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3bcf1b13 1@c Copyright (C) 1988,1989,1992,1993,1994,1996,1998,1999,2000,2001,2002,2003 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
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2@c This is part of the GCC manual.
3@c For copying conditions, see the file gcc.texi.
4
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5@node C Implementation
6@chapter C Implementation-defined behavior
7@cindex implementation-defined behavior, C language
8
9A conforming implementation of ISO C is required to document its
10choice of behavior in each of the areas that are designated
11``implementation defined.'' The following lists all such areas,
12along with the section number from the ISO/IEC 9899:1999 standard.
13
14@menu
15* Translation implementation::
16* Environment implementation::
17* Identifiers implementation::
18* Characters implementation::
19* Integers implementation::
20* Floating point implementation::
21* Arrays and pointers implementation::
22* Hints implementation::
23* Structures unions enumerations and bit-fields implementation::
24* Qualifiers implementation::
25* Preprocessing directives implementation::
26* Library functions implementation::
27* Architecture implementation::
28* Locale-specific behavior implementation::
29@end menu
30
31@node Translation implementation
32@section Translation
33
34@itemize @bullet
35@item
36@cite{How a diagnostic is identified (3.10, 5.1.1.3).}
37
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38Diagnostics consist of all the output sent to stderr by GCC.
39
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40@item
41@cite{Whether each nonempty sequence of white-space characters other than
42new-line is retained or replaced by one space character in translation
43phase 3 (5.1.1.2).}
44@end itemize
45
46@node Environment implementation
47@section Environment
48
0c688a7d 49The behavior of these points are dependent on the implementation
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50of the C library, and are not defined by GCC itself.
51
52@node Identifiers implementation
53@section Identifiers
54
55@itemize @bullet
56@item
57@cite{Which additional multibyte characters may appear in identifiers
58and their correspondence to universal character names (6.4.2).}
59
60@item
61@cite{The number of significant initial characters in an identifier
62(5.2.4.1, 6.4.2).}
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63
64For internal names, all characters are significant. For external names,
65the number of significant characters are defined by the linker; for
66almost all targets, all characters are significant.
67
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68@end itemize
69
70@node Characters implementation
71@section Characters
72
73@itemize @bullet
74@item
75@cite{The number of bits in a byte (3.6).}
76
77@item
78@cite{The values of the members of the execution character set (5.2.1).}
79
80@item
81@cite{The unique value of the member of the execution character set produced
82for each of the standard alphabetic escape sequences (5.2.2).}
83
84@item
85@cite{The value of a @code{char} object into which has been stored any
86character other than a member of the basic execution character set (6.2.5).}
87
88@item
89@cite{Which of @code{signed char} or @code{unsigned char} has the same range,
39ffd3cb 90representation, and behavior as ``plain'' @code{char} (6.2.5, 6.3.1.1).}
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91
92@item
93@cite{The mapping of members of the source character set (in character
94constants and string literals) to members of the execution character
95set (6.4.4.4, 5.1.1.2).}
96
97@item
98@cite{The value of an integer character constant containing more than one
99character or containing a character or escape sequence that does not map
100to a single-byte execution character (6.4.4.4).}
101
102@item
103@cite{The value of a wide character constant containing more than one
104multibyte character, or containing a multibyte character or escape
105sequence not represented in the extended execution character set (6.4.4.4).}
106
107@item
108@cite{The current locale used to convert a wide character constant consisting
109of a single multibyte character that maps to a member of the extended
110execution character set into a corresponding wide character code (6.4.4.4).}
111
112@item
113@cite{The current locale used to convert a wide string literal into
114corresponding wide character codes (6.4.5).}
115
116@item
117@cite{The value of a string literal containing a multibyte character or escape
118sequence not represented in the execution character set (6.4.5).}
119@end itemize
120
121@node Integers implementation
122@section Integers
123
124@itemize @bullet
125@item
126@cite{Any extended integer types that exist in the implementation (6.2.5).}
127
128@item
129@cite{Whether signed integer types are represented using sign and magnitude,
130two's complement, or one's complement, and whether the extraordinary value
131is a trap representation or an ordinary value (6.2.6.2).}
132
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133GCC supports only two's complement integer types, and all bit patterns
134are ordinary values.
135
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136@item
137@cite{The rank of any extended integer type relative to another extended
138integer type with the same precision (6.3.1.1).}
139
140@item
141@cite{The result of, or the signal raised by, converting an integer to a
142signed integer type when the value cannot be represented in an object of
143that type (6.3.1.3).}
144
145@item
146@cite{The results of some bitwise operations on signed integers (6.5).}
147@end itemize
148
149@node Floating point implementation
150@section Floating point
151
152@itemize @bullet
153@item
154@cite{The accuracy of the floating-point operations and of the library
39ffd3cb 155functions in @code{<math.h>} and @code{<complex.h>} that return floating-point
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156results (5.2.4.2.2).}
157
158@item
159@cite{The rounding behaviors characterized by non-standard values
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160of @code{FLT_ROUNDS} @gol
161(5.2.4.2.2).}
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162
163@item
164@cite{The evaluation methods characterized by non-standard negative
165values of @code{FLT_EVAL_METHOD} (5.2.4.2.2).}
166
167@item
168@cite{The direction of rounding when an integer is converted to a
169floating-point number that cannot exactly represent the original
170value (6.3.1.4).}
171
172@item
173@cite{The direction of rounding when a floating-point number is
174converted to a narrower floating-point number (6.3.1.5).}
175
176@item
177@cite{How the nearest representable value or the larger or smaller
178representable value immediately adjacent to the nearest representable
179value is chosen for certain floating constants (6.4.4.2).}
180
181@item
182@cite{Whether and how floating expressions are contracted when not
183disallowed by the @code{FP_CONTRACT} pragma (6.5).}
184
185@item
186@cite{The default state for the @code{FENV_ACCESS} pragma (7.6.1).}
187
188@item
189@cite{Additional floating-point exceptions, rounding modes, environments,
190and classifications, and their macro names (7.6, 7.12).}
191
192@item
193@cite{The default state for the @code{FP_CONTRACT} pragma (7.12.2).}
194
195@item
196@cite{Whether the ``inexact'' floating-point exception can be raised
197when the rounded result actually does equal the mathematical result
198in an IEC 60559 conformant implementation (F.9).}
199
200@item
201@cite{Whether the ``underflow'' (and ``inexact'') floating-point
202exception can be raised when a result is tiny but not inexact in an
203IEC 60559 conformant implementation (F.9).}
204
205@end itemize
206
207@node Arrays and pointers implementation
208@section Arrays and pointers
209
210@itemize @bullet
211@item
212@cite{The result of converting a pointer to an integer or
213vice versa (6.3.2.3).}
214
cbf4c36f 215A cast from pointer to integer discards most-significant bits if the
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216pointer representation is larger than the integer type,
217sign-extends@footnote{Future versions of GCC may zero-extend, or use
218a target-defined @code{ptr_extend} pattern. Do not rely on sign extension.}
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219if the pointer representation is smaller than the integer type, otherwise
220the bits are unchanged.
221@c ??? We've always claimed that pointers were unsigned entities.
222@c Shouldn't we therefore be doing zero-extension? If so, the bug
223@c is in convert_to_integer, where we call type_for_size and request
224@c a signed integral type. On the other hand, it might be most useful
225@c for the target if we extend according to POINTERS_EXTEND_UNSIGNED.
226
227A cast from integer to pointer discards most-significant bits if the
228pointer representation is smaller than the integer type, extends according
229to the signedness of the integer type if the pointer representation
230is larger than the integer type, otherwise the bits are unchanged.
231
232When casting from pointer to integer and back again, the resulting
233pointer must reference the same object as the original pointer, otherwise
234the behavior is undefined. That is, one may not use integer arithmetic to
235avoid the undefined behavior of pointer arithmetic as proscribed in 6.5.6/8.
236
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237@item
238@cite{The size of the result of subtracting two pointers to elements
239of the same array (6.5.6).}
240
241@end itemize
242
243@node Hints implementation
244@section Hints
245
246@itemize @bullet
247@item
248@cite{The extent to which suggestions made by using the @code{register}
249storage-class specifier are effective (6.7.1).}
250
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251The @code{register} specifier affects code generation only in these ways:
252
253@itemize @bullet
254@item
255When used as part of the register variable extension, see
256@ref{Explicit Reg Vars}.
257
258@item
259When @option{-O0} is in use, the compiler allocates distinct stack
260memory for all variables that do not have the @code{register}
261storage-class specifier; if @code{register} is specified, the variable
262may have a shorter lifespan than the code would indicate and may never
263be placed in memory.
264
265@item
266On some rare x86 targets, @code{setjmp} doesn't save the registers in
267all circumstances. In those cases, GCC doesn't allocate any variables
268in registers unless they are marked @code{register}.
269
270@end itemize
271
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272@item
273@cite{The extent to which suggestions made by using the inline function
274specifier are effective (6.7.4).}
275
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276GCC will not inline any functions if the @option{-fno-inline} option is
277used or if @option{-O0} is used. Otherwise, GCC may still be unable to
278inline a function for many reasons; the @option{-Winline} option may be
279used to determine if a function has not been inlined and why not.
280
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281@end itemize
282
283@node Structures unions enumerations and bit-fields implementation
284@section Structures, unions, enumerations, and bit-fields
285
286@itemize @bullet
287@item
288@cite{Whether a ``plain'' int bit-field is treated as a @code{signed int}
289bit-field or as an @code{unsigned int} bit-field (6.7.2, 6.7.2.1).}
290
291@item
292@cite{Allowable bit-field types other than @code{_Bool}, @code{signed int},
293and @code{unsigned int} (6.7.2.1).}
294
295@item
296@cite{Whether a bit-field can straddle a storage-unit boundary (6.7.2.1).}
297
298@item
299@cite{The order of allocation of bit-fields within a unit (6.7.2.1).}
300
301@item
302@cite{The alignment of non-bit-field members of structures (6.7.2.1).}
303
304@item
305@cite{The integer type compatible with each enumerated type (6.7.2.2).}
306
307@end itemize
308
309@node Qualifiers implementation
310@section Qualifiers
311
312@itemize @bullet
313@item
314@cite{What constitutes an access to an object that has volatile-qualified
315type (6.7.3).}
316
317@end itemize
318
319@node Preprocessing directives implementation
320@section Preprocessing directives
321
322@itemize @bullet
323@item
324@cite{How sequences in both forms of header names are mapped to headers
325or external source file names (6.4.7).}
326
327@item
328@cite{Whether the value of a character constant in a constant expression
329that controls conditional inclusion matches the value of the same character
330constant in the execution character set (6.10.1).}
331
332@item
333@cite{Whether the value of a single-character character constant in a
334constant expression that controls conditional inclusion may have a
335negative value (6.10.1).}
336
337@item
338@cite{The places that are searched for an included @samp{<>} delimited
339header, and how the places are specified or the header is
340identified (6.10.2).}
341
342@item
343@cite{How the named source file is searched for in an included @samp{""}
344delimited header (6.10.2).}
345
346@item
347@cite{The method by which preprocessing tokens (possibly resulting from
348macro expansion) in a @code{#include} directive are combined into a header
349name (6.10.2).}
350
351@item
352@cite{The nesting limit for @code{#include} processing (6.10.2).}
353
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354GCC imposes a limit of 200 nested @code{#include}s.
355
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356@item
357@cite{Whether the @samp{#} operator inserts a @samp{\} character before
358the @samp{\} character that begins a universal character name in a
359character constant or string literal (6.10.3.2).}
360
361@item
362@cite{The behavior on each recognized non-@code{STDC #pragma}
363directive (6.10.6).}
364
365@item
366@cite{The definitions for @code{__DATE__} and @code{__TIME__} when
367respectively, the date and time of translation are not available (6.10.8).}
368
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369If the date and time are not available, @code{__DATE__} expands to
370@code{@w{"??? ?? ????"}} and @code{__TIME__} expands to
371@code{"??:??:??"}.
cba57c9d 372
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373@end itemize
374
375@node Library functions implementation
376@section Library functions
377
0c688a7d 378The behavior of these points are dependent on the implementation
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379of the C library, and are not defined by GCC itself.
380
381@node Architecture implementation
382@section Architecture
383
384@itemize @bullet
385@item
386@cite{The values or expressions assigned to the macros specified in the
39ffd3cb 387headers @code{<float.h>}, @code{<limits.h>}, and @code{<stdint.h>}
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388(5.2.4.2, 7.18.2, 7.18.3).}
389
390@item
391@cite{The number, order, and encoding of bytes in any object
392(when not explicitly specified in this International Standard) (6.2.6.1).}
393
394@item
395@cite{The value of the result of the sizeof operator (6.5.3.4).}
396
397@end itemize
398
399@node Locale-specific behavior implementation
400@section Locale-specific behavior
401
0c688a7d 402The behavior of these points are dependent on the implementation
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403of the C library, and are not defined by GCC itself.
404
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405@node C Extensions
406@chapter Extensions to the C Language Family
407@cindex extensions, C language
408@cindex C language extensions
409
84330467 410@opindex pedantic
161d7b59 411GNU C provides several language features not found in ISO standard C@.
f0523f02 412(The @option{-pedantic} option directs GCC to print a warning message if
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413any of these features is used.) To test for the availability of these
414features in conditional compilation, check for a predefined macro
161d7b59 415@code{__GNUC__}, which is always defined under GCC@.
c1f7febf 416
161d7b59 417These extensions are available in C and Objective-C@. Most of them are
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418also available in C++. @xref{C++ Extensions,,Extensions to the
419C++ Language}, for extensions that apply @emph{only} to C++.
420
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421Some features that are in ISO C99 but not C89 or C++ are also, as
422extensions, accepted by GCC in C89 mode and in C++.
5490d604 423
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424@menu
425* Statement Exprs:: Putting statements and declarations inside expressions.
426* Local Labels:: Labels local to a statement-expression.
427* Labels as Values:: Getting pointers to labels, and computed gotos.
428* Nested Functions:: As in Algol and Pascal, lexical scoping of functions.
429* Constructing Calls:: Dispatching a call to another function.
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430* Typeof:: @code{typeof}: referring to the type of an expression.
431* Lvalues:: Using @samp{?:}, @samp{,} and casts in lvalues.
432* Conditionals:: Omitting the middle operand of a @samp{?:} expression.
433* Long Long:: Double-word integers---@code{long long int}.
434* Complex:: Data types for complex numbers.
6f4d7222 435* Hex Floats:: Hexadecimal floating-point constants.
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436* Zero Length:: Zero-length arrays.
437* Variable Length:: Arrays whose length is computed at run time.
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438* Variadic Macros:: Macros with a variable number of arguments.
439* Escaped Newlines:: Slightly looser rules for escaped newlines.
440* Multi-line Strings:: String literals with embedded newlines.
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441* Subscripting:: Any array can be subscripted, even if not an lvalue.
442* Pointer Arith:: Arithmetic on @code{void}-pointers and function pointers.
443* Initializers:: Non-constant initializers.
4b404517 444* Compound Literals:: Compound literals give structures, unions
c1f7febf 445 or arrays as values.
4b404517 446* Designated Inits:: Labeling elements of initializers.
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447* Cast to Union:: Casting to union type from any member of the union.
448* Case Ranges:: `case 1 ... 9' and such.
4b404517 449* Mixed Declarations:: Mixing declarations and code.
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450* Function Attributes:: Declaring that functions have no side effects,
451 or that they can never return.
2c5e91d2 452* Attribute Syntax:: Formal syntax for attributes.
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453* Function Prototypes:: Prototype declarations and old-style definitions.
454* C++ Comments:: C++ comments are recognized.
455* Dollar Signs:: Dollar sign is allowed in identifiers.
456* Character Escapes:: @samp{\e} stands for the character @key{ESC}.
457* Variable Attributes:: Specifying attributes of variables.
458* Type Attributes:: Specifying attributes of types.
459* Alignment:: Inquiring about the alignment of a type or variable.
460* Inline:: Defining inline functions (as fast as macros).
461* Extended Asm:: Assembler instructions with C expressions as operands.
462 (With them you can define ``built-in'' functions.)
463* Constraints:: Constraints for asm operands
464* Asm Labels:: Specifying the assembler name to use for a C symbol.
465* Explicit Reg Vars:: Defining variables residing in specified registers.
466* Alternate Keywords:: @code{__const__}, @code{__asm__}, etc., for header files.
467* Incomplete Enums:: @code{enum foo;}, with details to follow.
468* Function Names:: Printable strings which are the name of the current
469 function.
470* Return Address:: Getting the return or frame address of a function.
1255c85c 471* Vector Extensions:: Using vector instructions through built-in functions.
c5c76735 472* Other Builtins:: Other built-in functions.
0975678f 473* Target Builtins:: Built-in functions specific to particular targets.
0168a849 474* Pragmas:: Pragmas accepted by GCC.
b11cc610 475* Unnamed Fields:: Unnamed struct/union fields within structs/unions.
3d78f2e9 476* Thread-Local:: Per-thread variables.
c1f7febf 477@end menu
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478
479@node Statement Exprs
480@section Statements and Declarations in Expressions
481@cindex statements inside expressions
482@cindex declarations inside expressions
483@cindex expressions containing statements
484@cindex macros, statements in expressions
485
486@c the above section title wrapped and causes an underfull hbox.. i
487@c changed it from "within" to "in". --mew 4feb93
488
489A compound statement enclosed in parentheses may appear as an expression
161d7b59 490in GNU C@. This allows you to use loops, switches, and local variables
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491within an expression.
492
493Recall that a compound statement is a sequence of statements surrounded
494by braces; in this construct, parentheses go around the braces. For
495example:
496
497@example
498(@{ int y = foo (); int z;
499 if (y > 0) z = y;
500 else z = - y;
501 z; @})
502@end example
503
504@noindent
505is a valid (though slightly more complex than necessary) expression
506for the absolute value of @code{foo ()}.
507
508The last thing in the compound statement should be an expression
509followed by a semicolon; the value of this subexpression serves as the
510value of the entire construct. (If you use some other kind of statement
511last within the braces, the construct has type @code{void}, and thus
512effectively no value.)
513
514This feature is especially useful in making macro definitions ``safe'' (so
515that they evaluate each operand exactly once). For example, the
516``maximum'' function is commonly defined as a macro in standard C as
517follows:
518
519@example
520#define max(a,b) ((a) > (b) ? (a) : (b))
521@end example
522
523@noindent
524@cindex side effects, macro argument
525But this definition computes either @var{a} or @var{b} twice, with bad
526results if the operand has side effects. In GNU C, if you know the
527type of the operands (here let's assume @code{int}), you can define
528the macro safely as follows:
529
530@example
531#define maxint(a,b) \
532 (@{int _a = (a), _b = (b); _a > _b ? _a : _b; @})
533@end example
534
535Embedded statements are not allowed in constant expressions, such as
c771326b 536the value of an enumeration constant, the width of a bit-field, or
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537the initial value of a static variable.
538
539If you don't know the type of the operand, you can still do this, but you
95f79357 540must use @code{typeof} (@pxref{Typeof}).
c1f7febf 541
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542Statement expressions are not supported fully in G++, and their fate
543there is unclear. (It is possible that they will become fully supported
544at some point, or that they will be deprecated, or that the bugs that
545are present will continue to exist indefinitely.) Presently, statement
02f52e19 546expressions do not work well as default arguments.
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547
548In addition, there are semantic issues with statement-expressions in
549C++. If you try to use statement-expressions instead of inline
550functions in C++, you may be surprised at the way object destruction is
551handled. For example:
552
553@example
554#define foo(a) (@{int b = (a); b + 3; @})
555@end example
556
557@noindent
558does not work the same way as:
559
560@example
54e1d3a6 561inline int foo(int a) @{ int b = a; return b + 3; @}
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562@end example
563
564@noindent
565In particular, if the expression passed into @code{foo} involves the
566creation of temporaries, the destructors for those temporaries will be
567run earlier in the case of the macro than in the case of the function.
568
569These considerations mean that it is probably a bad idea to use
570statement-expressions of this form in header files that are designed to
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571work with C++. (Note that some versions of the GNU C Library contained
572header files using statement-expression that lead to precisely this
573bug.)
b98e139b 574
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575@node Local Labels
576@section Locally Declared Labels
577@cindex local labels
578@cindex macros, local labels
579
580Each statement expression is a scope in which @dfn{local labels} can be
581declared. A local label is simply an identifier; you can jump to it
582with an ordinary @code{goto} statement, but only from within the
583statement expression it belongs to.
584
585A local label declaration looks like this:
586
587@example
588__label__ @var{label};
589@end example
590
591@noindent
592or
593
594@example
0d893a63 595__label__ @var{label1}, @var{label2}, /* @r{@dots{}} */;
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596@end example
597
598Local label declarations must come at the beginning of the statement
599expression, right after the @samp{(@{}, before any ordinary
600declarations.
601
602The label declaration defines the label @emph{name}, but does not define
603the label itself. You must do this in the usual way, with
604@code{@var{label}:}, within the statements of the statement expression.
605
606The local label feature is useful because statement expressions are
607often used in macros. If the macro contains nested loops, a @code{goto}
608can be useful for breaking out of them. However, an ordinary label
609whose scope is the whole function cannot be used: if the macro can be
610expanded several times in one function, the label will be multiply
611defined in that function. A local label avoids this problem. For
612example:
613
614@example
615#define SEARCH(array, target) \
310668e8 616(@{ \
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617 __label__ found; \
618 typeof (target) _SEARCH_target = (target); \
619 typeof (*(array)) *_SEARCH_array = (array); \
620 int i, j; \
621 int value; \
622 for (i = 0; i < max; i++) \
623 for (j = 0; j < max; j++) \
624 if (_SEARCH_array[i][j] == _SEARCH_target) \
310668e8 625 @{ value = i; goto found; @} \
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626 value = -1; \
627 found: \
628 value; \
629@})
630@end example
631
632@node Labels as Values
633@section Labels as Values
634@cindex labels as values
635@cindex computed gotos
636@cindex goto with computed label
637@cindex address of a label
638
639You can get the address of a label defined in the current function
640(or a containing function) with the unary operator @samp{&&}. The
641value has type @code{void *}. This value is a constant and can be used
642wherever a constant of that type is valid. For example:
643
644@example
645void *ptr;
0d893a63 646/* @r{@dots{}} */
c1f7febf
RK
647ptr = &&foo;
648@end example
649
650To use these values, you need to be able to jump to one. This is done
651with the computed goto statement@footnote{The analogous feature in
652Fortran is called an assigned goto, but that name seems inappropriate in
653C, where one can do more than simply store label addresses in label
654variables.}, @code{goto *@var{exp};}. For example,
655
656@example
657goto *ptr;
658@end example
659
660@noindent
661Any expression of type @code{void *} is allowed.
662
663One way of using these constants is in initializing a static array that
664will serve as a jump table:
665
666@example
667static void *array[] = @{ &&foo, &&bar, &&hack @};
668@end example
669
670Then you can select a label with indexing, like this:
671
672@example
673goto *array[i];
674@end example
675
676@noindent
677Note that this does not check whether the subscript is in bounds---array
678indexing in C never does that.
679
680Such an array of label values serves a purpose much like that of the
681@code{switch} statement. The @code{switch} statement is cleaner, so
682use that rather than an array unless the problem does not fit a
683@code{switch} statement very well.
684
685Another use of label values is in an interpreter for threaded code.
686The labels within the interpreter function can be stored in the
687threaded code for super-fast dispatching.
688
02f52e19 689You may not use this mechanism to jump to code in a different function.
47620e09 690If you do that, totally unpredictable things will happen. The best way to
c1f7febf
RK
691avoid this is to store the label address only in automatic variables and
692never pass it as an argument.
693
47620e09
RH
694An alternate way to write the above example is
695
696@example
310668e8
JM
697static const int array[] = @{ &&foo - &&foo, &&bar - &&foo,
698 &&hack - &&foo @};
47620e09
RH
699goto *(&&foo + array[i]);
700@end example
701
702@noindent
703This is more friendly to code living in shared libraries, as it reduces
704the number of dynamic relocations that are needed, and by consequence,
705allows the data to be read-only.
706
c1f7febf
RK
707@node Nested Functions
708@section Nested Functions
709@cindex nested functions
710@cindex downward funargs
711@cindex thunks
712
713A @dfn{nested function} is a function defined inside another function.
714(Nested functions are not supported for GNU C++.) The nested function's
715name is local to the block where it is defined. For example, here we
716define a nested function named @code{square}, and call it twice:
717
718@example
719@group
720foo (double a, double b)
721@{
722 double square (double z) @{ return z * z; @}
723
724 return square (a) + square (b);
725@}
726@end group
727@end example
728
729The nested function can access all the variables of the containing
730function that are visible at the point of its definition. This is
731called @dfn{lexical scoping}. For example, here we show a nested
732function which uses an inherited variable named @code{offset}:
733
734@example
aee96fe9 735@group
c1f7febf
RK
736bar (int *array, int offset, int size)
737@{
738 int access (int *array, int index)
739 @{ return array[index + offset]; @}
740 int i;
0d893a63 741 /* @r{@dots{}} */
c1f7febf 742 for (i = 0; i < size; i++)
0d893a63 743 /* @r{@dots{}} */ access (array, i) /* @r{@dots{}} */
c1f7febf 744@}
aee96fe9 745@end group
c1f7febf
RK
746@end example
747
748Nested function definitions are permitted within functions in the places
749where variable definitions are allowed; that is, in any block, before
750the first statement in the block.
751
752It is possible to call the nested function from outside the scope of its
753name by storing its address or passing the address to another function:
754
755@example
756hack (int *array, int size)
757@{
758 void store (int index, int value)
759 @{ array[index] = value; @}
760
761 intermediate (store, size);
762@}
763@end example
764
765Here, the function @code{intermediate} receives the address of
766@code{store} as an argument. If @code{intermediate} calls @code{store},
767the arguments given to @code{store} are used to store into @code{array}.
768But this technique works only so long as the containing function
769(@code{hack}, in this example) does not exit.
770
771If you try to call the nested function through its address after the
772containing function has exited, all hell will break loose. If you try
773to call it after a containing scope level has exited, and if it refers
774to some of the variables that are no longer in scope, you may be lucky,
775but it's not wise to take the risk. If, however, the nested function
776does not refer to anything that has gone out of scope, you should be
777safe.
778
9c34dbbf
ZW
779GCC implements taking the address of a nested function using a technique
780called @dfn{trampolines}. A paper describing them is available as
781
782@noindent
b73b1546 783@uref{http://people.debian.org/~aaronl/Usenix88-lexic.pdf}.
c1f7febf
RK
784
785A nested function can jump to a label inherited from a containing
786function, provided the label was explicitly declared in the containing
787function (@pxref{Local Labels}). Such a jump returns instantly to the
788containing function, exiting the nested function which did the
789@code{goto} and any intermediate functions as well. Here is an example:
790
791@example
792@group
793bar (int *array, int offset, int size)
794@{
795 __label__ failure;
796 int access (int *array, int index)
797 @{
798 if (index > size)
799 goto failure;
800 return array[index + offset];
801 @}
802 int i;
0d893a63 803 /* @r{@dots{}} */
c1f7febf 804 for (i = 0; i < size; i++)
0d893a63
MK
805 /* @r{@dots{}} */ access (array, i) /* @r{@dots{}} */
806 /* @r{@dots{}} */
c1f7febf
RK
807 return 0;
808
809 /* @r{Control comes here from @code{access}
810 if it detects an error.} */
811 failure:
812 return -1;
813@}
814@end group
815@end example
816
817A nested function always has internal linkage. Declaring one with
818@code{extern} is erroneous. If you need to declare the nested function
819before its definition, use @code{auto} (which is otherwise meaningless
820for function declarations).
821
822@example
823bar (int *array, int offset, int size)
824@{
825 __label__ failure;
826 auto int access (int *, int);
0d893a63 827 /* @r{@dots{}} */
c1f7febf
RK
828 int access (int *array, int index)
829 @{
830 if (index > size)
831 goto failure;
832 return array[index + offset];
833 @}
0d893a63 834 /* @r{@dots{}} */
c1f7febf
RK
835@}
836@end example
837
838@node Constructing Calls
839@section Constructing Function Calls
840@cindex constructing calls
841@cindex forwarding calls
842
843Using the built-in functions described below, you can record
844the arguments a function received, and call another function
845with the same arguments, without knowing the number or types
846of the arguments.
847
848You can also record the return value of that function call,
849and later return that value, without knowing what data type
850the function tried to return (as long as your caller expects
851that data type).
852
84330467
JM
853@deftypefn {Built-in Function} {void *} __builtin_apply_args ()
854This built-in function returns a pointer to data
c1f7febf
RK
855describing how to perform a call with the same arguments as were passed
856to the current function.
857
858The function saves the arg pointer register, structure value address,
859and all registers that might be used to pass arguments to a function
860into a block of memory allocated on the stack. Then it returns the
861address of that block.
84330467 862@end deftypefn
c1f7febf 863
84330467
JM
864@deftypefn {Built-in Function} {void *} __builtin_apply (void (*@var{function})(), void *@var{arguments}, size_t @var{size})
865This built-in function invokes @var{function}
866with a copy of the parameters described by @var{arguments}
867and @var{size}.
c1f7febf
RK
868
869The value of @var{arguments} should be the value returned by
870@code{__builtin_apply_args}. The argument @var{size} specifies the size
871of the stack argument data, in bytes.
872
84330467 873This function returns a pointer to data describing
c1f7febf
RK
874how to return whatever value was returned by @var{function}. The data
875is saved in a block of memory allocated on the stack.
876
877It is not always simple to compute the proper value for @var{size}. The
878value is used by @code{__builtin_apply} to compute the amount of data
879that should be pushed on the stack and copied from the incoming argument
880area.
84330467 881@end deftypefn
c1f7febf 882
84330467 883@deftypefn {Built-in Function} {void} __builtin_return (void *@var{result})
c1f7febf
RK
884This built-in function returns the value described by @var{result} from
885the containing function. You should specify, for @var{result}, a value
886returned by @code{__builtin_apply}.
84330467 887@end deftypefn
c1f7febf 888
c1f7febf
RK
889@cindex underscores in variables in macros
890@cindex @samp{_} in variables in macros
891@cindex local variables in macros
892@cindex variables, local, in macros
893@cindex macros, local variables in
894
895The reason for using names that start with underscores for the local
896variables is to avoid conflicts with variable names that occur within the
897expressions that are substituted for @code{a} and @code{b}. Eventually we
898hope to design a new form of declaration syntax that allows you to declare
899variables whose scopes start only after their initializers; this will be a
900more reliable way to prevent such conflicts.
901
902@node Typeof
903@section Referring to a Type with @code{typeof}
904@findex typeof
905@findex sizeof
906@cindex macros, types of arguments
907
908Another way to refer to the type of an expression is with @code{typeof}.
909The syntax of using of this keyword looks like @code{sizeof}, but the
910construct acts semantically like a type name defined with @code{typedef}.
911
912There are two ways of writing the argument to @code{typeof}: with an
913expression or with a type. Here is an example with an expression:
914
915@example
916typeof (x[0](1))
917@end example
918
919@noindent
89aed483
JM
920This assumes that @code{x} is an array of pointers to functions;
921the type described is that of the values of the functions.
c1f7febf
RK
922
923Here is an example with a typename as the argument:
924
925@example
926typeof (int *)
927@end example
928
929@noindent
930Here the type described is that of pointers to @code{int}.
931
5490d604 932If you are writing a header file that must work when included in ISO C
c1f7febf
RK
933programs, write @code{__typeof__} instead of @code{typeof}.
934@xref{Alternate Keywords}.
935
936A @code{typeof}-construct can be used anywhere a typedef name could be
937used. For example, you can use it in a declaration, in a cast, or inside
938of @code{sizeof} or @code{typeof}.
939
95f79357
ZW
940@code{typeof} is often useful in conjunction with the
941statements-within-expressions feature. Here is how the two together can
942be used to define a safe ``maximum'' macro that operates on any
943arithmetic type and evaluates each of its arguments exactly once:
944
945@example
946#define max(a,b) \
947 (@{ typeof (a) _a = (a); \
948 typeof (b) _b = (b); \
949 _a > _b ? _a : _b; @})
950@end example
951
952@noindent
953Some more examples of the use of @code{typeof}:
954
c1f7febf
RK
955@itemize @bullet
956@item
957This declares @code{y} with the type of what @code{x} points to.
958
959@example
960typeof (*x) y;
961@end example
962
963@item
964This declares @code{y} as an array of such values.
965
966@example
967typeof (*x) y[4];
968@end example
969
970@item
971This declares @code{y} as an array of pointers to characters:
972
973@example
974typeof (typeof (char *)[4]) y;
975@end example
976
977@noindent
978It is equivalent to the following traditional C declaration:
979
980@example
981char *y[4];
982@end example
983
984To see the meaning of the declaration using @code{typeof}, and why it
985might be a useful way to write, let's rewrite it with these macros:
986
987@example
988#define pointer(T) typeof(T *)
989#define array(T, N) typeof(T [N])
990@end example
991
992@noindent
993Now the declaration can be rewritten this way:
994
995@example
996array (pointer (char), 4) y;
997@end example
998
999@noindent
1000Thus, @code{array (pointer (char), 4)} is the type of arrays of 4
1001pointers to @code{char}.
1002@end itemize
1003
95f79357
ZW
1004@emph{Compatibility Note:} In addition to @code{typeof}, GCC 2 supported
1005a more limited extension which permitted one to write
1006
1007@example
1008typedef @var{T} = @var{expr};
1009@end example
1010
1011@noindent
1012with the effect of declaring @var{T} to have the type of the expression
1013@var{expr}. This extension does not work with GCC 3 (versions between
10143.0 and 3.2 will crash; 3.2.1 and later give an error). Code which
1015relies on it should be rewritten to use @code{typeof}:
1016
1017@example
1018typedef typeof(@var{expr}) @var{T};
1019@end example
1020
1021@noindent
1022This will work with all versions of GCC@.
1023
c1f7febf
RK
1024@node Lvalues
1025@section Generalized Lvalues
1026@cindex compound expressions as lvalues
1027@cindex expressions, compound, as lvalues
1028@cindex conditional expressions as lvalues
1029@cindex expressions, conditional, as lvalues
1030@cindex casts as lvalues
1031@cindex generalized lvalues
1032@cindex lvalues, generalized
1033@cindex extensions, @code{?:}
1034@cindex @code{?:} extensions
1035Compound expressions, conditional expressions and casts are allowed as
1036lvalues provided their operands are lvalues. This means that you can take
1037their addresses or store values into them.
1038
1039Standard C++ allows compound expressions and conditional expressions as
1040lvalues, and permits casts to reference type, so use of this extension
1041is deprecated for C++ code.
1042
1043For example, a compound expression can be assigned, provided the last
1044expression in the sequence is an lvalue. These two expressions are
1045equivalent:
1046
1047@example
1048(a, b) += 5
1049a, (b += 5)
1050@end example
1051
1052Similarly, the address of the compound expression can be taken. These two
1053expressions are equivalent:
1054
1055@example
1056&(a, b)
1057a, &b
1058@end example
1059
1060A conditional expression is a valid lvalue if its type is not void and the
1061true and false branches are both valid lvalues. For example, these two
1062expressions are equivalent:
1063
1064@example
1065(a ? b : c) = 5
1066(a ? b = 5 : (c = 5))
1067@end example
1068
1069A cast is a valid lvalue if its operand is an lvalue. A simple
1070assignment whose left-hand side is a cast works by converting the
1071right-hand side first to the specified type, then to the type of the
1072inner left-hand side expression. After this is stored, the value is
1073converted back to the specified type to become the value of the
1074assignment. Thus, if @code{a} has type @code{char *}, the following two
1075expressions are equivalent:
1076
1077@example
1078(int)a = 5
1079(int)(a = (char *)(int)5)
1080@end example
1081
1082An assignment-with-arithmetic operation such as @samp{+=} applied to a cast
1083performs the arithmetic using the type resulting from the cast, and then
1084continues as in the previous case. Therefore, these two expressions are
1085equivalent:
1086
1087@example
1088(int)a += 5
1089(int)(a = (char *)(int) ((int)a + 5))
1090@end example
1091
1092You cannot take the address of an lvalue cast, because the use of its
1093address would not work out coherently. Suppose that @code{&(int)f} were
1094permitted, where @code{f} has type @code{float}. Then the following
1095statement would try to store an integer bit-pattern where a floating
1096point number belongs:
1097
1098@example
1099*&(int)f = 1;
1100@end example
1101
1102This is quite different from what @code{(int)f = 1} would do---that
1103would convert 1 to floating point and store it. Rather than cause this
1104inconsistency, we think it is better to prohibit use of @samp{&} on a cast.
1105
1106If you really do want an @code{int *} pointer with the address of
1107@code{f}, you can simply write @code{(int *)&f}.
1108
1109@node Conditionals
1110@section Conditionals with Omitted Operands
1111@cindex conditional expressions, extensions
1112@cindex omitted middle-operands
1113@cindex middle-operands, omitted
1114@cindex extensions, @code{?:}
1115@cindex @code{?:} extensions
1116
1117The middle operand in a conditional expression may be omitted. Then
1118if the first operand is nonzero, its value is the value of the conditional
1119expression.
1120
1121Therefore, the expression
1122
1123@example
1124x ? : y
1125@end example
1126
1127@noindent
1128has the value of @code{x} if that is nonzero; otherwise, the value of
1129@code{y}.
1130
1131This example is perfectly equivalent to
1132
1133@example
1134x ? x : y
1135@end example
1136
1137@cindex side effect in ?:
1138@cindex ?: side effect
1139@noindent
1140In this simple case, the ability to omit the middle operand is not
1141especially useful. When it becomes useful is when the first operand does,
1142or may (if it is a macro argument), contain a side effect. Then repeating
1143the operand in the middle would perform the side effect twice. Omitting
1144the middle operand uses the value already computed without the undesirable
1145effects of recomputing it.
1146
1147@node Long Long
1148@section Double-Word Integers
1149@cindex @code{long long} data types
1150@cindex double-word arithmetic
1151@cindex multiprecision arithmetic
4b404517
JM
1152@cindex @code{LL} integer suffix
1153@cindex @code{ULL} integer suffix
c1f7febf 1154
4b404517
JM
1155ISO C99 supports data types for integers that are at least 64 bits wide,
1156and as an extension GCC supports them in C89 mode and in C++.
1157Simply write @code{long long int} for a signed integer, or
c1f7febf 1158@code{unsigned long long int} for an unsigned integer. To make an
84330467 1159integer constant of type @code{long long int}, add the suffix @samp{LL}
c1f7febf 1160to the integer. To make an integer constant of type @code{unsigned long
84330467 1161long int}, add the suffix @samp{ULL} to the integer.
c1f7febf
RK
1162
1163You can use these types in arithmetic like any other integer types.
