@ifset ELF
5388@node Weak
5389@section @code{.weak @var{names}}
2e13b764 5390
c91d2e08 5391@cindex @code{.weak}
a349d9dd 5392This directive sets the weak attribute on the comma separated list of symbol
c91d2e08 5393@code{names}. If the symbols do not already exist, they will be created.
2e13b764
NC
5394@end ifset
5395
252b5132
RH
5396@node Word
5397@section @code{.word @var{expressions}}
5398
5399@cindex @code{word} directive
5400This directive expects zero or more @var{expressions}, of any section,
5401separated by commas.
5402@ifclear GENERIC
5403@ifset W32
5404For each expression, @code{@value{AS}} emits a 32-bit number.
5405@end ifset
5406@ifset W16
5407For each expression, @code{@value{AS}} emits a 16-bit number.
5408@end ifset
5409@end ifclear
5410@ifset GENERIC
5411
5412The size of the number emitted, and its byte order,
5413depend on what target computer the assembly is for.
5414@end ifset
5415
5416@c on amd29k, i960, sparc the "special treatment to support compilers" doesn't
5417@c happen---32-bit addressability, period; no long/short jumps.
5418@ifset DIFF-TBL-KLUGE
5419@cindex difference tables altered
5420@cindex altered difference tables
5421@quotation
5422@emph{Warning: Special Treatment to support Compilers}
5423@end quotation
5424
5425@ifset GENERIC
5426Machines with a 32-bit address space, but that do less than 32-bit
5427addressing, require the following special treatment. If the machine of
5428interest to you does 32-bit addressing (or doesn't require it;
5429@pxref{Machine Dependencies}), you can ignore this issue.
5430
5431@end ifset
5432In order to assemble compiler output into something that works,
a349d9dd 5433@code{@value{AS}} occasionally does strange things to @samp{.word} directives.
252b5132
RH
5434Directives of the form @samp{.word sym1-sym2} are often emitted by
5435compilers as part of jump tables. Therefore, when @code{@value{AS}} assembles a
5436directive of the form @samp{.word sym1-sym2}, and the difference between
5437@code{sym1} and @code{sym2} does not fit in 16 bits, @code{@value{AS}}
5438creates a @dfn{secondary jump table}, immediately before the next label.
5439This secondary jump table is preceded by a short-jump to the
5440first byte after the secondary table. This short-jump prevents the flow
5441of control from accidentally falling into the new table. Inside the
5442table is a long-jump to @code{sym2}. The original @samp{.word}
5443contains @code{sym1} minus the address of the long-jump to
5444@code{sym2}.
5445
5446If there were several occurrences of @samp{.word sym1-sym2} before the
5447secondary jump table, all of them are adjusted. If there was a
5448@samp{.word sym3-sym4}, that also did not fit in sixteen bits, a
5449long-jump to @code{sym4} is included in the secondary jump table,
5450and the @code{.word} directives are adjusted to contain @code{sym3}
5451minus the address of the long-jump to @code{sym4}; and so on, for as many
5452entries in the original jump table as necessary.
5453
5454@ifset INTERNALS
5455@emph{This feature may be disabled by compiling @code{@value{AS}} with the
5456@samp{-DWORKING_DOT_WORD} option.} This feature is likely to confuse
5457assembly language programmers.
5458@end ifset
5459@end ifset
5460@c end DIFF-TBL-KLUGE
5461
5462@node Deprecated
5463@section Deprecated Directives
5464
5465@cindex deprecated directives
5466@cindex obsolescent directives
5467One day these directives won't work.
5468They are included for compatibility with older assemblers.
5469@table @t
5470@item .abort
5471@item .line
5472@end table
5473
5474@ifset GENERIC
5475@node Machine Dependencies
5476@chapter Machine Dependent Features
5477
5478@cindex machine dependencies
5479The machine instruction sets are (almost by definition) different on
5480each machine where @code{@value{AS}} runs. Floating point representations
5481vary as well, and @code{@value{AS}} often supports a few additional
5482directives or command-line options for compatibility with other
5483assemblers on a particular platform. Finally, some versions of
5484@code{@value{AS}} support special pseudo-instructions for branch
5485optimization.
5486
5487This chapter discusses most of these differences, though it does not
5488include details on any machine's instruction set. For details on that
5489subject, see the hardware manufacturer's manual.
