1 @c Copyright (C) 1988,1989,1992,1993,1994,1996,1998,1999,2000,2001,2002,2003 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
2 @c This is part of the GCC manual.
3 @c For copying conditions, see the file gcc.texi.
6 @chapter C Implementation-defined behavior
7 @cindex implementation-defined behavior, C language
9 A conforming implementation of ISO C is required to document its
10 choice of behavior in each of the areas that are designated
11 ``implementation defined.'' The following lists all such areas,
12 along with the section number from the ISO/IEC 9899:1999 standard.
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::
31 @node Translation implementation
36 @cite{How a diagnostic is identified (3.10, 5.1.1.3).}
38 Diagnostics consist of all the output sent to stderr by GCC.
41 @cite{Whether each nonempty sequence of white-space characters other than
42 new-line is retained or replaced by one space character in translation
46 @node Environment implementation
49 The behavior of these points are dependent on the implementation
50 of the C library, and are not defined by GCC itself.
52 @node Identifiers implementation
57 @cite{Which additional multibyte characters may appear in identifiers
58 and their correspondence to universal character names (6.4.2).}
61 @cite{The number of significant initial characters in an identifier
64 For internal names, all characters are significant. For external names,
65 the number of significant characters are defined by the linker; for
66 almost all targets, all characters are significant.
70 @node Characters implementation
75 @cite{The number of bits in a byte (3.6).}
78 @cite{The values of the members of the execution character set (5.2.1).}
81 @cite{The unique value of the member of the execution character set produced
82 for each of the standard alphabetic escape sequences (5.2.2).}
85 @cite{The value of a @code{char} object into which has been stored any
86 character other than a member of the basic execution character set (6.2.5).}
89 @cite{Which of @code{signed char} or @code{unsigned char} has the same range,
90 representation, and behavior as ``plain'' @code{char} (6.2.5, 6.3.1.1).}
93 @cite{The mapping of members of the source character set (in character
94 constants and string literals) to members of the execution character
95 set (6.4.4.4, 5.1.1.2).}
98 @cite{The value of an integer character constant containing more than one
99 character or containing a character or escape sequence that does not map
100 to a single-byte execution character (6.4.4.4).}
103 @cite{The value of a wide character constant containing more than one
104 multibyte character, or containing a multibyte character or escape
105 sequence not represented in the extended execution character set (6.4.4.4).}
108 @cite{The current locale used to convert a wide character constant consisting
109 of a single multibyte character that maps to a member of the extended
110 execution character set into a corresponding wide character code (6.4.4.4).}
113 @cite{The current locale used to convert a wide string literal into
114 corresponding wide character codes (6.4.5).}
117 @cite{The value of a string literal containing a multibyte character or escape
118 sequence not represented in the execution character set (6.4.5).}
121 @node Integers implementation
126 @cite{Any extended integer types that exist in the implementation (6.2.5).}
129 @cite{Whether signed integer types are represented using sign and magnitude,
130 two's complement, or one's complement, and whether the extraordinary value
131 is a trap representation or an ordinary value (6.2.6.2).}
133 GCC supports only two's complement integer types, and all bit patterns
137 @cite{The rank of any extended integer type relative to another extended
138 integer type with the same precision (6.3.1.1).}
141 @cite{The result of, or the signal raised by, converting an integer to a
142 signed integer type when the value cannot be represented in an object of
143 that type (6.3.1.3).}
146 @cite{The results of some bitwise operations on signed integers (6.5).}
149 @node Floating point implementation
150 @section Floating point
154 @cite{The accuracy of the floating-point operations and of the library
155 functions in @code{<math.h>} and @code{<complex.h>} that return floating-point
156 results (5.2.4.2.2).}
159 @cite{The rounding behaviors characterized by non-standard values
160 of @code{FLT_ROUNDS} @gol
164 @cite{The evaluation methods characterized by non-standard negative
165 values of @code{FLT_EVAL_METHOD} (5.2.4.2.2).}
168 @cite{The direction of rounding when an integer is converted to a
169 floating-point number that cannot exactly represent the original
173 @cite{The direction of rounding when a floating-point number is
174 converted to a narrower floating-point number (6.3.1.5).}
177 @cite{How the nearest representable value or the larger or smaller
178 representable value immediately adjacent to the nearest representable
179 value is chosen for certain floating constants (6.4.4.2).}
182 @cite{Whether and how floating expressions are contracted when not
183 disallowed by the @code{FP_CONTRACT} pragma (6.5).}
186 @cite{The default state for the @code{FENV_ACCESS} pragma (7.6.1).}
189 @cite{Additional floating-point exceptions, rounding modes, environments,
190 and classifications, and their macro names (7.6, 7.12).}
193 @cite{The default state for the @code{FP_CONTRACT} pragma (7.12.2).}
196 @cite{Whether the ``inexact'' floating-point exception can be raised
197 when the rounded result actually does equal the mathematical result
198 in an IEC 60559 conformant implementation (F.9).}
201 @cite{Whether the ``underflow'' (and ``inexact'') floating-point
202 exception can be raised when a result is tiny but not inexact in an
203 IEC 60559 conformant implementation (F.9).}
207 @node Arrays and pointers implementation
208 @section Arrays and pointers
212 @cite{The result of converting a pointer to an integer or
213 vice versa (6.3.2.3).}
215 A cast from pointer to integer discards most-significant bits if the
216 pointer representation is larger than the integer type,
217 sign-extends@footnote{Future versions of GCC may zero-extend, or use
218 a target-defined @code{ptr_extend} pattern. Do not rely on sign extension.}
219 if the pointer representation is smaller than the integer type, otherwise
220 the 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.
227 A cast from integer to pointer discards most-significant bits if the
228 pointer representation is smaller than the integer type, extends according
229 to the signedness of the integer type if the pointer representation
230 is larger than the integer type, otherwise the bits are unchanged.
232 When casting from pointer to integer and back again, the resulting
233 pointer must reference the same object as the original pointer, otherwise
234 the behavior is undefined. That is, one may not use integer arithmetic to
235 avoid the undefined behavior of pointer arithmetic as proscribed in 6.5.6/8.
238 @cite{The size of the result of subtracting two pointers to elements
239 of the same array (6.5.6).}
243 @node Hints implementation
248 @cite{The extent to which suggestions made by using the @code{register}
249 storage-class specifier are effective (6.7.1).}
251 The @code{register} specifier affects code generation only in these ways:
255 When used as part of the register variable extension, see
256 @ref{Explicit Reg Vars}.
259 When @option{-O0} is in use, the compiler allocates distinct stack
260 memory for all variables that do not have the @code{register}
261 storage-class specifier; if @code{register} is specified, the variable
262 may have a shorter lifespan than the code would indicate and may never
266 On some rare x86 targets, @code{setjmp} doesn't save the registers in
267 all circumstances. In those cases, GCC doesn't allocate any variables
268 in registers unless they are marked @code{register}.
273 @cite{The extent to which suggestions made by using the inline function
274 specifier are effective (6.7.4).}
276 GCC will not inline any functions if the @option{-fno-inline} option is
277 used or if @option{-O0} is used. Otherwise, GCC may still be unable to
278 inline a function for many reasons; the @option{-Winline} option may be
279 used to determine if a function has not been inlined and why not.
283 @node Structures unions enumerations and bit-fields implementation
284 @section Structures, unions, enumerations, and bit-fields
288 @cite{Whether a ``plain'' int bit-field is treated as a @code{signed int}
289 bit-field or as an @code{unsigned int} bit-field (6.7.2, 6.7.2.1).}
292 @cite{Allowable bit-field types other than @code{_Bool}, @code{signed int},
293 and @code{unsigned int} (6.7.2.1).}
296 @cite{Whether a bit-field can straddle a storage-unit boundary (6.7.2.1).}
299 @cite{The order of allocation of bit-fields within a unit (6.7.2.1).}
302 @cite{The alignment of non-bit-field members of structures (6.7.2.1).}
305 @cite{The integer type compatible with each enumerated type (6.7.2.2).}
309 @node Qualifiers implementation
314 @cite{What constitutes an access to an object that has volatile-qualified
319 @node Preprocessing directives implementation
320 @section Preprocessing directives
324 @cite{How sequences in both forms of header names are mapped to headers
325 or external source file names (6.4.7).}
328 @cite{Whether the value of a character constant in a constant expression
329 that controls conditional inclusion matches the value of the same character
330 constant in the execution character set (6.10.1).}
333 @cite{Whether the value of a single-character character constant in a
334 constant expression that controls conditional inclusion may have a
335 negative value (6.10.1).}
338 @cite{The places that are searched for an included @samp{<>} delimited
339 header, and how the places are specified or the header is
340 identified (6.10.2).}
343 @cite{How the named source file is searched for in an included @samp{""}
344 delimited header (6.10.2).}
347 @cite{The method by which preprocessing tokens (possibly resulting from
348 macro expansion) in a @code{#include} directive are combined into a header
352 @cite{The nesting limit for @code{#include} processing (6.10.2).}
354 GCC imposes a limit of 200 nested @code{#include}s.
357 @cite{Whether the @samp{#} operator inserts a @samp{\} character before
358 the @samp{\} character that begins a universal character name in a
359 character constant or string literal (6.10.3.2).}
362 @cite{The behavior on each recognized non-@code{STDC #pragma}
366 @cite{The definitions for @code{__DATE__} and @code{__TIME__} when
367 respectively, the date and time of translation are not available (6.10.8).}
369 If the date and time are not available, @code{__DATE__} expands to
370 @code{@w{"??? ?? ????"}} and @code{__TIME__} expands to
375 @node Library functions implementation
376 @section Library functions
378 The behavior of these points are dependent on the implementation
379 of the C library, and are not defined by GCC itself.
381 @node Architecture implementation
382 @section Architecture
386 @cite{The values or expressions assigned to the macros specified in the
387 headers @code{<float.h>}, @code{<limits.h>}, and @code{<stdint.h>}
388 (5.2.4.2, 7.18.2, 7.18.3).}
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).}
395 @cite{The value of the result of the sizeof operator (6.5.3.4).}
399 @node Locale-specific behavior implementation
400 @section Locale-specific behavior
402 The behavior of these points are dependent on the implementation
403 of the C library, and are not defined by GCC itself.
406 @chapter Extensions to the C Language Family
407 @cindex extensions, C language
408 @cindex C language extensions
411 GNU C provides several language features not found in ISO standard C@.
412 (The @option{-pedantic} option directs GCC to print a warning message if
413 any of these features is used.) To test for the availability of these
414 features in conditional compilation, check for a predefined macro
415 @code{__GNUC__}, which is always defined under GCC@.
417 These extensions are available in C and Objective-C@. Most of them are
418 also available in C++. @xref{C++ Extensions,,Extensions to the
419 C++ Language}, for extensions that apply @emph{only} to C++.
421 Some features that are in ISO C99 but not C89 or C++ are also, as
422 extensions, accepted by GCC in C89 mode and in C++.
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.
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.
435 * Hex Floats:: Hexadecimal floating-point constants.
436 * Zero Length:: Zero-length arrays.
437 * Variable Length:: Arrays whose length is computed at run time.
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.
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.
444 * Compound Literals:: Compound literals give structures, unions
446 * Designated Inits:: Labeling elements of initializers.
447 * Cast to Union:: Casting to union type from any member of the union.
448 * Case Ranges:: `case 1 ... 9' and such.
449 * Mixed Declarations:: Mixing declarations and code.
450 * Function Attributes:: Declaring that functions have no side effects,
451 or that they can never return.
452 * Attribute Syntax:: Formal syntax for attributes.
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
470 * Return Address:: Getting the return or frame address of a function.
471 * Vector Extensions:: Using vector instructions through built-in functions.
472 * Other Builtins:: Other built-in functions.
473 * Target Builtins:: Built-in functions specific to particular targets.
474 * Pragmas:: Pragmas accepted by GCC.
475 * Unnamed Fields:: Unnamed struct/union fields within structs/unions.
476 * Thread-Local:: Per-thread variables.
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
486 @c the above section title wrapped and causes an underfull hbox.. i
487 @c changed it from "within" to "in". --mew 4feb93
489 A compound statement enclosed in parentheses may appear as an expression
490 in GNU C@. This allows you to use loops, switches, and local variables
491 within an expression.
493 Recall that a compound statement is a sequence of statements surrounded
494 by braces; in this construct, parentheses go around the braces. For
498 (@{ int y = foo (); int z;
505 is a valid (though slightly more complex than necessary) expression
506 for the absolute value of @code{foo ()}.
508 The last thing in the compound statement should be an expression
509 followed by a semicolon; the value of this subexpression serves as the
510 value of the entire construct. (If you use some other kind of statement
511 last within the braces, the construct has type @code{void}, and thus
512 effectively no value.)
514 This feature is especially useful in making macro definitions ``safe'' (so
515 that they evaluate each operand exactly once). For example, the
516 ``maximum'' function is commonly defined as a macro in standard C as
520 #define max(a,b) ((a) > (b) ? (a) : (b))
524 @cindex side effects, macro argument
525 But this definition computes either @var{a} or @var{b} twice, with bad
526 results if the operand has side effects. In GNU C, if you know the
527 type of the operands (here let's assume @code{int}), you can define
528 the macro safely as follows:
531 #define maxint(a,b) \
532 (@{int _a = (a), _b = (b); _a > _b ? _a : _b; @})
535 Embedded statements are not allowed in constant expressions, such as
536 the value of an enumeration constant, the width of a bit-field, or
537 the initial value of a static variable.
539 If you don't know the type of the operand, you can still do this, but you
540 must use @code{typeof} (@pxref{Typeof}).
542 Statement expressions are not supported fully in G++, and their fate
543 there is unclear. (It is possible that they will become fully supported
544 at some point, or that they will be deprecated, or that the bugs that
545 are present will continue to exist indefinitely.) Presently, statement
546 expressions do not work well as default arguments.
548 In addition, there are semantic issues with statement-expressions in
549 C++. If you try to use statement-expressions instead of inline
550 functions in C++, you may be surprised at the way object destruction is
551 handled. For example:
554 #define foo(a) (@{int b = (a); b + 3; @})
558 does not work the same way as:
561 inline int foo(int a) @{ int b = a; return b + 3; @}
565 In particular, if the expression passed into @code{foo} involves the
566 creation of temporaries, the destructors for those temporaries will be
567 run earlier in the case of the macro than in the case of the function.
569 These considerations mean that it is probably a bad idea to use
570 statement-expressions of this form in header files that are designed to
571 work with C++. (Note that some versions of the GNU C Library contained
572 header files using statement-expression that lead to precisely this
576 @section Locally Declared Labels
578 @cindex macros, local labels
580 Each statement expression is a scope in which @dfn{local labels} can be
581 declared. A local label is simply an identifier; you can jump to it
582 with an ordinary @code{goto} statement, but only from within the
583 statement expression it belongs to.
585 A local label declaration looks like this:
588 __label__ @var{label};
595 __label__ @var{label1}, @var{label2}, /* @r{@dots{}} */;
598 Local label declarations must come at the beginning of the statement
599 expression, right after the @samp{(@{}, before any ordinary
602 The label declaration defines the label @emph{name}, but does not define
603 the label itself. You must do this in the usual way, with
604 @code{@var{label}:}, within the statements of the statement expression.
606 The local label feature is useful because statement expressions are
607 often used in macros. If the macro contains nested loops, a @code{goto}
608 can be useful for breaking out of them. However, an ordinary label
609 whose scope is the whole function cannot be used: if the macro can be
610 expanded several times in one function, the label will be multiply
611 defined in that function. A local label avoids this problem. For
615 #define SEARCH(array, target) \
618 typeof (target) _SEARCH_target = (target); \
619 typeof (*(array)) *_SEARCH_array = (array); \
622 for (i = 0; i < max; i++) \
623 for (j = 0; j < max; j++) \
624 if (_SEARCH_array[i][j] == _SEARCH_target) \
625 @{ value = i; goto found; @} \
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
639 You can get the address of a label defined in the current function
640 (or a containing function) with the unary operator @samp{&&}. The
641 value has type @code{void *}. This value is a constant and can be used
642 wherever a constant of that type is valid. For example:
650 To use these values, you need to be able to jump to one. This is done
651 with the computed goto statement@footnote{The analogous feature in
652 Fortran is called an assigned goto, but that name seems inappropriate in
653 C, where one can do more than simply store label addresses in label
654 variables.}, @code{goto *@var{exp};}. For example,
661 Any expression of type @code{void *} is allowed.
663 One way of using these constants is in initializing a static array that
664 will serve as a jump table:
667 static void *array[] = @{ &&foo, &&bar, &&hack @};
670 Then you can select a label with indexing, like this:
677 Note that this does not check whether the subscript is in bounds---array
678 indexing in C never does that.
680 Such an array of label values serves a purpose much like that of the
681 @code{switch} statement. The @code{switch} statement is cleaner, so
682 use that rather than an array unless the problem does not fit a
683 @code{switch} statement very well.
685 Another use of label values is in an interpreter for threaded code.
686 The labels within the interpreter function can be stored in the
687 threaded code for super-fast dispatching.
689 You may not use this mechanism to jump to code in a different function.
690 If you do that, totally unpredictable things will happen. The best way to
691 avoid this is to store the label address only in automatic variables and
692 never pass it as an argument.
694 An alternate way to write the above example is
697 static const int array[] = @{ &&foo - &&foo, &&bar - &&foo,
699 goto *(&&foo + array[i]);
703 This is more friendly to code living in shared libraries, as it reduces
704 the number of dynamic relocations that are needed, and by consequence,
705 allows the data to be read-only.
707 @node Nested Functions
708 @section Nested Functions
709 @cindex nested functions
710 @cindex downward funargs
713 A @dfn{nested function} is a function defined inside another function.
714 (Nested functions are not supported for GNU C++.) The nested function's
715 name is local to the block where it is defined. For example, here we
716 define a nested function named @code{square}, and call it twice:
720 foo (double a, double b)
722 double square (double z) @{ return z * z; @}
724 return square (a) + square (b);
729 The nested function can access all the variables of the containing
730 function that are visible at the point of its definition. This is
731 called @dfn{lexical scoping}. For example, here we show a nested
732 function which uses an inherited variable named @code{offset}:
736 bar (int *array, int offset, int size)
738 int access (int *array, int index)
739 @{ return array[index + offset]; @}
742 for (i = 0; i < size; i++)
743 /* @r{@dots{}} */ access (array, i) /* @r{@dots{}} */
748 Nested function definitions are permitted within functions in the places
749 where variable definitions are allowed; that is, in any block, before
750 the first statement in the block.
752 It is possible to call the nested function from outside the scope of its
753 name by storing its address or passing the address to another function:
756 hack (int *array, int size)
758 void store (int index, int value)
759 @{ array[index] = value; @}
761 intermediate (store, size);
765 Here, the function @code{intermediate} receives the address of
766 @code{store} as an argument. If @code{intermediate} calls @code{store},
767 the arguments given to @code{store} are used to store into @code{array}.
768 But this technique works only so long as the containing function
769 (@code{hack}, in this example) does not exit.
771 If you try to call the nested function through its address after the
772 containing function has exited, all hell will break loose. If you try
773 to call it after a containing scope level has exited, and if it refers
774 to some of the variables that are no longer in scope, you may be lucky,
775 but it's not wise to take the risk. If, however, the nested function
776 does not refer to anything that has gone out of scope, you should be
779 GCC implements taking the address of a nested function using a technique
780 called @dfn{trampolines}. A paper describing them is available as
783 @uref{http://people.debian.org/~aaronl/Usenix88-lexic.pdf}.
785 A nested function can jump to a label inherited from a containing
786 function, provided the label was explicitly declared in the containing
787 function (@pxref{Local Labels}). Such a jump returns instantly to the
788 containing function, exiting the nested function which did the
789 @code{goto} and any intermediate functions as well. Here is an example:
793 bar (int *array, int offset, int size)
796 int access (int *array, int index)
800 return array[index + offset];
804 for (i = 0; i < size; i++)
805 /* @r{@dots{}} */ access (array, i) /* @r{@dots{}} */
809 /* @r{Control comes here from @code{access}
810 if it detects an error.} */
817 A nested function always has internal linkage. Declaring one with
818 @code{extern} is erroneous. If you need to declare the nested function
819 before its definition, use @code{auto} (which is otherwise meaningless
820 for function declarations).
823 bar (int *array, int offset, int size)
826 auto int access (int *, int);
828 int access (int *array, int index)
832 return array[index + offset];
838 @node Constructing Calls
839 @section Constructing Function Calls
840 @cindex constructing calls
841 @cindex forwarding calls
843 Using the built-in functions described below, you can record
844 the arguments a function received, and call another function
845 with the same arguments, without knowing the number or types
848 You can also record the return value of that function call,
849 and later return that value, without knowing what data type
850 the function tried to return (as long as your caller expects
853 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} {void *} __builtin_apply_args ()
854 This built-in function returns a pointer to data
855 describing how to perform a call with the same arguments as were passed
856 to the current function.
858 The function saves the arg pointer register, structure value address,
859 and all registers that might be used to pass arguments to a function
860 into a block of memory allocated on the stack. Then it returns the
861 address of that block.
864 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} {void *} __builtin_apply (void (*@var{function})(), void *@var{arguments}, size_t @var{size})
865 This built-in function invokes @var{function}
866 with a copy of the parameters described by @var{arguments}
869 The value of @var{arguments} should be the value returned by
870 @code{__builtin_apply_args}. The argument @var{size} specifies the size
871 of the stack argument data, in bytes.
873 This function returns a pointer to data describing
874 how to return whatever value was returned by @var{function}. The data
875 is saved in a block of memory allocated on the stack.
877 It is not always simple to compute the proper value for @var{size}. The
878 value is used by @code{__builtin_apply} to compute the amount of data
879 that should be pushed on the stack and copied from the incoming argument
883 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} {void} __builtin_return (void *@var{result})
884 This built-in function returns the value described by @var{result} from
885 the containing function. You should specify, for @var{result}, a value
886 returned by @code{__builtin_apply}.
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
895 The reason for using names that start with underscores for the local
896 variables is to avoid conflicts with variable names that occur within the
897 expressions that are substituted for @code{a} and @code{b}. Eventually we
898 hope to design a new form of declaration syntax that allows you to declare
899 variables whose scopes start only after their initializers; this will be a
900 more reliable way to prevent such conflicts.
903 @section Referring to a Type with @code{typeof}
906 @cindex macros, types of arguments
908 Another way to refer to the type of an expression is with @code{typeof}.
909 The syntax of using of this keyword looks like @code{sizeof}, but the
910 construct acts semantically like a type name defined with @code{typedef}.
912 There are two ways of writing the argument to @code{typeof}: with an
913 expression or with a type. Here is an example with an expression:
920 This assumes that @code{x} is an array of pointers to functions;
921 the type described is that of the values of the functions.
923 Here is an example with a typename as the argument:
930 Here the type described is that of pointers to @code{int}.
932 If you are writing a header file that must work when included in ISO C
933 programs, write @code{__typeof__} instead of @code{typeof}.
934 @xref{Alternate Keywords}.
936 A @code{typeof}-construct can be used anywhere a typedef name could be
937 used. For example, you can use it in a declaration, in a cast, or inside
938 of @code{sizeof} or @code{typeof}.
940 @code{typeof} is often useful in conjunction with the
941 statements-within-expressions feature. Here is how the two together can
942 be used to define a safe ``maximum'' macro that operates on any
943 arithmetic type and evaluates each of its arguments exactly once:
947 (@{ typeof (a) _a = (a); \
948 typeof (b) _b = (b); \
949 _a > _b ? _a : _b; @})
953 Some more examples of the use of @code{typeof}:
957 This declares @code{y} with the type of what @code{x} points to.
964 This declares @code{y} as an array of such values.
971 This declares @code{y} as an array of pointers to characters:
974 typeof (typeof (char *)[4]) y;
978 It is equivalent to the following traditional C declaration:
984 To see the meaning of the declaration using @code{typeof}, and why it
985 might be a useful way to write, let's rewrite it with these macros:
988 #define pointer(T) typeof(T *)
989 #define array(T, N) typeof(T [N])
993 Now the declaration can be rewritten this way:
996 array (pointer (char), 4) y;
1000 Thus, @code{array (pointer (char), 4)} is the type of arrays of 4
1001 pointers to @code{char}.
1004 @emph{Compatibility Note:} In addition to @code{typeof}, GCC 2 supported
1005 a more limited extension which permitted one to write
1008 typedef @var{T} = @var{expr};
1012 with 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
1014 3.0 and 3.2 will crash; 3.2.1 and later give an error). Code which
1015 relies on it should be rewritten to use @code{typeof}:
1018 typedef typeof(@var{expr}) @var{T};
1022 This will work with all versions of GCC@.
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
1035 Compound expressions, conditional expressions and casts are allowed as
1036 lvalues provided their operands are lvalues. This means that you can take
1037 their addresses or store values into them.
1039 Standard C++ allows compound expressions and conditional expressions as
1040 lvalues, and permits casts to reference type, so use of this extension
1041 is deprecated for C++ code.
1043 For example, a compound expression can be assigned, provided the last
1044 expression in the sequence is an lvalue. These two expressions are
1052 Similarly, the address of the compound expression can be taken. These two
1053 expressions are equivalent:
1060 A conditional expression is a valid lvalue if its type is not void and the
1061 true and false branches are both valid lvalues. For example, these two
1062 expressions are equivalent:
1066 (a ? b = 5 : (c = 5))
1069 A cast is a valid lvalue if its operand is an lvalue. A simple
1070 assignment whose left-hand side is a cast works by converting the
1071 right-hand side first to the specified type, then to the type of the
1072 inner left-hand side expression. After this is stored, the value is
1073 converted back to the specified type to become the value of the
1074 assignment. Thus, if @code{a} has type @code{char *}, the following two
1075 expressions are equivalent:
1079 (int)(a = (char *)(int)5)
1082 An assignment-with-arithmetic operation such as @samp{+=} applied to a cast
1083 performs the arithmetic using the type resulting from the cast, and then
1084 continues as in the previous case. Therefore, these two expressions are
1089 (int)(a = (char *)(int) ((int)a + 5))
1092 You cannot take the address of an lvalue cast, because the use of its
1093 address would not work out coherently. Suppose that @code{&(int)f} were
1094 permitted, where @code{f} has type @code{float}. Then the following
1095 statement would try to store an integer bit-pattern where a floating
1096 point number belongs:
1102 This is quite different from what @code{(int)f = 1} would do---that
1103 would convert 1 to floating point and store it. Rather than cause this
1104 inconsistency, we think it is better to prohibit use of @samp{&} on a cast.
1106 If you really do want an @code{int *} pointer with the address of
1107 @code{f}, you can simply write @code{(int *)&f}.
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
1117 The middle operand in a conditional expression may be omitted. Then
1118 if the first operand is nonzero, its value is the value of the conditional
1121 Therefore, the expression
1128 has the value of @code{x} if that is nonzero; otherwise, the value of
1131 This example is perfectly equivalent to
1137 @cindex side effect in ?:
1138 @cindex ?: side effect
1140 In this simple case, the ability to omit the middle operand is not
1141 especially useful. When it becomes useful is when the first operand does,
1142 or may (if it is a macro argument), contain a side effect. Then repeating
1143 the operand in the middle would perform the side effect twice. Omitting
1144 the middle operand uses the value already computed without the undesirable
1145 effects of recomputing it.
1148 @section Double-Word Integers
1149 @cindex @code{long long} data types
1150 @cindex double-word arithmetic
1151 @cindex multiprecision arithmetic
1152 @cindex @code{LL} integer suffix
1153 @cindex @code{ULL} integer suffix
1155 ISO C99 supports data types for integers that are at least 64 bits wide,
1156 and as an extension GCC supports them in C89 mode and in C++.
1157 Simply write @code{long long int} for a signed integer, or
1158 @code{unsigned long long int} for an unsigned integer. To make an
1159 integer constant of type @code{long long int}, add the suffix @samp{LL}
1160 to the integer. To make an integer constant of type @code{unsigned long
1161 long int}, add the suffix @samp{ULL} to the integer.
1163 You can use these types in arithmetic like any other integer types.
1164 Addition, subtraction, and bitwise boolean operations on these types
1165 are open-coded on all types of machines. Multiplication is open-coded
1166 if the machine supports fullword-to-doubleword a widening multiply
1167 instruction. Division and shifts are open-coded only on machines that
1168 provide special support. The operations that are not open-coded use
1169 special library routines that come with GCC@.
1171 There may be pitfalls when you use @code{long long} types for function
1172 arguments, unless you declare function prototypes. If a function
1173 expects 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
1175 subroutine will disagree about the number of bytes for the argument.
1176 Likewise, 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.
1180 @section Complex Numbers
1181 @cindex complex numbers
1182 @cindex @code{_Complex} keyword
1183 @cindex @code{__complex__} keyword
1185 ISO C99 supports complex floating data types, and as an extension GCC
1186 supports them in C89 mode and in C++, and supports complex integer data
1187 types which are not part of ISO C99. You can declare complex types
1188 using the keyword @code{_Complex}. As an extension, the older GNU
1189 keyword @code{__complex__} is also supported.
1191 For example, @samp{_Complex double x;} declares @code{x} as a
1192 variable whose real part and imaginary part are both of type
1193 @code{double}. @samp{_Complex short int y;} declares @code{y} to
1194 have real and imaginary parts of type @code{short int}; this is not
1195 likely to be useful, but it shows that the set of complex types is
1198 To 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}
1200 has type @code{_Complex float} and @code{3i} has type
1201 @code{_Complex int}. Such a constant always has a pure imaginary
1202 value, but you can form any complex value you like by adding one to a
1203 real constant. This is a GNU extension; if you have an ISO C99
1204 conforming C library (such as GNU libc), and want to construct complex
1205 constants of floating type, you should include @code{<complex.h>} and
1206 use the macros @code{I} or @code{_Complex_I} instead.
1208 @cindex @code{__real__} keyword
1209 @cindex @code{__imag__} keyword
1210 To extract the real part of a complex-valued expression @var{exp}, write
1211 @code{__real__ @var{exp}}. Likewise, use @code{__imag__} to
1212 extract the imaginary part. This is a GNU extension; for values of
1213 floating 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
1216 built-in functions by GCC@.
1218 @cindex complex conjugation
1219 The operator @samp{~} performs complex conjugation when used on a value
1220 with a complex type. This is a GNU extension; for values of
1221 floating type, you should use the ISO C99 functions @code{conjf},
1222 @code{conj} and @code{conjl}, declared in @code{<complex.h>} and also
1223 provided as built-in functions by GCC@.
1225 GCC can allocate complex automatic variables in a noncontiguous
1226 fashion; it's even possible for the real part to be in a register while
1227 the imaginary part is on the stack (or vice-versa). Only the DWARF2
1228 debug info format can represent this, so use of DWARF2 is recommended.
1229 If you are using the stabs debug info format, GCC describes a noncontiguous
1230 complex variable as if it were two separate variables of noncomplex type.
1231 If the variable's actual name is @code{foo}, the two fictitious
1232 variables are named @code{foo$real} and @code{foo$imag}. You can
1233 examine and set these two fictitious variables with your debugger.
1239 ISO C99 supports floating-point numbers written not only in the usual
1240 decimal notation, such as @code{1.55e1}, but also numbers such as
1241 @code{0x1.fp3} written in hexadecimal format. As a GNU extension, GCC
1242 supports this in C89 mode (except in some cases when strictly
1243 conforming) and in C++. In that format the
1244 @samp{0x} hex introducer and the @samp{p} or @samp{P} exponent field are
1245 mandatory. The exponent is a decimal number that indicates the power of
1246 2 by which the significant part will be multiplied. Thus @samp{0x1.f} is
1253 @samp{p3} multiplies it by 8, and the value of @code{0x1.fp3}
1254 is the same as @code{1.55e1}.