1164Addition, subtraction, and bitwise boolean operations on these types
1165are open-coded on all types of machines. Multiplication is open-coded
1166if the machine supports fullword-to-doubleword a widening multiply
1167instruction. Division and shifts are open-coded only on machines that
1168provide special support. The operations that are not open-coded use
161d7b59 1169special library routines that come with GCC@.
c1f7febf
RK
1170
1171There may be pitfalls when you use @code{long long} types for function
1172arguments, unless you declare function prototypes. If a function
1173expects type @code{int} for its argument, and you pass a value of type
1174@code{long long int}, confusion will result because the caller and the
1175subroutine will disagree about the number of bytes for the argument.
1176Likewise, if the function expects @code{long long int} and you pass
1177@code{int}. The best way to avoid such problems is to use prototypes.
1178
1179@node Complex
1180@section Complex Numbers
1181@cindex complex numbers
4b404517
JM
1182@cindex @code{_Complex} keyword
1183@cindex @code{__complex__} keyword
c1f7febf 1184
4b404517
JM
1185ISO C99 supports complex floating data types, and as an extension GCC
1186supports them in C89 mode and in C++, and supports complex integer data
1187types which are not part of ISO C99. You can declare complex types
1188using the keyword @code{_Complex}. As an extension, the older GNU
1189keyword @code{__complex__} is also supported.
c1f7febf 1190
4b404517 1191For example, @samp{_Complex double x;} declares @code{x} as a
c1f7febf 1192variable whose real part and imaginary part are both of type
4b404517 1193@code{double}. @samp{_Complex short int y;} declares @code{y} to
c1f7febf
RK
1194have real and imaginary parts of type @code{short int}; this is not
1195likely to be useful, but it shows that the set of complex types is
1196complete.
1197
1198To write a constant with a complex data type, use the suffix @samp{i} or
1199@samp{j} (either one; they are equivalent). For example, @code{2.5fi}
4b404517
JM
1200has type @code{_Complex float} and @code{3i} has type
1201@code{_Complex int}. Such a constant always has a pure imaginary
c1f7febf 1202value, but you can form any complex value you like by adding one to a
4b404517
JM
1203real constant. This is a GNU extension; if you have an ISO C99
1204conforming C library (such as GNU libc), and want to construct complex
1205constants of floating type, you should include @code{<complex.h>} and
1206use the macros @code{I} or @code{_Complex_I} instead.
c1f7febf 1207
4b404517
JM
1208@cindex @code{__real__} keyword
1209@cindex @code{__imag__} keyword
c1f7febf
RK
1210To extract the real part of a complex-valued expression @var{exp}, write
1211@code{__real__ @var{exp}}. Likewise, use @code{__imag__} to
4b404517
JM
1212extract the imaginary part. This is a GNU extension; for values of
1213floating type, you should use the ISO C99 functions @code{crealf},
1214@code{creal}, @code{creall}, @code{cimagf}, @code{cimag} and
1215@code{cimagl}, declared in @code{<complex.h>} and also provided as
161d7b59 1216built-in functions by GCC@.
c1f7febf 1217
4b404517 1218@cindex complex conjugation
c1f7febf 1219The operator @samp{~} performs complex conjugation when used on a value
4b404517
JM
1220with a complex type. This is a GNU extension; for values of
1221floating type, you should use the ISO C99 functions @code{conjf},
1222@code{conj} and @code{conjl}, declared in @code{<complex.h>} and also
161d7b59 1223provided as built-in functions by GCC@.
c1f7febf 1224
f0523f02 1225GCC can allocate complex automatic variables in a noncontiguous
c1f7febf 1226fashion; it's even possible for the real part to be in a register while
580fb356
JW
1227the imaginary part is on the stack (or vice-versa). Only the DWARF2
1228debug info format can represent this, so use of DWARF2 is recommended.
1229If you are using the stabs debug info format, GCC describes a noncontiguous
1230complex variable as if it were two separate variables of noncomplex type.
c1f7febf
RK
1231If the variable's actual name is @code{foo}, the two fictitious
1232variables are named @code{foo$real} and @code{foo$imag}. You can
1233examine and set these two fictitious variables with your debugger.
1234
6f4d7222 1235@node Hex Floats
6b42b9ea
UD
1236@section Hex Floats
1237@cindex hex floats
c5c76735 1238
4b404517 1239ISO C99 supports floating-point numbers written not only in the usual
6f4d7222 1240decimal notation, such as @code{1.55e1}, but also numbers such as
4b404517
JM
1241@code{0x1.fp3} written in hexadecimal format. As a GNU extension, GCC
1242supports this in C89 mode (except in some cases when strictly
1243conforming) and in C++. In that format the
84330467 1244@samp{0x} hex introducer and the @samp{p} or @samp{P} exponent field are
6f4d7222 1245mandatory. The exponent is a decimal number that indicates the power of
84330467 12462 by which the significant part will be multiplied. Thus @samp{0x1.f} is
aee96fe9
JM
1247@tex
1248$1 {15\over16}$,
1249@end tex
1250@ifnottex
12511 15/16,
1252@end ifnottex
1253@samp{p3} multiplies it by 8, and the value of @code{0x1.fp3}
6f4d7222
UD
1254is the same as @code{1.55e1}.
1255
1256Unlike for floating-point numbers in the decimal notation the exponent
1257is always required in the hexadecimal notation. Otherwise the compiler
1258would not be able to resolve the ambiguity of, e.g., @code{0x1.f}. This
84330467 1259could mean @code{1.0f} or @code{1.9375} since @samp{f} is also the
6f4d7222
UD
1260extension for floating-point constants of type @code{float}.
1261
c1f7febf
RK
1262@node Zero Length
1263@section Arrays of Length Zero
1264@cindex arrays of length zero
1265@cindex zero-length arrays
1266@cindex length-zero arrays
ffc5c6a9 1267@cindex flexible array members
c1f7febf 1268
161d7b59 1269Zero-length arrays are allowed in GNU C@. They are very useful as the
584ef5fe 1270last element of a structure which is really a header for a variable-length
c1f7febf
RK
1271object:
1272
1273@example
1274struct line @{
1275 int length;
1276 char contents[0];
1277@};
1278
584ef5fe
RH
1279struct line *thisline = (struct line *)
1280 malloc (sizeof (struct line) + this_length);
1281thisline->length = this_length;
c1f7febf
RK
1282@end example
1283
3764f879 1284In ISO C90, you would have to give @code{contents} a length of 1, which
c1f7febf
RK
1285means either you waste space or complicate the argument to @code{malloc}.
1286
02f52e19 1287In ISO C99, you would use a @dfn{flexible array member}, which is
584ef5fe
RH
1288slightly different in syntax and semantics:
1289
1290@itemize @bullet
1291@item
1292Flexible array members are written as @code{contents[]} without
1293the @code{0}.
1294
1295@item
1296Flexible array members have incomplete type, and so the @code{sizeof}
1297operator may not be applied. As a quirk of the original implementation
1298of zero-length arrays, @code{sizeof} evaluates to zero.
1299
1300@item
1301Flexible array members may only appear as the last member of a
e7b6a0ee 1302@code{struct} that is otherwise non-empty.
2984fe64
JM
1303
1304@item
1305A structure containing a flexible array member, or a union containing
1306such a structure (possibly recursively), may not be a member of a
1307structure or an element of an array. (However, these uses are
1308permitted by GCC as extensions.)
ffc5c6a9 1309@end itemize
a25f1211 1310
ffc5c6a9 1311GCC versions before 3.0 allowed zero-length arrays to be statically
e7b6a0ee
DD
1312initialized, as if they were flexible arrays. In addition to those
1313cases that were useful, it also allowed initializations in situations
1314that would corrupt later data. Non-empty initialization of zero-length
1315arrays is now treated like any case where there are more initializer
1316elements than the array holds, in that a suitable warning about "excess
1317elements in array" is given, and the excess elements (all of them, in
1318this case) are ignored.
ffc5c6a9
RH
1319
1320Instead GCC allows static initialization of flexible array members.
1321This is equivalent to defining a new structure containing the original
1322structure followed by an array of sufficient size to contain the data.
e979f9e8 1323I.e.@: in the following, @code{f1} is constructed as if it were declared
ffc5c6a9 1324like @code{f2}.
a25f1211
RH
1325
1326@example
ffc5c6a9
RH
1327struct f1 @{
1328 int x; int y[];
1329@} f1 = @{ 1, @{ 2, 3, 4 @} @};
1330
1331struct f2 @{
1332 struct f1 f1; int data[3];
1333@} f2 = @{ @{ 1 @}, @{ 2, 3, 4 @} @};
1334@end example
584ef5fe 1335
ffc5c6a9
RH
1336@noindent
1337The convenience of this extension is that @code{f1} has the desired
1338type, eliminating the need to consistently refer to @code{f2.f1}.
1339
1340This has symmetry with normal static arrays, in that an array of
1341unknown size is also written with @code{[]}.
a25f1211 1342
ffc5c6a9
RH
1343Of course, this extension only makes sense if the extra data comes at
1344the end of a top-level object, as otherwise we would be overwriting
1345data at subsequent offsets. To avoid undue complication and confusion
1346with initialization of deeply nested arrays, we simply disallow any
1347non-empty initialization except when the structure is the top-level
1348object. For example:
584ef5fe 1349
ffc5c6a9
RH
1350@example
1351struct foo @{ int x; int y[]; @};
1352struct bar @{ struct foo z; @};
1353
13ba36b4
JM
1354struct foo a = @{ 1, @{ 2, 3, 4 @} @}; // @r{Valid.}
1355struct bar b = @{ @{ 1, @{ 2, 3, 4 @} @} @}; // @r{Invalid.}
1356struct bar c = @{ @{ 1, @{ @} @} @}; // @r{Valid.}
1357struct foo d[1] = @{ @{ 1 @{ 2, 3, 4 @} @} @}; // @r{Invalid.}
a25f1211 1358@end example
4b606faf 1359
c1f7febf
RK
1360@node Variable Length
1361@section Arrays of Variable Length
1362@cindex variable-length arrays
1363@cindex arrays of variable length
4b404517 1364@cindex VLAs
c1f7febf 1365
4b404517
JM
1366Variable-length automatic arrays are allowed in ISO C99, and as an
1367extension GCC accepts them in C89 mode and in C++. (However, GCC's
1368implementation of variable-length arrays does not yet conform in detail
1369to the ISO C99 standard.) These arrays are
c1f7febf
RK
1370declared like any other automatic arrays, but with a length that is not
1371a constant expression. The storage is allocated at the point of
1372declaration and deallocated when the brace-level is exited. For
1373example:
1374
1375@example
1376FILE *
1377concat_fopen (char *s1, char *s2, char *mode)
1378@{
1379 char str[strlen (s1) + strlen (s2) + 1];
1380 strcpy (str, s1);
1381 strcat (str, s2);
1382 return fopen (str, mode);
1383@}
1384@end example
1385
1386@cindex scope of a variable length array
1387@cindex variable-length array scope
1388@cindex deallocating variable length arrays
1389Jumping or breaking out of the scope of the array name deallocates the
1390storage. Jumping into the scope is not allowed; you get an error
1391message for it.
1392
1393@cindex @code{alloca} vs variable-length arrays
1394You can use the function @code{alloca} to get an effect much like
1395variable-length arrays. The function @code{alloca} is available in
1396many other C implementations (but not in all). On the other hand,
1397variable-length arrays are more elegant.
1398
1399There are other differences between these two methods. Space allocated
1400with @code{alloca} exists until the containing @emph{function} returns.
1401The space for a variable-length array is deallocated as soon as the array
1402name's scope ends. (If you use both variable-length arrays and
1403@code{alloca} in the same function, deallocation of a variable-length array
1404will also deallocate anything more recently allocated with @code{alloca}.)
1405
1406You can also use variable-length arrays as arguments to functions:
1407
1408@example
1409struct entry
1410tester (int len, char data[len][len])
1411@{
0d893a63 1412 /* @r{@dots{}} */
c1f7febf
RK
1413@}
1414@end example
1415
1416The length of an array is computed once when the storage is allocated
1417and is remembered for the scope of the array in case you access it with
1418@code{sizeof}.
1419
1420If you want to pass the array first and the length afterward, you can
1421use a forward declaration in the parameter list---another GNU extension.
1422
1423@example
1424struct entry
1425tester (int len; char data[len][len], int len)
1426@{
0d893a63 1427 /* @r{@dots{}} */
c1f7febf
RK
1428@}
1429@end example
1430
1431@cindex parameter forward declaration
1432The @samp{int len} before the semicolon is a @dfn{parameter forward
1433declaration}, and it serves the purpose of making the name @code{len}
1434known when the declaration of @code{data} is parsed.
1435
1436You can write any number of such parameter forward declarations in the
1437parameter list. They can be separated by commas or semicolons, but the
1438last one must end with a semicolon, which is followed by the ``real''
1439parameter declarations. Each forward declaration must match a ``real''
4b404517
JM
1440declaration in parameter name and data type. ISO C99 does not support
1441parameter forward declarations.
c1f7febf 1442
ccd96f0a
NB
1443@node Variadic Macros
1444@section Macros with a Variable Number of Arguments.
c1f7febf
RK
1445@cindex variable number of arguments
1446@cindex macro with variable arguments
1447@cindex rest argument (in macro)
ccd96f0a 1448@cindex variadic macros
c1f7febf 1449
ccd96f0a
NB
1450In the ISO C standard of 1999, a macro can be declared to accept a
1451variable number of arguments much as a function can. The syntax for
1452defining the macro is similar to that of a function. Here is an
1453example:
c1f7febf 1454
478c9e72 1455@smallexample
ccd96f0a 1456#define debug(format, ...) fprintf (stderr, format, __VA_ARGS__)
478c9e72 1457@end smallexample
c1f7febf 1458
ccd96f0a
NB
1459Here @samp{@dots{}} is a @dfn{variable argument}. In the invocation of
1460such a macro, it represents the zero or more tokens until the closing
1461parenthesis that ends the invocation, including any commas. This set of
1462tokens replaces the identifier @code{__VA_ARGS__} in the macro body
1463wherever it appears. See the CPP manual for more information.
1464
1465GCC has long supported variadic macros, and used a different syntax that
1466allowed you to give a name to the variable arguments just like any other
1467argument. Here is an example:
c1f7febf
RK
1468
1469@example
ccd96f0a 1470#define debug(format, args...) fprintf (stderr, format, args)
c1f7febf
RK
1471@end example
1472
ccd96f0a
NB
1473This is in all ways equivalent to the ISO C example above, but arguably
1474more readable and descriptive.
c1f7febf 1475
ccd96f0a
NB
1476GNU CPP has two further variadic macro extensions, and permits them to
1477be used with either of the above forms of macro definition.
1478
1479In standard C, you are not allowed to leave the variable argument out
1480entirely; but you are allowed to pass an empty argument. For example,
1481this invocation is invalid in ISO C, because there is no comma after
1482the string:
c1f7febf
RK
1483
1484@example
ccd96f0a 1485debug ("A message")
c1f7febf
RK
1486@end example
1487
ccd96f0a
NB
1488GNU CPP permits you to completely omit the variable arguments in this
1489way. In the above examples, the compiler would complain, though since
1490the expansion of the macro still has the extra comma after the format
1491string.
1492
1493To help solve this problem, CPP behaves specially for variable arguments
1494used with the token paste operator, @samp{##}. If instead you write
c1f7febf 1495
478c9e72 1496@smallexample
ccd96f0a 1497#define debug(format, ...) fprintf (stderr, format, ## __VA_ARGS__)
478c9e72 1498@end smallexample
c1f7febf 1499
ccd96f0a
NB
1500and if the variable arguments are omitted or empty, the @samp{##}
1501operator causes the preprocessor to remove the comma before it. If you
1502do provide some variable arguments in your macro invocation, GNU CPP
1503does not complain about the paste operation and instead places the
1504variable arguments after the comma. Just like any other pasted macro
1505argument, these arguments are not macro expanded.
1506
1507@node Escaped Newlines
1508@section Slightly Looser Rules for Escaped Newlines
1509@cindex escaped newlines
1510@cindex newlines (escaped)
1511
f458d1d5
ZW
1512Recently, the preprocessor has relaxed its treatment of escaped
1513newlines. Previously, the newline had to immediately follow a
ccd96f0a
NB
1514backslash. The current implementation allows whitespace in the form of
1515spaces, horizontal and vertical tabs, and form feeds between the
1516backslash and the subsequent newline. The preprocessor issues a
1517warning, but treats it as a valid escaped newline and combines the two
1518lines to form a single logical line. This works within comments and
1519tokens, including multi-line strings, as well as between tokens.
1520Comments are @emph{not} treated as whitespace for the purposes of this
1521relaxation, since they have not yet been replaced with spaces.
1522
1523@node Multi-line Strings
1524@section String Literals with Embedded Newlines
1525@cindex multi-line string literals
1526
1527As an extension, GNU CPP permits string literals to cross multiple lines
1528without escaping the embedded newlines. Each embedded newline is
1529replaced with a single @samp{\n} character in the resulting string
1530literal, regardless of what form the newline took originally.
1531
1532CPP currently allows such strings in directives as well (other than the
1533@samp{#include} family). This is deprecated and will eventually be
1534removed.
c1f7febf
RK
1535
1536@node Subscripting
1537@section Non-Lvalue Arrays May Have Subscripts
1538@cindex subscripting
1539@cindex arrays, non-lvalue
1540
1541@cindex subscripting and function values
207bf485
JM
1542In ISO C99, arrays that are not lvalues still decay to pointers, and
1543may be subscripted, although they may not be modified or used after
1544the next sequence point and the unary @samp{&} operator may not be
1545applied to them. As an extension, GCC allows such arrays to be
1546subscripted in C89 mode, though otherwise they do not decay to
1547pointers outside C99 mode. For example,
4b404517 1548this is valid in GNU C though not valid in C89:
c1f7febf
RK
1549
1550@example
1551@group
1552struct foo @{int a[4];@};
1553
1554struct foo f();
1555
1556bar (int index)
1557@{
1558 return f().a[index];
1559@}
1560@end group
1561@end example
1562
1563@node Pointer Arith
1564@section Arithmetic on @code{void}- and Function-Pointers
1565@cindex void pointers, arithmetic
1566@cindex void, size of pointer to
1567@cindex function pointers, arithmetic
1568@cindex function, size of pointer to
1569
1570In GNU C, addition and subtraction operations are supported on pointers to
1571@code{void} and on pointers to functions. This is done by treating the
1572size of a @code{void} or of a function as 1.
1573
1574A consequence of this is that @code{sizeof} is also allowed on @code{void}
1575and on function types, and returns 1.
1576
84330467
JM
1577@opindex Wpointer-arith
1578The option @option{-Wpointer-arith} requests a warning if these extensions
c1f7febf
RK
1579are used.
1580
1581@node Initializers
1582@section Non-Constant Initializers
1583@cindex initializers, non-constant
1584@cindex non-constant initializers
1585
4b404517 1586As in standard C++ and ISO C99, the elements of an aggregate initializer for an
161d7b59 1587automatic variable are not required to be constant expressions in GNU C@.
c1f7febf
RK
1588Here is an example of an initializer with run-time varying elements:
1589
1590@example
1591foo (float f, float g)
1592@{
1593 float beat_freqs[2] = @{ f-g, f+g @};
0d893a63 1594 /* @r{@dots{}} */
c1f7febf
RK
1595@}
1596@end example
1597
4b404517
JM
1598@node Compound Literals
1599@section Compound Literals
c1f7febf
RK
1600@cindex constructor expressions
1601@cindex initializations in expressions
1602@cindex structures, constructor expression
1603@cindex expressions, constructor
4b404517
JM
1604@cindex compound literals
1605@c The GNU C name for what C99 calls compound literals was "constructor expressions".
c1f7febf 1606
4b404517 1607ISO C99 supports compound literals. A compound literal looks like
c1f7febf
RK
1608a cast containing an initializer. Its value is an object of the
1609type specified in the cast, containing the elements specified in
db3acfa5
JM
1610the initializer; it is an lvalue. As an extension, GCC supports
1611compound literals in C89 mode and in C++.
c1f7febf
RK
1612
1613Usually, the specified type is a structure. Assume that
1614@code{struct foo} and @code{structure} are declared as shown:
1615
1616@example
1617struct foo @{int a; char b[2];@} structure;
1618@end example
1619
1620@noindent
4b404517 1621Here is an example of constructing a @code{struct foo} with a compound literal:
c1f7febf
RK
1622
1623@example
1624structure = ((struct foo) @{x + y, 'a', 0@});
1625@end example
1626
1627@noindent
1628This is equivalent to writing the following:
1629
1630@example
1631@{
1632 struct foo temp = @{x + y, 'a', 0@};
1633 structure = temp;
1634@}
1635@end example
1636
4b404517 1637You can also construct an array. If all the elements of the compound literal
c1f7febf 1638are (made up of) simple constant expressions, suitable for use in
db3acfa5
JM
1639initializers of objects of static storage duration, then the compound
1640literal can be coerced to a pointer to its first element and used in
1641such an initializer, as shown here:
c1f7febf
RK
1642
1643@example
1644char **foo = (char *[]) @{ "x", "y", "z" @};
1645@end example
1646
4b404517
JM
1647Compound literals for scalar types and union types are is
1648also allowed, but then the compound literal is equivalent
c1f7febf
RK
1649to a cast.
1650
59c83dbf
JJ
1651As a GNU extension, GCC allows initialization of objects with static storage
1652duration by compound literals (which is not possible in ISO C99, because
1653the initializer is not a constant).
1654It is handled as if the object was initialized only with the bracket
1655enclosed list if compound literal's and object types match.
1656The initializer list of the compound literal must be constant.
1657If the object being initialized has array type of unknown size, the size is
ad47f1e5 1658determined by compound literal size.
59c83dbf
JJ
1659
1660@example
1661static struct foo x = (struct foo) @{1, 'a', 'b'@};
1662static int y[] = (int []) @{1, 2, 3@};
1663static int z[] = (int [3]) @{1@};
1664@end example
1665
1666@noindent
1667The above lines are equivalent to the following:
1668@example
1669static struct foo x = @{1, 'a', 'b'@};
1670static int y[] = @{1, 2, 3@};
ad47f1e5 1671static int z[] = @{1, 0, 0@};
59c83dbf
JJ
1672@end example
1673
4b404517
JM
1674@node Designated Inits
1675@section Designated Initializers
c1f7febf
RK
1676@cindex initializers with labeled elements
1677@cindex labeled elements in initializers
1678@cindex case labels in initializers
4b404517 1679@cindex designated initializers
c1f7febf 1680
26d4fec7 1681Standard C89 requires the elements of an initializer to appear in a fixed
c1f7febf
RK
1682order, the same as the order of the elements in the array or structure
1683being initialized.
1684
26d4fec7
JM
1685In ISO C99 you can give the elements in any order, specifying the array
1686indices or structure field names they apply to, and GNU C allows this as
1687an extension in C89 mode as well. This extension is not
c1f7febf
RK
1688implemented in GNU C++.
1689
26d4fec7 1690To specify an array index, write
c1f7febf
RK
1691@samp{[@var{index}] =} before the element value. For example,
1692
1693@example
26d4fec7 1694int a[6] = @{ [4] = 29, [2] = 15 @};
c1f7febf
RK
1695@end example
1696
1697@noindent
1698is equivalent to
1699
1700@example
1701int a[6] = @{ 0, 0, 15, 0, 29, 0 @};
1702@end example
1703
1704@noindent
1705The index values must be constant expressions, even if the array being
1706initialized is automatic.
1707
26d4fec7
JM
1708An alternative syntax for this which has been obsolete since GCC 2.5 but
1709GCC still accepts is to write @samp{[@var{index}]} before the element
1710value, with no @samp{=}.
1711
c1f7febf 1712To initialize a range of elements to the same value, write
26d4fec7
JM
1713@samp{[@var{first} ... @var{last}] = @var{value}}. This is a GNU
1714extension. For example,
c1f7febf
RK
1715
1716@example
1717int widths[] = @{ [0 ... 9] = 1, [10 ... 99] = 2, [100] = 3 @};
1718@end example
1719
8b6a5902
JJ
1720@noindent
1721If the value in it has side-effects, the side-effects will happen only once,
1722not for each initialized field by the range initializer.
1723
c1f7febf
RK
1724@noindent
1725Note that the length of the array is the highest value specified
1726plus one.
1727
1728In a structure initializer, specify the name of a field to initialize
26d4fec7 1729with @samp{.@var{fieldname} =} before the element value. For example,
c1f7febf
RK
1730given the following structure,
1731
1732@example
1733struct point @{ int x, y; @};
1734@end example
1735
1736@noindent
1737the following initialization
1738
1739@example
26d4fec7 1740struct point p = @{ .y = yvalue, .x = xvalue @};
c1f7febf
RK
1741@end example
1742
1743@noindent
1744is equivalent to
1745
1746@example
1747struct point p = @{ xvalue, yvalue @};
1748@end example
1749
26d4fec7
JM
1750Another syntax which has the same meaning, obsolete since GCC 2.5, is
1751@samp{@var{fieldname}:}, as shown here:
c1f7febf
RK
1752
1753@example
26d4fec7 1754struct point p = @{ y: yvalue, x: xvalue @};
c1f7febf
RK
1755@end example
1756
4b404517
JM
1757@cindex designators
1758The @samp{[@var{index}]} or @samp{.@var{fieldname}} is known as a
1759@dfn{designator}. You can also use a designator (or the obsolete colon
1760syntax) when initializing a union, to specify which element of the union
1761should be used. For example,
c1f7febf
RK
1762
1763@example
1764union foo @{ int i; double d; @};
1765
26d4fec7 1766union foo f = @{ .d = 4 @};
c1f7febf
RK
1767@end example
1768
1769@noindent
1770will convert 4 to a @code{double} to store it in the union using
1771the second element. By contrast, casting 4 to type @code{union foo}
1772would store it into the union as the integer @code{i}, since it is
1773an integer. (@xref{Cast to Union}.)
1774
1775You can combine this technique of naming elements with ordinary C
1776initialization of successive elements. Each initializer element that
4b404517 1777does not have a designator applies to the next consecutive element of the
c1f7febf
RK
1778array or structure. For example,
1779
1780@example
1781int a[6] = @{ [1] = v1, v2, [4] = v4 @};
1782@end example
1783
1784@noindent
1785is equivalent to
1786
1787@example
1788int a[6] = @{ 0, v1, v2, 0, v4, 0 @};
1789@end example
1790
1791Labeling the elements of an array initializer is especially useful
1792when the indices are characters or belong to an @code{enum} type.
1793For example:
1794
1795@example
1796int whitespace[256]
1797 = @{ [' '] = 1, ['\t'] = 1, ['\h'] = 1,
1798 ['\f'] = 1, ['\n'] = 1, ['\r'] = 1 @};
1799@end example
1800
4b404517 1801@cindex designator lists
26d4fec7 1802You can also write a series of @samp{.@var{fieldname}} and
4b404517 1803@samp{[@var{index}]} designators before an @samp{=} to specify a
26d4fec7
JM
1804nested subobject to initialize; the list is taken relative to the
1805subobject corresponding to the closest surrounding brace pair. For
1806example, with the @samp{struct point} declaration above:
1807
478c9e72 1808@smallexample
26d4fec7 1809struct point ptarray[10] = @{ [2].y = yv2, [2].x = xv2, [0].x = xv0 @};
478c9e72 1810@end smallexample
26d4fec7 1811
8b6a5902
JJ
1812@noindent
1813If the same field is initialized multiple times, it will have value from
1814the last initialization. If any such overridden initialization has
1815side-effect, it is unspecified whether the side-effect happens or not.
1816Currently, gcc will discard them and issue a warning.
1817
c1f7febf
RK
1818@node Case Ranges
1819@section Case Ranges
1820@cindex case ranges
1821@cindex ranges in case statements
1822
1823You can specify a range of consecutive values in a single @code{case} label,
1824like this:
1825
1826@example
1827case @var{low} ... @var{high}:
1828@end example
1829
1830@noindent
1831This has the same effect as the proper number of individual @code{case}
1832labels, one for each integer value from @var{low} to @var{high}, inclusive.
1833
1834This feature is especially useful for ranges of ASCII character codes:
1835
1836@example
1837case 'A' ... 'Z':
1838@end example
1839
1840@strong{Be careful:} Write spaces around the @code{...}, for otherwise
1841it may be parsed wrong when you use it with integer values. For example,
1842write this:
1843
1844@example
1845case 1 ... 5:
1846@end example
1847
1848@noindent
1849rather than this:
1850
1851@example
1852case 1...5:
1853@end example
1854
1855@node Cast to Union
1856@section Cast to a Union Type
1857@cindex cast to a union
1858@cindex union, casting to a
1859
1860A cast to union type is similar to other casts, except that the type
1861specified is a union type. You can specify the type either with
1862@code{union @var{tag}} or with a typedef name. A cast to union is actually
1863a constructor though, not a cast, and hence does not yield an lvalue like
4b404517 1864normal casts. (@xref{Compound Literals}.)
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RK
1865
1866The types that may be cast to the union type are those of the members
1867of the union. Thus, given the following union and variables:
1868
1869@example
1870union foo @{ int i; double d; @};
1871int x;
1872double y;
1873@end example
1874
1875@noindent
aee96fe9 1876both @code{x} and @code{y} can be cast to type @code{union foo}.
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RK
1877
1878Using the cast as the right-hand side of an assignment to a variable of
1879union type is equivalent to storing in a member of the union:
1880
1881@example
1882union foo u;
0d893a63 1883/* @r{@dots{}} */
c1f7febf
RK
1884u = (union foo) x @equiv{} u.i = x
1885u = (union foo) y @equiv{} u.d = y
1886@end example
1887
1888You can also use the union cast as a function argument:
1889
1890@example
1891void hack (union foo);
0d893a63 1892/* @r{@dots{}} */
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RK
1893hack ((union foo) x);
1894@end example
1895
4b404517
JM
1896@node Mixed Declarations
1897@section Mixed Declarations and Code
1898@cindex mixed declarations and code
1899@cindex declarations, mixed with code
1900@cindex code, mixed with declarations
1901
1902ISO C99 and ISO C++ allow declarations and code to be freely mixed
1903within compound statements. As an extension, GCC also allows this in
1904C89 mode. For example, you could do:
1905
1906@example
1907int i;
0d893a63 1908/* @r{@dots{}} */
4b404517
JM
1909i++;
1910int j = i + 2;
1911@end example
1912
1913Each identifier is visible from where it is declared until the end of
1914the enclosing block.
1915
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RK
1916@node Function Attributes
1917@section Declaring Attributes of Functions
1918@cindex function attributes
1919@cindex declaring attributes of functions
1920@cindex functions that never return
1921@cindex functions that have no side effects
1922@cindex functions in arbitrary sections
2a59078d 1923@cindex functions that behave like malloc
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RK
1924@cindex @code{volatile} applied to function
1925@cindex @code{const} applied to function
26f6672d 1926@cindex functions with @code{printf}, @code{scanf}, @code{strftime} or @code{strfmon} style arguments
b34c7881 1927@cindex functions with non-null pointer arguments
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RK
1928@cindex functions that are passed arguments in registers on the 386
1929@cindex functions that pop the argument stack on the 386
1930@cindex functions that do not pop the argument stack on the 386
1931
1932In GNU C, you declare certain things about functions called in your program
1933which help the compiler optimize function calls and check your code more
1934carefully.
1935
1936The keyword @code{__attribute__} allows you to specify special
1937attributes when making a declaration. This keyword is followed by an
9162542e 1938attribute specification inside double parentheses. The following
eacecf96 1939attributes are currently defined for functions on all targets:
6aa77e6c 1940@code{noreturn}, @code{noinline}, @code{always_inline},
39f2f3c8 1941@code{pure}, @code{const}, @code{nothrow},
9162542e
AO
1942@code{format}, @code{format_arg}, @code{no_instrument_function},
1943@code{section}, @code{constructor}, @code{destructor}, @code{used},
b34c7881
JT
1944@code{unused}, @code{deprecated}, @code{weak}, @code{malloc},
1945@code{alias}, and @code{nonnull}. Several other attributes are defined
1946for functions on particular target systems. Other attributes, including
1947@code{section} are supported for variables declarations
1948(@pxref{Variable Attributes}) and for types (@pxref{Type Attributes}).
c1f7febf
RK
1949
1950You may also specify attributes with @samp{__} preceding and following
1951each keyword. This allows you to use them in header files without
1952being concerned about a possible macro of the same name. For example,
1953you may use @code{__noreturn__} instead of @code{noreturn}.
1954
2c5e91d2
JM
1955@xref{Attribute Syntax}, for details of the exact syntax for using
1956attributes.
1957
c1f7febf
RK
1958@table @code
1959@cindex @code{noreturn} function attribute
1960@item noreturn
1961A few standard library functions, such as @code{abort} and @code{exit},
f0523f02 1962cannot return. GCC knows this automatically. Some programs define
c1f7febf
RK
1963their own functions that never return. You can declare them
1964@code{noreturn} to tell the compiler this fact. For example,
1965
1966@smallexample
aee96fe9 1967@group
c1f7febf
RK
1968void fatal () __attribute__ ((noreturn));
1969
1970void
0d893a63 1971fatal (/* @r{@dots{}} */)
c1f7febf 1972@{
0d893a63 1973 /* @r{@dots{}} */ /* @r{Print error message.} */ /* @r{@dots{}} */
c1f7febf
RK
1974 exit (1);
1975@}
aee96fe9 1976@end group
c1f7febf
RK
1977@end smallexample
1978
1979The @code{noreturn} keyword tells the compiler to assume that
1980@code{fatal} cannot return. It can then optimize without regard to what
1981would happen if @code{fatal} ever did return. This makes slightly
1982better code. More importantly, it helps avoid spurious warnings of
1983uninitialized variables.
1984
1985Do not assume that registers saved by the calling function are
1986restored before calling the @code{noreturn} function.
1987
1988It does not make sense for a @code{noreturn} function to have a return
1989type other than @code{void}.
1990
f0523f02 1991The attribute @code{noreturn} is not implemented in GCC versions
c1f7febf
RK
1992earlier than 2.5. An alternative way to declare that a function does
1993not return, which works in the current version and in some older
1994versions, is as follows:
1995
1996@smallexample
1997typedef void voidfn ();
1998
1999volatile voidfn fatal;
2000@end smallexample
2001
9162542e
AO
2002@cindex @code{noinline} function attribute
2003@item noinline
2004This function attribute prevents a function from being considered for
2005inlining.
2006
6aa77e6c
AH
2007@cindex @code{always_inline} function attribute
2008@item always_inline
2009Generally, functions are not inlined unless optimization is specified.
2010For functions declared inline, this attribute inlines the function even
2011if no optimization level was specified.
2012
2a8f6b90
JH
2013@cindex @code{pure} function attribute
2014@item pure
2015Many functions have no effects except the return value and their
d4047e24 2016return value depends only on the parameters and/or global variables.
2a8f6b90 2017Such a function can be subject
c1f7febf
RK
2018to common subexpression elimination and loop optimization just as an
2019arithmetic operator would be. These functions should be declared
2a8f6b90 2020with the attribute @code{pure}. For example,
c1f7febf
RK
2021
2022@smallexample
2a8f6b90 2023int square (int) __attribute__ ((pure));
c1f7febf
RK
2024@end smallexample
2025
2026@noindent
2027says that the hypothetical function @code{square} is safe to call
2028fewer times than the program says.
2029
2a8f6b90
JH
2030Some of common examples of pure functions are @code{strlen} or @code{memcmp}.
2031Interesting non-pure functions are functions with infinite loops or those
2032depending on volatile memory or other system resource, that may change between
2a59078d 2033two consecutive calls (such as @code{feof} in a multithreading environment).
2a8f6b90 2034
f0523f02 2035The attribute @code{pure} is not implemented in GCC versions earlier
2a8f6b90
JH
2036than 2.96.
2037@cindex @code{const} function attribute
2038@item const
2039Many functions do not examine any values except their arguments, and
2040have no effects except the return value. Basically this is just slightly
84330467 2041more strict class than the @code{pure} attribute above, since function is not
2a59078d 2042allowed to read global memory.
2a8f6b90
JH
2043
2044@cindex pointer arguments
2045Note that a function that has pointer arguments and examines the data
2046pointed to must @emph{not} be declared @code{const}. Likewise, a
2047function that calls a non-@code{const} function usually must not be
2048@code{const}. It does not make sense for a @code{const} function to
2049return @code{void}.
2050
f0523f02 2051The attribute @code{const} is not implemented in GCC versions earlier
c1f7febf
RK
2052than 2.5. An alternative way to declare that a function has no side
2053effects, which works in the current version and in some older versions,
2054is as follows:
2055
2056@smallexample
2057typedef int intfn ();
2058
2059extern const intfn square;
2060@end smallexample
2061
2062This approach does not work in GNU C++ from 2.6.0 on, since the language
2063specifies that the @samp{const} must be attached to the return value.
2064
39f2f3c8
RS
2065@cindex @code{nothrow} function attribute
2066@item nothrow
2067The @code{nothrow} attribute is used to inform the compiler that a
2068function cannot throw an exception. For example, most functions in
2069the standard C library can be guaranteed not to throw an exception
2070with the notable exceptions of @code{qsort} and @code{bsearch} that
2071take function pointer arguments. The @code{nothrow} attribute is not
2072implemented in GCC versions earlier than 3.2.
c1f7febf
RK
2073
2074@item format (@var{archetype}, @var{string-index}, @var{first-to-check})
2075@cindex @code{format} function attribute
84330467 2076@opindex Wformat
bb72a084 2077The @code{format} attribute specifies that a function takes @code{printf},
26f6672d
JM
2078@code{scanf}, @code{strftime} or @code{strfmon} style arguments which
2079should be type-checked against a format string. For example, the
2080declaration:
c1f7febf
RK
2081
2082@smallexample
2083extern int
2084my_printf (void *my_object, const char *my_format, ...)
2085 __attribute__ ((format (printf, 2, 3)));
2086@end smallexample
2087
2088@noindent
2089causes the compiler to check the arguments in calls to @code{my_printf}
2090for consistency with the @code{printf} style format string argument
2091@code{my_format}.
2092
2093The parameter @var{archetype} determines how the format string is
26f6672d
JM
2094interpreted, and should be @code{printf}, @code{scanf}, @code{strftime}
2095or @code{strfmon}. (You can also use @code{__printf__},
2096@code{__scanf__}, @code{__strftime__} or @code{__strfmon__}.) The
c1f7febf
RK
2097parameter @var{string-index} specifies which argument is the format
2098string argument (starting from 1), while @var{first-to-check} is the
2099number of the first argument to check against the format string. For
2100functions where the arguments are not available to be checked (such as
2101@code{vprintf}), specify the third parameter as zero. In this case the
b722c82c
JM
2102compiler only checks the format string for consistency. For
2103@code{strftime} formats, the third parameter is required to be zero.
f57a2e3a
BE
2104Since non-static C++ methods have an implicit @code{this} argument, the
2105arguments of such methods should be counted from two, not one, when
2106giving values for @var{string-index} and @var{first-to-check}.
c1f7febf
RK
2107
2108In the example above, the format string (@code{my_format}) is the second
2109argument of the function @code{my_print}, and the arguments to check
2110start with the third argument, so the correct parameters for the format
2111attribute are 2 and 3.