5490
5491@menu
5492@ifset A29K
5493* AMD29K-Dependent:: AMD 29K Dependent Features
5494@end ifset
5495@ifset ARC
5496* ARC-Dependent:: ARC Dependent Features
5497@end ifset
5498@ifset ARM
5499* ARM-Dependent:: ARM Dependent Features
5500@end ifset
5501@ifset D10V
5502* D10V-Dependent:: D10V Dependent Features
5503@end ifset
5504@ifset D30V
5505* D30V-Dependent:: D30V Dependent Features
5506@end ifset
5507@ifset H8/300
5508* H8/300-Dependent:: Hitachi H8/300 Dependent Features
5509@end ifset
5510@ifset H8/500
5511* H8/500-Dependent:: Hitachi H8/500 Dependent Features
5512@end ifset
5513@ifset HPPA
5514* HPPA-Dependent:: HPPA Dependent Features
5515@end ifset
5b93d8bb
AM
5516@ifset I370
5517* ESA/390-Dependent:: IBM ESA/390 Dependent Features
5518@end ifset
252b5132 5519@ifset I80386
55b62671 5520* i386-Dependent:: Intel 80386 and AMD x86-64 Dependent Features
252b5132 5521@end ifset
e3308d0d
JE
5522@ifset I860
5523* i860-Dependent:: Intel 80860 Dependent Features
5524@end ifset
252b5132
RH
5525@ifset I960
5526* i960-Dependent:: Intel 80960 Dependent Features
5527@end ifset
ec694b89
NC
5528@ifset M32R
5529* M32R-Dependent:: M32R Dependent Features
5530@end ifset
252b5132
RH
5531@ifset M680X0
5532* M68K-Dependent:: M680x0 Dependent Features
5533@end ifset
60bcf0fa
NC
5534@ifset M68HC11
5535* M68HC11-Dependent:: M68HC11 and 68HC12 Dependent Features
5536@end ifset
81b0b3f1
BE
5537@ifset M880X0
5538* M88K-Dependent:: M880x0 Dependent Features
5539@end ifset
252b5132
RH
5540@ifset MIPS
5541* MIPS-Dependent:: MIPS Dependent Features
5542@end ifset
5543@ifset SH
5544* SH-Dependent:: Hitachi SH Dependent Features
5545@end ifset
e135f41b
NC
5546@ifset PDP11
5547* PDP-11-Dependent:: PDP-11 Dependent Features
5548@end ifset
041dd5a9
ILT
5549@ifset PJ
5550* PJ-Dependent:: picoJava Dependent Features
5551@end ifset
252b5132
RH
5552@ifset SPARC
5553* Sparc-Dependent:: SPARC Dependent Features
5554@end ifset
39bec121
TW
5555@ifset TIC54X
5556* TIC54X-Dependent:: TI TMS320C54x Dependent Features
5557@end ifset
252b5132
RH
5558@ifset V850
5559* V850-Dependent:: V850 Dependent Features
5560@end ifset
5561@ifset Z8000
5562* Z8000-Dependent:: Z8000 Dependent Features
5563@end ifset
5564@ifset VAX
5565* Vax-Dependent:: VAX Dependent Features
5566@end ifset
5567@end menu
5568
5569@lowersections
5570@end ifset
5571
5572@c The following major nodes are *sections* in the GENERIC version, *chapters*
5573@c in single-cpu versions. This is mainly achieved by @lowersections. There is a
5574@c peculiarity: to preserve cross-references, there must be a node called
5575@c "Machine Dependencies". Hence the conditional nodenames in each
5576@c major node below. Node defaulting in makeinfo requires adjacency of
5577@c node and sectioning commands; hence the repetition of @chapter BLAH
5578@c in both conditional blocks.
5579
5580@ifset ARC
0d2bcfaf 5581@include c-arc.texi
252b5132
RH
5582@end ifset
5583
5584@ifset A29K
5585@include c-a29k.texi
5586@end ifset
5587
5588@ifset ARM
5589@include c-arm.texi
5590@end ifset
5591
5592@ifset Hitachi-all
5593@ifclear GENERIC
5594@node Machine Dependencies
5595@chapter Machine Dependent Features
5596
5597The machine instruction sets are different on each Hitachi chip family,
5598and there are also some syntax differences among the families. This
5599chapter describes the specific @code{@value{AS}} features for each
5600family.