1256 Unlike for floating-point numbers in the decimal notation the exponent
1257 is always required in the hexadecimal notation. Otherwise the compiler
1258 would not be able to resolve the ambiguity of, e.g., @code{0x1.f}. This
1259 could mean @code{1.0f} or @code{1.9375} since @samp{f} is also the
1260 extension for floating-point constants of type @code{float}.
1263 @section Arrays of Length Zero
1264 @cindex arrays of length zero
1265 @cindex zero-length arrays
1266 @cindex length-zero arrays
1267 @cindex flexible array members
1269 Zero-length arrays are allowed in GNU C@. They are very useful as the
1270 last element of a structure which is really a header for a variable-length
1279 struct line *thisline = (struct line *)
1280 malloc (sizeof (struct line) + this_length);
1281 thisline->length = this_length;
1284 In ISO C90, you would have to give @code{contents} a length of 1, which
1285 means either you waste space or complicate the argument to @code{malloc}.
1287 In ISO C99, you would use a @dfn{flexible array member}, which is
1288 slightly different in syntax and semantics:
1292 Flexible array members are written as @code{contents[]} without
1296 Flexible array members have incomplete type, and so the @code{sizeof}
1297 operator may not be applied. As a quirk of the original implementation
1298 of zero-length arrays, @code{sizeof} evaluates to zero.
1301 Flexible array members may only appear as the last member of a
1302 @code{struct} that is otherwise non-empty.
1305 A structure containing a flexible array member, or a union containing
1306 such a structure (possibly recursively), may not be a member of a
1307 structure or an element of an array. (However, these uses are
1308 permitted by GCC as extensions.)
1311 GCC versions before 3.0 allowed zero-length arrays to be statically
1312 initialized, as if they were flexible arrays. In addition to those
1313 cases that were useful, it also allowed initializations in situations
1314 that would corrupt later data. Non-empty initialization of zero-length
1315 arrays is now treated like any case where there are more initializer
1316 elements than the array holds, in that a suitable warning about "excess
1317 elements in array" is given, and the excess elements (all of them, in
1318 this case) are ignored.
1320 Instead GCC allows static initialization of flexible array members.
1321 This is equivalent to defining a new structure containing the original
1322 structure followed by an array of sufficient size to contain the data.
1323 I.e.@: in the following, @code{f1} is constructed as if it were declared
1329 @} f1 = @{ 1, @{ 2, 3, 4 @} @};
1332 struct f1 f1; int data[3];
1333 @} f2 = @{ @{ 1 @}, @{ 2, 3, 4 @} @};
1337 The convenience of this extension is that @code{f1} has the desired
1338 type, eliminating the need to consistently refer to @code{f2.f1}.
1340 This has symmetry with normal static arrays, in that an array of
1341 unknown size is also written with @code{[]}.
1343 Of course, this extension only makes sense if the extra data comes at
1344 the end of a top-level object, as otherwise we would be overwriting
1345 data at subsequent offsets. To avoid undue complication and confusion
1346 with initialization of deeply nested arrays, we simply disallow any
1347 non-empty initialization except when the structure is the top-level
1348 object. For example:
1351 struct foo @{ int x; int y[]; @};
1352 struct bar @{ struct foo z; @};
1354 struct foo a = @{ 1, @{ 2, 3, 4 @} @}; // @r{Valid.}
1355 struct bar b = @{ @{ 1, @{ 2, 3, 4 @} @} @}; // @r{Invalid.}
1356 struct bar c = @{ @{ 1, @{ @} @} @}; // @r{Valid.}
1357 struct foo d[1] = @{ @{ 1 @{ 2, 3, 4 @} @} @}; // @r{Invalid.}
1360 @node Variable Length
1361 @section Arrays of Variable Length
1362 @cindex variable-length arrays
1363 @cindex arrays of variable length
1366 Variable-length automatic arrays are allowed in ISO C99, and as an
1367 extension GCC accepts them in C89 mode and in C++. (However, GCC's
1368 implementation of variable-length arrays does not yet conform in detail
1369 to the ISO C99 standard.) These arrays are
1370 declared like any other automatic arrays, but with a length that is not
1371 a constant expression. The storage is allocated at the point of
1372 declaration and deallocated when the brace-level is exited. For
1377 concat_fopen (char *s1, char *s2, char *mode)
1379 char str[strlen (s1) + strlen (s2) + 1];
1382 return fopen (str, mode);
1386 @cindex scope of a variable length array
1387 @cindex variable-length array scope
1388 @cindex deallocating variable length arrays
1389 Jumping or breaking out of the scope of the array name deallocates the
1390 storage. Jumping into the scope is not allowed; you get an error
1393 @cindex @code{alloca} vs variable-length arrays
1394 You can use the function @code{alloca} to get an effect much like
1395 variable-length arrays. The function @code{alloca} is available in
1396 many other C implementations (but not in all). On the other hand,
1397 variable-length arrays are more elegant.
1399 There are other differences between these two methods. Space allocated
1400 with @code{alloca} exists until the containing @emph{function} returns.
1401 The space for a variable-length array is deallocated as soon as the array
1402 name's scope ends. (If you use both variable-length arrays and
1403 @code{alloca} in the same function, deallocation of a variable-length array
1404 will also deallocate anything more recently allocated with @code{alloca}.)
1406 You can also use variable-length arrays as arguments to functions:
1410 tester (int len, char data[len][len])
1416 The length of an array is computed once when the storage is allocated
1417 and is remembered for the scope of the array in case you access it with
1420 If you want to pass the array first and the length afterward, you can
1421 use a forward declaration in the parameter list---another GNU extension.
1425 tester (int len; char data[len][len], int len)
1431 @cindex parameter forward declaration
1432 The @samp{int len} before the semicolon is a @dfn{parameter forward
1433 declaration}, and it serves the purpose of making the name @code{len}
1434 known when the declaration of @code{data} is parsed.
1436 You can write any number of such parameter forward declarations in the
1437 parameter list. They can be separated by commas or semicolons, but the
1438 last one must end with a semicolon, which is followed by the ``real''
1439 parameter declarations. Each forward declaration must match a ``real''
1440 declaration in parameter name and data type. ISO C99 does not support
1441 parameter forward declarations.
1443 @node Variadic Macros
1444 @section Macros with a Variable Number of Arguments.
1445 @cindex variable number of arguments
1446 @cindex macro with variable arguments
1447 @cindex rest argument (in macro)
1448 @cindex variadic macros
1450 In the ISO C standard of 1999, a macro can be declared to accept a
1451 variable number of arguments much as a function can. The syntax for
1452 defining the macro is similar to that of a function. Here is an
1456 #define debug(format, ...) fprintf (stderr, format, __VA_ARGS__)
1459 Here @samp{@dots{}} is a @dfn{variable argument}. In the invocation of
1460 such a macro, it represents the zero or more tokens until the closing
1461 parenthesis that ends the invocation, including any commas. This set of
1462 tokens replaces the identifier @code{__VA_ARGS__} in the macro body
1463 wherever it appears. See the CPP manual for more information.
1465 GCC has long supported variadic macros, and used a different syntax that
1466 allowed you to give a name to the variable arguments just like any other
1467 argument. Here is an example:
1470 #define debug(format, args...) fprintf (stderr, format, args)
1473 This is in all ways equivalent to the ISO C example above, but arguably
1474 more readable and descriptive.
1476 GNU CPP has two further variadic macro extensions, and permits them to
1477 be used with either of the above forms of macro definition.
1479 In standard C, you are not allowed to leave the variable argument out
1480 entirely; but you are allowed to pass an empty argument. For example,
1481 this invocation is invalid in ISO C, because there is no comma after
1488 GNU CPP permits you to completely omit the variable arguments in this
1489 way. In the above examples, the compiler would complain, though since
1490 the expansion of the macro still has the extra comma after the format
1493 To help solve this problem, CPP behaves specially for variable arguments
1494 used with the token paste operator, @samp{##}. If instead you write
1497 #define debug(format, ...) fprintf (stderr, format, ## __VA_ARGS__)
1500 and if the variable arguments are omitted or empty, the @samp{##}
1501 operator causes the preprocessor to remove the comma before it. If you
1502 do provide some variable arguments in your macro invocation, GNU CPP
1503 does not complain about the paste operation and instead places the
1504 variable arguments after the comma. Just like any other pasted macro
1505 argument, these arguments are not macro expanded.
1507 @node Escaped Newlines
1508 @section Slightly Looser Rules for Escaped Newlines
1509 @cindex escaped newlines
1510 @cindex newlines (escaped)
1512 Recently, the preprocessor has relaxed its treatment of escaped
1513 newlines. Previously, the newline had to immediately follow a
1514 backslash. The current implementation allows whitespace in the form of
1515 spaces, horizontal and vertical tabs, and form feeds between the
1516 backslash and the subsequent newline. The preprocessor issues a
1517 warning, but treats it as a valid escaped newline and combines the two
1518 lines to form a single logical line. This works within comments and
1519 tokens, including multi-line strings, as well as between tokens.
1520 Comments are @emph{not} treated as whitespace for the purposes of this
1521 relaxation, since they have not yet been replaced with spaces.
1523 @node Multi-line Strings
1524 @section String Literals with Embedded Newlines
1525 @cindex multi-line string literals
1527 As an extension, GNU CPP permits string literals to cross multiple lines
1528 without escaping the embedded newlines. Each embedded newline is
1529 replaced with a single @samp{\n} character in the resulting string
1530 literal, regardless of what form the newline took originally.
1532 CPP currently allows such strings in directives as well (other than the
1533 @samp{#include} family). This is deprecated and will eventually be
1537 @section Non-Lvalue Arrays May Have Subscripts
1538 @cindex subscripting
1539 @cindex arrays, non-lvalue
1541 @cindex subscripting and function values
1542 In ISO C99, arrays that are not lvalues still decay to pointers, and
1543 may be subscripted, although they may not be modified or used after
1544 the next sequence point and the unary @samp{&} operator may not be
1545 applied to them. As an extension, GCC allows such arrays to be
1546 subscripted in C89 mode, though otherwise they do not decay to
1547 pointers outside C99 mode. For example,
1548 this is valid in GNU C though not valid in C89:
1552 struct foo @{int a[4];@};
1558 return f().a[index];
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
1570 In 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
1572 size of a @code{void} or of a function as 1.
1574 A consequence of this is that @code{sizeof} is also allowed on @code{void}
1575 and on function types, and returns 1.
1577 @opindex Wpointer-arith
1578 The option @option{-Wpointer-arith} requests a warning if these extensions
1582 @section Non-Constant Initializers
1583 @cindex initializers, non-constant
1584 @cindex non-constant initializers
1586 As in standard C++ and ISO C99, the elements of an aggregate initializer for an
1587 automatic variable are not required to be constant expressions in GNU C@.
1588 Here is an example of an initializer with run-time varying elements:
1591 foo (float f, float g)
1593 float beat_freqs[2] = @{ f-g, f+g @};
1598 @node Compound Literals
1599 @section Compound Literals
1600 @cindex constructor expressions
1601 @cindex initializations in expressions
1602 @cindex structures, constructor expression
1603 @cindex expressions, constructor
1604 @cindex compound literals
1605 @c The GNU C name for what C99 calls compound literals was "constructor expressions".
1607 ISO C99 supports compound literals. A compound literal looks like
1608 a cast containing an initializer. Its value is an object of the
1609 type specified in the cast, containing the elements specified in
1610 the initializer; it is an lvalue. As an extension, GCC supports
1611 compound literals in C89 mode and in C++.
1613 Usually, the specified type is a structure. Assume that
1614 @code{struct foo} and @code{structure} are declared as shown:
1617 struct foo @{int a; char b[2];@} structure;
1621 Here is an example of constructing a @code{struct foo} with a compound literal:
1624 structure = ((struct foo) @{x + y, 'a', 0@});
1628 This is equivalent to writing the following:
1632 struct foo temp = @{x + y, 'a', 0@};
1637 You can also construct an array. If all the elements of the compound literal
1638 are (made up of) simple constant expressions, suitable for use in
1639 initializers of objects of static storage duration, then the compound
1640 literal can be coerced to a pointer to its first element and used in
1641 such an initializer, as shown here:
1644 char **foo = (char *[]) @{ "x", "y", "z" @};
1647 Compound literals for scalar types and union types are is
1648 also allowed, but then the compound literal is equivalent
1651 As a GNU extension, GCC allows initialization of objects with static storage
1652 duration by compound literals (which is not possible in ISO C99, because
1653 the initializer is not a constant).
1654 It is handled as if the object was initialized only with the bracket
1655 enclosed list if compound literal's and object types match.
1656 The initializer list of the compound literal must be constant.
1657 If the object being initialized has array type of unknown size, the size is
1658 determined by compound literal size.
1661 static struct foo x = (struct foo) @{1, 'a', 'b'@};
1662 static int y[] = (int []) @{1, 2, 3@};
1663 static int z[] = (int [3]) @{1@};
1667 The above lines are equivalent to the following:
1669 static struct foo x = @{1, 'a', 'b'@};
1670 static int y[] = @{1, 2, 3@};
1671 static int z[] = @{1, 0, 0@};
1674 @node Designated Inits
1675 @section Designated Initializers
1676 @cindex initializers with labeled elements
1677 @cindex labeled elements in initializers
1678 @cindex case labels in initializers
1679 @cindex designated initializers
1681 Standard C89 requires the elements of an initializer to appear in a fixed
1682 order, the same as the order of the elements in the array or structure
1685 In ISO C99 you can give the elements in any order, specifying the array
1686 indices or structure field names they apply to, and GNU C allows this as
1687 an extension in C89 mode as well. This extension is not
1688 implemented in GNU C++.
1690 To specify an array index, write
1691 @samp{[@var{index}] =} before the element value. For example,
1694 int a[6] = @{ [4] = 29, [2] = 15 @};
1701 int a[6] = @{ 0, 0, 15, 0, 29, 0 @};
1705 The index values must be constant expressions, even if the array being
1706 initialized is automatic.
1708 An alternative syntax for this which has been obsolete since GCC 2.5 but
1709 GCC still accepts is to write @samp{[@var{index}]} before the element
1710 value, with no @samp{=}.
1712 To initialize a range of elements to the same value, write
1713 @samp{[@var{first} ... @var{last}] = @var{value}}. This is a GNU
1714 extension. For example,
1717 int widths[] = @{ [0 ... 9] = 1, [10 ... 99] = 2, [100] = 3 @};
1721 If the value in it has side-effects, the side-effects will happen only once,
1722 not for each initialized field by the range initializer.
1725 Note that the length of the array is the highest value specified
1728 In a structure initializer, specify the name of a field to initialize
1729 with @samp{.@var{fieldname} =} before the element value. For example,
1730 given the following structure,
1733 struct point @{ int x, y; @};
1737 the following initialization
1740 struct point p = @{ .y = yvalue, .x = xvalue @};
1747 struct point p = @{ xvalue, yvalue @};
1750 Another syntax which has the same meaning, obsolete since GCC 2.5, is
1751 @samp{@var{fieldname}:}, as shown here:
1754 struct point p = @{ y: yvalue, x: xvalue @};
1758 The @samp{[@var{index}]} or @samp{.@var{fieldname}} is known as a
1759 @dfn{designator}. You can also use a designator (or the obsolete colon
1760 syntax) when initializing a union, to specify which element of the union
1761 should be used. For example,
1764 union foo @{ int i; double d; @};
1766 union foo f = @{ .d = 4 @};
1770 will convert 4 to a @code{double} to store it in the union using
1771 the second element. By contrast, casting 4 to type @code{union foo}
1772 would store it into the union as the integer @code{i}, since it is
1773 an integer. (@xref{Cast to Union}.)
1775 You can combine this technique of naming elements with ordinary C
1776 initialization of successive elements. Each initializer element that
1777 does not have a designator applies to the next consecutive element of the
1778 array or structure. For example,
1781 int a[6] = @{ [1] = v1, v2, [4] = v4 @};
1788 int a[6] = @{ 0, v1, v2, 0, v4, 0 @};
1791 Labeling the elements of an array initializer is especially useful
1792 when the indices are characters or belong to an @code{enum} type.
1797 = @{ [' '] = 1, ['\t'] = 1, ['\h'] = 1,
1798 ['\f'] = 1, ['\n'] = 1, ['\r'] = 1 @};
1801 @cindex designator lists
1802 You can also write a series of @samp{.@var{fieldname}} and
1803 @samp{[@var{index}]} designators before an @samp{=} to specify a
1804 nested subobject to initialize; the list is taken relative to the
1805 subobject corresponding to the closest surrounding brace pair. For
1806 example, with the @samp{struct point} declaration above:
1809 struct point ptarray[10] = @{ [2].y = yv2, [2].x = xv2, [0].x = xv0 @};
1813 If the same field is initialized multiple times, it will have value from
1814 the last initialization. If any such overridden initialization has
1815 side-effect, it is unspecified whether the side-effect happens or not.
1816 Currently, gcc will discard them and issue a warning.
1819 @section Case Ranges
1821 @cindex ranges in case statements
1823 You can specify a range of consecutive values in a single @code{case} label,
1827 case @var{low} ... @var{high}:
1831 This has the same effect as the proper number of individual @code{case}
1832 labels, one for each integer value from @var{low} to @var{high}, inclusive.
1834 This feature is especially useful for ranges of ASCII character codes:
1840 @strong{Be careful:} Write spaces around the @code{...}, for otherwise
1841 it may be parsed wrong when you use it with integer values. For example,
1856 @section Cast to a Union Type
1857 @cindex cast to a union
1858 @cindex union, casting to a
1860 A cast to union type is similar to other casts, except that the type
1861 specified 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
1863 a constructor though, not a cast, and hence does not yield an lvalue like
1864 normal casts. (@xref{Compound Literals}.)
1866 The types that may be cast to the union type are those of the members
1867 of the union. Thus, given the following union and variables:
1870 union foo @{ int i; double d; @};
1876 both @code{x} and @code{y} can be cast to type @code{union foo}.
1878 Using the cast as the right-hand side of an assignment to a variable of
1879 union type is equivalent to storing in a member of the union:
1884 u = (union foo) x @equiv{} u.i = x
1885 u = (union foo) y @equiv{} u.d = y
1888 You can also use the union cast as a function argument:
1891 void hack (union foo);
1893 hack ((union foo) x);
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
1902 ISO C99 and ISO C++ allow declarations and code to be freely mixed
1903 within compound statements. As an extension, GCC also allows this in
1904 C89 mode. For example, you could do:
1913 Each identifier is visible from where it is declared until the end of
1914 the enclosing block.
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
1923 @cindex functions that behave like malloc
1924 @cindex @code{volatile} applied to function
1925 @cindex @code{const} applied to function
1926 @cindex functions with @code{printf}, @code{scanf}, @code{strftime} or @code{strfmon} style arguments
1927 @cindex functions with non-null pointer arguments
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
1932 In GNU C, you declare certain things about functions called in your program
1933 which help the compiler optimize function calls and check your code more
1936 The keyword @code{__attribute__} allows you to specify special
1937 attributes when making a declaration. This keyword is followed by an
1938 attribute specification inside double parentheses. The following
1939 attributes are currently defined for functions on all targets:
1940 @code{noreturn}, @code{noinline}, @code{always_inline},
1941 @code{pure}, @code{const}, @code{nothrow},
1942 @code{format}, @code{format_arg}, @code{no_instrument_function},
1943 @code{section}, @code{constructor}, @code{destructor}, @code{used},
1944 @code{unused}, @code{deprecated}, @code{weak}, @code{malloc},
1945 @code{alias}, and @code{nonnull}. Several other attributes are defined
1946 for 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}).
1950 You may also specify attributes with @samp{__} preceding and following
1951 each keyword. This allows you to use them in header files without
1952 being concerned about a possible macro of the same name. For example,
1953 you may use @code{__noreturn__} instead of @code{noreturn}.
1955 @xref{Attribute Syntax}, for details of the exact syntax for using
1959 @cindex @code{noreturn} function attribute
1961 A few standard library functions, such as @code{abort} and @code{exit},
1962 cannot return. GCC knows this automatically. Some programs define
1963 their own functions that never return. You can declare them
1964 @code{noreturn} to tell the compiler this fact. For example,
1968 void fatal () __attribute__ ((noreturn));
1971 fatal (/* @r{@dots{}} */)
1973 /* @r{@dots{}} */ /* @r{Print error message.} */ /* @r{@dots{}} */
1979 The @code{noreturn} keyword tells the compiler to assume that
1980 @code{fatal} cannot return. It can then optimize without regard to what
1981 would happen if @code{fatal} ever did return. This makes slightly
1982 better code. More importantly, it helps avoid spurious warnings of
1983 uninitialized variables.
1985 Do not assume that registers saved by the calling function are
1986 restored before calling the @code{noreturn} function.
1988 It does not make sense for a @code{noreturn} function to have a return
1989 type other than @code{void}.
1991 The attribute @code{noreturn} is not implemented in GCC versions
1992 earlier than 2.5. An alternative way to declare that a function does
1993 not return, which works in the current version and in some older
1994 versions, is as follows:
1997 typedef void voidfn ();
1999 volatile voidfn fatal;
2002 @cindex @code{noinline} function attribute
2004 This function attribute prevents a function from being considered for
2007 @cindex @code{always_inline} function attribute
2009 Generally, functions are not inlined unless optimization is specified.
2010 For functions declared inline, this attribute inlines the function even
2011 if no optimization level was specified.
2013 @cindex @code{pure} function attribute
2015 Many functions have no effects except the return value and their
2016 return value depends only on the parameters and/or global variables.
2017 Such a function can be subject
2018 to common subexpression elimination and loop optimization just as an
2019 arithmetic operator would be. These functions should be declared
2020 with the attribute @code{pure}. For example,
2023 int square (int) __attribute__ ((pure));
2027 says that the hypothetical function @code{square} is safe to call
2028 fewer times than the program says.
2030 Some of common examples of pure functions are @code{strlen} or @code{memcmp}.
2031 Interesting non-pure functions are functions with infinite loops or those
2032 depending on volatile memory or other system resource, that may change between
2033 two consecutive calls (such as @code{feof} in a multithreading environment).
2035 The attribute @code{pure} is not implemented in GCC versions earlier
2037 @cindex @code{const} function attribute
2039 Many functions do not examine any values except their arguments, and
2040 have no effects except the return value. Basically this is just slightly
2041 more strict class than the @code{pure} attribute above, since function is not
2042 allowed to read global memory.
2044 @cindex pointer arguments
2045 Note that a function that has pointer arguments and examines the data
2046 pointed to must @emph{not} be declared @code{const}. Likewise, a
2047 function 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
2051 The attribute @code{const} is not implemented in GCC versions earlier
2052 than 2.5. An alternative way to declare that a function has no side
2053 effects, which works in the current version and in some older versions,
2057 typedef int intfn ();
2059 extern const intfn square;
2062 This approach does not work in GNU C++ from 2.6.0 on, since the language
2063 specifies that the @samp{const} must be attached to the return value.
2065 @cindex @code{nothrow} function attribute
2067 The @code{nothrow} attribute is used to inform the compiler that a
2068 function cannot throw an exception. For example, most functions in
2069 the standard C library can be guaranteed not to throw an exception
2070 with the notable exceptions of @code{qsort} and @code{bsearch} that
2071 take function pointer arguments. The @code{nothrow} attribute is not
2072 implemented in GCC versions earlier than 3.2.
2074 @item format (@var{archetype}, @var{string-index}, @var{first-to-check})
2075 @cindex @code{format} function attribute
2077 The @code{format} attribute specifies that a function takes @code{printf},
2078 @code{scanf}, @code{strftime} or @code{strfmon} style arguments which
2079 should be type-checked against a format string. For example, the
2084 my_printf (void *my_object, const char *my_format, ...)
2085 __attribute__ ((format (printf, 2, 3)));
2089 causes the compiler to check the arguments in calls to @code{my_printf}
2090 for consistency with the @code{printf} style format string argument
2093 The parameter @var{archetype} determines how the format string is
2094 interpreted, and should be @code{printf}, @code{scanf}, @code{strftime}
2095 or @code{strfmon}. (You can also use @code{__printf__},
2096 @code{__scanf__}, @code{__strftime__} or @code{__strfmon__}.) The
2097 parameter @var{string-index} specifies which argument is the format
2098 string argument (starting from 1), while @var{first-to-check} is the
2099 number of the first argument to check against the format string. For
2100 functions where the arguments are not available to be checked (such as
2101 @code{vprintf}), specify the third parameter as zero. In this case the
2102 compiler only checks the format string for consistency. For
2103 @code{strftime} formats, the third parameter is required to be zero.
2105 In the example above, the format string (@code{my_format}) is the second
2106 argument of the function @code{my_print}, and the arguments to check
2107 start with the third argument, so the correct parameters for the format
2108 attribute are 2 and 3.
2110 @opindex ffreestanding
2111 The @code{format} attribute allows you to identify your own functions
2112 which take format strings as arguments, so that GCC can check the
2113 calls to these functions for errors. The compiler always (unless
2114 @option{-ffreestanding} is used) checks formats
2115 for the standard library functions @code{printf}, @code{fprintf},
2116 @code{sprintf}, @code{scanf}, @code{fscanf}, @code{sscanf}, @code{strftime},
2117 @code{vprintf}, @code{vfprintf} and @code{vsprintf} whenever such
2118 warnings are requested (using @option{-Wformat}), so there is no need to
2119 modify the header file @file{stdio.h}. In C99 mode, the functions
2120 @code{snprintf}, @code{vsnprintf}, @code{vscanf}, @code{vfscanf} and
2121 @code{vsscanf} are also checked. Except in strictly conforming C
2122 standard modes, the X/Open function @code{strfmon} is also checked as
2123 are @code{printf_unlocked} and @code{fprintf_unlocked}.
2124 @xref{C Dialect Options,,Options Controlling C Dialect}.
2126 @item format_arg (@var{string-index})
2127 @cindex @code{format_arg} function attribute
2128 @opindex Wformat-nonliteral
2129 The @code{format_arg} attribute specifies that a function takes a format
2130 string for a @code{printf}, @code{scanf}, @code{strftime} or
2131 @code{strfmon} style function and modifies it (for example, to translate
2132 it into another language), so the result can be passed to a
2133 @code{printf}, @code{scanf}, @code{strftime} or @code{strfmon} style
2134 function (with the remaining arguments to the format function the same
2135 as they would have been for the unmodified string). For example, the
2140 my_dgettext (char *my_domain, const char *my_format)
2141 __attribute__ ((format_arg (2)));
2145 causes the compiler to check the arguments in calls to a @code{printf},
2146 @code{scanf}, @code{strftime} or @code{strfmon} type function, whose
2147 format string argument is a call to the @code{my_dgettext} function, for
2148 consistency with the format string argument @code{my_format}. If the
2149 @code{format_arg} attribute had not been specified, all the compiler
2150 could tell in such calls to format functions would be that the format
2151 string argument is not constant; this would generate a warning when
2152 @option{-Wformat-nonliteral} is used, but the calls could not be checked
2153 without the attribute.
2155 The parameter @var{string-index} specifies which argument is the format
2156 string argument (starting from 1).
2158 The @code{format-arg} attribute allows you to identify your own
2159 functions which modify format strings, so that GCC can check the
2160 calls to @code{printf}, @code{scanf}, @code{strftime} or @code{strfmon}
2161 type function whose operands are a call to one of your own function.
2162 The compiler always treats @code{gettext}, @code{dgettext}, and
2163 @code{dcgettext} in this manner except when strict ISO C support is
2164 requested by @option{-ansi} or an appropriate @option{-std} option, or
2165 @option{-ffreestanding} is used. @xref{C Dialect Options,,Options
2166 Controlling C Dialect}.
2168 @item nonnull (@var{arg-index}, @dots{})
2169 @cindex @code{nonnull} function attribute
2170 The @code{nonnull} attribute specifies that some function parameters should
2171 be non-null pointers. For instance, the declaration:
2175 my_memcpy (void *dest, const void *src, size_t len)
2176 __attribute__((nonnull (1, 2)));
2180 causes the compiler to check that, in calls to @code{my_memcpy},
2181 arguments @var{dest} and @var{src} are non-null. If the compiler
2182 determines that a null pointer is passed in an argument slot marked
2183 as non-null, and the @option{-Wnonnull} option is enabled, a warning
2184 is issued. The compiler may also choose to make optimizations based
2185 on the knowledge that certain function arguments will not be null.
2187 If no argument index list is given to the @code{nonnull} attribute,
2188 all pointer arguments are marked as non-null. To illustrate, the
2189 following declaration is equivalent to the previous example:
2193 my_memcpy (void *dest, const void *src, size_t len)
2194 __attribute__((nonnull));
2197 @item no_instrument_function
2198 @cindex @code{no_instrument_function} function attribute
2199 @opindex finstrument-functions
2200 If @option{-finstrument-functions} is given, profiling function calls will
2201 be generated at entry and exit of most user-compiled functions.
2202 Functions with this attribute will not be so instrumented.
2204 @item section ("@var{section-name}")
2205 @cindex @code{section} function attribute
2206 Normally, the compiler places the code it generates in the @code{text} section.
2207 Sometimes, however, you need additional sections, or you need certain
2208 particular functions to appear in special sections. The @code{section}
2209 attribute specifies that a function lives in a particular section.
2210 For example, the declaration:
2213 extern void foobar (void) __attribute__ ((section ("bar")));
2217 puts the function @code{foobar} in the @code{bar} section.
2219 Some file formats do not support arbitrary sections so the @code{section}
2220 attribute is not available on all platforms.
2221 If you need to map the entire contents of a module to a particular
2222 section, consider using the facilities of the linker instead.
2226 @cindex @code{constructor} function attribute
2227 @cindex @code{destructor} function attribute
2228 The @code{constructor} attribute causes the function to be called
2229 automatically before execution enters @code{main ()}. Similarly, the
2230 @code{destructor} attribute causes the function to be called
2231 automatically after @code{main ()} has completed or @code{exit ()} has
2232 been called. Functions with these attributes are useful for
2233 initializing data that will be used implicitly during the execution of
2236 These attributes are not currently implemented for Objective-C@.
2238 @cindex @code{unused} attribute.
2240 This attribute, attached to a function, means that the function is meant
2241 to be possibly unused. GCC will not produce a warning for this
2242 function. GNU C++ does not currently support this attribute as
2243 definitions without parameters are valid in C++.
2245 @cindex @code{used} attribute.
2247 This attribute, attached to a function, means that code must be emitted
2248 for the function even if it appears that the function is not referenced.
2249 This is useful, for example, when the function is referenced only in
2252 @cindex @code{deprecated} attribute.
2254 The @code{deprecated} attribute results in a warning if the function
2255 is used anywhere in the source file. This is useful when identifying
2256 functions that are expected to be removed in a future version of a
2257 program. The warning also includes the location of the declaration
2258 of the deprecated function, to enable users to easily find further
2259 information about why the function is deprecated, or what they should
2260 do instead. Note that the warnings only occurs for uses:
2263 int old_fn () __attribute__ ((deprecated));
2265 int (*fn_ptr)() = old_fn;
2268 results in a warning on line 3 but not line 2.
2270 The @code{deprecated} attribute can also be used for variables and
2271 types (@pxref{Variable Attributes}, @pxref{Type Attributes}.)
2274 @cindex @code{weak} attribute
2275 The @code{weak} attribute causes the declaration to be emitted as a weak
2276 symbol rather than a global. This is primarily useful in defining
2277 library functions which can be overridden in user code, though it can
2278 also be used with non-function declarations. Weak symbols are supported
2279 for ELF targets, and also for a.out targets when using the GNU assembler
2283 @cindex @code{malloc} attribute
2284 The @code{malloc} attribute is used to tell the compiler that a function
2285 may be treated as if it were the malloc function. The compiler assumes
2286 that calls to malloc result in a pointers that cannot alias anything.