2112
84330467 2113@opindex ffreestanding
c1f7febf 2114The @code{format} attribute allows you to identify your own functions
f0523f02 2115which take format strings as arguments, so that GCC can check the
b722c82c 2116calls to these functions for errors. The compiler always (unless
84330467 2117@option{-ffreestanding} is used) checks formats
b722c82c 2118for the standard library functions @code{printf}, @code{fprintf},
bb72a084 2119@code{sprintf}, @code{scanf}, @code{fscanf}, @code{sscanf}, @code{strftime},
c1f7febf 2120@code{vprintf}, @code{vfprintf} and @code{vsprintf} whenever such
84330467 2121warnings are requested (using @option{-Wformat}), so there is no need to
b722c82c
JM
2122modify the header file @file{stdio.h}. In C99 mode, the functions
2123@code{snprintf}, @code{vsnprintf}, @code{vscanf}, @code{vfscanf} and
26f6672d 2124@code{vsscanf} are also checked. Except in strictly conforming C
b4c984fb
KG
2125standard modes, the X/Open function @code{strfmon} is also checked as
2126are @code{printf_unlocked} and @code{fprintf_unlocked}.
b722c82c 2127@xref{C Dialect Options,,Options Controlling C Dialect}.
c1f7febf
RK
2128
2129@item format_arg (@var{string-index})
2130@cindex @code{format_arg} function attribute
84330467 2131@opindex Wformat-nonliteral
26f6672d
JM
2132The @code{format_arg} attribute specifies that a function takes a format
2133string for a @code{printf}, @code{scanf}, @code{strftime} or
2134@code{strfmon} style function and modifies it (for example, to translate
2135it into another language), so the result can be passed to a
2136@code{printf}, @code{scanf}, @code{strftime} or @code{strfmon} style
2137function (with the remaining arguments to the format function the same
2138as they would have been for the unmodified string). For example, the
2139declaration:
c1f7febf
RK
2140
2141@smallexample
2142extern char *
2143my_dgettext (char *my_domain, const char *my_format)
2144 __attribute__ ((format_arg (2)));
2145@end smallexample
2146
2147@noindent
26f6672d
JM
2148causes the compiler to check the arguments in calls to a @code{printf},
2149@code{scanf}, @code{strftime} or @code{strfmon} type function, whose
2150format string argument is a call to the @code{my_dgettext} function, for
2151consistency with the format string argument @code{my_format}. If the
2152@code{format_arg} attribute had not been specified, all the compiler
2153could tell in such calls to format functions would be that the format
2154string argument is not constant; this would generate a warning when
84330467 2155@option{-Wformat-nonliteral} is used, but the calls could not be checked
26f6672d 2156without the attribute.
c1f7febf
RK
2157
2158The parameter @var{string-index} specifies which argument is the format
f57a2e3a
BE
2159string argument (starting from one). Since non-static C++ methods have
2160an implicit @code{this} argument, the arguments of such methods should
2161be counted from two.
c1f7febf
RK
2162
2163The @code{format-arg} attribute allows you to identify your own
f0523f02 2164functions which modify format strings, so that GCC can check the
26f6672d
JM
2165calls to @code{printf}, @code{scanf}, @code{strftime} or @code{strfmon}
2166type function whose operands are a call to one of your own function.
2167The compiler always treats @code{gettext}, @code{dgettext}, and
2168@code{dcgettext} in this manner except when strict ISO C support is
84330467
JM
2169requested by @option{-ansi} or an appropriate @option{-std} option, or
2170@option{-ffreestanding} is used. @xref{C Dialect Options,,Options
26f6672d 2171Controlling C Dialect}.
c1f7febf 2172
390de769 2173@item nonnull (@var{arg-index}, @dots{})
b34c7881
JT
2174@cindex @code{nonnull} function attribute
2175The @code{nonnull} attribute specifies that some function parameters should
2176be non-null pointers. For instance, the declaration:
2177
2178@smallexample
2179extern void *
2180my_memcpy (void *dest, const void *src, size_t len)
2181 __attribute__((nonnull (1, 2)));
2182@end smallexample
2183
2184@noindent
2185causes the compiler to check that, in calls to @code{my_memcpy},
2186arguments @var{dest} and @var{src} are non-null. If the compiler
2187determines that a null pointer is passed in an argument slot marked
2188as non-null, and the @option{-Wnonnull} option is enabled, a warning
2189is issued. The compiler may also choose to make optimizations based
2190on the knowledge that certain function arguments will not be null.
2191
2192If no argument index list is given to the @code{nonnull} attribute,
2193all pointer arguments are marked as non-null. To illustrate, the
2194following declaration is equivalent to the previous example:
2195
2196@smallexample
2197extern void *
2198my_memcpy (void *dest, const void *src, size_t len)
2199 __attribute__((nonnull));
2200@end smallexample
2201
07417085
KR
2202@item no_instrument_function
2203@cindex @code{no_instrument_function} function attribute
84330467
JM
2204@opindex finstrument-functions
2205If @option{-finstrument-functions} is given, profiling function calls will
07417085
KR
2206be generated at entry and exit of most user-compiled functions.
2207Functions with this attribute will not be so instrumented.
2208
84330467 2209@item section ("@var{section-name}")
c1f7febf
RK
2210@cindex @code{section} function attribute
2211Normally, the compiler places the code it generates in the @code{text} section.
2212Sometimes, however, you need additional sections, or you need certain
2213particular functions to appear in special sections. The @code{section}
2214attribute specifies that a function lives in a particular section.
2215For example, the declaration:
2216
2217@smallexample
2218extern void foobar (void) __attribute__ ((section ("bar")));
2219@end smallexample
2220
2221@noindent
2222puts the function @code{foobar} in the @code{bar} section.
2223
2224Some file formats do not support arbitrary sections so the @code{section}
2225attribute is not available on all platforms.
2226If you need to map the entire contents of a module to a particular
2227section, consider using the facilities of the linker instead.
2228
2229@item constructor
2230@itemx destructor
2231@cindex @code{constructor} function attribute
2232@cindex @code{destructor} function attribute
2233The @code{constructor} attribute causes the function to be called
2234automatically before execution enters @code{main ()}. Similarly, the
2235@code{destructor} attribute causes the function to be called
2236automatically after @code{main ()} has completed or @code{exit ()} has
2237been called. Functions with these attributes are useful for
2238initializing data that will be used implicitly during the execution of
2239the program.
2240
161d7b59 2241These attributes are not currently implemented for Objective-C@.
c1f7febf 2242
9162542e 2243@cindex @code{unused} attribute.
c1f7febf
RK
2244@item unused
2245This attribute, attached to a function, means that the function is meant
f0523f02 2246to be possibly unused. GCC will not produce a warning for this
c1f7febf
RK
2247function. GNU C++ does not currently support this attribute as
2248definitions without parameters are valid in C++.
2249
9162542e
AO
2250@cindex @code{used} attribute.
2251@item used
2252This attribute, attached to a function, means that code must be emitted
2253for the function even if it appears that the function is not referenced.
2254This is useful, for example, when the function is referenced only in
2255inline assembly.
2256
e23bd218
IR
2257@cindex @code{deprecated} attribute.
2258@item deprecated
2259The @code{deprecated} attribute results in a warning if the function
2260is used anywhere in the source file. This is useful when identifying
2261functions that are expected to be removed in a future version of a
2262program. The warning also includes the location of the declaration
2263of the deprecated function, to enable users to easily find further
2264information about why the function is deprecated, or what they should
2265do instead. Note that the warnings only occurs for uses:
2266
2267@smallexample
2268int old_fn () __attribute__ ((deprecated));
2269int old_fn ();
2270int (*fn_ptr)() = old_fn;
2271@end smallexample
2272
2273results in a warning on line 3 but not line 2.
2274
2275The @code{deprecated} attribute can also be used for variables and
2276types (@pxref{Variable Attributes}, @pxref{Type Attributes}.)
2277
c1f7febf
RK
2278@item weak
2279@cindex @code{weak} attribute
2280The @code{weak} attribute causes the declaration to be emitted as a weak
2281symbol rather than a global. This is primarily useful in defining
2282library functions which can be overridden in user code, though it can
2283also be used with non-function declarations. Weak symbols are supported
2284for ELF targets, and also for a.out targets when using the GNU assembler
2285and linker.
2286
140592a0
AG
2287@item malloc
2288@cindex @code{malloc} attribute
2289The @code{malloc} attribute is used to tell the compiler that a function
2290may be treated as if it were the malloc function. The compiler assumes
2291that calls to malloc result in a pointers that cannot alias anything.
2292This will often improve optimization.
2293
84330467 2294@item alias ("@var{target}")
c1f7febf
RK
2295@cindex @code{alias} attribute
2296The @code{alias} attribute causes the declaration to be emitted as an
2297alias for another symbol, which must be specified. For instance,
2298
2299@smallexample
47bd70b5 2300void __f () @{ /* @r{Do something.} */; @}
c1f7febf
RK
2301void f () __attribute__ ((weak, alias ("__f")));
2302@end smallexample
2303
2304declares @samp{f} to be a weak alias for @samp{__f}. In C++, the
2305mangled name for the target must be used.
2306
af3e86c2
RK
2307Not all target machines support this attribute.
2308
47bd70b5
JJ
2309@item visibility ("@var{visibility_type}")
2310@cindex @code{visibility} attribute
2311The @code{visibility} attribute on ELF targets causes the declaration
d5c4db17 2312to be emitted with default, hidden, protected or internal visibility.
47bd70b5
JJ
2313
2314@smallexample
2315void __attribute__ ((visibility ("protected")))
2316f () @{ /* @r{Do something.} */; @}
2317int i __attribute__ ((visibility ("hidden")));
2318@end smallexample
2319
9e8aab55
RH
2320See the ELF gABI for complete details, but the short story is
2321
2322@table @dfn
d5c4db17
RH
2323@item default
2324Default visibility is the normal case for ELF. This value is
3bcf1b13 2325available for the visibility attribute to override other options
d5c4db17
RH
2326that may change the assumed visibility of symbols.
2327
9e8aab55
RH
2328@item hidden
2329Hidden visibility indicates that the symbol will not be placed into
2330the dynamic symbol table, so no other @dfn{module} (executable or
2331shared library) can reference it directly.
2332
2333@item protected
2334Protected visibility indicates that the symbol will be placed in the
2335dynamic symbol table, but that references within the defining module
2336will bind to the local symbol. That is, the symbol cannot be overridden
2337by another module.
2338
2339@item internal
2340Internal visibility is like hidden visibility, but with additional
2341processor specific semantics. Unless otherwise specified by the psABI,
2342gcc defines internal visibility to mean that the function is @emph{never}
2343called from another module. Note that hidden symbols, while then cannot
2344be referenced directly by other modules, can be referenced indirectly via
2345function pointers. By indicating that a symbol cannot be called from
2346outside the module, gcc may for instance omit the load of a PIC register
2347since it is known that the calling function loaded the correct value.
2348@end table
2349
47bd70b5
JJ
2350Not all ELF targets support this attribute.
2351
dce81a1a
JJ
2352@item tls_model ("@var{tls_model}")
2353@cindex @code{tls_model} attribute
2354The @code{tls_model} attribute sets thread-local storage model
2355(@pxref{Thread-Local}) of a particular @code{__thread} variable,
2356overriding @code{-ftls-model=} command line switch on a per-variable
2357basis.
2358The @var{tls_model} argument should be one of @code{global-dynamic},
2359@code{local-dynamic}, @code{initial-exec} or @code{local-exec}.
2360
c1f7febf
RK
2361@item regparm (@var{number})
2362@cindex functions that are passed arguments in registers on the 386
2363On the Intel 386, the @code{regparm} attribute causes the compiler to
84330467
JM
2364pass up to @var{number} integer arguments in registers EAX,
2365EDX, and ECX instead of on the stack. Functions that take a
c1f7febf
RK
2366variable number of arguments will continue to be passed all of their
2367arguments on the stack.
2368
2369@item stdcall
2370@cindex functions that pop the argument stack on the 386
2371On the Intel 386, the @code{stdcall} attribute causes the compiler to
2372assume that the called function will pop off the stack space used to
2373pass arguments, unless it takes a variable number of arguments.
2374
e91f04de
CH
2375@item fastcall
2376@cindex functions that pop the argument stack on the 386
2377On the Intel 386, the @code{fastcall} attribute causes the compiler to
2378pass the first two arguments in the registers ECX and EDX. Subsequent
2379arguments are passed on the stack. The called function will pop the
2380arguments off the stack. If the number of arguments is variable all
2381arguments are pushed on the stack.
2382
c1f7febf
RK
2383@item cdecl
2384@cindex functions that do pop the argument stack on the 386
84330467 2385@opindex mrtd
c1f7febf
RK
2386On the Intel 386, the @code{cdecl} attribute causes the compiler to
2387assume that the calling function will pop off the stack space used to
2388pass arguments. This is
84330467 2389useful to override the effects of the @option{-mrtd} switch.
c1f7febf 2390
a5c76ee6 2391@item longcall/shortcall
c1f7febf
RK
2392@cindex functions called via pointer on the RS/6000 and PowerPC
2393On the RS/6000 and PowerPC, the @code{longcall} attribute causes the
a5c76ee6
ZW
2394compiler to always call this function via a pointer, just as it would if
2395the @option{-mlongcall} option had been specified. The @code{shortcall}
2396attribute causes the compiler not to do this. These attributes override
2397both the @option{-mlongcall} switch and the @code{#pragma longcall}
2398setting.
2399
2400@xref{RS/6000 and PowerPC Options}, for more information on when long
2401calls are and are not necessary.
c1f7febf 2402
c27ba912
DM
2403@item long_call/short_call
2404@cindex indirect calls on ARM
2405This attribute allows to specify how to call a particular function on
161d7b59 2406ARM@. Both attributes override the @option{-mlong-calls} (@pxref{ARM Options})
c27ba912
DM
2407command line switch and @code{#pragma long_calls} settings. The
2408@code{long_call} attribute causes the compiler to always call the
2409function by first loading its address into a register and then using the
2410contents of that register. The @code{short_call} attribute always places
2411the offset to the function from the call site into the @samp{BL}
2412instruction directly.
2413
c1f7febf
RK
2414@item function_vector
2415@cindex calling functions through the function vector on the H8/300 processors
88ab0d1c 2416Use this attribute on the H8/300 and H8/300H to indicate that the specified
c1f7febf
RK
2417function should be called through the function vector. Calling a
2418function through the function vector will reduce code size, however;
2419the function vector has a limited size (maximum 128 entries on the H8/300
2420and 64 entries on the H8/300H) and shares space with the interrupt vector.
2421
2422You must use GAS and GLD from GNU binutils version 2.7 or later for
88ab0d1c 2423this attribute to work correctly.
c1f7febf 2424
6d3d9133
NC
2425@item interrupt
2426@cindex interrupt handler functions
86143814 2427Use this attribute on the ARM, AVR, C4x, M32R/D and Xstormy16 ports to indicate
9f339dde
GK
2428that the specified function is an interrupt handler. The compiler will
2429generate function entry and exit sequences suitable for use in an
2430interrupt handler when this attribute is present.
6d3d9133 2431
b93e3893
AO
2432Note, interrupt handlers for the H8/300, H8/300H and SH processors can
2433be specified via the @code{interrupt_handler} attribute.
6d3d9133
NC
2434
2435Note, on the AVR interrupts will be enabled inside the function.
2436
2437Note, for the ARM you can specify the kind of interrupt to be handled by
2438adding an optional parameter to the interrupt attribute like this:
2439
2440@smallexample
2441void f () __attribute__ ((interrupt ("IRQ")));
2442@end smallexample
2443
161d7b59 2444Permissible values for this parameter are: IRQ, FIQ, SWI, ABORT and UNDEF@.
6d3d9133 2445
b93e3893
AO
2446@item interrupt_handler
2447@cindex interrupt handler functions on the H8/300 and SH processors
88ab0d1c 2448Use this attribute on the H8/300, H8/300H and SH to indicate that the
b93e3893
AO
2449specified function is an interrupt handler. The compiler will generate
2450function entry and exit sequences suitable for use in an interrupt
2451handler when this attribute is present.
2452
2453@item sp_switch
88ab0d1c 2454Use this attribute on the SH to indicate an @code{interrupt_handler}
b93e3893
AO
2455function should switch to an alternate stack. It expects a string
2456argument that names a global variable holding the address of the
2457alternate stack.
2458
2459@smallexample
2460void *alt_stack;
aee96fe9
JM
2461void f () __attribute__ ((interrupt_handler,
2462 sp_switch ("alt_stack")));
b93e3893
AO
2463@end smallexample
2464
2465@item trap_exit
88ab0d1c 2466Use this attribute on the SH for an @code{interrupt_handle} to return using
b93e3893
AO
2467@code{trapa} instead of @code{rte}. This attribute expects an integer
2468argument specifying the trap number to be used.
2469
c1f7febf
RK
2470@item eightbit_data
2471@cindex eight bit data on the H8/300 and H8/300H
88ab0d1c 2472Use this attribute on the H8/300 and H8/300H to indicate that the specified
c1f7febf
RK
2473variable should be placed into the eight bit data section.
2474The compiler will generate more efficient code for certain operations
2475on data in the eight bit data area. Note the eight bit data area is limited to
2476256 bytes of data.
2477
2478You must use GAS and GLD from GNU binutils version 2.7 or later for
88ab0d1c 2479this attribute to work correctly.
c1f7febf
RK
2480
2481@item tiny_data
2482@cindex tiny data section on the H8/300H
88ab0d1c 2483Use this attribute on the H8/300H to indicate that the specified
c1f7febf
RK
2484variable should be placed into the tiny data section.
2485The compiler will generate more efficient code for loads and stores
2486on data in the tiny data section. Note the tiny data area is limited to
2487slightly under 32kbytes of data.
845da534 2488
052a4b28
DC
2489@item signal
2490@cindex signal handler functions on the AVR processors
88ab0d1c 2491Use this attribute on the AVR to indicate that the specified
052a4b28
DC
2492function is an signal handler. The compiler will generate function
2493entry and exit sequences suitable for use in an signal handler when this
767094dd 2494attribute is present. Interrupts will be disabled inside function.
052a4b28
DC
2495
2496@item naked
6d3d9133 2497@cindex function without a prologue/epilogue code
86143814 2498Use this attribute on the ARM, AVR, C4x and IP2K ports to indicate that the
e3223ea2
DC
2499specified function do not need prologue/epilogue sequences generated by
2500the compiler. It is up to the programmer to provide these sequences.
052a4b28 2501
845da534
DE
2502@item model (@var{model-name})
2503@cindex function addressability on the M32R/D
2504Use this attribute on the M32R/D to set the addressability of an object,
2505and the code generated for a function.
2506The identifier @var{model-name} is one of @code{small}, @code{medium},
2507or @code{large}, representing each of the code models.
2508
2509Small model objects live in the lower 16MB of memory (so that their
2510addresses can be loaded with the @code{ld24} instruction), and are
2511callable with the @code{bl} instruction.
2512
02f52e19 2513Medium model objects may live anywhere in the 32-bit address space (the
845da534
DE
2514compiler will generate @code{seth/add3} instructions to load their addresses),
2515and are callable with the @code{bl} instruction.
2516
02f52e19 2517Large model objects may live anywhere in the 32-bit address space (the
845da534
DE
2518compiler will generate @code{seth/add3} instructions to load their addresses),
2519and may not be reachable with the @code{bl} instruction (the compiler will
2520generate the much slower @code{seth/add3/jl} instruction sequence).
2521
c1f7febf
RK
2522@end table
2523
2524You can specify multiple attributes in a declaration by separating them
2525by commas within the double parentheses or by immediately following an
2526attribute declaration with another attribute declaration.
2527
2528@cindex @code{#pragma}, reason for not using
2529@cindex pragma, reason for not using
9f1bbeaa
JM
2530Some people object to the @code{__attribute__} feature, suggesting that
2531ISO C's @code{#pragma} should be used instead. At the time
2532@code{__attribute__} was designed, there were two reasons for not doing
2533this.
c1f7febf
RK
2534
2535@enumerate
2536@item
2537It is impossible to generate @code{#pragma} commands from a macro.
2538
2539@item
2540There is no telling what the same @code{#pragma} might mean in another
2541compiler.
2542@end enumerate
2543
9f1bbeaa
JM
2544These two reasons applied to almost any application that might have been
2545proposed for @code{#pragma}. It was basically a mistake to use
2546@code{#pragma} for @emph{anything}.
2547
2548The ISO C99 standard includes @code{_Pragma}, which now allows pragmas
2549to be generated from macros. In addition, a @code{#pragma GCC}
2550namespace is now in use for GCC-specific pragmas. However, it has been
2551found convenient to use @code{__attribute__} to achieve a natural
2552attachment of attributes to their corresponding declarations, whereas
2553@code{#pragma GCC} is of use for constructs that do not naturally form
2554part of the grammar. @xref{Other Directives,,Miscellaneous
2555Preprocessing Directives, cpp, The C Preprocessor}.
c1f7febf 2556
2c5e91d2
JM
2557@node Attribute Syntax
2558@section Attribute Syntax
2559@cindex attribute syntax
2560
2561This section describes the syntax with which @code{__attribute__} may be
2562used, and the constructs to which attribute specifiers bind, for the C
161d7b59 2563language. Some details may vary for C++ and Objective-C@. Because of
2c5e91d2
JM
2564infelicities in the grammar for attributes, some forms described here
2565may not be successfully parsed in all cases.
2566
91d231cb
JM
2567There are some problems with the semantics of attributes in C++. For
2568example, there are no manglings for attributes, although they may affect
2569code generation, so problems may arise when attributed types are used in
2570conjunction with templates or overloading. Similarly, @code{typeid}
2571does not distinguish between types with different attributes. Support
2572for attributes in C++ may be restricted in future to attributes on
2573declarations only, but not on nested declarators.
2574
2c5e91d2
JM
2575@xref{Function Attributes}, for details of the semantics of attributes
2576applying to functions. @xref{Variable Attributes}, for details of the
2577semantics of attributes applying to variables. @xref{Type Attributes},
2578for details of the semantics of attributes applying to structure, union
2579and enumerated types.
2580
2581An @dfn{attribute specifier} is of the form
2582@code{__attribute__ ((@var{attribute-list}))}. An @dfn{attribute list}
2583is a possibly empty comma-separated sequence of @dfn{attributes}, where
2584each attribute is one of the following:
2585
2586@itemize @bullet
2587@item
2588Empty. Empty attributes are ignored.
2589
2590@item
2591A word (which may be an identifier such as @code{unused}, or a reserved
2592word such as @code{const}).
2593
2594@item
2595A word, followed by, in parentheses, parameters for the attribute.
2596These parameters take one of the following forms:
2597
2598@itemize @bullet
2599@item
2600An identifier. For example, @code{mode} attributes use this form.
2601
2602@item
2603An identifier followed by a comma and a non-empty comma-separated list
2604of expressions. For example, @code{format} attributes use this form.
2605
2606@item
2607A possibly empty comma-separated list of expressions. For example,
2608@code{format_arg} attributes use this form with the list being a single
2609integer constant expression, and @code{alias} attributes use this form
2610with the list being a single string constant.
2611@end itemize
2612@end itemize
2613
2614An @dfn{attribute specifier list} is a sequence of one or more attribute
2615specifiers, not separated by any other tokens.
2616
2617An attribute specifier list may appear after the colon following a
2618label, other than a @code{case} or @code{default} label. The only
2619attribute it makes sense to use after a label is @code{unused}. This
2620feature is intended for code generated by programs which contains labels
2621that may be unused but which is compiled with @option{-Wall}. It would
2622not normally be appropriate to use in it human-written code, though it
2623could be useful in cases where the code that jumps to the label is
2624contained within an @code{#ifdef} conditional.
2625
2626An attribute specifier list may appear as part of a @code{struct},
2627@code{union} or @code{enum} specifier. It may go either immediately
2628after the @code{struct}, @code{union} or @code{enum} keyword, or after
2629the closing brace. It is ignored if the content of the structure, union
2630or enumerated type is not defined in the specifier in which the
2631attribute specifier list is used---that is, in usages such as
2632@code{struct __attribute__((foo)) bar} with no following opening brace.
2633Where attribute specifiers follow the closing brace, they are considered
2634to relate to the structure, union or enumerated type defined, not to any
2635enclosing declaration the type specifier appears in, and the type
2636defined is not complete until after the attribute specifiers.
2637@c Otherwise, there would be the following problems: a shift/reduce
4fe9b91c 2638@c conflict between attributes binding the struct/union/enum and
2c5e91d2
JM
2639@c binding to the list of specifiers/qualifiers; and "aligned"
2640@c attributes could use sizeof for the structure, but the size could be
2641@c changed later by "packed" attributes.
2642
2643Otherwise, an attribute specifier appears as part of a declaration,
2644counting declarations of unnamed parameters and type names, and relates
2645to that declaration (which may be nested in another declaration, for
91d231cb
JM
2646example in the case of a parameter declaration), or to a particular declarator
2647within a declaration. Where an
ff867905
JM
2648attribute specifier is applied to a parameter declared as a function or
2649an array, it should apply to the function or array rather than the
2650pointer to which the parameter is implicitly converted, but this is not
2651yet correctly implemented.
2c5e91d2
JM
2652
2653Any list of specifiers and qualifiers at the start of a declaration may
2654contain attribute specifiers, whether or not such a list may in that
2655context contain storage class specifiers. (Some attributes, however,
2656are essentially in the nature of storage class specifiers, and only make
2657sense where storage class specifiers may be used; for example,
2658@code{section}.) There is one necessary limitation to this syntax: the
2659first old-style parameter declaration in a function definition cannot
2660begin with an attribute specifier, because such an attribute applies to
2661the function instead by syntax described below (which, however, is not
2662yet implemented in this case). In some other cases, attribute
2663specifiers are permitted by this grammar but not yet supported by the
2664compiler. All attribute specifiers in this place relate to the
c771326b 2665declaration as a whole. In the obsolescent usage where a type of
2c5e91d2
JM
2666@code{int} is implied by the absence of type specifiers, such a list of
2667specifiers and qualifiers may be an attribute specifier list with no
2668other specifiers or qualifiers.
2669
2670An attribute specifier list may appear immediately before a declarator
2671(other than the first) in a comma-separated list of declarators in a
2672declaration of more than one identifier using a single list of
4b01f8d8 2673specifiers and qualifiers. Such attribute specifiers apply
9c34dbbf
ZW
2674only to the identifier before whose declarator they appear. For
2675example, in
2676
2677@smallexample
2678__attribute__((noreturn)) void d0 (void),
2679 __attribute__((format(printf, 1, 2))) d1 (const char *, ...),
2680 d2 (void)
2681@end smallexample
2682
2683@noindent
2684the @code{noreturn} attribute applies to all the functions
4b01f8d8 2685declared; the @code{format} attribute only applies to @code{d1}.
2c5e91d2
JM
2686
2687An attribute specifier list may appear immediately before the comma,
2688@code{=} or semicolon terminating the declaration of an identifier other
2689than a function definition. At present, such attribute specifiers apply
2690to the declared object or function, but in future they may attach to the
2691outermost adjacent declarator. In simple cases there is no difference,
f282ffb3 2692but, for example, in
9c34dbbf
ZW
2693
2694@smallexample
2695void (****f)(void) __attribute__((noreturn));
2696@end smallexample
2697
2698@noindent
2699at present the @code{noreturn} attribute applies to @code{f}, which
2700causes a warning since @code{f} is not a function, but in future it may
2701apply to the function @code{****f}. The precise semantics of what
2702attributes in such cases will apply to are not yet specified. Where an
2703assembler name for an object or function is specified (@pxref{Asm
2704Labels}), at present the attribute must follow the @code{asm}
2705specification; in future, attributes before the @code{asm} specification
2706may apply to the adjacent declarator, and those after it to the declared
2707object or function.
2c5e91d2
JM
2708
2709An attribute specifier list may, in future, be permitted to appear after
2710the declarator in a function definition (before any old-style parameter
2711declarations or the function body).
2712
0e03329a
JM
2713Attribute specifiers may be mixed with type qualifiers appearing inside
2714the @code{[]} of a parameter array declarator, in the C99 construct by
2715which such qualifiers are applied to the pointer to which the array is
2716implicitly converted. Such attribute specifiers apply to the pointer,
2717not to the array, but at present this is not implemented and they are
2718ignored.
2719
2c5e91d2
JM
2720An attribute specifier list may appear at the start of a nested
2721declarator. At present, there are some limitations in this usage: the
91d231cb
JM
2722attributes correctly apply to the declarator, but for most individual
2723attributes the semantics this implies are not implemented.
2724When attribute specifiers follow the @code{*} of a pointer
4b01f8d8 2725declarator, they may be mixed with any type qualifiers present.
91d231cb 2726The following describes the formal semantics of this syntax. It will make the
2c5e91d2
JM
2727most sense if you are familiar with the formal specification of
2728declarators in the ISO C standard.
2729
2730Consider (as in C99 subclause 6.7.5 paragraph 4) a declaration @code{T
2731D1}, where @code{T} contains declaration specifiers that specify a type
2732@var{Type} (such as @code{int}) and @code{D1} is a declarator that
2733contains an identifier @var{ident}. The type specified for @var{ident}
2734for derived declarators whose type does not include an attribute
2735specifier is as in the ISO C standard.
2736
2737If @code{D1} has the form @code{( @var{attribute-specifier-list} D )},
2738and the declaration @code{T D} specifies the type
2739``@var{derived-declarator-type-list} @var{Type}'' for @var{ident}, then
2740@code{T D1} specifies the type ``@var{derived-declarator-type-list}
2741@var{attribute-specifier-list} @var{Type}'' for @var{ident}.
2742
2743If @code{D1} has the form @code{*
2744@var{type-qualifier-and-attribute-specifier-list} D}, and the
2745declaration @code{T D} specifies the type
2746``@var{derived-declarator-type-list} @var{Type}'' for @var{ident}, then
2747@code{T D1} specifies the type ``@var{derived-declarator-type-list}
2748@var{type-qualifier-and-attribute-specifier-list} @var{Type}'' for
2749@var{ident}.
2750
f282ffb3 2751For example,
9c34dbbf
ZW
2752
2753@smallexample
2754void (__attribute__((noreturn)) ****f) (void);
2755@end smallexample
2756
2757@noindent
2758specifies the type ``pointer to pointer to pointer to pointer to
2759non-returning function returning @code{void}''. As another example,
2760
2761@smallexample
2762char *__attribute__((aligned(8))) *f;
2763@end smallexample
2764
2765@noindent
2766specifies the type ``pointer to 8-byte-aligned pointer to @code{char}''.
91d231cb
JM
2767Note again that this does not work with most attributes; for example,
2768the usage of @samp{aligned} and @samp{noreturn} attributes given above
2769is not yet supported.
2770
2771For compatibility with existing code written for compiler versions that
2772did not implement attributes on nested declarators, some laxity is
2773allowed in the placing of attributes. If an attribute that only applies
2774to types is applied to a declaration, it will be treated as applying to
2775the type of that declaration. If an attribute that only applies to
2776declarations is applied to the type of a declaration, it will be treated
2777as applying to that declaration; and, for compatibility with code
2778placing the attributes immediately before the identifier declared, such
2779an attribute applied to a function return type will be treated as
2780applying to the function type, and such an attribute applied to an array
2781element type will be treated as applying to the array type. If an
2782attribute that only applies to function types is applied to a
2783pointer-to-function type, it will be treated as applying to the pointer
2784target type; if such an attribute is applied to a function return type
2785that is not a pointer-to-function type, it will be treated as applying
2786to the function type.
2c5e91d2 2787
c1f7febf
RK
2788@node Function Prototypes
2789@section Prototypes and Old-Style Function Definitions
2790@cindex function prototype declarations
2791@cindex old-style function definitions
2792@cindex promotion of formal parameters
2793
5490d604 2794GNU C extends ISO C to allow a function prototype to override a later
c1f7febf
RK
2795old-style non-prototype definition. Consider the following example:
2796
2797@example
2798/* @r{Use prototypes unless the compiler is old-fashioned.} */
d863830b 2799#ifdef __STDC__
c1f7febf
RK
2800#define P(x) x
2801#else
2802#define P(x) ()
2803#endif
2804
2805/* @r{Prototype function declaration.} */
2806int isroot P((uid_t));
2807
2808/* @r{Old-style function definition.} */
2809int
2810isroot (x) /* ??? lossage here ??? */
2811 uid_t x;
2812@{
2813 return x == 0;
2814@}
2815@end example
2816
5490d604 2817Suppose the type @code{uid_t} happens to be @code{short}. ISO C does
c1f7febf
RK
2818not allow this example, because subword arguments in old-style
2819non-prototype definitions are promoted. Therefore in this example the
2820function definition's argument is really an @code{int}, which does not
2821match the prototype argument type of @code{short}.
2822
5490d604 2823This restriction of ISO C makes it hard to write code that is portable
c1f7febf
RK
2824to traditional C compilers, because the programmer does not know
2825whether the @code{uid_t} type is @code{short}, @code{int}, or
2826@code{long}. Therefore, in cases like these GNU C allows a prototype
2827to override a later old-style definition. More precisely, in GNU C, a
2828function prototype argument type overrides the argument type specified
2829by a later old-style definition if the former type is the same as the
2830latter type before promotion. Thus in GNU C the above example is
2831equivalent to the following:
2832
2833@example
2834int isroot (uid_t);
2835
2836int
2837isroot (uid_t x)
2838@{
2839 return x == 0;
2840@}
2841@end example
2842
9c34dbbf 2843@noindent
c1f7febf
RK
2844GNU C++ does not support old-style function definitions, so this
2845extension is irrelevant.
2846
2847@node C++ Comments
2848@section C++ Style Comments
2849@cindex //
2850@cindex C++ comments
2851@cindex comments, C++ style
2852
2853In GNU C, you may use C++ style comments, which start with @samp{//} and
2854continue until the end of the line. Many other C implementations allow
f458d1d5
ZW
2855such comments, and they are included in the 1999 C standard. However,
2856C++ style comments are not recognized if you specify an @option{-std}
2857option specifying a version of ISO C before C99, or @option{-ansi}
2858(equivalent to @option{-std=c89}).
c1f7febf
RK
2859
2860@node Dollar Signs
2861@section Dollar Signs in Identifier Names
2862@cindex $
2863@cindex dollar signs in identifier names
2864@cindex identifier names, dollar signs in
2865
79188db9
RK
2866In GNU C, you may normally use dollar signs in identifier names.
2867This is because many traditional C implementations allow such identifiers.
2868However, dollar signs in identifiers are not supported on a few target
2869machines, typically because the target assembler does not allow them.
c1f7febf
RK
2870
2871@node Character Escapes
2872@section The Character @key{ESC} in Constants
2873
2874You can use the sequence @samp{\e} in a string or character constant to
2875stand for the ASCII character @key{ESC}.
2876
2877@node Alignment
2878@section Inquiring on Alignment of Types or Variables
2879@cindex alignment
2880@cindex type alignment
2881@cindex variable alignment
2882
2883The keyword @code{__alignof__} allows you to inquire about how an object
2884is aligned, or the minimum alignment usually required by a type. Its
2885syntax is just like @code{sizeof}.
2886
2887For example, if the target machine requires a @code{double} value to be
2888aligned on an 8-byte boundary, then @code{__alignof__ (double)} is 8.
2889This is true on many RISC machines. On more traditional machine
2890designs, @code{__alignof__ (double)} is 4 or even 2.
2891
2892Some machines never actually require alignment; they allow reference to any
2893data type even at an odd addresses. For these machines, @code{__alignof__}
2894reports the @emph{recommended} alignment of a type.
2895
5372b3fb
NB
2896If the operand of @code{__alignof__} is an lvalue rather than a type,
2897its value is the required alignment for its type, taking into account
2898any minimum alignment specified with GCC's @code{__attribute__}
2899extension (@pxref{Variable Attributes}). For example, after this
2900declaration:
c1f7febf
RK
2901
2902@example
2903struct foo @{ int x; char y; @} foo1;
2904@end example
2905
2906@noindent
5372b3fb
NB
2907the value of @code{__alignof__ (foo1.y)} is 1, even though its actual
2908alignment is probably 2 or 4, the same as @code{__alignof__ (int)}.
c1f7febf 2909
9d27bffe
SS
2910It is an error to ask for the alignment of an incomplete type.
2911
c1f7febf
RK
2912@node Variable Attributes
2913@section Specifying Attributes of Variables
2914@cindex attribute of variables
2915@cindex variable attributes
2916
2917The keyword @code{__attribute__} allows you to specify special
2918attributes of variables or structure fields. This keyword is followed
e23bd218 2919by an attribute specification inside double parentheses. Ten
c1f7febf
RK
2920attributes are currently defined for variables: @code{aligned},
2921@code{mode}, @code{nocommon}, @code{packed}, @code{section},
e23bd218
IR
2922@code{transparent_union}, @code{unused}, @code{deprecated},
2923@code{vector_size}, and @code{weak}. Some other attributes are defined
2924for variables on particular target systems. Other attributes are
2925available for functions (@pxref{Function Attributes}) and for types
2926(@pxref{Type Attributes}). Other front ends might define more
2927attributes (@pxref{C++ Extensions,,Extensions to the C++ Language}).
c1f7febf
RK
2928
2929You may also specify attributes with @samp{__} preceding and following
2930each keyword. This allows you to use them in header files without
2931being concerned about a possible macro of the same name. For example,
2932you may use @code{__aligned__} instead of @code{aligned}.
2933
2c5e91d2
JM
2934@xref{Attribute Syntax}, for details of the exact syntax for using
2935attributes.
2936
c1f7febf
RK
2937@table @code
2938@cindex @code{aligned} attribute
2939@item aligned (@var{alignment})
2940This attribute specifies a minimum alignment for the variable or
2941structure field, measured in bytes. For example, the declaration:
2942
2943@smallexample
2944int x __attribute__ ((aligned (16))) = 0;
2945@end smallexample
2946
2947@noindent
2948causes the compiler to allocate the global variable @code{x} on a
294916-byte boundary. On a 68040, this could be used in conjunction with
2950an @code{asm} expression to access the @code{move16} instruction which
2951requires 16-byte aligned operands.
2952
2953You can also specify the alignment of structure fields. For example, to
2954create a double-word aligned @code{int} pair, you could write:
2955
2956@smallexample
2957struct foo @{ int x[2] __attribute__ ((aligned (8))); @};
2958@end smallexample
2959
2960@noindent
2961This is an alternative to creating a union with a @code{double} member
2962that forces the union to be double-word aligned.