5601
5602@menu
5603* H8/300-Dependent:: Hitachi H8/300 Dependent Features
5604* H8/500-Dependent:: Hitachi H8/500 Dependent Features
5605* SH-Dependent:: Hitachi SH Dependent Features
5606@end menu
5607@lowersections
5608@end ifclear
5609@end ifset
5610
5611@ifset D10V
5612@include c-d10v.texi
5613@end ifset
5614
5615@ifset D30V
5616@include c-d30v.texi
5617@end ifset
5618
5619@ifset H8/300
5620@include c-h8300.texi
5621@end ifset
5622
5623@ifset H8/500
5624@include c-h8500.texi
5625@end ifset
5626
5627@ifset HPPA
5628@include c-hppa.texi
5629@end ifset
5630
5b93d8bb
AM
5631@ifset I370
5632@include c-i370.texi
5633@end ifset
5634
252b5132
RH
5635@ifset I80386
5636@include c-i386.texi
5637@end ifset
5638
e3308d0d
JE
5639@ifset I860
5640@include c-i860.texi
5641@end ifset
5642
252b5132
RH
5643@ifset I960
5644@include c-i960.texi
5645@end ifset
5646
ec694b89
NC
5647@ifset M32R
5648@include c-m32r.texi
5649@end ifset
252b5132
RH
5650
5651@ifset M680X0
5652@include c-m68k.texi
5653@end ifset
5654
60bcf0fa
NC
5655@ifset M68HC11
5656@include c-m68hc11.texi
5657@end ifset
5658
81b0b3f1
BE
5659@ifset M880X0
5660@include c-m88k.texi
5661@end ifset
5662
252b5132
RH
5663@ifset MIPS
5664@include c-mips.texi
5665@end ifset
5666
5667@ifset NS32K
5668@include c-ns32k.texi
5669@end ifset
5670
e135f41b
NC
5671@ifset PDP11
5672@include c-pdp11.texi
5673@end ifset
5674
041dd5a9
ILT
5675@ifset PJ
5676@include c-pj.texi
5677@end ifset
5678
252b5132
RH
5679@ifset SH
5680@include c-sh.texi
5681@end ifset
5682
5683@ifset SPARC
5684@include c-sparc.texi
5685@end ifset
5686
39bec121
TW
5687@ifset TIC54X
5688@include c-tic54x.texi
5689@end ifset
5690
252b5132
RH
5691@ifset Z8000
5692@include c-z8k.texi
5693@end ifset
5694
5695@ifset VAX
5696@include c-vax.texi
5697@end ifset
5698
5699@ifset V850
5700@include c-v850.texi
5701@end ifset
5702
5703@ifset GENERIC
5704@c reverse effect of @down at top of generic Machine-Dep chapter
5705@raisesections
5706@end ifset
5707
5708@node Reporting Bugs
5709@chapter Reporting Bugs
5710@cindex bugs in assembler
5711@cindex reporting bugs in assembler
5712
5713Your bug reports play an essential role in making @code{@value{AS}} reliable.
5714
5715Reporting a bug may help you by bringing a solution to your problem, or it may
5716not. But in any case the principal function of a bug report is to help the
5717entire community by making the next version of @code{@value{AS}} work better.
5718Bug reports are your contribution to the maintenance of @code{@value{AS}}.
5719
5720In order for a bug report to serve its purpose, you must include the
5721information that enables us to fix the bug.
5722
5723@menu
5724* Bug Criteria:: Have you found a bug?
5725* Bug Reporting:: How to report bugs
5726@end menu
5727
5728@node Bug Criteria
5729@section Have you found a bug?
5730@cindex bug criteria
5731
5732If you are not sure whether you have found a bug, here are some guidelines:
5733
5734@itemize @bullet
5735@cindex fatal signal
5736@cindex assembler crash
5737@cindex crash of assembler
5738@item
5739If the assembler gets a fatal signal, for any input whatever, that is a
5740@code{@value{AS}} bug. Reliable assemblers never crash.
5741
5742@cindex error on valid input
5743@item
5744If @code{@value{AS}} produces an error message for valid input, that is a bug.
5745
5746@cindex invalid input
5747@item
5748If @code{@value{AS}} does not produce an error message for invalid input, that
5749is a bug. However, you should note that your idea of ``invalid input'' might
5750be our idea of ``an extension'' or ``support for traditional practice''.
5751
5752@item
5753If you are an experienced user of assemblers, your suggestions for improvement
5754of @code{@value{AS}} are welcome in any case.
5755@end itemize
5756
5757@node Bug Reporting
5758@section How to report bugs
5759@cindex bug reports
5760@cindex assembler bugs, reporting
5761
5762A number of companies and individuals offer support for @sc{gnu} products. If
5763you obtained @code{@value{AS}} from a support organization, we recommend you
5764contact that organization first.
5765
5766You can find contact information for many support companies and
5767individuals in the file @file{etc/SERVICE} in the @sc{gnu} Emacs
5768distribution.
5769
5770In any event, we also recommend that you send bug reports for @code{@value{AS}}
46a04e3a 5771to @samp{bug-binutils@@gnu.org}.
252b5132
RH
5772
5773The fundamental principle of reporting bugs usefully is this:
5774@strong{report all the facts}. If you are not sure whether to state a
5775fact or leave it out, state it!
5776
5777Often people omit facts because they think they know what causes the problem
5778and assume that some details do not matter. Thus, you might assume that the
5779name of a symbol you use in an example does not matter. Well, probably it does
5780not, but one cannot be sure. Perhaps the bug is a stray memory reference which
5781happens to fetch from the location where that name is stored in memory;
5782perhaps, if the name were different, the contents of that location would fool
5783the assembler into doing the right thing despite the bug. Play it safe and
5784give a specific, complete example. That is the easiest thing for you to do,
5785and the most helpful.
5786
5787Keep in mind that the purpose of a bug report is to enable us to fix the bug if
5788it is new to us. Therefore, always write your bug reports on the assumption
5789that the bug has not been reported previously.
5790
5791Sometimes people give a few sketchy facts and ask, ``Does this ring a
5792bell?'' Those bug reports are useless, and we urge everyone to
5793@emph{refuse to respond to them} except to chide the sender to report
5794bugs properly.
5795
5796To enable us to fix the bug, you should include all these things:
5797
5798@itemize @bullet
5799@item
5800The version of @code{@value{AS}}. @code{@value{AS}} announces it if you start
5801it with the @samp{--version} argument.