2287 This will often improve optimization.
2289 @item alias ("@var{target}")
2290 @cindex @code{alias} attribute
2291 The @code{alias} attribute causes the declaration to be emitted as an
2292 alias for another symbol, which must be specified. For instance,
2295 void __f () @{ /* @r{Do something.} */; @}
2296 void f () __attribute__ ((weak, alias ("__f")));
2299 declares @samp{f} to be a weak alias for @samp{__f}. In C++, the
2300 mangled name for the target must be used.
2302 Not all target machines support this attribute.
2304 @item visibility ("@var{visibility_type}")
2305 @cindex @code{visibility} attribute
2306 The @code{visibility} attribute on ELF targets causes the declaration
2307 to be emitted with default, hidden, protected or internal visibility.
2310 void __attribute__ ((visibility ("protected")))
2311 f () @{ /* @r{Do something.} */; @}
2312 int i __attribute__ ((visibility ("hidden")));
2315 See the ELF gABI for complete details, but the short story is
2319 Default visibility is the normal case for ELF. This value is
2320 available for the visibility attribute to override other options
2321 that may change the assumed visibility of symbols.
2324 Hidden visibility indicates that the symbol will not be placed into
2325 the dynamic symbol table, so no other @dfn{module} (executable or
2326 shared library) can reference it directly.
2329 Protected visibility indicates that the symbol will be placed in the
2330 dynamic symbol table, but that references within the defining module
2331 will bind to the local symbol. That is, the symbol cannot be overridden
2335 Internal visibility is like hidden visibility, but with additional
2336 processor specific semantics. Unless otherwise specified by the psABI,
2337 gcc defines internal visibility to mean that the function is @emph{never}
2338 called from another module. Note that hidden symbols, while then cannot
2339 be referenced directly by other modules, can be referenced indirectly via
2340 function pointers. By indicating that a symbol cannot be called from
2341 outside the module, gcc may for instance omit the load of a PIC register
2342 since it is known that the calling function loaded the correct value.
2345 Not all ELF targets support this attribute.
2347 @item tls_model ("@var{tls_model}")
2348 @cindex @code{tls_model} attribute
2349 The @code{tls_model} attribute sets thread-local storage model
2350 (@pxref{Thread-Local}) of a particular @code{__thread} variable,
2351 overriding @code{-ftls-model=} command line switch on a per-variable
2353 The @var{tls_model} argument should be one of @code{global-dynamic},
2354 @code{local-dynamic}, @code{initial-exec} or @code{local-exec}.
2356 @item regparm (@var{number})
2357 @cindex functions that are passed arguments in registers on the 386
2358 On the Intel 386, the @code{regparm} attribute causes the compiler to
2359 pass up to @var{number} integer arguments in registers EAX,
2360 EDX, and ECX instead of on the stack. Functions that take a
2361 variable number of arguments will continue to be passed all of their
2362 arguments on the stack.
2365 @cindex functions that pop the argument stack on the 386
2366 On the Intel 386, the @code{stdcall} attribute causes the compiler to
2367 assume that the called function will pop off the stack space used to
2368 pass arguments, unless it takes a variable number of arguments.
2371 @cindex functions that pop the argument stack on the 386
2372 On the Intel 386, the @code{fastcall} attribute causes the compiler to
2373 pass the first two arguments in the registers ECX and EDX. Subsequent
2374 arguments are passed on the stack. The called function will pop the
2375 arguments off the stack. If the number of arguments is variable all
2376 arguments are pushed on the stack.
2379 @cindex functions that do pop the argument stack on the 386
2381 On the Intel 386, the @code{cdecl} attribute causes the compiler to
2382 assume that the calling function will pop off the stack space used to
2383 pass arguments. This is
2384 useful to override the effects of the @option{-mrtd} switch.
2386 @item longcall/shortcall
2387 @cindex functions called via pointer on the RS/6000 and PowerPC
2388 On the RS/6000 and PowerPC, the @code{longcall} attribute causes the
2389 compiler to always call this function via a pointer, just as it would if
2390 the @option{-mlongcall} option had been specified. The @code{shortcall}
2391 attribute causes the compiler not to do this. These attributes override
2392 both the @option{-mlongcall} switch and the @code{#pragma longcall}
2395 @xref{RS/6000 and PowerPC Options}, for more information on when long
2396 calls are and are not necessary.
2398 @item long_call/short_call
2399 @cindex indirect calls on ARM
2400 This attribute allows to specify how to call a particular function on
2401 ARM@. Both attributes override the @option{-mlong-calls} (@pxref{ARM Options})
2402 command line switch and @code{#pragma long_calls} settings. The
2403 @code{long_call} attribute causes the compiler to always call the
2404 function by first loading its address into a register and then using the
2405 contents of that register. The @code{short_call} attribute always places
2406 the offset to the function from the call site into the @samp{BL}
2407 instruction directly.
2409 @item function_vector
2410 @cindex calling functions through the function vector on the H8/300 processors
2411 Use this attribute on the H8/300 and H8/300H to indicate that the specified
2412 function should be called through the function vector. Calling a
2413 function through the function vector will reduce code size, however;
2414 the function vector has a limited size (maximum 128 entries on the H8/300
2415 and 64 entries on the H8/300H) and shares space with the interrupt vector.
2417 You must use GAS and GLD from GNU binutils version 2.7 or later for
2418 this attribute to work correctly.
2421 @cindex interrupt handler functions
2422 Use this attribute on the ARM, AVR, C4x, M32R/D and Xstormy16 ports to indicate
2423 that the specified function is an interrupt handler. The compiler will
2424 generate function entry and exit sequences suitable for use in an
2425 interrupt handler when this attribute is present.
2427 Note, interrupt handlers for the H8/300, H8/300H and SH processors can
2428 be specified via the @code{interrupt_handler} attribute.
2430 Note, on the AVR interrupts will be enabled inside the function.
2432 Note, for the ARM you can specify the kind of interrupt to be handled by
2433 adding an optional parameter to the interrupt attribute like this:
2436 void f () __attribute__ ((interrupt ("IRQ")));
2439 Permissible values for this parameter are: IRQ, FIQ, SWI, ABORT and UNDEF@.
2441 @item interrupt_handler
2442 @cindex interrupt handler functions on the H8/300 and SH processors
2443 Use this attribute on the H8/300, H8/300H and SH to indicate that the
2444 specified function is an interrupt handler. The compiler will generate
2445 function entry and exit sequences suitable for use in an interrupt
2446 handler when this attribute is present.
2449 Use this attribute on the SH to indicate an @code{interrupt_handler}
2450 function should switch to an alternate stack. It expects a string
2451 argument that names a global variable holding the address of the
2456 void f () __attribute__ ((interrupt_handler,
2457 sp_switch ("alt_stack")));
2461 Use this attribute on the SH for an @code{interrupt_handle} to return using
2462 @code{trapa} instead of @code{rte}. This attribute expects an integer
2463 argument specifying the trap number to be used.
2466 @cindex eight bit data on the H8/300 and H8/300H
2467 Use this attribute on the H8/300 and H8/300H to indicate that the specified
2468 variable should be placed into the eight bit data section.
2469 The compiler will generate more efficient code for certain operations
2470 on data in the eight bit data area. Note the eight bit data area is limited to
2473 You must use GAS and GLD from GNU binutils version 2.7 or later for
2474 this attribute to work correctly.
2477 @cindex tiny data section on the H8/300H
2478 Use this attribute on the H8/300H to indicate that the specified
2479 variable should be placed into the tiny data section.
2480 The compiler will generate more efficient code for loads and stores
2481 on data in the tiny data section. Note the tiny data area is limited to
2482 slightly under 32kbytes of data.
2485 @cindex signal handler functions on the AVR processors
2486 Use this attribute on the AVR to indicate that the specified
2487 function is an signal handler. The compiler will generate function
2488 entry and exit sequences suitable for use in an signal handler when this
2489 attribute is present. Interrupts will be disabled inside function.
2492 @cindex function without a prologue/epilogue code
2493 Use this attribute on the ARM, AVR, C4x and IP2K ports to indicate that the
2494 specified function do not need prologue/epilogue sequences generated by
2495 the compiler. It is up to the programmer to provide these sequences.
2497 @item model (@var{model-name})
2498 @cindex function addressability on the M32R/D
2499 Use this attribute on the M32R/D to set the addressability of an object,
2500 and the code generated for a function.
2501 The identifier @var{model-name} is one of @code{small}, @code{medium},
2502 or @code{large}, representing each of the code models.
2504 Small model objects live in the lower 16MB of memory (so that their
2505 addresses can be loaded with the @code{ld24} instruction), and are
2506 callable with the @code{bl} instruction.
2508 Medium model objects may live anywhere in the 32-bit address space (the
2509 compiler will generate @code{seth/add3} instructions to load their addresses),
2510 and are callable with the @code{bl} instruction.
2512 Large model objects may live anywhere in the 32-bit address space (the
2513 compiler will generate @code{seth/add3} instructions to load their addresses),
2514 and may not be reachable with the @code{bl} instruction (the compiler will
2515 generate the much slower @code{seth/add3/jl} instruction sequence).
2519 You can specify multiple attributes in a declaration by separating them
2520 by commas within the double parentheses or by immediately following an
2521 attribute declaration with another attribute declaration.
2523 @cindex @code{#pragma}, reason for not using
2524 @cindex pragma, reason for not using
2525 Some people object to the @code{__attribute__} feature, suggesting that
2526 ISO C's @code{#pragma} should be used instead. At the time
2527 @code{__attribute__} was designed, there were two reasons for not doing
2532 It is impossible to generate @code{#pragma} commands from a macro.
2535 There is no telling what the same @code{#pragma} might mean in another
2539 These two reasons applied to almost any application that might have been
2540 proposed for @code{#pragma}. It was basically a mistake to use
2541 @code{#pragma} for @emph{anything}.
2543 The ISO C99 standard includes @code{_Pragma}, which now allows pragmas
2544 to be generated from macros. In addition, a @code{#pragma GCC}
2545 namespace is now in use for GCC-specific pragmas. However, it has been
2546 found convenient to use @code{__attribute__} to achieve a natural
2547 attachment of attributes to their corresponding declarations, whereas
2548 @code{#pragma GCC} is of use for constructs that do not naturally form
2549 part of the grammar. @xref{Other Directives,,Miscellaneous
2550 Preprocessing Directives, cpp, The C Preprocessor}.
2552 @node Attribute Syntax
2553 @section Attribute Syntax
2554 @cindex attribute syntax
2556 This section describes the syntax with which @code{__attribute__} may be
2557 used, and the constructs to which attribute specifiers bind, for the C
2558 language. Some details may vary for C++ and Objective-C@. Because of
2559 infelicities in the grammar for attributes, some forms described here
2560 may not be successfully parsed in all cases.
2562 There are some problems with the semantics of attributes in C++. For
2563 example, there are no manglings for attributes, although they may affect
2564 code generation, so problems may arise when attributed types are used in
2565 conjunction with templates or overloading. Similarly, @code{typeid}
2566 does not distinguish between types with different attributes. Support
2567 for attributes in C++ may be restricted in future to attributes on
2568 declarations only, but not on nested declarators.
2570 @xref{Function Attributes}, for details of the semantics of attributes
2571 applying to functions. @xref{Variable Attributes}, for details of the
2572 semantics of attributes applying to variables. @xref{Type Attributes},
2573 for details of the semantics of attributes applying to structure, union
2574 and enumerated types.
2576 An @dfn{attribute specifier} is of the form
2577 @code{__attribute__ ((@var{attribute-list}))}. An @dfn{attribute list}
2578 is a possibly empty comma-separated sequence of @dfn{attributes}, where
2579 each attribute is one of the following:
2583 Empty. Empty attributes are ignored.
2586 A word (which may be an identifier such as @code{unused}, or a reserved
2587 word such as @code{const}).
2590 A word, followed by, in parentheses, parameters for the attribute.
2591 These parameters take one of the following forms:
2595 An identifier. For example, @code{mode} attributes use this form.
2598 An identifier followed by a comma and a non-empty comma-separated list
2599 of expressions. For example, @code{format} attributes use this form.
2602 A possibly empty comma-separated list of expressions. For example,
2603 @code{format_arg} attributes use this form with the list being a single
2604 integer constant expression, and @code{alias} attributes use this form
2605 with the list being a single string constant.
2609 An @dfn{attribute specifier list} is a sequence of one or more attribute
2610 specifiers, not separated by any other tokens.
2612 An attribute specifier list may appear after the colon following a
2613 label, other than a @code{case} or @code{default} label. The only
2614 attribute it makes sense to use after a label is @code{unused}. This
2615 feature is intended for code generated by programs which contains labels
2616 that may be unused but which is compiled with @option{-Wall}. It would
2617 not normally be appropriate to use in it human-written code, though it
2618 could be useful in cases where the code that jumps to the label is
2619 contained within an @code{#ifdef} conditional.
2621 An attribute specifier list may appear as part of a @code{struct},
2622 @code{union} or @code{enum} specifier. It may go either immediately
2623 after the @code{struct}, @code{union} or @code{enum} keyword, or after
2624 the closing brace. It is ignored if the content of the structure, union
2625 or enumerated type is not defined in the specifier in which the
2626 attribute specifier list is used---that is, in usages such as
2627 @code{struct __attribute__((foo)) bar} with no following opening brace.
2628 Where attribute specifiers follow the closing brace, they are considered
2629 to relate to the structure, union or enumerated type defined, not to any
2630 enclosing declaration the type specifier appears in, and the type
2631 defined is not complete until after the attribute specifiers.
2632 @c Otherwise, there would be the following problems: a shift/reduce
2633 @c conflict between attributes binding the struct/union/enum and
2634 @c binding to the list of specifiers/qualifiers; and "aligned"
2635 @c attributes could use sizeof for the structure, but the size could be
2636 @c changed later by "packed" attributes.
2638 Otherwise, an attribute specifier appears as part of a declaration,
2639 counting declarations of unnamed parameters and type names, and relates
2640 to that declaration (which may be nested in another declaration, for
2641 example in the case of a parameter declaration), or to a particular declarator
2642 within a declaration. Where an
2643 attribute specifier is applied to a parameter declared as a function or
2644 an array, it should apply to the function or array rather than the
2645 pointer to which the parameter is implicitly converted, but this is not
2646 yet correctly implemented.
2648 Any list of specifiers and qualifiers at the start of a declaration may
2649 contain attribute specifiers, whether or not such a list may in that
2650 context contain storage class specifiers. (Some attributes, however,
2651 are essentially in the nature of storage class specifiers, and only make
2652 sense where storage class specifiers may be used; for example,
2653 @code{section}.) There is one necessary limitation to this syntax: the
2654 first old-style parameter declaration in a function definition cannot
2655 begin with an attribute specifier, because such an attribute applies to
2656 the function instead by syntax described below (which, however, is not
2657 yet implemented in this case). In some other cases, attribute
2658 specifiers are permitted by this grammar but not yet supported by the
2659 compiler. All attribute specifiers in this place relate to the
2660 declaration as a whole. In the obsolescent usage where a type of
2661 @code{int} is implied by the absence of type specifiers, such a list of
2662 specifiers and qualifiers may be an attribute specifier list with no
2663 other specifiers or qualifiers.
2665 An attribute specifier list may appear immediately before a declarator
2666 (other than the first) in a comma-separated list of declarators in a
2667 declaration of more than one identifier using a single list of
2668 specifiers and qualifiers. Such attribute specifiers apply
2669 only to the identifier before whose declarator they appear. For
2673 __attribute__((noreturn)) void d0 (void),
2674 __attribute__((format(printf, 1, 2))) d1 (const char *, ...),
2679 the @code{noreturn} attribute applies to all the functions
2680 declared; the @code{format} attribute only applies to @code{d1}.
2682 An attribute specifier list may appear immediately before the comma,
2683 @code{=} or semicolon terminating the declaration of an identifier other
2684 than a function definition. At present, such attribute specifiers apply
2685 to the declared object or function, but in future they may attach to the
2686 outermost adjacent declarator. In simple cases there is no difference,
2687 but, for example, in
2690 void (****f)(void) __attribute__((noreturn));
2694 at present the @code{noreturn} attribute applies to @code{f}, which
2695 causes a warning since @code{f} is not a function, but in future it may
2696 apply to the function @code{****f}. The precise semantics of what
2697 attributes in such cases will apply to are not yet specified. Where an
2698 assembler name for an object or function is specified (@pxref{Asm
2699 Labels}), at present the attribute must follow the @code{asm}
2700 specification; in future, attributes before the @code{asm} specification
2701 may apply to the adjacent declarator, and those after it to the declared
2704 An attribute specifier list may, in future, be permitted to appear after
2705 the declarator in a function definition (before any old-style parameter
2706 declarations or the function body).
2708 Attribute specifiers may be mixed with type qualifiers appearing inside
2709 the @code{[]} of a parameter array declarator, in the C99 construct by
2710 which such qualifiers are applied to the pointer to which the array is
2711 implicitly converted. Such attribute specifiers apply to the pointer,
2712 not to the array, but at present this is not implemented and they are
2715 An attribute specifier list may appear at the start of a nested
2716 declarator. At present, there are some limitations in this usage: the
2717 attributes correctly apply to the declarator, but for most individual
2718 attributes the semantics this implies are not implemented.
2719 When attribute specifiers follow the @code{*} of a pointer
2720 declarator, they may be mixed with any type qualifiers present.
2721 The following describes the formal semantics of this syntax. It will make the
2722 most sense if you are familiar with the formal specification of
2723 declarators in the ISO C standard.
2725 Consider (as in C99 subclause 6.7.5 paragraph 4) a declaration @code{T
2726 D1}, where @code{T} contains declaration specifiers that specify a type
2727 @var{Type} (such as @code{int}) and @code{D1} is a declarator that
2728 contains an identifier @var{ident}. The type specified for @var{ident}
2729 for derived declarators whose type does not include an attribute
2730 specifier is as in the ISO C standard.
2732 If @code{D1} has the form @code{( @var{attribute-specifier-list} D )},
2733 and the declaration @code{T D} specifies the type
2734 ``@var{derived-declarator-type-list} @var{Type}'' for @var{ident}, then
2735 @code{T D1} specifies the type ``@var{derived-declarator-type-list}
2736 @var{attribute-specifier-list} @var{Type}'' for @var{ident}.
2738 If @code{D1} has the form @code{*
2739 @var{type-qualifier-and-attribute-specifier-list} D}, and the
2740 declaration @code{T D} specifies the type
2741 ``@var{derived-declarator-type-list} @var{Type}'' for @var{ident}, then
2742 @code{T D1} specifies the type ``@var{derived-declarator-type-list}
2743 @var{type-qualifier-and-attribute-specifier-list} @var{Type}'' for
2749 void (__attribute__((noreturn)) ****f) (void);
2753 specifies the type ``pointer to pointer to pointer to pointer to
2754 non-returning function returning @code{void}''. As another example,
2757 char *__attribute__((aligned(8))) *f;
2761 specifies the type ``pointer to 8-byte-aligned pointer to @code{char}''.
2762 Note again that this does not work with most attributes; for example,
2763 the usage of @samp{aligned} and @samp{noreturn} attributes given above
2764 is not yet supported.
2766 For compatibility with existing code written for compiler versions that
2767 did not implement attributes on nested declarators, some laxity is
2768 allowed in the placing of attributes. If an attribute that only applies
2769 to types is applied to a declaration, it will be treated as applying to
2770 the type of that declaration. If an attribute that only applies to
2771 declarations is applied to the type of a declaration, it will be treated
2772 as applying to that declaration; and, for compatibility with code
2773 placing the attributes immediately before the identifier declared, such
2774 an attribute applied to a function return type will be treated as
2775 applying to the function type, and such an attribute applied to an array
2776 element type will be treated as applying to the array type. If an
2777 attribute that only applies to function types is applied to a
2778 pointer-to-function type, it will be treated as applying to the pointer
2779 target type; if such an attribute is applied to a function return type
2780 that is not a pointer-to-function type, it will be treated as applying
2781 to the function type.
2783 @node Function Prototypes
2784 @section Prototypes and Old-Style Function Definitions
2785 @cindex function prototype declarations
2786 @cindex old-style function definitions
2787 @cindex promotion of formal parameters
2789 GNU C extends ISO C to allow a function prototype to override a later
2790 old-style non-prototype definition. Consider the following example:
2793 /* @r{Use prototypes unless the compiler is old-fashioned.} */
2800 /* @r{Prototype function declaration.} */
2801 int isroot P((uid_t));
2803 /* @r{Old-style function definition.} */
2805 isroot (x) /* ??? lossage here ??? */
2812 Suppose the type @code{uid_t} happens to be @code{short}. ISO C does
2813 not allow this example, because subword arguments in old-style
2814 non-prototype definitions are promoted. Therefore in this example the
2815 function definition's argument is really an @code{int}, which does not
2816 match the prototype argument type of @code{short}.
2818 This restriction of ISO C makes it hard to write code that is portable
2819 to traditional C compilers, because the programmer does not know
2820 whether the @code{uid_t} type is @code{short}, @code{int}, or
2821 @code{long}. Therefore, in cases like these GNU C allows a prototype
2822 to override a later old-style definition. More precisely, in GNU C, a
2823 function prototype argument type overrides the argument type specified
2824 by a later old-style definition if the former type is the same as the
2825 latter type before promotion. Thus in GNU C the above example is
2826 equivalent to the following:
2839 GNU C++ does not support old-style function definitions, so this
2840 extension is irrelevant.
2843 @section C++ Style Comments
2845 @cindex C++ comments
2846 @cindex comments, C++ style
2848 In GNU C, you may use C++ style comments, which start with @samp{//} and
2849 continue until the end of the line. Many other C implementations allow
2850 such comments, and they are included in the 1999 C standard. However,
2851 C++ style comments are not recognized if you specify an @option{-std}
2852 option specifying a version of ISO C before C99, or @option{-ansi}
2853 (equivalent to @option{-std=c89}).
2856 @section Dollar Signs in Identifier Names
2858 @cindex dollar signs in identifier names
2859 @cindex identifier names, dollar signs in
2861 In GNU C, you may normally use dollar signs in identifier names.
2862 This is because many traditional C implementations allow such identifiers.
2863 However, dollar signs in identifiers are not supported on a few target
2864 machines, typically because the target assembler does not allow them.
2866 @node Character Escapes
2867 @section The Character @key{ESC} in Constants
2869 You can use the sequence @samp{\e} in a string or character constant to
2870 stand for the ASCII character @key{ESC}.
2873 @section Inquiring on Alignment of Types or Variables
2875 @cindex type alignment
2876 @cindex variable alignment
2878 The keyword @code{__alignof__} allows you to inquire about how an object
2879 is aligned, or the minimum alignment usually required by a type. Its
2880 syntax is just like @code{sizeof}.
2882 For example, if the target machine requires a @code{double} value to be
2883 aligned on an 8-byte boundary, then @code{__alignof__ (double)} is 8.
2884 This is true on many RISC machines. On more traditional machine
2885 designs, @code{__alignof__ (double)} is 4 or even 2.
2887 Some machines never actually require alignment; they allow reference to any
2888 data type even at an odd addresses. For these machines, @code{__alignof__}
2889 reports the @emph{recommended} alignment of a type.
2891 If the operand of @code{__alignof__} is an lvalue rather than a type,
2892 its value is the required alignment for its type, taking into account
2893 any minimum alignment specified with GCC's @code{__attribute__}
2894 extension (@pxref{Variable Attributes}). For example, after this
2898 struct foo @{ int x; char y; @} foo1;
2902 the value of @code{__alignof__ (foo1.y)} is 1, even though its actual
2903 alignment is probably 2 or 4, the same as @code{__alignof__ (int)}.
2905 It is an error to ask for the alignment of an incomplete type.
2907 @node Variable Attributes
2908 @section Specifying Attributes of Variables
2909 @cindex attribute of variables
2910 @cindex variable attributes
2912 The keyword @code{__attribute__} allows you to specify special
2913 attributes of variables or structure fields. This keyword is followed
2914 by an attribute specification inside double parentheses. Ten
2915 attributes are currently defined for variables: @code{aligned},
2916 @code{mode}, @code{nocommon}, @code{packed}, @code{section},
2917 @code{transparent_union}, @code{unused}, @code{deprecated},
2918 @code{vector_size}, and @code{weak}. Some other attributes are defined
2919 for variables on particular target systems. Other attributes are
2920 available for functions (@pxref{Function Attributes}) and for types
2921 (@pxref{Type Attributes}). Other front ends might define more
2922 attributes (@pxref{C++ Extensions,,Extensions to the C++ Language}).
2924 You may also specify attributes with @samp{__} preceding and following
2925 each keyword. This allows you to use them in header files without
2926 being concerned about a possible macro of the same name. For example,
2927 you may use @code{__aligned__} instead of @code{aligned}.
2929 @xref{Attribute Syntax}, for details of the exact syntax for using
2933 @cindex @code{aligned} attribute
2934 @item aligned (@var{alignment})
2935 This attribute specifies a minimum alignment for the variable or
2936 structure field, measured in bytes. For example, the declaration:
2939 int x __attribute__ ((aligned (16))) = 0;
2943 causes the compiler to allocate the global variable @code{x} on a
2944 16-byte boundary. On a 68040, this could be used in conjunction with
2945 an @code{asm} expression to access the @code{move16} instruction which
2946 requires 16-byte aligned operands.
2948 You can also specify the alignment of structure fields. For example, to
2949 create a double-word aligned @code{int} pair, you could write:
2952 struct foo @{ int x[2] __attribute__ ((aligned (8))); @};
2956 This is an alternative to creating a union with a @code{double} member
2957 that forces the union to be double-word aligned.
2959 As in the preceding examples, you can explicitly specify the alignment
2960 (in bytes) that you wish the compiler to use for a given variable or
2961 structure field. Alternatively, you can leave out the alignment factor
2962 and just ask the compiler to align a variable or field to the maximum
2963 useful alignment for the target machine you are compiling for. For
2964 example, you could write:
2967 short array[3] __attribute__ ((aligned));
2970 Whenever you leave out the alignment factor in an @code{aligned} attribute
2971 specification, the compiler automatically sets the alignment for the declared
2972 variable or field to the largest alignment which is ever used for any data
2973 type on the target machine you are compiling for. Doing this can often make
2974 copy operations more efficient, because the compiler can use whatever
2975 instructions copy the biggest chunks of memory when performing copies to
2976 or from the variables or fields that you have aligned this way.
2978 The @code{aligned} attribute can only increase the alignment; but you
2979 can decrease it by specifying @code{packed} as well. See below.
2981 Note that the effectiveness of @code{aligned} attributes may be limited
2982 by inherent limitations in your linker. On many systems, the linker is
2983 only able to arrange for variables to be aligned up to a certain maximum
2984 alignment. (For some linkers, the maximum supported alignment may
2985 be very very small.) If your linker is only able to align variables
2986 up to a maximum of 8 byte alignment, then specifying @code{aligned(16)}
2987 in an @code{__attribute__} will still only provide you with 8 byte
2988 alignment. See your linker documentation for further information.
2990 @item mode (@var{mode})
2991 @cindex @code{mode} attribute
2992 This attribute specifies the data type for the declaration---whichever
2993 type corresponds to the mode @var{mode}. This in effect lets you
2994 request an integer or floating point type according to its width.
2996 You may also specify a mode of @samp{byte} or @samp{__byte__} to
2997 indicate the mode corresponding to a one-byte integer, @samp{word} or
2998 @samp{__word__} for the mode of a one-word integer, and @samp{pointer}
2999 or @samp{__pointer__} for the mode used to represent pointers.
3002 @cindex @code{nocommon} attribute
3004 This attribute specifies requests GCC not to place a variable
3005 ``common'' but instead to allocate space for it directly. If you
3006 specify the @option{-fno-common} flag, GCC will do this for all
3009 Specifying the @code{nocommon} attribute for a variable provides an
3010 initialization of zeros. A variable may only be initialized in one
3014 @cindex @code{packed} attribute
3015 The @code{packed} attribute specifies that a variable or structure field
3016 should have the smallest possible alignment---one byte for a variable,
3017 and one bit for a field, unless you specify a larger value with the
3018 @code{aligned} attribute.
3020 Here is a structure in which the field @code{x} is packed, so that it
3021 immediately follows @code{a}:
3027 int x[2] __attribute__ ((packed));
3031 @item section ("@var{section-name}")
3032 @cindex @code{section} variable attribute
3033 Normally, the compiler places the objects it generates in sections like
3034 @code{data} and @code{bss}. Sometimes, however, you need additional sections,
3035 or you need certain particular variables to appear in special sections,
3036 for example to map to special hardware. The @code{section}
3037 attribute specifies that a variable (or function) lives in a particular
3038 section. For example, this small program uses several specific section names:
3041 struct duart a __attribute__ ((section ("DUART_A"))) = @{ 0 @};
3042 struct duart b __attribute__ ((section ("DUART_B"))) = @{ 0 @};
3043 char stack[10000] __attribute__ ((section ("STACK"))) = @{ 0 @};
3044 int init_data __attribute__ ((section ("INITDATA"))) = 0;
3048 /* Initialize stack pointer */
3049 init_sp (stack + sizeof (stack));
3051 /* Initialize initialized data */
3052 memcpy (&init_data, &data, &edata - &data);
3054 /* Turn on the serial ports */
3061 Use the @code{section} attribute with an @emph{initialized} definition
3062 of a @emph{global} variable, as shown in the example. GCC issues
3063 a warning and otherwise ignores the @code{section} attribute in
3064 uninitialized variable declarations.
3066 You may only use the @code{section} attribute with a fully initialized
3067 global definition because of the way linkers work. The linker requires
3068 each object be defined once, with the exception that uninitialized
3069 variables tentatively go in the @code{common} (or @code{bss}) section
3070 and can be multiply ``defined''. You can force a variable to be
3071 initialized with the @option{-fno-common} flag or the @code{nocommon}
3074 Some file formats do not support arbitrary sections so the @code{section}
3075 attribute is not available on all platforms.
3076 If you need to map the entire contents of a module to a particular
3077 section, consider using the facilities of the linker instead.
3080 @cindex @code{shared} variable attribute
3081 On Windows NT, in addition to putting variable definitions in a named
3082 section, the section can also be shared among all running copies of an
3083 executable or DLL@. For example, this small program defines shared data
3084 by putting it in a named section @code{shared} and marking the section
3088 int foo __attribute__((section ("shared"), shared)) = 0;
3093 /* Read and write foo. All running
3094 copies see the same value. */
3100 You may only use the @code{shared} attribute along with @code{section}
3101 attribute with a fully initialized global definition because of the way
3102 linkers work. See @code{section} attribute for more information.
3104 The @code{shared} attribute is only available on Windows NT@.
3106 @item transparent_union
3107 This attribute, attached to a function parameter which is a union, means
3108 that the corresponding argument may have the type of any union member,
3109 but the argument is passed as if its type were that of the first union
3110 member. For more details see @xref{Type Attributes}. You can also use
3111 this attribute on a @code{typedef} for a union data type; then it
3112 applies to all function parameters with that type.
3115 This attribute, attached to a variable, means that the variable is meant
3116 to be possibly unused. GCC will not produce a warning for this
3120 The @code{deprecated} attribute results in a warning if the variable
3121 is used anywhere in the source file. This is useful when identifying
3122 variables that are expected to be removed in a future version of a
3123 program. The warning also includes the location of the declaration
3124 of the deprecated variable, to enable users to easily find further
3125 information about why the variable is deprecated, or what they should
3126 do instead. Note that the warnings only occurs for uses:
3129 extern int old_var __attribute__ ((deprecated));
3131 int new_fn () @{ return old_var; @}
3134 results in a warning on line 3 but not line 2.
3136 The @code{deprecated} attribute can also be used for functions and
3137 types (@pxref{Function Attributes}, @pxref{Type Attributes}.)
3139 @item vector_size (@var{bytes})
3140 This attribute specifies the vector size for the variable, measured in
3141 bytes. For example, the declaration:
3144 int foo __attribute__ ((vector_size (16)));
3148 causes the compiler to set the mode for @code{foo}, to be 16 bytes,
3149 divided into @code{int} sized units. Assuming a 32-bit int (a vector of
3150 4 units of 4 bytes), the corresponding mode of @code{foo} will be V4SI@.