2963
c1f7febf
RK
2964As in the preceding examples, you can explicitly specify the alignment
2965(in bytes) that you wish the compiler to use for a given variable or
2966structure field. Alternatively, you can leave out the alignment factor
2967and just ask the compiler to align a variable or field to the maximum
2968useful alignment for the target machine you are compiling for. For
2969example, you could write:
2970
2971@smallexample
2972short array[3] __attribute__ ((aligned));
2973@end smallexample
2974
2975Whenever you leave out the alignment factor in an @code{aligned} attribute
2976specification, the compiler automatically sets the alignment for the declared
2977variable or field to the largest alignment which is ever used for any data
2978type on the target machine you are compiling for. Doing this can often make
2979copy operations more efficient, because the compiler can use whatever
2980instructions copy the biggest chunks of memory when performing copies to
2981or from the variables or fields that you have aligned this way.
2982
2983The @code{aligned} attribute can only increase the alignment; but you
2984can decrease it by specifying @code{packed} as well. See below.
2985
2986Note that the effectiveness of @code{aligned} attributes may be limited
2987by inherent limitations in your linker. On many systems, the linker is
2988only able to arrange for variables to be aligned up to a certain maximum
2989alignment. (For some linkers, the maximum supported alignment may
2990be very very small.) If your linker is only able to align variables
2991up to a maximum of 8 byte alignment, then specifying @code{aligned(16)}
2992in an @code{__attribute__} will still only provide you with 8 byte
2993alignment. See your linker documentation for further information.
2994
2995@item mode (@var{mode})
2996@cindex @code{mode} attribute
2997This attribute specifies the data type for the declaration---whichever
2998type corresponds to the mode @var{mode}. This in effect lets you
2999request an integer or floating point type according to its width.
3000
3001You may also specify a mode of @samp{byte} or @samp{__byte__} to
3002indicate the mode corresponding to a one-byte integer, @samp{word} or
3003@samp{__word__} for the mode of a one-word integer, and @samp{pointer}
3004or @samp{__pointer__} for the mode used to represent pointers.
3005
3006@item nocommon
3007@cindex @code{nocommon} attribute
84330467 3008@opindex fno-common
f0523f02 3009This attribute specifies requests GCC not to place a variable
c1f7febf 3010``common'' but instead to allocate space for it directly. If you
f0523f02 3011specify the @option{-fno-common} flag, GCC will do this for all
c1f7febf
RK
3012variables.
3013
3014Specifying the @code{nocommon} attribute for a variable provides an
3015initialization of zeros. A variable may only be initialized in one
3016source file.
3017
3018@item packed
3019@cindex @code{packed} attribute
3020The @code{packed} attribute specifies that a variable or structure field
3021should have the smallest possible alignment---one byte for a variable,
3022and one bit for a field, unless you specify a larger value with the
3023@code{aligned} attribute.
3024
3025Here is a structure in which the field @code{x} is packed, so that it
3026immediately follows @code{a}:
3027
3028@example
3029struct foo
3030@{
3031 char a;
3032 int x[2] __attribute__ ((packed));
3033@};
3034@end example
3035
84330467 3036@item section ("@var{section-name}")
c1f7febf
RK
3037@cindex @code{section} variable attribute
3038Normally, the compiler places the objects it generates in sections like
3039@code{data} and @code{bss}. Sometimes, however, you need additional sections,
3040or you need certain particular variables to appear in special sections,
3041for example to map to special hardware. The @code{section}
3042attribute specifies that a variable (or function) lives in a particular
3043section. For example, this small program uses several specific section names:
3044
3045@smallexample
3046struct duart a __attribute__ ((section ("DUART_A"))) = @{ 0 @};
3047struct duart b __attribute__ ((section ("DUART_B"))) = @{ 0 @};
3048char stack[10000] __attribute__ ((section ("STACK"))) = @{ 0 @};
3049int init_data __attribute__ ((section ("INITDATA"))) = 0;
3050
3051main()
3052@{
3053 /* Initialize stack pointer */
3054 init_sp (stack + sizeof (stack));
3055
3056 /* Initialize initialized data */
3057 memcpy (&init_data, &data, &edata - &data);
3058
3059 /* Turn on the serial ports */
3060 init_duart (&a);
3061 init_duart (&b);
3062@}
3063@end smallexample
3064
3065@noindent
3066Use the @code{section} attribute with an @emph{initialized} definition
f0523f02 3067of a @emph{global} variable, as shown in the example. GCC issues
c1f7febf
RK
3068a warning and otherwise ignores the @code{section} attribute in
3069uninitialized variable declarations.
3070
3071You may only use the @code{section} attribute with a fully initialized
3072global definition because of the way linkers work. The linker requires
3073each object be defined once, with the exception that uninitialized
3074variables tentatively go in the @code{common} (or @code{bss}) section
84330467
JM
3075and can be multiply ``defined''. You can force a variable to be
3076initialized with the @option{-fno-common} flag or the @code{nocommon}
c1f7febf
RK
3077attribute.
3078
3079Some file formats do not support arbitrary sections so the @code{section}
3080attribute is not available on all platforms.
3081If you need to map the entire contents of a module to a particular
3082section, consider using the facilities of the linker instead.
3083
593d3a34
MK
3084@item shared
3085@cindex @code{shared} variable attribute
02f52e19
AJ
3086On Windows NT, in addition to putting variable definitions in a named
3087section, the section can also be shared among all running copies of an
161d7b59 3088executable or DLL@. For example, this small program defines shared data
84330467 3089by putting it in a named section @code{shared} and marking the section
593d3a34
MK
3090shareable:
3091
3092@smallexample
3093int foo __attribute__((section ("shared"), shared)) = 0;
3094
3095int
3096main()
3097@{
310668e8
JM
3098 /* Read and write foo. All running
3099 copies see the same value. */
593d3a34
MK
3100 return 0;
3101@}
3102@end smallexample
3103
3104@noindent
3105You may only use the @code{shared} attribute along with @code{section}
02f52e19 3106attribute with a fully initialized global definition because of the way
593d3a34
MK
3107linkers work. See @code{section} attribute for more information.
3108
161d7b59 3109The @code{shared} attribute is only available on Windows NT@.
593d3a34 3110
c1f7febf
RK
3111@item transparent_union
3112This attribute, attached to a function parameter which is a union, means
3113that the corresponding argument may have the type of any union member,
3114but the argument is passed as if its type were that of the first union
3115member. For more details see @xref{Type Attributes}. You can also use
3116this attribute on a @code{typedef} for a union data type; then it
3117applies to all function parameters with that type.
3118
3119@item unused
3120This attribute, attached to a variable, means that the variable is meant
f0523f02 3121to be possibly unused. GCC will not produce a warning for this
c1f7febf
RK
3122variable.
3123
e23bd218
IR
3124@item deprecated
3125The @code{deprecated} attribute results in a warning if the variable
3126is used anywhere in the source file. This is useful when identifying
3127variables that are expected to be removed in a future version of a
3128program. The warning also includes the location of the declaration
3129of the deprecated variable, to enable users to easily find further
3130information about why the variable is deprecated, or what they should
3131do instead. Note that the warnings only occurs for uses:
3132
3133@smallexample
3134extern int old_var __attribute__ ((deprecated));
3135extern int old_var;
3136int new_fn () @{ return old_var; @}
3137@end smallexample
3138
3139results in a warning on line 3 but not line 2.
3140
3141The @code{deprecated} attribute can also be used for functions and
3142types (@pxref{Function Attributes}, @pxref{Type Attributes}.)
3143
1b9191d2
AH
3144@item vector_size (@var{bytes})
3145This attribute specifies the vector size for the variable, measured in
3146bytes. For example, the declaration:
3147
3148@smallexample
3149int foo __attribute__ ((vector_size (16)));
3150@end smallexample
3151
3152@noindent
3153causes the compiler to set the mode for @code{foo}, to be 16 bytes,
3154divided into @code{int} sized units. Assuming a 32-bit int (a vector of
31554 units of 4 bytes), the corresponding mode of @code{foo} will be V4SI@.
3156
3157This attribute is only applicable to integral and float scalars,
3158although arrays, pointers, and function return values are allowed in
3159conjunction with this construct.
3160
3161Aggregates with this attribute are invalid, even if they are of the same
3162size as a corresponding scalar. For example, the declaration:
3163
3164@smallexample
ad706f54 3165struct S @{ int a; @};
1b9191d2
AH
3166struct S __attribute__ ((vector_size (16))) foo;
3167@end smallexample
3168
3169@noindent
3170is invalid even if the size of the structure is the same as the size of
3171the @code{int}.
3172
c1f7febf
RK
3173@item weak
3174The @code{weak} attribute is described in @xref{Function Attributes}.
845da534
DE
3175
3176@item model (@var{model-name})
3177@cindex variable addressability on the M32R/D
3178Use this attribute on the M32R/D to set the addressability of an object.
3179The identifier @var{model-name} is one of @code{small}, @code{medium},
3180or @code{large}, representing each of the code models.
3181
3182Small model objects live in the lower 16MB of memory (so that their
3183addresses can be loaded with the @code{ld24} instruction).
3184
02f52e19 3185Medium and large model objects may live anywhere in the 32-bit address space
845da534
DE
3186(the compiler will generate @code{seth/add3} instructions to load their
3187addresses).
3188
fe77449a
DR
3189@subsection i386 Variable Attributes
3190
3191Two attributes are currently defined for i386 configurations:
3192@code{ms_struct} and @code{gcc_struct}
3193
3194@item ms_struct
3195@itemx gcc_struct
3196@cindex @code{ms_struct}
3197@cindex @code{gcc_struct}
3198
3199If @code{packed} is used on a structure, or if bit-fields are used
3200it may be that the Microsoft ABI packs them differently
3201than GCC would normally pack them. Particularly when moving packed
3202data between functions compiled with GCC and the native Microsoft compiler
3203(either via function call or as data in a file), it may be necessary to access
3204either format.
3205
3206Currently @option{-m[no-]ms-bitfields} is provided for the Windows X86
3207compilers to match the native Microsoft compiler.
3208
c1f7febf
RK
3209@end table
3210
3211To specify multiple attributes, separate them by commas within the
3212double parentheses: for example, @samp{__attribute__ ((aligned (16),
3213packed))}.
3214
3215@node Type Attributes
3216@section Specifying Attributes of Types
3217@cindex attribute of types
3218@cindex type attributes
3219
3220The keyword @code{__attribute__} allows you to specify special
3221attributes of @code{struct} and @code{union} types when you define such
3222types. This keyword is followed by an attribute specification inside
d18b1ed8 3223double parentheses. Six attributes are currently defined for types:
e23bd218 3224@code{aligned}, @code{packed}, @code{transparent_union}, @code{unused},
d18b1ed8
OS
3225@code{deprecated} and @code{may_alias}. Other attributes are defined for
3226functions (@pxref{Function Attributes}) and for variables
3227(@pxref{Variable Attributes}).
c1f7febf
RK
3228
3229You may also specify any one of these attributes with @samp{__}
3230preceding and following its keyword. This allows you to use these
3231attributes in header files without being concerned about a possible
3232macro of the same name. For example, you may use @code{__aligned__}
3233instead of @code{aligned}.
3234
3235You may specify the @code{aligned} and @code{transparent_union}
3236attributes either in a @code{typedef} declaration or just past the
3237closing curly brace of a complete enum, struct or union type
3238@emph{definition} and the @code{packed} attribute only past the closing
3239brace of a definition.
3240
4051959b
JM
3241You may also specify attributes between the enum, struct or union
3242tag and the name of the type rather than after the closing brace.
3243
2c5e91d2
JM
3244@xref{Attribute Syntax}, for details of the exact syntax for using
3245attributes.
3246
c1f7febf
RK
3247@table @code
3248@cindex @code{aligned} attribute
3249@item aligned (@var{alignment})
3250This attribute specifies a minimum alignment (in bytes) for variables
3251of the specified type. For example, the declarations:
3252
3253@smallexample
f69eecfb
JL
3254struct S @{ short f[3]; @} __attribute__ ((aligned (8)));
3255typedef int more_aligned_int __attribute__ ((aligned (8)));
c1f7febf
RK
3256@end smallexample
3257
3258@noindent
d863830b 3259force the compiler to insure (as far as it can) that each variable whose
c1f7febf 3260type is @code{struct S} or @code{more_aligned_int} will be allocated and
981f6289 3261aligned @emph{at least} on a 8-byte boundary. On a SPARC, having all
c1f7febf
RK
3262variables of type @code{struct S} aligned to 8-byte boundaries allows
3263the compiler to use the @code{ldd} and @code{std} (doubleword load and
3264store) instructions when copying one variable of type @code{struct S} to
3265another, thus improving run-time efficiency.
3266
3267Note that the alignment of any given @code{struct} or @code{union} type
5490d604 3268is required by the ISO C standard to be at least a perfect multiple of
c1f7febf
RK
3269the lowest common multiple of the alignments of all of the members of
3270the @code{struct} or @code{union} in question. This means that you @emph{can}
3271effectively adjust the alignment of a @code{struct} or @code{union}
3272type by attaching an @code{aligned} attribute to any one of the members
3273of such a type, but the notation illustrated in the example above is a
3274more obvious, intuitive, and readable way to request the compiler to
3275adjust the alignment of an entire @code{struct} or @code{union} type.
3276
3277As in the preceding example, you can explicitly specify the alignment
3278(in bytes) that you wish the compiler to use for a given @code{struct}
3279or @code{union} type. Alternatively, you can leave out the alignment factor
3280and just ask the compiler to align a type to the maximum
3281useful alignment for the target machine you are compiling for. For
3282example, you could write:
3283
3284@smallexample
3285struct S @{ short f[3]; @} __attribute__ ((aligned));
3286@end smallexample
3287
3288Whenever you leave out the alignment factor in an @code{aligned}
3289attribute specification, the compiler automatically sets the alignment
3290for the type to the largest alignment which is ever used for any data
3291type on the target machine you are compiling for. Doing this can often
3292make copy operations more efficient, because the compiler can use
3293whatever instructions copy the biggest chunks of memory when performing
3294copies to or from the variables which have types that you have aligned
3295this way.
3296
3297In the example above, if the size of each @code{short} is 2 bytes, then
3298the size of the entire @code{struct S} type is 6 bytes. The smallest
3299power of two which is greater than or equal to that is 8, so the
3300compiler sets the alignment for the entire @code{struct S} type to 8
3301bytes.
3302
3303Note that although you can ask the compiler to select a time-efficient
3304alignment for a given type and then declare only individual stand-alone
3305objects of that type, the compiler's ability to select a time-efficient
3306alignment is primarily useful only when you plan to create arrays of
3307variables having the relevant (efficiently aligned) type. If you
3308declare or use arrays of variables of an efficiently-aligned type, then
3309it is likely that your program will also be doing pointer arithmetic (or
3310subscripting, which amounts to the same thing) on pointers to the
3311relevant type, and the code that the compiler generates for these
3312pointer arithmetic operations will often be more efficient for
3313efficiently-aligned types than for other types.
3314
3315The @code{aligned} attribute can only increase the alignment; but you
3316can decrease it by specifying @code{packed} as well. See below.
3317
3318Note that the effectiveness of @code{aligned} attributes may be limited
3319by inherent limitations in your linker. On many systems, the linker is
3320only able to arrange for variables to be aligned up to a certain maximum
3321alignment. (For some linkers, the maximum supported alignment may
3322be very very small.) If your linker is only able to align variables
3323up to a maximum of 8 byte alignment, then specifying @code{aligned(16)}
3324in an @code{__attribute__} will still only provide you with 8 byte
3325alignment. See your linker documentation for further information.
3326
3327@item packed
3328This attribute, attached to an @code{enum}, @code{struct}, or
3329@code{union} type definition, specified that the minimum required memory
3330be used to represent the type.
3331
84330467 3332@opindex fshort-enums
c1f7febf
RK
3333Specifying this attribute for @code{struct} and @code{union} types is
3334equivalent to specifying the @code{packed} attribute on each of the
84330467 3335structure or union members. Specifying the @option{-fshort-enums}
c1f7febf
RK
3336flag on the line is equivalent to specifying the @code{packed}
3337attribute on all @code{enum} definitions.
3338
3339You may only specify this attribute after a closing curly brace on an
1cd4bca9
BK
3340@code{enum} definition, not in a @code{typedef} declaration, unless that
3341declaration also contains the definition of the @code{enum}.
c1f7febf
RK
3342
3343@item transparent_union
3344This attribute, attached to a @code{union} type definition, indicates
3345that any function parameter having that union type causes calls to that
3346function to be treated in a special way.
3347
3348First, the argument corresponding to a transparent union type can be of
3349any type in the union; no cast is required. Also, if the union contains
3350a pointer type, the corresponding argument can be a null pointer
3351constant or a void pointer expression; and if the union contains a void
3352pointer type, the corresponding argument can be any pointer expression.
3353If the union member type is a pointer, qualifiers like @code{const} on
3354the referenced type must be respected, just as with normal pointer
3355conversions.
3356
3357Second, the argument is passed to the function using the calling
3358conventions of first member of the transparent union, not the calling
3359conventions of the union itself. All members of the union must have the
3360same machine representation; this is necessary for this argument passing
3361to work properly.
3362
3363Transparent unions are designed for library functions that have multiple
3364interfaces for compatibility reasons. For example, suppose the
3365@code{wait} function must accept either a value of type @code{int *} to
3366comply with Posix, or a value of type @code{union wait *} to comply with
3367the 4.1BSD interface. If @code{wait}'s parameter were @code{void *},
3368@code{wait} would accept both kinds of arguments, but it would also
3369accept any other pointer type and this would make argument type checking
3370less useful. Instead, @code{<sys/wait.h>} might define the interface
3371as follows:
3372
3373@smallexample
3374typedef union
3375 @{
3376 int *__ip;
3377 union wait *__up;
3378 @} wait_status_ptr_t __attribute__ ((__transparent_union__));
3379
3380pid_t wait (wait_status_ptr_t);
3381@end smallexample
3382
3383This interface allows either @code{int *} or @code{union wait *}
3384arguments to be passed, using the @code{int *} calling convention.
3385The program can call @code{wait} with arguments of either type:
3386
3387@example
3388int w1 () @{ int w; return wait (&w); @}
3389int w2 () @{ union wait w; return wait (&w); @}
3390@end example
3391
3392With this interface, @code{wait}'s implementation might look like this:
3393
3394@example
3395pid_t wait (wait_status_ptr_t p)
3396@{
3397 return waitpid (-1, p.__ip, 0);
3398@}
3399@end example
d863830b
JL
3400
3401@item unused
3402When attached to a type (including a @code{union} or a @code{struct}),
3403this attribute means that variables of that type are meant to appear
f0523f02 3404possibly unused. GCC will not produce a warning for any variables of
d863830b
JL
3405that type, even if the variable appears to do nothing. This is often
3406the case with lock or thread classes, which are usually defined and then
3407not referenced, but contain constructors and destructors that have
956d6950 3408nontrivial bookkeeping functions.
d863830b 3409
e23bd218
IR
3410@item deprecated
3411The @code{deprecated} attribute results in a warning if the type
3412is used anywhere in the source file. This is useful when identifying
3413types that are expected to be removed in a future version of a program.
3414If possible, the warning also includes the location of the declaration
3415of the deprecated type, to enable users to easily find further
3416information about why the type is deprecated, or what they should do
3417instead. Note that the warnings only occur for uses and then only
adc9fe67 3418if the type is being applied to an identifier that itself is not being
e23bd218
IR
3419declared as deprecated.
3420
3421@smallexample
3422typedef int T1 __attribute__ ((deprecated));
3423T1 x;
3424typedef T1 T2;
3425T2 y;
3426typedef T1 T3 __attribute__ ((deprecated));
3427T3 z __attribute__ ((deprecated));
3428@end smallexample
3429
3430results in a warning on line 2 and 3 but not lines 4, 5, or 6. No
3431warning is issued for line 4 because T2 is not explicitly
3432deprecated. Line 5 has no warning because T3 is explicitly
3433deprecated. Similarly for line 6.
3434
3435The @code{deprecated} attribute can also be used for functions and
3436variables (@pxref{Function Attributes}, @pxref{Variable Attributes}.)
3437
d18b1ed8
OS
3438@item may_alias
3439Accesses to objects with types with this attribute are not subjected to
3440type-based alias analysis, but are instead assumed to be able to alias
3441any other type of objects, just like the @code{char} type. See
3442@option{-fstrict-aliasing} for more information on aliasing issues.
3443
3444Example of use:
3445
478c9e72 3446@smallexample
d18b1ed8
OS
3447typedef short __attribute__((__may_alias__)) short_a;
3448
3449int
3450main (void)
3451@{
3452 int a = 0x12345678;
3453 short_a *b = (short_a *) &a;
3454
3455 b[1] = 0;
3456
3457 if (a == 0x12345678)
3458 abort();
3459
3460 exit(0);
3461@}
478c9e72 3462@end smallexample
d18b1ed8
OS
3463
3464If you replaced @code{short_a} with @code{short} in the variable
3465declaration, the above program would abort when compiled with
3466@option{-fstrict-aliasing}, which is on by default at @option{-O2} or
3467above in recent GCC versions.
fe77449a
DR
3468
3469@subsection i386 Type Attributes
3470
3471Two attributes are currently defined for i386 configurations:
3472@code{ms_struct} and @code{gcc_struct}
3473
3474@item ms_struct
3475@itemx gcc_struct
3476@cindex @code{ms_struct}
3477@cindex @code{gcc_struct}
3478
3479If @code{packed} is used on a structure, or if bit-fields are used
3480it may be that the Microsoft ABI packs them differently
3481than GCC would normally pack them. Particularly when moving packed
3482data between functions compiled with GCC and the native Microsoft compiler
3483(either via function call or as data in a file), it may be necessary to access
3484either format.
3485
3486Currently @option{-m[no-]ms-bitfields} is provided for the Windows X86
3487compilers to match the native Microsoft compiler.
c1f7febf
RK
3488@end table
3489
3490To specify multiple attributes, separate them by commas within the
3491double parentheses: for example, @samp{__attribute__ ((aligned (16),
3492packed))}.
3493
3494@node Inline
3495@section An Inline Function is As Fast As a Macro
3496@cindex inline functions
3497@cindex integrating function code
3498@cindex open coding
3499@cindex macros, inline alternative
3500
f0523f02 3501By declaring a function @code{inline}, you can direct GCC to
c1f7febf
RK
3502integrate that function's code into the code for its callers. This
3503makes execution faster by eliminating the function-call overhead; in
3504addition, if any of the actual argument values are constant, their known
3505values may permit simplifications at compile time so that not all of the
3506inline function's code needs to be included. The effect on code size is
3507less predictable; object code may be larger or smaller with function
3508inlining, depending on the particular case. Inlining of functions is an
3509optimization and it really ``works'' only in optimizing compilation. If
84330467 3510you don't use @option{-O}, no function is really inline.
c1f7febf 3511
4b404517
JM
3512Inline functions are included in the ISO C99 standard, but there are
3513currently substantial differences between what GCC implements and what
3514the ISO C99 standard requires.
3515
c1f7febf
RK
3516To declare a function inline, use the @code{inline} keyword in its
3517declaration, like this:
3518
3519@example
3520inline int
3521inc (int *a)
3522@{
3523 (*a)++;
3524@}
3525@end example
3526
5490d604 3527(If you are writing a header file to be included in ISO C programs, write
c1f7febf 3528@code{__inline__} instead of @code{inline}. @xref{Alternate Keywords}.)
c1f7febf 3529You can also make all ``simple enough'' functions inline with the option
84330467 3530@option{-finline-functions}.
247b14bd 3531
84330467 3532@opindex Winline
247b14bd
RH
3533Note that certain usages in a function definition can make it unsuitable
3534for inline substitution. Among these usages are: use of varargs, use of
3535alloca, use of variable sized data types (@pxref{Variable Length}),
3536use of computed goto (@pxref{Labels as Values}), use of nonlocal goto,
84330467 3537and nested functions (@pxref{Nested Functions}). Using @option{-Winline}
247b14bd
RH
3538will warn when a function marked @code{inline} could not be substituted,
3539and will give the reason for the failure.
c1f7febf 3540
2147b154 3541Note that in C and Objective-C, unlike C++, the @code{inline} keyword
c1f7febf
RK
3542does not affect the linkage of the function.
3543
3544@cindex automatic @code{inline} for C++ member fns
3545@cindex @code{inline} automatic for C++ member fns
3546@cindex member fns, automatically @code{inline}
3547@cindex C++ member fns, automatically @code{inline}
84330467 3548@opindex fno-default-inline
f0523f02 3549GCC automatically inlines member functions defined within the class
c1f7febf 3550body of C++ programs even if they are not explicitly declared
84330467 3551@code{inline}. (You can override this with @option{-fno-default-inline};
c1f7febf
RK
3552@pxref{C++ Dialect Options,,Options Controlling C++ Dialect}.)
3553
3554@cindex inline functions, omission of
84330467 3555@opindex fkeep-inline-functions
c1f7febf
RK
3556When a function is both inline and @code{static}, if all calls to the
3557function are integrated into the caller, and the function's address is
3558never used, then the function's own assembler code is never referenced.
f0523f02 3559In this case, GCC does not actually output assembler code for the
84330467 3560function, unless you specify the option @option{-fkeep-inline-functions}.
c1f7febf
RK
3561Some calls cannot be integrated for various reasons (in particular,
3562calls that precede the function's definition cannot be integrated, and
3563neither can recursive calls within the definition). If there is a
3564nonintegrated call, then the function is compiled to assembler code as
3565usual. The function must also be compiled as usual if the program
3566refers to its address, because that can't be inlined.
3567
3568@cindex non-static inline function
3569When an inline function is not @code{static}, then the compiler must assume
3570that there may be calls from other source files; since a global symbol can
3571be defined only once in any program, the function must not be defined in
3572the other source files, so the calls therein cannot be integrated.
3573Therefore, a non-@code{static} inline function is always compiled on its
3574own in the usual fashion.
3575
3576If you specify both @code{inline} and @code{extern} in the function
3577definition, then the definition is used only for inlining. In no case
3578is the function compiled on its own, not even if you refer to its
3579address explicitly. Such an address becomes an external reference, as
3580if you had only declared the function, and had not defined it.
3581
3582This combination of @code{inline} and @code{extern} has almost the
3583effect of a macro. The way to use it is to put a function definition in
3584a header file with these keywords, and put another copy of the
3585definition (lacking @code{inline} and @code{extern}) in a library file.
3586The definition in the header file will cause most calls to the function
3587to be inlined. If any uses of the function remain, they will refer to
3588the single copy in the library.
3589
4b404517
JM
3590For future compatibility with when GCC implements ISO C99 semantics for
3591inline functions, it is best to use @code{static inline} only. (The
3592existing semantics will remain available when @option{-std=gnu89} is
3593specified, but eventually the default will be @option{-std=gnu99} and
3594that will implement the C99 semantics, though it does not do so yet.)
3595
6aa77e6c
AH
3596GCC does not inline any functions when not optimizing unless you specify
3597the @samp{always_inline} attribute for the function, like this:
3598
3599@example
3600/* Prototype. */
3601inline void foo (const char) __attribute__((always_inline));
3602@end example
c1f7febf
RK
3603
3604@node Extended Asm
3605@section Assembler Instructions with C Expression Operands
3606@cindex extended @code{asm}
3607@cindex @code{asm} expressions
3608@cindex assembler instructions
3609@cindex registers
3610
c85f7c16
JL
3611In an assembler instruction using @code{asm}, you can specify the
3612operands of the instruction using C expressions. This means you need not
3613guess which registers or memory locations will contain the data you want
c1f7febf
RK
3614to use.
3615
c85f7c16
JL
3616You must specify an assembler instruction template much like what
3617appears in a machine description, plus an operand constraint string for
3618each operand.
c1f7febf
RK
3619
3620For example, here is how to use the 68881's @code{fsinx} instruction:
3621
3622@example
3623asm ("fsinx %1,%0" : "=f" (result) : "f" (angle));
3624@end example
3625
3626@noindent
3627Here @code{angle} is the C expression for the input operand while
3628@code{result} is that of the output operand. Each has @samp{"f"} as its
c85f7c16
JL
3629operand constraint, saying that a floating point register is required.
3630The @samp{=} in @samp{=f} indicates that the operand is an output; all
3631output operands' constraints must use @samp{=}. The constraints use the
3632same language used in the machine description (@pxref{Constraints}).
3633
3634Each operand is described by an operand-constraint string followed by
3635the C expression in parentheses. A colon separates the assembler
3636template from the first output operand and another separates the last
3637output operand from the first input, if any. Commas separate the
84b72302
RH
3638operands within each group. The total number of operands is currently
3639limited to 30; this limitation may be lifted in some future version of
3640GCC.
c85f7c16
JL
3641
3642If there are no output operands but there are input operands, you must
3643place two consecutive colons surrounding the place where the output
c1f7febf
RK
3644operands would go.
3645
84b72302
RH
3646As of GCC version 3.1, it is also possible to specify input and output
3647operands using symbolic names which can be referenced within the
3648assembler code. These names are specified inside square brackets
3649preceding the constraint string, and can be referenced inside the
3650assembler code using @code{%[@var{name}]} instead of a percentage sign
3651followed by the operand number. Using named operands the above example
3652could look like:
3653
3654@example
3655asm ("fsinx %[angle],%[output]"
3656 : [output] "=f" (result)
3657 : [angle] "f" (angle));
3658@end example
3659
3660@noindent
3661Note that the symbolic operand names have no relation whatsoever to
3662other C identifiers. You may use any name you like, even those of
3663existing C symbols, but must ensure that no two operands within the same
3664assembler construct use the same symbolic name.
3665
c1f7febf 3666Output operand expressions must be lvalues; the compiler can check this.
c85f7c16
JL
3667The input operands need not be lvalues. The compiler cannot check
3668whether the operands have data types that are reasonable for the
3669instruction being executed. It does not parse the assembler instruction
3670template and does not know what it means or even whether it is valid
3671assembler input. The extended @code{asm} feature is most often used for
3672machine instructions the compiler itself does not know exist. If
3673the output expression cannot be directly addressed (for example, it is a
f0523f02 3674bit-field), your constraint must allow a register. In that case, GCC
c85f7c16
JL
3675will use the register as the output of the @code{asm}, and then store
3676that register into the output.
3677
f0523f02 3678The ordinary output operands must be write-only; GCC will assume that
c85f7c16
JL
3679the values in these operands before the instruction are dead and need
3680not be generated. Extended asm supports input-output or read-write
3681operands. Use the constraint character @samp{+} to indicate such an
3682operand and list it with the output operands.
3683
3684When the constraints for the read-write operand (or the operand in which
3685only some of the bits are to be changed) allows a register, you may, as
3686an alternative, logically split its function into two separate operands,
3687one input operand and one write-only output operand. The connection
3688between them is expressed by constraints which say they need to be in
3689the same location when the instruction executes. You can use the same C
3690expression for both operands, or different expressions. For example,
3691here we write the (fictitious) @samp{combine} instruction with
3692@code{bar} as its read-only source operand and @code{foo} as its
3693read-write destination:
c1f7febf
RK
3694
3695@example
3696asm ("combine %2,%0" : "=r" (foo) : "0" (foo), "g" (bar));
3697@end example
3698
3699@noindent
c85f7c16 3700The constraint @samp{"0"} for operand 1 says that it must occupy the
84b72302
RH
3701same location as operand 0. A number in constraint is allowed only in
3702an input operand and it must refer to an output operand.
c1f7febf 3703
84b72302 3704Only a number in the constraint can guarantee that one operand will be in
c85f7c16
JL
3705the same place as another. The mere fact that @code{foo} is the value
3706of both operands is not enough to guarantee that they will be in the
3707same place in the generated assembler code. The following would not
3708work reliably:
c1f7febf
RK
3709
3710@example
3711asm ("combine %2,%0" : "=r" (foo) : "r" (foo), "g" (bar));
3712@end example
3713
3714Various optimizations or reloading could cause operands 0 and 1 to be in
f0523f02 3715different registers; GCC knows no reason not to do so. For example, the
c1f7febf
RK
3716compiler might find a copy of the value of @code{foo} in one register and
3717use it for operand 1, but generate the output operand 0 in a different
3718register (copying it afterward to @code{foo}'s own address). Of course,
3719since the register for operand 1 is not even mentioned in the assembler
f0523f02 3720code, the result will not work, but GCC can't tell that.
c1f7febf 3721
84b72302
RH
3722As of GCC version 3.1, one may write @code{[@var{name}]} instead of
3723the operand number for a matching constraint. For example:
3724
3725@example
3726asm ("cmoveq %1,%2,%[result]"
3727 : [result] "=r"(result)
3728 : "r" (test), "r"(new), "[result]"(old));
3729@end example
3730
c85f7c16
JL
3731Some instructions clobber specific hard registers. To describe this,
3732write a third colon after the input operands, followed by the names of
3733the clobbered hard registers (given as strings). Here is a realistic
3734example for the VAX:
c1f7febf
RK
3735
3736@example
3737asm volatile ("movc3 %0,%1,%2"
3738 : /* no outputs */
3739 : "g" (from), "g" (to), "g" (count)
3740 : "r0", "r1", "r2", "r3", "r4", "r5");
3741@end example
3742
c5c76735
JL
3743You may not write a clobber description in a way that overlaps with an
3744input or output operand. For example, you may not have an operand
3745describing a register class with one member if you mention that register
acb5d088
HPN
3746in the clobber list. Variables declared to live in specific registers
3747(@pxref{Explicit Reg Vars}), and used as asm input or output operands must
3748have no part mentioned in the clobber description.
3749There is no way for you to specify that an input
c5c76735
JL
3750operand is modified without also specifying it as an output
3751operand. Note that if all the output operands you specify are for this
3752purpose (and hence unused), you will then also need to specify
3753@code{volatile} for the @code{asm} construct, as described below, to
f0523f02 3754prevent GCC from deleting the @code{asm} statement as unused.
8fe1938e 3755
c1f7febf 3756If you refer to a particular hardware register from the assembler code,
c85f7c16
JL
3757you will probably have to list the register after the third colon to
3758tell the compiler the register's value is modified. In some assemblers,
3759the register names begin with @samp{%}; to produce one @samp{%} in the
3760assembler code, you must write @samp{%%} in the input.
3761
3762If your assembler instruction can alter the condition code register, add
f0523f02 3763@samp{cc} to the list of clobbered registers. GCC on some machines
c85f7c16
JL
3764represents the condition codes as a specific hardware register;
3765@samp{cc} serves to name this register. On other machines, the
3766condition code is handled differently, and specifying @samp{cc} has no
3767effect. But it is valid no matter what the machine.
c1f7febf
RK
3768
3769If your assembler instruction modifies memory in an unpredictable
c85f7c16 3770fashion, add @samp{memory} to the list of clobbered registers. This
f0523f02 3771will cause GCC to not keep memory values cached in registers across
dd40655a
GK
3772the assembler instruction. You will also want to add the
3773@code{volatile} keyword if the memory affected is not listed in the
3774inputs or outputs of the @code{asm}, as the @samp{memory} clobber does
3775not count as a side-effect of the @code{asm}.
c1f7febf 3776
c85f7c16 3777You can put multiple assembler instructions together in a single
8720914b
HPN
3778@code{asm} template, separated by the characters normally used in assembly
3779code for the system. A combination that works in most places is a newline
3780to break the line, plus a tab character to move to the instruction field
3781(written as @samp{\n\t}). Sometimes semicolons can be used, if the
3782assembler allows semicolons as a line-breaking character. Note that some
3783assembler dialects use semicolons to start a comment.
3784The input operands are guaranteed not to use any of the clobbered
c85f7c16
JL
3785registers, and neither will the output operands' addresses, so you can
3786read and write the clobbered registers as many times as you like. Here
3787is an example of multiple instructions in a template; it assumes the
3788subroutine @code{_foo} accepts arguments in registers 9 and 10:
c1f7febf
RK
3789
3790@example
8720914b 3791asm ("movl %0,r9\n\tmovl %1,r10\n\tcall _foo"
c1f7febf
RK
3792 : /* no outputs */
3793 : "g" (from), "g" (to)
3794 : "r9", "r10");
3795@end example
3796
f0523f02 3797Unless an output operand has the @samp{&} constraint modifier, GCC
c85f7c16
JL
3798may allocate it in the same register as an unrelated input operand, on
3799the assumption the inputs are consumed before the outputs are produced.
c1f7febf
RK
3800This assumption may be false if the assembler code actually consists of
3801more than one instruction. In such a case, use @samp{&} for each output
c85f7c16 3802operand that may not overlap an input. @xref{Modifiers}.
c1f7febf 3803
c85f7c16
JL
3804If you want to test the condition code produced by an assembler
3805instruction, you must include a branch and a label in the @code{asm}
3806construct, as follows:
c1f7febf
RK
3807
3808@example
8720914b 3809asm ("clr %0\n\tfrob %1\n\tbeq 0f\n\tmov #1,%0\n0:"
c1f7febf
RK
3810 : "g" (result)
3811 : "g" (input));
3812@end example
3813
3814@noindent
3815This assumes your assembler supports local labels, as the GNU assembler
3816and most Unix assemblers do.
3817
3818Speaking of labels, jumps from one @code{asm} to another are not
c85f7c16
JL
3819supported. The compiler's optimizers do not know about these jumps, and
3820therefore they cannot take account of them when deciding how to
c1f7febf
RK
3821optimize.
3822
3823@cindex macros containing @code{asm}
3824Usually the most convenient way to use these @code{asm} instructions is to
3825encapsulate them in macros that look like functions. For example,
3826
3827@example
3828#define sin(x) \
3829(@{ double __value, __arg = (x); \
3830 asm ("fsinx %1,%0": "=f" (__value): "f" (__arg)); \
3831 __value; @})
3832@end example
3833
3834@noindent
3835Here the variable @code{__arg} is used to make sure that the instruction
3836operates on a proper @code{double} value, and to accept only those
3837arguments @code{x} which can convert automatically to a @code{double}.
3838
c85f7c16
JL
3839Another way to make sure the instruction operates on the correct data
3840type is to use a cast in the @code{asm}. This is different from using a
c1f7febf
RK
3841variable @code{__arg} in that it converts more different types. For
3842example, if the desired type were @code{int}, casting the argument to
3843@code{int} would accept a pointer with no complaint, while assigning the
3844argument to an @code{int} variable named @code{__arg} would warn about
3845using a pointer unless the caller explicitly casts it.