5802
5803Without this, we will not know whether there is any point in looking for
5804the bug in the current version of @code{@value{AS}}.
5805
5806@item
5807Any patches you may have applied to the @code{@value{AS}} source.
5808
5809@item
5810The type of machine you are using, and the operating system name and
5811version number.
5812
5813@item
5814What compiler (and its version) was used to compile @code{@value{AS}}---e.g.
5815``@code{gcc-2.7}''.
5816
5817@item
5818The command arguments you gave the assembler to assemble your example and
5819observe the bug. To guarantee you will not omit something important, list them
5820all. A copy of the Makefile (or the output from make) is sufficient.
5821
5822If we were to try to guess the arguments, we would probably guess wrong
5823and then we might not encounter the bug.
5824
5825@item
5826A complete input file that will reproduce the bug. If the bug is observed when
5827the assembler is invoked via a compiler, send the assembler source, not the
5828high level language source. Most compilers will produce the assembler source
5829when run with the @samp{-S} option. If you are using @code{@value{GCC}}, use
5830the options @samp{-v --save-temps}; this will save the assembler source in a
5831file with an extension of @file{.s}, and also show you exactly how
5832@code{@value{AS}} is being run.
5833
5834@item
5835A description of what behavior you observe that you believe is
5836incorrect. For example, ``It gets a fatal signal.''
5837
5838Of course, if the bug is that @code{@value{AS}} gets a fatal signal, then we
5839will certainly notice it. But if the bug is incorrect output, we might not
5840notice unless it is glaringly wrong. You might as well not give us a chance to
5841make a mistake.
5842
5843Even if the problem you experience is a fatal signal, you should still say so
5844explicitly. Suppose something strange is going on, such as, your copy of
5845@code{@value{AS}} is out of synch, or you have encountered a bug in the C
5846library on your system. (This has happened!) Your copy might crash and ours
5847would not. If you told us to expect a crash, then when ours fails to crash, we
5848would know that the bug was not happening for us. If you had not told us to
5849expect a crash, then we would not be able to draw any conclusion from our
5850observations.
5851
5852@item
5853If you wish to suggest changes to the @code{@value{AS}} source, send us context
5854diffs, as generated by @code{diff} with the @samp{-u}, @samp{-c}, or @samp{-p}
5855option. Always send diffs from the old file to the new file. If you even
5856discuss something in the @code{@value{AS}} source, refer to it by context, not
5857by line number.
5858
5859The line numbers in our development sources will not match those in your
5860sources. Your line numbers would convey no useful information to us.
5861@end itemize
5862
5863Here are some things that are not necessary:
5864
5865@itemize @bullet
5866@item
5867A description of the envelope of the bug.
5868
5869Often people who encounter a bug spend a lot of time investigating
5870which changes to the input file will make the bug go away and which
5871changes will not affect it.
5872
5873This is often time consuming and not very useful, because the way we
5874will find the bug is by running a single example under the debugger
5875with breakpoints, not by pure deduction from a series of examples.
5876We recommend that you save your time for something else.
5877
5878Of course, if you can find a simpler example to report @emph{instead}
5879of the original one, that is a convenience for us. Errors in the
5880output will be easier to spot, running under the debugger will take
5881less time, and so on.
5882
5883However, simplification is not vital; if you do not want to do this,
5884report the bug anyway and send us the entire test case you used.
5885
5886@item
5887A patch for the bug.
5888
5889A patch for the bug does help us if it is a good one. But do not omit
5890the necessary information, such as the test case, on the assumption that
5891a patch is all we need. We might see problems with your patch and decide
5892to fix the problem another way, or we might not understand it at all.
5893
5894Sometimes with a program as complicated as @code{@value{AS}} it is very hard to
5895construct an example that will make the program follow a certain path through
5896the code. If you do not send us the example, we will not be able to construct
5897one, so we will not be able to verify that the bug is fixed.
5898
5899And if we cannot understand what bug you are trying to fix, or why your
5900patch should be an improvement, we will not install it. A test case will
5901help us to understand.
5902
5903@item
5904A guess about what the bug is or what it depends on.
5905
5906Such guesses are usually wrong. Even we cannot guess right about such
5907things without first using the debugger to find the facts.
5908@end itemize
5909
5910@node Acknowledgements
5911@chapter Acknowledgements
5912
5913If you have contributed to @code{@value{AS}} and your name isn't listed here,
5914it is not meant as a slight. We just don't know about it. Send mail to the
5915maintainer, and we'll correct the situation. Currently
5916@c (January 1994),
5917the maintainer is Ken Raeburn (email address @code{raeburn@@cygnus.com}).
5918
5919Dean Elsner wrote the original @sc{gnu} assembler for the VAX.@footnote{Any
5920more details?}
5921
5922Jay Fenlason maintained GAS for a while, adding support for GDB-specific debug
5923information and the 68k series machines, most of the preprocessing pass, and
5924extensive changes in @file{messages.c}, @file{input-file.c}, @file{write.c}.