3152 This attribute is only applicable to integral and float scalars,
3153 although arrays, pointers, and function return values are allowed in
3154 conjunction with this construct.
3156 Aggregates with this attribute are invalid, even if they are of the same
3157 size as a corresponding scalar. For example, the declaration:
3160 struct S @{ int a; @};
3161 struct S __attribute__ ((vector_size (16))) foo;
3165 is invalid even if the size of the structure is the same as the size of
3169 The @code{weak} attribute is described in @xref{Function Attributes}.
3171 @item model (@var{model-name})
3172 @cindex variable addressability on the M32R/D
3173 Use this attribute on the M32R/D to set the addressability of an object.
3174 The identifier @var{model-name} is one of @code{small}, @code{medium},
3175 or @code{large}, representing each of the code models.
3177 Small model objects live in the lower 16MB of memory (so that their
3178 addresses can be loaded with the @code{ld24} instruction).
3180 Medium and large model objects may live anywhere in the 32-bit address space
3181 (the compiler will generate @code{seth/add3} instructions to load their
3184 @subsection i386 Variable Attributes
3186 Two attributes are currently defined for i386 configurations:
3187 @code{ms_struct} and @code{gcc_struct}
3191 @cindex @code{ms_struct}
3192 @cindex @code{gcc_struct}
3194 If @code{packed} is used on a structure, or if bit-fields are used
3195 it may be that the Microsoft ABI packs them differently
3196 than GCC would normally pack them. Particularly when moving packed
3197 data between functions compiled with GCC and the native Microsoft compiler
3198 (either via function call or as data in a file), it may be necessary to access
3201 Currently @option{-m[no-]ms-bitfields} is provided for the Windows X86
3202 compilers to match the native Microsoft compiler.
3206 To specify multiple attributes, separate them by commas within the
3207 double parentheses: for example, @samp{__attribute__ ((aligned (16),
3210 @node Type Attributes
3211 @section Specifying Attributes of Types
3212 @cindex attribute of types
3213 @cindex type attributes
3215 The keyword @code{__attribute__} allows you to specify special
3216 attributes of @code{struct} and @code{union} types when you define such
3217 types. This keyword is followed by an attribute specification inside
3218 double parentheses. Six attributes are currently defined for types:
3219 @code{aligned}, @code{packed}, @code{transparent_union}, @code{unused},
3220 @code{deprecated} and @code{may_alias}. Other attributes are defined for
3221 functions (@pxref{Function Attributes}) and for variables
3222 (@pxref{Variable Attributes}).
3224 You may also specify any one of these attributes with @samp{__}
3225 preceding and following its keyword. This allows you to use these
3226 attributes in header files without being concerned about a possible
3227 macro of the same name. For example, you may use @code{__aligned__}
3228 instead of @code{aligned}.
3230 You may specify the @code{aligned} and @code{transparent_union}
3231 attributes either in a @code{typedef} declaration or just past the
3232 closing curly brace of a complete enum, struct or union type
3233 @emph{definition} and the @code{packed} attribute only past the closing
3234 brace of a definition.
3236 You may also specify attributes between the enum, struct or union
3237 tag and the name of the type rather than after the closing brace.
3239 @xref{Attribute Syntax}, for details of the exact syntax for using
3243 @cindex @code{aligned} attribute
3244 @item aligned (@var{alignment})
3245 This attribute specifies a minimum alignment (in bytes) for variables
3246 of the specified type. For example, the declarations:
3249 struct S @{ short f[3]; @} __attribute__ ((aligned (8)));
3250 typedef int more_aligned_int __attribute__ ((aligned (8)));
3254 force the compiler to insure (as far as it can) that each variable whose
3255 type is @code{struct S} or @code{more_aligned_int} will be allocated and
3256 aligned @emph{at least} on a 8-byte boundary. On a SPARC, having all
3257 variables of type @code{struct S} aligned to 8-byte boundaries allows
3258 the compiler to use the @code{ldd} and @code{std} (doubleword load and
3259 store) instructions when copying one variable of type @code{struct S} to
3260 another, thus improving run-time efficiency.
3262 Note that the alignment of any given @code{struct} or @code{union} type
3263 is required by the ISO C standard to be at least a perfect multiple of
3264 the lowest common multiple of the alignments of all of the members of
3265 the @code{struct} or @code{union} in question. This means that you @emph{can}
3266 effectively adjust the alignment of a @code{struct} or @code{union}
3267 type by attaching an @code{aligned} attribute to any one of the members
3268 of such a type, but the notation illustrated in the example above is a
3269 more obvious, intuitive, and readable way to request the compiler to
3270 adjust the alignment of an entire @code{struct} or @code{union} type.
3272 As in the preceding example, you can explicitly specify the alignment
3273 (in bytes) that you wish the compiler to use for a given @code{struct}
3274 or @code{union} type. Alternatively, you can leave out the alignment factor
3275 and just ask the compiler to align a type to the maximum
3276 useful alignment for the target machine you are compiling for. For
3277 example, you could write:
3280 struct S @{ short f[3]; @} __attribute__ ((aligned));
3283 Whenever you leave out the alignment factor in an @code{aligned}
3284 attribute specification, the compiler automatically sets the alignment
3285 for the type to the largest alignment which is ever used for any data
3286 type on the target machine you are compiling for. Doing this can often
3287 make copy operations more efficient, because the compiler can use
3288 whatever instructions copy the biggest chunks of memory when performing
3289 copies to or from the variables which have types that you have aligned
3292 In the example above, if the size of each @code{short} is 2 bytes, then
3293 the size of the entire @code{struct S} type is 6 bytes. The smallest
3294 power of two which is greater than or equal to that is 8, so the
3295 compiler sets the alignment for the entire @code{struct S} type to 8
3298 Note that although you can ask the compiler to select a time-efficient
3299 alignment for a given type and then declare only individual stand-alone
3300 objects of that type, the compiler's ability to select a time-efficient
3301 alignment is primarily useful only when you plan to create arrays of
3302 variables having the relevant (efficiently aligned) type. If you
3303 declare or use arrays of variables of an efficiently-aligned type, then
3304 it is likely that your program will also be doing pointer arithmetic (or
3305 subscripting, which amounts to the same thing) on pointers to the
3306 relevant type, and the code that the compiler generates for these
3307 pointer arithmetic operations will often be more efficient for
3308 efficiently-aligned types than for other types.
3310 The @code{aligned} attribute can only increase the alignment; but you
3311 can decrease it by specifying @code{packed} as well. See below.
3313 Note that the effectiveness of @code{aligned} attributes may be limited
3314 by inherent limitations in your linker. On many systems, the linker is
3315 only able to arrange for variables to be aligned up to a certain maximum
3316 alignment. (For some linkers, the maximum supported alignment may
3317 be very very small.) If your linker is only able to align variables
3318 up to a maximum of 8 byte alignment, then specifying @code{aligned(16)}
3319 in an @code{__attribute__} will still only provide you with 8 byte
3320 alignment. See your linker documentation for further information.
3323 This attribute, attached to an @code{enum}, @code{struct}, or
3324 @code{union} type definition, specified that the minimum required memory
3325 be used to represent the type.
3327 @opindex fshort-enums
3328 Specifying this attribute for @code{struct} and @code{union} types is
3329 equivalent to specifying the @code{packed} attribute on each of the
3330 structure or union members. Specifying the @option{-fshort-enums}
3331 flag on the line is equivalent to specifying the @code{packed}
3332 attribute on all @code{enum} definitions.
3334 You may only specify this attribute after a closing curly brace on an
3335 @code{enum} definition, not in a @code{typedef} declaration, unless that
3336 declaration also contains the definition of the @code{enum}.
3338 @item transparent_union
3339 This attribute, attached to a @code{union} type definition, indicates
3340 that any function parameter having that union type causes calls to that
3341 function to be treated in a special way.
3343 First, the argument corresponding to a transparent union type can be of
3344 any type in the union; no cast is required. Also, if the union contains
3345 a pointer type, the corresponding argument can be a null pointer
3346 constant or a void pointer expression; and if the union contains a void
3347 pointer type, the corresponding argument can be any pointer expression.
3348 If the union member type is a pointer, qualifiers like @code{const} on
3349 the referenced type must be respected, just as with normal pointer
3352 Second, the argument is passed to the function using the calling
3353 conventions of first member of the transparent union, not the calling
3354 conventions of the union itself. All members of the union must have the
3355 same machine representation; this is necessary for this argument passing
3358 Transparent unions are designed for library functions that have multiple
3359 interfaces for compatibility reasons. For example, suppose the
3360 @code{wait} function must accept either a value of type @code{int *} to
3361 comply with Posix, or a value of type @code{union wait *} to comply with
3362 the 4.1BSD interface. If @code{wait}'s parameter were @code{void *},
3363 @code{wait} would accept both kinds of arguments, but it would also
3364 accept any other pointer type and this would make argument type checking
3365 less useful. Instead, @code{<sys/wait.h>} might define the interface
3373 @} wait_status_ptr_t __attribute__ ((__transparent_union__));
3375 pid_t wait (wait_status_ptr_t);
3378 This interface allows either @code{int *} or @code{union wait *}
3379 arguments to be passed, using the @code{int *} calling convention.
3380 The program can call @code{wait} with arguments of either type:
3383 int w1 () @{ int w; return wait (&w); @}
3384 int w2 () @{ union wait w; return wait (&w); @}
3387 With this interface, @code{wait}'s implementation might look like this:
3390 pid_t wait (wait_status_ptr_t p)
3392 return waitpid (-1, p.__ip, 0);
3397 When attached to a type (including a @code{union} or a @code{struct}),
3398 this attribute means that variables of that type are meant to appear
3399 possibly unused. GCC will not produce a warning for any variables of
3400 that type, even if the variable appears to do nothing. This is often
3401 the case with lock or thread classes, which are usually defined and then
3402 not referenced, but contain constructors and destructors that have
3403 nontrivial bookkeeping functions.
3406 The @code{deprecated} attribute results in a warning if the type
3407 is used anywhere in the source file. This is useful when identifying
3408 types that are expected to be removed in a future version of a program.
3409 If possible, the warning also includes the location of the declaration
3410 of the deprecated type, to enable users to easily find further
3411 information about why the type is deprecated, or what they should do
3412 instead. Note that the warnings only occur for uses and then only
3413 if the type is being applied to an identifier that itself is not being
3414 declared as deprecated.
3417 typedef int T1 __attribute__ ((deprecated));
3421 typedef T1 T3 __attribute__ ((deprecated));
3422 T3 z __attribute__ ((deprecated));
3425 results in a warning on line 2 and 3 but not lines 4, 5, or 6. No
3426 warning is issued for line 4 because T2 is not explicitly
3427 deprecated. Line 5 has no warning because T3 is explicitly
3428 deprecated. Similarly for line 6.
3430 The @code{deprecated} attribute can also be used for functions and
3431 variables (@pxref{Function Attributes}, @pxref{Variable Attributes}.)
3434 Accesses to objects with types with this attribute are not subjected to
3435 type-based alias analysis, but are instead assumed to be able to alias
3436 any other type of objects, just like the @code{char} type. See
3437 @option{-fstrict-aliasing} for more information on aliasing issues.
3442 typedef short __attribute__((__may_alias__)) short_a;
3448 short_a *b = (short_a *) &a;
3452 if (a == 0x12345678)
3459 If you replaced @code{short_a} with @code{short} in the variable
3460 declaration, the above program would abort when compiled with
3461 @option{-fstrict-aliasing}, which is on by default at @option{-O2} or
3462 above in recent GCC versions.
3464 @subsection i386 Type Attributes
3466 Two attributes are currently defined for i386 configurations:
3467 @code{ms_struct} and @code{gcc_struct}
3471 @cindex @code{ms_struct}
3472 @cindex @code{gcc_struct}
3474 If @code{packed} is used on a structure, or if bit-fields are used
3475 it may be that the Microsoft ABI packs them differently
3476 than GCC would normally pack them. Particularly when moving packed
3477 data between functions compiled with GCC and the native Microsoft compiler
3478 (either via function call or as data in a file), it may be necessary to access
3481 Currently @option{-m[no-]ms-bitfields} is provided for the Windows X86
3482 compilers to match the native Microsoft compiler.
3485 To specify multiple attributes, separate them by commas within the
3486 double parentheses: for example, @samp{__attribute__ ((aligned (16),
3490 @section An Inline Function is As Fast As a Macro
3491 @cindex inline functions
3492 @cindex integrating function code
3494 @cindex macros, inline alternative
3496 By declaring a function @code{inline}, you can direct GCC to
3497 integrate that function's code into the code for its callers. This
3498 makes execution faster by eliminating the function-call overhead; in
3499 addition, if any of the actual argument values are constant, their known
3500 values may permit simplifications at compile time so that not all of the
3501 inline function's code needs to be included. The effect on code size is
3502 less predictable; object code may be larger or smaller with function
3503 inlining, depending on the particular case. Inlining of functions is an
3504 optimization and it really ``works'' only in optimizing compilation. If
3505 you don't use @option{-O}, no function is really inline.
3507 Inline functions are included in the ISO C99 standard, but there are
3508 currently substantial differences between what GCC implements and what
3509 the ISO C99 standard requires.
3511 To declare a function inline, use the @code{inline} keyword in its
3512 declaration, like this:
3522 (If you are writing a header file to be included in ISO C programs, write
3523 @code{__inline__} instead of @code{inline}. @xref{Alternate Keywords}.)
3524 You can also make all ``simple enough'' functions inline with the option
3525 @option{-finline-functions}.
3528 Note that certain usages in a function definition can make it unsuitable
3529 for inline substitution. Among these usages are: use of varargs, use of
3530 alloca, use of variable sized data types (@pxref{Variable Length}),
3531 use of computed goto (@pxref{Labels as Values}), use of nonlocal goto,
3532 and nested functions (@pxref{Nested Functions}). Using @option{-Winline}
3533 will warn when a function marked @code{inline} could not be substituted,
3534 and will give the reason for the failure.
3536 Note that in C and Objective-C, unlike C++, the @code{inline} keyword
3537 does not affect the linkage of the function.
3539 @cindex automatic @code{inline} for C++ member fns
3540 @cindex @code{inline} automatic for C++ member fns
3541 @cindex member fns, automatically @code{inline}
3542 @cindex C++ member fns, automatically @code{inline}
3543 @opindex fno-default-inline
3544 GCC automatically inlines member functions defined within the class
3545 body of C++ programs even if they are not explicitly declared
3546 @code{inline}. (You can override this with @option{-fno-default-inline};
3547 @pxref{C++ Dialect Options,,Options Controlling C++ Dialect}.)
3549 @cindex inline functions, omission of
3550 @opindex fkeep-inline-functions
3551 When a function is both inline and @code{static}, if all calls to the
3552 function are integrated into the caller, and the function's address is
3553 never used, then the function's own assembler code is never referenced.
3554 In this case, GCC does not actually output assembler code for the
3555 function, unless you specify the option @option{-fkeep-inline-functions}.
3556 Some calls cannot be integrated for various reasons (in particular,
3557 calls that precede the function's definition cannot be integrated, and
3558 neither can recursive calls within the definition). If there is a
3559 nonintegrated call, then the function is compiled to assembler code as
3560 usual. The function must also be compiled as usual if the program
3561 refers to its address, because that can't be inlined.
3563 @cindex non-static inline function
3564 When an inline function is not @code{static}, then the compiler must assume
3565 that there may be calls from other source files; since a global symbol can
3566 be defined only once in any program, the function must not be defined in
3567 the other source files, so the calls therein cannot be integrated.
3568 Therefore, a non-@code{static} inline function is always compiled on its
3569 own in the usual fashion.
3571 If you specify both @code{inline} and @code{extern} in the function
3572 definition, then the definition is used only for inlining. In no case
3573 is the function compiled on its own, not even if you refer to its
3574 address explicitly. Such an address becomes an external reference, as
3575 if you had only declared the function, and had not defined it.
3577 This combination of @code{inline} and @code{extern} has almost the
3578 effect of a macro. The way to use it is to put a function definition in
3579 a header file with these keywords, and put another copy of the
3580 definition (lacking @code{inline} and @code{extern}) in a library file.
3581 The definition in the header file will cause most calls to the function
3582 to be inlined. If any uses of the function remain, they will refer to
3583 the single copy in the library.
3585 For future compatibility with when GCC implements ISO C99 semantics for
3586 inline functions, it is best to use @code{static inline} only. (The
3587 existing semantics will remain available when @option{-std=gnu89} is
3588 specified, but eventually the default will be @option{-std=gnu99} and
3589 that will implement the C99 semantics, though it does not do so yet.)
3591 GCC does not inline any functions when not optimizing unless you specify
3592 the @samp{always_inline} attribute for the function, like this:
3596 inline void foo (const char) __attribute__((always_inline));
3600 @section Assembler Instructions with C Expression Operands
3601 @cindex extended @code{asm}
3602 @cindex @code{asm} expressions
3603 @cindex assembler instructions
3606 In an assembler instruction using @code{asm}, you can specify the
3607 operands of the instruction using C expressions. This means you need not
3608 guess which registers or memory locations will contain the data you want
3611 You must specify an assembler instruction template much like what
3612 appears in a machine description, plus an operand constraint string for
3615 For example, here is how to use the 68881's @code{fsinx} instruction:
3618 asm ("fsinx %1,%0" : "=f" (result) : "f" (angle));
3622 Here @code{angle} is the C expression for the input operand while
3623 @code{result} is that of the output operand. Each has @samp{"f"} as its
3624 operand constraint, saying that a floating point register is required.
3625 The @samp{=} in @samp{=f} indicates that the operand is an output; all
3626 output operands' constraints must use @samp{=}. The constraints use the
3627 same language used in the machine description (@pxref{Constraints}).
3629 Each operand is described by an operand-constraint string followed by
3630 the C expression in parentheses. A colon separates the assembler
3631 template from the first output operand and another separates the last
3632 output operand from the first input, if any. Commas separate the
3633 operands within each group. The total number of operands is currently
3634 limited to 30; this limitation may be lifted in some future version of
3637 If there are no output operands but there are input operands, you must
3638 place two consecutive colons surrounding the place where the output
3641 As of GCC version 3.1, it is also possible to specify input and output
3642 operands using symbolic names which can be referenced within the
3643 assembler code. These names are specified inside square brackets
3644 preceding the constraint string, and can be referenced inside the
3645 assembler code using @code{%[@var{name}]} instead of a percentage sign
3646 followed by the operand number. Using named operands the above example
3650 asm ("fsinx %[angle],%[output]"
3651 : [output] "=f" (result)
3652 : [angle] "f" (angle));
3656 Note that the symbolic operand names have no relation whatsoever to
3657 other C identifiers. You may use any name you like, even those of
3658 existing C symbols, but must ensure that no two operands within the same
3659 assembler construct use the same symbolic name.
3661 Output operand expressions must be lvalues; the compiler can check this.
3662 The input operands need not be lvalues. The compiler cannot check
3663 whether the operands have data types that are reasonable for the
3664 instruction being executed. It does not parse the assembler instruction
3665 template and does not know what it means or even whether it is valid
3666 assembler input. The extended @code{asm} feature is most often used for
3667 machine instructions the compiler itself does not know exist. If
3668 the output expression cannot be directly addressed (for example, it is a
3669 bit-field), your constraint must allow a register. In that case, GCC
3670 will use the register as the output of the @code{asm}, and then store
3671 that register into the output.
3673 The ordinary output operands must be write-only; GCC will assume that
3674 the values in these operands before the instruction are dead and need
3675 not be generated. Extended asm supports input-output or read-write
3676 operands. Use the constraint character @samp{+} to indicate such an
3677 operand and list it with the output operands.
3679 When the constraints for the read-write operand (or the operand in which
3680 only some of the bits are to be changed) allows a register, you may, as
3681 an alternative, logically split its function into two separate operands,
3682 one input operand and one write-only output operand. The connection
3683 between them is expressed by constraints which say they need to be in
3684 the same location when the instruction executes. You can use the same C
3685 expression for both operands, or different expressions. For example,
3686 here we write the (fictitious) @samp{combine} instruction with
3687 @code{bar} as its read-only source operand and @code{foo} as its
3688 read-write destination:
3691 asm ("combine %2,%0" : "=r" (foo) : "0" (foo), "g" (bar));
3695 The constraint @samp{"0"} for operand 1 says that it must occupy the
3696 same location as operand 0. A number in constraint is allowed only in
3697 an input operand and it must refer to an output operand.
3699 Only a number in the constraint can guarantee that one operand will be in
3700 the same place as another. The mere fact that @code{foo} is the value
3701 of both operands is not enough to guarantee that they will be in the
3702 same place in the generated assembler code. The following would not
3706 asm ("combine %2,%0" : "=r" (foo) : "r" (foo), "g" (bar));
3709 Various optimizations or reloading could cause operands 0 and 1 to be in
3710 different registers; GCC knows no reason not to do so. For example, the
3711 compiler might find a copy of the value of @code{foo} in one register and
3712 use it for operand 1, but generate the output operand 0 in a different
3713 register (copying it afterward to @code{foo}'s own address). Of course,
3714 since the register for operand 1 is not even mentioned in the assembler
3715 code, the result will not work, but GCC can't tell that.
3717 As of GCC version 3.1, one may write @code{[@var{name}]} instead of
3718 the operand number for a matching constraint. For example:
3721 asm ("cmoveq %1,%2,%[result]"
3722 : [result] "=r"(result)
3723 : "r" (test), "r"(new), "[result]"(old));
3726 Some instructions clobber specific hard registers. To describe this,
3727 write a third colon after the input operands, followed by the names of
3728 the clobbered hard registers (given as strings). Here is a realistic
3729 example for the VAX:
3732 asm volatile ("movc3 %0,%1,%2"
3734 : "g" (from), "g" (to), "g" (count)
3735 : "r0", "r1", "r2", "r3", "r4", "r5");
3738 You may not write a clobber description in a way that overlaps with an
3739 input or output operand. For example, you may not have an operand
3740 describing a register class with one member if you mention that register
3741 in the clobber list. Variables declared to live in specific registers
3742 (@pxref{Explicit Reg Vars}), and used as asm input or output operands must
3743 have no part mentioned in the clobber description.
3744 There is no way for you to specify that an input
3745 operand is modified without also specifying it as an output
3746 operand. Note that if all the output operands you specify are for this
3747 purpose (and hence unused), you will then also need to specify
3748 @code{volatile} for the @code{asm} construct, as described below, to
3749 prevent GCC from deleting the @code{asm} statement as unused.
3751 If you refer to a particular hardware register from the assembler code,
3752 you will probably have to list the register after the third colon to
3753 tell the compiler the register's value is modified. In some assemblers,
3754 the register names begin with @samp{%}; to produce one @samp{%} in the
3755 assembler code, you must write @samp{%%} in the input.
3757 If your assembler instruction can alter the condition code register, add
3758 @samp{cc} to the list of clobbered registers. GCC on some machines
3759 represents the condition codes as a specific hardware register;
3760 @samp{cc} serves to name this register. On other machines, the
3761 condition code is handled differently, and specifying @samp{cc} has no
3762 effect. But it is valid no matter what the machine.
3764 If your assembler instruction modifies memory in an unpredictable
3765 fashion, add @samp{memory} to the list of clobbered registers. This
3766 will cause GCC to not keep memory values cached in registers across
3767 the assembler instruction. You will also want to add the
3768 @code{volatile} keyword if the memory affected is not listed in the
3769 inputs or outputs of the @code{asm}, as the @samp{memory} clobber does
3770 not count as a side-effect of the @code{asm}.
3772 You can put multiple assembler instructions together in a single
3773 @code{asm} template, separated by the characters normally used in assembly
3774 code for the system. A combination that works in most places is a newline
3775 to break the line, plus a tab character to move to the instruction field
3776 (written as @samp{\n\t}). Sometimes semicolons can be used, if the
3777 assembler allows semicolons as a line-breaking character. Note that some
3778 assembler dialects use semicolons to start a comment.
3779 The input operands are guaranteed not to use any of the clobbered
3780 registers, and neither will the output operands' addresses, so you can
3781 read and write the clobbered registers as many times as you like. Here
3782 is an example of multiple instructions in a template; it assumes the
3783 subroutine @code{_foo} accepts arguments in registers 9 and 10:
3786 asm ("movl %0,r9\n\tmovl %1,r10\n\tcall _foo"
3788 : "g" (from), "g" (to)
3792 Unless an output operand has the @samp{&} constraint modifier, GCC
3793 may allocate it in the same register as an unrelated input operand, on
3794 the assumption the inputs are consumed before the outputs are produced.
3795 This assumption may be false if the assembler code actually consists of
3796 more than one instruction. In such a case, use @samp{&} for each output
3797 operand that may not overlap an input. @xref{Modifiers}.
3799 If you want to test the condition code produced by an assembler
3800 instruction, you must include a branch and a label in the @code{asm}
3801 construct, as follows:
3804 asm ("clr %0\n\tfrob %1\n\tbeq 0f\n\tmov #1,%0\n0:"
3810 This assumes your assembler supports local labels, as the GNU assembler
3811 and most Unix assemblers do.
3813 Speaking of labels, jumps from one @code{asm} to another are not
3814 supported. The compiler's optimizers do not know about these jumps, and
3815 therefore they cannot take account of them when deciding how to
3818 @cindex macros containing @code{asm}
3819 Usually the most convenient way to use these @code{asm} instructions is to
3820 encapsulate them in macros that look like functions. For example,
3824 (@{ double __value, __arg = (x); \
3825 asm ("fsinx %1,%0": "=f" (__value): "f" (__arg)); \
3830 Here the variable @code{__arg} is used to make sure that the instruction
3831 operates on a proper @code{double} value, and to accept only those
3832 arguments @code{x} which can convert automatically to a @code{double}.
3834 Another way to make sure the instruction operates on the correct data
3835 type is to use a cast in the @code{asm}. This is different from using a
3836 variable @code{__arg} in that it converts more different types. For
3837 example, if the desired type were @code{int}, casting the argument to
3838 @code{int} would accept a pointer with no complaint, while assigning the
3839 argument to an @code{int} variable named @code{__arg} would warn about
3840 using a pointer unless the caller explicitly casts it.
3842 If an @code{asm} has output operands, GCC assumes for optimization
3843 purposes the instruction has no side effects except to change the output
3844 operands. This does not mean instructions with a side effect cannot be
3845 used, but you must be careful, because the compiler may eliminate them
3846 if the output operands aren't used, or move them out of loops, or
3847 replace two with one if they constitute a common subexpression. Also,
3848 if your instruction does have a side effect on a variable that otherwise
3849 appears not to change, the old value of the variable may be reused later
3850 if it happens to be found in a register.
3852 You can prevent an @code{asm} instruction from being deleted, moved
3853 significantly, or combined, by writing the keyword @code{volatile} after
3854 the @code{asm}. For example:
3857 #define get_and_set_priority(new) \
3859 asm volatile ("get_and_set_priority %0, %1" \
3860 : "=g" (__old) : "g" (new)); \
3865 If you write an @code{asm} instruction with no outputs, GCC will know
3866 the instruction has side-effects and will not delete the instruction or
3867 move it outside of loops.
3869 The @code{volatile} keyword indicates that the instruction has
3870 important side-effects. GCC will not delete a volatile @code{asm} if
3871 it is reachable. (The instruction can still be deleted if GCC can
3872 prove that control-flow will never reach the location of the
3873 instruction.) In addition, GCC will not reschedule instructions
3874 across a volatile @code{asm} instruction. For example:
3877 *(volatile int *)addr = foo;
3878 asm volatile ("eieio" : : );
3882 Assume @code{addr} contains the address of a memory mapped device
3883 register. The PowerPC @code{eieio} instruction (Enforce In-order
3884 Execution of I/O) tells the CPU to make sure that the store to that
3885 device register happens before it issues any other I/O@.
3887 Note that even a volatile @code{asm} instruction can be moved in ways
3888 that appear insignificant to the compiler, such as across jump
3889 instructions. You can't expect a sequence of volatile @code{asm}
3890 instructions to remain perfectly consecutive. If you want consecutive
3891 output, use a single @code{asm}. Also, GCC will perform some
3892 optimizations across a volatile @code{asm} instruction; GCC does not
3893 ``forget everything'' when it encounters a volatile @code{asm}
3894 instruction the way some other compilers do.
3896 An @code{asm} instruction without any operands or clobbers (an ``old
3897 style'' @code{asm}) will be treated identically to a volatile
3898 @code{asm} instruction.
3900 It is a natural idea to look for a way to give access to the condition
3901 code left by the assembler instruction. However, when we attempted to
3902 implement this, we found no way to make it work reliably. The problem
3903 is that output operands might need reloading, which would result in
3904 additional following ``store'' instructions. On most machines, these
3905 instructions would alter the condition code before there was time to
3906 test it. This problem doesn't arise for ordinary ``test'' and
3907 ``compare'' instructions because they don't have any output operands.
3909 For reasons similar to those described above, it is not possible to give
3910 an assembler instruction access to the condition code left by previous
3913 If you are writing a header file that should be includable in ISO C
3914 programs, write @code{__asm__} instead of @code{asm}. @xref{Alternate
3917 @subsection i386 floating point asm operands
3919 There are several rules on the usage of stack-like regs in
3920 asm_operands insns. These rules apply only to the operands that are
3925 Given a set of input regs that die in an asm_operands, it is
3926 necessary to know which are implicitly popped by the asm, and
3927 which must be explicitly popped by gcc.
3929 An input reg that is implicitly popped by the asm must be
3930 explicitly clobbered, unless it is constrained to match an
3934 For any input reg that is implicitly popped by an asm, it is
3935 necessary to know how to adjust the stack to compensate for the pop.
3936 If any non-popped input is closer to the top of the reg-stack than
3937 the implicitly popped reg, it would not be possible to know what the
3938 stack looked like---it's not clear how the rest of the stack ``slides
3941 All implicitly popped input regs must be closer to the top of
3942 the reg-stack than any input that is not implicitly popped.
3944 It is possible that if an input dies in an insn, reload might
3945 use the input reg for an output reload. Consider this example:
3948 asm ("foo" : "=t" (a) : "f" (b));
3951 This asm says that input B is not popped by the asm, and that
3952 the asm pushes a result onto the reg-stack, i.e., the stack is one
3953 deeper after the asm than it was before. But, it is possible that
3954 reload will think that it can use the same reg for both the input and
3955 the output, if input B dies in this insn.
3957 If any input operand uses the @code{f} constraint, all output reg
3958 constraints must use the @code{&} earlyclobber.
3960 The asm above would be written as
3963 asm ("foo" : "=&t" (a) : "f" (b));
3967 Some operands need to be in particular places on the stack. All
3968 output operands fall in this category---there is no other way to
3969 know which regs the outputs appear in unless the user indicates
3970 this in the constraints.
3972 Output operands must specifically indicate which reg an output
3973 appears in after an asm. @code{=f} is not allowed: the operand
3974 constraints must select a class with a single reg.
3977 Output operands may not be ``inserted'' between existing stack regs.
3978 Since no 387 opcode uses a read/write operand, all output operands
3979 are dead before the asm_operands, and are pushed by the asm_operands.
3980 It makes no sense to push anywhere but the top of the reg-stack.
3982 Output operands must start at the top of the reg-stack: output
3983 operands may not ``skip'' a reg.
3986 Some asm statements may need extra stack space for internal
3987 calculations. This can be guaranteed by clobbering stack registers
3988 unrelated to the inputs and outputs.
3992 Here are a couple of reasonable asms to want to write. This asm
3993 takes one input, which is internally popped, and produces two outputs.
3996 asm ("fsincos" : "=t" (cos), "=u" (sin) : "0" (inp));
3999 This asm takes two inputs, which are popped by the @code{fyl2xp1} opcode,
4000 and replaces them with one output. The user must code the @code{st(1)}
4001 clobber for reg-stack.c to know that @code{fyl2xp1} pops both inputs.
4004 asm ("fyl2xp1" : "=t" (result) : "0" (x), "u" (y) : "st(1)");
4010 @section Controlling Names Used in Assembler Code
4011 @cindex assembler names for identifiers
4012 @cindex names used in assembler code
4013 @cindex identifiers, names in assembler code
4015 You can specify the name to be used in the assembler code for a C
4016 function or variable by writing the @code{asm} (or @code{__asm__})
4017 keyword after the declarator as follows:
4020 int foo asm ("myfoo") = 2;
4024 This specifies that the name to be used for the variable @code{foo} in
4025 the assembler code should be @samp{myfoo} rather than the usual
4028 On systems where an underscore is normally prepended to the name of a C
4029 function or variable, this feature allows you to define names for the
4030 linker that do not start with an underscore.
4032 It does not make sense to use this feature with a non-static local
4033 variable since such variables do not have assembler names. If you are
4034 trying to put the variable in a particular register, see @ref{Explicit
4035 Reg Vars}. GCC presently accepts such code with a warning, but will
4036 probably be changed to issue an error, rather than a warning, in the
4039 You cannot use @code{asm} in this way in a function @emph{definition}; but
4040 you can get the same effect by writing a declaration for the function
4041 before its definition and putting @code{asm} there, like this:
4044 extern func () asm ("FUNC");
4051 It is up to you to make sure that the assembler names you choose do not
4052 conflict with any other assembler symbols. Also, you must not use a
4053 register name; that would produce completely invalid assembler code. GCC
4054 does not as yet have the ability to store static variables in registers.
4055 Perhaps that will be added.
4057 @node Explicit Reg Vars
4058 @section Variables in Specified Registers
4059 @cindex explicit register variables
4060 @cindex variables in specified registers
4061 @cindex specified registers
4062 @cindex registers, global allocation
4064 GNU C allows you to put a few global variables into specified hardware
4065 registers. You can also specify the register in which an ordinary
4066 register variable should be allocated.
4070 Global register variables reserve registers throughout the program.
4071 This may be useful in programs such as programming language
4072 interpreters which have a couple of global variables that are accessed
4076 Local register variables in specific registers do not reserve the
4077 registers. The compiler's data flow analysis is capable of determining
4078 where the specified registers contain live values, and where they are
4079 available for other uses. Stores into local register variables may be deleted
4080 when they appear to be dead according to dataflow analysis. References
4081 to local register variables may be deleted or moved or simplified.
4083 These local variables are sometimes convenient for use with the extended
4084 @code{asm} feature (@pxref{Extended Asm}), if you want to write one
4085 output of the assembler instruction directly into a particular register.
4086 (This will work provided the register you specify fits the constraints
4087 specified for that operand in the @code{asm}.)
4095 @node Global Reg Vars
4096 @subsection Defining Global Register Variables
4097 @cindex global register variables
4098 @cindex registers, global variables in
4100 You can define a global register variable in GNU C like this:
4103 register int *foo asm ("a5");
4107 Here @code{a5} is the name of the register which should be used. Choose a
4108 register which is normally saved and restored by function calls on your
4109 machine, so that library routines will not clobber it.
4111 Naturally the register name is cpu-dependent, so you would need to
4112 conditionalize your program according to cpu type. The register
4113 @code{a5} would be a good choice on a 68000 for a variable of pointer
4114 type. On machines with register windows, be sure to choose a ``global''
4115 register that is not affected magically by the function call mechanism.
4117 In addition, operating systems on one type of cpu may differ in how they
4118 name the registers; then you would need additional conditionals. For
4119 example, some 68000 operating systems call this register @code{%a5}.
4121 Eventually there may be a way of asking the compiler to choose a register
4122 automatically, but first we need to figure out how it should choose and
4123 how to enable you to guide the choice. No solution is evident.
4125 Defining a global register variable in a certain register reserves that
4126 register entirely for this use, at least within the current compilation.
4127 The register will not be allocated for any other purpose in the functions
4128 in the current compilation. The register will not be saved and restored by
4129 these functions. Stores into this register are never deleted even if they
4130 would appear to be dead, but references may be deleted or moved or
4133 It is not safe to access the global register variables from signal
4134 handlers, or from more than one thread of control, because the system
4135 library routines may temporarily use the register for other things (unless
4136 you recompile them specially for the task at hand).
4138 @cindex @code{qsort}, and global register variables
4139 It is not safe for one function that uses a global register variable to
4140 call another such function @code{foo} by way of a third function
4141 @code{lose} that was compiled without knowledge of this variable (i.e.@: in a
4142 different source file in which the variable wasn't declared). This is
4143 because @code{lose} might save the register and put some other value there.
4144 For example, you can't expect a global register variable to be available in
4145 the comparison-function that you pass to @code{qsort}, since @code{qsort}
4146 might have put something else in that register. (If you are prepared to
4147 recompile @code{qsort} with the same global register variable, you can
4148 solve this problem.)
4150 If you want to recompile @code{qsort} or other source files which do not
4151 actually use your global register variable, so that they will not use that
4152 register for any other purpose, then it suffices to specify the compiler
4153 option @option{-ffixed-@var{reg}}. You need not actually add a global
4154 register declaration to their source code.
4156 A function which can alter the value of a global register variable cannot
4157 safely be called from a function compiled without this variable, because it
4158 could clobber the value the caller expects to find there on return.
4159 Therefore, the function which is the entry point into the part of the
4160 program that uses the global register variable must explicitly save and
4161 restore the value which belongs to its caller.
4163 @cindex register variable after @code{longjmp}
4164 @cindex global register after @code{longjmp}
4165 @cindex value after @code{longjmp}
4168 On most machines, @code{longjmp} will restore to each global register
4169 variable the value it had at the time of the @code{setjmp}. On some
4170 machines, however, @code{longjmp} will not change the value of global
4171 register variables. To be portable, the function that called @code{setjmp}
4172 should make other arrangements to save the values of the global register
4173 variables, and to restore them in a @code{longjmp}. This way, the same
4174 thing will happen regardless of what @code{longjmp} does.
4176 All global register variable declarations must precede all function
4177 definitions. If such a declaration could appear after function
4178 definitions, the declaration would be too late to prevent the register from
4179 being used for other purposes in the preceding functions.
4181 Global register variables may not have initial values, because an
4182 executable file has no means to supply initial contents for a register.
4184 On the SPARC, there are reports that g3 @dots{} g7 are suitable
4185 registers, but certain library functions, such as @code{getwd}, as well
4186 as the subroutines for division and remainder, modify g3 and g4. g1 and
4187 g2 are local temporaries.
4189 On the 68000, a2 @dots{} a5 should be suitable, as should d2 @dots{} d7.
4190 Of course, it will not do to use more than a few of those.
4192 @node Local Reg Vars
4193 @subsection Specifying Registers for Local Variables
4194 @cindex local variables, specifying registers
4195 @cindex specifying registers for local variables
4196 @cindex registers for local variables
4198 You can define a local register variable with a specified register
4202 register int *foo asm ("a5");
4206 Here @code{a5} is the name of the register which should be used. Note
4207 that this is the same syntax used for defining global register
4208 variables, but for a local variable it would appear within a function.
4210 Naturally the register name is cpu-dependent, but this is not a
4211 problem, since specific registers are most often useful with explicit
4212 assembler instructions (@pxref{Extended Asm}). Both of these things
4213 generally require that you conditionalize your program according to
4216 In addition, operating systems on one type of cpu may differ in how they
4217 name the registers; then you would need additional conditionals. For
4218 example, some 68000 operating systems call this register @code{%a5}.
4220 Defining such a register variable does not reserve the register; it
4221 remains available for other uses in places where flow control determines
4222 the variable's value is not live. However, these registers are made
4223 unavailable for use in the reload pass; excessive use of this feature
4224 leaves the compiler too few available registers to compile certain
4227 This option does not guarantee that GCC will generate code that has
4228 this variable in the register you specify at all times. You may not
4229 code an explicit reference to this register in an @code{asm} statement
4230 and assume it will always refer to this variable.
4232 Stores into local register variables may be deleted when they appear to be dead
4233 according to dataflow analysis. References to local register variables may
4234 be deleted or moved or simplified.
4236 @node Alternate Keywords
4237 @section Alternate Keywords
4238 @cindex alternate keywords
4239 @cindex keywords, alternate
4241 @option{-ansi} and the various @option{-std} options disable certain
4242 keywords. This causes trouble when you want to use GNU C extensions, or
4243 a general-purpose header file that should be usable by all programs,
4244 including ISO C programs. The keywords @code{asm}, @code{typeof} and
4245 @code{inline} are not available in programs compiled with
4246 @option{-ansi} or @option{-std} (although @code{inline} can be used in a
4247 program compiled with @option{-std=c99}). The ISO C99 keyword
4248 @code{restrict} is only available when @option{-std=gnu99} (which will
4249 eventually be the default) or @option{-std=c99} (or the equivalent
4250 @option{-std=iso9899:1999}) is used.
4252 The way to solve these problems is to put @samp{__} at the beginning and
4253 end of each problematical keyword. For example, use @code{__asm__}
4254 instead of @code{asm}, and @code{__inline__} instead of @code{inline}.
4256 Other C compilers won't accept these alternative keywords; if you want to
4257 compile with another compiler, you can define the alternate keywords as
4258 macros to replace them with the customary keywords. It looks like this:
4266 @findex __extension__
4268 @option{-pedantic} and other options cause warnings for many GNU C extensions.
4270 prevent such warnings within one expression by writing
4271 @code{__extension__} before the expression. @code{__extension__} has no
4272 effect aside from this.
4274 @node Incomplete Enums
4275 @section Incomplete @code{enum} Types
4277 You can define an @code{enum} tag without specifying its possible values.
4278 This results in an incomplete type, much like what you get if you write
4279 @code{struct foo} without describing the elements. A later declaration
4280 which does specify the possible values completes the type.
4282 You can't allocate variables or storage using the type while it is
4283 incomplete. However, you can work with pointers to that type.
4285 This extension may not be very useful, but it makes the handling of
4286 @code{enum} more consistent with the way @code{struct} and @code{union}
4289 This extension is not supported by GNU C++.
4291 @node Function Names
4292 @section Function Names as Strings
4293 @cindex @code{__FUNCTION__} identifier
4294 @cindex @code{__PRETTY_FUNCTION__} identifier
4295 @cindex @code{__func__} identifier
4297 GCC predefines two magic identifiers to hold the name of the current
4298 function. The identifier @code{__FUNCTION__} holds the name of the function
4299 as it appears in the source. The identifier @code{__PRETTY_FUNCTION__}
4300 holds the name of the function pretty printed in a language specific
4303 These names are always the same in a C function, but in a C++ function
4304 they may be different. For example, this program:
4308 extern int printf (char *, ...);
4315 printf ("__FUNCTION__ = %s\n", __FUNCTION__);
4316 printf ("__PRETTY_FUNCTION__ = %s\n", __PRETTY_FUNCTION__);
4334 __PRETTY_FUNCTION__ = int a::sub (int)
4337 The compiler automagically replaces the identifiers with a string
4338 literal containing the appropriate name. Thus, they are neither
4339 preprocessor macros, like @code{__FILE__} and @code{__LINE__}, nor
4340 variables. This means that they catenate with other string literals, and
4341 that they can be used to initialize char arrays. For example
4344 char here[] = "Function " __FUNCTION__ " in " __FILE__;
4347 On the other hand, @samp{#ifdef __FUNCTION__} does not have any special
4348 meaning inside a function, since the preprocessor does not do anything
4349 special with the identifier @code{__FUNCTION__}.
4351 Note that these semantics are deprecated, and that GCC 3.2 will handle
4352 @code{__FUNCTION__} and @code{__PRETTY_FUNCTION__} the same way as
4353 @code{__func__}. @code{__func__} is defined by the ISO standard C99:
4356 The identifier @code{__func__} is implicitly declared by the translator
4357 as if, immediately following the opening brace of each function
4358 definition, the declaration
4361 static const char __func__[] = "function-name";
4364 appeared, where function-name is the name of the lexically-enclosing
4365 function. This name is the unadorned name of the function.
4368 By this definition, @code{__func__} is a variable, not a string literal.
4369 In particular, @code{__func__} does not catenate with other string
4372 In @code{C++}, @code{__FUNCTION__} and @code{__PRETTY_FUNCTION__} are
4373 variables, declared in the same way as @code{__func__}.
4375 @node Return Address
4376 @section Getting the Return or Frame Address of a Function
4378 These functions may be used to get information about the callers of a
4381 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} {void *} __builtin_return_address (unsigned int @var{level})
4382 This function returns the return address of the current function, or of
4383 one of its callers. The @var{level} argument is number of frames to
4384 scan up the call stack. A value of @code{0} yields the return address
4385 of the current function, a value of @code{1} yields the return address
4386 of the caller of the current function, and so forth. When inlining
4387 the expected behavior is that the function will return the address of
4388 the function that will be returned to. To work around this behavior use
4389 the @code{noinline} function attribute.
4391 The @var{level} argument must be a constant integer.
4393 On some machines it may be impossible to determine the return address of
4394 any function other than the current one; in such cases, or when the top
4395 of the stack has been reached, this function will return @code{0} or a
4396 random value. In addition, @code{__builtin_frame_address} may be used
4397 to determine if the top of the stack has been reached.
4399 This function should only be used with a nonzero argument for debugging
4403 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} {void *} __builtin_frame_address (unsigned int @var{level})
4404 This function is similar to @code{__builtin_return_address}, but it
4405 returns the address of the function frame rather than the return address
4406 of the function. Calling @code{__builtin_frame_address} with a value of
4407 @code{0} yields the frame address of the current function, a value of
4408 @code{1} yields the frame address of the caller of the current function,
4411 The frame is the area on the stack which holds local variables and saved
4412 registers. The frame address is normally the address of the first word
4413 pushed on to the stack by the function. However, the exact definition
4414 depends upon the processor and the calling convention. If the processor
4415 has a dedicated frame pointer register, and the function has a frame,
4416 then @code{__builtin_frame_address} will return the value of the frame
4419 On some machines it may be impossible to determine the frame address of
4420 any function other than the current one; in such cases, or when the top
4421 of the stack has been reached, this function will return @code{0} if
4422 the first frame pointer is properly initialized by the startup code.
4424 This function should only be used with a nonzero argument for debugging
4428 @node Vector Extensions
4429 @section Using vector instructions through built-in functions
4431 On some targets, the instruction set contains SIMD vector instructions that
4432 operate on multiple values contained in one large register at the same time.
4433 For example, on the i386 the MMX, 3Dnow! and SSE extensions can be used
4436 The first step in using these extensions is to provide the necessary data
4437 types. This should be done using an appropriate @code{typedef}:
4440 typedef int v4si __attribute__ ((mode(V4SI)));
4443 The base type @code{int} is effectively ignored by the compiler, the
4444 actual properties of the new type @code{v4si} are defined by the
4445 @code{__attribute__}. It defines the machine mode to be used; for vector
4446 types these have the form @code{V@var{n}@var{B}}; @var{n} should be the
4447 number of elements in the vector, and @var{B} should be the base mode of the
4448 individual elements. The following can be used as base modes:
4452 An integer that is as wide as the smallest addressable unit, usually 8 bits.
4454 An integer, twice as wide as a QI mode integer, usually 16 bits.
4456 An integer, four times as wide as a QI mode integer, usually 32 bits.
4458 An integer, eight times as wide as a QI mode integer, usually 64 bits.
4460 A floating point value, as wide as a SI mode integer, usually 32 bits.
4462 A floating point value, as wide as a DI mode integer, usually 64 bits.
4465 Specifying a combination that is not valid for the current architecture
4466 will cause gcc to synthesize the instructions using a narrower mode.
4467 For example, if you specify a variable of type @code{V4SI} and your
4468 architecture does not allow for this specific SIMD type, gcc will
4469 produce code that uses 4 @code{SIs}.
4471 The types defined in this manner can be used with a subset of normal C
4472 operations. Currently, gcc will allow using the following operators on
4473 these types: @code{+, -, *, /, unary minus}@.
4475 The operations behave like C++ @code{valarrays}. Addition is defined as
4476 the addition of the corresponding elements of the operands. For
4477 example, in the code below, each of the 4 elements in @var{a} will be
4478 added to the corresponding 4 elements in @var{b} and the resulting
4479 vector will be stored in @var{c}.
4482 typedef int v4si __attribute__ ((mode(V4SI)));
4489 Subtraction, multiplication, and division operate in a similar manner.
4490 Likewise, the result of using the unary minus operator on a vector type
4491 is a vector whose elements are the negative value of the corresponding
4492 elements in the operand.
4494 You can declare variables and use them in function calls and returns, as
4495 well as in assignments and some casts. You can specify a vector type as
4496 a return type for a function. Vector types can also be used as function
4497 arguments. It is possible to cast from one vector type to another,
4498 provided they are of the same size (in fact, you can also cast vectors
4499 to and from other datatypes of the same size).
4501 You cannot operate between vectors of different lengths or different
4502 signedness without a cast.
4504 A port that supports hardware vector operations, usually provides a set
4505 of built-in functions that can be used to operate on vectors. For
4506 example, a function to add two vectors and multiply the result by a
4507 third could look like this:
4510 v4si f (v4si a, v4si b, v4si c)
4512 v4si tmp = __builtin_addv4si (a, b);
4513 return __builtin_mulv4si (tmp, c);
4518 @node Other Builtins
4519 @section Other built-in functions provided by GCC
4520 @cindex built-in functions
4521 @findex __builtin_isgreater
4522 @findex __builtin_isgreaterequal
4523 @findex __builtin_isless
4524 @findex __builtin_islessequal
4525 @findex __builtin_islessgreater
4526 @findex __builtin_isunordered
4555 @findex fprintf_unlocked
4557 @findex fputs_unlocked
4569 @findex printf_unlocked
4606 GCC provides a large number of built-in functions other than the ones
4607 mentioned above. Some of these are for internal use in the processing
4608 of exceptions or variable-length argument lists and will not be
4609 documented here because they may change from time to time; we do not
4610 recommend general use of these functions.
4612 The remaining functions are provided for optimization purposes.
4614 @opindex fno-builtin
4615 GCC includes built-in versions of many of the functions in the standard
4616 C library. The versions prefixed with @code{__builtin_} will always be
4617 treated as having the same meaning as the C library function even if you
4618 specify the @option{-fno-builtin} option. (@pxref{C Dialect Options})
4619 Many of these functions are only optimized in certain cases; if they are
4620 not optimized in a particular case, a call to the library function will
4625 The functions @code{abort}, @code{exit}, @code{_Exit} and @code{_exit}
4626 are recognized and presumed not to return, but otherwise are not built
4627 in. @code{_exit} is not recognized in strict ISO C mode (@option{-ansi},
4628 @option{-std=c89} or @option{-std=c99}). @code{_Exit} is not recognized in
4629 strict C89 mode (@option{-ansi} or @option{-std=c89}). All these functions
4630 have corresponding versions prefixed with @code{__builtin_}, which may be
4631 used even in strict C89 mode.
4633 Outside strict ISO C mode, the functions @code{alloca}, @code{bcmp},
4634 @code{bzero}, @code{index}, @code{rindex}, @code{ffs}, @code{fputs_unlocked},
4635 @code{printf_unlocked} and @code{fprintf_unlocked} may be handled as
4636 built-in functions. All these functions have corresponding versions
4637 prefixed with @code{__builtin_}, which may be used even in strict C89
4640 The ISO C99 functions @code{conj}, @code{conjf}, @code{conjl}, @code{creal},
4641 @code{crealf}, @code{creall}, @code{cimag}, @code{cimagf}, @code{cimagl},
4642 @code{llabs}, @code{imaxabs}, @code{round}, @code{trunc}, @code{nearbyint},
4643 @code{roundf}, @code{truncf}, @code{nearbyintf}, @code{roundl}, @code{truncl} and
4644 @code{nearbyintl} are handled as built-in functions except in strict ISO C90 mode.
4645 There are also built-in versions of the ISO C99 functions @code{cosf},
4646 @code{cosl}, @code{expf}, @code{expl}, @code{fabsf}, @code{fabsl}, @code{logf},
4647 @code{logl}, @code{sinf}, @code{sinl}, @code{sqrtf}, @code{sqrtl},
4648 @code{ceilf}, @code{ceill}, @code{floorf} and @code{floorl} that are recognized
4649 in any mode since ISO C90 reserves these names for the purpose to which ISO C99
4650 puts them. All these functions have corresponding versions prefixed with
4653 The ISO C90 functions @code{abs}, @code{cos}, @code{exp}, @code{fabs},
4654 @code{fprintf}, @code{fputs}, @code{labs}, @code{log}, @code{floor},
4655 @code{ceil} @code{memcmp}, @code{memcpy}, @code{memset}, @code{printf},
4656 @code{sin}, @code{sqrt}, @code{strcat}, @code{strchr}, @code{strcmp},
4657 @code{strcpy}, @code{strcspn}, @code{strlen}, @code{strncat}, @code{strncmp},
4658 @code{strncpy}, @code{strpbrk}, @code{strrchr}, @code{strspn}, and
4659 @code{strstr} are all recognized as built-in functions unless
4660 @option{-fno-builtin} is specified (or @option{-fno-builtin-@var{function}} is
4661 specified for an individual function). All of these functions have
4662 corresponding versions prefixed with @code{__builtin_}.
4664 GCC provides built-in versions of the ISO C99 floating point comparison
4665 macros that avoid raising exceptions for unordered operands. They have
4666 the same names as the standard macros ( @code{isgreater},
4667 @code{isgreaterequal}, @code{isless}, @code{islessequal},
4668 @code{islessgreater}, and @code{isunordered}) , with @code{__builtin_}
4669 prefixed. We intend for a library implementor to be able to simply
4670 @code{#define} each standard macro to its built-in equivalent.
4672 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_types_compatible_p (@var{type1}, @var{type2})
4674 You can use the built-in function @code{__builtin_types_compatible_p} to
4675 determine whether two types are the same.
4677 This built-in function returns 1 if the unqualified versions of the
4678 types @var{type1} and @var{type2} (which are types, not expressions) are
4679 compatible, 0 otherwise. The result of this built-in function can be
4680 used in integer constant expressions.
4682 This built-in function ignores top level qualifiers (e.g., @code{const},
4683 @code{volatile}). For example, @code{int} is equivalent to @code{const
4686 The type @code{int[]} and @code{int[5]} are compatible. On the other
4687 hand, @code{int} and @code{char *} are not compatible, even if the size
4688 of their types, on the particular architecture are the same. Also, the
4689 amount of pointer indirection is taken into account when determining
4690 similarity. Consequently, @code{short *} is not similar to
4691 @code{short **}. Furthermore, two types that are typedefed are
4692 considered compatible if their underlying types are compatible.
4694 An @code{enum} type is considered to be compatible with another
4695 @code{enum} type. For example, @code{enum @{foo, bar@}} is similar to
4696 @code{enum @{hot, dog@}}.
4698 You would typically use this function in code whose execution varies
4699 depending on the arguments' types. For example:
4705 if (__builtin_types_compatible_p (typeof (x), long double)) \
4706 tmp = foo_long_double (tmp); \
4707 else if (__builtin_types_compatible_p (typeof (x), double)) \
4708 tmp = foo_double (tmp); \
4709 else if (__builtin_types_compatible_p (typeof (x), float)) \
4710 tmp = foo_float (tmp); \
4717 @emph{Note:} This construct is only available for C.
4721 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} @var{type} __builtin_choose_expr (@var{const_exp}, @var{exp1}, @var{exp2})
4723 You can use the built-in function @code{__builtin_choose_expr} to
4724 evaluate code depending on the value of a constant expression. This
4725 built-in function returns @var{exp1} if @var{const_exp}, which is a
4726 constant expression that must be able to be determined at compile time,
4727 is nonzero. Otherwise it returns 0.
4729 This built-in function is analogous to the @samp{? :} operator in C,
4730 except that the expression returned has its type unaltered by promotion
4731 rules. Also, the built-in function does not evaluate the expression
4732 that was not chosen. For example, if @var{const_exp} evaluates to true,
4733 @var{exp2} is not evaluated even if it has side-effects.
4735 This built-in function can return an lvalue if the chosen argument is an
4738 If @var{exp1} is returned, the return type is the same as @var{exp1}'s
4739 type. Similarly, if @var{exp2} is returned, its return type is the same
4746 __builtin_choose_expr ( \
4747 __builtin_types_compatible_p (typeof (x), double), \
4749 __builtin_choose_expr ( \
4750 __builtin_types_compatible_p (typeof (x), float), \
4752 /* @r{The void expression results in a compile-time error} \
4753 @r{when assigning the result to something.} */ \
4757 @emph{Note:} This construct is only available for C. Furthermore, the
4758 unused expression (@var{exp1} or @var{exp2} depending on the value of
4759 @var{const_exp}) may still generate syntax errors. This may change in
4764 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_constant_p (@var{exp})
4765 You can use the built-in function @code{__builtin_constant_p} to
4766 determine if a value is known to be constant at compile-time and hence
4767 that GCC can perform constant-folding on expressions involving that
4768 value. The argument of the function is the value to test. The function
4769 returns the integer 1 if the argument is known to be a compile-time
4770 constant and 0 if it is not known to be a compile-time constant. A
4771 return of 0 does not indicate that the value is @emph{not} a constant,
4772 but merely that GCC cannot prove it is a constant with the specified
4773 value of the @option{-O} option.
4775 You would typically use this function in an embedded application where
4776 memory was a critical resource. If you have some complex calculation,
4777 you may want it to be folded if it involves constants, but need to call
4778 a function if it does not. For example:
4781 #define Scale_Value(X) \
4782 (__builtin_constant_p (X) \
4783 ? ((X) * SCALE + OFFSET) : Scale (X))
4786 You may use this built-in function in either a macro or an inline
4787 function. However, if you use it in an inlined function and pass an
4788 argument of the function as the argument to the built-in, GCC will
4789 never return 1 when you call the inline function with a string constant
4790 or compound literal (@pxref{Compound Literals}) and will not return 1
4791 when you pass a constant numeric value to the inline function unless you
4792 specify the @option{-O} option.
4794 You may also use @code{__builtin_constant_p} in initializers for static
4795 data. For instance, you can write
4798 static const int table[] = @{
4799 __builtin_constant_p (EXPRESSION) ? (EXPRESSION) : -1,
4805 This is an acceptable initializer even if @var{EXPRESSION} is not a
4806 constant expression. GCC must be more conservative about evaluating the
4807 built-in in this case, because it has no opportunity to perform
4810 Previous versions of GCC did not accept this built-in in data
4811 initializers. The earliest version where it is completely safe is
4815 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} long __builtin_expect (long @var{exp}, long @var{c})
4816 @opindex fprofile-arcs
4817 You may use @code{__builtin_expect} to provide the compiler with
4818 branch prediction information. In general, you should prefer to
4819 use actual profile feedback for this (@option{-fprofile-arcs}), as
4820 programmers are notoriously bad at predicting how their programs
4821 actually perform. However, there are applications in which this
4822 data is hard to collect.
4824 The return value is the value of @var{exp}, which should be an
4825 integral expression. The value of @var{c} must be a compile-time
4826 constant. The semantics of the built-in are that it is expected
4827 that @var{exp} == @var{c}. For example:
4830 if (__builtin_expect (x, 0))
4835 would indicate that we do not expect to call @code{foo}, since
4836 we expect @code{x} to be zero. Since you are limited to integral
4837 expressions for @var{exp}, you should use constructions such as
4840 if (__builtin_expect (ptr != NULL, 1))
4845 when testing pointer or floating-point values.
4848 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} void __builtin_prefetch (const void *@var{addr}, ...)
4849 This function is used to minimize cache-miss latency by moving data into
4850 a cache before it is accessed.
4851 You can insert calls to @code{__builtin_prefetch} into code for which
4852 you know addresses of data in memory that is likely to be accessed soon.
4853 If the target supports them, data prefetch instructions will be generated.
4854 If the prefetch is done early enough before the access then the data will
4855 be in the cache by the time it is accessed.
4857 The value of @var{addr} is the address of the memory to prefetch.
4858 There are two optional arguments, @var{rw} and @var{locality}.
4859 The value of @var{rw} is a compile-time constant one or zero; one
4860 means that the prefetch is preparing for a write to the memory address
4861 and zero, the default, means that the prefetch is preparing for a read.
4862 The value @var{locality} must be a compile-time constant integer between
4863 zero and three. A value of zero means that the data has no temporal
4864 locality, so it need not be left in the cache after the access. A value
4865 of three means that the data has a high degree of temporal locality and
4866 should be left in all levels of cache possible. Values of one and two
4867 mean, respectively, a low or moderate degree of temporal locality. The
4871 for (i = 0; i < n; i++)
4874 __builtin_prefetch (&a[i+j], 1, 1);
4875 __builtin_prefetch (&b[i+j], 0, 1);
4880 Data prefetch does not generate faults if @var{addr} is invalid, but
4881 the address expression itself must be valid. For example, a prefetch
4882 of @code{p->next} will not fault if @code{p->next} is not a valid
4883 address, but evaluation will fault if @code{p} is not a valid address.
4885 If the target does not support data prefetch, the address expression
4886 is evaluated if it includes side effects but no other code is generated
4887 and GCC does not issue a warning.
4890 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} double __builtin_huge_val (void)
4891 Returns a positive infinity, if supported by the floating-point format,
4892 else @code{DBL_MAX}. This function is suitable for implementing the
4893 ISO C macro @code{HUGE_VAL}.
4896 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} float __builtin_huge_valf (void)
4897 Similar to @code{__builtin_huge_val}, except the return type is @code{float}.
4900 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} long double __builtin_huge_vall (void)
4901 Similar to @code{__builtin_huge_val}, except the return
4902 type is @code{long double}.
4905 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} double __builtin_inf (void)
4906 Similar to @code{__builtin_huge_val}, except a warning is generated
4907 if the target floating-point format does not support infinities.
4908 This function is suitable for implementing the ISO C99 macro @code{INFINITY}.
4911 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} float __builtin_inff (void)
4912 Similar to @code{__builtin_inf}, except the return type is @code{float}.
4915 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} long double __builtin_infl (void)
4916 Similar to @code{__builtin_inf}, except the return
4917 type is @code{long double}.
4920 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} double __builtin_nan (const char *str)
4921 This is an implementation of the ISO C99 function @code{nan}.
4923 Since ISO C99 defines this function in terms of @code{strtod}, which we
4924 do not implement, a description of the parsing is in order. The string
4925 is parsed as by @code{strtol}; that is, the base is recognized by
4926 leading @samp{0} or @samp{0x} prefixes. The number parsed is placed
4927 in the significand such that the least significant bit of the number
4928 is at the least significant bit of the significand. The number is
4929 truncated to fit the significand field provided. The significand is
4930 forced to be a quiet NaN.
4932 This function, if given a string literal, is evaluated early enough
4933 that it is considered a compile-time constant.
4936 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} float __builtin_nanf (const char *str)
4937 Similar to @code{__builtin_nan}, except the return type is @code{float}.
4940 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} long double __builtin_nanl (const char *str)
4941 Similar to @code{__builtin_nan}, except the return type is @code{long double}.
4944 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} double __builtin_nans (const char *str)
4945 Similar to @code{__builtin_nan}, except the significand is forced
4946 to be a signaling NaN. The @code{nans} function is proposed by
4947 @uref{http://std.dkuug.dk/JTC1/SC22/WG14/www/docs/n965.htm,,WG14 N965}.
4950 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} float __builtin_nansf (const char *str)
4951 Similar to @code{__builtin_nans}, except the return type is @code{float}.
4954 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} long double __builtin_nansl (const char *str)
4955 Similar to @code{__builtin_nans}, except the return type is @code{long double}.
4958 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_ffs (unsigned int x)
4959 Returns one plus the index of the least significant 1-bit of @var{x}, or
4960 if @var{x} is zero, returns zero.
4963 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_clz (unsigned int x)
4964 Returns the number of leading 0-bits in @var{x}, starting at the most
4965 significant bit position. If @var{x} is 0, the result is undefined.
4968 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_ctz (unsigned int x)
4969 Returns the number of trailing 0-bits in @var{x}, starting at the least
4970 significant bit position. If @var{x} is 0, the result is undefined.
4973 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_popcount (unsigned int x)
4974 Returns the number of 1-bits in @var{x}.
4977 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_parity (unsigned int x)
4978 Returns the parity of @var{x}, i.@:e. the number of 1-bits in @var{x}
4982 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_ffsl (unsigned long)
4983 Similar to @code{__builtin_ffs}, except the argument type is
4984 @code{unsigned long}.
4987 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_clzl (unsigned long)
4988 Similar to @code{__builtin_clz}, except the argument type is
4989 @code{unsigned long}.
4992 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_ctzl (unsigned long)
4993 Similar to @code{__builtin_ctz}, except the argument type is
4994 @code{unsigned long}.
4997 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_popcountl (unsigned long)
4998 Similar to @code{__builtin_popcount}, except the argument type is
4999 @code{unsigned long}.
5002 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_parityl (unsigned long)
5003 Similar to @code{__builtin_parity}, except the argument type is
5004 @code{unsigned long}.
5007 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_ffsll (unsigned long long)
5008 Similar to @code{__builtin_ffs}, except the argument type is
5009 @code{unsigned long long}.
5012 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_clzll (unsigned long long)
5013 Similar to @code{__builtin_clz}, except the argument type is
5014 @code{unsigned long long}.
5017 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_ctzll (unsigned long long)
5018 Similar to @code{__builtin_ctz}, except the argument type is
5019 @code{unsigned long long}.
5022 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_popcountll (unsigned long long)
5023 Similar to @code{__builtin_popcount}, except the argument type is
5024 @code{unsigned long long}.
5027 @deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_parityll (unsigned long long)
5028 Similar to @code{__builtin_parity}, except the argument type is
5029 @code{unsigned long long}.
5033 @node Target Builtins
5034 @section Built-in Functions Specific to Particular Target Machines
5036 On some target machines, GCC supports many built-in functions specific
5037 to those machines. Generally these generate calls to specific machine
5038 instructions, but allow the compiler to schedule those calls.
5041 * Alpha Built-in Functions::
5042 * X86 Built-in Functions::
5043 * PowerPC AltiVec Built-in Functions::
5046 @node Alpha Built-in Functions
5047 @subsection Alpha Built-in Functions
5049 These built-in functions are available for the Alpha family of
5050 processors, depending on the command-line switches used.
5052 The following built-in functions are always available. They
5053 all generate the machine instruction that is part of the name.
5056 long __builtin_alpha_implver (void)
5057 long __builtin_alpha_rpcc (void)
5058 long __builtin_alpha_amask (long)
5059 long __builtin_alpha_cmpbge (long, long)
5060 long __builtin_alpha_extbl (long, long)
5061 long __builtin_alpha_extwl (long, long)
5062 long __builtin_alpha_extll (long, long)
5063 long __builtin_alpha_extql (long, long)
5064 long __builtin_alpha_extwh (long, long)
5065 long __builtin_alpha_extlh (long, long)
5066 long __builtin_alpha_extqh (long, long)
5067 long __builtin_alpha_insbl (long, long)
5068 long __builtin_alpha_inswl (long, long)
5069 long __builtin_alpha_insll (long, long)
5070 long __builtin_alpha_insql (long, long)
5071 long __builtin_alpha_inswh (long, long)
5072 long __builtin_alpha_inslh (long, long)
5073 long __builtin_alpha_insqh (long, long)
5074 long __builtin_alpha_mskbl (long, long)
5075 long __builtin_alpha_mskwl (long, long)
5076 long __builtin_alpha_mskll (long, long)
5077 long __builtin_alpha_mskql (long, long)
5078 long __builtin_alpha_mskwh (long, long)
5079 long __builtin_alpha_msklh (long, long)
5080 long __builtin_alpha_mskqh (long, long)
5081 long __builtin_alpha_umulh (long, long)
5082 long __builtin_alpha_zap (long, long)
5083 long __builtin_alpha_zapnot (long, long)
5086 The following built-in functions are always with @option{-mmax}
5087 or @option{-mcpu=@var{cpu}} where @var{cpu} is @code{pca56} or
5088 later. They all generate the machine instruction that is part
5092 long __builtin_alpha_pklb (long)
5093 long __builtin_alpha_pkwb (long)
5094 long __builtin_alpha_unpkbl (long)
5095 long __builtin_alpha_unpkbw (long)
5096 long __builtin_alpha_minub8 (long, long)
5097 long __builtin_alpha_minsb8 (long, long)
5098 long __builtin_alpha_minuw4 (long, long)
5099 long __builtin_alpha_minsw4 (long, long)
5100 long __builtin_alpha_maxub8 (long, long)
5101 long __builtin_alpha_maxsb8 (long, long)
5102 long __builtin_alpha_maxuw4 (long, long)
5103 long __builtin_alpha_maxsw4 (long, long)
5104 long __builtin_alpha_perr (long, long)
5107 The following built-in functions are always with @option{-mcix}
5108 or @option{-mcpu=@var{cpu}} where @var{cpu} is @code{ev67} or
5109 later. They all generate the machine instruction that is part
5113 long __builtin_alpha_cttz (long)
5114 long __builtin_alpha_ctlz (long)
5115 long __builtin_alpha_ctpop (long)
5118 The following builtins are available on systems that use the OSF/1
5119 PALcode. Normally they invoke the @code{rduniq} and @code{wruniq}
5120 PAL calls, but when invoked with @option{-mtls-kernel}, they invoke
5121 @code{rdval} and @code{wrval}.
5124 void *__builtin_thread_pointer (void)
5125 void __builtin_set_thread_pointer (void *)
5128 @node X86 Built-in Functions
5129 @subsection X86 Built-in Functions
5131 These built-in functions are available for the i386 and x86-64 family
5132 of computers, depending on the command-line switches used.
5134 The following machine modes are available for use with MMX built-in functions
5135 (@pxref{Vector Extensions}): @code{V2SI} for a vector of two 32-bit integers,
5136 @code{V4HI} for a vector of four 16-bit integers, and @code{V8QI} for a
5137 vector of eight 8-bit integers. Some of the built-in functions operate on
5138 MMX registers as a whole 64-bit entity, these use @code{DI} as their mode.
5140 If 3Dnow extensions are enabled, @code{V2SF} is used as a mode for a vector
5141 of two 32-bit floating point values.
5143 If SSE extensions are enabled, @code{V4SF} is used for a vector of four 32-bit
5144 floating point values. Some instructions use a vector of four 32-bit
5145 integers, these use @code{V4SI}. Finally, some instructions operate on an
5146 entire vector register, interpreting it as a 128-bit integer, these use mode
5149 The following built-in functions are made available by @option{-mmmx}.
5150 All of them generate the machine instruction that is part of the name.
5153 v8qi __builtin_ia32_paddb (v8qi, v8qi)
5154 v4hi __builtin_ia32_paddw (v4hi, v4hi)
5155 v2si __builtin_ia32_paddd (v2si, v2si)
5156 v8qi __builtin_ia32_psubb (v8qi, v8qi)
5157 v4hi __builtin_ia32_psubw (v4hi, v4hi)
5158 v2si __builtin_ia32_psubd (v2si, v2si)
5159 v8qi __builtin_ia32_paddsb (v8qi, v8qi)
5160 v4hi __builtin_ia32_paddsw (v4hi, v4hi)
5161 v8qi __builtin_ia32_psubsb (v8qi, v8qi)
5162 v4hi __builtin_ia32_psubsw (v4hi, v4hi)
5163 v8qi __builtin_ia32_paddusb (v8qi, v8qi)
5164 v4hi __builtin_ia32_paddusw (v4hi, v4hi)
5165 v8qi __builtin_ia32_psubusb (v8qi, v8qi)
5166 v4hi __builtin_ia32_psubusw (v4hi, v4hi)
5167 v4hi __builtin_ia32_pmullw (v4hi, v4hi)
5168 v4hi __builtin_ia32_pmulhw (v4hi, v4hi)
5169 di __builtin_ia32_pand (di, di)
5170 di __builtin_ia32_pandn (di,di)
5171 di __builtin_ia32_por (di, di)
5172 di __builtin_ia32_pxor (di, di)
5173 v8qi __builtin_ia32_pcmpeqb (v8qi, v8qi)
5174 v4hi __builtin_ia32_pcmpeqw (v4hi, v4hi)
5175 v2si __builtin_ia32_pcmpeqd (v2si, v2si)
5176 v8qi __builtin_ia32_pcmpgtb (v8qi, v8qi)
5177 v4hi __builtin_ia32_pcmpgtw (v4hi, v4hi)
5178 v2si __builtin_ia32_pcmpgtd (v2si, v2si)
5179 v8qi __builtin_ia32_punpckhbw (v8qi, v8qi)
5180 v4hi __builtin_ia32_punpckhwd (v4hi, v4hi)
5181 v2si __builtin_ia32_punpckhdq (v2si, v2si)
5182 v8qi __builtin_ia32_punpcklbw (v8qi, v8qi)
5183 v4hi __builtin_ia32_punpcklwd (v4hi, v4hi)
5184 v2si __builtin_ia32_punpckldq (v2si, v2si)
5185 v8qi __builtin_ia32_packsswb (v4hi, v4hi)
5186 v4hi __builtin_ia32_packssdw (v2si, v2si)
5187 v8qi __builtin_ia32_packuswb (v4hi, v4hi)
5190 The following built-in functions are made available either with
5191 @option{-msse}, or with a combination of @option{-m3dnow} and
5192 @option{-march=athlon}. All of them generate the machine
5193 instruction that is part of the name.
5196 v4hi __builtin_ia32_pmulhuw (v4hi, v4hi)
5197 v8qi __builtin_ia32_pavgb (v8qi, v8qi)
5198 v4hi __builtin_ia32_pavgw (v4hi, v4hi)
5199 v4hi __builtin_ia32_psadbw (v8qi, v8qi)
5200 v8qi __builtin_ia32_pmaxub (v8qi, v8qi)
5201 v4hi __builtin_ia32_pmaxsw (v4hi, v4hi)
5202 v8qi __builtin_ia32_pminub (v8qi, v8qi)
5203 v4hi __builtin_ia32_pminsw (v4hi, v4hi)
5204 int __builtin_ia32_pextrw (v4hi, int)
5205 v4hi __builtin_ia32_pinsrw (v4hi, int, int)
5206 int __builtin_ia32_pmovmskb (v8qi)
5207 void __builtin_ia32_maskmovq (v8qi, v8qi, char *)
5208 void __builtin_ia32_movntq (di *, di)
5209 void __builtin_ia32_sfence (void)
5212 The following built-in functions are available when @option{-msse} is used.
5213 All of them generate the machine instruction that is part of the name.
5216 int __builtin_ia32_comieq (v4sf, v4sf)
5217 int __builtin_ia32_comineq (v4sf, v4sf)
5218 int __builtin_ia32_comilt (v4sf, v4sf)
5219 int __builtin_ia32_comile (v4sf, v4sf)
5220 int __builtin_ia32_comigt (v4sf, v4sf)
5221 int __builtin_ia32_comige (v4sf, v4sf)
5222 int __builtin_ia32_ucomieq (v4sf, v4sf)
5223 int __builtin_ia32_ucomineq (v4sf, v4sf)
5224 int __builtin_ia32_ucomilt (v4sf, v4sf)
5225 int __builtin_ia32_ucomile (v4sf, v4sf)
5226 int __builtin_ia32_ucomigt (v4sf, v4sf)
5227 int __builtin_ia32_ucomige (v4sf, v4sf)
5228 v4sf __builtin_ia32_addps (v4sf, v4sf)
5229 v4sf __builtin_ia32_subps (v4sf, v4sf)
5230 v4sf __builtin_ia32_mulps (v4sf, v4sf)
5231 v4sf __builtin_ia32_divps (v4sf, v4sf)
5232 v4sf __builtin_ia32_addss (v4sf, v4sf)
5233 v4sf __builtin_ia32_subss (v4sf, v4sf)
5234 v4sf __builtin_ia32_mulss (v4sf, v4sf)
5235 v4sf __builtin_ia32_divss (v4sf, v4sf)
5236 v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpeqps (v4sf, v4sf)
5237 v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpltps (v4sf, v4sf)
5238 v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpleps (v4sf, v4sf)
5239 v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpgtps (v4sf, v4sf)
5240 v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpgeps (v4sf, v4sf)
5241 v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpunordps (v4sf, v4sf)
5242 v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpneqps (v4sf, v4sf)
5243 v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpnltps (v4sf, v4sf)
5244 v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpnleps (v4sf, v4sf)
5245 v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpngtps (v4sf, v4sf)
5246 v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpngeps (v4sf, v4sf)
5247 v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpordps (v4sf, v4sf)
5248 v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpeqss (v4sf, v4sf)
5249 v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpltss (v4sf, v4sf)
5250 v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpless (v4sf, v4sf)
5251 v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpunordss (v4sf, v4sf)
5252 v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpneqss (v4sf, v4sf)
5253 v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpnlts (v4sf, v4sf)
5254 v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpnless (v4sf, v4sf)
5255 v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpordss (v4sf, v4sf)
5256 v4sf __builtin_ia32_maxps (v4sf, v4sf)
5257 v4sf __builtin_ia32_maxss (v4sf, v4sf)
5258 v4sf __builtin_ia32_minps (v4sf, v4sf)
5259 v4sf __builtin_ia32_minss (v4sf, v4sf)
5260 v4sf __builtin_ia32_andps (v4sf, v4sf)
5261 v4sf __builtin_ia32_andnps (v4sf, v4sf)
5262 v4sf __builtin_ia32_orps (v4sf, v4sf)
5263 v4sf __builtin_ia32_xorps (v4sf, v4sf)
5264 v4sf __builtin_ia32_movss (v4sf, v4sf)
5265 v4sf __builtin_ia32_movhlps (v4sf, v4sf)
5266 v4sf __builtin_ia32_movlhps (v4sf, v4sf)
5267 v4sf __builtin_ia32_unpckhps (v4sf, v4sf)
5268 v4sf __builtin_ia32_unpcklps (v4sf, v4sf)
5269 v4sf __builtin_ia32_cvtpi2ps (v4sf, v2si)
5270 v4sf __builtin_ia32_cvtsi2ss (v4sf, int)
5271 v2si __builtin_ia32_cvtps2pi (v4sf)
5272 int __builtin_ia32_cvtss2si (v4sf)
5273 v2si __builtin_ia32_cvttps2pi (v4sf)
5274 int __builtin_ia32_cvttss2si (v4sf)
5275 v4sf __builtin_ia32_rcpps (v4sf)
5276 v4sf __builtin_ia32_rsqrtps (v4sf)
5277 v4sf __builtin_ia32_sqrtps (v4sf)
5278 v4sf __builtin_ia32_rcpss (v4sf)
5279 v4sf __builtin_ia32_rsqrtss (v4sf)
5280 v4sf __builtin_ia32_sqrtss (v4sf)
5281 v4sf __builtin_ia32_shufps (v4sf, v4sf, int)
5282 void __builtin_ia32_movntps (float *, v4sf)
5283 int __builtin_ia32_movmskps (v4sf)
5286 The following built-in functions are available when @option{-msse} is used.
5289 @item v4sf __builtin_ia32_loadaps (float *)
5290 Generates the @code{movaps} machine instruction as a load from memory.
5291 @item void __builtin_ia32_storeaps (float *, v4sf)
5292 Generates the @code{movaps} machine instruction as a store to memory.
5293 @item v4sf __builtin_ia32_loadups (float *)
5294 Generates the @code{movups} machine instruction as a load from memory.
5295 @item void __builtin_ia32_storeups (float *, v4sf)
5296 Generates the @code{movups} machine instruction as a store to memory.
5297 @item v4sf __builtin_ia32_loadsss (float *)
5298 Generates the @code{movss} machine instruction as a load from memory.
5299 @item void __builtin_ia32_storess (float *, v4sf)
5300 Generates the @code{movss} machine instruction as a store to memory.
5301 @item v4sf __builtin_ia32_loadhps (v4sf, v2si *)
5302 Generates the @code{movhps} machine instruction as a load from memory.
5303 @item v4sf __builtin_ia32_loadlps (v4sf, v2si *)
5304 Generates the @code{movlps} machine instruction as a load from memory
5305 @item void __builtin_ia32_storehps (v4sf, v2si *)
5306 Generates the @code{movhps} machine instruction as a store to memory.
5307 @item void __builtin_ia32_storelps (v4sf, v2si *)
5308 Generates the @code{movlps} machine instruction as a store to memory.
5311 The following built-in functions are available when @option{-m3dnow} is used.
5312 All of them generate the machine instruction that is part of the name.
5315 void __builtin_ia32_femms (void)
5316 v8qi __builtin_ia32_pavgusb (v8qi, v8qi)
5317 v2si __builtin_ia32_pf2id (v2sf)
5318 v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfacc (v2sf, v2sf)
5319 v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfadd (v2sf, v2sf)
5320 v2si __builtin_ia32_pfcmpeq (v2sf, v2sf)
5321 v2si __builtin_ia32_pfcmpge (v2sf, v2sf)
5322 v2si __builtin_ia32_pfcmpgt (v2sf, v2sf)
5323 v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfmax (v2sf, v2sf)
5324 v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfmin (v2sf, v2sf)
5325 v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfmul (v2sf, v2sf)
5326 v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfrcp (v2sf)
5327 v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfrcpit1 (v2sf, v2sf)
5328 v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfrcpit2 (v2sf, v2sf)
5329 v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfrsqrt (v2sf)
5330 v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfrsqrtit1 (v2sf, v2sf)
5331 v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfsub (v2sf, v2sf)
5332 v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfsubr (v2sf, v2sf)
5333 v2sf __builtin_ia32_pi2fd (v2si)
5334 v4hi __builtin_ia32_pmulhrw (v4hi, v4hi)
5337 The following built-in functions are available when both @option{-m3dnow}
5338 and @option{-march=athlon} are used. All of them generate the machine
5339 instruction that is part of the name.
5342 v2si __builtin_ia32_pf2iw (v2sf)
5343 v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfnacc (v2sf, v2sf)
5344 v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfpnacc (v2sf, v2sf)
5345 v2sf __builtin_ia32_pi2fw (v2si)
5346 v2sf __builtin_ia32_pswapdsf (v2sf)
5347 v2si __builtin_ia32_pswapdsi (v2si)
5350 @node PowerPC AltiVec Built-in Functions
5351 @subsection PowerPC AltiVec Built-in Functions
5353 These built-in functions are available for the PowerPC family
5354 of computers, depending on the command-line switches used.
5356 The following machine modes are available for use with AltiVec built-in
5357 functions (@pxref{Vector Extensions}): @code{V4SI} for a vector of four
5358 32-bit integers, @code{V4SF} for a vector of four 32-bit floating point
5359 numbers, @code{V8HI} for a vector of eight 16-bit integers, and
5360 @code{V16QI} for a vector of sixteen 8-bit integers.
5362 The following functions are made available by including
5363 @code{<altivec.h>} and using @option{-maltivec} and
5364 @option{-mabi=altivec}. The functions implement the functionality
5365 described in Motorola's AltiVec Programming Interface Manual.
5367 There are a few differences from Motorola's documentation and GCC's
5368 implementation. Vector constants are done with curly braces (not
5369 parentheses). Vector initializers require no casts if the vector
5370 constant is of the same type as the variable it is initializing. The
5371 @code{vector bool} type is deprecated and will be discontinued in
5372 further revisions. Use @code{vector signed} instead. If @code{signed}
5373 or @code{unsigned} is omitted, the vector type will default to
5374 @code{signed}. Lastly, all overloaded functions are implemented with macros
5375 for the C implementation. So code the following example will not work:
5378 vec_add ((vector signed int)@{1, 2, 3, 4@}, foo);
5381 Since vec_add is a macro, the vector constant in the above example will
5382 be treated as four different arguments. Wrap the entire argument in
5383 parentheses for this to work. The C++ implementation does not use
5386 @emph{Note:} Only the @code{<altivec.h>} interface is supported.
5387 Internally, GCC uses built-in functions to achieve the functionality in
5388 the aforementioned header file, but they are not supported and are
5389 subject to change without notice.
5392 vector signed char vec_abs (vector signed char, vector signed char);
5393 vector signed short vec_abs (vector signed short, vector signed short);
5394 vector signed int vec_abs (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5395 vector signed float vec_abs (vector signed float, vector signed float);
5397 vector signed char vec_abss (vector signed char, vector signed char);
5398 vector signed short vec_abss (vector signed short, vector signed short);
5400 vector signed char vec_add (vector signed char, vector signed char);
5401 vector unsigned char vec_add (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
5403 vector unsigned char vec_add (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
5405 vector unsigned char vec_add (vector unsigned char,
5406 vector unsigned char);
5407 vector signed short vec_add (vector signed short, vector signed short);
5408 vector unsigned short vec_add (vector signed short,
5409 vector unsigned short);
5410 vector unsigned short vec_add (vector unsigned short,
5411 vector signed short);
5412 vector unsigned short vec_add (vector unsigned short,
5413 vector unsigned short);
5414 vector signed int vec_add (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5415 vector unsigned int vec_add (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
5416 vector unsigned int vec_add (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
5417 vector unsigned int vec_add (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5418 vector float vec_add (vector float, vector float);
5420 vector unsigned int vec_addc (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5422 vector unsigned char vec_adds (vector signed char,
5423 vector unsigned char);
5424 vector unsigned char vec_adds (vector unsigned char,
5425 vector signed char);
5426 vector unsigned char vec_adds (vector unsigned char,
5427 vector unsigned char);
5428 vector signed char vec_adds (vector signed char, vector signed char);
5429 vector unsigned short vec_adds (vector signed short,
5430 vector unsigned short);
5431 vector unsigned short vec_adds (vector unsigned short,
5432 vector signed short);
5433 vector unsigned short vec_adds (vector unsigned short,
5434 vector unsigned short);
5435 vector signed short vec_adds (vector signed short, vector signed short);
5437 vector unsigned int vec_adds (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
5438 vector unsigned int vec_adds (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
5439 vector unsigned int vec_adds (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5441 vector signed int vec_adds (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5443 vector float vec_and (vector float, vector float);
5444 vector float vec_and (vector float, vector signed int);
5445 vector float vec_and (vector signed int, vector float);
5446 vector signed int vec_and (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5447 vector unsigned int vec_and (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
5448 vector unsigned int vec_and (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
5449 vector unsigned int vec_and (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5450 vector signed short vec_and (vector signed short, vector signed short);
5451 vector unsigned short vec_and (vector signed short,
5452 vector unsigned short);
5453 vector unsigned short vec_and (vector unsigned short,
5454 vector signed short);
5455 vector unsigned short vec_and (vector unsigned short,
5456 vector unsigned short);
5457 vector signed char vec_and (vector signed char, vector signed char);
5458 vector unsigned char vec_and (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
5460 vector unsigned char vec_and (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
5462 vector unsigned char vec_and (vector unsigned char,
5463 vector unsigned char);
5465 vector float vec_andc (vector float, vector float);
5466 vector float vec_andc (vector float, vector signed int);
5467 vector float vec_andc (vector signed int, vector float);
5468 vector signed int vec_andc (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5469 vector unsigned int vec_andc (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
5470 vector unsigned int vec_andc (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
5471 vector unsigned int vec_andc (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5473 vector signed short vec_andc (vector signed short, vector signed short);
5475 vector unsigned short vec_andc (vector signed short,
5476 vector unsigned short);
5477 vector unsigned short vec_andc (vector unsigned short,
5478 vector signed short);
5479 vector unsigned short vec_andc (vector unsigned short,
5480 vector unsigned short);
5481 vector signed char vec_andc (vector signed char, vector signed char);
5482 vector unsigned char vec_andc (vector signed char,
5483 vector unsigned char);
5484 vector unsigned char vec_andc (vector unsigned char,
5485 vector signed char);
5486 vector unsigned char vec_andc (vector unsigned char,
5487 vector unsigned char);
5489 vector unsigned char vec_avg (vector unsigned char,
5490 vector unsigned char);
5491 vector signed char vec_avg (vector signed char, vector signed char);
5492 vector unsigned short vec_avg (vector unsigned short,
5493 vector unsigned short);
5494 vector signed short vec_avg (vector signed short, vector signed short);
5495 vector unsigned int vec_avg (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5496 vector signed int vec_avg (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5498 vector float vec_ceil (vector float);
5500 vector signed int vec_cmpb (vector float, vector float);
5502 vector signed char vec_cmpeq (vector signed char, vector signed char);
5503 vector signed char vec_cmpeq (vector unsigned char,
5504 vector unsigned char);
5505 vector signed short vec_cmpeq (vector signed short,
5506 vector signed short);
5507 vector signed short vec_cmpeq (vector unsigned short,
5508 vector unsigned short);
5509 vector signed int vec_cmpeq (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5510 vector signed int vec_cmpeq (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5511 vector signed int vec_cmpeq (vector float, vector float);
5513 vector signed int vec_cmpge (vector float, vector float);
5515 vector signed char vec_cmpgt (vector unsigned char,
5516 vector unsigned char);
5517 vector signed char vec_cmpgt (vector signed char, vector signed char);
5518 vector signed short vec_cmpgt (vector unsigned short,
5519 vector unsigned short);
5520 vector signed short vec_cmpgt (vector signed short,
5521 vector signed short);
5522 vector signed int vec_cmpgt (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5523 vector signed int vec_cmpgt (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5524 vector signed int vec_cmpgt (vector float, vector float);
5526 vector signed int vec_cmple (vector float, vector float);
5528 vector signed char vec_cmplt (vector unsigned char,
5529 vector unsigned char);
5530 vector signed char vec_cmplt (vector signed char, vector signed char);
5531 vector signed short vec_cmplt (vector unsigned short,
5532 vector unsigned short);
5533 vector signed short vec_cmplt (vector signed short,
5534 vector signed short);
5535 vector signed int vec_cmplt (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5536 vector signed int vec_cmplt (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5537 vector signed int vec_cmplt (vector float, vector float);
5539 vector float vec_ctf (vector unsigned int, const char);
5540 vector float vec_ctf (vector signed int, const char);
5542 vector signed int vec_cts (vector float, const char);
5544 vector unsigned int vec_ctu (vector float, const char);
5546 void vec_dss (const char);
5548 void vec_dssall (void);
5550 void vec_dst (void *, int, const char);
5552 void vec_dstst (void *, int, const char);
5554 void vec_dststt (void *, int, const char);
5556 void vec_dstt (void *, int, const char);
5558 vector float vec_expte (vector float, vector float);
5560 vector float vec_floor (vector float, vector float);
5562 vector float vec_ld (int, vector float *);
5563 vector float vec_ld (int, float *):
5564 vector signed int vec_ld (int, int *);
5565 vector signed int vec_ld (int, vector signed int *);
5566 vector unsigned int vec_ld (int, vector unsigned int *);
5567 vector unsigned int vec_ld (int, unsigned int *);
5568 vector signed short vec_ld (int, short *, vector signed short *);
5569 vector unsigned short vec_ld (int, unsigned short *,
5570 vector unsigned short *);
5571 vector signed char vec_ld (int, signed char *);
5572 vector signed char vec_ld (int, vector signed char *);
5573 vector unsigned char vec_ld (int, unsigned char *);
5574 vector unsigned char vec_ld (int, vector unsigned char *);
5576 vector signed char vec_lde (int, signed char *);
5577 vector unsigned char vec_lde (int, unsigned char *);
5578 vector signed short vec_lde (int, short *);
5579 vector unsigned short vec_lde (int, unsigned short *);
5580 vector float vec_lde (int, float *);
5581 vector signed int vec_lde (int, int *);
5582 vector unsigned int vec_lde (int, unsigned int *);
5584 void float vec_ldl (int, float *);
5585 void float vec_ldl (int, vector float *);
5586 void signed int vec_ldl (int, vector signed int *);
5587 void signed int vec_ldl (int, int *);
5588 void unsigned int vec_ldl (int, unsigned int *);
5589 void unsigned int vec_ldl (int, vector unsigned int *);
5590 void signed short vec_ldl (int, vector signed short *);
5591 void signed short vec_ldl (int, short *);
5592 void unsigned short vec_ldl (int, vector unsigned short *);
5593 void unsigned short vec_ldl (int, unsigned short *);
5594 void signed char vec_ldl (int, vector signed char *);
5595 void signed char vec_ldl (int, signed char *);
5596 void unsigned char vec_ldl (int, vector unsigned char *);
5597 void unsigned char vec_ldl (int, unsigned char *);
5599 vector float vec_loge (vector float);
5601 vector unsigned char vec_lvsl (int, void *, int *);
5603 vector unsigned char vec_lvsr (int, void *, int *);
5605 vector float vec_madd (vector float, vector float, vector float);
5607 vector signed short vec_madds (vector signed short, vector signed short,
5608 vector signed short);
5610 vector unsigned char vec_max (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
5612 vector unsigned char vec_max (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
5614 vector unsigned char vec_max (vector unsigned char,
5615 vector unsigned char);
5616 vector signed char vec_max (vector signed char, vector signed char);
5617 vector unsigned short vec_max (vector signed short,
5618 vector unsigned short);
5619 vector unsigned short vec_max (vector unsigned short,
5620 vector signed short);
5621 vector unsigned short vec_max (vector unsigned short,
5622 vector unsigned short);
5623 vector signed short vec_max (vector signed short, vector signed short);
5624 vector unsigned int vec_max (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
5625 vector unsigned int vec_max (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
5626 vector unsigned int vec_max (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5627 vector signed int vec_max (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5628 vector float vec_max (vector float, vector float);
5630 vector signed char vec_mergeh (vector signed char, vector signed char);
5631 vector unsigned char vec_mergeh (vector unsigned char,
5632 vector unsigned char);
5633 vector signed short vec_mergeh (vector signed short,
5634 vector signed short);
5635 vector unsigned short vec_mergeh (vector unsigned short,
5636 vector unsigned short);
5637 vector float vec_mergeh (vector float, vector float);
5638 vector signed int vec_mergeh (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5639 vector unsigned int vec_mergeh (vector unsigned int,
5640 vector unsigned int);
5642 vector signed char vec_mergel (vector signed char, vector signed char);
5643 vector unsigned char vec_mergel (vector unsigned char,
5644 vector unsigned char);
5645 vector signed short vec_mergel (vector signed short,
5646 vector signed short);
5647 vector unsigned short vec_mergel (vector unsigned short,
5648 vector unsigned short);
5649 vector float vec_mergel (vector float, vector float);
5650 vector signed int vec_mergel (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5651 vector unsigned int vec_mergel (vector unsigned int,
5652 vector unsigned int);
5654 vector unsigned short vec_mfvscr (void);
5656 vector unsigned char vec_min (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
5658 vector unsigned char vec_min (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
5660 vector unsigned char vec_min (vector unsigned char,
5661 vector unsigned char);
5662 vector signed char vec_min (vector signed char, vector signed char);
5663 vector unsigned short vec_min (vector signed short,
5664 vector unsigned short);
5665 vector unsigned short vec_min (vector unsigned short,
5666 vector signed short);
5667 vector unsigned short vec_min (vector unsigned short,
5668 vector unsigned short);
5669 vector signed short vec_min (vector signed short, vector signed short);
5670 vector unsigned int vec_min (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
5671 vector unsigned int vec_min (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
5672 vector unsigned int vec_min (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5673 vector signed int vec_min (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5674 vector float vec_min (vector float, vector float);
5676 vector signed short vec_mladd (vector signed short, vector signed short,
5677 vector signed short);
5678 vector signed short vec_mladd (vector signed short,
5679 vector unsigned short,
5680 vector unsigned short);
5681 vector signed short vec_mladd (vector unsigned short,
5682 vector signed short,
5683 vector signed short);
5684 vector unsigned short vec_mladd (vector unsigned short,
5685 vector unsigned short,
5686 vector unsigned short);
5688 vector signed short vec_mradds (vector signed short,
5689 vector signed short,
5690 vector signed short);
5692 vector unsigned int vec_msum (vector unsigned char,
5693 vector unsigned char,
5694 vector unsigned int);
5695 vector signed int vec_msum (vector signed char, vector unsigned char,
5697 vector unsigned int vec_msum (vector unsigned short,
5698 vector unsigned short,
5699 vector unsigned int);
5700 vector signed int vec_msum (vector signed short, vector signed short,
5703 vector unsigned int vec_msums (vector unsigned short,
5704 vector unsigned short,
5705 vector unsigned int);
5706 vector signed int vec_msums (vector signed short, vector signed short,
5709 void vec_mtvscr (vector signed int);
5710 void vec_mtvscr (vector unsigned int);
5711 void vec_mtvscr (vector signed short);
5712 void vec_mtvscr (vector unsigned short);
5713 void vec_mtvscr (vector signed char);
5714 void vec_mtvscr (vector unsigned char);
5716 vector unsigned short vec_mule (vector unsigned char,
5717 vector unsigned char);
5718 vector signed short vec_mule (vector signed char, vector signed char);
5719 vector unsigned int vec_mule (vector unsigned short,
5720 vector unsigned short);
5721 vector signed int vec_mule (vector signed short, vector signed short);
5723 vector unsigned short vec_mulo (vector unsigned char,
5724 vector unsigned char);
5725 vector signed short vec_mulo (vector signed char, vector signed char);
5726 vector unsigned int vec_mulo (vector unsigned short,
5727 vector unsigned short);
5728 vector signed int vec_mulo (vector signed short, vector signed short);
5730 vector float vec_nmsub (vector float, vector float, vector float);
5732 vector float vec_nor (vector float, vector float);
5733 vector signed int vec_nor (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5734 vector unsigned int vec_nor (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5735 vector signed short vec_nor (vector signed short, vector signed short);
5736 vector unsigned short vec_nor (vector unsigned short,
5737 vector unsigned short);
5738 vector signed char vec_nor (vector signed char, vector signed char);
5739 vector unsigned char vec_nor (vector unsigned char,
5740 vector unsigned char);
5742 vector float vec_or (vector float, vector float);
5743 vector float vec_or (vector float, vector signed int);
5744 vector float vec_or (vector signed int, vector float);
5745 vector signed int vec_or (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5746 vector unsigned int vec_or (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
5747 vector unsigned int vec_or (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
5748 vector unsigned int vec_or (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5749 vector signed short vec_or (vector signed short, vector signed short);
5750 vector unsigned short vec_or (vector signed short,
5751 vector unsigned short);
5752 vector unsigned short vec_or (vector unsigned short,
5753 vector signed short);
5754 vector unsigned short vec_or (vector unsigned short,
5755 vector unsigned short);
5756 vector signed char vec_or (vector signed char, vector signed char);
5757 vector unsigned char vec_or (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
5758 vector unsigned char vec_or (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
5759 vector unsigned char vec_or (vector unsigned char,
5760 vector unsigned char);
5762 vector signed char vec_pack (vector signed short, vector signed short);
5763 vector unsigned char vec_pack (vector unsigned short,
5764 vector unsigned short);
5765 vector signed short vec_pack (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5766 vector unsigned short vec_pack (vector unsigned int,
5767 vector unsigned int);
5769 vector signed short vec_packpx (vector unsigned int,
5770 vector unsigned int);
5772 vector unsigned char vec_packs (vector unsigned short,
5773 vector unsigned short);
5774 vector signed char vec_packs (vector signed short, vector signed short);
5776 vector unsigned short vec_packs (vector unsigned int,
5777 vector unsigned int);
5778 vector signed short vec_packs (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5780 vector unsigned char vec_packsu (vector unsigned short,
5781 vector unsigned short);
5782 vector unsigned char vec_packsu (vector signed short,
5783 vector signed short);
5784 vector unsigned short vec_packsu (vector unsigned int,
5785 vector unsigned int);
5786 vector unsigned short vec_packsu (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5788 vector float vec_perm (vector float, vector float,
5789 vector unsigned char);
5790 vector signed int vec_perm (vector signed int, vector signed int,
5791 vector unsigned char);
5792 vector unsigned int vec_perm (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int,
5793 vector unsigned char);
5794 vector signed short vec_perm (vector signed short, vector signed short,
5795 vector unsigned char);
5796 vector unsigned short vec_perm (vector unsigned short,
5797 vector unsigned short,
5798 vector unsigned char);
5799 vector signed char vec_perm (vector signed char, vector signed char,
5800 vector unsigned char);
5801 vector unsigned char vec_perm (vector unsigned char,
5802 vector unsigned char,
5803 vector unsigned char);
5805 vector float vec_re (vector float);
5807 vector signed char vec_rl (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
5808 vector unsigned char vec_rl (vector unsigned char,
5809 vector unsigned char);
5810 vector signed short vec_rl (vector signed short, vector unsigned short);
5812 vector unsigned short vec_rl (vector unsigned short,
5813 vector unsigned short);
5814 vector signed int vec_rl (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
5815 vector unsigned int vec_rl (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5817 vector float vec_round (vector float);
5819 vector float vec_rsqrte (vector float);
5821 vector float vec_sel (vector float, vector float, vector signed int);
5822 vector float vec_sel (vector float, vector float, vector unsigned int);
5823 vector signed int vec_sel (vector signed int, vector signed int,
5825 vector signed int vec_sel (vector signed int, vector signed int,
5826 vector unsigned int);
5827 vector unsigned int vec_sel (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int,
5829 vector unsigned int vec_sel (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int,
5830 vector unsigned int);
5831 vector signed short vec_sel (vector signed short, vector signed short,
5832 vector signed short);
5833 vector signed short vec_sel (vector signed short, vector signed short,
5834 vector unsigned short);
5835 vector unsigned short vec_sel (vector unsigned short,
5836 vector unsigned short,
5837 vector signed short);
5838 vector unsigned short vec_sel (vector unsigned short,
5839 vector unsigned short,
5840 vector unsigned short);
5841 vector signed char vec_sel (vector signed char, vector signed char,
5842 vector signed char);
5843 vector signed char vec_sel (vector signed char, vector signed char,
5844 vector unsigned char);
5845 vector unsigned char vec_sel (vector unsigned char,
5846 vector unsigned char,
5847 vector signed char);
5848 vector unsigned char vec_sel (vector unsigned char,
5849 vector unsigned char,
5850 vector unsigned char);
5852 vector signed char vec_sl (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
5853 vector unsigned char vec_sl (vector unsigned char,
5854 vector unsigned char);
5855 vector signed short vec_sl (vector signed short, vector unsigned short);
5857 vector unsigned short vec_sl (vector unsigned short,
5858 vector unsigned short);
5859 vector signed int vec_sl (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
5860 vector unsigned int vec_sl (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5862 vector float vec_sld (vector float, vector float, const char);
5863 vector signed int vec_sld (vector signed int, vector signed int,
5865 vector unsigned int vec_sld (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int,
5867 vector signed short vec_sld (vector signed short, vector signed short,
5869 vector unsigned short vec_sld (vector unsigned short,
5870 vector unsigned short, const char);
5871 vector signed char vec_sld (vector signed char, vector signed char,
5873 vector unsigned char vec_sld (vector unsigned char,
5874 vector unsigned char,
5877 vector signed int vec_sll (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
5878 vector signed int vec_sll (vector signed int, vector unsigned short);
5879 vector signed int vec_sll (vector signed int, vector unsigned char);
5880 vector unsigned int vec_sll (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5881 vector unsigned int vec_sll (vector unsigned int,
5882 vector unsigned short);
5883 vector unsigned int vec_sll (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned char);
5885 vector signed short vec_sll (vector signed short, vector unsigned int);
5886 vector signed short vec_sll (vector signed short,
5887 vector unsigned short);
5888 vector signed short vec_sll (vector signed short, vector unsigned char);
5890 vector unsigned short vec_sll (vector unsigned short,
5891 vector unsigned int);
5892 vector unsigned short vec_sll (vector unsigned short,
5893 vector unsigned short);
5894 vector unsigned short vec_sll (vector unsigned short,
5895 vector unsigned char);
5896 vector signed char vec_sll (vector signed char, vector unsigned int);
5897 vector signed char vec_sll (vector signed char, vector unsigned short);
5898 vector signed char vec_sll (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
5899 vector unsigned char vec_sll (vector unsigned char,
5900 vector unsigned int);
5901 vector unsigned char vec_sll (vector unsigned char,
5902 vector unsigned short);
5903 vector unsigned char vec_sll (vector unsigned char,
5904 vector unsigned char);
5906 vector float vec_slo (vector float, vector signed char);
5907 vector float vec_slo (vector float, vector unsigned char);
5908 vector signed int vec_slo (vector signed int, vector signed char);
5909 vector signed int vec_slo (vector signed int, vector unsigned char);
5910 vector unsigned int vec_slo (vector unsigned int, vector signed char);
5911 vector unsigned int vec_slo (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned char);
5913 vector signed short vec_slo (vector signed short, vector signed char);
5914 vector signed short vec_slo (vector signed short, vector unsigned char);
5916 vector unsigned short vec_slo (vector unsigned short,
5917 vector signed char);
5918 vector unsigned short vec_slo (vector unsigned short,
5919 vector unsigned char);
5920 vector signed char vec_slo (vector signed char, vector signed char);
5921 vector signed char vec_slo (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
5922 vector unsigned char vec_slo (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
5924 vector unsigned char vec_slo (vector unsigned char,
5925 vector unsigned char);
5927 vector signed char vec_splat (vector signed char, const char);
5928 vector unsigned char vec_splat (vector unsigned char, const char);
5929 vector signed short vec_splat (vector signed short, const char);
5930 vector unsigned short vec_splat (vector unsigned short, const char);
5931 vector float vec_splat (vector float, const char);
5932 vector signed int vec_splat (vector signed int, const char);
5933 vector unsigned int vec_splat (vector unsigned int, const char);
5935 vector signed char vec_splat_s8 (const char);
5937 vector signed short vec_splat_s16 (const char);
5939 vector signed int vec_splat_s32 (const char);
5941 vector unsigned char vec_splat_u8 (const char);
5943 vector unsigned short vec_splat_u16 (const char);
5945 vector unsigned int vec_splat_u32 (const char);
5947 vector signed char vec_sr (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
5948 vector unsigned char vec_sr (vector unsigned char,
5949 vector unsigned char);
5950 vector signed short vec_sr (vector signed short, vector unsigned short);
5952 vector unsigned short vec_sr (vector unsigned short,
5953 vector unsigned short);
5954 vector signed int vec_sr (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
5955 vector unsigned int vec_sr (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5957 vector signed char vec_sra (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
5958 vector unsigned char vec_sra (vector unsigned char,
5959 vector unsigned char);
5960 vector signed short vec_sra (vector signed short,
5961 vector unsigned short);
5962 vector unsigned short vec_sra (vector unsigned short,
5963 vector unsigned short);
5964 vector signed int vec_sra (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
5965 vector unsigned int vec_sra (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5967 vector signed int vec_srl (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
5968 vector signed int vec_srl (vector signed int, vector unsigned short);
5969 vector signed int vec_srl (vector signed int, vector unsigned char);
5970 vector unsigned int vec_srl (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5971 vector unsigned int vec_srl (vector unsigned int,
5972 vector unsigned short);
5973 vector unsigned int vec_srl (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned char);
5975 vector signed short vec_srl (vector signed short, vector unsigned int);
5976 vector signed short vec_srl (vector signed short,
5977 vector unsigned short);
5978 vector signed short vec_srl (vector signed short, vector unsigned char);
5980 vector unsigned short vec_srl (vector unsigned short,
5981 vector unsigned int);
5982 vector unsigned short vec_srl (vector unsigned short,
5983 vector unsigned short);
5984 vector unsigned short vec_srl (vector unsigned short,
5985 vector unsigned char);
5986 vector signed char vec_srl (vector signed char, vector unsigned int);
5987 vector signed char vec_srl (vector signed char, vector unsigned short);
5988 vector signed char vec_srl (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
5989 vector unsigned char vec_srl (vector unsigned char,
5990 vector unsigned int);
5991 vector unsigned char vec_srl (vector unsigned char,
5992 vector unsigned short);
5993 vector unsigned char vec_srl (vector unsigned char,
5994 vector unsigned char);
5996 vector float vec_sro (vector float, vector signed char);
5997 vector float vec_sro (vector float, vector unsigned char);
5998 vector signed int vec_sro (vector signed int, vector signed char);
5999 vector signed int vec_sro (vector signed int, vector unsigned char);
6000 vector unsigned int vec_sro (vector unsigned int, vector signed char);
6001 vector unsigned int vec_sro (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned char);
6003 vector signed short vec_sro (vector signed short, vector signed char);
6004 vector signed short vec_sro (vector signed short, vector unsigned char);
6006 vector unsigned short vec_sro (vector unsigned short,
6007 vector signed char);
6008 vector unsigned short vec_sro (vector unsigned short,
6009 vector unsigned char);
6010 vector signed char vec_sro (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6011 vector signed char vec_sro (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6012 vector unsigned char vec_sro (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6014 vector unsigned char vec_sro (vector unsigned char,
6015 vector unsigned char);
6017 void vec_st (vector float, int, float *);
6018 void vec_st (vector float, int, vector float *);
6019 void vec_st (vector signed int, int, int *);
6020 void vec_st (vector signed int, int, unsigned int *);
6021 void vec_st (vector unsigned int, int, unsigned int *);
6022 void vec_st (vector unsigned int, int, vector unsigned int *);
6023 void vec_st (vector signed short, int, short *);
6024 void vec_st (vector signed short, int, vector unsigned short *);
6025 void vec_st (vector signed short, int, vector signed short *);
6026 void vec_st (vector unsigned short, int, unsigned short *);
6027 void vec_st (vector unsigned short, int, vector unsigned short *);
6028 void vec_st (vector signed char, int, signed char *);
6029 void vec_st (vector signed char, int, unsigned char *);
6030 void vec_st (vector signed char, int, vector signed char *);
6031 void vec_st (vector unsigned char, int, unsigned char *);
6032 void vec_st (vector unsigned char, int, vector unsigned char *);
6034 void vec_ste (vector signed char, int, unsigned char *);
6035 void vec_ste (vector signed char, int, signed char *);
6036 void vec_ste (vector unsigned char, int, unsigned char *);
6037 void vec_ste (vector signed short, int, short *);
6038 void vec_ste (vector signed short, int, unsigned short *);
6039 void vec_ste (vector unsigned short, int, void *);
6040 void vec_ste (vector signed int, int, unsigned int *);
6041 void vec_ste (vector signed int, int, int *);
6042 void vec_ste (vector unsigned int, int, unsigned int *);
6043 void vec_ste (vector float, int, float *);
6045 void vec_stl (vector float, int, vector float *);
6046 void vec_stl (vector float, int, float *);
6047 void vec_stl (vector signed int, int, vector signed int *);
6048 void vec_stl (vector signed int, int, int *);
6049 void vec_stl (vector signed int, int, unsigned int *);
6050 void vec_stl (vector unsigned int, int, vector unsigned int *);
6051 void vec_stl (vector unsigned int, int, unsigned int *);
6052 void vec_stl (vector signed short, int, short *);
6053 void vec_stl (vector signed short, int, unsigned short *);
6054 void vec_stl (vector signed short, int, vector signed short *);
6055 void vec_stl (vector unsigned short, int, unsigned short *);
6056 void vec_stl (vector unsigned short, int, vector signed short *);
6057 void vec_stl (vector signed char, int, signed char *);
6058 void vec_stl (vector signed char, int, unsigned char *);
6059 void vec_stl (vector signed char, int, vector signed char *);
6060 void vec_stl (vector unsigned char, int, unsigned char *);
6061 void vec_stl (vector unsigned char, int, vector unsigned char *);
6063 vector signed char vec_sub (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6064 vector unsigned char vec_sub (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6066 vector unsigned char vec_sub (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6068 vector unsigned char vec_sub (vector unsigned char,
6069 vector unsigned char);
6070 vector signed short vec_sub (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6071 vector unsigned short vec_sub (vector signed short,
6072 vector unsigned short);
6073 vector unsigned short vec_sub (vector unsigned short,
6074 vector signed short);
6075 vector unsigned short vec_sub (vector unsigned short,
6076 vector unsigned short);
6077 vector signed int vec_sub (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6078 vector unsigned int vec_sub (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6079 vector unsigned int vec_sub (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6080 vector unsigned int vec_sub (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6081 vector float vec_sub (vector float, vector float);
6083 vector unsigned int vec_subc (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6085 vector unsigned char vec_subs (vector signed char,
6086 vector unsigned char);
6087 vector unsigned char vec_subs (vector unsigned char,
6088 vector signed char);
6089 vector unsigned char vec_subs (vector unsigned char,
6090 vector unsigned char);
6091 vector signed char vec_subs (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6092 vector unsigned short vec_subs (vector signed short,
6093 vector unsigned short);
6094 vector unsigned short vec_subs (vector unsigned short,
6095 vector signed short);
6096 vector unsigned short vec_subs (vector unsigned short,
6097 vector unsigned short);
6098 vector signed short vec_subs (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6100 vector unsigned int vec_subs (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6101 vector unsigned int vec_subs (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6102 vector unsigned int vec_subs (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6104 vector signed int vec_subs (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6106 vector unsigned int vec_sum4s (vector unsigned char,
6107 vector unsigned int);
6108 vector signed int vec_sum4s (vector signed char, vector signed int);
6109 vector signed int vec_sum4s (vector signed short, vector signed int);
6111 vector signed int vec_sum2s (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6113 vector signed int vec_sums (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6115 vector float vec_trunc (vector float);
6117 vector signed short vec_unpackh (vector signed char);
6118 vector unsigned int vec_unpackh (vector signed short);
6119 vector signed int vec_unpackh (vector signed short);
6121 vector signed short vec_unpackl (vector signed char);
6122 vector unsigned int vec_unpackl (vector signed short);
6123 vector signed int vec_unpackl (vector signed short);
6125 vector float vec_xor (vector float, vector float);
6126 vector float vec_xor (vector float, vector signed int);
6127 vector float vec_xor (vector signed int, vector float);
6128 vector signed int vec_xor (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6129 vector unsigned int vec_xor (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6130 vector unsigned int vec_xor (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6131 vector unsigned int vec_xor (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6132 vector signed short vec_xor (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6133 vector unsigned short vec_xor (vector signed short,
6134 vector unsigned short);
6135 vector unsigned short vec_xor (vector unsigned short,
6136 vector signed short);
6137 vector unsigned short vec_xor (vector unsigned short,
6138 vector unsigned short);
6139 vector signed char vec_xor (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6140 vector unsigned char vec_xor (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6142 vector unsigned char vec_xor (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6144 vector unsigned char vec_xor (vector unsigned char,
6145 vector unsigned char);
6147 vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6149 vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6150 vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6152 vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector unsigned char,
6153 vector unsigned char);
6154 vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector signed short,
6155 vector unsigned short);
6156 vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6158 vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector unsigned short,
6159 vector signed short);
6160 vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector unsigned short,
6161 vector unsigned short);
6162 vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6163 vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6164 vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6165 vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6167 vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector float, vector float);
6169 vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6171 vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6173 vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector unsigned char,
6174 vector unsigned char);
6175 vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6176 vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector signed short,
6177 vector unsigned short);
6178 vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector unsigned short,
6179 vector signed short);
6180 vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector unsigned short,
6181 vector unsigned short);
6182 vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6184 vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6185 vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6186 vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6188 vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6189 vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector float, vector float);
6191 vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6193 vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6195 vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector unsigned char,
6196 vector unsigned char);
6197 vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6198 vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector signed short,
6199 vector unsigned short);
6200 vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector unsigned short,
6201 vector signed short);
6202 vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector unsigned short,
6203 vector unsigned short);
6204 vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6206 vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6207 vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6208 vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6210 vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6211 vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector float, vector float);
6213 vector signed int vec_all_in (vector float, vector float);
6215 vector signed int vec_all_le (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6217 vector signed int vec_all_le (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6219 vector signed int vec_all_le (vector unsigned char,
6220 vector unsigned char);
6221 vector signed int vec_all_le (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6222 vector signed int vec_all_le (vector signed short,
6223 vector unsigned short);
6224 vector signed int vec_all_le (vector unsigned short,
6225 vector signed short);
6226 vector signed int vec_all_le (vector unsigned short,
6227 vector unsigned short);
6228 vector signed int vec_all_le (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6230 vector signed int vec_all_le (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6231 vector signed int vec_all_le (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6232 vector signed int vec_all_le (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6234 vector signed int vec_all_le (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6235 vector signed int vec_all_le (vector float, vector float);
6237 vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6239 vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6241 vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector unsigned char,
6242 vector unsigned char);
6243 vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6244 vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector signed short,
6245 vector unsigned short);
6246 vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector unsigned short,
6247 vector signed short);
6248 vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector unsigned short,
6249 vector unsigned short);
6250 vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6252 vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6253 vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6254 vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6256 vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6257 vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector float, vector float);
6259 vector signed int vec_all_nan (vector float);
6261 vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6263 vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6264 vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6266 vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector unsigned char,
6267 vector unsigned char);
6268 vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector signed short,
6269 vector unsigned short);
6270 vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6272 vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector unsigned short,
6273 vector signed short);
6274 vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector unsigned short,
6275 vector unsigned short);
6276 vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6277 vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6278 vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6279 vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6281 vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector float, vector float);
6283 vector signed int vec_all_nge (vector float, vector float);
6285 vector signed int vec_all_ngt (vector float, vector float);
6287 vector signed int vec_all_nle (vector float, vector float);
6289 vector signed int vec_all_nlt (vector float, vector float);
6291 vector signed int vec_all_numeric (vector float);
6293 vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6295 vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6296 vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6298 vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector unsigned char,
6299 vector unsigned char);
6300 vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector signed short,
6301 vector unsigned short);
6302 vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6304 vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector unsigned short,
6305 vector signed short);
6306 vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector unsigned short,
6307 vector unsigned short);
6308 vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6309 vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6310 vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6311 vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6313 vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector float, vector float);
6315 vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6317 vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6319 vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector unsigned char,
6320 vector unsigned char);
6321 vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6322 vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector signed short,
6323 vector unsigned short);
6324 vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector unsigned short,
6325 vector signed short);
6326 vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector unsigned short,
6327 vector unsigned short);
6328 vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6330 vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6331 vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6332 vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6334 vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6335 vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector float, vector float);
6337 vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6339 vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6341 vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector unsigned char,
6342 vector unsigned char);
6343 vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6344 vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector signed short,
6345 vector unsigned short);
6346 vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector unsigned short,
6347 vector signed short);
6348 vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector unsigned short,
6349 vector unsigned short);
6350 vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6352 vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6353 vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6354 vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6356 vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6357 vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector float, vector float);
6359 vector signed int vec_any_le (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6361 vector signed int vec_any_le (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6363 vector signed int vec_any_le (vector unsigned char,
6364 vector unsigned char);
6365 vector signed int vec_any_le (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6366 vector signed int vec_any_le (vector signed short,
6367 vector unsigned short);
6368 vector signed int vec_any_le (vector unsigned short,
6369 vector signed short);
6370 vector signed int vec_any_le (vector unsigned short,
6371 vector unsigned short);
6372 vector signed int vec_any_le (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6374 vector signed int vec_any_le (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6375 vector signed int vec_any_le (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6376 vector signed int vec_any_le (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6378 vector signed int vec_any_le (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6379 vector signed int vec_any_le (vector float, vector float);
6381 vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6383 vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6385 vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector unsigned char,
6386 vector unsigned char);
6387 vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6388 vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector signed short,
6389 vector unsigned short);
6390 vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector unsigned short,
6391 vector signed short);
6392 vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector unsigned short,
6393 vector unsigned short);
6394 vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6396 vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6397 vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6398 vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6400 vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6401 vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector float, vector float);
6403 vector signed int vec_any_nan (vector float);
6405 vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6407 vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6408 vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6410 vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector unsigned char,
6411 vector unsigned char);
6412 vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector signed short,
6413 vector unsigned short);
6414 vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6416 vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector unsigned short,
6417 vector signed short);
6418 vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector unsigned short,
6419 vector unsigned short);
6420 vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6421 vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6422 vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6423 vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6425 vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector float, vector float);
6427 vector signed int vec_any_nge (vector float, vector float);
6429 vector signed int vec_any_ngt (vector float, vector float);
6431 vector signed int vec_any_nle (vector float, vector float);
6433 vector signed int vec_any_nlt (vector float, vector float);
6435 vector signed int vec_any_numeric (vector float);
6437 vector signed int vec_any_out (vector float, vector float);
6441 @section Pragmas Accepted by GCC
6445 GCC supports several types of pragmas, primarily in order to compile
6446 code originally written for other compilers. Note that in general
6447 we do not recommend the use of pragmas; @xref{Function Attributes},
6448 for further explanation.
6452 * RS/6000 and PowerPC Pragmas::
6459 @subsection ARM Pragmas
6461 The ARM target defines pragmas for controlling the default addition of
6462 @code{long_call} and @code{short_call} attributes to functions.
6463 @xref{Function Attributes}, for information about the effects of these
6468 @cindex pragma, long_calls
6469 Set all subsequent functions to have the @code{long_call} attribute.
6472 @cindex pragma, no_long_calls
6473 Set all subsequent functions to have the @code{short_call} attribute.
6475 @item long_calls_off
6476 @cindex pragma, long_calls_off
6477 Do not affect the @code{long_call} or @code{short_call} attributes of
6478 subsequent functions.
6481 @node RS/6000 and PowerPC Pragmas
6482 @subsection RS/6000 and PowerPC Pragmas
6484 The RS/6000 and PowerPC targets define one pragma for controlling
6485 whether or not the @code{longcall} attribute is added to function
6486 declarations by default. This pragma overrides the @option{-mlongcall}
6487 option, but not the @code{longcall} and @code{shortcall} attributes.
6488 @xref{RS/6000 and PowerPC Options}, for more information about when long
6489 calls are and are not necessary.
6493 @cindex pragma, longcall
6494 Apply the @code{longcall} attribute to all subsequent function
6498 Do not apply the @code{longcall} attribute to subsequent function
6502 @c Describe c4x pragmas here.
6503 @c Describe h8300 pragmas here.
6504 @c Describe i370 pragmas here.
6505 @c Describe i960 pragmas here.
6506 @c Describe sh pragmas here.
6507 @c Describe v850 pragmas here.
6509 @node Darwin Pragmas
6510 @subsection Darwin Pragmas
6512 The following pragmas are available for all architectures running the
6513 Darwin operating system. These are useful for compatibility with other
6517 @item mark @var{tokens}@dots{}
6518 @cindex pragma, mark
6519 This pragma is accepted, but has no effect.
6521 @item options align=@var{alignment}
6522 @cindex pragma, options align
6523 This pragma sets the alignment of fields in structures. The values of
6524 @var{alignment} may be @code{mac68k}, to emulate m68k alignment, or
6525 @code{power}, to emulate PowerPC alignment. Uses of this pragma nest
6526 properly; to restore the previous setting, use @code{reset} for the
6529 @item segment @var{tokens}@dots{}
6530 @cindex pragma, segment
6531 This pragma is accepted, but has no effect.
6533 @item unused (@var{var} [, @var{var}]@dots{})
6534 @cindex pragma, unused
6535 This pragma declares variables to be possibly unused. GCC will not
6536 produce warnings for the listed variables. The effect is similar to
6537 that of the @code{unused} attribute, except that this pragma may appear
6538 anywhere within the variables' scopes.
6541 @node Solaris Pragmas
6542 @subsection Solaris Pragmas
6544 For compatibility with the SunPRO compiler, the following pragma
6548 @item redefine_extname @var{oldname} @var{newname}
6549 @cindex pragma, redefine_extname
6551 This pragma gives the C function @var{oldname} the assembler label
6552 @var{newname}. The pragma must appear before the function declaration.
6553 This pragma is equivalent to the asm labels extension (@pxref{Asm
6554 Labels}). The preprocessor defines @code{__PRAGMA_REDEFINE_EXTNAME}
6555 if the pragma is available.
6559 @subsection Tru64 Pragmas
6561 For compatibility with the Compaq C compiler, the following pragma
6565 @item extern_prefix @var{string}
6566 @cindex pragma, extern_prefix
6568 This pragma renames all subsequent function and variable declarations
6569 such that @var{string} is prepended to the name. This effect may be
6570 terminated by using another @code{extern_prefix} pragma with the
6573 This pragma is similar in intent to to the asm labels extension
6574 (@pxref{Asm Labels}) in that the system programmer wants to change
6575 the assembly-level ABI without changing the source-level API. The
6576 preprocessor defines @code{__EXTERN_PREFIX} if the pragma is available.
6579 @node Unnamed Fields
6580 @section Unnamed struct/union fields within structs/unions.
6584 For compatibility with other compilers, GCC allows you to define
6585 a structure or union that contains, as fields, structures and unions
6586 without names. For example:
6599 In this example, the user would be able to access members of the unnamed
6600 union with code like @samp{foo.b}. Note that only unnamed structs and
6601 unions are allowed, you may not have, for example, an unnamed
6604 You must never create such structures that cause ambiguous field definitions.
6605 For example, this structure:
6616 It is ambiguous which @code{a} is being referred to with @samp{foo.a}.
6617 Such constructs are not supported and must be avoided. In the future,
6618 such constructs may be detected and treated as compilation errors.
6621 @section Thread-Local Storage
6622 @cindex Thread-Local Storage
6623 @cindex @acronym{TLS}
6626 Thread-local storage (@acronym{TLS}) is a mechanism by which variables
6627 are allocated such that there is one instance of the variable per extant
6628 thread. The run-time model GCC uses to implement this originates
6629 in the IA-64 processor-specific ABI, but has since been migrated
6630 to other processors as well. It requires significant support from
6631 the linker (@command{ld}), dynamic linker (@command{ld.so}), and
6632 system libraries (@file{libc.so} and @file{libpthread.so}), so it
6633 is not available everywhere.
6635 At the user level, the extension is visible with a new storage
6636 class keyword: @code{__thread}. For example:
6640 extern __thread struct state s;
6641 static __thread char *p;
6644 The @code{__thread} specifier may be used alone, with the @code{extern}
6645 or @code{static} specifiers, but with no other storage class specifier.
6646 When used with @code{extern} or @code{static}, @code{__thread} must appear
6647 immediately after the other storage class specifier.
6649 The @code{__thread} specifier may be applied to any global, file-scoped
6650 static, function-scoped static, or static data member of a class. It may
6651 not be applied to block-scoped automatic or non-static data member.
6653 When the address-of operator is applied to a thread-local variable, it is
6654 evaluated at run-time and returns the address of the current thread's
6655 instance of that variable. An address so obtained may be used by any
6656 thread. When a thread terminates, any pointers to thread-local variables
6657 in that thread become invalid.
6659 No static initialization may refer to the address of a thread-local variable.
6661 In C++, if an initializer is present for a thread-local variable, it must
6662 be a @var{constant-expression}, as defined in 5.19.2 of the ANSI/ISO C++
6665 See @uref{http://people.redhat.com/drepper/tls.pdf,
6666 ELF Handling For Thread-Local Storage} for a detailed explanation of
6667 the four thread-local storage addressing models, and how the run-time
6668 is expected to function.
6671 * C99 Thread-Local Edits::
6672 * C++98 Thread-Local Edits::
6675 @node C99 Thread-Local Edits
6676 @subsection ISO/IEC 9899:1999 Edits for Thread-Local Storage
6678 The following are a set of changes to ISO/IEC 9899:1999 (aka C99)
6679 that document the exact semantics of the language extension.
6683 @cite{5.1.2 Execution environments}
6685 Add new text after paragraph 1
6688 Within either execution environment, a @dfn{thread} is a flow of
6689 control within a program. It is implementation defined whether
6690 or not there may be more than one thread associated with a program.
6691 It is implementation defined how threads beyond the first are
6692 created, the name and type of the function called at thread
6693 startup, and how threads may be terminated. However, objects
6694 with thread storage duration shall be initialized before thread
6699 @cite{6.2.4 Storage durations of objects}
6701 Add new text before paragraph 3
6704 An object whose identifier is declared with the storage-class
6705 specifier @w{@code{__thread}} has @dfn{thread storage duration}.
6706 Its lifetime is the entire execution of the thread, and its
6707 stored value is initialized only once, prior to thread startup.
6711 @cite{6.4.1 Keywords}
6713 Add @code{__thread}.
6716 @cite{6.7.1 Storage-class specifiers}
6718 Add @code{__thread} to the list of storage class specifiers in
6721 Change paragraph 2 to
6724 With the exception of @code{__thread}, at most one storage-class
6725 specifier may be given [@dots{}]. The @code{__thread} specifier may
6726 be used alone, or immediately following @code{extern} or
6730 Add new text after paragraph 6
6733 The declaration of an identifier for a variable that has
6734 block scope that specifies @code{__thread} shall also
6735 specify either @code{extern} or @code{static}.
6737 The @code{__thread} specifier shall be used only with
6742 @node C++98 Thread-Local Edits
6743 @subsection ISO/IEC 14882:1998 Edits for Thread-Local Storage
6745 The following are a set of changes to ISO/IEC 14882:1998 (aka C++98)
6746 that document the exact semantics of the language extension.
6749 @b{[intro.execution]}
6751 New text after paragraph 4
6754 A @dfn{thread} is a flow of control within the abstract machine.
6755 It is implementation defined whether or not there may be more than
6759 New text after paragraph 7
6762 It is unspecified whether additional action must be taken to
6763 ensure when and whether side effects are visible to other threads.
6769 Add @code{__thread}.
6772 @b{[basic.start.main]}
6774 Add after paragraph 5
6777 The thread that begins execution at the @code{main} function is called
6778 the @dfn{main thread}. It is implementation defined how functions
6779 beginning threads other than the main thread are designated or typed.
6780 A function so designated, as well as the @code{main} function, is called
6781 a @dfn{thread startup function}. It is implementation defined what
6782 happens if a thread startup function returns. It is implementation
6783 defined what happens to other threads when any thread calls @code{exit}.
6787 @b{[basic.start.init]}
6789 Add after paragraph 4
6792 The storage for an object of thread storage duration shall be
6793 statically initialized before the first statement of the thread startup
6794 function. An object of thread storage duration shall not require
6795 dynamic initialization.
6799 @b{[basic.start.term]}
6801 Add after paragraph 3
6804 The type of an object with thread storage duration shall not have a
6805 non-trivial destructor, nor shall it be an array type whose elements
6806 (directly or indirectly) have non-trivial destructors.
6812 Add ``thread storage duration'' to the list in paragraph 1.
6817 Thread, static, and automatic storage durations are associated with
6818 objects introduced by declarations [@dots{}].
6821 Add @code{__thread} to the list of specifiers in paragraph 3.
6824 @b{[basic.stc.thread]}
6826 New section before @b{[basic.stc.static]}
6829 The keyword @code{__thread} applied to an non-local object gives the
6830 object thread storage duration.
6832 A local variable or class data member declared both @code{static}
6833 and @code{__thread} gives the variable or member thread storage
6838 @b{[basic.stc.static]}
6843 All objects which have neither thread storage duration, dynamic
6844 storage duration nor are local [@dots{}].
6850 Add @code{__thread} to the list in paragraph 1.
6855 With the exception of @code{__thread}, at most one
6856 @var{storage-class-specifier} shall appear in a given
6857 @var{decl-specifier-seq}. The @code{__thread} specifier may
6858 be used alone, or immediately following the @code{extern} or
6859 @code{static} specifiers. [@dots{}]
6862 Add after paragraph 5
6865 The @code{__thread} specifier can be applied only to the names of objects
6866 and to anonymous unions.
6872 Add after paragraph 6
6875 Non-@code{static} members shall not be @code{__thread}.
6879 @node C++ Extensions
6880 @chapter Extensions to the C++ Language
6881 @cindex extensions, C++ language
6882 @cindex C++ language extensions
6884 The GNU compiler provides these extensions to the C++ language (and you
6885 can also use most of the C language extensions in your C++ programs). If you
6886 want to write code that checks whether these features are available, you can
6887 test for the GNU compiler the same way as for C programs: check for a
6888 predefined macro @code{__GNUC__}. You can also use @code{__GNUG__} to
6889 test specifically for GNU C++ (@pxref{Standard Predefined,,Standard
6890 Predefined Macros,cpp.info,The C Preprocessor}).
6893 * Min and Max:: C++ Minimum and maximum operators.
6894 * Volatiles:: What constitutes an access to a volatile object.
6895 * Restricted Pointers:: C99 restricted pointers and references.
6896 * Vague Linkage:: Where G++ puts inlines, vtables and such.
6897 * C++ Interface:: You can use a single C++ header file for both
6898 declarations and definitions.
6899 * Template Instantiation:: Methods for ensuring that exactly one copy of
6900 each needed template instantiation is emitted.
6901 * Bound member functions:: You can extract a function pointer to the
6902 method denoted by a @samp{->*} or @samp{.*} expression.
6903 * C++ Attributes:: Variable, function, and type attributes for C++ only.
6904 * Java Exceptions:: Tweaking exception handling to work with Java.
6905 * Deprecated Features:: Things might disappear from g++.
6906 * Backwards Compatibility:: Compatibilities with earlier definitions of C++.
6910 @section Minimum and Maximum Operators in C++
6912 It is very convenient to have operators which return the ``minimum'' or the
6913 ``maximum'' of two arguments. In GNU C++ (but not in GNU C),
6916 @item @var{a} <? @var{b}
6918 @cindex minimum operator
6919 is the @dfn{minimum}, returning the smaller of the numeric values
6920 @var{a} and @var{b};
6922 @item @var{a} >? @var{b}
6924 @cindex maximum operator
6925 is the @dfn{maximum}, returning the larger of the numeric values @var{a}
6929 These operations are not primitive in ordinary C++, since you can
6930 use a macro to return the minimum of two things in C++, as in the
6934 #define MIN(X,Y) ((X) < (Y) ? : (X) : (Y))
6938 You might then use @w{@samp{int min = MIN (i, j);}} to set @var{min} to
6939 the minimum value of variables @var{i} and @var{j}.
6941 However, side effects in @code{X} or @code{Y} may cause unintended
6942 behavior. For example, @code{MIN (i++, j++)} will fail, incrementing
6943 the smaller counter twice. The GNU C @code{typeof} extension allows you
6944 to write safe macros that avoid this kind of problem (@pxref{Typeof}).
6945 However, writing @code{MIN} and @code{MAX} as macros also forces you to
6946 use function-call notation for a fundamental arithmetic operation.
6947 Using GNU C++ extensions, you can write @w{@samp{int min = i <? j;}}
6950 Since @code{<?} and @code{>?} are built into the compiler, they properly
6951 handle expressions with side-effects; @w{@samp{int min = i++ <? j++;}}
6955 @section When is a Volatile Object Accessed?
6956 @cindex accessing volatiles
6957 @cindex volatile read
6958 @cindex volatile write
6959 @cindex volatile access
6961 Both the C and C++ standard have the concept of volatile objects. These
6962 are normally accessed by pointers and used for accessing hardware. The
6963 standards encourage compilers to refrain from optimizations
6964 concerning accesses to volatile objects that it might perform on
6965 non-volatile objects. The C standard leaves it implementation defined
6966 as to what constitutes a volatile access. The C++ standard omits to
6967 specify this, except to say that C++ should behave in a similar manner
6968 to C with respect to volatiles, where possible. The minimum either
6969 standard specifies is that at a sequence point all previous accesses to
6970 volatile objects have stabilized and no subsequent accesses have
6971 occurred. Thus an implementation is free to reorder and combine
6972 volatile accesses which occur between sequence points, but cannot do so
6973 for accesses across a sequence point. The use of volatiles does not
6974 allow you to violate the restriction on updating objects multiple times
6975 within a sequence point.
6977 In most expressions, it is intuitively obvious what is a read and what is
6978 a write. For instance
6981 volatile int *dst = @var{somevalue};
6982 volatile int *src = @var{someothervalue};
6987 will cause a read of the volatile object pointed to by @var{src} and stores the
6988 value into the volatile object pointed to by @var{dst}. There is no
6989 guarantee that these reads and writes are atomic, especially for objects
6990 larger than @code{int}.
6992 Less obvious expressions are where something which looks like an access
6993 is used in a void context. An example would be,
6996 volatile int *src = @var{somevalue};
7000 With C, such expressions are rvalues, and as rvalues cause a read of
7001 the object, GCC interprets this as a read of the volatile being pointed
7002 to. The C++ standard specifies that such expressions do not undergo
7003 lvalue to rvalue conversion, and that the type of the dereferenced
7004 object may be incomplete. The C++ standard does not specify explicitly
7005 that it is this lvalue to rvalue conversion which is responsible for
7006 causing an access. However, there is reason to believe that it is,
7007 because otherwise certain simple expressions become undefined. However,
7008 because it would surprise most programmers, G++ treats dereferencing a
7009 pointer to volatile object of complete type in a void context as a read
7010 of the object. When the object has incomplete type, G++ issues a
7015 struct T @{int m;@};
7016 volatile S *ptr1 = @var{somevalue};
7017 volatile T *ptr2 = @var{somevalue};
7022 In this example, a warning is issued for @code{*ptr1}, and @code{*ptr2}
7023 causes a read of the object pointed to. If you wish to force an error on
7024 the first case, you must force a conversion to rvalue with, for instance
7025 a static cast, @code{static_cast<S>(*ptr1)}.
7027 When using a reference to volatile, G++ does not treat equivalent
7028 expressions as accesses to volatiles, but instead issues a warning that
7029 no volatile is accessed. The rationale for this is that otherwise it
7030 becomes difficult to determine where volatile access occur, and not
7031 possible to ignore the return value from functions returning volatile
7032 references. Again, if you wish to force a read, cast the reference to
7035 @node Restricted Pointers
7036 @section Restricting Pointer Aliasing
7037 @cindex restricted pointers
7038 @cindex restricted references
7039 @cindex restricted this pointer
7041 As with gcc, g++ understands the C99 feature of restricted pointers,
7042 specified with the @code{__restrict__}, or @code{__restrict} type
7043 qualifier. Because you cannot compile C++ by specifying the @option{-std=c99}
7044 language flag, @code{restrict} is not a keyword in C++.
7046 In addition to allowing restricted pointers, you can specify restricted
7047 references, which indicate that the reference is not aliased in the local
7051 void fn (int *__restrict__ rptr, int &__restrict__ rref)
7058 In the body of @code{fn}, @var{rptr} points to an unaliased integer and
7059 @var{rref} refers to a (different) unaliased integer.
7061 You may also specify whether a member function's @var{this} pointer is
7062 unaliased by using @code{__restrict__} as a member function qualifier.
7065 void T::fn () __restrict__
7072 Within the body of @code{T::fn}, @var{this} will have the effective
7073 definition @code{T *__restrict__ const this}. Notice that the
7074 interpretation of a @code{__restrict__} member function qualifier is
7075 different to that of @code{const} or @code{volatile} qualifier, in that it
7076 is applied to the pointer rather than the object. This is consistent with
7077 other compilers which implement restricted pointers.
7079 As with all outermost parameter qualifiers, @code{__restrict__} is
7080 ignored in function definition matching. This means you only need to
7081 specify @code{__restrict__} in a function definition, rather than
7082 in a function prototype as well.
7085 @section Vague Linkage
7086 @cindex vague linkage
7088 There are several constructs in C++ which require space in the object
7089 file but are not clearly tied to a single translation unit. We say that
7090 these constructs have ``vague linkage''. Typically such constructs are
7091 emitted wherever they are needed, though sometimes we can be more
7095 @item Inline Functions
7096 Inline functions are typically defined in a header file which can be
7097 included in many different compilations. Hopefully they can usually be
7098 inlined, but sometimes an out-of-line copy is necessary, if the address
7099 of the function is taken or if inlining fails. In general, we emit an
7100 out-of-line copy in all translation units where one is needed. As an
7101 exception, we only emit inline virtual functions with the vtable, since
7102 it will always require a copy.
7104 Local static variables and string constants used in an inline function
7105 are also considered to have vague linkage, since they must be shared
7106 between all inlined and out-of-line instances of the function.
7110 C++ virtual functions are implemented in most compilers using a lookup
7111 table, known as a vtable. The vtable contains pointers to the virtual
7112 functions provided by a class, and each object of the class contains a
7113 pointer to its vtable (or vtables, in some multiple-inheritance
7114 situations). If the class declares any non-inline, non-pure virtual
7115 functions, the first one is chosen as the ``key method'' for the class,
7116 and the vtable is only emitted in the translation unit where the key
7119 @emph{Note:} If the chosen key method is later defined as inline, the
7120 vtable will still be emitted in every translation unit which defines it.
7121 Make sure that any inline virtuals are declared inline in the class
7122 body, even if they are not defined there.
7124 @item type_info objects
7127 C++ requires information about types to be written out in order to
7128 implement @samp{dynamic_cast}, @samp{typeid} and exception handling.
7129 For polymorphic classes (classes with virtual functions), the type_info
7130 object is written out along with the vtable so that @samp{dynamic_cast}
7131 can determine the dynamic type of a class object at runtime. For all
7132 other types, we write out the type_info object when it is used: when
7133 applying @samp{typeid} to an expression, throwing an object, or
7134 referring to a type in a catch clause or exception specification.
7136 @item Template Instantiations
7137 Most everything in this section also applies to template instantiations,
7138 but there are other options as well.
7139 @xref{Template Instantiation,,Where's the Template?}.
7143 When used with GNU ld version 2.8 or later on an ELF system such as
7144 Linux/GNU or Solaris 2, or on Microsoft Windows, duplicate copies of
7145 these constructs will be discarded at link time. This is known as
7148 On targets that don't support COMDAT, but do support weak symbols, GCC
7149 will use them. This way one copy will override all the others, but
7150 the unused copies will still take up space in the executable.
7152 For targets which do not support either COMDAT or weak symbols,
7153 most entities with vague linkage will be emitted as local symbols to
7154 avoid duplicate definition errors from the linker. This will not happen
7155 for local statics in inlines, however, as having multiple copies will
7156 almost certainly break things.
7158 @xref{C++ Interface,,Declarations and Definitions in One Header}, for
7159 another way to control placement of these constructs.
7162 @section Declarations and Definitions in One Header
7164 @cindex interface and implementation headers, C++
7165 @cindex C++ interface and implementation headers
7166 C++ object definitions can be quite complex. In principle, your source
7167 code will need two kinds of things for each object that you use across
7168 more than one source file. First, you need an @dfn{interface}
7169 specification, describing its structure with type declarations and
7170 function prototypes. Second, you need the @dfn{implementation} itself.
7171 It can be tedious to maintain a separate interface description in a
7172 header file, in parallel to the actual implementation. It is also
7173 dangerous, since separate interface and implementation definitions may
7174 not remain parallel.
7176 @cindex pragmas, interface and implementation
7177 With GNU C++, you can use a single header file for both purposes.
7180 @emph{Warning:} The mechanism to specify this is in transition. For the
7181 nonce, you must use one of two @code{#pragma} commands; in a future
7182 release of GNU C++, an alternative mechanism will make these
7183 @code{#pragma} commands unnecessary.
7186 The header file contains the full definitions, but is marked with
7187 @samp{#pragma interface} in the source code. This allows the compiler
7188 to use the header file only as an interface specification when ordinary
7189 source files incorporate it with @code{#include}. In the single source
7190 file where the full implementation belongs, you can use either a naming
7191 convention or @samp{#pragma implementation} to indicate this alternate
7192 use of the header file.
7195 @item #pragma interface
7196 @itemx #pragma interface "@var{subdir}/@var{objects}.h"
7197 @kindex #pragma interface
7198 Use this directive in @emph{header files} that define object classes, to save
7199 space in most of the object files that use those classes. Normally,
7200 local copies of certain information (backup copies of inline member
7201 functions, debugging information, and the internal tables that implement
7202 virtual functions) must be kept in each object file that includes class
7203 definitions. You can use this pragma to avoid such duplication. When a
7204 header file containing @samp{#pragma interface} is included in a
7205 compilation, this auxiliary information will not be generated (unless
7206 the main input source file itself uses @samp{#pragma implementation}).
7207 Instead, the object files will contain references to be resolved at link
7210 The second form of this directive is useful for the case where you have
7211 multiple headers with the same name in different directories. If you
7212 use this form, you must specify the same string to @samp{#pragma
7215 @item #pragma implementation
7216 @itemx #pragma implementation "@var{objects}.h"
7217 @kindex #pragma implementation
7218 Use this pragma in a @emph{main input file}, when you want full output from
7219 included header files to be generated (and made globally visible). The
7220 included header file, in turn, should use @samp{#pragma interface}.
7221 Backup copies of inline member functions, debugging information, and the
7222 internal tables used to implement virtual functions are all generated in
7223 implementation files.
7225 @cindex implied @code{#pragma implementation}
7226 @cindex @code{#pragma implementation}, implied
7227 @cindex naming convention, implementation headers
7228 If you use @samp{#pragma implementation} with no argument, it applies to
7229 an include file with the same basename@footnote{A file's @dfn{basename}
7230 was the name stripped of all leading path information and of trailing
7231 suffixes, such as @samp{.h} or @samp{.C} or @samp{.cc}.} as your source
7232 file. For example, in @file{allclass.cc}, giving just
7233 @samp{#pragma implementation}
7234 by itself is equivalent to @samp{#pragma implementation "allclass.h"}.
7236 In versions of GNU C++ prior to 2.6.0 @file{allclass.h} was treated as
7237 an implementation file whenever you would include it from
7238 @file{allclass.cc} even if you never specified @samp{#pragma
7239 implementation}. This was deemed to be more trouble than it was worth,
7240 however, and disabled.
7242 If you use an explicit @samp{#pragma implementation}, it must appear in
7243 your source file @emph{before} you include the affected header files.
7245 Use the string argument if you want a single implementation file to
7246 include code from multiple header files. (You must also use
7247 @samp{#include} to include the header file; @samp{#pragma
7248 implementation} only specifies how to use the file---it doesn't actually
7251 There is no way to split up the contents of a single header file into
7252 multiple implementation files.
7255 @cindex inlining and C++ pragmas
7256 @cindex C++ pragmas, effect on inlining
7257 @cindex pragmas in C++, effect on inlining
7258 @samp{#pragma implementation} and @samp{#pragma interface} also have an
7259 effect on function inlining.
7261 If you define a class in a header file marked with @samp{#pragma
7262 interface}, the effect on a function defined in that class is similar to
7263 an explicit @code{extern} declaration---the compiler emits no code at
7264 all to define an independent version of the function. Its definition
7265 is used only for inlining with its callers.
7267 @opindex fno-implement-inlines
7268 Conversely, when you include the same header file in a main source file
7269 that declares it as @samp{#pragma implementation}, the compiler emits
7270 code for the function itself; this defines a version of the function
7271 that can be found via pointers (or by callers compiled without
7272 inlining). If all calls to the function can be inlined, you can avoid
7273 emitting the function by compiling with @option{-fno-implement-inlines}.
7274 If any calls were not inlined, you will get linker errors.
7276 @node Template Instantiation
7277 @section Where's the Template?
7279 @cindex template instantiation
7281 C++ templates are the first language feature to require more
7282 intelligence from the environment than one usually finds on a UNIX
7283 system. Somehow the compiler and linker have to make sure that each
7284 template instance occurs exactly once in the executable if it is needed,
7285 and not at all otherwise. There are two basic approaches to this
7286 problem, which I will refer to as the Borland model and the Cfront model.
7290 Borland C++ solved the template instantiation problem by adding the code
7291 equivalent of common blocks to their linker; the compiler emits template
7292 instances in each translation unit that uses them, and the linker
7293 collapses them together. The advantage of this model is that the linker
7294 only has to consider the object files themselves; there is no external
7295 complexity to worry about. This disadvantage is that compilation time
7296 is increased because the template code is being compiled repeatedly.
7297 Code written for this model tends to include definitions of all
7298 templates in the header file, since they must be seen to be
7302 The AT&T C++ translator, Cfront, solved the template instantiation
7303 problem by creating the notion of a template repository, an
7304 automatically maintained place where template instances are stored. A
7305 more modern version of the repository works as follows: As individual
7306 object files are built, the compiler places any template definitions and
7307 instantiations encountered in the repository. At link time, the link
7308 wrapper adds in the objects in the repository and compiles any needed
7309 instances that were not previously emitted. The advantages of this
7310 model are more optimal compilation speed and the ability to use the
7311 system linker; to implement the Borland model a compiler vendor also
7312 needs to replace the linker. The disadvantages are vastly increased
7313 complexity, and thus potential for error; for some code this can be
7314 just as transparent, but in practice it can been very difficult to build
7315 multiple programs in one directory and one program in multiple
7316 directories. Code written for this model tends to separate definitions
7317 of non-inline member templates into a separate file, which should be
7318 compiled separately.
7321 When used with GNU ld version 2.8 or later on an ELF system such as
7322 Linux/GNU or Solaris 2, or on Microsoft Windows, g++ supports the
7323 Borland model. On other systems, g++ implements neither automatic
7326 A future version of g++ will support a hybrid model whereby the compiler
7327 will emit any instantiations for which the template definition is
7328 included in the compile, and store template definitions and
7329 instantiation context information into the object file for the rest.
7330 The link wrapper will extract that information as necessary and invoke
7331 the compiler to produce the remaining instantiations. The linker will
7332 then combine duplicate instantiations.
7334 In the mean time, you have the following options for dealing with
7335 template instantiations:
7340 Compile your template-using code with @option{-frepo}. The compiler will
7341 generate files with the extension @samp{.rpo} listing all of the
7342 template instantiations used in the corresponding object files which
7343 could be instantiated there; the link wrapper, @samp{collect2}, will
7344 then update the @samp{.rpo} files to tell the compiler where to place
7345 those instantiations and rebuild any affected object files. The
7346 link-time overhead is negligible after the first pass, as the compiler
7347 will continue to place the instantiations in the same files.
7349 This is your best option for application code written for the Borland
7350 model, as it will just work. Code written for the Cfront model will
7351 need to be modified so that the template definitions are available at
7352 one or more points of instantiation; usually this is as simple as adding
7353 @code{#include <tmethods.cc>} to the end of each template header.
7355 For library code, if you want the library to provide all of the template
7356 instantiations it needs, just try to link all of its object files
7357 together; the link will fail, but cause the instantiations to be
7358 generated as a side effect. Be warned, however, that this may cause
7359 conflicts if multiple libraries try to provide the same instantiations.
7360 For greater control, use explicit instantiation as described in the next
7364 @opindex fno-implicit-templates
7365 Compile your code with @option{-fno-implicit-templates} to disable the
7366 implicit generation of template instances, and explicitly instantiate
7367 all the ones you use. This approach requires more knowledge of exactly
7368 which instances you need than do the others, but it's less
7369 mysterious and allows greater control. You can scatter the explicit
7370 instantiations throughout your program, perhaps putting them in the
7371 translation units where the instances are used or the translation units
7372 that define the templates themselves; you can put all of the explicit
7373 instantiations you need into one big file; or you can create small files
7380 template class Foo<int>;
7381 template ostream& operator <<
7382 (ostream&, const Foo<int>&);
7385 for each of the instances you need, and create a template instantiation
7388 If you are using Cfront-model code, you can probably get away with not
7389 using @option{-fno-implicit-templates} when compiling files that don't
7390 @samp{#include} the member template definitions.
7392 If you use one big file to do the instantiations, you may want to
7393 compile it without @option{-fno-implicit-templates} so you get all of the
7394 instances required by your explicit instantiations (but not by any
7395 other files) without having to specify them as well.
7397 g++ has extended the template instantiation syntax outlined in the
7398 Working Paper to allow forward declaration of explicit instantiations
7399 (with @code{extern}), instantiation of the compiler support data for a
7400 template class (i.e.@: the vtable) without instantiating any of its
7401 members (with @code{inline}), and instantiation of only the static data
7402 members of a template class, without the support data or member
7403 functions (with (@code{static}):
7406 extern template int max (int, int);
7407 inline template class Foo<int>;
7408 static template class Foo<int>;
7412 Do nothing. Pretend g++ does implement automatic instantiation
7413 management. Code written for the Borland model will work fine, but
7414 each translation unit will contain instances of each of the templates it
7415 uses. In a large program, this can lead to an unacceptable amount of code
7418 @xref{C++ Interface,,Declarations and Definitions in One Header}, for
7419 more discussion of these pragmas.
7422 @node Bound member functions
7423 @section Extracting the function pointer from a bound pointer to member function
7426 @cindex pointer to member function
7427 @cindex bound pointer to member function
7429 In C++, pointer to member functions (PMFs) are implemented using a wide
7430 pointer of sorts to handle all the possible call mechanisms; the PMF
7431 needs to store information about how to adjust the @samp{this} pointer,
7432 and if the function pointed to is virtual, where to find the vtable, and
7433 where in the vtable to look for the member function. If you are using
7434 PMFs in an inner loop, you should really reconsider that decision. If
7435 that is not an option, you can extract the pointer to the function that
7436 would be called for a given object/PMF pair and call it directly inside
7437 the inner loop, to save a bit of time.
7439 Note that you will still be paying the penalty for the call through a
7440 function pointer; on most modern architectures, such a call defeats the
7441 branch prediction features of the CPU@. This is also true of normal
7442 virtual function calls.
7444 The syntax for this extension is
7448 extern int (A::*fp)();
7449 typedef int (*fptr)(A *);
7451 fptr p = (fptr)(a.*fp);
7454 For PMF constants (i.e.@: expressions of the form @samp{&Klasse::Member}),
7455 no object is needed to obtain the address of the function. They can be
7456 converted to function pointers directly:
7459 fptr p1 = (fptr)(&A::foo);
7462 @opindex Wno-pmf-conversions
7463 You must specify @option{-Wno-pmf-conversions} to use this extension.
7465 @node C++ Attributes
7466 @section C++-Specific Variable, Function, and Type Attributes
7468 Some attributes only make sense for C++ programs.
7471 @item init_priority (@var{priority})
7472 @cindex init_priority attribute
7475 In Standard C++, objects defined at namespace scope are guaranteed to be
7476 initialized in an order in strict accordance with that of their definitions
7477 @emph{in a given translation unit}. No guarantee is made for initializations
7478 across translation units. However, GNU C++ allows users to control the
7479 order of initialization of objects defined at namespace scope with the
7480 @code{init_priority} attribute by specifying a relative @var{priority},
7481 a constant integral expression currently bounded between 101 and 65535
7482 inclusive. Lower numbers indicate a higher priority.
7484 In the following example, @code{A} would normally be created before
7485 @code{B}, but the @code{init_priority} attribute has reversed that order:
7488 Some_Class A __attribute__ ((init_priority (2000)));
7489 Some_Class B __attribute__ ((init_priority (543)));
7493 Note that the particular values of @var{priority} do not matter; only their
7496 @item java_interface
7497 @cindex java_interface attribute
7499 This type attribute informs C++ that the class is a Java interface. It may
7500 only be applied to classes declared within an @code{extern "Java"} block.
7501 Calls to methods declared in this interface will be dispatched using GCJ's
7502 interface table mechanism, instead of regular virtual table dispatch.
7506 @node Java Exceptions
7507 @section Java Exceptions
7509 The Java language uses a slightly different exception handling model
7510 from C++. Normally, GNU C++ will automatically detect when you are
7511 writing C++ code that uses Java exceptions, and handle them
7512 appropriately. However, if C++ code only needs to execute destructors
7513 when Java exceptions are thrown through it, GCC will guess incorrectly.
7514 Sample problematic code is:
7517 struct S @{ ~S(); @};
7518 extern void bar(); // is written in Java, and may throw exceptions
7527 The usual effect of an incorrect guess is a link failure, complaining of
7528 a missing routine called @samp{__gxx_personality_v0}.
7530 You can inform the compiler that Java exceptions are to be used in a
7531 translation unit, irrespective of what it might think, by writing
7532 @samp{@w{#pragma GCC java_exceptions}} at the head of the file. This
7533 @samp{#pragma} must appear before any functions that throw or catch
7534 exceptions, or run destructors when exceptions are thrown through them.
7536 You cannot mix Java and C++ exceptions in the same translation unit. It
7537 is believed to be safe to throw a C++ exception from one file through
7538 another file compiled for the Java exception model, or vice versa, but
7539 there may be bugs in this area.
7541 @node Deprecated Features
7542 @section Deprecated Features
7544 In the past, the GNU C++ compiler was extended to experiment with new
7545 features, at a time when the C++ language was still evolving. Now that
7546 the C++ standard is complete, some of those features are superseded by
7547 superior alternatives. Using the old features might cause a warning in
7548 some cases that the feature will be dropped in the future. In other
7549 cases, the feature might be gone already.
7551 While the list below is not exhaustive, it documents some of the options
7552 that are now deprecated:
7555 @item -fexternal-templates
7556 @itemx -falt-external-templates
7557 These are two of the many ways for g++ to implement template
7558 instantiation. @xref{Template Instantiation}. The C++ standard clearly
7559 defines how template definitions have to be organized across
7560 implementation units. g++ has an implicit instantiation mechanism that
7561 should work just fine for standard-conforming code.
7563 @item -fstrict-prototype
7564 @itemx -fno-strict-prototype
7565 Previously it was possible to use an empty prototype parameter list to
7566 indicate an unspecified number of parameters (like C), rather than no
7567 parameters, as C++ demands. This feature has been removed, except where
7568 it is required for backwards compatibility @xref{Backwards Compatibility}.
7571 The named return value extension has been deprecated, and is now
7574 The use of initializer lists with new expressions has been deprecated,
7575 and is now removed from g++.
7577 Floating and complex non-type template parameters have been deprecated,
7578 and are now removed from g++.
7580 The implicit typename extension has been deprecated and will be removed
7581 from g++ at some point. In some cases g++ determines that a dependent
7582 type such as @code{TPL<T>::X} is a type without needing a
7583 @code{typename} keyword, contrary to the standard.
7585 @node Backwards Compatibility
7586 @section Backwards Compatibility
7587 @cindex Backwards Compatibility
7588 @cindex ARM [Annotated C++ Reference Manual]
7590 Now that there is a definitive ISO standard C++, G++ has a specification
7591 to adhere to. The C++ language evolved over time, and features that
7592 used to be acceptable in previous drafts of the standard, such as the ARM
7593 [Annotated C++ Reference Manual], are no longer accepted. In order to allow
7594 compilation of C++ written to such drafts, G++ contains some backwards
7595 compatibilities. @emph{All such backwards compatibility features are
7596 liable to disappear in future versions of G++.} They should be considered
7597 deprecated @xref{Deprecated Features}.
7601 If a variable is declared at for scope, it used to remain in scope until
7602 the end of the scope which contained the for statement (rather than just
7603 within the for scope). G++ retains this, but issues a warning, if such a
7604 variable is accessed outside the for scope.
7606 @item Implicit C language
7607 Old C system header files did not contain an @code{extern "C" @{@dots{}@}}
7608 scope to set the language. On such systems, all header files are
7609 implicitly scoped inside a C language scope. Also, an empty prototype
7610 @code{()} will be treated as an unspecified number of arguments, rather
7611 than no arguments, as C++ demands.