3846
f0523f02 3847If an @code{asm} has output operands, GCC assumes for optimization
c85f7c16
JL
3848purposes the instruction has no side effects except to change the output
3849operands. This does not mean instructions with a side effect cannot be
3850used, but you must be careful, because the compiler may eliminate them
3851if the output operands aren't used, or move them out of loops, or
3852replace two with one if they constitute a common subexpression. Also,
3853if your instruction does have a side effect on a variable that otherwise
3854appears not to change, the old value of the variable may be reused later
3855if it happens to be found in a register.
c1f7febf
RK
3856
3857You can prevent an @code{asm} instruction from being deleted, moved
3858significantly, or combined, by writing the keyword @code{volatile} after
3859the @code{asm}. For example:
3860
3861@example
310668e8
JM
3862#define get_and_set_priority(new) \
3863(@{ int __old; \
3864 asm volatile ("get_and_set_priority %0, %1" \
3865 : "=g" (__old) : "g" (new)); \
c85f7c16 3866 __old; @})
24f98470 3867@end example
c1f7febf
RK
3868
3869@noindent
f0523f02 3870If you write an @code{asm} instruction with no outputs, GCC will know
c85f7c16 3871the instruction has side-effects and will not delete the instruction or
e71b34aa 3872move it outside of loops.
c85f7c16 3873
e71b34aa
MM
3874The @code{volatile} keyword indicates that the instruction has
3875important side-effects. GCC will not delete a volatile @code{asm} if
3876it is reachable. (The instruction can still be deleted if GCC can
3877prove that control-flow will never reach the location of the
3878instruction.) In addition, GCC will not reschedule instructions
3879across a volatile @code{asm} instruction. For example:
3880
3881@example
bd78000b 3882*(volatile int *)addr = foo;
e71b34aa
MM
3883asm volatile ("eieio" : : );
3884@end example
3885
ebb48a4d 3886@noindent
e71b34aa
MM
3887Assume @code{addr} contains the address of a memory mapped device
3888register. The PowerPC @code{eieio} instruction (Enforce In-order
aee96fe9 3889Execution of I/O) tells the CPU to make sure that the store to that
161d7b59 3890device register happens before it issues any other I/O@.
c1f7febf
RK
3891
3892Note that even a volatile @code{asm} instruction can be moved in ways
3893that appear insignificant to the compiler, such as across jump
3894instructions. You can't expect a sequence of volatile @code{asm}
3895instructions to remain perfectly consecutive. If you want consecutive
e71b34aa
MM
3896output, use a single @code{asm}. Also, GCC will perform some
3897optimizations across a volatile @code{asm} instruction; GCC does not
3898``forget everything'' when it encounters a volatile @code{asm}
3899instruction the way some other compilers do.
3900
3901An @code{asm} instruction without any operands or clobbers (an ``old
3902style'' @code{asm}) will be treated identically to a volatile
3903@code{asm} instruction.
c1f7febf
RK
3904
3905It is a natural idea to look for a way to give access to the condition
3906code left by the assembler instruction. However, when we attempted to
3907implement this, we found no way to make it work reliably. The problem
3908is that output operands might need reloading, which would result in
3909additional following ``store'' instructions. On most machines, these
3910instructions would alter the condition code before there was time to
3911test it. This problem doesn't arise for ordinary ``test'' and
3912``compare'' instructions because they don't have any output operands.
3913
eda3fbbe
GB
3914For reasons similar to those described above, it is not possible to give
3915an assembler instruction access to the condition code left by previous
3916instructions.
3917
5490d604 3918If you are writing a header file that should be includable in ISO C
c1f7febf
RK
3919programs, write @code{__asm__} instead of @code{asm}. @xref{Alternate
3920Keywords}.
3921
fe0ce426
JH
3922@subsection i386 floating point asm operands
3923
3924There are several rules on the usage of stack-like regs in
3925asm_operands insns. These rules apply only to the operands that are
3926stack-like regs:
3927
3928@enumerate
3929@item
3930Given a set of input regs that die in an asm_operands, it is
3931necessary to know which are implicitly popped by the asm, and
3932which must be explicitly popped by gcc.
3933
3934An input reg that is implicitly popped by the asm must be
3935explicitly clobbered, unless it is constrained to match an
3936output operand.
3937
3938@item
3939For any input reg that is implicitly popped by an asm, it is
3940necessary to know how to adjust the stack to compensate for the pop.
3941If any non-popped input is closer to the top of the reg-stack than
3942the implicitly popped reg, it would not be possible to know what the
84330467 3943stack looked like---it's not clear how the rest of the stack ``slides
fe0ce426
JH
3944up''.
3945
3946All implicitly popped input regs must be closer to the top of
3947the reg-stack than any input that is not implicitly popped.
3948
3949It is possible that if an input dies in an insn, reload might
3950use the input reg for an output reload. Consider this example:
3951
3952@example
3953asm ("foo" : "=t" (a) : "f" (b));
3954@end example
3955
3956This asm says that input B is not popped by the asm, and that
c771326b 3957the asm pushes a result onto the reg-stack, i.e., the stack is one
fe0ce426
JH
3958deeper after the asm than it was before. But, it is possible that
3959reload will think that it can use the same reg for both the input and
3960the output, if input B dies in this insn.
3961
3962If any input operand uses the @code{f} constraint, all output reg
3963constraints must use the @code{&} earlyclobber.
3964
3965The asm above would be written as
3966
3967@example
3968asm ("foo" : "=&t" (a) : "f" (b));
3969@end example
3970
3971@item
3972Some operands need to be in particular places on the stack. All
84330467 3973output operands fall in this category---there is no other way to
fe0ce426
JH
3974know which regs the outputs appear in unless the user indicates
3975this in the constraints.
3976
3977Output operands must specifically indicate which reg an output
3978appears in after an asm. @code{=f} is not allowed: the operand
3979constraints must select a class with a single reg.
3980
3981@item
3982Output operands may not be ``inserted'' between existing stack regs.
3983Since no 387 opcode uses a read/write operand, all output operands
3984are dead before the asm_operands, and are pushed by the asm_operands.
3985It makes no sense to push anywhere but the top of the reg-stack.
3986
3987Output operands must start at the top of the reg-stack: output
3988operands may not ``skip'' a reg.
3989
3990@item
3991Some asm statements may need extra stack space for internal
3992calculations. This can be guaranteed by clobbering stack registers
3993unrelated to the inputs and outputs.
3994
3995@end enumerate
3996
3997Here are a couple of reasonable asms to want to write. This asm
3998takes one input, which is internally popped, and produces two outputs.
3999
4000@example
4001asm ("fsincos" : "=t" (cos), "=u" (sin) : "0" (inp));
4002@end example
4003
4004This asm takes two inputs, which are popped by the @code{fyl2xp1} opcode,
4005and replaces them with one output. The user must code the @code{st(1)}
4006clobber for reg-stack.c to know that @code{fyl2xp1} pops both inputs.
4007
4008@example
4009asm ("fyl2xp1" : "=t" (result) : "0" (x), "u" (y) : "st(1)");
4010@end example
4011
c1f7febf 4012@include md.texi
c1f7febf
RK
4013
4014@node Asm Labels
4015@section Controlling Names Used in Assembler Code
4016@cindex assembler names for identifiers
4017@cindex names used in assembler code
4018@cindex identifiers, names in assembler code
4019
4020You can specify the name to be used in the assembler code for a C
4021function or variable by writing the @code{asm} (or @code{__asm__})
4022keyword after the declarator as follows:
4023
4024@example
4025int foo asm ("myfoo") = 2;
4026@end example
4027
4028@noindent
4029This specifies that the name to be used for the variable @code{foo} in
4030the assembler code should be @samp{myfoo} rather than the usual
4031@samp{_foo}.
4032
4033On systems where an underscore is normally prepended to the name of a C
4034function or variable, this feature allows you to define names for the
4035linker that do not start with an underscore.
4036
0adc3c19
MM
4037It does not make sense to use this feature with a non-static local
4038variable since such variables do not have assembler names. If you are
4039trying to put the variable in a particular register, see @ref{Explicit
4040Reg Vars}. GCC presently accepts such code with a warning, but will
4041probably be changed to issue an error, rather than a warning, in the
4042future.
4043
c1f7febf
RK
4044You cannot use @code{asm} in this way in a function @emph{definition}; but
4045you can get the same effect by writing a declaration for the function
4046before its definition and putting @code{asm} there, like this:
4047
4048@example
4049extern func () asm ("FUNC");
4050
4051func (x, y)
4052 int x, y;
0d893a63 4053/* @r{@dots{}} */
c1f7febf
RK
4054@end example
4055
4056It is up to you to make sure that the assembler names you choose do not
4057conflict with any other assembler symbols. Also, you must not use a
f0523f02
JM
4058register name; that would produce completely invalid assembler code. GCC
4059does not as yet have the ability to store static variables in registers.
c1f7febf
RK
4060Perhaps that will be added.
4061
4062@node Explicit Reg Vars
4063@section Variables in Specified Registers
4064@cindex explicit register variables
4065@cindex variables in specified registers
4066@cindex specified registers
4067@cindex registers, global allocation
4068
4069GNU C allows you to put a few global variables into specified hardware
4070registers. You can also specify the register in which an ordinary
4071register variable should be allocated.
4072
4073@itemize @bullet
4074@item
4075Global register variables reserve registers throughout the program.
4076This may be useful in programs such as programming language
4077interpreters which have a couple of global variables that are accessed
4078very often.
4079
4080@item
4081Local register variables in specific registers do not reserve the
4082registers. The compiler's data flow analysis is capable of determining
4083where the specified registers contain live values, and where they are
8d344fbc 4084available for other uses. Stores into local register variables may be deleted
0deaf590
JL
4085when they appear to be dead according to dataflow analysis. References
4086to local register variables may be deleted or moved or simplified.
c1f7febf
RK
4087
4088These local variables are sometimes convenient for use with the extended
4089@code{asm} feature (@pxref{Extended Asm}), if you want to write one
4090output of the assembler instruction directly into a particular register.
4091(This will work provided the register you specify fits the constraints
4092specified for that operand in the @code{asm}.)
4093@end itemize
4094
4095@menu
4096* Global Reg Vars::
4097* Local Reg Vars::
4098@end menu
4099
4100@node Global Reg Vars
4101@subsection Defining Global Register Variables
4102@cindex global register variables
4103@cindex registers, global variables in
4104
4105You can define a global register variable in GNU C like this:
4106
4107@example
4108register int *foo asm ("a5");
4109@end example
4110
4111@noindent
4112Here @code{a5} is the name of the register which should be used. Choose a
4113register which is normally saved and restored by function calls on your
4114machine, so that library routines will not clobber it.
4115
4116Naturally the register name is cpu-dependent, so you would need to
4117conditionalize your program according to cpu type. The register
4118@code{a5} would be a good choice on a 68000 for a variable of pointer
4119type. On machines with register windows, be sure to choose a ``global''
4120register that is not affected magically by the function call mechanism.
4121
4122In addition, operating systems on one type of cpu may differ in how they
4123name the registers; then you would need additional conditionals. For
4124example, some 68000 operating systems call this register @code{%a5}.
4125
4126Eventually there may be a way of asking the compiler to choose a register
4127automatically, but first we need to figure out how it should choose and
4128how to enable you to guide the choice. No solution is evident.
4129
4130Defining a global register variable in a certain register reserves that
4131register entirely for this use, at least within the current compilation.
4132The register will not be allocated for any other purpose in the functions
4133in the current compilation. The register will not be saved and restored by
4134these functions. Stores into this register are never deleted even if they
4135would appear to be dead, but references may be deleted or moved or
4136simplified.
4137
4138It is not safe to access the global register variables from signal
4139handlers, or from more than one thread of control, because the system
4140library routines may temporarily use the register for other things (unless
4141you recompile them specially for the task at hand).
4142
4143@cindex @code{qsort}, and global register variables
4144It is not safe for one function that uses a global register variable to
4145call another such function @code{foo} by way of a third function
e979f9e8 4146@code{lose} that was compiled without knowledge of this variable (i.e.@: in a
c1f7febf
RK
4147different source file in which the variable wasn't declared). This is
4148because @code{lose} might save the register and put some other value there.
4149For example, you can't expect a global register variable to be available in
4150the comparison-function that you pass to @code{qsort}, since @code{qsort}
4151might have put something else in that register. (If you are prepared to
4152recompile @code{qsort} with the same global register variable, you can
4153solve this problem.)
4154
4155If you want to recompile @code{qsort} or other source files which do not
4156actually use your global register variable, so that they will not use that
4157register for any other purpose, then it suffices to specify the compiler
84330467 4158option @option{-ffixed-@var{reg}}. You need not actually add a global
c1f7febf
RK
4159register declaration to their source code.
4160
4161A function which can alter the value of a global register variable cannot
4162safely be called from a function compiled without this variable, because it
4163could clobber the value the caller expects to find there on return.
4164Therefore, the function which is the entry point into the part of the
4165program that uses the global register variable must explicitly save and
4166restore the value which belongs to its caller.
4167
4168@cindex register variable after @code{longjmp}
4169@cindex global register after @code{longjmp}
4170@cindex value after @code{longjmp}
4171@findex longjmp
4172@findex setjmp
4173On most machines, @code{longjmp} will restore to each global register
4174variable the value it had at the time of the @code{setjmp}. On some
4175machines, however, @code{longjmp} will not change the value of global
4176register variables. To be portable, the function that called @code{setjmp}
4177should make other arrangements to save the values of the global register
4178variables, and to restore them in a @code{longjmp}. This way, the same
4179thing will happen regardless of what @code{longjmp} does.
4180
4181All global register variable declarations must precede all function
4182definitions. If such a declaration could appear after function
4183definitions, the declaration would be too late to prevent the register from
4184being used for other purposes in the preceding functions.
4185
4186Global register variables may not have initial values, because an
4187executable file has no means to supply initial contents for a register.
4188
981f6289 4189On the SPARC, there are reports that g3 @dots{} g7 are suitable
c1f7febf
RK
4190registers, but certain library functions, such as @code{getwd}, as well
4191as the subroutines for division and remainder, modify g3 and g4. g1 and
4192g2 are local temporaries.
4193
4194On the 68000, a2 @dots{} a5 should be suitable, as should d2 @dots{} d7.
4195Of course, it will not do to use more than a few of those.
4196
4197@node Local Reg Vars
4198@subsection Specifying Registers for Local Variables
4199@cindex local variables, specifying registers
4200@cindex specifying registers for local variables
4201@cindex registers for local variables
4202
4203You can define a local register variable with a specified register
4204like this:
4205
4206@example
4207register int *foo asm ("a5");
4208@end example
4209
4210@noindent
4211Here @code{a5} is the name of the register which should be used. Note
4212that this is the same syntax used for defining global register
4213variables, but for a local variable it would appear within a function.
4214
4215Naturally the register name is cpu-dependent, but this is not a
4216problem, since specific registers are most often useful with explicit
4217assembler instructions (@pxref{Extended Asm}). Both of these things
4218generally require that you conditionalize your program according to
4219cpu type.
4220
4221In addition, operating systems on one type of cpu may differ in how they
4222name the registers; then you would need additional conditionals. For
4223example, some 68000 operating systems call this register @code{%a5}.
4224
c1f7febf
RK
4225Defining such a register variable does not reserve the register; it
4226remains available for other uses in places where flow control determines
4227the variable's value is not live. However, these registers are made
e5e809f4
JL
4228unavailable for use in the reload pass; excessive use of this feature
4229leaves the compiler too few available registers to compile certain
4230functions.
4231
f0523f02 4232This option does not guarantee that GCC will generate code that has
e5e809f4
JL
4233this variable in the register you specify at all times. You may not
4234code an explicit reference to this register in an @code{asm} statement
4235and assume it will always refer to this variable.
c1f7febf 4236
8d344fbc 4237Stores into local register variables may be deleted when they appear to be dead
0deaf590
JL
4238according to dataflow analysis. References to local register variables may
4239be deleted or moved or simplified.
4240
c1f7febf
RK
4241@node Alternate Keywords
4242@section Alternate Keywords
4243@cindex alternate keywords
4244@cindex keywords, alternate
4245
5490d604 4246@option{-ansi} and the various @option{-std} options disable certain
f458d1d5
ZW
4247keywords. This causes trouble when you want to use GNU C extensions, or
4248a general-purpose header file that should be usable by all programs,
4249including ISO C programs. The keywords @code{asm}, @code{typeof} and
4250@code{inline} are not available in programs compiled with
4251@option{-ansi} or @option{-std} (although @code{inline} can be used in a
4252program compiled with @option{-std=c99}). The ISO C99 keyword
5490d604
JM
4253@code{restrict} is only available when @option{-std=gnu99} (which will
4254eventually be the default) or @option{-std=c99} (or the equivalent
bd819a4a 4255@option{-std=iso9899:1999}) is used.
c1f7febf
RK
4256
4257The way to solve these problems is to put @samp{__} at the beginning and
4258end of each problematical keyword. For example, use @code{__asm__}
f458d1d5 4259instead of @code{asm}, and @code{__inline__} instead of @code{inline}.
c1f7febf
RK
4260
4261Other C compilers won't accept these alternative keywords; if you want to
4262compile with another compiler, you can define the alternate keywords as
4263macros to replace them with the customary keywords. It looks like this:
4264
4265@example
4266#ifndef __GNUC__
4267#define __asm__ asm
4268#endif
4269@end example
4270
6e6b0525 4271@findex __extension__
84330467
JM
4272@opindex pedantic
4273@option{-pedantic} and other options cause warnings for many GNU C extensions.
dbe519e0 4274You can
c1f7febf
RK
4275prevent such warnings within one expression by writing
4276@code{__extension__} before the expression. @code{__extension__} has no
4277effect aside from this.
4278
4279@node Incomplete Enums
4280@section Incomplete @code{enum} Types
4281
4282You can define an @code{enum} tag without specifying its possible values.
4283This results in an incomplete type, much like what you get if you write
4284@code{struct foo} without describing the elements. A later declaration
4285which does specify the possible values completes the type.
4286
4287You can't allocate variables or storage using the type while it is
4288incomplete. However, you can work with pointers to that type.
4289
4290This extension may not be very useful, but it makes the handling of
4291@code{enum} more consistent with the way @code{struct} and @code{union}
4292are handled.
4293
4294This extension is not supported by GNU C++.
4295
4296@node Function Names
4297@section Function Names as Strings
4b404517
JM
4298@cindex @code{__FUNCTION__} identifier
4299@cindex @code{__PRETTY_FUNCTION__} identifier
4300@cindex @code{__func__} identifier
c1f7febf 4301
f0523f02 4302GCC predefines two magic identifiers to hold the name of the current
767094dd
JM
4303function. The identifier @code{__FUNCTION__} holds the name of the function
4304as it appears in the source. The identifier @code{__PRETTY_FUNCTION__}
22acfb79
NM
4305holds the name of the function pretty printed in a language specific
4306fashion.
c1f7febf
RK
4307
4308These names are always the same in a C function, but in a C++ function
4309they may be different. For example, this program:
4310
4311@smallexample
4312extern "C" @{
4313extern int printf (char *, ...);
4314@}
4315
4316class a @{
4317 public:
4318 sub (int i)
4319 @{
4320 printf ("__FUNCTION__ = %s\n", __FUNCTION__);
4321 printf ("__PRETTY_FUNCTION__ = %s\n", __PRETTY_FUNCTION__);
4322 @}
4323@};
4324
4325int
4326main (void)
4327@{
4328 a ax;
4329 ax.sub (0);
4330 return 0;
4331@}
4332@end smallexample
4333
4334@noindent
4335gives this output:
4336
4337@smallexample
4338__FUNCTION__ = sub
4339__PRETTY_FUNCTION__ = int a::sub (int)
4340@end smallexample
4341
22acfb79 4342The compiler automagically replaces the identifiers with a string
767094dd 4343literal containing the appropriate name. Thus, they are neither
22acfb79 4344preprocessor macros, like @code{__FILE__} and @code{__LINE__}, nor
767094dd
JM
4345variables. This means that they catenate with other string literals, and
4346that they can be used to initialize char arrays. For example
22acfb79
NM
4347
4348@smallexample
4349char here[] = "Function " __FUNCTION__ " in " __FILE__;
4350@end smallexample
4351
4352On the other hand, @samp{#ifdef __FUNCTION__} does not have any special
c1f7febf
RK
4353meaning inside a function, since the preprocessor does not do anything
4354special with the identifier @code{__FUNCTION__}.
4355
9aa8a1df
NB
4356Note that these semantics are deprecated, and that GCC 3.2 will handle
4357@code{__FUNCTION__} and @code{__PRETTY_FUNCTION__} the same way as
4358@code{__func__}. @code{__func__} is defined by the ISO standard C99:
22acfb79
NM
4359
4360@display
4361The identifier @code{__func__} is implicitly declared by the translator
4362as if, immediately following the opening brace of each function
4363definition, the declaration
4364
4365@smallexample
4366static const char __func__[] = "function-name";
4367@end smallexample
4368
4369appeared, where function-name is the name of the lexically-enclosing
767094dd 4370function. This name is the unadorned name of the function.
22acfb79
NM
4371@end display
4372
4373By this definition, @code{__func__} is a variable, not a string literal.
4374In particular, @code{__func__} does not catenate with other string
4375literals.
4376
4377In @code{C++}, @code{__FUNCTION__} and @code{__PRETTY_FUNCTION__} are
4378variables, declared in the same way as @code{__func__}.
4379
c1f7febf
RK
4380@node Return Address
4381@section Getting the Return or Frame Address of a Function
4382
4383These functions may be used to get information about the callers of a
4384function.
4385
84330467 4386@deftypefn {Built-in Function} {void *} __builtin_return_address (unsigned int @var{level})
c1f7febf
RK
4387This function returns the return address of the current function, or of
4388one of its callers. The @var{level} argument is number of frames to
4389scan up the call stack. A value of @code{0} yields the return address
4390of the current function, a value of @code{1} yields the return address
95b1627e
EC
4391of the caller of the current function, and so forth. When inlining
4392the expected behavior is that the function will return the address of
4393the function that will be returned to. To work around this behavior use
4394the @code{noinline} function attribute.
c1f7febf
RK
4395
4396The @var{level} argument must be a constant integer.
4397
4398On some machines it may be impossible to determine the return address of
4399any function other than the current one; in such cases, or when the top
dd96fbc5
L
4400of the stack has been reached, this function will return @code{0} or a
4401random value. In addition, @code{__builtin_frame_address} may be used
4402to determine if the top of the stack has been reached.
c1f7febf 4403
df2a54e9 4404This function should only be used with a nonzero argument for debugging
c1f7febf 4405purposes.
84330467 4406@end deftypefn
c1f7febf 4407
84330467 4408@deftypefn {Built-in Function} {void *} __builtin_frame_address (unsigned int @var{level})
c1f7febf
RK
4409This function is similar to @code{__builtin_return_address}, but it
4410returns the address of the function frame rather than the return address
4411of the function. Calling @code{__builtin_frame_address} with a value of
4412@code{0} yields the frame address of the current function, a value of
4413@code{1} yields the frame address of the caller of the current function,
4414and so forth.
4415
4416The frame is the area on the stack which holds local variables and saved
4417registers. The frame address is normally the address of the first word
4418pushed on to the stack by the function. However, the exact definition
4419depends upon the processor and the calling convention. If the processor
4420has a dedicated frame pointer register, and the function has a frame,
4421then @code{__builtin_frame_address} will return the value of the frame
4422pointer register.
4423
dd96fbc5
L
4424On some machines it may be impossible to determine the frame address of
4425any function other than the current one; in such cases, or when the top
4426of the stack has been reached, this function will return @code{0} if
4427the first frame pointer is properly initialized by the startup code.
4428
df2a54e9 4429This function should only be used with a nonzero argument for debugging
dd96fbc5 4430purposes.
84330467 4431@end deftypefn
c1f7febf 4432
1255c85c
BS
4433@node Vector Extensions
4434@section Using vector instructions through built-in functions
4435
4436On some targets, the instruction set contains SIMD vector instructions that
4437operate on multiple values contained in one large register at the same time.
4438For example, on the i386 the MMX, 3Dnow! and SSE extensions can be used
4439this way.
4440
4441The first step in using these extensions is to provide the necessary data
4442types. This should be done using an appropriate @code{typedef}:
4443
4444@example
4445typedef int v4si __attribute__ ((mode(V4SI)));
4446@end example
4447
4448The base type @code{int} is effectively ignored by the compiler, the
4449actual properties of the new type @code{v4si} are defined by the
4450@code{__attribute__}. It defines the machine mode to be used; for vector
80ebf43e
BS
4451types these have the form @code{V@var{n}@var{B}}; @var{n} should be the
4452number of elements in the vector, and @var{B} should be the base mode of the
1255c85c
BS
4453individual elements. The following can be used as base modes:
4454
4455@table @code
4456@item QI
4457An integer that is as wide as the smallest addressable unit, usually 8 bits.
4458@item HI
4459An integer, twice as wide as a QI mode integer, usually 16 bits.
4460@item SI
4461An integer, four times as wide as a QI mode integer, usually 32 bits.
4462@item DI
4463An integer, eight times as wide as a QI mode integer, usually 64 bits.
4464@item SF
4465A floating point value, as wide as a SI mode integer, usually 32 bits.
4466@item DF
4467A floating point value, as wide as a DI mode integer, usually 64 bits.
4468@end table
4469
cb2a532e
AH
4470Specifying a combination that is not valid for the current architecture
4471will cause gcc to synthesize the instructions using a narrower mode.
4472For example, if you specify a variable of type @code{V4SI} and your
4473architecture does not allow for this specific SIMD type, gcc will
4474produce code that uses 4 @code{SIs}.
4475
4476The types defined in this manner can be used with a subset of normal C
4477operations. Currently, gcc will allow using the following operators on
4478these types: @code{+, -, *, /, unary minus}@.
4479
4480The operations behave like C++ @code{valarrays}. Addition is defined as
4481the addition of the corresponding elements of the operands. For
4482example, in the code below, each of the 4 elements in @var{a} will be
4483added to the corresponding 4 elements in @var{b} and the resulting
4484vector will be stored in @var{c}.
4485
4486@example
4487typedef int v4si __attribute__ ((mode(V4SI)));
4488
4489v4si a, b, c;
4490
4491c = a + b;
4492@end example
4493
4494Subtraction, multiplication, and division operate in a similar manner.
4495Likewise, the result of using the unary minus operator on a vector type
4496is a vector whose elements are the negative value of the corresponding
4497elements in the operand.
4498
4499You can declare variables and use them in function calls and returns, as
4500well as in assignments and some casts. You can specify a vector type as
4501a return type for a function. Vector types can also be used as function
4502arguments. It is possible to cast from one vector type to another,
4503provided they are of the same size (in fact, you can also cast vectors
4504to and from other datatypes of the same size).
4505
4506You cannot operate between vectors of different lengths or different
90a21764 4507signedness without a cast.
cb2a532e
AH
4508
4509A port that supports hardware vector operations, usually provides a set
4510of built-in functions that can be used to operate on vectors. For
4511example, a function to add two vectors and multiply the result by a
4512third could look like this:
1255c85c
BS
4513
4514@example
4515v4si f (v4si a, v4si b, v4si c)
4516@{
4517 v4si tmp = __builtin_addv4si (a, b);
4518 return __builtin_mulv4si (tmp, c);
4519@}
4520
4521@end example
4522
185ebd6c 4523@node Other Builtins
f0523f02 4524@section Other built-in functions provided by GCC
c771326b 4525@cindex built-in functions
01702459
JM
4526@findex __builtin_isgreater
4527@findex __builtin_isgreaterequal
4528@findex __builtin_isless
4529@findex __builtin_islessequal
4530@findex __builtin_islessgreater
4531@findex __builtin_isunordered
4532@findex abort
4533@findex abs
4534@findex alloca
46847aa6
RS
4535@findex atan2
4536@findex atan2f
4537@findex atan2l
01702459
JM
4538@findex bcmp
4539@findex bzero
341e3d11
JM
4540@findex cimag
4541@findex cimagf
4542@findex cimagl
4543@findex conj
4544@findex conjf
4545@findex conjl
01702459
JM
4546@findex cos
4547@findex cosf
4548@findex cosl
341e3d11
JM
4549@findex creal
4550@findex crealf
4551@findex creall
01702459
JM
4552@findex exit
4553@findex _exit
796cdb65 4554@findex _Exit
e7b489c8
RS
4555@findex exp
4556@findex expf
4557@findex expl
01702459
JM
4558@findex fabs
4559@findex fabsf
4560@findex fabsl
4561@findex ffs
18f988a0 4562@findex fprintf
b4c984fb 4563@findex fprintf_unlocked
01702459 4564@findex fputs
b4c984fb 4565@findex fputs_unlocked
e78f4a97 4566@findex imaxabs
c7b6c6cd 4567@findex index
01702459
JM
4568@findex labs
4569@findex llabs
e7b489c8
RS
4570@findex log
4571@findex logf
4572@findex logl
01702459
JM
4573@findex memcmp
4574@findex memcpy
4575@findex memset
46847aa6
RS
4576@findex pow
4577@findex powf
4578@findex powl
01702459 4579@findex printf
b4c984fb 4580@findex printf_unlocked
c7b6c6cd 4581@findex rindex
01702459
JM
4582@findex sin
4583@findex sinf
4584@findex sinl
4585@findex sqrt
4586@findex sqrtf
4587@findex sqrtl
d118937d 4588@findex strcat
01702459
JM
4589@findex strchr
4590@findex strcmp
4591@findex strcpy
d118937d 4592@findex strcspn
01702459 4593@findex strlen
d118937d 4594@findex strncat
da9e9f08
KG
4595@findex strncmp
4596@findex strncpy
01702459
JM
4597@findex strpbrk
4598@findex strrchr
d118937d 4599@findex strspn
01702459 4600@findex strstr
4977bab6
ZW
4601@findex floor
4602@findex floorf
4603@findex floorl
4604@findex ceil
4605@findex ceilf
4606@findex ceill
4607@findex round
4608@findex roundf
4609@findex roundl
4610@findex trunc
4611@findex truncf
4612@findex truncl
4613@findex nearbyint
4614@findex nearbyintf
4615@findex nearbyintl
185ebd6c 4616
f0523f02 4617GCC provides a large number of built-in functions other than the ones
185ebd6c
RH
4618mentioned above. Some of these are for internal use in the processing
4619of exceptions or variable-length argument lists and will not be
4620documented here because they may change from time to time; we do not
4621recommend general use of these functions.
4622
4623The remaining functions are provided for optimization purposes.
4624
84330467 4625@opindex fno-builtin
9c34dbbf
ZW
4626GCC includes built-in versions of many of the functions in the standard
4627C library. The versions prefixed with @code{__builtin_} will always be
4628treated as having the same meaning as the C library function even if you
4629specify the @option{-fno-builtin} option. (@pxref{C Dialect Options})
4630Many of these functions are only optimized in certain cases; if they are
01702459
JM
4631not optimized in a particular case, a call to the library function will
4632be emitted.
4633
84330467
JM
4634@opindex ansi
4635@opindex std
796cdb65
JM
4636The functions @code{abort}, @code{exit}, @code{_Exit} and @code{_exit}
4637are recognized and presumed not to return, but otherwise are not built
84330467
JM
4638in. @code{_exit} is not recognized in strict ISO C mode (@option{-ansi},
4639@option{-std=c89} or @option{-std=c99}). @code{_Exit} is not recognized in
df061a43
RS
4640strict C89 mode (@option{-ansi} or @option{-std=c89}). All these functions
4641have corresponding versions prefixed with @code{__builtin_}, which may be
4642used even in strict C89 mode.
01702459
JM
4643
4644Outside strict ISO C mode, the functions @code{alloca}, @code{bcmp},
b4c984fb
KG
4645@code{bzero}, @code{index}, @code{rindex}, @code{ffs}, @code{fputs_unlocked},
4646@code{printf_unlocked} and @code{fprintf_unlocked} may be handled as
4647built-in functions. All these functions have corresponding versions
9c34dbbf
ZW
4648prefixed with @code{__builtin_}, which may be used even in strict C89
4649mode.
01702459 4650
4977bab6
ZW
4651The ISO C99 functions @code{conj}, @code{conjf}, @code{conjl}, @code{creal},
4652@code{crealf}, @code{creall}, @code{cimag}, @code{cimagf}, @code{cimagl},
46847aa6
RS
4653@code{llabs}, @code{imaxabs}, @code{round}, @code{roundf}, @code{roundl},
4654@code{trunc}, @code{truncf}, @code{truncl}, @code{nearbyint},
4655@code{nearbyintf} and @code{nearbyintl} are handled as built-in functions
4656except in strict ISO C90 mode.
4657
4658There are also built-in versions of the ISO C99 functions @code{atan2f},
4659@code{atan2l}, @code{ceilf}, @code{ceill}, @code{cosf}, @code{cosl},
4660@code{expf}, @code{expl}, @code{fabsf}, @code{fabsl}, @code{floorf},
4661@code{floorl}, @code{logf}, @code{logl}, @code{powf}, @code{powl},
4662@code{sinf}, @code{sinl}, @code{sqrtf} and @code{sqrtl}
4663that are recognized in any mode since ISO C90 reserves these names for
4664the purpose to which ISO C99 puts them. All these functions have
4665corresponding versions prefixed with @code{__builtin_}.
4666
4667The ISO C90 functions @code{abs}, @code{atan2}, @code{ceil}, @code{cos},
4668@code{exp}, @code{fabs}, @code{floor},
4669@code{fprintf}, @code{fputs}, @code{labs}, @code{log},
4670@code{memcmp}, @code{memcpy}, @code{memset}, @code{pow}, @code{printf},
4977bab6
ZW
4671@code{sin}, @code{sqrt}, @code{strcat}, @code{strchr}, @code{strcmp},
4672@code{strcpy}, @code{strcspn}, @code{strlen}, @code{strncat}, @code{strncmp},
4673@code{strncpy}, @code{strpbrk}, @code{strrchr}, @code{strspn}, and
4674@code{strstr} are all recognized as built-in functions unless
46847aa6
RS
4675@option{-fno-builtin} is specified (or @option{-fno-builtin-@var{function}}
4676is specified for an individual function). All of these functions have
4977bab6 4677corresponding versions prefixed with @code{__builtin_}.
9c34dbbf
ZW
4678
4679GCC provides built-in versions of the ISO C99 floating point comparison
4680macros that avoid raising exceptions for unordered operands. They have
4681the same names as the standard macros ( @code{isgreater},
4682@code{isgreaterequal}, @code{isless}, @code{islessequal},
4683@code{islessgreater}, and @code{isunordered}) , with @code{__builtin_}
4684prefixed. We intend for a library implementor to be able to simply
4685@code{#define} each standard macro to its built-in equivalent.
185ebd6c 4686
ecbcf7b3
AH
4687@deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_types_compatible_p (@var{type1}, @var{type2})
4688
4689You can use the built-in function @code{__builtin_types_compatible_p} to
4690determine whether two types are the same.
4691
4692This built-in function returns 1 if the unqualified versions of the
4693types @var{type1} and @var{type2} (which are types, not expressions) are
4694compatible, 0 otherwise. The result of this built-in function can be
4695used in integer constant expressions.
4696
4697This built-in function ignores top level qualifiers (e.g., @code{const},
4698@code{volatile}). For example, @code{int} is equivalent to @code{const
4699int}.
4700
4701The type @code{int[]} and @code{int[5]} are compatible. On the other
4702hand, @code{int} and @code{char *} are not compatible, even if the size
4703of their types, on the particular architecture are the same. Also, the
4704amount of pointer indirection is taken into account when determining
4705similarity. Consequently, @code{short *} is not similar to
4706@code{short **}. Furthermore, two types that are typedefed are
4707considered compatible if their underlying types are compatible.
4708
4709An @code{enum} type is considered to be compatible with another
4710@code{enum} type. For example, @code{enum @{foo, bar@}} is similar to
4711@code{enum @{hot, dog@}}.
4712
4713You would typically use this function in code whose execution varies
4714depending on the arguments' types. For example:
4715
4716@smallexample
6e5bb5ad
JM
4717#define foo(x) \
4718 (@{ \
4719 typeof (x) tmp; \
4720 if (__builtin_types_compatible_p (typeof (x), long double)) \
4721 tmp = foo_long_double (tmp); \
4722 else if (__builtin_types_compatible_p (typeof (x), double)) \
4723 tmp = foo_double (tmp); \
4724 else if (__builtin_types_compatible_p (typeof (x), float)) \
4725 tmp = foo_float (tmp); \
4726 else \
4727 abort (); \
4728 tmp; \
ecbcf7b3
AH
4729 @})
4730@end smallexample
4731
4732@emph{Note:} This construct is only available for C.
4733
4734@end deftypefn
4735
4736@deftypefn {Built-in Function} @var{type} __builtin_choose_expr (@var{const_exp}, @var{exp1}, @var{exp2})
4737
4738You can use the built-in function @code{__builtin_choose_expr} to
4739evaluate code depending on the value of a constant expression. This
4740built-in function returns @var{exp1} if @var{const_exp}, which is a
4741constant expression that must be able to be determined at compile time,
4742is nonzero. Otherwise it returns 0.
4743
4744This built-in function is analogous to the @samp{? :} operator in C,
4745except that the expression returned has its type unaltered by promotion
4746rules. Also, the built-in function does not evaluate the expression
4747that was not chosen. For example, if @var{const_exp} evaluates to true,
4748@var{exp2} is not evaluated even if it has side-effects.
4749
4750This built-in function can return an lvalue if the chosen argument is an
4751lvalue.
4752
4753If @var{exp1} is returned, the return type is the same as @var{exp1}'s
4754type. Similarly, if @var{exp2} is returned, its return type is the same
4755as @var{exp2}.
4756
4757Example:
4758
4759@smallexample
478c9e72
JJ
4760#define foo(x) \
4761 __builtin_choose_expr ( \
4762 __builtin_types_compatible_p (typeof (x), double), \
4763 foo_double (x), \
4764 __builtin_choose_expr ( \
4765 __builtin_types_compatible_p (typeof (x), float), \
4766 foo_float (x), \
4767 /* @r{The void expression results in a compile-time error} \
4768 @r{when assigning the result to something.} */ \
ecbcf7b3
AH
4769 (void)0))
4770@end smallexample
4771
4772@emph{Note:} This construct is only available for C. Furthermore, the
4773unused expression (@var{exp1} or @var{exp2} depending on the value of
4774@var{const_exp}) may still generate syntax errors. This may change in
4775future revisions.
4776
4777@end deftypefn
4778
84330467
JM
4779@deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_constant_p (@var{exp})
4780You can use the built-in function @code{__builtin_constant_p} to
185ebd6c 4781determine if a value is known to be constant at compile-time and hence
f0523f02 4782that GCC can perform constant-folding on expressions involving that
185ebd6c
RH
4783value. The argument of the function is the value to test. The function
4784returns the integer 1 if the argument is known to be a compile-time
4785constant and 0 if it is not known to be a compile-time constant. A
4786return of 0 does not indicate that the value is @emph{not} a constant,
f0523f02 4787but merely that GCC cannot prove it is a constant with the specified
84330467 4788value of the @option{-O} option.
185ebd6c
RH
4789
4790You would typically use this function in an embedded application where
4791memory was a critical resource. If you have some complex calculation,
4792you may want it to be folded if it involves constants, but need to call
4793a function if it does not. For example:
4794
4d390518 4795@smallexample
310668e8
JM
4796#define Scale_Value(X) \
4797 (__builtin_constant_p (X) \
4798 ? ((X) * SCALE + OFFSET) : Scale (X))
185ebd6c
RH
4799@end smallexample
4800
84330467 4801You may use this built-in function in either a macro or an inline
185ebd6c 4802function. However, if you use it in an inlined function and pass an
f0523f02 4803argument of the function as the argument to the built-in, GCC will
185ebd6c 4804never return 1 when you call the inline function with a string constant
4b404517 4805or compound literal (@pxref{Compound Literals}) and will not return 1
185ebd6c 4806when you pass a constant numeric value to the inline function unless you
84330467 4807specify the @option{-O} option.