5925
5926K. Richard Pixley maintained GAS for a while, adding various enhancements and
5927many bug fixes, including merging support for several processors, breaking GAS
5928up to handle multiple object file format back ends (including heavy rewrite,
5929testing, an integration of the coff and b.out back ends), adding configuration
5930including heavy testing and verification of cross assemblers and file splits
5931and renaming, converted GAS to strictly ANSI C including full prototypes, added
5932support for m680[34]0 and cpu32, did considerable work on i960 including a COFF
5933port (including considerable amounts of reverse engineering), a SPARC opcode
5934file rewrite, DECstation, rs6000, and hp300hpux host ports, updated ``know''
5935assertions and made them work, much other reorganization, cleanup, and lint.
5936
5937Ken Raeburn wrote the high-level BFD interface code to replace most of the code
5938in format-specific I/O modules.
5939
5940The original VMS support was contributed by David L. Kashtan. Eric Youngdale
5941has done much work with it since.
5942
5943The Intel 80386 machine description was written by Eliot Dresselhaus.
5944
5945Minh Tran-Le at IntelliCorp contributed some AIX 386 support.
5946
5947The Motorola 88k machine description was contributed by Devon Bowen of Buffalo
5948University and Torbjorn Granlund of the Swedish Institute of Computer Science.
5949
5950Keith Knowles at the Open Software Foundation wrote the original MIPS back end
5951(@file{tc-mips.c}, @file{tc-mips.h}), and contributed Rose format support
5952(which hasn't been merged in yet). Ralph Campbell worked with the MIPS code to
5953support a.out format.
5954
5955Support for the Zilog Z8k and Hitachi H8/300 and H8/500 processors (tc-z8k,
5956tc-h8300, tc-h8500), and IEEE 695 object file format (obj-ieee), was written by
5957Steve Chamberlain of Cygnus Support. Steve also modified the COFF back end to
5958use BFD for some low-level operations, for use with the H8/300 and AMD 29k
5959targets.
5960
5961John Gilmore built the AMD 29000 support, added @code{.include} support, and
5962simplified the configuration of which versions accept which directives. He
5963updated the 68k machine description so that Motorola's opcodes always produced
5964fixed-size instructions (e.g. @code{jsr}), while synthetic instructions
5965remained shrinkable (@code{jbsr}). John fixed many bugs, including true tested
5966cross-compilation support, and one bug in relaxation that took a week and
5967required the proverbial one-bit fix.
5968
5969Ian Lance Taylor of Cygnus Support merged the Motorola and MIT syntax for the
597068k, completed support for some COFF targets (68k, i386 SVR3, and SCO Unix),
5971added support for MIPS ECOFF and ELF targets, wrote the initial RS/6000 and
5972PowerPC assembler, and made a few other minor patches.
5973
5974Steve Chamberlain made @code{@value{AS}} able to generate listings.
5975
5976Hewlett-Packard contributed support for the HP9000/300.
5977
5978Jeff Law wrote GAS and BFD support for the native HPPA object format (SOM)
5979along with a fairly extensive HPPA testsuite (for both SOM and ELF object
5980formats). This work was supported by both the Center for Software Science at
5981the University of Utah and Cygnus Support.
5982
5983Support for ELF format files has been worked on by Mark Eichin of Cygnus
5984Support (original, incomplete implementation for SPARC), Pete Hoogenboom and
5985Jeff Law at the University of Utah (HPPA mainly), Michael Meissner of the Open
5986Software Foundation (i386 mainly), and Ken Raeburn of Cygnus Support (sparc,
5987and some initial 64-bit support).
5988
5b93d8bb
AM
5989Linas Vepstas added GAS support for the ESA/390 "IBM 370" architecture.
5990
252b5132
RH
5991Richard Henderson rewrote the Alpha assembler. Klaus Kaempf wrote GAS and BFD
5992support for openVMS/Alpha.
5993
39bec121
TW
5994Timothy Wall, Michael Hayes, and Greg Smart contributed to the various tic*
5995flavors.
5996
252b5132
RH
5997Several engineers at Cygnus Support have also provided many small bug fixes and
5998configuration enhancements.
5999
6000Many others have contributed large or small bugfixes and enhancements. If
6001you have contributed significant work and are not mentioned on this list, and
6002want to be, let us know. Some of the history has been lost; we are not
6003intentionally leaving anyone out.
6004
cf055d54
NC
6005@node GNU Free Documentation License
6006@chapter GNU Free Documentation License
6007
6008 GNU Free Documentation License
6009
6010 Version 1.1, March 2000
6011
6012 Copyright (C) 2000 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
6013 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA
6014
6015 Everyone is permitted to copy and distribute verbatim copies
6016 of this license document, but changing it is not allowed.
6017
6018
60190. PREAMBLE
6020
6021The purpose of this License is to make a manual, textbook, or other
6022written document "free" in the sense of freedom: to assure everyone
6023the effective freedom to copy and redistribute it, with or without
6024modifying it, either commercially or noncommercially. Secondarily,
6025this License preserves for the author and publisher a way to get
6026credit for their work, while not being considered responsible for
6027modifications made by others.
6028
6029This License is a kind of "copyleft", which means that derivative
6030works of the document must themselves be free in the same sense. It
6031complements the GNU General Public License, which is a copyleft
6032license designed for free software.
6033
6034We have designed this License in order to use it for manuals for free
6035software, because free software needs free documentation: a free
6036program should come with manuals providing the same freedoms that the
6037software does. But this License is not limited to software manuals;
6038it can be used for any textual work, regardless of subject matter or
6039whether it is published as a printed book. We recommend this License
6040principally for works whose purpose is instruction or reference.
6041
6042
60431. APPLICABILITY AND DEFINITIONS
6044
6045This License applies to any manual or other work that contains a
6046notice placed by the copyright holder saying it can be distributed
6047under the terms of this License. The "Document", below, refers to any
6048such manual or work. Any member of the public is a licensee, and is
6049addressed as "you".
6050
6051A "Modified Version" of the Document means any work containing the
6052Document or a portion of it, either copied verbatim, or with
6053modifications and/or translated into another language.
6054
6055A "Secondary Section" is a named appendix or a front-matter section of
6056the Document that deals exclusively with the relationship of the
6057publishers or authors of the Document to the Document's overall subject
6058(or to related matters) and contains nothing that could fall directly
6059within that overall subject. (For example, if the Document is in part a
6060textbook of mathematics, a Secondary Section may not explain any
6061mathematics.) The relationship could be a matter of historical
6062connection with the subject or with related matters, or of legal,
6063commercial, philosophical, ethical or political position regarding
6064them.
6065
6066The "Invariant Sections" are certain Secondary Sections whose titles
6067are designated, as being those of Invariant Sections, in the notice
6068that says that the Document is released under this License.
6069
6070The "Cover Texts" are certain short passages of text that are listed,
6071as Front-Cover Texts or Back-Cover Texts, in the notice that says that
6072the Document is released under this License.
6073
6074A "Transparent" copy of the Document means a machine-readable copy,
6075represented in a format whose specification is available to the
6076general public, whose contents can be viewed and edited directly and
6077straightforwardly with generic text editors or (for images composed of
6078pixels) generic paint programs or (for drawings) some widely available
6079drawing editor, and that is suitable for input to text formatters or
6080for automatic translation to a variety of formats suitable for input
6081to text formatters. A copy made in an otherwise Transparent file
6082format whose markup has been designed to thwart or discourage
6083subsequent modification by readers is not Transparent. A copy that is
6084not "Transparent" is called "Opaque".
6085
6086Examples of suitable formats for Transparent copies include plain
6087ASCII without markup, Texinfo input format, LaTeX input format, SGML
6088or XML using a publicly available DTD, and standard-conforming simple
6089HTML designed for human modification. Opaque formats include
6090PostScript, PDF, proprietary formats that can be read and edited only
6091by proprietary word processors, SGML or XML for which the DTD and/or
6092processing tools are not generally available, and the
6093machine-generated HTML produced by some word processors for output
6094purposes only.
6095
6096The "Title Page" means, for a printed book, the title page itself,
6097plus such following pages as are needed to hold, legibly, the material
6098this License requires to appear in the title page. For works in
6099formats which do not have any title page as such, "Title Page" means
6100the text near the most prominent appearance of the work's title,
6101preceding the beginning of the body of the text.
6102
6103
61042. VERBATIM COPYING
6105
6106You may copy and distribute the Document in any medium, either
6107commercially or noncommercially, provided that this License, the
6108copyright notices, and the license notice saying this License applies
6109to the Document are reproduced in all copies, and that you add no other
6110conditions whatsoever to those of this License. You may not use
6111technical measures to obstruct or control the reading or further
6112copying of the copies you make or distribute. However, you may accept
6113compensation in exchange for copies. If you distribute a large enough
6114number of copies you must also follow the conditions in section 3.
6115
6116You may also lend copies, under the same conditions stated above, and
6117you may publicly display copies.
6118
6119
61203. COPYING IN QUANTITY
6121
6122If you publish printed copies of the Document numbering more than 100,
6123and the Document's license notice requires Cover Texts, you must enclose
6124the copies in covers that carry, clearly and legibly, all these Cover
6125Texts: Front-Cover Texts on the front cover, and Back-Cover Texts on
6126the back cover. Both covers must also clearly and legibly identify
6127you as the publisher of these copies. The front cover must present
6128the full title with all words of the title equally prominent and
6129visible. You may add other material on the covers in addition.
6130Copying with changes limited to the covers, as long as they preserve
6131the title of the Document and satisfy these conditions, can be treated
6132as verbatim copying in other respects.
6133
6134If the required texts for either cover are too voluminous to fit
6135legibly, you should put the first ones listed (as many as fit
6136reasonably) on the actual cover, and continue the rest onto adjacent
6137pages.