13104975
ZW
4808
4809You may also use @code{__builtin_constant_p} in initializers for static
4810data. For instance, you can write
4811
4812@smallexample
79323c50 4813static const int table[] = @{
13104975 4814 __builtin_constant_p (EXPRESSION) ? (EXPRESSION) : -1,
0d893a63 4815 /* @r{@dots{}} */
79323c50 4816@};
13104975
ZW
4817@end smallexample
4818
4819@noindent
4820This is an acceptable initializer even if @var{EXPRESSION} is not a
4821constant expression. GCC must be more conservative about evaluating the
4822built-in in this case, because it has no opportunity to perform
4823optimization.
4824
4825Previous versions of GCC did not accept this built-in in data
4826initializers. The earliest version where it is completely safe is
48273.0.1.
84330467 4828@end deftypefn
185ebd6c 4829
84330467
JM
4830@deftypefn {Built-in Function} long __builtin_expect (long @var{exp}, long @var{c})
4831@opindex fprofile-arcs
02f52e19 4832You may use @code{__builtin_expect} to provide the compiler with
994a57cd 4833branch prediction information. In general, you should prefer to
84330467 4834use actual profile feedback for this (@option{-fprofile-arcs}), as
994a57cd 4835programmers are notoriously bad at predicting how their programs
60b6e1f5 4836actually perform. However, there are applications in which this
994a57cd
RH
4837data is hard to collect.
4838
4839The return value is the value of @var{exp}, which should be an
4840integral expression. The value of @var{c} must be a compile-time
84330467 4841constant. The semantics of the built-in are that it is expected
994a57cd
RH
4842that @var{exp} == @var{c}. For example:
4843
4844@smallexample
4845if (__builtin_expect (x, 0))
4846 foo ();
4847@end smallexample
4848
4849@noindent
4850would indicate that we do not expect to call @code{foo}, since
4851we expect @code{x} to be zero. Since you are limited to integral
4852expressions for @var{exp}, you should use constructions such as
4853
4854@smallexample
4855if (__builtin_expect (ptr != NULL, 1))
4856 error ();
4857@end smallexample
4858
4859@noindent
4860when testing pointer or floating-point values.
84330467 4861@end deftypefn
994a57cd 4862
3bca17dd 4863@deftypefn {Built-in Function} void __builtin_prefetch (const void *@var{addr}, ...)
a9ccbb60
JJ
4864This function is used to minimize cache-miss latency by moving data into
4865a cache before it is accessed.
4866You can insert calls to @code{__builtin_prefetch} into code for which
4867you know addresses of data in memory that is likely to be accessed soon.
4868If the target supports them, data prefetch instructions will be generated.
4869If the prefetch is done early enough before the access then the data will
4870be in the cache by the time it is accessed.
4871
4872The value of @var{addr} is the address of the memory to prefetch.
e83d297b 4873There are two optional arguments, @var{rw} and @var{locality}.
a9ccbb60 4874The value of @var{rw} is a compile-time constant one or zero; one
e83d297b
JJ
4875means that the prefetch is preparing for a write to the memory address
4876and zero, the default, means that the prefetch is preparing for a read.
a9ccbb60
JJ
4877The value @var{locality} must be a compile-time constant integer between
4878zero and three. A value of zero means that the data has no temporal
4879locality, so it need not be left in the cache after the access. A value
4880of three means that the data has a high degree of temporal locality and
4881should be left in all levels of cache possible. Values of one and two
e83d297b
JJ
4882mean, respectively, a low or moderate degree of temporal locality. The
4883default is three.
a9ccbb60
JJ
4884
4885@smallexample
4886for (i = 0; i < n; i++)
4887 @{
4888 a[i] = a[i] + b[i];
4889 __builtin_prefetch (&a[i+j], 1, 1);
4890 __builtin_prefetch (&b[i+j], 0, 1);
0d893a63 4891 /* @r{@dots{}} */
a9ccbb60
JJ
4892 @}
4893@end smallexample
4894
f282ffb3 4895Data prefetch does not generate faults if @var{addr} is invalid, but
a9ccbb60
JJ
4896the address expression itself must be valid. For example, a prefetch
4897of @code{p->next} will not fault if @code{p->next} is not a valid
4898address, but evaluation will fault if @code{p} is not a valid address.
4899
4900If the target does not support data prefetch, the address expression
4901is evaluated if it includes side effects but no other code is generated
4902and GCC does not issue a warning.
4903@end deftypefn
4904
ab5e2615
RH
4905@deftypefn {Built-in Function} double __builtin_huge_val (void)
4906Returns a positive infinity, if supported by the floating-point format,
4907else @code{DBL_MAX}. This function is suitable for implementing the
4908ISO C macro @code{HUGE_VAL}.
4909@end deftypefn
4910
4911@deftypefn {Built-in Function} float __builtin_huge_valf (void)
4912Similar to @code{__builtin_huge_val}, except the return type is @code{float}.
4913@end deftypefn
4914
4915@deftypefn {Built-in Function} long double __builtin_huge_vall (void)
4916Similar to @code{__builtin_huge_val}, except the return
4917type is @code{long double}.
4918@end deftypefn
4919
4920@deftypefn {Built-in Function} double __builtin_inf (void)
4921Similar to @code{__builtin_huge_val}, except a warning is generated
4922if the target floating-point format does not support infinities.
4923This function is suitable for implementing the ISO C99 macro @code{INFINITY}.
4924@end deftypefn
4925
4926@deftypefn {Built-in Function} float __builtin_inff (void)
4927Similar to @code{__builtin_inf}, except the return type is @code{float}.
4928@end deftypefn
4929
4930@deftypefn {Built-in Function} long double __builtin_infl (void)
4931Similar to @code{__builtin_inf}, except the return
4932type is @code{long double}.
4933@end deftypefn
4934
1472e41c
RH
4935@deftypefn {Built-in Function} double __builtin_nan (const char *str)
4936This is an implementation of the ISO C99 function @code{nan}.
4937
4938Since ISO C99 defines this function in terms of @code{strtod}, which we
c0478a66 4939do not implement, a description of the parsing is in order. The string
1472e41c
RH
4940is parsed as by @code{strtol}; that is, the base is recognized by
4941leading @samp{0} or @samp{0x} prefixes. The number parsed is placed
4942in the significand such that the least significant bit of the number
4943is at the least significant bit of the significand. The number is
4944truncated to fit the significand field provided. The significand is
4945forced to be a quiet NaN.
4946
4947This function, if given a string literal, is evaluated early enough
4948that it is considered a compile-time constant.
4949@end deftypefn
4950
4951@deftypefn {Built-in Function} float __builtin_nanf (const char *str)
4952Similar to @code{__builtin_nan}, except the return type is @code{float}.
4953@end deftypefn
4954
4955@deftypefn {Built-in Function} long double __builtin_nanl (const char *str)
4956Similar to @code{__builtin_nan}, except the return type is @code{long double}.
4957@end deftypefn
4958
4959@deftypefn {Built-in Function} double __builtin_nans (const char *str)
4960Similar to @code{__builtin_nan}, except the significand is forced
4961to be a signaling NaN. The @code{nans} function is proposed by
34bdc247 4962@uref{http://std.dkuug.dk/JTC1/SC22/WG14/www/docs/n965.htm,,WG14 N965}.
1472e41c
RH
4963@end deftypefn
4964
4965@deftypefn {Built-in Function} float __builtin_nansf (const char *str)
4966Similar to @code{__builtin_nans}, except the return type is @code{float}.
4967@end deftypefn
4968
4969@deftypefn {Built-in Function} long double __builtin_nansl (const char *str)
4970Similar to @code{__builtin_nans}, except the return type is @code{long double}.
4971@end deftypefn
4972
2928cd7a
RH
4973@deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_ffs (unsigned int x)
4974Returns one plus the index of the least significant 1-bit of @var{x}, or
4975if @var{x} is zero, returns zero.
4976@end deftypefn
4977
4978@deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_clz (unsigned int x)
4979Returns the number of leading 0-bits in @var{x}, starting at the most
4980significant bit position. If @var{x} is 0, the result is undefined.
4981@end deftypefn
4982
4983@deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_ctz (unsigned int x)
4984Returns the number of trailing 0-bits in @var{x}, starting at the least
4985significant bit position. If @var{x} is 0, the result is undefined.
4986@end deftypefn
4987
4988@deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_popcount (unsigned int x)
4989Returns the number of 1-bits in @var{x}.
4990@end deftypefn
4991
4992@deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_parity (unsigned int x)
4993Returns the parity of @var{x}, i.@:e. the number of 1-bits in @var{x}
4994modulo 2.
4995@end deftypefn
4996
4997@deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_ffsl (unsigned long)
4998Similar to @code{__builtin_ffs}, except the argument type is
4999@code{unsigned long}.
5000@end deftypefn
5001
5002@deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_clzl (unsigned long)
5003Similar to @code{__builtin_clz}, except the argument type is
5004@code{unsigned long}.
5005@end deftypefn
5006
5007@deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_ctzl (unsigned long)
5008Similar to @code{__builtin_ctz}, except the argument type is
5009@code{unsigned long}.
5010@end deftypefn
5011
5012@deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_popcountl (unsigned long)
5013Similar to @code{__builtin_popcount}, except the argument type is
5014@code{unsigned long}.
5015@end deftypefn
5016
5017@deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_parityl (unsigned long)
5018Similar to @code{__builtin_parity}, except the argument type is
5019@code{unsigned long}.
5020@end deftypefn
5021
5022@deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_ffsll (unsigned long long)
5023Similar to @code{__builtin_ffs}, except the argument type is
5024@code{unsigned long long}.
5025@end deftypefn
5026
5027@deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_clzll (unsigned long long)
5028Similar to @code{__builtin_clz}, except the argument type is
5029@code{unsigned long long}.
5030@end deftypefn
5031
5032@deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_ctzll (unsigned long long)
5033Similar to @code{__builtin_ctz}, except the argument type is
5034@code{unsigned long long}.
5035@end deftypefn
5036
5037@deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_popcountll (unsigned long long)
5038Similar to @code{__builtin_popcount}, except the argument type is
5039@code{unsigned long long}.
5040@end deftypefn
5041
5042@deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_parityll (unsigned long long)
5043Similar to @code{__builtin_parity}, except the argument type is
5044@code{unsigned long long}.
5045@end deftypefn
5046
5047
0975678f
JM
5048@node Target Builtins
5049@section Built-in Functions Specific to Particular Target Machines
5050
5051On some target machines, GCC supports many built-in functions specific
5052to those machines. Generally these generate calls to specific machine
5053instructions, but allow the compiler to schedule those calls.
5054
5055@menu
6d8fd7bb 5056* Alpha Built-in Functions::
0975678f 5057* X86 Built-in Functions::
333c8841 5058* PowerPC AltiVec Built-in Functions::
0975678f
JM
5059@end menu
5060
6d8fd7bb
RH
5061@node Alpha Built-in Functions
5062@subsection Alpha Built-in Functions
5063
5064These built-in functions are available for the Alpha family of
5065processors, depending on the command-line switches used.
5066
95b1627e 5067The following built-in functions are always available. They
6d8fd7bb
RH
5068all generate the machine instruction that is part of the name.
5069
5070@example
5071long __builtin_alpha_implver (void)
5072long __builtin_alpha_rpcc (void)
5073long __builtin_alpha_amask (long)
5074long __builtin_alpha_cmpbge (long, long)
c4b50f1a
RH
5075long __builtin_alpha_extbl (long, long)
5076long __builtin_alpha_extwl (long, long)
5077long __builtin_alpha_extll (long, long)
6d8fd7bb 5078long __builtin_alpha_extql (long, long)
c4b50f1a
RH
5079long __builtin_alpha_extwh (long, long)
5080long __builtin_alpha_extlh (long, long)
6d8fd7bb 5081long __builtin_alpha_extqh (long, long)
c4b50f1a
RH
5082long __builtin_alpha_insbl (long, long)
5083long __builtin_alpha_inswl (long, long)
5084long __builtin_alpha_insll (long, long)
5085long __builtin_alpha_insql (long, long)
5086long __builtin_alpha_inswh (long, long)
5087long __builtin_alpha_inslh (long, long)
5088long __builtin_alpha_insqh (long, long)
5089long __builtin_alpha_mskbl (long, long)
5090long __builtin_alpha_mskwl (long, long)
5091long __builtin_alpha_mskll (long, long)
5092long __builtin_alpha_mskql (long, long)
5093long __builtin_alpha_mskwh (long, long)
5094long __builtin_alpha_msklh (long, long)
5095long __builtin_alpha_mskqh (long, long)
5096long __builtin_alpha_umulh (long, long)
6d8fd7bb
RH
5097long __builtin_alpha_zap (long, long)
5098long __builtin_alpha_zapnot (long, long)
5099@end example
5100
5101The following built-in functions are always with @option{-mmax}
5102or @option{-mcpu=@var{cpu}} where @var{cpu} is @code{pca56} or
5103later. They all generate the machine instruction that is part
5104of the name.
5105
5106@example
5107long __builtin_alpha_pklb (long)
5108long __builtin_alpha_pkwb (long)
5109long __builtin_alpha_unpkbl (long)
5110long __builtin_alpha_unpkbw (long)
5111long __builtin_alpha_minub8 (long, long)
5112long __builtin_alpha_minsb8 (long, long)
5113long __builtin_alpha_minuw4 (long, long)
5114long __builtin_alpha_minsw4 (long, long)
5115long __builtin_alpha_maxub8 (long, long)
5116long __builtin_alpha_maxsb8 (long, long)
5117long __builtin_alpha_maxuw4 (long, long)
5118long __builtin_alpha_maxsw4 (long, long)
5119long __builtin_alpha_perr (long, long)
5120@end example
5121
c4b50f1a
RH
5122The following built-in functions are always with @option{-mcix}
5123or @option{-mcpu=@var{cpu}} where @var{cpu} is @code{ev67} or
5124later. They all generate the machine instruction that is part
5125of the name.
5126
5127@example
5128long __builtin_alpha_cttz (long)
5129long __builtin_alpha_ctlz (long)
5130long __builtin_alpha_ctpop (long)
5131@end example
5132
116b7a5e
RH
5133The following builtins are available on systems that use the OSF/1
5134PALcode. Normally they invoke the @code{rduniq} and @code{wruniq}
5135PAL calls, but when invoked with @option{-mtls-kernel}, they invoke
5136@code{rdval} and @code{wrval}.
5137
5138@example
5139void *__builtin_thread_pointer (void)
5140void __builtin_set_thread_pointer (void *)
5141@end example
5142
0975678f
JM
5143@node X86 Built-in Functions
5144@subsection X86 Built-in Functions
5145
5146These built-in functions are available for the i386 and x86-64 family
5147of computers, depending on the command-line switches used.
5148
5149The following machine modes are available for use with MMX built-in functions
333c8841
AH
5150(@pxref{Vector Extensions}): @code{V2SI} for a vector of two 32-bit integers,
5151@code{V4HI} for a vector of four 16-bit integers, and @code{V8QI} for a
5152vector of eight 8-bit integers. Some of the built-in functions operate on
5153MMX registers as a whole 64-bit entity, these use @code{DI} as their mode.
0975678f
JM
5154
5155If 3Dnow extensions are enabled, @code{V2SF} is used as a mode for a vector
333c8841 5156of two 32-bit floating point values.
0975678f 5157
333c8841
AH
5158If SSE extensions are enabled, @code{V4SF} is used for a vector of four 32-bit
5159floating point values. Some instructions use a vector of four 32-bit
0975678f 5160integers, these use @code{V4SI}. Finally, some instructions operate on an
333c8841 5161entire vector register, interpreting it as a 128-bit integer, these use mode
0975678f
JM
5162@code{TI}.
5163
5164The following built-in functions are made available by @option{-mmmx}.
5165All of them generate the machine instruction that is part of the name.
5166
5167@example
5168v8qi __builtin_ia32_paddb (v8qi, v8qi)
5169v4hi __builtin_ia32_paddw (v4hi, v4hi)
5170v2si __builtin_ia32_paddd (v2si, v2si)
5171v8qi __builtin_ia32_psubb (v8qi, v8qi)
5172v4hi __builtin_ia32_psubw (v4hi, v4hi)
5173v2si __builtin_ia32_psubd (v2si, v2si)
5174v8qi __builtin_ia32_paddsb (v8qi, v8qi)
5175v4hi __builtin_ia32_paddsw (v4hi, v4hi)
5176v8qi __builtin_ia32_psubsb (v8qi, v8qi)
5177v4hi __builtin_ia32_psubsw (v4hi, v4hi)
5178v8qi __builtin_ia32_paddusb (v8qi, v8qi)
5179v4hi __builtin_ia32_paddusw (v4hi, v4hi)
5180v8qi __builtin_ia32_psubusb (v8qi, v8qi)
5181v4hi __builtin_ia32_psubusw (v4hi, v4hi)
5182v4hi __builtin_ia32_pmullw (v4hi, v4hi)
5183v4hi __builtin_ia32_pmulhw (v4hi, v4hi)
5184di __builtin_ia32_pand (di, di)
5185di __builtin_ia32_pandn (di,di)
5186di __builtin_ia32_por (di, di)
5187di __builtin_ia32_pxor (di, di)
5188v8qi __builtin_ia32_pcmpeqb (v8qi, v8qi)
5189v4hi __builtin_ia32_pcmpeqw (v4hi, v4hi)
5190v2si __builtin_ia32_pcmpeqd (v2si, v2si)
5191v8qi __builtin_ia32_pcmpgtb (v8qi, v8qi)
5192v4hi __builtin_ia32_pcmpgtw (v4hi, v4hi)
5193v2si __builtin_ia32_pcmpgtd (v2si, v2si)
5194v8qi __builtin_ia32_punpckhbw (v8qi, v8qi)
5195v4hi __builtin_ia32_punpckhwd (v4hi, v4hi)
5196v2si __builtin_ia32_punpckhdq (v2si, v2si)
5197v8qi __builtin_ia32_punpcklbw (v8qi, v8qi)
5198v4hi __builtin_ia32_punpcklwd (v4hi, v4hi)
5199v2si __builtin_ia32_punpckldq (v2si, v2si)
5200v8qi __builtin_ia32_packsswb (v4hi, v4hi)
5201v4hi __builtin_ia32_packssdw (v2si, v2si)
5202v8qi __builtin_ia32_packuswb (v4hi, v4hi)
5203@end example
5204
5205The following built-in functions are made available either with
5206@option{-msse}, or with a combination of @option{-m3dnow} and
5207@option{-march=athlon}. All of them generate the machine
5208instruction that is part of the name.
5209
5210@example
5211v4hi __builtin_ia32_pmulhuw (v4hi, v4hi)
5212v8qi __builtin_ia32_pavgb (v8qi, v8qi)
5213v4hi __builtin_ia32_pavgw (v4hi, v4hi)
5214v4hi __builtin_ia32_psadbw (v8qi, v8qi)
5215v8qi __builtin_ia32_pmaxub (v8qi, v8qi)
5216v4hi __builtin_ia32_pmaxsw (v4hi, v4hi)
5217v8qi __builtin_ia32_pminub (v8qi, v8qi)
5218v4hi __builtin_ia32_pminsw (v4hi, v4hi)
5219int __builtin_ia32_pextrw (v4hi, int)
5220v4hi __builtin_ia32_pinsrw (v4hi, int, int)
5221int __builtin_ia32_pmovmskb (v8qi)
5222void __builtin_ia32_maskmovq (v8qi, v8qi, char *)
5223void __builtin_ia32_movntq (di *, di)
5224void __builtin_ia32_sfence (void)
5225@end example
5226
5227The following built-in functions are available when @option{-msse} is used.
5228All of them generate the machine instruction that is part of the name.
5229
5230@example
5231int __builtin_ia32_comieq (v4sf, v4sf)
5232int __builtin_ia32_comineq (v4sf, v4sf)
5233int __builtin_ia32_comilt (v4sf, v4sf)
5234int __builtin_ia32_comile (v4sf, v4sf)
5235int __builtin_ia32_comigt (v4sf, v4sf)
5236int __builtin_ia32_comige (v4sf, v4sf)
5237int __builtin_ia32_ucomieq (v4sf, v4sf)
5238int __builtin_ia32_ucomineq (v4sf, v4sf)
5239int __builtin_ia32_ucomilt (v4sf, v4sf)
5240int __builtin_ia32_ucomile (v4sf, v4sf)
5241int __builtin_ia32_ucomigt (v4sf, v4sf)
5242int __builtin_ia32_ucomige (v4sf, v4sf)
5243v4sf __builtin_ia32_addps (v4sf, v4sf)
5244v4sf __builtin_ia32_subps (v4sf, v4sf)
5245v4sf __builtin_ia32_mulps (v4sf, v4sf)
5246v4sf __builtin_ia32_divps (v4sf, v4sf)
5247v4sf __builtin_ia32_addss (v4sf, v4sf)
5248v4sf __builtin_ia32_subss (v4sf, v4sf)
5249v4sf __builtin_ia32_mulss (v4sf, v4sf)
5250v4sf __builtin_ia32_divss (v4sf, v4sf)
5251v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpeqps (v4sf, v4sf)
5252v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpltps (v4sf, v4sf)
5253v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpleps (v4sf, v4sf)
5254v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpgtps (v4sf, v4sf)
5255v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpgeps (v4sf, v4sf)
5256v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpunordps (v4sf, v4sf)
5257v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpneqps (v4sf, v4sf)
5258v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpnltps (v4sf, v4sf)
5259v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpnleps (v4sf, v4sf)
5260v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpngtps (v4sf, v4sf)
5261v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpngeps (v4sf, v4sf)
5262v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpordps (v4sf, v4sf)
5263v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpeqss (v4sf, v4sf)
5264v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpltss (v4sf, v4sf)
5265v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpless (v4sf, v4sf)
0975678f
JM
5266v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpunordss (v4sf, v4sf)
5267v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpneqss (v4sf, v4sf)
5268v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpnlts (v4sf, v4sf)
5269v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpnless (v4sf, v4sf)
0975678f
JM
5270v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpordss (v4sf, v4sf)
5271v4sf __builtin_ia32_maxps (v4sf, v4sf)
5272v4sf __builtin_ia32_maxss (v4sf, v4sf)
5273v4sf __builtin_ia32_minps (v4sf, v4sf)
5274v4sf __builtin_ia32_minss (v4sf, v4sf)
5275v4sf __builtin_ia32_andps (v4sf, v4sf)
5276v4sf __builtin_ia32_andnps (v4sf, v4sf)
5277v4sf __builtin_ia32_orps (v4sf, v4sf)
5278v4sf __builtin_ia32_xorps (v4sf, v4sf)
5279v4sf __builtin_ia32_movss (v4sf, v4sf)
5280v4sf __builtin_ia32_movhlps (v4sf, v4sf)
5281v4sf __builtin_ia32_movlhps (v4sf, v4sf)
5282v4sf __builtin_ia32_unpckhps (v4sf, v4sf)
5283v4sf __builtin_ia32_unpcklps (v4sf, v4sf)
5284v4sf __builtin_ia32_cvtpi2ps (v4sf, v2si)
5285v4sf __builtin_ia32_cvtsi2ss (v4sf, int)
5286v2si __builtin_ia32_cvtps2pi (v4sf)
5287int __builtin_ia32_cvtss2si (v4sf)
5288v2si __builtin_ia32_cvttps2pi (v4sf)
5289int __builtin_ia32_cvttss2si (v4sf)
5290v4sf __builtin_ia32_rcpps (v4sf)
5291v4sf __builtin_ia32_rsqrtps (v4sf)
5292v4sf __builtin_ia32_sqrtps (v4sf)
5293v4sf __builtin_ia32_rcpss (v4sf)
5294v4sf __builtin_ia32_rsqrtss (v4sf)
5295v4sf __builtin_ia32_sqrtss (v4sf)
5296v4sf __builtin_ia32_shufps (v4sf, v4sf, int)
5297void __builtin_ia32_movntps (float *, v4sf)
5298int __builtin_ia32_movmskps (v4sf)
5299@end example
5300
5301The following built-in functions are available when @option{-msse} is used.
5302
5303@table @code
5304@item v4sf __builtin_ia32_loadaps (float *)
5305Generates the @code{movaps} machine instruction as a load from memory.
5306@item void __builtin_ia32_storeaps (float *, v4sf)
5307Generates the @code{movaps} machine instruction as a store to memory.
5308@item v4sf __builtin_ia32_loadups (float *)
5309Generates the @code{movups} machine instruction as a load from memory.
5310@item void __builtin_ia32_storeups (float *, v4sf)
5311Generates the @code{movups} machine instruction as a store to memory.
5312@item v4sf __builtin_ia32_loadsss (float *)
5313Generates the @code{movss} machine instruction as a load from memory.
5314@item void __builtin_ia32_storess (float *, v4sf)
5315Generates the @code{movss} machine instruction as a store to memory.
5316@item v4sf __builtin_ia32_loadhps (v4sf, v2si *)
5317Generates the @code{movhps} machine instruction as a load from memory.
5318@item v4sf __builtin_ia32_loadlps (v4sf, v2si *)
5319Generates the @code{movlps} machine instruction as a load from memory
5320@item void __builtin_ia32_storehps (v4sf, v2si *)
5321Generates the @code{movhps} machine instruction as a store to memory.
5322@item void __builtin_ia32_storelps (v4sf, v2si *)
5323Generates the @code{movlps} machine instruction as a store to memory.
5324@end table
5325
5326The following built-in functions are available when @option{-m3dnow} is used.
5327All of them generate the machine instruction that is part of the name.
5328
5329@example
5330void __builtin_ia32_femms (void)
5331v8qi __builtin_ia32_pavgusb (v8qi, v8qi)
5332v2si __builtin_ia32_pf2id (v2sf)
5333v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfacc (v2sf, v2sf)
5334v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfadd (v2sf, v2sf)
5335v2si __builtin_ia32_pfcmpeq (v2sf, v2sf)
5336v2si __builtin_ia32_pfcmpge (v2sf, v2sf)
5337v2si __builtin_ia32_pfcmpgt (v2sf, v2sf)
5338v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfmax (v2sf, v2sf)
5339v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfmin (v2sf, v2sf)
5340v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfmul (v2sf, v2sf)
5341v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfrcp (v2sf)
5342v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfrcpit1 (v2sf, v2sf)
5343v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfrcpit2 (v2sf, v2sf)
5344v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfrsqrt (v2sf)
5345v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfrsqrtit1 (v2sf, v2sf)
5346v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfsub (v2sf, v2sf)
5347v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfsubr (v2sf, v2sf)
5348v2sf __builtin_ia32_pi2fd (v2si)
5349v4hi __builtin_ia32_pmulhrw (v4hi, v4hi)
5350@end example
5351
5352The following built-in functions are available when both @option{-m3dnow}
5353and @option{-march=athlon} are used. All of them generate the machine
5354instruction that is part of the name.
5355
5356@example
5357v2si __builtin_ia32_pf2iw (v2sf)
5358v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfnacc (v2sf, v2sf)
5359v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfpnacc (v2sf, v2sf)
5360v2sf __builtin_ia32_pi2fw (v2si)
5361v2sf __builtin_ia32_pswapdsf (v2sf)
5362v2si __builtin_ia32_pswapdsi (v2si)
5363@end example
5364
333c8841
AH
5365@node PowerPC AltiVec Built-in Functions
5366@subsection PowerPC AltiVec Built-in Functions
5367
5368These built-in functions are available for the PowerPC family
5369of computers, depending on the command-line switches used.
5370
5371The following machine modes are available for use with AltiVec built-in
5372functions (@pxref{Vector Extensions}): @code{V4SI} for a vector of four
537332-bit integers, @code{V4SF} for a vector of four 32-bit floating point
5374numbers, @code{V8HI} for a vector of eight 16-bit integers, and
5375@code{V16QI} for a vector of sixteen 8-bit integers.
5376
5377The following functions are made available by including
5378@code{<altivec.h>} and using @option{-maltivec} and
5379@option{-mabi=altivec}. The functions implement the functionality
5380described in Motorola's AltiVec Programming Interface Manual.
5381
90989b26
AH
5382There are a few differences from Motorola's documentation and GCC's
5383implementation. Vector constants are done with curly braces (not
5384parentheses). Vector initializers require no casts if the vector
5385constant is of the same type as the variable it is initializing. The
5386@code{vector bool} type is deprecated and will be discontinued in
5387further revisions. Use @code{vector signed} instead. If @code{signed}
5388or @code{unsigned} is omitted, the vector type will default to
8254cb45 5389@code{signed}. Lastly, all overloaded functions are implemented with macros
90989b26
AH
5390for the C implementation. So code the following example will not work:
5391
5392@smallexample
8254cb45 5393 vec_add ((vector signed int)@{1, 2, 3, 4@}, foo);
90989b26
AH
5394@end smallexample
5395
5396Since vec_add is a macro, the vector constant in the above example will
5397be treated as four different arguments. Wrap the entire argument in
5398parentheses for this to work. The C++ implementation does not use
5399macros.
5400
ae4b4a02
AH
5401@emph{Note:} Only the @code{<altivec.h>} interface is supported.
5402Internally, GCC uses built-in functions to achieve the functionality in
5403the aforementioned header file, but they are not supported and are
5404subject to change without notice.
5405
333c8841
AH
5406@smallexample
5407vector signed char vec_abs (vector signed char, vector signed char);
5408vector signed short vec_abs (vector signed short, vector signed short);
5409vector signed int vec_abs (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5410vector signed float vec_abs (vector signed float, vector signed float);
5411
5412vector signed char vec_abss (vector signed char, vector signed char);
5413vector signed short vec_abss (vector signed short, vector signed short);
5414
5415vector signed char vec_add (vector signed char, vector signed char);
5416vector unsigned char vec_add (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
5417
5418vector unsigned char vec_add (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
5419
924fcc4e
JM
5420vector unsigned char vec_add (vector unsigned char,
5421 vector unsigned char);
333c8841 5422vector signed short vec_add (vector signed short, vector signed short);
924fcc4e
JM
5423vector unsigned short vec_add (vector signed short,
5424 vector unsigned short);
5425vector unsigned short vec_add (vector unsigned short,
5426 vector signed short);
6e5bb5ad
JM
5427vector unsigned short vec_add (vector unsigned short,
5428 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
5429vector signed int vec_add (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5430vector unsigned int vec_add (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
5431vector unsigned int vec_add (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
5432vector unsigned int vec_add (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5433vector float vec_add (vector float, vector float);
5434
5435vector unsigned int vec_addc (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5436
924fcc4e
JM
5437vector unsigned char vec_adds (vector signed char,
5438 vector unsigned char);
5439vector unsigned char vec_adds (vector unsigned char,
5440 vector signed char);
5441vector unsigned char vec_adds (vector unsigned char,
5442 vector unsigned char);
333c8841 5443vector signed char vec_adds (vector signed char, vector signed char);
924fcc4e
JM
5444vector unsigned short vec_adds (vector signed short,
5445 vector unsigned short);
5446vector unsigned short vec_adds (vector unsigned short,
5447 vector signed short);
6e5bb5ad
JM
5448vector unsigned short vec_adds (vector unsigned short,
5449 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
5450vector signed short vec_adds (vector signed short, vector signed short);
5451
5452vector unsigned int vec_adds (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
5453vector unsigned int vec_adds (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
5454vector unsigned int vec_adds (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5455
5456vector signed int vec_adds (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5457
5458vector float vec_and (vector float, vector float);
5459vector float vec_and (vector float, vector signed int);
5460vector float vec_and (vector signed int, vector float);
5461vector signed int vec_and (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5462vector unsigned int vec_and (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
5463vector unsigned int vec_and (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
5464vector unsigned int vec_and (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5465vector signed short vec_and (vector signed short, vector signed short);
924fcc4e
JM
5466vector unsigned short vec_and (vector signed short,
5467 vector unsigned short);
5468vector unsigned short vec_and (vector unsigned short,
5469 vector signed short);
6e5bb5ad
JM
5470vector unsigned short vec_and (vector unsigned short,
5471 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
5472vector signed char vec_and (vector signed char, vector signed char);
5473vector unsigned char vec_and (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
5474
5475vector unsigned char vec_and (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
5476
924fcc4e
JM
5477vector unsigned char vec_and (vector unsigned char,
5478 vector unsigned char);
333c8841
AH
5479
5480vector float vec_andc (vector float, vector float);
5481vector float vec_andc (vector float, vector signed int);
5482vector float vec_andc (vector signed int, vector float);
5483vector signed int vec_andc (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5484vector unsigned int vec_andc (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
5485vector unsigned int vec_andc (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
5486vector unsigned int vec_andc (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5487
5488vector signed short vec_andc (vector signed short, vector signed short);
5489
924fcc4e
JM
5490vector unsigned short vec_andc (vector signed short,
5491 vector unsigned short);
5492vector unsigned short vec_andc (vector unsigned short,
5493 vector signed short);
6e5bb5ad
JM
5494vector unsigned short vec_andc (vector unsigned short,
5495 vector unsigned short);
333c8841 5496vector signed char vec_andc (vector signed char, vector signed char);
924fcc4e
JM
5497vector unsigned char vec_andc (vector signed char,
5498 vector unsigned char);
5499vector unsigned char vec_andc (vector unsigned char,
5500 vector signed char);
5501vector unsigned char vec_andc (vector unsigned char,
5502 vector unsigned char);
333c8841 5503
924fcc4e
JM
5504vector unsigned char vec_avg (vector unsigned char,
5505 vector unsigned char);
333c8841 5506vector signed char vec_avg (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6e5bb5ad
JM
5507vector unsigned short vec_avg (vector unsigned short,
5508 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
5509vector signed short vec_avg (vector signed short, vector signed short);
5510vector unsigned int vec_avg (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5511vector signed int vec_avg (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5512
5513vector float vec_ceil (vector float);
5514
5515vector signed int vec_cmpb (vector float, vector float);
5516
5517vector signed char vec_cmpeq (vector signed char, vector signed char);
924fcc4e
JM
5518vector signed char vec_cmpeq (vector unsigned char,
5519 vector unsigned char);
5520vector signed short vec_cmpeq (vector signed short,
5521 vector signed short);
6e5bb5ad
JM
5522vector signed short vec_cmpeq (vector unsigned short,
5523 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
5524vector signed int vec_cmpeq (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5525vector signed int vec_cmpeq (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5526vector signed int vec_cmpeq (vector float, vector float);
5527
5528vector signed int vec_cmpge (vector float, vector float);
5529
924fcc4e
JM
5530vector signed char vec_cmpgt (vector unsigned char,
5531 vector unsigned char);
333c8841 5532vector signed char vec_cmpgt (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6e5bb5ad
JM
5533vector signed short vec_cmpgt (vector unsigned short,
5534 vector unsigned short);
924fcc4e
JM
5535vector signed short vec_cmpgt (vector signed short,
5536 vector signed short);
333c8841
AH
5537vector signed int vec_cmpgt (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5538vector signed int vec_cmpgt (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5539vector signed int vec_cmpgt (vector float, vector float);
5540
5541vector signed int vec_cmple (vector float, vector float);
5542
924fcc4e
JM
5543vector signed char vec_cmplt (vector unsigned char,
5544 vector unsigned char);
333c8841 5545vector signed char vec_cmplt (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6e5bb5ad
JM
5546vector signed short vec_cmplt (vector unsigned short,
5547 vector unsigned short);
924fcc4e
JM
5548vector signed short vec_cmplt (vector signed short,
5549 vector signed short);
333c8841
AH
5550vector signed int vec_cmplt (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5551vector signed int vec_cmplt (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5552vector signed int vec_cmplt (vector float, vector float);
5553
5554vector float vec_ctf (vector unsigned int, const char);
5555vector float vec_ctf (vector signed int, const char);
5556
5557vector signed int vec_cts (vector float, const char);
5558
5559vector unsigned int vec_ctu (vector float, const char);
5560
5561void vec_dss (const char);
5562
5563void vec_dssall (void);
5564
5565void vec_dst (void *, int, const char);
5566
5567void vec_dstst (void *, int, const char);
5568
5569void vec_dststt (void *, int, const char);
5570
5571void vec_dstt (void *, int, const char);
5572
5573vector float vec_expte (vector float, vector float);
5574
5575vector float vec_floor (vector float, vector float);
5576
5577vector float vec_ld (int, vector float *);
5578vector float vec_ld (int, float *):
5579vector signed int vec_ld (int, int *);
5580vector signed int vec_ld (int, vector signed int *);
5581vector unsigned int vec_ld (int, vector unsigned int *);
5582vector unsigned int vec_ld (int, unsigned int *);
5583vector signed short vec_ld (int, short *, vector signed short *);
6e5bb5ad
JM
5584vector unsigned short vec_ld (int, unsigned short *,
5585 vector unsigned short *);
333c8841
AH
5586vector signed char vec_ld (int, signed char *);
5587vector signed char vec_ld (int, vector signed char *);
5588vector unsigned char vec_ld (int, unsigned char *);
5589vector unsigned char vec_ld (int, vector unsigned char *);
5590
5591vector signed char vec_lde (int, signed char *);
5592vector unsigned char vec_lde (int, unsigned char *);
5593vector signed short vec_lde (int, short *);
5594vector unsigned short vec_lde (int, unsigned short *);
5595vector float vec_lde (int, float *);
5596vector signed int vec_lde (int, int *);
5597vector unsigned int vec_lde (int, unsigned int *);
5598
5599void float vec_ldl (int, float *);
5600void float vec_ldl (int, vector float *);
5601void signed int vec_ldl (int, vector signed int *);
5602void signed int vec_ldl (int, int *);
5603void unsigned int vec_ldl (int, unsigned int *);
5604void unsigned int vec_ldl (int, vector unsigned int *);
5605void signed short vec_ldl (int, vector signed short *);
5606void signed short vec_ldl (int, short *);
5607void unsigned short vec_ldl (int, vector unsigned short *);
5608void unsigned short vec_ldl (int, unsigned short *);
5609void signed char vec_ldl (int, vector signed char *);
5610void signed char vec_ldl (int, signed char *);
5611void unsigned char vec_ldl (int, vector unsigned char *);
5612void unsigned char vec_ldl (int, unsigned char *);
5613
5614vector float vec_loge (vector float);
5615
5616vector unsigned char vec_lvsl (int, void *, int *);
5617
5618vector unsigned char vec_lvsr (int, void *, int *);
5619
5620vector float vec_madd (vector float, vector float, vector float);
5621
6e5bb5ad
JM
5622vector signed short vec_madds (vector signed short, vector signed short,
5623 vector signed short);
333c8841
AH
5624
5625vector unsigned char vec_max (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
5626
5627vector unsigned char vec_max (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
5628
924fcc4e
JM
5629vector unsigned char vec_max (vector unsigned char,
5630 vector unsigned char);
333c8841 5631vector signed char vec_max (vector signed char, vector signed char);
924fcc4e
JM
5632vector unsigned short vec_max (vector signed short,
5633 vector unsigned short);
5634vector unsigned short vec_max (vector unsigned short,
5635 vector signed short);
6e5bb5ad
JM
5636vector unsigned short vec_max (vector unsigned short,
5637 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
5638vector signed short vec_max (vector signed short, vector signed short);
5639vector unsigned int vec_max (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
5640vector unsigned int vec_max (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
5641vector unsigned int vec_max (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5642vector signed int vec_max (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5643vector float vec_max (vector float, vector float);
5644
5645vector signed char vec_mergeh (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6e5bb5ad
JM
5646vector unsigned char vec_mergeh (vector unsigned char,
5647 vector unsigned char);
924fcc4e
JM
5648vector signed short vec_mergeh (vector signed short,
5649 vector signed short);
6e5bb5ad
JM
5650vector unsigned short vec_mergeh (vector unsigned short,
5651 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
5652vector float vec_mergeh (vector float, vector float);
5653vector signed int vec_mergeh (vector signed int, vector signed int);
924fcc4e
JM
5654vector unsigned int vec_mergeh (vector unsigned int,
5655 vector unsigned int);
333c8841
AH
5656
5657vector signed char vec_mergel (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6e5bb5ad
JM
5658vector unsigned char vec_mergel (vector unsigned char,
5659 vector unsigned char);
924fcc4e
JM
5660vector signed short vec_mergel (vector signed short,
5661 vector signed short);
6e5bb5ad
JM
5662vector unsigned short vec_mergel (vector unsigned short,
5663 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
5664vector float vec_mergel (vector float, vector float);
5665vector signed int vec_mergel (vector signed int, vector signed int);
924fcc4e
JM
5666vector unsigned int vec_mergel (vector unsigned int,
5667 vector unsigned int);
333c8841
AH
5668
5669vector unsigned short vec_mfvscr (void);
5670
5671vector unsigned char vec_min (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
5672
5673vector unsigned char vec_min (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
5674
924fcc4e
JM
5675vector unsigned char vec_min (vector unsigned char,
5676 vector unsigned char);
333c8841 5677vector signed char vec_min (vector signed char, vector signed char);
924fcc4e
JM
5678vector unsigned short vec_min (vector signed short,
5679 vector unsigned short);
5680vector unsigned short vec_min (vector unsigned short,
5681 vector signed short);
6e5bb5ad
JM
5682vector unsigned short vec_min (vector unsigned short,
5683 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
5684vector signed short vec_min (vector signed short, vector signed short);
5685vector unsigned int vec_min (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
5686vector unsigned int vec_min (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
5687vector unsigned int vec_min (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5688vector signed int vec_min (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5689vector float vec_min (vector float, vector float);
5690
6e5bb5ad
JM
5691vector signed short vec_mladd (vector signed short, vector signed short,
5692 vector signed short);
924fcc4e
JM
5693vector signed short vec_mladd (vector signed short,
5694 vector unsigned short,
6e5bb5ad 5695 vector unsigned short);
924fcc4e
JM
5696vector signed short vec_mladd (vector unsigned short,
5697 vector signed short,
6e5bb5ad
JM
5698 vector signed short);
5699vector unsigned short vec_mladd (vector unsigned short,
5700 vector unsigned short,
5701 vector unsigned short);
5702
924fcc4e
JM
5703vector signed short vec_mradds (vector signed short,
5704 vector signed short,
6e5bb5ad
JM
5705 vector signed short);
5706
924fcc4e
JM
5707vector unsigned int vec_msum (vector unsigned char,
5708 vector unsigned char,
6e5bb5ad
JM
5709 vector unsigned int);
5710vector signed int vec_msum (vector signed char, vector unsigned char,
5711 vector signed int);
924fcc4e
JM
5712vector unsigned int vec_msum (vector unsigned short,
5713 vector unsigned short,
6e5bb5ad
JM
5714 vector unsigned int);
5715vector signed int vec_msum (vector signed short, vector signed short,
5716 vector signed int);
5717
5718vector unsigned int vec_msums (vector unsigned short,
924fcc4e
JM
5719 vector unsigned short,
5720 vector unsigned int);
6e5bb5ad
JM
5721vector signed int vec_msums (vector signed short, vector signed short,
5722 vector signed int);
333c8841
AH
5723
5724void vec_mtvscr (vector signed int);
5725void vec_mtvscr (vector unsigned int);
5726void vec_mtvscr (vector signed short);
5727void vec_mtvscr (vector unsigned short);
5728void vec_mtvscr (vector signed char);
5729void vec_mtvscr (vector unsigned char);
5730
924fcc4e
JM
5731vector unsigned short vec_mule (vector unsigned char,
5732 vector unsigned char);
333c8841 5733vector signed short vec_mule (vector signed char, vector signed char);
924fcc4e
JM
5734vector unsigned int vec_mule (vector unsigned short,
5735 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
5736vector signed int vec_mule (vector signed short, vector signed short);
5737
924fcc4e
JM
5738vector unsigned short vec_mulo (vector unsigned char,
5739 vector unsigned char);
333c8841 5740vector signed short vec_mulo (vector signed char, vector signed char);
924fcc4e
JM
5741vector unsigned int vec_mulo (vector unsigned short,
5742 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
5743vector signed int vec_mulo (vector signed short, vector signed short);
5744
5745vector float vec_nmsub (vector float, vector float, vector float);
5746
5747vector float vec_nor (vector float, vector float);
5748vector signed int vec_nor (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5749vector unsigned int vec_nor (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5750vector signed short vec_nor (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6e5bb5ad
JM
5751vector unsigned short vec_nor (vector unsigned short,
5752 vector unsigned short);
333c8841 5753vector signed char vec_nor (vector signed char, vector signed char);
924fcc4e
JM
5754vector unsigned char vec_nor (vector unsigned char,
5755 vector unsigned char);
333c8841
AH
5756
5757vector float vec_or (vector float, vector float);
5758vector float vec_or (vector float, vector signed int);
5759vector float vec_or (vector signed int, vector float);
5760vector signed int vec_or (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5761vector unsigned int vec_or (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
5762vector unsigned int vec_or (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
5763vector unsigned int vec_or (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5764vector signed short vec_or (vector signed short, vector signed short);
924fcc4e
JM
5765vector unsigned short vec_or (vector signed short,
5766 vector unsigned short);
5767vector unsigned short vec_or (vector unsigned short,
5768 vector signed short);
5769vector unsigned short vec_or (vector unsigned short,
5770 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
5771vector signed char vec_or (vector signed char, vector signed char);
5772vector unsigned char vec_or (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
5773vector unsigned char vec_or (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
924fcc4e
JM
5774vector unsigned char vec_or (vector unsigned char,
5775 vector unsigned char);
333c8841
AH
5776
5777vector signed char vec_pack (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6e5bb5ad
JM
5778vector unsigned char vec_pack (vector unsigned short,
5779 vector unsigned short);
333c8841 5780vector signed short vec_pack (vector signed int, vector signed int);
924fcc4e
JM
5781vector unsigned short vec_pack (vector unsigned int,
5782 vector unsigned int);
333c8841 5783
924fcc4e
JM
5784vector signed short vec_packpx (vector unsigned int,
5785 vector unsigned int);
333c8841 5786
6e5bb5ad
JM
5787vector unsigned char vec_packs (vector unsigned short,
5788 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
5789vector signed char vec_packs (vector signed short, vector signed short);
5790
924fcc4e
JM
5791vector unsigned short vec_packs (vector unsigned int,
5792 vector unsigned int);
333c8841
AH
5793vector signed short vec_packs (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5794
6e5bb5ad
JM
5795vector unsigned char vec_packsu (vector unsigned short,
5796 vector unsigned short);
924fcc4e
JM
5797vector unsigned char vec_packsu (vector signed short,
5798 vector signed short);
5799vector unsigned short vec_packsu (vector unsigned int,
5800 vector unsigned int);
333c8841
AH
5801vector unsigned short vec_packsu (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5802
924fcc4e
JM
5803vector float vec_perm (vector float, vector float,
5804 vector unsigned char);
6e5bb5ad
JM
5805vector signed int vec_perm (vector signed int, vector signed int,
5806 vector unsigned char);
5807vector unsigned int vec_perm (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int,
5808 vector unsigned char);
5809vector signed short vec_perm (vector signed short, vector signed short,
5810 vector unsigned char);
5811vector unsigned short vec_perm (vector unsigned short,
5812 vector unsigned short,
5813 vector unsigned char);
5814vector signed char vec_perm (vector signed char, vector signed char,
5815 vector unsigned char);
924fcc4e
JM
5816vector unsigned char vec_perm (vector unsigned char,
5817 vector unsigned char,
6e5bb5ad 5818 vector unsigned char);
333c8841
AH
5819
5820vector float vec_re (vector float);
5821
5822vector signed char vec_rl (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
924fcc4e
JM
5823vector unsigned char vec_rl (vector unsigned char,
5824 vector unsigned char);
333c8841
AH
5825vector signed short vec_rl (vector signed short, vector unsigned short);
5826
924fcc4e
JM
5827vector unsigned short vec_rl (vector unsigned short,
5828 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
5829vector signed int vec_rl (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
5830vector unsigned int vec_rl (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5831
5832vector float vec_round (vector float);
5833
5834vector float vec_rsqrte (vector float);
5835
5836vector float vec_sel (vector float, vector float, vector signed int);
5837vector float vec_sel (vector float, vector float, vector unsigned int);
6e5bb5ad
JM
5838vector signed int vec_sel (vector signed int, vector signed int,
5839 vector signed int);
5840vector signed int vec_sel (vector signed int, vector signed int,
5841 vector unsigned int);
5842vector unsigned int vec_sel (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int,
5843 vector signed int);
5844vector unsigned int vec_sel (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int,
5845 vector unsigned int);
5846vector signed short vec_sel (vector signed short, vector signed short,
5847 vector signed short);
5848vector signed short vec_sel (vector signed short, vector signed short,
5849 vector unsigned short);
5850vector unsigned short vec_sel (vector unsigned short,
924fcc4e
JM
5851 vector unsigned short,
5852 vector signed short);
6e5bb5ad
JM
5853vector unsigned short vec_sel (vector unsigned short,
5854 vector unsigned short,
5855 vector unsigned short);
5856vector signed char vec_sel (vector signed char, vector signed char,
5857 vector signed char);
5858vector signed char vec_sel (vector signed char, vector signed char,
5859 vector unsigned char);
924fcc4e
JM
5860vector unsigned char vec_sel (vector unsigned char,
5861 vector unsigned char,
6e5bb5ad 5862 vector signed char);
924fcc4e
JM
5863vector unsigned char vec_sel (vector unsigned char,
5864 vector unsigned char,
6e5bb5ad 5865 vector unsigned char);
333c8841
AH
5866
5867vector signed char vec_sl (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
924fcc4e
JM
5868vector unsigned char vec_sl (vector unsigned char,
5869 vector unsigned char);
333c8841
AH
5870vector signed short vec_sl (vector signed short, vector unsigned short);
5871
924fcc4e
JM
5872vector unsigned short vec_sl (vector unsigned short,
5873 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
5874vector signed int vec_sl (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
5875vector unsigned int vec_sl (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5876
5877vector float vec_sld (vector float, vector float, const char);
6e5bb5ad
JM
5878vector signed int vec_sld (vector signed int, vector signed int,
5879 const char);
5880vector unsigned int vec_sld (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int,
5881 const char);
5882vector signed short vec_sld (vector signed short, vector signed short,
5883 const char);
5884vector unsigned short vec_sld (vector unsigned short,
5885 vector unsigned short, const char);
5886vector signed char vec_sld (vector signed char, vector signed char,
5887 const char);
924fcc4e
JM
5888vector unsigned char vec_sld (vector unsigned char,
5889 vector unsigned char,
6e5bb5ad 5890 const char);
333c8841
AH
5891
5892vector signed int vec_sll (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
5893vector signed int vec_sll (vector signed int, vector unsigned short);
5894vector signed int vec_sll (vector signed int, vector unsigned char);
5895vector unsigned int vec_sll (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
924fcc4e
JM
5896vector unsigned int vec_sll (vector unsigned int,
5897 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
5898vector unsigned int vec_sll (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned char);
5899
5900vector signed short vec_sll (vector signed short, vector unsigned int);
924fcc4e
JM
5901vector signed short vec_sll (vector signed short,
5902 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
5903vector signed short vec_sll (vector signed short, vector unsigned char);
5904
924fcc4e
JM
5905vector unsigned short vec_sll (vector unsigned short,
5906 vector unsigned int);
6e5bb5ad
JM
5907vector unsigned short vec_sll (vector unsigned short,
5908 vector unsigned short);
924fcc4e
JM
5909vector unsigned short vec_sll (vector unsigned short,
5910 vector unsigned char);
333c8841
AH
5911vector signed char vec_sll (vector signed char, vector unsigned int);
5912vector signed char vec_sll (vector signed char, vector unsigned short);
5913vector signed char vec_sll (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
924fcc4e
JM
5914vector unsigned char vec_sll (vector unsigned char,
5915 vector unsigned int);
5916vector unsigned char vec_sll (vector unsigned char,
5917 vector unsigned short);
5918vector unsigned char vec_sll (vector unsigned char,
5919 vector unsigned char);
333c8841
AH
5920
5921vector float vec_slo (vector float, vector signed char);
5922vector float vec_slo (vector float, vector unsigned char);
5923vector signed int vec_slo (vector signed int, vector signed char);
5924vector signed int vec_slo (vector signed int, vector unsigned char);
5925vector unsigned int vec_slo (vector unsigned int, vector signed char);
5926vector unsigned int vec_slo (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned char);
5927
5928vector signed short vec_slo (vector signed short, vector signed char);
5929vector signed short vec_slo (vector signed short, vector unsigned char);
5930
924fcc4e
JM
5931vector unsigned short vec_slo (vector unsigned short,
5932 vector signed char);
5933vector unsigned short vec_slo (vector unsigned short,
5934 vector unsigned char);
333c8841
AH
5935vector signed char vec_slo (vector signed char, vector signed char);
5936vector signed char vec_slo (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
5937vector unsigned char vec_slo (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
5938
924fcc4e
JM
5939vector unsigned char vec_slo (vector unsigned char,
5940 vector unsigned char);
333c8841
AH
5941
5942vector signed char vec_splat (vector signed char, const char);
5943vector unsigned char vec_splat (vector unsigned char, const char);
5944vector signed short vec_splat (vector signed short, const char);
5945vector unsigned short vec_splat (vector unsigned short, const char);
5946vector float vec_splat (vector float, const char);
5947vector signed int vec_splat (vector signed int, const char);
5948vector unsigned int vec_splat (vector unsigned int, const char);
5949
5950vector signed char vec_splat_s8 (const char);
5951
5952vector signed short vec_splat_s16 (const char);
5953
5954vector signed int vec_splat_s32 (const char);
5955
5956vector unsigned char vec_splat_u8 (const char);
5957
5958vector unsigned short vec_splat_u16 (const char);
5959
5960vector unsigned int vec_splat_u32 (const char);
5961
5962vector signed char vec_sr (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
924fcc4e
JM
5963vector unsigned char vec_sr (vector unsigned char,
5964 vector unsigned char);
333c8841
AH
5965vector signed short vec_sr (vector signed short, vector unsigned short);
5966
924fcc4e
JM
5967vector unsigned short vec_sr (vector unsigned short,
5968 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
5969vector signed int vec_sr (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
5970vector unsigned int vec_sr (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5971
5972vector signed char vec_sra (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
924fcc4e
JM
5973vector unsigned char vec_sra (vector unsigned char,
5974 vector unsigned char);
5975vector signed short vec_sra (vector signed short,
5976 vector unsigned short);
6e5bb5ad
JM
5977vector unsigned short vec_sra (vector unsigned short,
5978 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
5979vector signed int vec_sra (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
5980vector unsigned int vec_sra (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5981
5982vector signed int vec_srl (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
5983vector signed int vec_srl (vector signed int, vector unsigned short);
5984vector signed int vec_srl (vector signed int, vector unsigned char);
5985vector unsigned int vec_srl (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
924fcc4e
JM
5986vector unsigned int vec_srl (vector unsigned int,
5987 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
5988vector unsigned int vec_srl (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned char);
5989
5990vector signed short vec_srl (vector signed short, vector unsigned int);
924fcc4e
JM
5991vector signed short vec_srl (vector signed short,
5992 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
5993vector signed short vec_srl (vector signed short, vector unsigned char);
5994
924fcc4e
JM
5995vector unsigned short vec_srl (vector unsigned short,
5996 vector unsigned int);
6e5bb5ad
JM
5997vector unsigned short vec_srl (vector unsigned short,
5998 vector unsigned short);
924fcc4e
JM
5999vector unsigned short vec_srl (vector unsigned short,
6000 vector unsigned char);
333c8841
AH
6001vector signed char vec_srl (vector signed char, vector unsigned int);
6002vector signed char vec_srl (vector signed char, vector unsigned short);
6003vector signed char vec_srl (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
924fcc4e
JM
6004vector unsigned char vec_srl (vector unsigned char,
6005 vector unsigned int);
6006vector unsigned char vec_srl (vector unsigned char,
6007 vector unsigned short);
6008vector unsigned char vec_srl (vector unsigned char,
6009 vector unsigned char);
333c8841
AH
6010
6011vector float vec_sro (vector float, vector signed char);
6012vector float vec_sro (vector float, vector unsigned char);
6013vector signed int vec_sro (vector signed int, vector signed char);
6014vector signed int vec_sro (vector signed int, vector unsigned char);
6015vector unsigned int vec_sro (vector unsigned int, vector signed char);
6016vector unsigned int vec_sro (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned char);
6017
6018vector signed short vec_sro (vector signed short, vector signed char);
6019vector signed short vec_sro (vector signed short, vector unsigned char);
6020
924fcc4e
JM
6021vector unsigned short vec_sro (vector unsigned short,
6022 vector signed char);
6023vector unsigned short vec_sro (vector unsigned short,
6024 vector unsigned char);
333c8841
AH
6025vector signed char vec_sro (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6026vector signed char vec_sro (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6027vector unsigned char vec_sro (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6028
924fcc4e
JM
6029vector unsigned char vec_sro (vector unsigned char,
6030 vector unsigned char);
333c8841
AH
6031
6032void vec_st (vector float, int, float *);
6033void vec_st (vector float, int, vector float *);
6034void vec_st (vector signed int, int, int *);
6035void vec_st (vector signed int, int, unsigned int *);
6036void vec_st (vector unsigned int, int, unsigned int *);
6037void vec_st (vector unsigned int, int, vector unsigned int *);
6038void vec_st (vector signed short, int, short *);
6039void vec_st (vector signed short, int, vector unsigned short *);
6040void vec_st (vector signed short, int, vector signed short *);
6041void vec_st (vector unsigned short, int, unsigned short *);
6042void vec_st (vector unsigned short, int, vector unsigned short *);
6043void vec_st (vector signed char, int, signed char *);
6044void vec_st (vector signed char, int, unsigned char *);
6045void vec_st (vector signed char, int, vector signed char *);
6046void vec_st (vector unsigned char, int, unsigned char *);
6047void vec_st (vector unsigned char, int, vector unsigned char *);
6048
6049void vec_ste (vector signed char, int, unsigned char *);
6050void vec_ste (vector signed char, int, signed char *);
6051void vec_ste (vector unsigned char, int, unsigned char *);
6052void vec_ste (vector signed short, int, short *);
6053void vec_ste (vector signed short, int, unsigned short *);
6054void vec_ste (vector unsigned short, int, void *);
6055void vec_ste (vector signed int, int, unsigned int *);
6056void vec_ste (vector signed int, int, int *);
6057void vec_ste (vector unsigned int, int, unsigned int *);
6058void vec_ste (vector float, int, float *);
6059
6060void vec_stl (vector float, int, vector float *);
6061void vec_stl (vector float, int, float *);
6062void vec_stl (vector signed int, int, vector signed int *);
6063void vec_stl (vector signed int, int, int *);
6064void vec_stl (vector signed int, int, unsigned int *);
6065void vec_stl (vector unsigned int, int, vector unsigned int *);
6066void vec_stl (vector unsigned int, int, unsigned int *);
6067void vec_stl (vector signed short, int, short *);
6068void vec_stl (vector signed short, int, unsigned short *);
6069void vec_stl (vector signed short, int, vector signed short *);
6070void vec_stl (vector unsigned short, int, unsigned short *);
6071void vec_stl (vector unsigned short, int, vector signed short *);
6072void vec_stl (vector signed char, int, signed char *);
6073void vec_stl (vector signed char, int, unsigned char *);
6074void vec_stl (vector signed char, int, vector signed char *);
6075void vec_stl (vector unsigned char, int, unsigned char *);
6076void vec_stl (vector unsigned char, int, vector unsigned char *);
6077
6078vector signed char vec_sub (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6079vector unsigned char vec_sub (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6080
6081vector unsigned char vec_sub (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6082
924fcc4e
JM
6083vector unsigned char vec_sub (vector unsigned char,
6084 vector unsigned char);
333c8841 6085vector signed short vec_sub (vector signed short, vector signed short);
924fcc4e
JM
6086vector unsigned short vec_sub (vector signed short,
6087 vector unsigned short);
6088vector unsigned short vec_sub (vector unsigned short,
6089 vector signed short);
6e5bb5ad
JM
6090vector unsigned short vec_sub (vector unsigned short,
6091 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
6092vector signed int vec_sub (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6093vector unsigned int vec_sub (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6094vector unsigned int vec_sub (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6095vector unsigned int vec_sub (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6096vector float vec_sub (vector float, vector float);
6097
6098vector unsigned int vec_subc (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6099
924fcc4e
JM
6100vector unsigned char vec_subs (vector signed char,
6101 vector unsigned char);
6102vector unsigned char vec_subs (vector unsigned char,
6103 vector signed char);
6104vector unsigned char vec_subs (vector unsigned char,
6105 vector unsigned char);
333c8841 6106vector signed char vec_subs (vector signed char, vector signed char);
924fcc4e
JM
6107vector unsigned short vec_subs (vector signed short,
6108 vector unsigned short);
6109vector unsigned short vec_subs (vector unsigned short,
6110 vector signed short);
6e5bb5ad
JM
6111vector unsigned short vec_subs (vector unsigned short,
6112 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
6113vector signed short vec_subs (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6114
6115vector unsigned int vec_subs (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6116vector unsigned int vec_subs (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6117vector unsigned int vec_subs (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6118
6119vector signed int vec_subs (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6120
924fcc4e
JM
6121vector unsigned int vec_sum4s (vector unsigned char,
6122 vector unsigned int);
333c8841
AH
6123vector signed int vec_sum4s (vector signed char, vector signed int);
6124vector signed int vec_sum4s (vector signed short, vector signed int);
6125
6126vector signed int vec_sum2s (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6127
6128vector signed int vec_sums (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6129
6130vector float vec_trunc (vector float);
6131
6132vector signed short vec_unpackh (vector signed char);
6133vector unsigned int vec_unpackh (vector signed short);
6134vector signed int vec_unpackh (vector signed short);
6135
6136vector signed short vec_unpackl (vector signed char);
6137vector unsigned int vec_unpackl (vector signed short);
6138vector signed int vec_unpackl (vector signed short);
6139
6140vector float vec_xor (vector float, vector float);
6141vector float vec_xor (vector float, vector signed int);
6142vector float vec_xor (vector signed int, vector float);
6143vector signed int vec_xor (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6144vector unsigned int vec_xor (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6145vector unsigned int vec_xor (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6146vector unsigned int vec_xor (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6147vector signed short vec_xor (vector signed short, vector signed short);
924fcc4e
JM
6148vector unsigned short vec_xor (vector signed short,
6149 vector unsigned short);
6150vector unsigned short vec_xor (vector unsigned short,
6151 vector signed short);
6e5bb5ad
JM
6152vector unsigned short vec_xor (vector unsigned short,
6153 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
6154vector signed char vec_xor (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6155vector unsigned char vec_xor (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6156
6157vector unsigned char vec_xor (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6158
924fcc4e
JM
6159vector unsigned char vec_xor (vector unsigned char,
6160 vector unsigned char);
333c8841
AH
6161
6162vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6163
6164vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6165vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6166
924fcc4e
JM
6167vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector unsigned char,
6168 vector unsigned char);
6169vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector signed short,
6170 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
6171vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6172
924fcc4e
JM
6173vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector unsigned short,
6174 vector signed short);
6175vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector unsigned short,
6176 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
6177vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6178vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6179vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6180vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6181
6182vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector float, vector float);
6183
6184vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6185
6186vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6187
924fcc4e
JM
6188vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector unsigned char,
6189 vector unsigned char);
333c8841 6190vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector signed char, vector signed char);
924fcc4e
JM
6191vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector signed short,
6192 vector unsigned short);
6193vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector unsigned short,
6194 vector signed short);
6195vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector unsigned short,
6196 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
6197vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6198
6199vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6200vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6201vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6202
6203vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6204vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector float, vector float);
6205
6206vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6207
6208vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6209
924fcc4e
JM
6210vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector unsigned char,
6211 vector unsigned char);
333c8841 6212vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector signed char, vector signed char);
924fcc4e
JM
6213vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector signed short,
6214 vector unsigned short);
f282ffb3 6215vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector unsigned short,
924fcc4e
JM
6216 vector signed short);
6217vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector unsigned short,
6218 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
6219vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6220
6221vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6222vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6223vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6224
6225vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6226vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector float, vector float);
6227
6228vector signed int vec_all_in (vector float, vector float);
6229
6230vector signed int vec_all_le (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6231
6232vector signed int vec_all_le (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6233
924fcc4e
JM
6234vector signed int vec_all_le (vector unsigned char,
6235 vector unsigned char);
333c8841 6236vector signed int vec_all_le (vector signed char, vector signed char);
924fcc4e
JM
6237vector signed int vec_all_le (vector signed short,
6238 vector unsigned short);
6239vector signed int vec_all_le (vector unsigned short,
6240 vector signed short);
6241vector signed int vec_all_le (vector unsigned short,
6242 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
6243vector signed int vec_all_le (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6244
6245vector signed int vec_all_le (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6246vector signed int vec_all_le (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6247vector signed int vec_all_le (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6248
6249vector signed int vec_all_le (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6250vector signed int vec_all_le (vector float, vector float);
6251
6252vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6253
6254vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6255
924fcc4e
JM
6256vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector unsigned char,
6257 vector unsigned char);
333c8841 6258vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector signed char, vector signed char);
924fcc4e
JM
6259vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector signed short,
6260 vector unsigned short);
6261vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector unsigned short,
6262 vector signed short);
6263vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector unsigned short,
6264 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
6265vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6266
6267vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6268vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6269vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6270
6271vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6272vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector float, vector float);
6273
6274vector signed int vec_all_nan (vector float);
6275
6276vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6277
6278vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6279vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6280
924fcc4e
JM
6281vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector unsigned char,
6282 vector unsigned char);
6283vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector signed short,
6284 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
6285vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6286
924fcc4e
JM
6287vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector unsigned short,
6288 vector signed short);
6289vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector unsigned short,
6290 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
6291vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6292vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6293vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6294vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6295
6296vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector float, vector float);
6297
6298vector signed int vec_all_nge (vector float, vector float);
6299
6300vector signed int vec_all_ngt (vector float, vector float);
6301
6302vector signed int vec_all_nle (vector float, vector float);
6303
6304vector signed int vec_all_nlt (vector float, vector float);
6305
6306vector signed int vec_all_numeric (vector float);
6307
6308vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6309
6310vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6311vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6312
924fcc4e
JM
6313vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector unsigned char,
6314 vector unsigned char);
6315vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector signed short,
6316 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
6317vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6318
924fcc4e
JM
6319vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector unsigned short,
6320 vector signed short);
6321vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector unsigned short,
6322 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
6323vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6324vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6325vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6326vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6327
6328vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector float, vector float);
6329
6330vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6331
6332vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6333
924fcc4e
JM
6334vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector unsigned char,
6335 vector unsigned char);
333c8841 6336vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector signed char, vector signed char);
924fcc4e
JM
6337vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector signed short,
6338 vector unsigned short);
6339vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector unsigned short,
6340 vector signed short);
6341vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector unsigned short,
6342 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
6343vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6344
6345vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6346vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6347vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6348
6349vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6350vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector float, vector float);
6351
6352vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6353
6354vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6355
924fcc4e
JM
6356vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector unsigned char,
6357 vector unsigned char);
333c8841 6358vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector signed char, vector signed char);
924fcc4e
JM
6359vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector signed short,
6360 vector unsigned short);
6361vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector unsigned short,
6362 vector signed short);
6363vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector unsigned short,
6364 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
6365vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6366
6367vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6368vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6369vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6370
6371vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6372vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector float, vector float);
6373
6374vector signed int vec_any_le (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6375
6376vector signed int vec_any_le (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6377
924fcc4e
JM
6378vector signed int vec_any_le (vector unsigned char,
6379 vector unsigned char);
333c8841 6380vector signed int vec_any_le (vector signed char, vector signed char);
924fcc4e
JM
6381vector signed int vec_any_le (vector signed short,
6382 vector unsigned short);
6383vector signed int vec_any_le (vector unsigned short,
6384 vector signed short);
6385vector signed int vec_any_le (vector unsigned short,
6386 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
6387vector signed int vec_any_le (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6388
6389vector signed int vec_any_le (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6390vector signed int vec_any_le (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6391vector signed int vec_any_le (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6392
6393vector signed int vec_any_le (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6394vector signed int vec_any_le (vector float, vector float);
6395
6396vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6397
6398vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6399
924fcc4e
JM
6400vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector unsigned char,
6401 vector unsigned char);
333c8841 6402vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector signed char, vector signed char);
924fcc4e
JM
6403vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector signed short,
6404 vector unsigned short);
6405vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector unsigned short,
6406 vector signed short);
6407vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector unsigned short,
6408 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
6409vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6410
6411vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6412vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6413vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6414
6415vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6416vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector float, vector float);
6417
6418vector signed int vec_any_nan (vector float);
6419
6420vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6421
6422vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6423vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6424
924fcc4e
JM
6425vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector unsigned char,
6426 vector unsigned char);
6427vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector signed short,
6428 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
6429vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6430
924fcc4e
JM
6431vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector unsigned short,
6432 vector signed short);
6433vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector unsigned short,
6434 vector unsigned short);
333c8841
AH
6435vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6436vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6437vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6438vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6439
6440vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector float, vector float);
6441
6442vector signed int vec_any_nge (vector float, vector float);
6443
6444vector signed int vec_any_ngt (vector float, vector float);
6445
6446vector signed int vec_any_nle (vector float, vector float);
6447
6448vector signed int vec_any_nlt (vector float, vector float);
6449
6450vector signed int vec_any_numeric (vector float);
6451
6452vector signed int vec_any_out (vector float, vector float);
6453@end smallexample
6454
0168a849
SS
6455@node Pragmas
6456@section Pragmas Accepted by GCC
6457@cindex pragmas
6458@cindex #pragma
6459
6460GCC supports several types of pragmas, primarily in order to compile
6461code originally written for other compilers. Note that in general
6462we do not recommend the use of pragmas; @xref{Function Attributes},
6463for further explanation.
6464
6465@menu
6466* ARM Pragmas::
a5c76ee6 6467* RS/6000 and PowerPC Pragmas::
0168a849 6468* Darwin Pragmas::
41c64394
RH
6469* Solaris Pragmas::
6470* Tru64 Pragmas::
0168a849
SS
6471@end menu
6472
6473@node ARM Pragmas
6474@subsection ARM Pragmas
6475
6476The ARM target defines pragmas for controlling the default addition of
6477@code{long_call} and @code{short_call} attributes to functions.
6478@xref{Function Attributes}, for information about the effects of these
6479attributes.
6480
6481@table @code
6482@item long_calls
6483@cindex pragma, long_calls
6484Set all subsequent functions to have the @code{long_call} attribute.
6485
6486@item no_long_calls
6487@cindex pragma, no_long_calls
6488Set all subsequent functions to have the @code{short_call} attribute.
6489
6490@item long_calls_off
6491@cindex pragma, long_calls_off
6492Do not affect the @code{long_call} or @code{short_call} attributes of
6493subsequent functions.
6494@end table
6495
a5c76ee6
ZW
6496@node RS/6000 and PowerPC Pragmas
6497@subsection RS/6000 and PowerPC Pragmas
6498
6499The RS/6000 and PowerPC targets define one pragma for controlling
6500whether or not the @code{longcall} attribute is added to function
6501declarations by default. This pragma overrides the @option{-mlongcall}
95b1627e 6502option, but not the @code{longcall} and @code{shortcall} attributes.
a5c76ee6
ZW
6503@xref{RS/6000 and PowerPC Options}, for more information about when long
6504calls are and are not necessary.
6505
6506@table @code
6507@item longcall (1)
6508@cindex pragma, longcall
6509Apply the @code{longcall} attribute to all subsequent function
6510declarations.
6511
6512@item longcall (0)
6513Do not apply the @code{longcall} attribute to subsequent function
6514declarations.
6515@end table
6516
0168a849
SS
6517@c Describe c4x pragmas here.
6518@c Describe h8300 pragmas here.
6519@c Describe i370 pragmas here.
6520@c Describe i960 pragmas here.
6521@c Describe sh pragmas here.
6522@c Describe v850 pragmas here.
6523
6524@node Darwin Pragmas
6525@subsection Darwin Pragmas
6526
6527The following pragmas are available for all architectures running the
6528Darwin operating system. These are useful for compatibility with other
6529MacOS compilers.
6530
6531@table @code
6532@item mark @var{tokens}@dots{}
6533@cindex pragma, mark
6534This pragma is accepted, but has no effect.
6535
6536@item options align=@var{alignment}
6537@cindex pragma, options align
6538This pragma sets the alignment of fields in structures. The values of
6539@var{alignment} may be @code{mac68k}, to emulate m68k alignment, or
6540@code{power}, to emulate PowerPC alignment. Uses of this pragma nest
6541properly; to restore the previous setting, use @code{reset} for the
6542@var{alignment}.
6543
6544@item segment @var{tokens}@dots{}
6545@cindex pragma, segment
6546This pragma is accepted, but has no effect.
6547
6548@item unused (@var{var} [, @var{var}]@dots{})
6549@cindex pragma, unused
6550This pragma declares variables to be possibly unused. GCC will not
6551produce warnings for the listed variables. The effect is similar to
6552that of the @code{unused} attribute, except that this pragma may appear
6553anywhere within the variables' scopes.
6554@end table
6555
41c64394
RH
6556@node Solaris Pragmas
6557@subsection Solaris Pragmas
6558
6559For compatibility with the SunPRO compiler, the following pragma
6560is supported.
6561
6562@table @code
6563@item redefine_extname @var{oldname} @var{newname}
6564@cindex pragma, redefine_extname
6565
6566This pragma gives the C function @var{oldname} the assembler label
6567@var{newname}. The pragma must appear before the function declaration.
6568This pragma is equivalent to the asm labels extension (@pxref{Asm
6569Labels}). The preprocessor defines @code{__PRAGMA_REDEFINE_EXTNAME}
6570if the pragma is available.
6571@end table
6572
6573@node Tru64 Pragmas
6574@subsection Tru64 Pragmas
6575
6576For compatibility with the Compaq C compiler, the following pragma
6577is supported.
6578
6579@table @code
6580@item extern_prefix @var{string}
6581@cindex pragma, extern_prefix
6582
6583This pragma renames all subsequent function and variable declarations
6584such that @var{string} is prepended to the name. This effect may be
95b1627e 6585terminated by using another @code{extern_prefix} pragma with the
41c64394
RH
6586empty string.
6587
6588This pragma is similar in intent to to the asm labels extension
6589(@pxref{Asm Labels}) in that the system programmer wants to change
6590the assembly-level ABI without changing the source-level API. The
f8dc212b
RO
6591preprocessor defines @code{__PRAGMA_EXTERN_PREFIX} if the pragma is
6592available.
41c64394
RH
6593@end table
6594
3e96a2fd
DD
6595@node Unnamed Fields
6596@section Unnamed struct/union fields within structs/unions.
6597@cindex struct
6598@cindex union
6599
6600For compatibility with other compilers, GCC allows you to define
6601a structure or union that contains, as fields, structures and unions
6602without names. For example:
6603
6604@example
6605struct @{
6606 int a;
6607 union @{
6608 int b;
6609 float c;
6610 @};
6611 int d;
6612@} foo;
6613@end example
6614
6615In this example, the user would be able to access members of the unnamed
6616union with code like @samp{foo.b}. Note that only unnamed structs and
6617unions are allowed, you may not have, for example, an unnamed
6618@code{int}.
6619
6620You must never create such structures that cause ambiguous field definitions.
6621For example, this structure:
6622
6623@example
6624struct @{
6625 int a;
6626 struct @{
6627 int a;
6628 @};
6629@} foo;
6630@end example
6631
6632It is ambiguous which @code{a} is being referred to with @samp{foo.a}.
6633Such constructs are not supported and must be avoided. In the future,
6634such constructs may be detected and treated as compilation errors.
6635
3d78f2e9
RH
6636@node Thread-Local
6637@section Thread-Local Storage
6638@cindex Thread-Local Storage
9217ef40 6639@cindex @acronym{TLS}
3d78f2e9
RH
6640@cindex __thread
6641
9217ef40
RH
6642Thread-local storage (@acronym{TLS}) is a mechanism by which variables
6643are allocated such that there is one instance of the variable per extant
3d78f2e9
RH
6644thread. The run-time model GCC uses to implement this originates
6645in the IA-64 processor-specific ABI, but has since been migrated
6646to other processors as well. It requires significant support from
6647the linker (@command{ld}), dynamic linker (@command{ld.so}), and
6648system libraries (@file{libc.so} and @file{libpthread.so}), so it
9217ef40 6649is not available everywhere.
3d78f2e9
RH
6650
6651At the user level, the extension is visible with a new storage
6652class keyword: @code{__thread}. For example:
6653
6654@example
6655__thread int i;
6656extern __thread struct state s;
6657static __thread char *p;
6658@end example
6659
6660The @code{__thread} specifier may be used alone, with the @code{extern}
6661or @code{static} specifiers, but with no other storage class specifier.
6662When used with @code{extern} or @code{static}, @code{__thread} must appear
6663immediately after the other storage class specifier.
6664
6665The @code{__thread} specifier may be applied to any global, file-scoped
244c2241
RH
6666static, function-scoped static, or static data member of a class. It may
6667not be applied to block-scoped automatic or non-static data member.
3d78f2e9
RH
6668
6669When the address-of operator is applied to a thread-local variable, it is
6670evaluated at run-time and returns the address of the current thread's
6671instance of that variable. An address so obtained may be used by any
6672thread. When a thread terminates, any pointers to thread-local variables
6673in that thread become invalid.
6674
6675No static initialization may refer to the address of a thread-local variable.
6676
244c2241
RH
6677In C++, if an initializer is present for a thread-local variable, it must
6678be a @var{constant-expression}, as defined in 5.19.2 of the ANSI/ISO C++
6679standard.
3d78f2e9
RH
6680
6681See @uref{http://people.redhat.com/drepper/tls.pdf,
6682ELF Handling For Thread-Local Storage} for a detailed explanation of
6683the four thread-local storage addressing models, and how the run-time
6684is expected to function.
6685
9217ef40
RH
6686@menu
6687* C99 Thread-Local Edits::
6688* C++98 Thread-Local Edits::
6689@end menu
6690
6691@node C99 Thread-Local Edits
6692@subsection ISO/IEC 9899:1999 Edits for Thread-Local Storage
6693
6694The following are a set of changes to ISO/IEC 9899:1999 (aka C99)
6695that document the exact semantics of the language extension.
6696
6697@itemize @bullet
6698@item
6699@cite{5.1.2 Execution environments}
6700
6701Add new text after paragraph 1
6702
6703@quotation
6704Within either execution environment, a @dfn{thread} is a flow of
6705control within a program. It is implementation defined whether
6706or not there may be more than one thread associated with a program.
6707It is implementation defined how threads beyond the first are
6708created, the name and type of the function called at thread
6709startup, and how threads may be terminated. However, objects
6710with thread storage duration shall be initialized before thread
6711startup.
6712@end quotation
6713
6714@item
6715@cite{6.2.4 Storage durations of objects}
6716
6717Add new text before paragraph 3
6718
6719@quotation
6720An object whose identifier is declared with the storage-class
6721specifier @w{@code{__thread}} has @dfn{thread storage duration}.
6722Its lifetime is the entire execution of the thread, and its
6723stored value is initialized only once, prior to thread startup.
6724@end quotation
6725
6726@item
6727@cite{6.4.1 Keywords}
6728
6729Add @code{__thread}.
6730
6731@item
6732@cite{6.7.1 Storage-class specifiers}
6733
6734Add @code{__thread} to the list of storage class specifiers in
6735paragraph 1.
6736
6737Change paragraph 2 to
6738
6739@quotation
6740With the exception of @code{__thread}, at most one storage-class
6741specifier may be given [@dots{}]. The @code{__thread} specifier may
6742be used alone, or immediately following @code{extern} or
6743@code{static}.
6744@end quotation
6745
6746Add new text after paragraph 6
6747
6748@quotation
6749The declaration of an identifier for a variable that has
6750block scope that specifies @code{__thread} shall also
6751specify either @code{extern} or @code{static}.
6752
6753The @code{__thread} specifier shall be used only with
6754variables.
6755@end quotation
6756@end itemize
6757
6758@node C++98 Thread-Local Edits
6759@subsection ISO/IEC 14882:1998 Edits for Thread-Local Storage
6760
6761The following are a set of changes to ISO/IEC 14882:1998 (aka C++98)
6762that document the exact semantics of the language extension.
6763
6764@itemize @bullet
8d23a2c8 6765@item
9217ef40
RH
6766@b{[intro.execution]}
6767
6768New text after paragraph 4
6769
6770@quotation
6771A @dfn{thread} is a flow of control within the abstract machine.
6772It is implementation defined whether or not there may be more than
6773one thread.
6774@end quotation
6775
6776New text after paragraph 7
6777
6778@quotation
95b1627e 6779It is unspecified whether additional action must be taken to
9217ef40
RH
6780ensure when and whether side effects are visible to other threads.
6781@end quotation
6782
6783@item
6784@b{[lex.key]}
6785
6786Add @code{__thread}.
6787
6788@item
6789@b{[basic.start.main]}
6790
6791Add after paragraph 5
6792
6793@quotation
6794The thread that begins execution at the @code{main} function is called
95b1627e 6795the @dfn{main thread}. It is implementation defined how functions
9217ef40
RH
6796beginning threads other than the main thread are designated or typed.
6797A function so designated, as well as the @code{main} function, is called
6798a @dfn{thread startup function}. It is implementation defined what
6799happens if a thread startup function returns. It is implementation
6800defined what happens to other threads when any thread calls @code{exit}.
6801@end quotation
6802
6803@item
6804@b{[basic.start.init]}
6805
6806Add after paragraph 4
6807
6808@quotation
6809The storage for an object of thread storage duration shall be
c0478a66 6810statically initialized before the first statement of the thread startup
9217ef40
RH
6811function. An object of thread storage duration shall not require
6812dynamic initialization.
6813@end quotation
6814
6815@item
6816@b{[basic.start.term]}
6817
6818Add after paragraph 3
6819
6820@quotation
244c2241
RH
6821The type of an object with thread storage duration shall not have a
6822non-trivial destructor, nor shall it be an array type whose elements
6823(directly or indirectly) have non-trivial destructors.
9217ef40
RH
6824@end quotation
6825
6826@item
6827@b{[basic.stc]}
6828
6829Add ``thread storage duration'' to the list in paragraph 1.
6830
6831Change paragraph 2
6832
6833@quotation
6834Thread, static, and automatic storage durations are associated with
6835objects introduced by declarations [@dots{}].
6836@end quotation
6837
6838Add @code{__thread} to the list of specifiers in paragraph 3.
6839
6840@item
6841@b{[basic.stc.thread]}
6842
6843New section before @b{[basic.stc.static]}
6844
6845@quotation
6846The keyword @code{__thread} applied to an non-local object gives the
6847object thread storage duration.
6848
6849A local variable or class data member declared both @code{static}
6850and @code{__thread} gives the variable or member thread storage
6851duration.
6852@end quotation
6853
6854@item
6855@b{[basic.stc.static]}
6856
6857Change paragraph 1
6858
6859@quotation
6860All objects which have neither thread storage duration, dynamic
6861storage duration nor are local [@dots{}].
6862@end quotation
6863
6864@item
6865@b{[dcl.stc]}
6866
6867Add @code{__thread} to the list in paragraph 1.
6868
6869Change paragraph 1
6870
6871@quotation
6872With the exception of @code{__thread}, at most one
6873@var{storage-class-specifier} shall appear in a given
6874@var{decl-specifier-seq}. The @code{__thread} specifier may
6875be used alone, or immediately following the @code{extern} or
6876@code{static} specifiers. [@dots{}]
6877@end quotation
6878
6879Add after paragraph 5
6880
6881@quotation
6882The @code{__thread} specifier can be applied only to the names of objects
6883and to anonymous unions.
6884@end quotation
6885
6886@item
6887@b{[class.mem]}
6888
6889Add after paragraph 6
6890
6891@quotation
6892Non-@code{static} members shall not be @code{__thread}.
6893@end quotation
6894@end itemize
6895
c1f7febf
RK
6896@node C++ Extensions
6897@chapter Extensions to the C++ Language
6898@cindex extensions, C++ language
6899@cindex C++ language extensions
6900
6901The GNU compiler provides these extensions to the C++ language (and you
6902can also use most of the C language extensions in your C++ programs). If you
6903want to write code that checks whether these features are available, you can
6904test for the GNU compiler the same way as for C programs: check for a
6905predefined macro @code{__GNUC__}. You can also use @code{__GNUG__} to
6906test specifically for GNU C++ (@pxref{Standard Predefined,,Standard
6907Predefined Macros,cpp.info,The C Preprocessor}).
6908
6909@menu
c1f7febf 6910* Min and Max:: C++ Minimum and maximum operators.
02cac427 6911* Volatiles:: What constitutes an access to a volatile object.
49419c8f 6912* Restricted Pointers:: C99 restricted pointers and references.
7a81cf7f 6913* Vague Linkage:: Where G++ puts inlines, vtables and such.
c1f7febf 6914* C++ Interface:: You can use a single C++ header file for both
e6f3b89d 6915 declarations and definitions.
c1f7febf 6916* Template Instantiation:: Methods for ensuring that exactly one copy of
e6f3b89d 6917 each needed template instantiation is emitted.
0ded1f18
JM
6918* Bound member functions:: You can extract a function pointer to the
6919 method denoted by a @samp{->*} or @samp{.*} expression.
e6f3b89d 6920* C++ Attributes:: Variable, function, and type attributes for C++ only.
1f730ff7 6921* Java Exceptions:: Tweaking exception handling to work with Java.
e6f3b89d
PE
6922* Deprecated Features:: Things might disappear from g++.
6923* Backwards Compatibility:: Compatibilities with earlier definitions of C++.
c1f7febf
RK
6924@end menu
6925
c1f7febf
RK
6926@node Min and Max
6927@section Minimum and Maximum Operators in C++
6928
6929It is very convenient to have operators which return the ``minimum'' or the
6930``maximum'' of two arguments. In GNU C++ (but not in GNU C),
6931
6932@table @code
6933@item @var{a} <? @var{b}
6934@findex <?
6935@cindex minimum operator
6936is the @dfn{minimum}, returning the smaller of the numeric values
6937@var{a} and @var{b};
6938
6939@item @var{a} >? @var{b}
6940@findex >?
6941@cindex maximum operator
6942is the @dfn{maximum}, returning the larger of the numeric values @var{a}
6943and @var{b}.
6944@end table
6945
6946These operations are not primitive in ordinary C++, since you can
6947use a macro to return the minimum of two things in C++, as in the
6948following example.
6949
6950@example
6951#define MIN(X,Y) ((X) < (Y) ? : (X) : (Y))
6952@end example
6953
6954@noindent
6955You might then use @w{@samp{int min = MIN (i, j);}} to set @var{min} to
6956the minimum value of variables @var{i} and @var{j}.
6957
6958However, side effects in @code{X} or @code{Y} may cause unintended
6959behavior. For example, @code{MIN (i++, j++)} will fail, incrementing
95f79357
ZW
6960the smaller counter twice. The GNU C @code{typeof} extension allows you
6961to write safe macros that avoid this kind of problem (@pxref{Typeof}).
6962However, writing @code{MIN} and @code{MAX} as macros also forces you to
6963use function-call notation for a fundamental arithmetic operation.
6964Using GNU C++ extensions, you can write @w{@samp{int min = i <? j;}}
6965instead.
c1f7febf
RK
6966
6967Since @code{<?} and @code{>?} are built into the compiler, they properly
6968handle expressions with side-effects; @w{@samp{int min = i++ <? j++;}}
6969works correctly.
6970
02cac427
NS
6971@node Volatiles
6972@section When is a Volatile Object Accessed?
6973@cindex accessing volatiles
6974@cindex volatile read
6975@cindex volatile write
6976@cindex volatile access
6977
767094dd
JM
6978Both the C and C++ standard have the concept of volatile objects. These
6979are normally accessed by pointers and used for accessing hardware. The
8117da65 6980standards encourage compilers to refrain from optimizations
02cac427 6981concerning accesses to volatile objects that it might perform on
767094dd
JM
6982non-volatile objects. The C standard leaves it implementation defined
6983as to what constitutes a volatile access. The C++ standard omits to
02cac427 6984specify this, except to say that C++ should behave in a similar manner
767094dd 6985to C with respect to volatiles, where possible. The minimum either
8117da65 6986standard specifies is that at a sequence point all previous accesses to
02cac427 6987volatile objects have stabilized and no subsequent accesses have
767094dd 6988occurred. Thus an implementation is free to reorder and combine
02cac427 6989volatile accesses which occur between sequence points, but cannot do so
767094dd 6990for accesses across a sequence point. The use of volatiles does not
02cac427
NS
6991allow you to violate the restriction on updating objects multiple times
6992within a sequence point.
6993
6994In most expressions, it is intuitively obvious what is a read and what is
767094dd 6995a write. For instance
02cac427
NS
6996
6997@example
c771326b
JM
6998volatile int *dst = @var{somevalue};
6999volatile int *src = @var{someothervalue};
02cac427
NS
7000*dst = *src;
7001@end example
7002
7003@noindent
7004will cause a read of the volatile object pointed to by @var{src} and stores the
767094dd 7005value into the volatile object pointed to by @var{dst}. There is no
02cac427
NS
7006guarantee that these reads and writes are atomic, especially for objects
7007larger than @code{int}.
7008
7009Less obvious expressions are where something which looks like an access
767094dd 7010is used in a void context. An example would be,
02cac427
NS
7011
7012@example
c771326b 7013volatile int *src = @var{somevalue};
02cac427
NS
7014*src;
7015@end example
7016
7017With C, such expressions are rvalues, and as rvalues cause a read of
f0523f02 7018the object, GCC interprets this as a read of the volatile being pointed
767094dd 7019to. The C++ standard specifies that such expressions do not undergo
02cac427 7020lvalue to rvalue conversion, and that the type of the dereferenced
767094dd 7021object may be incomplete. The C++ standard does not specify explicitly
02cac427 7022that it is this lvalue to rvalue conversion which is responsible for
767094dd
JM
7023causing an access. However, there is reason to believe that it is,
7024because otherwise certain simple expressions become undefined. However,
f0523f02 7025because it would surprise most programmers, G++ treats dereferencing a
02cac427 7026pointer to volatile object of complete type in a void context as a read
767094dd 7027of the object. When the object has incomplete type, G++ issues a
02cac427
NS
7028warning.
7029
7030@example
7031struct S;
7032struct T @{int m;@};
c771326b
JM
7033volatile S *ptr1 = @var{somevalue};
7034volatile T *ptr2 = @var{somevalue};
02cac427
NS
7035*ptr1;
7036*ptr2;
7037@end example
7038
7039In this example, a warning is issued for @code{*ptr1}, and @code{*ptr2}
767094dd 7040causes a read of the object pointed to. If you wish to force an error on
02cac427
NS
7041the first case, you must force a conversion to rvalue with, for instance
7042a static cast, @code{static_cast<S>(*ptr1)}.
7043
f0523f02 7044When using a reference to volatile, G++ does not treat equivalent
02cac427 7045expressions as accesses to volatiles, but instead issues a warning that
767094dd 7046no volatile is accessed. The rationale for this is that otherwise it
02cac427
NS
7047becomes difficult to determine where volatile access occur, and not
7048possible to ignore the return value from functions returning volatile
767094dd 7049references. Again, if you wish to force a read, cast the reference to
02cac427
NS
7050an rvalue.
7051
535233a8
NS
7052@node Restricted Pointers
7053@section Restricting Pointer Aliasing
7054@cindex restricted pointers
7055@cindex restricted references
7056@cindex restricted this pointer
7057
49419c8f 7058As with gcc, g++ understands the C99 feature of restricted pointers,
535233a8 7059specified with the @code{__restrict__}, or @code{__restrict} type
767094dd 7060qualifier. Because you cannot compile C++ by specifying the @option{-std=c99}
535233a8
NS
7061language flag, @code{restrict} is not a keyword in C++.
7062
7063In addition to allowing restricted pointers, you can specify restricted
7064references, which indicate that the reference is not aliased in the local
7065context.
7066
7067@example
7068void fn (int *__restrict__ rptr, int &__restrict__ rref)
7069@{
0d893a63 7070 /* @r{@dots{}} */
535233a8
NS
7071@}
7072@end example
7073
7074@noindent
7075In the body of @code{fn}, @var{rptr} points to an unaliased integer and
7076@var{rref} refers to a (different) unaliased integer.
7077
7078You may also specify whether a member function's @var{this} pointer is
7079unaliased by using @code{__restrict__} as a member function qualifier.
7080
7081@example
7082void T::fn () __restrict__
7083@{
0d893a63 7084 /* @r{@dots{}} */
535233a8
NS
7085@}
7086@end example
7087
7088@noindent
7089Within the body of @code{T::fn}, @var{this} will have the effective
767094dd 7090definition @code{T *__restrict__ const this}. Notice that the
535233a8
NS
7091interpretation of a @code{__restrict__} member function qualifier is
7092different to that of @code{const} or @code{volatile} qualifier, in that it
767094dd 7093is applied to the pointer rather than the object. This is consistent with
535233a8
NS
7094other compilers which implement restricted pointers.
7095
7096As with all outermost parameter qualifiers, @code{__restrict__} is
767094dd 7097ignored in function definition matching. This means you only need to
535233a8
NS
7098specify @code{__restrict__} in a function definition, rather than
7099in a function prototype as well.
7100
7a81cf7f
JM
7101@node Vague Linkage
7102@section Vague Linkage
7103@cindex vague linkage
7104
7105There are several constructs in C++ which require space in the object
7106file but are not clearly tied to a single translation unit. We say that
7107these constructs have ``vague linkage''. Typically such constructs are
7108emitted wherever they are needed, though sometimes we can be more
7109clever.
7110
7111@table @asis
7112@item Inline Functions
7113Inline functions are typically defined in a header file which can be
7114included in many different compilations. Hopefully they can usually be
7115inlined, but sometimes an out-of-line copy is necessary, if the address
7116of the function is taken or if inlining fails. In general, we emit an
7117out-of-line copy in all translation units where one is needed. As an
7118exception, we only emit inline virtual functions with the vtable, since
7119it will always require a copy.
7120
7121Local static variables and string constants used in an inline function
7122are also considered to have vague linkage, since they must be shared
7123between all inlined and out-of-line instances of the function.
7124
7125@item VTables
7126@cindex vtable
7127C++ virtual functions are implemented in most compilers using a lookup
7128table, known as a vtable. The vtable contains pointers to the virtual
7129functions provided by a class, and each object of the class contains a
7130pointer to its vtable (or vtables, in some multiple-inheritance
7131situations). If the class declares any non-inline, non-pure virtual
7132functions, the first one is chosen as the ``key method'' for the class,
7133and the vtable is only emitted in the translation unit where the key
7134method is defined.
7135
7136@emph{Note:} If the chosen key method is later defined as inline, the
7137vtable will still be emitted in every translation unit which defines it.
7138Make sure that any inline virtuals are declared inline in the class
7139body, even if they are not defined there.
7140
7141@item type_info objects
7142@cindex type_info
7143@cindex RTTI
7144C++ requires information about types to be written out in order to
7145implement @samp{dynamic_cast}, @samp{typeid} and exception handling.
7146For polymorphic classes (classes with virtual functions), the type_info
7147object is written out along with the vtable so that @samp{dynamic_cast}
7148can determine the dynamic type of a class object at runtime. For all
7149other types, we write out the type_info object when it is used: when
7150applying @samp{typeid} to an expression, throwing an object, or
7151referring to a type in a catch clause or exception specification.
7152
7153@item Template Instantiations
7154Most everything in this section also applies to template instantiations,
7155but there are other options as well.
7156@xref{Template Instantiation,,Where's the Template?}.
7157
7158@end table
7159
7160When used with GNU ld version 2.8 or later on an ELF system such as
7161Linux/GNU or Solaris 2, or on Microsoft Windows, duplicate copies of
7162these constructs will be discarded at link time. This is known as
7163COMDAT support.
7164
7165On targets that don't support COMDAT, but do support weak symbols, GCC
7166will use them. This way one copy will override all the others, but
7167the unused copies will still take up space in the executable.
7168
7169For targets which do not support either COMDAT or weak symbols,
7170most entities with vague linkage will be emitted as local symbols to
7171avoid duplicate definition errors from the linker. This will not happen
7172for local statics in inlines, however, as having multiple copies will
7173almost certainly break things.
7174
7175@xref{C++ Interface,,Declarations and Definitions in One Header}, for
7176another way to control placement of these constructs.
7177
c1f7febf
RK
7178@node C++ Interface
7179@section Declarations and Definitions in One Header
7180
7181@cindex interface and implementation headers, C++
7182@cindex C++ interface and implementation headers
7183C++ object definitions can be quite complex. In principle, your source
7184code will need two kinds of things for each object that you use across
7185more than one source file. First, you need an @dfn{interface}
7186specification, describing its structure with type declarations and
7187function prototypes. Second, you need the @dfn{implementation} itself.
7188It can be tedious to maintain a separate interface description in a
7189header file, in parallel to the actual implementation. It is also
7190dangerous, since separate interface and implementation definitions may
7191not remain parallel.
7192
7193@cindex pragmas, interface and implementation
7194With GNU C++, you can use a single header file for both purposes.
7195
7196@quotation
7197@emph{Warning:} The mechanism to specify this is in transition. For the
7198nonce, you must use one of two @code{#pragma} commands; in a future
7199release of GNU C++, an alternative mechanism will make these
7200@code{#pragma} commands unnecessary.
7201@end quotation
7202
7203The header file contains the full definitions, but is marked with
7204@samp{#pragma interface} in the source code. This allows the compiler
7205to use the header file only as an interface specification when ordinary
7206source files incorporate it with @code{#include}. In the single source
7207file where the full implementation belongs, you can use either a naming
7208convention or @samp{#pragma implementation} to indicate this alternate
7209use of the header file.
7210
7211@table @code
7212@item #pragma interface
7213@itemx #pragma interface "@var{subdir}/@var{objects}.h"
7214@kindex #pragma interface
7215Use this directive in @emph{header files} that define object classes, to save
7216space in most of the object files that use those classes. Normally,
7217local copies of certain information (backup copies of inline member
7218functions, debugging information, and the internal tables that implement
7219virtual functions) must be kept in each object file that includes class
7220definitions. You can use this pragma to avoid such duplication. When a
7221header file containing @samp{#pragma interface} is included in a
7222compilation, this auxiliary information will not be generated (unless
7223the main input source file itself uses @samp{#pragma implementation}).
7224Instead, the object files will contain references to be resolved at link
7225time.
7226
7227The second form of this directive is useful for the case where you have
7228multiple headers with the same name in different directories. If you
7229use this form, you must specify the same string to @samp{#pragma
7230implementation}.
7231
7232@item #pragma implementation
7233@itemx #pragma implementation "@var{objects}.h"
7234@kindex #pragma implementation
7235Use this pragma in a @emph{main input file}, when you want full output from
7236included header files to be generated (and made globally visible). The
7237included header file, in turn, should use @samp{#pragma interface}.
7238Backup copies of inline member functions, debugging information, and the
7239internal tables used to implement virtual functions are all generated in
7240implementation files.
7241
7242@cindex implied @code{#pragma implementation}
7243@cindex @code{#pragma implementation}, implied
7244@cindex naming convention, implementation headers
7245If you use @samp{#pragma implementation} with no argument, it applies to
7246an include file with the same basename@footnote{A file's @dfn{basename}
7247was the name stripped of all leading path information and of trailing
7248suffixes, such as @samp{.h} or @samp{.C} or @samp{.cc}.} as your source
7249file. For example, in @file{allclass.cc}, giving just
7250@samp{#pragma implementation}
7251by itself is equivalent to @samp{#pragma implementation "allclass.h"}.
7252
7253In versions of GNU C++ prior to 2.6.0 @file{allclass.h} was treated as
7254an implementation file whenever you would include it from
7255@file{allclass.cc} even if you never specified @samp{#pragma
7256implementation}. This was deemed to be more trouble than it was worth,
7257however, and disabled.
7258
7259If you use an explicit @samp{#pragma implementation}, it must appear in
7260your source file @emph{before} you include the affected header files.
7261
7262Use the string argument if you want a single implementation file to
7263include code from multiple header files. (You must also use
7264@samp{#include} to include the header file; @samp{#pragma
7265implementation} only specifies how to use the file---it doesn't actually
7266include it.)
7267
7268There is no way to split up the contents of a single header file into
7269multiple implementation files.
7270@end table
7271
7272@cindex inlining and C++ pragmas
7273@cindex C++ pragmas, effect on inlining
7274@cindex pragmas in C++, effect on inlining
7275@samp{#pragma implementation} and @samp{#pragma interface} also have an
7276effect on function inlining.
7277
7278If you define a class in a header file marked with @samp{#pragma
7279interface}, the effect on a function defined in that class is similar to
7280an explicit @code{extern} declaration---the compiler emits no code at
7281all to define an independent version of the function. Its definition
7282is used only for inlining with its callers.
7283
84330467 7284@opindex fno-implement-inlines
c1f7febf
RK
7285Conversely, when you include the same header file in a main source file
7286that declares it as @samp{#pragma implementation}, the compiler emits
7287code for the function itself; this defines a version of the function
7288that can be found via pointers (or by callers compiled without
7289inlining). If all calls to the function can be inlined, you can avoid
84330467 7290emitting the function by compiling with @option{-fno-implement-inlines}.
c1f7febf
RK
7291If any calls were not inlined, you will get linker errors.
7292
7293@node Template Instantiation
7294@section Where's the Template?
7295
7296@cindex template instantiation
7297
7298C++ templates are the first language feature to require more
7299intelligence from the environment than one usually finds on a UNIX
7300system. Somehow the compiler and linker have to make sure that each
7301template instance occurs exactly once in the executable if it is needed,
7302and not at all otherwise. There are two basic approaches to this
7303problem, which I will refer to as the Borland model and the Cfront model.
7304
7305@table @asis
7306@item Borland model
7307Borland C++ solved the template instantiation problem by adding the code
469b759e
JM
7308equivalent of common blocks to their linker; the compiler emits template
7309instances in each translation unit that uses them, and the linker
7310collapses them together. The advantage of this model is that the linker
7311only has to consider the object files themselves; there is no external
7312complexity to worry about. This disadvantage is that compilation time
7313is increased because the template code is being compiled repeatedly.
7314Code written for this model tends to include definitions of all
7315templates in the header file, since they must be seen to be
7316instantiated.
c1f7febf
RK
7317
7318@item Cfront model
7319The AT&T C++ translator, Cfront, solved the template instantiation
7320problem by creating the notion of a template repository, an
469b759e
JM
7321automatically maintained place where template instances are stored. A
7322more modern version of the repository works as follows: As individual
7323object files are built, the compiler places any template definitions and
7324instantiations encountered in the repository. At link time, the link
7325wrapper adds in the objects in the repository and compiles any needed
7326instances that were not previously emitted. The advantages of this
7327model are more optimal compilation speed and the ability to use the
7328system linker; to implement the Borland model a compiler vendor also
c1f7febf 7329needs to replace the linker. The disadvantages are vastly increased
469b759e
JM
7330complexity, and thus potential for error; for some code this can be
7331just as transparent, but in practice it can been very difficult to build
c1f7febf 7332multiple programs in one directory and one program in multiple
469b759e
JM
7333directories. Code written for this model tends to separate definitions
7334of non-inline member templates into a separate file, which should be
7335compiled separately.
c1f7febf
RK
7336@end table
7337
469b759e 7338When used with GNU ld version 2.8 or later on an ELF system such as
a4b3b54a
JM
7339Linux/GNU or Solaris 2, or on Microsoft Windows, g++ supports the
7340Borland model. On other systems, g++ implements neither automatic
7341model.
469b759e
JM
7342
7343A future version of g++ will support a hybrid model whereby the compiler
7344will emit any instantiations for which the template definition is
7345included in the compile, and store template definitions and
7346instantiation context information into the object file for the rest.
7347The link wrapper will extract that information as necessary and invoke
7348the compiler to produce the remaining instantiations. The linker will
7349then combine duplicate instantiations.
7350
7351In the mean time, you have the following options for dealing with
7352template instantiations:
c1f7febf
RK
7353
7354@enumerate
d863830b 7355@item
84330467
JM
7356@opindex frepo
7357Compile your template-using code with @option{-frepo}. The compiler will
d863830b
JL
7358generate files with the extension @samp{.rpo} listing all of the
7359template instantiations used in the corresponding object files which
7360could be instantiated there; the link wrapper, @samp{collect2}, will
7361then update the @samp{.rpo} files to tell the compiler where to place
7362those instantiations and rebuild any affected object files. The
7363link-time overhead is negligible after the first pass, as the compiler
7364will continue to place the instantiations in the same files.
7365
7366This is your best option for application code written for the Borland
7367model, as it will just work. Code written for the Cfront model will
7368need to be modified so that the template definitions are available at
7369one or more points of instantiation; usually this is as simple as adding
7370@code{#include <tmethods.cc>} to the end of each template header.
7371
7372For library code, if you want the library to provide all of the template
7373instantiations it needs, just try to link all of its object files
7374together; the link will fail, but cause the instantiations to be
7375generated as a side effect. Be warned, however, that this may cause
7376conflicts if multiple libraries try to provide the same instantiations.
7377For greater control, use explicit instantiation as described in the next
7378option.
7379
c1f7febf 7380@item
84330467
JM
7381@opindex fno-implicit-templates
7382Compile your code with @option{-fno-implicit-templates} to disable the
c1f7febf
RK
7383implicit generation of template instances, and explicitly instantiate
7384all the ones you use. This approach requires more knowledge of exactly
7385which instances you need than do the others, but it's less
7386mysterious and allows greater control. You can scatter the explicit
7387instantiations throughout your program, perhaps putting them in the
7388translation units where the instances are used or the translation units
7389that define the templates themselves; you can put all of the explicit
7390instantiations you need into one big file; or you can create small files
7391like
7392
7393@example
7394#include "Foo.h"
7395#include "Foo.cc"
7396
7397template class Foo<int>;
7398template ostream& operator <<
7399 (ostream&, const Foo<int>&);
7400@end example
7401
7402for each of the instances you need, and create a template instantiation
7403library from those.
7404
7405If you are using Cfront-model code, you can probably get away with not
84330467 7406using @option{-fno-implicit-templates} when compiling files that don't
c1f7febf
RK
7407@samp{#include} the member template definitions.
7408
7409If you use one big file to do the instantiations, you may want to
84330467 7410compile it without @option{-fno-implicit-templates} so you get all of the
c1f7febf
RK
7411instances required by your explicit instantiations (but not by any
7412other files) without having to specify them as well.
7413
7414g++ has extended the template instantiation syntax outlined in the
03d0f4af 7415Working Paper to allow forward declaration of explicit instantiations
4003d7f9 7416(with @code{extern}), instantiation of the compiler support data for a
e979f9e8 7417template class (i.e.@: the vtable) without instantiating any of its
4003d7f9
JM
7418members (with @code{inline}), and instantiation of only the static data
7419members of a template class, without the support data or member
7420functions (with (@code{static}):
c1f7febf
RK
7421
7422@example
7423extern template int max (int, int);
c1f7febf 7424inline template class Foo<int>;
4003d7f9 7425static template class Foo<int>;
c1f7febf
RK
7426@end example
7427
7428@item
7429Do nothing. Pretend g++ does implement automatic instantiation
7430management. Code written for the Borland model will work fine, but
7431each translation unit will contain instances of each of the templates it
7432uses. In a large program, this can lead to an unacceptable amount of code
7433duplication.
7434
c1f7febf
RK
7435@xref{C++ Interface,,Declarations and Definitions in One Header}, for
7436more discussion of these pragmas.
7437@end enumerate
7438
0ded1f18
JM
7439@node Bound member functions
7440@section Extracting the function pointer from a bound pointer to member function
7441
7442@cindex pmf
7443@cindex pointer to member function
7444@cindex bound pointer to member function
7445
7446In C++, pointer to member functions (PMFs) are implemented using a wide
7447pointer of sorts to handle all the possible call mechanisms; the PMF
7448needs to store information about how to adjust the @samp{this} pointer,
7449and if the function pointed to is virtual, where to find the vtable, and
7450where in the vtable to look for the member function. If you are using
7451PMFs in an inner loop, you should really reconsider that decision. If
7452that is not an option, you can extract the pointer to the function that
7453would be called for a given object/PMF pair and call it directly inside
7454the inner loop, to save a bit of time.
7455
7456Note that you will still be paying the penalty for the call through a
7457function pointer; on most modern architectures, such a call defeats the
161d7b59 7458branch prediction features of the CPU@. This is also true of normal
0ded1f18
JM
7459virtual function calls.
7460
7461The syntax for this extension is
7462
7463@example
7464extern A a;
7465extern int (A::*fp)();
7466typedef int (*fptr)(A *);
7467
7468fptr p = (fptr)(a.*fp);
7469@end example
7470
e979f9e8 7471For PMF constants (i.e.@: expressions of the form @samp{&Klasse::Member}),
767094dd 7472no object is needed to obtain the address of the function. They can be
0fb6bbf5
ML
7473converted to function pointers directly:
7474
7475@example
7476fptr p1 = (fptr)(&A::foo);
7477@end example
7478
84330467
JM
7479@opindex Wno-pmf-conversions
7480You must specify @option{-Wno-pmf-conversions} to use this extension.
0ded1f18 7481
5c25e11d
PE
7482@node C++ Attributes
7483@section C++-Specific Variable, Function, and Type Attributes
7484
7485Some attributes only make sense for C++ programs.
7486
7487@table @code
7488@item init_priority (@var{priority})
7489@cindex init_priority attribute
7490
7491
7492In Standard C++, objects defined at namespace scope are guaranteed to be
7493initialized in an order in strict accordance with that of their definitions
7494@emph{in a given translation unit}. No guarantee is made for initializations
7495across translation units. However, GNU C++ allows users to control the
3844cd2e 7496order of initialization of objects defined at namespace scope with the
5c25e11d
PE
7497@code{init_priority} attribute by specifying a relative @var{priority},
7498a constant integral expression currently bounded between 101 and 65535
7499inclusive. Lower numbers indicate a higher priority.
7500
7501In the following example, @code{A} would normally be created before
7502@code{B}, but the @code{init_priority} attribute has reversed that order:
7503
478c9e72 7504@smallexample
5c25e11d
PE
7505Some_Class A __attribute__ ((init_priority (2000)));
7506Some_Class B __attribute__ ((init_priority (543)));
478c9e72 7507@end smallexample
5c25e11d
PE
7508
7509@noindent
7510Note that the particular values of @var{priority} do not matter; only their
7511relative ordering.
7512
60c87482
BM
7513@item java_interface
7514@cindex java_interface attribute
7515
02f52e19 7516This type attribute informs C++ that the class is a Java interface. It may
60c87482 7517only be applied to classes declared within an @code{extern "Java"} block.
02f52e19
AJ
7518Calls to methods declared in this interface will be dispatched using GCJ's
7519interface table mechanism, instead of regular virtual table dispatch.
60c87482 7520
5c25e11d
PE
7521@end table
7522
1f730ff7
ZW
7523@node Java Exceptions
7524@section Java Exceptions
7525
7526The Java language uses a slightly different exception handling model
7527from C++. Normally, GNU C++ will automatically detect when you are
7528writing C++ code that uses Java exceptions, and handle them
7529appropriately. However, if C++ code only needs to execute destructors
7530when Java exceptions are thrown through it, GCC will guess incorrectly.
9c34dbbf 7531Sample problematic code is:
1f730ff7 7532
478c9e72 7533@smallexample
1f730ff7 7534 struct S @{ ~S(); @};
9c34dbbf 7535 extern void bar(); // is written in Java, and may throw exceptions
1f730ff7
ZW
7536 void foo()
7537 @{
7538 S s;
7539 bar();
7540 @}
478c9e72 7541@end smallexample
1f730ff7
ZW
7542
7543@noindent
7544The usual effect of an incorrect guess is a link failure, complaining of
7545a missing routine called @samp{__gxx_personality_v0}.
7546
7547You can inform the compiler that Java exceptions are to be used in a
7548translation unit, irrespective of what it might think, by writing
7549@samp{@w{#pragma GCC java_exceptions}} at the head of the file. This
7550@samp{#pragma} must appear before any functions that throw or catch
7551exceptions, or run destructors when exceptions are thrown through them.
7552
7553You cannot mix Java and C++ exceptions in the same translation unit. It
7554is believed to be safe to throw a C++ exception from one file through
9c34dbbf
ZW
7555another file compiled for the Java exception model, or vice versa, but
7556there may be bugs in this area.
1f730ff7 7557
e6f3b89d
PE
7558@node Deprecated Features
7559@section Deprecated Features
7560
7561In the past, the GNU C++ compiler was extended to experiment with new
767094dd 7562features, at a time when the C++ language was still evolving. Now that
e6f3b89d 7563the C++ standard is complete, some of those features are superseded by
767094dd
JM
7564superior alternatives. Using the old features might cause a warning in
7565some cases that the feature will be dropped in the future. In other
e6f3b89d
PE
7566cases, the feature might be gone already.
7567
7568While the list below is not exhaustive, it documents some of the options
7569that are now deprecated:
7570
7571@table @code
7572@item -fexternal-templates
7573@itemx -falt-external-templates
7574These are two of the many ways for g++ to implement template
767094dd 7575instantiation. @xref{Template Instantiation}. The C++ standard clearly
e6f3b89d 7576defines how template definitions have to be organized across
767094dd 7577implementation units. g++ has an implicit instantiation mechanism that
e6f3b89d
PE
7578should work just fine for standard-conforming code.
7579
7580@item -fstrict-prototype
7581@itemx -fno-strict-prototype
7582Previously it was possible to use an empty prototype parameter list to
7583indicate an unspecified number of parameters (like C), rather than no
767094dd 7584parameters, as C++ demands. This feature has been removed, except where
e6f3b89d
PE
7585it is required for backwards compatibility @xref{Backwards Compatibility}.
7586@end table
7587
ad1a6d45
NS
7588The named return value extension has been deprecated, and is now
7589removed from g++.
e6f3b89d 7590
82c18d5c 7591The use of initializer lists with new expressions has been deprecated,
ad1a6d45
NS
7592and is now removed from g++.
7593
7594Floating and complex non-type template parameters have been deprecated,
7595and are now removed from g++.
7596
7597The implicit typename extension has been deprecated and will be removed
05713b80 7598from g++ at some point. In some cases g++ determines that a dependent
ad1a6d45
NS
7599type such as @code{TPL<T>::X} is a type without needing a
7600@code{typename} keyword, contrary to the standard.
82c18d5c 7601
e6f3b89d
PE
7602@node Backwards Compatibility
7603@section Backwards Compatibility
7604@cindex Backwards Compatibility
7605@cindex ARM [Annotated C++ Reference Manual]
7606
aee96fe9 7607Now that there is a definitive ISO standard C++, G++ has a specification
767094dd 7608to adhere to. The C++ language evolved over time, and features that
e6f3b89d 7609used to be acceptable in previous drafts of the standard, such as the ARM
767094dd 7610[Annotated C++ Reference Manual], are no longer accepted. In order to allow
aee96fe9 7611compilation of C++ written to such drafts, G++ contains some backwards
767094dd 7612compatibilities. @emph{All such backwards compatibility features are
aee96fe9 7613liable to disappear in future versions of G++.} They should be considered
e6f3b89d
PE
7614deprecated @xref{Deprecated Features}.
7615
7616@table @code
7617@item For scope
7618If a variable is declared at for scope, it used to remain in scope until
7619the end of the scope which contained the for statement (rather than just
aee96fe9 7620within the for scope). G++ retains this, but issues a warning, if such a
e6f3b89d
PE
7621variable is accessed outside the for scope.
7622
ad1a6d45 7623@item Implicit C language
630d3d5a 7624Old C system header files did not contain an @code{extern "C" @{@dots{}@}}
767094dd
JM
7625scope to set the language. On such systems, all header files are
7626implicitly scoped inside a C language scope. Also, an empty prototype
e6f3b89d
PE
7627@code{()} will be treated as an unspecified number of arguments, rather
7628than no arguments, as C++ demands.
7629@end table