6138
6139If you publish or distribute Opaque copies of the Document numbering
6140more than 100, you must either include a machine-readable Transparent
6141copy along with each Opaque copy, or state in or with each Opaque copy
6142a publicly-accessible computer-network location containing a complete
6143Transparent copy of the Document, free of added material, which the
6144general network-using public has access to download anonymously at no
6145charge using public-standard network protocols. If you use the latter
6146option, you must take reasonably prudent steps, when you begin
6147distribution of Opaque copies in quantity, to ensure that this
6148Transparent copy will remain thus accessible at the stated location
6149until at least one year after the last time you distribute an Opaque
6150copy (directly or through your agents or retailers) of that edition to
6151the public.
6152
6153It is requested, but not required, that you contact the authors of the
6154Document well before redistributing any large number of copies, to give
6155them a chance to provide you with an updated version of the Document.
6156
6157
61584. MODIFICATIONS
6159
6160You may copy and distribute a Modified Version of the Document under
6161the conditions of sections 2 and 3 above, provided that you release
6162the Modified Version under precisely this License, with the Modified
6163Version filling the role of the Document, thus licensing distribution
6164and modification of the Modified Version to whoever possesses a copy
6165of it. In addition, you must do these things in the Modified Version:
6166
6167A. Use in the Title Page (and on the covers, if any) a title distinct
6168 from that of the Document, and from those of previous versions
6169 (which should, if there were any, be listed in the History section
6170 of the Document). You may use the same title as a previous version
6171 if the original publisher of that version gives permission.
6172B. List on the Title Page, as authors, one or more persons or entities
6173 responsible for authorship of the modifications in the Modified
6174 Version, together with at least five of the principal authors of the
6175 Document (all of its principal authors, if it has less than five).
6176C. State on the Title page the name of the publisher of the
6177 Modified Version, as the publisher.
6178D. Preserve all the copyright notices of the Document.
6179E. Add an appropriate copyright notice for your modifications
6180 adjacent to the other copyright notices.
6181F. Include, immediately after the copyright notices, a license notice
6182 giving the public permission to use the Modified Version under the
6183 terms of this License, in the form shown in the Addendum below.
6184G. Preserve in that license notice the full lists of Invariant Sections
6185 and required Cover Texts given in the Document's license notice.
6186H. Include an unaltered copy of this License.
6187I. Preserve the section entitled "History", and its title, and add to
6188 it an item stating at least the title, year, new authors, and
6189 publisher of the Modified Version as given on the Title Page. If
6190 there is no section entitled "History" in the Document, create one
6191 stating the title, year, authors, and publisher of the Document as
6192 given on its Title Page, then add an item describing the Modified
6193 Version as stated in the previous sentence.
6194J. Preserve the network location, if any, given in the Document for
6195 public access to a Transparent copy of the Document, and likewise
6196 the network locations given in the Document for previous versions
6197 it was based on. These may be placed in the "History" section.
6198 You may omit a network location for a work that was published at
6199 least four years before the Document itself, or if the original
6200 publisher of the version it refers to gives permission.
6201K. In any section entitled "Acknowledgements" or "Dedications",
6202 preserve the section's title, and preserve in the section all the
6203 substance and tone of each of the contributor acknowledgements
6204 and/or dedications given therein.
6205L. Preserve all the Invariant Sections of the Document,
6206 unaltered in their text and in their titles. Section numbers
6207 or the equivalent are not considered part of the section titles.
6208M. Delete any section entitled "Endorsements". Such a section
6209 may not be included in the Modified Version.
6210N. Do not retitle any existing section as "Endorsements"
6211 or to conflict in title with any Invariant Section.
6212
6213If the Modified Version includes new front-matter sections or
6214appendices that qualify as Secondary Sections and contain no material
6215copied from the Document, you may at your option designate some or all
6216of these sections as invariant. To do this, add their titles to the
6217list of Invariant Sections in the Modified Version's license notice.
6218These titles must be distinct from any other section titles.
6219
6220You may add a section entitled "Endorsements", provided it contains
6221nothing but endorsements of your Modified Version by various
6222parties--for example, statements of peer review or that the text has
6223been approved by an organization as the authoritative definition of a
6224standard.
6225
6226You may add a passage of up to five words as a Front-Cover Text, and a
6227passage of up to 25 words as a Back-Cover Text, to the end of the list
6228of Cover Texts in the Modified Version. Only one passage of
6229Front-Cover Text and one of Back-Cover Text may be added by (or
6230through arrangements made by) any one entity. If the Document already
6231includes a cover text for the same cover, previously added by you or
6232by arrangement made by the same entity you are acting on behalf of,
6233you may not add another; but you may replace the old one, on explicit
6234permission from the previous publisher that added the old one.
6235
6236The author(s) and publisher(s) of the Document do not by this License
6237give permission to use their names for publicity for or to assert or
6238imply endorsement of any Modified Version.
6239
6240
62415. COMBINING DOCUMENTS
6242
6243You may combine the Document with other documents released under this
6244License, under the terms defined in section 4 above for modified
6245versions, provided that you include in the combination all of the
6246Invariant Sections of all of the original documents, unmodified, and
6247list them all as Invariant Sections of your combined work in its
6248license notice.
6249
6250The combined work need only contain one copy of this License, and
6251multiple identical Invariant Sections may be replaced with a single
6252copy. If there are multiple Invariant Sections with the same name but
6253different contents, make the title of each such section unique by
6254adding at the end of it, in parentheses, the name of the original
6255author or publisher of that section if known, or else a unique number.
6256Make the same adjustment to the section titles in the list of
6257Invariant Sections in the license notice of the combined work.
6258
6259In the combination, you must combine any sections entitled "History"
6260in the various original documents, forming one section entitled
6261"History"; likewise combine any sections entitled "Acknowledgements",
6262and any sections entitled "Dedications". You must delete all sections
6263entitled "Endorsements."
6264
6265
62666. COLLECTIONS OF DOCUMENTS
6267
6268You may make a collection consisting of the Document and other documents
6269released under this License, and replace the individual copies of this
6270License in the various documents with a single copy that is included in
6271the collection, provided that you follow the rules of this License for
6272verbatim copying of each of the documents in all other respects.
6273
6274You may extract a single document from such a collection, and distribute
6275it individually under this License, provided you insert a copy of this
6276License into the extracted document, and follow this License in all
6277other respects regarding verbatim copying of that document.
6278
6279
62807. AGGREGATION WITH INDEPENDENT WORKS
6281
6282A compilation of the Document or its derivatives with other separate
6283and independent documents or works, in or on a volume of a storage or
6284distribution medium, does not as a whole count as a Modified Version
6285of the Document, provided no compilation copyright is claimed for the
6286compilation. Such a compilation is called an "aggregate", and this
6287License does not apply to the other self-contained works thus compiled
6288with the Document, on account of their being thus compiled, if they
6289are not themselves derivative works of the Document.
6290
6291If the Cover Text requirement of section 3 is applicable to these
6292copies of the Document, then if the Document is less than one quarter
6293of the entire aggregate, the Document's Cover Texts may be placed on
6294covers that surround only the Document within the aggregate.
6295Otherwise they must appear on covers around the whole aggregate.
6296
6297
62988. TRANSLATION
6299
6300Translation is considered a kind of modification, so you may
6301distribute translations of the Document under the terms of section 4.
6302Replacing Invariant Sections with translations requires special
6303permission from their copyright holders, but you may include
6304translations of some or all Invariant Sections in addition to the
6305original versions of these Invariant Sections. You may include a
6306translation of this License provided that you also include the
6307original English version of this License. In case of a disagreement
6308between the translation and the original English version of this
6309License, the original English version will prevail.
6310
6311
63129. TERMINATION
6313
6314You may not copy, modify, sublicense, or distribute the Document except
6315as expressly provided for under this License. Any other attempt to
6316copy, modify, sublicense or distribute the Document is void, and will
6317automatically terminate your rights under this License. However,
6318parties who have received copies, or rights, from you under this
6319License will not have their licenses terminated so long as such
6320parties remain in full compliance.
6321
6322
632310. FUTURE REVISIONS OF THIS LICENSE
6324
6325The Free Software Foundation may publish new, revised versions
6326of the GNU Free Documentation License from time to time. Such new
6327versions will be similar in spirit to the present version, but may
6328differ in detail to address new problems or concerns. See
6329http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/.
6330
6331Each version of the License is given a distinguishing version number.
6332If the Document specifies that a particular numbered version of this
6333License "or any later version" applies to it, you have the option of
6334following the terms and conditions either of that specified version or
6335of any later version that has been published (not as a draft) by the
6336Free Software Foundation. If the Document does not specify a version
6337number of this License, you may choose any version ever published (not
6338as a draft) by the Free Software Foundation.
6339
6340
6341ADDENDUM: How to use this License for your documents
6342
6343To use this License in a document you have written, include a copy of
6344the License in the document and put the following copyright and
6345license notices just after the title page:
6346
6347@smallexample
6348 Copyright (c) YEAR YOUR NAME.
6349 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
6350 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.1
6351 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation;
6352 with the Invariant Sections being LIST THEIR TITLES, with the
6353 Front-Cover Texts being LIST, and with the Back-Cover Texts being LIST.
6354 A copy of the license is included in the section entitled "GNU
6355 Free Documentation License".
6356@end smallexample
6357
6358If you have no Invariant Sections, write "with no Invariant Sections"
6359instead of saying which ones are invariant. If you have no
6360Front-Cover Texts, write "no Front-Cover Texts" instead of
6361"Front-Cover Texts being LIST"; likewise for Back-Cover Texts.
6362
6363If your document contains nontrivial examples of program code, we
6364recommend releasing these examples in parallel under your choice of
6365free software license, such as the GNU General Public License,
6366to permit their use in free software.
6367
252b5132
RH
6368@node Index
6369@unnumbered Index
6370
6371@printindex cp
6372
6373@contents
6374@bye
6375@c Local Variables:
6376@c fill-column: 79
6377@c End: