1 \input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*-
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6 @c GNAT DOCUMENTATION o
10 @c Copyright (C) 1992-2006, AdaCore o
12 @c GNAT is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it under o
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27 @c GNAT_UGN Style Guide
29 @c 1. Always put a @noindent on the line before the first paragraph
30 @c after any of these commands:
42 @c 2. DO NOT use @example. Use @smallexample instead.
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93 @set FILE gnat_ugn_unw
98 @set FILE gnat_ugn_vms
101 @settitle @value{EDITION} User's Guide @value{PLATFORM}
102 @dircategory GNU Ada tools
104 * @value{EDITION} User's Guide (@value{FILE}) @value{PLATFORM}
107 @include gcc-common.texi
109 @setchapternewpage odd
114 Copyright @copyright{} 1995-2005, Free Software Foundation
116 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
117 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2
118 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation;
119 with the Invariant Sections being ``GNU Free Documentation License'', with the
120 Front-Cover Texts being
121 ``@value{EDITION} User's Guide'',
122 and with no Back-Cover Texts.
123 A copy of the license is included in the section entitled
124 ``GNU Free Documentation License''.
129 @title @value{EDITION} User's Guide
134 @titlefont{@i{@value{PLATFORM}}}
140 @subtitle GNAT, The GNU Ada 95 Compiler
141 @subtitle GCC version @value{version-GCC}
146 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
153 @node Top, About This Guide, (dir), (dir)
154 @top @value{EDITION} User's Guide
157 @value{EDITION} User's Guide @value{PLATFORM}
160 GNAT, The GNU Ada 95 Compiler@*
161 GCC version @value{version-GCC}@*
168 * Getting Started with GNAT::
169 * The GNAT Compilation Model::
170 * Compiling Using gcc::
171 * Binding Using gnatbind::
172 * Linking Using gnatlink::
173 * The GNAT Make Program gnatmake::
174 * Improving Performance::
175 * Renaming Files Using gnatchop::
176 * Configuration Pragmas::
177 * Handling Arbitrary File Naming Conventions Using gnatname::
178 * GNAT Project Manager::
179 * The Cross-Referencing Tools gnatxref and gnatfind::
180 * The GNAT Pretty-Printer gnatpp::
181 * The GNAT Metric Tool gnatmetric::
182 * File Name Krunching Using gnatkr::
183 * Preprocessing Using gnatprep::
185 * The GNAT Run-Time Library Builder gnatlbr::
187 * The GNAT Library Browser gnatls::
188 * Cleaning Up Using gnatclean::
190 * GNAT and Libraries::
191 * Using the GNU make Utility::
193 * Memory Management Issues::
194 * Stack Related Facilities::
195 * Verifying properties using gnatcheck::
196 * Creating Sample Bodies Using gnatstub::
197 * Other Utility Programs::
198 * Running and Debugging Ada Programs::
200 * Compatibility with HP Ada::
202 * Platform-Specific Information for the Run-Time Libraries::
203 * Example of Binder Output File::
204 * Elaboration Order Handling in GNAT::
206 * Compatibility and Porting Guide::
208 * Microsoft Windows Topics::
210 * GNU Free Documentation License::
213 --- The Detailed Node Listing ---
217 * What This Guide Contains::
218 * What You Should Know before Reading This Guide::
219 * Related Information::
222 Getting Started with GNAT
225 * Running a Simple Ada Program::
226 * Running a Program with Multiple Units::
227 * Using the gnatmake Utility::
229 * Editing with Emacs::
232 * Introduction to GPS::
233 * Introduction to Glide and GVD::
236 The GNAT Compilation Model
238 * Source Representation::
239 * Foreign Language Representation::
240 * File Naming Rules::
241 * Using Other File Names::
242 * Alternative File Naming Schemes::
243 * Generating Object Files::
244 * Source Dependencies::
245 * The Ada Library Information Files::
246 * Binding an Ada Program::
247 * Mixed Language Programming::
249 * Building Mixed Ada & C++ Programs::
250 * Comparison between GNAT and C/C++ Compilation Models::
252 * Comparison between GNAT and Conventional Ada Library Models::
254 * Placement of temporary files::
257 Foreign Language Representation
260 * Other 8-Bit Codes::
261 * Wide Character Encodings::
263 Compiling Ada Programs With gcc
265 * Compiling Programs::
267 * Search Paths and the Run-Time Library (RTL)::
268 * Order of Compilation Issues::
273 * Output and Error Message Control::
274 * Warning Message Control::
275 * Debugging and Assertion Control::
276 * Validity Checking::
279 * Using gcc for Syntax Checking::
280 * Using gcc for Semantic Checking::
281 * Compiling Different Versions of Ada::
282 * Character Set Control::
283 * File Naming Control::
284 * Subprogram Inlining Control::
285 * Auxiliary Output Control::
286 * Debugging Control::
287 * Exception Handling Control::
288 * Units to Sources Mapping Files::
289 * Integrated Preprocessing::
294 Binding Ada Programs With gnatbind
297 * Switches for gnatbind::
298 * Command-Line Access::
299 * Search Paths for gnatbind::
300 * Examples of gnatbind Usage::
302 Switches for gnatbind
304 * Consistency-Checking Modes::
305 * Binder Error Message Control::
306 * Elaboration Control::
308 * Binding with Non-Ada Main Programs::
309 * Binding Programs with No Main Subprogram::
311 Linking Using gnatlink
314 * Switches for gnatlink::
316 The GNAT Make Program gnatmake
319 * Switches for gnatmake::
320 * Mode Switches for gnatmake::
321 * Notes on the Command Line::
322 * How gnatmake Works::
323 * Examples of gnatmake Usage::
325 Improving Performance
326 * Performance Considerations::
327 * Reducing Size of Ada Executables with gnatelim::
328 * Reducing Size of Executables with unused subprogram/data elimination::
330 Performance Considerations
331 * Controlling Run-Time Checks::
332 * Use of Restrictions::
333 * Optimization Levels::
334 * Debugging Optimized Code::
335 * Inlining of Subprograms::
336 * Other Optimization Switches::
337 * Optimization and Strict Aliasing::
339 * Coverage Analysis::
342 Reducing Size of Ada Executables with gnatelim
345 * Correcting the List of Eliminate Pragmas::
346 * Making Your Executables Smaller::
347 * Summary of the gnatelim Usage Cycle::
349 Reducing Size of Executables with unused subprogram/data elimination
350 * About unused subprogram/data elimination::
351 * Compilation options::
353 Renaming Files Using gnatchop
355 * Handling Files with Multiple Units::
356 * Operating gnatchop in Compilation Mode::
357 * Command Line for gnatchop::
358 * Switches for gnatchop::
359 * Examples of gnatchop Usage::
361 Configuration Pragmas
363 * Handling of Configuration Pragmas::
364 * The Configuration Pragmas Files::
366 Handling Arbitrary File Naming Conventions Using gnatname
368 * Arbitrary File Naming Conventions::
370 * Switches for gnatname::
371 * Examples of gnatname Usage::
376 * Examples of Project Files::
377 * Project File Syntax::
378 * Objects and Sources in Project Files::
379 * Importing Projects::
380 * Project Extension::
381 * Project Hierarchy Extension::
382 * External References in Project Files::
383 * Packages in Project Files::
384 * Variables from Imported Projects::
387 * Stand-alone Library Projects::
388 * Switches Related to Project Files::
389 * Tools Supporting Project Files::
390 * An Extended Example::
391 * Project File Complete Syntax::
393 The Cross-Referencing Tools gnatxref and gnatfind
395 * gnatxref Switches::
396 * gnatfind Switches::
397 * Project Files for gnatxref and gnatfind::
398 * Regular Expressions in gnatfind and gnatxref::
399 * Examples of gnatxref Usage::
400 * Examples of gnatfind Usage::
402 The GNAT Pretty-Printer gnatpp
404 * Switches for gnatpp::
407 The GNAT Metrics Tool gnatmetric
409 * Switches for gnatmetric::
411 File Name Krunching Using gnatkr
416 * Examples of gnatkr Usage::
418 Preprocessing Using gnatprep
421 * Switches for gnatprep::
422 * Form of Definitions File::
423 * Form of Input Text for gnatprep::
426 The GNAT Run-Time Library Builder gnatlbr
429 * Switches for gnatlbr::
430 * Examples of gnatlbr Usage::
433 The GNAT Library Browser gnatls
436 * Switches for gnatls::
437 * Examples of gnatls Usage::
439 Cleaning Up Using gnatclean
441 * Running gnatclean::
442 * Switches for gnatclean::
443 @c * Examples of gnatclean Usage::
449 * Introduction to Libraries in GNAT::
450 * General Ada Libraries::
451 * Stand-alone Ada Libraries::
452 * Rebuilding the GNAT Run-Time Library::
454 Using the GNU make Utility
456 * Using gnatmake in a Makefile::
457 * Automatically Creating a List of Directories::
458 * Generating the Command Line Switches::
459 * Overcoming Command Line Length Limits::
462 Memory Management Issues
464 * Some Useful Memory Pools::
465 * The GNAT Debug Pool Facility::
470 Stack Related Facilities
472 * Stack Overflow Checking::
473 * Static Stack Usage Analysis::
474 * Dynamic Stack Usage Analysis::
476 Some Useful Memory Pools
478 The GNAT Debug Pool Facility
484 * Switches for gnatmem::
485 * Example of gnatmem Usage::
488 Verifying properties using gnatcheck
490 * Format of the Report File::
491 * General gnatcheck Switches::
492 * gnatcheck Rule Options::
493 * Add the Results of Compiler Checks to gnatcheck Output::
495 Sample Bodies Using gnatstub
498 * Switches for gnatstub::
500 Other Utility Programs
502 * Using Other Utility Programs with GNAT::
503 * The External Symbol Naming Scheme of GNAT::
505 * Ada Mode for Glide::
507 * Converting Ada Files to html with gnathtml::
509 Running and Debugging Ada Programs
511 * The GNAT Debugger GDB::
513 * Introduction to GDB Commands::
514 * Using Ada Expressions::
515 * Calling User-Defined Subprograms::
516 * Using the Next Command in a Function::
519 * Debugging Generic Units::
520 * GNAT Abnormal Termination or Failure to Terminate::
521 * Naming Conventions for GNAT Source Files::
522 * Getting Internal Debugging Information::
530 Compatibility with HP Ada
532 * Ada 95 Compatibility::
533 * Differences in the Definition of Package System::
534 * Language-Related Features::
535 * The Package STANDARD::
536 * The Package SYSTEM::
537 * Tasking and Task-Related Features::
538 * Pragmas and Pragma-Related Features::
539 * Library of Predefined Units::
541 * Main Program Definition::
542 * Implementation-Defined Attributes::
543 * Compiler and Run-Time Interfacing::
544 * Program Compilation and Library Management::
546 * Implementation Limits::
547 * Tools and Utilities::
549 Language-Related Features
551 * Integer Types and Representations::
552 * Floating-Point Types and Representations::
553 * Pragmas Float_Representation and Long_Float::
554 * Fixed-Point Types and Representations::
555 * Record and Array Component Alignment::
557 * Other Representation Clauses::
559 Tasking and Task-Related Features
561 * Implementation of Tasks in HP Ada for OpenVMS Alpha Systems::
562 * Assigning Task IDs::
563 * Task IDs and Delays::
564 * Task-Related Pragmas::
565 * Scheduling and Task Priority::
567 * External Interrupts::
569 Pragmas and Pragma-Related Features
571 * Restrictions on the Pragma INLINE::
572 * Restrictions on the Pragma INTERFACE::
573 * Restrictions on the Pragma SYSTEM_NAME::
575 Library of Predefined Units
577 * Changes to DECLIB::
581 * Shared Libraries and Options Files::
585 Platform-Specific Information for the Run-Time Libraries
587 * Summary of Run-Time Configurations::
588 * Specifying a Run-Time Library::
589 * Choosing the Scheduling Policy::
590 * Solaris-Specific Considerations::
591 * Linux-Specific Considerations::
592 * AIX-Specific Considerations::
594 Example of Binder Output File
596 Elaboration Order Handling in GNAT
598 * Elaboration Code in Ada 95::
599 * Checking the Elaboration Order in Ada 95::
600 * Controlling the Elaboration Order in Ada 95::
601 * Controlling Elaboration in GNAT - Internal Calls::
602 * Controlling Elaboration in GNAT - External Calls::
603 * Default Behavior in GNAT - Ensuring Safety::
604 * Treatment of Pragma Elaborate::
605 * Elaboration Issues for Library Tasks::
606 * Mixing Elaboration Models::
607 * What to Do If the Default Elaboration Behavior Fails::
608 * Elaboration for Access-to-Subprogram Values::
609 * Summary of Procedures for Elaboration Control::
610 * Other Elaboration Order Considerations::
614 * Basic Assembler Syntax::
615 * A Simple Example of Inline Assembler::
616 * Output Variables in Inline Assembler::
617 * Input Variables in Inline Assembler::
618 * Inlining Inline Assembler Code::
619 * Other Asm Functionality::
621 Compatibility and Porting Guide
623 * Compatibility with Ada 83::
624 * Implementation-dependent characteristics::
626 @c This brief section is only in the non-VMS version
627 @c The complete chapter on HP Ada issues is in the VMS version
628 * Compatibility with HP Ada 83::
630 * Compatibility with Other Ada 95 Systems::
631 * Representation Clauses::
633 * Transitioning to 64-Bit GNAT for OpenVMS::
637 Microsoft Windows Topics
639 * Using GNAT on Windows::
640 * CONSOLE and WINDOWS subsystems::
642 * Mixed-Language Programming on Windows::
643 * Windows Calling Conventions::
644 * Introduction to Dynamic Link Libraries (DLLs)::
645 * Using DLLs with GNAT::
646 * Building DLLs with GNAT::
647 * GNAT and Windows Resources::
649 * Setting Stack Size from gnatlink::
650 * Setting Heap Size from gnatlink::
657 @node About This Guide
658 @unnumbered About This Guide
662 This guide describes the use of @value{EDITION},
663 a full language compiler for the Ada
664 95 programming language, implemented on OpenVMS for HP's Alpha and
665 Integrity server (I64) platforms.
668 This guide describes the use of @value{EDITION},
669 a compiler and software development
670 toolset for the full Ada 95 programming language.
672 It describes the features of the compiler and tools, and details
673 how to use them to build Ada 95 applications.
676 For ease of exposition, ``GNAT Pro'' will be referred to simply as
677 ``GNAT'' in the remainder of this document.
681 * What This Guide Contains::
682 * What You Should Know before Reading This Guide::
683 * Related Information::
687 @node What This Guide Contains
688 @unnumberedsec What This Guide Contains
691 This guide contains the following chapters:
695 @ref{Getting Started with GNAT}, describes how to get started compiling
696 and running Ada programs with the GNAT Ada programming environment.
698 @ref{The GNAT Compilation Model}, describes the compilation model used
702 @ref{Compiling Using gcc}, describes how to compile
703 Ada programs with @command{gcc}, the Ada compiler.
706 @ref{Binding Using gnatbind}, describes how to
707 perform binding of Ada programs with @code{gnatbind}, the GNAT binding
711 @ref{Linking Using gnatlink},
712 describes @command{gnatlink}, a
713 program that provides for linking using the GNAT run-time library to
714 construct a program. @command{gnatlink} can also incorporate foreign language
715 object units into the executable.
718 @ref{The GNAT Make Program gnatmake}, describes @command{gnatmake}, a
719 utility that automatically determines the set of sources
720 needed by an Ada compilation unit, and executes the necessary compilations
724 @ref{Improving Performance}, shows various techniques for making your
725 Ada program run faster or take less space.
726 It discusses the effect of the compiler's optimization switch and
727 also describes the @command{gnatelim} tool and unused subprogram/data
731 @ref{Renaming Files Using gnatchop}, describes
732 @code{gnatchop}, a utility that allows you to preprocess a file that
733 contains Ada source code, and split it into one or more new files, one
734 for each compilation unit.
737 @ref{Configuration Pragmas}, describes the configuration pragmas
741 @ref{Handling Arbitrary File Naming Conventions Using gnatname},
742 shows how to override the default GNAT file naming conventions,
743 either for an individual unit or globally.
746 @ref{GNAT Project Manager}, describes how to use project files
747 to organize large projects.
750 @ref{The Cross-Referencing Tools gnatxref and gnatfind}, discusses
751 @code{gnatxref} and @code{gnatfind}, two tools that provide an easy
752 way to navigate through sources.
755 @ref{The GNAT Pretty-Printer gnatpp}, shows how to produce a reformatted
756 version of an Ada source file with control over casing, indentation,
757 comment placement, and other elements of program presentation style.
760 @ref{The GNAT Metric Tool gnatmetric}, shows how to compute various
761 metrics for an Ada source file, such as the number of types and subprograms,
762 and assorted complexity measures.
765 @ref{File Name Krunching Using gnatkr}, describes the @code{gnatkr}
766 file name krunching utility, used to handle shortened
767 file names on operating systems with a limit on the length of names.
770 @ref{Preprocessing Using gnatprep}, describes @code{gnatprep}, a
771 preprocessor utility that allows a single source file to be used to
772 generate multiple or parameterized source files, by means of macro
777 @ref{The GNAT Run-Time Library Builder gnatlbr}, describes @command{gnatlbr},
778 a tool for rebuilding the GNAT run time with user-supplied
779 configuration pragmas.
783 @ref{The GNAT Library Browser gnatls}, describes @code{gnatls}, a
784 utility that displays information about compiled units, including dependences
785 on the corresponding sources files, and consistency of compilations.
788 @ref{Cleaning Up Using gnatclean}, describes @code{gnatclean}, a utility
789 to delete files that are produced by the compiler, binder and linker.
793 @ref{GNAT and Libraries}, describes the process of creating and using
794 Libraries with GNAT. It also describes how to recompile the GNAT run-time
798 @ref{Using the GNU make Utility}, describes some techniques for using
799 the GNAT toolset in Makefiles.
803 @ref{Memory Management Issues}, describes some useful predefined storage pools
804 and in particular the GNAT Debug Pool facility, which helps detect incorrect
807 It also describes @command{gnatmem}, a utility that monitors dynamic
808 allocation and deallocation and helps detect ``memory leaks''.
812 @ref{Stack Related Facilities}, describes some useful tools associated with
813 stack checking and analysis.
816 @ref{Verifying properties using gnatcheck}, discusses @code{gnatcheck},
817 a utility that checks Ada code against a set of rules.
820 @ref{Creating Sample Bodies Using gnatstub}, discusses @code{gnatstub},
821 a utility that generates empty but compilable bodies for library units.
824 @ref{Other Utility Programs}, discusses several other GNAT utilities,
825 including @code{gnathtml}.
828 @ref{Running and Debugging Ada Programs}, describes how to run and debug
833 @ref{Compatibility with HP Ada}, details the compatibility of GNAT with
834 HP Ada 83 @footnote{``HP Ada'' refers to the legacy product originally
835 developed by Digital Equipment Corporation and currently supported by HP.}
836 for OpenVMS Alpha. This product was formerly known as DEC Ada,
839 historical compatibility reasons, the relevant libraries still use the
844 @ref{Platform-Specific Information for the Run-Time Libraries},
845 describes the various run-time
846 libraries supported by GNAT on various platforms and explains how to
847 choose a particular library.
850 @ref{Example of Binder Output File}, shows the source code for the binder
851 output file for a sample program.
854 @ref{Elaboration Order Handling in GNAT}, describes how GNAT helps
855 you deal with elaboration order issues.
858 @ref{Inline Assembler}, shows how to use the inline assembly facility
862 @ref{Compatibility and Porting Guide}, includes sections on compatibility
863 of GNAT with other Ada 83 and Ada 95 compilation systems, to assist
864 in porting code from other environments.
868 @ref{Microsoft Windows Topics}, presents information relevant to the
869 Microsoft Windows platform.
873 @c *************************************************
874 @node What You Should Know before Reading This Guide
875 @c *************************************************
876 @unnumberedsec What You Should Know before Reading This Guide
878 @cindex Ada 95 Language Reference Manual
880 This user's guide assumes that you are familiar with Ada 95 language, as
881 described in the International Standard ANSI/ISO/IEC-8652:1995, January
884 @node Related Information
885 @unnumberedsec Related Information
888 For further information about related tools, refer to the following
893 @cite{GNAT Reference Manual}, which contains all reference
894 material for the GNAT implementation of Ada 95.
898 @cite{Using the GNAT Programming System}, which describes the GPS
899 integrated development environment.
902 @cite{GNAT Programming System Tutorial}, which introduces the
903 main GPS features through examples.
907 @cite{Ada 95 Language Reference Manual}, which contains all reference
908 material for the Ada 95 programming language.
911 @cite{Debugging with GDB}
913 , located in the GNU:[DOCS] directory,
915 contains all details on the use of the GNU source-level debugger.
918 @cite{GNU Emacs Manual}
920 , located in the GNU:[DOCS] directory if the EMACS kit is installed,
922 contains full information on the extensible editor and programming
929 @unnumberedsec Conventions
931 @cindex Typographical conventions
934 Following are examples of the typographical and graphic conventions used
939 @code{Functions}, @code{utility program names}, @code{standard names},
946 @file{File Names}, @file{button names}, and @file{field names}.
955 [optional information or parameters]
958 Examples are described by text
960 and then shown this way.
965 Commands that are entered by the user are preceded in this manual by the
966 characters @w{``@code{$ }''} (dollar sign followed by space). If your system
967 uses this sequence as a prompt, then the commands will appear exactly as
968 you see them in the manual. If your system uses some other prompt, then
969 the command will appear with the @code{$} replaced by whatever prompt
970 character you are using.
973 Full file names are shown with the ``@code{/}'' character
974 as the directory separator; e.g., @file{parent-dir/subdir/myfile.adb}.
975 If you are using GNAT on a Windows platform, please note that
976 the ``@code{\}'' character should be used instead.
979 @c ****************************
980 @node Getting Started with GNAT
981 @chapter Getting Started with GNAT
984 This chapter describes some simple ways of using GNAT to build
985 executable Ada programs.
987 @ref{Running GNAT}, through @ref{Using the gnatmake Utility},
988 show how to use the command line environment.
989 @ref{Introduction to Glide and GVD}, provides a brief
990 introduction to the visually-oriented IDE for GNAT.
991 Supplementing Glide on some platforms is GPS, the
992 GNAT Programming System, which offers a richer graphical
993 ``look and feel'', enhanced configurability, support for
994 development in other programming language, comprehensive
995 browsing features, and many other capabilities.
996 For information on GPS please refer to
997 @cite{Using the GNAT Programming System}.
1002 * Running a Simple Ada Program::
1003 * Running a Program with Multiple Units::
1004 * Using the gnatmake Utility::
1006 * Editing with Emacs::
1009 * Introduction to GPS::
1010 * Introduction to Glide and GVD::
1015 @section Running GNAT
1018 Three steps are needed to create an executable file from an Ada source
1023 The source file(s) must be compiled.
1025 The file(s) must be bound using the GNAT binder.
1027 All appropriate object files must be linked to produce an executable.
1031 All three steps are most commonly handled by using the @command{gnatmake}
1032 utility program that, given the name of the main program, automatically
1033 performs the necessary compilation, binding and linking steps.
1035 @node Running a Simple Ada Program
1036 @section Running a Simple Ada Program
1039 Any text editor may be used to prepare an Ada program.
1042 used, the optional Ada mode may be helpful in laying out the program.
1045 program text is a normal text file. We will suppose in our initial
1046 example that you have used your editor to prepare the following
1047 standard format text file:
1049 @smallexample @c ada
1051 with Ada.Text_IO; use Ada.Text_IO;
1054 Put_Line ("Hello WORLD!");
1060 This file should be named @file{hello.adb}.
1061 With the normal default file naming conventions, GNAT requires
1063 contain a single compilation unit whose file name is the
1065 with periods replaced by hyphens; the
1066 extension is @file{ads} for a
1067 spec and @file{adb} for a body.
1068 You can override this default file naming convention by use of the
1069 special pragma @code{Source_File_Name} (@pxref{Using Other File Names}).
1070 Alternatively, if you want to rename your files according to this default
1071 convention, which is probably more convenient if you will be using GNAT
1072 for all your compilations, then the @code{gnatchop} utility
1073 can be used to generate correctly-named source files
1074 (@pxref{Renaming Files Using gnatchop}).
1076 You can compile the program using the following command (@code{$} is used
1077 as the command prompt in the examples in this document):
1084 @command{gcc} is the command used to run the compiler. This compiler is
1085 capable of compiling programs in several languages, including Ada 95 and
1086 C. It assumes that you have given it an Ada program if the file extension is
1087 either @file{.ads} or @file{.adb}, and it will then call
1088 the GNAT compiler to compile the specified file.
1091 The @option{-c} switch is required. It tells @command{gcc} to only do a
1092 compilation. (For C programs, @command{gcc} can also do linking, but this
1093 capability is not used directly for Ada programs, so the @option{-c}
1094 switch must always be present.)
1097 This compile command generates a file
1098 @file{hello.o}, which is the object
1099 file corresponding to your Ada program. It also generates
1100 an ``Ada Library Information'' file @file{hello.ali},
1101 which contains additional information used to check
1102 that an Ada program is consistent.
1103 To build an executable file,
1104 use @code{gnatbind} to bind the program
1105 and @command{gnatlink} to link it. The
1106 argument to both @code{gnatbind} and @command{gnatlink} is the name of the
1107 @file{ALI} file, but the default extension of @file{.ali} can
1108 be omitted. This means that in the most common case, the argument
1109 is simply the name of the main program:
1117 A simpler method of carrying out these steps is to use
1119 a master program that invokes all the required
1120 compilation, binding and linking tools in the correct order. In particular,
1121 @command{gnatmake} automatically recompiles any sources that have been
1122 modified since they were last compiled, or sources that depend
1123 on such modified sources, so that ``version skew'' is avoided.
1124 @cindex Version skew (avoided by @command{gnatmake})
1127 $ gnatmake hello.adb
1131 The result is an executable program called @file{hello}, which can be
1139 assuming that the current directory is on the search path
1140 for executable programs.
1143 and, if all has gone well, you will see
1150 appear in response to this command.
1152 @c ****************************************
1153 @node Running a Program with Multiple Units
1154 @section Running a Program with Multiple Units
1157 Consider a slightly more complicated example that has three files: a
1158 main program, and the spec and body of a package:
1160 @smallexample @c ada
1163 package Greetings is
1168 with Ada.Text_IO; use Ada.Text_IO;
1169 package body Greetings is
1172 Put_Line ("Hello WORLD!");
1175 procedure Goodbye is
1177 Put_Line ("Goodbye WORLD!");
1194 Following the one-unit-per-file rule, place this program in the
1195 following three separate files:
1199 spec of package @code{Greetings}
1202 body of package @code{Greetings}
1205 body of main program
1209 To build an executable version of
1210 this program, we could use four separate steps to compile, bind, and link
1211 the program, as follows:
1215 $ gcc -c greetings.adb
1221 Note that there is no required order of compilation when using GNAT.
1222 In particular it is perfectly fine to compile the main program first.
1223 Also, it is not necessary to compile package specs in the case where
1224 there is an accompanying body; you only need to compile the body. If you want
1225 to submit these files to the compiler for semantic checking and not code
1226 generation, then use the
1227 @option{-gnatc} switch:
1230 $ gcc -c greetings.ads -gnatc
1234 Although the compilation can be done in separate steps as in the
1235 above example, in practice it is almost always more convenient
1236 to use the @command{gnatmake} tool. All you need to know in this case
1237 is the name of the main program's source file. The effect of the above four
1238 commands can be achieved with a single one:
1241 $ gnatmake gmain.adb
1245 In the next section we discuss the advantages of using @command{gnatmake} in
1248 @c *****************************
1249 @node Using the gnatmake Utility
1250 @section Using the @command{gnatmake} Utility
1253 If you work on a program by compiling single components at a time using
1254 @command{gcc}, you typically keep track of the units you modify. In order to
1255 build a consistent system, you compile not only these units, but also any
1256 units that depend on the units you have modified.
1257 For example, in the preceding case,
1258 if you edit @file{gmain.adb}, you only need to recompile that file. But if
1259 you edit @file{greetings.ads}, you must recompile both
1260 @file{greetings.adb} and @file{gmain.adb}, because both files contain
1261 units that depend on @file{greetings.ads}.
1263 @code{gnatbind} will warn you if you forget one of these compilation
1264 steps, so that it is impossible to generate an inconsistent program as a
1265 result of forgetting to do a compilation. Nevertheless it is tedious and
1266 error-prone to keep track of dependencies among units.
1267 One approach to handle the dependency-bookkeeping is to use a
1268 makefile. However, makefiles present maintenance problems of their own:
1269 if the dependencies change as you change the program, you must make
1270 sure that the makefile is kept up-to-date manually, which is also an
1271 error-prone process.
1273 The @command{gnatmake} utility takes care of these details automatically.
1274 Invoke it using either one of the following forms:
1277 $ gnatmake gmain.adb
1278 $ gnatmake ^gmain^GMAIN^
1282 The argument is the name of the file containing the main program;
1283 you may omit the extension. @command{gnatmake}
1284 examines the environment, automatically recompiles any files that need
1285 recompiling, and binds and links the resulting set of object files,
1286 generating the executable file, @file{^gmain^GMAIN.EXE^}.
1287 In a large program, it
1288 can be extremely helpful to use @command{gnatmake}, because working out by hand
1289 what needs to be recompiled can be difficult.
1291 Note that @command{gnatmake}
1292 takes into account all the Ada 95 rules that
1293 establish dependencies among units. These include dependencies that result
1294 from inlining subprogram bodies, and from
1295 generic instantiation. Unlike some other
1296 Ada make tools, @command{gnatmake} does not rely on the dependencies that were
1297 found by the compiler on a previous compilation, which may possibly
1298 be wrong when sources change. @command{gnatmake} determines the exact set of
1299 dependencies from scratch each time it is run.
1302 @node Editing with Emacs
1303 @section Editing with Emacs
1307 Emacs is an extensible self-documenting text editor that is available in a
1308 separate VMSINSTAL kit.
1310 Invoke Emacs by typing @kbd{Emacs} at the command prompt. To get started,
1311 click on the Emacs Help menu and run the Emacs Tutorial.
1312 In a character cell terminal, Emacs help is invoked with @kbd{Ctrl-h} (also
1313 written as @kbd{C-h}), and the tutorial by @kbd{C-h t}.
1315 Documentation on Emacs and other tools is available in Emacs under the
1316 pull-down menu button: @code{Help - Info}. After selecting @code{Info},
1317 use the middle mouse button to select a topic (e.g. Emacs).
1319 In a character cell terminal, do @kbd{C-h i} to invoke info, and then @kbd{m}
1320 (stands for menu) followed by the menu item desired, as in @kbd{m Emacs}, to
1321 get to the Emacs manual.
1322 Help on Emacs is also available by typing @kbd{HELP EMACS} at the DCL command
1325 The tutorial is highly recommended in order to learn the intricacies of Emacs,
1326 which is sufficiently extensible to provide for a complete programming
1327 environment and shell for the sophisticated user.
1331 @node Introduction to GPS
1332 @section Introduction to GPS
1333 @cindex GPS (GNAT Programming System)
1334 @cindex GNAT Programming System (GPS)
1336 Although the command line interface (@command{gnatmake}, etc.) alone
1337 is sufficient, a graphical Interactive Development
1338 Environment can make it easier for you to compose, navigate, and debug
1339 programs. This section describes the main features of GPS
1340 (``GNAT Programming System''), the GNAT graphical IDE.
1341 You will see how to use GPS to build and debug an executable, and
1342 you will also learn some of the basics of the GNAT ``project'' facility.
1344 GPS enables you to do much more than is presented here;
1345 e.g., you can produce a call graph, interface to a third-party
1346 Version Control System, and inspect the generated assembly language
1348 Indeed, GPS also supports languages other than Ada.
1349 Such additional information, and an explanation of all of the GPS menu
1350 items. may be found in the on-line help, which includes
1351 a user's guide and a tutorial (these are also accessible from the GNAT
1355 * Building a New Program with GPS::
1356 * Simple Debugging with GPS::
1359 @node Building a New Program with GPS
1360 @subsection Building a New Program with GPS
1362 GPS invokes the GNAT compilation tools using information
1363 contained in a @emph{project} (also known as a @emph{project file}):
1364 a collection of properties such
1365 as source directories, identities of main subprograms, tool switches, etc.,
1366 and their associated values.
1367 See @ref{GNAT Project Manager} for details.
1368 In order to run GPS, you will need to either create a new project
1369 or else open an existing one.
1371 This section will explain how you can use GPS to create a project,
1372 to associate Ada source files with a project, and to build and run
1376 @item @emph{Creating a project}
1378 Invoke GPS, either from the command line or the platform's IDE.
1379 After it starts, GPS will display a ``Welcome'' screen with three
1384 @code{Start with default project in directory}
1387 @code{Create new project with wizard}
1390 @code{Open existing project}
1394 Select @code{Create new project with wizard} and press @code{OK}.
1395 A new window will appear. In the text box labeled with
1396 @code{Enter the name of the project to create}, type @file{sample}
1397 as the project name.
1398 In the next box, browse to choose the directory in which you
1399 would like to create the project file.
1400 After selecting an appropriate directory, press @code{Forward}.
1402 A window will appear with the title
1403 @code{Version Control System Configuration}.
1404 Simply press @code{Forward}.
1406 A window will appear with the title
1407 @code{Please select the source directories for this project}.
1408 The directory that you specified for the project file will be selected
1409 by default as the one to use for sources; simply press @code{Forward}.
1411 A window will appear with the title
1412 @code{Please select the build directory for this project}.
1413 The directory that you specified for the project file will be selected
1414 by default for object files and executables;
1415 simply press @code{Forward}.
1417 A window will appear with the title
1418 @code{Please select the main units for this project}.
1419 You will supply this information later, after creating the source file.
1420 Simply press @code{Forward} for now.
1422 A window will appear with the title
1423 @code{Please select the switches to build the project}.
1424 Press @code{Apply}. This will create a project file named
1425 @file{sample.prj} in the directory that you had specified.
1427 @item @emph{Creating and saving the source file}
1429 After you create the new project, a GPS window will appear, which is
1430 partitioned into two main sections:
1434 A @emph{Workspace area}, initially greyed out, which you will use for
1435 creating and editing source files
1438 Directly below, a @emph{Messages area}, which initially displays a
1439 ``Welcome'' message.
1440 (If the Messages area is not visible, drag its border upward to expand it.)
1444 Select @code{File} on the menu bar, and then the @code{New} command.
1445 The Workspace area will become white, and you can now
1446 enter the source program explicitly.
1447 Type the following text
1449 @smallexample @c ada
1451 with Ada.Text_IO; use Ada.Text_IO;
1454 Put_Line("Hello from GPS!");
1460 Select @code{File}, then @code{Save As}, and enter the source file name
1462 The file will be saved in the same directory you specified as the
1463 location of the default project file.
1465 @item @emph{Updating the project file}
1467 You need to add the new source file to the project.
1469 the @code{Project} menu and then @code{Edit project properties}.
1470 Click the @code{Main files} tab on the left, and then the
1472 Choose @file{hello.adb} from the list, and press @code{Open}.
1473 The project settings window will reflect this action.
1476 @item @emph{Building and running the program}
1478 In the main GPS window, now choose the @code{Build} menu, then @code{Make},
1479 and select @file{hello.adb}.
1480 The Messages window will display the resulting invocations of @command{gcc},
1481 @command{gnatbind}, and @command{gnatlink}
1482 (reflecting the default switch settings from the
1483 project file that you created) and then a ``successful compilation/build''
1486 To run the program, choose the @code{Build} menu, then @code{Run}, and
1487 select @command{hello}.
1488 An @emph{Arguments Selection} window will appear.
1489 There are no command line arguments, so just click @code{OK}.
1491 The Messages window will now display the program's output (the string
1492 @code{Hello from GPS}), and at the bottom of the GPS window a status
1493 update is displayed (@code{Run: hello}).
1494 Close the GPS window (or select @code{File}, then @code{Exit}) to
1495 terminate this GPS session.
1498 @node Simple Debugging with GPS
1499 @subsection Simple Debugging with GPS
1501 This section illustrates basic debugging techniques (setting breakpoints,
1502 examining/modifying variables, single stepping).
1505 @item @emph{Opening a project}
1507 Start GPS and select @code{Open existing project}; browse to
1508 specify the project file @file{sample.prj} that you had created in the
1511 @item @emph{Creating a source file}
1513 Select @code{File}, then @code{New}, and type in the following program:
1515 @smallexample @c ada
1517 with Ada.Text_IO; use Ada.Text_IO;
1518 procedure Example is
1519 Line : String (1..80);
1522 Put_Line("Type a line of text at each prompt; an empty line to exit");
1526 Put_Line (Line (1..N) );
1534 Select @code{File}, then @code{Save as}, and enter the file name
1537 @item @emph{Updating the project file}
1539 Add @code{Example} as a new main unit for the project:
1542 Select @code{Project}, then @code{Edit Project Properties}.
1545 Select the @code{Main files} tab, click @code{Add}, then
1546 select the file @file{example.adb} from the list, and
1548 You will see the file name appear in the list of main units
1554 @item @emph{Building/running the executable}
1556 To build the executable
1557 select @code{Build}, then @code{Make}, and then choose @file{example.adb}.
1559 Run the program to see its effect (in the Messages area).
1560 Each line that you enter is displayed; an empty line will
1561 cause the loop to exit and the program to terminate.
1563 @item @emph{Debugging the program}
1565 Note that the @option{-g} switches to @command{gcc} and @command{gnatlink},
1566 which are required for debugging, are on by default when you create
1568 Thus unless you intentionally remove these settings, you will be able
1569 to debug any program that you develop using GPS.
1572 @item @emph{Initializing}
1574 Select @code{Debug}, then @code{Initialize}, then @file{example}
1576 @item @emph{Setting a breakpoint}
1578 After performing the initialization step, you will observe a small
1579 icon to the right of each line number.
1580 This serves as a toggle for breakpoints; clicking the icon will
1581 set a breakpoint at the corresponding line (the icon will change to
1582 a red circle with an ``x''), and clicking it again
1583 will remove the breakpoint / reset the icon.
1585 For purposes of this example, set a breakpoint at line 10 (the
1586 statement @code{Put_Line@ (Line@ (1..N));}
1588 @item @emph{Starting program execution}
1590 Select @code{Debug}, then @code{Run}. When the
1591 @code{Program Arguments} window appears, click @code{OK}.
1592 A console window will appear; enter some line of text,
1593 e.g. @code{abcde}, at the prompt.
1594 The program will pause execution when it gets to the
1595 breakpoint, and the corresponding line is highlighted.
1597 @item @emph{Examining a variable}
1599 Move the mouse over one of the occurrences of the variable @code{N}.
1600 You will see the value (5) displayed, in ``tool tip'' fashion.
1601 Right click on @code{N}, select @code{Debug}, then select @code{Display N}.
1602 You will see information about @code{N} appear in the @code{Debugger Data}
1603 pane, showing the value as 5.
1605 @item @emph{Assigning a new value to a variable}
1607 Right click on the @code{N} in the @code{Debugger Data} pane, and
1608 select @code{Set value of N}.
1609 When the input window appears, enter the value @code{4} and click
1611 This value does not automatically appear in the @code{Debugger Data}
1612 pane; to see it, right click again on the @code{N} in the
1613 @code{Debugger Data} pane and select @code{Update value}.
1614 The new value, 4, will appear in red.
1616 @item @emph{Single stepping}
1618 Select @code{Debug}, then @code{Next}.
1619 This will cause the next statement to be executed, in this case the
1620 call of @code{Put_Line} with the string slice.
1621 Notice in the console window that the displayed string is simply
1622 @code{abcd} and not @code{abcde} which you had entered.
1623 This is because the upper bound of the slice is now 4 rather than 5.
1625 @item @emph{Removing a breakpoint}
1627 Toggle the breakpoint icon at line 10.
1629 @item @emph{Resuming execution from a breakpoint}
1631 Select @code{Debug}, then @code{Continue}.
1632 The program will reach the next iteration of the loop, and
1633 wait for input after displaying the prompt.
1634 This time, just hit the @kbd{Enter} key.
1635 The value of @code{N} will be 0, and the program will terminate.
1636 The console window will disappear.
1640 @node Introduction to Glide and GVD
1641 @section Introduction to Glide and GVD
1645 This section describes the main features of Glide,
1646 a GNAT graphical IDE, and also shows how to use the basic commands in GVD,
1647 the GNU Visual Debugger.
1648 These tools may be present in addition to, or in place of, GPS on some
1650 Additional information on Glide and GVD may be found
1651 in the on-line help for these tools.
1654 * Building a New Program with Glide::
1655 * Simple Debugging with GVD::
1656 * Other Glide Features::
1659 @node Building a New Program with Glide
1660 @subsection Building a New Program with Glide
1662 The simplest way to invoke Glide is to enter @command{glide}
1663 at the command prompt. It will generally be useful to issue this
1664 as a background command, thus allowing you to continue using
1665 your command window for other purposes while Glide is running:
1672 Glide will start up with an initial screen displaying the top-level menu items
1673 as well as some other information. The menu selections are as follows
1675 @item @code{Buffers}
1686 For this introductory example, you will need to create a new Ada source file.
1687 First, select the @code{Files} menu. This will pop open a menu with around
1688 a dozen or so items. To create a file, select the @code{Open file...} choice.
1689 Depending on the platform, you may see a pop-up window where you can browse
1690 to an appropriate directory and then enter the file name, or else simply
1691 see a line at the bottom of the Glide window where you can likewise enter
1692 the file name. Note that in Glide, when you attempt to open a non-existent
1693 file, the effect is to create a file with that name. For this example enter
1694 @file{hello.adb} as the name of the file.
1696 A new buffer will now appear, occupying the entire Glide window,
1697 with the file name at the top. The menu selections are slightly different
1698 from the ones you saw on the opening screen; there is an @code{Entities} item,
1699 and in place of @code{Glide} there is now an @code{Ada} item. Glide uses
1700 the file extension to identify the source language, so @file{adb} indicates
1703 You will enter some of the source program lines explicitly,
1704 and use the syntax-oriented template mechanism to enter other lines.
1705 First, type the following text:
1707 with Ada.Text_IO; use Ada.Text_IO;
1713 Observe that Glide uses different colors to distinguish reserved words from
1714 identifiers. Also, after the @code{procedure Hello is} line, the cursor is
1715 automatically indented in anticipation of declarations. When you enter
1716 @code{begin}, Glide recognizes that there are no declarations and thus places
1717 @code{begin} flush left. But after the @code{begin} line the cursor is again
1718 indented, where the statement(s) will be placed.
1720 The main part of the program will be a @code{for} loop. Instead of entering
1721 the text explicitly, however, use a statement template. Select the @code{Ada}
1722 item on the top menu bar, move the mouse to the @code{Statements} item,
1723 and you will see a large selection of alternatives. Choose @code{for loop}.
1724 You will be prompted (at the bottom of the buffer) for a loop name;
1725 simply press the @key{Enter} key since a loop name is not needed.
1726 You should see the beginning of a @code{for} loop appear in the source
1727 program window. You will now be prompted for the name of the loop variable;
1728 enter a line with the identifier @code{ind} (lower case). Note that,
1729 by default, Glide capitalizes the name (you can override such behavior
1730 if you wish, although this is outside the scope of this introduction).
1731 Next, Glide prompts you for the loop range; enter a line containing
1732 @code{1..5} and you will see this also appear in the source program,
1733 together with the remaining elements of the @code{for} loop syntax.
1735 Next enter the statement (with an intentional error, a missing semicolon)
1736 that will form the body of the loop:
1738 Put_Line("Hello, World" & Integer'Image(I))
1742 Finally, type @code{end Hello;} as the last line in the program.
1743 Now save the file: choose the @code{File} menu item, and then the
1744 @code{Save buffer} selection. You will see a message at the bottom
1745 of the buffer confirming that the file has been saved.
1747 You are now ready to attempt to build the program. Select the @code{Ada}
1748 item from the top menu bar. Although we could choose simply to compile
1749 the file, we will instead attempt to do a build (which invokes
1750 @command{gnatmake}) since, if the compile is successful, we want to build
1751 an executable. Thus select @code{Ada build}. This will fail because of the
1752 compilation error, and you will notice that the Glide window has been split:
1753 the top window contains the source file, and the bottom window contains the
1754 output from the GNAT tools. Glide allows you to navigate from a compilation
1755 error to the source file position corresponding to the error: click the
1756 middle mouse button (or simultaneously press the left and right buttons,
1757 on a two-button mouse) on the diagnostic line in the tool window. The
1758 focus will shift to the source window, and the cursor will be positioned
1759 on the character at which the error was detected.
1761 Correct the error: type in a semicolon to terminate the statement.
1762 Although you can again save the file explicitly, you can also simply invoke
1763 @code{Ada} @result{} @code{Build} and you will be prompted to save the file.
1764 This time the build will succeed; the tool output window shows you the
1765 options that are supplied by default. The GNAT tools' output (e.g.
1766 object and ALI files, executable) will go in the directory from which
1769 To execute the program, choose @code{Ada} and then @code{Run}.
1770 You should see the program's output displayed in the bottom window:
1780 @node Simple Debugging with GVD
1781 @subsection Simple Debugging with GVD
1784 This section describes how to set breakpoints, examine/modify variables,
1785 and step through execution.
1787 In order to enable debugging, you need to pass the @option{-g} switch
1788 to both the compiler and to @command{gnatlink}. If you are using
1789 the command line, passing @option{-g} to @command{gnatmake} will have
1790 this effect. You can then launch GVD, e.g. on the @code{hello} program,
1791 by issuing the command:
1798 If you are using Glide, then @option{-g} is passed to the relevant tools
1799 by default when you do a build. Start the debugger by selecting the
1800 @code{Ada} menu item, and then @code{Debug}.
1802 GVD comes up in a multi-part window. One pane shows the names of files
1803 comprising your executable; another pane shows the source code of the current
1804 unit (initially your main subprogram), another pane shows the debugger output
1805 and user interactions, and the fourth pane (the data canvas at the top
1806 of the window) displays data objects that you have selected.
1808 To the left of the source file pane, you will notice green dots adjacent
1809 to some lines. These are lines for which object code exists and where
1810 breakpoints can thus be set. You set/reset a breakpoint by clicking
1811 the green dot. When a breakpoint is set, the dot is replaced by an @code{X}
1812 in a red circle. Clicking the circle toggles the breakpoint off,
1813 and the red circle is replaced by the green dot.
1815 For this example, set a breakpoint at the statement where @code{Put_Line}
1818 Start program execution by selecting the @code{Run} button on the top menu bar.
1819 (The @code{Start} button will also start your program, but it will
1820 cause program execution to break at the entry to your main subprogram.)
1821 Evidence of reaching the breakpoint will appear: the source file line will be
1822 highlighted, and the debugger interactions pane will display
1825 You can examine the values of variables in several ways. Move the mouse
1826 over an occurrence of @code{Ind} in the @code{for} loop, and you will see
1827 the value (now @code{1}) displayed. Alternatively, right-click on @code{Ind}
1828 and select @code{Display Ind}; a box showing the variable's name and value
1829 will appear in the data canvas.
1831 Although a loop index is a constant with respect to Ada semantics,
1832 you can change its value in the debugger. Right-click in the box
1833 for @code{Ind}, and select the @code{Set Value of Ind} item.
1834 Enter @code{2} as the new value, and press @command{OK}.
1835 The box for @code{Ind} shows the update.
1837 Press the @code{Step} button on the top menu bar; this will step through
1838 one line of program text (the invocation of @code{Put_Line}), and you can
1839 observe the effect of having modified @code{Ind} since the value displayed
1842 Remove the breakpoint, and resume execution by selecting the @code{Cont}
1843 button. You will see the remaining output lines displayed in the debugger
1844 interaction window, along with a message confirming normal program
1847 @node Other Glide Features
1848 @subsection Other Glide Features
1851 You may have observed that some of the menu selections contain abbreviations;
1852 e.g., @code{(C-x C-f)} for @code{Open file...} in the @code{Files} menu.
1853 These are @emph{shortcut keys} that you can use instead of selecting
1854 menu items. The @key{C} stands for @key{Ctrl}; thus @code{(C-x C-f)} means
1855 @key{Ctrl-x} followed by @key{Ctrl-f}, and this sequence can be used instead
1856 of selecting @code{Files} and then @code{Open file...}.
1858 To abort a Glide command, type @key{Ctrl-g}.
1860 If you want Glide to start with an existing source file, you can either
1861 launch Glide as above and then open the file via @code{Files} @result{}
1862 @code{Open file...}, or else simply pass the name of the source file
1863 on the command line:
1870 While you are using Glide, a number of @emph{buffers} exist.
1871 You create some explicitly; e.g., when you open/create a file.
1872 Others arise as an effect of the commands that you issue; e.g., the buffer
1873 containing the output of the tools invoked during a build. If a buffer
1874 is hidden, you can bring it into a visible window by first opening
1875 the @code{Buffers} menu and then selecting the desired entry.
1877 If a buffer occupies only part of the Glide screen and you want to expand it
1878 to fill the entire screen, then click in the buffer and then select
1879 @code{Files} @result{} @code{One Window}.
1881 If a window is occupied by one buffer and you want to split the window
1882 to bring up a second buffer, perform the following steps:
1884 @item Select @code{Files} @result{} @code{Split Window};
1885 this will produce two windows each of which holds the original buffer
1886 (these are not copies, but rather different views of the same buffer contents)
1888 @item With the focus in one of the windows,
1889 select the desired buffer from the @code{Buffers} menu
1893 To exit from Glide, choose @code{Files} @result{} @code{Exit}.
1896 @node The GNAT Compilation Model
1897 @chapter The GNAT Compilation Model
1898 @cindex GNAT compilation model
1899 @cindex Compilation model
1902 * Source Representation::
1903 * Foreign Language Representation::
1904 * File Naming Rules::
1905 * Using Other File Names::
1906 * Alternative File Naming Schemes::
1907 * Generating Object Files::
1908 * Source Dependencies::
1909 * The Ada Library Information Files::
1910 * Binding an Ada Program::
1911 * Mixed Language Programming::
1913 * Building Mixed Ada & C++ Programs::
1914 * Comparison between GNAT and C/C++ Compilation Models::
1916 * Comparison between GNAT and Conventional Ada Library Models::
1918 * Placement of temporary files::
1923 This chapter describes the compilation model used by GNAT. Although
1924 similar to that used by other languages, such as C and C++, this model
1925 is substantially different from the traditional Ada compilation models,
1926 which are based on a library. The model is initially described without
1927 reference to the library-based model. If you have not previously used an
1928 Ada compiler, you need only read the first part of this chapter. The
1929 last section describes and discusses the differences between the GNAT
1930 model and the traditional Ada compiler models. If you have used other
1931 Ada compilers, this section will help you to understand those
1932 differences, and the advantages of the GNAT model.
1934 @node Source Representation
1935 @section Source Representation
1939 Ada source programs are represented in standard text files, using
1940 Latin-1 coding. Latin-1 is an 8-bit code that includes the familiar
1941 7-bit ASCII set, plus additional characters used for
1942 representing foreign languages (@pxref{Foreign Language Representation}
1943 for support of non-USA character sets). The format effector characters
1944 are represented using their standard ASCII encodings, as follows:
1949 Vertical tab, @code{16#0B#}
1953 Horizontal tab, @code{16#09#}
1957 Carriage return, @code{16#0D#}
1961 Line feed, @code{16#0A#}
1965 Form feed, @code{16#0C#}
1969 Source files are in standard text file format. In addition, GNAT will
1970 recognize a wide variety of stream formats, in which the end of
1971 physical lines is marked by any of the following sequences:
1972 @code{LF}, @code{CR}, @code{CR-LF}, or @code{LF-CR}. This is useful
1973 in accommodating files that are imported from other operating systems.
1975 @cindex End of source file
1976 @cindex Source file, end
1978 The end of a source file is normally represented by the physical end of
1979 file. However, the control character @code{16#1A#} (@code{SUB}) is also
1980 recognized as signalling the end of the source file. Again, this is
1981 provided for compatibility with other operating systems where this
1982 code is used to represent the end of file.
1984 Each file contains a single Ada compilation unit, including any pragmas
1985 associated with the unit. For example, this means you must place a
1986 package declaration (a package @dfn{spec}) and the corresponding body in
1987 separate files. An Ada @dfn{compilation} (which is a sequence of
1988 compilation units) is represented using a sequence of files. Similarly,
1989 you will place each subunit or child unit in a separate file.
1991 @node Foreign Language Representation
1992 @section Foreign Language Representation
1995 GNAT supports the standard character sets defined in Ada 95 as well as
1996 several other non-standard character sets for use in localized versions
1997 of the compiler (@pxref{Character Set Control}).
2000 * Other 8-Bit Codes::
2001 * Wide Character Encodings::
2009 The basic character set is Latin-1. This character set is defined by ISO
2010 standard 8859, part 1. The lower half (character codes @code{16#00#}
2011 ... @code{16#7F#)} is identical to standard ASCII coding, but the upper half
2012 is used to represent additional characters. These include extended letters
2013 used by European languages, such as French accents, the vowels with umlauts
2014 used in German, and the extra letter A-ring used in Swedish.
2016 @findex Ada.Characters.Latin_1
2017 For a complete list of Latin-1 codes and their encodings, see the source
2018 file of library unit @code{Ada.Characters.Latin_1} in file
2019 @file{a-chlat1.ads}.
2020 You may use any of these extended characters freely in character or
2021 string literals. In addition, the extended characters that represent
2022 letters can be used in identifiers.
2024 @node Other 8-Bit Codes
2025 @subsection Other 8-Bit Codes
2028 GNAT also supports several other 8-bit coding schemes:
2031 @item ISO 8859-2 (Latin-2)
2034 Latin-2 letters allowed in identifiers, with uppercase and lowercase
2037 @item ISO 8859-3 (Latin-3)
2040 Latin-3 letters allowed in identifiers, with uppercase and lowercase
2043 @item ISO 8859-4 (Latin-4)
2046 Latin-4 letters allowed in identifiers, with uppercase and lowercase
2049 @item ISO 8859-5 (Cyrillic)
2052 ISO 8859-5 letters (Cyrillic) allowed in identifiers, with uppercase and
2053 lowercase equivalence.
2055 @item ISO 8859-15 (Latin-9)
2058 ISO 8859-15 (Latin-9) letters allowed in identifiers, with uppercase and
2059 lowercase equivalence
2061 @item IBM PC (code page 437)
2062 @cindex code page 437
2063 This code page is the normal default for PCs in the U.S. It corresponds
2064 to the original IBM PC character set. This set has some, but not all, of
2065 the extended Latin-1 letters, but these letters do not have the same
2066 encoding as Latin-1. In this mode, these letters are allowed in
2067 identifiers with uppercase and lowercase equivalence.
2069 @item IBM PC (code page 850)
2070 @cindex code page 850
2071 This code page is a modification of 437 extended to include all the
2072 Latin-1 letters, but still not with the usual Latin-1 encoding. In this
2073 mode, all these letters are allowed in identifiers with uppercase and
2074 lowercase equivalence.
2076 @item Full Upper 8-bit
2077 Any character in the range 80-FF allowed in identifiers, and all are
2078 considered distinct. In other words, there are no uppercase and lowercase
2079 equivalences in this range. This is useful in conjunction with
2080 certain encoding schemes used for some foreign character sets (e.g.
2081 the typical method of representing Chinese characters on the PC).
2084 No upper-half characters in the range 80-FF are allowed in identifiers.
2085 This gives Ada 83 compatibility for identifier names.
2089 For precise data on the encodings permitted, and the uppercase and lowercase
2090 equivalences that are recognized, see the file @file{csets.adb} in
2091 the GNAT compiler sources. You will need to obtain a full source release
2092 of GNAT to obtain this file.
2094 @node Wide Character Encodings
2095 @subsection Wide Character Encodings
2098 GNAT allows wide character codes to appear in character and string
2099 literals, and also optionally in identifiers, by means of the following
2100 possible encoding schemes:
2105 In this encoding, a wide character is represented by the following five
2113 Where @code{a}, @code{b}, @code{c}, @code{d} are the four hexadecimal
2114 characters (using uppercase letters) of the wide character code. For
2115 example, ESC A345 is used to represent the wide character with code
2117 This scheme is compatible with use of the full Wide_Character set.
2119 @item Upper-Half Coding
2120 @cindex Upper-Half Coding
2121 The wide character with encoding @code{16#abcd#} where the upper bit is on
2122 (in other words, ``a'' is in the range 8-F) is represented as two bytes,
2123 @code{16#ab#} and @code{16#cd#}. The second byte cannot be a format control
2124 character, but is not required to be in the upper half. This method can
2125 be also used for shift-JIS or EUC, where the internal coding matches the
2128 @item Shift JIS Coding
2129 @cindex Shift JIS Coding
2130 A wide character is represented by a two-character sequence,
2132 @code{16#cd#}, with the restrictions described for upper-half encoding as
2133 described above. The internal character code is the corresponding JIS
2134 character according to the standard algorithm for Shift-JIS
2135 conversion. Only characters defined in the JIS code set table can be
2136 used with this encoding method.
2140 A wide character is represented by a two-character sequence
2142 @code{16#cd#}, with both characters being in the upper half. The internal
2143 character code is the corresponding JIS character according to the EUC
2144 encoding algorithm. Only characters defined in the JIS code set table
2145 can be used with this encoding method.
2148 A wide character is represented using
2149 UCS Transformation Format 8 (UTF-8) as defined in Annex R of ISO
2150 10646-1/Am.2. Depending on the character value, the representation
2151 is a one, two, or three byte sequence:
2156 16#0000#-16#007f#: 2#0xxxxxxx#
2157 16#0080#-16#07ff#: 2#110xxxxx# 2#10xxxxxx#
2158 16#0800#-16#ffff#: 2#1110xxxx# 2#10xxxxxx# 2#10xxxxxx#
2163 where the xxx bits correspond to the left-padded bits of the
2164 16-bit character value. Note that all lower half ASCII characters
2165 are represented as ASCII bytes and all upper half characters and
2166 other wide characters are represented as sequences of upper-half
2167 (The full UTF-8 scheme allows for encoding 31-bit characters as
2168 6-byte sequences, but in this implementation, all UTF-8 sequences
2169 of four or more bytes length will be treated as illegal).
2170 @item Brackets Coding
2171 In this encoding, a wide character is represented by the following eight
2179 Where @code{a}, @code{b}, @code{c}, @code{d} are the four hexadecimal
2180 characters (using uppercase letters) of the wide character code. For
2181 example, [``A345''] is used to represent the wide character with code
2182 @code{16#A345#}. It is also possible (though not required) to use the
2183 Brackets coding for upper half characters. For example, the code
2184 @code{16#A3#} can be represented as @code{[``A3'']}.
2186 This scheme is compatible with use of the full Wide_Character set,
2187 and is also the method used for wide character encoding in the standard
2188 ACVC (Ada Compiler Validation Capability) test suite distributions.
2193 Note: Some of these coding schemes do not permit the full use of the
2194 Ada 95 character set. For example, neither Shift JIS, nor EUC allow the
2195 use of the upper half of the Latin-1 set.
2197 @node File Naming Rules
2198 @section File Naming Rules
2201 The default file name is determined by the name of the unit that the
2202 file contains. The name is formed by taking the full expanded name of
2203 the unit and replacing the separating dots with hyphens and using
2204 ^lowercase^uppercase^ for all letters.
2206 An exception arises if the file name generated by the above rules starts
2207 with one of the characters
2214 and the second character is a
2215 minus. In this case, the character ^tilde^dollar sign^ is used in place
2216 of the minus. The reason for this special rule is to avoid clashes with
2217 the standard names for child units of the packages System, Ada,
2218 Interfaces, and GNAT, which use the prefixes
2227 The file extension is @file{.ads} for a spec and
2228 @file{.adb} for a body. The following list shows some
2229 examples of these rules.
2236 @item arith_functions.ads
2237 Arith_Functions (package spec)
2238 @item arith_functions.adb
2239 Arith_Functions (package body)
2241 Func.Spec (child package spec)
2243 Func.Spec (child package body)
2245 Sub (subunit of Main)
2246 @item ^a~bad.adb^A$BAD.ADB^
2247 A.Bad (child package body)
2251 Following these rules can result in excessively long
2252 file names if corresponding
2253 unit names are long (for example, if child units or subunits are
2254 heavily nested). An option is available to shorten such long file names
2255 (called file name ``krunching''). This may be particularly useful when
2256 programs being developed with GNAT are to be used on operating systems
2257 with limited file name lengths. @xref{Using gnatkr}.
2259 Of course, no file shortening algorithm can guarantee uniqueness over
2260 all possible unit names; if file name krunching is used, it is your
2261 responsibility to ensure no name clashes occur. Alternatively you
2262 can specify the exact file names that you want used, as described
2263 in the next section. Finally, if your Ada programs are migrating from a
2264 compiler with a different naming convention, you can use the gnatchop
2265 utility to produce source files that follow the GNAT naming conventions.
2266 (For details @pxref{Renaming Files Using gnatchop}.)
2268 Note: in the case of @code{Windows NT/XP} or @code{OpenVMS} operating
2269 systems, case is not significant. So for example on @code{Windows XP}
2270 if the canonical name is @code{main-sub.adb}, you can use the file name
2271 @code{Main-Sub.adb} instead. However, case is significant for other
2272 operating systems, so for example, if you want to use other than
2273 canonically cased file names on a Unix system, you need to follow
2274 the procedures described in the next section.
2276 @node Using Other File Names
2277 @section Using Other File Names
2281 In the previous section, we have described the default rules used by
2282 GNAT to determine the file name in which a given unit resides. It is
2283 often convenient to follow these default rules, and if you follow them,
2284 the compiler knows without being explicitly told where to find all
2287 However, in some cases, particularly when a program is imported from
2288 another Ada compiler environment, it may be more convenient for the
2289 programmer to specify which file names contain which units. GNAT allows
2290 arbitrary file names to be used by means of the Source_File_Name pragma.
2291 The form of this pragma is as shown in the following examples:
2292 @cindex Source_File_Name pragma
2294 @smallexample @c ada
2296 pragma Source_File_Name (My_Utilities.Stacks,
2297 Spec_File_Name => "myutilst_a.ada");
2298 pragma Source_File_name (My_Utilities.Stacks,
2299 Body_File_Name => "myutilst.ada");
2304 As shown in this example, the first argument for the pragma is the unit
2305 name (in this example a child unit). The second argument has the form
2306 of a named association. The identifier
2307 indicates whether the file name is for a spec or a body;
2308 the file name itself is given by a string literal.
2310 The source file name pragma is a configuration pragma, which means that
2311 normally it will be placed in the @file{gnat.adc}
2312 file used to hold configuration
2313 pragmas that apply to a complete compilation environment.
2314 For more details on how the @file{gnat.adc} file is created and used
2315 see @ref{Handling of Configuration Pragmas}.
2316 @cindex @file{gnat.adc}
2319 GNAT allows completely arbitrary file names to be specified using the
2320 source file name pragma. However, if the file name specified has an
2321 extension other than @file{.ads} or @file{.adb} it is necessary to use
2322 a special syntax when compiling the file. The name in this case must be
2323 preceded by the special sequence @code{-x} followed by a space and the name
2324 of the language, here @code{ada}, as in:
2327 $ gcc -c -x ada peculiar_file_name.sim
2332 @command{gnatmake} handles non-standard file names in the usual manner (the
2333 non-standard file name for the main program is simply used as the
2334 argument to gnatmake). Note that if the extension is also non-standard,
2335 then it must be included in the gnatmake command, it may not be omitted.
2337 @node Alternative File Naming Schemes
2338 @section Alternative File Naming Schemes
2339 @cindex File naming schemes, alternative
2342 In the previous section, we described the use of the @code{Source_File_Name}
2343 pragma to allow arbitrary names to be assigned to individual source files.
2344 However, this approach requires one pragma for each file, and especially in
2345 large systems can result in very long @file{gnat.adc} files, and also create
2346 a maintenance problem.
2348 GNAT also provides a facility for specifying systematic file naming schemes
2349 other than the standard default naming scheme previously described. An
2350 alternative scheme for naming is specified by the use of
2351 @code{Source_File_Name} pragmas having the following format:
2352 @cindex Source_File_Name pragma
2354 @smallexample @c ada
2355 pragma Source_File_Name (
2356 Spec_File_Name => FILE_NAME_PATTERN
2357 [,Casing => CASING_SPEC]
2358 [,Dot_Replacement => STRING_LITERAL]);
2360 pragma Source_File_Name (
2361 Body_File_Name => FILE_NAME_PATTERN
2362 [,Casing => CASING_SPEC]
2363 [,Dot_Replacement => STRING_LITERAL]);
2365 pragma Source_File_Name (
2366 Subunit_File_Name => FILE_NAME_PATTERN
2367 [,Casing => CASING_SPEC]
2368 [,Dot_Replacement => STRING_LITERAL]);
2370 FILE_NAME_PATTERN ::= STRING_LITERAL
2371 CASING_SPEC ::= Lowercase | Uppercase | Mixedcase
2375 The @code{FILE_NAME_PATTERN} string shows how the file name is constructed.
2376 It contains a single asterisk character, and the unit name is substituted
2377 systematically for this asterisk. The optional parameter
2378 @code{Casing} indicates
2379 whether the unit name is to be all upper-case letters, all lower-case letters,
2380 or mixed-case. If no
2381 @code{Casing} parameter is used, then the default is all
2382 ^lower-case^upper-case^.
2384 The optional @code{Dot_Replacement} string is used to replace any periods
2385 that occur in subunit or child unit names. If no @code{Dot_Replacement}
2386 argument is used then separating dots appear unchanged in the resulting
2388 Although the above syntax indicates that the
2389 @code{Casing} argument must appear
2390 before the @code{Dot_Replacement} argument, but it
2391 is also permissible to write these arguments in the opposite order.
2393 As indicated, it is possible to specify different naming schemes for
2394 bodies, specs, and subunits. Quite often the rule for subunits is the
2395 same as the rule for bodies, in which case, there is no need to give
2396 a separate @code{Subunit_File_Name} rule, and in this case the
2397 @code{Body_File_name} rule is used for subunits as well.
2399 The separate rule for subunits can also be used to implement the rather
2400 unusual case of a compilation environment (e.g. a single directory) which
2401 contains a subunit and a child unit with the same unit name. Although
2402 both units cannot appear in the same partition, the Ada Reference Manual
2403 allows (but does not require) the possibility of the two units coexisting
2404 in the same environment.
2406 The file name translation works in the following steps:
2411 If there is a specific @code{Source_File_Name} pragma for the given unit,
2412 then this is always used, and any general pattern rules are ignored.
2415 If there is a pattern type @code{Source_File_Name} pragma that applies to
2416 the unit, then the resulting file name will be used if the file exists. If
2417 more than one pattern matches, the latest one will be tried first, and the
2418 first attempt resulting in a reference to a file that exists will be used.
2421 If no pattern type @code{Source_File_Name} pragma that applies to the unit
2422 for which the corresponding file exists, then the standard GNAT default
2423 naming rules are used.
2428 As an example of the use of this mechanism, consider a commonly used scheme
2429 in which file names are all lower case, with separating periods copied
2430 unchanged to the resulting file name, and specs end with @file{.1.ada}, and
2431 bodies end with @file{.2.ada}. GNAT will follow this scheme if the following
2434 @smallexample @c ada
2435 pragma Source_File_Name
2436 (Spec_File_Name => "*.1.ada");
2437 pragma Source_File_Name
2438 (Body_File_Name => "*.2.ada");
2442 The default GNAT scheme is actually implemented by providing the following
2443 default pragmas internally:
2445 @smallexample @c ada
2446 pragma Source_File_Name
2447 (Spec_File_Name => "*.ads", Dot_Replacement => "-");
2448 pragma Source_File_Name
2449 (Body_File_Name => "*.adb", Dot_Replacement => "-");
2453 Our final example implements a scheme typically used with one of the
2454 Ada 83 compilers, where the separator character for subunits was ``__''
2455 (two underscores), specs were identified by adding @file{_.ADA}, bodies
2456 by adding @file{.ADA}, and subunits by
2457 adding @file{.SEP}. All file names were
2458 upper case. Child units were not present of course since this was an
2459 Ada 83 compiler, but it seems reasonable to extend this scheme to use
2460 the same double underscore separator for child units.
2462 @smallexample @c ada
2463 pragma Source_File_Name
2464 (Spec_File_Name => "*_.ADA",
2465 Dot_Replacement => "__",
2466 Casing = Uppercase);
2467 pragma Source_File_Name
2468 (Body_File_Name => "*.ADA",
2469 Dot_Replacement => "__",
2470 Casing = Uppercase);
2471 pragma Source_File_Name
2472 (Subunit_File_Name => "*.SEP",
2473 Dot_Replacement => "__",
2474 Casing = Uppercase);
2477 @node Generating Object Files
2478 @section Generating Object Files
2481 An Ada program consists of a set of source files, and the first step in
2482 compiling the program is to generate the corresponding object files.
2483 These are generated by compiling a subset of these source files.
2484 The files you need to compile are the following:
2488 If a package spec has no body, compile the package spec to produce the
2489 object file for the package.
2492 If a package has both a spec and a body, compile the body to produce the
2493 object file for the package. The source file for the package spec need
2494 not be compiled in this case because there is only one object file, which
2495 contains the code for both the spec and body of the package.
2498 For a subprogram, compile the subprogram body to produce the object file
2499 for the subprogram. The spec, if one is present, is as usual in a
2500 separate file, and need not be compiled.
2504 In the case of subunits, only compile the parent unit. A single object
2505 file is generated for the entire subunit tree, which includes all the
2509 Compile child units independently of their parent units
2510 (though, of course, the spec of all the ancestor unit must be present in order
2511 to compile a child unit).
2515 Compile generic units in the same manner as any other units. The object
2516 files in this case are small dummy files that contain at most the
2517 flag used for elaboration checking. This is because GNAT always handles generic
2518 instantiation by means of macro expansion. However, it is still necessary to
2519 compile generic units, for dependency checking and elaboration purposes.
2523 The preceding rules describe the set of files that must be compiled to
2524 generate the object files for a program. Each object file has the same
2525 name as the corresponding source file, except that the extension is
2528 You may wish to compile other files for the purpose of checking their
2529 syntactic and semantic correctness. For example, in the case where a
2530 package has a separate spec and body, you would not normally compile the
2531 spec. However, it is convenient in practice to compile the spec to make
2532 sure it is error-free before compiling clients of this spec, because such
2533 compilations will fail if there is an error in the spec.
2535 GNAT provides an option for compiling such files purely for the
2536 purposes of checking correctness; such compilations are not required as
2537 part of the process of building a program. To compile a file in this
2538 checking mode, use the @option{-gnatc} switch.
2540 @node Source Dependencies
2541 @section Source Dependencies
2544 A given object file clearly depends on the source file which is compiled
2545 to produce it. Here we are using @dfn{depends} in the sense of a typical
2546 @code{make} utility; in other words, an object file depends on a source
2547 file if changes to the source file require the object file to be
2549 In addition to this basic dependency, a given object may depend on
2550 additional source files as follows:
2554 If a file being compiled @code{with}'s a unit @var{X}, the object file
2555 depends on the file containing the spec of unit @var{X}. This includes
2556 files that are @code{with}'ed implicitly either because they are parents
2557 of @code{with}'ed child units or they are run-time units required by the
2558 language constructs used in a particular unit.
2561 If a file being compiled instantiates a library level generic unit, the
2562 object file depends on both the spec and body files for this generic
2566 If a file being compiled instantiates a generic unit defined within a
2567 package, the object file depends on the body file for the package as
2568 well as the spec file.
2572 @cindex @option{-gnatn} switch
2573 If a file being compiled contains a call to a subprogram for which
2574 pragma @code{Inline} applies and inlining is activated with the
2575 @option{-gnatn} switch, the object file depends on the file containing the
2576 body of this subprogram as well as on the file containing the spec. Note
2577 that for inlining to actually occur as a result of the use of this switch,
2578 it is necessary to compile in optimizing mode.
2580 @cindex @option{-gnatN} switch
2581 The use of @option{-gnatN} activates a more extensive inlining optimization
2582 that is performed by the front end of the compiler. This inlining does
2583 not require that the code generation be optimized. Like @option{-gnatn},
2584 the use of this switch generates additional dependencies.
2586 @option{-gnatN} automatically implies @option{-gnatn} so it is not necessary
2587 to specify both options.
2590 If an object file O depends on the proper body of a subunit through inlining
2591 or instantiation, it depends on the parent unit of the subunit. This means that
2592 any modification of the parent unit or one of its subunits affects the
2596 The object file for a parent unit depends on all its subunit body files.
2599 The previous two rules meant that for purposes of computing dependencies and
2600 recompilation, a body and all its subunits are treated as an indivisible whole.
2603 These rules are applied transitively: if unit @code{A} @code{with}'s
2604 unit @code{B}, whose elaboration calls an inlined procedure in package
2605 @code{C}, the object file for unit @code{A} will depend on the body of
2606 @code{C}, in file @file{c.adb}.
2608 The set of dependent files described by these rules includes all the
2609 files on which the unit is semantically dependent, as described in the
2610 Ada 95 Language Reference Manual. However, it is a superset of what the
2611 ARM describes, because it includes generic, inline, and subunit dependencies.
2613 An object file must be recreated by recompiling the corresponding source
2614 file if any of the source files on which it depends are modified. For
2615 example, if the @code{make} utility is used to control compilation,
2616 the rule for an Ada object file must mention all the source files on
2617 which the object file depends, according to the above definition.
2618 The determination of the necessary
2619 recompilations is done automatically when one uses @command{gnatmake}.
2622 @node The Ada Library Information Files
2623 @section The Ada Library Information Files
2624 @cindex Ada Library Information files
2625 @cindex @file{ALI} files
2628 Each compilation actually generates two output files. The first of these
2629 is the normal object file that has a @file{.o} extension. The second is a
2630 text file containing full dependency information. It has the same
2631 name as the source file, but an @file{.ali} extension.
2632 This file is known as the Ada Library Information (@file{ALI}) file.
2633 The following information is contained in the @file{ALI} file.
2637 Version information (indicates which version of GNAT was used to compile
2638 the unit(s) in question)
2641 Main program information (including priority and time slice settings,
2642 as well as the wide character encoding used during compilation).
2645 List of arguments used in the @command{gcc} command for the compilation
2648 Attributes of the unit, including configuration pragmas used, an indication
2649 of whether the compilation was successful, exception model used etc.
2652 A list of relevant restrictions applying to the unit (used for consistency)
2656 Categorization information (e.g. use of pragma @code{Pure}).
2659 Information on all @code{with}'ed units, including presence of
2660 @code{Elaborate} or @code{Elaborate_All} pragmas.
2663 Information from any @code{Linker_Options} pragmas used in the unit
2666 Information on the use of @code{Body_Version} or @code{Version}
2667 attributes in the unit.
2670 Dependency information. This is a list of files, together with
2671 time stamp and checksum information. These are files on which
2672 the unit depends in the sense that recompilation is required
2673 if any of these units are modified.
2676 Cross-reference data. Contains information on all entities referenced
2677 in the unit. Used by tools like @code{gnatxref} and @code{gnatfind} to
2678 provide cross-reference information.
2683 For a full detailed description of the format of the @file{ALI} file,
2684 see the source of the body of unit @code{Lib.Writ}, contained in file
2685 @file{lib-writ.adb} in the GNAT compiler sources.
2687 @node Binding an Ada Program
2688 @section Binding an Ada Program
2691 When using languages such as C and C++, once the source files have been
2692 compiled the only remaining step in building an executable program
2693 is linking the object modules together. This means that it is possible to
2694 link an inconsistent version of a program, in which two units have
2695 included different versions of the same header.
2697 The rules of Ada do not permit such an inconsistent program to be built.
2698 For example, if two clients have different versions of the same package,
2699 it is illegal to build a program containing these two clients.
2700 These rules are enforced by the GNAT binder, which also determines an
2701 elaboration order consistent with the Ada rules.
2703 The GNAT binder is run after all the object files for a program have
2704 been created. It is given the name of the main program unit, and from
2705 this it determines the set of units required by the program, by reading the
2706 corresponding ALI files. It generates error messages if the program is
2707 inconsistent or if no valid order of elaboration exists.
2709 If no errors are detected, the binder produces a main program, in Ada by
2710 default, that contains calls to the elaboration procedures of those
2711 compilation unit that require them, followed by
2712 a call to the main program. This Ada program is compiled to generate the
2713 object file for the main program. The name of
2714 the Ada file is @file{b~@var{xxx}.adb} (with the corresponding spec
2715 @file{b~@var{xxx}.ads}) where @var{xxx} is the name of the
2718 Finally, the linker is used to build the resulting executable program,
2719 using the object from the main program from the bind step as well as the
2720 object files for the Ada units of the program.
2722 @node Mixed Language Programming
2723 @section Mixed Language Programming
2724 @cindex Mixed Language Programming
2727 This section describes how to develop a mixed-language program,
2728 specifically one that comprises units in both Ada and C.
2731 * Interfacing to C::
2732 * Calling Conventions::
2735 @node Interfacing to C
2736 @subsection Interfacing to C
2738 Interfacing Ada with a foreign language such as C involves using
2739 compiler directives to import and/or export entity definitions in each
2740 language---using @code{extern} statements in C, for instance, and the
2741 @code{Import}, @code{Export}, and @code{Convention} pragmas in Ada. For
2742 a full treatment of these topics, read Appendix B, section 1 of the Ada
2743 95 Language Reference Manual.
2745 There are two ways to build a program using GNAT that contains some Ada
2746 sources and some foreign language sources, depending on whether or not
2747 the main subprogram is written in Ada. Here is a source example with
2748 the main subprogram in Ada:
2754 void print_num (int num)
2756 printf ("num is %d.\n", num);
2762 /* num_from_Ada is declared in my_main.adb */
2763 extern int num_from_Ada;
2767 return num_from_Ada;
2771 @smallexample @c ada
2773 procedure My_Main is
2775 -- Declare then export an Integer entity called num_from_Ada
2776 My_Num : Integer := 10;
2777 pragma Export (C, My_Num, "num_from_Ada");
2779 -- Declare an Ada function spec for Get_Num, then use
2780 -- C function get_num for the implementation.
2781 function Get_Num return Integer;
2782 pragma Import (C, Get_Num, "get_num");
2784 -- Declare an Ada procedure spec for Print_Num, then use
2785 -- C function print_num for the implementation.
2786 procedure Print_Num (Num : Integer);
2787 pragma Import (C, Print_Num, "print_num");
2790 Print_Num (Get_Num);
2796 To build this example, first compile the foreign language files to
2797 generate object files:
2799 ^gcc -c file1.c^gcc -c FILE1.C^
2800 ^gcc -c file2.c^gcc -c FILE2.C^
2804 Then, compile the Ada units to produce a set of object files and ALI
2807 gnatmake ^-c^/ACTIONS=COMPILE^ my_main.adb
2811 Run the Ada binder on the Ada main program:
2813 gnatbind my_main.ali
2817 Link the Ada main program, the Ada objects and the other language
2820 gnatlink my_main.ali file1.o file2.o
2824 The last three steps can be grouped in a single command:
2826 gnatmake my_main.adb -largs file1.o file2.o
2829 @cindex Binder output file
2831 If the main program is in a language other than Ada, then you may have
2832 more than one entry point into the Ada subsystem. You must use a special
2833 binder option to generate callable routines that initialize and
2834 finalize the Ada units (@pxref{Binding with Non-Ada Main Programs}).
2835 Calls to the initialization and finalization routines must be inserted
2836 in the main program, or some other appropriate point in the code. The
2837 call to initialize the Ada units must occur before the first Ada
2838 subprogram is called, and the call to finalize the Ada units must occur
2839 after the last Ada subprogram returns. The binder will place the
2840 initialization and finalization subprograms into the
2841 @file{b~@var{xxx}.adb} file where they can be accessed by your C
2842 sources. To illustrate, we have the following example:
2846 extern void adainit (void);
2847 extern void adafinal (void);
2848 extern int add (int, int);
2849 extern int sub (int, int);
2851 int main (int argc, char *argv[])
2857 /* Should print "21 + 7 = 28" */
2858 printf ("%d + %d = %d\n", a, b, add (a, b));
2859 /* Should print "21 - 7 = 14" */
2860 printf ("%d - %d = %d\n", a, b, sub (a, b));
2866 @smallexample @c ada
2869 function Add (A, B : Integer) return Integer;
2870 pragma Export (C, Add, "add");
2874 package body Unit1 is
2875 function Add (A, B : Integer) return Integer is
2883 function Sub (A, B : Integer) return Integer;
2884 pragma Export (C, Sub, "sub");
2888 package body Unit2 is
2889 function Sub (A, B : Integer) return Integer is
2898 The build procedure for this application is similar to the last
2899 example's. First, compile the foreign language files to generate object
2902 ^gcc -c main.c^gcc -c main.c^
2906 Next, compile the Ada units to produce a set of object files and ALI
2909 gnatmake ^-c^/ACTIONS=COMPILE^ unit1.adb
2910 gnatmake ^-c^/ACTIONS=COMPILE^ unit2.adb
2914 Run the Ada binder on every generated ALI file. Make sure to use the
2915 @option{-n} option to specify a foreign main program:
2917 gnatbind ^-n^/NOMAIN^ unit1.ali unit2.ali
2921 Link the Ada main program, the Ada objects and the foreign language
2922 objects. You need only list the last ALI file here:
2924 gnatlink unit2.ali main.o -o exec_file
2927 This procedure yields a binary executable called @file{exec_file}.
2930 @node Calling Conventions
2931 @subsection Calling Conventions
2932 @cindex Foreign Languages
2933 @cindex Calling Conventions
2934 GNAT follows standard calling sequence conventions and will thus interface
2935 to any other language that also follows these conventions. The following
2936 Convention identifiers are recognized by GNAT:
2939 @cindex Interfacing to Ada
2940 @cindex Other Ada compilers
2941 @cindex Convention Ada
2943 This indicates that the standard Ada calling sequence will be
2944 used and all Ada data items may be passed without any limitations in the
2945 case where GNAT is used to generate both the caller and callee. It is also
2946 possible to mix GNAT generated code and code generated by another Ada
2947 compiler. In this case, the data types should be restricted to simple
2948 cases, including primitive types. Whether complex data types can be passed
2949 depends on the situation. Probably it is safe to pass simple arrays, such
2950 as arrays of integers or floats. Records may or may not work, depending
2951 on whether both compilers lay them out identically. Complex structures
2952 involving variant records, access parameters, tasks, or protected types,
2953 are unlikely to be able to be passed.
2955 Note that in the case of GNAT running
2956 on a platform that supports HP Ada 83, a higher degree of compatibility
2957 can be guaranteed, and in particular records are layed out in an identical
2958 manner in the two compilers. Note also that if output from two different
2959 compilers is mixed, the program is responsible for dealing with elaboration
2960 issues. Probably the safest approach is to write the main program in the
2961 version of Ada other than GNAT, so that it takes care of its own elaboration
2962 requirements, and then call the GNAT-generated adainit procedure to ensure
2963 elaboration of the GNAT components. Consult the documentation of the other
2964 Ada compiler for further details on elaboration.
2966 However, it is not possible to mix the tasking run time of GNAT and
2967 HP Ada 83, All the tasking operations must either be entirely within
2968 GNAT compiled sections of the program, or entirely within HP Ada 83
2969 compiled sections of the program.
2971 @cindex Interfacing to Assembly
2972 @cindex Convention Assembler
2974 Specifies assembler as the convention. In practice this has the
2975 same effect as convention Ada (but is not equivalent in the sense of being
2976 considered the same convention).
2978 @cindex Convention Asm
2981 Equivalent to Assembler.
2983 @cindex Interfacing to COBOL
2984 @cindex Convention COBOL
2987 Data will be passed according to the conventions described
2988 in section B.4 of the Ada 95 Reference Manual.
2991 @cindex Interfacing to C
2992 @cindex Convention C
2994 Data will be passed according to the conventions described
2995 in section B.3 of the Ada 95 Reference Manual.
2997 A note on interfacing to a C ``varargs'' function:
2998 @findex C varargs function
2999 @cindex Interfacing to C varargs function
3000 @cindex varargs function interfaces
3004 In C, @code{varargs} allows a function to take a variable number of
3005 arguments. There is no direct equivalent in this to Ada. One
3006 approach that can be used is to create a C wrapper for each
3007 different profile and then interface to this C wrapper. For
3008 example, to print an @code{int} value using @code{printf},
3009 create a C function @code{printfi} that takes two arguments, a
3010 pointer to a string and an int, and calls @code{printf}.
3011 Then in the Ada program, use pragma @code{Import} to
3012 interface to @code{printfi}.
3015 It may work on some platforms to directly interface to
3016 a @code{varargs} function by providing a specific Ada profile
3017 for a particular call. However, this does not work on
3018 all platforms, since there is no guarantee that the
3019 calling sequence for a two argument normal C function
3020 is the same as for calling a @code{varargs} C function with
3021 the same two arguments.
3024 @cindex Convention Default
3029 @cindex Convention External
3036 @cindex Interfacing to C++
3037 @cindex Convention C++
3039 This stands for C++. For most purposes this is identical to C.
3040 See the separate description of the specialized GNAT pragmas relating to
3041 C++ interfacing for further details.
3045 @cindex Interfacing to Fortran
3046 @cindex Convention Fortran
3048 Data will be passed according to the conventions described
3049 in section B.5 of the Ada 95 Reference Manual.
3052 This applies to an intrinsic operation, as defined in the Ada 95
3053 Reference Manual. If a pragma Import (Intrinsic) applies to a subprogram,
3054 this means that the body of the subprogram is provided by the compiler itself,
3055 usually by means of an efficient code sequence, and that the user does not
3056 supply an explicit body for it. In an application program, the pragma can
3057 only be applied to the following two sets of names, which the GNAT compiler
3062 Rotate_Left, Rotate_Right, Shift_Left, Shift_Right,
3063 Shift_Right_Arithmetic. The corresponding subprogram declaration must have
3064 two formal parameters. The
3065 first one must be a signed integer type or a modular type with a binary
3066 modulus, and the second parameter must be of type Natural.
3067 The return type must be the same as the type of the first argument. The size
3068 of this type can only be 8, 16, 32, or 64.
3069 @item binary arithmetic operators: ``+'', ``-'', ``*'', ``/''
3070 The corresponding operator declaration must have parameters and result type
3071 that have the same root numeric type (for example, all three are long_float
3072 types). This simplifies the definition of operations that use type checking
3073 to perform dimensional checks:
3075 @smallexample @c ada
3076 type Distance is new Long_Float;
3077 type Time is new Long_Float;
3078 type Velocity is new Long_Float;
3079 function "/" (D : Distance; T : Time)
3081 pragma Import (Intrinsic, "/");
3085 This common idiom is often programmed with a generic definition and an
3086 explicit body. The pragma makes it simpler to introduce such declarations.
3087 It incurs no overhead in compilation time or code size, because it is
3088 implemented as a single machine instruction.
3094 @cindex Convention Stdcall
3096 This is relevant only to Windows XP/2000/NT/95 implementations of GNAT,
3097 and specifies that the @code{Stdcall} calling sequence will be used,
3098 as defined by the NT API. Nevertheless, to ease building
3099 cross-platform bindings this convention will be handled as a @code{C} calling
3100 convention on non Windows platforms.
3103 @cindex Convention DLL
3105 This is equivalent to @code{Stdcall}.
3108 @cindex Convention Win32
3110 This is equivalent to @code{Stdcall}.
3114 @cindex Convention Stubbed
3116 This is a special convention that indicates that the compiler
3117 should provide a stub body that raises @code{Program_Error}.
3121 GNAT additionally provides a useful pragma @code{Convention_Identifier}
3122 that can be used to parametrize conventions and allow additional synonyms
3123 to be specified. For example if you have legacy code in which the convention
3124 identifier Fortran77 was used for Fortran, you can use the configuration
3127 @smallexample @c ada
3128 pragma Convention_Identifier (Fortran77, Fortran);
3132 And from now on the identifier Fortran77 may be used as a convention
3133 identifier (for example in an @code{Import} pragma) with the same
3137 @node Building Mixed Ada & C++ Programs
3138 @section Building Mixed Ada and C++ Programs
3141 A programmer inexperienced with mixed-language development may find that
3142 building an application containing both Ada and C++ code can be a
3143 challenge. As a matter of fact, interfacing with C++ has not been
3144 standardized in the Ada 95 Reference Manual due to the immaturity of --
3145 and lack of standards for -- C++ at the time. This section gives a few
3146 hints that should make this task easier. The first section addresses
3147 the differences regarding interfacing with C. The second section
3148 looks into the delicate problem of linking the complete application from
3149 its Ada and C++ parts. The last section gives some hints on how the GNAT
3150 run time can be adapted in order to allow inter-language dispatching
3151 with a new C++ compiler.
3154 * Interfacing to C++::
3155 * Linking a Mixed C++ & Ada Program::
3156 * A Simple Example::
3157 * Adapting the Run Time to a New C++ Compiler::
3160 @node Interfacing to C++
3161 @subsection Interfacing to C++
3164 GNAT supports interfacing with C++ compilers generating code that is
3165 compatible with the standard Application Binary Interface of the given
3169 Interfacing can be done at 3 levels: simple data, subprograms, and
3170 classes. In the first two cases, GNAT offers a specific @var{Convention
3171 CPP} that behaves exactly like @var{Convention C}. Usually, C++ mangles
3172 the names of subprograms, and currently, GNAT does not provide any help
3173 to solve the demangling problem. This problem can be addressed in two
3177 by modifying the C++ code in order to force a C convention using
3178 the @code{extern "C"} syntax.
3181 by figuring out the mangled name and use it as the Link_Name argument of
3186 Interfacing at the class level can be achieved by using the GNAT specific
3187 pragmas such as @code{CPP_Class} and @code{CPP_Virtual}. See the GNAT
3188 Reference Manual for additional information.
3190 @node Linking a Mixed C++ & Ada Program
3191 @subsection Linking a Mixed C++ & Ada Program
3194 Usually the linker of the C++ development system must be used to link
3195 mixed applications because most C++ systems will resolve elaboration
3196 issues (such as calling constructors on global class instances)
3197 transparently during the link phase. GNAT has been adapted to ease the
3198 use of a foreign linker for the last phase. Three cases can be
3203 Using GNAT and G++ (GNU C++ compiler) from the same GCC installation:
3204 The C++ linker can simply be called by using the C++ specific driver
3205 called @code{c++}. Note that this setup is not very common because it
3206 may involve recompiling the whole GCC tree from sources, which makes it
3207 harder to upgrade the compilation system for one language without
3208 destabilizing the other.
3213 $ gnatmake ada_unit -largs file1.o file2.o --LINK=c++
3217 Using GNAT and G++ from two different GCC installations: If both
3218 compilers are on the PATH, the previous method may be used. It is
3219 important to note that environment variables such as C_INCLUDE_PATH,
3220 GCC_EXEC_PREFIX, BINUTILS_ROOT, and GCC_ROOT will affect both compilers
3221 at the same time and may make one of the two compilers operate
3222 improperly if set during invocation of the wrong compiler. It is also
3223 very important that the linker uses the proper @file{libgcc.a} GCC
3224 library -- that is, the one from the C++ compiler installation. The
3225 implicit link command as suggested in the gnatmake command from the
3226 former example can be replaced by an explicit link command with the
3227 full-verbosity option in order to verify which library is used:
3230 $ gnatlink -v -v ada_unit file1.o file2.o --LINK=c++
3232 If there is a problem due to interfering environment variables, it can
3233 be worked around by using an intermediate script. The following example
3234 shows the proper script to use when GNAT has not been installed at its
3235 default location and g++ has been installed at its default location:
3243 $ gnatlink -v -v ada_unit file1.o file2.o --LINK=./my_script
3247 Using a non-GNU C++ compiler: The commands previously described can be
3248 used to insure that the C++ linker is used. Nonetheless, you need to add
3249 a few more parameters to the link command line, depending on the exception
3252 If the @code{setjmp/longjmp} exception mechanism is used, only the paths
3253 to the libgcc libraries are required:
3258 CC $* `gcc -print-file-name=libgcc.a` `gcc -print-file-name=libgcc_eh.a`
3259 $ gnatlink ada_unit file1.o file2.o --LINK=./my_script
3262 Where CC is the name of the non-GNU C++ compiler.
3264 If the @code{zero cost} exception mechanism is used, and the platform
3265 supports automatic registration of exception tables (e.g. Solaris or IRIX),
3266 paths to more objects are required:
3271 CC `gcc -print-file-name=crtbegin.o` $* \
3272 `gcc -print-file-name=libgcc.a` `gcc -print-file-name=libgcc_eh.a` \
3273 `gcc -print-file-name=crtend.o`
3274 $ gnatlink ada_unit file1.o file2.o --LINK=./my_script
3277 If the @code{zero cost} exception mechanism is used, and the platform
3278 doesn't support automatic registration of exception tables (e.g. HP-UX,
3279 Tru64 or AIX), the simple approach described above will not work and
3280 a pre-linking phase using GNAT will be necessary.
3284 @node A Simple Example
3285 @subsection A Simple Example
3287 The following example, provided as part of the GNAT examples, shows how
3288 to achieve procedural interfacing between Ada and C++ in both
3289 directions. The C++ class A has two methods. The first method is exported
3290 to Ada by the means of an extern C wrapper function. The second method
3291 calls an Ada subprogram. On the Ada side, The C++ calls are modelled by
3292 a limited record with a layout comparable to the C++ class. The Ada
3293 subprogram, in turn, calls the C++ method. So, starting from the C++
3294 main program, the process passes back and forth between the two
3298 Here are the compilation commands:
3300 $ gnatmake -c simple_cpp_interface
3303 $ gnatbind -n simple_cpp_interface
3304 $ gnatlink simple_cpp_interface -o cpp_main --LINK=$(CPLUSPLUS)
3305 -lstdc++ ex7.o cpp_main.o
3309 Here are the corresponding sources:
3317 void adainit (void);
3318 void adafinal (void);
3319 void method1 (A *t);
3341 class A : public Origin @{
3343 void method1 (void);
3344 void method2 (int v);
3354 extern "C" @{ void ada_method2 (A *t, int v);@}
3356 void A::method1 (void)
3359 printf ("in A::method1, a_value = %d \n",a_value);
3363 void A::method2 (int v)
3365 ada_method2 (this, v);
3366 printf ("in A::method2, a_value = %d \n",a_value);
3373 printf ("in A::A, a_value = %d \n",a_value);
3377 @b{package} @b{body} Simple_Cpp_Interface @b{is}
3379 @b{procedure} Ada_Method2 (This : @b{in} @b{out} A; V : Integer) @b{is}
3383 @b{end} Ada_Method2;
3385 @b{end} Simple_Cpp_Interface;
3387 @b{package} Simple_Cpp_Interface @b{is}
3388 @b{type} A @b{is} @b{limited}
3393 @b{pragma} Convention (C, A);
3395 @b{procedure} Method1 (This : @b{in} @b{out} A);
3396 @b{pragma} Import (C, Method1);
3398 @b{procedure} Ada_Method2 (This : @b{in} @b{out} A; V : Integer);
3399 @b{pragma} Export (C, Ada_Method2);
3401 @b{end} Simple_Cpp_Interface;
3404 @node Adapting the Run Time to a New C++ Compiler
3405 @subsection Adapting the Run Time to a New C++ Compiler
3407 GNAT offers the capability to derive Ada 95 tagged types directly from
3408 preexisting C++ classes and . See ``Interfacing with C++'' in the
3409 @cite{GNAT Reference Manual}. The mechanism used by GNAT for achieving
3411 has been made user configurable through a GNAT library unit
3412 @code{Interfaces.CPP}. The default version of this file is adapted to
3413 the GNU C++ compiler. Internal knowledge of the virtual
3414 table layout used by the new C++ compiler is needed to configure
3415 properly this unit. The Interface of this unit is known by the compiler
3416 and cannot be changed except for the value of the constants defining the
3417 characteristics of the virtual table: CPP_DT_Prologue_Size, CPP_DT_Entry_Size,
3418 CPP_TSD_Prologue_Size, CPP_TSD_Entry_Size. Read comments in the source
3419 of this unit for more details.
3421 @node Comparison between GNAT and C/C++ Compilation Models
3422 @section Comparison between GNAT and C/C++ Compilation Models
3425 The GNAT model of compilation is close to the C and C++ models. You can
3426 think of Ada specs as corresponding to header files in C. As in C, you
3427 don't need to compile specs; they are compiled when they are used. The
3428 Ada @code{with} is similar in effect to the @code{#include} of a C
3431 One notable difference is that, in Ada, you may compile specs separately
3432 to check them for semantic and syntactic accuracy. This is not always
3433 possible with C headers because they are fragments of programs that have
3434 less specific syntactic or semantic rules.
3436 The other major difference is the requirement for running the binder,
3437 which performs two important functions. First, it checks for
3438 consistency. In C or C++, the only defense against assembling
3439 inconsistent programs lies outside the compiler, in a makefile, for
3440 example. The binder satisfies the Ada requirement that it be impossible
3441 to construct an inconsistent program when the compiler is used in normal
3444 @cindex Elaboration order control
3445 The other important function of the binder is to deal with elaboration
3446 issues. There are also elaboration issues in C++ that are handled
3447 automatically. This automatic handling has the advantage of being
3448 simpler to use, but the C++ programmer has no control over elaboration.
3449 Where @code{gnatbind} might complain there was no valid order of
3450 elaboration, a C++ compiler would simply construct a program that
3451 malfunctioned at run time.
3454 @node Comparison between GNAT and Conventional Ada Library Models
3455 @section Comparison between GNAT and Conventional Ada Library Models
3458 This section is intended for Ada programmers who have
3459 used an Ada compiler implementing the traditional Ada library
3460 model, as described in the Ada 95 Language Reference Manual.
3462 @cindex GNAT library
3463 In GNAT, there is no ``library'' in the normal sense. Instead, the set of
3464 source files themselves acts as the library. Compiling Ada programs does
3465 not generate any centralized information, but rather an object file and
3466 a ALI file, which are of interest only to the binder and linker.
3467 In a traditional system, the compiler reads information not only from
3468 the source file being compiled, but also from the centralized library.
3469 This means that the effect of a compilation depends on what has been
3470 previously compiled. In particular:
3474 When a unit is @code{with}'ed, the unit seen by the compiler corresponds
3475 to the version of the unit most recently compiled into the library.
3478 Inlining is effective only if the necessary body has already been
3479 compiled into the library.
3482 Compiling a unit may obsolete other units in the library.
3486 In GNAT, compiling one unit never affects the compilation of any other
3487 units because the compiler reads only source files. Only changes to source
3488 files can affect the results of a compilation. In particular:
3492 When a unit is @code{with}'ed, the unit seen by the compiler corresponds
3493 to the source version of the unit that is currently accessible to the
3498 Inlining requires the appropriate source files for the package or
3499 subprogram bodies to be available to the compiler. Inlining is always
3500 effective, independent of the order in which units are complied.
3503 Compiling a unit never affects any other compilations. The editing of
3504 sources may cause previous compilations to be out of date if they
3505 depended on the source file being modified.
3509 The most important result of these differences is that order of compilation
3510 is never significant in GNAT. There is no situation in which one is
3511 required to do one compilation before another. What shows up as order of
3512 compilation requirements in the traditional Ada library becomes, in
3513 GNAT, simple source dependencies; in other words, there is only a set
3514 of rules saying what source files must be present when a file is
3518 @node Placement of temporary files
3519 @section Placement of temporary files
3520 @cindex Temporary files (user control over placement)
3523 GNAT creates temporary files in the directory designated by the environment
3524 variable @env{TMPDIR}.
3525 (See the HP @emph{C RTL Reference Manual} on the function @code{getenv()}
3526 for detailed information on how environment variables are resolved.
3527 For most users the easiest way to make use of this feature is to simply
3528 define @env{TMPDIR} as a job level logical name).
3529 For example, if you wish to use a Ramdisk (assuming DECRAM is installed)
3530 for compiler temporary files, then you can include something like the
3531 following command in your @file{LOGIN.COM} file:
3534 $ define/job TMPDIR "/disk$scratchram/000000/temp/"
3538 If @env{TMPDIR} is not defined, then GNAT uses the directory designated by
3539 @env{TMP}; if @env{TMP} is not defined, then GNAT uses the directory
3540 designated by @env{TEMP}.
3541 If none of these environment variables are defined then GNAT uses the
3542 directory designated by the logical name @code{SYS$SCRATCH:}
3543 (by default the user's home directory). If all else fails
3544 GNAT uses the current directory for temporary files.
3547 @c *************************
3548 @node Compiling Using gcc
3549 @chapter Compiling Using @command{gcc}
3552 This chapter discusses how to compile Ada programs using the @command{gcc}
3553 command. It also describes the set of switches
3554 that can be used to control the behavior of the compiler.
3556 * Compiling Programs::
3557 * Switches for gcc::
3558 * Search Paths and the Run-Time Library (RTL)::
3559 * Order of Compilation Issues::
3563 @node Compiling Programs
3564 @section Compiling Programs
3567 The first step in creating an executable program is to compile the units
3568 of the program using the @command{gcc} command. You must compile the
3573 the body file (@file{.adb}) for a library level subprogram or generic
3577 the spec file (@file{.ads}) for a library level package or generic
3578 package that has no body
3581 the body file (@file{.adb}) for a library level package
3582 or generic package that has a body
3587 You need @emph{not} compile the following files
3592 the spec of a library unit which has a body
3599 because they are compiled as part of compiling related units. GNAT
3601 when the corresponding body is compiled, and subunits when the parent is
3604 @cindex cannot generate code
3605 If you attempt to compile any of these files, you will get one of the
3606 following error messages (where fff is the name of the file you compiled):
3609 cannot generate code for file @var{fff} (package spec)
3610 to check package spec, use -gnatc
3612 cannot generate code for file @var{fff} (missing subunits)
3613 to check parent unit, use -gnatc
3615 cannot generate code for file @var{fff} (subprogram spec)
3616 to check subprogram spec, use -gnatc
3618 cannot generate code for file @var{fff} (subunit)
3619 to check subunit, use -gnatc
3623 As indicated by the above error messages, if you want to submit
3624 one of these files to the compiler to check for correct semantics
3625 without generating code, then use the @option{-gnatc} switch.
3627 The basic command for compiling a file containing an Ada unit is
3630 $ gcc -c [@var{switches}] @file{file name}
3634 where @var{file name} is the name of the Ada file (usually
3636 @file{.ads} for a spec or @file{.adb} for a body).
3639 @option{-c} switch to tell @command{gcc} to compile, but not link, the file.
3641 The result of a successful compilation is an object file, which has the
3642 same name as the source file but an extension of @file{.o} and an Ada
3643 Library Information (ALI) file, which also has the same name as the
3644 source file, but with @file{.ali} as the extension. GNAT creates these
3645 two output files in the current directory, but you may specify a source
3646 file in any directory using an absolute or relative path specification
3647 containing the directory information.
3650 @command{gcc} is actually a driver program that looks at the extensions of
3651 the file arguments and loads the appropriate compiler. For example, the
3652 GNU C compiler is @file{cc1}, and the Ada compiler is @file{gnat1}.
3653 These programs are in directories known to the driver program (in some
3654 configurations via environment variables you set), but need not be in
3655 your path. The @command{gcc} driver also calls the assembler and any other
3656 utilities needed to complete the generation of the required object
3659 It is possible to supply several file names on the same @command{gcc}
3660 command. This causes @command{gcc} to call the appropriate compiler for
3661 each file. For example, the following command lists three separate
3662 files to be compiled:
3665 $ gcc -c x.adb y.adb z.c
3669 calls @code{gnat1} (the Ada compiler) twice to compile @file{x.adb} and
3670 @file{y.adb}, and @code{cc1} (the C compiler) once to compile @file{z.c}.
3671 The compiler generates three object files @file{x.o}, @file{y.o} and
3672 @file{z.o} and the two ALI files @file{x.ali} and @file{y.ali} from the
3673 Ada compilations. Any switches apply to all the files ^listed,^listed.^
3676 @option{-gnat@var{x}} switches, which apply only to Ada compilations.
3679 @node Switches for gcc
3680 @section Switches for @command{gcc}
3683 The @command{gcc} command accepts switches that control the
3684 compilation process. These switches are fully described in this section.
3685 First we briefly list all the switches, in alphabetical order, then we
3686 describe the switches in more detail in functionally grouped sections.
3688 More switches exist for GCC than those documented here, especially
3689 for specific targets. However, their use is not recommended as
3690 they may change code generation in ways that are incompatible with
3691 the Ada run-time library, or can cause inconsistencies between
3695 * Output and Error Message Control::
3696 * Warning Message Control::
3697 * Debugging and Assertion Control::
3698 * Validity Checking::
3701 * Using gcc for Syntax Checking::
3702 * Using gcc for Semantic Checking::
3703 * Compiling Different Versions of Ada::
3704 * Character Set Control::
3705 * File Naming Control::
3706 * Subprogram Inlining Control::
3707 * Auxiliary Output Control::
3708 * Debugging Control::
3709 * Exception Handling Control::
3710 * Units to Sources Mapping Files::
3711 * Integrated Preprocessing::
3712 * Code Generation Control::
3721 @cindex @option{-b} (@command{gcc})
3722 @item -b @var{target}
3723 Compile your program to run on @var{target}, which is the name of a
3724 system configuration. You must have a GNAT cross-compiler built if
3725 @var{target} is not the same as your host system.
3728 @cindex @option{-B} (@command{gcc})
3729 Load compiler executables (for example, @code{gnat1}, the Ada compiler)
3730 from @var{dir} instead of the default location. Only use this switch
3731 when multiple versions of the GNAT compiler are available. See the
3732 @command{gcc} manual page for further details. You would normally use the
3733 @option{-b} or @option{-V} switch instead.
3736 @cindex @option{-c} (@command{gcc})
3737 Compile. Always use this switch when compiling Ada programs.
3739 Note: for some other languages when using @command{gcc}, notably in
3740 the case of C and C++, it is possible to use
3741 use @command{gcc} without a @option{-c} switch to
3742 compile and link in one step. In the case of GNAT, you
3743 cannot use this approach, because the binder must be run
3744 and @command{gcc} cannot be used to run the GNAT binder.
3748 @cindex @option{-fno-inline} (@command{gcc})
3749 Suppresses all back-end inlining, even if other optimization or inlining
3751 This includes suppression of inlining that results
3752 from the use of the pragma @code{Inline_Always}.
3753 See also @option{-gnatn} and @option{-gnatN}.
3755 @item -fno-strict-aliasing
3756 @cindex @option{-fno-strict-aliasing} (@command{gcc})
3757 Causes the compiler to avoid assumptions regarding non-aliasing
3758 of objects of different types. See
3759 @ref{Optimization and Strict Aliasing} for details.
3762 @cindex @option{-fstack-check} (@command{gcc})
3763 Activates stack checking.
3764 See @ref{Stack Overflow Checking} for details.
3767 @cindex @option{-fstack-usage} (@command{gcc})
3768 Makes the compiler output stack usage information for the program, on a
3769 per-function basis. See @ref{Static Stack Usage Analysis} for details.
3771 @item -fcallgraph-info[=su]
3772 @cindex @option{-fcallgraph-info} (@command{gcc})
3773 Makes the compiler output callgraph information for the program, on a
3774 per-file basis. The information is generated in the VCG format. It can
3775 be decorated with stack-usage per-node information.
3778 @cindex @option{^-g^/DEBUG^} (@command{gcc})
3779 Generate debugging information. This information is stored in the object
3780 file and copied from there to the final executable file by the linker,
3781 where it can be read by the debugger. You must use the
3782 @option{^-g^/DEBUG^} switch if you plan on using the debugger.
3785 @cindex @option{-gnat83} (@command{gcc})
3786 Enforce Ada 83 restrictions.
3789 @cindex @option{-gnat95} (@command{gcc})
3790 Enforce Ada 95 restrictions.
3793 @cindex @option{-gnat05} (@command{gcc})
3794 Allow full Ada 2005 features.
3797 @cindex @option{-gnata} (@command{gcc})
3798 Assertions enabled. @code{Pragma Assert} and @code{pragma Debug} to be
3799 activated. Note that these pragmas can also be controlled using the
3800 configuration pragmas @code{Assertion_Policy} and @code{Debug_Policy}.
3803 @cindex @option{-gnatA} (@command{gcc})
3804 Avoid processing @file{gnat.adc}. If a gnat.adc file is present,
3808 @cindex @option{-gnatb} (@command{gcc})
3809 Generate brief messages to @file{stderr} even if verbose mode set.
3812 @cindex @option{-gnatc} (@command{gcc})
3813 Check syntax and semantics only (no code generation attempted).
3816 @cindex @option{-gnatd} (@command{gcc})
3817 Specify debug options for the compiler. The string of characters after
3818 the @option{-gnatd} specify the specific debug options. The possible
3819 characters are 0-9, a-z, A-Z, optionally preceded by a dot. See
3820 compiler source file @file{debug.adb} for details of the implemented
3821 debug options. Certain debug options are relevant to applications
3822 programmers, and these are documented at appropriate points in this
3826 @cindex @option{-gnatD} (@command{gcc})
3827 Create expanded source files for source level debugging. This switch
3828 also suppress generation of cross-reference information
3829 (see @option{-gnatx}).
3831 @item -gnatec=@var{path}
3832 @cindex @option{-gnatec} (@command{gcc})
3833 Specify a configuration pragma file
3835 (the equal sign is optional)
3837 (@pxref{The Configuration Pragmas Files}).
3839 @item ^-gnateD^/DATA_PREPROCESSING=^symbol[=value]
3840 @cindex @option{-gnateD} (@command{gcc})
3841 Defines a symbol, associated with value, for preprocessing.
3842 (@pxref{Integrated Preprocessing}).
3845 @cindex @option{-gnatef} (@command{gcc})
3846 Display full source path name in brief error messages.
3848 @item -gnatem=@var{path}
3849 @cindex @option{-gnatem} (@command{gcc})
3850 Specify a mapping file
3852 (the equal sign is optional)
3854 (@pxref{Units to Sources Mapping Files}).
3856 @item -gnatep=@var{file}
3857 @cindex @option{-gnatep} (@command{gcc})
3858 Specify a preprocessing data file
3860 (the equal sign is optional)
3862 (@pxref{Integrated Preprocessing}).
3865 @cindex @option{-gnatE} (@command{gcc})
3866 Full dynamic elaboration checks.
3869 @cindex @option{-gnatf} (@command{gcc})
3870 Full errors. Multiple errors per line, all undefined references, do not
3871 attempt to suppress cascaded errors.
3874 @cindex @option{-gnatF} (@command{gcc})
3875 Externals names are folded to all uppercase.
3878 @cindex @option{-gnatg} (@command{gcc})
3879 Internal GNAT implementation mode. This should not be used for
3880 applications programs, it is intended only for use by the compiler
3881 and its run-time library. For documentation, see the GNAT sources.
3882 Note that @option{-gnatg} implies @option{-gnatwu} so that warnings
3883 are generated on unreferenced entities, and all warnings are treated
3887 @cindex @option{-gnatG} (@command{gcc})
3888 List generated expanded code in source form.
3890 @item ^-gnath^/HELP^
3891 @cindex @option{^-gnath^/HELP^} (@command{gcc})
3892 Output usage information. The output is written to @file{stdout}.
3894 @item ^-gnati^/IDENTIFIER_CHARACTER_SET=^@var{c}
3895 @cindex @option{^-gnati^/IDENTIFIER_CHARACTER_SET^} (@command{gcc})
3896 Identifier character set
3898 (@var{c}=1/2/3/4/8/9/p/f/n/w).
3901 For details of the possible selections for @var{c},
3902 see @ref{Character Set Control}.
3906 @cindex @option{-gnatjnn} (@command{gcc})
3907 Reformat error messages to fit on nn character lines
3909 @item -gnatk=@var{n}
3910 @cindex @option{-gnatk} (@command{gcc})
3911 Limit file names to @var{n} (1-999) characters ^(@code{k} = krunch)^^.
3914 @cindex @option{-gnatl} (@command{gcc})
3915 Output full source listing with embedded error messages.
3918 @cindex @option{-gnatL} (@command{gcc})
3919 Used in conjunction with -gnatG or -gnatD to intersperse original
3920 source lines (as comment lines with line numbers) in the expanded
3923 @item -gnatm=@var{n}
3924 @cindex @option{-gnatm} (@command{gcc})
3925 Limit number of detected error or warning messages to @var{n}
3926 where @var{n} is in the range 1..999_999. The default setting if
3927 no switch is given is 9999. Compilation is terminated if this
3928 limit is exceeded. The equal sign here is optional.
3931 @cindex @option{-gnatn} (@command{gcc})
3932 Activate inlining for subprograms for which
3933 pragma @code{inline} is specified. This inlining is performed
3934 by the GCC back-end.
3937 @cindex @option{-gnatN} (@command{gcc})
3938 Activate front end inlining for subprograms for which
3939 pragma @code{Inline} is specified. This inlining is performed
3940 by the front end and will be visible in the
3941 @option{-gnatG} output.
3942 In some cases, this has proved more effective than the back end
3943 inlining resulting from the use of
3946 @option{-gnatN} automatically implies
3947 @option{-gnatn} so it is not necessary
3948 to specify both options. There are a few cases that the back-end inlining
3949 catches that cannot be dealt with in the front-end.
3952 @cindex @option{-gnato} (@command{gcc})
3953 Enable numeric overflow checking (which is not normally enabled by
3954 default). Not that division by zero is a separate check that is not
3955 controlled by this switch (division by zero checking is on by default).
3958 @cindex @option{-gnatp} (@command{gcc})
3959 Suppress all checks.
3962 @cindex @option{-gnatP} (@command{gcc})
3963 Enable polling. This is required on some systems (notably Windows NT) to
3964 obtain asynchronous abort and asynchronous transfer of control capability.
3965 See the description of pragma Polling in the GNAT Reference Manual for
3969 @cindex @option{-gnatq} (@command{gcc})
3970 Don't quit; try semantics, even if parse errors.
3973 @cindex @option{-gnatQ} (@command{gcc})
3974 Don't quit; generate @file{ALI} and tree files even if illegalities.
3976 @item ^-gnatR[0/1/2/3[s]]^/REPRESENTATION_INFO^
3977 @cindex @option{-gnatR} (@command{gcc})
3978 Output representation information for declared types and objects.
3981 @cindex @option{-gnats} (@command{gcc})
3985 @cindex @option{-gnatS} (@command{gcc})
3986 Print package Standard.
3989 @cindex @option{-gnatt} (@command{gcc})
3990 Generate tree output file.
3992 @item ^-gnatT^/TABLE_MULTIPLIER=^@var{nnn}
3993 @cindex @option{^-gnatT^/TABLE_MULTIPLIER^} (@command{gcc})
3994 All compiler tables start at @var{nnn} times usual starting size.
3997 @cindex @option{-gnatu} (@command{gcc})
3998 List units for this compilation.
4001 @cindex @option{-gnatU} (@command{gcc})
4002 Tag all error messages with the unique string ``error:''
4005 @cindex @option{-gnatv} (@command{gcc})
4006 Verbose mode. Full error output with source lines to @file{stdout}.
4009 @cindex @option{-gnatV} (@command{gcc})
4010 Control level of validity checking. See separate section describing
4013 @item ^-gnatw@var{xxx}^/WARNINGS=(@var{option}[,...])^
4014 @cindex @option{^-gnatw^/WARNINGS^} (@command{gcc})
4016 ^@var{xxx} is a string of option letters that^the list of options^ denotes
4017 the exact warnings that
4018 are enabled or disabled (@pxref{Warning Message Control}).
4020 @item ^-gnatW^/WIDE_CHARACTER_ENCODING=^@var{e}
4021 @cindex @option{^-gnatW^/WIDE_CHARACTER_ENCODING^} (@command{gcc})
4022 Wide character encoding method
4024 (@var{e}=n/h/u/s/e/8).
4027 (@var{e}=@code{BRACKETS, NONE, HEX, UPPER, SHIFT_JIS, EUC, UTF8})
4031 @cindex @option{-gnatx} (@command{gcc})
4032 Suppress generation of cross-reference information.
4034 @item ^-gnaty^/STYLE_CHECKS=(option,option..)^
4035 @cindex @option{^-gnaty^/STYLE_CHECKS^} (@command{gcc})
4036 Enable built-in style checks (@pxref{Style Checking}).
4038 @item ^-gnatz^/DISTRIBUTION_STUBS=^@var{m}
4039 @cindex @option{^-gnatz^/DISTRIBUTION_STUBS^} (@command{gcc})
4040 Distribution stub generation and compilation
4042 (@var{m}=r/c for receiver/caller stubs).
4045 (@var{m}=@code{RECEIVER} or @code{CALLER} to specify the type of stubs
4046 to be generated and compiled).
4049 @item ^-I^/SEARCH=^@var{dir}
4050 @cindex @option{^-I^/SEARCH^} (@command{gcc})
4052 Direct GNAT to search the @var{dir} directory for source files needed by
4053 the current compilation
4054 (@pxref{Search Paths and the Run-Time Library (RTL)}).
4056 @item ^-I-^/NOCURRENT_DIRECTORY^
4057 @cindex @option{^-I-^/NOCURRENT_DIRECTORY^} (@command{gcc})
4059 Except for the source file named in the command line, do not look for source
4060 files in the directory containing the source file named in the command line
4061 (@pxref{Search Paths and the Run-Time Library (RTL)}).
4065 @cindex @option{-mbig-switch} (@command{gcc})
4066 @cindex @code{case} statement (effect of @option{-mbig-switch} option)
4067 This standard gcc switch causes the compiler to use larger offsets in its
4068 jump table representation for @code{case} statements.
4069 This may result in less efficient code, but is sometimes necessary
4070 (for example on HP-UX targets)
4071 @cindex HP-UX and @option{-mbig-switch} option
4072 in order to compile large and/or nested @code{case} statements.
4075 @cindex @option{-o} (@command{gcc})
4076 This switch is used in @command{gcc} to redirect the generated object file
4077 and its associated ALI file. Beware of this switch with GNAT, because it may
4078 cause the object file and ALI file to have different names which in turn
4079 may confuse the binder and the linker.
4083 @cindex @option{-nostdinc} (@command{gcc})
4084 Inhibit the search of the default location for the GNAT Run Time
4085 Library (RTL) source files.
4088 @cindex @option{-nostdlib} (@command{gcc})
4089 Inhibit the search of the default location for the GNAT Run Time
4090 Library (RTL) ALI files.
4094 @cindex @option{-O} (@command{gcc})
4095 @var{n} controls the optimization level.
4099 No optimization, the default setting if no @option{-O} appears
4102 Normal optimization, the default if you specify @option{-O} without
4103 an operand. A good compromise between code quality and compilation
4107 Extensive optimization, may improve execution time, possibly at the cost of
4108 substantially increased compilation time.
4115 @cindex @option{/NOOPTIMIZE} (@code{GNAT COMPILE})
4116 Equivalent to @option{/OPTIMIZE=NONE}.
4117 This is the default behavior in the absence of an @option{/OPTMIZE}
4120 @item /OPTIMIZE[=(keyword[,...])]
4121 @cindex @option{/OPTIMIZE} (@code{GNAT COMPILE})
4122 Selects the level of optimization for your program. The supported
4123 keywords are as follows:
4126 Perform most optimizations, including those that
4128 This is the default if the @option{/OPTMIZE} qualifier is supplied
4129 without keyword options.
4132 Do not do any optimizations. Same as @code{/NOOPTIMIZE}.
4135 Perform some optimizations, but omit ones that are costly.
4138 Same as @code{SOME}.
4141 Try to unroll loops. This keyword may be specified together with
4142 any keyword above other than @code{NONE}. Loop unrolling
4143 usually, but not always, improves the performance of programs.
4148 @item -pass-exit-codes
4149 @cindex @option{-pass-exit-codes} (@command{gcc})
4150 Catch exit codes from the compiler and use the most meaningful as
4154 @item --RTS=@var{rts-path}
4155 @cindex @option{--RTS} (@command{gcc})
4156 Specifies the default location of the runtime library. Same meaning as the
4157 equivalent @command{gnatmake} flag (@pxref{Switches for gnatmake}).
4160 @cindex @option{^-S^/ASM^} (@command{gcc})
4161 ^Used in place of @option{-c} to^Used to^
4162 cause the assembler source file to be
4163 generated, using @file{^.s^.S^} as the extension,
4164 instead of the object file.
4165 This may be useful if you need to examine the generated assembly code.
4167 @item ^-fverbose-asm^/VERBOSE_ASM^
4168 @cindex @option{^-fverbose-asm^/VERBOSE_ASM^} (@command{gcc})
4169 ^Used in conjunction with @option{-S}^Used in place of @option{/ASM}^
4170 to cause the generated assembly code file to be annotated with variable
4171 names, making it significantly easier to follow.
4174 @cindex @option{^-v^/VERBOSE^} (@command{gcc})
4175 Show commands generated by the @command{gcc} driver. Normally used only for
4176 debugging purposes or if you need to be sure what version of the
4177 compiler you are executing.
4181 @cindex @option{-V} (@command{gcc})
4182 Execute @var{ver} version of the compiler. This is the @command{gcc}
4183 version, not the GNAT version.
4186 @item ^-w^NO_BACK_END_WARNINGS^
4187 @cindex @option{-w} (@command{gcc})
4188 Turn off warnings generated by the back end of the compiler. Use of
4189 this switch also causes the default for front end warnings to be set
4190 to suppress (as though @option{-gnatws} had appeared at the start of
4196 @c Combining qualifiers does not work on VMS
4197 You may combine a sequence of GNAT switches into a single switch. For
4198 example, the combined switch
4200 @cindex Combining GNAT switches
4206 is equivalent to specifying the following sequence of switches:
4209 -gnato -gnatf -gnati3
4214 The following restrictions apply to the combination of switches
4219 The switch @option{-gnatc} if combined with other switches must come
4220 first in the string.
4223 The switch @option{-gnats} if combined with other switches must come
4224 first in the string.
4228 @option{^-gnatz^/DISTRIBUTION_STUBS^}, @option{-gnatzc}, and @option{-gnatzr}
4229 may not be combined with any other switches.
4233 Once a ``y'' appears in the string (that is a use of the @option{-gnaty}
4234 switch), then all further characters in the switch are interpreted
4235 as style modifiers (see description of @option{-gnaty}).
4238 Once a ``d'' appears in the string (that is a use of the @option{-gnatd}
4239 switch), then all further characters in the switch are interpreted
4240 as debug flags (see description of @option{-gnatd}).
4243 Once a ``w'' appears in the string (that is a use of the @option{-gnatw}
4244 switch), then all further characters in the switch are interpreted
4245 as warning mode modifiers (see description of @option{-gnatw}).
4248 Once a ``V'' appears in the string (that is a use of the @option{-gnatV}
4249 switch), then all further characters in the switch are interpreted
4250 as validity checking options (see description of @option{-gnatV}).
4254 @node Output and Error Message Control
4255 @subsection Output and Error Message Control
4259 The standard default format for error messages is called ``brief format''.
4260 Brief format messages are written to @file{stderr} (the standard error
4261 file) and have the following form:
4264 e.adb:3:04: Incorrect spelling of keyword "function"
4265 e.adb:4:20: ";" should be "is"
4269 The first integer after the file name is the line number in the file,
4270 and the second integer is the column number within the line.
4271 @code{glide} can parse the error messages
4272 and point to the referenced character.
4273 The following switches provide control over the error message
4279 @cindex @option{-gnatv} (@command{gcc})
4282 The v stands for verbose.
4284 The effect of this setting is to write long-format error
4285 messages to @file{stdout} (the standard output file.
4286 The same program compiled with the
4287 @option{-gnatv} switch would generate:
4291 3. funcion X (Q : Integer)
4293 >>> Incorrect spelling of keyword "function"
4296 >>> ";" should be "is"
4301 The vertical bar indicates the location of the error, and the @samp{>>>}
4302 prefix can be used to search for error messages. When this switch is
4303 used the only source lines output are those with errors.
4306 @cindex @option{-gnatl} (@command{gcc})
4308 The @code{l} stands for list.
4310 This switch causes a full listing of
4311 the file to be generated. In the case where a body is
4312 compiled, the corresponding spec is also listed, along
4313 with any subunits. Typical output from compiling a package
4314 body @file{p.adb} might look like:
4316 @smallexample @c ada
4320 1. package body p is
4322 3. procedure a is separate;
4333 2. pragma Elaborate_Body
4357 When you specify the @option{-gnatv} or @option{-gnatl} switches and
4358 standard output is redirected, a brief summary is written to
4359 @file{stderr} (standard error) giving the number of error messages and
4360 warning messages generated.
4362 @item -^gnatl^OUTPUT_FILE^=file
4363 @cindex @option{^-gnatl^OUTPUT_FILE^=fname} (@command{gcc})
4364 This has the same effect as @code{-gnatl} except that the output is
4365 written to a file instead of to standard output. If the given name
4366 @file{fname} does not start with a period, then it is the full name
4367 of the file to be written. If @file{fname} is an extension, it is
4368 appended to the name of the file being compiled. For example, if
4369 file @file{xyz.adb} is compiled with @option{^-gnatl^OUTPUT_FILE^=.lst},
4370 then the output is written to file ^xyz.adb.lst^xyz.adb_lst^.
4373 @cindex @option{-gnatU} (@command{gcc})
4374 This switch forces all error messages to be preceded by the unique
4375 string ``error:''. This means that error messages take a few more
4376 characters in space, but allows easy searching for and identification
4380 @cindex @option{-gnatb} (@command{gcc})
4382 The @code{b} stands for brief.
4384 This switch causes GNAT to generate the
4385 brief format error messages to @file{stderr} (the standard error
4386 file) as well as the verbose
4387 format message or full listing (which as usual is written to
4388 @file{stdout} (the standard output file).
4390 @item -gnatm=@var{n}
4391 @cindex @option{-gnatm} (@command{gcc})
4393 The @code{m} stands for maximum.
4395 @var{n} is a decimal integer in the
4396 range of 1 to 999 and limits the number of error messages to be
4397 generated. For example, using @option{-gnatm2} might yield
4400 e.adb:3:04: Incorrect spelling of keyword "function"
4401 e.adb:5:35: missing ".."
4402 fatal error: maximum errors reached
4403 compilation abandoned
4407 Note that the equal sign is optional, so the switches
4408 @option{-gnatm2} and @option{-gnatm=2} are equivalent.
4411 @cindex @option{-gnatf} (@command{gcc})
4412 @cindex Error messages, suppressing
4414 The @code{f} stands for full.
4416 Normally, the compiler suppresses error messages that are likely to be
4417 redundant. This switch causes all error
4418 messages to be generated. In particular, in the case of
4419 references to undefined variables. If a given variable is referenced
4420 several times, the normal format of messages is
4422 e.adb:7:07: "V" is undefined (more references follow)
4426 where the parenthetical comment warns that there are additional
4427 references to the variable @code{V}. Compiling the same program with the
4428 @option{-gnatf} switch yields
4431 e.adb:7:07: "V" is undefined
4432 e.adb:8:07: "V" is undefined
4433 e.adb:8:12: "V" is undefined
4434 e.adb:8:16: "V" is undefined
4435 e.adb:9:07: "V" is undefined
4436 e.adb:9:12: "V" is undefined
4440 The @option{-gnatf} switch also generates additional information for
4441 some error messages. Some examples are:
4445 Full details on entities not available in high integrity mode
4447 Details on possibly non-portable unchecked conversion
4449 List possible interpretations for ambiguous calls
4451 Additional details on incorrect parameters
4455 @cindex @option{-gnatjnn} (@command{gcc})
4456 In normal operation mode (or if @option{-gnatj0} is used, then error messages
4457 with continuation lines are treated as though the continuation lines were
4458 separate messages (and so a warning with two continuation lines counts as
4459 three warnings, and is listed as three separate messages).
4461 If the @option{-gnatjnn} switch is used with a positive value for nn, then
4462 messages are output in a different manner. A message and all its continuation
4463 lines are treated as a unit, and count as only one warning or message in the
4464 statistics totals. Furthermore, the message is reformatted so that no line
4465 is longer than nn characters.
4468 @cindex @option{-gnatq} (@command{gcc})
4470 The @code{q} stands for quit (really ``don't quit'').
4472 In normal operation mode, the compiler first parses the program and
4473 determines if there are any syntax errors. If there are, appropriate
4474 error messages are generated and compilation is immediately terminated.
4476 GNAT to continue with semantic analysis even if syntax errors have been
4477 found. This may enable the detection of more errors in a single run. On
4478 the other hand, the semantic analyzer is more likely to encounter some
4479 internal fatal error when given a syntactically invalid tree.
4482 @cindex @option{-gnatQ} (@command{gcc})
4483 In normal operation mode, the @file{ALI} file is not generated if any
4484 illegalities are detected in the program. The use of @option{-gnatQ} forces
4485 generation of the @file{ALI} file. This file is marked as being in
4486 error, so it cannot be used for binding purposes, but it does contain
4487 reasonably complete cross-reference information, and thus may be useful
4488 for use by tools (e.g. semantic browsing tools or integrated development
4489 environments) that are driven from the @file{ALI} file. This switch
4490 implies @option{-gnatq}, since the semantic phase must be run to get a
4491 meaningful ALI file.
4493 In addition, if @option{-gnatt} is also specified, then the tree file is
4494 generated even if there are illegalities. It may be useful in this case
4495 to also specify @option{-gnatq} to ensure that full semantic processing
4496 occurs. The resulting tree file can be processed by ASIS, for the purpose
4497 of providing partial information about illegal units, but if the error
4498 causes the tree to be badly malformed, then ASIS may crash during the
4501 When @option{-gnatQ} is used and the generated @file{ALI} file is marked as
4502 being in error, @command{gnatmake} will attempt to recompile the source when it
4503 finds such an @file{ALI} file, including with switch @option{-gnatc}.
4505 Note that @option{-gnatQ} has no effect if @option{-gnats} is specified,
4506 since ALI files are never generated if @option{-gnats} is set.
4510 @node Warning Message Control
4511 @subsection Warning Message Control
4512 @cindex Warning messages
4514 In addition to error messages, which correspond to illegalities as defined
4515 in the Ada 95 Reference Manual, the compiler detects two kinds of warning
4518 First, the compiler considers some constructs suspicious and generates a
4519 warning message to alert you to a possible error. Second, if the
4520 compiler detects a situation that is sure to raise an exception at
4521 run time, it generates a warning message. The following shows an example
4522 of warning messages:
4524 e.adb:4:24: warning: creation of object may raise Storage_Error
4525 e.adb:10:17: warning: static value out of range
4526 e.adb:10:17: warning: "Constraint_Error" will be raised at run time
4530 GNAT considers a large number of situations as appropriate
4531 for the generation of warning messages. As always, warnings are not
4532 definite indications of errors. For example, if you do an out-of-range
4533 assignment with the deliberate intention of raising a
4534 @code{Constraint_Error} exception, then the warning that may be
4535 issued does not indicate an error. Some of the situations for which GNAT
4536 issues warnings (at least some of the time) are given in the following
4537 list. This list is not complete, and new warnings are often added to
4538 subsequent versions of GNAT. The list is intended to give a general idea
4539 of the kinds of warnings that are generated.
4543 Possible infinitely recursive calls
4546 Out-of-range values being assigned
4549 Possible order of elaboration problems
4555 Address clauses with possibly unaligned values, or where an attempt is
4556 made to overlay a smaller variable with a larger one.
4559 Fixed-point type declarations with a null range
4562 Direct_IO or Sequential_IO instantiated with a type that has access values
4565 Variables that are never assigned a value
4568 Variables that are referenced before being initialized
4571 Task entries with no corresponding @code{accept} statement
4574 Duplicate accepts for the same task entry in a @code{select}
4577 Objects that take too much storage
4580 Unchecked conversion between types of differing sizes
4583 Missing @code{return} statement along some execution path in a function
4586 Incorrect (unrecognized) pragmas
4589 Incorrect external names
4592 Allocation from empty storage pool
4595 Potentially blocking operation in protected type
4598 Suspicious parenthesization of expressions
4601 Mismatching bounds in an aggregate
4604 Attempt to return local value by reference
4607 Premature instantiation of a generic body
4610 Attempt to pack aliased components
4613 Out of bounds array subscripts
4616 Wrong length on string assignment
4619 Violations of style rules if style checking is enabled
4622 Unused @code{with} clauses
4625 @code{Bit_Order} usage that does not have any effect
4628 @code{Standard.Duration} used to resolve universal fixed expression
4631 Dereference of possibly null value
4634 Declaration that is likely to cause storage error
4637 Internal GNAT unit @code{with}'ed by application unit
4640 Values known to be out of range at compile time
4643 Unreferenced labels and variables
4646 Address overlays that could clobber memory
4649 Unexpected initialization when address clause present
4652 Bad alignment for address clause
4655 Useless type conversions
4658 Redundant assignment statements and other redundant constructs
4661 Useless exception handlers
4664 Accidental hiding of name by child unit
4667 Access before elaboration detected at compile time
4670 A range in a @code{for} loop that is known to be null or might be null
4675 The following section lists compiler switches that are available
4676 to control the handling of warning messages. It is also possible
4677 to exercise much finer control over what warnings are issued and
4678 suppressed using the GNAT pragma Warnings, which is documented
4679 in the GNAT Reference manual.
4684 @emph{Activate all optional errors.}
4685 @cindex @option{-gnatwa} (@command{gcc})
4686 This switch activates most optional warning messages, see remaining list
4687 in this section for details on optional warning messages that can be
4688 individually controlled. The warnings that are not turned on by this
4690 @option{-gnatwd} (implicit dereferencing),
4691 @option{-gnatwh} (hiding),
4692 @option{-gnatwl} (elaboration warnings),
4693 and @option{-gnatwt} (tracking of deleted conditional code).
4694 All other optional warnings are turned on.
4697 @emph{Suppress all optional errors.}
4698 @cindex @option{-gnatwA} (@command{gcc})
4699 This switch suppresses all optional warning messages, see remaining list
4700 in this section for details on optional warning messages that can be
4701 individually controlled.
4704 @emph{Activate warnings on bad fixed values.}
4705 @cindex @option{-gnatwb} (@command{gcc})
4706 @cindex Bad fixed values
4707 @cindex Fixed-point Small value
4709 This switch activates warnings for static fixed-point expressions whose
4710 value is not an exact multiple of Small. Such values are implementation
4711 dependent, since an implementation is free to choose either of the multiples
4712 that surround the value. GNAT always chooses the closer one, but this is not
4713 required behavior, and it is better to specify a value that is an exact
4714 multiple, ensuring predictable execution. The default is that such warnings
4718 @emph{Suppress warnings on bad fixed values.}
4719 @cindex @option{-gnatwB} (@command{gcc})
4720 This switch suppresses warnings for static fixed-point expressions whose
4721 value is not an exact multiple of Small.
4724 @emph{Activate warnings on conditionals.}
4725 @cindex @option{-gnatwc} (@command{gcc})
4726 @cindex Conditionals, constant
4727 This switch activates warnings for conditional expressions used in
4728 tests that are known to be True or False at compile time. The default
4729 is that such warnings are not generated.
4730 Note that this warning does
4731 not get issued for the use of boolean variables or constants whose
4732 values are known at compile time, since this is a standard technique
4733 for conditional compilation in Ada, and this would generate too many
4734 false positive warnings.
4736 This warning option also activates a special test for comparisons using
4737 the operators ``>='' and`` <=''.
4738 If the compiler can tell that only the equality condition is possible,
4739 then it will warn that the ``>'' or ``<'' part of the test
4740 is useless and that the operator could be replaced by ``=''.
4741 An example would be comparing a @code{Natural} variable <= 0.
4743 This warning can also be turned on using @option{-gnatwa}.
4746 @emph{Suppress warnings on conditionals.}
4747 @cindex @option{-gnatwC} (@command{gcc})
4748 This switch suppresses warnings for conditional expressions used in
4749 tests that are known to be True or False at compile time.
4752 @emph{Activate warnings on implicit dereferencing.}
4753 @cindex @option{-gnatwd} (@command{gcc})
4754 If this switch is set, then the use of a prefix of an access type
4755 in an indexed component, slice, or selected component without an
4756 explicit @code{.all} will generate a warning. With this warning
4757 enabled, access checks occur only at points where an explicit
4758 @code{.all} appears in the source code (assuming no warnings are
4759 generated as a result of this switch). The default is that such
4760 warnings are not generated.
4761 Note that @option{-gnatwa} does not affect the setting of
4762 this warning option.
4765 @emph{Suppress warnings on implicit dereferencing.}
4766 @cindex @option{-gnatwD} (@command{gcc})
4767 @cindex Implicit dereferencing
4768 @cindex Dereferencing, implicit
4769 This switch suppresses warnings for implicit dereferences in
4770 indexed components, slices, and selected components.
4773 @emph{Treat warnings as errors.}
4774 @cindex @option{-gnatwe} (@command{gcc})
4775 @cindex Warnings, treat as error
4776 This switch causes warning messages to be treated as errors.
4777 The warning string still appears, but the warning messages are counted
4778 as errors, and prevent the generation of an object file.
4781 @emph{Activate warnings on unreferenced formals.}
4782 @cindex @option{-gnatwf} (@command{gcc})
4783 @cindex Formals, unreferenced
4784 This switch causes a warning to be generated if a formal parameter
4785 is not referenced in the body of the subprogram. This warning can
4786 also be turned on using @option{-gnatwa} or @option{-gnatwu}. The
4787 default is that these warnings are not generated.
4790 @emph{Suppress warnings on unreferenced formals.}
4791 @cindex @option{-gnatwF} (@command{gcc})
4792 This switch suppresses warnings for unreferenced formal
4793 parameters. Note that the
4794 combination @option{-gnatwu} followed by @option{-gnatwF} has the
4795 effect of warning on unreferenced entities other than subprogram
4799 @emph{Activate warnings on unrecognized pragmas.}
4800 @cindex @option{-gnatwg} (@command{gcc})
4801 @cindex Pragmas, unrecognized
4802 This switch causes a warning to be generated if an unrecognized
4803 pragma is encountered. Apart from issuing this warning, the
4804 pragma is ignored and has no effect. This warning can
4805 also be turned on using @option{-gnatwa}. The default
4806 is that such warnings are issued (satisfying the Ada Reference
4807 Manual requirement that such warnings appear).
4810 @emph{Suppress warnings on unrecognized pragmas.}
4811 @cindex @option{-gnatwG} (@command{gcc})
4812 This switch suppresses warnings for unrecognized pragmas.
4815 @emph{Activate warnings on hiding.}
4816 @cindex @option{-gnatwh} (@command{gcc})
4817 @cindex Hiding of Declarations
4818 This switch activates warnings on hiding declarations.
4819 A declaration is considered hiding
4820 if it is for a non-overloadable entity, and it declares an entity with the
4821 same name as some other entity that is directly or use-visible. The default
4822 is that such warnings are not generated.
4823 Note that @option{-gnatwa} does not affect the setting of this warning option.
4826 @emph{Suppress warnings on hiding.}
4827 @cindex @option{-gnatwH} (@command{gcc})
4828 This switch suppresses warnings on hiding declarations.
4831 @emph{Activate warnings on implementation units.}
4832 @cindex @option{-gnatwi} (@command{gcc})
4833 This switch activates warnings for a @code{with} of an internal GNAT
4834 implementation unit, defined as any unit from the @code{Ada},
4835 @code{Interfaces}, @code{GNAT},
4836 ^^@code{DEC},^ or @code{System}
4837 hierarchies that is not
4838 documented in either the Ada Reference Manual or the GNAT
4839 Programmer's Reference Manual. Such units are intended only
4840 for internal implementation purposes and should not be @code{with}'ed
4841 by user programs. The default is that such warnings are generated
4842 This warning can also be turned on using @option{-gnatwa}.
4845 @emph{Disable warnings on implementation units.}
4846 @cindex @option{-gnatwI} (@command{gcc})
4847 This switch disables warnings for a @code{with} of an internal GNAT
4848 implementation unit.
4851 @emph{Activate warnings on obsolescent features (Annex J).}
4852 @cindex @option{-gnatwj} (@command{gcc})
4853 @cindex Features, obsolescent
4854 @cindex Obsolescent features
4855 If this warning option is activated, then warnings are generated for
4856 calls to subprograms marked with @code{pragma Obsolescent} and
4857 for use of features in Annex J of the Ada Reference Manual. In the
4858 case of Annex J, not all features are flagged. In particular use
4859 of the renamed packages (like @code{Text_IO}) and use of package
4860 @code{ASCII} are not flagged, since these are very common and
4861 would generate many annoying positive warnings. The default is that
4862 such warnings are not generated. This warning is also turned on by
4863 the use of @option{-gnatwa}.
4865 In addition to the above cases, warnings are also generated for
4866 GNAT features that have been provided in past versions but which
4867 have been superseded (typically by features in the new Ada standard).
4868 For example, @code{pragma Ravenscar} will be flagged since its
4869 function is replaced by @code{pragma Profile(Ravenscar)}.
4871 Note that this warning option functions differently from the
4872 restriction @code{No_Obsolescent_Features} in two respects.
4873 First, the restriction applies only to annex J features.
4874 Second, the restriction does flag uses of package @code{ASCII}.
4877 @emph{Suppress warnings on obsolescent features (Annex J).}
4878 @cindex @option{-gnatwJ} (@command{gcc})
4879 This switch disables warnings on use of obsolescent features.
4882 @emph{Activate warnings on variables that could be constants.}
4883 @cindex @option{-gnatwk} (@command{gcc})
4884 This switch activates warnings for variables that are initialized but
4885 never modified, and then could be declared constants. The default is that
4886 such warnings are not given.
4887 This warning can also be turned on using @option{-gnatwa}.
4890 @emph{Suppress warnings on variables that could be constants.}
4891 @cindex @option{-gnatwK} (@command{gcc})
4892 This switch disables warnings on variables that could be declared constants.
4895 @emph{Activate warnings for missing elaboration pragmas.}
4896 @cindex @option{-gnatwl} (@command{gcc})
4897 @cindex Elaboration, warnings
4898 This switch activates warnings on missing
4899 @code{Elaborate_All} and @code{Elaborate} pragmas.
4900 See the section in this guide on elaboration checking for details on
4901 when such pragmas should be used. Warnings are also generated if you
4902 are using the static mode of elaboration, and a @code{pragma Elaborate}
4903 is encountered. The default is that such warnings
4905 This warning is not automatically turned on by the use of @option{-gnatwa}.
4908 @emph{Suppress warnings for missing elaboration pragmas.}
4909 @cindex @option{-gnatwL} (@command{gcc})
4910 This switch suppresses warnings on missing Elaborate and Elaborate_All pragmas.
4911 See the section in this guide on elaboration checking for details on
4912 when such pragmas should be used.
4915 @emph{Activate warnings on modified but unreferenced variables.}
4916 @cindex @option{-gnatwm} (@command{gcc})
4917 This switch activates warnings for variables that are assigned (using
4918 an initialization value or with one or more assignment statements) but
4919 whose value is never read. The warning is suppressed for volatile
4920 variables and also for variables that are renamings of other variables
4921 or for which an address clause is given.
4922 This warning can also be turned on using @option{-gnatwa}.
4923 The default is that these warnings are not given.
4926 @emph{Disable warnings on modified but unreferenced variables.}
4927 @cindex @option{-gnatwM} (@command{gcc})
4928 This switch disables warnings for variables that are assigned or
4929 initialized, but never read.
4932 @emph{Set normal warnings mode.}
4933 @cindex @option{-gnatwn} (@command{gcc})
4934 This switch sets normal warning mode, in which enabled warnings are
4935 issued and treated as warnings rather than errors. This is the default
4936 mode. the switch @option{-gnatwn} can be used to cancel the effect of
4937 an explicit @option{-gnatws} or
4938 @option{-gnatwe}. It also cancels the effect of the
4939 implicit @option{-gnatwe} that is activated by the
4940 use of @option{-gnatg}.
4943 @emph{Activate warnings on address clause overlays.}
4944 @cindex @option{-gnatwo} (@command{gcc})
4945 @cindex Address Clauses, warnings
4946 This switch activates warnings for possibly unintended initialization
4947 effects of defining address clauses that cause one variable to overlap
4948 another. The default is that such warnings are generated.
4949 This warning can also be turned on using @option{-gnatwa}.
4952 @emph{Suppress warnings on address clause overlays.}
4953 @cindex @option{-gnatwO} (@command{gcc})
4954 This switch suppresses warnings on possibly unintended initialization
4955 effects of defining address clauses that cause one variable to overlap
4959 @emph{Activate warnings on ineffective pragma Inlines.}
4960 @cindex @option{-gnatwp} (@command{gcc})
4961 @cindex Inlining, warnings
4962 This switch activates warnings for failure of front end inlining
4963 (activated by @option{-gnatN}) to inline a particular call. There are
4964 many reasons for not being able to inline a call, including most
4965 commonly that the call is too complex to inline. The default is
4966 that such warnings are not given.
4967 This warning can also be turned on using @option{-gnatwa}.
4970 @emph{Suppress warnings on ineffective pragma Inlines.}
4971 @cindex @option{-gnatwP} (@command{gcc})
4972 This switch suppresses warnings on ineffective pragma Inlines. If the
4973 inlining mechanism cannot inline a call, it will simply ignore the
4977 @emph{Activate warnings on questionable missing parentheses.}
4978 @cindex @option{-gnatwq} (@command{gcc})
4979 @cindex Parentheses, warnings
4980 This switch activates warnings for cases where parentheses are not used and
4981 the result is potential ambiguity from a readers point of view. For example
4982 (not a > b) when a and b are modular means (not (a) > b) and very likely the
4983 programmer intended (not (a > b)). Similarly (-x mod 5) means (-(x mod 5)) and
4984 quite likely ((-x) mod 5) was intended. In such situations it seems best to
4985 follow the rule of always parenthesizing to make the association clear, and
4986 this warning switch warns if such parentheses are not present. The default
4987 is that these warnings are not given.
4988 This warning can also be turned on using @option{-gnatwa}.
4991 @emph{Suppress warnings on questionable missing parentheses.}
4992 @cindex @option{-gnatwQ} (@command{gcc})
4993 This switch suppresses warnings for cases where the association is not
4994 clear and the use of parentheses is preferred.
4997 @emph{Activate warnings on redundant constructs.}
4998 @cindex @option{-gnatwr} (@command{gcc})
4999 This switch activates warnings for redundant constructs. The following
5000 is the current list of constructs regarded as redundant:
5004 Assignment of an item to itself.
5006 Type conversion that converts an expression to its own type.
5008 Use of the attribute @code{Base} where @code{typ'Base} is the same
5011 Use of pragma @code{Pack} when all components are placed by a record
5012 representation clause.
5014 Exception handler containing only a reraise statement (raise with no
5015 operand) which has no effect.
5017 Use of the operator abs on an operand that is known at compile time
5020 Comparison of boolean expressions to an explicit True value.
5023 This warning can also be turned on using @option{-gnatwa}.
5024 The default is that warnings for redundant constructs are not given.
5027 @emph{Suppress warnings on redundant constructs.}
5028 @cindex @option{-gnatwR} (@command{gcc})
5029 This switch suppresses warnings for redundant constructs.
5032 @emph{Suppress all warnings.}
5033 @cindex @option{-gnatws} (@command{gcc})
5034 This switch completely suppresses the
5035 output of all warning messages from the GNAT front end.
5036 Note that it does not suppress warnings from the @command{gcc} back end.
5037 To suppress these back end warnings as well, use the switch @option{-w}
5038 in addition to @option{-gnatws}.
5041 @emph{Activate warnings for tracking of deleted conditional code.}
5042 @cindex @option{-gnatwt} (@command{gcc})
5043 @cindex Deactivated code, warnings
5044 @cindex Deleted code, warnings
5045 This switch activates warnings for tracking of code in conditionals (IF and
5046 CASE statements) that is detected to be dead code which cannot be executed, and
5047 which is removed by the front end. This warning is off by default, and is not
5048 turned on by @option{-gnatwa}, it has to be turned on explicitly. This may be
5049 useful for detecting deactivated code in certified applications.
5052 @emph{Suppress warnings for tracking of deleted conditional code.}
5053 @cindex @option{-gnatwT} (@command{gcc})
5054 This switch suppresses warnings for tracking of deleted conditional code.
5057 @emph{Activate warnings on unused entities.}
5058 @cindex @option{-gnatwu} (@command{gcc})
5059 This switch activates warnings to be generated for entities that
5060 are declared but not referenced, and for units that are @code{with}'ed
5062 referenced. In the case of packages, a warning is also generated if
5063 no entities in the package are referenced. This means that if the package
5064 is referenced but the only references are in @code{use}
5065 clauses or @code{renames}
5066 declarations, a warning is still generated. A warning is also generated
5067 for a generic package that is @code{with}'ed but never instantiated.
5068 In the case where a package or subprogram body is compiled, and there
5069 is a @code{with} on the corresponding spec
5070 that is only referenced in the body,
5071 a warning is also generated, noting that the
5072 @code{with} can be moved to the body. The default is that
5073 such warnings are not generated.
5074 This switch also activates warnings on unreferenced formals
5075 (it includes the effect of @option{-gnatwf}).
5076 This warning can also be turned on using @option{-gnatwa}.
5079 @emph{Suppress warnings on unused entities.}
5080 @cindex @option{-gnatwU} (@command{gcc})
5081 This switch suppresses warnings for unused entities and packages.
5082 It also turns off warnings on unreferenced formals (and thus includes
5083 the effect of @option{-gnatwF}).
5086 @emph{Activate warnings on unassigned variables.}
5087 @cindex @option{-gnatwv} (@command{gcc})
5088 @cindex Unassigned variable warnings
5089 This switch activates warnings for access to variables which
5090 may not be properly initialized. The default is that
5091 such warnings are generated.
5092 This warning can also be turned on using @option{-gnatwa}.
5095 @emph{Suppress warnings on unassigned variables.}
5096 @cindex @option{-gnatwV} (@command{gcc})
5097 This switch suppresses warnings for access to variables which
5098 may not be properly initialized.
5101 @emph{Activate warnings on wrong low bound assumption.}
5102 @cindex @option{-gnatww} (@command{gcc})
5103 @cindex String indexing warnings
5104 This switch activates warnings for indexing an unconstrained string parameter
5105 with a literal or S'Length. This is a case where the code is assuming that the
5106 low bound is one, which is in general not true (for example when a slice is
5107 passed). The default is that such warnings are generated.
5108 This warning can also be turned on using @option{-gnatwa}.
5112 @emph{Suppress warnings on wrong low bound assumption.}
5113 @cindex @option{-gnatwW} (@command{gcc})
5114 This switch activates warnings for indexing an unconstrained string parameter
5115 with a literal or S'Length. This warning can also be suppressed by providing
5116 an Assert pragma that checks the low bound, for example:
5118 @smallexample @c ada
5119 procedure K (S : String) is
5120 pragma Assert (S'First = 1);
5125 @emph{Activate warnings on Export/Import pragmas.}
5126 @cindex @option{-gnatwx} (@command{gcc})
5127 @cindex Export/Import pragma warnings
5128 This switch activates warnings on Export/Import pragmas when
5129 the compiler detects a possible conflict between the Ada and
5130 foreign language calling sequences. For example, the use of
5131 default parameters in a convention C procedure is dubious
5132 because the C compiler cannot supply the proper default, so
5133 a warning is issued. The default is that such warnings are
5135 This warning can also be turned on using @option{-gnatwa}.
5138 @emph{Suppress warnings on Export/Import pragmas.}
5139 @cindex @option{-gnatwX} (@command{gcc})
5140 This switch suppresses warnings on Export/Import pragmas.
5141 The sense of this is that you are telling the compiler that
5142 you know what you are doing in writing the pragma, and it
5143 should not complain at you.
5146 @emph{Activate warnings for Ada 2005 compatibility issues.}
5147 @cindex @option{-gnatwy} (@command{gcc})
5148 @cindex Ada 2005 compatibility issues warnings
5149 For the most part Ada 2005 is upwards compatible with Ada 95,
5150 but there are some exceptions (for example the fact that
5151 @code{interface} is now a reserved word in Ada 2005). This
5152 switch activates several warnings to help in identifying
5153 and correcting such incompatibilities. The default is that
5154 these warnings are generated. Note that at one point Ada 2005
5155 was called Ada 0Y, hence the choice of character.
5156 This warning can also be turned on using @option{-gnatwa}.
5159 @emph{Disable warnings for Ada 2005 compatibility issues.}
5160 @cindex @option{-gnatwY} (@command{gcc})
5161 @cindex Ada 2005 compatibility issues warnings
5162 This switch suppresses several warnings intended to help in identifying
5163 incompatibilities between Ada 95 and Ada 2005.
5166 @emph{Activate warnings on unchecked conversions.}
5167 @cindex @option{-gnatwz} (@command{gcc})
5168 @cindex Unchecked_Conversion warnings
5169 This switch activates warnings for unchecked conversions
5170 where the types are known at compile time to have different
5172 is that such warnings are generated.
5173 This warning can also be turned on using @option{-gnatwa}.
5176 @emph{Suppress warnings on unchecked conversions.}
5177 @cindex @option{-gnatwZ} (@command{gcc})
5178 This switch suppresses warnings for unchecked conversions
5179 where the types are known at compile time to have different
5182 @item ^-Wuninitialized^WARNINGS=UNINITIALIZED^
5183 @cindex @option{-Wuninitialized}
5184 The warnings controlled by the @option{-gnatw} switch are generated by the
5185 front end of the compiler. In some cases, the @option{^gcc^GCC^} back end
5186 can provide additional warnings. One such useful warning is provided by
5187 @option{^-Wuninitialized^WARNINGS=UNINITIALIZED^}. This must be used in
5188 conjunction with turning on optimization mode. This causes the flow
5189 analysis circuits of the back end optimizer to output additional
5190 warnings about uninitialized variables.
5192 @item ^-w^/NO_BACK_END_WARNINGS^
5194 This switch suppresses warnings from the @option{^gcc^GCC^} back end. The
5195 code generator detects a number of warning situations that are missed
5196 by the @option{GNAT} front end, and this switch can be used to suppress them.
5197 The use of this switch also sets the default front end warning mode to
5198 @option{-gnatws}, that is, front end warnings suppressed as well.
5204 A string of warning parameters can be used in the same parameter. For example:
5211 will turn on all optional warnings except for elaboration pragma warnings,
5212 and also specify that warnings should be treated as errors.
5214 When no switch @option{^-gnatw^/WARNINGS^} is used, this is equivalent to:
5239 @node Debugging and Assertion Control
5240 @subsection Debugging and Assertion Control
5244 @cindex @option{-gnata} (@command{gcc})
5250 The pragmas @code{Assert} and @code{Debug} normally have no effect and
5251 are ignored. This switch, where @samp{a} stands for assert, causes
5252 @code{Assert} and @code{Debug} pragmas to be activated.
5254 The pragmas have the form:
5258 @b{pragma} Assert (@var{Boolean-expression} [,
5259 @var{static-string-expression}])
5260 @b{pragma} Debug (@var{procedure call})
5265 The @code{Assert} pragma causes @var{Boolean-expression} to be tested.
5266 If the result is @code{True}, the pragma has no effect (other than
5267 possible side effects from evaluating the expression). If the result is
5268 @code{False}, the exception @code{Assert_Failure} declared in the package
5269 @code{System.Assertions} is
5270 raised (passing @var{static-string-expression}, if present, as the
5271 message associated with the exception). If no string expression is
5272 given the default is a string giving the file name and line number
5275 The @code{Debug} pragma causes @var{procedure} to be called. Note that
5276 @code{pragma Debug} may appear within a declaration sequence, allowing
5277 debugging procedures to be called between declarations.
5280 @item /DEBUG[=debug-level]
5282 Specifies how much debugging information is to be included in
5283 the resulting object file where 'debug-level' is one of the following:
5286 Include both debugger symbol records and traceback
5288 This is the default setting.
5290 Include both debugger symbol records and traceback in
5293 Excludes both debugger symbol records and traceback
5294 the object file. Same as /NODEBUG.
5296 Includes only debugger symbol records in the object
5297 file. Note that this doesn't include traceback information.
5302 @node Validity Checking
5303 @subsection Validity Checking
5304 @findex Validity Checking
5307 The Ada 95 Reference Manual has specific requirements for checking
5308 for invalid values. In particular, RM 13.9.1 requires that the
5309 evaluation of invalid values (for example from unchecked conversions),
5310 not result in erroneous execution. In GNAT, the result of such an
5311 evaluation in normal default mode is to either use the value
5312 unmodified, or to raise Constraint_Error in those cases where use
5313 of the unmodified value would cause erroneous execution. The cases
5314 where unmodified values might lead to erroneous execution are case
5315 statements (where a wild jump might result from an invalid value),
5316 and subscripts on the left hand side (where memory corruption could
5317 occur as a result of an invalid value).
5319 The @option{-gnatV^@var{x}^^} switch allows more control over the validity
5322 The @code{x} argument is a string of letters that
5323 indicate validity checks that are performed or not performed in addition
5324 to the default checks described above.
5327 The options allowed for this qualifier
5328 indicate validity checks that are performed or not performed in addition
5329 to the default checks described above.
5335 @emph{All validity checks.}
5336 @cindex @option{-gnatVa} (@command{gcc})
5337 All validity checks are turned on.
5339 That is, @option{-gnatVa} is
5340 equivalent to @option{gnatVcdfimorst}.
5344 @emph{Validity checks for copies.}
5345 @cindex @option{-gnatVc} (@command{gcc})
5346 The right hand side of assignments, and the initializing values of
5347 object declarations are validity checked.
5350 @emph{Default (RM) validity checks.}
5351 @cindex @option{-gnatVd} (@command{gcc})
5352 Some validity checks are done by default following normal Ada semantics
5354 A check is done in case statements that the expression is within the range
5355 of the subtype. If it is not, Constraint_Error is raised.
5356 For assignments to array components, a check is done that the expression used
5357 as index is within the range. If it is not, Constraint_Error is raised.
5358 Both these validity checks may be turned off using switch @option{-gnatVD}.
5359 They are turned on by default. If @option{-gnatVD} is specified, a subsequent
5360 switch @option{-gnatVd} will leave the checks turned on.
5361 Switch @option{-gnatVD} should be used only if you are sure that all such
5362 expressions have valid values. If you use this switch and invalid values
5363 are present, then the program is erroneous, and wild jumps or memory
5364 overwriting may occur.
5367 @emph{Validity checks for elementary components.}
5368 @cindex @option{-gnatVe} (@command{gcc})
5369 In the absence of this switch, assignments to record or array components are
5370 not validity checked, even if validity checks for assignments generally
5371 (@option{-gnatVc}) are turned on. In Ada, assignment of composite values do not
5372 require valid data, but assignment of individual components does. So for
5373 example, there is a difference between copying the elements of an array with a
5374 slice assignment, compared to assigning element by element in a loop. This
5375 switch allows you to turn off validity checking for components, even when they
5376 are assigned component by component.
5379 @emph{Validity checks for floating-point values.}
5380 @cindex @option{-gnatVf} (@command{gcc})
5381 In the absence of this switch, validity checking occurs only for discrete
5382 values. If @option{-gnatVf} is specified, then validity checking also applies
5383 for floating-point values, and NaN's and infinities are considered invalid,
5384 as well as out of range values for constrained types. Note that this means
5385 that standard @code{IEEE} infinity mode is not allowed. The exact contexts
5386 in which floating-point values are checked depends on the setting of other
5387 options. For example,
5388 @option{^-gnatVif^VALIDITY_CHECKING=(IN_PARAMS,FLOATS)^} or
5389 @option{^-gnatVfi^VALIDITY_CHECKING=(FLOATS,IN_PARAMS)^}
5390 (the order does not matter) specifies that floating-point parameters of mode
5391 @code{in} should be validity checked.
5394 @emph{Validity checks for @code{in} mode parameters}
5395 @cindex @option{-gnatVi} (@command{gcc})
5396 Arguments for parameters of mode @code{in} are validity checked in function
5397 and procedure calls at the point of call.
5400 @emph{Validity checks for @code{in out} mode parameters.}
5401 @cindex @option{-gnatVm} (@command{gcc})
5402 Arguments for parameters of mode @code{in out} are validity checked in
5403 procedure calls at the point of call. The @code{'m'} here stands for
5404 modify, since this concerns parameters that can be modified by the call.
5405 Note that there is no specific option to test @code{out} parameters,
5406 but any reference within the subprogram will be tested in the usual
5407 manner, and if an invalid value is copied back, any reference to it
5408 will be subject to validity checking.
5411 @emph{No validity checks.}
5412 @cindex @option{-gnatVn} (@command{gcc})
5413 This switch turns off all validity checking, including the default checking
5414 for case statements and left hand side subscripts. Note that the use of
5415 the switch @option{-gnatp} suppresses all run-time checks, including
5416 validity checks, and thus implies @option{-gnatVn}. When this switch
5417 is used, it cancels any other @option{-gnatV} previously issued.
5420 @emph{Validity checks for operator and attribute operands.}
5421 @cindex @option{-gnatVo} (@command{gcc})
5422 Arguments for predefined operators and attributes are validity checked.
5423 This includes all operators in package @code{Standard},
5424 the shift operators defined as intrinsic in package @code{Interfaces}
5425 and operands for attributes such as @code{Pos}. Checks are also made
5426 on individual component values for composite comparisons, and on the
5427 expressions in type conversions and qualified expressions. Checks are
5428 also made on explicit ranges using .. (e.g. slices, loops etc).
5431 @emph{Validity checks for parameters.}
5432 @cindex @option{-gnatVp} (@command{gcc})
5433 This controls the treatment of parameters within a subprogram (as opposed
5434 to @option{-gnatVi} and @option{-gnatVm} which control validity testing
5435 of parameters on a call. If either of these call options is used, then
5436 normally an assumption is made within a subprogram that the input arguments
5437 have been validity checking at the point of call, and do not need checking
5438 again within a subprogram). If @option{-gnatVp} is set, then this assumption
5439 is not made, and parameters are not assumed to be valid, so their validity
5440 will be checked (or rechecked) within the subprogram.
5443 @emph{Validity checks for function returns.}
5444 @cindex @option{-gnatVr} (@command{gcc})
5445 The expression in @code{return} statements in functions is validity
5449 @emph{Validity checks for subscripts.}
5450 @cindex @option{-gnatVs} (@command{gcc})
5451 All subscripts expressions are checked for validity, whether they appear
5452 on the right side or left side (in default mode only left side subscripts
5453 are validity checked).
5456 @emph{Validity checks for tests.}
5457 @cindex @option{-gnatVt} (@command{gcc})
5458 Expressions used as conditions in @code{if}, @code{while} or @code{exit}
5459 statements are checked, as well as guard expressions in entry calls.
5464 The @option{-gnatV} switch may be followed by
5465 ^a string of letters^a list of options^
5466 to turn on a series of validity checking options.
5468 @option{^-gnatVcr^/VALIDITY_CHECKING=(COPIES, RETURNS)^}
5469 specifies that in addition to the default validity checking, copies and
5470 function return expressions are to be validity checked.
5471 In order to make it easier
5472 to specify the desired combination of effects,
5474 the upper case letters @code{CDFIMORST} may
5475 be used to turn off the corresponding lower case option.
5478 the prefix @code{NO} on an option turns off the corresponding validity
5481 @item @code{NOCOPIES}
5482 @item @code{NODEFAULT}
5483 @item @code{NOFLOATS}
5484 @item @code{NOIN_PARAMS}
5485 @item @code{NOMOD_PARAMS}
5486 @item @code{NOOPERANDS}
5487 @item @code{NORETURNS}
5488 @item @code{NOSUBSCRIPTS}
5489 @item @code{NOTESTS}
5493 @option{^-gnatVaM^/VALIDITY_CHECKING=(ALL, NOMOD_PARAMS)^}
5494 turns on all validity checking options except for
5495 checking of @code{@b{in out}} procedure arguments.
5497 The specification of additional validity checking generates extra code (and
5498 in the case of @option{-gnatVa} the code expansion can be substantial.
5499 However, these additional checks can be very useful in detecting
5500 uninitialized variables, incorrect use of unchecked conversion, and other
5501 errors leading to invalid values. The use of pragma @code{Initialize_Scalars}
5502 is useful in conjunction with the extra validity checking, since this
5503 ensures that wherever possible uninitialized variables have invalid values.
5505 See also the pragma @code{Validity_Checks} which allows modification of
5506 the validity checking mode at the program source level, and also allows for
5507 temporary disabling of validity checks.
5509 @node Style Checking
5510 @subsection Style Checking
5511 @findex Style checking
5514 The @option{-gnaty^x^(option,option,...)^} switch
5515 @cindex @option{-gnaty} (@command{gcc})
5516 causes the compiler to
5517 enforce specified style rules. A limited set of style rules has been used
5518 in writing the GNAT sources themselves. This switch allows user programs
5519 to activate all or some of these checks. If the source program fails a
5520 specified style check, an appropriate warning message is given, preceded by
5521 the character sequence ``(style)''.
5523 @code{(option,option,...)} is a sequence of keywords
5526 The string @var{x} is a sequence of letters or digits
5528 indicating the particular style
5529 checks to be performed. The following checks are defined:
5534 @emph{Specify indentation level.}
5535 If a digit from 1-9 appears
5536 ^in the string after @option{-gnaty}^as an option for /STYLE_CHECKS^
5537 then proper indentation is checked, with the digit indicating the
5538 indentation level required.
5539 The general style of required indentation is as specified by
5540 the examples in the Ada Reference Manual. Full line comments must be
5541 aligned with the @code{--} starting on a column that is a multiple of
5542 the alignment level.
5545 @emph{Check attribute casing.}
5546 If the ^letter a^word ATTRIBUTE^ appears in the string after @option{-gnaty}
5547 then attribute names, including the case of keywords such as @code{digits}
5548 used as attributes names, must be written in mixed case, that is, the
5549 initial letter and any letter following an underscore must be uppercase.
5550 All other letters must be lowercase.
5553 @emph{Blanks not allowed at statement end.}
5554 If the ^letter b^word BLANKS^ appears in the string after @option{-gnaty} then
5555 trailing blanks are not allowed at the end of statements. The purpose of this
5556 rule, together with h (no horizontal tabs), is to enforce a canonical format
5557 for the use of blanks to separate source tokens.
5560 @emph{Check comments.}
5561 If the ^letter c^word COMMENTS^ appears in the string after @option{-gnaty}
5562 then comments must meet the following set of rules:
5567 The ``@code{--}'' that starts the column must either start in column one,
5568 or else at least one blank must precede this sequence.
5571 Comments that follow other tokens on a line must have at least one blank
5572 following the ``@code{--}'' at the start of the comment.
5575 Full line comments must have two blanks following the ``@code{--}'' that
5576 starts the comment, with the following exceptions.
5579 A line consisting only of the ``@code{--}'' characters, possibly preceded
5580 by blanks is permitted.
5583 A comment starting with ``@code{--x}'' where @code{x} is a special character
5585 This allows proper processing of the output generated by specialized tools
5586 including @command{gnatprep} (where ``@code{--!}'' is used) and the SPARK
5588 language (where ``@code{--#}'' is used). For the purposes of this rule, a
5589 special character is defined as being in one of the ASCII ranges
5590 @code{16#21#..16#2F#} or @code{16#3A#..16#3F#}.
5591 Note that this usage is not permitted
5592 in GNAT implementation units (i.e. when @option{-gnatg} is used).
5595 A line consisting entirely of minus signs, possibly preceded by blanks, is
5596 permitted. This allows the construction of box comments where lines of minus
5597 signs are used to form the top and bottom of the box.
5600 A comment that starts and ends with ``@code{--}'' is permitted as long as at
5601 least one blank follows the initial ``@code{--}''. Together with the preceding
5602 rule, this allows the construction of box comments, as shown in the following
5605 ---------------------------
5606 -- This is a box comment --
5607 -- with two text lines. --
5608 ---------------------------
5612 @item ^d^DOS_LINE_ENDINGS^
5613 @emph{Check no DOS line terminators present.}
5614 If the ^letter d^word DOS_LINE_ENDINGS^ appears in the string after
5615 @option{-gnaty} then all lines must be terminated by a single ASCII.LF
5616 character (in particular the DOS line terminator sequence CR/LF is not
5620 @emph{Check end/exit labels.}
5621 If the ^letter e^word END^ appears in the string after @option{-gnaty} then
5622 optional labels on @code{end} statements ending subprograms and on
5623 @code{exit} statements exiting named loops, are required to be present.
5626 @emph{No form feeds or vertical tabs.}
5627 If the ^letter f^word VTABS^ appears in the string after @option{-gnaty} then
5628 neither form feeds nor vertical tab characters are permitted
5632 @emph{No horizontal tabs.}
5633 If the ^letter h^word HTABS^ appears in the string after @option{-gnaty} then
5634 horizontal tab characters are not permitted in the source text.
5635 Together with the b (no blanks at end of line) check, this
5636 enforces a canonical form for the use of blanks to separate
5640 @emph{Check if-then layout.}
5641 If the ^letter i^word IF_THEN^ appears in the string after @option{-gnaty},
5642 then the keyword @code{then} must appear either on the same
5643 line as corresponding @code{if}, or on a line on its own, lined
5644 up under the @code{if} with at least one non-blank line in between
5645 containing all or part of the condition to be tested.
5648 @emph{check mode IN keywords}
5649 If the ^letter I (upper case)^word IN_MODE^ appears in the string
5650 after @option{-gnaty} then mode @code{in} (the default mode) is not
5651 allowed to be given explicitly. @code{in out} is fine,
5652 but not @code{in} on its own.
5655 @emph{Check keyword casing.}
5656 If the ^letter k^word KEYWORD^ appears in the string after @option{-gnaty} then
5657 all keywords must be in lower case (with the exception of keywords
5658 such as @code{digits} used as attribute names to which this check
5662 @emph{Check layout.}
5663 If the ^letter l^word LAYOUT^ appears in the string after @option{-gnaty} then
5664 layout of statement and declaration constructs must follow the
5665 recommendations in the Ada Reference Manual, as indicated by the
5666 form of the syntax rules. For example an @code{else} keyword must
5667 be lined up with the corresponding @code{if} keyword.
5669 There are two respects in which the style rule enforced by this check
5670 option are more liberal than those in the Ada Reference Manual. First
5671 in the case of record declarations, it is permissible to put the
5672 @code{record} keyword on the same line as the @code{type} keyword, and
5673 then the @code{end} in @code{end record} must line up under @code{type}.
5674 For example, either of the following two layouts is acceptable:
5676 @smallexample @c ada
5692 Second, in the case of a block statement, a permitted alternative
5693 is to put the block label on the same line as the @code{declare} or
5694 @code{begin} keyword, and then line the @code{end} keyword up under
5695 the block label. For example both the following are permitted:
5697 @smallexample @c ada
5715 The same alternative format is allowed for loops. For example, both of
5716 the following are permitted:
5718 @smallexample @c ada
5720 Clear : while J < 10 loop
5731 @item ^Lnnn^MAX_NESTING=nnn^
5732 @emph{Set maximum nesting level}
5733 If the sequence ^Lnnn^MAX_NESTING=nnn^, where nnn is a decimal number in
5734 the range 0-999, appears in the string after @option{-gnaty} then the
5735 maximum level of nesting of constructs (including subprograms, loops,
5736 blocks, packages, and conditionals) may not exceed the given value. A
5737 value of zero disconnects this style check.
5739 @item ^m^LINE_LENGTH^
5740 @emph{Check maximum line length.}
5741 If the ^letter m^word LINE_LENGTH^ appears in the string after @option{-gnaty}
5742 then the length of source lines must not exceed 79 characters, including
5743 any trailing blanks. The value of 79 allows convenient display on an
5744 80 character wide device or window, allowing for possible special
5745 treatment of 80 character lines. Note that this count is of
5746 characters in the source text. This means that a tab character counts
5747 as one character in this count but a wide character sequence counts as
5748 a single character (however many bytes are needed in the encoding).
5750 @item ^Mnnn^MAX_LENGTH=nnn^
5751 @emph{Set maximum line length.}
5752 If the sequence ^M^MAX_LENGTH=^nnn, where nnn is a decimal number, appears in
5753 the string after @option{-gnaty} then the length of lines must not exceed the
5754 given value. The maximum value that can be specified is 32767.
5756 @item ^n^STANDARD_CASING^
5757 @emph{Check casing of entities in Standard.}
5758 If the ^letter n^word STANDARD_CASING^ appears in the string
5759 after @option{-gnaty} then any identifier from Standard must be cased
5760 to match the presentation in the Ada Reference Manual (for example,
5761 @code{Integer} and @code{ASCII.NUL}).
5763 @item ^o^ORDERED_SUBPROGRAMS^
5764 @emph{Check order of subprogram bodies.}
5765 If the ^letter o^word ORDERED_SUBPROGRAMS^ appears in the string
5766 after @option{-gnaty} then all subprogram bodies in a given scope
5767 (e.g. a package body) must be in alphabetical order. The ordering
5768 rule uses normal Ada rules for comparing strings, ignoring casing
5769 of letters, except that if there is a trailing numeric suffix, then
5770 the value of this suffix is used in the ordering (e.g. Junk2 comes
5774 @emph{Check pragma casing.}
5775 If the ^letter p^word PRAGMA^ appears in the string after @option{-gnaty} then
5776 pragma names must be written in mixed case, that is, the
5777 initial letter and any letter following an underscore must be uppercase.
5778 All other letters must be lowercase.
5780 @item ^r^REFERENCES^
5781 @emph{Check references.}
5782 If the ^letter r^word REFERENCES^ appears in the string after @option{-gnaty}
5783 then all identifier references must be cased in the same way as the
5784 corresponding declaration. No specific casing style is imposed on
5785 identifiers. The only requirement is for consistency of references
5789 @emph{Check separate specs.}
5790 If the ^letter s^word SPECS^ appears in the string after @option{-gnaty} then
5791 separate declarations (``specs'') are required for subprograms (a
5792 body is not allowed to serve as its own declaration). The only
5793 exception is that parameterless library level procedures are
5794 not required to have a separate declaration. This exception covers
5795 the most frequent form of main program procedures.
5798 @emph{Check token spacing.}
5799 If the ^letter t^word TOKEN^ appears in the string after @option{-gnaty} then
5800 the following token spacing rules are enforced:
5805 The keywords @code{@b{abs}} and @code{@b{not}} must be followed by a space.
5808 The token @code{=>} must be surrounded by spaces.
5811 The token @code{<>} must be preceded by a space or a left parenthesis.
5814 Binary operators other than @code{**} must be surrounded by spaces.
5815 There is no restriction on the layout of the @code{**} binary operator.
5818 Colon must be surrounded by spaces.
5821 Colon-equal (assignment, initialization) must be surrounded by spaces.
5824 Comma must be the first non-blank character on the line, or be
5825 immediately preceded by a non-blank character, and must be followed
5829 If the token preceding a left parenthesis ends with a letter or digit, then
5830 a space must separate the two tokens.
5833 A right parenthesis must either be the first non-blank character on
5834 a line, or it must be preceded by a non-blank character.
5837 A semicolon must not be preceded by a space, and must not be followed by
5838 a non-blank character.
5841 A unary plus or minus may not be followed by a space.
5844 A vertical bar must be surrounded by spaces.
5847 @item ^u^UNNECESSARY_BLANK_LINES^
5848 @emph{Check unnecessary blank lines.}
5849 Check for unnecessary blank lines. A blank line is considered
5850 unnecessary if it appears at the end of the file, or if more than
5851 one blank line occurs in sequence.
5853 @item ^x^XTRA_PARENS^
5854 @emph{Check extra parentheses.}
5855 Check for the use of an unnecessary extra level of parentheses (C-style)
5856 around conditions in @code{if} statements, @code{while} statements and
5857 @code{exit} statements.
5862 In the above rules, appearing in column one is always permitted, that is,
5863 counts as meeting either a requirement for a required preceding space,
5864 or as meeting a requirement for no preceding space.
5866 Appearing at the end of a line is also always permitted, that is, counts
5867 as meeting either a requirement for a following space, or as meeting
5868 a requirement for no following space.
5871 If any of these style rules is violated, a message is generated giving
5872 details on the violation. The initial characters of such messages are
5873 always ``@code{(style)}''. Note that these messages are treated as warning
5874 messages, so they normally do not prevent the generation of an object
5875 file. The @option{-gnatwe} switch can be used to treat warning messages,
5876 including style messages, as fatal errors.
5880 @option{-gnaty} on its own (that is not
5881 followed by any letters or digits),
5882 is equivalent to @code{gnaty3abcefhiklmnprst}, that is all checking
5883 options enabled with the exception of @option{-gnatyo},
5884 @option{-gnatyd}, @option{-gnatyu}, and @option{-gnatyx}.
5887 /STYLE_CHECKS=ALL_BUILTIN enables all checking options with
5888 the exception of ORDERED_SUBPROGRAMS, UNNECESSARY_BLANK_LINES,
5889 XTRA_PARENS, and DOS_LINE_ENDINGS. In addition
5891 an indentation level of 3 is set. This is similar to the standard
5892 checking option that is used for the GNAT sources.
5901 clears any previously set style checks.
5903 @node Run-Time Checks
5904 @subsection Run-Time Checks
5905 @cindex Division by zero
5906 @cindex Access before elaboration
5907 @cindex Checks, division by zero
5908 @cindex Checks, access before elaboration
5909 @cindex Checks, stack overflow checking
5912 If you compile with the default options, GNAT will insert many run-time
5913 checks into the compiled code, including code that performs range
5914 checking against constraints, but not arithmetic overflow checking for
5915 integer operations (including division by zero), checks for access
5916 before elaboration on subprogram calls, or stack overflow checking. All
5917 other run-time checks, as required by the Ada 95 Reference Manual, are
5918 generated by default. The following @command{gcc} switches refine this
5924 @cindex @option{-gnatp} (@command{gcc})
5925 @cindex Suppressing checks
5926 @cindex Checks, suppressing
5928 Suppress all run-time checks as though @code{pragma Suppress (all_checks})
5929 had been present in the source. Validity checks are also suppressed (in
5930 other words @option{-gnatp} also implies @option{-gnatVn}.
5931 Use this switch to improve the performance
5932 of the code at the expense of safety in the presence of invalid data or
5936 @cindex @option{-gnato} (@command{gcc})
5937 @cindex Overflow checks
5938 @cindex Check, overflow
5939 Enables overflow checking for integer operations.
5940 This causes GNAT to generate slower and larger executable
5941 programs by adding code to check for overflow (resulting in raising
5942 @code{Constraint_Error} as required by standard Ada
5943 semantics). These overflow checks correspond to situations in which
5944 the true value of the result of an operation may be outside the base
5945 range of the result type. The following example shows the distinction:
5947 @smallexample @c ada
5948 X1 : Integer := Integer'Last;
5949 X2 : Integer range 1 .. 5 := 5;
5950 X3 : Integer := Integer'Last;
5951 X4 : Integer range 1 .. 5 := 5;
5952 F : Float := 2.0E+20;
5961 Here the first addition results in a value that is outside the base range
5962 of Integer, and hence requires an overflow check for detection of the
5963 constraint error. Thus the first assignment to @code{X1} raises a
5964 @code{Constraint_Error} exception only if @option{-gnato} is set.
5966 The second increment operation results in a violation
5967 of the explicit range constraint, and such range checks are always
5968 performed (unless specifically suppressed with a pragma @code{suppress}
5969 or the use of @option{-gnatp}).
5971 The two conversions of @code{F} both result in values that are outside
5972 the base range of type @code{Integer} and thus will raise
5973 @code{Constraint_Error} exceptions only if @option{-gnato} is used.
5974 The fact that the result of the second conversion is assigned to
5975 variable @code{X4} with a restricted range is irrelevant, since the problem
5976 is in the conversion, not the assignment.
5978 Basically the rule is that in the default mode (@option{-gnato} not
5979 used), the generated code assures that all integer variables stay
5980 within their declared ranges, or within the base range if there is
5981 no declared range. This prevents any serious problems like indexes
5982 out of range for array operations.
5984 What is not checked in default mode is an overflow that results in
5985 an in-range, but incorrect value. In the above example, the assignments
5986 to @code{X1}, @code{X2}, @code{X3} all give results that are within the
5987 range of the target variable, but the result is wrong in the sense that
5988 it is too large to be represented correctly. Typically the assignment
5989 to @code{X1} will result in wrap around to the largest negative number.
5990 The conversions of @code{F} will result in some @code{Integer} value
5991 and if that integer value is out of the @code{X4} range then the
5992 subsequent assignment would generate an exception.
5994 @findex Machine_Overflows
5995 Note that the @option{-gnato} switch does not affect the code generated
5996 for any floating-point operations; it applies only to integer
5998 For floating-point, GNAT has the @code{Machine_Overflows}
5999 attribute set to @code{False} and the normal mode of operation is to
6000 generate IEEE NaN and infinite values on overflow or invalid operations
6001 (such as dividing 0.0 by 0.0).
6003 The reason that we distinguish overflow checking from other kinds of
6004 range constraint checking is that a failure of an overflow check can
6005 generate an incorrect value, but cannot cause erroneous behavior. This
6006 is unlike the situation with a constraint check on an array subscript,
6007 where failure to perform the check can result in random memory description,
6008 or the range check on a case statement, where failure to perform the check
6009 can cause a wild jump.
6011 Note again that @option{-gnato} is off by default, so overflow checking is
6012 not performed in default mode. This means that out of the box, with the
6013 default settings, GNAT does not do all the checks expected from the
6014 language description in the Ada Reference Manual. If you want all constraint
6015 checks to be performed, as described in this Manual, then you must
6016 explicitly use the -gnato switch either on the @command{gnatmake} or
6017 @command{gcc} command.
6020 @cindex @option{-gnatE} (@command{gcc})
6021 @cindex Elaboration checks
6022 @cindex Check, elaboration
6023 Enables dynamic checks for access-before-elaboration
6024 on subprogram calls and generic instantiations.
6025 For full details of the effect and use of this switch,
6026 @xref{Compiling Using gcc}.
6029 @cindex @option{-fstack-check} (@command{gcc})
6030 @cindex Stack Overflow Checking
6031 @cindex Checks, stack overflow checking
6032 Activates stack overflow checking. For full details of the effect and use of
6033 this switch see @ref{Stack Overflow Checking}.
6038 The setting of these switches only controls the default setting of the
6039 checks. You may modify them using either @code{Suppress} (to remove
6040 checks) or @code{Unsuppress} (to add back suppressed checks) pragmas in
6043 @node Using gcc for Syntax Checking
6044 @subsection Using @command{gcc} for Syntax Checking
6047 @cindex @option{-gnats} (@command{gcc})
6051 The @code{s} stands for ``syntax''.
6054 Run GNAT in syntax checking only mode. For
6055 example, the command
6058 $ gcc -c -gnats x.adb
6062 compiles file @file{x.adb} in syntax-check-only mode. You can check a
6063 series of files in a single command
6065 , and can use wild cards to specify such a group of files.
6066 Note that you must specify the @option{-c} (compile
6067 only) flag in addition to the @option{-gnats} flag.
6070 You may use other switches in conjunction with @option{-gnats}. In
6071 particular, @option{-gnatl} and @option{-gnatv} are useful to control the
6072 format of any generated error messages.
6074 When the source file is empty or contains only empty lines and/or comments,
6075 the output is a warning:
6078 $ gcc -c -gnats -x ada toto.txt
6079 toto.txt:1:01: warning: empty file, contains no compilation units
6083 Otherwise, the output is simply the error messages, if any. No object file or
6084 ALI file is generated by a syntax-only compilation. Also, no units other
6085 than the one specified are accessed. For example, if a unit @code{X}
6086 @code{with}'s a unit @code{Y}, compiling unit @code{X} in syntax
6087 check only mode does not access the source file containing unit
6090 @cindex Multiple units, syntax checking
6091 Normally, GNAT allows only a single unit in a source file. However, this
6092 restriction does not apply in syntax-check-only mode, and it is possible
6093 to check a file containing multiple compilation units concatenated
6094 together. This is primarily used by the @code{gnatchop} utility
6095 (@pxref{Renaming Files Using gnatchop}).
6098 @node Using gcc for Semantic Checking
6099 @subsection Using @command{gcc} for Semantic Checking
6102 @cindex @option{-gnatc} (@command{gcc})
6106 The @code{c} stands for ``check''.
6108 Causes the compiler to operate in semantic check mode,
6109 with full checking for all illegalities specified in the
6110 Ada 95 Reference Manual, but without generation of any object code
6111 (no object file is generated).
6113 Because dependent files must be accessed, you must follow the GNAT
6114 semantic restrictions on file structuring to operate in this mode:
6118 The needed source files must be accessible
6119 (@pxref{Search Paths and the Run-Time Library (RTL)}).
6122 Each file must contain only one compilation unit.
6125 The file name and unit name must match (@pxref{File Naming Rules}).
6128 The output consists of error messages as appropriate. No object file is
6129 generated. An @file{ALI} file is generated for use in the context of
6130 cross-reference tools, but this file is marked as not being suitable
6131 for binding (since no object file is generated).
6132 The checking corresponds exactly to the notion of
6133 legality in the Ada 95 Reference Manual.
6135 Any unit can be compiled in semantics-checking-only mode, including
6136 units that would not normally be compiled (subunits,
6137 and specifications where a separate body is present).
6140 @node Compiling Different Versions of Ada
6141 @subsection Compiling Different Versions of Ada
6143 @cindex Compatibility with Ada 83
6146 @cindex Ada 2005 mode
6148 GNAT is primarily an Ada 95 compiler, but the switches described in
6149 this section allow operation in Ada 83 compatibility mode, and also
6150 allow the use of a preliminary implementation of many of the expected
6151 new features in Ada 2005, the forthcoming new version of the standard.
6153 @item -gnat83 (Ada 83 Compatibility Mode)
6154 @cindex @option{-gnat83} (@command{gcc})
6155 @cindex ACVC, Ada 83 tests
6158 Although GNAT is primarily an Ada 95 compiler, it accepts this switch to
6159 specify that an Ada 83 program is to be compiled in Ada 83 mode. If you specify
6160 this switch, GNAT rejects most Ada 95 extensions and applies Ada 83 semantics
6161 where this can be done easily.
6162 It is not possible to guarantee this switch does a perfect
6163 job; for example, some subtle tests, such as are
6164 found in earlier ACVC tests (and that have been removed from the ACATS suite
6165 for Ada 95), might not compile correctly.
6166 Nevertheless, this switch may be useful in some circumstances, for example
6167 where, due to contractual reasons, legacy code needs to be maintained
6168 using only Ada 83 features.
6170 With few exceptions (most notably the need to use @code{<>} on
6171 @cindex Generic formal parameters
6172 unconstrained generic formal parameters, the use of the new Ada 95
6173 reserved words, and the use of packages
6174 with optional bodies), it is not necessary to use the
6175 @option{-gnat83} switch when compiling Ada 83 programs, because, with rare
6176 exceptions, Ada 95 is upwardly compatible with Ada 83. This
6177 means that a correct Ada 83 program is usually also a correct Ada 95
6179 For further information, please refer to @ref{Compatibility and Porting Guide}.
6181 @item -gnat95 (Ada 95 mode)
6182 @cindex @option{-gnat95} (@command{gcc})
6185 GNAT is primarily an Ada 95 compiler, and all current releases of GNAT Pro
6186 compile in Ada 95 mode by default. Typically, Ada 95 is sufficiently upwards
6187 compatible with Ada 83, that legacy Ada 83 programs may be compiled using
6188 this default Ada95 mode without problems (see section above describing the
6189 use of @option{-gnat83} to run in Ada 83 mode).
6191 In Ada 95 mode, the use of Ada 2005 features will in general cause error
6192 messages or warnings. Some specialized releases of GNAT (notably the GPL
6193 edition) operate in Ada 2005 mode by default (see section below
6194 describing the use of @option{-gnat05} to run in Ada 2005 mode). For such
6195 versions the @option{-gnat95} switch may be used to enforce Ada 95 mode.
6196 This option also can be used to cancel the effect of a previous
6197 @option{-gnat83} or @option{-gnat05} switch earlier in the command line.
6199 @item -gnat05 (Ada 2005 mode)
6200 @cindex @option{-gnat05} (@command{gcc})
6203 Although GNAT is primarily an Ada 95 compiler, it can be set to operate
6204 in Ada 2005 mode using this option. Although the new standard has not
6205 yet been issued (as of early 2005), many features have been discussed and
6206 approved in ``Ada Issues'' (AI's). For the text of these AI's, see
6207 @url{www.ada-auth.org/cgi-bin/cvsweb.cgi/AIs}. Included with GNAT
6208 releases is a file @file{features-ada0y} that describes the current set
6209 of implemented Ada 2005 features.
6211 If these features are used in Ada 95 mode (which is the normal default),
6212 then error messages or warnings may be
6213 generated, reflecting the fact that these new features are otherwise
6214 unauthorized extensions to Ada 95. The use of the @option{-gnat05}
6215 switch (or an equivalent pragma) causes these messages to be suppressed.
6217 Note that some specialized releases of GNAT (notably the GPL edition)
6218 have Ada 2005 mode on by default, and in such environments,
6219 the Ada 2005 features can be used freely without the use of switches.
6223 @node Character Set Control
6224 @subsection Character Set Control
6226 @item ^-gnati^/IDENTIFIER_CHARACTER_SET=^@var{c}
6227 @cindex @option{^-gnati^/IDENTIFIER_CHARACTER_SET^} (@command{gcc})
6230 Normally GNAT recognizes the Latin-1 character set in source program
6231 identifiers, as described in the Ada 95 Reference Manual.
6233 GNAT to recognize alternate character sets in identifiers. @var{c} is a
6234 single character ^^or word^ indicating the character set, as follows:
6238 ISO 8859-1 (Latin-1) identifiers
6241 ISO 8859-2 (Latin-2) letters allowed in identifiers
6244 ISO 8859-3 (Latin-3) letters allowed in identifiers
6247 ISO 8859-4 (Latin-4) letters allowed in identifiers
6250 ISO 8859-5 (Cyrillic) letters allowed in identifiers
6253 ISO 8859-15 (Latin-9) letters allowed in identifiers
6256 IBM PC letters (code page 437) allowed in identifiers
6259 IBM PC letters (code page 850) allowed in identifiers
6261 @item ^f^FULL_UPPER^
6262 Full upper-half codes allowed in identifiers
6265 No upper-half codes allowed in identifiers
6268 Wide-character codes (that is, codes greater than 255)
6269 allowed in identifiers
6272 @xref{Foreign Language Representation}, for full details on the
6273 implementation of these character sets.
6275 @item ^-gnatW^/WIDE_CHARACTER_ENCODING=^@var{e}
6276 @cindex @option{^-gnatW^/WIDE_CHARACTER_ENCODING^} (@command{gcc})
6277 Specify the method of encoding for wide characters.
6278 @var{e} is one of the following:
6283 Hex encoding (brackets coding also recognized)
6286 Upper half encoding (brackets encoding also recognized)
6289 Shift/JIS encoding (brackets encoding also recognized)
6292 EUC encoding (brackets encoding also recognized)
6295 UTF-8 encoding (brackets encoding also recognized)
6298 Brackets encoding only (default value)
6300 For full details on these encoding
6301 methods see @ref{Wide Character Encodings}.
6302 Note that brackets coding is always accepted, even if one of the other
6303 options is specified, so for example @option{-gnatW8} specifies that both
6304 brackets and @code{UTF-8} encodings will be recognized. The units that are
6305 with'ed directly or indirectly will be scanned using the specified
6306 representation scheme, and so if one of the non-brackets scheme is
6307 used, it must be used consistently throughout the program. However,
6308 since brackets encoding is always recognized, it may be conveniently
6309 used in standard libraries, allowing these libraries to be used with
6310 any of the available coding schemes.
6311 scheme. If no @option{-gnatW?} parameter is present, then the default
6312 representation is Brackets encoding only.
6314 Note that the wide character representation that is specified (explicitly
6315 or by default) for the main program also acts as the default encoding used
6316 for Wide_Text_IO files if not specifically overridden by a WCEM form
6320 @node File Naming Control
6321 @subsection File Naming Control
6324 @item ^-gnatk^/FILE_NAME_MAX_LENGTH=^@var{n}
6325 @cindex @option{-gnatk} (@command{gcc})
6326 Activates file name ``krunching''. @var{n}, a decimal integer in the range
6327 1-999, indicates the maximum allowable length of a file name (not
6328 including the @file{.ads} or @file{.adb} extension). The default is not
6329 to enable file name krunching.
6331 For the source file naming rules, @xref{File Naming Rules}.
6334 @node Subprogram Inlining Control
6335 @subsection Subprogram Inlining Control
6340 @cindex @option{-gnatn} (@command{gcc})
6342 The @code{n} here is intended to suggest the first syllable of the
6345 GNAT recognizes and processes @code{Inline} pragmas. However, for the
6346 inlining to actually occur, optimization must be enabled. To enable
6347 inlining of subprograms specified by pragma @code{Inline},
6348 you must also specify this switch.
6349 In the absence of this switch, GNAT does not attempt
6350 inlining and does not need to access the bodies of
6351 subprograms for which @code{pragma Inline} is specified if they are not
6352 in the current unit.
6354 If you specify this switch the compiler will access these bodies,
6355 creating an extra source dependency for the resulting object file, and
6356 where possible, the call will be inlined.
6357 For further details on when inlining is possible
6358 see @ref{Inlining of Subprograms}.
6361 @cindex @option{-gnatN} (@command{gcc})
6362 The front end inlining activated by this switch is generally more extensive,
6363 and quite often more effective than the standard @option{-gnatn} inlining mode.
6364 It will also generate additional dependencies.
6366 @option{-gnatN} automatically implies @option{-gnatn} so it is not necessary
6367 to specify both options.
6370 @node Auxiliary Output Control
6371 @subsection Auxiliary Output Control
6375 @cindex @option{-gnatt} (@command{gcc})
6376 @cindex Writing internal trees
6377 @cindex Internal trees, writing to file
6378 Causes GNAT to write the internal tree for a unit to a file (with the
6379 extension @file{.adt}.
6380 This not normally required, but is used by separate analysis tools.
6382 these tools do the necessary compilations automatically, so you should
6383 not have to specify this switch in normal operation.
6386 @cindex @option{-gnatu} (@command{gcc})
6387 Print a list of units required by this compilation on @file{stdout}.
6388 The listing includes all units on which the unit being compiled depends
6389 either directly or indirectly.
6392 @item -pass-exit-codes
6393 @cindex @option{-pass-exit-codes} (@command{gcc})
6394 If this switch is not used, the exit code returned by @command{gcc} when
6395 compiling multiple files indicates whether all source files have
6396 been successfully used to generate object files or not.
6398 When @option{-pass-exit-codes} is used, @command{gcc} exits with an extended
6399 exit status and allows an integrated development environment to better
6400 react to a compilation failure. Those exit status are:
6404 There was an error in at least one source file.
6406 At least one source file did not generate an object file.
6408 The compiler died unexpectedly (internal error for example).
6410 An object file has been generated for every source file.
6415 @node Debugging Control
6416 @subsection Debugging Control
6420 @cindex Debugging options
6423 @cindex @option{-gnatd} (@command{gcc})
6424 Activate internal debugging switches. @var{x} is a letter or digit, or
6425 string of letters or digits, which specifies the type of debugging
6426 outputs desired. Normally these are used only for internal development
6427 or system debugging purposes. You can find full documentation for these
6428 switches in the body of the @code{Debug} unit in the compiler source
6429 file @file{debug.adb}.
6433 @cindex @option{-gnatG} (@command{gcc})
6434 This switch causes the compiler to generate auxiliary output containing
6435 a pseudo-source listing of the generated expanded code. Like most Ada
6436 compilers, GNAT works by first transforming the high level Ada code into
6437 lower level constructs. For example, tasking operations are transformed
6438 into calls to the tasking run-time routines. A unique capability of GNAT
6439 is to list this expanded code in a form very close to normal Ada source.
6440 This is very useful in understanding the implications of various Ada
6441 usage on the efficiency of the generated code. There are many cases in
6442 Ada (e.g. the use of controlled types), where simple Ada statements can
6443 generate a lot of run-time code. By using @option{-gnatG} you can identify
6444 these cases, and consider whether it may be desirable to modify the coding
6445 approach to improve efficiency.
6447 The format of the output is very similar to standard Ada source, and is
6448 easily understood by an Ada programmer. The following special syntactic
6449 additions correspond to low level features used in the generated code that
6450 do not have any exact analogies in pure Ada source form. The following
6451 is a partial list of these special constructions. See the specification
6452 of package @code{Sprint} in file @file{sprint.ads} for a full list.
6454 If the switch @option{-gnatL} is used in conjunction with
6455 @cindex @option{-gnatL} (@command{gcc})
6456 @option{-gnatG}, then the original source lines are interspersed
6457 in the expanded source (as comment lines with the original line number).
6460 @item new @var{xxx} [storage_pool = @var{yyy}]
6461 Shows the storage pool being used for an allocator.
6463 @item at end @var{procedure-name};
6464 Shows the finalization (cleanup) procedure for a scope.
6466 @item (if @var{expr} then @var{expr} else @var{expr})
6467 Conditional expression equivalent to the @code{x?y:z} construction in C.
6469 @item @var{target}^^^(@var{source})
6470 A conversion with floating-point truncation instead of rounding.
6472 @item @var{target}?(@var{source})
6473 A conversion that bypasses normal Ada semantic checking. In particular
6474 enumeration types and fixed-point types are treated simply as integers.
6476 @item @var{target}?^^^(@var{source})
6477 Combines the above two cases.
6479 @item @var{x} #/ @var{y}
6480 @itemx @var{x} #mod @var{y}
6481 @itemx @var{x} #* @var{y}
6482 @itemx @var{x} #rem @var{y}
6483 A division or multiplication of fixed-point values which are treated as
6484 integers without any kind of scaling.
6486 @item free @var{expr} [storage_pool = @var{xxx}]
6487 Shows the storage pool associated with a @code{free} statement.
6489 @item [subtype or type declaration]
6490 Used to list an equivalent declaration for an internally generated
6491 type that is referenced elsewhere in the listing.
6493 @item freeze @var{type-name} [@var{actions}]
6494 Shows the point at which @var{type-name} is frozen, with possible
6495 associated actions to be performed at the freeze point.
6497 @item reference @var{itype}
6498 Reference (and hence definition) to internal type @var{itype}.
6500 @item @var{function-name}! (@var{arg}, @var{arg}, @var{arg})
6501 Intrinsic function call.
6503 @item @var{label-name} : label
6504 Declaration of label @var{labelname}.
6506 @item #$ @var{subprogram-name}
6507 An implicit call to a run-time support routine
6508 (to meet the requirement of H.3.1(9) in a
6511 @item @var{expr} && @var{expr} && @var{expr} ... && @var{expr}
6512 A multiple concatenation (same effect as @var{expr} & @var{expr} &
6513 @var{expr}, but handled more efficiently).
6515 @item [constraint_error]
6516 Raise the @code{Constraint_Error} exception.
6518 @item @var{expression}'reference
6519 A pointer to the result of evaluating @var{expression}.
6521 @item @var{target-type}!(@var{source-expression})
6522 An unchecked conversion of @var{source-expression} to @var{target-type}.
6524 @item [@var{numerator}/@var{denominator}]
6525 Used to represent internal real literals (that) have no exact
6526 representation in base 2-16 (for example, the result of compile time
6527 evaluation of the expression 1.0/27.0).
6531 @cindex @option{-gnatD} (@command{gcc})
6532 When used in conjunction with @option{-gnatG}, this switch causes
6533 the expanded source, as described above for
6534 @option{-gnatG} to be written to files with names
6535 @file{^xxx.dg^XXX_DG^}, where @file{xxx} is the normal file name,
6536 instead of to the standard output file. For
6537 example, if the source file name is @file{hello.adb}, then a file
6538 @file{^hello.adb.dg^HELLO.ADB_DG^} will be written. The debugging
6539 information generated by the @command{gcc} @option{^-g^/DEBUG^} switch
6540 will refer to the generated @file{^xxx.dg^XXX_DG^} file. This allows
6541 you to do source level debugging using the generated code which is
6542 sometimes useful for complex code, for example to find out exactly
6543 which part of a complex construction raised an exception. This switch
6544 also suppress generation of cross-reference information (see
6545 @option{-gnatx}) since otherwise the cross-reference information
6546 would refer to the @file{^.dg^.DG^} file, which would cause
6547 confusion since this is not the original source file.
6549 Note that @option{-gnatD} actually implies @option{-gnatG}
6550 automatically, so it is not necessary to give both options.
6551 In other words @option{-gnatD} is equivalent to @option{-gnatDG}).
6553 If the switch @option{-gnatL} is used in conjunction with
6554 @cindex @option{-gnatL} (@command{gcc})
6555 @option{-gnatDG}, then the original source lines are interspersed
6556 in the expanded source (as comment lines with the original line number).
6559 @item -gnatR[0|1|2|3[s]]
6560 @cindex @option{-gnatR} (@command{gcc})
6561 This switch controls output from the compiler of a listing showing
6562 representation information for declared types and objects. For
6563 @option{-gnatR0}, no information is output (equivalent to omitting
6564 the @option{-gnatR} switch). For @option{-gnatR1} (which is the default,
6565 so @option{-gnatR} with no parameter has the same effect), size and alignment
6566 information is listed for declared array and record types. For
6567 @option{-gnatR2}, size and alignment information is listed for all
6568 expressions for values that are computed at run time for
6569 variant records. These symbolic expressions have a mostly obvious
6570 format with #n being used to represent the value of the n'th
6571 discriminant. See source files @file{repinfo.ads/adb} in the
6572 @code{GNAT} sources for full details on the format of @option{-gnatR3}
6573 output. If the switch is followed by an s (e.g. @option{-gnatR2s}), then
6574 the output is to a file with the name @file{^file.rep^file_REP^} where
6575 file is the name of the corresponding source file.
6578 @item /REPRESENTATION_INFO
6579 @cindex @option{/REPRESENTATION_INFO} (@command{gcc})
6580 This qualifier controls output from the compiler of a listing showing
6581 representation information for declared types and objects. For
6582 @option{/REPRESENTATION_INFO=NONE}, no information is output
6583 (equivalent to omitting the @option{/REPRESENTATION_INFO} qualifier).
6584 @option{/REPRESENTATION_INFO} without option is equivalent to
6585 @option{/REPRESENTATION_INFO=ARRAYS}.
6586 For @option{/REPRESENTATION_INFO=ARRAYS}, size and alignment
6587 information is listed for declared array and record types. For
6588 @option{/REPRESENTATION_INFO=OBJECTS}, size and alignment information
6589 is listed for all expression information for values that are computed
6590 at run time for variant records. These symbolic expressions have a mostly
6591 obvious format with #n being used to represent the value of the n'th
6592 discriminant. See source files @file{REPINFO.ADS/ADB} in the
6593 @code{GNAT} sources for full details on the format of
6594 @option{/REPRESENTATION_INFO=SYMBOLIC} output.
6595 If _FILE is added at the end of an option
6596 (e.g. @option{/REPRESENTATION_INFO=ARRAYS_FILE}),
6597 then the output is to a file with the name @file{file_REP} where
6598 file is the name of the corresponding source file.
6600 Note that it is possible for record components to have zero size. In
6601 this case, the component clause uses an obvious extension of permitted
6602 Ada syntax, for example @code{at 0 range 0 .. -1}.
6605 @cindex @option{-gnatS} (@command{gcc})
6606 The use of the switch @option{-gnatS} for an
6607 Ada compilation will cause the compiler to output a
6608 representation of package Standard in a form very
6609 close to standard Ada. It is not quite possible to
6610 do this entirely in standard Ada (since new
6611 numeric base types cannot be created in standard
6612 Ada), but the output is easily
6613 readable to any Ada programmer, and is useful to
6614 determine the characteristics of target dependent
6615 types in package Standard.
6618 @cindex @option{-gnatx} (@command{gcc})
6619 Normally the compiler generates full cross-referencing information in
6620 the @file{ALI} file. This information is used by a number of tools,
6621 including @code{gnatfind} and @code{gnatxref}. The @option{-gnatx} switch
6622 suppresses this information. This saves some space and may slightly
6623 speed up compilation, but means that these tools cannot be used.
6626 @node Exception Handling Control
6627 @subsection Exception Handling Control
6630 GNAT uses two methods for handling exceptions at run-time. The
6631 @code{setjmp/longjmp} method saves the context when entering
6632 a frame with an exception handler. Then when an exception is
6633 raised, the context can be restored immediately, without the
6634 need for tracing stack frames. This method provides very fast
6635 exception propagation, but introduces significant overhead for
6636 the use of exception handlers, even if no exception is raised.
6638 The other approach is called ``zero cost'' exception handling.
6639 With this method, the compiler builds static tables to describe
6640 the exception ranges. No dynamic code is required when entering
6641 a frame containing an exception handler. When an exception is
6642 raised, the tables are used to control a back trace of the
6643 subprogram invocation stack to locate the required exception
6644 handler. This method has considerably poorer performance for
6645 the propagation of exceptions, but there is no overhead for
6646 exception handlers if no exception is raised. Note that in this
6647 mode and in the context of mixed Ada and C/C++ programming,
6648 to propagate an exception through a C/C++ code, the C/C++ code
6649 must be compiled with the @option{-funwind-tables} GCC's
6652 The following switches can be used to control which of the
6653 two exception handling methods is used.
6659 @cindex @option{--RTS=sjlj} (@command{gnatmake})
6660 This switch causes the setjmp/longjmp run-time to be used
6661 for exception handling. If this is the default mechanism for the
6662 target (see below), then this has no effect. If the default
6663 mechanism for the target is zero cost exceptions, then
6664 this switch can be used to modify this default, and must be
6665 used for all units in the partition.
6666 This option is rarely used. One case in which it may be
6667 advantageous is if you have an application where exception
6668 raising is common and the overall performance of the
6669 application is improved by favoring exception propagation.
6672 @cindex @option{--RTS=zcx} (@command{gnatmake})
6673 @cindex Zero Cost Exceptions
6674 This switch causes the zero cost approach to be used
6675 for exception handling. If this is the default mechanism for the
6676 target (see below), then this has no effect. If the default
6677 mechanism for the target is setjmp/longjmp exceptions, then
6678 this switch can be used to modify this default, and must be
6679 used for all units in the partition.
6680 This option can only be used if the zero cost approach
6681 is available for the target in use (see below).
6685 The same option @option{--RTS} must be used both for @command{gcc}
6686 and @command{gnatbind}. Passing this option to @command{gnatmake}
6687 (@pxref{Switches for gnatmake}) will ensure the required consistency
6688 through the compilation and binding steps.
6690 The @code{setjmp/longjmp} approach is available on all targets, while
6691 the @code{zero cost} approach is available on selected targets.
6692 To determine whether zero cost exceptions can be used for a
6693 particular target, look at the private part of the file system.ads.
6694 Either @code{GCC_ZCX_Support} or @code{Front_End_ZCX_Support} must
6695 be True to use the zero cost approach. If both of these switches
6696 are set to False, this means that zero cost exception handling
6697 is not yet available for that target. The switch
6698 @code{ZCX_By_Default} indicates the default approach. If this
6699 switch is set to True, then the @code{zero cost} approach is
6702 @node Units to Sources Mapping Files
6703 @subsection Units to Sources Mapping Files
6707 @item -gnatem^^=^@var{path}
6708 @cindex @option{-gnatem} (@command{gcc})
6709 A mapping file is a way to communicate to the compiler two mappings:
6710 from unit names to file names (without any directory information) and from
6711 file names to path names (with full directory information). These mappings
6712 are used by the compiler to short-circuit the path search.
6714 The use of mapping files is not required for correct operation of the
6715 compiler, but mapping files can improve efficiency, particularly when
6716 sources are read over a slow network connection. In normal operation,
6717 you need not be concerned with the format or use of mapping files,
6718 and the @option{-gnatem} switch is not a switch that you would use
6719 explicitly. it is intended only for use by automatic tools such as
6720 @command{gnatmake} running under the project file facility. The
6721 description here of the format of mapping files is provided
6722 for completeness and for possible use by other tools.
6724 A mapping file is a sequence of sets of three lines. In each set,
6725 the first line is the unit name, in lower case, with ``@code{%s}''
6727 specifications and ``@code{%b}'' appended for bodies; the second line is the
6728 file name; and the third line is the path name.
6734 /gnat/project1/sources/main.2.ada
6737 When the switch @option{-gnatem} is specified, the compiler will create
6738 in memory the two mappings from the specified file. If there is any problem
6739 (non existent file, truncated file or duplicate entries), no mapping
6742 Several @option{-gnatem} switches may be specified; however, only the last
6743 one on the command line will be taken into account.
6745 When using a project file, @command{gnatmake} create a temporary mapping file
6746 and communicates it to the compiler using this switch.
6750 @node Integrated Preprocessing
6751 @subsection Integrated Preprocessing
6754 GNAT sources may be preprocessed immediately before compilation; the actual
6755 text of the source is not the text of the source file, but is derived from it
6756 through a process called preprocessing. Integrated preprocessing is specified
6757 through switches @option{-gnatep} and/or @option{-gnateD}. @option{-gnatep}
6758 indicates, through a text file, the preprocessing data to be used.
6759 @option{-gnateD} specifies or modifies the values of preprocessing symbol.
6762 It is recommended that @command{gnatmake} switch ^-s^/SWITCH_CHECK^ should be
6763 used when Integrated Preprocessing is used. The reason is that preprocessing
6764 with another Preprocessing Data file without changing the sources will
6765 not trigger recompilation without this switch.
6768 Note that @command{gnatmake} switch ^-m^/MINIMAL_RECOMPILATION^ will almost
6769 always trigger recompilation for sources that are preprocessed,
6770 because @command{gnatmake} cannot compute the checksum of the source after
6774 The actual preprocessing function is described in details in section
6775 @ref{Preprocessing Using gnatprep}. This section only describes how integrated
6776 preprocessing is triggered and parameterized.
6780 @item -gnatep=@var{file}
6781 @cindex @option{-gnatep} (@command{gcc})
6782 This switch indicates to the compiler the file name (without directory
6783 information) of the preprocessor data file to use. The preprocessor data file
6784 should be found in the source directories.
6787 A preprocessing data file is a text file with significant lines indicating
6788 how should be preprocessed either a specific source or all sources not
6789 mentioned in other lines. A significant line is a non empty, non comment line.
6790 Comments are similar to Ada comments.
6793 Each significant line starts with either a literal string or the character '*'.
6794 A literal string is the file name (without directory information) of the source
6795 to preprocess. A character '*' indicates the preprocessing for all the sources
6796 that are not specified explicitly on other lines (order of the lines is not
6797 significant). It is an error to have two lines with the same file name or two
6798 lines starting with the character '*'.
6801 After the file name or the character '*', another optional literal string
6802 indicating the file name of the definition file to be used for preprocessing
6803 (@pxref{Form of Definitions File}). The definition files are found by the
6804 compiler in one of the source directories. In some cases, when compiling
6805 a source in a directory other than the current directory, if the definition
6806 file is in the current directory, it may be necessary to add the current
6807 directory as a source directory through switch ^-I.^/SEARCH=[]^, otherwise
6808 the compiler would not find the definition file.
6811 Then, optionally, ^switches^switches^ similar to those of @code{gnatprep} may
6812 be found. Those ^switches^switches^ are:
6817 Causes both preprocessor lines and the lines deleted by
6818 preprocessing to be replaced by blank lines, preserving the line number.
6819 This ^switch^switch^ is always implied; however, if specified after @option{-c}
6820 it cancels the effect of @option{-c}.
6823 Causes both preprocessor lines and the lines deleted
6824 by preprocessing to be retained as comments marked
6825 with the special string ``@code{--! }''.
6827 @item -Dsymbol=value
6828 Define or redefine a symbol, associated with value. A symbol is an Ada
6829 identifier, or an Ada reserved word, with the exception of @code{if},
6830 @code{else}, @code{elsif}, @code{end}, @code{and}, @code{or} and @code{then}.
6831 @code{value} is either a literal string, an Ada identifier or any Ada reserved
6832 word. A symbol declared with this ^switch^switch^ replaces a symbol with the
6833 same name defined in a definition file.
6836 Causes a sorted list of symbol names and values to be
6837 listed on the standard output file.
6840 Causes undefined symbols to be treated as having the value @code{FALSE}
6842 of a preprocessor test. In the absence of this option, an undefined symbol in
6843 a @code{#if} or @code{#elsif} test will be treated as an error.
6848 Examples of valid lines in a preprocessor data file:
6851 "toto.adb" "prep.def" -u
6852 -- preprocess "toto.adb", using definition file "prep.def",
6853 -- undefined symbol are False.
6856 -- preprocess all other sources without a definition file;
6857 -- suppressed lined are commented; symbol VERSION has the value V101.
6859 "titi.adb" "prep2.def" -s
6860 -- preprocess "titi.adb", using definition file "prep2.def";
6861 -- list all symbols with their values.
6864 @item ^-gnateD^/DATA_PREPROCESSING=^symbol[=value]
6865 @cindex @option{-gnateD} (@command{gcc})
6866 Define or redefine a preprocessing symbol, associated with value. If no value
6867 is given on the command line, then the value of the symbol is @code{True}.
6868 A symbol is an identifier, following normal Ada (case-insensitive)
6869 rules for its syntax, and value is any sequence (including an empty sequence)
6870 of characters from the set (letters, digits, period, underline).
6871 Ada reserved words may be used as symbols, with the exceptions of @code{if},
6872 @code{else}, @code{elsif}, @code{end}, @code{and}, @code{or} and @code{then}.
6875 A symbol declared with this ^switch^switch^ on the command line replaces a
6876 symbol with the same name either in a definition file or specified with a
6877 ^switch^switch^ -D in the preprocessor data file.
6880 This switch is similar to switch @option{^-D^/ASSOCIATE^} of @code{gnatprep}.
6884 @node Code Generation Control
6885 @subsection Code Generation Control
6889 The GCC technology provides a wide range of target dependent
6890 @option{-m} switches for controlling
6891 details of code generation with respect to different versions of
6892 architectures. This includes variations in instruction sets (e.g.
6893 different members of the power pc family), and different requirements
6894 for optimal arrangement of instructions (e.g. different members of
6895 the x86 family). The list of available @option{-m} switches may be
6896 found in the GCC documentation.
6898 Use of these @option{-m} switches may in some cases result in improved
6901 The GNAT Pro technology is tested and qualified without any
6902 @option{-m} switches,
6903 so generally the most reliable approach is to avoid the use of these
6904 switches. However, we generally expect most of these switches to work
6905 successfully with GNAT Pro, and many customers have reported successful
6906 use of these options.
6908 Our general advice is to avoid the use of @option{-m} switches unless
6909 special needs lead to requirements in this area. In particular,
6910 there is no point in using @option{-m} switches to improve performance
6911 unless you actually see a performance improvement.
6915 @subsection Return Codes
6916 @cindex Return Codes
6917 @cindex @option{/RETURN_CODES=VMS}
6920 On VMS, GNAT compiled programs return POSIX-style codes by default,
6921 e.g. @option{/RETURN_CODES=POSIX}.
6923 To enable VMS style return codes, use GNAT BIND and LINK with the option
6924 @option{/RETURN_CODES=VMS}. For example:
6927 GNAT BIND MYMAIN.ALI /RETURN_CODES=VMS
6928 GNAT LINK MYMAIN.ALI /RETURN_CODES=VMS
6932 Programs built with /RETURN_CODES=VMS are suitable to be called in
6933 VMS DCL scripts. Programs compiled with the default /RETURN_CODES=POSIX
6934 are suitable for spawning with appropriate GNAT RTL routines.
6938 @node Search Paths and the Run-Time Library (RTL)
6939 @section Search Paths and the Run-Time Library (RTL)
6942 With the GNAT source-based library system, the compiler must be able to
6943 find source files for units that are needed by the unit being compiled.
6944 Search paths are used to guide this process.
6946 The compiler compiles one source file whose name must be given
6947 explicitly on the command line. In other words, no searching is done
6948 for this file. To find all other source files that are needed (the most
6949 common being the specs of units), the compiler examines the following
6950 directories, in the following order:
6954 The directory containing the source file of the main unit being compiled
6955 (the file name on the command line).
6958 Each directory named by an @option{^-I^/SOURCE_SEARCH^} switch given on the
6959 @command{gcc} command line, in the order given.
6962 @findex ADA_PRJ_INCLUDE_FILE
6963 Each of the directories listed in the text file whose name is given
6964 by the @code{ADA_PRJ_INCLUDE_FILE} ^environment variable^logical name^.
6967 @code{ADA_PRJ_INCLUDE_FILE} is normally set by gnatmake or by the ^gnat^GNAT^
6968 driver when project files are used. It should not normally be set
6972 @findex ADA_INCLUDE_PATH
6973 Each of the directories listed in the value of the
6974 @code{ADA_INCLUDE_PATH} ^environment variable^logical name^.
6976 Construct this value
6977 exactly as the @code{PATH} environment variable: a list of directory
6978 names separated by colons (semicolons when working with the NT version).
6981 Normally, define this value as a logical name containing a comma separated
6982 list of directory names.
6984 This variable can also be defined by means of an environment string
6985 (an argument to the HP C exec* set of functions).
6989 DEFINE ANOTHER_PATH FOO:[BAG]
6990 DEFINE ADA_INCLUDE_PATH ANOTHER_PATH,FOO:[BAM],FOO:[BAR]
6993 By default, the path includes GNU:[LIB.OPENVMS7_x.2_8_x.DECLIB]
6994 first, followed by the standard Ada 95
6995 libraries in GNU:[LIB.OPENVMS7_x.2_8_x.ADAINCLUDE].
6996 If this is not redefined, the user will obtain the HP Ada 83 IO packages
6997 (Text_IO, Sequential_IO, etc)
6998 instead of the Ada95 packages. Thus, in order to get the Ada 95
6999 packages by default, ADA_INCLUDE_PATH must be redefined.
7003 The content of the @file{ada_source_path} file which is part of the GNAT
7004 installation tree and is used to store standard libraries such as the
7005 GNAT Run Time Library (RTL) source files.
7007 @ref{Installing a library}
7012 Specifying the switch @option{^-I-^/NOCURRENT_DIRECTORY^}
7013 inhibits the use of the directory
7014 containing the source file named in the command line. You can still
7015 have this directory on your search path, but in this case it must be
7016 explicitly requested with a @option{^-I^/SOURCE_SEARCH^} switch.
7018 Specifying the switch @option{-nostdinc}
7019 inhibits the search of the default location for the GNAT Run Time
7020 Library (RTL) source files.
7022 The compiler outputs its object files and ALI files in the current
7025 Caution: The object file can be redirected with the @option{-o} switch;
7026 however, @command{gcc} and @code{gnat1} have not been coordinated on this
7027 so the @file{ALI} file will not go to the right place. Therefore, you should
7028 avoid using the @option{-o} switch.
7032 The packages @code{Ada}, @code{System}, and @code{Interfaces} and their
7033 children make up the GNAT RTL, together with the simple @code{System.IO}
7034 package used in the @code{"Hello World"} example. The sources for these units
7035 are needed by the compiler and are kept together in one directory. Not
7036 all of the bodies are needed, but all of the sources are kept together
7037 anyway. In a normal installation, you need not specify these directory
7038 names when compiling or binding. Either the environment variables or
7039 the built-in defaults cause these files to be found.
7041 In addition to the language-defined hierarchies (@code{System}, @code{Ada} and
7042 @code{Interfaces}), the GNAT distribution provides a fourth hierarchy,
7043 consisting of child units of @code{GNAT}. This is a collection of generally
7044 useful types, subprograms, etc. See the @cite{GNAT Reference Manual} for
7047 Besides simplifying access to the RTL, a major use of search paths is
7048 in compiling sources from multiple directories. This can make
7049 development environments much more flexible.
7051 @node Order of Compilation Issues
7052 @section Order of Compilation Issues
7055 If, in our earlier example, there was a spec for the @code{hello}
7056 procedure, it would be contained in the file @file{hello.ads}; yet this
7057 file would not have to be explicitly compiled. This is the result of the
7058 model we chose to implement library management. Some of the consequences
7059 of this model are as follows:
7063 There is no point in compiling specs (except for package
7064 specs with no bodies) because these are compiled as needed by clients. If
7065 you attempt a useless compilation, you will receive an error message.
7066 It is also useless to compile subunits because they are compiled as needed
7070 There are no order of compilation requirements: performing a
7071 compilation never obsoletes anything. The only way you can obsolete
7072 something and require recompilations is to modify one of the
7073 source files on which it depends.
7076 There is no library as such, apart from the ALI files
7077 (@pxref{The Ada Library Information Files}, for information on the format
7078 of these files). For now we find it convenient to create separate ALI files,
7079 but eventually the information therein may be incorporated into the object
7083 When you compile a unit, the source files for the specs of all units
7084 that it @code{with}'s, all its subunits, and the bodies of any generics it
7085 instantiates must be available (reachable by the search-paths mechanism
7086 described above), or you will receive a fatal error message.
7093 The following are some typical Ada compilation command line examples:
7096 @item $ gcc -c xyz.adb
7097 Compile body in file @file{xyz.adb} with all default options.
7100 @item $ gcc -c -O2 -gnata xyz-def.adb
7103 @item $ GNAT COMPILE /OPTIMIZE=ALL -gnata xyz-def.adb
7106 Compile the child unit package in file @file{xyz-def.adb} with extensive
7107 optimizations, and pragma @code{Assert}/@code{Debug} statements
7110 @item $ gcc -c -gnatc abc-def.adb
7111 Compile the subunit in file @file{abc-def.adb} in semantic-checking-only
7115 @node Binding Using gnatbind
7116 @chapter Binding Using @code{gnatbind}
7120 * Running gnatbind::
7121 * Switches for gnatbind::
7122 * Command-Line Access::
7123 * Search Paths for gnatbind::
7124 * Examples of gnatbind Usage::
7128 This chapter describes the GNAT binder, @code{gnatbind}, which is used
7129 to bind compiled GNAT objects. The @code{gnatbind} program performs
7130 four separate functions:
7134 Checks that a program is consistent, in accordance with the rules in
7135 Chapter 10 of the Ada 95 Reference Manual. In particular, error
7136 messages are generated if a program uses inconsistent versions of a
7140 Checks that an acceptable order of elaboration exists for the program
7141 and issues an error message if it cannot find an order of elaboration
7142 that satisfies the rules in Chapter 10 of the Ada 95 Language Manual.
7145 Generates a main program incorporating the given elaboration order.
7146 This program is a small Ada package (body and spec) that
7147 must be subsequently compiled
7148 using the GNAT compiler. The necessary compilation step is usually
7149 performed automatically by @command{gnatlink}. The two most important
7150 functions of this program
7151 are to call the elaboration routines of units in an appropriate order
7152 and to call the main program.
7155 Determines the set of object files required by the given main program.
7156 This information is output in the forms of comments in the generated program,
7157 to be read by the @command{gnatlink} utility used to link the Ada application.
7160 @node Running gnatbind
7161 @section Running @code{gnatbind}
7164 The form of the @code{gnatbind} command is
7167 $ gnatbind [@i{switches}] @i{mainprog}[.ali] [@i{switches}]
7171 where @file{@i{mainprog}.adb} is the Ada file containing the main program
7172 unit body. If no switches are specified, @code{gnatbind} constructs an Ada
7173 package in two files whose names are
7174 @file{b~@i{mainprog}.ads}, and @file{b~@i{mainprog}.adb}.
7175 For example, if given the
7176 parameter @file{hello.ali}, for a main program contained in file
7177 @file{hello.adb}, the binder output files would be @file{b~hello.ads}
7178 and @file{b~hello.adb}.
7180 When doing consistency checking, the binder takes into consideration
7181 any source files it can locate. For example, if the binder determines
7182 that the given main program requires the package @code{Pack}, whose
7184 file is @file{pack.ali} and whose corresponding source spec file is
7185 @file{pack.ads}, it attempts to locate the source file @file{pack.ads}
7186 (using the same search path conventions as previously described for the
7187 @command{gcc} command). If it can locate this source file, it checks that
7189 or source checksums of the source and its references to in @file{ALI} files
7190 match. In other words, any @file{ALI} files that mentions this spec must have
7191 resulted from compiling this version of the source file (or in the case
7192 where the source checksums match, a version close enough that the
7193 difference does not matter).
7195 @cindex Source files, use by binder
7196 The effect of this consistency checking, which includes source files, is
7197 that the binder ensures that the program is consistent with the latest
7198 version of the source files that can be located at bind time. Editing a
7199 source file without compiling files that depend on the source file cause
7200 error messages to be generated by the binder.
7202 For example, suppose you have a main program @file{hello.adb} and a
7203 package @code{P}, from file @file{p.ads} and you perform the following
7208 Enter @code{gcc -c hello.adb} to compile the main program.
7211 Enter @code{gcc -c p.ads} to compile package @code{P}.
7214 Edit file @file{p.ads}.
7217 Enter @code{gnatbind hello}.
7221 At this point, the file @file{p.ali} contains an out-of-date time stamp
7222 because the file @file{p.ads} has been edited. The attempt at binding
7223 fails, and the binder generates the following error messages:
7226 error: "hello.adb" must be recompiled ("p.ads" has been modified)
7227 error: "p.ads" has been modified and must be recompiled
7231 Now both files must be recompiled as indicated, and then the bind can
7232 succeed, generating a main program. You need not normally be concerned
7233 with the contents of this file, but for reference purposes a sample
7234 binder output file is given in @ref{Example of Binder Output File}.
7236 In most normal usage, the default mode of @command{gnatbind} which is to
7237 generate the main package in Ada, as described in the previous section.
7238 In particular, this means that any Ada programmer can read and understand
7239 the generated main program. It can also be debugged just like any other
7240 Ada code provided the @option{^-g^/DEBUG^} switch is used for
7241 @command{gnatbind} and @command{gnatlink}.
7243 However for some purposes it may be convenient to generate the main
7244 program in C rather than Ada. This may for example be helpful when you
7245 are generating a mixed language program with the main program in C. The
7246 GNAT compiler itself is an example.
7247 The use of the @option{^-C^/BIND_FILE=C^} switch
7248 for both @code{gnatbind} and @command{gnatlink} will cause the program to
7249 be generated in C (and compiled using the gnu C compiler).
7251 @node Switches for gnatbind
7252 @section Switches for @command{gnatbind}
7255 The following switches are available with @code{gnatbind}; details will
7256 be presented in subsequent sections.
7259 * Consistency-Checking Modes::
7260 * Binder Error Message Control::
7261 * Elaboration Control::
7263 * Binding with Non-Ada Main Programs::
7264 * Binding Programs with No Main Subprogram::
7269 @item ^-aO^/OBJECT_SEARCH^
7270 @cindex @option{^-aO^/OBJECT_SEARCH^} (@command{gnatbind})
7271 Specify directory to be searched for ALI files.
7273 @item ^-aI^/SOURCE_SEARCH^
7274 @cindex @option{^-aI^/SOURCE_SEARCH^} (@command{gnatbind})
7275 Specify directory to be searched for source file.
7277 @item ^-A^/BIND_FILE=ADA^
7278 @cindex @option{^-A^/BIND_FILE=ADA^} (@command{gnatbind})
7279 Generate binder program in Ada (default)
7281 @item ^-b^/REPORT_ERRORS=BRIEF^
7282 @cindex @option{^-b^/REPORT_ERRORS=BRIEF^} (@command{gnatbind})
7283 Generate brief messages to @file{stderr} even if verbose mode set.
7285 @item ^-c^/NOOUTPUT^
7286 @cindex @option{^-c^/NOOUTPUT^} (@command{gnatbind})
7287 Check only, no generation of binder output file.
7289 @item ^-C^/BIND_FILE=C^
7290 @cindex @option{^-C^/BIND_FILE=C^} (@command{gnatbind})
7291 Generate binder program in C
7293 @item ^-d^/DEFAULT_STACK_SIZE=^@var{nn}[k|m]
7294 @cindex @option{^-d^/DEFAULT_STACK_SIZE=^@var{nn}[k|m]} (@command{gnatbind})
7295 This switch can be used to change the default task stack size value
7296 to a specified size @var{nn}, which is expressed in bytes by default, or
7297 in kilobytes when suffixed with @var{k} or in megabytes when suffixed
7299 In the absence of a [k|m] suffix, this switch is equivalent, in effect,
7300 to completing all task specs with
7301 @smallexample @c ada
7302 pragma Storage_Size (nn);
7304 When they do not already have such a pragma.
7306 @item ^-D^/DEFAULT_SECONDARY_STACK_SIZE=^@var{nn}[k|m]
7307 @cindex @option{^-D^/DEFAULT_SECONDARY_STACK_SIZE=nnnnn^} (@command{gnatbind})
7308 This switch can be used to change the default secondary stack size value
7309 to a specified size @var{nn}, which is expressed in bytes by default, or
7310 in kilobytes when suffixed with @var{k} or in megabytes when suffixed
7313 The secondary stack is used to deal with functions that return a variable
7314 sized result, for example a function returning an unconstrained
7315 String. There are two ways in which this secondary stack is allocated.
7317 For most targets, the secondary stack is growing on demand and is allocated
7318 as a chain of blocks in the heap. The -D option is not very
7319 relevant. It only give some control over the size of the allocated
7320 blocks (whose size is the minimum of the default secondary stack size value,
7321 and the actual size needed for the current allocation request).
7323 For certain targets, notably VxWorks 653,
7324 the secondary stack is allocated by carving off a fixed ratio chunk of the
7325 primary task stack. The -D option is used to defined the
7326 size of the environment task's secondary stack.
7328 @item ^-e^/ELABORATION_DEPENDENCIES^
7329 @cindex @option{^-e^/ELABORATION_DEPENDENCIES^} (@command{gnatbind})
7330 Output complete list of elaboration-order dependencies.
7332 @item ^-E^/STORE_TRACEBACKS^
7333 @cindex @option{^-E^/STORE_TRACEBACKS^} (@command{gnatbind})
7334 Store tracebacks in exception occurrences when the target supports it.
7335 This is the default with the zero cost exception mechanism.
7337 @c The following may get moved to an appendix
7338 This option is currently supported on the following targets:
7339 all x86 ports, Solaris, Windows, HP-UX, AIX, PowerPC VxWorks and Alpha VxWorks.
7341 See also the packages @code{GNAT.Traceback} and
7342 @code{GNAT.Traceback.Symbolic} for more information.
7344 Note that on x86 ports, you must not use @option{-fomit-frame-pointer}
7345 @command{gcc} option.
7348 @item ^-F^/FORCE_ELABS_FLAGS^
7349 @cindex @option{^-F^/FORCE_ELABS_FLAGS^} (@command{gnatbind})
7350 Force the checks of elaboration flags. @command{gnatbind} does not normally
7351 generate checks of elaboration flags for the main executable, except when
7352 a Stand-Alone Library is used. However, there are cases when this cannot be
7353 detected by gnatbind. An example is importing an interface of a Stand-Alone
7354 Library through a pragma Import and only specifying through a linker switch
7355 this Stand-Alone Library. This switch is used to guarantee that elaboration
7356 flag checks are generated.
7359 @cindex @option{^-h^/HELP^} (@command{gnatbind})
7360 Output usage (help) information
7363 @cindex @option{^-I^/SEARCH^} (@command{gnatbind})
7364 Specify directory to be searched for source and ALI files.
7366 @item ^-I-^/NOCURRENT_DIRECTORY^
7367 @cindex @option{^-I-^/NOCURRENT_DIRECTORY^} (@command{gnatbind})
7368 Do not look for sources in the current directory where @code{gnatbind} was
7369 invoked, and do not look for ALI files in the directory containing the
7370 ALI file named in the @code{gnatbind} command line.
7372 @item ^-l^/ORDER_OF_ELABORATION^
7373 @cindex @option{^-l^/ORDER_OF_ELABORATION^} (@command{gnatbind})
7374 Output chosen elaboration order.
7376 @item ^-Lxxx^/BUILD_LIBRARY=xxx^
7377 @cindex @option{^-L^/BUILD_LIBRARY^} (@command{gnatbind})
7378 Bind the units for library building. In this case the adainit and
7379 adafinal procedures (@pxref{Binding with Non-Ada Main Programs})
7380 are renamed to ^xxxinit^XXXINIT^ and
7381 ^xxxfinal^XXXFINAL^.
7382 Implies ^-n^/NOCOMPILE^.
7384 (@xref{GNAT and Libraries}, for more details.)
7387 On OpenVMS, these init and final procedures are exported in uppercase
7388 letters. For example if /BUILD_LIBRARY=toto is used, the exported name of
7389 the init procedure will be "TOTOINIT" and the exported name of the final
7390 procedure will be "TOTOFINAL".
7393 @item ^-Mxyz^/RENAME_MAIN=xyz^
7394 @cindex @option{^-M^/RENAME_MAIN^} (@command{gnatbind})
7395 Rename generated main program from main to xyz. This option is
7396 supported on cross environments only.
7398 @item ^-m^/ERROR_LIMIT=^@var{n}
7399 @cindex @option{^-m^/ERROR_LIMIT^} (@command{gnatbind})
7400 Limit number of detected errors to @var{n}, where @var{n} is
7401 in the range 1..999_999. The default value if no switch is
7402 given is 9999. Binding is terminated if the limit is exceeded.
7404 Furthermore, under Windows, the sources pointed to by the libraries path
7405 set in the registry are not searched for.
7409 @cindex @option{^-n^/NOMAIN^} (@command{gnatbind})
7413 @cindex @option{-nostdinc} (@command{gnatbind})
7414 Do not look for sources in the system default directory.
7417 @cindex @option{-nostdlib} (@command{gnatbind})
7418 Do not look for library files in the system default directory.
7420 @item --RTS=@var{rts-path}
7421 @cindex @option{--RTS} (@code{gnatbind})
7422 Specifies the default location of the runtime library. Same meaning as the
7423 equivalent @command{gnatmake} flag (@pxref{Switches for gnatmake}).
7425 @item ^-o ^/OUTPUT=^@var{file}
7426 @cindex @option{^-o ^/OUTPUT^} (@command{gnatbind})
7427 Name the output file @var{file} (default is @file{b~@var{xxx}.adb}).
7428 Note that if this option is used, then linking must be done manually,
7429 gnatlink cannot be used.
7431 @item ^-O^/OBJECT_LIST^
7432 @cindex @option{^-O^/OBJECT_LIST^} (@command{gnatbind})
7435 @item ^-p^/PESSIMISTIC_ELABORATION^
7436 @cindex @option{^-p^/PESSIMISTIC_ELABORATION^} (@command{gnatbind})
7437 Pessimistic (worst-case) elaboration order
7439 @item ^-s^/READ_SOURCES=ALL^
7440 @cindex @option{^-s^/READ_SOURCES=ALL^} (@command{gnatbind})
7441 Require all source files to be present.
7443 @item ^-S@var{xxx}^/INITIALIZE_SCALARS=@var{xxx}^
7444 @cindex @option{^-S^/INITIALIZE_SCALARS^} (@command{gnatbind})
7445 Specifies the value to be used when detecting uninitialized scalar
7446 objects with pragma Initialize_Scalars.
7447 The @var{xxx} ^string specified with the switch^option^ may be either
7449 @item ``@option{^in^INVALID^}'' requesting an invalid value where possible
7450 @item ``@option{^lo^LOW^}'' for the lowest possible value
7451 @item ``@option{^hi^HIGH^}'' for the highest possible value
7452 @item ``@option{xx}'' for a value consisting of repeated bytes with the
7453 value 16#xx# (i.e. xx is a string of two hexadecimal digits).
7456 In addition, you can specify @option{-Sev} to indicate that the value is
7457 to be set at run time. In this case, the program will look for an environment
7458 @cindex GNAT_INIT_SCALARS
7459 variable of the form @code{GNAT_INIT_SCALARS=xx}, where xx is one
7460 of @option{in/lo/hi/xx} with the same meanings as above.
7461 If no environment variable is found, or if it does not have a valid value,
7462 then the default is @option{in} (invalid values).
7466 @cindex @option{-static} (@code{gnatbind})
7467 Link against a static GNAT run time.
7470 @cindex @option{-shared} (@code{gnatbind})
7471 Link against a shared GNAT run time when available.
7474 @item ^-t^/NOTIME_STAMP_CHECK^
7475 @cindex @option{^-t^/NOTIME_STAMP_CHECK^} (@code{gnatbind})
7476 Tolerate time stamp and other consistency errors
7478 @item ^-T@var{n}^/TIME_SLICE=@var{n}^
7479 @cindex @option{^-T^/TIME_SLICE^} (@code{gnatbind})
7480 Set the time slice value to @var{n} milliseconds. If the system supports
7481 the specification of a specific time slice value, then the indicated value
7482 is used. If the system does not support specific time slice values, but
7483 does support some general notion of round-robin scheduling, then any
7484 nonzero value will activate round-robin scheduling.
7486 A value of zero is treated specially. It turns off time
7487 slicing, and in addition, indicates to the tasking run time that the
7488 semantics should match as closely as possible the Annex D
7489 requirements of the Ada RM, and in particular sets the default
7490 scheduling policy to @code{FIFO_Within_Priorities}.
7492 @item ^-u@var{n}^/DYNAMIC_STACK_USAGE=@var{n}^
7493 @cindex @option{^-u^/DYNAMIC_STACK_USAGE^} (@code{gnatbind})
7494 Enable dynamic stack usage, with n result stored and displayed at program
7495 termination. Results that can't be stored are displayed on the fly, at task
7496 termination. This option is currently not supported on OpenVMS I64 platforms.
7498 @item ^-v^/REPORT_ERRORS=VERBOSE^
7499 @cindex @option{^-v^/REPORT_ERRORS=VERBOSE^} (@code{gnatbind})
7500 Verbose mode. Write error messages, header, summary output to
7505 @cindex @option{-w} (@code{gnatbind})
7506 Warning mode (@var{x}=s/e for suppress/treat as error)
7510 @item /WARNINGS=NORMAL
7511 @cindex @option{/WARNINGS} (@code{gnatbind})
7512 Normal warnings mode. Warnings are issued but ignored
7514 @item /WARNINGS=SUPPRESS
7515 @cindex @option{/WARNINGS} (@code{gnatbind})
7516 All warning messages are suppressed
7518 @item /WARNINGS=ERROR
7519 @cindex @option{/WARNINGS} (@code{gnatbind})
7520 Warning messages are treated as fatal errors
7523 @item ^-x^/READ_SOURCES=NONE^
7524 @cindex @option{^-x^/READ_SOURCES^} (@code{gnatbind})
7525 Exclude source files (check object consistency only).
7528 @item /READ_SOURCES=AVAILABLE
7529 @cindex @option{/READ_SOURCES} (@code{gnatbind})
7530 Default mode, in which sources are checked for consistency only if
7534 @item ^-z^/ZERO_MAIN^
7535 @cindex @option{^-z^/ZERO_MAIN^} (@code{gnatbind})
7541 You may obtain this listing of switches by running @code{gnatbind} with
7545 @node Consistency-Checking Modes
7546 @subsection Consistency-Checking Modes
7549 As described earlier, by default @code{gnatbind} checks
7550 that object files are consistent with one another and are consistent
7551 with any source files it can locate. The following switches control binder
7556 @item ^-s^/READ_SOURCES=ALL^
7557 @cindex @option{^-s^/READ_SOURCES=ALL^} (@code{gnatbind})
7558 Require source files to be present. In this mode, the binder must be
7559 able to locate all source files that are referenced, in order to check
7560 their consistency. In normal mode, if a source file cannot be located it
7561 is simply ignored. If you specify this switch, a missing source
7564 @item ^-x^/READ_SOURCES=NONE^
7565 @cindex @option{^-x^/READ_SOURCES=NONE^} (@code{gnatbind})
7566 Exclude source files. In this mode, the binder only checks that ALI
7567 files are consistent with one another. Source files are not accessed.
7568 The binder runs faster in this mode, and there is still a guarantee that
7569 the resulting program is self-consistent.
7570 If a source file has been edited since it was last compiled, and you
7571 specify this switch, the binder will not detect that the object
7572 file is out of date with respect to the source file. Note that this is the
7573 mode that is automatically used by @command{gnatmake} because in this
7574 case the checking against sources has already been performed by
7575 @command{gnatmake} in the course of compilation (i.e. before binding).
7578 @item /READ_SOURCES=AVAILABLE
7579 @cindex @code{/READ_SOURCES=AVAILABLE} (@code{gnatbind})
7580 This is the default mode in which source files are checked if they are
7581 available, and ignored if they are not available.
7585 @node Binder Error Message Control
7586 @subsection Binder Error Message Control
7589 The following switches provide control over the generation of error
7590 messages from the binder:
7594 @item ^-v^/REPORT_ERRORS=VERBOSE^
7595 @cindex @option{^-v^/REPORT_ERRORS=VERBOSE^} (@code{gnatbind})
7596 Verbose mode. In the normal mode, brief error messages are generated to
7597 @file{stderr}. If this switch is present, a header is written
7598 to @file{stdout} and any error messages are directed to @file{stdout}.
7599 All that is written to @file{stderr} is a brief summary message.
7601 @item ^-b^/REPORT_ERRORS=BRIEF^
7602 @cindex @option{^-b^/REPORT_ERRORS=BRIEF^} (@code{gnatbind})
7603 Generate brief error messages to @file{stderr} even if verbose mode is
7604 specified. This is relevant only when used with the
7605 @option{^-v^/REPORT_ERRORS=VERBOSE^} switch.
7609 @cindex @option{-m} (@code{gnatbind})
7610 Limits the number of error messages to @var{n}, a decimal integer in the
7611 range 1-999. The binder terminates immediately if this limit is reached.
7614 @cindex @option{-M} (@code{gnatbind})
7615 Renames the generated main program from @code{main} to @code{xxx}.
7616 This is useful in the case of some cross-building environments, where
7617 the actual main program is separate from the one generated
7621 @item ^-ws^/WARNINGS=SUPPRESS^
7622 @cindex @option{^-ws^/WARNINGS=SUPPRESS^} (@code{gnatbind})
7624 Suppress all warning messages.
7626 @item ^-we^/WARNINGS=ERROR^
7627 @cindex @option{^-we^/WARNINGS=ERROR^} (@code{gnatbind})
7628 Treat any warning messages as fatal errors.
7631 @item /WARNINGS=NORMAL
7632 Standard mode with warnings generated, but warnings do not get treated
7636 @item ^-t^/NOTIME_STAMP_CHECK^
7637 @cindex @option{^-t^/NOTIME_STAMP_CHECK^} (@code{gnatbind})
7638 @cindex Time stamp checks, in binder
7639 @cindex Binder consistency checks
7640 @cindex Consistency checks, in binder
7641 The binder performs a number of consistency checks including:
7645 Check that time stamps of a given source unit are consistent
7647 Check that checksums of a given source unit are consistent
7649 Check that consistent versions of @code{GNAT} were used for compilation
7651 Check consistency of configuration pragmas as required
7655 Normally failure of such checks, in accordance with the consistency
7656 requirements of the Ada Reference Manual, causes error messages to be
7657 generated which abort the binder and prevent the output of a binder
7658 file and subsequent link to obtain an executable.
7660 The @option{^-t^/NOTIME_STAMP_CHECK^} switch converts these error messages
7661 into warnings, so that
7662 binding and linking can continue to completion even in the presence of such
7663 errors. The result may be a failed link (due to missing symbols), or a
7664 non-functional executable which has undefined semantics.
7665 @emph{This means that
7666 @option{^-t^/NOTIME_STAMP_CHECK^} should be used only in unusual situations,
7670 @node Elaboration Control
7671 @subsection Elaboration Control
7674 The following switches provide additional control over the elaboration
7675 order. For full details see @ref{Elaboration Order Handling in GNAT}.
7678 @item ^-p^/PESSIMISTIC_ELABORATION^
7679 @cindex @option{^-p^/PESSIMISTIC_ELABORATION^} (@code{gnatbind})
7680 Normally the binder attempts to choose an elaboration order that is
7681 likely to minimize the likelihood of an elaboration order error resulting
7682 in raising a @code{Program_Error} exception. This switch reverses the
7683 action of the binder, and requests that it deliberately choose an order
7684 that is likely to maximize the likelihood of an elaboration error.
7685 This is useful in ensuring portability and avoiding dependence on
7686 accidental fortuitous elaboration ordering.
7688 Normally it only makes sense to use the @option{^-p^/PESSIMISTIC_ELABORATION^}
7690 elaboration checking is used (@option{-gnatE} switch used for compilation).
7691 This is because in the default static elaboration mode, all necessary
7692 @code{Elaborate} and @code{Elaborate_All} pragmas are implicitly inserted.
7693 These implicit pragmas are still respected by the binder in
7694 @option{^-p^/PESSIMISTIC_ELABORATION^} mode, so a
7695 safe elaboration order is assured.
7698 @node Output Control
7699 @subsection Output Control
7702 The following switches allow additional control over the output
7703 generated by the binder.
7708 @item ^-A^/BIND_FILE=ADA^
7709 @cindex @option{^-A^/BIND_FILE=ADA^} (@code{gnatbind})
7710 Generate binder program in Ada (default). The binder program is named
7711 @file{b~@var{mainprog}.adb} by default. This can be changed with
7712 @option{^-o^/OUTPUT^} @code{gnatbind} option.
7714 @item ^-c^/NOOUTPUT^
7715 @cindex @option{^-c^/NOOUTPUT^} (@code{gnatbind})
7716 Check only. Do not generate the binder output file. In this mode the
7717 binder performs all error checks but does not generate an output file.
7719 @item ^-C^/BIND_FILE=C^
7720 @cindex @option{^-C^/BIND_FILE=C^} (@code{gnatbind})
7721 Generate binder program in C. The binder program is named
7722 @file{b_@var{mainprog}.c}.
7723 This can be changed with @option{^-o^/OUTPUT^} @code{gnatbind}
7726 @item ^-e^/ELABORATION_DEPENDENCIES^
7727 @cindex @option{^-e^/ELABORATION_DEPENDENCIES^} (@code{gnatbind})
7728 Output complete list of elaboration-order dependencies, showing the
7729 reason for each dependency. This output can be rather extensive but may
7730 be useful in diagnosing problems with elaboration order. The output is
7731 written to @file{stdout}.
7734 @cindex @option{^-h^/HELP^} (@code{gnatbind})
7735 Output usage information. The output is written to @file{stdout}.
7737 @item ^-K^/LINKER_OPTION_LIST^
7738 @cindex @option{^-K^/LINKER_OPTION_LIST^} (@code{gnatbind})
7739 Output linker options to @file{stdout}. Includes library search paths,
7740 contents of pragmas Ident and Linker_Options, and libraries added
7743 @item ^-l^/ORDER_OF_ELABORATION^
7744 @cindex @option{^-l^/ORDER_OF_ELABORATION^} (@code{gnatbind})
7745 Output chosen elaboration order. The output is written to @file{stdout}.
7747 @item ^-O^/OBJECT_LIST^
7748 @cindex @option{^-O^/OBJECT_LIST^} (@code{gnatbind})
7749 Output full names of all the object files that must be linked to provide
7750 the Ada component of the program. The output is written to @file{stdout}.
7751 This list includes the files explicitly supplied and referenced by the user
7752 as well as implicitly referenced run-time unit files. The latter are
7753 omitted if the corresponding units reside in shared libraries. The
7754 directory names for the run-time units depend on the system configuration.
7756 @item ^-o ^/OUTPUT=^@var{file}
7757 @cindex @option{^-o^/OUTPUT^} (@code{gnatbind})
7758 Set name of output file to @var{file} instead of the normal
7759 @file{b~@var{mainprog}.adb} default. Note that @var{file} denote the Ada
7760 binder generated body filename. In C mode you would normally give
7761 @var{file} an extension of @file{.c} because it will be a C source program.
7762 Note that if this option is used, then linking must be done manually.
7763 It is not possible to use gnatlink in this case, since it cannot locate
7766 @item ^-r^/RESTRICTION_LIST^
7767 @cindex @option{^-r^/RESTRICTION_LIST^} (@code{gnatbind})
7768 Generate list of @code{pragma Restrictions} that could be applied to
7769 the current unit. This is useful for code audit purposes, and also may
7770 be used to improve code generation in some cases.
7774 @node Binding with Non-Ada Main Programs
7775 @subsection Binding with Non-Ada Main Programs
7778 In our description so far we have assumed that the main
7779 program is in Ada, and that the task of the binder is to generate a
7780 corresponding function @code{main} that invokes this Ada main
7781 program. GNAT also supports the building of executable programs where
7782 the main program is not in Ada, but some of the called routines are
7783 written in Ada and compiled using GNAT (@pxref{Mixed Language Programming}).
7784 The following switch is used in this situation:
7788 @cindex @option{^-n^/NOMAIN^} (@code{gnatbind})
7789 No main program. The main program is not in Ada.
7793 In this case, most of the functions of the binder are still required,
7794 but instead of generating a main program, the binder generates a file
7795 containing the following callable routines:
7800 You must call this routine to initialize the Ada part of the program by
7801 calling the necessary elaboration routines. A call to @code{adainit} is
7802 required before the first call to an Ada subprogram.
7804 Note that it is assumed that the basic execution environment must be setup
7805 to be appropriate for Ada execution at the point where the first Ada
7806 subprogram is called. In particular, if the Ada code will do any
7807 floating-point operations, then the FPU must be setup in an appropriate
7808 manner. For the case of the x86, for example, full precision mode is
7809 required. The procedure GNAT.Float_Control.Reset may be used to ensure
7810 that the FPU is in the right state.
7814 You must call this routine to perform any library-level finalization
7815 required by the Ada subprograms. A call to @code{adafinal} is required
7816 after the last call to an Ada subprogram, and before the program
7821 If the @option{^-n^/NOMAIN^} switch
7822 @cindex @option{^-n^/NOMAIN^} (@command{gnatbind})
7823 @cindex Binder, multiple input files
7824 is given, more than one ALI file may appear on
7825 the command line for @code{gnatbind}. The normal @dfn{closure}
7826 calculation is performed for each of the specified units. Calculating
7827 the closure means finding out the set of units involved by tracing
7828 @code{with} references. The reason it is necessary to be able to
7829 specify more than one ALI file is that a given program may invoke two or
7830 more quite separate groups of Ada units.
7832 The binder takes the name of its output file from the last specified ALI
7833 file, unless overridden by the use of the @option{^-o file^/OUTPUT=file^}.
7834 @cindex @option{^-o^/OUTPUT^} (@command{gnatbind})
7835 The output is an Ada unit in source form that can
7836 be compiled with GNAT unless the -C switch is used in which case the
7837 output is a C source file, which must be compiled using the C compiler.
7838 This compilation occurs automatically as part of the @command{gnatlink}
7841 Currently the GNAT run time requires a FPU using 80 bits mode
7842 precision. Under targets where this is not the default it is required to
7843 call GNAT.Float_Control.Reset before using floating point numbers (this
7844 include float computation, float input and output) in the Ada code. A
7845 side effect is that this could be the wrong mode for the foreign code
7846 where floating point computation could be broken after this call.
7848 @node Binding Programs with No Main Subprogram
7849 @subsection Binding Programs with No Main Subprogram
7852 It is possible to have an Ada program which does not have a main
7853 subprogram. This program will call the elaboration routines of all the
7854 packages, then the finalization routines.
7856 The following switch is used to bind programs organized in this manner:
7859 @item ^-z^/ZERO_MAIN^
7860 @cindex @option{^-z^/ZERO_MAIN^} (@code{gnatbind})
7861 Normally the binder checks that the unit name given on the command line
7862 corresponds to a suitable main subprogram. When this switch is used,
7863 a list of ALI files can be given, and the execution of the program
7864 consists of elaboration of these units in an appropriate order.
7867 @node Command-Line Access
7868 @section Command-Line Access
7871 The package @code{Ada.Command_Line} provides access to the command-line
7872 arguments and program name. In order for this interface to operate
7873 correctly, the two variables
7885 are declared in one of the GNAT library routines. These variables must
7886 be set from the actual @code{argc} and @code{argv} values passed to the
7887 main program. With no @option{^n^/NOMAIN^} present, @code{gnatbind}
7888 generates the C main program to automatically set these variables.
7889 If the @option{^n^/NOMAIN^} switch is used, there is no automatic way to
7890 set these variables. If they are not set, the procedures in
7891 @code{Ada.Command_Line} will not be available, and any attempt to use
7892 them will raise @code{Constraint_Error}. If command line access is
7893 required, your main program must set @code{gnat_argc} and
7894 @code{gnat_argv} from the @code{argc} and @code{argv} values passed to
7897 @node Search Paths for gnatbind
7898 @section Search Paths for @code{gnatbind}
7901 The binder takes the name of an ALI file as its argument and needs to
7902 locate source files as well as other ALI files to verify object consistency.
7904 For source files, it follows exactly the same search rules as @command{gcc}
7905 (@pxref{Search Paths and the Run-Time Library (RTL)}). For ALI files the
7906 directories searched are:
7910 The directory containing the ALI file named in the command line, unless
7911 the switch @option{^-I-^/NOCURRENT_DIRECTORY^} is specified.
7914 All directories specified by @option{^-I^/SEARCH^}
7915 switches on the @code{gnatbind}
7916 command line, in the order given.
7919 @findex ADA_PRJ_OBJECTS_FILE
7920 Each of the directories listed in the text file whose name is given
7921 by the @code{ADA_PRJ_OBJECTS_FILE} ^environment variable^logical name^.
7924 @code{ADA_PRJ_OBJECTS_FILE} is normally set by gnatmake or by the ^gnat^GNAT^
7925 driver when project files are used. It should not normally be set
7929 @findex ADA_OBJECTS_PATH
7930 Each of the directories listed in the value of the
7931 @code{ADA_OBJECTS_PATH} ^environment variable^logical name^.
7933 Construct this value
7934 exactly as the @code{PATH} environment variable: a list of directory
7935 names separated by colons (semicolons when working with the NT version
7939 Normally, define this value as a logical name containing a comma separated
7940 list of directory names.
7942 This variable can also be defined by means of an environment string
7943 (an argument to the HP C exec* set of functions).
7947 DEFINE ANOTHER_PATH FOO:[BAG]
7948 DEFINE ADA_OBJECTS_PATH ANOTHER_PATH,FOO:[BAM],FOO:[BAR]
7951 By default, the path includes GNU:[LIB.OPENVMS7_x.2_8_x.DECLIB]
7952 first, followed by the standard Ada 95
7953 libraries in GNU:[LIB.OPENVMS7_x.2_8_x.ADALIB].
7954 If this is not redefined, the user will obtain the HP Ada 83 IO packages
7955 (Text_IO, Sequential_IO, etc)
7956 instead of the Ada95 packages. Thus, in order to get the Ada 95
7957 packages by default, ADA_OBJECTS_PATH must be redefined.
7961 The content of the @file{ada_object_path} file which is part of the GNAT
7962 installation tree and is used to store standard libraries such as the
7963 GNAT Run Time Library (RTL) unless the switch @option{-nostdlib} is
7966 @ref{Installing a library}
7971 In the binder the switch @option{^-I^/SEARCH^}
7972 @cindex @option{^-I^/SEARCH^} (@command{gnatbind})
7973 is used to specify both source and
7974 library file paths. Use @option{^-aI^/SOURCE_SEARCH^}
7975 @cindex @option{^-aI^/SOURCE_SEARCH^} (@command{gnatbind})
7976 instead if you want to specify
7977 source paths only, and @option{^-aO^/LIBRARY_SEARCH^}
7978 @cindex @option{^-aO^/LIBRARY_SEARCH^} (@command{gnatbind})
7979 if you want to specify library paths
7980 only. This means that for the binder
7981 @option{^-I^/SEARCH=^}@var{dir} is equivalent to
7982 @option{^-aI^/SOURCE_SEARCH=^}@var{dir}
7983 @option{^-aO^/OBJECT_SEARCH=^}@var{dir}.
7984 The binder generates the bind file (a C language source file) in the
7985 current working directory.
7991 The packages @code{Ada}, @code{System}, and @code{Interfaces} and their
7992 children make up the GNAT Run-Time Library, together with the package
7993 GNAT and its children, which contain a set of useful additional
7994 library functions provided by GNAT. The sources for these units are
7995 needed by the compiler and are kept together in one directory. The ALI
7996 files and object files generated by compiling the RTL are needed by the
7997 binder and the linker and are kept together in one directory, typically
7998 different from the directory containing the sources. In a normal
7999 installation, you need not specify these directory names when compiling
8000 or binding. Either the environment variables or the built-in defaults
8001 cause these files to be found.
8003 Besides simplifying access to the RTL, a major use of search paths is
8004 in compiling sources from multiple directories. This can make
8005 development environments much more flexible.
8007 @node Examples of gnatbind Usage
8008 @section Examples of @code{gnatbind} Usage
8011 This section contains a number of examples of using the GNAT binding
8012 utility @code{gnatbind}.
8015 @item gnatbind hello
8016 The main program @code{Hello} (source program in @file{hello.adb}) is
8017 bound using the standard switch settings. The generated main program is
8018 @file{b~hello.adb}. This is the normal, default use of the binder.
8021 @item gnatbind hello -o mainprog.adb
8024 @item gnatbind HELLO.ALI /OUTPUT=Mainprog.ADB
8026 The main program @code{Hello} (source program in @file{hello.adb}) is
8027 bound using the standard switch settings. The generated main program is
8028 @file{mainprog.adb} with the associated spec in
8029 @file{mainprog.ads}. Note that you must specify the body here not the
8030 spec, in the case where the output is in Ada. Note that if this option
8031 is used, then linking must be done manually, since gnatlink will not
8032 be able to find the generated file.
8035 @item gnatbind main -C -o mainprog.c -x
8038 @item gnatbind MAIN.ALI /BIND_FILE=C /OUTPUT=Mainprog.C /READ_SOURCES=NONE
8040 The main program @code{Main} (source program in
8041 @file{main.adb}) is bound, excluding source files from the
8042 consistency checking, generating
8043 the file @file{mainprog.c}.
8046 @item gnatbind -x main_program -C -o mainprog.c
8047 This command is exactly the same as the previous example. Switches may
8048 appear anywhere in the command line, and single letter switches may be
8049 combined into a single switch.
8053 @item gnatbind -n math dbase -C -o ada-control.c
8056 @item gnatbind /NOMAIN math dbase /BIND_FILE=C /OUTPUT=ada-control.c
8058 The main program is in a language other than Ada, but calls to
8059 subprograms in packages @code{Math} and @code{Dbase} appear. This call
8060 to @code{gnatbind} generates the file @file{ada-control.c} containing
8061 the @code{adainit} and @code{adafinal} routines to be called before and
8062 after accessing the Ada units.
8065 @c ------------------------------------
8066 @node Linking Using gnatlink
8067 @chapter Linking Using @command{gnatlink}
8068 @c ------------------------------------
8072 This chapter discusses @command{gnatlink}, a tool that links
8073 an Ada program and builds an executable file. This utility
8074 invokes the system linker ^(via the @command{gcc} command)^^
8075 with a correct list of object files and library references.
8076 @command{gnatlink} automatically determines the list of files and
8077 references for the Ada part of a program. It uses the binder file
8078 generated by the @command{gnatbind} to determine this list.
8081 * Running gnatlink::
8082 * Switches for gnatlink::
8085 @node Running gnatlink
8086 @section Running @command{gnatlink}
8089 The form of the @command{gnatlink} command is
8092 $ gnatlink [@var{switches}] @var{mainprog}[.ali]
8093 [@var{non-Ada objects}] [@var{linker options}]
8097 The arguments of @command{gnatlink} (switches, main @file{ALI} file,
8099 or linker options) may be in any order, provided that no non-Ada object may
8100 be mistaken for a main @file{ALI} file.
8101 Any file name @file{F} without the @file{.ali}
8102 extension will be taken as the main @file{ALI} file if a file exists
8103 whose name is the concatenation of @file{F} and @file{.ali}.
8106 @file{@var{mainprog}.ali} references the ALI file of the main program.
8107 The @file{.ali} extension of this file can be omitted. From this
8108 reference, @command{gnatlink} locates the corresponding binder file
8109 @file{b~@var{mainprog}.adb} and, using the information in this file along
8110 with the list of non-Ada objects and linker options, constructs a
8111 linker command file to create the executable.
8113 The arguments other than the @command{gnatlink} switches and the main
8114 @file{ALI} file are passed to the linker uninterpreted.
8115 They typically include the names of
8116 object files for units written in other languages than Ada and any library
8117 references required to resolve references in any of these foreign language
8118 units, or in @code{Import} pragmas in any Ada units.
8120 @var{linker options} is an optional list of linker specific
8122 The default linker called by gnatlink is @var{gcc} which in
8123 turn calls the appropriate system linker.
8124 Standard options for the linker such as @option{-lmy_lib} or
8125 @option{-Ldir} can be added as is.
8126 For options that are not recognized by
8127 @var{gcc} as linker options, use the @var{gcc} switches @option{-Xlinker} or
8129 Refer to the GCC documentation for
8130 details. Here is an example showing how to generate a linker map:
8133 $ ^gnatlink my_prog -Wl,-Map,MAPFILE^GNAT LINK my_prog.ali /MAP^
8136 Using @var{linker options} it is possible to set the program stack and
8139 See @ref{Setting Stack Size from gnatlink} and
8140 @ref{Setting Heap Size from gnatlink}.
8143 @command{gnatlink} determines the list of objects required by the Ada
8144 program and prepends them to the list of objects passed to the linker.
8145 @command{gnatlink} also gathers any arguments set by the use of
8146 @code{pragma Linker_Options} and adds them to the list of arguments
8147 presented to the linker.
8150 @command{gnatlink} accepts the following types of extra files on the command
8151 line: objects (.OBJ), libraries (.OLB), sharable images (.EXE), and
8152 options files (.OPT). These are recognized and handled according to their
8156 @node Switches for gnatlink
8157 @section Switches for @command{gnatlink}
8160 The following switches are available with the @command{gnatlink} utility:
8165 @item ^-A^/BIND_FILE=ADA^
8166 @cindex @option{^-A^/BIND_FILE=ADA^} (@command{gnatlink})
8167 The binder has generated code in Ada. This is the default.
8169 @item ^-C^/BIND_FILE=C^
8170 @cindex @option{^-C^/BIND_FILE=C^} (@command{gnatlink})
8171 If instead of generating a file in Ada, the binder has generated one in
8172 C, then the linker needs to know about it. Use this switch to signal
8173 to @command{gnatlink} that the binder has generated C code rather than
8176 @item ^-f^/FORCE_OBJECT_FILE_LIST^
8177 @cindex Command line length
8178 @cindex @option{^-f^/FORCE_OBJECT_FILE_LIST^} (@command{gnatlink})
8179 On some targets, the command line length is limited, and @command{gnatlink}
8180 will generate a separate file for the linker if the list of object files
8182 The @option{^-f^/FORCE_OBJECT_FILE_LIST^} switch forces this file
8183 to be generated even if
8184 the limit is not exceeded. This is useful in some cases to deal with
8185 special situations where the command line length is exceeded.
8188 @cindex Debugging information, including
8189 @cindex @option{^-g^/DEBUG^} (@command{gnatlink})
8190 The option to include debugging information causes the Ada bind file (in
8191 other words, @file{b~@var{mainprog}.adb}) to be compiled with
8192 @option{^-g^/DEBUG^}.
8193 In addition, the binder does not delete the @file{b~@var{mainprog}.adb},
8194 @file{b~@var{mainprog}.o} and @file{b~@var{mainprog}.ali} files.
8195 Without @option{^-g^/DEBUG^}, the binder removes these files by
8196 default. The same procedure apply if a C bind file was generated using
8197 @option{^-C^/BIND_FILE=C^} @code{gnatbind} option, in this case the filenames
8198 are @file{b_@var{mainprog}.c} and @file{b_@var{mainprog}.o}.
8200 @item ^-n^/NOCOMPILE^
8201 @cindex @option{^-n^/NOCOMPILE^} (@command{gnatlink})
8202 Do not compile the file generated by the binder. This may be used when
8203 a link is rerun with different options, but there is no need to recompile
8207 @cindex @option{^-v^/VERBOSE^} (@command{gnatlink})
8208 Causes additional information to be output, including a full list of the
8209 included object files. This switch option is most useful when you want
8210 to see what set of object files are being used in the link step.
8212 @item ^-v -v^/VERBOSE/VERBOSE^
8213 @cindex @option{^-v -v^/VERBOSE/VERBOSE^} (@command{gnatlink})
8214 Very verbose mode. Requests that the compiler operate in verbose mode when
8215 it compiles the binder file, and that the system linker run in verbose mode.
8217 @item ^-o ^/EXECUTABLE=^@var{exec-name}
8218 @cindex @option{^-o^/EXECUTABLE^} (@command{gnatlink})
8219 @var{exec-name} specifies an alternate name for the generated
8220 executable program. If this switch is omitted, the executable has the same
8221 name as the main unit. For example, @code{gnatlink try.ali} creates
8222 an executable called @file{^try^TRY.EXE^}.
8225 @item -b @var{target}
8226 @cindex @option{-b} (@command{gnatlink})
8227 Compile your program to run on @var{target}, which is the name of a
8228 system configuration. You must have a GNAT cross-compiler built if
8229 @var{target} is not the same as your host system.
8232 @cindex @option{-B} (@command{gnatlink})
8233 Load compiler executables (for example, @code{gnat1}, the Ada compiler)
8234 from @var{dir} instead of the default location. Only use this switch
8235 when multiple versions of the GNAT compiler are available. See the
8236 @command{gcc} manual page for further details. You would normally use the
8237 @option{-b} or @option{-V} switch instead.
8239 @item --GCC=@var{compiler_name}
8240 @cindex @option{--GCC=compiler_name} (@command{gnatlink})
8241 Program used for compiling the binder file. The default is
8242 @command{gcc}. You need to use quotes around @var{compiler_name} if
8243 @code{compiler_name} contains spaces or other separator characters.
8244 As an example @option{--GCC="foo -x -y"} will instruct @command{gnatlink} to
8245 use @code{foo -x -y} as your compiler. Note that switch @option{-c} is always
8246 inserted after your command name. Thus in the above example the compiler
8247 command that will be used by @command{gnatlink} will be @code{foo -c -x -y}.
8248 A limitation of this syntax is that the name and path name of the executable
8249 itself must not include any embedded spaces. If several
8250 @option{--GCC=compiler_name} are used, only the last @var{compiler_name}
8251 is taken into account. However, all the additional switches are also taken
8253 @option{--GCC="foo -x -y" --GCC="bar -z -t"} is equivalent to
8254 @option{--GCC="bar -x -y -z -t"}.
8256 @item --LINK=@var{name}
8257 @cindex @option{--LINK=} (@command{gnatlink})
8258 @var{name} is the name of the linker to be invoked. This is especially
8259 useful in mixed language programs since languages such as C++ require
8260 their own linker to be used. When this switch is omitted, the default
8261 name for the linker is @command{gcc}. When this switch is used, the
8262 specified linker is called instead of @command{gcc} with exactly the same
8263 parameters that would have been passed to @command{gcc} so if the desired
8264 linker requires different parameters it is necessary to use a wrapper
8265 script that massages the parameters before invoking the real linker. It
8266 may be useful to control the exact invocation by using the verbose
8272 @item /DEBUG=TRACEBACK
8273 @cindex @code{/DEBUG=TRACEBACK} (@command{gnatlink})
8274 This qualifier causes sufficient information to be included in the
8275 executable file to allow a traceback, but does not include the full
8276 symbol information needed by the debugger.
8278 @item /IDENTIFICATION="<string>"
8279 @code{"<string>"} specifies the string to be stored in the image file
8280 identification field in the image header.
8281 It overrides any pragma @code{Ident} specified string.
8283 @item /NOINHIBIT-EXEC
8284 Generate the executable file even if there are linker warnings.
8286 @item /NOSTART_FILES
8287 Don't link in the object file containing the ``main'' transfer address.
8288 Used when linking with a foreign language main program compiled with an
8292 Prefer linking with object libraries over sharable images, even without
8298 @node The GNAT Make Program gnatmake
8299 @chapter The GNAT Make Program @command{gnatmake}
8303 * Running gnatmake::
8304 * Switches for gnatmake::
8305 * Mode Switches for gnatmake::
8306 * Notes on the Command Line::
8307 * How gnatmake Works::
8308 * Examples of gnatmake Usage::
8311 A typical development cycle when working on an Ada program consists of
8312 the following steps:
8316 Edit some sources to fix bugs.
8322 Compile all sources affected.
8332 The third step can be tricky, because not only do the modified files
8333 @cindex Dependency rules
8334 have to be compiled, but any files depending on these files must also be
8335 recompiled. The dependency rules in Ada can be quite complex, especially
8336 in the presence of overloading, @code{use} clauses, generics and inlined
8339 @command{gnatmake} automatically takes care of the third and fourth steps
8340 of this process. It determines which sources need to be compiled,
8341 compiles them, and binds and links the resulting object files.
8343 Unlike some other Ada make programs, the dependencies are always
8344 accurately recomputed from the new sources. The source based approach of
8345 the GNAT compilation model makes this possible. This means that if
8346 changes to the source program cause corresponding changes in
8347 dependencies, they will always be tracked exactly correctly by
8350 @node Running gnatmake
8351 @section Running @command{gnatmake}
8354 The usual form of the @command{gnatmake} command is
8357 $ gnatmake [@var{switches}] @var{file_name}
8358 [@var{file_names}] [@var{mode_switches}]
8362 The only required argument is one @var{file_name}, which specifies
8363 a compilation unit that is a main program. Several @var{file_names} can be
8364 specified: this will result in several executables being built.
8365 If @code{switches} are present, they can be placed before the first
8366 @var{file_name}, between @var{file_names} or after the last @var{file_name}.
8367 If @var{mode_switches} are present, they must always be placed after
8368 the last @var{file_name} and all @code{switches}.
8370 If you are using standard file extensions (.adb and .ads), then the
8371 extension may be omitted from the @var{file_name} arguments. However, if
8372 you are using non-standard extensions, then it is required that the
8373 extension be given. A relative or absolute directory path can be
8374 specified in a @var{file_name}, in which case, the input source file will
8375 be searched for in the specified directory only. Otherwise, the input
8376 source file will first be searched in the directory where
8377 @command{gnatmake} was invoked and if it is not found, it will be search on
8378 the source path of the compiler as described in
8379 @ref{Search Paths and the Run-Time Library (RTL)}.
8381 All @command{gnatmake} output (except when you specify
8382 @option{^-M^/DEPENDENCIES_LIST^}) is to
8383 @file{stderr}. The output produced by the
8384 @option{^-M^/DEPENDENCIES_LIST^} switch is send to
8387 @node Switches for gnatmake
8388 @section Switches for @command{gnatmake}
8391 You may specify any of the following switches to @command{gnatmake}:
8396 @item --GCC=@var{compiler_name}
8397 @cindex @option{--GCC=compiler_name} (@command{gnatmake})
8398 Program used for compiling. The default is `@command{gcc}'. You need to use
8399 quotes around @var{compiler_name} if @code{compiler_name} contains
8400 spaces or other separator characters. As an example @option{--GCC="foo -x
8401 -y"} will instruct @command{gnatmake} to use @code{foo -x -y} as your
8402 compiler. A limitation of this syntax is that the name and path name of
8403 the executable itself must not include any embedded spaces. Note that
8404 switch @option{-c} is always inserted after your command name. Thus in the
8405 above example the compiler command that will be used by @command{gnatmake}
8406 will be @code{foo -c -x -y}. If several @option{--GCC=compiler_name} are
8407 used, only the last @var{compiler_name} is taken into account. However,
8408 all the additional switches are also taken into account. Thus,
8409 @option{--GCC="foo -x -y" --GCC="bar -z -t"} is equivalent to
8410 @option{--GCC="bar -x -y -z -t"}.
8412 @item --GNATBIND=@var{binder_name}
8413 @cindex @option{--GNATBIND=binder_name} (@command{gnatmake})
8414 Program used for binding. The default is `@code{gnatbind}'. You need to
8415 use quotes around @var{binder_name} if @var{binder_name} contains spaces
8416 or other separator characters. As an example @option{--GNATBIND="bar -x
8417 -y"} will instruct @command{gnatmake} to use @code{bar -x -y} as your
8418 binder. Binder switches that are normally appended by @command{gnatmake}
8419 to `@code{gnatbind}' are now appended to the end of @code{bar -x -y}.
8420 A limitation of this syntax is that the name and path name of the executable
8421 itself must not include any embedded spaces.
8423 @item --GNATLINK=@var{linker_name}
8424 @cindex @option{--GNATLINK=linker_name} (@command{gnatmake})
8425 Program used for linking. The default is `@command{gnatlink}'. You need to
8426 use quotes around @var{linker_name} if @var{linker_name} contains spaces
8427 or other separator characters. As an example @option{--GNATLINK="lan -x
8428 -y"} will instruct @command{gnatmake} to use @code{lan -x -y} as your
8429 linker. Linker switches that are normally appended by @command{gnatmake} to
8430 `@command{gnatlink}' are now appended to the end of @code{lan -x -y}.
8431 A limitation of this syntax is that the name and path name of the executable
8432 itself must not include any embedded spaces.
8436 @item ^-a^/ALL_FILES^
8437 @cindex @option{^-a^/ALL_FILES^} (@command{gnatmake})
8438 Consider all files in the make process, even the GNAT internal system
8439 files (for example, the predefined Ada library files), as well as any
8440 locked files. Locked files are files whose ALI file is write-protected.
8442 @command{gnatmake} does not check these files,
8443 because the assumption is that the GNAT internal files are properly up
8444 to date, and also that any write protected ALI files have been properly
8445 installed. Note that if there is an installation problem, such that one
8446 of these files is not up to date, it will be properly caught by the
8448 You may have to specify this switch if you are working on GNAT
8449 itself. The switch @option{^-a^/ALL_FILES^} is also useful
8450 in conjunction with @option{^-f^/FORCE_COMPILE^}
8451 if you need to recompile an entire application,
8452 including run-time files, using special configuration pragmas,
8453 such as a @code{Normalize_Scalars} pragma.
8456 @code{gnatmake ^-a^/ALL_FILES^} compiles all GNAT
8459 @code{gcc -c -gnatpg} rather than @code{gcc -c}.
8462 the @code{/CHECKS=SUPPRESS_ALL /STYLE_CHECKS=GNAT} switch.
8465 @item ^-b^/ACTIONS=BIND^
8466 @cindex @option{^-b^/ACTIONS=BIND^} (@command{gnatmake})
8467 Bind only. Can be combined with @option{^-c^/ACTIONS=COMPILE^} to do
8468 compilation and binding, but no link.
8469 Can be combined with @option{^-l^/ACTIONS=LINK^}
8470 to do binding and linking. When not combined with
8471 @option{^-c^/ACTIONS=COMPILE^}
8472 all the units in the closure of the main program must have been previously
8473 compiled and must be up to date. The root unit specified by @var{file_name}
8474 may be given without extension, with the source extension or, if no GNAT
8475 Project File is specified, with the ALI file extension.
8477 @item ^-c^/ACTIONS=COMPILE^
8478 @cindex @option{^-c^/ACTIONS=COMPILE^} (@command{gnatmake})
8479 Compile only. Do not perform binding, except when @option{^-b^/ACTIONS=BIND^}
8480 is also specified. Do not perform linking, except if both
8481 @option{^-b^/ACTIONS=BIND^} and
8482 @option{^-l^/ACTIONS=LINK^} are also specified.
8483 If the root unit specified by @var{file_name} is not a main unit, this is the
8484 default. Otherwise @command{gnatmake} will attempt binding and linking
8485 unless all objects are up to date and the executable is more recent than
8489 @cindex @option{^-C^/MAPPING^} (@command{gnatmake})
8490 Use a temporary mapping file. A mapping file is a way to communicate to the
8491 compiler two mappings: from unit names to file names (without any directory
8492 information) and from file names to path names (with full directory
8493 information). These mappings are used by the compiler to short-circuit the path
8494 search. When @command{gnatmake} is invoked with this switch, it will create
8495 a temporary mapping file, initially populated by the project manager,
8496 if @option{^-P^/PROJECT_FILE^} is used, otherwise initially empty.
8497 Each invocation of the compiler will add the newly accessed sources to the
8498 mapping file. This will improve the source search during the next invocation
8501 @item ^-C=^/USE_MAPPING_FILE=^@var{file}
8502 @cindex @option{^-C=^/USE_MAPPING^} (@command{gnatmake})
8503 Use a specific mapping file. The file, specified as a path name (absolute or
8504 relative) by this switch, should already exist, otherwise the switch is
8505 ineffective. The specified mapping file will be communicated to the compiler.
8506 This switch is not compatible with a project file
8507 (^-P^/PROJECT_FILE=^@var{file}) or with multiple compiling processes
8508 (^-j^/PROCESSES=^nnn, when nnn is greater than 1).
8510 @item ^-D ^/DIRECTORY_OBJECTS=^@var{dir}
8511 @cindex @option{^-D^/DIRECTORY_OBJECTS^} (@command{gnatmake})
8512 Put all object files and ALI file in directory @var{dir}.
8513 If the @option{^-D^/DIRECTORY_OBJECTS^} switch is not used, all object files
8514 and ALI files go in the current working directory.
8516 This switch cannot be used when using a project file.
8520 @cindex @option{-eL} (@command{gnatmake})
8521 Follow all symbolic links when processing project files.
8524 @item ^-f^/FORCE_COMPILE^
8525 @cindex @option{^-f^/FORCE_COMPILE^} (@command{gnatmake})
8526 Force recompilations. Recompile all sources, even though some object
8527 files may be up to date, but don't recompile predefined or GNAT internal
8528 files or locked files (files with a write-protected ALI file),
8529 unless the @option{^-a^/ALL_FILES^} switch is also specified.
8531 @item ^-F^/FULL_PATH_IN_BRIEF_MESSAGES^
8532 @cindex @option{^-F^/FULL_PATH_IN_BRIEF_MESSAGES^} (@command{gnatmake})
8533 When using project files, if some errors or warnings are detected during
8534 parsing and verbose mode is not in effect (no use of switch
8535 ^-v^/VERBOSE^), then error lines start with the full path name of the project
8536 file, rather than its simple file name.
8538 @item ^-i^/IN_PLACE^
8539 @cindex @option{^-i^/IN_PLACE^} (@command{gnatmake})
8540 In normal mode, @command{gnatmake} compiles all object files and ALI files
8541 into the current directory. If the @option{^-i^/IN_PLACE^} switch is used,
8542 then instead object files and ALI files that already exist are overwritten
8543 in place. This means that once a large project is organized into separate
8544 directories in the desired manner, then @command{gnatmake} will automatically
8545 maintain and update this organization. If no ALI files are found on the
8546 Ada object path (@ref{Search Paths and the Run-Time Library (RTL)}),
8547 the new object and ALI files are created in the
8548 directory containing the source being compiled. If another organization
8549 is desired, where objects and sources are kept in different directories,
8550 a useful technique is to create dummy ALI files in the desired directories.
8551 When detecting such a dummy file, @command{gnatmake} will be forced to
8552 recompile the corresponding source file, and it will be put the resulting
8553 object and ALI files in the directory where it found the dummy file.
8555 @item ^-j^/PROCESSES=^@var{n}
8556 @cindex @option{^-j^/PROCESSES^} (@command{gnatmake})
8557 @cindex Parallel make
8558 Use @var{n} processes to carry out the (re)compilations. On a
8559 multiprocessor machine compilations will occur in parallel. In the
8560 event of compilation errors, messages from various compilations might
8561 get interspersed (but @command{gnatmake} will give you the full ordered
8562 list of failing compiles at the end). If this is problematic, rerun
8563 the make process with n set to 1 to get a clean list of messages.
8565 @item ^-k^/CONTINUE_ON_ERROR^
8566 @cindex @option{^-k^/CONTINUE_ON_ERROR^} (@command{gnatmake})
8567 Keep going. Continue as much as possible after a compilation error. To
8568 ease the programmer's task in case of compilation errors, the list of
8569 sources for which the compile fails is given when @command{gnatmake}
8572 If @command{gnatmake} is invoked with several @file{file_names} and with this
8573 switch, if there are compilation errors when building an executable,
8574 @command{gnatmake} will not attempt to build the following executables.
8576 @item ^-l^/ACTIONS=LINK^
8577 @cindex @option{^-l^/ACTIONS=LINK^} (@command{gnatmake})
8578 Link only. Can be combined with @option{^-b^/ACTIONS=BIND^} to binding
8579 and linking. Linking will not be performed if combined with
8580 @option{^-c^/ACTIONS=COMPILE^}
8581 but not with @option{^-b^/ACTIONS=BIND^}.
8582 When not combined with @option{^-b^/ACTIONS=BIND^}
8583 all the units in the closure of the main program must have been previously
8584 compiled and must be up to date, and the main program needs to have been bound.
8585 The root unit specified by @var{file_name}
8586 may be given without extension, with the source extension or, if no GNAT
8587 Project File is specified, with the ALI file extension.
8589 @item ^-m^/MINIMAL_RECOMPILATION^
8590 @cindex @option{^-m^/MINIMAL_RECOMPILATION^} (@command{gnatmake})
8591 Specify that the minimum necessary amount of recompilations
8592 be performed. In this mode @command{gnatmake} ignores time
8593 stamp differences when the only
8594 modifications to a source file consist in adding/removing comments,
8595 empty lines, spaces or tabs. This means that if you have changed the
8596 comments in a source file or have simply reformatted it, using this
8597 switch will tell gnatmake not to recompile files that depend on it
8598 (provided other sources on which these files depend have undergone no
8599 semantic modifications). Note that the debugging information may be
8600 out of date with respect to the sources if the @option{-m} switch causes
8601 a compilation to be switched, so the use of this switch represents a
8602 trade-off between compilation time and accurate debugging information.
8604 @item ^-M^/DEPENDENCIES_LIST^
8605 @cindex Dependencies, producing list
8606 @cindex @option{^-M^/DEPENDENCIES_LIST^} (@command{gnatmake})
8607 Check if all objects are up to date. If they are, output the object
8608 dependences to @file{stdout} in a form that can be directly exploited in
8609 a @file{Makefile}. By default, each source file is prefixed with its
8610 (relative or absolute) directory name. This name is whatever you
8611 specified in the various @option{^-aI^/SOURCE_SEARCH^}
8612 and @option{^-I^/SEARCH^} switches. If you use
8613 @code{gnatmake ^-M^/DEPENDENCIES_LIST^}
8614 @option{^-q^/QUIET^}
8615 (see below), only the source file names,
8616 without relative paths, are output. If you just specify the
8617 @option{^-M^/DEPENDENCIES_LIST^}
8618 switch, dependencies of the GNAT internal system files are omitted. This
8619 is typically what you want. If you also specify
8620 the @option{^-a^/ALL_FILES^} switch,
8621 dependencies of the GNAT internal files are also listed. Note that
8622 dependencies of the objects in external Ada libraries (see switch
8623 @option{^-aL^/SKIP_MISSING=^}@var{dir} in the following list)
8626 @item ^-n^/DO_OBJECT_CHECK^
8627 @cindex @option{^-n^/DO_OBJECT_CHECK^} (@command{gnatmake})
8628 Don't compile, bind, or link. Checks if all objects are up to date.
8629 If they are not, the full name of the first file that needs to be
8630 recompiled is printed.
8631 Repeated use of this option, followed by compiling the indicated source
8632 file, will eventually result in recompiling all required units.
8634 @item ^-o ^/EXECUTABLE=^@var{exec_name}
8635 @cindex @option{^-o^/EXECUTABLE^} (@command{gnatmake})
8636 Output executable name. The name of the final executable program will be
8637 @var{exec_name}. If the @option{^-o^/EXECUTABLE^} switch is omitted the default
8638 name for the executable will be the name of the input file in appropriate form
8639 for an executable file on the host system.
8641 This switch cannot be used when invoking @command{gnatmake} with several
8644 @item ^-P^/PROJECT_FILE=^@var{project}
8645 @cindex @option{^-P^/PROJECT_FILE^} (@command{gnatmake})
8646 Use project file @var{project}. Only one such switch can be used.
8647 @xref{gnatmake and Project Files}.
8650 @cindex @option{^-q^/QUIET^} (@command{gnatmake})
8651 Quiet. When this flag is not set, the commands carried out by
8652 @command{gnatmake} are displayed.
8654 @item ^-s^/SWITCH_CHECK/^
8655 @cindex @option{^-s^/SWITCH_CHECK^} (@command{gnatmake})
8656 Recompile if compiler switches have changed since last compilation.
8657 All compiler switches but -I and -o are taken into account in the
8659 orders between different ``first letter'' switches are ignored, but
8660 orders between same switches are taken into account. For example,
8661 @option{-O -O2} is different than @option{-O2 -O}, but @option{-g -O}
8662 is equivalent to @option{-O -g}.
8664 This switch is recommended when Integrated Preprocessing is used.
8667 @cindex @option{^-u^/UNIQUE^} (@command{gnatmake})
8668 Unique. Recompile at most the main files. It implies -c. Combined with
8669 -f, it is equivalent to calling the compiler directly. Note that using
8670 ^-u^/UNIQUE^ with a project file and no main has a special meaning
8671 (@pxref{Project Files and Main Subprograms}).
8673 @item ^-U^/ALL_PROJECTS^
8674 @cindex @option{^-U^/ALL_PROJECTS^} (@command{gnatmake})
8675 When used without a project file or with one or several mains on the command
8676 line, is equivalent to ^-u^/UNIQUE^. When used with a project file and no main
8677 on the command line, all sources of all project files are checked and compiled
8678 if not up to date, and libraries are rebuilt, if necessary.
8681 @cindex @option{^-v^/REASONS^} (@command{gnatmake})
8682 Verbose. Display the reason for all recompilations @command{gnatmake}
8683 decides are necessary, with the highest verbosity level.
8685 @item ^-vl^/LOW_VERBOSITY^
8686 @cindex @option{^-vl^/LOW_VERBOSITY^} (@command{gnatmake})
8687 Verbosity level Low. Display fewer lines than in verbosity Medium.
8689 @item ^-vm^/MEDIUM_VERBOSITY^
8690 @cindex @option{^-vm^/MEDIUM_VERBOSITY^} (@command{gnatmake})
8691 Verbosity level Medium. Potentially display fewer lines than in verbosity High.
8693 @item ^-vh^/HIGH_VERBOSITY^
8694 @cindex @option{^-vm^/HIGH_VERBOSITY^} (@command{gnatmake})
8695 Verbosity level High. Equivalent to ^-v^/REASONS^.
8697 @item ^-vP^/MESSAGES_PROJECT_FILE=^@emph{x}
8698 Indicate the verbosity of the parsing of GNAT project files.
8699 @xref{Switches Related to Project Files}.
8701 @item ^-x^/NON_PROJECT_UNIT_COMPILATION^
8702 @cindex @option{^-x^/NON_PROJECT_UNIT_COMPILATION^} (@command{gnatmake})
8703 Indicate that sources that are not part of any Project File may be compiled.
8704 Normally, when using Project Files, only sources that are part of a Project
8705 File may be compile. When this switch is used, a source outside of all Project
8706 Files may be compiled. The ALI file and the object file will be put in the
8707 object directory of the main Project. The compilation switches used will only
8708 be those specified on the command line.
8710 @item ^-X^/EXTERNAL_REFERENCE=^@var{name=value}
8711 Indicate that external variable @var{name} has the value @var{value}.
8712 The Project Manager will use this value for occurrences of
8713 @code{external(name)} when parsing the project file.
8714 @xref{Switches Related to Project Files}.
8717 @cindex @option{^-z^/NOMAIN^} (@command{gnatmake})
8718 No main subprogram. Bind and link the program even if the unit name
8719 given on the command line is a package name. The resulting executable
8720 will execute the elaboration routines of the package and its closure,
8721 then the finalization routines.
8724 @cindex @option{^-g^/DEBUG^} (@command{gnatmake})
8725 Enable debugging. This switch is simply passed to the compiler and to the
8731 @item @command{gcc} @asis{switches}
8733 Any uppercase or multi-character switch that is not a @command{gnatmake} switch
8734 is passed to @command{gcc} (e.g. @option{-O}, @option{-gnato,} etc.)
8737 Any qualifier that cannot be recognized as a qualifier for @code{GNAT MAKE}
8738 but is recognizable as a valid qualifier for @code{GNAT COMPILE} is
8739 automatically treated as a compiler switch, and passed on to all
8740 compilations that are carried out.
8745 Source and library search path switches:
8749 @item ^-aI^/SOURCE_SEARCH=^@var{dir}
8750 @cindex @option{^-aI^/SOURCE_SEARCH^} (@command{gnatmake})
8751 When looking for source files also look in directory @var{dir}.
8752 The order in which source files search is undertaken is
8753 described in @ref{Search Paths and the Run-Time Library (RTL)}.
8755 @item ^-aL^/SKIP_MISSING=^@var{dir}
8756 @cindex @option{^-aL^/SKIP_MISSING^} (@command{gnatmake})
8757 Consider @var{dir} as being an externally provided Ada library.
8758 Instructs @command{gnatmake} to skip compilation units whose @file{.ALI}
8759 files have been located in directory @var{dir}. This allows you to have
8760 missing bodies for the units in @var{dir} and to ignore out of date bodies
8761 for the same units. You still need to specify
8762 the location of the specs for these units by using the switches
8763 @option{^-aI^/SOURCE_SEARCH=^@var{dir}}
8764 or @option{^-I^/SEARCH=^@var{dir}}.
8765 Note: this switch is provided for compatibility with previous versions
8766 of @command{gnatmake}. The easier method of causing standard libraries
8767 to be excluded from consideration is to write-protect the corresponding
8770 @item ^-aO^/OBJECT_SEARCH=^@var{dir}
8771 @cindex @option{^-aO^/OBJECT_SEARCH^} (@command{gnatmake})
8772 When searching for library and object files, look in directory
8773 @var{dir}. The order in which library files are searched is described in
8774 @ref{Search Paths for gnatbind}.
8776 @item ^-A^/CONDITIONAL_SOURCE_SEARCH=^@var{dir}
8777 @cindex Search paths, for @command{gnatmake}
8778 @cindex @option{^-A^/CONDITIONAL_SOURCE_SEARCH^} (@command{gnatmake})
8779 Equivalent to @option{^-aL^/SKIP_MISSING=^@var{dir}
8780 ^-aI^/SOURCE_SEARCH=^@var{dir}}.
8782 @item ^-I^/SEARCH=^@var{dir}
8783 @cindex @option{^-I^/SEARCH^} (@command{gnatmake})
8784 Equivalent to @option{^-aO^/OBJECT_SEARCH=^@var{dir}
8785 ^-aI^/SOURCE_SEARCH=^@var{dir}}.
8787 @item ^-I-^/NOCURRENT_DIRECTORY^
8788 @cindex @option{^-I-^/NOCURRENT_DIRECTORY^} (@command{gnatmake})
8789 @cindex Source files, suppressing search
8790 Do not look for source files in the directory containing the source
8791 file named in the command line.
8792 Do not look for ALI or object files in the directory
8793 where @command{gnatmake} was invoked.
8795 @item ^-L^/LIBRARY_SEARCH=^@var{dir}
8796 @cindex @option{^-L^/LIBRARY_SEARCH^} (@command{gnatmake})
8797 @cindex Linker libraries
8798 Add directory @var{dir} to the list of directories in which the linker
8799 will search for libraries. This is equivalent to
8800 @option{-largs ^-L^/LIBRARY_SEARCH=^}@var{dir}.
8802 Furthermore, under Windows, the sources pointed to by the libraries path
8803 set in the registry are not searched for.
8807 @cindex @option{-nostdinc} (@command{gnatmake})
8808 Do not look for source files in the system default directory.
8811 @cindex @option{-nostdlib} (@command{gnatmake})
8812 Do not look for library files in the system default directory.
8814 @item --RTS=@var{rts-path}
8815 @cindex @option{--RTS} (@command{gnatmake})
8816 Specifies the default location of the runtime library. GNAT looks for the
8818 in the following directories, and stops as soon as a valid runtime is found
8819 (@file{adainclude} or @file{ada_source_path}, and @file{adalib} or
8820 @file{ada_object_path} present):
8823 @item <current directory>/$rts_path
8825 @item <default-search-dir>/$rts_path
8827 @item <default-search-dir>/rts-$rts_path
8831 The selected path is handled like a normal RTS path.
8835 @node Mode Switches for gnatmake
8836 @section Mode Switches for @command{gnatmake}
8839 The mode switches (referred to as @code{mode_switches}) allow the
8840 inclusion of switches that are to be passed to the compiler itself, the
8841 binder or the linker. The effect of a mode switch is to cause all
8842 subsequent switches up to the end of the switch list, or up to the next
8843 mode switch, to be interpreted as switches to be passed on to the
8844 designated component of GNAT.
8848 @item -cargs @var{switches}
8849 @cindex @option{-cargs} (@command{gnatmake})
8850 Compiler switches. Here @var{switches} is a list of switches
8851 that are valid switches for @command{gcc}. They will be passed on to
8852 all compile steps performed by @command{gnatmake}.
8854 @item -bargs @var{switches}
8855 @cindex @option{-bargs} (@command{gnatmake})
8856 Binder switches. Here @var{switches} is a list of switches
8857 that are valid switches for @code{gnatbind}. They will be passed on to
8858 all bind steps performed by @command{gnatmake}.
8860 @item -largs @var{switches}
8861 @cindex @option{-largs} (@command{gnatmake})
8862 Linker switches. Here @var{switches} is a list of switches
8863 that are valid switches for @command{gnatlink}. They will be passed on to
8864 all link steps performed by @command{gnatmake}.
8866 @item -margs @var{switches}
8867 @cindex @option{-margs} (@command{gnatmake})
8868 Make switches. The switches are directly interpreted by @command{gnatmake},
8869 regardless of any previous occurrence of @option{-cargs}, @option{-bargs}
8873 @node Notes on the Command Line
8874 @section Notes on the Command Line
8877 This section contains some additional useful notes on the operation
8878 of the @command{gnatmake} command.
8882 @cindex Recompilation, by @command{gnatmake}
8883 If @command{gnatmake} finds no ALI files, it recompiles the main program
8884 and all other units required by the main program.
8885 This means that @command{gnatmake}
8886 can be used for the initial compile, as well as during subsequent steps of
8887 the development cycle.
8890 If you enter @code{gnatmake @var{file}.adb}, where @file{@var{file}.adb}
8891 is a subunit or body of a generic unit, @command{gnatmake} recompiles
8892 @file{@var{file}.adb} (because it finds no ALI) and stops, issuing a
8896 In @command{gnatmake} the switch @option{^-I^/SEARCH^}
8897 is used to specify both source and
8898 library file paths. Use @option{^-aI^/SOURCE_SEARCH^}
8899 instead if you just want to specify
8900 source paths only and @option{^-aO^/OBJECT_SEARCH^}
8901 if you want to specify library paths
8905 @command{gnatmake} will ignore any files whose ALI file is write-protected.
8906 This may conveniently be used to exclude standard libraries from
8907 consideration and in particular it means that the use of the
8908 @option{^-f^/FORCE_COMPILE^} switch will not recompile these files
8909 unless @option{^-a^/ALL_FILES^} is also specified.
8912 @command{gnatmake} has been designed to make the use of Ada libraries
8913 particularly convenient. Assume you have an Ada library organized
8914 as follows: @i{^obj-dir^[OBJ_DIR]^} contains the objects and ALI files for
8915 of your Ada compilation units,
8916 whereas @i{^include-dir^[INCLUDE_DIR]^} contains the
8917 specs of these units, but no bodies. Then to compile a unit
8918 stored in @code{main.adb}, which uses this Ada library you would just type
8922 $ gnatmake -aI@var{include-dir} -aL@var{obj-dir} main
8925 $ gnatmake /SOURCE_SEARCH=@i{[INCLUDE_DIR]}
8926 /SKIP_MISSING=@i{[OBJ_DIR]} main
8931 Using @command{gnatmake} along with the
8932 @option{^-m (minimal recompilation)^/MINIMAL_RECOMPILATION^}
8933 switch provides a mechanism for avoiding unnecessary rcompilations. Using
8935 you can update the comments/format of your
8936 source files without having to recompile everything. Note, however, that
8937 adding or deleting lines in a source files may render its debugging
8938 info obsolete. If the file in question is a spec, the impact is rather
8939 limited, as that debugging info will only be useful during the
8940 elaboration phase of your program. For bodies the impact can be more
8941 significant. In all events, your debugger will warn you if a source file
8942 is more recent than the corresponding object, and alert you to the fact
8943 that the debugging information may be out of date.
8946 @node How gnatmake Works
8947 @section How @command{gnatmake} Works
8950 Generally @command{gnatmake} automatically performs all necessary
8951 recompilations and you don't need to worry about how it works. However,
8952 it may be useful to have some basic understanding of the @command{gnatmake}
8953 approach and in particular to understand how it uses the results of
8954 previous compilations without incorrectly depending on them.
8956 First a definition: an object file is considered @dfn{up to date} if the
8957 corresponding ALI file exists and if all the source files listed in the
8958 dependency section of this ALI file have time stamps matching those in
8959 the ALI file. This means that neither the source file itself nor any
8960 files that it depends on have been modified, and hence there is no need
8961 to recompile this file.
8963 @command{gnatmake} works by first checking if the specified main unit is up
8964 to date. If so, no compilations are required for the main unit. If not,
8965 @command{gnatmake} compiles the main program to build a new ALI file that
8966 reflects the latest sources. Then the ALI file of the main unit is
8967 examined to find all the source files on which the main program depends,
8968 and @command{gnatmake} recursively applies the above procedure on all these
8971 This process ensures that @command{gnatmake} only trusts the dependencies
8972 in an existing ALI file if they are known to be correct. Otherwise it
8973 always recompiles to determine a new, guaranteed accurate set of
8974 dependencies. As a result the program is compiled ``upside down'' from what may
8975 be more familiar as the required order of compilation in some other Ada
8976 systems. In particular, clients are compiled before the units on which
8977 they depend. The ability of GNAT to compile in any order is critical in
8978 allowing an order of compilation to be chosen that guarantees that
8979 @command{gnatmake} will recompute a correct set of new dependencies if
8982 When invoking @command{gnatmake} with several @var{file_names}, if a unit is
8983 imported by several of the executables, it will be recompiled at most once.
8985 Note: when using non-standard naming conventions
8986 (@pxref{Using Other File Names}), changing through a configuration pragmas
8987 file the version of a source and invoking @command{gnatmake} to recompile may
8988 have no effect, if the previous version of the source is still accessible
8989 by @command{gnatmake}. It may be necessary to use the switch
8990 ^-f^/FORCE_COMPILE^.
8992 @node Examples of gnatmake Usage
8993 @section Examples of @command{gnatmake} Usage
8996 @item gnatmake hello.adb
8997 Compile all files necessary to bind and link the main program
8998 @file{hello.adb} (containing unit @code{Hello}) and bind and link the
8999 resulting object files to generate an executable file @file{^hello^HELLO.EXE^}.
9001 @item gnatmake main1 main2 main3
9002 Compile all files necessary to bind and link the main programs
9003 @file{main1.adb} (containing unit @code{Main1}), @file{main2.adb}
9004 (containing unit @code{Main2}) and @file{main3.adb}
9005 (containing unit @code{Main3}) and bind and link the resulting object files
9006 to generate three executable files @file{^main1^MAIN1.EXE^},
9007 @file{^main2^MAIN2.EXE^}
9008 and @file{^main3^MAIN3.EXE^}.
9011 @item gnatmake -q Main_Unit -cargs -O2 -bargs -l
9015 @item gnatmake Main_Unit /QUIET
9016 /COMPILER_QUALIFIERS /OPTIMIZE=ALL
9017 /BINDER_QUALIFIERS /ORDER_OF_ELABORATION
9019 Compile all files necessary to bind and link the main program unit
9020 @code{Main_Unit} (from file @file{main_unit.adb}). All compilations will
9021 be done with optimization level 2 and the order of elaboration will be
9022 listed by the binder. @command{gnatmake} will operate in quiet mode, not
9023 displaying commands it is executing.
9026 @c *************************
9027 @node Improving Performance
9028 @chapter Improving Performance
9029 @cindex Improving performance
9032 This chapter presents several topics related to program performance.
9033 It first describes some of the tradeoffs that need to be considered
9034 and some of the techniques for making your program run faster.
9035 It then documents the @command{gnatelim} tool and unused subprogram/data
9036 elimination feature, which can reduce the size of program executables.
9040 * Performance Considerations::
9041 * Reducing Size of Ada Executables with gnatelim::
9042 * Reducing Size of Executables with unused subprogram/data elimination::
9046 @c *****************************
9047 @node Performance Considerations
9048 @section Performance Considerations
9051 The GNAT system provides a number of options that allow a trade-off
9056 performance of the generated code
9059 speed of compilation
9062 minimization of dependences and recompilation
9065 the degree of run-time checking.
9069 The defaults (if no options are selected) aim at improving the speed
9070 of compilation and minimizing dependences, at the expense of performance
9071 of the generated code:
9078 no inlining of subprogram calls
9081 all run-time checks enabled except overflow and elaboration checks
9085 These options are suitable for most program development purposes. This
9086 chapter describes how you can modify these choices, and also provides
9087 some guidelines on debugging optimized code.
9090 * Controlling Run-Time Checks::
9091 * Use of Restrictions::
9092 * Optimization Levels::
9093 * Debugging Optimized Code::
9094 * Inlining of Subprograms::
9095 * Other Optimization Switches::
9096 * Optimization and Strict Aliasing::
9099 * Coverage Analysis::
9103 @node Controlling Run-Time Checks
9104 @subsection Controlling Run-Time Checks
9107 By default, GNAT generates all run-time checks, except arithmetic overflow
9108 checking for integer operations and checks for access before elaboration on
9109 subprogram calls. The latter are not required in default mode, because all
9110 necessary checking is done at compile time.
9111 @cindex @option{-gnatp} (@command{gcc})
9112 @cindex @option{-gnato} (@command{gcc})
9113 Two gnat switches, @option{-gnatp} and @option{-gnato} allow this default to
9114 be modified. @xref{Run-Time Checks}.
9116 Our experience is that the default is suitable for most development
9119 We treat integer overflow specially because these
9120 are quite expensive and in our experience are not as important as other
9121 run-time checks in the development process. Note that division by zero
9122 is not considered an overflow check, and divide by zero checks are
9123 generated where required by default.
9125 Elaboration checks are off by default, and also not needed by default, since
9126 GNAT uses a static elaboration analysis approach that avoids the need for
9127 run-time checking. This manual contains a full chapter discussing the issue
9128 of elaboration checks, and if the default is not satisfactory for your use,
9129 you should read this chapter.
9131 For validity checks, the minimal checks required by the Ada Reference
9132 Manual (for case statements and assignments to array elements) are on
9133 by default. These can be suppressed by use of the @option{-gnatVn} switch.
9134 Note that in Ada 83, there were no validity checks, so if the Ada 83 mode
9135 is acceptable (or when comparing GNAT performance with an Ada 83 compiler),
9136 it may be reasonable to routinely use @option{-gnatVn}. Validity checks
9137 are also suppressed entirely if @option{-gnatp} is used.
9139 @cindex Overflow checks
9140 @cindex Checks, overflow
9143 @cindex pragma Suppress
9144 @cindex pragma Unsuppress
9145 Note that the setting of the switches controls the default setting of
9146 the checks. They may be modified using either @code{pragma Suppress} (to
9147 remove checks) or @code{pragma Unsuppress} (to add back suppressed
9148 checks) in the program source.
9150 @node Use of Restrictions
9151 @subsection Use of Restrictions
9154 The use of pragma Restrictions allows you to control which features are
9155 permitted in your program. Apart from the obvious point that if you avoid
9156 relatively expensive features like finalization (enforceable by the use
9157 of pragma Restrictions (No_Finalization), the use of this pragma does not
9158 affect the generated code in most cases.
9160 One notable exception to this rule is that the possibility of task abort
9161 results in some distributed overhead, particularly if finalization or
9162 exception handlers are used. The reason is that certain sections of code
9163 have to be marked as non-abortable.
9165 If you use neither the @code{abort} statement, nor asynchronous transfer
9166 of control (@code{select .. then abort}), then this distributed overhead
9167 is removed, which may have a general positive effect in improving
9168 overall performance. Especially code involving frequent use of tasking
9169 constructs and controlled types will show much improved performance.
9170 The relevant restrictions pragmas are
9172 @smallexample @c ada
9173 pragma Restrictions (No_Abort_Statements);
9174 pragma Restrictions (Max_Asynchronous_Select_Nesting => 0);
9178 It is recommended that these restriction pragmas be used if possible. Note
9179 that this also means that you can write code without worrying about the
9180 possibility of an immediate abort at any point.
9182 @node Optimization Levels
9183 @subsection Optimization Levels
9184 @cindex @option{^-O^/OPTIMIZE^} (@command{gcc})
9187 The default is optimization off. This results in the fastest compile
9188 times, but GNAT makes absolutely no attempt to optimize, and the
9189 generated programs are considerably larger and slower than when
9190 optimization is enabled. You can use the
9192 @option{-O@var{n}} switch, where @var{n} is an integer from 0 to 3,
9195 @code{OPTIMIZE} qualifier
9197 to @command{gcc} to control the optimization level:
9200 @item ^-O0^/OPTIMIZE=NONE^
9201 No optimization (the default);
9202 generates unoptimized code but has
9203 the fastest compilation time.
9205 Note that many other compilers do fairly extensive optimization
9206 even if "no optimization" is specified. When using gcc, it is
9207 very unusual to use ^-O0^/OPTIMIZE=NONE^ for production if
9208 execution time is of any concern, since ^-O0^/OPTIMIZE=NONE^
9209 really does mean no optimization at all. This difference between
9210 gcc and other compilers should be kept in mind when doing
9211 performance comparisons.
9213 @item ^-O1^/OPTIMIZE=SOME^
9214 Moderate optimization;
9215 optimizes reasonably well but does not
9216 degrade compilation time significantly.
9218 @item ^-O2^/OPTIMIZE=ALL^
9220 @itemx /OPTIMIZE=DEVELOPMENT
9223 generates highly optimized code and has
9224 the slowest compilation time.
9226 @item ^-O3^/OPTIMIZE=INLINING^
9227 Full optimization as in @option{-O2},
9228 and also attempts automatic inlining of small
9229 subprograms within a unit (@pxref{Inlining of Subprograms}).
9233 Higher optimization levels perform more global transformations on the
9234 program and apply more expensive analysis algorithms in order to generate
9235 faster and more compact code. The price in compilation time, and the
9236 resulting improvement in execution time,
9237 both depend on the particular application and the hardware environment.
9238 You should experiment to find the best level for your application.
9240 Since the precise set of optimizations done at each level will vary from
9241 release to release (and sometime from target to target), it is best to think
9242 of the optimization settings in general terms.
9243 The @cite{Using GNU GCC} manual contains details about
9244 ^the @option{-O} settings and a number of @option{-f} options that^how to^
9245 individually enable or disable specific optimizations.
9247 Unlike some other compilation systems, ^@command{gcc}^GNAT^ has
9248 been tested extensively at all optimization levels. There are some bugs
9249 which appear only with optimization turned on, but there have also been
9250 bugs which show up only in @emph{unoptimized} code. Selecting a lower
9251 level of optimization does not improve the reliability of the code
9252 generator, which in practice is highly reliable at all optimization
9255 Note regarding the use of @option{-O3}: The use of this optimization level
9256 is generally discouraged with GNAT, since it often results in larger
9257 executables which run more slowly. See further discussion of this point
9258 in @ref{Inlining of Subprograms}.
9260 @node Debugging Optimized Code
9261 @subsection Debugging Optimized Code
9262 @cindex Debugging optimized code
9263 @cindex Optimization and debugging
9266 Although it is possible to do a reasonable amount of debugging at
9268 nonzero optimization levels,
9269 the higher the level the more likely that
9272 @option{/OPTIMIZE} settings other than @code{NONE},
9273 such settings will make it more likely that
9275 source-level constructs will have been eliminated by optimization.
9276 For example, if a loop is strength-reduced, the loop
9277 control variable may be completely eliminated and thus cannot be
9278 displayed in the debugger.
9279 This can only happen at @option{-O2} or @option{-O3}.
9280 Explicit temporary variables that you code might be eliminated at
9281 ^level^setting^ @option{-O1} or higher.
9283 The use of the @option{^-g^/DEBUG^} switch,
9284 @cindex @option{^-g^/DEBUG^} (@command{gcc})
9285 which is needed for source-level debugging,
9286 affects the size of the program executable on disk,
9287 and indeed the debugging information can be quite large.
9288 However, it has no effect on the generated code (and thus does not
9289 degrade performance)
9291 Since the compiler generates debugging tables for a compilation unit before
9292 it performs optimizations, the optimizing transformations may invalidate some
9293 of the debugging data. You therefore need to anticipate certain
9294 anomalous situations that may arise while debugging optimized code.
9295 These are the most common cases:
9299 @i{The ``hopping Program Counter'':} Repeated @code{step} or @code{next}
9301 the PC bouncing back and forth in the code. This may result from any of
9302 the following optimizations:
9306 @i{Common subexpression elimination:} using a single instance of code for a
9307 quantity that the source computes several times. As a result you
9308 may not be able to stop on what looks like a statement.
9311 @i{Invariant code motion:} moving an expression that does not change within a
9312 loop, to the beginning of the loop.
9315 @i{Instruction scheduling:} moving instructions so as to
9316 overlap loads and stores (typically) with other code, or in
9317 general to move computations of values closer to their uses. Often
9318 this causes you to pass an assignment statement without the assignment
9319 happening and then later bounce back to the statement when the
9320 value is actually needed. Placing a breakpoint on a line of code
9321 and then stepping over it may, therefore, not always cause all the
9322 expected side-effects.
9326 @i{The ``big leap'':} More commonly known as @emph{cross-jumping}, in which
9327 two identical pieces of code are merged and the program counter suddenly
9328 jumps to a statement that is not supposed to be executed, simply because
9329 it (and the code following) translates to the same thing as the code
9330 that @emph{was} supposed to be executed. This effect is typically seen in
9331 sequences that end in a jump, such as a @code{goto}, a @code{return}, or
9332 a @code{break} in a C @code{^switch^switch^} statement.
9335 @i{The ``roving variable'':} The symptom is an unexpected value in a variable.
9336 There are various reasons for this effect:
9340 In a subprogram prologue, a parameter may not yet have been moved to its
9344 A variable may be dead, and its register re-used. This is
9345 probably the most common cause.
9348 As mentioned above, the assignment of a value to a variable may
9352 A variable may be eliminated entirely by value propagation or
9353 other means. In this case, GCC may incorrectly generate debugging
9354 information for the variable
9358 In general, when an unexpected value appears for a local variable or parameter
9359 you should first ascertain if that value was actually computed by
9360 your program, as opposed to being incorrectly reported by the debugger.
9362 array elements in an object designated by an access value
9363 are generally less of a problem, once you have ascertained that the access
9365 Typically, this means checking variables in the preceding code and in the
9366 calling subprogram to verify that the value observed is explainable from other
9367 values (one must apply the procedure recursively to those
9368 other values); or re-running the code and stopping a little earlier
9369 (perhaps before the call) and stepping to better see how the variable obtained
9370 the value in question; or continuing to step @emph{from} the point of the
9371 strange value to see if code motion had simply moved the variable's
9376 In light of such anomalies, a recommended technique is to use @option{-O0}
9377 early in the software development cycle, when extensive debugging capabilities
9378 are most needed, and then move to @option{-O1} and later @option{-O2} as
9379 the debugger becomes less critical.
9380 Whether to use the @option{^-g^/DEBUG^} switch in the release version is
9381 a release management issue.
9383 Note that if you use @option{-g} you can then use the @command{strip} program
9384 on the resulting executable,
9385 which removes both debugging information and global symbols.
9388 @node Inlining of Subprograms
9389 @subsection Inlining of Subprograms
9392 A call to a subprogram in the current unit is inlined if all the
9393 following conditions are met:
9397 The optimization level is at least @option{-O1}.
9400 The called subprogram is suitable for inlining: It must be small enough
9401 and not contain nested subprograms or anything else that @command{gcc}
9402 cannot support in inlined subprograms.
9405 The call occurs after the definition of the body of the subprogram.
9408 @cindex pragma Inline
9410 Either @code{pragma Inline} applies to the subprogram or it is
9411 small and automatic inlining (optimization level @option{-O3}) is
9416 Calls to subprograms in @code{with}'ed units are normally not inlined.
9417 To achieve actual inlining (that is, replacement of the call by the code
9418 in the body of the subprogram), the following conditions must all be true.
9422 The optimization level is at least @option{-O1}.
9425 The called subprogram is suitable for inlining: It must be small enough
9426 and not contain nested subprograms or anything else @command{gcc} cannot
9427 support in inlined subprograms.
9430 The call appears in a body (not in a package spec).
9433 There is a @code{pragma Inline} for the subprogram.
9436 @cindex @option{-gnatn} (@command{gcc})
9437 The @option{^-gnatn^/INLINE^} switch
9438 is used in the @command{gcc} command line
9441 Even if all these conditions are met, it may not be possible for
9442 the compiler to inline the call, due to the length of the body,
9443 or features in the body that make it impossible for the compiler
9446 Note that specifying the @option{-gnatn} switch causes additional
9447 compilation dependencies. Consider the following:
9449 @smallexample @c ada
9469 With the default behavior (no @option{-gnatn} switch specified), the
9470 compilation of the @code{Main} procedure depends only on its own source,
9471 @file{main.adb}, and the spec of the package in file @file{r.ads}. This
9472 means that editing the body of @code{R} does not require recompiling
9475 On the other hand, the call @code{R.Q} is not inlined under these
9476 circumstances. If the @option{-gnatn} switch is present when @code{Main}
9477 is compiled, the call will be inlined if the body of @code{Q} is small
9478 enough, but now @code{Main} depends on the body of @code{R} in
9479 @file{r.adb} as well as on the spec. This means that if this body is edited,
9480 the main program must be recompiled. Note that this extra dependency
9481 occurs whether or not the call is in fact inlined by @command{gcc}.
9483 The use of front end inlining with @option{-gnatN} generates similar
9484 additional dependencies.
9486 @cindex @option{^-fno-inline^/INLINE=SUPPRESS^} (@command{gcc})
9487 Note: The @option{^-fno-inline^/INLINE=SUPPRESS^} switch
9488 can be used to prevent
9489 all inlining. This switch overrides all other conditions and ensures
9490 that no inlining occurs. The extra dependences resulting from
9491 @option{-gnatn} will still be active, even if
9492 this switch is used to suppress the resulting inlining actions.
9494 Note regarding the use of @option{-O3}: There is no difference in inlining
9495 behavior between @option{-O2} and @option{-O3} for subprograms with an explicit
9496 pragma @code{Inline} assuming the use of @option{-gnatn}
9497 or @option{-gnatN} (the switches that activate inlining). If you have used
9498 pragma @code{Inline} in appropriate cases, then it is usually much better
9499 to use @option{-O2} and @option{-gnatn} and avoid the use of @option{-O3} which
9500 in this case only has the effect of inlining subprograms you did not
9501 think should be inlined. We often find that the use of @option{-O3} slows
9502 down code by performing excessive inlining, leading to increased instruction
9503 cache pressure from the increased code size. So the bottom line here is
9504 that you should not automatically assume that @option{-O3} is better than
9505 @option{-O2}, and indeed you should use @option{-O3} only if tests show that
9506 it actually improves performance.
9508 @node Other Optimization Switches
9509 @subsection Other Optimization Switches
9510 @cindex Optimization Switches
9512 Since @code{GNAT} uses the @code{gcc} back end, all the specialized
9513 @code{gcc} optimization switches are potentially usable. These switches
9514 have not been extensively tested with GNAT but can generally be expected
9515 to work. Examples of switches in this category are
9516 @option{-funroll-loops} and
9517 the various target-specific @option{-m} options (in particular, it has been
9518 observed that @option{-march=pentium4} can significantly improve performance
9519 on appropriate machines). For full details of these switches, see the
9522 @node Optimization and Strict Aliasing
9523 @subsection Optimization and Strict Aliasing
9525 @cindex Strict Aliasing
9526 @cindex No_Strict_Aliasing
9529 The strong typing capabilities of Ada allow an optimizer to generate
9530 efficient code in situations where other languages would be forced to
9531 make worst case assumptions preventing such optimizations. Consider
9532 the following example:
9534 @smallexample @c ada
9537 type Int1 is new Integer;
9538 type Int2 is new Integer;
9539 type Int1A is access Int1;
9540 type Int2A is access Int2;
9547 for J in Data'Range loop
9548 if Data (J) = Int1V.all then
9549 Int2V.all := Int2V.all + 1;
9558 In this example, since the variable @code{Int1V} can only access objects
9559 of type @code{Int1}, and @code{Int2V} can only access objects of type
9560 @code{Int2}, there is no possibility that the assignment to
9561 @code{Int2V.all} affects the value of @code{Int1V.all}. This means that
9562 the compiler optimizer can "know" that the value @code{Int1V.all} is constant
9563 for all iterations of the loop and avoid the extra memory reference
9564 required to dereference it each time through the loop.
9566 This kind of optimization, called strict aliasing analysis, is
9567 triggered by specifying an optimization level of @option{-O2} or
9568 higher and allows @code{GNAT} to generate more efficient code
9569 when access values are involved.
9571 However, although this optimization is always correct in terms of
9572 the formal semantics of the Ada Reference Manual, difficulties can
9573 arise if features like @code{Unchecked_Conversion} are used to break
9574 the typing system. Consider the following complete program example:
9576 @smallexample @c ada
9579 type int1 is new integer;
9580 type int2 is new integer;
9581 type a1 is access int1;
9582 type a2 is access int2;
9587 function to_a2 (Input : a1) return a2;
9590 with Unchecked_Conversion;
9592 function to_a2 (Input : a1) return a2 is
9594 new Unchecked_Conversion (a1, a2);
9596 return to_a2u (Input);
9602 with Text_IO; use Text_IO;
9604 v1 : a1 := new int1;
9605 v2 : a2 := to_a2 (v1);
9609 put_line (int1'image (v1.all));
9615 This program prints out 0 in @code{-O0} or @code{-O1}
9616 mode, but it prints out 1 in @code{-O2} mode. That's
9617 because in strict aliasing mode, the compiler can and
9618 does assume that the assignment to @code{v2.all} could not
9619 affect the value of @code{v1.all}, since different types
9622 This behavior is not a case of non-conformance with the standard, since
9623 the Ada RM specifies that an unchecked conversion where the resulting
9624 bit pattern is not a correct value of the target type can result in an
9625 abnormal value and attempting to reference an abnormal value makes the
9626 execution of a program erroneous. That's the case here since the result
9627 does not point to an object of type @code{int2}. This means that the
9628 effect is entirely unpredictable.
9630 However, although that explanation may satisfy a language
9631 lawyer, in practice an applications programmer expects an
9632 unchecked conversion involving pointers to create true
9633 aliases and the behavior of printing 1 seems plain wrong.
9634 In this case, the strict aliasing optimization is unwelcome.
9636 Indeed the compiler recognizes this possibility, and the
9637 unchecked conversion generates a warning:
9640 p2.adb:5:07: warning: possible aliasing problem with type "a2"
9641 p2.adb:5:07: warning: use -fno-strict-aliasing switch for references
9642 p2.adb:5:07: warning: or use "pragma No_Strict_Aliasing (a2);"
9646 Unfortunately the problem is recognized when compiling the body of
9647 package @code{p2}, but the actual "bad" code is generated while
9648 compiling the body of @code{m} and this latter compilation does not see
9649 the suspicious @code{Unchecked_Conversion}.
9651 As implied by the warning message, there are approaches you can use to
9652 avoid the unwanted strict aliasing optimization in a case like this.
9654 One possibility is to simply avoid the use of @code{-O2}, but
9655 that is a bit drastic, since it throws away a number of useful
9656 optimizations that do not involve strict aliasing assumptions.
9658 A less drastic approach is to compile the program using the
9659 option @code{-fno-strict-aliasing}. Actually it is only the
9660 unit containing the dereferencing of the suspicious pointer
9661 that needs to be compiled. So in this case, if we compile
9662 unit @code{m} with this switch, then we get the expected
9663 value of zero printed. Analyzing which units might need
9664 the switch can be painful, so a more reasonable approach
9665 is to compile the entire program with options @code{-O2}
9666 and @code{-fno-strict-aliasing}. If the performance is
9667 satisfactory with this combination of options, then the
9668 advantage is that the entire issue of possible "wrong"
9669 optimization due to strict aliasing is avoided.
9671 To avoid the use of compiler switches, the configuration
9672 pragma @code{No_Strict_Aliasing} with no parameters may be
9673 used to specify that for all access types, the strict
9674 aliasing optimization should be suppressed.
9676 However, these approaches are still overkill, in that they causes
9677 all manipulations of all access values to be deoptimized. A more
9678 refined approach is to concentrate attention on the specific
9679 access type identified as problematic.
9681 First, if a careful analysis of uses of the pointer shows
9682 that there are no possible problematic references, then
9683 the warning can be suppressed by bracketing the
9684 instantiation of @code{Unchecked_Conversion} to turn
9687 @smallexample @c ada
9688 pragma Warnings (Off);
9690 new Unchecked_Conversion (a1, a2);
9691 pragma Warnings (On);
9695 Of course that approach is not appropriate for this particular
9696 example, since indeed there is a problematic reference. In this
9697 case we can take one of two other approaches.
9699 The first possibility is to move the instantiation of unchecked
9700 conversion to the unit in which the type is declared. In
9701 this example, we would move the instantiation of
9702 @code{Unchecked_Conversion} from the body of package
9703 @code{p2} to the spec of package @code{p1}. Now the
9704 warning disappears. That's because any use of the
9705 access type knows there is a suspicious unchecked
9706 conversion, and the strict aliasing optimization
9707 is automatically suppressed for the type.
9709 If it is not practical to move the unchecked conversion to the same unit
9710 in which the destination access type is declared (perhaps because the
9711 source type is not visible in that unit), you may use pragma
9712 @code{No_Strict_Aliasing} for the type. This pragma must occur in the
9713 same declarative sequence as the declaration of the access type:
9715 @smallexample @c ada
9716 type a2 is access int2;
9717 pragma No_Strict_Aliasing (a2);
9721 Here again, the compiler now knows that the strict aliasing optimization
9722 should be suppressed for any reference to type @code{a2} and the
9723 expected behavior is obtained.
9725 Finally, note that although the compiler can generate warnings for
9726 simple cases of unchecked conversions, there are tricker and more
9727 indirect ways of creating type incorrect aliases which the compiler
9728 cannot detect. Examples are the use of address overlays and unchecked
9729 conversions involving composite types containing access types as
9730 components. In such cases, no warnings are generated, but there can
9731 still be aliasing problems. One safe coding practice is to forbid the
9732 use of address clauses for type overlaying, and to allow unchecked
9733 conversion only for primitive types. This is not really a significant
9734 restriction since any possible desired effect can be achieved by
9735 unchecked conversion of access values.
9738 @node Coverage Analysis
9739 @subsection Coverage Analysis
9742 GNAT supports the HP Performance Coverage Analyzer (PCA), which allows
9743 the user to determine the distribution of execution time across a program,
9744 @pxref{Profiling} for details of usage.
9747 @node Reducing Size of Ada Executables with gnatelim
9748 @section Reducing Size of Ada Executables with @code{gnatelim}
9752 This section describes @command{gnatelim}, a tool which detects unused
9753 subprograms and helps the compiler to create a smaller executable for your
9758 * Running gnatelim::
9759 * Correcting the List of Eliminate Pragmas::
9760 * Making Your Executables Smaller::
9761 * Summary of the gnatelim Usage Cycle::
9764 @node About gnatelim
9765 @subsection About @code{gnatelim}
9768 When a program shares a set of Ada
9769 packages with other programs, it may happen that this program uses
9770 only a fraction of the subprograms defined in these packages. The code
9771 created for these unused subprograms increases the size of the executable.
9773 @code{gnatelim} tracks unused subprograms in an Ada program and
9774 outputs a list of GNAT-specific pragmas @code{Eliminate} marking all the
9775 subprograms that are declared but never called. By placing the list of
9776 @code{Eliminate} pragmas in the GNAT configuration file @file{gnat.adc} and
9777 recompiling your program, you may decrease the size of its executable,
9778 because the compiler will not generate the code for 'eliminated' subprograms.
9779 See GNAT Reference Manual for more information about this pragma.
9781 @code{gnatelim} needs as its input data the name of the main subprogram
9782 and a bind file for a main subprogram.
9784 To create a bind file for @code{gnatelim}, run @code{gnatbind} for
9785 the main subprogram. @code{gnatelim} can work with both Ada and C
9786 bind files; when both are present, it uses the Ada bind file.
9787 The following commands will build the program and create the bind file:
9790 $ gnatmake ^-c Main_Prog^/ACTIONS=COMPILE MAIN_PROG^
9791 $ gnatbind main_prog
9794 Note that @code{gnatelim} needs neither object nor ALI files.
9796 @node Running gnatelim
9797 @subsection Running @code{gnatelim}
9800 @code{gnatelim} has the following command-line interface:
9803 $ gnatelim [options] name
9807 @code{name} should be a name of a source file that contains the main subprogram
9808 of a program (partition).
9810 @code{gnatelim} has the following switches:
9815 @cindex @option{^-q^/QUIET^} (@command{gnatelim})
9816 Quiet mode: by default @code{gnatelim} outputs to the standard error
9817 stream the number of program units left to be processed. This option turns
9821 @cindex @option{^-v^/VERBOSE^} (@command{gnatelim})
9822 Verbose mode: @code{gnatelim} version information is printed as Ada
9823 comments to the standard output stream. Also, in addition to the number of
9824 program units left @code{gnatelim} will output the name of the current unit
9828 @cindex @option{^-a^/ALL^} (@command{gnatelim})
9829 Also look for subprograms from the GNAT run time that can be eliminated. Note
9830 that when @file{gnat.adc} is produced using this switch, the entire program
9831 must be recompiled with switch @option{^-a^/ALL_FILES^} to @command{gnatmake}.
9833 @item ^-I^/INCLUDE_DIRS=^@var{dir}
9834 @cindex @option{^-I^/INCLUDE_DIRS^} (@command{gnatelim})
9835 When looking for source files also look in directory @var{dir}. Specifying
9836 @option{^-I-^/INCLUDE_DIRS=-^} instructs @code{gnatelim} not to look for
9837 sources in the current directory.
9839 @item ^-b^/BIND_FILE=^@var{bind_file}
9840 @cindex @option{^-b^/BIND_FILE^} (@command{gnatelim})
9841 Specifies @var{bind_file} as the bind file to process. If not set, the name
9842 of the bind file is computed from the full expanded Ada name
9843 of a main subprogram.
9845 @item ^-C^/CONFIG_FILE=^@var{config_file}
9846 @cindex @option{^-C^/CONFIG_FILE^} (@command{gnatelim})
9847 Specifies a file @var{config_file} that contains configuration pragmas. The
9848 file must be specified with full path.
9850 @item ^--GCC^/COMPILER^=@var{compiler_name}
9851 @cindex @option{^-GCC^/COMPILER^} (@command{gnatelim})
9852 Instructs @code{gnatelim} to use specific @command{gcc} compiler instead of one
9853 available on the path.
9855 @item ^--GNATMAKE^/GNATMAKE^=@var{gnatmake_name}
9856 @cindex @option{^--GNATMAKE^/GNATMAKE^} (@command{gnatelim})
9857 Instructs @code{gnatelim} to use specific @command{gnatmake} instead of one
9858 available on the path.
9862 @code{gnatelim} sends its output to the standard output stream, and all the
9863 tracing and debug information is sent to the standard error stream.
9864 In order to produce a proper GNAT configuration file
9865 @file{gnat.adc}, redirection must be used:
9869 $ PIPE GNAT ELIM MAIN_PROG.ADB > GNAT.ADC
9872 $ gnatelim main_prog.adb > gnat.adc
9881 $ gnatelim main_prog.adb >> gnat.adc
9885 in order to append the @code{gnatelim} output to the existing contents of
9889 @node Correcting the List of Eliminate Pragmas
9890 @subsection Correcting the List of Eliminate Pragmas
9893 In some rare cases @code{gnatelim} may try to eliminate
9894 subprograms that are actually called in the program. In this case, the
9895 compiler will generate an error message of the form:
9898 file.adb:106:07: cannot call eliminated subprogram "My_Prog"
9902 You will need to manually remove the wrong @code{Eliminate} pragmas from
9903 the @file{gnat.adc} file. You should recompile your program
9904 from scratch after that, because you need a consistent @file{gnat.adc} file
9905 during the entire compilation.
9907 @node Making Your Executables Smaller
9908 @subsection Making Your Executables Smaller
9911 In order to get a smaller executable for your program you now have to
9912 recompile the program completely with the new @file{gnat.adc} file
9913 created by @code{gnatelim} in your current directory:
9916 $ gnatmake ^-f main_prog^/FORCE_COMPILE MAIN_PROG^
9920 (Use the @option{^-f^/FORCE_COMPILE^} option for @command{gnatmake} to
9921 recompile everything
9922 with the set of pragmas @code{Eliminate} that you have obtained with
9923 @command{gnatelim}).
9925 Be aware that the set of @code{Eliminate} pragmas is specific to each
9926 program. It is not recommended to merge sets of @code{Eliminate}
9927 pragmas created for different programs in one @file{gnat.adc} file.
9929 @node Summary of the gnatelim Usage Cycle
9930 @subsection Summary of the gnatelim Usage Cycle
9933 Here is a quick summary of the steps to be taken in order to reduce
9934 the size of your executables with @code{gnatelim}. You may use
9935 other GNAT options to control the optimization level,
9936 to produce the debugging information, to set search path, etc.
9943 $ gnatmake ^-c main_prog^/ACTIONS=COMPILE MAIN_PROG^
9944 $ gnatbind main_prog
9948 Generate a list of @code{Eliminate} pragmas
9951 $ PIPE GNAT ELIM MAIN_PROG > GNAT.ADC
9954 $ gnatelim main_prog >[>] gnat.adc
9959 Recompile the application
9962 $ gnatmake ^-f main_prog^/FORCE_COMPILE MAIN_PROG^
9967 @node Reducing Size of Executables with unused subprogram/data elimination
9968 @section Reducing Size of Executables with Unused Subprogram/Data Elimination
9969 @findex unused subprogram/data elimination
9972 This section describes how you can eliminate unused subprograms and data from
9973 your executable just by setting options at compilation time.
9976 * About unused subprogram/data elimination::
9977 * Compilation options::
9978 * Example of unused subprogram/data elimination::
9981 @node About unused subprogram/data elimination
9982 @subsection About unused subprogram/data elimination
9985 By default, an executable contains all code and data of its composing objects
9986 (directly linked or coming from statically linked libraries), even data or code
9987 never used by this executable.
9989 This feature will allow you to eliminate such unused code from your
9990 executable, making it smaller (in disk and in memory).
9992 This functionality is available on all platforms using elf binary format and
9993 having GNU binutils version 2.16.1.
9995 @node Compilation options
9996 @subsection Compilation options
9999 The operation of eliminating the unused code and data from the final executable
10000 is directly performed by the linker.
10002 In order to do this, it has to work with objects compiled with the
10004 @option{-ffunction-sections} @option{-fdata-sections}.
10005 @cindex @option{-ffunction-sections} (@command{gcc})
10006 @cindex @option{-fdata-sections} (@command{gcc})
10007 These options are usable with C and Ada files.
10008 They will place respectively each
10009 function or data in a separate section in the resulting object file.
10011 Once the objects and static libraries are created with these options, the
10012 linker can perform the dead code elimination. You can do this by setting
10013 the @option{-Wl,--gc-sections} option to gcc command or in the
10014 @option{-largs} section of gnatmake. This will perform a garbage collection of
10015 code and data never referenced.
10017 If the linker performs a partial link (@option{-r} ld linker option), then you
10018 will need to provide one or several entry point using the
10019 @option{-e} / @option{--entry} ld option.
10021 Note that objects compiled without the @option{-ffunction-sections} and
10022 @option{-fdata-sections} options can still be linked with the executable.
10023 However, no dead code elimination will be performed on those objects (they will
10026 The GNAT static library is now compiled with -ffunction-sections and
10027 -fdata-sections on some platforms. This allows you to eliminate the unused code
10028 and data of the GNAT library from your executable.
10030 @node Example of unused subprogram/data elimination
10031 @subsection Example of unused subprogram/data elimination
10034 Here is a simple example:
10036 @smallexample @c ada
10045 Used_Data : Integer;
10046 Unused_Data : Integer;
10048 procedure Used (Data : Integer);
10049 procedure Unused (Data : Integer);
10052 package body Aux is
10053 procedure Used (Data : Integer) is
10058 procedure Unused (Data : Integer) is
10060 Unused_Data := Data;
10066 @code{Unused} and @code{Unused_Data} are never referenced in this code
10067 excerpt, and hence they may be safely removed from the final executable.
10072 $ nm test | grep used
10073 020015f0 T aux__unused
10074 02005d88 B aux__unused_data
10075 020015cc T aux__used
10076 02005d84 B aux__used_data
10078 $ gnatmake test -cargs -fdata-sections -ffunction-sections \
10079 -largs -Wl,--gc-sections
10081 $ nm test | grep used
10082 02005350 T aux__used
10083 0201ffe0 B aux__used_data
10087 It can be observed that the procedure @code{Unused} and the object
10088 @code{Unused_Data} are removed by the linker when using the
10089 appropriate options.
10091 @c ********************************
10092 @node Renaming Files Using gnatchop
10093 @chapter Renaming Files Using @code{gnatchop}
10097 This chapter discusses how to handle files with multiple units by using
10098 the @code{gnatchop} utility. This utility is also useful in renaming
10099 files to meet the standard GNAT default file naming conventions.
10102 * Handling Files with Multiple Units::
10103 * Operating gnatchop in Compilation Mode::
10104 * Command Line for gnatchop::
10105 * Switches for gnatchop::
10106 * Examples of gnatchop Usage::
10109 @node Handling Files with Multiple Units
10110 @section Handling Files with Multiple Units
10113 The basic compilation model of GNAT requires that a file submitted to the
10114 compiler have only one unit and there be a strict correspondence
10115 between the file name and the unit name.
10117 The @code{gnatchop} utility allows both of these rules to be relaxed,
10118 allowing GNAT to process files which contain multiple compilation units
10119 and files with arbitrary file names. @code{gnatchop}
10120 reads the specified file and generates one or more output files,
10121 containing one unit per file. The unit and the file name correspond,
10122 as required by GNAT.
10124 If you want to permanently restructure a set of ``foreign'' files so that
10125 they match the GNAT rules, and do the remaining development using the
10126 GNAT structure, you can simply use @command{gnatchop} once, generate the
10127 new set of files and work with them from that point on.
10129 Alternatively, if you want to keep your files in the ``foreign'' format,
10130 perhaps to maintain compatibility with some other Ada compilation
10131 system, you can set up a procedure where you use @command{gnatchop} each
10132 time you compile, regarding the source files that it writes as temporary
10133 files that you throw away.
10135 @node Operating gnatchop in Compilation Mode
10136 @section Operating gnatchop in Compilation Mode
10139 The basic function of @code{gnatchop} is to take a file with multiple units
10140 and split it into separate files. The boundary between files is reasonably
10141 clear, except for the issue of comments and pragmas. In default mode, the
10142 rule is that any pragmas between units belong to the previous unit, except
10143 that configuration pragmas always belong to the following unit. Any comments
10144 belong to the following unit. These rules
10145 almost always result in the right choice of
10146 the split point without needing to mark it explicitly and most users will
10147 find this default to be what they want. In this default mode it is incorrect to
10148 submit a file containing only configuration pragmas, or one that ends in
10149 configuration pragmas, to @code{gnatchop}.
10151 However, using a special option to activate ``compilation mode'',
10153 can perform another function, which is to provide exactly the semantics
10154 required by the RM for handling of configuration pragmas in a compilation.
10155 In the absence of configuration pragmas (at the main file level), this
10156 option has no effect, but it causes such configuration pragmas to be handled
10157 in a quite different manner.
10159 First, in compilation mode, if @code{gnatchop} is given a file that consists of
10160 only configuration pragmas, then this file is appended to the
10161 @file{gnat.adc} file in the current directory. This behavior provides
10162 the required behavior described in the RM for the actions to be taken
10163 on submitting such a file to the compiler, namely that these pragmas
10164 should apply to all subsequent compilations in the same compilation
10165 environment. Using GNAT, the current directory, possibly containing a
10166 @file{gnat.adc} file is the representation
10167 of a compilation environment. For more information on the
10168 @file{gnat.adc} file, see @ref{Handling of Configuration Pragmas}.
10170 Second, in compilation mode, if @code{gnatchop}
10171 is given a file that starts with
10172 configuration pragmas, and contains one or more units, then these
10173 configuration pragmas are prepended to each of the chopped files. This
10174 behavior provides the required behavior described in the RM for the
10175 actions to be taken on compiling such a file, namely that the pragmas
10176 apply to all units in the compilation, but not to subsequently compiled
10179 Finally, if configuration pragmas appear between units, they are appended
10180 to the previous unit. This results in the previous unit being illegal,
10181 since the compiler does not accept configuration pragmas that follow
10182 a unit. This provides the required RM behavior that forbids configuration
10183 pragmas other than those preceding the first compilation unit of a
10186 For most purposes, @code{gnatchop} will be used in default mode. The
10187 compilation mode described above is used only if you need exactly
10188 accurate behavior with respect to compilations, and you have files
10189 that contain multiple units and configuration pragmas. In this
10190 circumstance the use of @code{gnatchop} with the compilation mode
10191 switch provides the required behavior, and is for example the mode
10192 in which GNAT processes the ACVC tests.
10194 @node Command Line for gnatchop
10195 @section Command Line for @code{gnatchop}
10198 The @code{gnatchop} command has the form:
10201 $ gnatchop switches @var{file name} [@var{file name} @var{file name} ...]
10206 The only required argument is the file name of the file to be chopped.
10207 There are no restrictions on the form of this file name. The file itself
10208 contains one or more Ada units, in normal GNAT format, concatenated
10209 together. As shown, more than one file may be presented to be chopped.
10211 When run in default mode, @code{gnatchop} generates one output file in
10212 the current directory for each unit in each of the files.
10214 @var{directory}, if specified, gives the name of the directory to which
10215 the output files will be written. If it is not specified, all files are
10216 written to the current directory.
10218 For example, given a
10219 file called @file{hellofiles} containing
10221 @smallexample @c ada
10226 with Text_IO; use Text_IO;
10229 Put_Line ("Hello");
10239 $ gnatchop ^hellofiles^HELLOFILES.^
10243 generates two files in the current directory, one called
10244 @file{hello.ads} containing the single line that is the procedure spec,
10245 and the other called @file{hello.adb} containing the remaining text. The
10246 original file is not affected. The generated files can be compiled in
10250 When gnatchop is invoked on a file that is empty or that contains only empty
10251 lines and/or comments, gnatchop will not fail, but will not produce any
10254 For example, given a
10255 file called @file{toto.txt} containing
10257 @smallexample @c ada
10269 $ gnatchop ^toto.txt^TOT.TXT^
10273 will not produce any new file and will result in the following warnings:
10276 toto.txt:1:01: warning: empty file, contains no compilation units
10277 no compilation units found
10278 no source files written
10281 @node Switches for gnatchop
10282 @section Switches for @code{gnatchop}
10285 @command{gnatchop} recognizes the following switches:
10290 @item ^-c^/COMPILATION^
10291 @cindex @option{^-c^/COMPILATION^} (@code{gnatchop})
10292 Causes @code{gnatchop} to operate in compilation mode, in which
10293 configuration pragmas are handled according to strict RM rules. See
10294 previous section for a full description of this mode.
10298 This passes the given @option{-gnatxxx} switch to @code{gnat} which is
10299 used to parse the given file. Not all @code{xxx} options make sense,
10300 but for example, the use of @option{-gnati2} allows @code{gnatchop} to
10301 process a source file that uses Latin-2 coding for identifiers.
10305 Causes @code{gnatchop} to generate a brief help summary to the standard
10306 output file showing usage information.
10308 @item ^-k@var{mm}^/FILE_NAME_MAX_LENGTH=@var{mm}^
10309 @cindex @option{^-k^/FILE_NAME_MAX_LENGTH^} (@code{gnatchop})
10310 Limit generated file names to the specified number @code{mm}
10312 This is useful if the
10313 resulting set of files is required to be interoperable with systems
10314 which limit the length of file names.
10316 If no value is given, or
10317 if no @code{/FILE_NAME_MAX_LENGTH} qualifier is given,
10318 a default of 39, suitable for OpenVMS Alpha
10319 Systems, is assumed
10322 No space is allowed between the @option{-k} and the numeric value. The numeric
10323 value may be omitted in which case a default of @option{-k8},
10325 with DOS-like file systems, is used. If no @option{-k} switch
10327 there is no limit on the length of file names.
10330 @item ^-p^/PRESERVE^
10331 @cindex @option{^-p^/PRESERVE^} (@code{gnatchop})
10332 Causes the file ^modification^creation^ time stamp of the input file to be
10333 preserved and used for the time stamp of the output file(s). This may be
10334 useful for preserving coherency of time stamps in an environment where
10335 @code{gnatchop} is used as part of a standard build process.
10338 @cindex @option{^-q^/QUIET^} (@code{gnatchop})
10339 Causes output of informational messages indicating the set of generated
10340 files to be suppressed. Warnings and error messages are unaffected.
10342 @item ^-r^/REFERENCE^
10343 @cindex @option{^-r^/REFERENCE^} (@code{gnatchop})
10344 @findex Source_Reference
10345 Generate @code{Source_Reference} pragmas. Use this switch if the output
10346 files are regarded as temporary and development is to be done in terms
10347 of the original unchopped file. This switch causes
10348 @code{Source_Reference} pragmas to be inserted into each of the
10349 generated files to refers back to the original file name and line number.
10350 The result is that all error messages refer back to the original
10352 In addition, the debugging information placed into the object file (when
10353 the @option{^-g^/DEBUG^} switch of @command{gcc} or @command{gnatmake} is
10355 also refers back to this original file so that tools like profilers and
10356 debuggers will give information in terms of the original unchopped file.
10358 If the original file to be chopped itself contains
10359 a @code{Source_Reference}
10360 pragma referencing a third file, then gnatchop respects
10361 this pragma, and the generated @code{Source_Reference} pragmas
10362 in the chopped file refer to the original file, with appropriate
10363 line numbers. This is particularly useful when @code{gnatchop}
10364 is used in conjunction with @code{gnatprep} to compile files that
10365 contain preprocessing statements and multiple units.
10367 @item ^-v^/VERBOSE^
10368 @cindex @option{^-v^/VERBOSE^} (@code{gnatchop})
10369 Causes @code{gnatchop} to operate in verbose mode. The version
10370 number and copyright notice are output, as well as exact copies of
10371 the gnat1 commands spawned to obtain the chop control information.
10373 @item ^-w^/OVERWRITE^
10374 @cindex @option{^-w^/OVERWRITE^} (@code{gnatchop})
10375 Overwrite existing file names. Normally @code{gnatchop} regards it as a
10376 fatal error if there is already a file with the same name as a
10377 file it would otherwise output, in other words if the files to be
10378 chopped contain duplicated units. This switch bypasses this
10379 check, and causes all but the last instance of such duplicated
10380 units to be skipped.
10384 @cindex @option{--GCC=} (@code{gnatchop})
10385 Specify the path of the GNAT parser to be used. When this switch is used,
10386 no attempt is made to add the prefix to the GNAT parser executable.
10390 @node Examples of gnatchop Usage
10391 @section Examples of @code{gnatchop} Usage
10395 @item gnatchop /OVERWRITE HELLO_S.ADA [PRERELEASE.FILES]
10398 @item gnatchop -w hello_s.ada prerelease/files
10401 Chops the source file @file{hello_s.ada}. The output files will be
10402 placed in the directory @file{^prerelease/files^[PRERELEASE.FILES]^},
10404 files with matching names in that directory (no files in the current
10405 directory are modified).
10407 @item gnatchop ^archive^ARCHIVE.^
10408 Chops the source file @file{^archive^ARCHIVE.^}
10409 into the current directory. One
10410 useful application of @code{gnatchop} is in sending sets of sources
10411 around, for example in email messages. The required sources are simply
10412 concatenated (for example, using a ^Unix @code{cat}^VMS @code{APPEND/NEW}^
10414 @code{gnatchop} is used at the other end to reconstitute the original
10417 @item gnatchop file1 file2 file3 direc
10418 Chops all units in files @file{file1}, @file{file2}, @file{file3}, placing
10419 the resulting files in the directory @file{direc}. Note that if any units
10420 occur more than once anywhere within this set of files, an error message
10421 is generated, and no files are written. To override this check, use the
10422 @option{^-w^/OVERWRITE^} switch,
10423 in which case the last occurrence in the last file will
10424 be the one that is output, and earlier duplicate occurrences for a given
10425 unit will be skipped.
10428 @node Configuration Pragmas
10429 @chapter Configuration Pragmas
10430 @cindex Configuration pragmas
10431 @cindex Pragmas, configuration
10434 In Ada 95, configuration pragmas include those pragmas described as
10435 such in the Ada 95 Reference Manual, as well as
10436 implementation-dependent pragmas that are configuration pragmas. See the
10437 individual descriptions of pragmas in the GNAT Reference Manual for
10438 details on these additional GNAT-specific configuration pragmas. Most
10439 notably, the pragma @code{Source_File_Name}, which allows
10440 specifying non-default names for source files, is a configuration
10441 pragma. The following is a complete list of configuration pragmas
10442 recognized by @code{GNAT}:
10449 Component_Alignment
10455 External_Name_Casing
10456 Float_Representation
10467 Propagate_Exceptions
10470 Restricted_Run_Time
10472 Restrictions_Warnings
10477 Task_Dispatching_Policy
10486 * Handling of Configuration Pragmas::
10487 * The Configuration Pragmas Files::
10490 @node Handling of Configuration Pragmas
10491 @section Handling of Configuration Pragmas
10493 Configuration pragmas may either appear at the start of a compilation
10494 unit, in which case they apply only to that unit, or they may apply to
10495 all compilations performed in a given compilation environment.
10497 GNAT also provides the @code{gnatchop} utility to provide an automatic
10498 way to handle configuration pragmas following the semantics for
10499 compilations (that is, files with multiple units), described in the RM.
10500 See @ref{Operating gnatchop in Compilation Mode} for details.
10501 However, for most purposes, it will be more convenient to edit the
10502 @file{gnat.adc} file that contains configuration pragmas directly,
10503 as described in the following section.
10505 @node The Configuration Pragmas Files
10506 @section The Configuration Pragmas Files
10507 @cindex @file{gnat.adc}
10510 In GNAT a compilation environment is defined by the current
10511 directory at the time that a compile command is given. This current
10512 directory is searched for a file whose name is @file{gnat.adc}. If
10513 this file is present, it is expected to contain one or more
10514 configuration pragmas that will be applied to the current compilation.
10515 However, if the switch @option{-gnatA} is used, @file{gnat.adc} is not
10518 Configuration pragmas may be entered into the @file{gnat.adc} file
10519 either by running @code{gnatchop} on a source file that consists only of
10520 configuration pragmas, or more conveniently by
10521 direct editing of the @file{gnat.adc} file, which is a standard format
10524 In addition to @file{gnat.adc}, one additional file containing configuration
10525 pragmas may be applied to the current compilation using the switch
10526 @option{-gnatec}@var{path}. @var{path} must designate an existing file that
10527 contains only configuration pragmas. These configuration pragmas are
10528 in addition to those found in @file{gnat.adc} (provided @file{gnat.adc}
10529 is present and switch @option{-gnatA} is not used).
10531 It is allowed to specify several switches @option{-gnatec}, however only
10532 the last one on the command line will be taken into account.
10534 If you are using project file, a separate mechanism is provided using
10535 project attributes, see @ref{Specifying Configuration Pragmas} for more
10539 Of special interest to GNAT OpenVMS Alpha is the following
10540 configuration pragma:
10542 @smallexample @c ada
10544 pragma Extend_System (Aux_DEC);
10549 In the presence of this pragma, GNAT adds to the definition of the
10550 predefined package SYSTEM all the additional types and subprograms that are
10551 defined in HP Ada. See @ref{Compatibility with HP Ada} for details.
10554 @node Handling Arbitrary File Naming Conventions Using gnatname
10555 @chapter Handling Arbitrary File Naming Conventions Using @code{gnatname}
10556 @cindex Arbitrary File Naming Conventions
10559 * Arbitrary File Naming Conventions::
10560 * Running gnatname::
10561 * Switches for gnatname::
10562 * Examples of gnatname Usage::
10565 @node Arbitrary File Naming Conventions
10566 @section Arbitrary File Naming Conventions
10569 The GNAT compiler must be able to know the source file name of a compilation
10570 unit. When using the standard GNAT default file naming conventions
10571 (@code{.ads} for specs, @code{.adb} for bodies), the GNAT compiler
10572 does not need additional information.
10575 When the source file names do not follow the standard GNAT default file naming
10576 conventions, the GNAT compiler must be given additional information through
10577 a configuration pragmas file (@pxref{Configuration Pragmas})
10579 When the non standard file naming conventions are well-defined,
10580 a small number of pragmas @code{Source_File_Name} specifying a naming pattern
10581 (@pxref{Alternative File Naming Schemes}) may be sufficient. However,
10582 if the file naming conventions are irregular or arbitrary, a number
10583 of pragma @code{Source_File_Name} for individual compilation units
10585 To help maintain the correspondence between compilation unit names and
10586 source file names within the compiler,
10587 GNAT provides a tool @code{gnatname} to generate the required pragmas for a
10590 @node Running gnatname
10591 @section Running @code{gnatname}
10594 The usual form of the @code{gnatname} command is
10597 $ gnatname [@var{switches}] @var{naming_pattern} [@var{naming_patterns}]
10601 All of the arguments are optional. If invoked without any argument,
10602 @code{gnatname} will display its usage.
10605 When used with at least one naming pattern, @code{gnatname} will attempt to
10606 find all the compilation units in files that follow at least one of the
10607 naming patterns. To find these compilation units,
10608 @code{gnatname} will use the GNAT compiler in syntax-check-only mode on all
10612 One or several Naming Patterns may be given as arguments to @code{gnatname}.
10613 Each Naming Pattern is enclosed between double quotes.
10614 A Naming Pattern is a regular expression similar to the wildcard patterns
10615 used in file names by the Unix shells or the DOS prompt.
10618 Examples of Naming Patterns are
10627 For a more complete description of the syntax of Naming Patterns,
10628 see the second kind of regular expressions described in @file{g-regexp.ads}
10629 (the ``Glob'' regular expressions).
10632 When invoked with no switches, @code{gnatname} will create a configuration
10633 pragmas file @file{gnat.adc} in the current working directory, with pragmas
10634 @code{Source_File_Name} for each file that contains a valid Ada unit.
10636 @node Switches for gnatname
10637 @section Switches for @code{gnatname}
10640 Switches for @code{gnatname} must precede any specified Naming Pattern.
10643 You may specify any of the following switches to @code{gnatname}:
10648 @item ^-c^/CONFIG_FILE=^@file{file}
10649 @cindex @option{^-c^/CONFIG_FILE^} (@code{gnatname})
10650 Create a configuration pragmas file @file{file} (instead of the default
10653 There may be zero, one or more space between @option{-c} and
10656 @file{file} may include directory information. @file{file} must be
10657 writable. There may be only one switch @option{^-c^/CONFIG_FILE^}.
10658 When a switch @option{^-c^/CONFIG_FILE^} is
10659 specified, no switch @option{^-P^/PROJECT_FILE^} may be specified (see below).
10661 @item ^-d^/SOURCE_DIRS=^@file{dir}
10662 @cindex @option{^-d^/SOURCE_DIRS^} (@code{gnatname})
10663 Look for source files in directory @file{dir}. There may be zero, one or more
10664 spaces between @option{^-d^/SOURCE_DIRS=^} and @file{dir}.
10665 When a switch @option{^-d^/SOURCE_DIRS^}
10666 is specified, the current working directory will not be searched for source
10667 files, unless it is explicitly specified with a @option{^-d^/SOURCE_DIRS^}
10668 or @option{^-D^/DIR_FILES^} switch.
10669 Several switches @option{^-d^/SOURCE_DIRS^} may be specified.
10670 If @file{dir} is a relative path, it is relative to the directory of
10671 the configuration pragmas file specified with switch
10672 @option{^-c^/CONFIG_FILE^},
10673 or to the directory of the project file specified with switch
10674 @option{^-P^/PROJECT_FILE^} or,
10675 if neither switch @option{^-c^/CONFIG_FILE^}
10676 nor switch @option{^-P^/PROJECT_FILE^} are specified, it is relative to the
10677 current working directory. The directory
10678 specified with switch @option{^-d^/SOURCE_DIRS^} must exist and be readable.
10680 @item ^-D^/DIRS_FILE=^@file{file}
10681 @cindex @option{^-D^/DIRS_FILE^} (@code{gnatname})
10682 Look for source files in all directories listed in text file @file{file}.
10683 There may be zero, one or more spaces between @option{^-D^/DIRS_FILE=^}
10685 @file{file} must be an existing, readable text file.
10686 Each non empty line in @file{file} must be a directory.
10687 Specifying switch @option{^-D^/DIRS_FILE^} is equivalent to specifying as many
10688 switches @option{^-d^/SOURCE_DIRS^} as there are non empty lines in
10691 @item ^-f^/FOREIGN_PATTERN=^@file{pattern}
10692 @cindex @option{^-f^/FOREIGN_PATTERN^} (@code{gnatname})
10693 Foreign patterns. Using this switch, it is possible to add sources of languages
10694 other than Ada to the list of sources of a project file.
10695 It is only useful if a ^-P^/PROJECT_FILE^ switch is used.
10698 gnatname ^-Pprj -f"*.c"^/PROJECT_FILE=PRJ /FOREIGN_PATTERN=*.C^ "*.ada"
10701 will look for Ada units in all files with the @file{.ada} extension,
10702 and will add to the list of file for project @file{prj.gpr} the C files
10703 with extension ".^c^C^".
10706 @cindex @option{^-h^/HELP^} (@code{gnatname})
10707 Output usage (help) information. The output is written to @file{stdout}.
10709 @item ^-P^/PROJECT_FILE=^@file{proj}
10710 @cindex @option{^-P^/PROJECT_FILE^} (@code{gnatname})
10711 Create or update project file @file{proj}. There may be zero, one or more space
10712 between @option{-P} and @file{proj}. @file{proj} may include directory
10713 information. @file{proj} must be writable.
10714 There may be only one switch @option{^-P^/PROJECT_FILE^}.
10715 When a switch @option{^-P^/PROJECT_FILE^} is specified,
10716 no switch @option{^-c^/CONFIG_FILE^} may be specified.
10718 @item ^-v^/VERBOSE^
10719 @cindex @option{^-v^/VERBOSE^} (@code{gnatname})
10720 Verbose mode. Output detailed explanation of behavior to @file{stdout}.
10721 This includes name of the file written, the name of the directories to search
10722 and, for each file in those directories whose name matches at least one of
10723 the Naming Patterns, an indication of whether the file contains a unit,
10724 and if so the name of the unit.
10726 @item ^-v -v^/VERBOSE /VERBOSE^
10727 @cindex @option{^-v -v^/VERBOSE /VERBOSE^} (@code{gnatname})
10728 Very Verbose mode. In addition to the output produced in verbose mode,
10729 for each file in the searched directories whose name matches none of
10730 the Naming Patterns, an indication is given that there is no match.
10732 @item ^-x^/EXCLUDED_PATTERN=^@file{pattern}
10733 @cindex @option{^-x^/EXCLUDED_PATTERN^} (@code{gnatname})
10734 Excluded patterns. Using this switch, it is possible to exclude some files
10735 that would match the name patterns. For example,
10737 gnatname ^-x "*_nt.ada"^/EXCLUDED_PATTERN=*_nt.ada^ "*.ada"
10740 will look for Ada units in all files with the @file{.ada} extension,
10741 except those whose names end with @file{_nt.ada}.
10745 @node Examples of gnatname Usage
10746 @section Examples of @code{gnatname} Usage
10750 $ gnatname /CONFIG_FILE=[HOME.ME]NAMES.ADC /SOURCE_DIRS=SOURCES "[a-z]*.ada*"
10756 $ gnatname -c /home/me/names.adc -d sources "[a-z]*.ada*"
10761 In this example, the directory @file{^/home/me^[HOME.ME]^} must already exist
10762 and be writable. In addition, the directory
10763 @file{^/home/me/sources^[HOME.ME.SOURCES]^} (specified by
10764 @option{^-d sources^/SOURCE_DIRS=SOURCES^}) must exist and be readable.
10767 Note the optional spaces after @option{-c} and @option{-d}.
10772 $ gnatname -P/home/me/proj -x "*_nt_body.ada"
10773 -dsources -dsources/plus -Dcommon_dirs.txt "body_*" "spec_*"
10776 $ gnatname /PROJECT_FILE=[HOME.ME]PROJ
10777 /EXCLUDED_PATTERN=*_nt_body.ada
10778 /SOURCE_DIRS=(SOURCES,[SOURCES.PLUS])
10779 /DIRS_FILE=COMMON_DIRS.TXT "body_*" "spec_*"
10783 Note that several switches @option{^-d^/SOURCE_DIRS^} may be used,
10784 even in conjunction with one or several switches
10785 @option{^-D^/DIRS_FILE^}. Several Naming Patterns and one excluded pattern
10786 are used in this example.
10788 @c *****************************************
10789 @c * G N A T P r o j e c t M a n a g e r *
10790 @c *****************************************
10791 @node GNAT Project Manager
10792 @chapter GNAT Project Manager
10796 * Examples of Project Files::
10797 * Project File Syntax::
10798 * Objects and Sources in Project Files::
10799 * Importing Projects::
10800 * Project Extension::
10801 * Project Hierarchy Extension::
10802 * External References in Project Files::
10803 * Packages in Project Files::
10804 * Variables from Imported Projects::
10806 * Library Projects::
10807 * Stand-alone Library Projects::
10808 * Switches Related to Project Files::
10809 * Tools Supporting Project Files::
10810 * An Extended Example::
10811 * Project File Complete Syntax::
10814 @c ****************
10815 @c * Introduction *
10816 @c ****************
10819 @section Introduction
10822 This chapter describes GNAT's @emph{Project Manager}, a facility that allows
10823 you to manage complex builds involving a number of source files, directories,
10824 and compilation options for different system configurations. In particular,
10825 project files allow you to specify:
10828 The directory or set of directories containing the source files, and/or the
10829 names of the specific source files themselves
10831 The directory in which the compiler's output
10832 (@file{ALI} files, object files, tree files) is to be placed
10834 The directory in which the executable programs is to be placed
10836 ^Switch^Switch^ settings for any of the project-enabled tools
10837 (@command{gnatmake}, compiler, binder, linker, @code{gnatls}, @code{gnatxref},
10838 @code{gnatfind}); you can apply these settings either globally or to individual
10841 The source files containing the main subprogram(s) to be built
10843 The source programming language(s) (currently Ada and/or C)
10845 Source file naming conventions; you can specify these either globally or for
10846 individual compilation units
10853 @node Project Files
10854 @subsection Project Files
10857 Project files are written in a syntax close to that of Ada, using familiar
10858 notions such as packages, context clauses, declarations, default values,
10859 assignments, and inheritance. Finally, project files can be built
10860 hierarchically from other project files, simplifying complex system
10861 integration and project reuse.
10863 A @dfn{project} is a specific set of values for various compilation properties.
10864 The settings for a given project are described by means of
10865 a @dfn{project file}, which is a text file written in an Ada-like syntax.
10866 Property values in project files are either strings or lists of strings.
10867 Properties that are not explicitly set receive default values. A project
10868 file may interrogate the values of @dfn{external variables} (user-defined
10869 command-line switches or environment variables), and it may specify property
10870 settings conditionally, based on the value of such variables.
10872 In simple cases, a project's source files depend only on other source files
10873 in the same project, or on the predefined libraries. (@emph{Dependence} is
10875 the Ada technical sense; as in one Ada unit @code{with}ing another.) However,
10876 the Project Manager also allows more sophisticated arrangements,
10877 where the source files in one project depend on source files in other
10881 One project can @emph{import} other projects containing needed source files.
10883 You can organize GNAT projects in a hierarchy: a @emph{child} project
10884 can extend a @emph{parent} project, inheriting the parent's source files and
10885 optionally overriding any of them with alternative versions
10889 More generally, the Project Manager lets you structure large development
10890 efforts into hierarchical subsystems, where build decisions are delegated
10891 to the subsystem level, and thus different compilation environments
10892 (^switch^switch^ settings) used for different subsystems.
10894 The Project Manager is invoked through the
10895 @option{^-P^/PROJECT_FILE=^@emph{projectfile}}
10896 switch to @command{gnatmake} or to the @command{^gnat^GNAT^} front driver.
10898 There may be zero, one or more spaces between @option{-P} and
10899 @option{@emph{projectfile}}.
10901 If you want to define (on the command line) an external variable that is
10902 queried by the project file, you must use the
10903 @option{^-X^/EXTERNAL_REFERENCE=^@emph{vbl}=@emph{value}} switch.
10904 The Project Manager parses and interprets the project file, and drives the
10905 invoked tool based on the project settings.
10907 The Project Manager supports a wide range of development strategies,
10908 for systems of all sizes. Here are some typical practices that are
10912 Using a common set of source files, but generating object files in different
10913 directories via different ^switch^switch^ settings
10915 Using a mostly-shared set of source files, but with different versions of
10920 The destination of an executable can be controlled inside a project file
10921 using the @option{^-o^-o^}
10923 In the absence of such a ^switch^switch^ either inside
10924 the project file or on the command line, any executable files generated by
10925 @command{gnatmake} are placed in the directory @code{Exec_Dir} specified
10926 in the project file. If no @code{Exec_Dir} is specified, they will be placed
10927 in the object directory of the project.
10929 You can use project files to achieve some of the effects of a source
10930 versioning system (for example, defining separate projects for
10931 the different sets of sources that comprise different releases) but the
10932 Project Manager is independent of any source configuration management tools
10933 that might be used by the developers.
10935 The next section introduces the main features of GNAT's project facility
10936 through a sequence of examples; subsequent sections will present the syntax
10937 and semantics in more detail. A more formal description of the project
10938 facility appears in the GNAT Reference Manual.
10940 @c *****************************
10941 @c * Examples of Project Files *
10942 @c *****************************
10944 @node Examples of Project Files
10945 @section Examples of Project Files
10947 This section illustrates some of the typical uses of project files and
10948 explains their basic structure and behavior.
10951 * Common Sources with Different ^Switches^Switches^ and Directories::
10952 * Using External Variables::
10953 * Importing Other Projects::
10954 * Extending a Project::
10957 @node Common Sources with Different ^Switches^Switches^ and Directories
10958 @subsection Common Sources with Different ^Switches^Switches^ and Directories
10962 * Specifying the Object Directory::
10963 * Specifying the Exec Directory::
10964 * Project File Packages::
10965 * Specifying ^Switch^Switch^ Settings::
10966 * Main Subprograms::
10967 * Executable File Names::
10968 * Source File Naming Conventions::
10969 * Source Language(s)::
10973 Suppose that the Ada source files @file{pack.ads}, @file{pack.adb}, and
10974 @file{proc.adb} are in the @file{/common} directory. The file
10975 @file{proc.adb} contains an Ada main subprogram @code{Proc} that @code{with}s
10976 package @code{Pack}. We want to compile these source files under two sets
10977 of ^switches^switches^:
10980 When debugging, we want to pass the @option{-g} switch to @command{gnatmake},
10981 and the @option{^-gnata^-gnata^},
10982 @option{^-gnato^-gnato^},
10983 and @option{^-gnatE^-gnatE^} switches to the
10984 compiler; the compiler's output is to appear in @file{/common/debug}
10986 When preparing a release version, we want to pass the @option{^-O2^O2^} switch
10987 to the compiler; the compiler's output is to appear in @file{/common/release}
10991 The GNAT project files shown below, respectively @file{debug.gpr} and
10992 @file{release.gpr} in the @file{/common} directory, achieve these effects.
11005 ^/common/debug^[COMMON.DEBUG]^
11010 ^/common/release^[COMMON.RELEASE]^
11015 Here are the corresponding project files:
11017 @smallexample @c projectfile
11020 for Object_Dir use "debug";
11021 for Main use ("proc");
11024 for ^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^ ("Ada")
11026 for Executable ("proc.adb") use "proc1";
11031 package Compiler is
11032 for ^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^ ("Ada")
11033 use ("-fstack-check",
11036 "^-gnatE^-gnatE^");
11042 @smallexample @c projectfile
11045 for Object_Dir use "release";
11046 for Exec_Dir use ".";
11047 for Main use ("proc");
11049 package Compiler is
11050 for ^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^ ("Ada")
11058 The name of the project defined by @file{debug.gpr} is @code{"Debug"} (case
11059 insensitive), and analogously the project defined by @file{release.gpr} is
11060 @code{"Release"}. For consistency the file should have the same name as the
11061 project, and the project file's extension should be @code{"gpr"}. These
11062 conventions are not required, but a warning is issued if they are not followed.
11064 If the current directory is @file{^/temp^[TEMP]^}, then the command
11066 gnatmake ^-P/common/debug.gpr^/PROJECT_FILE=[COMMON]DEBUG^
11070 generates object and ALI files in @file{^/common/debug^[COMMON.DEBUG]^},
11071 as well as the @code{^proc1^PROC1.EXE^} executable,
11072 using the ^switch^switch^ settings defined in the project file.
11074 Likewise, the command
11076 gnatmake ^-P/common/release.gpr^/PROJECT_FILE=[COMMON]RELEASE^
11080 generates object and ALI files in @file{^/common/release^[COMMON.RELEASE]^},
11081 and the @code{^proc^PROC.EXE^}
11082 executable in @file{^/common^[COMMON]^},
11083 using the ^switch^switch^ settings from the project file.
11086 @unnumberedsubsubsec Source Files
11089 If a project file does not explicitly specify a set of source directories or
11090 a set of source files, then by default the project's source files are the
11091 Ada source files in the project file directory. Thus @file{pack.ads},
11092 @file{pack.adb}, and @file{proc.adb} are the source files for both projects.
11094 @node Specifying the Object Directory
11095 @unnumberedsubsubsec Specifying the Object Directory
11098 Several project properties are modeled by Ada-style @emph{attributes};
11099 a property is defined by supplying the equivalent of an Ada attribute
11100 definition clause in the project file.
11101 A project's object directory is another such a property; the corresponding
11102 attribute is @code{Object_Dir}, and its value is also a string expression,
11103 specified either as absolute or relative. In the later case,
11104 it is relative to the project file directory. Thus the compiler's
11105 output is directed to @file{^/common/debug^[COMMON.DEBUG]^}
11106 (for the @code{Debug} project)
11107 and to @file{^/common/release^[COMMON.RELEASE]^}
11108 (for the @code{Release} project).
11109 If @code{Object_Dir} is not specified, then the default is the project file
11112 @node Specifying the Exec Directory
11113 @unnumberedsubsubsec Specifying the Exec Directory
11116 A project's exec directory is another property; the corresponding
11117 attribute is @code{Exec_Dir}, and its value is also a string expression,
11118 either specified as relative or absolute. If @code{Exec_Dir} is not specified,
11119 then the default is the object directory (which may also be the project file
11120 directory if attribute @code{Object_Dir} is not specified). Thus the executable
11121 is placed in @file{^/common/debug^[COMMON.DEBUG]^}
11122 for the @code{Debug} project (attribute @code{Exec_Dir} not specified)
11123 and in @file{^/common^[COMMON]^} for the @code{Release} project.
11125 @node Project File Packages
11126 @unnumberedsubsubsec Project File Packages
11129 A GNAT tool that is integrated with the Project Manager is modeled by a
11130 corresponding package in the project file. In the example above,
11131 The @code{Debug} project defines the packages @code{Builder}
11132 (for @command{gnatmake}) and @code{Compiler};
11133 the @code{Release} project defines only the @code{Compiler} package.
11135 The Ada-like package syntax is not to be taken literally. Although packages in
11136 project files bear a surface resemblance to packages in Ada source code, the
11137 notation is simply a way to convey a grouping of properties for a named
11138 entity. Indeed, the package names permitted in project files are restricted
11139 to a predefined set, corresponding to the project-aware tools, and the contents
11140 of packages are limited to a small set of constructs.
11141 The packages in the example above contain attribute definitions.
11143 @node Specifying ^Switch^Switch^ Settings
11144 @unnumberedsubsubsec Specifying ^Switch^Switch^ Settings
11147 ^Switch^Switch^ settings for a project-aware tool can be specified through
11148 attributes in the package that corresponds to the tool.
11149 The example above illustrates one of the relevant attributes,
11150 @code{^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^}, which is defined in packages
11151 in both project files.
11152 Unlike simple attributes like @code{Source_Dirs},
11153 @code{^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^} is
11154 known as an @emph{associative array}. When you define this attribute, you must
11155 supply an ``index'' (a literal string), and the effect of the attribute
11156 definition is to set the value of the array at the specified index.
11157 For the @code{^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^} attribute,
11158 the index is a programming language (in our case, Ada),
11159 and the value specified (after @code{use}) must be a list
11160 of string expressions.
11162 The attributes permitted in project files are restricted to a predefined set.
11163 Some may appear at project level, others in packages.
11164 For any attribute that is an associative array, the index must always be a
11165 literal string, but the restrictions on this string (e.g., a file name or a
11166 language name) depend on the individual attribute.
11167 Also depending on the attribute, its specified value will need to be either a
11168 string or a string list.
11170 In the @code{Debug} project, we set the switches for two tools,
11171 @command{gnatmake} and the compiler, and thus we include the two corresponding
11172 packages; each package defines the @code{^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^}
11173 attribute with index @code{"Ada"}.
11174 Note that the package corresponding to
11175 @command{gnatmake} is named @code{Builder}. The @code{Release} project is
11176 similar, but only includes the @code{Compiler} package.
11178 In project @code{Debug} above, the ^switches^switches^ starting with
11179 @option{-gnat} that are specified in package @code{Compiler}
11180 could have been placed in package @code{Builder}, since @command{gnatmake}
11181 transmits all such ^switches^switches^ to the compiler.
11183 @node Main Subprograms
11184 @unnumberedsubsubsec Main Subprograms
11187 One of the specifiable properties of a project is a list of files that contain
11188 main subprograms. This property is captured in the @code{Main} attribute,
11189 whose value is a list of strings. If a project defines the @code{Main}
11190 attribute, it is not necessary to identify the main subprogram(s) when
11191 invoking @command{gnatmake} (@pxref{gnatmake and Project Files}).
11193 @node Executable File Names
11194 @unnumberedsubsubsec Executable File Names
11197 By default, the executable file name corresponding to a main source is
11198 deduced from the main source file name. Through the attributes
11199 @code{Executable} and @code{Executable_Suffix} of package @code{Builder},
11200 it is possible to change this default.
11201 In project @code{Debug} above, the executable file name
11202 for main source @file{^proc.adb^PROC.ADB^} is
11203 @file{^proc1^PROC1.EXE^}.
11204 Attribute @code{Executable_Suffix}, when specified, may change the suffix
11205 of the executable files, when no attribute @code{Executable} applies:
11206 its value replace the platform-specific executable suffix.
11207 Attributes @code{Executable} and @code{Executable_Suffix} are the only ways to
11208 specify a non default executable file name when several mains are built at once
11209 in a single @command{gnatmake} command.
11211 @node Source File Naming Conventions
11212 @unnumberedsubsubsec Source File Naming Conventions
11215 Since the project files above do not specify any source file naming
11216 conventions, the GNAT defaults are used. The mechanism for defining source
11217 file naming conventions -- a package named @code{Naming} --
11218 is described below (@pxref{Naming Schemes}).
11220 @node Source Language(s)
11221 @unnumberedsubsubsec Source Language(s)
11224 Since the project files do not specify a @code{Languages} attribute, by
11225 default the GNAT tools assume that the language of the project file is Ada.
11226 More generally, a project can comprise source files
11227 in Ada, C, and/or other languages.
11229 @node Using External Variables
11230 @subsection Using External Variables
11233 Instead of supplying different project files for debug and release, we can
11234 define a single project file that queries an external variable (set either
11235 on the command line or via an ^environment variable^logical name^) in order to
11236 conditionally define the appropriate settings. Again, assume that the
11237 source files @file{pack.ads}, @file{pack.adb}, and @file{proc.adb} are
11238 located in directory @file{^/common^[COMMON]^}. The following project file,
11239 @file{build.gpr}, queries the external variable named @code{STYLE} and
11240 defines an object directory and ^switch^switch^ settings based on whether
11241 the value is @code{"deb"} (debug) or @code{"rel"} (release), and where
11242 the default is @code{"deb"}.
11244 @smallexample @c projectfile
11247 for Main use ("proc");
11249 type Style_Type is ("deb", "rel");
11250 Style : Style_Type := external ("STYLE", "deb");
11254 for Object_Dir use "debug";
11257 for Object_Dir use "release";
11258 for Exec_Dir use ".";
11267 for ^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^ ("Ada")
11269 for Executable ("proc") use "proc1";
11278 package Compiler is
11282 for ^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^ ("Ada")
11283 use ("^-gnata^-gnata^",
11285 "^-gnatE^-gnatE^");
11288 for ^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^ ("Ada")
11299 @code{Style_Type} is an example of a @emph{string type}, which is the project
11300 file analog of an Ada enumeration type but whose components are string literals
11301 rather than identifiers. @code{Style} is declared as a variable of this type.
11303 The form @code{external("STYLE", "deb")} is known as an
11304 @emph{external reference}; its first argument is the name of an
11305 @emph{external variable}, and the second argument is a default value to be
11306 used if the external variable doesn't exist. You can define an external
11307 variable on the command line via the @option{^-X^/EXTERNAL_REFERENCE^} switch,
11308 or you can use ^an environment variable^a logical name^
11309 as an external variable.
11311 Each @code{case} construct is expanded by the Project Manager based on the
11312 value of @code{Style}. Thus the command
11315 gnatmake -P/common/build.gpr -XSTYLE=deb
11321 gnatmake /PROJECT_FILE=[COMMON]BUILD.GPR /EXTERNAL_REFERENCE=STYLE=deb
11326 is equivalent to the @command{gnatmake} invocation using the project file
11327 @file{debug.gpr} in the earlier example. So is the command
11329 gnatmake ^-P/common/build.gpr^/PROJECT_FILE=[COMMON]BUILD.GPR^
11333 since @code{"deb"} is the default for @code{STYLE}.
11339 gnatmake -P/common/build.gpr -XSTYLE=rel
11345 GNAT MAKE /PROJECT_FILE=[COMMON]BUILD.GPR /EXTERNAL_REFERENCE=STYLE=rel
11350 is equivalent to the @command{gnatmake} invocation using the project file
11351 @file{release.gpr} in the earlier example.
11353 @node Importing Other Projects
11354 @subsection Importing Other Projects
11355 @cindex @code{ADA_PROJECT_PATH}
11358 A compilation unit in a source file in one project may depend on compilation
11359 units in source files in other projects. To compile this unit under
11360 control of a project file, the
11361 dependent project must @emph{import} the projects containing the needed source
11363 This effect is obtained using syntax similar to an Ada @code{with} clause,
11364 but where @code{with}ed entities are strings that denote project files.
11366 As an example, suppose that the two projects @code{GUI_Proj} and
11367 @code{Comm_Proj} are defined in the project files @file{gui_proj.gpr} and
11368 @file{comm_proj.gpr} in directories @file{^/gui^[GUI]^}
11369 and @file{^/comm^[COMM]^}, respectively.
11370 Suppose that the source files for @code{GUI_Proj} are
11371 @file{gui.ads} and @file{gui.adb}, and that the source files for
11372 @code{Comm_Proj} are @file{comm.ads} and @file{comm.adb}, where each set of
11373 files is located in its respective project file directory. Schematically:
11392 We want to develop an application in directory @file{^/app^[APP]^} that
11393 @code{with} the packages @code{GUI} and @code{Comm}, using the properties of
11394 the corresponding project files (e.g. the ^switch^switch^ settings
11395 and object directory).
11396 Skeletal code for a main procedure might be something like the following:
11398 @smallexample @c ada
11401 procedure App_Main is
11410 Here is a project file, @file{app_proj.gpr}, that achieves the desired
11413 @smallexample @c projectfile
11415 with "/gui/gui_proj", "/comm/comm_proj";
11416 project App_Proj is
11417 for Main use ("app_main");
11423 Building an executable is achieved through the command:
11425 gnatmake ^-P/app/app_proj^/PROJECT_FILE=[APP]APP_PROJ^
11428 which will generate the @code{^app_main^APP_MAIN.EXE^} executable
11429 in the directory where @file{app_proj.gpr} resides.
11431 If an imported project file uses the standard extension (@code{^gpr^GPR^}) then
11432 (as illustrated above) the @code{with} clause can omit the extension.
11434 Our example specified an absolute path for each imported project file.
11435 Alternatively, the directory name of an imported object can be omitted
11439 The imported project file is in the same directory as the importing project
11442 You have defined ^an environment variable^a logical name^
11443 that includes the directory containing
11444 the needed project file. The syntax of @code{ADA_PROJECT_PATH} is the same as
11445 the syntax of @code{ADA_INCLUDE_PATH} and @code{ADA_OBJECTS_PATH}: a list of
11446 directory names separated by colons (semicolons on Windows).
11450 Thus, if we define @code{ADA_PROJECT_PATH} to include @file{^/gui^[GUI]^} and
11451 @file{^/comm^[COMM]^}, then our project file @file{app_proj.gpr} can be written
11454 @smallexample @c projectfile
11456 with "gui_proj", "comm_proj";
11457 project App_Proj is
11458 for Main use ("app_main");
11464 Importing other projects can create ambiguities.
11465 For example, the same unit might be present in different imported projects, or
11466 it might be present in both the importing project and in an imported project.
11467 Both of these conditions are errors. Note that in the current version of
11468 the Project Manager, it is illegal to have an ambiguous unit even if the
11469 unit is never referenced by the importing project. This restriction may be
11470 relaxed in a future release.
11472 @node Extending a Project
11473 @subsection Extending a Project
11476 In large software systems it is common to have multiple
11477 implementations of a common interface; in Ada terms, multiple versions of a
11478 package body for the same specification. For example, one implementation
11479 might be safe for use in tasking programs, while another might only be used
11480 in sequential applications. This can be modeled in GNAT using the concept
11481 of @emph{project extension}. If one project (the ``child'') @emph{extends}
11482 another project (the ``parent'') then by default all source files of the
11483 parent project are inherited by the child, but the child project can
11484 override any of the parent's source files with new versions, and can also
11485 add new files. This facility is the project analog of a type extension in
11486 Object-Oriented Programming. Project hierarchies are permitted (a child
11487 project may be the parent of yet another project), and a project that
11488 inherits one project can also import other projects.
11490 As an example, suppose that directory @file{^/seq^[SEQ]^} contains the project
11491 file @file{seq_proj.gpr} as well as the source files @file{pack.ads},
11492 @file{pack.adb}, and @file{proc.adb}:
11505 Note that the project file can simply be empty (that is, no attribute or
11506 package is defined):
11508 @smallexample @c projectfile
11510 project Seq_Proj is
11516 implying that its source files are all the Ada source files in the project
11519 Suppose we want to supply an alternate version of @file{pack.adb}, in
11520 directory @file{^/tasking^[TASKING]^}, but use the existing versions of
11521 @file{pack.ads} and @file{proc.adb}. We can define a project
11522 @code{Tasking_Proj} that inherits @code{Seq_Proj}:
11526 ^/tasking^[TASKING]^
11532 project Tasking_Proj extends "/seq/seq_proj" is
11538 The version of @file{pack.adb} used in a build depends on which project file
11541 Note that we could have obtained the desired behavior using project import
11542 rather than project inheritance; a @code{base} project would contain the
11543 sources for @file{pack.ads} and @file{proc.adb}, a sequential project would
11544 import @code{base} and add @file{pack.adb}, and likewise a tasking project
11545 would import @code{base} and add a different version of @file{pack.adb}. The
11546 choice depends on whether other sources in the original project need to be
11547 overridden. If they do, then project extension is necessary, otherwise,
11548 importing is sufficient.
11551 In a project file that extends another project file, it is possible to
11552 indicate that an inherited source is not part of the sources of the extending
11553 project. This is necessary sometimes when a package spec has been overloaded
11554 and no longer requires a body: in this case, it is necessary to indicate that
11555 the inherited body is not part of the sources of the project, otherwise there
11556 will be a compilation error when compiling the spec.
11558 For that purpose, the attribute @code{Locally_Removed_Files} is used.
11559 Its value is a string list: a list of file names.
11561 @smallexample @c @projectfile
11562 project B extends "a" is
11563 for Source_Files use ("pkg.ads");
11564 -- New spec of Pkg does not need a completion
11565 for Locally_Removed_Files use ("pkg.adb");
11569 Attribute @code{Locally_Removed_Files} may also be used to check if a source
11570 is still needed: if it is possible to build using @command{gnatmake} when such
11571 a source is put in attribute @code{Locally_Removed_Files} of a project P, then
11572 it is possible to remove the source completely from a system that includes
11575 @c ***********************
11576 @c * Project File Syntax *
11577 @c ***********************
11579 @node Project File Syntax
11580 @section Project File Syntax
11589 * Associative Array Attributes::
11590 * case Constructions::
11594 This section describes the structure of project files.
11596 A project may be an @emph{independent project}, entirely defined by a single
11597 project file. Any Ada source file in an independent project depends only
11598 on the predefined library and other Ada source files in the same project.
11601 A project may also @dfn{depend on} other projects, in either or both of
11602 the following ways:
11604 @item It may import any number of projects
11605 @item It may extend at most one other project
11609 The dependence relation is a directed acyclic graph (the subgraph reflecting
11610 the ``extends'' relation is a tree).
11612 A project's @dfn{immediate sources} are the source files directly defined by
11613 that project, either implicitly by residing in the project file's directory,
11614 or explicitly through any of the source-related attributes described below.
11615 More generally, a project @var{proj}'s @dfn{sources} are the immediate sources
11616 of @var{proj} together with the immediate sources (unless overridden) of any
11617 project on which @var{proj} depends (either directly or indirectly).
11620 @subsection Basic Syntax
11623 As seen in the earlier examples, project files have an Ada-like syntax.
11624 The minimal project file is:
11625 @smallexample @c projectfile
11634 The identifier @code{Empty} is the name of the project.
11635 This project name must be present after the reserved
11636 word @code{end} at the end of the project file, followed by a semi-colon.
11638 Any name in a project file, such as the project name or a variable name,
11639 has the same syntax as an Ada identifier.
11641 The reserved words of project files are the Ada reserved words plus
11642 @code{extends}, @code{external}, and @code{project}. Note that the only Ada
11643 reserved words currently used in project file syntax are:
11671 Comments in project files have the same syntax as in Ada, two consecutives
11672 hyphens through the end of the line.
11675 @subsection Packages
11678 A project file may contain @emph{packages}. The name of a package must be one
11679 of the identifiers from the following list. A package
11680 with a given name may only appear once in a project file. Package names are
11681 case insensitive. The following package names are legal:
11697 @code{Cross_Reference}
11701 @code{Pretty_Printer}
11711 @code{Language_Processing}
11715 In its simplest form, a package may be empty:
11717 @smallexample @c projectfile
11727 A package may contain @emph{attribute declarations},
11728 @emph{variable declarations} and @emph{case constructions}, as will be
11731 When there is ambiguity between a project name and a package name,
11732 the name always designates the project. To avoid possible confusion, it is
11733 always a good idea to avoid naming a project with one of the
11734 names allowed for packages or any name that starts with @code{gnat}.
11737 @subsection Expressions
11740 An @emph{expression} is either a @emph{string expression} or a
11741 @emph{string list expression}.
11743 A @emph{string expression} is either a @emph{simple string expression} or a
11744 @emph{compound string expression}.
11746 A @emph{simple string expression} is one of the following:
11748 @item A literal string; e.g.@code{"comm/my_proj.gpr"}
11749 @item A string-valued variable reference (@pxref{Variables})
11750 @item A string-valued attribute reference (@pxref{Attributes})
11751 @item An external reference (@pxref{External References in Project Files})
11755 A @emph{compound string expression} is a concatenation of string expressions,
11756 using the operator @code{"&"}
11758 Path & "/" & File_Name & ".ads"
11762 A @emph{string list expression} is either a
11763 @emph{simple string list expression} or a
11764 @emph{compound string list expression}.
11766 A @emph{simple string list expression} is one of the following:
11768 @item A parenthesized list of zero or more string expressions,
11769 separated by commas
11771 File_Names := (File_Name, "gnat.adc", File_Name & ".orig");
11774 @item A string list-valued variable reference
11775 @item A string list-valued attribute reference
11779 A @emph{compound string list expression} is the concatenation (using
11780 @code{"&"}) of a simple string list expression and an expression. Note that
11781 each term in a compound string list expression, except the first, may be
11782 either a string expression or a string list expression.
11784 @smallexample @c projectfile
11786 File_Name_List := () & File_Name; -- One string in this list
11787 Extended_File_Name_List := File_Name_List & (File_Name & ".orig");
11789 Big_List := File_Name_List & Extended_File_Name_List;
11790 -- Concatenation of two string lists: three strings
11791 Illegal_List := "gnat.adc" & Extended_File_Name_List;
11792 -- Illegal: must start with a string list
11797 @subsection String Types
11800 A @emph{string type declaration} introduces a discrete set of string literals.
11801 If a string variable is declared to have this type, its value
11802 is restricted to the given set of literals.
11804 Here is an example of a string type declaration:
11806 @smallexample @c projectfile
11807 type OS is ("NT", "nt", "Unix", "GNU/Linux", "other OS");
11811 Variables of a string type are called @emph{typed variables}; all other
11812 variables are called @emph{untyped variables}. Typed variables are
11813 particularly useful in @code{case} constructions, to support conditional
11814 attribute declarations.
11815 (@pxref{case Constructions}).
11817 The string literals in the list are case sensitive and must all be different.
11818 They may include any graphic characters allowed in Ada, including spaces.
11820 A string type may only be declared at the project level, not inside a package.
11822 A string type may be referenced by its name if it has been declared in the same
11823 project file, or by an expanded name whose prefix is the name of the project
11824 in which it is declared.
11827 @subsection Variables
11830 A variable may be declared at the project file level, or within a package.
11831 Here are some examples of variable declarations:
11833 @smallexample @c projectfile
11835 This_OS : OS := external ("OS"); -- a typed variable declaration
11836 That_OS := "GNU/Linux"; -- an untyped variable declaration
11841 The syntax of a @emph{typed variable declaration} is identical to the Ada
11842 syntax for an object declaration. By contrast, the syntax of an untyped
11843 variable declaration is identical to an Ada assignment statement. In fact,
11844 variable declarations in project files have some of the characteristics of
11845 an assignment, in that successive declarations for the same variable are
11846 allowed. Untyped variable declarations do establish the expected kind of the
11847 variable (string or string list), and successive declarations for it must
11848 respect the initial kind.
11851 A string variable declaration (typed or untyped) declares a variable
11852 whose value is a string. This variable may be used as a string expression.
11853 @smallexample @c projectfile
11854 File_Name := "readme.txt";
11855 Saved_File_Name := File_Name & ".saved";
11859 A string list variable declaration declares a variable whose value is a list
11860 of strings. The list may contain any number (zero or more) of strings.
11862 @smallexample @c projectfile
11864 List_With_One_Element := ("^-gnaty^-gnaty^");
11865 List_With_Two_Elements := List_With_One_Element & "^-gnatg^-gnatg^";
11866 Long_List := ("main.ada", "pack1_.ada", "pack1.ada", "pack2_.ada"
11867 "pack2.ada", "util_.ada", "util.ada");
11871 The same typed variable may not be declared more than once at project level,
11872 and it may not be declared more than once in any package; it is in effect
11875 The same untyped variable may be declared several times. Declarations are
11876 elaborated in the order in which they appear, so the new value replaces
11877 the old one, and any subsequent reference to the variable uses the new value.
11878 However, as noted above, if a variable has been declared as a string, all
11880 declarations must give it a string value. Similarly, if a variable has
11881 been declared as a string list, all subsequent declarations
11882 must give it a string list value.
11884 A @emph{variable reference} may take several forms:
11887 @item The simple variable name, for a variable in the current package (if any)
11888 or in the current project
11889 @item An expanded name, whose prefix is a context name.
11893 A @emph{context} may be one of the following:
11896 @item The name of an existing package in the current project
11897 @item The name of an imported project of the current project
11898 @item The name of an ancestor project (i.e., a project extended by the current
11899 project, either directly or indirectly)
11900 @item An expanded name whose prefix is an imported/parent project name, and
11901 whose selector is a package name in that project.
11905 A variable reference may be used in an expression.
11908 @subsection Attributes
11911 A project (and its packages) may have @emph{attributes} that define
11912 the project's properties. Some attributes have values that are strings;
11913 others have values that are string lists.
11915 There are two categories of attributes: @emph{simple attributes}
11916 and @emph{associative arrays} (@pxref{Associative Array Attributes}).
11918 Legal project attribute names, and attribute names for each legal package are
11919 listed below. Attributes names are case-insensitive.
11921 The following attributes are defined on projects (all are simple attributes):
11923 @multitable @columnfractions .4 .3
11924 @item @emph{Attribute Name}
11926 @item @code{Source_Files}
11928 @item @code{Source_Dirs}
11930 @item @code{Source_List_File}
11932 @item @code{Object_Dir}
11934 @item @code{Exec_Dir}
11936 @item @code{Locally_Removed_Files}
11938 @item @code{Languages}
11942 @item @code{Library_Dir}
11944 @item @code{Library_Name}
11946 @item @code{Library_Kind}
11948 @item @code{Library_Version}
11950 @item @code{Library_Interface}
11952 @item @code{Library_Auto_Init}
11954 @item @code{Library_Options}
11956 @item @code{Library_Src_Dir}
11958 @item @code{Library_ALI_Dir}
11960 @item @code{Library_GCC}
11962 @item @code{Library_Symbol_File}
11964 @item @code{Library_Symbol_Policy}
11966 @item @code{Library_Reference_Symbol_File}
11968 @item @code{Externally_Built}
11973 The following attributes are defined for package @code{Naming}
11974 (@pxref{Naming Schemes}):
11976 @multitable @columnfractions .4 .2 .2 .2
11977 @item Attribute Name @tab Category @tab Index @tab Value
11978 @item @code{Spec_Suffix}
11979 @tab associative array
11982 @item @code{Body_Suffix}
11983 @tab associative array
11986 @item @code{Separate_Suffix}
11987 @tab simple attribute
11990 @item @code{Casing}
11991 @tab simple attribute
11994 @item @code{Dot_Replacement}
11995 @tab simple attribute
11999 @tab associative array
12003 @tab associative array
12006 @item @code{Specification_Exceptions}
12007 @tab associative array
12010 @item @code{Implementation_Exceptions}
12011 @tab associative array
12017 The following attributes are defined for packages @code{Builder},
12018 @code{Compiler}, @code{Binder},
12019 @code{Linker}, @code{Cross_Reference}, and @code{Finder}
12020 (@pxref{^Switches^Switches^ and Project Files}).
12022 @multitable @columnfractions .4 .2 .2 .2
12023 @item Attribute Name @tab Category @tab Index @tab Value
12024 @item @code{^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^}
12025 @tab associative array
12028 @item @code{^Switches^Switches^}
12029 @tab associative array
12035 In addition, package @code{Compiler} has a single string attribute
12036 @code{Local_Configuration_Pragmas} and package @code{Builder} has a single
12037 string attribute @code{Global_Configuration_Pragmas}.
12040 Each simple attribute has a default value: the empty string (for string-valued
12041 attributes) and the empty list (for string list-valued attributes).
12043 An attribute declaration defines a new value for an attribute.
12045 Examples of simple attribute declarations:
12047 @smallexample @c projectfile
12048 for Object_Dir use "objects";
12049 for Source_Dirs use ("units", "test/drivers");
12053 The syntax of a @dfn{simple attribute declaration} is similar to that of an
12054 attribute definition clause in Ada.
12056 Attributes references may be appear in expressions.
12057 The general form for such a reference is @code{<entity>'<attribute>}:
12058 Associative array attributes are functions. Associative
12059 array attribute references must have an argument that is a string literal.
12063 @smallexample @c projectfile
12065 Naming'Dot_Replacement
12066 Imported_Project'Source_Dirs
12067 Imported_Project.Naming'Casing
12068 Builder'^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^("Ada")
12072 The prefix of an attribute may be:
12074 @item @code{project} for an attribute of the current project
12075 @item The name of an existing package of the current project
12076 @item The name of an imported project
12077 @item The name of a parent project that is extended by the current project
12078 @item An expanded name whose prefix is imported/parent project name,
12079 and whose selector is a package name
12084 @smallexample @c projectfile
12087 for Source_Dirs use project'Source_Dirs & "units";
12088 for Source_Dirs use project'Source_Dirs & "test/drivers"
12094 In the first attribute declaration, initially the attribute @code{Source_Dirs}
12095 has the default value: an empty string list. After this declaration,
12096 @code{Source_Dirs} is a string list of one element: @code{"units"}.
12097 After the second attribute declaration @code{Source_Dirs} is a string list of
12098 two elements: @code{"units"} and @code{"test/drivers"}.
12100 Note: this example is for illustration only. In practice,
12101 the project file would contain only one attribute declaration:
12103 @smallexample @c projectfile
12104 for Source_Dirs use ("units", "test/drivers");
12107 @node Associative Array Attributes
12108 @subsection Associative Array Attributes
12111 Some attributes are defined as @emph{associative arrays}. An associative
12112 array may be regarded as a function that takes a string as a parameter
12113 and delivers a string or string list value as its result.
12115 Here are some examples of single associative array attribute associations:
12117 @smallexample @c projectfile
12118 for Body ("main") use "Main.ada";
12119 for ^Switches^Switches^ ("main.ada")
12121 "^-gnatv^-gnatv^");
12122 for ^Switches^Switches^ ("main.ada")
12123 use Builder'^Switches^Switches^ ("main.ada")
12128 Like untyped variables and simple attributes, associative array attributes
12129 may be declared several times. Each declaration supplies a new value for the
12130 attribute, and replaces the previous setting.
12133 An associative array attribute may be declared as a full associative array
12134 declaration, with the value of the same attribute in an imported or extended
12137 @smallexample @c projectfile
12139 for Default_Switches use Default.Builder'Default_Switches;
12144 In this example, @code{Default} must be either a project imported by the
12145 current project, or the project that the current project extends. If the
12146 attribute is in a package (in this case, in package @code{Builder}), the same
12147 package needs to be specified.
12150 A full associative array declaration replaces any other declaration for the
12151 attribute, including other full associative array declaration. Single
12152 associative array associations may be declare after a full associative
12153 declaration, modifying the value for a single association of the attribute.
12155 @node case Constructions
12156 @subsection @code{case} Constructions
12159 A @code{case} construction is used in a project file to effect conditional
12161 Here is a typical example:
12163 @smallexample @c projectfile
12166 type OS_Type is ("GNU/Linux", "Unix", "NT", "VMS");
12168 OS : OS_Type := external ("OS", "GNU/Linux");
12172 package Compiler is
12174 when "GNU/Linux" | "Unix" =>
12175 for ^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^ ("Ada")
12176 use ("^-gnath^-gnath^");
12178 for ^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^ ("Ada")
12179 use ("^-gnatP^-gnatP^");
12188 The syntax of a @code{case} construction is based on the Ada case statement
12189 (although there is no @code{null} construction for empty alternatives).
12191 The case expression must be a typed string variable.
12192 Each alternative comprises the reserved word @code{when}, either a list of
12193 literal strings separated by the @code{"|"} character or the reserved word
12194 @code{others}, and the @code{"=>"} token.
12195 Each literal string must belong to the string type that is the type of the
12197 An @code{others} alternative, if present, must occur last.
12199 After each @code{=>}, there are zero or more constructions. The only
12200 constructions allowed in a case construction are other case constructions and
12201 attribute declarations. String type declarations, variable declarations and
12202 package declarations are not allowed.
12204 The value of the case variable is often given by an external reference
12205 (@pxref{External References in Project Files}).
12207 @c ****************************************
12208 @c * Objects and Sources in Project Files *
12209 @c ****************************************
12211 @node Objects and Sources in Project Files
12212 @section Objects and Sources in Project Files
12215 * Object Directory::
12217 * Source Directories::
12218 * Source File Names::
12222 Each project has exactly one object directory and one or more source
12223 directories. The source directories must contain at least one source file,
12224 unless the project file explicitly specifies that no source files are present
12225 (@pxref{Source File Names}).
12227 @node Object Directory
12228 @subsection Object Directory
12231 The object directory for a project is the directory containing the compiler's
12232 output (such as @file{ALI} files and object files) for the project's immediate
12235 The object directory is given by the value of the attribute @code{Object_Dir}
12236 in the project file.
12238 @smallexample @c projectfile
12239 for Object_Dir use "objects";
12243 The attribute @var{Object_Dir} has a string value, the path name of the object
12244 directory. The path name may be absolute or relative to the directory of the
12245 project file. This directory must already exist, and be readable and writable.
12247 By default, when the attribute @code{Object_Dir} is not given an explicit value
12248 or when its value is the empty string, the object directory is the same as the
12249 directory containing the project file.
12251 @node Exec Directory
12252 @subsection Exec Directory
12255 The exec directory for a project is the directory containing the executables
12256 for the project's main subprograms.
12258 The exec directory is given by the value of the attribute @code{Exec_Dir}
12259 in the project file.
12261 @smallexample @c projectfile
12262 for Exec_Dir use "executables";
12266 The attribute @var{Exec_Dir} has a string value, the path name of the exec
12267 directory. The path name may be absolute or relative to the directory of the
12268 project file. This directory must already exist, and be writable.
12270 By default, when the attribute @code{Exec_Dir} is not given an explicit value
12271 or when its value is the empty string, the exec directory is the same as the
12272 object directory of the project file.
12274 @node Source Directories
12275 @subsection Source Directories
12278 The source directories of a project are specified by the project file
12279 attribute @code{Source_Dirs}.
12281 This attribute's value is a string list. If the attribute is not given an
12282 explicit value, then there is only one source directory, the one where the
12283 project file resides.
12285 A @code{Source_Dirs} attribute that is explicitly defined to be the empty list,
12288 @smallexample @c projectfile
12289 for Source_Dirs use ();
12293 indicates that the project contains no source files.
12295 Otherwise, each string in the string list designates one or more
12296 source directories.
12298 @smallexample @c projectfile
12299 for Source_Dirs use ("sources", "test/drivers");
12303 If a string in the list ends with @code{"/**"}, then the directory whose path
12304 name precedes the two asterisks, as well as all its subdirectories
12305 (recursively), are source directories.
12307 @smallexample @c projectfile
12308 for Source_Dirs use ("/system/sources/**");
12312 Here the directory @code{/system/sources} and all of its subdirectories
12313 (recursively) are source directories.
12315 To specify that the source directories are the directory of the project file
12316 and all of its subdirectories, you can declare @code{Source_Dirs} as follows:
12317 @smallexample @c projectfile
12318 for Source_Dirs use ("./**");
12322 Each of the source directories must exist and be readable.
12324 @node Source File Names
12325 @subsection Source File Names
12328 In a project that contains source files, their names may be specified by the
12329 attributes @code{Source_Files} (a string list) or @code{Source_List_File}
12330 (a string). Source file names never include any directory information.
12332 If the attribute @code{Source_Files} is given an explicit value, then each
12333 element of the list is a source file name.
12335 @smallexample @c projectfile
12336 for Source_Files use ("main.adb");
12337 for Source_Files use ("main.adb", "pack1.ads", "pack2.adb");
12341 If the attribute @code{Source_Files} is not given an explicit value,
12342 but the attribute @code{Source_List_File} is given a string value,
12343 then the source file names are contained in the text file whose path name
12344 (absolute or relative to the directory of the project file) is the
12345 value of the attribute @code{Source_List_File}.
12347 Each line in the file that is not empty or is not a comment
12348 contains a source file name.
12350 @smallexample @c projectfile
12351 for Source_List_File use "source_list.txt";
12355 By default, if neither the attribute @code{Source_Files} nor the attribute
12356 @code{Source_List_File} is given an explicit value, then each file in the
12357 source directories that conforms to the project's naming scheme
12358 (@pxref{Naming Schemes}) is an immediate source of the project.
12360 A warning is issued if both attributes @code{Source_Files} and
12361 @code{Source_List_File} are given explicit values. In this case, the attribute
12362 @code{Source_Files} prevails.
12364 Each source file name must be the name of one existing source file
12365 in one of the source directories.
12367 A @code{Source_Files} attribute whose value is an empty list
12368 indicates that there are no source files in the project.
12370 If the order of the source directories is known statically, that is if
12371 @code{"/**"} is not used in the string list @code{Source_Dirs}, then there may
12372 be several files with the same source file name. In this case, only the file
12373 in the first directory is considered as an immediate source of the project
12374 file. If the order of the source directories is not known statically, it is
12375 an error to have several files with the same source file name.
12377 Projects can be specified to have no Ada source
12378 files: the value of (@code{Source_Dirs} or @code{Source_Files} may be an empty
12379 list, or the @code{"Ada"} may be absent from @code{Languages}:
12381 @smallexample @c projectfile
12382 for Source_Dirs use ();
12383 for Source_Files use ();
12384 for Languages use ("C", "C++");
12388 Otherwise, a project must contain at least one immediate source.
12390 Projects with no source files are useful as template packages
12391 (@pxref{Packages in Project Files}) for other projects; in particular to
12392 define a package @code{Naming} (@pxref{Naming Schemes}).
12394 @c ****************************
12395 @c * Importing Projects *
12396 @c ****************************
12398 @node Importing Projects
12399 @section Importing Projects
12400 @cindex @code{ADA_PROJECT_PATH}
12403 An immediate source of a project P may depend on source files that
12404 are neither immediate sources of P nor in the predefined library.
12405 To get this effect, P must @emph{import} the projects that contain the needed
12408 @smallexample @c projectfile
12410 with "project1", "utilities.gpr";
12411 with "/namings/apex.gpr";
12418 As can be seen in this example, the syntax for importing projects is similar
12419 to the syntax for importing compilation units in Ada. However, project files
12420 use literal strings instead of names, and the @code{with} clause identifies
12421 project files rather than packages.
12423 Each literal string is the file name or path name (absolute or relative) of a
12424 project file. If a string corresponds to a file name, with no path or a
12425 relative path, then its location is determined by the @emph{project path}. The
12426 latter can be queried using @code{gnatls -v}. It contains:
12430 In first position, the directory containing the current project file.
12432 In last position, the default project directory. This default project directory
12433 is part of the GNAT installation and is the standard place to install project
12434 files giving access to standard support libraries.
12436 @ref{Installing a library}
12440 In between, all the directories referenced in the
12441 ^environment variable^logical name^ @env{ADA_PROJECT_PATH} if it exists.
12445 If a relative pathname is used, as in
12447 @smallexample @c projectfile
12452 then the full path for the project is constructed by concatenating this
12453 relative path to those in the project path, in order, until a matching file is
12454 found. Any symbolic link will be fully resolved in the directory of the
12455 importing project file before the imported project file is examined.
12457 If the @code{with}'ed project file name does not have an extension,
12458 the default is @file{^.gpr^.GPR^}. If a file with this extension is not found,
12459 then the file name as specified in the @code{with} clause (no extension) will
12460 be used. In the above example, if a file @code{project1.gpr} is found, then it
12461 will be used; otherwise, if a file @code{^project1^PROJECT1^} exists
12462 then it will be used; if neither file exists, this is an error.
12464 A warning is issued if the name of the project file does not match the
12465 name of the project; this check is case insensitive.
12467 Any source file that is an immediate source of the imported project can be
12468 used by the immediate sources of the importing project, transitively. Thus
12469 if @code{A} imports @code{B}, and @code{B} imports @code{C}, the immediate
12470 sources of @code{A} may depend on the immediate sources of @code{C}, even if
12471 @code{A} does not import @code{C} explicitly. However, this is not recommended,
12472 because if and when @code{B} ceases to import @code{C}, some sources in
12473 @code{A} will no longer compile.
12475 A side effect of this capability is that normally cyclic dependencies are not
12476 permitted: if @code{A} imports @code{B} (directly or indirectly) then @code{B}
12477 is not allowed to import @code{A}. However, there are cases when cyclic
12478 dependencies would be beneficial. For these cases, another form of import
12479 between projects exists, the @code{limited with}: a project @code{A} that
12480 imports a project @code{B} with a straight @code{with} may also be imported,
12481 directly or indirectly, by @code{B} on the condition that imports from @code{B}
12482 to @code{A} include at least one @code{limited with}.
12484 @smallexample @c 0projectfile
12490 limited with "../a/a.gpr";
12498 limited with "../a/a.gpr";
12504 In the above legal example, there are two project cycles:
12507 @item A -> C -> D -> A
12511 In each of these cycle there is one @code{limited with}: import of @code{A}
12512 from @code{B} and import of @code{A} from @code{D}.
12514 The difference between straight @code{with} and @code{limited with} is that
12515 the name of a project imported with a @code{limited with} cannot be used in the
12516 project that imports it. In particular, its packages cannot be renamed and
12517 its variables cannot be referred to.
12519 An exception to the above rules for @code{limited with} is that for the main
12520 project specified to @command{gnatmake} or to the @command{GNAT} driver a
12521 @code{limited with} is equivalent to a straight @code{with}. For example,
12522 in the example above, projects @code{B} and @code{D} could not be main
12523 projects for @command{gnatmake} or to the @command{GNAT} driver, because they
12524 each have a @code{limited with} that is the only one in a cycle of importing
12527 @c *********************
12528 @c * Project Extension *
12529 @c *********************
12531 @node Project Extension
12532 @section Project Extension
12535 During development of a large system, it is sometimes necessary to use
12536 modified versions of some of the source files, without changing the original
12537 sources. This can be achieved through the @emph{project extension} facility.
12539 @smallexample @c projectfile
12540 project Modified_Utilities extends "/baseline/utilities.gpr" is ...
12544 A project extension declaration introduces an extending project
12545 (the @emph{child}) and a project being extended (the @emph{parent}).
12547 By default, a child project inherits all the sources of its parent.
12548 However, inherited sources can be overridden: a unit in a parent is hidden
12549 by a unit of the same name in the child.
12551 Inherited sources are considered to be sources (but not immediate sources)
12552 of the child project; see @ref{Project File Syntax}.
12554 An inherited source file retains any switches specified in the parent project.
12556 For example if the project @code{Utilities} contains the specification and the
12557 body of an Ada package @code{Util_IO}, then the project
12558 @code{Modified_Utilities} can contain a new body for package @code{Util_IO}.
12559 The original body of @code{Util_IO} will not be considered in program builds.
12560 However, the package specification will still be found in the project
12563 A child project can have only one parent but it may import any number of other
12566 A project is not allowed to import directly or indirectly at the same time a
12567 child project and any of its ancestors.
12569 @c *******************************
12570 @c * Project Hierarchy Extension *
12571 @c *******************************
12573 @node Project Hierarchy Extension
12574 @section Project Hierarchy Extension
12577 When extending a large system spanning multiple projects, it is often
12578 inconvenient to extend every project in the hierarchy that is impacted by a
12579 small change introduced. In such cases, it is possible to create a virtual
12580 extension of entire hierarchy using @code{extends all} relationship.
12582 When the project is extended using @code{extends all} inheritance, all projects
12583 that are imported by it, both directly and indirectly, are considered virtually
12584 extended. That is, the Project Manager creates "virtual projects"
12585 that extend every project in the hierarchy; all these virtual projects have
12586 no sources of their own and have as object directory the object directory of
12587 the root of "extending all" project.
12589 It is possible to explicitly extend one or more projects in the hierarchy
12590 in order to modify the sources. These extending projects must be imported by
12591 the "extending all" project, which will replace the corresponding virtual
12592 projects with the explicit ones.
12594 When building such a project hierarchy extension, the Project Manager will
12595 ensure that both modified sources and sources in virtual extending projects
12596 that depend on them, are recompiled.
12598 By means of example, consider the following hierarchy of projects.
12602 project A, containing package P1
12604 project B importing A and containing package P2 which depends on P1
12606 project C importing B and containing package P3 which depends on P2
12610 We want to modify packages P1 and P3.
12612 This project hierarchy will need to be extended as follows:
12616 Create project A1 that extends A, placing modified P1 there:
12618 @smallexample @c 0projectfile
12619 project A1 extends "(...)/A" is
12624 Create project C1 that "extends all" C and imports A1, placing modified
12627 @smallexample @c 0projectfile
12629 project C1 extends all "(...)/C" is
12634 When you build project C1, your entire modified project space will be
12635 recompiled, including the virtual project B1 that has been impacted by the
12636 "extending all" inheritance of project C.
12638 Note that if a Library Project in the hierarchy is virtually extended,
12639 the virtual project that extends the Library Project is not a Library Project.
12641 @c ****************************************
12642 @c * External References in Project Files *
12643 @c ****************************************
12645 @node External References in Project Files
12646 @section External References in Project Files
12649 A project file may contain references to external variables; such references
12650 are called @emph{external references}.
12652 An external variable is either defined as part of the environment (an
12653 environment variable in Unix, for example) or else specified on the command
12654 line via the @option{^-X^/EXTERNAL_REFERENCE=^@emph{vbl}=@emph{value}} switch.
12655 If both, then the command line value is used.
12657 The value of an external reference is obtained by means of the built-in
12658 function @code{external}, which returns a string value.
12659 This function has two forms:
12661 @item @code{external (external_variable_name)}
12662 @item @code{external (external_variable_name, default_value)}
12666 Each parameter must be a string literal. For example:
12668 @smallexample @c projectfile
12670 external ("OS", "GNU/Linux")
12674 In the form with one parameter, the function returns the value of
12675 the external variable given as parameter. If this name is not present in the
12676 environment, the function returns an empty string.
12678 In the form with two string parameters, the second argument is
12679 the value returned when the variable given as the first argument is not
12680 present in the environment. In the example above, if @code{"OS"} is not
12681 the name of ^an environment variable^a logical name^ and is not passed on
12682 the command line, then the returned value is @code{"GNU/Linux"}.
12684 An external reference may be part of a string expression or of a string
12685 list expression, and can therefore appear in a variable declaration or
12686 an attribute declaration.
12688 @smallexample @c projectfile
12690 type Mode_Type is ("Debug", "Release");
12691 Mode : Mode_Type := external ("MODE");
12698 @c *****************************
12699 @c * Packages in Project Files *
12700 @c *****************************
12702 @node Packages in Project Files
12703 @section Packages in Project Files
12706 A @emph{package} defines the settings for project-aware tools within a
12708 For each such tool one can declare a package; the names for these
12709 packages are preset (@pxref{Packages}).
12710 A package may contain variable declarations, attribute declarations, and case
12713 @smallexample @c projectfile
12716 package Builder is -- used by gnatmake
12717 for ^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^ ("Ada")
12726 The syntax of package declarations mimics that of package in Ada.
12728 Most of the packages have an attribute
12729 @code{^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^}.
12730 This attribute is an associative array, and its value is a string list.
12731 The index of the associative array is the name of a programming language (case
12732 insensitive). This attribute indicates the ^switch^switch^
12733 or ^switches^switches^ to be used
12734 with the corresponding tool.
12736 Some packages also have another attribute, @code{^Switches^Switches^},
12737 an associative array whose value is a string list.
12738 The index is the name of a source file.
12739 This attribute indicates the ^switch^switch^
12740 or ^switches^switches^ to be used by the corresponding
12741 tool when dealing with this specific file.
12743 Further information on these ^switch^switch^-related attributes is found in
12744 @ref{^Switches^Switches^ and Project Files}.
12746 A package may be declared as a @emph{renaming} of another package; e.g., from
12747 the project file for an imported project.
12749 @smallexample @c projectfile
12751 with "/global/apex.gpr";
12753 package Naming renames Apex.Naming;
12760 Packages that are renamed in other project files often come from project files
12761 that have no sources: they are just used as templates. Any modification in the
12762 template will be reflected automatically in all the project files that rename
12763 a package from the template.
12765 In addition to the tool-oriented packages, you can also declare a package
12766 named @code{Naming} to establish specialized source file naming conventions
12767 (@pxref{Naming Schemes}).
12769 @c ************************************
12770 @c * Variables from Imported Projects *
12771 @c ************************************
12773 @node Variables from Imported Projects
12774 @section Variables from Imported Projects
12777 An attribute or variable defined in an imported or parent project can
12778 be used in expressions in the importing / extending project.
12779 Such an attribute or variable is denoted by an expanded name whose prefix
12780 is either the name of the project or the expanded name of a package within
12783 @smallexample @c projectfile
12786 project Main extends "base" is
12787 Var1 := Imported.Var;
12788 Var2 := Base.Var & ".new";
12793 for ^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^ ("Ada")
12794 use Imported.Builder.Ada_^Switches^Switches^ &
12795 "^-gnatg^-gnatg^" &
12801 package Compiler is
12802 for ^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^ ("Ada")
12803 use Base.Compiler.Ada_^Switches^Switches^;
12814 The value of @code{Var1} is a copy of the variable @code{Var} defined
12815 in the project file @file{"imported.gpr"}
12817 the value of @code{Var2} is a copy of the value of variable @code{Var}
12818 defined in the project file @file{base.gpr}, concatenated with @code{".new"}
12820 attribute @code{^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^ ("Ada")} in package
12821 @code{Builder} is a string list that includes in its value a copy of the value
12822 of @code{Ada_^Switches^Switches^} defined in the @code{Builder} package
12823 in project file @file{imported.gpr} plus two new elements:
12824 @option{"^-gnatg^-gnatg^"}
12825 and @option{"^-v^-v^"};
12827 attribute @code{^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^ ("Ada")} in package
12828 @code{Compiler} is a copy of the variable @code{Ada_^Switches^Switches^}
12829 defined in the @code{Compiler} package in project file @file{base.gpr},
12830 the project being extended.
12833 @c ******************
12834 @c * Naming Schemes *
12835 @c ******************
12837 @node Naming Schemes
12838 @section Naming Schemes
12841 Sometimes an Ada software system is ported from a foreign compilation
12842 environment to GNAT, and the file names do not use the default GNAT
12843 conventions. Instead of changing all the file names (which for a variety
12844 of reasons might not be possible), you can define the relevant file
12845 naming scheme in the @code{Naming} package in your project file.
12848 Note that the use of pragmas described in
12849 @ref{Alternative File Naming Schemes} by mean of a configuration
12850 pragmas file is not supported when using project files. You must use
12851 the features described in this paragraph. You can however use specify
12852 other configuration pragmas (@pxref{Specifying Configuration Pragmas}).
12855 For example, the following
12856 package models the Apex file naming rules:
12858 @smallexample @c projectfile
12861 for Casing use "lowercase";
12862 for Dot_Replacement use ".";
12863 for Spec_Suffix ("Ada") use ".1.ada";
12864 for Body_Suffix ("Ada") use ".2.ada";
12871 For example, the following package models the HP Ada file naming rules:
12873 @smallexample @c projectfile
12876 for Casing use "lowercase";
12877 for Dot_Replacement use "__";
12878 for Spec_Suffix ("Ada") use "_.^ada^ada^";
12879 for Body_Suffix ("Ada") use ".^ada^ada^";
12885 (Note that @code{Casing} is @code{"lowercase"} because GNAT gets the file
12886 names in lower case)
12890 You can define the following attributes in package @code{Naming}:
12895 This must be a string with one of the three values @code{"lowercase"},
12896 @code{"uppercase"} or @code{"mixedcase"}; these strings are case insensitive.
12899 If @var{Casing} is not specified, then the default is @code{"lowercase"}.
12901 @item @var{Dot_Replacement}
12902 This must be a string whose value satisfies the following conditions:
12905 @item It must not be empty
12906 @item It cannot start or end with an alphanumeric character
12907 @item It cannot be a single underscore
12908 @item It cannot start with an underscore followed by an alphanumeric
12909 @item It cannot contain a dot @code{'.'} except if the entire string
12914 If @code{Dot_Replacement} is not specified, then the default is @code{"-"}.
12916 @item @var{Spec_Suffix}
12917 This is an associative array (indexed by the programming language name, case
12918 insensitive) whose value is a string that must satisfy the following
12922 @item It must not be empty
12923 @item It must include at least one dot
12926 If @code{Spec_Suffix ("Ada")} is not specified, then the default is
12927 @code{"^.ads^.ADS^"}.
12929 @item @var{Body_Suffix}
12930 This is an associative array (indexed by the programming language name, case
12931 insensitive) whose value is a string that must satisfy the following
12935 @item It must not be empty
12936 @item It must include at least one dot
12937 @item It cannot end with the same string as @code{Spec_Suffix ("Ada")}
12940 If @code{Body_Suffix ("Ada")} is not specified, then the default is
12941 @code{"^.adb^.ADB^"}.
12943 @item @var{Separate_Suffix}
12944 This must be a string whose value satisfies the same conditions as
12945 @code{Body_Suffix}.
12948 If @code{Separate_Suffix ("Ada")} is not specified, then it defaults to same
12949 value as @code{Body_Suffix ("Ada")}.
12953 You can use the associative array attribute @code{Spec} to define
12954 the source file name for an individual Ada compilation unit's spec. The array
12955 index must be a string literal that identifies the Ada unit (case insensitive).
12956 The value of this attribute must be a string that identifies the file that
12957 contains this unit's spec (case sensitive or insensitive depending on the
12960 @smallexample @c projectfile
12961 for Spec ("MyPack.MyChild") use "mypack.mychild.spec";
12966 You can use the associative array attribute @code{Body} to
12967 define the source file name for an individual Ada compilation unit's body
12968 (possibly a subunit). The array index must be a string literal that identifies
12969 the Ada unit (case insensitive). The value of this attribute must be a string
12970 that identifies the file that contains this unit's body or subunit (case
12971 sensitive or insensitive depending on the operating system).
12973 @smallexample @c projectfile
12974 for Body ("MyPack.MyChild") use "mypack.mychild.body";
12978 @c ********************
12979 @c * Library Projects *
12980 @c ********************
12982 @node Library Projects
12983 @section Library Projects
12986 @emph{Library projects} are projects whose object code is placed in a library.
12987 (Note that this facility is not yet supported on all platforms)
12989 To create a library project, you need to define in its project file
12990 two project-level attributes: @code{Library_Name} and @code{Library_Dir}.
12991 Additionally, you may define other library-related attributes such as
12992 @code{Library_Kind}, @code{Library_Version}, @code{Library_Interface},
12993 @code{Library_Auto_Init}, @code{Library_Options} and @code{Library_GCC}.
12995 The @code{Library_Name} attribute has a string value. There is no restriction
12996 on the name of a library. It is the responsibility of the developer to
12997 choose a name that will be accepted by the platform. It is recommended to
12998 choose names that could be Ada identifiers; such names are almost guaranteed
12999 to be acceptable on all platforms.
13001 The @code{Library_Dir} attribute has a string value that designates the path
13002 (absolute or relative) of the directory where the library will reside.
13003 It must designate an existing directory, and this directory must be writable,
13004 different from the project's object directory and from any source directory
13005 in the project tree.
13007 If both @code{Library_Name} and @code{Library_Dir} are specified and
13008 are legal, then the project file defines a library project. The optional
13009 library-related attributes are checked only for such project files.
13011 The @code{Library_Kind} attribute has a string value that must be one of the
13012 following (case insensitive): @code{"static"}, @code{"dynamic"} or
13013 @code{"relocatable"} (which is a synonym for @code{"dynamic"}). If this
13014 attribute is not specified, the library is a static library, that is
13015 an archive of object files that can be potentially linked into a
13016 static executable. Otherwise, the library may be dynamic or
13017 relocatable, that is a library that is loaded only at the start of execution.
13019 If you need to build both a static and a dynamic library, you should use two
13020 different object directories, since in some cases some extra code needs to
13021 be generated for the latter. For such cases, it is recommended to either use
13022 two different project files, or a single one which uses external variables
13023 to indicate what kind of library should be build.
13025 The @code{Library_ALI_Dir} attribute may be specified to indicate the
13026 directory where the ALI files of the library will be copied. When it is
13027 not specified, the ALI files are copied ti the directory specified in
13028 attribute @code{Library_Dir}. The directory specified by @code{Library_ALI_Dir}
13029 must be writable and different from the project's object directory and from
13030 any source directory in the project tree.
13032 The @code{Library_Version} attribute has a string value whose interpretation
13033 is platform dependent. It has no effect on VMS and Windows. On Unix, it is
13034 used only for dynamic/relocatable libraries as the internal name of the
13035 library (the @code{"soname"}). If the library file name (built from the
13036 @code{Library_Name}) is different from the @code{Library_Version}, then the
13037 library file will be a symbolic link to the actual file whose name will be
13038 @code{Library_Version}.
13042 @smallexample @c projectfile
13048 for Library_Dir use "lib_dir";
13049 for Library_Name use "dummy";
13050 for Library_Kind use "relocatable";
13051 for Library_Version use "libdummy.so." & Version;
13058 Directory @file{lib_dir} will contain the internal library file whose name
13059 will be @file{libdummy.so.1}, and @file{libdummy.so} will be a symbolic link to
13060 @file{libdummy.so.1}.
13062 When @command{gnatmake} detects that a project file
13063 is a library project file, it will check all immediate sources of the project
13064 and rebuild the library if any of the sources have been recompiled.
13066 Standard project files can import library project files. In such cases,
13067 the libraries will only be rebuilt if some of its sources are recompiled
13068 because they are in the closure of some other source in an importing project.
13069 Sources of the library project files that are not in such a closure will
13070 not be checked, unless the full library is checked, because one of its sources
13071 needs to be recompiled.
13073 For instance, assume the project file @code{A} imports the library project file
13074 @code{L}. The immediate sources of A are @file{a1.adb}, @file{a2.ads} and
13075 @file{a2.adb}. The immediate sources of L are @file{l1.ads}, @file{l1.adb},
13076 @file{l2.ads}, @file{l2.adb}.
13078 If @file{l1.adb} has been modified, then the library associated with @code{L}
13079 will be rebuilt when compiling all the immediate sources of @code{A} only
13080 if @file{a1.ads}, @file{a2.ads} or @file{a2.adb} includes a statement
13083 To be sure that all the sources in the library associated with @code{L} are
13084 up to date, and that all the sources of project @code{A} are also up to date,
13085 the following two commands needs to be used:
13092 When a library is built or rebuilt, an attempt is made first to delete all
13093 files in the library directory.
13094 All @file{ALI} files will also be copied from the object directory to the
13095 library directory. To build executables, @command{gnatmake} will use the
13096 library rather than the individual object files.
13099 It is also possible to create library project files for third-party libraries
13100 that are precompiled and cannot be compiled locally thanks to the
13101 @code{externally_built} attribute. (See @ref{Installing a library}).
13104 @c *******************************
13105 @c * Stand-alone Library Projects *
13106 @c *******************************
13108 @node Stand-alone Library Projects
13109 @section Stand-alone Library Projects
13112 A Stand-alone Library is a library that contains the necessary code to
13113 elaborate the Ada units that are included in the library. A Stand-alone
13114 Library is suitable to be used in an executable when the main is not
13115 in Ada. However, Stand-alone Libraries may also be used with an Ada main
13118 A Stand-alone Library Project is a Library Project where the library is
13119 a Stand-alone Library.
13121 To be a Stand-alone Library Project, in addition to the two attributes
13122 that make a project a Library Project (@code{Library_Name} and
13123 @code{Library_Dir}, see @ref{Library Projects}), the attribute
13124 @code{Library_Interface} must be defined.
13126 @smallexample @c projectfile
13128 for Library_Dir use "lib_dir";
13129 for Library_Name use "dummy";
13130 for Library_Interface use ("int1", "int1.child");
13134 Attribute @code{Library_Interface} has a non empty string list value,
13135 each string in the list designating a unit contained in an immediate source
13136 of the project file.
13138 When a Stand-alone Library is built, first the binder is invoked to build
13139 a package whose name depends on the library name
13140 (^b~dummy.ads/b^B$DUMMY.ADS/B^ in the example above).
13141 This binder-generated package includes initialization and
13142 finalization procedures whose
13143 names depend on the library name (dummyinit and dummyfinal in the example
13144 above). The object corresponding to this package is included in the library.
13146 A dynamic or relocatable Stand-alone Library is automatically initialized
13147 if automatic initialization of Stand-alone Libraries is supported on the
13148 platform and if attribute @code{Library_Auto_Init} is not specified or
13149 is specified with the value "true". A static Stand-alone Library is never
13150 automatically initialized.
13152 Single string attribute @code{Library_Auto_Init} may be specified with only
13153 two possible values: "false" or "true" (case-insensitive). Specifying
13154 "false" for attribute @code{Library_Auto_Init} will prevent automatic
13155 initialization of dynamic or relocatable libraries.
13157 When a non automatically initialized Stand-alone Library is used
13158 in an executable, its initialization procedure must be called before
13159 any service of the library is used.
13160 When the main subprogram is in Ada, it may mean that the initialization
13161 procedure has to be called during elaboration of another package.
13163 For a Stand-Alone Library, only the @file{ALI} files of the Interface Units
13164 (those that are listed in attribute @code{Library_Interface}) are copied to
13165 the Library Directory. As a consequence, only the Interface Units may be
13166 imported from Ada units outside of the library. If other units are imported,
13167 the binding phase will fail.
13169 When a Stand-Alone Library is bound, the switches that are specified in
13170 the attribute @code{Default_Switches ("Ada")} in package @code{Binder} are
13171 used in the call to @command{gnatbind}.
13173 The string list attribute @code{Library_Options} may be used to specified
13174 additional switches to the call to @command{gcc} to link the library.
13176 The attribute @code{Library_Src_Dir}, may be specified for a
13177 Stand-Alone Library. @code{Library_Src_Dir} is a simple attribute that has a
13178 single string value. Its value must be the path (absolute or relative to the
13179 project directory) of an existing directory. This directory cannot be the
13180 object directory or one of the source directories, but it can be the same as
13181 the library directory. The sources of the Interface
13182 Units of the library, necessary to an Ada client of the library, will be
13183 copied to the designated directory, called Interface Copy directory.
13184 These sources includes the specs of the Interface Units, but they may also
13185 include bodies and subunits, when pragmas @code{Inline} or @code{Inline_Always}
13186 are used, or when there is a generic units in the spec. Before the sources
13187 are copied to the Interface Copy directory, an attempt is made to delete all
13188 files in the Interface Copy directory.
13190 @c *************************************
13191 @c * Switches Related to Project Files *
13192 @c *************************************
13193 @node Switches Related to Project Files
13194 @section Switches Related to Project Files
13197 The following switches are used by GNAT tools that support project files:
13201 @item ^-P^/PROJECT_FILE=^@var{project}
13202 @cindex @option{^-P^/PROJECT_FILE^} (any tool supporting project files)
13203 Indicates the name of a project file. This project file will be parsed with
13204 the verbosity indicated by @option{^-vP^MESSAGE_PROJECT_FILES=^@emph{x}},
13205 if any, and using the external references indicated
13206 by @option{^-X^/EXTERNAL_REFERENCE^} switches, if any.
13208 There may zero, one or more spaces between @option{-P} and @var{project}.
13212 There must be only one @option{^-P^/PROJECT_FILE^} switch on the command line.
13215 Since the Project Manager parses the project file only after all the switches
13216 on the command line are checked, the order of the switches
13217 @option{^-P^/PROJECT_FILE^},
13218 @option{^-vP^/MESSAGES_PROJECT_FILE=^@emph{x}}
13219 or @option{^-X^/EXTERNAL_REFERENCE^} is not significant.
13221 @item ^-X^/EXTERNAL_REFERENCE=^@var{name=value}
13222 @cindex @option{^-X^/EXTERNAL_REFERENCE^} (any tool supporting project files)
13223 Indicates that external variable @var{name} has the value @var{value}.
13224 The Project Manager will use this value for occurrences of
13225 @code{external(name)} when parsing the project file.
13229 If @var{name} or @var{value} includes a space, then @var{name=value} should be
13230 put between quotes.
13238 Several @option{^-X^/EXTERNAL_REFERENCE^} switches can be used simultaneously.
13239 If several @option{^-X^/EXTERNAL_REFERENCE^} switches specify the same
13240 @var{name}, only the last one is used.
13243 An external variable specified with a @option{^-X^/EXTERNAL_REFERENCE^} switch
13244 takes precedence over the value of the same name in the environment.
13246 @item ^-vP^/MESSAGES_PROJECT_FILE=^@emph{x}
13247 @cindex @code{^-vP^/MESSAGES_PROJECT_FILE^} (any tool supporting project files)
13248 @c Previous line uses code vs option command, to stay less than 80 chars
13249 Indicates the verbosity of the parsing of GNAT project files.
13252 @option{-vP0} means Default;
13253 @option{-vP1} means Medium;
13254 @option{-vP2} means High.
13258 There are three possible options for this qualifier: DEFAULT, MEDIUM and
13263 The default is ^Default^DEFAULT^: no output for syntactically correct
13266 If several @option{^-vP^/MESSAGES_PROJECT_FILE=^@emph{x}} switches are present,
13267 only the last one is used.
13271 @c **********************************
13272 @c * Tools Supporting Project Files *
13273 @c **********************************
13275 @node Tools Supporting Project Files
13276 @section Tools Supporting Project Files
13279 * gnatmake and Project Files::
13280 * The GNAT Driver and Project Files::
13282 * Glide and Project Files::
13286 @node gnatmake and Project Files
13287 @subsection gnatmake and Project Files
13290 This section covers several topics related to @command{gnatmake} and
13291 project files: defining ^switches^switches^ for @command{gnatmake}
13292 and for the tools that it invokes; specifying configuration pragmas;
13293 the use of the @code{Main} attribute; building and rebuilding library project
13297 * ^Switches^Switches^ and Project Files::
13298 * Specifying Configuration Pragmas::
13299 * Project Files and Main Subprograms::
13300 * Library Project Files::
13303 @node ^Switches^Switches^ and Project Files
13304 @subsubsection ^Switches^Switches^ and Project Files
13307 It is not currently possible to specify VMS style qualifiers in the project
13308 files; only Unix style ^switches^switches^ may be specified.
13312 For each of the packages @code{Builder}, @code{Compiler}, @code{Binder}, and
13313 @code{Linker}, you can specify a @code{^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^}
13314 attribute, a @code{^Switches^Switches^} attribute, or both;
13315 as their names imply, these ^switch^switch^-related
13316 attributes affect the ^switches^switches^ that are used for each of these GNAT
13318 @command{gnatmake} is invoked. As will be explained below, these
13319 component-specific ^switches^switches^ precede
13320 the ^switches^switches^ provided on the @command{gnatmake} command line.
13322 The @code{^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^} attribute is an associative
13323 array indexed by language name (case insensitive) whose value is a string list.
13326 @smallexample @c projectfile
13328 package Compiler is
13329 for ^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^ ("Ada")
13330 use ("^-gnaty^-gnaty^",
13337 The @code{^Switches^Switches^} attribute is also an associative array,
13338 indexed by a file name (which may or may not be case sensitive, depending
13339 on the operating system) whose value is a string list. For example:
13341 @smallexample @c projectfile
13344 for ^Switches^Switches^ ("main1.adb")
13346 for ^Switches^Switches^ ("main2.adb")
13353 For the @code{Builder} package, the file names must designate source files
13354 for main subprograms. For the @code{Binder} and @code{Linker} packages, the
13355 file names must designate @file{ALI} or source files for main subprograms.
13356 In each case just the file name without an explicit extension is acceptable.
13358 For each tool used in a program build (@command{gnatmake}, the compiler, the
13359 binder, and the linker), the corresponding package @dfn{contributes} a set of
13360 ^switches^switches^ for each file on which the tool is invoked, based on the
13361 ^switch^switch^-related attributes defined in the package.
13362 In particular, the ^switches^switches^
13363 that each of these packages contributes for a given file @var{f} comprise:
13367 the value of attribute @code{^Switches^Switches^ (@var{f})},
13368 if it is specified in the package for the given file,
13370 otherwise, the value of @code{^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^ ("Ada")},
13371 if it is specified in the package.
13375 If neither of these attributes is defined in the package, then the package does
13376 not contribute any ^switches^switches^ for the given file.
13378 When @command{gnatmake} is invoked on a file, the ^switches^switches^ comprise
13379 two sets, in the following order: those contributed for the file
13380 by the @code{Builder} package;
13381 and the switches passed on the command line.
13383 When @command{gnatmake} invokes a tool (compiler, binder, linker) on a file,
13384 the ^switches^switches^ passed to the tool comprise three sets,
13385 in the following order:
13389 the applicable ^switches^switches^ contributed for the file
13390 by the @code{Builder} package in the project file supplied on the command line;
13393 those contributed for the file by the package (in the relevant project file --
13394 see below) corresponding to the tool; and
13397 the applicable switches passed on the command line.
13401 The term @emph{applicable ^switches^switches^} reflects the fact that
13402 @command{gnatmake} ^switches^switches^ may or may not be passed to individual
13403 tools, depending on the individual ^switch^switch^.
13405 @command{gnatmake} may invoke the compiler on source files from different
13406 projects. The Project Manager will use the appropriate project file to
13407 determine the @code{Compiler} package for each source file being compiled.
13408 Likewise for the @code{Binder} and @code{Linker} packages.
13410 As an example, consider the following package in a project file:
13412 @smallexample @c projectfile
13415 package Compiler is
13416 for ^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^ ("Ada")
13418 for ^Switches^Switches^ ("a.adb")
13420 for ^Switches^Switches^ ("b.adb")
13422 "^-gnaty^-gnaty^");
13429 If @command{gnatmake} is invoked with this project file, and it needs to
13430 compile, say, the files @file{a.adb}, @file{b.adb}, and @file{c.adb}, then
13431 @file{a.adb} will be compiled with the ^switch^switch^
13432 @option{^-O1^-O1^},
13433 @file{b.adb} with ^switches^switches^
13435 and @option{^-gnaty^-gnaty^},
13436 and @file{c.adb} with @option{^-g^-g^}.
13438 The following example illustrates the ordering of the ^switches^switches^
13439 contributed by different packages:
13441 @smallexample @c projectfile
13445 for ^Switches^Switches^ ("main.adb")
13453 package Compiler is
13454 for ^Switches^Switches^ ("main.adb")
13462 If you issue the command:
13465 gnatmake ^-Pproj2^/PROJECT_FILE=PROJ2^ -O0 main
13469 then the compiler will be invoked on @file{main.adb} with the following
13470 sequence of ^switches^switches^
13473 ^-g -O1 -O2 -O0^-g -O1 -O2 -O0^
13476 with the last @option{^-O^-O^}
13477 ^switch^switch^ having precedence over the earlier ones;
13478 several other ^switches^switches^
13479 (such as @option{^-c^-c^}) are added implicitly.
13481 The ^switches^switches^
13483 and @option{^-O1^-O1^} are contributed by package
13484 @code{Builder}, @option{^-O2^-O2^} is contributed
13485 by the package @code{Compiler}
13486 and @option{^-O0^-O0^} comes from the command line.
13488 The @option{^-g^-g^}
13489 ^switch^switch^ will also be passed in the invocation of
13490 @command{Gnatlink.}
13492 A final example illustrates switch contributions from packages in different
13495 @smallexample @c projectfile
13498 for Source_Files use ("pack.ads", "pack.adb");
13499 package Compiler is
13500 for ^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^ ("Ada")
13501 use ("^-gnata^-gnata^");
13509 for Source_Files use ("foo_main.adb", "bar_main.adb");
13511 for ^Switches^Switches^ ("foo_main.adb")
13519 -- Ada source file:
13521 procedure Foo_Main is
13529 gnatmake ^-PProj4^/PROJECT_FILE=PROJ4^ foo_main.adb -cargs -gnato
13533 then the ^switches^switches^ passed to the compiler for @file{foo_main.adb} are
13534 @option{^-g^-g^} (contributed by the package @code{Proj4.Builder}) and
13535 @option{^-gnato^-gnato^} (passed on the command line).
13536 When the imported package @code{Pack} is compiled, the ^switches^switches^ used
13537 are @option{^-g^-g^} from @code{Proj4.Builder},
13538 @option{^-gnata^-gnata^} (contributed from package @code{Proj3.Compiler},
13539 and @option{^-gnato^-gnato^} from the command line.
13542 When using @command{gnatmake} with project files, some ^switches^switches^ or
13543 arguments may be expressed as relative paths. As the working directory where
13544 compilation occurs may change, these relative paths are converted to absolute
13545 paths. For the ^switches^switches^ found in a project file, the relative paths
13546 are relative to the project file directory, for the switches on the command
13547 line, they are relative to the directory where @command{gnatmake} is invoked.
13548 The ^switches^switches^ for which this occurs are:
13554 ^-aI^-aI^, as well as all arguments that are not switches (arguments to
13556 ^-o^-o^, object files specified in package @code{Linker} or after
13557 -largs on the command line). The exception to this rule is the ^switch^switch^
13558 ^--RTS=^--RTS=^ for which a relative path argument is never converted.
13560 @node Specifying Configuration Pragmas
13561 @subsubsection Specifying Configuration Pragmas
13563 When using @command{gnatmake} with project files, if there exists a file
13564 @file{gnat.adc} that contains configuration pragmas, this file will be
13567 Configuration pragmas can be defined by means of the following attributes in
13568 project files: @code{Global_Configuration_Pragmas} in package @code{Builder}
13569 and @code{Local_Configuration_Pragmas} in package @code{Compiler}.
13571 Both these attributes are single string attributes. Their values is the path
13572 name of a file containing configuration pragmas. If a path name is relative,
13573 then it is relative to the project directory of the project file where the
13574 attribute is defined.
13576 When compiling a source, the configuration pragmas used are, in order,
13577 those listed in the file designated by attribute
13578 @code{Global_Configuration_Pragmas} in package @code{Builder} of the main
13579 project file, if it is specified, and those listed in the file designated by
13580 attribute @code{Local_Configuration_Pragmas} in package @code{Compiler} of
13581 the project file of the source, if it exists.
13583 @node Project Files and Main Subprograms
13584 @subsubsection Project Files and Main Subprograms
13587 When using a project file, you can invoke @command{gnatmake}
13588 with one or several main subprograms, by specifying their source files on the
13592 gnatmake ^-P^/PROJECT_FILE=^prj main1 main2 main3
13596 Each of these needs to be a source file of the same project, except
13597 when the switch ^-u^/UNIQUE^ is used.
13600 When ^-u^/UNIQUE^ is not used, all the mains need to be sources of the
13601 same project, one of the project in the tree rooted at the project specified
13602 on the command line. The package @code{Builder} of this common project, the
13603 "main project" is the one that is considered by @command{gnatmake}.
13606 When ^-u^/UNIQUE^ is used, the specified source files may be in projects
13607 imported directly or indirectly by the project specified on the command line.
13608 Note that if such a source file is not part of the project specified on the
13609 command line, the ^switches^switches^ found in package @code{Builder} of the
13610 project specified on the command line, if any, that are transmitted
13611 to the compiler will still be used, not those found in the project file of
13615 When using a project file, you can also invoke @command{gnatmake} without
13616 explicitly specifying any main, and the effect depends on whether you have
13617 defined the @code{Main} attribute. This attribute has a string list value,
13618 where each element in the list is the name of a source file (the file
13619 extension is optional) that contains a unit that can be a main subprogram.
13621 If the @code{Main} attribute is defined in a project file as a non-empty
13622 string list and the switch @option{^-u^/UNIQUE^} is not used on the command
13623 line, then invoking @command{gnatmake} with this project file but without any
13624 main on the command line is equivalent to invoking @command{gnatmake} with all
13625 the file names in the @code{Main} attribute on the command line.
13628 @smallexample @c projectfile
13631 for Main use ("main1", "main2", "main3");
13637 With this project file, @code{"gnatmake ^-Pprj^/PROJECT_FILE=PRJ^"}
13639 @code{"gnatmake ^-Pprj^/PROJECT_FILE=PRJ^ main1 main2 main3"}.
13641 When the project attribute @code{Main} is not specified, or is specified
13642 as an empty string list, or when the switch @option{-u} is used on the command
13643 line, then invoking @command{gnatmake} with no main on the command line will
13644 result in all immediate sources of the project file being checked, and
13645 potentially recompiled. Depending on the presence of the switch @option{-u},
13646 sources from other project files on which the immediate sources of the main
13647 project file depend are also checked and potentially recompiled. In other
13648 words, the @option{-u} switch is applied to all of the immediate sources of the
13651 When no main is specified on the command line and attribute @code{Main} exists
13652 and includes several mains, or when several mains are specified on the
13653 command line, the default ^switches^switches^ in package @code{Builder} will
13654 be used for all mains, even if there are specific ^switches^switches^
13655 specified for one or several mains.
13657 But the ^switches^switches^ from package @code{Binder} or @code{Linker} will be
13658 the specific ^switches^switches^ for each main, if they are specified.
13660 @node Library Project Files
13661 @subsubsection Library Project Files
13664 When @command{gnatmake} is invoked with a main project file that is a library
13665 project file, it is not allowed to specify one or more mains on the command
13669 When a library project file is specified, switches ^-b^/ACTION=BIND^ and
13670 ^-l^/ACTION=LINK^ have special meanings.
13673 @item ^-b^/ACTION=BIND^ is only allowed for stand-alone libraries. It indicates
13674 to @command{gnatmake} that @command{gnatbind} should be invoked for the
13677 @item ^-l^/ACTION=LINK^ may be used for all library projects. It indicates
13678 to @command{gnatmake} that the binder generated file should be compiled
13679 (in the case of a stand-alone library) and that the library should be built.
13683 @node The GNAT Driver and Project Files
13684 @subsection The GNAT Driver and Project Files
13687 A number of GNAT tools, other than @command{^gnatmake^gnatmake^}
13689 @command{^gnatbind^gnatbind^},
13690 @command{^gnatfind^gnatfind^},
13691 @command{^gnatlink^gnatlink^},
13692 @command{^gnatls^gnatls^},
13693 @command{^gnatelim^gnatelim^},
13694 @command{^gnatpp^gnatpp^},
13695 @command{^gnatmetric^gnatmetric^},
13696 @command{^gnatstub^gnatstub^},
13697 and @command{^gnatxref^gnatxref^}. However, none of these tools can be invoked
13698 directly with a project file switch (@option{^-P^/PROJECT_FILE=^}).
13699 They must be invoked through the @command{gnat} driver.
13701 The @command{gnat} driver is a front-end that accepts a number of commands and
13702 call the corresponding tool. It has been designed initially for VMS to convert
13703 VMS style qualifiers to Unix style switches, but it is now available to all
13704 the GNAT supported platforms.
13706 On non VMS platforms, the @command{gnat} driver accepts the following commands
13707 (case insensitive):
13711 BIND to invoke @command{^gnatbind^gnatbind^}
13713 CHOP to invoke @command{^gnatchop^gnatchop^}
13715 CLEAN to invoke @command{^gnatclean^gnatclean^}
13717 COMP or COMPILE to invoke the compiler
13719 ELIM to invoke @command{^gnatelim^gnatelim^}
13721 FIND to invoke @command{^gnatfind^gnatfind^}
13723 KR or KRUNCH to invoke @command{^gnatkr^gnatkr^}
13725 LINK to invoke @command{^gnatlink^gnatlink^}
13727 LS or LIST to invoke @command{^gnatls^gnatls^}
13729 MAKE to invoke @command{^gnatmake^gnatmake^}
13731 NAME to invoke @command{^gnatname^gnatname^}
13733 PREP or PREPROCESS to invoke @command{^gnatprep^gnatprep^}
13735 PP or PRETTY to invoke @command{^gnatpp^gnatpp^}
13737 METRIC to invoke @command{^gnatmetric^gnatmetric^}
13739 STUB to invoke @command{^gnatstub^gnatstub^}
13741 XREF to invoke @command{^gnatxref^gnatxref^}
13745 (note that the compiler is invoked using the command
13746 @command{^gnatmake -f -u -c^gnatmake -f -u -c^}).
13749 On non VMS platforms, between @command{gnat} and the command, two
13750 special switches may be used:
13754 @command{-v} to display the invocation of the tool.
13756 @command{-dn} to prevent the @command{gnat} driver from removing
13757 the temporary files it has created. These temporary files are
13758 configuration files and temporary file list files.
13762 The command may be followed by switches and arguments for the invoked
13766 gnat bind -C main.ali
13772 Switches may also be put in text files, one switch per line, and the text
13773 files may be specified with their path name preceded by '@@'.
13776 gnat bind @@args.txt main.ali
13780 In addition, for commands BIND, COMP or COMPILE, FIND, ELIM, LS or LIST, LINK,
13781 METRIC, PP or PRETTY, STUB and XREF, the project file related switches
13782 (@option{^-P^/PROJECT_FILE^},
13783 @option{^-X^/EXTERNAL_REFERENCE^} and
13784 @option{^-vP^/MESSAGES_PROJECT_FILE=^x}) may be used in addition to
13785 the switches of the invoking tool.
13788 When GNAT PP or GNAT PRETTY is used with a project file, but with no source
13789 specified on the command line, it invokes @command{^gnatpp^gnatpp^} with all
13790 the immediate sources of the specified project file.
13793 When GNAT METRIC is used with a project file, but with no source
13794 specified on the command line, it invokes @command{^gnatmetric^gnatmetric^}
13795 with all the immediate sources of the specified project file and with
13796 @option{^-d^/DIRECTORY^} with the parameter pointing to the object directory
13800 In addition, when GNAT PP, GNAT PRETTY or GNAT METRIC is used with
13801 a project file, no source is specified on the command line and
13802 switch ^-U^/ALL_PROJECTS^ is specified on the command line, then
13803 the underlying tool (^gnatpp^gnatpp^ or
13804 ^gnatmetric^gnatmetric^) is invoked for all sources of all projects,
13805 not only for the immediate sources of the main project.
13807 (-U stands for Universal or Union of the project files of the project tree)
13811 For each of the following commands, there is optionally a corresponding
13812 package in the main project.
13816 package @code{Binder} for command BIND (invoking @code{^gnatbind^gnatbind^})
13819 package @code{Compiler} for command COMP or COMPILE (invoking the compiler)
13822 package @code{Finder} for command FIND (invoking @code{^gnatfind^gnatfind^})
13825 package @code{Eliminate} for command ELIM (invoking
13826 @code{^gnatelim^gnatelim^})
13829 package @code{Gnatls} for command LS or LIST (invoking @code{^gnatls^gnatls^})
13832 package @code{Linker} for command LINK (invoking @code{^gnatlink^gnatlink^})
13835 package @code{Metrics} for command METRIC
13836 (invoking @code{^gnatmetric^gnatmetric^})
13839 package @code{Pretty_Printer} for command PP or PRETTY
13840 (invoking @code{^gnatpp^gnatpp^})
13843 package @code{Gnatstub} for command STUB
13844 (invoking @code{^gnatstub^gnatstub^})
13847 package @code{Cross_Reference} for command XREF (invoking
13848 @code{^gnatxref^gnatxref^})
13853 Package @code{Gnatls} has a unique attribute @code{^Switches^Switches^},
13854 a simple variable with a string list value. It contains ^switches^switches^
13855 for the invocation of @code{^gnatls^gnatls^}.
13857 @smallexample @c projectfile
13861 for ^Switches^Switches^
13870 All other packages have two attribute @code{^Switches^Switches^} and
13871 @code{^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^}.
13874 @code{^Switches^Switches^} is an associated array attribute, indexed by the
13875 source file name, that has a string list value: the ^switches^switches^ to be
13876 used when the tool corresponding to the package is invoked for the specific
13880 @code{^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^} is an associative array attribute,
13881 indexed by the programming language that has a string list value.
13882 @code{^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^ ("Ada")} contains the
13883 ^switches^switches^ for the invocation of the tool corresponding
13884 to the package, except if a specific @code{^Switches^Switches^} attribute
13885 is specified for the source file.
13887 @smallexample @c projectfile
13891 for Source_Dirs use ("./**");
13894 for ^Switches^Switches^ use
13901 package Compiler is
13902 for ^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^ ("Ada")
13903 use ("^-gnatv^-gnatv^",
13904 "^-gnatwa^-gnatwa^");
13910 for ^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^ ("Ada")
13918 for ^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^ ("Ada")
13920 for ^Switches^Switches^ ("main.adb")
13929 for ^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^ ("Ada")
13936 package Cross_Reference is
13937 for ^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^ ("Ada")
13942 end Cross_Reference;
13948 With the above project file, commands such as
13951 ^gnat comp -Pproj main^GNAT COMP /PROJECT_FILE=PROJ MAIN^
13952 ^gnat ls -Pproj main^GNAT LIST /PROJECT_FILE=PROJ MAIN^
13953 ^gnat xref -Pproj main^GNAT XREF /PROJECT_FILE=PROJ MAIN^
13954 ^gnat bind -Pproj main.ali^GNAT BIND /PROJECT_FILE=PROJ MAIN.ALI^
13955 ^gnat link -Pproj main.ali^GNAT LINK /PROJECT_FILE=PROJ MAIN.ALI^
13959 will set up the environment properly and invoke the tool with the switches
13960 found in the package corresponding to the tool:
13961 @code{^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^ ("Ada")} for all tools,
13962 except @code{^Switches^Switches^ ("main.adb")}
13963 for @code{^gnatlink^gnatlink^}.
13966 @node Glide and Project Files
13967 @subsection Glide and Project Files
13970 Glide will automatically recognize the @file{.gpr} extension for
13971 project files, and will
13972 convert them to its own internal format automatically. However, it
13973 doesn't provide a syntax-oriented editor for modifying these
13975 The project file will be loaded as text when you select the menu item
13976 @code{Ada} @result{} @code{Project} @result{} @code{Edit}.
13977 You can edit this text and save the @file{gpr} file;
13978 when you next select this project file in Glide it
13979 will be automatically reloaded.
13982 @c **********************
13983 @node An Extended Example
13984 @section An Extended Example
13987 Suppose that we have two programs, @var{prog1} and @var{prog2},
13988 whose sources are in corresponding directories. We would like
13989 to build them with a single @command{gnatmake} command, and we want to place
13990 their object files into @file{build} subdirectories of the source directories.
13991 Furthermore, we want to have to have two separate subdirectories
13992 in @file{build} -- @file{release} and @file{debug} -- which will contain
13993 the object files compiled with different set of compilation flags.
13995 In other words, we have the following structure:
14012 Here are the project files that we must place in a directory @file{main}
14013 to maintain this structure:
14017 @item We create a @code{Common} project with a package @code{Compiler} that
14018 specifies the compilation ^switches^switches^:
14023 @b{project} Common @b{is}
14025 @b{for} Source_Dirs @b{use} (); -- No source files
14029 @b{type} Build_Type @b{is} ("release", "debug");
14030 Build : Build_Type := External ("BUILD", "debug");
14033 @b{package} Compiler @b{is}
14034 @b{case} Build @b{is}
14035 @b{when} "release" =>
14036 @b{for} ^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^ ("Ada")
14037 @b{use} ("^-O2^-O2^");
14038 @b{when} "debug" =>
14039 @b{for} ^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^ ("Ada")
14040 @b{use} ("^-g^-g^");
14048 @item We create separate projects for the two programs:
14055 @b{project} Prog1 @b{is}
14057 @b{for} Source_Dirs @b{use} ("prog1");
14058 @b{for} Object_Dir @b{use} "prog1/build/" & Common.Build;
14060 @b{package} Compiler @b{renames} Common.Compiler;
14071 @b{project} Prog2 @b{is}
14073 @b{for} Source_Dirs @b{use} ("prog2");
14074 @b{for} Object_Dir @b{use} "prog2/build/" & Common.Build;
14076 @b{package} Compiler @b{renames} Common.Compiler;
14082 @item We create a wrapping project @code{Main}:
14091 @b{project} Main @b{is}
14093 @b{package} Compiler @b{renames} Common.Compiler;
14099 @item Finally we need to create a dummy procedure that @code{with}s (either
14100 explicitly or implicitly) all the sources of our two programs.
14105 Now we can build the programs using the command
14108 gnatmake ^-P^/PROJECT_FILE=^main dummy
14112 for the Debug mode, or
14116 gnatmake -Pmain -XBUILD=release
14122 GNAT MAKE /PROJECT_FILE=main /EXTERNAL_REFERENCE=BUILD=release
14127 for the Release mode.
14129 @c ********************************
14130 @c * Project File Complete Syntax *
14131 @c ********************************
14133 @node Project File Complete Syntax
14134 @section Project File Complete Syntax
14138 context_clause project_declaration
14144 @b{with} path_name @{ , path_name @} ;
14149 project_declaration ::=
14150 simple_project_declaration | project_extension
14152 simple_project_declaration ::=
14153 @b{project} <project_>simple_name @b{is}
14154 @{declarative_item@}
14155 @b{end} <project_>simple_name;
14157 project_extension ::=
14158 @b{project} <project_>simple_name @b{extends} path_name @b{is}
14159 @{declarative_item@}
14160 @b{end} <project_>simple_name;
14162 declarative_item ::=
14163 package_declaration |
14164 typed_string_declaration |
14165 other_declarative_item
14167 package_declaration ::=
14168 package_specification | package_renaming
14170 package_specification ::=
14171 @b{package} package_identifier @b{is}
14172 @{simple_declarative_item@}
14173 @b{end} package_identifier ;
14175 package_identifier ::=
14176 @code{Naming} | @code{Builder} | @code{Compiler} | @code{Binder} |
14177 @code{Linker} | @code{Finder} | @code{Cross_Reference} |
14178 @code{^gnatls^gnatls^} | @code{IDE} | @code{Pretty_Printer}
14180 package_renaming ::==
14181 @b{package} package_identifier @b{renames}
14182 <project_>simple_name.package_identifier ;
14184 typed_string_declaration ::=
14185 @b{type} <typed_string_>_simple_name @b{is}
14186 ( string_literal @{, string_literal@} );
14188 other_declarative_item ::=
14189 attribute_declaration |
14190 typed_variable_declaration |
14191 variable_declaration |
14194 attribute_declaration ::=
14195 full_associative_array_declaration |
14196 @b{for} attribute_designator @b{use} expression ;
14198 full_associative_array_declaration ::=
14199 @b{for} <associative_array_attribute_>simple_name @b{use}
14200 <project_>simple_name [ . <package_>simple_Name ] ' <attribute_>simple_name ;
14202 attribute_designator ::=
14203 <simple_attribute_>simple_name |
14204 <associative_array_attribute_>simple_name ( string_literal )
14206 typed_variable_declaration ::=
14207 <typed_variable_>simple_name : <typed_string_>name := string_expression ;
14209 variable_declaration ::=
14210 <variable_>simple_name := expression;
14220 attribute_reference
14226 ( <string_>expression @{ , <string_>expression @} )
14229 @b{external} ( string_literal [, string_literal] )
14231 attribute_reference ::=
14232 attribute_prefix ' <simple_attribute_>simple_name [ ( literal_string ) ]
14234 attribute_prefix ::=
14236 <project_>simple_name | package_identifier |
14237 <project_>simple_name . package_identifier
14239 case_construction ::=
14240 @b{case} <typed_variable_>name @b{is}
14245 @b{when} discrete_choice_list =>
14246 @{case_construction | attribute_declaration@}
14248 discrete_choice_list ::=
14249 string_literal @{| string_literal@} |
14253 simple_name @{. simple_name@}
14256 identifier (same as Ada)
14260 @node The Cross-Referencing Tools gnatxref and gnatfind
14261 @chapter The Cross-Referencing Tools @code{gnatxref} and @code{gnatfind}
14266 The compiler generates cross-referencing information (unless
14267 you set the @samp{-gnatx} switch), which are saved in the @file{.ali} files.
14268 This information indicates where in the source each entity is declared and
14269 referenced. Note that entities in package Standard are not included, but
14270 entities in all other predefined units are included in the output.
14272 Before using any of these two tools, you need to compile successfully your
14273 application, so that GNAT gets a chance to generate the cross-referencing
14276 The two tools @code{gnatxref} and @code{gnatfind} take advantage of this
14277 information to provide the user with the capability to easily locate the
14278 declaration and references to an entity. These tools are quite similar,
14279 the difference being that @code{gnatfind} is intended for locating
14280 definitions and/or references to a specified entity or entities, whereas
14281 @code{gnatxref} is oriented to generating a full report of all
14284 To use these tools, you must not compile your application using the
14285 @option{-gnatx} switch on the @command{gnatmake} command line
14286 (@pxref{The GNAT Make Program gnatmake}). Otherwise, cross-referencing
14287 information will not be generated.
14290 * gnatxref Switches::
14291 * gnatfind Switches::
14292 * Project Files for gnatxref and gnatfind::
14293 * Regular Expressions in gnatfind and gnatxref::
14294 * Examples of gnatxref Usage::
14295 * Examples of gnatfind Usage::
14298 @node gnatxref Switches
14299 @section @code{gnatxref} Switches
14302 The command invocation for @code{gnatxref} is:
14304 $ gnatxref [switches] sourcefile1 [sourcefile2 ...]
14311 @item sourcefile1, sourcefile2
14312 identifies the source files for which a report is to be generated. The
14313 ``with''ed units will be processed too. You must provide at least one file.
14315 These file names are considered to be regular expressions, so for instance
14316 specifying @file{source*.adb} is the same as giving every file in the current
14317 directory whose name starts with @file{source} and whose extension is
14320 You shouldn't specify any directory name, just base names. @command{gnatxref}
14321 and @command{gnatfind} will be able to locate these files by themselves using
14322 the source path. If you specify directories, no result is produced.
14327 The switches can be :
14330 @item ^-a^/ALL_FILES^
14331 @cindex @option{^-a^/ALL_FILES^} (@command{gnatxref})
14332 If this switch is present, @code{gnatfind} and @code{gnatxref} will parse
14333 the read-only files found in the library search path. Otherwise, these files
14334 will be ignored. This option can be used to protect Gnat sources or your own
14335 libraries from being parsed, thus making @code{gnatfind} and @code{gnatxref}
14336 much faster, and their output much smaller. Read-only here refers to access
14337 or permissions status in the file system for the current user.
14340 @cindex @option{-aIDIR} (@command{gnatxref})
14341 When looking for source files also look in directory DIR. The order in which
14342 source file search is undertaken is the same as for @command{gnatmake}.
14345 @cindex @option{-aODIR} (@command{gnatxref})
14346 When searching for library and object files, look in directory
14347 DIR. The order in which library files are searched is the same as for
14348 @command{gnatmake}.
14351 @cindex @option{-nostdinc} (@command{gnatxref})
14352 Do not look for sources in the system default directory.
14355 @cindex @option{-nostdlib} (@command{gnatxref})
14356 Do not look for library files in the system default directory.
14358 @item --RTS=@var{rts-path}
14359 @cindex @option{--RTS} (@command{gnatxref})
14360 Specifies the default location of the runtime library. Same meaning as the
14361 equivalent @command{gnatmake} flag (@pxref{Switches for gnatmake}).
14363 @item ^-d^/DERIVED_TYPES^
14364 @cindex @option{^-d^/DERIVED_TYPES^} (@command{gnatxref})
14365 If this switch is set @code{gnatxref} will output the parent type
14366 reference for each matching derived types.
14368 @item ^-f^/FULL_PATHNAME^
14369 @cindex @option{^-f^/FULL_PATHNAME^} (@command{gnatxref})
14370 If this switch is set, the output file names will be preceded by their
14371 directory (if the file was found in the search path). If this switch is
14372 not set, the directory will not be printed.
14374 @item ^-g^/IGNORE_LOCALS^
14375 @cindex @option{^-g^/IGNORE_LOCALS^} (@command{gnatxref})
14376 If this switch is set, information is output only for library-level
14377 entities, ignoring local entities. The use of this switch may accelerate
14378 @code{gnatfind} and @code{gnatxref}.
14381 @cindex @option{-IDIR} (@command{gnatxref})
14382 Equivalent to @samp{-aODIR -aIDIR}.
14385 @cindex @option{-pFILE} (@command{gnatxref})
14386 Specify a project file to use @xref{Project Files}. These project files are
14387 the @file{.adp} files used by Glide. If you need to use the @file{.gpr}
14388 project files, you should use gnatxref through the GNAT driver
14389 (@command{gnat xref -Pproject}).
14391 By default, @code{gnatxref} and @code{gnatfind} will try to locate a
14392 project file in the current directory.
14394 If a project file is either specified or found by the tools, then the content
14395 of the source directory and object directory lines are added as if they
14396 had been specified respectively by @samp{^-aI^/SOURCE_SEARCH^}
14397 and @samp{^-aO^OBJECT_SEARCH^}.
14399 Output only unused symbols. This may be really useful if you give your
14400 main compilation unit on the command line, as @code{gnatxref} will then
14401 display every unused entity and 'with'ed package.
14405 Instead of producing the default output, @code{gnatxref} will generate a
14406 @file{tags} file that can be used by vi. For examples how to use this
14407 feature, see @ref{Examples of gnatxref Usage}. The tags file is output
14408 to the standard output, thus you will have to redirect it to a file.
14414 All these switches may be in any order on the command line, and may even
14415 appear after the file names. They need not be separated by spaces, thus
14416 you can say @samp{gnatxref ^-ag^/ALL_FILES/IGNORE_LOCALS^} instead of
14417 @samp{gnatxref ^-a -g^/ALL_FILES /IGNORE_LOCALS^}.
14419 @node gnatfind Switches
14420 @section @code{gnatfind} Switches
14423 The command line for @code{gnatfind} is:
14426 $ gnatfind [switches] pattern[:sourcefile[:line[:column]]]
14435 An entity will be output only if it matches the regular expression found
14436 in @samp{pattern}, see @ref{Regular Expressions in gnatfind and gnatxref}.
14438 Omitting the pattern is equivalent to specifying @samp{*}, which
14439 will match any entity. Note that if you do not provide a pattern, you
14440 have to provide both a sourcefile and a line.
14442 Entity names are given in Latin-1, with uppercase/lowercase equivalence
14443 for matching purposes. At the current time there is no support for
14444 8-bit codes other than Latin-1, or for wide characters in identifiers.
14447 @code{gnatfind} will look for references, bodies or declarations
14448 of symbols referenced in @file{sourcefile}, at line @samp{line}
14449 and column @samp{column}. See @ref{Examples of gnatfind Usage}
14450 for syntax examples.
14453 is a decimal integer identifying the line number containing
14454 the reference to the entity (or entities) to be located.
14457 is a decimal integer identifying the exact location on the
14458 line of the first character of the identifier for the
14459 entity reference. Columns are numbered from 1.
14461 @item file1 file2 ...
14462 The search will be restricted to these source files. If none are given, then
14463 the search will be done for every library file in the search path.
14464 These file must appear only after the pattern or sourcefile.
14466 These file names are considered to be regular expressions, so for instance
14467 specifying 'source*.adb' is the same as giving every file in the current
14468 directory whose name starts with 'source' and whose extension is 'adb'.
14470 The location of the spec of the entity will always be displayed, even if it
14471 isn't in one of file1, file2,... The occurrences of the entity in the
14472 separate units of the ones given on the command line will also be displayed.
14474 Note that if you specify at least one file in this part, @code{gnatfind} may
14475 sometimes not be able to find the body of the subprograms...
14480 At least one of 'sourcefile' or 'pattern' has to be present on
14483 The following switches are available:
14487 @item ^-a^/ALL_FILES^
14488 @cindex @option{^-a^/ALL_FILES^} (@command{gnatfind})
14489 If this switch is present, @code{gnatfind} and @code{gnatxref} will parse
14490 the read-only files found in the library search path. Otherwise, these files
14491 will be ignored. This option can be used to protect Gnat sources or your own
14492 libraries from being parsed, thus making @code{gnatfind} and @code{gnatxref}
14493 much faster, and their output much smaller. Read-only here refers to access
14494 or permission status in the file system for the current user.
14497 @cindex @option{-aIDIR} (@command{gnatfind})
14498 When looking for source files also look in directory DIR. The order in which
14499 source file search is undertaken is the same as for @command{gnatmake}.
14502 @cindex @option{-aODIR} (@command{gnatfind})
14503 When searching for library and object files, look in directory
14504 DIR. The order in which library files are searched is the same as for
14505 @command{gnatmake}.
14508 @cindex @option{-nostdinc} (@command{gnatfind})
14509 Do not look for sources in the system default directory.
14512 @cindex @option{-nostdlib} (@command{gnatfind})
14513 Do not look for library files in the system default directory.
14515 @item --RTS=@var{rts-path}
14516 @cindex @option{--RTS} (@command{gnatfind})
14517 Specifies the default location of the runtime library. Same meaning as the
14518 equivalent @command{gnatmake} flag (@pxref{Switches for gnatmake}).
14520 @item ^-d^/DERIVED_TYPE_INFORMATION^
14521 @cindex @option{^-d^/DERIVED_TYPE_INFORMATION^} (@code{gnatfind})
14522 If this switch is set, then @code{gnatfind} will output the parent type
14523 reference for each matching derived types.
14525 @item ^-e^/EXPRESSIONS^
14526 @cindex @option{^-e^/EXPRESSIONS^} (@command{gnatfind})
14527 By default, @code{gnatfind} accept the simple regular expression set for
14528 @samp{pattern}. If this switch is set, then the pattern will be
14529 considered as full Unix-style regular expression.
14531 @item ^-f^/FULL_PATHNAME^
14532 @cindex @option{^-f^/FULL_PATHNAME^} (@command{gnatfind})
14533 If this switch is set, the output file names will be preceded by their
14534 directory (if the file was found in the search path). If this switch is
14535 not set, the directory will not be printed.
14537 @item ^-g^/IGNORE_LOCALS^
14538 @cindex @option{^-g^/IGNORE_LOCALS^} (@command{gnatfind})
14539 If this switch is set, information is output only for library-level
14540 entities, ignoring local entities. The use of this switch may accelerate
14541 @code{gnatfind} and @code{gnatxref}.
14544 @cindex @option{-IDIR} (@command{gnatfind})
14545 Equivalent to @samp{-aODIR -aIDIR}.
14548 @cindex @option{-pFILE} (@command{gnatfind})
14549 Specify a project file (@pxref{Project Files}) to use.
14550 By default, @code{gnatxref} and @code{gnatfind} will try to locate a
14551 project file in the current directory.
14553 If a project file is either specified or found by the tools, then the content
14554 of the source directory and object directory lines are added as if they
14555 had been specified respectively by @samp{^-aI^/SOURCE_SEARCH^} and
14556 @samp{^-aO^/OBJECT_SEARCH^}.
14558 @item ^-r^/REFERENCES^
14559 @cindex @option{^-r^/REFERENCES^} (@command{gnatfind})
14560 By default, @code{gnatfind} will output only the information about the
14561 declaration, body or type completion of the entities. If this switch is
14562 set, the @code{gnatfind} will locate every reference to the entities in
14563 the files specified on the command line (or in every file in the search
14564 path if no file is given on the command line).
14566 @item ^-s^/PRINT_LINES^
14567 @cindex @option{^-s^/PRINT_LINES^} (@command{gnatfind})
14568 If this switch is set, then @code{gnatfind} will output the content
14569 of the Ada source file lines were the entity was found.
14571 @item ^-t^/TYPE_HIERARCHY^
14572 @cindex @option{^-t^/TYPE_HIERARCHY^} (@command{gnatfind})
14573 If this switch is set, then @code{gnatfind} will output the type hierarchy for
14574 the specified type. It act like -d option but recursively from parent
14575 type to parent type. When this switch is set it is not possible to
14576 specify more than one file.
14581 All these switches may be in any order on the command line, and may even
14582 appear after the file names. They need not be separated by spaces, thus
14583 you can say @samp{gnatxref ^-ag^/ALL_FILES/IGNORE_LOCALS^} instead of
14584 @samp{gnatxref ^-a -g^/ALL_FILES /IGNORE_LOCALS^}.
14586 As stated previously, gnatfind will search in every directory in the
14587 search path. You can force it to look only in the current directory if
14588 you specify @code{*} at the end of the command line.
14590 @node Project Files for gnatxref and gnatfind
14591 @section Project Files for @command{gnatxref} and @command{gnatfind}
14594 Project files allow a programmer to specify how to compile its
14595 application, where to find sources, etc. These files are used
14597 primarily by the Glide Ada mode, but they can also be used
14600 @code{gnatxref} and @code{gnatfind}.
14602 A project file name must end with @file{.gpr}. If a single one is
14603 present in the current directory, then @code{gnatxref} and @code{gnatfind} will
14604 extract the information from it. If multiple project files are found, none of
14605 them is read, and you have to use the @samp{-p} switch to specify the one
14608 The following lines can be included, even though most of them have default
14609 values which can be used in most cases.
14610 The lines can be entered in any order in the file.
14611 Except for @file{src_dir} and @file{obj_dir}, you can only have one instance of
14612 each line. If you have multiple instances, only the last one is taken into
14617 [default: @code{"^./^[]^"}]
14618 specifies a directory where to look for source files. Multiple @code{src_dir}
14619 lines can be specified and they will be searched in the order they
14623 [default: @code{"^./^[]^"}]
14624 specifies a directory where to look for object and library files. Multiple
14625 @code{obj_dir} lines can be specified, and they will be searched in the order
14628 @item comp_opt=SWITCHES
14629 [default: @code{""}]
14630 creates a variable which can be referred to subsequently by using
14631 the @code{$@{comp_opt@}} notation. This is intended to store the default
14632 switches given to @command{gnatmake} and @command{gcc}.
14634 @item bind_opt=SWITCHES
14635 [default: @code{""}]
14636 creates a variable which can be referred to subsequently by using
14637 the @samp{$@{bind_opt@}} notation. This is intended to store the default
14638 switches given to @command{gnatbind}.
14640 @item link_opt=SWITCHES
14641 [default: @code{""}]
14642 creates a variable which can be referred to subsequently by using
14643 the @samp{$@{link_opt@}} notation. This is intended to store the default
14644 switches given to @command{gnatlink}.
14646 @item main=EXECUTABLE
14647 [default: @code{""}]
14648 specifies the name of the executable for the application. This variable can
14649 be referred to in the following lines by using the @samp{$@{main@}} notation.
14652 @item comp_cmd=COMMAND
14653 [default: @code{"GNAT COMPILE /SEARCH=$@{src_dir@} /DEBUG /TRY_SEMANTICS"}]
14656 @item comp_cmd=COMMAND
14657 [default: @code{"gcc -c -I$@{src_dir@} -g -gnatq"}]
14659 specifies the command used to compile a single file in the application.
14662 @item make_cmd=COMMAND
14663 [default: @code{"GNAT MAKE $@{main@}
14664 /SOURCE_SEARCH=$@{src_dir@} /OBJECT_SEARCH=$@{obj_dir@}
14665 /DEBUG /TRY_SEMANTICS /COMPILER_QUALIFIERS $@{comp_opt@}
14666 /BINDER_QUALIFIERS $@{bind_opt@} /LINKER_QUALIFIERS $@{link_opt@}"}]
14669 @item make_cmd=COMMAND
14670 [default: @code{"gnatmake $@{main@} -aI$@{src_dir@}
14671 -aO$@{obj_dir@} -g -gnatq -cargs $@{comp_opt@}
14672 -bargs $@{bind_opt@} -largs $@{link_opt@}"}]
14674 specifies the command used to recompile the whole application.
14676 @item run_cmd=COMMAND
14677 [default: @code{"$@{main@}"}]
14678 specifies the command used to run the application.
14680 @item debug_cmd=COMMAND
14681 [default: @code{"gdb $@{main@}"}]
14682 specifies the command used to debug the application
14687 @command{gnatxref} and @command{gnatfind} only take into account the
14688 @code{src_dir} and @code{obj_dir} lines, and ignore the others.
14690 @node Regular Expressions in gnatfind and gnatxref
14691 @section Regular Expressions in @code{gnatfind} and @code{gnatxref}
14694 As specified in the section about @command{gnatfind}, the pattern can be a
14695 regular expression. Actually, there are to set of regular expressions
14696 which are recognized by the program :
14699 @item globbing patterns
14700 These are the most usual regular expression. They are the same that you
14701 generally used in a Unix shell command line, or in a DOS session.
14703 Here is a more formal grammar :
14710 term ::= elmt -- matches elmt
14711 term ::= elmt elmt -- concatenation (elmt then elmt)
14712 term ::= * -- any string of 0 or more characters
14713 term ::= ? -- matches any character
14714 term ::= [char @{char@}] -- matches any character listed
14715 term ::= [char - char] -- matches any character in range
14719 @item full regular expression
14720 The second set of regular expressions is much more powerful. This is the
14721 type of regular expressions recognized by utilities such a @file{grep}.
14723 The following is the form of a regular expression, expressed in Ada
14724 reference manual style BNF is as follows
14731 regexp ::= term @{| term@} -- alternation (term or term ...)
14733 term ::= item @{item@} -- concatenation (item then item)
14735 item ::= elmt -- match elmt
14736 item ::= elmt * -- zero or more elmt's
14737 item ::= elmt + -- one or more elmt's
14738 item ::= elmt ? -- matches elmt or nothing
14741 elmt ::= nschar -- matches given character
14742 elmt ::= [nschar @{nschar@}] -- matches any character listed
14743 elmt ::= [^^^ nschar @{nschar@}] -- matches any character not listed
14744 elmt ::= [char - char] -- matches chars in given range
14745 elmt ::= \ char -- matches given character
14746 elmt ::= . -- matches any single character
14747 elmt ::= ( regexp ) -- parens used for grouping
14749 char ::= any character, including special characters
14750 nschar ::= any character except ()[].*+?^^^
14754 Following are a few examples :
14758 will match any of the two strings 'abcde' and 'fghi'.
14761 will match any string like 'abd', 'abcd', 'abccd', 'abcccd', and so on
14764 will match any string which has only lowercase characters in it (and at
14765 least one character
14770 @node Examples of gnatxref Usage
14771 @section Examples of @code{gnatxref} Usage
14773 @subsection General Usage
14776 For the following examples, we will consider the following units :
14778 @smallexample @c ada
14784 3: procedure Foo (B : in Integer);
14791 1: package body Main is
14792 2: procedure Foo (B : in Integer) is
14803 2: procedure Print (B : Integer);
14812 The first thing to do is to recompile your application (for instance, in
14813 that case just by doing a @samp{gnatmake main}, so that GNAT generates
14814 the cross-referencing information.
14815 You can then issue any of the following commands:
14817 @item gnatxref main.adb
14818 @code{gnatxref} generates cross-reference information for main.adb
14819 and every unit 'with'ed by main.adb.
14821 The output would be:
14829 Decl: main.ads 3:20
14830 Body: main.adb 2:20
14831 Ref: main.adb 4:13 5:13 6:19
14834 Ref: main.adb 6:8 7:8
14844 Decl: main.ads 3:15
14845 Body: main.adb 2:15
14848 Body: main.adb 1:14
14851 Ref: main.adb 6:12 7:12
14855 that is the entity @code{Main} is declared in main.ads, line 2, column 9,
14856 its body is in main.adb, line 1, column 14 and is not referenced any where.
14858 The entity @code{Print} is declared in bar.ads, line 2, column 15 and it
14859 it referenced in main.adb, line 6 column 12 and line 7 column 12.
14861 @item gnatxref package1.adb package2.ads
14862 @code{gnatxref} will generates cross-reference information for
14863 package1.adb, package2.ads and any other package 'with'ed by any
14869 @subsection Using gnatxref with vi
14871 @code{gnatxref} can generate a tags file output, which can be used
14872 directly from @file{vi}. Note that the standard version of @file{vi}
14873 will not work properly with overloaded symbols. Consider using another
14874 free implementation of @file{vi}, such as @file{vim}.
14877 $ gnatxref -v gnatfind.adb > tags
14881 will generate the tags file for @code{gnatfind} itself (if the sources
14882 are in the search path!).
14884 From @file{vi}, you can then use the command @samp{:tag @i{entity}}
14885 (replacing @i{entity} by whatever you are looking for), and vi will
14886 display a new file with the corresponding declaration of entity.
14889 @node Examples of gnatfind Usage
14890 @section Examples of @code{gnatfind} Usage
14894 @item gnatfind ^-f^/FULL_PATHNAME^ xyz:main.adb
14895 Find declarations for all entities xyz referenced at least once in
14896 main.adb. The references are search in every library file in the search
14899 The directories will be printed as well (as the @samp{^-f^/FULL_PATHNAME^}
14902 The output will look like:
14904 ^directory/^[directory]^main.ads:106:14: xyz <= declaration
14905 ^directory/^[directory]^main.adb:24:10: xyz <= body
14906 ^directory/^[directory]^foo.ads:45:23: xyz <= declaration
14910 that is to say, one of the entities xyz found in main.adb is declared at
14911 line 12 of main.ads (and its body is in main.adb), and another one is
14912 declared at line 45 of foo.ads
14914 @item gnatfind ^-fs^/FULL_PATHNAME/SOURCE_LINE^ xyz:main.adb
14915 This is the same command as the previous one, instead @code{gnatfind} will
14916 display the content of the Ada source file lines.
14918 The output will look like:
14921 ^directory/^[directory]^main.ads:106:14: xyz <= declaration
14923 ^directory/^[directory]^main.adb:24:10: xyz <= body
14925 ^directory/^[directory]^foo.ads:45:23: xyz <= declaration
14930 This can make it easier to find exactly the location your are looking
14933 @item gnatfind ^-r^/REFERENCES^ "*x*":main.ads:123 foo.adb
14934 Find references to all entities containing an x that are
14935 referenced on line 123 of main.ads.
14936 The references will be searched only in main.ads and foo.adb.
14938 @item gnatfind main.ads:123
14939 Find declarations and bodies for all entities that are referenced on
14940 line 123 of main.ads.
14942 This is the same as @code{gnatfind "*":main.adb:123}.
14944 @item gnatfind ^mydir/^[mydir]^main.adb:123:45
14945 Find the declaration for the entity referenced at column 45 in
14946 line 123 of file main.adb in directory mydir. Note that it
14947 is usual to omit the identifier name when the column is given,
14948 since the column position identifies a unique reference.
14950 The column has to be the beginning of the identifier, and should not
14951 point to any character in the middle of the identifier.
14955 @c *********************************
14956 @node The GNAT Pretty-Printer gnatpp
14957 @chapter The GNAT Pretty-Printer @command{gnatpp}
14959 @cindex Pretty-Printer
14962 ^The @command{gnatpp} tool^GNAT PRETTY^ is an ASIS-based utility
14963 for source reformatting / pretty-printing.
14964 It takes an Ada source file as input and generates a reformatted
14966 You can specify various style directives via switches; e.g.,
14967 identifier case conventions, rules of indentation, and comment layout.
14969 To produce a reformatted file, @command{gnatpp} generates and uses the ASIS
14970 tree for the input source and thus requires the input to be syntactically and
14971 semantically legal.
14972 If this condition is not met, @command{gnatpp} will terminate with an
14973 error message; no output file will be generated.
14975 If the compilation unit
14976 contained in the input source depends semantically upon units located
14977 outside the current directory, you have to provide the source search path
14978 when invoking @command{gnatpp}, if these units are contained in files with
14979 names that do not follow the GNAT file naming rules, you have to provide
14980 the configuration file describing the corresponding naming scheme;
14981 see the description of the @command{gnatpp}
14982 switches below. Another possibility is to use a project file and to
14983 call @command{gnatpp} through the @command{gnat} driver
14985 The @command{gnatpp} command has the form
14988 $ gnatpp [@var{switches}] @var{filename}
14995 @var{switches} is an optional sequence of switches defining such properties as
14996 the formatting rules, the source search path, and the destination for the
15000 @var{filename} is the name (including the extension) of the source file to
15001 reformat; ``wildcards'' or several file names on the same gnatpp command are
15002 allowed. The file name may contain path information; it does not have to
15003 follow the GNAT file naming rules
15007 * Switches for gnatpp::
15008 * Formatting Rules::
15011 @node Switches for gnatpp
15012 @section Switches for @command{gnatpp}
15015 The following subsections describe the various switches accepted by
15016 @command{gnatpp}, organized by category.
15019 You specify a switch by supplying a name and generally also a value.
15020 In many cases the values for a switch with a given name are incompatible with
15022 (for example the switch that controls the casing of a reserved word may have
15023 exactly one value: upper case, lower case, or
15024 mixed case) and thus exactly one such switch can be in effect for an
15025 invocation of @command{gnatpp}.
15026 If more than one is supplied, the last one is used.
15027 However, some values for the same switch are mutually compatible.
15028 You may supply several such switches to @command{gnatpp}, but then
15029 each must be specified in full, with both the name and the value.
15030 Abbreviated forms (the name appearing once, followed by each value) are
15032 For example, to set
15033 the alignment of the assignment delimiter both in declarations and in
15034 assignment statements, you must write @option{-A2A3}
15035 (or @option{-A2 -A3}), but not @option{-A23}.
15039 In many cases the set of options for a given qualifier are incompatible with
15040 each other (for example the qualifier that controls the casing of a reserved
15041 word may have exactly one option, which specifies either upper case, lower
15042 case, or mixed case), and thus exactly one such option can be in effect for
15043 an invocation of @command{gnatpp}.
15044 If more than one is supplied, the last one is used.
15045 However, some qualifiers have options that are mutually compatible,
15046 and then you may then supply several such options when invoking
15050 In most cases, it is obvious whether or not the
15051 ^values for a switch with a given name^options for a given qualifier^
15052 are compatible with each other.
15053 When the semantics might not be evident, the summaries below explicitly
15054 indicate the effect.
15057 * Alignment Control::
15059 * Construct Layout Control::
15060 * General Text Layout Control::
15061 * Other Formatting Options::
15062 * Setting the Source Search Path::
15063 * Output File Control::
15064 * Other gnatpp Switches::
15067 @node Alignment Control
15068 @subsection Alignment Control
15069 @cindex Alignment control in @command{gnatpp}
15072 Programs can be easier to read if certain constructs are vertically aligned.
15073 By default all alignments are set ON.
15074 Through the @option{^-A0^/ALIGN=OFF^} switch you may reset the default to
15075 OFF, and then use one or more of the other
15076 ^@option{-A@var{n}} switches^@option{/ALIGN} options^
15077 to activate alignment for specific constructs.
15080 @cindex @option{^-A@var{n}^/ALIGN^} (@command{gnatpp})
15084 Set all alignments to ON
15087 @item ^-A0^/ALIGN=OFF^
15088 Set all alignments to OFF
15090 @item ^-A1^/ALIGN=COLONS^
15091 Align @code{:} in declarations
15093 @item ^-A2^/ALIGN=DECLARATIONS^
15094 Align @code{:=} in initializations in declarations
15096 @item ^-A3^/ALIGN=STATEMENTS^
15097 Align @code{:=} in assignment statements
15099 @item ^-A4^/ALIGN=ARROWS^
15100 Align @code{=>} in associations
15102 @item ^-A5^/ALIGN=COMPONENT_CLAUSES^
15103 Align @code{at} keywords in the component clauses in record
15104 representation clauses
15108 The @option{^-A^/ALIGN^} switches are mutually compatible; any combination
15111 @node Casing Control
15112 @subsection Casing Control
15113 @cindex Casing control in @command{gnatpp}
15116 @command{gnatpp} allows you to specify the casing for reserved words,
15117 pragma names, attribute designators and identifiers.
15118 For identifiers you may define a
15119 general rule for name casing but also override this rule
15120 via a set of dictionary files.
15122 Three types of casing are supported: lower case, upper case, and mixed case.
15123 Lower and upper case are self-explanatory (but since some letters in
15124 Latin1 and other GNAT-supported character sets
15125 exist only in lower-case form, an upper case conversion will have no
15127 ``Mixed case'' means that the first letter, and also each letter immediately
15128 following an underscore, are converted to their uppercase forms;
15129 all the other letters are converted to their lowercase forms.
15132 @cindex @option{^-a@var{x}^/ATTRIBUTE^} (@command{gnatpp})
15133 @item ^-aL^/ATTRIBUTE_CASING=LOWER_CASE^
15134 Attribute designators are lower case
15136 @item ^-aU^/ATTRIBUTE_CASING=UPPER_CASE^
15137 Attribute designators are upper case
15139 @item ^-aM^/ATTRIBUTE_CASING=MIXED_CASE^
15140 Attribute designators are mixed case (this is the default)
15142 @cindex @option{^-k@var{x}^/KEYWORD_CASING^} (@command{gnatpp})
15143 @item ^-kL^/KEYWORD_CASING=LOWER_CASE^
15144 Keywords (technically, these are known in Ada as @emph{reserved words}) are
15145 lower case (this is the default)
15147 @item ^-kU^/KEYWORD_CASING=UPPER_CASE^
15148 Keywords are upper case
15150 @cindex @option{^-n@var{x}^/NAME_CASING^} (@command{gnatpp})
15151 @item ^-nD^/NAME_CASING=AS_DECLARED^
15152 Name casing for defining occurrences are as they appear in the source file
15153 (this is the default)
15155 @item ^-nU^/NAME_CASING=UPPER_CASE^
15156 Names are in upper case
15158 @item ^-nL^/NAME_CASING=LOWER_CASE^
15159 Names are in lower case
15161 @item ^-nM^/NAME_CASING=MIXED_CASE^
15162 Names are in mixed case
15164 @cindex @option{^-p@var{x}^/PRAGMA_CASING^} (@command{gnatpp})
15165 @item ^-pL^/PRAGMA_CASING=LOWER_CASE^
15166 Pragma names are lower case
15168 @item ^-pU^/PRAGMA_CASING=UPPER_CASE^
15169 Pragma names are upper case
15171 @item ^-pM^/PRAGMA_CASING=MIXED_CASE^
15172 Pragma names are mixed case (this is the default)
15174 @item ^-D@var{file}^/DICTIONARY=@var{file}^
15175 @cindex @option{^-D^/DICTIONARY^} (@command{gnatpp})
15176 Use @var{file} as a @emph{dictionary file} that defines
15177 the casing for a set of specified names,
15178 thereby overriding the effect on these names by
15179 any explicit or implicit
15180 ^-n^/NAME_CASING^ switch.
15181 To supply more than one dictionary file,
15182 use ^several @option{-D} switches^a list of files as options^.
15185 @option{gnatpp} implicitly uses a @emph{default dictionary file}
15186 to define the casing for the Ada predefined names and
15187 the names declared in the GNAT libraries.
15189 @item ^-D-^/SPECIFIC_CASING^
15190 @cindex @option{^-D-^/SPECIFIC_CASING^} (@command{gnatpp})
15191 Do not use the default dictionary file;
15192 instead, use the casing
15193 defined by a @option{^-n^/NAME_CASING^} switch and any explicit
15198 The structure of a dictionary file, and details on the conventions
15199 used in the default dictionary file, are defined in @ref{Name Casing}.
15201 The @option{^-D-^/SPECIFIC_CASING^} and
15202 @option{^-D@var{file}^/DICTIONARY=@var{file}^} switches are mutually
15205 @node Construct Layout Control
15206 @subsection Construct Layout Control
15207 @cindex Layout control in @command{gnatpp}
15210 This group of @command{gnatpp} switches controls the layout of comments and
15211 complex syntactic constructs. See @ref{Formatting Comments} for details
15215 @cindex @option{^-c@var{n}^/COMMENTS_LAYOUT^} (@command{gnatpp})
15216 @item ^-c0^/COMMENTS_LAYOUT=UNTOUCHED^
15217 All the comments remain unchanged
15219 @item ^-c1^/COMMENTS_LAYOUT=DEFAULT^
15220 GNAT-style comment line indentation (this is the default).
15222 @item ^-c2^/COMMENTS_LAYOUT=STANDARD_INDENT^
15223 Reference-manual comment line indentation.
15225 @item ^-c3^/COMMENTS_LAYOUT=GNAT_BEGINNING^
15226 GNAT-style comment beginning
15228 @item ^-c4^/COMMENTS_LAYOUT=REFORMAT^
15229 Reformat comment blocks
15231 @cindex @option{^-l@var{n}^/CONSTRUCT_LAYOUT^} (@command{gnatpp})
15232 @item ^-l1^/CONSTRUCT_LAYOUT=GNAT^
15233 GNAT-style layout (this is the default)
15235 @item ^-l2^/CONSTRUCT_LAYOUT=COMPACT^
15238 @item ^-l3^/CONSTRUCT_LAYOUT=UNCOMPACT^
15241 @cindex @option{^-N^/NOTABS^} (@command{gnatpp})
15243 All the VT characters are removed from the comment text. All the HT characters
15244 are expanded with the sequences of space characters to get to the next tab
15247 @cindex @option{^--no-separate-is^/NO_SEPARATE_IS^} (@command{gnatpp})
15248 @item ^--no-separate-is^/NO_SEPARATE_IS^
15249 Do not place the keyword @code{is} on a separate line in a subprogram body in
15250 case if the specification occupies more then one line.
15256 The @option{-c1} and @option{-c2} switches are incompatible.
15257 The @option{-c3} and @option{-c4} switches are compatible with each other and
15258 also with @option{-c1} and @option{-c2}. The @option{-c0} switch disables all
15259 the other comment formatting switches.
15261 The @option{-l1}, @option{-l2}, and @option{-l3} switches are incompatible.
15266 For the @option{/COMMENTS_LAYOUT} qualifier:
15269 The @option{DEFAULT} and @option{STANDARD_INDENT} options are incompatible.
15271 The @option{GNAT_BEGINNING} and @option{REFORMAT} options are compatible with
15272 each other and also with @option{DEFAULT} and @option{STANDARD_INDENT}.
15276 The @option{GNAT}, @option{COMPACT}, and @option{UNCOMPACT} options for the
15277 @option{/CONSTRUCT_LAYOUT} qualifier are incompatible.
15280 @node General Text Layout Control
15281 @subsection General Text Layout Control
15284 These switches allow control over line length and indentation.
15287 @item ^-M@i{nnn}^/LINE_LENGTH_MAX=@i{nnn}^
15288 @cindex @option{^-M^/LINE_LENGTH^} (@command{gnatpp})
15289 Maximum line length, @i{nnn} from 32 ..256, the default value is 79
15291 @item ^-i@i{nnn}^/INDENTATION_LEVEL=@i{nnn}^
15292 @cindex @option{^-i^/INDENTATION_LEVEL^} (@command{gnatpp})
15293 Indentation level, @i{nnn} from 1 .. 9, the default value is 3
15295 @item ^-cl@i{nnn}^/CONTINUATION_INDENT=@i{nnn}^
15296 @cindex @option{^-cl^/CONTINUATION_INDENT^} (@command{gnatpp})
15297 Indentation level for continuation lines (relative to the line being
15298 continued), @i{nnn} from 1 .. 9.
15300 value is one less then the (normal) indentation level, unless the
15301 indentation is set to 1 (in which case the default value for continuation
15302 line indentation is also 1)
15305 @node Other Formatting Options
15306 @subsection Other Formatting Options
15309 These switches control the inclusion of missing end/exit labels, and
15310 the indentation level in @b{case} statements.
15313 @item ^-e^/NO_MISSED_LABELS^
15314 @cindex @option{^-e^/NO_MISSED_LABELS^} (@command{gnatpp})
15315 Do not insert missing end/exit labels. An end label is the name of
15316 a construct that may optionally be repeated at the end of the
15317 construct's declaration;
15318 e.g., the names of packages, subprograms, and tasks.
15319 An exit label is the name of a loop that may appear as target
15320 of an exit statement within the loop.
15321 By default, @command{gnatpp} inserts these end/exit labels when
15322 they are absent from the original source. This option suppresses such
15323 insertion, so that the formatted source reflects the original.
15325 @item ^-ff^/FORM_FEED_AFTER_PRAGMA_PAGE^
15326 @cindex @option{^-ff^/FORM_FEED_AFTER_PRAGMA_PAGE^} (@command{gnatpp})
15327 Insert a Form Feed character after a pragma Page.
15329 @item ^-T@i{nnn}^/MAX_INDENT=@i{nnn}^
15330 @cindex @option{^-T^/MAX_INDENT^} (@command{gnatpp})
15331 Do not use an additional indentation level for @b{case} alternatives
15332 and variants if there are @i{nnn} or more (the default
15334 If @i{nnn} is 0, an additional indentation level is
15335 used for @b{case} alternatives and variants regardless of their number.
15338 @node Setting the Source Search Path
15339 @subsection Setting the Source Search Path
15342 To define the search path for the input source file, @command{gnatpp}
15343 uses the same switches as the GNAT compiler, with the same effects.
15346 @item ^-I^/SEARCH=^@var{dir}
15347 @cindex @option{^-I^/SEARCH^} (@code{gnatpp})
15348 The same as the corresponding gcc switch
15350 @item ^-I-^/NOCURRENT_DIRECTORY^
15351 @cindex @option{^-I-^/NOCURRENT_DIRECTORY^} (@code{gnatpp})
15352 The same as the corresponding gcc switch
15354 @item ^-gnatec^/CONFIGURATION_PRAGMAS_FILE^=@var{path}
15355 @cindex @option{^-gnatec^/CONFIGURATION_PRAGMAS_FILE^} (@code{gnatpp})
15356 The same as the corresponding gcc switch
15358 @item ^--RTS^/RUNTIME_SYSTEM^=@var{path}
15359 @cindex @option{^--RTS^/RUNTIME_SYSTEM^} (@code{gnatpp})
15360 The same as the corresponding gcc switch
15364 @node Output File Control
15365 @subsection Output File Control
15368 By default the output is sent to the file whose name is obtained by appending
15369 the ^@file{.pp}^@file{$PP}^ suffix to the name of the input file
15370 (if the file with this name already exists, it is unconditionally overwritten).
15371 Thus if the input file is @file{^my_ada_proc.adb^MY_ADA_PROC.ADB^} then
15372 @command{gnatpp} will produce @file{^my_ada_proc.adb.pp^MY_ADA_PROC.ADB$PP^}
15374 The output may be redirected by the following switches:
15377 @item ^-pipe^/STANDARD_OUTPUT^
15378 @cindex @option{^-pipe^/STANDARD_OUTPUT^} (@code{gnatpp})
15379 Send the output to @code{Standard_Output}
15381 @item ^-o @var{output_file}^/OUTPUT=@var{output_file}^
15382 @cindex @option{^-o^/OUTPUT^} (@code{gnatpp})
15383 Write the output into @var{output_file}.
15384 If @var{output_file} already exists, @command{gnatpp} terminates without
15385 reading or processing the input file.
15387 @item ^-of ^/FORCED_OUTPUT=^@var{output_file}
15388 @cindex @option{^-of^/FORCED_OUTPUT^} (@code{gnatpp})
15389 Write the output into @var{output_file}, overwriting the existing file
15390 (if one is present).
15392 @item ^-r^/REPLACE^
15393 @cindex @option{^-r^/REPLACE^} (@code{gnatpp})
15394 Replace the input source file with the reformatted output, and copy the
15395 original input source into the file whose name is obtained by appending the
15396 ^@file{.npp}^@file{$NPP}^ suffix to the name of the input file.
15397 If a file with this name already exists, @command{gnatpp} terminates without
15398 reading or processing the input file.
15400 @item ^-rf^/OVERRIDING_REPLACE^
15401 @cindex @option{^-rf^/OVERRIDING_REPLACE^} (@code{gnatpp})
15402 Like @option{^-r^/REPLACE^} except that if the file with the specified name
15403 already exists, it is overwritten.
15405 @item ^-rnb^/NO_BACKUP^
15406 @cindex @option{^-rnb^/NO_BACKUP^} (@code{gnatpp})
15407 Replace the input source file with the reformatted output without
15408 creating any backup copy of the input source.
15410 @item ^--eol=@var{xxx}^/END_OF_LINE=@var{xxx}^
15411 @cindex @option{^--eol^/END_OF_LINE^} (@code{gnatpp})
15412 Specifies the format of the reformatted output file. The @var{xxx}
15413 ^string specified with the switch^option^ may be either
15415 @item ``@option{^dos^DOS^}'' MS DOS style, lines end with CR LF characters
15416 @item ``@option{^crlf^CRLF^}''
15417 the same as @option{^crlf^CRLF^}
15418 @item ``@option{^unix^UNIX^}'' UNIX style, lines end with LF character
15419 @item ``@option{^lf^LF^}''
15420 the same as @option{^unix^UNIX^}
15426 Options @option{^-pipe^/STANDARD_OUTPUT^},
15427 @option{^-o^/OUTPUT^} and
15428 @option{^-of^/FORCED_OUTPUT^} are allowed only if the call to gnatpp
15429 contains only one file to reformat.
15431 @option{^--eol^/END_OF_LINE^}
15432 cannot be used together
15433 with @option{^-pipe^/STANDARD_OUTPUT^} option.
15435 @node Other gnatpp Switches
15436 @subsection Other @code{gnatpp} Switches
15439 The additional @command{gnatpp} switches are defined in this subsection.
15442 @item ^-files @var{filename}^/FILES=@var{output_file}^
15443 @cindex @option{^-files^/FILES^} (@code{gnatpp})
15444 Take the argument source files from the specified file. This file should be an
15445 ordinary textual file containing file names separated by spaces or
15446 line breaks. You can use this switch more then once in the same call to
15447 @command{gnatpp}. You also can combine this switch with explicit list of
15450 @item ^-v^/VERBOSE^
15451 @cindex @option{^-v^/VERBOSE^} (@code{gnatpp})
15453 @command{gnatpp} generates version information and then
15454 a trace of the actions it takes to produce or obtain the ASIS tree.
15456 @item ^-w^/WARNINGS^
15457 @cindex @option{^-w^/WARNINGS^} (@code{gnatpp})
15459 @command{gnatpp} generates a warning whenever it cannot provide
15460 a required layout in the result source.
15463 @node Formatting Rules
15464 @section Formatting Rules
15467 The following subsections show how @command{gnatpp} treats ``white space'',
15468 comments, program layout, and name casing.
15469 They provide the detailed descriptions of the switches shown above.
15472 * White Space and Empty Lines::
15473 * Formatting Comments::
15474 * Construct Layout::
15478 @node White Space and Empty Lines
15479 @subsection White Space and Empty Lines
15482 @command{gnatpp} does not have an option to control space characters.
15483 It will add or remove spaces according to the style illustrated by the
15484 examples in the @cite{Ada Reference Manual}.
15486 The only format effectors
15487 (see @cite{Ada Reference Manual}, paragraph 2.1(13))
15488 that will appear in the output file are platform-specific line breaks,
15489 and also format effectors within (but not at the end of) comments.
15490 In particular, each horizontal tab character that is not inside
15491 a comment will be treated as a space and thus will appear in the
15492 output file as zero or more spaces depending on
15493 the reformatting of the line in which it appears.
15494 The only exception is a Form Feed character, which is inserted after a
15495 pragma @code{Page} when @option{-ff} is set.
15497 The output file will contain no lines with trailing ``white space'' (spaces,
15500 Empty lines in the original source are preserved
15501 only if they separate declarations or statements.
15502 In such contexts, a
15503 sequence of two or more empty lines is replaced by exactly one empty line.
15504 Note that a blank line will be removed if it separates two ``comment blocks''
15505 (a comment block is a sequence of whole-line comments).
15506 In order to preserve a visual separation between comment blocks, use an
15507 ``empty comment'' (a line comprising only hyphens) rather than an empty line.
15508 Likewise, if for some reason you wish to have a sequence of empty lines,
15509 use a sequence of empty comments instead.
15511 @node Formatting Comments
15512 @subsection Formatting Comments
15515 Comments in Ada code are of two kinds:
15518 a @emph{whole-line comment}, which appears by itself (possibly preceded by
15519 ``white space'') on a line
15522 an @emph{end-of-line comment}, which follows some other Ada lexical element
15527 The indentation of a whole-line comment is that of either
15528 the preceding or following line in
15529 the formatted source, depending on switch settings as will be described below.
15531 For an end-of-line comment, @command{gnatpp} leaves the same number of spaces
15532 between the end of the preceding Ada lexical element and the beginning
15533 of the comment as appear in the original source,
15534 unless either the comment has to be split to
15535 satisfy the line length limitation, or else the next line contains a
15536 whole line comment that is considered a continuation of this end-of-line
15537 comment (because it starts at the same position).
15539 cases, the start of the end-of-line comment is moved right to the nearest
15540 multiple of the indentation level.
15541 This may result in a ``line overflow'' (the right-shifted comment extending
15542 beyond the maximum line length), in which case the comment is split as
15545 There is a difference between @option{^-c1^/COMMENTS_LAYOUT=DEFAULT^}
15546 (GNAT-style comment line indentation)
15547 and @option{^-c2^/COMMENTS_LAYOUT=STANDARD_INDENT^}
15548 (reference-manual comment line indentation).
15549 With reference-manual style, a whole-line comment is indented as if it
15550 were a declaration or statement at the same place
15551 (i.e., according to the indentation of the preceding line(s)).
15552 With GNAT style, a whole-line comment that is immediately followed by an
15553 @b{if} or @b{case} statement alternative, a record variant, or the reserved
15554 word @b{begin}, is indented based on the construct that follows it.
15557 @smallexample @c ada
15569 Reference-manual indentation produces:
15571 @smallexample @c ada
15583 while GNAT-style indentation produces:
15585 @smallexample @c ada
15597 The @option{^-c3^/COMMENTS_LAYOUT=GNAT_BEGINNING^} switch
15598 (GNAT style comment beginning) has the following
15603 For each whole-line comment that does not end with two hyphens,
15604 @command{gnatpp} inserts spaces if necessary after the starting two hyphens
15605 to ensure that there are at least two spaces between these hyphens and the
15606 first non-blank character of the comment.
15610 For an end-of-line comment, if in the original source the next line is a
15611 whole-line comment that starts at the same position
15612 as the end-of-line comment,
15613 then the whole-line comment (and all whole-line comments
15614 that follow it and that start at the same position)
15615 will start at this position in the output file.
15618 That is, if in the original source we have:
15620 @smallexample @c ada
15623 A := B + C; -- B must be in the range Low1..High1
15624 -- C must be in the range Low2..High2
15625 --B+C will be in the range Low1+Low2..High1+High2
15631 Then in the formatted source we get
15633 @smallexample @c ada
15636 A := B + C; -- B must be in the range Low1..High1
15637 -- C must be in the range Low2..High2
15638 -- B+C will be in the range Low1+Low2..High1+High2
15644 A comment that exceeds the line length limit will be split.
15646 @option{^-c4^/COMMENTS_LAYOUT=REFORMAT^} (reformat comment blocks) is set and
15647 the line belongs to a reformattable block, splitting the line generates a
15648 @command{gnatpp} warning.
15649 The @option{^-c4^/COMMENTS_LAYOUT=REFORMAT^} switch specifies that whole-line
15650 comments may be reformatted in typical
15651 word processor style (that is, moving words between lines and putting as
15652 many words in a line as possible).
15654 @node Construct Layout
15655 @subsection Construct Layout
15658 In several cases the suggested layout in the Ada Reference Manual includes
15659 an extra level of indentation that many programmers prefer to avoid. The
15660 affected cases include:
15664 @item Record type declaration (RM 3.8)
15666 @item Record representation clause (RM 13.5.1)
15668 @item Loop statement in case if a loop has a statement identifier (RM 5.6)
15670 @item Block statement in case if a block has a statement identifier (RM 5.6)
15674 In compact mode (when GNAT style layout or compact layout is set),
15675 the pretty printer uses one level of indentation instead
15676 of two. This is achieved in the record definition and record representation
15677 clause cases by putting the @code{record} keyword on the same line as the
15678 start of the declaration or representation clause, and in the block and loop
15679 case by putting the block or loop header on the same line as the statement
15683 The difference between GNAT style @option{^-l1^/CONSTRUCT_LAYOUT=GNAT^}
15684 and compact @option{^-l2^/CONSTRUCT_LAYOUT=COMPACT^}
15685 layout on the one hand, and uncompact layout
15686 @option{^-l3^/CONSTRUCT_LAYOUT=UNCOMPACT^} on the other hand,
15687 can be illustrated by the following examples:
15691 @multitable @columnfractions .5 .5
15692 @item @i{GNAT style, compact layout} @tab @i{Uncompact layout}
15695 @smallexample @c ada
15702 @smallexample @c ada
15711 @smallexample @c ada
15713 a at 0 range 0 .. 31;
15714 b at 4 range 0 .. 31;
15718 @smallexample @c ada
15721 a at 0 range 0 .. 31;
15722 b at 4 range 0 .. 31;
15727 @smallexample @c ada
15735 @smallexample @c ada
15745 @smallexample @c ada
15746 Clear : for J in 1 .. 10 loop
15751 @smallexample @c ada
15753 for J in 1 .. 10 loop
15764 GNAT style, compact layout Uncompact layout
15766 type q is record type q is
15767 a : integer; record
15768 b : integer; a : integer;
15769 end record; b : integer;
15772 for q use record for q use
15773 a at 0 range 0 .. 31; record
15774 b at 4 range 0 .. 31; a at 0 range 0 .. 31;
15775 end record; b at 4 range 0 .. 31;
15778 Block : declare Block :
15779 A : Integer := 3; declare
15780 begin A : Integer := 3;
15782 end Block; Proc (A, A);
15785 Clear : for J in 1 .. 10 loop Clear :
15786 A (J) := 0; for J in 1 .. 10 loop
15787 end loop Clear; A (J) := 0;
15794 A further difference between GNAT style layout and compact layout is that
15795 GNAT style layout inserts empty lines as separation for
15796 compound statements, return statements and bodies.
15799 @subsection Name Casing
15802 @command{gnatpp} always converts the usage occurrence of a (simple) name to
15803 the same casing as the corresponding defining identifier.
15805 You control the casing for defining occurrences via the
15806 @option{^-n^/NAME_CASING^} switch.
15808 With @option{-nD} (``as declared'', which is the default),
15811 With @option{/NAME_CASING=AS_DECLARED}, which is the default,
15813 defining occurrences appear exactly as in the source file
15814 where they are declared.
15815 The other ^values for this switch^options for this qualifier^ ---
15816 @option{^-nU^UPPER_CASE^},
15817 @option{^-nL^LOWER_CASE^},
15818 @option{^-nM^MIXED_CASE^} ---
15820 ^upper, lower, or mixed case, respectively^the corresponding casing^.
15821 If @command{gnatpp} changes the casing of a defining
15822 occurrence, it analogously changes the casing of all the
15823 usage occurrences of this name.
15825 If the defining occurrence of a name is not in the source compilation unit
15826 currently being processed by @command{gnatpp}, the casing of each reference to
15827 this name is changed according to the value of the @option{^-n^/NAME_CASING^}
15828 switch (subject to the dictionary file mechanism described below).
15829 Thus @command{gnatpp} acts as though the @option{^-n^/NAME_CASING^} switch
15831 casing for the defining occurrence of the name.
15833 Some names may need to be spelled with casing conventions that are not
15834 covered by the upper-, lower-, and mixed-case transformations.
15835 You can arrange correct casing by placing such names in a
15836 @emph{dictionary file},
15837 and then supplying a @option{^-D^/DICTIONARY^} switch.
15838 The casing of names from dictionary files overrides
15839 any @option{^-n^/NAME_CASING^} switch.
15841 To handle the casing of Ada predefined names and the names from GNAT libraries,
15842 @command{gnatpp} assumes a default dictionary file.
15843 The name of each predefined entity is spelled with the same casing as is used
15844 for the entity in the @cite{Ada Reference Manual}.
15845 The name of each entity in the GNAT libraries is spelled with the same casing
15846 as is used in the declaration of that entity.
15848 The @w{@option{^-D-^/SPECIFIC_CASING^}} switch suppresses the use of the
15849 default dictionary file.
15850 Instead, the casing for predefined and GNAT-defined names will be established
15851 by the @option{^-n^/NAME_CASING^} switch or explicit dictionary files.
15852 For example, by default the names @code{Ada.Text_IO} and @code{GNAT.OS_Lib}
15853 will appear as just shown,
15854 even in the presence of a @option{^-nU^/NAME_CASING=UPPER_CASE^} switch.
15855 To ensure that even such names are rendered in uppercase,
15856 additionally supply the @w{@option{^-D-^/SPECIFIC_CASING^}} switch
15857 (or else, less conveniently, place these names in upper case in a dictionary
15860 A dictionary file is
15861 a plain text file; each line in this file can be either a blank line
15862 (containing only space characters and ASCII.HT characters), an Ada comment
15863 line, or the specification of exactly one @emph{casing schema}.
15865 A casing schema is a string that has the following syntax:
15869 @var{casing_schema} ::= @var{identifier} | *@var{simple_identifier}*
15871 @var{simple_identifier} ::= @var{letter}@{@var{letter_or_digit}@}
15876 (See @cite{Ada Reference Manual}, Section 2.3) for the definition of the
15877 @var{identifier} lexical element and the @var{letter_or_digit} category.)
15879 The casing schema string can be followed by white space and/or an Ada-style
15880 comment; any amount of white space is allowed before the string.
15882 If a dictionary file is passed as
15884 the value of a @option{-D@var{file}} switch
15887 an option to the @option{/DICTIONARY} qualifier
15890 simple name and every identifier, @command{gnatpp} checks if the dictionary
15891 defines the casing for the name or for some of its parts (the term ``subword''
15892 is used below to denote the part of a name which is delimited by ``_'' or by
15893 the beginning or end of the word and which does not contain any ``_'' inside):
15897 if the whole name is in the dictionary, @command{gnatpp} uses for this name
15898 the casing defined by the dictionary; no subwords are checked for this word
15901 for every subword @command{gnatpp} checks if the dictionary contains the
15902 corresponding string of the form @code{*@var{simple_identifier}*},
15903 and if it does, the casing of this @var{simple_identifier} is used
15907 if the whole name does not contain any ``_'' inside, and if for this name
15908 the dictionary contains two entries - one of the form @var{identifier},
15909 and another - of the form *@var{simple_identifier}*, then the first one
15910 is applied to define the casing of this name
15913 if more than one dictionary file is passed as @command{gnatpp} switches, each
15914 dictionary adds new casing exceptions and overrides all the existing casing
15915 exceptions set by the previous dictionaries
15918 when @command{gnatpp} checks if the word or subword is in the dictionary,
15919 this check is not case sensitive
15923 For example, suppose we have the following source to reformat:
15925 @smallexample @c ada
15928 name1 : integer := 1;
15929 name4_name3_name2 : integer := 2;
15930 name2_name3_name4 : Boolean;
15933 name2_name3_name4 := name4_name3_name2 > name1;
15939 And suppose we have two dictionaries:
15956 If @command{gnatpp} is called with the following switches:
15960 @command{gnatpp -nM -D dict1 -D dict2 test.adb}
15963 @command{gnatpp test.adb /NAME_CASING=MIXED_CASE /DICTIONARY=(dict1, dict2)}
15968 then we will get the following name casing in the @command{gnatpp} output:
15970 @smallexample @c ada
15973 NAME1 : Integer := 1;
15974 Name4_NAME3_Name2 : Integer := 2;
15975 Name2_NAME3_Name4 : Boolean;
15978 Name2_NAME3_Name4 := Name4_NAME3_Name2 > NAME1;
15983 @c *********************************
15984 @node The GNAT Metric Tool gnatmetric
15985 @chapter The GNAT Metric Tool @command{gnatmetric}
15987 @cindex Metric tool
15990 ^The @command{gnatmetric} tool^@command{GNAT METRIC}^ is an ASIS-based utility
15991 for computing various program metrics.
15992 It takes an Ada source file as input and generates a file containing the
15993 metrics data as output. Various switches control which
15994 metrics are computed and output.
15996 @command{gnatmetric} generates and uses the ASIS
15997 tree for the input source and thus requires the input to be syntactically and
15998 semantically legal.
15999 If this condition is not met, @command{gnatmetric} will generate
16000 an error message; no metric information for this file will be
16001 computed and reported.
16003 If the compilation unit contained in the input source depends semantically
16004 upon units in files located outside the current directory, you have to provide
16005 the source search path when invoking @command{gnatmetric}.
16006 If it depends semantically upon units that are contained
16007 in files with names that do not follow the GNAT file naming rules, you have to
16008 provide the configuration file describing the corresponding naming scheme (see
16009 the description of the @command{gnatmetric} switches below.)
16010 Alternatively, you may use a project file and invoke @command{gnatmetric}
16011 through the @command{gnat} driver.
16013 The @command{gnatmetric} command has the form
16016 $ gnatmetric [@i{switches}] @{@i{filename}@} [@i{-cargs gcc_switches}]
16023 @i{switches} specify the metrics to compute and define the destination for
16027 Each @i{filename} is the name (including the extension) of a source
16028 file to process. ``Wildcards'' are allowed, and
16029 the file name may contain path information.
16030 If no @i{filename} is supplied, then the @i{switches} list must contain
16032 @option{-files} switch (@pxref{Other gnatmetric Switches}).
16033 Including both a @option{-files} switch and one or more
16034 @i{filename} arguments is permitted.
16037 @i{-cargs gcc_switches} is a list of switches for
16038 @command{gcc}. They will be passed on to all compiler invocations made by
16039 @command{gnatmetric} to generate the ASIS trees. Here you can provide
16040 @option{^-I^/INCLUDE_DIRS=^} switches to form the source search path,
16041 and use the @option{-gnatec} switch to set the configuration file.
16045 * Switches for gnatmetric::
16048 @node Switches for gnatmetric
16049 @section Switches for @command{gnatmetric}
16052 The following subsections describe the various switches accepted by
16053 @command{gnatmetric}, organized by category.
16056 * Output Files Control::
16057 * Disable Metrics For Local Units::
16058 * Line Metrics Control::
16059 * Syntax Metrics Control::
16060 * Complexity Metrics Control::
16061 * Other gnatmetric Switches::
16064 @node Output Files Control
16065 @subsection Output File Control
16066 @cindex Output file control in @command{gnatmetric}
16069 @command{gnatmetric} has two output formats. It can generate a
16070 textual (human-readable) form, and also XML. By default only textual
16071 output is generated.
16073 When generating the output in textual form, @command{gnatmetric} creates
16074 for each Ada source file a corresponding text file
16075 containing the computed metrics. By default, this file
16076 is placed in the same directory as where the source file is located, and
16077 its name is obtained
16078 by appending the ^@file{.metrix}^@file{$METRIX}^ suffix to the name of the
16081 All the output information generated in XML format is placed in a single
16082 file. By default this file is placed in the current directory and has the
16083 name ^@file{metrix.xml}^@file{METRIX$XML}^.
16085 Some of the computed metrics are summed over the units passed to
16086 @command{gnatmetric}; for example, the total number of lines of code.
16087 By default this information is sent to @file{stdout}, but a file
16088 can be specified with the @option{-og} switch.
16090 The following switches control the @command{gnatmetric} output:
16093 @cindex @option{^-x^/XML^} (@command{gnatmetric})
16095 Generate the XML output
16097 @cindex @option{^-nt^/NO_TEXT^} (@command{gnatmetric})
16098 @item ^-nt^/NO_TEXT^
16099 Do not generate the output in text form (implies @option{^-x^/XML^})
16101 @cindex @option{^-d^/DIRECTORY^} (@command{gnatmetric})
16102 @item ^-d @var{output_dir}^/DIRECTORY=@var{output_dir}^
16103 Put textual files with detailed metrics into @var{output_dir}
16105 @cindex @option{^-o^/SUFFIX_DETAILS^} (@command{gnatmetric})
16106 @item ^-o @var{file_suffix}^/SUFFIX_DETAILS=@var{file_suffix}^
16107 Use @var{file_suffix}, instead of ^@file{.metrix}^@file{$METRIX}^
16108 in the name of the output file.
16110 @cindex @option{^-og^/GLOBAL_OUTPUT^} (@command{gnatmetric})
16111 @item ^-og @var{file_name}^/GLOBAL_OUTPUT=@var{file_name}^
16112 Put global metrics into @var{file_name}
16114 @cindex @option{^-ox^/XML_OUTPUT^} (@command{gnatmetric})
16115 @item ^-ox @var{file_name}^/XML_OUTPUT=@var{file_name}^
16116 Put the XML output into @var{file_name} (also implies @option{^-x^/XML^})
16118 @cindex @option{^-sfn^/SHORT_SOURCE_FILE_NAME^} (@command{gnatmetric})
16119 @item ^-sfn^/SHORT_SOURCE_FILE_NAME^
16120 Use ``short'' source file names in the output. (The @command{gnatmetric}
16121 output includes the name(s) of the Ada source file(s) from which the metrics
16122 are computed. By default each name includes the absolute path. The
16123 @option{^-sfn^/SHORT_SOURCE_FILE_NAME^} switch causes @command{gnatmetric}
16124 to exclude all directory information from the file names that are output.)
16128 @node Disable Metrics For Local Units
16129 @subsection Disable Metrics For Local Units
16130 @cindex Disable Metrics For Local Units in @command{gnatmetric}
16133 @command{gnatmetric} relies on the GNAT compilation model @minus{}
16135 unit per one source file. It computes line metrics for the whole source
16136 file, and it also computes syntax
16137 and complexity metrics for the file's outermost unit.
16139 By default, @command{gnatmetric} will also compute all metrics for certain
16140 kinds of locally declared program units:
16144 subprogram (and generic subprogram) bodies;
16147 package (and generic package) specifications and bodies;
16150 task object and type specifications and bodies;
16153 protected object and type specifications and bodies.
16157 These kinds of entities will be referred to as
16158 @emph{eligible local program units}, or simply @emph{eligible local units},
16159 @cindex Eligible local unit (for @command{gnatmetric})
16160 in the discussion below.
16162 Note that a subprogram declaration, generic instantiation,
16163 or renaming declaration only receives metrics
16164 computation when it appear as the outermost entity
16167 Suppression of metrics computation for eligible local units can be
16168 obtained via the following switch:
16171 @cindex @option{^-n@var{x}^/SUPPRESS^} (@command{gnatmetric})
16172 @item ^-nolocal^/SUPPRESS=LOCAL_DETAILS^
16173 Do not compute detailed metrics for eligible local program units
16177 @node Line Metrics Control
16178 @subsection Line Metrics Control
16179 @cindex Line metrics control in @command{gnatmetric}
16182 For any (legal) source file, and for each of its
16183 eligible local program units, @command{gnatmetric} computes the following
16188 the total number of lines;
16191 the total number of code lines (i.e., non-blank lines that are not comments)
16194 the number of comment lines
16197 the number of code lines containing end-of-line comments;
16200 the number of empty lines and lines containing only space characters and/or
16201 format effectors (blank lines)
16205 If @command{gnatmetric} is invoked on more than one source file, it sums the
16206 values of the line metrics for all the files being processed and then
16207 generates the cumulative results.
16209 By default, all the line metrics are computed and reported. You can use the
16210 following switches to select the specific line metrics to be computed and
16211 reported (if any of these parameters is set, only explicitly specified line
16212 metrics are computed).
16215 @cindex @option{^-la^/LINES_ALL^} (@command{gnatmetric})
16216 @item ^-la^/LINES_ALL^
16217 The number of all lines
16219 @cindex @option{^-lcode^/CODE_LINES^} (@command{gnatmetric})
16220 @item ^-lcode^/CODE_LINES^
16221 The number of code lines
16223 @cindex @option{^-lcomm^/COMMENT_LINES^} (@command{gnatmetric})
16224 @item ^-lcomm^/COMENT_LINES^
16225 The number of comment lines
16227 @cindex @option{^-leol^/MIXED_CODE_COMMENTS^} (@command{gnatmetric})
16228 @item ^-leol^/MIXED_CODE_COMMENTS^
16229 The number of code lines containing
16230 end-of-line comments
16232 @cindex @option{^-lb^/BLANK_LINES^} (@command{gnatmetric})
16233 @item ^-lb^/BLANK_LINES^
16234 The number of blank lines
16238 @node Syntax Metrics Control
16239 @subsection Syntax Metrics Control
16240 @cindex Syntax metrics control in @command{gnatmetric}
16243 @command{gnatmetric} computes various syntactic metrics for the
16244 outermost unit and for each eligible local unit:
16247 @item LSLOC (``Logical Source Lines Of Code'')
16248 The total number of declarations and the total number of statements
16250 @item Maximal static nesting level of inner program units
16252 @cite{Ada 95 Language Reference Manual}, 10.1(1), ``A program unit is either a
16253 package, a task unit, a protected unit, a
16254 protected entry, a generic unit, or an explicitly declared subprogram other
16255 than an enumeration literal.''
16257 @item Maximal nesting level of composite syntactic constructs
16258 This corresponds to the notion of the
16259 maximum nesting level in the GNAT built-in style checks
16260 (@pxref{Style Checking})
16264 For the outermost unit in the file, @command{gnatmetric} additionally computes
16265 the following metrics:
16268 @item Public subprograms
16269 This metric is computed for package specifications. It is the
16270 number of subprograms and generic subprograms declared in the visible
16271 part (including in nested packages, protected objects, and
16274 @item All subprograms
16275 This metric is computed for bodies and subunits. The
16276 metric is equal to a total number of subprogram bodies in the compilation
16278 Neither generic instantiations nor renamings-as-a-body nor body stubs
16279 are counted. Any subprogram body is counted, independently of its nesting
16280 level and enclosing constructs. Generic bodies and bodies of protected
16281 subprograms are counted in the same way as ``usual'' subprogram bodies.
16284 This metric is computed for package specifications and
16285 generic package declarations. It is the total number of types
16286 that can be referenced from outside this compilation unit, plus the
16287 number of types from all the visible parts of all the visible generic packages.
16288 Generic formal types are not counted. Only types, not subtypes,
16292 Along with the total number of public types, the following
16293 types are counted and reported separately:
16300 Root tagged types (abstract, non-abstract, private, non-private). Type
16301 extensions are @emph{not} counted
16304 Private types (including private extensions)
16315 This metric is computed for any compilation unit. It is equal to the total
16316 number of the declarations of different types given in the compilation unit.
16317 The private and the corresponding full type declaration are counted as one
16318 type declaration. Incomplete type declarations and generic formal types
16320 No distinction is made among different kinds of types (abstract,
16321 private etc.); the total number of types is computed and reported.
16326 By default, all the syntax metrics are computed and reported. You can use the
16327 following switches to select specific syntax metrics;
16328 if any of these is set, only the explicitly specified metrics are computed.
16331 @cindex @option{^-ed^/DECLARATION_TOTAL^} (@command{gnatmetric})
16332 @item ^-ed^/DECLARATION_TOTAL^
16333 The total number of declarations
16335 @cindex @option{^-es^/STATEMENT_TOTAL^} (@command{gnatmetric})
16336 @item ^-es^/STATEMENT_TOTAL^
16337 The total number of statements
16339 @cindex @option{^-eps^/^} (@command{gnatmetric})
16340 @item ^-eps^/INT_SUBPROGRAMS^
16341 The number of public subprograms in a compilation unit
16343 @cindex @option{^-eas^/SUBPROGRAMS_ALL^} (@command{gnatmetric})
16344 @item ^-eas^/SUBPROGRAMS_ALL^
16345 The number of all the subprograms in a compilation unit
16347 @cindex @option{^-ept^/INT_TYPES^} (@command{gnatmetric})
16348 @item ^-ept^/INT_TYPES^
16349 The number of public types in a compilation unit
16351 @cindex @option{^-eat^/TYPES_ALL^} (@command{gnatmetric})
16352 @item ^-eat^/TYPES_ALL^
16353 The number of all the types in a compilation unit
16355 @cindex @option{^-enu^/PROGRAM_NESTING_MAX^} (@command{gnatmetric})
16356 @item ^-enu^/PROGRAM_NESTING_MAX^
16357 The maximal program unit nesting level
16359 @cindex @option{^-ec^/CONSTRUCT_NESTING_MAX^} (@command{gnatmetric})
16360 @item ^-ec^/CONSTRUCT_NESTING_MAX^
16361 The maximal construct nesting level
16365 @node Complexity Metrics Control
16366 @subsection Complexity Metrics Control
16367 @cindex Complexity metrics control in @command{gnatmetric}
16370 For a program unit that is an executable body (a subprogram body (including
16371 generic bodies), task body, entry body or a package body containing
16372 its own statement sequence ) @command{gnatmetric} computes the following
16373 complexity metrics:
16377 McCabe cyclomatic complexity;
16380 McCabe essential complexity;
16383 maximal loop nesting level
16388 The McCabe complexity metrics are defined
16389 in @url{www.mccabe.com/pdf/nist235r.pdf}
16391 According to McCabe, both control statements and short-circuit control forms
16392 should be taken into account when computing cyclomatic complexity. For each
16393 body, we compute three metric values:
16397 the complexity introduced by control
16398 statements only, without taking into account short-circuit forms,
16401 the complexity introduced by short-circuit control forms only, and
16405 cyclomatic complexity, which is the sum of these two values.
16409 When computing cyclomatic and essential complexity, @command{gnatmetric} skips
16410 the code in the exception handlers and in all the nested program units.
16412 By default, all the complexity metrics are computed and reported.
16413 For more finely-grained control you can use
16414 the following switches:
16417 @cindex @option{^-n@var{x}^/SUPPRESS^} (@command{gnatmetric})
16419 @item ^-nocc^/SUPPRESS=CYCLOMATIC_COMPLEXITY^
16420 Do not compute the McCabe Cyclomatic Complexity
16422 @item ^-noec^/SUPPRESS=ESSENTIAL_COMPLEXITY^
16423 Do not compute the Essential Complexity
16425 @item ^-nonl^/SUPPRESS=MAXIMAL_LOOP_NESTING^
16426 Do not compute maximal loop nesting level
16428 @item ^-ne^/SUPPRESS=EXITS_AS_GOTOS^
16429 Do not consider @code{exit} statements as @code{goto}s when
16430 computing Essential Complexity
16434 @node Other gnatmetric Switches
16435 @subsection Other @code{gnatmetric} Switches
16438 Additional @command{gnatmetric} switches are as follows:
16441 @item ^-files @var{filename}^/FILES=@var{filename}^
16442 @cindex @option{^-files^/FILES^} (@code{gnatmetric})
16443 Take the argument source files from the specified file. This file should be an
16444 ordinary textual file containing file names separated by spaces or
16445 line breaks. You can use this switch more then once in the same call to
16446 @command{gnatmetric}. You also can combine this switch with
16447 an explicit list of files.
16449 @item ^-v^/VERBOSE^
16450 @cindex @option{^-v^/VERBOSE^} (@code{gnatmetric})
16452 @command{gnatmetric} generates version information and then
16453 a trace of sources being processed.
16455 @item ^-dv^/DEBUG_OUTPUT^
16456 @cindex @option{^-dv^/DEBUG_OUTPUT^} (@code{gnatmetric})
16458 @command{gnatmetric} generates various messages useful to understand what
16459 happens during the metrics computation
16462 @cindex @option{^-q^/QUIET^} (@code{gnatmetric})
16466 @c ***********************************
16467 @node File Name Krunching Using gnatkr
16468 @chapter File Name Krunching Using @code{gnatkr}
16472 This chapter discusses the method used by the compiler to shorten
16473 the default file names chosen for Ada units so that they do not
16474 exceed the maximum length permitted. It also describes the
16475 @code{gnatkr} utility that can be used to determine the result of
16476 applying this shortening.
16480 * Krunching Method::
16481 * Examples of gnatkr Usage::
16485 @section About @code{gnatkr}
16488 The default file naming rule in GNAT
16489 is that the file name must be derived from
16490 the unit name. The exact default rule is as follows:
16493 Take the unit name and replace all dots by hyphens.
16495 If such a replacement occurs in the
16496 second character position of a name, and the first character is
16497 ^a, g, s, or i^A, G, S, or I^ then replace the dot by the character
16498 ^~ (tilde)^$ (dollar sign)^
16499 instead of a minus.
16501 The reason for this exception is to avoid clashes
16502 with the standard names for children of System, Ada, Interfaces,
16503 and GNAT, which use the prefixes ^s- a- i- and g-^S- A- I- and G-^
16506 The @option{^-gnatk^/FILE_NAME_MAX_LENGTH=^@var{nn}}
16507 switch of the compiler activates a ``krunching''
16508 circuit that limits file names to nn characters (where nn is a decimal
16509 integer). For example, using OpenVMS,
16510 where the maximum file name length is
16511 39, the value of nn is usually set to 39, but if you want to generate
16512 a set of files that would be usable if ported to a system with some
16513 different maximum file length, then a different value can be specified.
16514 The default value of 39 for OpenVMS need not be specified.
16516 The @code{gnatkr} utility can be used to determine the krunched name for
16517 a given file, when krunched to a specified maximum length.
16520 @section Using @code{gnatkr}
16523 The @code{gnatkr} command has the form
16527 $ gnatkr @var{name} [@var{length}]
16533 $ gnatkr @var{name} /COUNT=nn
16538 @var{name} is the uncrunched file name, derived from the name of the unit
16539 in the standard manner described in the previous section (i.e. in particular
16540 all dots are replaced by hyphens). The file name may or may not have an
16541 extension (defined as a suffix of the form period followed by arbitrary
16542 characters other than period). If an extension is present then it will
16543 be preserved in the output. For example, when krunching @file{hellofile.ads}
16544 to eight characters, the result will be hellofil.ads.
16546 Note: for compatibility with previous versions of @code{gnatkr} dots may
16547 appear in the name instead of hyphens, but the last dot will always be
16548 taken as the start of an extension. So if @code{gnatkr} is given an argument
16549 such as @file{Hello.World.adb} it will be treated exactly as if the first
16550 period had been a hyphen, and for example krunching to eight characters
16551 gives the result @file{hellworl.adb}.
16553 Note that the result is always all lower case (except on OpenVMS where it is
16554 all upper case). Characters of the other case are folded as required.
16556 @var{length} represents the length of the krunched name. The default
16557 when no argument is given is ^8^39^ characters. A length of zero stands for
16558 unlimited, in other words do not chop except for system files where the
16559 implied crunching length is always eight characters.
16562 The output is the krunched name. The output has an extension only if the
16563 original argument was a file name with an extension.
16565 @node Krunching Method
16566 @section Krunching Method
16569 The initial file name is determined by the name of the unit that the file
16570 contains. The name is formed by taking the full expanded name of the
16571 unit and replacing the separating dots with hyphens and
16572 using ^lowercase^uppercase^
16573 for all letters, except that a hyphen in the second character position is
16574 replaced by a ^tilde^dollar sign^ if the first character is
16575 ^a, i, g, or s^A, I, G, or S^.
16576 The extension is @code{.ads} for a
16577 specification and @code{.adb} for a body.
16578 Krunching does not affect the extension, but the file name is shortened to
16579 the specified length by following these rules:
16583 The name is divided into segments separated by hyphens, tildes or
16584 underscores and all hyphens, tildes, and underscores are
16585 eliminated. If this leaves the name short enough, we are done.
16588 If the name is too long, the longest segment is located (left-most
16589 if there are two of equal length), and shortened by dropping
16590 its last character. This is repeated until the name is short enough.
16592 As an example, consider the krunching of @*@file{our-strings-wide_fixed.adb}
16593 to fit the name into 8 characters as required by some operating systems.
16596 our-strings-wide_fixed 22
16597 our strings wide fixed 19
16598 our string wide fixed 18
16599 our strin wide fixed 17
16600 our stri wide fixed 16
16601 our stri wide fixe 15
16602 our str wide fixe 14
16603 our str wid fixe 13
16609 Final file name: oustwifi.adb
16613 The file names for all predefined units are always krunched to eight
16614 characters. The krunching of these predefined units uses the following
16615 special prefix replacements:
16619 replaced by @file{^a^A^-}
16622 replaced by @file{^g^G^-}
16625 replaced by @file{^i^I^-}
16628 replaced by @file{^s^S^-}
16631 These system files have a hyphen in the second character position. That
16632 is why normal user files replace such a character with a
16633 ^tilde^dollar sign^, to
16634 avoid confusion with system file names.
16636 As an example of this special rule, consider
16637 @*@file{ada-strings-wide_fixed.adb}, which gets krunched as follows:
16640 ada-strings-wide_fixed 22
16641 a- strings wide fixed 18
16642 a- string wide fixed 17
16643 a- strin wide fixed 16
16644 a- stri wide fixed 15
16645 a- stri wide fixe 14
16646 a- str wide fixe 13
16652 Final file name: a-stwifi.adb
16656 Of course no file shortening algorithm can guarantee uniqueness over all
16657 possible unit names, and if file name krunching is used then it is your
16658 responsibility to ensure that no name clashes occur. The utility
16659 program @code{gnatkr} is supplied for conveniently determining the
16660 krunched name of a file.
16662 @node Examples of gnatkr Usage
16663 @section Examples of @code{gnatkr} Usage
16670 $ gnatkr very_long_unit_name.ads --> velounna.ads
16671 $ gnatkr grandparent-parent-child.ads --> grparchi.ads
16672 $ gnatkr Grandparent.Parent.Child.ads --> grparchi.ads
16673 $ gnatkr grandparent-parent-child --> grparchi
16675 $ gnatkr very_long_unit_name.ads/count=6 --> vlunna.ads
16676 $ gnatkr very_long_unit_name.ads/count=0 --> very_long_unit_name.ads
16679 @node Preprocessing Using gnatprep
16680 @chapter Preprocessing Using @code{gnatprep}
16684 The @code{gnatprep} utility provides
16685 a simple preprocessing capability for Ada programs.
16686 It is designed for use with GNAT, but is not dependent on any special
16691 * Switches for gnatprep::
16692 * Form of Definitions File::
16693 * Form of Input Text for gnatprep::
16696 @node Using gnatprep
16697 @section Using @code{gnatprep}
16700 To call @code{gnatprep} use
16703 $ gnatprep [switches] infile outfile [deffile]
16710 is an optional sequence of switches as described in the next section.
16713 is the full name of the input file, which is an Ada source
16714 file containing preprocessor directives.
16717 is the full name of the output file, which is an Ada source
16718 in standard Ada form. When used with GNAT, this file name will
16719 normally have an ads or adb suffix.
16722 is the full name of a text file containing definitions of
16723 symbols to be referenced by the preprocessor. This argument is
16724 optional, and can be replaced by the use of the @option{-D} switch.
16728 @node Switches for gnatprep
16729 @section Switches for @code{gnatprep}
16734 @item ^-b^/BLANK_LINES^
16735 @cindex @option{^-b^/BLANK_LINES^} (@command{gnatprep})
16736 Causes both preprocessor lines and the lines deleted by
16737 preprocessing to be replaced by blank lines in the output source file,
16738 preserving line numbers in the output file.
16740 @item ^-c^/COMMENTS^
16741 @cindex @option{^-c^/COMMENTS^} (@command{gnatprep})
16742 Causes both preprocessor lines and the lines deleted
16743 by preprocessing to be retained in the output source as comments marked
16744 with the special string @code{"--! "}. This option will result in line numbers
16745 being preserved in the output file.
16747 @item ^-C^/REPLACE_IN_COMMENTS^
16748 @cindex @option{^-C^/REPLACE_IN_COMMENTS^} (@command{gnatprep})
16749 Causes comments to be scanned. Normally comments are ignored by gnatprep.
16750 If this option is specified, then comments are scanned and any $symbol
16751 substitutions performed as in program text. This is particularly useful
16752 when structured comments are used (e.g. when writing programs in the
16753 SPARK dialect of Ada). Note that this switch is not available when
16754 doing integrated preprocessing (it would be useless in this context
16755 since comments are ignored by the compiler in any case).
16757 @item ^-Dsymbol=value^/ASSOCIATE="symbol=value"^
16758 @cindex @option{^-D^/ASSOCIATE^} (@command{gnatprep})
16759 Defines a new symbol, associated with value. If no value is given on the
16760 command line, then symbol is considered to be @code{True}. This switch
16761 can be used in place of a definition file.
16765 @cindex @option{/REMOVE} (@command{gnatprep})
16766 This is the default setting which causes lines deleted by preprocessing
16767 to be entirely removed from the output file.
16770 @item ^-r^/REFERENCE^
16771 @cindex @option{^-r^/REFERENCE^} (@command{gnatprep})
16772 Causes a @code{Source_Reference} pragma to be generated that
16773 references the original input file, so that error messages will use
16774 the file name of this original file. The use of this switch implies
16775 that preprocessor lines are not to be removed from the file, so its
16776 use will force @option{^-b^/BLANK_LINES^} mode if
16777 @option{^-c^/COMMENTS^}
16778 has not been specified explicitly.
16780 Note that if the file to be preprocessed contains multiple units, then
16781 it will be necessary to @code{gnatchop} the output file from
16782 @code{gnatprep}. If a @code{Source_Reference} pragma is present
16783 in the preprocessed file, it will be respected by
16784 @code{gnatchop ^-r^/REFERENCE^}
16785 so that the final chopped files will correctly refer to the original
16786 input source file for @code{gnatprep}.
16788 @item ^-s^/SYMBOLS^
16789 @cindex @option{^-s^/SYMBOLS^} (@command{gnatprep})
16790 Causes a sorted list of symbol names and values to be
16791 listed on the standard output file.
16793 @item ^-u^/UNDEFINED^
16794 @cindex @option{^-u^/UNDEFINED^} (@command{gnatprep})
16795 Causes undefined symbols to be treated as having the value FALSE in the context
16796 of a preprocessor test. In the absence of this option, an undefined symbol in
16797 a @code{#if} or @code{#elsif} test will be treated as an error.
16803 Note: if neither @option{-b} nor @option{-c} is present,
16804 then preprocessor lines and
16805 deleted lines are completely removed from the output, unless -r is
16806 specified, in which case -b is assumed.
16809 @node Form of Definitions File
16810 @section Form of Definitions File
16813 The definitions file contains lines of the form
16820 where symbol is an identifier, following normal Ada (case-insensitive)
16821 rules for its syntax, and value is one of the following:
16825 Empty, corresponding to a null substitution
16827 A string literal using normal Ada syntax
16829 Any sequence of characters from the set
16830 (letters, digits, period, underline).
16834 Comment lines may also appear in the definitions file, starting with
16835 the usual @code{--},
16836 and comments may be added to the definitions lines.
16838 @node Form of Input Text for gnatprep
16839 @section Form of Input Text for @code{gnatprep}
16842 The input text may contain preprocessor conditional inclusion lines,
16843 as well as general symbol substitution sequences.
16845 The preprocessor conditional inclusion commands have the form
16850 #if @i{expression} [then]
16852 #elsif @i{expression} [then]
16854 #elsif @i{expression} [then]
16865 In this example, @i{expression} is defined by the following grammar:
16867 @i{expression} ::= <symbol>
16868 @i{expression} ::= <symbol> = "<value>"
16869 @i{expression} ::= <symbol> = <symbol>
16870 @i{expression} ::= <symbol> 'Defined
16871 @i{expression} ::= not @i{expression}
16872 @i{expression} ::= @i{expression} and @i{expression}
16873 @i{expression} ::= @i{expression} or @i{expression}
16874 @i{expression} ::= @i{expression} and then @i{expression}
16875 @i{expression} ::= @i{expression} or else @i{expression}
16876 @i{expression} ::= ( @i{expression} )
16880 For the first test (@i{expression} ::= <symbol>) the symbol must have
16881 either the value true or false, that is to say the right-hand of the
16882 symbol definition must be one of the (case-insensitive) literals
16883 @code{True} or @code{False}. If the value is true, then the
16884 corresponding lines are included, and if the value is false, they are
16887 The test (@i{expression} ::= <symbol> @code{'Defined}) is true only if
16888 the symbol has been defined in the definition file or by a @option{-D}
16889 switch on the command line. Otherwise, the test is false.
16891 The equality tests are case insensitive, as are all the preprocessor lines.
16893 If the symbol referenced is not defined in the symbol definitions file,
16894 then the effect depends on whether or not switch @option{-u}
16895 is specified. If so, then the symbol is treated as if it had the value
16896 false and the test fails. If this switch is not specified, then
16897 it is an error to reference an undefined symbol. It is also an error to
16898 reference a symbol that is defined with a value other than @code{True}
16901 The use of the @code{not} operator inverts the sense of this logical test, so
16902 that the lines are included only if the symbol is not defined.
16903 The @code{then} keyword is optional as shown
16905 The @code{#} must be the first non-blank character on a line, but
16906 otherwise the format is free form. Spaces or tabs may appear between
16907 the @code{#} and the keyword. The keywords and the symbols are case
16908 insensitive as in normal Ada code. Comments may be used on a
16909 preprocessor line, but other than that, no other tokens may appear on a
16910 preprocessor line. Any number of @code{elsif} clauses can be present,
16911 including none at all. The @code{else} is optional, as in Ada.
16913 The @code{#} marking the start of a preprocessor line must be the first
16914 non-blank character on the line, i.e. it must be preceded only by
16915 spaces or horizontal tabs.
16917 Symbol substitution outside of preprocessor lines is obtained by using
16925 anywhere within a source line, except in a comment or within a
16926 string literal. The identifier
16927 following the @code{$} must match one of the symbols defined in the symbol
16928 definition file, and the result is to substitute the value of the
16929 symbol in place of @code{$symbol} in the output file.
16931 Note that although the substitution of strings within a string literal
16932 is not possible, it is possible to have a symbol whose defined value is
16933 a string literal. So instead of setting XYZ to @code{hello} and writing:
16936 Header : String := "$XYZ";
16940 you should set XYZ to @code{"hello"} and write:
16943 Header : String := $XYZ;
16947 and then the substitution will occur as desired.
16950 @node The GNAT Run-Time Library Builder gnatlbr
16951 @chapter The GNAT Run-Time Library Builder @code{gnatlbr}
16953 @cindex Library builder
16956 @code{gnatlbr} is a tool for rebuilding the GNAT run time with user
16957 supplied configuration pragmas.
16960 * Running gnatlbr::
16961 * Switches for gnatlbr::
16962 * Examples of gnatlbr Usage::
16965 @node Running gnatlbr
16966 @section Running @code{gnatlbr}
16969 The @code{gnatlbr} command has the form
16972 $ GNAT LIBRARY /[CREATE | SET | DELETE]=directory [/CONFIG=file]
16975 @node Switches for gnatlbr
16976 @section Switches for @code{gnatlbr}
16979 @code{gnatlbr} recognizes the following switches:
16983 @item /CREATE=directory
16984 @cindex @code{/CREATE} (@code{gnatlbr})
16985 Create the new run-time library in the specified directory.
16987 @item /SET=directory
16988 @cindex @code{/SET} (@code{gnatlbr})
16989 Make the library in the specified directory the current run-time
16992 @item /DELETE=directory
16993 @cindex @code{/DELETE} (@code{gnatlbr})
16994 Delete the run-time library in the specified directory.
16997 @cindex @code{/CONFIG} (@code{gnatlbr})
16999 Use the configuration pragmas in the specified file when building
17003 Use the configuration pragmas in the specified file when compiling.
17007 @node Examples of gnatlbr Usage
17008 @section Example of @code{gnatlbr} Usage
17011 Contents of VAXFLOAT.ADC:
17012 pragma Float_Representation (VAX_Float);
17014 $ GNAT LIBRARY /CREATE=[.VAXFLOAT] /CONFIG=VAXFLOAT.ADC
17016 GNAT LIBRARY rebuilds the run-time library in directory [.VAXFLOAT]
17021 @node The GNAT Library Browser gnatls
17022 @chapter The GNAT Library Browser @code{gnatls}
17024 @cindex Library browser
17027 @code{gnatls} is a tool that outputs information about compiled
17028 units. It gives the relationship between objects, unit names and source
17029 files. It can also be used to check the source dependencies of a unit
17030 as well as various characteristics.
17034 * Switches for gnatls::
17035 * Examples of gnatls Usage::
17038 @node Running gnatls
17039 @section Running @code{gnatls}
17042 The @code{gnatls} command has the form
17045 $ gnatls switches @var{object_or_ali_file}
17049 The main argument is the list of object or @file{ali} files
17050 (@pxref{The Ada Library Information Files})
17051 for which information is requested.
17053 In normal mode, without additional option, @code{gnatls} produces a
17054 four-column listing. Each line represents information for a specific
17055 object. The first column gives the full path of the object, the second
17056 column gives the name of the principal unit in this object, the third
17057 column gives the status of the source and the fourth column gives the
17058 full path of the source representing this unit.
17059 Here is a simple example of use:
17063 ^./^[]^demo1.o demo1 DIF demo1.adb
17064 ^./^[]^demo2.o demo2 OK demo2.adb
17065 ^./^[]^hello.o h1 OK hello.adb
17066 ^./^[]^instr-child.o instr.child MOK instr-child.adb
17067 ^./^[]^instr.o instr OK instr.adb
17068 ^./^[]^tef.o tef DIF tef.adb
17069 ^./^[]^text_io_example.o text_io_example OK text_io_example.adb
17070 ^./^[]^tgef.o tgef DIF tgef.adb
17074 The first line can be interpreted as follows: the main unit which is
17076 object file @file{demo1.o} is demo1, whose main source is in
17077 @file{demo1.adb}. Furthermore, the version of the source used for the
17078 compilation of demo1 has been modified (DIF). Each source file has a status
17079 qualifier which can be:
17082 @item OK (unchanged)
17083 The version of the source file used for the compilation of the
17084 specified unit corresponds exactly to the actual source file.
17086 @item MOK (slightly modified)
17087 The version of the source file used for the compilation of the
17088 specified unit differs from the actual source file but not enough to
17089 require recompilation. If you use gnatmake with the qualifier
17090 @option{^-m (minimal recompilation)^/MINIMAL_RECOMPILATION^}, a file marked
17091 MOK will not be recompiled.
17093 @item DIF (modified)
17094 No version of the source found on the path corresponds to the source
17095 used to build this object.
17097 @item ??? (file not found)
17098 No source file was found for this unit.
17100 @item HID (hidden, unchanged version not first on PATH)
17101 The version of the source that corresponds exactly to the source used
17102 for compilation has been found on the path but it is hidden by another
17103 version of the same source that has been modified.
17107 @node Switches for gnatls
17108 @section Switches for @code{gnatls}
17111 @code{gnatls} recognizes the following switches:
17115 @item ^-a^/ALL_UNITS^
17116 @cindex @option{^-a^/ALL_UNITS^} (@code{gnatls})
17117 Consider all units, including those of the predefined Ada library.
17118 Especially useful with @option{^-d^/DEPENDENCIES^}.
17120 @item ^-d^/DEPENDENCIES^
17121 @cindex @option{^-d^/DEPENDENCIES^} (@code{gnatls})
17122 List sources from which specified units depend on.
17124 @item ^-h^/OUTPUT=OPTIONS^
17125 @cindex @option{^-h^/OUTPUT=OPTIONS^} (@code{gnatls})
17126 Output the list of options.
17128 @item ^-o^/OUTPUT=OBJECTS^
17129 @cindex @option{^-o^/OUTPUT=OBJECTS^} (@code{gnatls})
17130 Only output information about object files.
17132 @item ^-s^/OUTPUT=SOURCES^
17133 @cindex @option{^-s^/OUTPUT=SOURCES^} (@code{gnatls})
17134 Only output information about source files.
17136 @item ^-u^/OUTPUT=UNITS^
17137 @cindex @option{^-u^/OUTPUT=UNITS^} (@code{gnatls})
17138 Only output information about compilation units.
17140 @item ^-files^/FILES^=@var{file}
17141 @cindex @option{^-files^/FILES^} (@code{gnatls})
17142 Take as arguments the files listed in text file @var{file}.
17143 Text file @var{file} may contain empty lines that are ignored.
17144 Each non empty line should contain the name of an existing file.
17145 Several such switches may be specified simultaneously.
17147 @item ^-aO^/OBJECT_SEARCH=^@var{dir}
17148 @itemx ^-aI^/SOURCE_SEARCH=^@var{dir}
17149 @itemx ^-I^/SEARCH=^@var{dir}
17150 @itemx ^-I-^/NOCURRENT_DIRECTORY^
17152 @cindex @option{^-aO^/OBJECT_SEARCH^} (@code{gnatls})
17153 @cindex @option{^-aI^/SOURCE_SEARCH^} (@code{gnatls})
17154 @cindex @option{^-I^/SEARCH^} (@code{gnatls})
17155 @cindex @option{^-I-^/NOCURRENT_DIRECTORY^} (@code{gnatls})
17156 Source path manipulation. Same meaning as the equivalent @command{gnatmake}
17157 flags (@pxref{Switches for gnatmake}).
17159 @item --RTS=@var{rts-path}
17160 @cindex @option{--RTS} (@code{gnatls})
17161 Specifies the default location of the runtime library. Same meaning as the
17162 equivalent @command{gnatmake} flag (@pxref{Switches for gnatmake}).
17164 @item ^-v^/OUTPUT=VERBOSE^
17165 @cindex @option{^-v^/OUTPUT=VERBOSE^} (@code{gnatls})
17166 Verbose mode. Output the complete source, object and project paths. Do not use
17167 the default column layout but instead use long format giving as much as
17168 information possible on each requested units, including special
17169 characteristics such as:
17172 @item Preelaborable
17173 The unit is preelaborable in the Ada 95 sense.
17176 No elaboration code has been produced by the compiler for this unit.
17179 The unit is pure in the Ada 95 sense.
17181 @item Elaborate_Body
17182 The unit contains a pragma Elaborate_Body.
17185 The unit contains a pragma Remote_Types.
17187 @item Shared_Passive
17188 The unit contains a pragma Shared_Passive.
17191 This unit is part of the predefined environment and cannot be modified
17194 @item Remote_Call_Interface
17195 The unit contains a pragma Remote_Call_Interface.
17201 @node Examples of gnatls Usage
17202 @section Example of @code{gnatls} Usage
17206 Example of using the verbose switch. Note how the source and
17207 object paths are affected by the -I switch.
17210 $ gnatls -v -I.. demo1.o
17212 GNATLS 5.03w (20041123-34)
17213 Copyright 1997-2004 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
17215 Source Search Path:
17216 <Current_Directory>
17218 /home/comar/local/adainclude/
17220 Object Search Path:
17221 <Current_Directory>
17223 /home/comar/local/lib/gcc-lib/x86-linux/3.4.3/adalib/
17225 Project Search Path:
17226 <Current_Directory>
17227 /home/comar/local/lib/gnat/
17232 Kind => subprogram body
17233 Flags => No_Elab_Code
17234 Source => demo1.adb modified
17238 The following is an example of use of the dependency list.
17239 Note the use of the -s switch
17240 which gives a straight list of source files. This can be useful for
17241 building specialized scripts.
17244 $ gnatls -d demo2.o
17245 ./demo2.o demo2 OK demo2.adb
17251 $ gnatls -d -s -a demo1.o
17253 /home/comar/local/adainclude/ada.ads
17254 /home/comar/local/adainclude/a-finali.ads
17255 /home/comar/local/adainclude/a-filico.ads
17256 /home/comar/local/adainclude/a-stream.ads
17257 /home/comar/local/adainclude/a-tags.ads
17260 /home/comar/local/adainclude/gnat.ads
17261 /home/comar/local/adainclude/g-io.ads
17263 /home/comar/local/adainclude/system.ads
17264 /home/comar/local/adainclude/s-exctab.ads
17265 /home/comar/local/adainclude/s-finimp.ads
17266 /home/comar/local/adainclude/s-finroo.ads
17267 /home/comar/local/adainclude/s-secsta.ads
17268 /home/comar/local/adainclude/s-stalib.ads
17269 /home/comar/local/adainclude/s-stoele.ads
17270 /home/comar/local/adainclude/s-stratt.ads
17271 /home/comar/local/adainclude/s-tasoli.ads
17272 /home/comar/local/adainclude/s-unstyp.ads
17273 /home/comar/local/adainclude/unchconv.ads
17279 GNAT LIST /DEPENDENCIES /OUTPUT=SOURCES /ALL_UNITS DEMO1.ADB
17281 GNU:[LIB.OPENVMS7_1.2_8_1.ADALIB]ada.ads
17282 GNU:[LIB.OPENVMS7_1.2_8_1.ADALIB]a-finali.ads
17283 GNU:[LIB.OPENVMS7_1.2_8_1.ADALIB]a-filico.ads
17284 GNU:[LIB.OPENVMS7_1.2_8_1.ADALIB]a-stream.ads
17285 GNU:[LIB.OPENVMS7_1.2_8_1.ADALIB]a-tags.ads
17289 GNU:[LIB.OPENVMS7_1.2_8_1.ADALIB]gnat.ads
17290 GNU:[LIB.OPENVMS7_1.2_8_1.ADALIB]g-io.ads
17292 GNU:[LIB.OPENVMS7_1.2_8_1.ADALIB]system.ads
17293 GNU:[LIB.OPENVMS7_1.2_8_1.ADALIB]s-exctab.ads
17294 GNU:[LIB.OPENVMS7_1.2_8_1.ADALIB]s-finimp.ads
17295 GNU:[LIB.OPENVMS7_1.2_8_1.ADALIB]s-finroo.ads
17296 GNU:[LIB.OPENVMS7_1.2_8_1.ADALIB]s-secsta.ads
17297 GNU:[LIB.OPENVMS7_1.2_8_1.ADALIB]s-stalib.ads
17298 GNU:[LIB.OPENVMS7_1.2_8_1.ADALIB]s-stoele.ads
17299 GNU:[LIB.OPENVMS7_1.2_8_1.ADALIB]s-stratt.ads
17300 GNU:[LIB.OPENVMS7_1.2_8_1.ADALIB]s-tasoli.ads
17301 GNU:[LIB.OPENVMS7_1.2_8_1.ADALIB]s-unstyp.ads
17302 GNU:[LIB.OPENVMS7_1.2_8_1.ADALIB]unchconv.ads
17306 @node Cleaning Up Using gnatclean
17307 @chapter Cleaning Up Using @code{gnatclean}
17309 @cindex Cleaning tool
17312 @code{gnatclean} is a tool that allows the deletion of files produced by the
17313 compiler, binder and linker, including ALI files, object files, tree files,
17314 expanded source files, library files, interface copy source files, binder
17315 generated files and executable files.
17318 * Running gnatclean::
17319 * Switches for gnatclean::
17320 @c * Examples of gnatclean Usage::
17323 @node Running gnatclean
17324 @section Running @code{gnatclean}
17327 The @code{gnatclean} command has the form:
17330 $ gnatclean switches @var{names}
17334 @var{names} is a list of source file names. Suffixes @code{.^ads^ADS^} and
17335 @code{^adb^ADB^} may be omitted. If a project file is specified using switch
17336 @code{^-P^/PROJECT_FILE=^}, then @var{names} may be completely omitted.
17339 In normal mode, @code{gnatclean} delete the files produced by the compiler and,
17340 if switch @code{^-c^/COMPILER_FILES_ONLY^} is not specified, by the binder and
17341 the linker. In informative-only mode, specified by switch
17342 @code{^-n^/NODELETE^}, the list of files that would have been deleted in
17343 normal mode is listed, but no file is actually deleted.
17345 @node Switches for gnatclean
17346 @section Switches for @code{gnatclean}
17349 @code{gnatclean} recognizes the following switches:
17353 @item ^-c^/COMPILER_FILES_ONLY^
17354 @cindex @option{^-c^/COMPILER_FILES_ONLY^} (@code{gnatclean})
17355 Only attempt to delete the files produced by the compiler, not those produced
17356 by the binder or the linker. The files that are not to be deleted are library
17357 files, interface copy files, binder generated files and executable files.
17359 @item ^-D ^/DIRECTORY_OBJECTS=^@var{dir}
17360 @cindex @option{^-D^/DIRECTORY_OBJECTS^} (@code{gnatclean})
17361 Indicate that ALI and object files should normally be found in directory
17364 @item ^-F^/FULL_PATH_IN_BRIEF_MESSAGES^
17365 @cindex @option{^-F^/FULL_PATH_IN_BRIEF_MESSAGES^} (@code{gnatclean})
17366 When using project files, if some errors or warnings are detected during
17367 parsing and verbose mode is not in effect (no use of switch
17368 ^-v^/VERBOSE^), then error lines start with the full path name of the project
17369 file, rather than its simple file name.
17372 @cindex @option{^-h^/HELP^} (@code{gnatclean})
17373 Output a message explaining the usage of @code{^gnatclean^gnatclean^}.
17375 @item ^-n^/NODELETE^
17376 @cindex @option{^-n^/NODELETE^} (@code{gnatclean})
17377 Informative-only mode. Do not delete any files. Output the list of the files
17378 that would have been deleted if this switch was not specified.
17380 @item ^-P^/PROJECT_FILE=^@var{project}
17381 @cindex @option{^-P^/PROJECT_FILE^} (@code{gnatclean})
17382 Use project file @var{project}. Only one such switch can be used.
17383 When cleaning a project file, the files produced by the compilation of the
17384 immediate sources or inherited sources of the project files are to be
17385 deleted. This is not depending on the presence or not of executable names
17386 on the command line.
17389 @cindex @option{^-q^/QUIET^} (@code{gnatclean})
17390 Quiet output. If there are no errors, do not output anything, except in
17391 verbose mode (switch ^-v^/VERBOSE^) or in informative-only mode
17392 (switch ^-n^/NODELETE^).
17394 @item ^-r^/RECURSIVE^
17395 @cindex @option{^-r^/RECURSIVE^} (@code{gnatclean})
17396 When a project file is specified (using switch ^-P^/PROJECT_FILE=^),
17397 clean all imported and extended project files, recursively. If this switch
17398 is not specified, only the files related to the main project file are to be
17399 deleted. This switch has no effect if no project file is specified.
17401 @item ^-v^/VERBOSE^
17402 @cindex @option{^-v^/VERBOSE^} (@code{gnatclean})
17405 @item ^-vP^/MESSAGES_PROJECT_FILE=^@emph{x}
17406 @cindex @option{^-vP^/MESSAGES_PROJECT_FILE^} (@code{gnatclean})
17407 Indicates the verbosity of the parsing of GNAT project files.
17408 @xref{Switches Related to Project Files}.
17410 @item ^-X^/EXTERNAL_REFERENCE=^@var{name=value}
17411 @cindex @option{^-X^/EXTERNAL_REFERENCE^} (@code{gnatclean})
17412 Indicates that external variable @var{name} has the value @var{value}.
17413 The Project Manager will use this value for occurrences of
17414 @code{external(name)} when parsing the project file.
17415 @xref{Switches Related to Project Files}.
17417 @item ^-aO^/OBJECT_SEARCH=^@var{dir}
17418 @cindex @option{^-aO^/OBJECT_SEARCH^} (@code{gnatclean})
17419 When searching for ALI and object files, look in directory
17422 @item ^-I^/SEARCH=^@var{dir}
17423 @cindex @option{^-I^/SEARCH^} (@code{gnatclean})
17424 Equivalent to @option{^-aO^/OBJECT_SEARCH=^@var{dir}}.
17426 @item ^-I-^/NOCURRENT_DIRECTORY^
17427 @cindex @option{^-I-^/NOCURRENT_DIRECTORY^} (@code{gnatclean})
17428 @cindex Source files, suppressing search
17429 Do not look for ALI or object files in the directory
17430 where @code{gnatclean} was invoked.
17434 @c @node Examples of gnatclean Usage
17435 @c @section Examples of @code{gnatclean} Usage
17438 @node GNAT and Libraries
17439 @chapter GNAT and Libraries
17440 @cindex Library, building, installing, using
17443 This chapter describes how to build and use libraries with GNAT, and also shows
17444 how to recompile the GNAT run-time library. You should be familiar with the
17445 Project Manager facility (@pxref{GNAT Project Manager}) before reading this
17449 * Introduction to Libraries in GNAT::
17450 * General Ada Libraries::
17451 * Stand-alone Ada Libraries::
17452 * Rebuilding the GNAT Run-Time Library::
17455 @node Introduction to Libraries in GNAT
17456 @section Introduction to Libraries in GNAT
17459 A library is, conceptually, a collection of objects which does not have its
17460 own main thread of execution, but rather provides certain services to the
17461 applications that use it. A library can be either statically linked with the
17462 application, in which case its code is directly included in the application,
17463 or, on platforms that support it, be dynamically linked, in which case
17464 its code is shared by all applications making use of this library.
17466 GNAT supports both types of libraries.
17467 In the static case, the compiled code can be provided in different ways. The
17468 simplest approach is to provide directly the set of objects resulting from
17469 compilation of the library source files. Alternatively, you can group the
17470 objects into an archive using whatever commands are provided by the operating
17471 system. For the latter case, the objects are grouped into a shared library.
17473 In the GNAT environment, a library has three types of components:
17479 @xref{The Ada Library Information Files}.
17481 Object files, an archive or a shared library.
17485 A GNAT library may expose all its source files, which is useful for
17486 documentation purposes. Alternatively, it may expose only the units needed by
17487 an external user to make use of the library. That is to say, the specs
17488 reflecting the library services along with all the units needed to compile
17489 those specs, which can include generic bodies or any body implementing an
17490 inlined routine. In the case of @emph{stand-alone libraries} those exposed
17491 units are called @emph{interface units} (@pxref{Stand-alone Ada Libraries}).
17493 All compilation units comprising an application, including those in a library,
17494 need to be elaborated in an order partially defined by Ada's semantics. GNAT
17495 computes the elaboration order from the @file{ALI} files and this is why they
17496 constitute a mandatory part of GNAT libraries. Except in the case of
17497 @emph{stand-alone libraries}, where a specific library elaboration routine is
17498 produced independently of the application(s) using the library.
17500 @node General Ada Libraries
17501 @section General Ada Libraries
17504 * Building a library::
17505 * Installing a library::
17506 * Using a library::
17509 @node Building a library
17510 @subsection Building a library
17513 The easiest way to build a library is to use the Project Manager,
17514 which supports a special type of project called a @emph{Library Project}
17515 (@pxref{Library Projects}).
17517 A project is considered a library project, when two project-level attributes
17518 are defined in it: @code{Library_Name} and @code{Library_Dir}. In order to
17519 control different aspects of library configuration, additional optional
17520 project-level attributes can be specified:
17523 This attribute controls whether the library is to be static or dynamic
17525 @item Library_Version
17526 This attribute specifies the library version; this value is used
17527 during dynamic linking of shared libraries to determine if the currently
17528 installed versions of the binaries are compatible.
17530 @item Library_Options
17532 These attributes specify additional low-level options to be used during
17533 library generation, and redefine the actual application used to generate
17538 The GNAT Project Manager takes full care of the library maintenance task,
17539 including recompilation of the source files for which objects do not exist
17540 or are not up to date, assembly of the library archive, and installation of
17541 the library (i.e., copying associated source, object and @file{ALI} files
17542 to the specified location).
17544 Here is a simple library project file:
17545 @smallexample @c ada
17547 for Source_Dirs use ("src1", "src2");
17548 for Object_Dir use "obj";
17549 for Library_Name use "mylib";
17550 for Library_Dir use "lib";
17551 for Library_Kind use "dynamic";
17556 and the compilation command to build and install the library:
17558 @smallexample @c ada
17559 $ gnatmake -Pmy_lib
17563 It is not entirely trivial to perform manually all the steps required to
17564 produce a library. We recommend that you use the GNAT Project Manager
17565 for this task. In special cases where this is not desired, the necessary
17566 steps are discussed below.
17568 There are various possibilities for compiling the units that make up the
17569 library: for example with a Makefile (@pxref{Using the GNU make Utility}) or
17570 with a conventional script. For simple libraries, it is also possible to create
17571 a dummy main program which depends upon all the packages that comprise the
17572 interface of the library. This dummy main program can then be given to
17573 @command{gnatmake}, which will ensure that all necessary objects are built.
17575 After this task is accomplished, you should follow the standard procedure
17576 of the underlying operating system to produce the static or shared library.
17578 Here is an example of such a dummy program:
17579 @smallexample @c ada
17581 with My_Lib.Service1;
17582 with My_Lib.Service2;
17583 with My_Lib.Service3;
17584 procedure My_Lib_Dummy is
17592 Here are the generic commands that will build an archive or a shared library.
17595 # compiling the library
17596 $ gnatmake -c my_lib_dummy.adb
17598 # we don't need the dummy object itself
17599 $ rm my_lib_dummy.o my_lib_dummy.ali
17601 # create an archive with the remaining objects
17602 $ ar rc libmy_lib.a *.o
17603 # some systems may require "ranlib" to be run as well
17605 # or create a shared library
17606 $ gcc -shared -o libmy_lib.so *.o
17607 # some systems may require the code to have been compiled with -fPIC
17609 # remove the object files that are now in the library
17612 # Make the ALI files read-only so that gnatmake will not try to
17613 # regenerate the objects that are in the library
17618 Please note that the library must have a name of the form @file{libxxx.a} or
17619 @file{libxxx.so} (or @file{libxxx.dll} on Windows) in order to be accessed by
17620 the directive @option{-lxxx} at link time.
17622 @node Installing a library
17623 @subsection Installing a library
17624 @cindex @code{ADA_PROJECT_PATH}
17627 If you use project files, library installation is part of the library build
17628 process. Thus no further action is needed in order to make use of the
17629 libraries that are built as part of the general application build. A usable
17630 version of the library is installed in the directory specified by the
17631 @code{Library_Dir} attribute of the library project file.
17633 You may want to install a library in a context different from where the library
17634 is built. This situation arises with third party suppliers, who may want
17635 to distribute a library in binary form where the user is not expected to be
17636 able to recompile the library. The simplest option in this case is to provide
17637 a project file slightly different from the one used to build the library, by
17638 using the @code{externally_built} attribute. For instance, the project
17639 file used to build the library in the previous section can be changed into the
17640 following one when the library is installed:
17642 @smallexample @c projectfile
17644 for Source_Dirs use ("src1", "src2");
17645 for Library_Name use "mylib";
17646 for Library_Dir use "lib";
17647 for Library_Kind use "dynamic";
17648 for Externally_Built use "true";
17653 This project file assumes that the directories @file{src1},
17654 @file{src2}, and @file{lib} exist in
17655 the directory containing the project file. The @code{externally_built}
17656 attribute makes it clear to the GNAT builder that it should not attempt to
17657 recompile any of the units from this library. It allows the library provider to
17658 restrict the source set to the minimum necessary for clients to make use of the
17659 library as described in the first section of this chapter. It is the
17660 responsibility of the library provider to install the necessary sources, ALI
17661 files and libraries in the directories mentioned in the project file. For
17662 convenience, the user's library project file should be installed in a location
17663 that will be searched automatically by the GNAT
17664 builder. These are the directories referenced in the @code{ADA_PROJECT_PATH}
17665 environment variable (@pxref{Importing Projects}), and also the default GNAT
17666 library location that can be queried with @command{gnatls -v} and is usually of
17667 the form $gnat_install_root/lib/gnat.
17669 When project files are not an option, it is also possible, but not recommended,
17670 to install the library so that the sources needed to use the library are on the
17671 Ada source path and the ALI files & libraries be on the Ada Object path (see
17672 @ref{Search Paths and the Run-Time Library (RTL)}. Alternatively, the system
17673 administrator can place general-purpose libraries in the default compiler
17674 paths, by specifying the libraries' location in the configuration files
17675 @file{ada_source_path} and @file{ada_object_path}. These configuration files
17676 must be located in the GNAT installation tree at the same place as the gcc spec
17677 file. The location of the gcc spec file can be determined as follows:
17683 The configuration files mentioned above have a simple format: each line
17684 must contain one unique directory name.
17685 Those names are added to the corresponding path
17686 in their order of appearance in the file. The names can be either absolute
17687 or relative; in the latter case, they are relative to where theses files
17690 The files @file{ada_source_path} and @file{ada_object_path} might not be
17692 GNAT installation, in which case, GNAT will look for its run-time library in
17693 the directories @file{adainclude} (for the sources) and @file{adalib} (for the
17694 objects and @file{ALI} files). When the files exist, the compiler does not
17695 look in @file{adainclude} and @file{adalib}, and thus the
17696 @file{ada_source_path} file
17697 must contain the location for the GNAT run-time sources (which can simply
17698 be @file{adainclude}). In the same way, the @file{ada_object_path} file must
17699 contain the location for the GNAT run-time objects (which can simply
17702 You can also specify a new default path to the run-time library at compilation
17703 time with the switch @option{--RTS=rts-path}. You can thus choose / change
17704 the run-time library you want your program to be compiled with. This switch is
17705 recognized by @command{gcc}, @command{gnatmake}, @command{gnatbind},
17706 @command{gnatls}, @command{gnatfind} and @command{gnatxref}.
17708 It is possible to install a library before or after the standard GNAT
17709 library, by reordering the lines in the configuration files. In general, a
17710 library must be installed before the GNAT library if it redefines
17713 @node Using a library
17714 @subsection Using a library
17716 @noindent Once again, the project facility greatly simplifies the use of
17717 libraries. In this context, using a library is just a matter of adding a
17718 @code{with} clause in the user project. For instance, to make use of the
17719 library @code{My_Lib} shown in examples in earlier sections, you can
17722 @smallexample @c projectfile
17729 Even if you have a third-party, non-Ada library, you can still use GNAT's
17730 Project Manager facility to provide a wrapper for it. For example, the
17731 following project, when @code{with}ed by your main project, will link with the
17732 third-party library @file{liba.a}:
17734 @smallexample @c projectfile
17737 for Externally_Built use "true";
17738 for Library_Dir use "lib";
17739 for Library_Name use "a";
17740 for Library_Kind use "static";
17744 This is an alternative to the use of @code{pragma Linker_Options}. It is
17745 especially interesting in the context of systems with several interdependent
17746 static libraries where finding a proper linker order is not easy and best be
17747 left to the tools having visibility over project dependence information.
17750 In order to use an Ada library manually, you need to make sure that this
17751 library is on both your source and object path
17752 (see @ref{Search Paths and the Run-Time Library (RTL)}
17753 and @ref{Search Paths for gnatbind}). Furthermore, when the objects are grouped
17754 in an archive or a shared library, you need to specify the desired
17755 library at link time.
17757 For example, you can use the library @file{mylib} installed in
17758 @file{/dir/my_lib_src} and @file{/dir/my_lib_obj} with the following commands:
17761 $ gnatmake -aI/dir/my_lib_src -aO/dir/my_lib_obj my_appl \
17766 This can be expressed more simply:
17771 when the following conditions are met:
17774 @file{/dir/my_lib_src} has been added by the user to the environment
17775 variable @code{ADA_INCLUDE_PATH}, or by the administrator to the file
17776 @file{ada_source_path}
17778 @file{/dir/my_lib_obj} has been added by the user to the environment
17779 variable @code{ADA_OBJECTS_PATH}, or by the administrator to the file
17780 @file{ada_object_path}
17782 a pragma @code{Linker_Options} has been added to one of the sources.
17785 @smallexample @c ada
17786 pragma Linker_Options ("-lmy_lib");
17790 @node Stand-alone Ada Libraries
17791 @section Stand-alone Ada Libraries
17792 @cindex Stand-alone library, building, using
17795 * Introduction to Stand-alone Libraries::
17796 * Building a Stand-alone Library::
17797 * Creating a Stand-alone Library to be used in a non-Ada context::
17798 * Restrictions in Stand-alone Libraries::
17801 @node Introduction to Stand-alone Libraries
17802 @subsection Introduction to Stand-alone Libraries
17805 A Stand-alone Library (abbreviated ``SAL'') is a library that contains the
17807 elaborate the Ada units that are included in the library. In contrast with
17808 an ordinary library, which consists of all sources, objects and @file{ALI}
17810 library, a SAL may specify a restricted subset of compilation units
17811 to serve as a library interface. In this case, the fully
17812 self-sufficient set of files will normally consist of an objects
17813 archive, the sources of interface units' specs, and the @file{ALI}
17814 files of interface units.
17815 If an interface spec contains a generic unit or an inlined subprogram,
17817 source must also be provided; if the units that must be provided in the source
17818 form depend on other units, the source and @file{ALI} files of those must
17821 The main purpose of a SAL is to minimize the recompilation overhead of client
17822 applications when a new version of the library is installed. Specifically,
17823 if the interface sources have not changed, client applications do not need to
17824 be recompiled. If, furthermore, a SAL is provided in the shared form and its
17825 version, controlled by @code{Library_Version} attribute, is not changed,
17826 then the clients do not need to be relinked.
17828 SALs also allow the library providers to minimize the amount of library source
17829 text exposed to the clients. Such ``information hiding'' might be useful or
17830 necessary for various reasons.
17832 Stand-alone libraries are also well suited to be used in an executable whose
17833 main routine is not written in Ada.
17835 @node Building a Stand-alone Library
17836 @subsection Building a Stand-alone Library
17839 GNAT's Project facility provides a simple way of building and installing
17840 stand-alone libraries; see @ref{Stand-alone Library Projects}.
17841 To be a Stand-alone Library Project, in addition to the two attributes
17842 that make a project a Library Project (@code{Library_Name} and
17843 @code{Library_Dir}; see @ref{Library Projects}), the attribute
17844 @code{Library_Interface} must be defined. For example:
17846 @smallexample @c projectfile
17848 for Library_Dir use "lib_dir";
17849 for Library_Name use "dummy";
17850 for Library_Interface use ("int1", "int1.child");
17855 Attribute @code{Library_Interface} has a non-empty string list value,
17856 each string in the list designating a unit contained in an immediate source
17857 of the project file.
17859 When a Stand-alone Library is built, first the binder is invoked to build
17860 a package whose name depends on the library name
17861 (@file{^b~dummy.ads/b^B$DUMMY.ADS/B^} in the example above).
17862 This binder-generated package includes initialization and
17863 finalization procedures whose
17864 names depend on the library name (@code{dummyinit} and @code{dummyfinal}
17866 above). The object corresponding to this package is included in the library.
17868 You must ensure timely (e.g., prior to any use of interfaces in the SAL)
17869 calling of these procedures if a static SAL is built, or if a shared SAL
17871 with the project-level attribute @code{Library_Auto_Init} set to
17874 For a Stand-Alone Library, only the @file{ALI} files of the Interface Units
17875 (those that are listed in attribute @code{Library_Interface}) are copied to
17876 the Library Directory. As a consequence, only the Interface Units may be
17877 imported from Ada units outside of the library. If other units are imported,
17878 the binding phase will fail.
17880 The attribute @code{Library_Src_Dir} may be specified for a
17881 Stand-Alone Library. @code{Library_Src_Dir} is a simple attribute that has a
17882 single string value. Its value must be the path (absolute or relative to the
17883 project directory) of an existing directory. This directory cannot be the
17884 object directory or one of the source directories, but it can be the same as
17885 the library directory. The sources of the Interface
17886 Units of the library that are needed by an Ada client of the library will be
17887 copied to the designated directory, called the Interface Copy directory.
17888 These sources include the specs of the Interface Units, but they may also
17889 include bodies and subunits, when pragmas @code{Inline} or @code{Inline_Always}
17890 are used, or when there is a generic unit in the spec. Before the sources
17891 are copied to the Interface Copy directory, an attempt is made to delete all
17892 files in the Interface Copy directory.
17894 Building stand-alone libraries by hand is somewhat tedious, but for those
17895 occasions when it is necessary here are the steps that you need to perform:
17898 Compile all library sources.
17901 Invoke the binder with the switch @option{-n} (No Ada main program),
17902 with all the @file{ALI} files of the interfaces, and
17903 with the switch @option{-L} to give specific names to the @code{init}
17904 and @code{final} procedures. For example:
17906 gnatbind -n int1.ali int2.ali -Lsal1
17910 Compile the binder generated file:
17916 Link the dynamic library with all the necessary object files,
17917 indicating to the linker the names of the @code{init} (and possibly
17918 @code{final}) procedures for automatic initialization (and finalization).
17919 The built library should be placed in a directory different from
17920 the object directory.
17923 Copy the @code{ALI} files of the interface to the library directory,
17924 add in this copy an indication that it is an interface to a SAL
17925 (i.e. add a word @option{SL} on the line in the @file{ALI} file that starts
17926 with letter ``P'') and make the modified copy of the @file{ALI} file
17931 Using SALs is not different from using other libraries
17932 (see @ref{Using a library}).
17934 @node Creating a Stand-alone Library to be used in a non-Ada context
17935 @subsection Creating a Stand-alone Library to be used in a non-Ada context
17938 It is easy to adapt the SAL build procedure discussed above for use of a SAL in
17941 The only extra step required is to ensure that library interface subprograms
17942 are compatible with the main program, by means of @code{pragma Export}
17943 or @code{pragma Convention}.
17945 Here is an example of simple library interface for use with C main program:
17947 @smallexample @c ada
17948 package Interface is
17950 procedure Do_Something;
17951 pragma Export (C, Do_Something, "do_something");
17953 procedure Do_Something_Else;
17954 pragma Export (C, Do_Something_Else, "do_something_else");
17960 On the foreign language side, you must provide a ``foreign'' view of the
17961 library interface; remember that it should contain elaboration routines in
17962 addition to interface subprograms.
17964 The example below shows the content of @code{mylib_interface.h} (note
17965 that there is no rule for the naming of this file, any name can be used)
17967 /* the library elaboration procedure */
17968 extern void mylibinit (void);
17970 /* the library finalization procedure */
17971 extern void mylibfinal (void);
17973 /* the interface exported by the library */
17974 extern void do_something (void);
17975 extern void do_something_else (void);
17979 Libraries built as explained above can be used from any program, provided
17980 that the elaboration procedures (named @code{mylibinit} in the previous
17981 example) are called before the library services are used. Any number of
17982 libraries can be used simultaneously, as long as the elaboration
17983 procedure of each library is called.
17985 Below is an example of a C program that uses the @code{mylib} library.
17988 #include "mylib_interface.h"
17993 /* First, elaborate the library before using it */
17996 /* Main program, using the library exported entities */
17998 do_something_else ();
18000 /* Library finalization at the end of the program */
18007 Note that invoking any library finalization procedure generated by
18008 @code{gnatbind} shuts down the Ada run-time environment.
18010 finalization of all Ada libraries must be performed at the end of the program.
18011 No call to these libraries or to the Ada run-time library should be made
18012 after the finalization phase.
18014 @node Restrictions in Stand-alone Libraries
18015 @subsection Restrictions in Stand-alone Libraries
18018 The pragmas listed below should be used with caution inside libraries,
18019 as they can create incompatibilities with other Ada libraries:
18021 @item pragma @code{Locking_Policy}
18022 @item pragma @code{Queuing_Policy}
18023 @item pragma @code{Task_Dispatching_Policy}
18024 @item pragma @code{Unreserve_All_Interrupts}
18028 When using a library that contains such pragmas, the user must make sure
18029 that all libraries use the same pragmas with the same values. Otherwise,
18030 @code{Program_Error} will
18031 be raised during the elaboration of the conflicting
18032 libraries. The usage of these pragmas and its consequences for the user
18033 should therefore be well documented.
18035 Similarly, the traceback in the exception occurrence mechanism should be
18036 enabled or disabled in a consistent manner across all libraries.
18037 Otherwise, Program_Error will be raised during the elaboration of the
18038 conflicting libraries.
18040 If the @code{Version} or @code{Body_Version}
18041 attributes are used inside a library, then you need to
18042 perform a @code{gnatbind} step that specifies all @file{ALI} files in all
18043 libraries, so that version identifiers can be properly computed.
18044 In practice these attributes are rarely used, so this is unlikely
18045 to be a consideration.
18047 @node Rebuilding the GNAT Run-Time Library
18048 @section Rebuilding the GNAT Run-Time Library
18049 @cindex GNAT Run-Time Library, rebuilding
18050 @cindex Building the GNAT Run-Time Library
18051 @cindex Rebuilding the GNAT Run-Time Library
18052 @cindex Run-Time Library, rebuilding
18055 It may be useful to recompile the GNAT library in various contexts, the
18056 most important one being the use of partition-wide configuration pragmas
18057 such as @code{Normalize_Scalars}. A special Makefile called
18058 @code{Makefile.adalib} is provided to that effect and can be found in
18059 the directory containing the GNAT library. The location of this
18060 directory depends on the way the GNAT environment has been installed and can
18061 be determined by means of the command:
18068 The last entry in the object search path usually contains the
18069 gnat library. This Makefile contains its own documentation and in
18070 particular the set of instructions needed to rebuild a new library and
18073 @node Using the GNU make Utility
18074 @chapter Using the GNU @code{make} Utility
18078 This chapter offers some examples of makefiles that solve specific
18079 problems. It does not explain how to write a makefile (see the GNU make
18080 documentation), nor does it try to replace the @command{gnatmake} utility
18081 (@pxref{The GNAT Make Program gnatmake}).
18083 All the examples in this section are specific to the GNU version of
18084 make. Although @code{make} is a standard utility, and the basic language
18085 is the same, these examples use some advanced features found only in
18089 * Using gnatmake in a Makefile::
18090 * Automatically Creating a List of Directories::
18091 * Generating the Command Line Switches::
18092 * Overcoming Command Line Length Limits::
18095 @node Using gnatmake in a Makefile
18096 @section Using gnatmake in a Makefile
18101 Complex project organizations can be handled in a very powerful way by
18102 using GNU make combined with gnatmake. For instance, here is a Makefile
18103 which allows you to build each subsystem of a big project into a separate
18104 shared library. Such a makefile allows you to significantly reduce the link
18105 time of very big applications while maintaining full coherence at
18106 each step of the build process.
18108 The list of dependencies are handled automatically by
18109 @command{gnatmake}. The Makefile is simply used to call gnatmake in each of
18110 the appropriate directories.
18112 Note that you should also read the example on how to automatically
18113 create the list of directories
18114 (@pxref{Automatically Creating a List of Directories})
18115 which might help you in case your project has a lot of subdirectories.
18120 @font@heightrm=cmr8
18123 ## This Makefile is intended to be used with the following directory
18125 ## - The sources are split into a series of csc (computer software components)
18126 ## Each of these csc is put in its own directory.
18127 ## Their name are referenced by the directory names.
18128 ## They will be compiled into shared library (although this would also work
18129 ## with static libraries
18130 ## - The main program (and possibly other packages that do not belong to any
18131 ## csc is put in the top level directory (where the Makefile is).
18132 ## toplevel_dir __ first_csc (sources) __ lib (will contain the library)
18133 ## \_ second_csc (sources) __ lib (will contain the library)
18135 ## Although this Makefile is build for shared library, it is easy to modify
18136 ## to build partial link objects instead (modify the lines with -shared and
18139 ## With this makefile, you can change any file in the system or add any new
18140 ## file, and everything will be recompiled correctly (only the relevant shared
18141 ## objects will be recompiled, and the main program will be re-linked).
18143 # The list of computer software component for your project. This might be
18144 # generated automatically.
18147 # Name of the main program (no extension)
18150 # If we need to build objects with -fPIC, uncomment the following line
18153 # The following variable should give the directory containing libgnat.so
18154 # You can get this directory through 'gnatls -v'. This is usually the last
18155 # directory in the Object_Path.
18158 # The directories for the libraries
18159 # (This macro expands the list of CSC to the list of shared libraries, you
18160 # could simply use the expanded form :
18161 # LIB_DIR=aa/lib/libaa.so bb/lib/libbb.so cc/lib/libcc.so
18162 LIB_DIR=$@{foreach dir,$@{CSC_LIST@},$@{dir@}/lib/lib$@{dir@}.so@}
18164 $@{MAIN@}: objects $@{LIB_DIR@}
18165 gnatbind $@{MAIN@} $@{CSC_LIST:%=-aO%/lib@} -shared
18166 gnatlink $@{MAIN@} $@{CSC_LIST:%=-l%@}
18169 # recompile the sources
18170 gnatmake -c -i $@{MAIN@}.adb $@{NEED_FPIC@} $@{CSC_LIST:%=-I%@}
18172 # Note: In a future version of GNAT, the following commands will be simplified
18173 # by a new tool, gnatmlib
18175 mkdir -p $@{dir $@@ @}
18176 cd $@{dir $@@ @}; gcc -shared -o $@{notdir $@@ @} ../*.o -L$@{GLIB@} -lgnat
18177 cd $@{dir $@@ @}; cp -f ../*.ali .
18179 # The dependencies for the modules
18180 # Note that we have to force the expansion of *.o, since in some cases
18181 # make won't be able to do it itself.
18182 aa/lib/libaa.so: $@{wildcard aa/*.o@}
18183 bb/lib/libbb.so: $@{wildcard bb/*.o@}
18184 cc/lib/libcc.so: $@{wildcard cc/*.o@}
18186 # Make sure all of the shared libraries are in the path before starting the
18189 LD_LIBRARY_PATH=`pwd`/aa/lib:`pwd`/bb/lib:`pwd`/cc/lib ./$@{MAIN@}
18192 $@{RM@} -rf $@{CSC_LIST:%=%/lib@}
18193 $@{RM@} $@{CSC_LIST:%=%/*.ali@}
18194 $@{RM@} $@{CSC_LIST:%=%/*.o@}
18195 $@{RM@} *.o *.ali $@{MAIN@}
18198 @node Automatically Creating a List of Directories
18199 @section Automatically Creating a List of Directories
18202 In most makefiles, you will have to specify a list of directories, and
18203 store it in a variable. For small projects, it is often easier to
18204 specify each of them by hand, since you then have full control over what
18205 is the proper order for these directories, which ones should be
18208 However, in larger projects, which might involve hundreds of
18209 subdirectories, it might be more convenient to generate this list
18212 The example below presents two methods. The first one, although less
18213 general, gives you more control over the list. It involves wildcard
18214 characters, that are automatically expanded by @code{make}. Its
18215 shortcoming is that you need to explicitly specify some of the
18216 organization of your project, such as for instance the directory tree
18217 depth, whether some directories are found in a separate tree,...
18219 The second method is the most general one. It requires an external
18220 program, called @code{find}, which is standard on all Unix systems. All
18221 the directories found under a given root directory will be added to the
18227 @font@heightrm=cmr8
18230 # The examples below are based on the following directory hierarchy:
18231 # All the directories can contain any number of files
18232 # ROOT_DIRECTORY -> a -> aa -> aaa
18235 # -> b -> ba -> baa
18238 # This Makefile creates a variable called DIRS, that can be reused any time
18239 # you need this list (see the other examples in this section)
18241 # The root of your project's directory hierarchy
18245 # First method: specify explicitly the list of directories
18246 # This allows you to specify any subset of all the directories you need.
18249 DIRS := a/aa/ a/ab/ b/ba/
18252 # Second method: use wildcards
18253 # Note that the argument(s) to wildcard below should end with a '/'.
18254 # Since wildcards also return file names, we have to filter them out
18255 # to avoid duplicate directory names.
18256 # We thus use make's @code{dir} and @code{sort} functions.
18257 # It sets DIRs to the following value (note that the directories aaa and baa
18258 # are not given, unless you change the arguments to wildcard).
18259 # DIRS= ./a/a/ ./b/ ./a/aa/ ./a/ab/ ./a/ac/ ./b/ba/ ./b/bb/ ./b/bc/
18262 DIRS := $@{sort $@{dir $@{wildcard $@{ROOT_DIRECTORY@}/*/
18263 $@{ROOT_DIRECTORY@}/*/*/@}@}@}
18266 # Third method: use an external program
18267 # This command is much faster if run on local disks, avoiding NFS slowdowns.
18268 # This is the most complete command: it sets DIRs to the following value:
18269 # DIRS= ./a ./a/aa ./a/aa/aaa ./a/ab ./a/ac ./b ./b/ba ./b/ba/baa ./b/bb ./b/bc
18272 DIRS := $@{shell find $@{ROOT_DIRECTORY@} -type d -print@}
18276 @node Generating the Command Line Switches
18277 @section Generating the Command Line Switches
18280 Once you have created the list of directories as explained in the
18281 previous section (@pxref{Automatically Creating a List of Directories}),
18282 you can easily generate the command line arguments to pass to gnatmake.
18284 For the sake of completeness, this example assumes that the source path
18285 is not the same as the object path, and that you have two separate lists
18289 # see "Automatically creating a list of directories" to create
18294 GNATMAKE_SWITCHES := $@{patsubst %,-aI%,$@{SOURCE_DIRS@}@}
18295 GNATMAKE_SWITCHES += $@{patsubst %,-aO%,$@{OBJECT_DIRS@}@}
18298 gnatmake $@{GNATMAKE_SWITCHES@} main_unit
18301 @node Overcoming Command Line Length Limits
18302 @section Overcoming Command Line Length Limits
18305 One problem that might be encountered on big projects is that many
18306 operating systems limit the length of the command line. It is thus hard to give
18307 gnatmake the list of source and object directories.
18309 This example shows how you can set up environment variables, which will
18310 make @command{gnatmake} behave exactly as if the directories had been
18311 specified on the command line, but have a much higher length limit (or
18312 even none on most systems).
18314 It assumes that you have created a list of directories in your Makefile,
18315 using one of the methods presented in
18316 @ref{Automatically Creating a List of Directories}.
18317 For the sake of completeness, we assume that the object
18318 path (where the ALI files are found) is different from the sources patch.
18320 Note a small trick in the Makefile below: for efficiency reasons, we
18321 create two temporary variables (SOURCE_LIST and OBJECT_LIST), that are
18322 expanded immediately by @code{make}. This way we overcome the standard
18323 make behavior which is to expand the variables only when they are
18326 On Windows, if you are using the standard Windows command shell, you must
18327 replace colons with semicolons in the assignments to these variables.
18332 @font@heightrm=cmr8
18335 # In this example, we create both ADA_INCLUDE_PATH and ADA_OBJECT_PATH.
18336 # This is the same thing as putting the -I arguments on the command line.
18337 # (the equivalent of using -aI on the command line would be to define
18338 # only ADA_INCLUDE_PATH, the equivalent of -aO is ADA_OBJECT_PATH).
18339 # You can of course have different values for these variables.
18341 # Note also that we need to keep the previous values of these variables, since
18342 # they might have been set before running 'make' to specify where the GNAT
18343 # library is installed.
18345 # see "Automatically creating a list of directories" to create these
18351 space:=$@{empty@} $@{empty@}
18352 SOURCE_LIST := $@{subst $@{space@},:,$@{SOURCE_DIRS@}@}
18353 OBJECT_LIST := $@{subst $@{space@},:,$@{OBJECT_DIRS@}@}
18354 ADA_INCLUDE_PATH += $@{SOURCE_LIST@}
18355 ADA_OBJECT_PATH += $@{OBJECT_LIST@}
18356 export ADA_INCLUDE_PATH
18357 export ADA_OBJECT_PATH
18364 @node Memory Management Issues
18365 @chapter Memory Management Issues
18368 This chapter describes some useful memory pools provided in the GNAT library
18369 and in particular the GNAT Debug Pool facility, which can be used to detect
18370 incorrect uses of access values (including ``dangling references'').
18372 It also describes the @command{gnatmem} tool, which can be used to track down
18377 * Some Useful Memory Pools::
18378 * The GNAT Debug Pool Facility::
18380 * The gnatmem Tool::
18384 @node Some Useful Memory Pools
18385 @section Some Useful Memory Pools
18386 @findex Memory Pool
18387 @cindex storage, pool
18390 The @code{System.Pool_Global} package offers the Unbounded_No_Reclaim_Pool
18391 storage pool. Allocations use the standard system call @code{malloc} while
18392 deallocations use the standard system call @code{free}. No reclamation is
18393 performed when the pool goes out of scope. For performance reasons, the
18394 standard default Ada allocators/deallocators do not use any explicit storage
18395 pools but if they did, they could use this storage pool without any change in
18396 behavior. That is why this storage pool is used when the user
18397 manages to make the default implicit allocator explicit as in this example:
18398 @smallexample @c ada
18399 type T1 is access Something;
18400 -- no Storage pool is defined for T2
18401 type T2 is access Something_Else;
18402 for T2'Storage_Pool use T1'Storage_Pool;
18403 -- the above is equivalent to
18404 for T2'Storage_Pool use System.Pool_Global.Global_Pool_Object;
18408 The @code{System.Pool_Local} package offers the Unbounded_Reclaim_Pool storage
18409 pool. The allocation strategy is similar to @code{Pool_Local}'s
18410 except that the all
18411 storage allocated with this pool is reclaimed when the pool object goes out of
18412 scope. This pool provides a explicit mechanism similar to the implicit one
18413 provided by several Ada 83 compilers for allocations performed through a local
18414 access type and whose purpose was to reclaim memory when exiting the
18415 scope of a given local access. As an example, the following program does not
18416 leak memory even though it does not perform explicit deallocation:
18418 @smallexample @c ada
18419 with System.Pool_Local;
18420 procedure Pooloc1 is
18421 procedure Internal is
18422 type A is access Integer;
18423 X : System.Pool_Local.Unbounded_Reclaim_Pool;
18424 for A'Storage_Pool use X;
18427 for I in 1 .. 50 loop
18432 for I in 1 .. 100 loop
18439 The @code{System.Pool_Size} package implements the Stack_Bounded_Pool used when
18440 @code{Storage_Size} is specified for an access type.
18441 The whole storage for the pool is
18442 allocated at once, usually on the stack at the point where the access type is
18443 elaborated. It is automatically reclaimed when exiting the scope where the
18444 access type is defined. This package is not intended to be used directly by the
18445 user and it is implicitly used for each such declaration:
18447 @smallexample @c ada
18448 type T1 is access Something;
18449 for T1'Storage_Size use 10_000;
18452 @node The GNAT Debug Pool Facility
18453 @section The GNAT Debug Pool Facility
18455 @cindex storage, pool, memory corruption
18458 The use of unchecked deallocation and unchecked conversion can easily
18459 lead to incorrect memory references. The problems generated by such
18460 references are usually difficult to tackle because the symptoms can be
18461 very remote from the origin of the problem. In such cases, it is
18462 very helpful to detect the problem as early as possible. This is the
18463 purpose of the Storage Pool provided by @code{GNAT.Debug_Pools}.
18465 In order to use the GNAT specific debugging pool, the user must
18466 associate a debug pool object with each of the access types that may be
18467 related to suspected memory problems. See Ada Reference Manual 13.11.
18468 @smallexample @c ada
18469 type Ptr is access Some_Type;
18470 Pool : GNAT.Debug_Pools.Debug_Pool;
18471 for Ptr'Storage_Pool use Pool;
18475 @code{GNAT.Debug_Pools} is derived from a GNAT-specific kind of
18476 pool: the @code{Checked_Pool}. Such pools, like standard Ada storage pools,
18477 allow the user to redefine allocation and deallocation strategies. They
18478 also provide a checkpoint for each dereference, through the use of
18479 the primitive operation @code{Dereference} which is implicitly called at
18480 each dereference of an access value.
18482 Once an access type has been associated with a debug pool, operations on
18483 values of the type may raise four distinct exceptions,
18484 which correspond to four potential kinds of memory corruption:
18487 @code{GNAT.Debug_Pools.Accessing_Not_Allocated_Storage}
18489 @code{GNAT.Debug_Pools.Accessing_Deallocated_Storage}
18491 @code{GNAT.Debug_Pools.Freeing_Not_Allocated_Storage}
18493 @code{GNAT.Debug_Pools.Freeing_Deallocated_Storage }
18497 For types associated with a Debug_Pool, dynamic allocation is performed using
18498 the standard GNAT allocation routine. References to all allocated chunks of
18499 memory are kept in an internal dictionary. Several deallocation strategies are
18500 provided, whereupon the user can choose to release the memory to the system,
18501 keep it allocated for further invalid access checks, or fill it with an easily
18502 recognizable pattern for debug sessions. The memory pattern is the old IBM
18503 hexadecimal convention: @code{16#DEADBEEF#}.
18505 See the documentation in the file g-debpoo.ads for more information on the
18506 various strategies.
18508 Upon each dereference, a check is made that the access value denotes a
18509 properly allocated memory location. Here is a complete example of use of
18510 @code{Debug_Pools}, that includes typical instances of memory corruption:
18511 @smallexample @c ada
18515 with Gnat.Io; use Gnat.Io;
18516 with Unchecked_Deallocation;
18517 with Unchecked_Conversion;
18518 with GNAT.Debug_Pools;
18519 with System.Storage_Elements;
18520 with Ada.Exceptions; use Ada.Exceptions;
18521 procedure Debug_Pool_Test is
18523 type T is access Integer;
18524 type U is access all T;
18526 P : GNAT.Debug_Pools.Debug_Pool;
18527 for T'Storage_Pool use P;
18529 procedure Free is new Unchecked_Deallocation (Integer, T);
18530 function UC is new Unchecked_Conversion (U, T);
18533 procedure Info is new GNAT.Debug_Pools.Print_Info(Put_Line);
18543 Put_Line (Integer'Image(B.all));
18545 when E : others => Put_Line ("raised: " & Exception_Name (E));
18550 when E : others => Put_Line ("raised: " & Exception_Name (E));
18554 Put_Line (Integer'Image(B.all));
18556 when E : others => Put_Line ("raised: " & Exception_Name (E));
18561 when E : others => Put_Line ("raised: " & Exception_Name (E));
18564 end Debug_Pool_Test;
18568 The debug pool mechanism provides the following precise diagnostics on the
18569 execution of this erroneous program:
18572 Total allocated bytes : 0
18573 Total deallocated bytes : 0
18574 Current Water Mark: 0
18578 Total allocated bytes : 8
18579 Total deallocated bytes : 0
18580 Current Water Mark: 8
18583 raised: GNAT.DEBUG_POOLS.ACCESSING_DEALLOCATED_STORAGE
18584 raised: GNAT.DEBUG_POOLS.FREEING_DEALLOCATED_STORAGE
18585 raised: GNAT.DEBUG_POOLS.ACCESSING_NOT_ALLOCATED_STORAGE
18586 raised: GNAT.DEBUG_POOLS.FREEING_NOT_ALLOCATED_STORAGE
18588 Total allocated bytes : 8
18589 Total deallocated bytes : 4
18590 Current Water Mark: 4
18595 @node The gnatmem Tool
18596 @section The @command{gnatmem} Tool
18600 The @code{gnatmem} utility monitors dynamic allocation and
18601 deallocation activity in a program, and displays information about
18602 incorrect deallocations and possible sources of memory leaks.
18603 It provides three type of information:
18606 General information concerning memory management, such as the total
18607 number of allocations and deallocations, the amount of allocated
18608 memory and the high water mark, i.e. the largest amount of allocated
18609 memory in the course of program execution.
18612 Backtraces for all incorrect deallocations, that is to say deallocations
18613 which do not correspond to a valid allocation.
18616 Information on each allocation that is potentially the origin of a memory
18621 * Running gnatmem::
18622 * Switches for gnatmem::
18623 * Example of gnatmem Usage::
18626 @node Running gnatmem
18627 @subsection Running @code{gnatmem}
18630 @code{gnatmem} makes use of the output created by the special version of
18631 allocation and deallocation routines that record call information. This
18632 allows to obtain accurate dynamic memory usage history at a minimal cost to
18633 the execution speed. Note however, that @code{gnatmem} is not supported on
18634 all platforms (currently, it is supported on AIX, HP-UX, GNU/Linux x86,
18635 32-bit Solaris (sparc and x86) and Windows NT/2000/XP (x86).
18638 The @code{gnatmem} command has the form
18641 $ gnatmem [switches] user_program
18645 The program must have been linked with the instrumented version of the
18646 allocation and deallocation routines. This is done by linking with the
18647 @file{libgmem.a} library. For correct symbolic backtrace information,
18648 the user program should be compiled with debugging options
18649 (see @ref{Switches for gcc}). For example to build @file{my_program}:
18652 $ gnatmake -g my_program -largs -lgmem
18656 As library @file{libgmem.a} contains an alternate body for package
18657 @code{System.Memory}, @file{s-memory.adb} should not be compiled and linked
18658 when an executable is linked with library @file{libgmem.a}. It is then not
18659 recommended to use @command{gnatmake} with switch @option{^-a^/ALL_FILES^}.
18662 When @file{my_program} is executed, the file @file{gmem.out} is produced.
18663 This file contains information about all allocations and deallocations
18664 performed by the program. It is produced by the instrumented allocations and
18665 deallocations routines and will be used by @code{gnatmem}.
18667 In order to produce symbolic backtrace information for allocations and
18668 deallocations performed by the GNAT run-time library, you need to use a
18669 version of that library that has been compiled with the @option{-g} switch
18670 (see @ref{Rebuilding the GNAT Run-Time Library}).
18672 Gnatmem must be supplied with the @file{gmem.out} file and the executable to
18673 examine. If the location of @file{gmem.out} file was not explicitly supplied by
18674 @code{-i} switch, gnatmem will assume that this file can be found in the
18675 current directory. For example, after you have executed @file{my_program},
18676 @file{gmem.out} can be analyzed by @code{gnatmem} using the command:
18679 $ gnatmem my_program
18683 This will produce the output with the following format:
18685 *************** debut cc
18687 $ gnatmem my_program
18691 Total number of allocations : 45
18692 Total number of deallocations : 6
18693 Final Water Mark (non freed mem) : 11.29 Kilobytes
18694 High Water Mark : 11.40 Kilobytes
18699 Allocation Root # 2
18700 -------------------
18701 Number of non freed allocations : 11
18702 Final Water Mark (non freed mem) : 1.16 Kilobytes
18703 High Water Mark : 1.27 Kilobytes
18705 my_program.adb:23 my_program.alloc
18711 The first block of output gives general information. In this case, the
18712 Ada construct ``@code{@b{new}}'' was executed 45 times, and only 6 calls to an
18713 Unchecked_Deallocation routine occurred.
18716 Subsequent paragraphs display information on all allocation roots.
18717 An allocation root is a specific point in the execution of the program
18718 that generates some dynamic allocation, such as a ``@code{@b{new}}''
18719 construct. This root is represented by an execution backtrace (or subprogram
18720 call stack). By default the backtrace depth for allocations roots is 1, so
18721 that a root corresponds exactly to a source location. The backtrace can
18722 be made deeper, to make the root more specific.
18724 @node Switches for gnatmem
18725 @subsection Switches for @code{gnatmem}
18728 @code{gnatmem} recognizes the following switches:
18733 @cindex @option{-q} (@code{gnatmem})
18734 Quiet. Gives the minimum output needed to identify the origin of the
18735 memory leaks. Omits statistical information.
18738 @cindex @var{N} (@code{gnatmem})
18739 N is an integer literal (usually between 1 and 10) which controls the
18740 depth of the backtraces defining allocation root. The default value for
18741 N is 1. The deeper the backtrace, the more precise the localization of
18742 the root. Note that the total number of roots can depend on this
18743 parameter. This parameter must be specified @emph{before} the name of the
18744 executable to be analyzed, to avoid ambiguity.
18747 @cindex @option{-b} (@code{gnatmem})
18748 This switch has the same effect as just depth parameter.
18750 @item -i @var{file}
18751 @cindex @option{-i} (@code{gnatmem})
18752 Do the @code{gnatmem} processing starting from @file{file}, rather than
18753 @file{gmem.out} in the current directory.
18756 @cindex @option{-m} (@code{gnatmem})
18757 This switch causes @code{gnatmem} to mask the allocation roots that have less
18758 than n leaks. The default value is 1. Specifying the value of 0 will allow to
18759 examine even the roots that didn't result in leaks.
18762 @cindex @option{-s} (@code{gnatmem})
18763 This switch causes @code{gnatmem} to sort the allocation roots according to the
18764 specified order of sort criteria, each identified by a single letter. The
18765 currently supported criteria are @code{n, h, w} standing respectively for
18766 number of unfreed allocations, high watermark, and final watermark
18767 corresponding to a specific root. The default order is @code{nwh}.
18771 @node Example of gnatmem Usage
18772 @subsection Example of @code{gnatmem} Usage
18775 The following example shows the use of @code{gnatmem}
18776 on a simple memory-leaking program.
18777 Suppose that we have the following Ada program:
18779 @smallexample @c ada
18782 with Unchecked_Deallocation;
18783 procedure Test_Gm is
18785 type T is array (1..1000) of Integer;
18786 type Ptr is access T;
18787 procedure Free is new Unchecked_Deallocation (T, Ptr);
18790 procedure My_Alloc is
18795 procedure My_DeAlloc is
18803 for I in 1 .. 5 loop
18804 for J in I .. 5 loop
18815 The program needs to be compiled with debugging option and linked with
18816 @code{gmem} library:
18819 $ gnatmake -g test_gm -largs -lgmem
18823 Then we execute the program as usual:
18830 Then @code{gnatmem} is invoked simply with
18836 which produces the following output (result may vary on different platforms):
18841 Total number of allocations : 18
18842 Total number of deallocations : 5
18843 Final Water Mark (non freed mem) : 53.00 Kilobytes
18844 High Water Mark : 56.90 Kilobytes
18846 Allocation Root # 1
18847 -------------------
18848 Number of non freed allocations : 11
18849 Final Water Mark (non freed mem) : 42.97 Kilobytes
18850 High Water Mark : 46.88 Kilobytes
18852 test_gm.adb:11 test_gm.my_alloc
18854 Allocation Root # 2
18855 -------------------
18856 Number of non freed allocations : 1
18857 Final Water Mark (non freed mem) : 10.02 Kilobytes
18858 High Water Mark : 10.02 Kilobytes
18860 s-secsta.adb:81 system.secondary_stack.ss_init
18862 Allocation Root # 3
18863 -------------------
18864 Number of non freed allocations : 1
18865 Final Water Mark (non freed mem) : 12 Bytes
18866 High Water Mark : 12 Bytes
18868 s-secsta.adb:181 system.secondary_stack.ss_init
18872 Note that the GNAT run time contains itself a certain number of
18873 allocations that have no corresponding deallocation,
18874 as shown here for root #2 and root
18875 #3. This is a normal behavior when the number of non freed allocations
18876 is one, it allocates dynamic data structures that the run time needs for
18877 the complete lifetime of the program. Note also that there is only one
18878 allocation root in the user program with a single line back trace:
18879 test_gm.adb:11 test_gm.my_alloc, whereas a careful analysis of the
18880 program shows that 'My_Alloc' is called at 2 different points in the
18881 source (line 21 and line 24). If those two allocation roots need to be
18882 distinguished, the backtrace depth parameter can be used:
18885 $ gnatmem 3 test_gm
18889 which will give the following output:
18894 Total number of allocations : 18
18895 Total number of deallocations : 5
18896 Final Water Mark (non freed mem) : 53.00 Kilobytes
18897 High Water Mark : 56.90 Kilobytes
18899 Allocation Root # 1
18900 -------------------
18901 Number of non freed allocations : 10
18902 Final Water Mark (non freed mem) : 39.06 Kilobytes
18903 High Water Mark : 42.97 Kilobytes
18905 test_gm.adb:11 test_gm.my_alloc
18906 test_gm.adb:24 test_gm
18907 b_test_gm.c:52 main
18909 Allocation Root # 2
18910 -------------------
18911 Number of non freed allocations : 1
18912 Final Water Mark (non freed mem) : 10.02 Kilobytes
18913 High Water Mark : 10.02 Kilobytes
18915 s-secsta.adb:81 system.secondary_stack.ss_init
18916 s-secsta.adb:283 <system__secondary_stack___elabb>
18917 b_test_gm.c:33 adainit
18919 Allocation Root # 3
18920 -------------------
18921 Number of non freed allocations : 1
18922 Final Water Mark (non freed mem) : 3.91 Kilobytes
18923 High Water Mark : 3.91 Kilobytes
18925 test_gm.adb:11 test_gm.my_alloc
18926 test_gm.adb:21 test_gm
18927 b_test_gm.c:52 main
18929 Allocation Root # 4
18930 -------------------
18931 Number of non freed allocations : 1
18932 Final Water Mark (non freed mem) : 12 Bytes
18933 High Water Mark : 12 Bytes
18935 s-secsta.adb:181 system.secondary_stack.ss_init
18936 s-secsta.adb:283 <system__secondary_stack___elabb>
18937 b_test_gm.c:33 adainit
18941 The allocation root #1 of the first example has been split in 2 roots #1
18942 and #3 thanks to the more precise associated backtrace.
18946 @node Stack Related Facilities
18947 @chapter Stack Related Facilities
18950 This chapter describes some useful tools associated with stack
18951 checking and analysis. In
18952 particular, it deals with dynamic and static stack usage measurements.
18955 * Stack Overflow Checking::
18956 * Static Stack Usage Analysis::
18957 * Dynamic Stack Usage Analysis::
18960 @node Stack Overflow Checking
18961 @section Stack Overflow Checking
18962 @cindex Stack Overflow Checking
18963 @cindex -fstack-check
18966 For most operating systems, @command{gcc} does not perform stack overflow
18967 checking by default. This means that if the main environment task or
18968 some other task exceeds the available stack space, then unpredictable
18969 behavior will occur. Most native systems offer some level of protection by
18970 adding a guard page at the end of each task stack. This mechanism is usually
18971 not enough for dealing properly with stack overflow situations because
18972 a large local variable could ``jump'' above the guard page.
18973 Furthermore, when the
18974 guard page is hit, there may not be any space left on the stack for executing
18975 the exception propagation code. Enabling stack checking avoids
18978 To activate stack checking, compile all units with the gcc option
18979 @option{-fstack-check}. For example:
18982 gcc -c -fstack-check package1.adb
18986 Units compiled with this option will generate extra instructions to check
18987 that any use of the stack (for procedure calls or for declaring local
18988 variables in declare blocks) does not exceed the available stack space.
18989 If the space is exceeded, then a @code{Storage_Error} exception is raised.
18991 For declared tasks, the stack size is controlled by the size
18992 given in an applicable @code{Storage_Size} pragma or by the value specified
18993 at bind time with @option{-d} (@pxref{Switches for gnatbind}) or is set to
18994 the default size as defined in the GNAT runtime otherwise.
18996 For the environment task, the stack size depends on
18997 system defaults and is unknown to the compiler. Stack checking
18998 may still work correctly if a fixed
18999 size stack is allocated, but this cannot be guaranteed.
19000 To ensure that a clean exception is signalled for stack
19001 overflow, set the environment variable
19002 @code{GNAT_STACK_LIMIT} to indicate the maximum
19003 stack area that can be used, as in:
19004 @cindex GNAT_STACK_LIMIT
19007 SET GNAT_STACK_LIMIT 1600
19011 The limit is given in kilobytes, so the above declaration would
19012 set the stack limit of the environment task to 1.6 megabytes.
19013 Note that the only purpose of this usage is to limit the amount
19014 of stack used by the environment task. If it is necessary to
19015 increase the amount of stack for the environment task, then this
19016 is an operating systems issue, and must be addressed with the
19017 appropriate operating systems commands.
19019 @node Static Stack Usage Analysis
19020 @section Static Stack Usage Analysis
19021 @cindex Static Stack Usage Analysis
19022 @cindex -fstack-usage
19025 A unit compiled with @option{-fstack-usage} will generate an extra file
19027 the maximum amount of stack used, on a per-function basis.
19028 The file has the same
19029 basename as the target object file with a @file{.su} extension.
19030 Each line of this file is made up of three fields:
19034 The name of the function.
19038 One or more qualifiers: @code{static}, @code{dynamic}, @code{bounded}.
19041 The second field corresponds to the size of the known part of the function
19044 The qualifier @code{static} means that the function frame size
19046 It usually means that all local variables have a static size.
19047 In this case, the second field is a reliable measure of the function stack
19050 The qualifier @code{dynamic} means that the function frame size is not static.
19051 It happens mainly when some local variables have a dynamic size. When this
19052 qualifier appears alone, the second field is not a reliable measure
19053 of the function stack analysis. When it is qualified with @code{bounded}, it
19054 means that the second field is a reliable maximum of the function stack
19057 @node Dynamic Stack Usage Analysis
19058 @section Dynamic Stack Usage Analysis
19061 It is possible to measure the maximum amount of stack used by a task, by
19062 adding a switch to @command{gnatbind}, as:
19065 $ gnatbind -u0 file
19069 With this option, at each task termination, its stack usage is output on
19071 It is not always convenient to output the stack usage when the program
19072 is still running. Hence, it is possible to delay this output until program
19073 termination. for a given number of tasks specified as the argument of the
19074 @code{-u} option. For instance:
19077 $ gnatbind -u100 file
19081 will buffer the stack usage information of the first 100 tasks to terminate and
19082 output this info at program termination. Results are displayed in four
19086 Index | Task Name | Stack Size | Actual Use
19093 is a number associated with each task.
19096 is the name of the task analyzed.
19099 is the maximum size for the stack. In order to prevent overflow,
19100 the real stack limit is slightly larger than the Stack Size in order to allow
19104 is the measure done by the stack analyzer.
19109 The environment task stack, e.g. the stack that contains the main unit, is
19110 only processed when the environment variable GNAT_STACK_LIMIT is set.
19112 @c *********************************
19113 @node Verifying properties using gnatcheck
19114 @chapter Verifying properties using @command{gnatcheck}
19118 The @command{gnatcheck} tool is an ASIS-based utility that checks properties
19119 of Ada source files according to a given set of semantic rules.
19121 In order to check compliance with a given rule, @command{gnatcheck} has to
19122 semantically analyze the Ada sources.
19123 Therefore, checks can only be performed on
19124 legal Ada units. Moreover, when a unit depends semantically upon units located
19125 outside the current directory, the source search path has to be provided when
19126 calling @command{gnatcheck}, either through a specified project file or
19127 through @command{gnatcheck} switches as described below.
19129 The project support for @command{gnatcheck} is provided by the @command{gnat}
19132 Several rules are already implemented in @command{gnatcheck}. The list of such
19133 rules can be obtained with option @option{^-h^/HELP^} as described in the next
19134 section. A user can add new rules by modifying the @command{gnatcheck} code and
19135 rebuilding the tool. For adding a simple rule making some local checks, a small
19136 amount of straightforward ASIS-based programming is usually needed.
19139 @command{gnatcheck} has the command-line interface of the form
19142 $ gnatcheck [@i{switches}] @{@i{filename}@}
19143 [@i{^-files^/FILES^=@{arg_list_filename@}}]
19144 [@i{-cargs gcc_switches}] [@i{-rules rule_options}]
19151 @i{switches} specify the general tool options
19154 Each @i{filename} is the name (including the extension) of a source
19155 file to process. ``Wildcards'' are allowed, and
19156 the file name may contain path information.
19159 Each @i{arg_list_filename} is the name (including the extension) of a text
19160 file containing the names of the source files to process, separated by spaces
19164 @i{-cargs gcc_switches} is a list of switches for
19165 @command{gcc}. They will be passed on to all compiler invocations made by
19166 @command{gnatcheck} to generate the ASIS trees. Here you can provide
19167 @option{^-I^/INCLUDE_DIRS=^} switches to form the source search path,
19168 and use the @option{-gnatec} switch to set the configuration file.
19171 @i{-rules rule_options} is a list of options for controlling a set of
19172 rules to be checked by @command{gnatcheck} (@pxref{gnatcheck Rule Options})
19176 Either a @i{filename} or an @i{arg_list_filename} needs to be supplied.
19179 * Format of the Report File::
19180 * General gnatcheck Switches::
19181 * gnatcheck Rule Options::
19182 * Add the Results of Compiler Checks to gnatcheck Output::
19185 @node Format of the Report File
19186 @section Format of the Report File
19189 The @command{gnatcheck} tool outputs on @file{stdout} all messages concerning
19191 It also creates, in the current
19192 directory, a text file named @file{^gnatcheck.out^GNATCHECK.OUT^} that
19193 contains the complete report of the last gnatcheck run. This report contains:
19195 @item a list of the Ada source files being checked,
19196 @item a list of enabled and disabled rules,
19197 @item a list of the diagnostic messages, ordered in three different ways
19198 and collected in three separate
19199 sections. Section 1 contains the raw list of diagnostic messages. It
19200 corresponds to the output going to @file{stdout}. Section 2 contains
19201 messages ordered by rules.
19202 Section 3 contains messages ordered by source files.
19205 @node General gnatcheck Switches
19206 @section General @command{gnatcheck} Switches
19209 The following switches control the general @command{gnatcheck} behavior
19212 @cindex @option{^-a^/ALL^} (@command{gnatcheck})
19214 Process all units including those with read-only ALI files such as
19215 those from GNAT Run-Time library.
19217 @cindex @option{^-h^/HELP^} (@command{gnatcheck})
19219 Print out the list of the currently implemented rules. For more details see
19220 the README file in the @command{gnatcheck} sources.
19222 @cindex @option{^-l^/LOCS^} (@command{gnatcheck})
19224 Use full source locations references in the report file. For a construct from
19225 a generic instantiation a full source location is a chain from the location
19226 of this construct in the generic unit to the place where this unit is
19229 @cindex @option{^-q^/QUIET^} (@command{gnatcheck})
19231 Quiet mode. All the diagnoses about rule violations are placed in the
19232 @command{gnatcheck} report file only, without duplicating in @file{stdout}.
19234 @cindex @option{^-s^/SHORT^} (@command{gnatcheck})
19236 Short format of the report file (no version information, no list of applied
19237 rules, no list of checked sources is included)
19239 @cindex @option{^-s1^/COMPILER_STYLE^} (@command{gnatcheck})
19240 @item ^-s1^/COMPILER_STYLE^
19241 Include the compiler-style section in the report file
19243 @cindex @option{^-s2^/BY_RULES^} (@command{gnatcheck})
19244 @item ^-s2^/BY_RULES^
19245 Include the section containing diagnoses ordered by rules in the report file
19247 @cindex @option{^-s3^/BY_FILES_BY_RULES^} (@command{gnatcheck})
19248 @item ^-s3^/BY_FILES_BY_RULES^
19249 Include the section containing diagnoses ordered by files and then by rules
19252 @cindex @option{^-v^/VERBOSE^} (@command{gnatcheck})
19253 @item ^-v^/VERBOSE^
19254 Verbose mode; @command{gnatcheck} generates version information and then
19255 a trace of sources being processed.
19260 Note, that if either of the options @option{^-s1^/COMPILER_STYLE^},
19261 @option{^-s2^/BY_RULES^} or
19262 @option{^-s3^/BY_FILES_BY_RULES^} is specified,
19263 then the @command{gnatcheck} report file will contain only sections
19264 explicitly stated by these options.
19266 @node gnatcheck Rule Options
19267 @section @command{gnatcheck} Rule Options
19270 The following options control the processing performed by
19271 @command{gnatcheck}.
19274 @cindex @option{+ALL} (@command{gnatcheck})
19276 Turn all the rule checks ON
19278 @cindex @option{-ALL} (@command{gnatcheck})
19280 Turn all the rule checks OFF
19282 @cindex @option{+R} (@command{gnatcheck})
19283 @item +R@i{rule_id[:param]}
19284 Turn on the check for a specified rule with the specified parameter, if any.
19285 @i{rule_id} should be the identifier of one of the currently implemented rules
19286 (use @option{^-h^/HELP^} for the list of implemented rules). Rule identifiers
19287 are not case-sensitive. The @i{:param} item should
19288 be a string representing a valid parameter(s) for the specified rule.
19289 If it contains any space characters then this string must be enclosed in
19292 @cindex @option{-R} (@command{gnatcheck})
19293 @item -R@i{rule_id}
19294 Turn off the check for a specified rule
19298 @node Add the Results of Compiler Checks to gnatcheck Output
19299 @section Add the Results of Compiler Checks to @command{gnatcheck} Output
19302 The @command{gnatcheck} tool can include in the generated diagnostic messages
19304 the report file the results of the checks performed by the compiler. Though
19305 disabled by default, this effect may be obtained by using @option{+R} with
19306 the following rule identifiers and parameters:
19310 To record restrictions violations (that are performed by the compiler if the
19311 pragma @code{Restrictions} or @code{Restriction_Warnings} are given),
19313 @i{Restrictions} with the same parameters as pragma
19314 @code{Restrictions} or @code{Restriction_Warnings}
19317 To record compiler style checks, use the rule named
19318 @i{Style_Checks}. A parameter of this rule can be either @i{All_Checks}, that
19319 turns ON all the style checks, or a string that has exactly the same structure
19320 and semantics as @code{string_LITERAL} parameter of GNAT pragma
19321 @code{Style_Checks}.
19324 To record compiler warnings (@pxref{Warning Message Control}), use the rule
19325 named @i{Warnings} with a parameter that is a valid
19326 @code{static_string_expression} argument of GNAT pragma @code{Warnings}.
19330 @c *********************************
19331 @node Creating Sample Bodies Using gnatstub
19332 @chapter Creating Sample Bodies Using @command{gnatstub}
19336 @command{gnatstub} creates body stubs, that is, empty but compilable bodies
19337 for library unit declarations.
19339 To create a body stub, @command{gnatstub} has to compile the library
19340 unit declaration. Therefore, bodies can be created only for legal
19341 library units. Moreover, if a library unit depends semantically upon
19342 units located outside the current directory, you have to provide
19343 the source search path when calling @command{gnatstub}, see the description
19344 of @command{gnatstub} switches below.
19347 * Running gnatstub::
19348 * Switches for gnatstub::
19351 @node Running gnatstub
19352 @section Running @command{gnatstub}
19355 @command{gnatstub} has the command-line interface of the form
19358 $ gnatstub [switches] filename [directory]
19365 is the name of the source file that contains a library unit declaration
19366 for which a body must be created. The file name may contain the path
19368 The file name does not have to follow the GNAT file name conventions. If the
19370 does not follow GNAT file naming conventions, the name of the body file must
19372 explicitly as the value of the @option{^-o^/BODY=^@var{body-name}} option.
19373 If the file name follows the GNAT file naming
19374 conventions and the name of the body file is not provided,
19377 of the body file from the argument file name by replacing the @file{.ads}
19379 with the @file{.adb} suffix.
19382 indicates the directory in which the body stub is to be placed (the default
19387 is an optional sequence of switches as described in the next section
19390 @node Switches for gnatstub
19391 @section Switches for @command{gnatstub}
19397 @cindex @option{^-f^/FULL^} (@command{gnatstub})
19398 If the destination directory already contains a file with the name of the
19400 for the argument spec file, replace it with the generated body stub.
19402 @item ^-hs^/HEADER=SPEC^
19403 @cindex @option{^-hs^/HEADER=SPEC^} (@command{gnatstub})
19404 Put the comment header (i.e., all the comments preceding the
19405 compilation unit) from the source of the library unit declaration
19406 into the body stub.
19408 @item ^-hg^/HEADER=GENERAL^
19409 @cindex @option{^-hg^/HEADER=GENERAL^} (@command{gnatstub})
19410 Put a sample comment header into the body stub.
19414 @cindex @option{-IDIR} (@command{gnatstub})
19416 @cindex @option{-I-} (@command{gnatstub})
19419 @item /NOCURRENT_DIRECTORY
19420 @cindex @option{/NOCURRENT_DIRECTORY} (@command{gnatstub})
19422 ^These switches have ^This switch has^ the same meaning as in calls to
19424 ^They define ^It defines ^ the source search path in the call to
19425 @command{gcc} issued
19426 by @command{gnatstub} to compile an argument source file.
19428 @item ^-gnatec^/CONFIGURATION_PRAGMAS_FILE=^@var{PATH}
19429 @cindex @option{^-gnatec^/CONFIGURATION_PRAGMAS_FILE^} (@command{gnatstub})
19430 This switch has the same meaning as in calls to @command{gcc}.
19431 It defines the additional configuration file to be passed to the call to
19432 @command{gcc} issued
19433 by @command{gnatstub} to compile an argument source file.
19435 @item ^-gnatyM^/MAX_LINE_LENGTH=^@var{n}
19436 @cindex @option{^-gnatyM^/MAX_LINE_LENGTH^} (@command{gnatstub})
19437 (@var{n} is a non-negative integer). Set the maximum line length in the
19438 body stub to @var{n}; the default is 79. The maximum value that can be
19439 specified is 32767. Note that in the special case of configuration
19440 pragma files, the maximum is always 32767 regardless of whether or
19441 not this switch appears.
19443 @item ^-gnaty^/STYLE_CHECKS=^@var{n}
19444 @cindex @option{^-gnaty^/STYLE_CHECKS=^} (@command{gnatstub})
19445 (@var{n} is a non-negative integer from 1 to 9). Set the indentation level in
19446 the generated body sample to @var{n}.
19447 The default indentation is 3.
19449 @item ^-gnatyo^/ORDERED_SUBPROGRAMS^
19450 @cindex @option{^-gnato^/ORDERED_SUBPROGRAMS^} (@command{gnatstub})
19451 Order local bodies alphabetically. (By default local bodies are ordered
19452 in the same way as the corresponding local specs in the argument spec file.)
19454 @item ^-i^/INDENTATION=^@var{n}
19455 @cindex @option{^-i^/INDENTATION^} (@command{gnatstub})
19456 Same as @option{^-gnaty^/STYLE_CHECKS=^@var{n}}
19458 @item ^-k^/TREE_FILE=SAVE^
19459 @cindex @option{^-k^/TREE_FILE=SAVE^} (@command{gnatstub})
19460 Do not remove the tree file (i.e., the snapshot of the compiler internal
19461 structures used by @command{gnatstub}) after creating the body stub.
19463 @item ^-l^/LINE_LENGTH=^@var{n}
19464 @cindex @option{^-l^/LINE_LENGTH^} (@command{gnatstub})
19465 Same as @option{^-gnatyM^/MAX_LINE_LENGTH=^@var{n}}
19467 @item ^-o^/BODY=^@var{body-name}
19468 @cindex @option{^-o^/BODY^} (@command{gnatstub})
19469 Body file name. This should be set if the argument file name does not
19471 the GNAT file naming
19472 conventions. If this switch is omitted the default name for the body will be
19474 from the argument file name according to the GNAT file naming conventions.
19477 @cindex @option{^-q^/QUIET^} (@command{gnatstub})
19478 Quiet mode: do not generate a confirmation when a body is
19479 successfully created, and do not generate a message when a body is not
19483 @item ^-r^/TREE_FILE=REUSE^
19484 @cindex @option{^-r^/TREE_FILE=REUSE^} (@command{gnatstub})
19485 Reuse the tree file (if it exists) instead of creating it. Instead of
19486 creating the tree file for the library unit declaration, @command{gnatstub}
19487 tries to find it in the current directory and use it for creating
19488 a body. If the tree file is not found, no body is created. This option
19489 also implies @option{^-k^/SAVE^}, whether or not
19490 the latter is set explicitly.
19492 @item ^-t^/TREE_FILE=OVERWRITE^
19493 @cindex @option{^-t^/TREE_FILE=OVERWRITE^} (@command{gnatstub})
19494 Overwrite the existing tree file. If the current directory already
19495 contains the file which, according to the GNAT file naming rules should
19496 be considered as a tree file for the argument source file,
19498 will refuse to create the tree file needed to create a sample body
19499 unless this option is set.
19501 @item ^-v^/VERBOSE^
19502 @cindex @option{^-v^/VERBOSE^} (@command{gnatstub})
19503 Verbose mode: generate version information.
19507 @node Other Utility Programs
19508 @chapter Other Utility Programs
19511 This chapter discusses some other utility programs available in the Ada
19515 * Using Other Utility Programs with GNAT::
19516 * The External Symbol Naming Scheme of GNAT::
19518 * Ada Mode for Glide::
19520 * Converting Ada Files to html with gnathtml::
19521 * Installing gnathtml::
19528 @node Using Other Utility Programs with GNAT
19529 @section Using Other Utility Programs with GNAT
19532 The object files generated by GNAT are in standard system format and in
19533 particular the debugging information uses this format. This means
19534 programs generated by GNAT can be used with existing utilities that
19535 depend on these formats.
19538 In general, any utility program that works with C will also often work with
19539 Ada programs generated by GNAT. This includes software utilities such as
19540 gprof (a profiling program), @code{gdb} (the FSF debugger), and utilities such
19544 @node The External Symbol Naming Scheme of GNAT
19545 @section The External Symbol Naming Scheme of GNAT
19548 In order to interpret the output from GNAT, when using tools that are
19549 originally intended for use with other languages, it is useful to
19550 understand the conventions used to generate link names from the Ada
19553 All link names are in all lowercase letters. With the exception of library
19554 procedure names, the mechanism used is simply to use the full expanded
19555 Ada name with dots replaced by double underscores. For example, suppose
19556 we have the following package spec:
19558 @smallexample @c ada
19569 The variable @code{MN} has a full expanded Ada name of @code{QRS.MN}, so
19570 the corresponding link name is @code{qrs__mn}.
19572 Of course if a @code{pragma Export} is used this may be overridden:
19574 @smallexample @c ada
19579 pragma Export (Var1, C, External_Name => "var1_name");
19581 pragma Export (Var2, C, Link_Name => "var2_link_name");
19588 In this case, the link name for @var{Var1} is whatever link name the
19589 C compiler would assign for the C function @var{var1_name}. This typically
19590 would be either @var{var1_name} or @var{_var1_name}, depending on operating
19591 system conventions, but other possibilities exist. The link name for
19592 @var{Var2} is @var{var2_link_name}, and this is not operating system
19596 One exception occurs for library level procedures. A potential ambiguity
19597 arises between the required name @code{_main} for the C main program,
19598 and the name we would otherwise assign to an Ada library level procedure
19599 called @code{Main} (which might well not be the main program).
19601 To avoid this ambiguity, we attach the prefix @code{_ada_} to such
19602 names. So if we have a library level procedure such as
19604 @smallexample @c ada
19607 procedure Hello (S : String);
19613 the external name of this procedure will be @var{_ada_hello}.
19616 @node Ada Mode for Glide
19617 @section Ada Mode for @code{Glide}
19618 @cindex Ada mode (for Glide)
19621 The Glide mode for programming in Ada (both Ada83 and Ada95) helps the
19622 user to understand and navigate existing code, and facilitates writing
19623 new code. It furthermore provides some utility functions for easier
19624 integration of standard Emacs features when programming in Ada.
19626 Its general features include:
19630 An Integrated Development Environment with functionality such as the
19635 ``Project files'' for configuration-specific aspects
19636 (e.g. directories and compilation options)
19639 Compiling and stepping through error messages.
19642 Running and debugging an applications within Glide.
19649 User configurability
19652 Some of the specific Ada mode features are:
19656 Functions for easy and quick stepping through Ada code
19659 Getting cross reference information for identifiers (e.g., finding a
19660 defining occurrence)
19663 Displaying an index menu of types and subprograms, allowing
19664 direct selection for browsing
19667 Automatic color highlighting of the various Ada entities
19670 Glide directly supports writing Ada code, via several facilities:
19674 Switching between spec and body files with possible
19675 autogeneration of body files
19678 Automatic formating of subprogram parameter lists
19681 Automatic indentation according to Ada syntax
19684 Automatic completion of identifiers
19687 Automatic (and configurable) casing of identifiers, keywords, and attributes
19690 Insertion of syntactic templates
19693 Block commenting / uncommenting
19697 For more information, please refer to the online documentation
19698 available in the @code{Glide} @result{} @code{Help} menu.
19701 @node Converting Ada Files to html with gnathtml
19702 @section Converting Ada Files to HTML with @code{gnathtml}
19705 This @code{Perl} script allows Ada source files to be browsed using
19706 standard Web browsers. For installation procedure, see the section
19707 @xref{Installing gnathtml}.
19709 Ada reserved keywords are highlighted in a bold font and Ada comments in
19710 a blue font. Unless your program was compiled with the gcc @option{-gnatx}
19711 switch to suppress the generation of cross-referencing information, user
19712 defined variables and types will appear in a different color; you will
19713 be able to click on any identifier and go to its declaration.
19715 The command line is as follow:
19717 $ perl gnathtml.pl [^switches^options^] ada-files
19721 You can pass it as many Ada files as you want. @code{gnathtml} will generate
19722 an html file for every ada file, and a global file called @file{index.htm}.
19723 This file is an index of every identifier defined in the files.
19725 The available ^switches^options^ are the following ones :
19729 @cindex @option{-83} (@code{gnathtml})
19730 Only the subset on the Ada 83 keywords will be highlighted, not the full
19731 Ada 95 keywords set.
19733 @item -cc @var{color}
19734 @cindex @option{-cc} (@code{gnathtml})
19735 This option allows you to change the color used for comments. The default
19736 value is green. The color argument can be any name accepted by html.
19739 @cindex @option{-d} (@code{gnathtml})
19740 If the Ada files depend on some other files (for instance through
19741 @code{with} clauses, the latter files will also be converted to html.
19742 Only the files in the user project will be converted to html, not the files
19743 in the run-time library itself.
19746 @cindex @option{-D} (@code{gnathtml})
19747 This command is the same as @option{-d} above, but @command{gnathtml} will
19748 also look for files in the run-time library, and generate html files for them.
19750 @item -ext @var{extension}
19751 @cindex @option{-ext} (@code{gnathtml})
19752 This option allows you to change the extension of the generated HTML files.
19753 If you do not specify an extension, it will default to @file{htm}.
19756 @cindex @option{-f} (@code{gnathtml})
19757 By default, gnathtml will generate html links only for global entities
19758 ('with'ed units, global variables and types,...). If you specify
19759 @option{-f} on the command line, then links will be generated for local
19762 @item -l @var{number}
19763 @cindex @option{-l} (@code{gnathtml})
19764 If this ^switch^option^ is provided and @var{number} is not 0, then
19765 @code{gnathtml} will number the html files every @var{number} line.
19768 @cindex @option{-I} (@code{gnathtml})
19769 Specify a directory to search for library files (@file{.ALI} files) and
19770 source files. You can provide several -I switches on the command line,
19771 and the directories will be parsed in the order of the command line.
19774 @cindex @option{-o} (@code{gnathtml})
19775 Specify the output directory for html files. By default, gnathtml will
19776 saved the generated html files in a subdirectory named @file{html/}.
19778 @item -p @var{file}
19779 @cindex @option{-p} (@code{gnathtml})
19780 If you are using Emacs and the most recent Emacs Ada mode, which provides
19781 a full Integrated Development Environment for compiling, checking,
19782 running and debugging applications, you may use @file{.gpr} files
19783 to give the directories where Emacs can find sources and object files.
19785 Using this ^switch^option^, you can tell gnathtml to use these files.
19786 This allows you to get an html version of your application, even if it
19787 is spread over multiple directories.
19789 @item -sc @var{color}
19790 @cindex @option{-sc} (@code{gnathtml})
19791 This ^switch^option^ allows you to change the color used for symbol
19793 The default value is red. The color argument can be any name accepted by html.
19795 @item -t @var{file}
19796 @cindex @option{-t} (@code{gnathtml})
19797 This ^switch^option^ provides the name of a file. This file contains a list of
19798 file names to be converted, and the effect is exactly as though they had
19799 appeared explicitly on the command line. This
19800 is the recommended way to work around the command line length limit on some
19805 @node Installing gnathtml
19806 @section Installing @code{gnathtml}
19809 @code{Perl} needs to be installed on your machine to run this script.
19810 @code{Perl} is freely available for almost every architecture and
19811 Operating System via the Internet.
19813 On Unix systems, you may want to modify the first line of the script
19814 @code{gnathtml}, to explicitly tell the Operating system where Perl
19815 is. The syntax of this line is :
19817 #!full_path_name_to_perl
19821 Alternatively, you may run the script using the following command line:
19824 $ perl gnathtml.pl [switches] files
19833 The GNAT distribution provides an Ada 95 template for the HP Language
19834 Sensitive Editor (LSE), a component of DECset. In order to
19835 access it, invoke LSE with the qualifier /ENVIRONMENT=GNU:[LIB]ADA95.ENV.
19842 GNAT supports The HP Performance Coverage Analyzer (PCA), a component
19843 of DECset. To use it proceed as outlined under ``HELP PCA'', except for running
19844 the collection phase with the /DEBUG qualifier.
19847 $ GNAT MAKE /DEBUG <PROGRAM_NAME>
19848 $ DEFINE LIB$DEBUG PCA$COLLECTOR
19849 $ RUN/DEBUG <PROGRAM_NAME>
19854 @node Running and Debugging Ada Programs
19855 @chapter Running and Debugging Ada Programs
19859 This chapter discusses how to debug Ada programs.
19861 It applies to the Alpha OpenVMS platform;
19862 the debugger for I64 OpenVMS is scheduled for a subsequent release.
19865 An incorrect Ada program may be handled in three ways by the GNAT compiler:
19869 The illegality may be a violation of the static semantics of Ada. In
19870 that case GNAT diagnoses the constructs in the program that are illegal.
19871 It is then a straightforward matter for the user to modify those parts of
19875 The illegality may be a violation of the dynamic semantics of Ada. In
19876 that case the program compiles and executes, but may generate incorrect
19877 results, or may terminate abnormally with some exception.
19880 When presented with a program that contains convoluted errors, GNAT
19881 itself may terminate abnormally without providing full diagnostics on
19882 the incorrect user program.
19886 * The GNAT Debugger GDB::
19888 * Introduction to GDB Commands::
19889 * Using Ada Expressions::
19890 * Calling User-Defined Subprograms::
19891 * Using the Next Command in a Function::
19894 * Debugging Generic Units::
19895 * GNAT Abnormal Termination or Failure to Terminate::
19896 * Naming Conventions for GNAT Source Files::
19897 * Getting Internal Debugging Information::
19898 * Stack Traceback::
19904 @node The GNAT Debugger GDB
19905 @section The GNAT Debugger GDB
19908 @code{GDB} is a general purpose, platform-independent debugger that
19909 can be used to debug mixed-language programs compiled with @command{gcc},
19910 and in particular is capable of debugging Ada programs compiled with
19911 GNAT. The latest versions of @code{GDB} are Ada-aware and can handle
19912 complex Ada data structures.
19914 The manual @cite{Debugging with GDB}
19916 , located in the GNU:[DOCS] directory,
19918 contains full details on the usage of @code{GDB}, including a section on
19919 its usage on programs. This manual should be consulted for full
19920 details. The section that follows is a brief introduction to the
19921 philosophy and use of @code{GDB}.
19923 When GNAT programs are compiled, the compiler optionally writes debugging
19924 information into the generated object file, including information on
19925 line numbers, and on declared types and variables. This information is
19926 separate from the generated code. It makes the object files considerably
19927 larger, but it does not add to the size of the actual executable that
19928 will be loaded into memory, and has no impact on run-time performance. The
19929 generation of debug information is triggered by the use of the
19930 ^-g^/DEBUG^ switch in the gcc or gnatmake command used to carry out
19931 the compilations. It is important to emphasize that the use of these
19932 options does not change the generated code.
19934 The debugging information is written in standard system formats that
19935 are used by many tools, including debuggers and profilers. The format
19936 of the information is typically designed to describe C types and
19937 semantics, but GNAT implements a translation scheme which allows full
19938 details about Ada types and variables to be encoded into these
19939 standard C formats. Details of this encoding scheme may be found in
19940 the file exp_dbug.ads in the GNAT source distribution. However, the
19941 details of this encoding are, in general, of no interest to a user,
19942 since @code{GDB} automatically performs the necessary decoding.
19944 When a program is bound and linked, the debugging information is
19945 collected from the object files, and stored in the executable image of
19946 the program. Again, this process significantly increases the size of
19947 the generated executable file, but it does not increase the size of
19948 the executable program itself. Furthermore, if this program is run in
19949 the normal manner, it runs exactly as if the debug information were
19950 not present, and takes no more actual memory.
19952 However, if the program is run under control of @code{GDB}, the
19953 debugger is activated. The image of the program is loaded, at which
19954 point it is ready to run. If a run command is given, then the program
19955 will run exactly as it would have if @code{GDB} were not present. This
19956 is a crucial part of the @code{GDB} design philosophy. @code{GDB} is
19957 entirely non-intrusive until a breakpoint is encountered. If no
19958 breakpoint is ever hit, the program will run exactly as it would if no
19959 debugger were present. When a breakpoint is hit, @code{GDB} accesses
19960 the debugging information and can respond to user commands to inspect
19961 variables, and more generally to report on the state of execution.
19965 @section Running GDB
19968 The debugger can be launched directly and simply from @code{glide} or
19969 through its graphical interface: @code{gvd}. It can also be used
19970 directly in text mode. Here is described the basic use of @code{GDB}
19971 in text mode. All the commands described below can be used in the
19972 @code{gvd} console window even though there is usually other more
19973 graphical ways to achieve the same goals.
19977 The command to run the graphical interface of the debugger is
19984 The command to run @code{GDB} in text mode is
19987 $ ^gdb program^$ GDB PROGRAM^
19991 where @code{^program^PROGRAM^} is the name of the executable file. This
19992 activates the debugger and results in a prompt for debugger commands.
19993 The simplest command is simply @code{run}, which causes the program to run
19994 exactly as if the debugger were not present. The following section
19995 describes some of the additional commands that can be given to @code{GDB}.
19997 @c *******************************
19998 @node Introduction to GDB Commands
19999 @section Introduction to GDB Commands
20002 @code{GDB} contains a large repertoire of commands. The manual
20003 @cite{Debugging with GDB}
20005 , located in the GNU:[DOCS] directory,
20007 includes extensive documentation on the use
20008 of these commands, together with examples of their use. Furthermore,
20009 the command @var{help} invoked from within @code{GDB} activates a simple help
20010 facility which summarizes the available commands and their options.
20011 In this section we summarize a few of the most commonly
20012 used commands to give an idea of what @code{GDB} is about. You should create
20013 a simple program with debugging information and experiment with the use of
20014 these @code{GDB} commands on the program as you read through the
20018 @item set args @var{arguments}
20019 The @var{arguments} list above is a list of arguments to be passed to
20020 the program on a subsequent run command, just as though the arguments
20021 had been entered on a normal invocation of the program. The @code{set args}
20022 command is not needed if the program does not require arguments.
20025 The @code{run} command causes execution of the program to start from
20026 the beginning. If the program is already running, that is to say if
20027 you are currently positioned at a breakpoint, then a prompt will ask
20028 for confirmation that you want to abandon the current execution and
20031 @item breakpoint @var{location}
20032 The breakpoint command sets a breakpoint, that is to say a point at which
20033 execution will halt and @code{GDB} will await further
20034 commands. @var{location} is
20035 either a line number within a file, given in the format @code{file:linenumber},
20036 or it is the name of a subprogram. If you request that a breakpoint be set on
20037 a subprogram that is overloaded, a prompt will ask you to specify on which of
20038 those subprograms you want to breakpoint. You can also
20039 specify that all of them should be breakpointed. If the program is run
20040 and execution encounters the breakpoint, then the program
20041 stops and @code{GDB} signals that the breakpoint was encountered by
20042 printing the line of code before which the program is halted.
20044 @item breakpoint exception @var{name}
20045 A special form of the breakpoint command which breakpoints whenever
20046 exception @var{name} is raised.
20047 If @var{name} is omitted,
20048 then a breakpoint will occur when any exception is raised.
20050 @item print @var{expression}
20051 This will print the value of the given expression. Most simple
20052 Ada expression formats are properly handled by @code{GDB}, so the expression
20053 can contain function calls, variables, operators, and attribute references.
20056 Continues execution following a breakpoint, until the next breakpoint or the
20057 termination of the program.
20060 Executes a single line after a breakpoint. If the next statement
20061 is a subprogram call, execution continues into (the first statement of)
20062 the called subprogram.
20065 Executes a single line. If this line is a subprogram call, executes and
20066 returns from the call.
20069 Lists a few lines around the current source location. In practice, it
20070 is usually more convenient to have a separate edit window open with the
20071 relevant source file displayed. Successive applications of this command
20072 print subsequent lines. The command can be given an argument which is a
20073 line number, in which case it displays a few lines around the specified one.
20076 Displays a backtrace of the call chain. This command is typically
20077 used after a breakpoint has occurred, to examine the sequence of calls that
20078 leads to the current breakpoint. The display includes one line for each
20079 activation record (frame) corresponding to an active subprogram.
20082 At a breakpoint, @code{GDB} can display the values of variables local
20083 to the current frame. The command @code{up} can be used to
20084 examine the contents of other active frames, by moving the focus up
20085 the stack, that is to say from callee to caller, one frame at a time.
20088 Moves the focus of @code{GDB} down from the frame currently being
20089 examined to the frame of its callee (the reverse of the previous command),
20091 @item frame @var{n}
20092 Inspect the frame with the given number. The value 0 denotes the frame
20093 of the current breakpoint, that is to say the top of the call stack.
20097 The above list is a very short introduction to the commands that
20098 @code{GDB} provides. Important additional capabilities, including conditional
20099 breakpoints, the ability to execute command sequences on a breakpoint,
20100 the ability to debug at the machine instruction level and many other
20101 features are described in detail in @cite{Debugging with GDB}.
20102 Note that most commands can be abbreviated
20103 (for example, c for continue, bt for backtrace).
20105 @node Using Ada Expressions
20106 @section Using Ada Expressions
20107 @cindex Ada expressions
20110 @code{GDB} supports a fairly large subset of Ada expression syntax, with some
20111 extensions. The philosophy behind the design of this subset is
20115 That @code{GDB} should provide basic literals and access to operations for
20116 arithmetic, dereferencing, field selection, indexing, and subprogram calls,
20117 leaving more sophisticated computations to subprograms written into the
20118 program (which therefore may be called from @code{GDB}).
20121 That type safety and strict adherence to Ada language restrictions
20122 are not particularly important to the @code{GDB} user.
20125 That brevity is important to the @code{GDB} user.
20128 Thus, for brevity, the debugger acts as if there were
20129 implicit @code{with} and @code{use} clauses in effect for all user-written
20130 packages, thus making it unnecessary to fully qualify most names with
20131 their packages, regardless of context. Where this causes ambiguity,
20132 @code{GDB} asks the user's intent.
20134 For details on the supported Ada syntax, see @cite{Debugging with GDB}.
20136 @node Calling User-Defined Subprograms
20137 @section Calling User-Defined Subprograms
20140 An important capability of @code{GDB} is the ability to call user-defined
20141 subprograms while debugging. This is achieved simply by entering
20142 a subprogram call statement in the form:
20145 call subprogram-name (parameters)
20149 The keyword @code{call} can be omitted in the normal case where the
20150 @code{subprogram-name} does not coincide with any of the predefined
20151 @code{GDB} commands.
20153 The effect is to invoke the given subprogram, passing it the
20154 list of parameters that is supplied. The parameters can be expressions and
20155 can include variables from the program being debugged. The
20156 subprogram must be defined
20157 at the library level within your program, and @code{GDB} will call the
20158 subprogram within the environment of your program execution (which
20159 means that the subprogram is free to access or even modify variables
20160 within your program).
20162 The most important use of this facility is in allowing the inclusion of
20163 debugging routines that are tailored to particular data structures
20164 in your program. Such debugging routines can be written to provide a suitably
20165 high-level description of an abstract type, rather than a low-level dump
20166 of its physical layout. After all, the standard
20167 @code{GDB print} command only knows the physical layout of your
20168 types, not their abstract meaning. Debugging routines can provide information
20169 at the desired semantic level and are thus enormously useful.
20171 For example, when debugging GNAT itself, it is crucial to have access to
20172 the contents of the tree nodes used to represent the program internally.
20173 But tree nodes are represented simply by an integer value (which in turn
20174 is an index into a table of nodes).
20175 Using the @code{print} command on a tree node would simply print this integer
20176 value, which is not very useful. But the PN routine (defined in file
20177 treepr.adb in the GNAT sources) takes a tree node as input, and displays
20178 a useful high level representation of the tree node, which includes the
20179 syntactic category of the node, its position in the source, the integers
20180 that denote descendant nodes and parent node, as well as varied
20181 semantic information. To study this example in more detail, you might want to
20182 look at the body of the PN procedure in the stated file.
20184 @node Using the Next Command in a Function
20185 @section Using the Next Command in a Function
20188 When you use the @code{next} command in a function, the current source
20189 location will advance to the next statement as usual. A special case
20190 arises in the case of a @code{return} statement.
20192 Part of the code for a return statement is the ``epilog'' of the function.
20193 This is the code that returns to the caller. There is only one copy of
20194 this epilog code, and it is typically associated with the last return
20195 statement in the function if there is more than one return. In some
20196 implementations, this epilog is associated with the first statement
20199 The result is that if you use the @code{next} command from a return
20200 statement that is not the last return statement of the function you
20201 may see a strange apparent jump to the last return statement or to
20202 the start of the function. You should simply ignore this odd jump.
20203 The value returned is always that from the first return statement
20204 that was stepped through.
20206 @node Ada Exceptions
20207 @section Breaking on Ada Exceptions
20211 You can set breakpoints that trip when your program raises
20212 selected exceptions.
20215 @item break exception
20216 Set a breakpoint that trips whenever (any task in the) program raises
20219 @item break exception @var{name}
20220 Set a breakpoint that trips whenever (any task in the) program raises
20221 the exception @var{name}.
20223 @item break exception unhandled
20224 Set a breakpoint that trips whenever (any task in the) program raises an
20225 exception for which there is no handler.
20227 @item info exceptions
20228 @itemx info exceptions @var{regexp}
20229 The @code{info exceptions} command permits the user to examine all defined
20230 exceptions within Ada programs. With a regular expression, @var{regexp}, as
20231 argument, prints out only those exceptions whose name matches @var{regexp}.
20239 @code{GDB} allows the following task-related commands:
20243 This command shows a list of current Ada tasks, as in the following example:
20250 ID TID P-ID Thread Pri State Name
20251 1 8088000 0 807e000 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
20252 2 80a4000 1 80ae000 15 Accept/Select Wait b
20253 3 809a800 1 80a4800 15 Child Activation Wait a
20254 * 4 80ae800 3 80b8000 15 Running c
20258 In this listing, the asterisk before the first task indicates it to be the
20259 currently running task. The first column lists the task ID that is used
20260 to refer to tasks in the following commands.
20262 @item break @var{linespec} task @var{taskid}
20263 @itemx break @var{linespec} task @var{taskid} if @dots{}
20264 @cindex Breakpoints and tasks
20265 These commands are like the @code{break @dots{} thread @dots{}}.
20266 @var{linespec} specifies source lines.
20268 Use the qualifier @samp{task @var{taskid}} with a breakpoint command
20269 to specify that you only want @code{GDB} to stop the program when a
20270 particular Ada task reaches this breakpoint. @var{taskid} is one of the
20271 numeric task identifiers assigned by @code{GDB}, shown in the first
20272 column of the @samp{info tasks} display.
20274 If you do not specify @samp{task @var{taskid}} when you set a
20275 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} tasks of your
20278 You can use the @code{task} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
20279 well; in this case, place @samp{task @var{taskid}} before the
20280 breakpoint condition (before the @code{if}).
20282 @item task @var{taskno}
20283 @cindex Task switching
20285 This command allows to switch to the task referred by @var{taskno}. In
20286 particular, This allows to browse the backtrace of the specified
20287 task. It is advised to switch back to the original task before
20288 continuing execution otherwise the scheduling of the program may be
20293 For more detailed information on the tasking support,
20294 see @cite{Debugging with GDB}.
20296 @node Debugging Generic Units
20297 @section Debugging Generic Units
20298 @cindex Debugging Generic Units
20302 GNAT always uses code expansion for generic instantiation. This means that
20303 each time an instantiation occurs, a complete copy of the original code is
20304 made, with appropriate substitutions of formals by actuals.
20306 It is not possible to refer to the original generic entities in
20307 @code{GDB}, but it is always possible to debug a particular instance of
20308 a generic, by using the appropriate expanded names. For example, if we have
20310 @smallexample @c ada
20315 generic package k is
20316 procedure kp (v1 : in out integer);
20320 procedure kp (v1 : in out integer) is
20326 package k1 is new k;
20327 package k2 is new k;
20329 var : integer := 1;
20342 Then to break on a call to procedure kp in the k2 instance, simply
20346 (gdb) break g.k2.kp
20350 When the breakpoint occurs, you can step through the code of the
20351 instance in the normal manner and examine the values of local variables, as for
20354 @node GNAT Abnormal Termination or Failure to Terminate
20355 @section GNAT Abnormal Termination or Failure to Terminate
20356 @cindex GNAT Abnormal Termination or Failure to Terminate
20359 When presented with programs that contain serious errors in syntax
20361 GNAT may on rare occasions experience problems in operation, such
20363 segmentation fault or illegal memory access, raising an internal
20364 exception, terminating abnormally, or failing to terminate at all.
20365 In such cases, you can activate
20366 various features of GNAT that can help you pinpoint the construct in your
20367 program that is the likely source of the problem.
20369 The following strategies are presented in increasing order of
20370 difficulty, corresponding to your experience in using GNAT and your
20371 familiarity with compiler internals.
20375 Run @command{gcc} with the @option{-gnatf}. This first
20376 switch causes all errors on a given line to be reported. In its absence,
20377 only the first error on a line is displayed.
20379 The @option{-gnatdO} switch causes errors to be displayed as soon as they
20380 are encountered, rather than after compilation is terminated. If GNAT
20381 terminates prematurely or goes into an infinite loop, the last error
20382 message displayed may help to pinpoint the culprit.
20385 Run @command{gcc} with the @option{^-v (verbose)^/VERBOSE^} switch. In this
20386 mode, @command{gcc} produces ongoing information about the progress of the
20387 compilation and provides the name of each procedure as code is
20388 generated. This switch allows you to find which Ada procedure was being
20389 compiled when it encountered a code generation problem.
20392 @cindex @option{-gnatdc} switch
20393 Run @command{gcc} with the @option{-gnatdc} switch. This is a GNAT specific
20394 switch that does for the front-end what @option{^-v^VERBOSE^} does
20395 for the back end. The system prints the name of each unit,
20396 either a compilation unit or nested unit, as it is being analyzed.
20398 Finally, you can start
20399 @code{gdb} directly on the @code{gnat1} executable. @code{gnat1} is the
20400 front-end of GNAT, and can be run independently (normally it is just
20401 called from @command{gcc}). You can use @code{gdb} on @code{gnat1} as you
20402 would on a C program (but @pxref{The GNAT Debugger GDB} for caveats). The
20403 @code{where} command is the first line of attack; the variable
20404 @code{lineno} (seen by @code{print lineno}), used by the second phase of
20405 @code{gnat1} and by the @command{gcc} backend, indicates the source line at
20406 which the execution stopped, and @code{input_file name} indicates the name of
20410 @node Naming Conventions for GNAT Source Files
20411 @section Naming Conventions for GNAT Source Files
20414 In order to examine the workings of the GNAT system, the following
20415 brief description of its organization may be helpful:
20419 Files with prefix @file{^sc^SC^} contain the lexical scanner.
20422 All files prefixed with @file{^par^PAR^} are components of the parser. The
20423 numbers correspond to chapters of the Ada 95 Reference Manual. For example,
20424 parsing of select statements can be found in @file{par-ch9.adb}.
20427 All files prefixed with @file{^sem^SEM^} perform semantic analysis. The
20428 numbers correspond to chapters of the Ada standard. For example, all
20429 issues involving context clauses can be found in @file{sem_ch10.adb}. In
20430 addition, some features of the language require sufficient special processing
20431 to justify their own semantic files: sem_aggr for aggregates, sem_disp for
20432 dynamic dispatching, etc.
20435 All files prefixed with @file{^exp^EXP^} perform normalization and
20436 expansion of the intermediate representation (abstract syntax tree, or AST).
20437 these files use the same numbering scheme as the parser and semantics files.
20438 For example, the construction of record initialization procedures is done in
20439 @file{exp_ch3.adb}.
20442 The files prefixed with @file{^bind^BIND^} implement the binder, which
20443 verifies the consistency of the compilation, determines an order of
20444 elaboration, and generates the bind file.
20447 The files @file{atree.ads} and @file{atree.adb} detail the low-level
20448 data structures used by the front-end.
20451 The files @file{sinfo.ads} and @file{sinfo.adb} detail the structure of
20452 the abstract syntax tree as produced by the parser.
20455 The files @file{einfo.ads} and @file{einfo.adb} detail the attributes of
20456 all entities, computed during semantic analysis.
20459 Library management issues are dealt with in files with prefix
20465 Ada files with the prefix @file{^a-^A-^} are children of @code{Ada}, as
20466 defined in Annex A.
20471 Files with prefix @file{^i-^I-^} are children of @code{Interfaces}, as
20472 defined in Annex B.
20476 Files with prefix @file{^s-^S-^} are children of @code{System}. This includes
20477 both language-defined children and GNAT run-time routines.
20481 Files with prefix @file{^g-^G-^} are children of @code{GNAT}. These are useful
20482 general-purpose packages, fully documented in their specifications. All
20483 the other @file{.c} files are modifications of common @command{gcc} files.
20486 @node Getting Internal Debugging Information
20487 @section Getting Internal Debugging Information
20490 Most compilers have internal debugging switches and modes. GNAT
20491 does also, except GNAT internal debugging switches and modes are not
20492 secret. A summary and full description of all the compiler and binder
20493 debug flags are in the file @file{debug.adb}. You must obtain the
20494 sources of the compiler to see the full detailed effects of these flags.
20496 The switches that print the source of the program (reconstructed from
20497 the internal tree) are of general interest for user programs, as are the
20499 the full internal tree, and the entity table (the symbol table
20500 information). The reconstructed source provides a readable version of the
20501 program after the front-end has completed analysis and expansion,
20502 and is useful when studying the performance of specific constructs.
20503 For example, constraint checks are indicated, complex aggregates
20504 are replaced with loops and assignments, and tasking primitives
20505 are replaced with run-time calls.
20507 @node Stack Traceback
20508 @section Stack Traceback
20510 @cindex stack traceback
20511 @cindex stack unwinding
20514 Traceback is a mechanism to display the sequence of subprogram calls that
20515 leads to a specified execution point in a program. Often (but not always)
20516 the execution point is an instruction at which an exception has been raised.
20517 This mechanism is also known as @i{stack unwinding} because it obtains
20518 its information by scanning the run-time stack and recovering the activation
20519 records of all active subprograms. Stack unwinding is one of the most
20520 important tools for program debugging.
20522 The first entry stored in traceback corresponds to the deepest calling level,
20523 that is to say the subprogram currently executing the instruction
20524 from which we want to obtain the traceback.
20526 Note that there is no runtime performance penalty when stack traceback
20527 is enabled, and no exception is raised during program execution.
20530 * Non-Symbolic Traceback::
20531 * Symbolic Traceback::
20534 @node Non-Symbolic Traceback
20535 @subsection Non-Symbolic Traceback
20536 @cindex traceback, non-symbolic
20539 Note: this feature is not supported on all platforms. See
20540 @file{GNAT.Traceback spec in g-traceb.ads} for a complete list of supported
20544 * Tracebacks From an Unhandled Exception::
20545 * Tracebacks From Exception Occurrences (non-symbolic)::
20546 * Tracebacks From Anywhere in a Program (non-symbolic)::
20549 @node Tracebacks From an Unhandled Exception
20550 @subsubsection Tracebacks From an Unhandled Exception
20553 A runtime non-symbolic traceback is a list of addresses of call instructions.
20554 To enable this feature you must use the @option{-E}
20555 @code{gnatbind}'s option. With this option a stack traceback is stored as part
20556 of exception information. You can retrieve this information using the
20557 @code{addr2line} tool.
20559 Here is a simple example:
20561 @smallexample @c ada
20567 raise Constraint_Error;
20582 $ gnatmake stb -bargs -E
20585 Execution terminated by unhandled exception
20586 Exception name: CONSTRAINT_ERROR
20588 Call stack traceback locations:
20589 0x401373 0x40138b 0x40139c 0x401335 0x4011c4 0x4011f1 0x77e892a4
20593 As we see the traceback lists a sequence of addresses for the unhandled
20594 exception @code{CONSTRAINT_ERROR} raised in procedure P1. It is easy to
20595 guess that this exception come from procedure P1. To translate these
20596 addresses into the source lines where the calls appear, the
20597 @code{addr2line} tool, described below, is invaluable. The use of this tool
20598 requires the program to be compiled with debug information.
20601 $ gnatmake -g stb -bargs -E
20604 Execution terminated by unhandled exception
20605 Exception name: CONSTRAINT_ERROR
20607 Call stack traceback locations:
20608 0x401373 0x40138b 0x40139c 0x401335 0x4011c4 0x4011f1 0x77e892a4
20610 $ addr2line --exe=stb 0x401373 0x40138b 0x40139c 0x401335 0x4011c4
20611 0x4011f1 0x77e892a4
20613 00401373 at d:/stb/stb.adb:5
20614 0040138B at d:/stb/stb.adb:10
20615 0040139C at d:/stb/stb.adb:14
20616 00401335 at d:/stb/b~stb.adb:104
20617 004011C4 at /build/.../crt1.c:200
20618 004011F1 at /build/.../crt1.c:222
20619 77E892A4 in ?? at ??:0
20623 The @code{addr2line} tool has several other useful options:
20627 to get the function name corresponding to any location
20629 @item --demangle=gnat
20630 to use the gnat decoding mode for the function names. Note that
20631 for binutils version 2.9.x the option is simply @option{--demangle}.
20635 $ addr2line --exe=stb --functions --demangle=gnat 0x401373 0x40138b
20636 0x40139c 0x401335 0x4011c4 0x4011f1
20638 00401373 in stb.p1 at d:/stb/stb.adb:5
20639 0040138B in stb.p2 at d:/stb/stb.adb:10
20640 0040139C in stb at d:/stb/stb.adb:14
20641 00401335 in main at d:/stb/b~stb.adb:104
20642 004011C4 in <__mingw_CRTStartup> at /build/.../crt1.c:200
20643 004011F1 in <mainCRTStartup> at /build/.../crt1.c:222
20647 From this traceback we can see that the exception was raised in
20648 @file{stb.adb} at line 5, which was reached from a procedure call in
20649 @file{stb.adb} at line 10, and so on. The @file{b~std.adb} is the binder file,
20650 which contains the call to the main program.
20651 @xref{Running gnatbind}. The remaining entries are assorted runtime routines,
20652 and the output will vary from platform to platform.
20654 It is also possible to use @code{GDB} with these traceback addresses to debug
20655 the program. For example, we can break at a given code location, as reported
20656 in the stack traceback:
20662 Furthermore, this feature is not implemented inside Windows DLL. Only
20663 the non-symbolic traceback is reported in this case.
20666 (gdb) break *0x401373
20667 Breakpoint 1 at 0x401373: file stb.adb, line 5.
20671 It is important to note that the stack traceback addresses
20672 do not change when debug information is included. This is particularly useful
20673 because it makes it possible to release software without debug information (to
20674 minimize object size), get a field report that includes a stack traceback
20675 whenever an internal bug occurs, and then be able to retrieve the sequence
20676 of calls with the same program compiled with debug information.
20678 @node Tracebacks From Exception Occurrences (non-symbolic)
20679 @subsubsection Tracebacks From Exception Occurrences
20682 Non-symbolic tracebacks are obtained by using the @option{-E} binder argument.
20683 The stack traceback is attached to the exception information string, and can
20684 be retrieved in an exception handler within the Ada program, by means of the
20685 Ada95 facilities defined in @code{Ada.Exceptions}. Here is a simple example:
20687 @smallexample @c ada
20689 with Ada.Exceptions;
20694 use Ada.Exceptions;
20702 Text_IO.Put_Line (Exception_Information (E));
20716 This program will output:
20721 Exception name: CONSTRAINT_ERROR
20722 Message: stb.adb:12
20723 Call stack traceback locations:
20724 0x4015e4 0x401633 0x401644 0x401461 0x4011c4 0x4011f1 0x77e892a4
20727 @node Tracebacks From Anywhere in a Program (non-symbolic)
20728 @subsubsection Tracebacks From Anywhere in a Program
20731 It is also possible to retrieve a stack traceback from anywhere in a
20732 program. For this you need to
20733 use the @code{GNAT.Traceback} API. This package includes a procedure called
20734 @code{Call_Chain} that computes a complete stack traceback, as well as useful
20735 display procedures described below. It is not necessary to use the
20736 @option{-E gnatbind} option in this case, because the stack traceback mechanism
20737 is invoked explicitly.
20740 In the following example we compute a traceback at a specific location in
20741 the program, and we display it using @code{GNAT.Debug_Utilities.Image} to
20742 convert addresses to strings:
20744 @smallexample @c ada
20746 with GNAT.Traceback;
20747 with GNAT.Debug_Utilities;
20753 use GNAT.Traceback;
20756 TB : Tracebacks_Array (1 .. 10);
20757 -- We are asking for a maximum of 10 stack frames.
20759 -- Len will receive the actual number of stack frames returned.
20761 Call_Chain (TB, Len);
20763 Text_IO.Put ("In STB.P1 : ");
20765 for K in 1 .. Len loop
20766 Text_IO.Put (Debug_Utilities.Image (TB (K)));
20787 In STB.P1 : 16#0040_F1E4# 16#0040_14F2# 16#0040_170B# 16#0040_171C#
20788 16#0040_1461# 16#0040_11C4# 16#0040_11F1# 16#77E8_92A4#
20792 You can then get further information by invoking the @code{addr2line}
20793 tool as described earlier (note that the hexadecimal addresses
20794 need to be specified in C format, with a leading ``0x'').
20796 @node Symbolic Traceback
20797 @subsection Symbolic Traceback
20798 @cindex traceback, symbolic
20801 A symbolic traceback is a stack traceback in which procedure names are
20802 associated with each code location.
20805 Note that this feature is not supported on all platforms. See
20806 @file{GNAT.Traceback.Symbolic spec in g-trasym.ads} for a complete
20807 list of currently supported platforms.
20810 Note that the symbolic traceback requires that the program be compiled
20811 with debug information. If it is not compiled with debug information
20812 only the non-symbolic information will be valid.
20815 * Tracebacks From Exception Occurrences (symbolic)::
20816 * Tracebacks From Anywhere in a Program (symbolic)::
20819 @node Tracebacks From Exception Occurrences (symbolic)
20820 @subsubsection Tracebacks From Exception Occurrences
20822 @smallexample @c ada
20824 with GNAT.Traceback.Symbolic;
20830 raise Constraint_Error;
20847 Ada.Text_IO.Put_Line (GNAT.Traceback.Symbolic.Symbolic_Traceback (E));
20852 $ gnatmake -g .\stb -bargs -E -largs -lgnat -laddr2line -lintl
20855 0040149F in stb.p1 at stb.adb:8
20856 004014B7 in stb.p2 at stb.adb:13
20857 004014CF in stb.p3 at stb.adb:18
20858 004015DD in ada.stb at stb.adb:22
20859 00401461 in main at b~stb.adb:168
20860 004011C4 in __mingw_CRTStartup at crt1.c:200
20861 004011F1 in mainCRTStartup at crt1.c:222
20862 77E892A4 in ?? at ??:0
20866 In the above example the ``.\'' syntax in the @command{gnatmake} command
20867 is currently required by @command{addr2line} for files that are in
20868 the current working directory.
20869 Moreover, the exact sequence of linker options may vary from platform
20871 The above @option{-largs} section is for Windows platforms. By contrast,
20872 under Unix there is no need for the @option{-largs} section.
20873 Differences across platforms are due to details of linker implementation.
20875 @node Tracebacks From Anywhere in a Program (symbolic)
20876 @subsubsection Tracebacks From Anywhere in a Program
20879 It is possible to get a symbolic stack traceback
20880 from anywhere in a program, just as for non-symbolic tracebacks.
20881 The first step is to obtain a non-symbolic
20882 traceback, and then call @code{Symbolic_Traceback} to compute the symbolic
20883 information. Here is an example:
20885 @smallexample @c ada
20887 with GNAT.Traceback;
20888 with GNAT.Traceback.Symbolic;
20893 use GNAT.Traceback;
20894 use GNAT.Traceback.Symbolic;
20897 TB : Tracebacks_Array (1 .. 10);
20898 -- We are asking for a maximum of 10 stack frames.
20900 -- Len will receive the actual number of stack frames returned.
20902 Call_Chain (TB, Len);
20903 Text_IO.Put_Line (Symbolic_Traceback (TB (1 .. Len)));
20916 @c ******************************
20918 @node Compatibility with HP Ada
20919 @chapter Compatibility with HP Ada
20920 @cindex Compatibility
20925 @cindex Compatibility between GNAT and HP Ada
20926 This chapter compares HP Ada (formerly known as ``DEC Ada'')
20927 for OpenVMS Alpha and GNAT for OpenVMS for Alpha and for I64.
20928 GNAT is highly compatible
20929 with HP Ada, and it should generally be straightforward to port code
20930 from the HP Ada environment to GNAT. However, there are a few language
20931 and implementation differences of which the user must be aware. These
20932 differences are discussed in this chapter. In
20933 addition, the operating environment and command structure for the
20934 compiler are different, and these differences are also discussed.
20936 For further details on these and other compatibility issues,
20937 see Appendix E of the HP publication
20938 @cite{HP Ada, Technical Overview and Comparison on HP Platforms}.
20940 Except where otherwise indicated, the description of GNAT for OpenVMS
20941 applies to both the Alpha and I64 platforms.
20943 For information on porting Ada code from GNAT on Alpha OpenVMS to GNAT on
20944 I64 OpenVMS, see @ref{Transitioning to 64-Bit GNAT for OpenVMS}.
20946 The discussion in this chapter addresses specifically the implementation
20947 of Ada 83 for HP OpenVMS Alpha Systems. In cases where the implementation
20948 of HP Ada differs between OpenVMS Alpha Systems and OpenVMS VAX Systems,
20949 GNAT always follows the Alpha implementation.
20951 For GNAT running on other than VMS systems, all the HP Ada 83 pragmas and
20952 attributes are recognized, although only a subset of them can sensibly
20953 be implemented. The description of pragmas in the
20954 @cite{GNAT Reference Manual} indicates whether or not they are applicable
20955 to non-VMS systems.
20958 * Ada 95 Compatibility::
20959 * Differences in the Definition of Package System::
20960 * Language-Related Features::
20961 * The Package STANDARD::
20962 * The Package SYSTEM::
20963 * Tasking and Task-Related Features::
20964 * Pragmas and Pragma-Related Features::
20965 * Library of Predefined Units::
20967 * Main Program Definition::
20968 * Implementation-Defined Attributes::
20969 * Compiler and Run-Time Interfacing::
20970 * Program Compilation and Library Management::
20972 * Implementation Limits::
20973 * Tools and Utilities::
20976 @node Ada 95 Compatibility
20977 @section Ada 95 Compatibility
20980 GNAT is an Ada 95 compiler, and HP Ada is an Ada 83
20981 compiler. Ada 95 is almost completely upwards compatible
20982 with Ada 83, and therefore Ada 83 programs will compile
20983 and run under GNAT with
20984 no changes or only minor changes. The Ada 95 Reference
20985 Manual provides details on specific incompatibilities.
20987 GNAT provides the switch @option{/83} on the @command{GNAT COMPILE} command,
20988 as well as the pragma @code{ADA_83}, to force the compiler to
20989 operate in Ada 83 mode. This mode does not guarantee complete
20990 conformance to Ada 83, but in practice is sufficient to
20991 eliminate most sources of incompatibilities.
20992 In particular, it eliminates the recognition of the
20993 additional Ada 95 keywords, so that their use as identifiers
20994 in Ada 83 programs is legal, and handles the cases of packages
20995 with optional bodies, and generics that instantiate unconstrained
20996 types without the use of @code{(<>)}.
20998 @node Differences in the Definition of Package System
20999 @section Differences in the Definition of Package @code{System}
21002 Both Ada 95 and Ada 83 permit a compiler to add
21003 implementation-dependent declarations to package @code{System}.
21005 GNAT does not take advantage of this permission, and the version of
21006 @code{System} provided by GNAT exactly matches that in Ada 95.
21008 However, HP Ada adds an extensive set of declarations to package
21010 as fully documented in the HP Ada manuals. To minimize changes required
21011 for programs that make use of these extensions, GNAT provides the pragma
21012 @code{Extend_System} for extending the definition of package System. By using:
21013 @cindex pragma @code{Extend_System}
21014 @cindex @code{Extend_System} pragma
21016 @smallexample @c ada
21019 pragma Extend_System (Aux_DEC);
21025 the set of definitions in @code{System} is extended to include those in
21026 package @code{System.Aux_DEC}.
21027 @cindex @code{System.Aux_DEC} package
21028 @cindex @code{Aux_DEC} package (child of @code{System})
21029 These definitions are incorporated directly into package @code{System},
21030 as though they had been declared there. For a
21031 list of the declarations added, see the specification of this package,
21032 which can be found in the file @file{s-auxdec.ads} in the GNAT library.
21033 @cindex @file{s-auxdec.ads} file
21034 The pragma @code{Extend_System} is a configuration pragma, which means that
21035 it can be placed in the file @file{gnat.adc}, so that it will automatically
21036 apply to all subsequent compilations. See @ref{Configuration Pragmas},
21037 for further details.
21039 An alternative approach that avoids the use of the non-standard
21040 @code{Extend_System} pragma is to add a context clause to the unit that
21041 references these facilities:
21043 @smallexample @c ada
21045 with System.Aux_DEC;
21046 use System.Aux_DEC;
21051 The effect is not quite semantically identical to incorporating
21052 the declarations directly into package @code{System},
21053 but most programs will not notice a difference
21054 unless they use prefix notation (e.g. @code{System.Integer_8})
21055 to reference the entities directly in package @code{System}.
21056 For units containing such references,
21057 the prefixes must either be removed, or the pragma @code{Extend_System}
21060 @node Language-Related Features
21061 @section Language-Related Features
21064 The following sections highlight differences in types,
21065 representations of types, operations, alignment, and
21069 * Integer Types and Representations::
21070 * Floating-Point Types and Representations::
21071 * Pragmas Float_Representation and Long_Float::
21072 * Fixed-Point Types and Representations::
21073 * Record and Array Component Alignment::
21074 * Address Clauses::
21075 * Other Representation Clauses::
21078 @node Integer Types and Representations
21079 @subsection Integer Types and Representations
21082 The set of predefined integer types is identical in HP Ada and GNAT.
21083 Furthermore the representation of these integer types is also identical,
21084 including the capability of size clauses forcing biased representation.
21087 HP Ada for OpenVMS Alpha systems has defined the
21088 following additional integer types in package @code{System}:
21105 @code{LARGEST_INTEGER}
21109 In GNAT, the first four of these types may be obtained from the
21110 standard Ada 95 package @code{Interfaces}.
21111 Alternatively, by use of the pragma @code{Extend_System}, identical
21112 declarations can be referenced directly in package @code{System}.
21113 On both GNAT and HP Ada, the maximum integer size is 64 bits.
21115 @node Floating-Point Types and Representations
21116 @subsection Floating-Point Types and Representations
21117 @cindex Floating-Point types
21120 The set of predefined floating-point types is identical in HP Ada and GNAT.
21121 Furthermore the representation of these floating-point
21122 types is also identical. One important difference is that the default
21123 representation for HP Ada is @code{VAX_Float}, but the default representation
21126 Specific types may be declared to be @code{VAX_Float} or IEEE, using the
21127 pragma @code{Float_Representation} as described in the HP Ada
21129 For example, the declarations:
21131 @smallexample @c ada
21133 type F_Float is digits 6;
21134 pragma Float_Representation (VAX_Float, F_Float);
21139 declares a type @code{F_Float} that will be represented in @code{VAX_Float}
21141 This set of declarations actually appears in @code{System.Aux_DEC},
21143 the full set of additional floating-point declarations provided in
21144 the HP Ada version of package @code{System}.
21145 This and similar declarations may be accessed in a user program
21146 by using pragma @code{Extend_System}. The use of this
21147 pragma, and the related pragma @code{Long_Float} is described in further
21148 detail in the following section.
21150 @node Pragmas Float_Representation and Long_Float
21151 @subsection Pragmas @code{Float_Representation} and @code{Long_Float}
21154 HP Ada provides the pragma @code{Float_Representation}, which
21155 acts as a program library switch to allow control over
21156 the internal representation chosen for the predefined
21157 floating-point types declared in the package @code{Standard}.
21158 The format of this pragma is as follows:
21160 @smallexample @c ada
21162 pragma Float_Representation(VAX_Float | IEEE_Float);
21167 This pragma controls the representation of floating-point
21172 @code{VAX_Float} specifies that floating-point
21173 types are represented by default with the VAX system hardware types
21174 @code{F-floating}, @code{D-floating}, @code{G-floating}.
21175 Note that the @code{H-floating}
21176 type was available only on VAX systems, and is not available
21177 in either HP Ada or GNAT.
21180 @code{IEEE_Float} specifies that floating-point
21181 types are represented by default with the IEEE single and
21182 double floating-point types.
21186 GNAT provides an identical implementation of the pragma
21187 @code{Float_Representation}, except that it functions as a
21188 configuration pragma. Note that the
21189 notion of configuration pragma corresponds closely to the
21190 HP Ada notion of a program library switch.
21192 When no pragma is used in GNAT, the default is @code{IEEE_Float},
21194 from HP Ada 83, where the default is @code{VAX_Float}. In addition, the
21195 predefined libraries in GNAT are built using @code{IEEE_Float}, so it is not
21196 advisable to change the format of numbers passed to standard library
21197 routines, and if necessary explicit type conversions may be needed.
21199 The use of @code{IEEE_Float} is recommended in GNAT since it is more
21200 efficient, and (given that it conforms to an international standard)
21201 potentially more portable.
21202 The situation in which @code{VAX_Float} may be useful is in interfacing
21203 to existing code and data that expect the use of @code{VAX_Float}.
21204 In such a situation use the predefined @code{VAX_Float}
21205 types in package @code{System}, as extended by
21206 @code{Extend_System}. For example, use @code{System.F_Float}
21207 to specify the 32-bit @code{F-Float} format.
21210 On OpenVMS systems, HP Ada provides the pragma @code{Long_Float}
21211 to allow control over the internal representation chosen
21212 for the predefined type @code{Long_Float} and for floating-point
21213 type declarations with digits specified in the range 7 .. 15.
21214 The format of this pragma is as follows:
21216 @smallexample @c ada
21218 pragma Long_Float (D_FLOAT | G_FLOAT);
21222 @node Fixed-Point Types and Representations
21223 @subsection Fixed-Point Types and Representations
21226 On HP Ada for OpenVMS Alpha systems, rounding is
21227 away from zero for both positive and negative numbers.
21228 Therefore, @code{+0.5} rounds to @code{1},
21229 and @code{-0.5} rounds to @code{-1}.
21231 On GNAT the results of operations
21232 on fixed-point types are in accordance with the Ada 95
21233 rules. In particular, results of operations on decimal
21234 fixed-point types are truncated.
21236 @node Record and Array Component Alignment
21237 @subsection Record and Array Component Alignment
21240 On HP Ada for OpenVMS Alpha, all non composite components
21241 are aligned on natural boundaries. For example, 1-byte
21242 components are aligned on byte boundaries, 2-byte
21243 components on 2-byte boundaries, 4-byte components on 4-byte
21244 byte boundaries, and so on. The OpenVMS Alpha hardware
21245 runs more efficiently with naturally aligned data.
21247 On GNAT, alignment rules are compatible
21248 with HP Ada for OpenVMS Alpha.
21250 @node Address Clauses
21251 @subsection Address Clauses
21254 In HP Ada and GNAT, address clauses are supported for
21255 objects and imported subprograms.
21256 The predefined type @code{System.Address} is a private type
21257 in both compilers on Alpha OpenVMS, with the same representation
21258 (it is simply a machine pointer). Addition, subtraction, and comparison
21259 operations are available in the standard Ada 95 package
21260 @code{System.Storage_Elements}, or in package @code{System}
21261 if it is extended to include @code{System.Aux_DEC} using a
21262 pragma @code{Extend_System} as previously described.
21264 Note that code that @code{with}'s both this extended package @code{System}
21265 and the package @code{System.Storage_Elements} should not @code{use}
21266 both packages, or ambiguities will result. In general it is better
21267 not to mix these two sets of facilities. The Ada 95 package was
21268 designed specifically to provide the kind of features that HP Ada
21269 adds directly to package @code{System}.
21271 The type @code{System.Address} is a 64-bit integer type in GNAT for
21272 I64 OpenVMS. For more information,
21273 see @ref{Transitioning to 64-Bit GNAT for OpenVMS}.
21275 GNAT is compatible with HP Ada in its handling of address
21276 clauses, except for some limitations in
21277 the form of address clauses for composite objects with
21278 initialization. Such address clauses are easily replaced
21279 by the use of an explicitly-defined constant as described
21280 in the Ada 95 Reference Manual (13.1(22)). For example, the sequence
21283 @smallexample @c ada
21285 X, Y : Integer := Init_Func;
21286 Q : String (X .. Y) := "abc";
21288 for Q'Address use Compute_Address;
21293 will be rejected by GNAT, since the address cannot be computed at the time
21294 that @code{Q} is declared. To achieve the intended effect, write instead:
21296 @smallexample @c ada
21299 X, Y : Integer := Init_Func;
21300 Q_Address : constant Address := Compute_Address;
21301 Q : String (X .. Y) := "abc";
21303 for Q'Address use Q_Address;
21309 which will be accepted by GNAT (and other Ada 95 compilers), and is also
21310 compatible with Ada 83. A fuller description of the restrictions
21311 on address specifications is found in the @cite{GNAT Reference Manual}.
21313 @node Other Representation Clauses
21314 @subsection Other Representation Clauses
21317 GNAT implements in a compatible manner all the representation
21318 clauses supported by HP Ada. In addition, GNAT
21319 implements the representation clause forms that were introduced in Ada 95,
21320 including @code{COMPONENT_SIZE} and @code{SIZE} clauses for objects.
21322 @node The Package STANDARD
21323 @section The Package @code{STANDARD}
21326 The package @code{STANDARD}, as implemented by HP Ada, is fully
21327 described in the Ada 95 Reference Manual and in the HP Ada
21328 Language Reference Manual. As implemented by GNAT, the
21329 package @code{STANDARD} is described in the Ada 95 Reference
21332 In addition, HP Ada supports the Latin-1 character set in
21333 the type @code{CHARACTER}. GNAT supports the Latin-1 character set
21334 in the type @code{CHARACTER} and also Unicode (ISO 10646 BMP) in
21335 the type @code{WIDE_CHARACTER}.
21337 The floating-point types supported by GNAT are those
21338 supported by HP Ada, but the defaults are different, and are controlled by
21339 pragmas. See @ref{Floating-Point Types and Representations}, for details.
21341 @node The Package SYSTEM
21342 @section The Package @code{SYSTEM}
21345 HP Ada provides a specific version of the package
21346 @code{SYSTEM} for each platform on which the language is implemented.
21347 For the complete specification of the package @code{SYSTEM}, see
21348 Appendix F of the @cite{HP Ada Language Reference Manual}.
21350 On HP Ada, the package @code{SYSTEM} includes the following conversion
21353 @item @code{TO_ADDRESS(INTEGER)}
21355 @item @code{TO_ADDRESS(UNSIGNED_LONGWORD)}
21357 @item @code{TO_ADDRESS(}@i{universal_integer}@code{)}
21359 @item @code{TO_INTEGER(ADDRESS)}
21361 @item @code{TO_UNSIGNED_LONGWORD(ADDRESS)}
21363 @item Function @code{IMPORT_VALUE return UNSIGNED_LONGWORD} and the
21364 functions @code{IMPORT_ADDRESS} and @code{IMPORT_LARGEST_VALUE}
21368 By default, GNAT supplies a version of @code{SYSTEM} that matches
21369 the definition given in the Ada 95 Reference Manual.
21371 is a subset of the HP system definitions, which is as
21372 close as possible to the original definitions. The only difference
21373 is that the definition of @code{SYSTEM_NAME} is different:
21375 @smallexample @c ada
21377 type Name is (SYSTEM_NAME_GNAT);
21378 System_Name : constant Name := SYSTEM_NAME_GNAT;
21383 Also, GNAT adds the new Ada 95 declarations for
21384 @code{BIT_ORDER} and @code{DEFAULT_BIT_ORDER}.
21386 However, the use of the following pragma causes GNAT
21387 to extend the definition of package @code{SYSTEM} so that it
21388 encompasses the full set of HP-specific extensions,
21389 including the functions listed above:
21391 @smallexample @c ada
21393 pragma Extend_System (Aux_DEC);
21398 The pragma @code{Extend_System} is a configuration pragma that
21399 is most conveniently placed in the @file{gnat.adc} file. See the
21400 @cite{GNAT Reference Manual} for further details.
21402 HP Ada does not allow the recompilation of the package
21403 @code{SYSTEM}. Instead HP Ada provides several pragmas
21404 (@code{SYSTEM_NAME}, @code{STORAGE_UNIT}, and @code{MEMORY_SIZE})
21405 to modify values in the package @code{SYSTEM}.
21406 On OpenVMS Alpha systems, the pragma
21407 @code{SYSTEM_NAME} takes the enumeration literal @code{OPENVMS_AXP} as
21408 its single argument.
21410 GNAT does permit the recompilation of package @code{SYSTEM} using
21411 the special switch @option{-gnatg}, and this switch can be used if
21412 it is necessary to modify the definitions in @code{SYSTEM}. GNAT does
21413 not permit the specification of @code{SYSTEM_NAME}, @code{STORAGE_UNIT}
21414 or @code{MEMORY_SIZE} by any other means.
21416 On GNAT systems, the pragma @code{SYSTEM_NAME} takes the
21417 enumeration literal @code{SYSTEM_NAME_GNAT}.
21419 The definitions provided by the use of
21421 @smallexample @c ada
21422 pragma Extend_System (AUX_Dec);
21426 are virtually identical to those provided by the HP Ada 83 package
21427 @code{SYSTEM}. One important difference is that the name of the
21429 function for type @code{UNSIGNED_LONGWORD} is changed to
21430 @code{TO_ADDRESS_LONG}.
21431 See the @cite{GNAT Reference Manual} for a discussion of why this change was
21435 The version of @code{TO_ADDRESS} taking a @i{universal_integer} argument
21437 an extension to Ada 83 not strictly compatible with the reference manual.
21438 GNAT, in order to be exactly compatible with the standard,
21439 does not provide this capability. In HP Ada 83, the
21440 point of this definition is to deal with a call like:
21442 @smallexample @c ada
21443 TO_ADDRESS (16#12777#);
21447 Normally, according to Ada 83 semantics, one would expect this to be
21448 ambiguous, since it matches both the @code{INTEGER} and
21449 @code{UNSIGNED_LONGWORD} forms of @code{TO_ADDRESS}.
21450 However, in HP Ada 83, there is no ambiguity, since the
21451 definition using @i{universal_integer} takes precedence.
21453 In GNAT, since the version with @i{universal_integer} cannot be supplied,
21455 not possible to be 100% compatible. Since there are many programs using
21456 numeric constants for the argument to @code{TO_ADDRESS}, the decision in
21458 to change the name of the function in the @code{UNSIGNED_LONGWORD} case,
21459 so the declarations provided in the GNAT version of @code{AUX_Dec} are:
21461 @smallexample @c ada
21462 function To_Address (X : Integer) return Address;
21463 pragma Pure_Function (To_Address);
21465 function To_Address_Long (X : Unsigned_Longword) return Address;
21466 pragma Pure_Function (To_Address_Long);
21470 This means that programs using @code{TO_ADDRESS} for
21471 @code{UNSIGNED_LONGWORD} must change the name to @code{TO_ADDRESS_LONG}.
21473 @node Tasking and Task-Related Features
21474 @section Tasking and Task-Related Features
21477 This section compares the treatment of tasking in GNAT
21478 and in HP Ada for OpenVMS Alpha.
21479 The GNAT description applies to both Alpha and I64 OpenVMS.
21480 For detailed information on tasking in
21481 HP Ada, see the @cite{HP Ada Language Reference Manual} and the
21482 relevant run-time reference manual.
21485 * Implementation of Tasks in HP Ada for OpenVMS Alpha Systems::
21486 * Assigning Task IDs::
21487 * Task IDs and Delays::
21488 * Task-Related Pragmas::
21489 * Scheduling and Task Priority::
21491 * External Interrupts::
21494 @node Implementation of Tasks in HP Ada for OpenVMS Alpha Systems
21495 @subsection Implementation of Tasks in HP Ada for OpenVMS Alpha Systems
21498 On OpenVMS Alpha systems, each Ada task (except a passive
21499 task) is implemented as a single stream of execution
21500 that is created and managed by the kernel. On these
21501 systems, HP Ada tasking support is based on DECthreads,
21502 an implementation of the POSIX standard for threads.
21504 Also, on OpenVMS Alpha systems, HP Ada tasks and foreign
21505 code that calls DECthreads routines can be used together.
21506 The interaction between Ada tasks and DECthreads routines
21507 can have some benefits. For example when on OpenVMS Alpha,
21508 HP Ada can call C code that is already threaded.
21510 GNAT uses the facilities of DECthreads,
21511 and Ada tasks are mapped to threads.
21513 @node Assigning Task IDs
21514 @subsection Assigning Task IDs
21517 The HP Ada Run-Time Library always assigns @code{%TASK 1} to
21518 the environment task that executes the main program. On
21519 OpenVMS Alpha systems, @code{%TASK 0} is often used for tasks
21520 that have been created but are not yet activated.
21522 On OpenVMS Alpha systems, task IDs are assigned at
21523 activation. On GNAT systems, task IDs are also assigned at
21524 task creation but do not have the same form or values as
21525 task ID values in HP Ada. There is no null task, and the
21526 environment task does not have a specific task ID value.
21528 @node Task IDs and Delays
21529 @subsection Task IDs and Delays
21532 On OpenVMS Alpha systems, tasking delays are implemented
21533 using Timer System Services. The Task ID is used for the
21534 identification of the timer request (the @code{REQIDT} parameter).
21535 If Timers are used in the application take care not to use
21536 @code{0} for the identification, because cancelling such a timer
21537 will cancel all timers and may lead to unpredictable results.
21539 @node Task-Related Pragmas
21540 @subsection Task-Related Pragmas
21543 Ada supplies the pragma @code{TASK_STORAGE}, which allows
21544 specification of the size of the guard area for a task
21545 stack. (The guard area forms an area of memory that has no
21546 read or write access and thus helps in the detection of
21547 stack overflow.) On OpenVMS Alpha systems, if the pragma
21548 @code{TASK_STORAGE} specifies a value of zero, a minimal guard
21549 area is created. In the absence of a pragma @code{TASK_STORAGE},
21550 a default guard area is created.
21552 GNAT supplies the following task-related pragmas:
21555 @item @code{TASK_INFO}
21557 This pragma appears within a task definition and
21558 applies to the task in which it appears. The argument
21559 must be of type @code{SYSTEM.TASK_INFO.TASK_INFO_TYPE}.
21561 @item @code{TASK_STORAGE}
21563 GNAT implements pragma @code{TASK_STORAGE} in the same way as
21565 Both HP Ada and GNAT supply the pragmas @code{PASSIVE},
21566 @code{SUPPRESS}, and @code{VOLATILE}.
21568 @node Scheduling and Task Priority
21569 @subsection Scheduling and Task Priority
21572 HP Ada implements the Ada language requirement that
21573 when two tasks are eligible for execution and they have
21574 different priorities, the lower priority task does not
21575 execute while the higher priority task is waiting. The HP
21576 Ada Run-Time Library keeps a task running until either the
21577 task is suspended or a higher priority task becomes ready.
21579 On OpenVMS Alpha systems, the default strategy is round-
21580 robin with preemption. Tasks of equal priority take turns
21581 at the processor. A task is run for a certain period of
21582 time and then placed at the tail of the ready queue for
21583 its priority level.
21585 HP Ada provides the implementation-defined pragma @code{TIME_SLICE},
21586 which can be used to enable or disable round-robin
21587 scheduling of tasks with the same priority.
21588 See the relevant HP Ada run-time reference manual for
21589 information on using the pragmas to control HP Ada task
21592 GNAT follows the scheduling rules of Annex D (Real-Time
21593 Annex) of the Ada 95 Reference Manual. In general, this
21594 scheduling strategy is fully compatible with HP Ada
21595 although it provides some additional constraints (as
21596 fully documented in Annex D).
21597 GNAT implements time slicing control in a manner compatible with
21598 HP Ada 83, by means of the pragma @code{Time_Slice}, whose semantics
21599 are identical to the HP Ada 83 pragma of the same name.
21600 Note that it is not possible to mix GNAT tasking and
21601 HP Ada 83 tasking in the same program, since the two run-time
21602 libraries are not compatible.
21604 @node The Task Stack
21605 @subsection The Task Stack
21608 In HP Ada, a task stack is allocated each time a
21609 non-passive task is activated. As soon as the task is
21610 terminated, the storage for the task stack is deallocated.
21611 If you specify a size of zero (bytes) with @code{T'STORAGE_SIZE},
21612 a default stack size is used. Also, regardless of the size
21613 specified, some additional space is allocated for task
21614 management purposes. On OpenVMS Alpha systems, at least
21615 one page is allocated.
21617 GNAT handles task stacks in a similar manner. In accordance with
21618 the Ada 95 rules, it provides the pragma @code{STORAGE_SIZE} as
21619 an alternative method for controlling the task stack size.
21620 The specification of the attribute @code{T'STORAGE_SIZE} is also
21621 supported in a manner compatible with HP Ada.
21623 @node External Interrupts
21624 @subsection External Interrupts
21627 On HP Ada, external interrupts can be associated with task entries.
21628 GNAT is compatible with HP Ada in its handling of external interrupts.
21630 @node Pragmas and Pragma-Related Features
21631 @section Pragmas and Pragma-Related Features
21634 Both HP Ada and GNAT supply all language-defined pragmas
21635 as specified by the Ada 83 standard. GNAT also supplies all
21636 language-defined pragmas specified in the Ada 95 Reference Manual.
21637 In addition, GNAT implements the implementation-defined pragmas
21641 @item @code{AST_ENTRY}
21643 @item @code{COMMON_OBJECT}
21645 @item @code{COMPONENT_ALIGNMENT}
21647 @item @code{EXPORT_EXCEPTION}
21649 @item @code{EXPORT_FUNCTION}
21651 @item @code{EXPORT_OBJECT}
21653 @item @code{EXPORT_PROCEDURE}
21655 @item @code{EXPORT_VALUED_PROCEDURE}
21657 @item @code{FLOAT_REPRESENTATION}
21661 @item @code{IMPORT_EXCEPTION}
21663 @item @code{IMPORT_FUNCTION}
21665 @item @code{IMPORT_OBJECT}
21667 @item @code{IMPORT_PROCEDURE}
21669 @item @code{IMPORT_VALUED_PROCEDURE}
21671 @item @code{INLINE_GENERIC}
21673 @item @code{INTERFACE_NAME}
21675 @item @code{LONG_FLOAT}
21677 @item @code{MAIN_STORAGE}
21679 @item @code{PASSIVE}
21681 @item @code{PSET_OBJECT}
21683 @item @code{SHARE_GENERIC}
21685 @item @code{SUPPRESS_ALL}
21687 @item @code{TASK_STORAGE}
21689 @item @code{TIME_SLICE}
21695 These pragmas are all fully implemented, with the exception of @code{TITLE},
21696 @code{PASSIVE}, and @code{SHARE_GENERIC}, which are
21697 recognized, but which have no
21698 effect in GNAT. The effect of @code{PASSIVE} may be obtained by the
21699 use of protected objects in Ada 95. In GNAT, all generics are inlined.
21701 Unlike HP Ada, the GNAT ``@code{EXPORT_}@i{subprogram}'' pragmas require
21702 a separate subprogram specification which must appear before the
21705 GNAT also supplies a number of implementation-defined pragmas as follows:
21707 @item @code{ABORT_DEFER}
21709 @item @code{ADA_83}
21711 @item @code{ADA_95}
21713 @item @code{ADA_05}
21715 @item @code{ANNOTATE}
21717 @item @code{ASSERT}
21719 @item @code{C_PASS_BY_COPY}
21721 @item @code{CPP_CLASS}
21723 @item @code{CPP_CONSTRUCTOR}
21725 @item @code{CPP_DESTRUCTOR}
21727 @item @code{CPP_VIRTUAL}
21729 @item @code{CPP_VTABLE}
21733 @item @code{EXTEND_SYSTEM}
21735 @item @code{LINKER_ALIAS}
21737 @item @code{LINKER_SECTION}
21739 @item @code{MACHINE_ATTRIBUTE}
21741 @item @code{NO_RETURN}
21743 @item @code{PURE_FUNCTION}
21745 @item @code{SOURCE_FILE_NAME}
21747 @item @code{SOURCE_REFERENCE}
21749 @item @code{TASK_INFO}
21751 @item @code{UNCHECKED_UNION}
21753 @item @code{UNIMPLEMENTED_UNIT}
21755 @item @code{UNIVERSAL_DATA}
21757 @item @code{UNSUPPRESS}
21759 @item @code{WARNINGS}
21761 @item @code{WEAK_EXTERNAL}
21765 For full details on these GNAT implementation-defined pragmas, see
21766 the GNAT Reference Manual.
21769 * Restrictions on the Pragma INLINE::
21770 * Restrictions on the Pragma INTERFACE::
21771 * Restrictions on the Pragma SYSTEM_NAME::
21774 @node Restrictions on the Pragma INLINE
21775 @subsection Restrictions on Pragma @code{INLINE}
21778 HP Ada enforces the following restrictions on the pragma @code{INLINE}:
21780 @item Parameters cannot have a task type.
21782 @item Function results cannot be task types, unconstrained
21783 array types, or unconstrained types with discriminants.
21785 @item Bodies cannot declare the following:
21787 @item Subprogram body or stub (imported subprogram is allowed)
21791 @item Generic declarations
21793 @item Instantiations
21797 @item Access types (types derived from access types allowed)
21799 @item Array or record types
21801 @item Dependent tasks
21803 @item Direct recursive calls of subprogram or containing
21804 subprogram, directly or via a renaming
21810 In GNAT, the only restriction on pragma @code{INLINE} is that the
21811 body must occur before the call if both are in the same
21812 unit, and the size must be appropriately small. There are
21813 no other specific restrictions which cause subprograms to
21814 be incapable of being inlined.
21816 @node Restrictions on the Pragma INTERFACE
21817 @subsection Restrictions on Pragma @code{INTERFACE}
21820 The following restrictions on pragma @code{INTERFACE}
21821 are enforced by both HP Ada and GNAT:
21823 @item Languages accepted: Ada, Bliss, C, Fortran, Default.
21824 Default is the default on OpenVMS Alpha systems.
21826 @item Parameter passing: Language specifies default
21827 mechanisms but can be overridden with an @code{EXPORT} pragma.
21830 @item Ada: Use internal Ada rules.
21832 @item Bliss, C: Parameters must be mode @code{in}; cannot be
21833 record or task type. Result cannot be a string, an
21834 array, or a record.
21836 @item Fortran: Parameters cannot have a task type. Result cannot
21837 be a string, an array, or a record.
21842 GNAT is entirely upwards compatible with HP Ada, and in addition allows
21843 record parameters for all languages.
21845 @node Restrictions on the Pragma SYSTEM_NAME
21846 @subsection Restrictions on Pragma @code{SYSTEM_NAME}
21849 For HP Ada for OpenVMS Alpha, the enumeration literal
21850 for the type @code{NAME} is @code{OPENVMS_AXP}.
21851 In GNAT, the enumeration
21852 literal for the type @code{NAME} is @code{SYSTEM_NAME_GNAT}.
21854 @node Library of Predefined Units
21855 @section Library of Predefined Units
21858 A library of predefined units is provided as part of the
21859 HP Ada and GNAT implementations. HP Ada does not provide
21860 the package @code{MACHINE_CODE} but instead recommends importing
21863 The GNAT versions of the HP Ada Run-Time Library (@code{ADA$PREDEFINED:})
21864 units are taken from the OpenVMS Alpha version, not the OpenVMS VAX
21866 The HP Ada Predefined Library units are modified to remove Ada 95
21867 incompatibilities and to make them interoperable with GNAT
21868 (@pxref{Changes to DECLIB}, for details).
21869 The units are located in the @file{DECLIB} directory.
21871 The GNAT RTL is contained in
21872 the @file{ADALIB} directory, and
21873 the default search path is set up to find @code{DECLIB} units in preference
21874 to @code{ADALIB} units with the same name (@code{TEXT_IO},
21875 @code{SEQUENTIAL_IO}, and @code{DIRECT_IO}, for example).
21878 * Changes to DECLIB::
21881 @node Changes to DECLIB
21882 @subsection Changes to @code{DECLIB}
21885 The changes made to the HP Ada predefined library for GNAT and Ada 95
21886 compatibility are minor and include the following:
21889 @item Adjusting the location of pragmas and record representation
21890 clauses to obey Ada 95 rules
21892 @item Adding the proper notation to generic formal parameters
21893 that take unconstrained types in instantiation
21895 @item Adding pragma @code{ELABORATE_BODY} to package specifications
21896 that have package bodies not otherwise allowed
21898 @item Replacing occurrences of the identifier ``@code{PROTECTED}'' by
21899 ``@code{PROTECTD}''.
21900 Currently these are found only in the @code{STARLET} package spec.
21902 @item Changing @code{SYSTEM.ADDRESS} to @code{SYSTEM.SHORT_ADDRESS}
21903 where the address size is constrained to 32 bits.
21907 None of the above changes is visible to users.
21913 On OpenVMS Alpha, HP Ada provides the following strongly-typed bindings:
21916 @item Command Language Interpreter (CLI interface)
21918 @item DECtalk Run-Time Library (DTK interface)
21920 @item Librarian utility routines (LBR interface)
21922 @item General Purpose Run-Time Library (LIB interface)
21924 @item Math Run-Time Library (MTH interface)
21926 @item National Character Set Run-Time Library (NCS interface)
21928 @item Compiled Code Support Run-Time Library (OTS interface)
21930 @item Parallel Processing Run-Time Library (PPL interface)
21932 @item Screen Management Run-Time Library (SMG interface)
21934 @item Sort Run-Time Library (SOR interface)
21936 @item String Run-Time Library (STR interface)
21938 @item STARLET System Library
21941 @item X Window System Version 11R4 and 11R5 (X, XLIB interface)
21943 @item X Windows Toolkit (XT interface)
21945 @item X/Motif Version 1.1.3 and 1.2 (XM interface)
21949 GNAT provides implementations of these HP bindings in the @code{DECLIB}
21952 The X/Motif bindings used to build @code{DECLIB} are whatever versions are
21954 HP Ada @file{ADA$PREDEFINED} directory with extension @file{.ADC}.
21955 A pragma @code{Linker_Options} has been added to packages @code{Xm},
21956 @code{Xt}, and @code{X_Lib}
21957 causing the default X/Motif sharable image libraries to be linked in. This
21958 is done via options files named @file{xm.opt}, @file{xt.opt}, and
21959 @file{x_lib.opt} (also located in the @file{DECLIB} directory).
21961 It may be necessary to edit these options files to update or correct the
21962 library names if, for example, the newer X/Motif bindings from
21963 @file{ADA$EXAMPLES}
21964 had been (previous to installing GNAT) copied and renamed to supersede the
21965 default @file{ADA$PREDEFINED} versions.
21968 * Shared Libraries and Options Files::
21969 * Interfaces to C::
21972 @node Shared Libraries and Options Files
21973 @subsection Shared Libraries and Options Files
21976 When using the HP Ada
21977 predefined X and Motif bindings, the linking with their sharable images is
21978 done automatically by @command{GNAT LINK}.
21979 When using other X and Motif bindings, you need
21980 to add the corresponding sharable images to the command line for
21981 @code{GNAT LINK}. When linking with shared libraries, or with
21982 @file{.OPT} files, you must
21983 also add them to the command line for @command{GNAT LINK}.
21985 A shared library to be used with GNAT is built in the same way as other
21986 libraries under VMS. The VMS Link command can be used in standard fashion.
21988 @node Interfaces to C
21989 @subsection Interfaces to C
21993 provides the following Ada types and operations:
21996 @item C types package (@code{C_TYPES})
21998 @item C strings (@code{C_TYPES.NULL_TERMINATED})
22000 @item Other_types (@code{SHORT_INT})
22004 Interfacing to C with GNAT, you can use the above approach
22005 described for HP Ada or the facilities of Annex B of
22006 the Ada 95 Reference Manual (packages @code{INTERFACES.C},
22007 @code{INTERFACES.C.STRINGS} and @code{INTERFACES.C.POINTERS}). For more
22008 information, see the section ``Interfacing to C'' in the
22009 @cite{GNAT Reference Manual}.
22011 The @option{-gnatF} qualifier forces default and explicit
22012 @code{External_Name} parameters in pragmas @code{Import} and @code{Export}
22013 to be uppercased for compatibility with the default behavior
22014 of HP C. The qualifier has no effect on @code{Link_Name} parameters.
22016 @node Main Program Definition
22017 @section Main Program Definition
22020 The following section discusses differences in the
22021 definition of main programs on HP Ada and GNAT.
22022 On HP Ada, main programs are defined to meet the
22023 following conditions:
22025 @item Procedure with no formal parameters (returns @code{0} upon
22028 @item Procedure with no formal parameters (returns @code{42} when
22029 an unhandled exception is raised)
22031 @item Function with no formal parameters whose returned value
22032 is of a discrete type
22034 @item Procedure with one @code{out} formal of a discrete type for
22035 which a specification of pragma @code{EXPORT_VALUED_PROCEDURE}
22041 When declared with the pragma @code{EXPORT_VALUED_PROCEDURE},
22042 a main function or main procedure returns a discrete
22043 value whose size is less than 64 bits (32 on VAX systems),
22044 the value is zero- or sign-extended as appropriate.
22045 On GNAT, main programs are defined as follows:
22047 @item Must be a non-generic, parameterless subprogram that
22048 is either a procedure or function returning an Ada
22049 @code{STANDARD.INTEGER} (the predefined type)
22051 @item Cannot be a generic subprogram or an instantiation of a
22055 @node Implementation-Defined Attributes
22056 @section Implementation-Defined Attributes
22059 GNAT provides all HP Ada implementation-defined
22062 @node Compiler and Run-Time Interfacing
22063 @section Compiler and Run-Time Interfacing
22066 HP Ada provides the following qualifiers to pass options to the linker
22069 @item @option{/WAIT} and @option{/SUBMIT}
22071 @item @option{/COMMAND}
22073 @item @option{/[NO]MAP}
22075 @item @option{/OUTPUT=@i{file-spec}}
22077 @item @option{/[NO]DEBUG} and @option{/[NO]TRACEBACK}
22081 To pass options to the linker, GNAT provides the following
22085 @item @option{/EXECUTABLE=@i{exec-name}}
22087 @item @option{/VERBOSE}
22089 @item @option{/[NO]DEBUG} and @option{/[NO]TRACEBACK}
22093 For more information on these switches, see
22094 @ref{Switches for gnatlink}.
22095 In HP Ada, the command-line switch @option{/OPTIMIZE} is available
22096 to control optimization. HP Ada also supplies the
22099 @item @code{OPTIMIZE}
22101 @item @code{INLINE}
22103 @item @code{INLINE_GENERIC}
22105 @item @code{SUPPRESS_ALL}
22107 @item @code{PASSIVE}
22111 In GNAT, optimization is controlled strictly by command
22112 line parameters, as described in the corresponding section of this guide.
22113 The HP pragmas for control of optimization are
22114 recognized but ignored.
22116 Note that in GNAT, the default is optimization off, whereas in HP Ada
22117 the default is that optimization is turned on.
22119 @node Program Compilation and Library Management
22120 @section Program Compilation and Library Management
22123 HP Ada and GNAT provide a comparable set of commands to
22124 build programs. HP Ada also provides a program library,
22125 which is a concept that does not exist on GNAT. Instead,
22126 GNAT provides directories of sources that are compiled as
22129 The following table summarizes
22130 the HP Ada commands and provides
22131 equivalent GNAT commands. In this table, some GNAT
22132 equivalents reflect the fact that GNAT does not use the
22133 concept of a program library. Instead, it uses a model
22134 in which collections of source and object files are used
22135 in a manner consistent with other languages like C and
22136 Fortran. Therefore, standard system file commands are used
22137 to manipulate these elements. Those GNAT commands are marked with
22139 Note that, unlike HP Ada, none of the GNAT commands accepts wild cards.
22142 @multitable @columnfractions .35 .65
22144 @item @emph{HP Ada Command}
22145 @tab @emph{GNAT Equivalent / Description}
22147 @item @command{ADA}
22148 @tab @command{GNAT COMPILE}@*
22149 Invokes the compiler to compile one or more Ada source files.
22151 @item @command{ACS ATTACH}@*
22152 @tab [No equivalent]@*
22153 Switches control of terminal from current process running the program
22156 @item @command{ACS CHECK}
22157 @tab @command{GNAT MAKE /DEPENDENCY_LIST}@*
22158 Forms the execution closure of one
22159 or more compiled units and checks completeness and currency.
22161 @item @command{ACS COMPILE}
22162 @tab @command{GNAT MAKE /ACTIONS=COMPILE}@*
22163 Forms the execution closure of one or
22164 more specified units, checks completeness and currency,
22165 identifies units that have revised source files, compiles same,
22166 and recompiles units that are or will become obsolete.
22167 Also completes incomplete generic instantiations.
22169 @item @command{ACS COPY FOREIGN}
22171 Copies a foreign object file into the program library as a
22174 @item @command{ACS COPY UNIT}
22176 Copies a compiled unit from one program library to another.
22178 @item @command{ACS CREATE LIBRARY}
22179 @tab Create /directory (*)@*
22180 Creates a program library.
22182 @item @command{ACS CREATE SUBLIBRARY}
22183 @tab Create /directory (*)@*
22184 Creates a program sublibrary.
22186 @item @command{ACS DELETE LIBRARY}
22188 Deletes a program library and its contents.
22190 @item @command{ACS DELETE SUBLIBRARY}
22192 Deletes a program sublibrary and its contents.
22194 @item @command{ACS DELETE UNIT}
22195 @tab Delete file (*)@*
22196 On OpenVMS systems, deletes one or more compiled units from
22197 the current program library.
22199 @item @command{ACS DIRECTORY}
22200 @tab Directory (*)@*
22201 On OpenVMS systems, lists units contained in the current
22204 @item @command{ACS ENTER FOREIGN}
22206 Allows the import of a foreign body as an Ada library
22207 specification and enters a reference to a pointer.
22209 @item @command{ACS ENTER UNIT}
22211 Enters a reference (pointer) from the current program library to
22212 a unit compiled into another program library.
22214 @item @command{ACS EXIT}
22215 @tab [No equivalent]@*
22216 Exits from the program library manager.
22218 @item @command{ACS EXPORT}
22220 Creates an object file that contains system-specific object code
22221 for one or more units. With GNAT, object files can simply be copied
22222 into the desired directory.
22224 @item @command{ACS EXTRACT SOURCE}
22226 Allows access to the copied source file for each Ada compilation unit
22228 @item @command{ACS HELP}
22229 @tab @command{HELP GNAT}@*
22230 Provides online help.
22232 @item @command{ACS LINK}
22233 @tab @command{GNAT LINK}@*
22234 Links an object file containing Ada units into an executable file.
22236 @item @command{ACS LOAD}
22238 Loads (partially compiles) Ada units into the program library.
22239 Allows loading a program from a collection of files into a library
22240 without knowing the relationship among units.
22242 @item @command{ACS MERGE}
22244 Merges into the current program library, one or more units from
22245 another library where they were modified.
22247 @item @command{ACS RECOMPILE}
22248 @tab @command{GNAT MAKE /ACTIONS=COMPILE}@*
22249 Recompiles from external or copied source files any obsolete
22250 unit in the closure. Also, completes any incomplete generic
22253 @item @command{ACS REENTER}
22254 @tab @command{GNAT MAKE}@*
22255 Reenters current references to units compiled after last entered
22256 with the @command{ACS ENTER UNIT} command.
22258 @item @command{ACS SET LIBRARY}
22259 @tab Set default (*)@*
22260 Defines a program library to be the compilation context as well
22261 as the target library for compiler output and commands in general.
22263 @item @command{ACS SET PRAGMA}
22264 @tab Edit @file{gnat.adc} (*)@*
22265 Redefines specified values of the library characteristics
22266 @code{LONG_ FLOAT}, @code{MEMORY_SIZE}, @code{SYSTEM_NAME},
22267 and @code{Float_Representation}.
22269 @item @command{ACS SET SOURCE}
22270 @tab Define @code{ADA_INCLUDE_PATH} path (*)@*
22271 Defines the source file search list for the @command{ACS COMPILE} command.
22273 @item @command{ACS SHOW LIBRARY}
22274 @tab Directory (*)@*
22275 Lists information about one or more program libraries.
22277 @item @command{ACS SHOW PROGRAM}
22278 @tab [No equivalent]@*
22279 Lists information about the execution closure of one or
22280 more units in the program library.
22282 @item @command{ACS SHOW SOURCE}
22283 @tab Show logical @code{ADA_INCLUDE_PATH}@*
22284 Shows the source file search used when compiling units.
22286 @item @command{ACS SHOW VERSION}
22287 @tab Compile with @option{VERBOSE} option
22288 Displays the version number of the compiler and program library
22291 @item @command{ACS SPAWN}
22292 @tab [No equivalent]@*
22293 Creates a subprocess of the current process (same as @command{DCL SPAWN}
22296 @item @command{ACS VERIFY}
22297 @tab [No equivalent]@*
22298 Performs a series of consistency checks on a program library to
22299 determine whether the library structure and library files are in
22306 @section Input-Output
22309 On OpenVMS Alpha systems, HP Ada uses OpenVMS Record
22310 Management Services (RMS) to perform operations on
22314 HP Ada and GNAT predefine an identical set of input-
22315 output packages. To make the use of the
22316 generic @code{TEXT_IO} operations more convenient, HP Ada
22317 provides predefined library packages that instantiate the
22318 integer and floating-point operations for the predefined
22319 integer and floating-point types as shown in the following table.
22321 @multitable @columnfractions .45 .55
22322 @item @emph{Package Name} @tab Instantiation
22324 @item @code{INTEGER_TEXT_IO}
22325 @tab @code{INTEGER_IO(INTEGER)}
22327 @item @code{SHORT_INTEGER_TEXT_IO}
22328 @tab @code{INTEGER_IO(SHORT_INTEGER)}
22330 @item @code{SHORT_SHORT_INTEGER_TEXT_IO}
22331 @tab @code{INTEGER_IO(SHORT_SHORT_INTEGER)}
22333 @item @code{FLOAT_TEXT_IO}
22334 @tab @code{FLOAT_IO(FLOAT)}
22336 @item @code{LONG_FLOAT_TEXT_IO}
22337 @tab @code{FLOAT_IO(LONG_FLOAT)}
22341 The HP Ada predefined packages and their operations
22342 are implemented using OpenVMS Alpha files and input-output
22343 facilities. HP Ada supports asynchronous input-output on OpenVMS Alpha.
22344 Familiarity with the following is recommended:
22346 @item RMS file organizations and access methods
22348 @item OpenVMS file specifications and directories
22350 @item OpenVMS File Definition Language (FDL)
22354 GNAT provides I/O facilities that are completely
22355 compatible with HP Ada. The distribution includes the
22356 standard HP Ada versions of all I/O packages, operating
22357 in a manner compatible with HP Ada. In particular, the
22358 following packages are by default the HP Ada (Ada 83)
22359 versions of these packages rather than the renamings
22360 suggested in Annex J of the Ada 95 Reference Manual:
22362 @item @code{TEXT_IO}
22364 @item @code{SEQUENTIAL_IO}
22366 @item @code{DIRECT_IO}
22370 The use of the standard Ada 95 syntax for child packages (for
22371 example, @code{ADA.TEXT_IO}) retrieves the Ada 95 versions of these
22372 packages, as defined in the Ada 95 Reference Manual.
22373 GNAT provides HP-compatible predefined instantiations
22374 of the @code{TEXT_IO} packages, and also
22375 provides the standard predefined instantiations required
22376 by the Ada 95 Reference Manual.
22378 For further information on how GNAT interfaces to the file
22379 system or how I/O is implemented in programs written in
22380 mixed languages, see the chapter ``Implementation of the
22381 Standard I/O'' in the @cite{GNAT Reference Manual}.
22382 This chapter covers the following:
22384 @item Standard I/O packages
22386 @item @code{FORM} strings
22388 @item @code{ADA.DIRECT_IO}
22390 @item @code{ADA.SEQUENTIAL_IO}
22392 @item @code{ADA.TEXT_IO}
22394 @item Stream pointer positioning
22396 @item Reading and writing non-regular files
22398 @item @code{GET_IMMEDIATE}
22400 @item Treating @code{TEXT_IO} files as streams
22407 @node Implementation Limits
22408 @section Implementation Limits
22411 The following table lists implementation limits for HP Ada
22413 @multitable @columnfractions .60 .20 .20
22415 @item @emph{Compilation Parameter}
22420 @item In a subprogram or entry declaration, maximum number of
22421 formal parameters that are of an unconstrained record type
22426 @item Maximum identifier length (number of characters)
22431 @item Maximum number of characters in a source line
22436 @item Maximum collection size (number of bytes)
22441 @item Maximum number of discriminants for a record type
22446 @item Maximum number of formal parameters in an entry or
22447 subprogram declaration
22452 @item Maximum number of dimensions in an array type
22457 @item Maximum number of library units and subunits in a compilation.
22462 @item Maximum number of library units and subunits in an execution.
22467 @item Maximum number of objects declared with the pragma @code{COMMON_OBJECT}
22468 or @code{PSECT_OBJECT}
22473 @item Maximum number of enumeration literals in an enumeration type
22479 @item Maximum number of lines in a source file
22484 @item Maximum number of bits in any object
22489 @item Maximum size of the static portion of a stack frame (approximate)
22494 @node Tools and Utilities
22495 @section Tools and Utilities
22498 The following table lists some of the OpenVMS development tools
22499 available for HP Ada, and the corresponding tools for
22500 use with @value{EDITION} on Alpha and I64 platforms.
22501 Aside from the debugger, all the OpenVMS tools identified are part
22502 of the DECset package.
22505 @c Specify table in TeX since Texinfo does a poor job
22509 \settabs\+Language-Sensitive Editor\quad
22510 &Product with HP Ada\quad
22513 &\it Product with HP Ada
22514 & \it Product with GNAT Pro\cr
22516 \+Code Management System
22520 \+Language-Sensitive Editor
22522 & emacs or HP LSE (Alpha)\cr
22532 & OpenVMS Debug (I64)\cr
22534 \+Source Code Analyzer /
22551 \+Coverage Analyzer
22555 \+Module Management
22557 & Not applicable\cr
22567 @c This is the Texinfo version of the table. It renders poorly in pdf, hence
22568 @c the TeX version above for the printed version
22570 @c @multitable @columnfractions .3 .4 .4
22571 @multitable {Source Code Analyzer /}{Tool with HP Ada}{Tool with GNAT Pro}
22573 @tab @i{Tool with HP Ada}
22574 @tab @i{Tool with @value{EDITION}}
22575 @item Code Management@*System
22578 @item Language-Sensitive@*Editor
22580 @tab emacs or HP LSE (Alpha)
22589 @tab OpenVMS Debug (I64)
22590 @item Source Code Analyzer /@*Cross Referencer
22594 @tab HP Digital Test@*Manager (DTM)
22596 @item Performance and@*Coverage Analyzer
22599 @item Module Management@*System
22601 @tab Not applicable
22608 @c **************************************
22609 @node Platform-Specific Information for the Run-Time Libraries
22610 @appendix Platform-Specific Information for the Run-Time Libraries
22611 @cindex Tasking and threads libraries
22612 @cindex Threads libraries and tasking
22613 @cindex Run-time libraries (platform-specific information)
22616 The GNAT run-time implementation may vary with respect to both the
22617 underlying threads library and the exception handling scheme.
22618 For threads support, one or more of the following are supplied:
22620 @item @b{native threads library}, a binding to the thread package from
22621 the underlying operating system
22623 @item @b{pthreads library} (Sparc Solaris only), a binding to the Solaris
22624 POSIX thread package
22628 For exception handling, either or both of two models are supplied:
22630 @item @b{Zero-Cost Exceptions} (``ZCX''),@footnote{
22631 Most programs should experience a substantial speed improvement by
22632 being compiled with a ZCX run-time.
22633 This is especially true for
22634 tasking applications or applications with many exception handlers.}
22635 @cindex Zero-Cost Exceptions
22636 @cindex ZCX (Zero-Cost Exceptions)
22637 which uses binder-generated tables that
22638 are interrogated at run time to locate a handler
22640 @item @b{setjmp / longjmp} (``SJLJ''),
22641 @cindex setjmp/longjmp Exception Model
22642 @cindex SJLJ (setjmp/longjmp Exception Model)
22643 which uses dynamically-set data to establish
22644 the set of handlers
22648 This appendix summarizes which combinations of threads and exception support
22649 are supplied on various GNAT platforms.
22650 It then shows how to select a particular library either
22651 permanently or temporarily,
22652 explains the properties of (and tradeoffs among) the various threads
22653 libraries, and provides some additional
22654 information about several specific platforms.
22657 * Summary of Run-Time Configurations::
22658 * Specifying a Run-Time Library::
22659 * Choosing the Scheduling Policy::
22660 * Solaris-Specific Considerations::
22661 * Linux-Specific Considerations::
22662 * AIX-Specific Considerations::
22665 @node Summary of Run-Time Configurations
22666 @section Summary of Run-Time Configurations
22668 @multitable @columnfractions .30 .70
22669 @item @b{alpha-openvms}
22670 @item @code{@ @ }@i{rts-native (default)}
22671 @item @code{@ @ @ @ }Tasking @tab native VMS threads
22672 @item @code{@ @ @ @ }Exceptions @tab ZCX
22674 @item @b{alpha-tru64}
22675 @item @code{@ @ }@i{rts-native (default)}
22676 @item @code{@ @ @ @ }Tasking @tab native TRU64 threads
22677 @item @code{@ @ @ @ }Exceptions @tab ZCX
22679 @item @code{@ @ }@i{rts-sjlj}
22680 @item @code{@ @ @ @ }Tasking @tab native TRU64 threads
22681 @item @code{@ @ @ @ }Exceptions @tab SJLJ
22683 @item @b{ia64-hp_linux}
22684 @item @code{@ @ }@i{rts-native (default)}
22685 @item @code{@ @ @ @ }Tasking @tab pthread library
22686 @item @code{@ @ @ @ }Exceptions @tab ZCX
22688 @item @b{ia64-hpux}
22689 @item @code{@ @ }@i{rts-native (default)}
22690 @item @code{@ @ @ @ }Tasking @tab native HP-UX threads
22691 @item @code{@ @ @ @ }Exceptions @tab SJLJ
22693 @item @b{ia64-openvms}
22694 @item @code{@ @ }@i{rts-native (default)}
22695 @item @code{@ @ @ @ }Tasking @tab native VMS threads
22696 @item @code{@ @ @ @ }Exceptions @tab ZCX
22698 @item @b{ia64-sgi_linux}
22699 @item @code{@ @ }@i{rts-native (default)}
22700 @item @code{@ @ @ @ }Tasking @tab pthread library
22701 @item @code{@ @ @ @ }Exceptions @tab ZCX
22703 @item @b{mips-irix}
22704 @item @code{@ @ }@i{rts-native (default)}
22705 @item @code{@ @ @ @ }Tasking @tab native IRIX threads
22706 @item @code{@ @ @ @ }Exceptions @tab ZCX
22709 @item @code{@ @ }@i{rts-native (default)}
22710 @item @code{@ @ @ @ }Tasking @tab native HP-UX threads
22711 @item @code{@ @ @ @ }Exceptions @tab ZCX
22713 @item @code{@ @ }@i{rts-sjlj}
22714 @item @code{@ @ @ @ }Tasking @tab native HP-UX threads
22715 @item @code{@ @ @ @ }Exceptions @tab SJLJ
22718 @item @code{@ @ }@i{rts-native (default)}
22719 @item @code{@ @ @ @ }Tasking @tab native AIX threads
22720 @item @code{@ @ @ @ }Exceptions @tab SJLJ
22722 @item @b{ppc-darwin}
22723 @item @code{@ @ }@i{rts-native (default)}
22724 @item @code{@ @ @ @ }Tasking @tab native MacOS threads
22725 @item @code{@ @ @ @ }Exceptions @tab ZCX
22727 @item @b{sparc-solaris} @tab
22728 @item @code{@ @ }@i{rts-native (default)}
22729 @item @code{@ @ @ @ }Tasking @tab native Solaris threads library
22730 @item @code{@ @ @ @ }Exceptions @tab ZCX
22732 @item @code{@ @ }@i{rts-m64}
22733 @item @code{@ @ @ @ }Tasking @tab native Solaris threads library
22734 @item @code{@ @ @ @ }Exceptions @tab ZCX
22735 @item @code{@ @ @ @ }Constraints @tab Use only when compiling in 64-bit mode;
22736 @item @tab Use only on Solaris 8 or later.
22737 @item @tab @xref{Building and Debugging 64-bit Applications}, for details.
22739 @item @code{@ @ }@i{rts-pthread}
22740 @item @code{@ @ @ @ }Tasking @tab pthread library
22741 @item @code{@ @ @ @ }Exceptions @tab ZCX
22743 @item @code{@ @ }@i{rts-sjlj}
22744 @item @code{@ @ @ @ }Tasking @tab native Solaris threads library
22745 @item @code{@ @ @ @ }Exceptions @tab SJLJ
22747 @item @b{x86-linux}
22748 @item @code{@ @ }@i{rts-native (default)}
22749 @item @code{@ @ @ @ }Tasking @tab pthread library
22750 @item @code{@ @ @ @ }Exceptions @tab ZCX
22752 @item @code{@ @ }@i{rts-sjlj}
22753 @item @code{@ @ @ @ }Tasking @tab pthread library
22754 @item @code{@ @ @ @ }Exceptions @tab SJLJ
22757 @item @code{@ @ }@i{rts-native (default)}
22758 @item @code{@ @ @ @ }Tasking @tab native LynxOS threads
22759 @item @code{@ @ @ @ }Exceptions @tab SJLJ
22761 @item @b{x86-windows}
22762 @item @code{@ @ }@i{rts-native (default)}
22763 @item @code{@ @ @ @ }Tasking @tab native Win32 threads
22764 @item @code{@ @ @ @ }Exceptions @tab ZCX
22766 @item @code{@ @ }@i{rts-sjlj (default)}
22767 @item @code{@ @ @ @ }Tasking @tab native Win32 threads
22768 @item @code{@ @ @ @ }Exceptions @tab SJLJ
22770 @item @b{x86_64-linux}
22771 @item @code{@ @ }@i{rts-native (default)}
22772 @item @code{@ @ @ @ }Tasking @tab pthread library
22773 @item @code{@ @ @ @ }Exceptions @tab ZCX
22775 @item @code{@ @ }@i{rts-sjlj}
22776 @item @code{@ @ @ @ }Tasking @tab pthread library
22777 @item @code{@ @ @ @ }Exceptions @tab SJLJ
22781 @node Specifying a Run-Time Library
22782 @section Specifying a Run-Time Library
22785 The @file{adainclude} subdirectory containing the sources of the GNAT
22786 run-time library, and the @file{adalib} subdirectory containing the
22787 @file{ALI} files and the static and/or shared GNAT library, are located
22788 in the gcc target-dependent area:
22791 target=$prefix/lib/gcc-lib/gcc-@i{dumpmachine}/gcc-@i{dumpversion}/
22795 As indicated above, on some platforms several run-time libraries are supplied.
22796 These libraries are installed in the target dependent area and
22797 contain a complete source and binary subdirectory. The detailed description
22798 below explains the differences between the different libraries in terms of
22799 their thread support.
22801 The default run-time library (when GNAT is installed) is @emph{rts-native}.
22802 This default run time is selected by the means of soft links.
22803 For example on x86-linux:
22809 +--- adainclude----------+
22811 +--- adalib-----------+ |
22813 +--- rts-native | |
22815 | +--- adainclude <---+
22817 | +--- adalib <----+
22828 If the @i{rts-sjlj} library is to be selected on a permanent basis,
22829 these soft links can be modified with the following commands:
22833 $ rm -f adainclude adalib
22834 $ ln -s rts-sjlj/adainclude adainclude
22835 $ ln -s rts-sjlj/adalib adalib
22839 Alternatively, you can specify @file{rts-sjlj/adainclude} in the file
22840 @file{$target/ada_source_path} and @file{rts-sjlj/adalib} in
22841 @file{$target/ada_object_path}.
22843 Selecting another run-time library temporarily can be
22844 achieved by the regular mechanism for GNAT object or source path selection:
22848 Set the environment variables:
22851 $ ADA_INCLUDE_PATH=$target/rts-sjlj/adainclude:$ADA_INCLUDE_PATH
22852 $ ADA_OBJECTS_PATH=$target/rts-sjlj/adalib:$ADA_OBJECTS_PATH
22853 $ export ADA_INCLUDE_PATH ADA_OBJECTS_PATH
22857 Use @option{-aI$target/rts-sjlj/adainclude}
22858 and @option{-aO$target/rts-sjlj/adalib}
22859 on the @command{gnatmake} command line
22862 Use the switch @option{--RTS}; e.g., @option{--RTS=sjlj}
22863 @cindex @option{--RTS} option
22866 @node Choosing the Scheduling Policy
22867 @section Choosing the Scheduling Policy
22870 When using a POSIX threads implementation, you have a choice of several
22871 scheduling policies: @code{SCHED_FIFO},
22872 @cindex @code{SCHED_FIFO} scheduling policy
22874 @cindex @code{SCHED_RR} scheduling policy
22875 and @code{SCHED_OTHER}.
22876 @cindex @code{SCHED_OTHER} scheduling policy
22877 Typically, the default is @code{SCHED_OTHER}, while using @code{SCHED_FIFO}
22878 or @code{SCHED_RR} requires special (e.g., root) privileges.
22880 By default, GNAT uses the @code{SCHED_OTHER} policy. To specify
22882 @cindex @code{SCHED_FIFO} scheduling policy
22883 you can use one of the following:
22887 @code{pragma Time_Slice (0.0)}
22888 @cindex pragma Time_Slice
22890 the corresponding binder option @option{-T0}
22891 @cindex @option{-T0} option
22893 @code{pragma Task_Dispatching_Policy (FIFO_Within_Priorities)}
22894 @cindex pragma Task_Dispatching_Policy
22898 To specify @code{SCHED_RR},
22899 @cindex @code{SCHED_RR} scheduling policy
22900 you should use @code{pragma Time_Slice} with a
22901 value greater than @code{0.0}, or else use the corresponding @option{-T}
22904 @node Solaris-Specific Considerations
22905 @section Solaris-Specific Considerations
22906 @cindex Solaris Sparc threads libraries
22909 This section addresses some topics related to the various threads libraries
22910 on Sparc Solaris and then provides some information on building and
22911 debugging 64-bit applications.
22914 * Solaris Threads Issues::
22915 * Building and Debugging 64-bit Applications::
22918 @node Solaris Threads Issues
22919 @subsection Solaris Threads Issues
22922 GNAT under Solaris comes with an alternate tasking run-time library
22923 based on POSIX threads --- @emph{rts-pthread}.
22924 @cindex rts-pthread threads library
22925 This run-time library has the advantage of being mostly shared across all
22926 POSIX-compliant thread implementations, and it also provides under
22927 @w{Solaris 8} the @code{PTHREAD_PRIO_INHERIT}
22928 @cindex @code{PTHREAD_PRIO_INHERIT} policy (under rts-pthread)
22929 and @code{PTHREAD_PRIO_PROTECT}
22930 @cindex @code{PTHREAD_PRIO_PROTECT} policy (under rts-pthread)
22931 semantics that can be selected using the predefined pragma
22932 @code{Locking_Policy}
22933 @cindex pragma Locking_Policy (under rts-pthread)
22935 @code{Inheritance_Locking} and @code{Ceiling_Locking} as the policy.
22936 @cindex @code{Inheritance_Locking} (under rts-pthread)
22937 @cindex @code{Ceiling_Locking} (under rts-pthread)
22939 As explained above, the native run-time library is based on the Solaris thread
22940 library (@code{libthread}) and is the default library.
22942 When the Solaris threads library is used (this is the default), programs
22943 compiled with GNAT can automatically take advantage of
22944 and can thus execute on multiple processors.
22945 The user can alternatively specify a processor on which the program should run
22946 to emulate a single-processor system. The multiprocessor / uniprocessor choice
22948 setting the environment variable @code{GNAT_PROCESSOR}
22949 @cindex @code{GNAT_PROCESSOR} environment variable (on Sparc Solaris)
22950 to one of the following:
22954 Use the default configuration (run the program on all
22955 available processors) - this is the same as having
22956 @code{GNAT_PROCESSOR} unset
22959 Let the run-time implementation choose one processor and run the program on
22962 @item 0 .. Last_Proc
22963 Run the program on the specified processor.
22964 @code{Last_Proc} is equal to @code{_SC_NPROCESSORS_CONF - 1}
22965 (where @code{_SC_NPROCESSORS_CONF} is a system variable).
22968 @node Building and Debugging 64-bit Applications
22969 @subsection Building and Debugging 64-bit Applications
22972 In a 64-bit application, all the sources involved must be compiled with the
22973 @option{-m64} command-line option, and a specific GNAT library (compiled with
22974 this option) is required.
22975 The easiest way to build a 64bit application is to add
22976 @option{-m64 --RTS=m64} to the @command{gnatmake} flags.
22978 To debug these applications, a special version of gdb called @command{gdb64}
22981 To summarize, building and debugging a ``Hello World'' program in 64-bit mode
22985 $ gnatmake -m64 -g --RTS=m64 hello.adb
22989 @node Linux-Specific Considerations
22990 @section Linux-Specific Considerations
22991 @cindex Linux threads libraries
22994 On GNU/Linux without NPTL support (usually system with GNU C Library
22995 older than 2.3), the signal model is not POSIX compliant, which means
22996 that to send a signal to the process, you need to send the signal to all
22997 threads, e.g. by using @code{killpg()}.
22999 @node AIX-Specific Considerations
23000 @section AIX-Specific Considerations
23001 @cindex AIX resolver library
23004 On AIX, the resolver library initializes some internal structure on
23005 the first call to @code{get*by*} functions, which are used to implement
23006 @code{GNAT.Sockets.Get_Host_By_Name} and
23007 @code{GNAT.Sockets.Get_Host_By_Addrss}.
23008 If such initialization occurs within an Ada task, and the stack size for
23009 the task is the default size, a stack overflow may occur.
23011 To avoid this overflow, the user should either ensure that the first call
23012 to @code{GNAT.Sockets.Get_Host_By_Name} or
23013 @code{GNAT.Sockets.Get_Host_By_Addrss}
23014 occurs in the environment task, or use @code{pragma Storage_Size} to
23015 specify a sufficiently large size for the stack of the task that contains
23018 @c *******************************
23019 @node Example of Binder Output File
23020 @appendix Example of Binder Output File
23023 This Appendix displays the source code for @command{gnatbind}'s output
23024 file generated for a simple ``Hello World'' program.
23025 Comments have been added for clarification purposes.
23027 @smallexample @c adanocomment
23031 -- The package is called Ada_Main unless this name is actually used
23032 -- as a unit name in the partition, in which case some other unique
23036 package ada_main is
23038 Elab_Final_Code : Integer;
23039 pragma Import (C, Elab_Final_Code, "__gnat_inside_elab_final_code");
23041 -- The main program saves the parameters (argument count,
23042 -- argument values, environment pointer) in global variables
23043 -- for later access by other units including
23044 -- Ada.Command_Line.
23046 gnat_argc : Integer;
23047 gnat_argv : System.Address;
23048 gnat_envp : System.Address;
23050 -- The actual variables are stored in a library routine. This
23051 -- is useful for some shared library situations, where there
23052 -- are problems if variables are not in the library.
23054 pragma Import (C, gnat_argc);
23055 pragma Import (C, gnat_argv);
23056 pragma Import (C, gnat_envp);
23058 -- The exit status is similarly an external location
23060 gnat_exit_status : Integer;
23061 pragma Import (C, gnat_exit_status);
23063 GNAT_Version : constant String :=
23064 "GNAT Version: 3.15w (20010315)";
23065 pragma Export (C, GNAT_Version, "__gnat_version");
23067 -- This is the generated adafinal routine that performs
23068 -- finalization at the end of execution. In the case where
23069 -- Ada is the main program, this main program makes a call
23070 -- to adafinal at program termination.
23072 procedure adafinal;
23073 pragma Export (C, adafinal, "adafinal");
23075 -- This is the generated adainit routine that performs
23076 -- initialization at the start of execution. In the case
23077 -- where Ada is the main program, this main program makes
23078 -- a call to adainit at program startup.
23081 pragma Export (C, adainit, "adainit");
23083 -- This routine is called at the start of execution. It is
23084 -- a dummy routine that is used by the debugger to breakpoint
23085 -- at the start of execution.
23087 procedure Break_Start;
23088 pragma Import (C, Break_Start, "__gnat_break_start");
23090 -- This is the actual generated main program (it would be
23091 -- suppressed if the no main program switch were used). As
23092 -- required by standard system conventions, this program has
23093 -- the external name main.
23097 argv : System.Address;
23098 envp : System.Address)
23100 pragma Export (C, main, "main");
23102 -- The following set of constants give the version
23103 -- identification values for every unit in the bound
23104 -- partition. This identification is computed from all
23105 -- dependent semantic units, and corresponds to the
23106 -- string that would be returned by use of the
23107 -- Body_Version or Version attributes.
23109 type Version_32 is mod 2 ** 32;
23110 u00001 : constant Version_32 := 16#7880BEB3#;
23111 u00002 : constant Version_32 := 16#0D24CBD0#;
23112 u00003 : constant Version_32 := 16#3283DBEB#;
23113 u00004 : constant Version_32 := 16#2359F9ED#;
23114 u00005 : constant Version_32 := 16#664FB847#;
23115 u00006 : constant Version_32 := 16#68E803DF#;
23116 u00007 : constant Version_32 := 16#5572E604#;
23117 u00008 : constant Version_32 := 16#46B173D8#;
23118 u00009 : constant Version_32 := 16#156A40CF#;
23119 u00010 : constant Version_32 := 16#033DABE0#;
23120 u00011 : constant Version_32 := 16#6AB38FEA#;
23121 u00012 : constant Version_32 := 16#22B6217D#;
23122 u00013 : constant Version_32 := 16#68A22947#;
23123 u00014 : constant Version_32 := 16#18CC4A56#;
23124 u00015 : constant Version_32 := 16#08258E1B#;
23125 u00016 : constant Version_32 := 16#367D5222#;
23126 u00017 : constant Version_32 := 16#20C9ECA4#;
23127 u00018 : constant Version_32 := 16#50D32CB6#;
23128 u00019 : constant Version_32 := 16#39A8BB77#;
23129 u00020 : constant Version_32 := 16#5CF8FA2B#;
23130 u00021 : constant Version_32 := 16#2F1EB794#;
23131 u00022 : constant Version_32 := 16#31AB6444#;
23132 u00023 : constant Version_32 := 16#1574B6E9#;
23133 u00024 : constant Version_32 := 16#5109C189#;
23134 u00025 : constant Version_32 := 16#56D770CD#;
23135 u00026 : constant Version_32 := 16#02F9DE3D#;
23136 u00027 : constant Version_32 := 16#08AB6B2C#;
23137 u00028 : constant Version_32 := 16#3FA37670#;
23138 u00029 : constant Version_32 := 16#476457A0#;
23139 u00030 : constant Version_32 := 16#731E1B6E#;
23140 u00031 : constant Version_32 := 16#23C2E789#;
23141 u00032 : constant Version_32 := 16#0F1BD6A1#;
23142 u00033 : constant Version_32 := 16#7C25DE96#;
23143 u00034 : constant Version_32 := 16#39ADFFA2#;
23144 u00035 : constant Version_32 := 16#571DE3E7#;
23145 u00036 : constant Version_32 := 16#5EB646AB#;
23146 u00037 : constant Version_32 := 16#4249379B#;
23147 u00038 : constant Version_32 := 16#0357E00A#;
23148 u00039 : constant Version_32 := 16#3784FB72#;
23149 u00040 : constant Version_32 := 16#2E723019#;
23150 u00041 : constant Version_32 := 16#623358EA#;
23151 u00042 : constant Version_32 := 16#107F9465#;
23152 u00043 : constant Version_32 := 16#6843F68A#;
23153 u00044 : constant Version_32 := 16#63305874#;
23154 u00045 : constant Version_32 := 16#31E56CE1#;
23155 u00046 : constant Version_32 := 16#02917970#;
23156 u00047 : constant Version_32 := 16#6CCBA70E#;
23157 u00048 : constant Version_32 := 16#41CD4204#;
23158 u00049 : constant Version_32 := 16#572E3F58#;
23159 u00050 : constant Version_32 := 16#20729FF5#;
23160 u00051 : constant Version_32 := 16#1D4F93E8#;
23161 u00052 : constant Version_32 := 16#30B2EC3D#;
23162 u00053 : constant Version_32 := 16#34054F96#;
23163 u00054 : constant Version_32 := 16#5A199860#;
23164 u00055 : constant Version_32 := 16#0E7F912B#;
23165 u00056 : constant Version_32 := 16#5760634A#;
23166 u00057 : constant Version_32 := 16#5D851835#;
23168 -- The following Export pragmas export the version numbers
23169 -- with symbolic names ending in B (for body) or S
23170 -- (for spec) so that they can be located in a link. The
23171 -- information provided here is sufficient to track down
23172 -- the exact versions of units used in a given build.
23174 pragma Export (C, u00001, "helloB");
23175 pragma Export (C, u00002, "system__standard_libraryB");
23176 pragma Export (C, u00003, "system__standard_libraryS");
23177 pragma Export (C, u00004, "adaS");
23178 pragma Export (C, u00005, "ada__text_ioB");
23179 pragma Export (C, u00006, "ada__text_ioS");
23180 pragma Export (C, u00007, "ada__exceptionsB");
23181 pragma Export (C, u00008, "ada__exceptionsS");
23182 pragma Export (C, u00009, "gnatS");
23183 pragma Export (C, u00010, "gnat__heap_sort_aB");
23184 pragma Export (C, u00011, "gnat__heap_sort_aS");
23185 pragma Export (C, u00012, "systemS");
23186 pragma Export (C, u00013, "system__exception_tableB");
23187 pragma Export (C, u00014, "system__exception_tableS");
23188 pragma Export (C, u00015, "gnat__htableB");
23189 pragma Export (C, u00016, "gnat__htableS");
23190 pragma Export (C, u00017, "system__exceptionsS");
23191 pragma Export (C, u00018, "system__machine_state_operationsB");
23192 pragma Export (C, u00019, "system__machine_state_operationsS");
23193 pragma Export (C, u00020, "system__machine_codeS");
23194 pragma Export (C, u00021, "system__storage_elementsB");
23195 pragma Export (C, u00022, "system__storage_elementsS");
23196 pragma Export (C, u00023, "system__secondary_stackB");
23197 pragma Export (C, u00024, "system__secondary_stackS");
23198 pragma Export (C, u00025, "system__parametersB");
23199 pragma Export (C, u00026, "system__parametersS");
23200 pragma Export (C, u00027, "system__soft_linksB");
23201 pragma Export (C, u00028, "system__soft_linksS");
23202 pragma Export (C, u00029, "system__stack_checkingB");
23203 pragma Export (C, u00030, "system__stack_checkingS");
23204 pragma Export (C, u00031, "system__tracebackB");
23205 pragma Export (C, u00032, "system__tracebackS");
23206 pragma Export (C, u00033, "ada__streamsS");
23207 pragma Export (C, u00034, "ada__tagsB");
23208 pragma Export (C, u00035, "ada__tagsS");
23209 pragma Export (C, u00036, "system__string_opsB");
23210 pragma Export (C, u00037, "system__string_opsS");
23211 pragma Export (C, u00038, "interfacesS");
23212 pragma Export (C, u00039, "interfaces__c_streamsB");
23213 pragma Export (C, u00040, "interfaces__c_streamsS");
23214 pragma Export (C, u00041, "system__file_ioB");
23215 pragma Export (C, u00042, "system__file_ioS");
23216 pragma Export (C, u00043, "ada__finalizationB");
23217 pragma Export (C, u00044, "ada__finalizationS");
23218 pragma Export (C, u00045, "system__finalization_rootB");
23219 pragma Export (C, u00046, "system__finalization_rootS");
23220 pragma Export (C, u00047, "system__finalization_implementationB");
23221 pragma Export (C, u00048, "system__finalization_implementationS");
23222 pragma Export (C, u00049, "system__string_ops_concat_3B");
23223 pragma Export (C, u00050, "system__string_ops_concat_3S");
23224 pragma Export (C, u00051, "system__stream_attributesB");
23225 pragma Export (C, u00052, "system__stream_attributesS");
23226 pragma Export (C, u00053, "ada__io_exceptionsS");
23227 pragma Export (C, u00054, "system__unsigned_typesS");
23228 pragma Export (C, u00055, "system__file_control_blockS");
23229 pragma Export (C, u00056, "ada__finalization__list_controllerB");
23230 pragma Export (C, u00057, "ada__finalization__list_controllerS");
23232 -- BEGIN ELABORATION ORDER
23235 -- gnat.heap_sort_a (spec)
23236 -- gnat.heap_sort_a (body)
23237 -- gnat.htable (spec)
23238 -- gnat.htable (body)
23239 -- interfaces (spec)
23241 -- system.machine_code (spec)
23242 -- system.parameters (spec)
23243 -- system.parameters (body)
23244 -- interfaces.c_streams (spec)
23245 -- interfaces.c_streams (body)
23246 -- system.standard_library (spec)
23247 -- ada.exceptions (spec)
23248 -- system.exception_table (spec)
23249 -- system.exception_table (body)
23250 -- ada.io_exceptions (spec)
23251 -- system.exceptions (spec)
23252 -- system.storage_elements (spec)
23253 -- system.storage_elements (body)
23254 -- system.machine_state_operations (spec)
23255 -- system.machine_state_operations (body)
23256 -- system.secondary_stack (spec)
23257 -- system.stack_checking (spec)
23258 -- system.soft_links (spec)
23259 -- system.soft_links (body)
23260 -- system.stack_checking (body)
23261 -- system.secondary_stack (body)
23262 -- system.standard_library (body)
23263 -- system.string_ops (spec)
23264 -- system.string_ops (body)
23267 -- ada.streams (spec)
23268 -- system.finalization_root (spec)
23269 -- system.finalization_root (body)
23270 -- system.string_ops_concat_3 (spec)
23271 -- system.string_ops_concat_3 (body)
23272 -- system.traceback (spec)
23273 -- system.traceback (body)
23274 -- ada.exceptions (body)
23275 -- system.unsigned_types (spec)
23276 -- system.stream_attributes (spec)
23277 -- system.stream_attributes (body)
23278 -- system.finalization_implementation (spec)
23279 -- system.finalization_implementation (body)
23280 -- ada.finalization (spec)
23281 -- ada.finalization (body)
23282 -- ada.finalization.list_controller (spec)
23283 -- ada.finalization.list_controller (body)
23284 -- system.file_control_block (spec)
23285 -- system.file_io (spec)
23286 -- system.file_io (body)
23287 -- ada.text_io (spec)
23288 -- ada.text_io (body)
23290 -- END ELABORATION ORDER
23294 -- The following source file name pragmas allow the generated file
23295 -- names to be unique for different main programs. They are needed
23296 -- since the package name will always be Ada_Main.
23298 pragma Source_File_Name (ada_main, Spec_File_Name => "b~hello.ads");
23299 pragma Source_File_Name (ada_main, Body_File_Name => "b~hello.adb");
23301 -- Generated package body for Ada_Main starts here
23303 package body ada_main is
23305 -- The actual finalization is performed by calling the
23306 -- library routine in System.Standard_Library.Adafinal
23308 procedure Do_Finalize;
23309 pragma Import (C, Do_Finalize, "system__standard_library__adafinal");
23316 procedure adainit is
23318 -- These booleans are set to True once the associated unit has
23319 -- been elaborated. It is also used to avoid elaborating the
23320 -- same unit twice.
23323 pragma Import (Ada, E040, "interfaces__c_streams_E");
23326 pragma Import (Ada, E008, "ada__exceptions_E");
23329 pragma Import (Ada, E014, "system__exception_table_E");
23332 pragma Import (Ada, E053, "ada__io_exceptions_E");
23335 pragma Import (Ada, E017, "system__exceptions_E");
23338 pragma Import (Ada, E024, "system__secondary_stack_E");
23341 pragma Import (Ada, E030, "system__stack_checking_E");
23344 pragma Import (Ada, E028, "system__soft_links_E");
23347 pragma Import (Ada, E035, "ada__tags_E");
23350 pragma Import (Ada, E033, "ada__streams_E");
23353 pragma Import (Ada, E046, "system__finalization_root_E");
23356 pragma Import (Ada, E048, "system__finalization_implementation_E");
23359 pragma Import (Ada, E044, "ada__finalization_E");
23362 pragma Import (Ada, E057, "ada__finalization__list_controller_E");
23365 pragma Import (Ada, E055, "system__file_control_block_E");
23368 pragma Import (Ada, E042, "system__file_io_E");
23371 pragma Import (Ada, E006, "ada__text_io_E");
23373 -- Set_Globals is a library routine that stores away the
23374 -- value of the indicated set of global values in global
23375 -- variables within the library.
23377 procedure Set_Globals
23378 (Main_Priority : Integer;
23379 Time_Slice_Value : Integer;
23380 WC_Encoding : Character;
23381 Locking_Policy : Character;
23382 Queuing_Policy : Character;
23383 Task_Dispatching_Policy : Character;
23384 Adafinal : System.Address;
23385 Unreserve_All_Interrupts : Integer;
23386 Exception_Tracebacks : Integer);
23387 @findex __gnat_set_globals
23388 pragma Import (C, Set_Globals, "__gnat_set_globals");
23390 -- SDP_Table_Build is a library routine used to build the
23391 -- exception tables. See unit Ada.Exceptions in files
23392 -- a-except.ads/adb for full details of how zero cost
23393 -- exception handling works. This procedure, the call to
23394 -- it, and the two following tables are all omitted if the
23395 -- build is in longjmp/setjump exception mode.
23397 @findex SDP_Table_Build
23398 @findex Zero Cost Exceptions
23399 procedure SDP_Table_Build
23400 (SDP_Addresses : System.Address;
23401 SDP_Count : Natural;
23402 Elab_Addresses : System.Address;
23403 Elab_Addr_Count : Natural);
23404 pragma Import (C, SDP_Table_Build, "__gnat_SDP_Table_Build");
23406 -- Table of Unit_Exception_Table addresses. Used for zero
23407 -- cost exception handling to build the top level table.
23409 ST : aliased constant array (1 .. 23) of System.Address := (
23411 Ada.Text_Io'UET_Address,
23412 Ada.Exceptions'UET_Address,
23413 Gnat.Heap_Sort_A'UET_Address,
23414 System.Exception_Table'UET_Address,
23415 System.Machine_State_Operations'UET_Address,
23416 System.Secondary_Stack'UET_Address,
23417 System.Parameters'UET_Address,
23418 System.Soft_Links'UET_Address,
23419 System.Stack_Checking'UET_Address,
23420 System.Traceback'UET_Address,
23421 Ada.Streams'UET_Address,
23422 Ada.Tags'UET_Address,
23423 System.String_Ops'UET_Address,
23424 Interfaces.C_Streams'UET_Address,
23425 System.File_Io'UET_Address,
23426 Ada.Finalization'UET_Address,
23427 System.Finalization_Root'UET_Address,
23428 System.Finalization_Implementation'UET_Address,
23429 System.String_Ops_Concat_3'UET_Address,
23430 System.Stream_Attributes'UET_Address,
23431 System.File_Control_Block'UET_Address,
23432 Ada.Finalization.List_Controller'UET_Address);
23434 -- Table of addresses of elaboration routines. Used for
23435 -- zero cost exception handling to make sure these
23436 -- addresses are included in the top level procedure
23439 EA : aliased constant array (1 .. 23) of System.Address := (
23440 adainit'Code_Address,
23441 Do_Finalize'Code_Address,
23442 Ada.Exceptions'Elab_Spec'Address,
23443 System.Exceptions'Elab_Spec'Address,
23444 Interfaces.C_Streams'Elab_Spec'Address,
23445 System.Exception_Table'Elab_Body'Address,
23446 Ada.Io_Exceptions'Elab_Spec'Address,
23447 System.Stack_Checking'Elab_Spec'Address,
23448 System.Soft_Links'Elab_Body'Address,
23449 System.Secondary_Stack'Elab_Body'Address,
23450 Ada.Tags'Elab_Spec'Address,
23451 Ada.Tags'Elab_Body'Address,
23452 Ada.Streams'Elab_Spec'Address,
23453 System.Finalization_Root'Elab_Spec'Address,
23454 Ada.Exceptions'Elab_Body'Address,
23455 System.Finalization_Implementation'Elab_Spec'Address,
23456 System.Finalization_Implementation'Elab_Body'Address,
23457 Ada.Finalization'Elab_Spec'Address,
23458 Ada.Finalization.List_Controller'Elab_Spec'Address,
23459 System.File_Control_Block'Elab_Spec'Address,
23460 System.File_Io'Elab_Body'Address,
23461 Ada.Text_Io'Elab_Spec'Address,
23462 Ada.Text_Io'Elab_Body'Address);
23464 -- Start of processing for adainit
23468 -- Call SDP_Table_Build to build the top level procedure
23469 -- table for zero cost exception handling (omitted in
23470 -- longjmp/setjump mode).
23472 SDP_Table_Build (ST'Address, 23, EA'Address, 23);
23474 -- Call Set_Globals to record various information for
23475 -- this partition. The values are derived by the binder
23476 -- from information stored in the ali files by the compiler.
23478 @findex __gnat_set_globals
23480 (Main_Priority => -1,
23481 -- Priority of main program, -1 if no pragma Priority used
23483 Time_Slice_Value => -1,
23484 -- Time slice from Time_Slice pragma, -1 if none used
23486 WC_Encoding => 'b',
23487 -- Wide_Character encoding used, default is brackets
23489 Locking_Policy => ' ',
23490 -- Locking_Policy used, default of space means not
23491 -- specified, otherwise it is the first character of
23492 -- the policy name.
23494 Queuing_Policy => ' ',
23495 -- Queuing_Policy used, default of space means not
23496 -- specified, otherwise it is the first character of
23497 -- the policy name.
23499 Task_Dispatching_Policy => ' ',
23500 -- Task_Dispatching_Policy used, default of space means
23501 -- not specified, otherwise first character of the
23504 Adafinal => System.Null_Address,
23505 -- Address of Adafinal routine, not used anymore
23507 Unreserve_All_Interrupts => 0,
23508 -- Set true if pragma Unreserve_All_Interrupts was used
23510 Exception_Tracebacks => 0);
23511 -- Indicates if exception tracebacks are enabled
23513 Elab_Final_Code := 1;
23515 -- Now we have the elaboration calls for all units in the partition.
23516 -- The Elab_Spec and Elab_Body attributes generate references to the
23517 -- implicit elaboration procedures generated by the compiler for
23518 -- each unit that requires elaboration.
23521 Interfaces.C_Streams'Elab_Spec;
23525 Ada.Exceptions'Elab_Spec;
23528 System.Exception_Table'Elab_Body;
23532 Ada.Io_Exceptions'Elab_Spec;
23536 System.Exceptions'Elab_Spec;
23540 System.Stack_Checking'Elab_Spec;
23543 System.Soft_Links'Elab_Body;
23548 System.Secondary_Stack'Elab_Body;
23552 Ada.Tags'Elab_Spec;
23555 Ada.Tags'Elab_Body;
23559 Ada.Streams'Elab_Spec;
23563 System.Finalization_Root'Elab_Spec;
23567 Ada.Exceptions'Elab_Body;
23571 System.Finalization_Implementation'Elab_Spec;
23574 System.Finalization_Implementation'Elab_Body;
23578 Ada.Finalization'Elab_Spec;
23582 Ada.Finalization.List_Controller'Elab_Spec;
23586 System.File_Control_Block'Elab_Spec;
23590 System.File_Io'Elab_Body;
23594 Ada.Text_Io'Elab_Spec;
23597 Ada.Text_Io'Elab_Body;
23601 Elab_Final_Code := 0;
23609 procedure adafinal is
23618 -- main is actually a function, as in the ANSI C standard,
23619 -- defined to return the exit status. The three parameters
23620 -- are the argument count, argument values and environment
23623 @findex Main Program
23626 argv : System.Address;
23627 envp : System.Address)
23630 -- The initialize routine performs low level system
23631 -- initialization using a standard library routine which
23632 -- sets up signal handling and performs any other
23633 -- required setup. The routine can be found in file
23636 @findex __gnat_initialize
23637 procedure initialize;
23638 pragma Import (C, initialize, "__gnat_initialize");
23640 -- The finalize routine performs low level system
23641 -- finalization using a standard library routine. The
23642 -- routine is found in file a-final.c and in the standard
23643 -- distribution is a dummy routine that does nothing, so
23644 -- really this is a hook for special user finalization.
23646 @findex __gnat_finalize
23647 procedure finalize;
23648 pragma Import (C, finalize, "__gnat_finalize");
23650 -- We get to the main program of the partition by using
23651 -- pragma Import because if we try to with the unit and
23652 -- call it Ada style, then not only do we waste time
23653 -- recompiling it, but also, we don't really know the right
23654 -- switches (e.g. identifier character set) to be used
23657 procedure Ada_Main_Program;
23658 pragma Import (Ada, Ada_Main_Program, "_ada_hello");
23660 -- Start of processing for main
23663 -- Save global variables
23669 -- Call low level system initialization
23673 -- Call our generated Ada initialization routine
23677 -- This is the point at which we want the debugger to get
23682 -- Now we call the main program of the partition
23686 -- Perform Ada finalization
23690 -- Perform low level system finalization
23694 -- Return the proper exit status
23695 return (gnat_exit_status);
23698 -- This section is entirely comments, so it has no effect on the
23699 -- compilation of the Ada_Main package. It provides the list of
23700 -- object files and linker options, as well as some standard
23701 -- libraries needed for the link. The gnatlink utility parses
23702 -- this b~hello.adb file to read these comment lines to generate
23703 -- the appropriate command line arguments for the call to the
23704 -- system linker. The BEGIN/END lines are used for sentinels for
23705 -- this parsing operation.
23707 -- The exact file names will of course depend on the environment,
23708 -- host/target and location of files on the host system.
23710 @findex Object file list
23711 -- BEGIN Object file/option list
23714 -- -L/usr/local/gnat/lib/gcc-lib/i686-pc-linux-gnu/2.8.1/adalib/
23715 -- /usr/local/gnat/lib/gcc-lib/i686-pc-linux-gnu/2.8.1/adalib/libgnat.a
23716 -- END Object file/option list
23722 The Ada code in the above example is exactly what is generated by the
23723 binder. We have added comments to more clearly indicate the function
23724 of each part of the generated @code{Ada_Main} package.
23726 The code is standard Ada in all respects, and can be processed by any
23727 tools that handle Ada. In particular, it is possible to use the debugger
23728 in Ada mode to debug the generated @code{Ada_Main} package. For example,
23729 suppose that for reasons that you do not understand, your program is crashing
23730 during elaboration of the body of @code{Ada.Text_IO}. To locate this bug,
23731 you can place a breakpoint on the call:
23733 @smallexample @c ada
23734 Ada.Text_Io'Elab_Body;
23738 and trace the elaboration routine for this package to find out where
23739 the problem might be (more usually of course you would be debugging
23740 elaboration code in your own application).
23742 @node Elaboration Order Handling in GNAT
23743 @appendix Elaboration Order Handling in GNAT
23744 @cindex Order of elaboration
23745 @cindex Elaboration control
23748 * Elaboration Code in Ada 95::
23749 * Checking the Elaboration Order in Ada 95::
23750 * Controlling the Elaboration Order in Ada 95::
23751 * Controlling Elaboration in GNAT - Internal Calls::
23752 * Controlling Elaboration in GNAT - External Calls::
23753 * Default Behavior in GNAT - Ensuring Safety::
23754 * Treatment of Pragma Elaborate::
23755 * Elaboration Issues for Library Tasks::
23756 * Mixing Elaboration Models::
23757 * What to Do If the Default Elaboration Behavior Fails::
23758 * Elaboration for Access-to-Subprogram Values::
23759 * Summary of Procedures for Elaboration Control::
23760 * Other Elaboration Order Considerations::
23764 This chapter describes the handling of elaboration code in Ada 95 and
23765 in GNAT, and discusses how the order of elaboration of program units can
23766 be controlled in GNAT, either automatically or with explicit programming
23769 @node Elaboration Code in Ada 95
23770 @section Elaboration Code in Ada 95
23773 Ada 95 provides rather general mechanisms for executing code at elaboration
23774 time, that is to say before the main program starts executing. Such code arises
23778 @item Initializers for variables.
23779 Variables declared at the library level, in package specs or bodies, can
23780 require initialization that is performed at elaboration time, as in:
23781 @smallexample @c ada
23783 Sqrt_Half : Float := Sqrt (0.5);
23787 @item Package initialization code
23788 Code in a @code{BEGIN-END} section at the outer level of a package body is
23789 executed as part of the package body elaboration code.
23791 @item Library level task allocators
23792 Tasks that are declared using task allocators at the library level
23793 start executing immediately and hence can execute at elaboration time.
23797 Subprogram calls are possible in any of these contexts, which means that
23798 any arbitrary part of the program may be executed as part of the elaboration
23799 code. It is even possible to write a program which does all its work at
23800 elaboration time, with a null main program, although stylistically this
23801 would usually be considered an inappropriate way to structure
23804 An important concern arises in the context of elaboration code:
23805 we have to be sure that it is executed in an appropriate order. What we
23806 have is a series of elaboration code sections, potentially one section
23807 for each unit in the program. It is important that these execute
23808 in the correct order. Correctness here means that, taking the above
23809 example of the declaration of @code{Sqrt_Half},
23810 if some other piece of
23811 elaboration code references @code{Sqrt_Half},
23812 then it must run after the
23813 section of elaboration code that contains the declaration of
23816 There would never be any order of elaboration problem if we made a rule
23817 that whenever you @code{with} a unit, you must elaborate both the spec and body
23818 of that unit before elaborating the unit doing the @code{with}'ing:
23820 @smallexample @c ada
23824 package Unit_2 is ...
23830 would require that both the body and spec of @code{Unit_1} be elaborated
23831 before the spec of @code{Unit_2}. However, a rule like that would be far too
23832 restrictive. In particular, it would make it impossible to have routines
23833 in separate packages that were mutually recursive.
23835 You might think that a clever enough compiler could look at the actual
23836 elaboration code and determine an appropriate correct order of elaboration,
23837 but in the general case, this is not possible. Consider the following
23840 In the body of @code{Unit_1}, we have a procedure @code{Func_1}
23842 the variable @code{Sqrt_1}, which is declared in the elaboration code
23843 of the body of @code{Unit_1}:
23845 @smallexample @c ada
23847 Sqrt_1 : Float := Sqrt (0.1);
23852 The elaboration code of the body of @code{Unit_1} also contains:
23854 @smallexample @c ada
23857 if expression_1 = 1 then
23858 Q := Unit_2.Func_2;
23865 @code{Unit_2} is exactly parallel,
23866 it has a procedure @code{Func_2} that references
23867 the variable @code{Sqrt_2}, which is declared in the elaboration code of
23868 the body @code{Unit_2}:
23870 @smallexample @c ada
23872 Sqrt_2 : Float := Sqrt (0.1);
23877 The elaboration code of the body of @code{Unit_2} also contains:
23879 @smallexample @c ada
23882 if expression_2 = 2 then
23883 Q := Unit_1.Func_1;
23890 Now the question is, which of the following orders of elaboration is
23915 If you carefully analyze the flow here, you will see that you cannot tell
23916 at compile time the answer to this question.
23917 If @code{expression_1} is not equal to 1,
23918 and @code{expression_2} is not equal to 2,
23919 then either order is acceptable, because neither of the function calls is
23920 executed. If both tests evaluate to true, then neither order is acceptable
23921 and in fact there is no correct order.
23923 If one of the two expressions is true, and the other is false, then one
23924 of the above orders is correct, and the other is incorrect. For example,
23925 if @code{expression_1} = 1 and @code{expression_2} /= 2,
23926 then the call to @code{Func_2}
23927 will occur, but not the call to @code{Func_1.}
23928 This means that it is essential
23929 to elaborate the body of @code{Unit_1} before
23930 the body of @code{Unit_2}, so the first
23931 order of elaboration is correct and the second is wrong.
23933 By making @code{expression_1} and @code{expression_2}
23934 depend on input data, or perhaps
23935 the time of day, we can make it impossible for the compiler or binder
23936 to figure out which of these expressions will be true, and hence it
23937 is impossible to guarantee a safe order of elaboration at run time.
23939 @node Checking the Elaboration Order in Ada 95
23940 @section Checking the Elaboration Order in Ada 95
23943 In some languages that involve the same kind of elaboration problems,
23944 e.g. Java and C++, the programmer is expected to worry about these
23945 ordering problems himself, and it is common to
23946 write a program in which an incorrect elaboration order gives
23947 surprising results, because it references variables before they
23949 Ada 95 is designed to be a safe language, and a programmer-beware approach is
23950 clearly not sufficient. Consequently, the language provides three lines
23954 @item Standard rules
23955 Some standard rules restrict the possible choice of elaboration
23956 order. In particular, if you @code{with} a unit, then its spec is always
23957 elaborated before the unit doing the @code{with}. Similarly, a parent
23958 spec is always elaborated before the child spec, and finally
23959 a spec is always elaborated before its corresponding body.
23961 @item Dynamic elaboration checks
23962 @cindex Elaboration checks
23963 @cindex Checks, elaboration
23964 Dynamic checks are made at run time, so that if some entity is accessed
23965 before it is elaborated (typically by means of a subprogram call)
23966 then the exception (@code{Program_Error}) is raised.
23968 @item Elaboration control
23969 Facilities are provided for the programmer to specify the desired order
23973 Let's look at these facilities in more detail. First, the rules for
23974 dynamic checking. One possible rule would be simply to say that the
23975 exception is raised if you access a variable which has not yet been
23976 elaborated. The trouble with this approach is that it could require
23977 expensive checks on every variable reference. Instead Ada 95 has two
23978 rules which are a little more restrictive, but easier to check, and
23982 @item Restrictions on calls
23983 A subprogram can only be called at elaboration time if its body
23984 has been elaborated. The rules for elaboration given above guarantee
23985 that the spec of the subprogram has been elaborated before the
23986 call, but not the body. If this rule is violated, then the
23987 exception @code{Program_Error} is raised.
23989 @item Restrictions on instantiations
23990 A generic unit can only be instantiated if the body of the generic
23991 unit has been elaborated. Again, the rules for elaboration given above
23992 guarantee that the spec of the generic unit has been elaborated
23993 before the instantiation, but not the body. If this rule is
23994 violated, then the exception @code{Program_Error} is raised.
23998 The idea is that if the body has been elaborated, then any variables
23999 it references must have been elaborated; by checking for the body being
24000 elaborated we guarantee that none of its references causes any
24001 trouble. As we noted above, this is a little too restrictive, because a
24002 subprogram that has no non-local references in its body may in fact be safe
24003 to call. However, it really would be unsafe to rely on this, because
24004 it would mean that the caller was aware of details of the implementation
24005 in the body. This goes against the basic tenets of Ada.
24007 A plausible implementation can be described as follows.
24008 A Boolean variable is associated with each subprogram
24009 and each generic unit. This variable is initialized to False, and is set to
24010 True at the point body is elaborated. Every call or instantiation checks the
24011 variable, and raises @code{Program_Error} if the variable is False.
24013 Note that one might think that it would be good enough to have one Boolean
24014 variable for each package, but that would not deal with cases of trying
24015 to call a body in the same package as the call
24016 that has not been elaborated yet.
24017 Of course a compiler may be able to do enough analysis to optimize away
24018 some of the Boolean variables as unnecessary, and @code{GNAT} indeed
24019 does such optimizations, but still the easiest conceptual model is to
24020 think of there being one variable per subprogram.
24022 @node Controlling the Elaboration Order in Ada 95
24023 @section Controlling the Elaboration Order in Ada 95
24026 In the previous section we discussed the rules in Ada 95 which ensure
24027 that @code{Program_Error} is raised if an incorrect elaboration order is
24028 chosen. This prevents erroneous executions, but we need mechanisms to
24029 specify a correct execution and avoid the exception altogether.
24030 To achieve this, Ada 95 provides a number of features for controlling
24031 the order of elaboration. We discuss these features in this section.
24033 First, there are several ways of indicating to the compiler that a given
24034 unit has no elaboration problems:
24037 @item packages that do not require a body
24038 In Ada 95, a library package that does not require a body does not permit
24039 a body. This means that if we have a such a package, as in:
24041 @smallexample @c ada
24044 package Definitions is
24046 type m is new integer;
24048 type a is array (1 .. 10) of m;
24049 type b is array (1 .. 20) of m;
24057 A package that @code{with}'s @code{Definitions} may safely instantiate
24058 @code{Definitions.Subp} because the compiler can determine that there
24059 definitely is no package body to worry about in this case
24062 @cindex pragma Pure
24064 Places sufficient restrictions on a unit to guarantee that
24065 no call to any subprogram in the unit can result in an
24066 elaboration problem. This means that the compiler does not need
24067 to worry about the point of elaboration of such units, and in
24068 particular, does not need to check any calls to any subprograms
24071 @item pragma Preelaborate
24072 @findex Preelaborate
24073 @cindex pragma Preelaborate
24074 This pragma places slightly less stringent restrictions on a unit than
24076 but these restrictions are still sufficient to ensure that there
24077 are no elaboration problems with any calls to the unit.
24079 @item pragma Elaborate_Body
24080 @findex Elaborate_Body
24081 @cindex pragma Elaborate_Body
24082 This pragma requires that the body of a unit be elaborated immediately
24083 after its spec. Suppose a unit @code{A} has such a pragma,
24084 and unit @code{B} does
24085 a @code{with} of unit @code{A}. Recall that the standard rules require
24086 the spec of unit @code{A}
24087 to be elaborated before the @code{with}'ing unit; given the pragma in
24088 @code{A}, we also know that the body of @code{A}
24089 will be elaborated before @code{B}, so
24090 that calls to @code{A} are safe and do not need a check.
24095 unlike pragma @code{Pure} and pragma @code{Preelaborate},
24097 @code{Elaborate_Body} does not guarantee that the program is
24098 free of elaboration problems, because it may not be possible
24099 to satisfy the requested elaboration order.
24100 Let's go back to the example with @code{Unit_1} and @code{Unit_2}.
24102 marks @code{Unit_1} as @code{Elaborate_Body},
24103 and not @code{Unit_2,} then the order of
24104 elaboration will be:
24116 Now that means that the call to @code{Func_1} in @code{Unit_2}
24117 need not be checked,
24118 it must be safe. But the call to @code{Func_2} in
24119 @code{Unit_1} may still fail if
24120 @code{Expression_1} is equal to 1,
24121 and the programmer must still take
24122 responsibility for this not being the case.
24124 If all units carry a pragma @code{Elaborate_Body}, then all problems are
24125 eliminated, except for calls entirely within a body, which are
24126 in any case fully under programmer control. However, using the pragma
24127 everywhere is not always possible.
24128 In particular, for our @code{Unit_1}/@code{Unit_2} example, if
24129 we marked both of them as having pragma @code{Elaborate_Body}, then
24130 clearly there would be no possible elaboration order.
24132 The above pragmas allow a server to guarantee safe use by clients, and
24133 clearly this is the preferable approach. Consequently a good rule in
24134 Ada 95 is to mark units as @code{Pure} or @code{Preelaborate} if possible,
24135 and if this is not possible,
24136 mark them as @code{Elaborate_Body} if possible.
24137 As we have seen, there are situations where neither of these
24138 three pragmas can be used.
24139 So we also provide methods for clients to control the
24140 order of elaboration of the servers on which they depend:
24143 @item pragma Elaborate (unit)
24145 @cindex pragma Elaborate
24146 This pragma is placed in the context clause, after a @code{with} clause,
24147 and it requires that the body of the named unit be elaborated before
24148 the unit in which the pragma occurs. The idea is to use this pragma
24149 if the current unit calls at elaboration time, directly or indirectly,
24150 some subprogram in the named unit.
24152 @item pragma Elaborate_All (unit)
24153 @findex Elaborate_All
24154 @cindex pragma Elaborate_All
24155 This is a stronger version of the Elaborate pragma. Consider the
24159 Unit A @code{with}'s unit B and calls B.Func in elab code
24160 Unit B @code{with}'s unit C, and B.Func calls C.Func
24164 Now if we put a pragma @code{Elaborate (B)}
24165 in unit @code{A}, this ensures that the
24166 body of @code{B} is elaborated before the call, but not the
24167 body of @code{C}, so
24168 the call to @code{C.Func} could still cause @code{Program_Error} to
24171 The effect of a pragma @code{Elaborate_All} is stronger, it requires
24172 not only that the body of the named unit be elaborated before the
24173 unit doing the @code{with}, but also the bodies of all units that the
24174 named unit uses, following @code{with} links transitively. For example,
24175 if we put a pragma @code{Elaborate_All (B)} in unit @code{A},
24177 not only that the body of @code{B} be elaborated before @code{A},
24179 body of @code{C}, because @code{B} @code{with}'s @code{C}.
24183 We are now in a position to give a usage rule in Ada 95 for avoiding
24184 elaboration problems, at least if dynamic dispatching and access to
24185 subprogram values are not used. We will handle these cases separately
24188 The rule is simple. If a unit has elaboration code that can directly or
24189 indirectly make a call to a subprogram in a @code{with}'ed unit, or instantiate
24190 a generic package in a @code{with}'ed unit,
24191 then if the @code{with}'ed unit does not have
24192 pragma @code{Pure} or @code{Preelaborate}, then the client should have
24193 a pragma @code{Elaborate_All}
24194 for the @code{with}'ed unit. By following this rule a client is
24195 assured that calls can be made without risk of an exception.
24197 For generic subprogram instantiations, the rule can be relaxed to
24198 require only a pragma @code{Elaborate} since elaborating the body
24199 of a subprogram cannot cause any transitive elaboration (we are
24200 not calling the subprogram in this case, just elaborating its
24203 If this rule is not followed, then a program may be in one of four
24207 @item No order exists
24208 No order of elaboration exists which follows the rules, taking into
24209 account any @code{Elaborate}, @code{Elaborate_All},
24210 or @code{Elaborate_Body} pragmas. In
24211 this case, an Ada 95 compiler must diagnose the situation at bind
24212 time, and refuse to build an executable program.
24214 @item One or more orders exist, all incorrect
24215 One or more acceptable elaboration orders exists, and all of them
24216 generate an elaboration order problem. In this case, the binder
24217 can build an executable program, but @code{Program_Error} will be raised
24218 when the program is run.
24220 @item Several orders exist, some right, some incorrect
24221 One or more acceptable elaboration orders exists, and some of them
24222 work, and some do not. The programmer has not controlled
24223 the order of elaboration, so the binder may or may not pick one of
24224 the correct orders, and the program may or may not raise an
24225 exception when it is run. This is the worst case, because it means
24226 that the program may fail when moved to another compiler, or even
24227 another version of the same compiler.
24229 @item One or more orders exists, all correct
24230 One ore more acceptable elaboration orders exist, and all of them
24231 work. In this case the program runs successfully. This state of
24232 affairs can be guaranteed by following the rule we gave above, but
24233 may be true even if the rule is not followed.
24237 Note that one additional advantage of following our rules on the use
24238 of @code{Elaborate} and @code{Elaborate_All}
24239 is that the program continues to stay in the ideal (all orders OK) state
24240 even if maintenance
24241 changes some bodies of some units. Conversely, if a program that does
24242 not follow this rule happens to be safe at some point, this state of affairs
24243 may deteriorate silently as a result of maintenance changes.
24245 You may have noticed that the above discussion did not mention
24246 the use of @code{Elaborate_Body}. This was a deliberate omission. If you
24247 @code{with} an @code{Elaborate_Body} unit, it still may be the case that
24248 code in the body makes calls to some other unit, so it is still necessary
24249 to use @code{Elaborate_All} on such units.
24251 @node Controlling Elaboration in GNAT - Internal Calls
24252 @section Controlling Elaboration in GNAT - Internal Calls
24255 In the case of internal calls, i.e. calls within a single package, the
24256 programmer has full control over the order of elaboration, and it is up
24257 to the programmer to elaborate declarations in an appropriate order. For
24260 @smallexample @c ada
24263 function One return Float;
24267 function One return Float is
24276 will obviously raise @code{Program_Error} at run time, because function
24277 One will be called before its body is elaborated. In this case GNAT will
24278 generate a warning that the call will raise @code{Program_Error}:
24284 2. function One return Float;
24286 4. Q : Float := One;
24288 >>> warning: cannot call "One" before body is elaborated
24289 >>> warning: Program_Error will be raised at run time
24292 6. function One return Float is
24305 Note that in this particular case, it is likely that the call is safe, because
24306 the function @code{One} does not access any global variables.
24307 Nevertheless in Ada 95, we do not want the validity of the check to depend on
24308 the contents of the body (think about the separate compilation case), so this
24309 is still wrong, as we discussed in the previous sections.
24311 The error is easily corrected by rearranging the declarations so that the
24312 body of One appears before the declaration containing the call
24313 (note that in Ada 95,
24314 declarations can appear in any order, so there is no restriction that
24315 would prevent this reordering, and if we write:
24317 @smallexample @c ada
24320 function One return Float;
24322 function One return Float is
24333 then all is well, no warning is generated, and no
24334 @code{Program_Error} exception
24336 Things are more complicated when a chain of subprograms is executed:
24338 @smallexample @c ada
24341 function A return Integer;
24342 function B return Integer;
24343 function C return Integer;
24345 function B return Integer is begin return A; end;
24346 function C return Integer is begin return B; end;
24350 function A return Integer is begin return 1; end;
24356 Now the call to @code{C}
24357 at elaboration time in the declaration of @code{X} is correct, because
24358 the body of @code{C} is already elaborated,
24359 and the call to @code{B} within the body of
24360 @code{C} is correct, but the call
24361 to @code{A} within the body of @code{B} is incorrect, because the body
24362 of @code{A} has not been elaborated, so @code{Program_Error}
24363 will be raised on the call to @code{A}.
24364 In this case GNAT will generate a
24365 warning that @code{Program_Error} may be
24366 raised at the point of the call. Let's look at the warning:
24372 2. function A return Integer;
24373 3. function B return Integer;
24374 4. function C return Integer;
24376 6. function B return Integer is begin return A; end;
24378 >>> warning: call to "A" before body is elaborated may
24379 raise Program_Error
24380 >>> warning: "B" called at line 7
24381 >>> warning: "C" called at line 9
24383 7. function C return Integer is begin return B; end;
24385 9. X : Integer := C;
24387 11. function A return Integer is begin return 1; end;
24397 Note that the message here says ``may raise'', instead of the direct case,
24398 where the message says ``will be raised''. That's because whether
24400 actually called depends in general on run-time flow of control.
24401 For example, if the body of @code{B} said
24403 @smallexample @c ada
24406 function B return Integer is
24408 if some-condition-depending-on-input-data then
24419 then we could not know until run time whether the incorrect call to A would
24420 actually occur, so @code{Program_Error} might
24421 or might not be raised. It is possible for a compiler to
24422 do a better job of analyzing bodies, to
24423 determine whether or not @code{Program_Error}
24424 might be raised, but it certainly
24425 couldn't do a perfect job (that would require solving the halting problem
24426 and is provably impossible), and because this is a warning anyway, it does
24427 not seem worth the effort to do the analysis. Cases in which it
24428 would be relevant are rare.
24430 In practice, warnings of either of the forms given
24431 above will usually correspond to
24432 real errors, and should be examined carefully and eliminated.
24433 In the rare case where a warning is bogus, it can be suppressed by any of
24434 the following methods:
24438 Compile with the @option{-gnatws} switch set
24441 Suppress @code{Elaboration_Check} for the called subprogram
24444 Use pragma @code{Warnings_Off} to turn warnings off for the call
24448 For the internal elaboration check case,
24449 GNAT by default generates the
24450 necessary run-time checks to ensure
24451 that @code{Program_Error} is raised if any
24452 call fails an elaboration check. Of course this can only happen if a
24453 warning has been issued as described above. The use of pragma
24454 @code{Suppress (Elaboration_Check)} may (but is not guaranteed to) suppress
24455 some of these checks, meaning that it may be possible (but is not
24456 guaranteed) for a program to be able to call a subprogram whose body
24457 is not yet elaborated, without raising a @code{Program_Error} exception.
24459 @node Controlling Elaboration in GNAT - External Calls
24460 @section Controlling Elaboration in GNAT - External Calls
24463 The previous section discussed the case in which the execution of a
24464 particular thread of elaboration code occurred entirely within a
24465 single unit. This is the easy case to handle, because a programmer
24466 has direct and total control over the order of elaboration, and
24467 furthermore, checks need only be generated in cases which are rare
24468 and which the compiler can easily detect.
24469 The situation is more complex when separate compilation is taken into account.
24470 Consider the following:
24472 @smallexample @c ada
24476 function Sqrt (Arg : Float) return Float;
24479 package body Math is
24480 function Sqrt (Arg : Float) return Float is
24489 X : Float := Math.Sqrt (0.5);
24502 where @code{Main} is the main program. When this program is executed, the
24503 elaboration code must first be executed, and one of the jobs of the
24504 binder is to determine the order in which the units of a program are
24505 to be elaborated. In this case we have four units: the spec and body
24507 the spec of @code{Stuff} and the body of @code{Main}).
24508 In what order should the four separate sections of elaboration code
24511 There are some restrictions in the order of elaboration that the binder
24512 can choose. In particular, if unit U has a @code{with}
24513 for a package @code{X}, then you
24514 are assured that the spec of @code{X}
24515 is elaborated before U , but you are
24516 not assured that the body of @code{X}
24517 is elaborated before U.
24518 This means that in the above case, the binder is allowed to choose the
24529 but that's not good, because now the call to @code{Math.Sqrt}
24530 that happens during
24531 the elaboration of the @code{Stuff}
24532 spec happens before the body of @code{Math.Sqrt} is
24533 elaborated, and hence causes @code{Program_Error} exception to be raised.
24534 At first glance, one might say that the binder is misbehaving, because
24535 obviously you want to elaborate the body of something you @code{with}
24537 that is not a general rule that can be followed in all cases. Consider
24539 @smallexample @c ada
24547 package body Y is ...
24550 package body X is ...
24556 This is a common arrangement, and, apart from the order of elaboration
24557 problems that might arise in connection with elaboration code, this works fine.
24558 A rule that says that you must first elaborate the body of anything you
24559 @code{with} cannot work in this case:
24560 the body of @code{X} @code{with}'s @code{Y},
24561 which means you would have to
24562 elaborate the body of @code{Y} first, but that @code{with}'s @code{X},
24564 you have to elaborate the body of @code{X} first, but ... and we have a
24565 loop that cannot be broken.
24567 It is true that the binder can in many cases guess an order of elaboration
24568 that is unlikely to cause a @code{Program_Error}
24569 exception to be raised, and it tries to do so (in the
24570 above example of @code{Math/Stuff/Spec}, the GNAT binder will
24572 elaborate the body of @code{Math} right after its spec, so all will be well).
24574 However, a program that blindly relies on the binder to be helpful can
24575 get into trouble, as we discussed in the previous sections, so
24577 provides a number of facilities for assisting the programmer in
24578 developing programs that are robust with respect to elaboration order.
24580 @node Default Behavior in GNAT - Ensuring Safety
24581 @section Default Behavior in GNAT - Ensuring Safety
24584 The default behavior in GNAT ensures elaboration safety. In its
24585 default mode GNAT implements the
24586 rule we previously described as the right approach. Let's restate it:
24590 @emph{If a unit has elaboration code that can directly or indirectly make a
24591 call to a subprogram in a @code{with}'ed unit, or instantiate a generic
24592 package in a @code{with}'ed unit, then if the @code{with}'ed unit
24593 does not have pragma @code{Pure} or
24594 @code{Preelaborate}, then the client should have an
24595 @code{Elaborate_All} pragma for the @code{with}'ed unit.}
24597 @emph{In the case of instantiating a generic subprogram, it is always
24598 sufficient to have only an @code{Elaborate} pragma for the
24599 @code{with}'ed unit.}
24603 By following this rule a client is assured that calls and instantiations
24604 can be made without risk of an exception.
24606 In this mode GNAT traces all calls that are potentially made from
24607 elaboration code, and puts in any missing implicit @code{Elaborate}
24608 and @code{Elaborate_All} pragmas.
24609 The advantage of this approach is that no elaboration problems
24610 are possible if the binder can find an elaboration order that is
24611 consistent with these implicit @code{Elaborate} and
24612 @code{Elaborate_All} pragmas. The
24613 disadvantage of this approach is that no such order may exist.
24615 If the binder does not generate any diagnostics, then it means that it has
24616 found an elaboration order that is guaranteed to be safe. However, the binder
24617 may still be relying on implicitly generated @code{Elaborate} and
24618 @code{Elaborate_All} pragmas so portability to other compilers than GNAT is not
24621 If it is important to guarantee portability, then the compilations should
24624 (warn on elaboration problems) switch. This will cause warning messages
24625 to be generated indicating the missing @code{Elaborate} and
24626 @code{Elaborate_All} pragmas.
24627 Consider the following source program:
24629 @smallexample @c ada
24634 m : integer := k.r;
24641 where it is clear that there
24642 should be a pragma @code{Elaborate_All}
24643 for unit @code{k}. An implicit pragma will be generated, and it is
24644 likely that the binder will be able to honor it. However, if you want
24645 to port this program to some other Ada compiler than GNAT.
24646 it is safer to include the pragma explicitly in the source. If this
24647 unit is compiled with the
24649 switch, then the compiler outputs a warning:
24656 3. m : integer := k.r;
24658 >>> warning: call to "r" may raise Program_Error
24659 >>> warning: missing pragma Elaborate_All for "k"
24667 and these warnings can be used as a guide for supplying manually
24668 the missing pragmas. It is usually a bad idea to use this warning
24669 option during development. That's because it will warn you when
24670 you need to put in a pragma, but cannot warn you when it is time
24671 to take it out. So the use of pragma @code{Elaborate_All} may lead to
24672 unnecessary dependencies and even false circularities.
24674 This default mode is more restrictive than the Ada Reference
24675 Manual, and it is possible to construct programs which will compile
24676 using the dynamic model described there, but will run into a
24677 circularity using the safer static model we have described.
24679 Of course any Ada compiler must be able to operate in a mode
24680 consistent with the requirements of the Ada Reference Manual,
24681 and in particular must have the capability of implementing the
24682 standard dynamic model of elaboration with run-time checks.
24684 In GNAT, this standard mode can be achieved either by the use of
24685 the @option{-gnatE} switch on the compiler (@command{gcc} or
24686 @command{gnatmake}) command, or by the use of the configuration pragma:
24688 @smallexample @c ada
24689 pragma Elaboration_Checks (RM);
24693 Either approach will cause the unit affected to be compiled using the
24694 standard dynamic run-time elaboration checks described in the Ada
24695 Reference Manual. The static model is generally preferable, since it
24696 is clearly safer to rely on compile and link time checks rather than
24697 run-time checks. However, in the case of legacy code, it may be
24698 difficult to meet the requirements of the static model. This
24699 issue is further discussed in
24700 @ref{What to Do If the Default Elaboration Behavior Fails}.
24702 Note that the static model provides a strict subset of the allowed
24703 behavior and programs of the Ada Reference Manual, so if you do
24704 adhere to the static model and no circularities exist,
24705 then you are assured that your program will
24706 work using the dynamic model, providing that you remove any
24707 pragma Elaborate statements from the source.
24709 @node Treatment of Pragma Elaborate
24710 @section Treatment of Pragma Elaborate
24711 @cindex Pragma Elaborate
24714 The use of @code{pragma Elaborate}
24715 should generally be avoided in Ada 95 programs.
24716 The reason for this is that there is no guarantee that transitive calls
24717 will be properly handled. Indeed at one point, this pragma was placed
24718 in Annex J (Obsolescent Features), on the grounds that it is never useful.
24720 Now that's a bit restrictive. In practice, the case in which
24721 @code{pragma Elaborate} is useful is when the caller knows that there
24722 are no transitive calls, or that the called unit contains all necessary
24723 transitive @code{pragma Elaborate} statements, and legacy code often
24724 contains such uses.
24726 Strictly speaking the static mode in GNAT should ignore such pragmas,
24727 since there is no assurance at compile time that the necessary safety
24728 conditions are met. In practice, this would cause GNAT to be incompatible
24729 with correctly written Ada 83 code that had all necessary
24730 @code{pragma Elaborate} statements in place. Consequently, we made the
24731 decision that GNAT in its default mode will believe that if it encounters
24732 a @code{pragma Elaborate} then the programmer knows what they are doing,
24733 and it will trust that no elaboration errors can occur.
24735 The result of this decision is two-fold. First to be safe using the
24736 static mode, you should remove all @code{pragma Elaborate} statements.
24737 Second, when fixing circularities in existing code, you can selectively
24738 use @code{pragma Elaborate} statements to convince the static mode of
24739 GNAT that it need not generate an implicit @code{pragma Elaborate_All}
24742 When using the static mode with @option{-gnatwl}, any use of
24743 @code{pragma Elaborate} will generate a warning about possible
24746 @node Elaboration Issues for Library Tasks
24747 @section Elaboration Issues for Library Tasks
24748 @cindex Library tasks, elaboration issues
24749 @cindex Elaboration of library tasks
24752 In this section we examine special elaboration issues that arise for
24753 programs that declare library level tasks.
24755 Generally the model of execution of an Ada program is that all units are
24756 elaborated, and then execution of the program starts. However, the
24757 declaration of library tasks definitely does not fit this model. The
24758 reason for this is that library tasks start as soon as they are declared
24759 (more precisely, as soon as the statement part of the enclosing package
24760 body is reached), that is to say before elaboration
24761 of the program is complete. This means that if such a task calls a
24762 subprogram, or an entry in another task, the callee may or may not be
24763 elaborated yet, and in the standard
24764 Reference Manual model of dynamic elaboration checks, you can even
24765 get timing dependent Program_Error exceptions, since there can be
24766 a race between the elaboration code and the task code.
24768 The static model of elaboration in GNAT seeks to avoid all such
24769 dynamic behavior, by being conservative, and the conservative
24770 approach in this particular case is to assume that all the code
24771 in a task body is potentially executed at elaboration time if
24772 a task is declared at the library level.
24774 This can definitely result in unexpected circularities. Consider
24775 the following example
24777 @smallexample @c ada
24783 type My_Int is new Integer;
24785 function Ident (M : My_Int) return My_Int;
24789 package body Decls is
24790 task body Lib_Task is
24796 function Ident (M : My_Int) return My_Int is
24804 procedure Put_Val (Arg : Decls.My_Int);
24808 package body Utils is
24809 procedure Put_Val (Arg : Decls.My_Int) is
24811 Text_IO.Put_Line (Decls.My_Int'Image (Decls.Ident (Arg)));
24818 Decls.Lib_Task.Start;
24823 If the above example is compiled in the default static elaboration
24824 mode, then a circularity occurs. The circularity comes from the call
24825 @code{Utils.Put_Val} in the task body of @code{Decls.Lib_Task}. Since
24826 this call occurs in elaboration code, we need an implicit pragma
24827 @code{Elaborate_All} for @code{Utils}. This means that not only must
24828 the spec and body of @code{Utils} be elaborated before the body
24829 of @code{Decls}, but also the spec and body of any unit that is
24830 @code{with'ed} by the body of @code{Utils} must also be elaborated before
24831 the body of @code{Decls}. This is the transitive implication of
24832 pragma @code{Elaborate_All} and it makes sense, because in general
24833 the body of @code{Put_Val} might have a call to something in a
24834 @code{with'ed} unit.
24836 In this case, the body of Utils (actually its spec) @code{with's}
24837 @code{Decls}. Unfortunately this means that the body of @code{Decls}
24838 must be elaborated before itself, in case there is a call from the
24839 body of @code{Utils}.
24841 Here is the exact chain of events we are worrying about:
24845 In the body of @code{Decls} a call is made from within the body of a library
24846 task to a subprogram in the package @code{Utils}. Since this call may
24847 occur at elaboration time (given that the task is activated at elaboration
24848 time), we have to assume the worst, i.e. that the
24849 call does happen at elaboration time.
24852 This means that the body and spec of @code{Util} must be elaborated before
24853 the body of @code{Decls} so that this call does not cause an access before
24857 Within the body of @code{Util}, specifically within the body of
24858 @code{Util.Put_Val} there may be calls to any unit @code{with}'ed
24862 One such @code{with}'ed package is package @code{Decls}, so there
24863 might be a call to a subprogram in @code{Decls} in @code{Put_Val}.
24864 In fact there is such a call in this example, but we would have to
24865 assume that there was such a call even if it were not there, since
24866 we are not supposed to write the body of @code{Decls} knowing what
24867 is in the body of @code{Utils}; certainly in the case of the
24868 static elaboration model, the compiler does not know what is in
24869 other bodies and must assume the worst.
24872 This means that the spec and body of @code{Decls} must also be
24873 elaborated before we elaborate the unit containing the call, but
24874 that unit is @code{Decls}! This means that the body of @code{Decls}
24875 must be elaborated before itself, and that's a circularity.
24879 Indeed, if you add an explicit pragma @code{Elaborate_All} for @code{Utils} in
24880 the body of @code{Decls} you will get a true Ada Reference Manual
24881 circularity that makes the program illegal.
24883 In practice, we have found that problems with the static model of
24884 elaboration in existing code often arise from library tasks, so
24885 we must address this particular situation.
24887 Note that if we compile and run the program above, using the dynamic model of
24888 elaboration (that is to say use the @option{-gnatE} switch),
24889 then it compiles, binds,
24890 links, and runs, printing the expected result of 2. Therefore in some sense
24891 the circularity here is only apparent, and we need to capture
24892 the properties of this program that distinguish it from other library-level
24893 tasks that have real elaboration problems.
24895 We have four possible answers to this question:
24900 Use the dynamic model of elaboration.
24902 If we use the @option{-gnatE} switch, then as noted above, the program works.
24903 Why is this? If we examine the task body, it is apparent that the task cannot
24905 @code{accept} statement until after elaboration has been completed, because
24906 the corresponding entry call comes from the main program, not earlier.
24907 This is why the dynamic model works here. But that's really giving
24908 up on a precise analysis, and we prefer to take this approach only if we cannot
24910 problem in any other manner. So let us examine two ways to reorganize
24911 the program to avoid the potential elaboration problem.
24914 Split library tasks into separate packages.
24916 Write separate packages, so that library tasks are isolated from
24917 other declarations as much as possible. Let us look at a variation on
24920 @smallexample @c ada
24928 package body Decls1 is
24929 task body Lib_Task is
24937 type My_Int is new Integer;
24938 function Ident (M : My_Int) return My_Int;
24942 package body Decls2 is
24943 function Ident (M : My_Int) return My_Int is
24951 procedure Put_Val (Arg : Decls2.My_Int);
24955 package body Utils is
24956 procedure Put_Val (Arg : Decls2.My_Int) is
24958 Text_IO.Put_Line (Decls2.My_Int'Image (Decls2.Ident (Arg)));
24965 Decls1.Lib_Task.Start;
24970 All we have done is to split @code{Decls} into two packages, one
24971 containing the library task, and one containing everything else. Now
24972 there is no cycle, and the program compiles, binds, links and executes
24973 using the default static model of elaboration.
24976 Declare separate task types.
24978 A significant part of the problem arises because of the use of the
24979 single task declaration form. This means that the elaboration of
24980 the task type, and the elaboration of the task itself (i.e. the
24981 creation of the task) happen at the same time. A good rule
24982 of style in Ada 95 is to always create explicit task types. By
24983 following the additional step of placing task objects in separate
24984 packages from the task type declaration, many elaboration problems
24985 are avoided. Here is another modified example of the example program:
24987 @smallexample @c ada
24989 task type Lib_Task_Type is
24993 type My_Int is new Integer;
24995 function Ident (M : My_Int) return My_Int;
24999 package body Decls is
25000 task body Lib_Task_Type is
25006 function Ident (M : My_Int) return My_Int is
25014 procedure Put_Val (Arg : Decls.My_Int);
25018 package body Utils is
25019 procedure Put_Val (Arg : Decls.My_Int) is
25021 Text_IO.Put_Line (Decls.My_Int'Image (Decls.Ident (Arg)));
25027 Lib_Task : Decls.Lib_Task_Type;
25033 Declst.Lib_Task.Start;
25038 What we have done here is to replace the @code{task} declaration in
25039 package @code{Decls} with a @code{task type} declaration. Then we
25040 introduce a separate package @code{Declst} to contain the actual
25041 task object. This separates the elaboration issues for
25042 the @code{task type}
25043 declaration, which causes no trouble, from the elaboration issues
25044 of the task object, which is also unproblematic, since it is now independent
25045 of the elaboration of @code{Utils}.
25046 This separation of concerns also corresponds to
25047 a generally sound engineering principle of separating declarations
25048 from instances. This version of the program also compiles, binds, links,
25049 and executes, generating the expected output.
25052 Use No_Entry_Calls_In_Elaboration_Code restriction.
25053 @cindex No_Entry_Calls_In_Elaboration_Code
25055 The previous two approaches described how a program can be restructured
25056 to avoid the special problems caused by library task bodies. in practice,
25057 however, such restructuring may be difficult to apply to existing legacy code,
25058 so we must consider solutions that do not require massive rewriting.
25060 Let us consider more carefully why our original sample program works
25061 under the dynamic model of elaboration. The reason is that the code
25062 in the task body blocks immediately on the @code{accept}
25063 statement. Now of course there is nothing to prohibit elaboration
25064 code from making entry calls (for example from another library level task),
25065 so we cannot tell in isolation that
25066 the task will not execute the accept statement during elaboration.
25068 However, in practice it is very unusual to see elaboration code
25069 make any entry calls, and the pattern of tasks starting
25070 at elaboration time and then immediately blocking on @code{accept} or
25071 @code{select} statements is very common. What this means is that
25072 the compiler is being too pessimistic when it analyzes the
25073 whole package body as though it might be executed at elaboration
25076 If we know that the elaboration code contains no entry calls, (a very safe
25077 assumption most of the time, that could almost be made the default
25078 behavior), then we can compile all units of the program under control
25079 of the following configuration pragma:
25082 pragma Restrictions (No_Entry_Calls_In_Elaboration_Code);
25086 This pragma can be placed in the @file{gnat.adc} file in the usual
25087 manner. If we take our original unmodified program and compile it
25088 in the presence of a @file{gnat.adc} containing the above pragma,
25089 then once again, we can compile, bind, link, and execute, obtaining
25090 the expected result. In the presence of this pragma, the compiler does
25091 not trace calls in a task body, that appear after the first @code{accept}
25092 or @code{select} statement, and therefore does not report a potential
25093 circularity in the original program.
25095 The compiler will check to the extent it can that the above
25096 restriction is not violated, but it is not always possible to do a
25097 complete check at compile time, so it is important to use this
25098 pragma only if the stated restriction is in fact met, that is to say
25099 no task receives an entry call before elaboration of all units is completed.
25103 @node Mixing Elaboration Models
25104 @section Mixing Elaboration Models
25106 So far, we have assumed that the entire program is either compiled
25107 using the dynamic model or static model, ensuring consistency. It
25108 is possible to mix the two models, but rules have to be followed
25109 if this mixing is done to ensure that elaboration checks are not
25112 The basic rule is that @emph{a unit compiled with the static model cannot
25113 be @code{with'ed} by a unit compiled with the dynamic model}. The
25114 reason for this is that in the static model, a unit assumes that
25115 its clients guarantee to use (the equivalent of) pragma
25116 @code{Elaborate_All} so that no elaboration checks are required
25117 in inner subprograms, and this assumption is violated if the
25118 client is compiled with dynamic checks.
25120 The precise rule is as follows. A unit that is compiled with dynamic
25121 checks can only @code{with} a unit that meets at least one of the
25122 following criteria:
25127 The @code{with'ed} unit is itself compiled with dynamic elaboration
25128 checks (that is with the @option{-gnatE} switch.
25131 The @code{with'ed} unit is an internal GNAT implementation unit from
25132 the System, Interfaces, Ada, or GNAT hierarchies.
25135 The @code{with'ed} unit has pragma Preelaborate or pragma Pure.
25138 The @code{with'ing} unit (that is the client) has an explicit pragma
25139 @code{Elaborate_All} for the @code{with'ed} unit.
25144 If this rule is violated, that is if a unit with dynamic elaboration
25145 checks @code{with's} a unit that does not meet one of the above four
25146 criteria, then the binder (@code{gnatbind}) will issue a warning
25147 similar to that in the following example:
25150 warning: "x.ads" has dynamic elaboration checks and with's
25151 warning: "y.ads" which has static elaboration checks
25155 These warnings indicate that the rule has been violated, and that as a result
25156 elaboration checks may be missed in the resulting executable file.
25157 This warning may be suppressed using the @option{-ws} binder switch
25158 in the usual manner.
25160 One useful application of this mixing rule is in the case of a subsystem
25161 which does not itself @code{with} units from the remainder of the
25162 application. In this case, the entire subsystem can be compiled with
25163 dynamic checks to resolve a circularity in the subsystem, while
25164 allowing the main application that uses this subsystem to be compiled
25165 using the more reliable default static model.
25167 @node What to Do If the Default Elaboration Behavior Fails
25168 @section What to Do If the Default Elaboration Behavior Fails
25171 If the binder cannot find an acceptable order, it outputs detailed
25172 diagnostics. For example:
25178 error: elaboration circularity detected
25179 info: "proc (body)" must be elaborated before "pack (body)"
25180 info: reason: Elaborate_All probably needed in unit "pack (body)"
25181 info: recompile "pack (body)" with -gnatwl
25182 info: for full details
25183 info: "proc (body)"
25184 info: is needed by its spec:
25185 info: "proc (spec)"
25186 info: which is withed by:
25187 info: "pack (body)"
25188 info: "pack (body)" must be elaborated before "proc (body)"
25189 info: reason: pragma Elaborate in unit "proc (body)"
25195 In this case we have a cycle that the binder cannot break. On the one
25196 hand, there is an explicit pragma Elaborate in @code{proc} for
25197 @code{pack}. This means that the body of @code{pack} must be elaborated
25198 before the body of @code{proc}. On the other hand, there is elaboration
25199 code in @code{pack} that calls a subprogram in @code{proc}. This means
25200 that for maximum safety, there should really be a pragma
25201 Elaborate_All in @code{pack} for @code{proc} which would require that
25202 the body of @code{proc} be elaborated before the body of
25203 @code{pack}. Clearly both requirements cannot be satisfied.
25204 Faced with a circularity of this kind, you have three different options.
25207 @item Fix the program
25208 The most desirable option from the point of view of long-term maintenance
25209 is to rearrange the program so that the elaboration problems are avoided.
25210 One useful technique is to place the elaboration code into separate
25211 child packages. Another is to move some of the initialization code to
25212 explicitly called subprograms, where the program controls the order
25213 of initialization explicitly. Although this is the most desirable option,
25214 it may be impractical and involve too much modification, especially in
25215 the case of complex legacy code.
25217 @item Perform dynamic checks
25218 If the compilations are done using the
25220 (dynamic elaboration check) switch, then GNAT behaves in a quite different
25221 manner. Dynamic checks are generated for all calls that could possibly result
25222 in raising an exception. With this switch, the compiler does not generate
25223 implicit @code{Elaborate} or @code{Elaborate_All} pragmas. The behavior then is
25224 exactly as specified in the Ada 95 Reference Manual. The binder will generate
25225 an executable program that may or may not raise @code{Program_Error}, and then
25226 it is the programmer's job to ensure that it does not raise an exception. Note
25227 that it is important to compile all units with the switch, it cannot be used
25230 @item Suppress checks
25231 The drawback of dynamic checks is that they generate a
25232 significant overhead at run time, both in space and time. If you
25233 are absolutely sure that your program cannot raise any elaboration
25234 exceptions, and you still want to use the dynamic elaboration model,
25235 then you can use the configuration pragma
25236 @code{Suppress (Elaboration_Check)} to suppress all such checks. For
25237 example this pragma could be placed in the @file{gnat.adc} file.
25239 @item Suppress checks selectively
25240 When you know that certain calls or instantiations in elaboration code cannot
25241 possibly lead to an elaboration error, and the binder nevertheless complains
25242 about implicit @code{Elaborate} and @code{Elaborate_All} pragmas that lead to
25243 elaboration circularities, it is possible to remove those warnings locally and
25244 obtain a program that will bind. Clearly this can be unsafe, and it is the
25245 responsibility of the programmer to make sure that the resulting program has no
25246 elaboration anomalies. The pragma @code{Suppress (Elaboration_Check)} can be
25247 used with different granularity to suppress warnings and break elaboration
25252 Place the pragma that names the called subprogram in the declarative part
25253 that contains the call.
25256 Place the pragma in the declarative part, without naming an entity. This
25257 disables warnings on all calls in the corresponding declarative region.
25260 Place the pragma in the package spec that declares the called subprogram,
25261 and name the subprogram. This disables warnings on all elaboration calls to
25265 Place the pragma in the package spec that declares the called subprogram,
25266 without naming any entity. This disables warnings on all elaboration calls to
25267 all subprograms declared in this spec.
25269 @item Use Pragma Elaborate
25270 As previously described in section @xref{Treatment of Pragma Elaborate},
25271 GNAT in static mode assumes that a @code{pragma} Elaborate indicates correctly
25272 that no elaboration checks are required on calls to the designated unit.
25273 There may be cases in which the caller knows that no transitive calls
25274 can occur, so that a @code{pragma Elaborate} will be sufficient in a
25275 case where @code{pragma Elaborate_All} would cause a circularity.
25279 These five cases are listed in order of decreasing safety, and therefore
25280 require increasing programmer care in their application. Consider the
25283 @smallexample @c adanocomment
25285 function F1 return Integer;
25290 function F2 return Integer;
25291 function Pure (x : integer) return integer;
25292 -- pragma Suppress (Elaboration_Check, On => Pure); -- (3)
25293 -- pragma Suppress (Elaboration_Check); -- (4)
25297 package body Pack1 is
25298 function F1 return Integer is
25302 Val : integer := Pack2.Pure (11); -- Elab. call (1)
25305 -- pragma Suppress(Elaboration_Check, Pack2.F2); -- (1)
25306 -- pragma Suppress(Elaboration_Check); -- (2)
25308 X1 := Pack2.F2 + 1; -- Elab. call (2)
25313 package body Pack2 is
25314 function F2 return Integer is
25318 function Pure (x : integer) return integer is
25320 return x ** 3 - 3 * x;
25324 with Pack1, Ada.Text_IO;
25327 Ada.Text_IO.Put_Line(Pack1.X1'Img); -- 101
25330 In the absence of any pragmas, an attempt to bind this program produces
25331 the following diagnostics:
25337 error: elaboration circularity detected
25338 info: "pack1 (body)" must be elaborated before "pack1 (body)"
25339 info: reason: Elaborate_All probably needed in unit "pack1 (body)"
25340 info: recompile "pack1 (body)" with -gnatwl for full details
25341 info: "pack1 (body)"
25342 info: must be elaborated along with its spec:
25343 info: "pack1 (spec)"
25344 info: which is withed by:
25345 info: "pack2 (body)"
25346 info: which must be elaborated along with its spec:
25347 info: "pack2 (spec)"
25348 info: which is withed by:
25349 info: "pack1 (body)"
25352 The sources of the circularity are the two calls to @code{Pack2.Pure} and
25353 @code{Pack2.F2} in the body of @code{Pack1}. We can see that the call to
25354 F2 is safe, even though F2 calls F1, because the call appears after the
25355 elaboration of the body of F1. Therefore the pragma (1) is safe, and will
25356 remove the warning on the call. It is also possible to use pragma (2)
25357 because there are no other potentially unsafe calls in the block.
25360 The call to @code{Pure} is safe because this function does not depend on the
25361 state of @code{Pack2}. Therefore any call to this function is safe, and it
25362 is correct to place pragma (3) in the corresponding package spec.
25365 Finally, we could place pragma (4) in the spec of @code{Pack2} to disable
25366 warnings on all calls to functions declared therein. Note that this is not
25367 necessarily safe, and requires more detailed examination of the subprogram
25368 bodies involved. In particular, a call to @code{F2} requires that @code{F1}
25369 be already elaborated.
25373 It is hard to generalize on which of these four approaches should be
25374 taken. Obviously if it is possible to fix the program so that the default
25375 treatment works, this is preferable, but this may not always be practical.
25376 It is certainly simple enough to use
25378 but the danger in this case is that, even if the GNAT binder
25379 finds a correct elaboration order, it may not always do so,
25380 and certainly a binder from another Ada compiler might not. A
25381 combination of testing and analysis (for which the warnings generated
25384 switch can be useful) must be used to ensure that the program is free
25385 of errors. One switch that is useful in this testing is the
25386 @option{^-p (pessimistic elaboration order)^/PESSIMISTIC_ELABORATION_ORDER^}
25389 Normally the binder tries to find an order that has the best chance of
25390 of avoiding elaboration problems. With this switch, the binder
25391 plays a devil's advocate role, and tries to choose the order that
25392 has the best chance of failing. If your program works even with this
25393 switch, then it has a better chance of being error free, but this is still
25396 For an example of this approach in action, consider the C-tests (executable
25397 tests) from the ACVC suite. If these are compiled and run with the default
25398 treatment, then all but one of them succeed without generating any error
25399 diagnostics from the binder. However, there is one test that fails, and
25400 this is not surprising, because the whole point of this test is to ensure
25401 that the compiler can handle cases where it is impossible to determine
25402 a correct order statically, and it checks that an exception is indeed
25403 raised at run time.
25405 This one test must be compiled and run using the
25407 switch, and then it passes. Alternatively, the entire suite can
25408 be run using this switch. It is never wrong to run with the dynamic
25409 elaboration switch if your code is correct, and we assume that the
25410 C-tests are indeed correct (it is less efficient, but efficiency is
25411 not a factor in running the ACVC tests.)
25413 @node Elaboration for Access-to-Subprogram Values
25414 @section Elaboration for Access-to-Subprogram Values
25415 @cindex Access-to-subprogram
25418 The introduction of access-to-subprogram types in Ada 95 complicates
25419 the handling of elaboration. The trouble is that it becomes
25420 impossible to tell at compile time which procedure
25421 is being called. This means that it is not possible for the binder
25422 to analyze the elaboration requirements in this case.
25424 If at the point at which the access value is created
25425 (i.e., the evaluation of @code{P'Access} for a subprogram @code{P}),
25426 the body of the subprogram is
25427 known to have been elaborated, then the access value is safe, and its use
25428 does not require a check. This may be achieved by appropriate arrangement
25429 of the order of declarations if the subprogram is in the current unit,
25430 or, if the subprogram is in another unit, by using pragma
25431 @code{Pure}, @code{Preelaborate}, or @code{Elaborate_Body}
25432 on the referenced unit.
25434 If the referenced body is not known to have been elaborated at the point
25435 the access value is created, then any use of the access value must do a
25436 dynamic check, and this dynamic check will fail and raise a
25437 @code{Program_Error} exception if the body has not been elaborated yet.
25438 GNAT will generate the necessary checks, and in addition, if the
25440 switch is set, will generate warnings that such checks are required.
25442 The use of dynamic dispatching for tagged types similarly generates
25443 a requirement for dynamic checks, and premature calls to any primitive
25444 operation of a tagged type before the body of the operation has been
25445 elaborated, will result in the raising of @code{Program_Error}.
25447 @node Summary of Procedures for Elaboration Control
25448 @section Summary of Procedures for Elaboration Control
25449 @cindex Elaboration control
25452 First, compile your program with the default options, using none of
25453 the special elaboration control switches. If the binder successfully
25454 binds your program, then you can be confident that, apart from issues
25455 raised by the use of access-to-subprogram types and dynamic dispatching,
25456 the program is free of elaboration errors. If it is important that the
25457 program be portable, then use the
25459 switch to generate warnings about missing @code{Elaborate} or
25460 @code{Elaborate_All} pragmas, and supply the missing pragmas.
25462 If the program fails to bind using the default static elaboration
25463 handling, then you can fix the program to eliminate the binder
25464 message, or recompile the entire program with the
25465 @option{-gnatE} switch to generate dynamic elaboration checks,
25466 and, if you are sure there really are no elaboration problems,
25467 use a global pragma @code{Suppress (Elaboration_Check)}.
25469 @node Other Elaboration Order Considerations
25470 @section Other Elaboration Order Considerations
25472 This section has been entirely concerned with the issue of finding a valid
25473 elaboration order, as defined by the Ada Reference Manual. In a case
25474 where several elaboration orders are valid, the task is to find one
25475 of the possible valid elaboration orders (and the static model in GNAT
25476 will ensure that this is achieved).
25478 The purpose of the elaboration rules in the Ada Reference Manual is to
25479 make sure that no entity is accessed before it has been elaborated. For
25480 a subprogram, this means that the spec and body must have been elaborated
25481 before the subprogram is called. For an object, this means that the object
25482 must have been elaborated before its value is read or written. A violation
25483 of either of these two requirements is an access before elaboration order,
25484 and this section has been all about avoiding such errors.
25486 In the case where more than one order of elaboration is possible, in the
25487 sense that access before elaboration errors are avoided, then any one of
25488 the orders is ``correct'' in the sense that it meets the requirements of
25489 the Ada Reference Manual, and no such error occurs.
25491 However, it may be the case for a given program, that there are
25492 constraints on the order of elaboration that come not from consideration
25493 of avoiding elaboration errors, but rather from extra-lingual logic
25494 requirements. Consider this example:
25496 @smallexample @c ada
25497 with Init_Constants;
25498 package Constants is
25503 package Init_Constants is
25504 procedure P; -- require a body
25505 end Init_Constants;
25508 package body Init_Constants is
25509 procedure P is begin null; end;
25513 end Init_Constants;
25517 Z : Integer := Constants.X + Constants.Y;
25521 with Text_IO; use Text_IO;
25524 Put_Line (Calc.Z'Img);
25529 In this example, there is more than one valid order of elaboration. For
25530 example both the following are correct orders:
25533 Init_Constants spec
25536 Init_Constants body
25541 Init_Constants spec
25542 Init_Constants body
25549 There is no language rule to prefer one or the other, both are correct
25550 from an order of elaboration point of view. But the programmatic effects
25551 of the two orders are very different. In the first, the elaboration routine
25552 of @code{Calc} initializes @code{Z} to zero, and then the main program
25553 runs with this value of zero. But in the second order, the elaboration
25554 routine of @code{Calc} runs after the body of Init_Constants has set
25555 @code{X} and @code{Y} and thus @code{Z} is set to 7 before @code{Main}
25558 One could perhaps by applying pretty clever non-artificial intelligence
25559 to the situation guess that it is more likely that the second order of
25560 elaboration is the one desired, but there is no formal linguistic reason
25561 to prefer one over the other. In fact in this particular case, GNAT will
25562 prefer the second order, because of the rule that bodies are elaborated
25563 as soon as possible, but it's just luck that this is what was wanted
25564 (if indeed the second order was preferred).
25566 If the program cares about the order of elaboration routines in a case like
25567 this, it is important to specify the order required. In this particular
25568 case, that could have been achieved by adding to the spec of Calc:
25570 @smallexample @c ada
25571 pragma Elaborate_All (Constants);
25575 which requires that the body (if any) and spec of @code{Constants},
25576 as well as the body and spec of any unit @code{with}'ed by
25577 @code{Constants} be elaborated before @code{Calc} is elaborated.
25579 Clearly no automatic method can always guess which alternative you require,
25580 and if you are working with legacy code that had constraints of this kind
25581 which were not properly specified by adding @code{Elaborate} or
25582 @code{Elaborate_All} pragmas, then indeed it is possible that two different
25583 compilers can choose different orders.
25585 However, GNAT does attempt to diagnose the common situation where there
25586 are uninitialized variables in the visible part of a package spec, and the
25587 corresponding package body has an elaboration block that directly or
25588 indirectly initialized one or more of these variables. This is the situation
25589 in which a pragma Elaborate_Body is usually desirable, and GNAT will generate
25590 a warning that suggests this addition if it detects this situation.
25592 The @code{gnatbind}
25593 @option{^-p^/PESSIMISTIC_ELABORATION^} switch may be useful in smoking
25594 out problems. This switch causes bodies to be elaborated as late as possible
25595 instead of as early as possible. In the example above, it would have forced
25596 the choice of the first elaboration order. If you get different results
25597 when using this switch, and particularly if one set of results is right,
25598 and one is wrong as far as you are concerned, it shows that you have some
25599 missing @code{Elaborate} pragmas. For the example above, we have the
25603 gnatmake -f -q main
25606 gnatmake -f -q main -bargs -p
25612 It is of course quite unlikely that both these results are correct, so
25613 it is up to you in a case like this to investigate the source of the
25614 difference, by looking at the two elaboration orders that are chosen,
25615 and figuring out which is correct, and then adding the necessary
25616 @code{Elaborate} or @code{Elaborate_All} pragmas to ensure the desired order.
25618 @node Inline Assembler
25619 @appendix Inline Assembler
25622 If you need to write low-level software that interacts directly
25623 with the hardware, Ada provides two ways to incorporate assembly
25624 language code into your program. First, you can import and invoke
25625 external routines written in assembly language, an Ada feature fully
25626 supported by GNAT. However, for small sections of code it may be simpler
25627 or more efficient to include assembly language statements directly
25628 in your Ada source program, using the facilities of the implementation-defined
25629 package @code{System.Machine_Code}, which incorporates the gcc
25630 Inline Assembler. The Inline Assembler approach offers a number of advantages,
25631 including the following:
25634 @item No need to use non-Ada tools
25635 @item Consistent interface over different targets
25636 @item Automatic usage of the proper calling conventions
25637 @item Access to Ada constants and variables
25638 @item Definition of intrinsic routines
25639 @item Possibility of inlining a subprogram comprising assembler code
25640 @item Code optimizer can take Inline Assembler code into account
25643 This chapter presents a series of examples to show you how to use
25644 the Inline Assembler. Although it focuses on the Intel x86,
25645 the general approach applies also to other processors.
25646 It is assumed that you are familiar with Ada
25647 and with assembly language programming.
25650 * Basic Assembler Syntax::
25651 * A Simple Example of Inline Assembler::
25652 * Output Variables in Inline Assembler::
25653 * Input Variables in Inline Assembler::
25654 * Inlining Inline Assembler Code::
25655 * Other Asm Functionality::
25658 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
25659 @node Basic Assembler Syntax
25660 @section Basic Assembler Syntax
25663 The assembler used by GNAT and gcc is based not on the Intel assembly
25664 language, but rather on a language that descends from the AT&T Unix
25665 assembler @emph{as} (and which is often referred to as ``AT&T syntax'').
25666 The following table summarizes the main features of @emph{as} syntax
25667 and points out the differences from the Intel conventions.
25668 See the gcc @emph{as} and @emph{gas} (an @emph{as} macro
25669 pre-processor) documentation for further information.
25672 @item Register names
25673 gcc / @emph{as}: Prefix with ``%''; for example @code{%eax}
25675 Intel: No extra punctuation; for example @code{eax}
25677 @item Immediate operand
25678 gcc / @emph{as}: Prefix with ``$''; for example @code{$4}
25680 Intel: No extra punctuation; for example @code{4}
25683 gcc / @emph{as}: Prefix with ``$''; for example @code{$loc}
25685 Intel: No extra punctuation; for example @code{loc}
25687 @item Memory contents
25688 gcc / @emph{as}: No extra punctuation; for example @code{loc}
25690 Intel: Square brackets; for example @code{[loc]}
25692 @item Register contents
25693 gcc / @emph{as}: Parentheses; for example @code{(%eax)}
25695 Intel: Square brackets; for example @code{[eax]}
25697 @item Hexadecimal numbers
25698 gcc / @emph{as}: Leading ``0x'' (C language syntax); for example @code{0xA0}
25700 Intel: Trailing ``h''; for example @code{A0h}
25703 gcc / @emph{as}: Explicit in op code; for example @code{movw} to move
25706 Intel: Implicit, deduced by assembler; for example @code{mov}
25708 @item Instruction repetition
25709 gcc / @emph{as}: Split into two lines; for example
25715 Intel: Keep on one line; for example @code{rep stosl}
25717 @item Order of operands
25718 gcc / @emph{as}: Source first; for example @code{movw $4, %eax}
25720 Intel: Destination first; for example @code{mov eax, 4}
25723 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
25724 @node A Simple Example of Inline Assembler
25725 @section A Simple Example of Inline Assembler
25728 The following example will generate a single assembly language statement,
25729 @code{nop}, which does nothing. Despite its lack of run-time effect,
25730 the example will be useful in illustrating the basics of
25731 the Inline Assembler facility.
25733 @smallexample @c ada
25735 with System.Machine_Code; use System.Machine_Code;
25736 procedure Nothing is
25743 @code{Asm} is a procedure declared in package @code{System.Machine_Code};
25744 here it takes one parameter, a @emph{template string} that must be a static
25745 expression and that will form the generated instruction.
25746 @code{Asm} may be regarded as a compile-time procedure that parses
25747 the template string and additional parameters (none here),
25748 from which it generates a sequence of assembly language instructions.
25750 The examples in this chapter will illustrate several of the forms
25751 for invoking @code{Asm}; a complete specification of the syntax
25752 is found in the @cite{GNAT Reference Manual}.
25754 Under the standard GNAT conventions, the @code{Nothing} procedure
25755 should be in a file named @file{nothing.adb}.
25756 You can build the executable in the usual way:
25760 However, the interesting aspect of this example is not its run-time behavior
25761 but rather the generated assembly code.
25762 To see this output, invoke the compiler as follows:
25764 gcc -c -S -fomit-frame-pointer -gnatp @file{nothing.adb}
25766 where the options are:
25770 compile only (no bind or link)
25772 generate assembler listing
25773 @item -fomit-frame-pointer
25774 do not set up separate stack frames
25776 do not add runtime checks
25779 This gives a human-readable assembler version of the code. The resulting
25780 file will have the same name as the Ada source file, but with a @code{.s}
25781 extension. In our example, the file @file{nothing.s} has the following
25786 .file "nothing.adb"
25788 ___gnu_compiled_ada:
25791 .globl __ada_nothing
25803 The assembly code you included is clearly indicated by
25804 the compiler, between the @code{#APP} and @code{#NO_APP}
25805 delimiters. The character before the 'APP' and 'NOAPP'
25806 can differ on different targets. For example, GNU/Linux uses '#APP' while
25807 on NT you will see '/APP'.
25809 If you make a mistake in your assembler code (such as using the
25810 wrong size modifier, or using a wrong operand for the instruction) GNAT
25811 will report this error in a temporary file, which will be deleted when
25812 the compilation is finished. Generating an assembler file will help
25813 in such cases, since you can assemble this file separately using the
25814 @emph{as} assembler that comes with gcc.
25816 Assembling the file using the command
25819 as @file{nothing.s}
25822 will give you error messages whose lines correspond to the assembler
25823 input file, so you can easily find and correct any mistakes you made.
25824 If there are no errors, @emph{as} will generate an object file
25825 @file{nothing.out}.
25827 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
25828 @node Output Variables in Inline Assembler
25829 @section Output Variables in Inline Assembler
25832 The examples in this section, showing how to access the processor flags,
25833 illustrate how to specify the destination operands for assembly language
25836 @smallexample @c ada
25838 with Interfaces; use Interfaces;
25839 with Ada.Text_IO; use Ada.Text_IO;
25840 with System.Machine_Code; use System.Machine_Code;
25841 procedure Get_Flags is
25842 Flags : Unsigned_32;
25845 Asm ("pushfl" & LF & HT & -- push flags on stack
25846 "popl %%eax" & LF & HT & -- load eax with flags
25847 "movl %%eax, %0", -- store flags in variable
25848 Outputs => Unsigned_32'Asm_Output ("=g", Flags));
25849 Put_Line ("Flags register:" & Flags'Img);
25854 In order to have a nicely aligned assembly listing, we have separated
25855 multiple assembler statements in the Asm template string with linefeed
25856 (ASCII.LF) and horizontal tab (ASCII.HT) characters.
25857 The resulting section of the assembly output file is:
25864 movl %eax, -40(%ebp)
25869 It would have been legal to write the Asm invocation as:
25872 Asm ("pushfl popl %%eax movl %%eax, %0")
25875 but in the generated assembler file, this would come out as:
25879 pushfl popl %eax movl %eax, -40(%ebp)
25883 which is not so convenient for the human reader.
25885 We use Ada comments
25886 at the end of each line to explain what the assembler instructions
25887 actually do. This is a useful convention.
25889 When writing Inline Assembler instructions, you need to precede each register
25890 and variable name with a percent sign. Since the assembler already requires
25891 a percent sign at the beginning of a register name, you need two consecutive
25892 percent signs for such names in the Asm template string, thus @code{%%eax}.
25893 In the generated assembly code, one of the percent signs will be stripped off.
25895 Names such as @code{%0}, @code{%1}, @code{%2}, etc., denote input or output
25896 variables: operands you later define using @code{Input} or @code{Output}
25897 parameters to @code{Asm}.
25898 An output variable is illustrated in
25899 the third statement in the Asm template string:
25903 The intent is to store the contents of the eax register in a variable that can
25904 be accessed in Ada. Simply writing @code{movl %%eax, Flags} would not
25905 necessarily work, since the compiler might optimize by using a register
25906 to hold Flags, and the expansion of the @code{movl} instruction would not be
25907 aware of this optimization. The solution is not to store the result directly
25908 but rather to advise the compiler to choose the correct operand form;
25909 that is the purpose of the @code{%0} output variable.
25911 Information about the output variable is supplied in the @code{Outputs}
25912 parameter to @code{Asm}:
25914 Outputs => Unsigned_32'Asm_Output ("=g", Flags));
25917 The output is defined by the @code{Asm_Output} attribute of the target type;
25918 the general format is
25920 Type'Asm_Output (constraint_string, variable_name)
25923 The constraint string directs the compiler how
25924 to store/access the associated variable. In the example
25926 Unsigned_32'Asm_Output ("=m", Flags);
25928 the @code{"m"} (memory) constraint tells the compiler that the variable
25929 @code{Flags} should be stored in a memory variable, thus preventing
25930 the optimizer from keeping it in a register. In contrast,
25932 Unsigned_32'Asm_Output ("=r", Flags);
25934 uses the @code{"r"} (register) constraint, telling the compiler to
25935 store the variable in a register.
25937 If the constraint is preceded by the equal character (@strong{=}), it tells
25938 the compiler that the variable will be used to store data into it.
25940 In the @code{Get_Flags} example, we used the @code{"g"} (global) constraint,
25941 allowing the optimizer to choose whatever it deems best.
25943 There are a fairly large number of constraints, but the ones that are
25944 most useful (for the Intel x86 processor) are the following:
25950 global (i.e. can be stored anywhere)
25968 use one of eax, ebx, ecx or edx
25970 use one of eax, ebx, ecx, edx, esi or edi
25973 The full set of constraints is described in the gcc and @emph{as}
25974 documentation; note that it is possible to combine certain constraints
25975 in one constraint string.
25977 You specify the association of an output variable with an assembler operand
25978 through the @code{%}@emph{n} notation, where @emph{n} is a non-negative
25980 @smallexample @c ada
25982 Asm ("pushfl" & LF & HT & -- push flags on stack
25983 "popl %%eax" & LF & HT & -- load eax with flags
25984 "movl %%eax, %0", -- store flags in variable
25985 Outputs => Unsigned_32'Asm_Output ("=g", Flags));
25989 @code{%0} will be replaced in the expanded code by the appropriate operand,
25991 the compiler decided for the @code{Flags} variable.
25993 In general, you may have any number of output variables:
25996 Count the operands starting at 0; thus @code{%0}, @code{%1}, etc.
25998 Specify the @code{Outputs} parameter as a parenthesized comma-separated list
25999 of @code{Asm_Output} attributes
26003 @smallexample @c ada
26005 Asm ("movl %%eax, %0" & LF & HT &
26006 "movl %%ebx, %1" & LF & HT &
26008 Outputs => (Unsigned_32'Asm_Output ("=g", Var_A), -- %0 = Var_A
26009 Unsigned_32'Asm_Output ("=g", Var_B), -- %1 = Var_B
26010 Unsigned_32'Asm_Output ("=g", Var_C))); -- %2 = Var_C
26014 where @code{Var_A}, @code{Var_B}, and @code{Var_C} are variables
26015 in the Ada program.
26017 As a variation on the @code{Get_Flags} example, we can use the constraints
26018 string to direct the compiler to store the eax register into the @code{Flags}
26019 variable, instead of including the store instruction explicitly in the
26020 @code{Asm} template string:
26022 @smallexample @c ada
26024 with Interfaces; use Interfaces;
26025 with Ada.Text_IO; use Ada.Text_IO;
26026 with System.Machine_Code; use System.Machine_Code;
26027 procedure Get_Flags_2 is
26028 Flags : Unsigned_32;
26031 Asm ("pushfl" & LF & HT & -- push flags on stack
26032 "popl %%eax", -- save flags in eax
26033 Outputs => Unsigned_32'Asm_Output ("=a", Flags));
26034 Put_Line ("Flags register:" & Flags'Img);
26040 The @code{"a"} constraint tells the compiler that the @code{Flags}
26041 variable will come from the eax register. Here is the resulting code:
26049 movl %eax,-40(%ebp)
26054 The compiler generated the store of eax into Flags after
26055 expanding the assembler code.
26057 Actually, there was no need to pop the flags into the eax register;
26058 more simply, we could just pop the flags directly into the program variable:
26060 @smallexample @c ada
26062 with Interfaces; use Interfaces;
26063 with Ada.Text_IO; use Ada.Text_IO;
26064 with System.Machine_Code; use System.Machine_Code;
26065 procedure Get_Flags_3 is
26066 Flags : Unsigned_32;
26069 Asm ("pushfl" & LF & HT & -- push flags on stack
26070 "pop %0", -- save flags in Flags
26071 Outputs => Unsigned_32'Asm_Output ("=g", Flags));
26072 Put_Line ("Flags register:" & Flags'Img);
26077 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
26078 @node Input Variables in Inline Assembler
26079 @section Input Variables in Inline Assembler
26082 The example in this section illustrates how to specify the source operands
26083 for assembly language statements.
26084 The program simply increments its input value by 1:
26086 @smallexample @c ada
26088 with Interfaces; use Interfaces;
26089 with Ada.Text_IO; use Ada.Text_IO;
26090 with System.Machine_Code; use System.Machine_Code;
26091 procedure Increment is
26093 function Incr (Value : Unsigned_32) return Unsigned_32 is
26094 Result : Unsigned_32;
26097 Inputs => Unsigned_32'Asm_Input ("a", Value),
26098 Outputs => Unsigned_32'Asm_Output ("=a", Result));
26102 Value : Unsigned_32;
26106 Put_Line ("Value before is" & Value'Img);
26107 Value := Incr (Value);
26108 Put_Line ("Value after is" & Value'Img);
26113 The @code{Outputs} parameter to @code{Asm} specifies
26114 that the result will be in the eax register and that it is to be stored
26115 in the @code{Result} variable.
26117 The @code{Inputs} parameter looks much like the @code{Outputs} parameter,
26118 but with an @code{Asm_Input} attribute.
26119 The @code{"="} constraint, indicating an output value, is not present.
26121 You can have multiple input variables, in the same way that you can have more
26122 than one output variable.
26124 The parameter count (%0, %1) etc, now starts at the first input
26125 statement, and continues with the output statements.
26126 When both parameters use the same variable, the
26127 compiler will treat them as the same %n operand, which is the case here.
26129 Just as the @code{Outputs} parameter causes the register to be stored into the
26130 target variable after execution of the assembler statements, so does the
26131 @code{Inputs} parameter cause its variable to be loaded into the register
26132 before execution of the assembler statements.
26134 Thus the effect of the @code{Asm} invocation is:
26136 @item load the 32-bit value of @code{Value} into eax
26137 @item execute the @code{incl %eax} instruction
26138 @item store the contents of eax into the @code{Result} variable
26141 The resulting assembler file (with @option{-O2} optimization) contains:
26144 _increment__incr.1:
26157 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
26158 @node Inlining Inline Assembler Code
26159 @section Inlining Inline Assembler Code
26162 For a short subprogram such as the @code{Incr} function in the previous
26163 section, the overhead of the call and return (creating / deleting the stack
26164 frame) can be significant, compared to the amount of code in the subprogram
26165 body. A solution is to apply Ada's @code{Inline} pragma to the subprogram,
26166 which directs the compiler to expand invocations of the subprogram at the
26167 point(s) of call, instead of setting up a stack frame for out-of-line calls.
26168 Here is the resulting program:
26170 @smallexample @c ada
26172 with Interfaces; use Interfaces;
26173 with Ada.Text_IO; use Ada.Text_IO;
26174 with System.Machine_Code; use System.Machine_Code;
26175 procedure Increment_2 is
26177 function Incr (Value : Unsigned_32) return Unsigned_32 is
26178 Result : Unsigned_32;
26181 Inputs => Unsigned_32'Asm_Input ("a", Value),
26182 Outputs => Unsigned_32'Asm_Output ("=a", Result));
26185 pragma Inline (Increment);
26187 Value : Unsigned_32;
26191 Put_Line ("Value before is" & Value'Img);
26192 Value := Increment (Value);
26193 Put_Line ("Value after is" & Value'Img);
26198 Compile the program with both optimization (@option{-O2}) and inlining
26199 enabled (@option{-gnatpn} instead of @option{-gnatp}).
26201 The @code{Incr} function is still compiled as usual, but at the
26202 point in @code{Increment} where our function used to be called:
26207 call _increment__incr.1
26212 the code for the function body directly appears:
26225 thus saving the overhead of stack frame setup and an out-of-line call.
26227 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
26228 @node Other Asm Functionality
26229 @section Other @code{Asm} Functionality
26232 This section describes two important parameters to the @code{Asm}
26233 procedure: @code{Clobber}, which identifies register usage;
26234 and @code{Volatile}, which inhibits unwanted optimizations.
26237 * The Clobber Parameter::
26238 * The Volatile Parameter::
26241 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
26242 @node The Clobber Parameter
26243 @subsection The @code{Clobber} Parameter
26246 One of the dangers of intermixing assembly language and a compiled language
26247 such as Ada is that the compiler needs to be aware of which registers are
26248 being used by the assembly code. In some cases, such as the earlier examples,
26249 the constraint string is sufficient to indicate register usage (e.g.,
26251 the eax register). But more generally, the compiler needs an explicit
26252 identification of the registers that are used by the Inline Assembly
26255 Using a register that the compiler doesn't know about
26256 could be a side effect of an instruction (like @code{mull}
26257 storing its result in both eax and edx).
26258 It can also arise from explicit register usage in your
26259 assembly code; for example:
26262 Asm ("movl %0, %%ebx" & LF & HT &
26264 Inputs => Unsigned_32'Asm_Input ("g", Var_In),
26265 Outputs => Unsigned_32'Asm_Output ("=g", Var_Out));
26269 where the compiler (since it does not analyze the @code{Asm} template string)
26270 does not know you are using the ebx register.
26272 In such cases you need to supply the @code{Clobber} parameter to @code{Asm},
26273 to identify the registers that will be used by your assembly code:
26277 Asm ("movl %0, %%ebx" & LF & HT &
26279 Inputs => Unsigned_32'Asm_Input ("g", Var_In),
26280 Outputs => Unsigned_32'Asm_Output ("=g", Var_Out),
26285 The Clobber parameter is a static string expression specifying the
26286 register(s) you are using. Note that register names are @emph{not} prefixed
26287 by a percent sign. Also, if more than one register is used then their names
26288 are separated by commas; e.g., @code{"eax, ebx"}
26290 The @code{Clobber} parameter has several additional uses:
26292 @item Use ``register'' name @code{cc} to indicate that flags might have changed
26293 @item Use ``register'' name @code{memory} if you changed a memory location
26296 @c ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
26297 @node The Volatile Parameter
26298 @subsection The @code{Volatile} Parameter
26299 @cindex Volatile parameter
26302 Compiler optimizations in the presence of Inline Assembler may sometimes have
26303 unwanted effects. For example, when an @code{Asm} invocation with an input
26304 variable is inside a loop, the compiler might move the loading of the input
26305 variable outside the loop, regarding it as a one-time initialization.
26307 If this effect is not desired, you can disable such optimizations by setting
26308 the @code{Volatile} parameter to @code{True}; for example:
26310 @smallexample @c ada
26312 Asm ("movl %0, %%ebx" & LF & HT &
26314 Inputs => Unsigned_32'Asm_Input ("g", Var_In),
26315 Outputs => Unsigned_32'Asm_Output ("=g", Var_Out),
26321 By default, @code{Volatile} is set to @code{False} unless there is no
26322 @code{Outputs} parameter.
26324 Although setting @code{Volatile} to @code{True} prevents unwanted
26325 optimizations, it will also disable other optimizations that might be
26326 important for efficiency. In general, you should set @code{Volatile}
26327 to @code{True} only if the compiler's optimizations have created
26329 @c END OF INLINE ASSEMBLER CHAPTER
26330 @c ===============================
26332 @c ***********************************
26333 @c * Compatibility and Porting Guide *
26334 @c ***********************************
26335 @node Compatibility and Porting Guide
26336 @appendix Compatibility and Porting Guide
26339 This chapter describes the compatibility issues that may arise between
26340 GNAT and other Ada 83 and Ada 95 compilation systems, and shows how GNAT
26341 can expedite porting
26342 applications developed in other Ada environments.
26345 * Compatibility with Ada 83::
26346 * Implementation-dependent characteristics::
26347 * Compatibility with Other Ada 95 Systems::
26348 * Representation Clauses::
26350 @c Brief section is only in non-VMS version
26351 @c Full chapter is in VMS version
26352 * Compatibility with HP Ada 83::
26355 * Transitioning to 64-Bit GNAT for OpenVMS::
26359 @node Compatibility with Ada 83
26360 @section Compatibility with Ada 83
26361 @cindex Compatibility (between Ada 83 and Ada 95)
26364 Ada 95 is designed to be highly upwards compatible with Ada 83. In
26365 particular, the design intention is that the difficulties associated
26366 with moving from Ada 83 to Ada 95 should be no greater than those
26367 that occur when moving from one Ada 83 system to another.
26369 However, there are a number of points at which there are minor
26370 incompatibilities. The @cite{Ada 95 Annotated Reference Manual} contains
26371 full details of these issues,
26372 and should be consulted for a complete treatment.
26374 following subsections treat the most likely issues to be encountered.
26377 * Legal Ada 83 programs that are illegal in Ada 95::
26378 * More deterministic semantics::
26379 * Changed semantics::
26380 * Other language compatibility issues::
26383 @node Legal Ada 83 programs that are illegal in Ada 95
26384 @subsection Legal Ada 83 programs that are illegal in Ada 95
26387 @item Character literals
26388 Some uses of character literals are ambiguous. Since Ada 95 has introduced
26389 @code{Wide_Character} as a new predefined character type, some uses of
26390 character literals that were legal in Ada 83 are illegal in Ada 95.
26392 @smallexample @c ada
26393 for Char in 'A' .. 'Z' loop ... end loop;
26396 The problem is that @code{'A'} and @code{'Z'} could be from either
26397 @code{Character} or @code{Wide_Character}. The simplest correction
26398 is to make the type explicit; e.g.:
26399 @smallexample @c ada
26400 for Char in Character range 'A' .. 'Z' loop ... end loop;
26403 @item New reserved words
26404 The identifiers @code{abstract}, @code{aliased}, @code{protected},
26405 @code{requeue}, @code{tagged}, and @code{until} are reserved in Ada 95.
26406 Existing Ada 83 code using any of these identifiers must be edited to
26407 use some alternative name.
26409 @item Freezing rules
26410 The rules in Ada 95 are slightly different with regard to the point at
26411 which entities are frozen, and representation pragmas and clauses are
26412 not permitted past the freeze point. This shows up most typically in
26413 the form of an error message complaining that a representation item
26414 appears too late, and the appropriate corrective action is to move
26415 the item nearer to the declaration of the entity to which it refers.
26417 A particular case is that representation pragmas
26420 extended HP Ada 83 compatibility pragmas such as @code{Export_Procedure})
26422 cannot be applied to a subprogram body. If necessary, a separate subprogram
26423 declaration must be introduced to which the pragma can be applied.
26425 @item Optional bodies for library packages
26426 In Ada 83, a package that did not require a package body was nevertheless
26427 allowed to have one. This lead to certain surprises in compiling large
26428 systems (situations in which the body could be unexpectedly ignored by the
26429 binder). In Ada 95, if a package does not require a body then it is not
26430 permitted to have a body. To fix this problem, simply remove a redundant
26431 body if it is empty, or, if it is non-empty, introduce a dummy declaration
26432 into the spec that makes the body required. One approach is to add a private
26433 part to the package declaration (if necessary), and define a parameterless
26434 procedure called @code{Requires_Body}, which must then be given a dummy
26435 procedure body in the package body, which then becomes required.
26436 Another approach (assuming that this does not introduce elaboration
26437 circularities) is to add an @code{Elaborate_Body} pragma to the package spec,
26438 since one effect of this pragma is to require the presence of a package body.
26440 @item @code{Numeric_Error} is now the same as @code{Constraint_Error}
26441 In Ada 95, the exception @code{Numeric_Error} is a renaming of
26442 @code{Constraint_Error}.
26443 This means that it is illegal to have separate exception handlers for
26444 the two exceptions. The fix is simply to remove the handler for the
26445 @code{Numeric_Error} case (since even in Ada 83, a compiler was free to raise
26446 @code{Constraint_Error} in place of @code{Numeric_Error} in all cases).
26448 @item Indefinite subtypes in generics
26449 In Ada 83, it was permissible to pass an indefinite type (e.g.@: @code{String})
26450 as the actual for a generic formal private type, but then the instantiation
26451 would be illegal if there were any instances of declarations of variables
26452 of this type in the generic body. In Ada 95, to avoid this clear violation
26453 of the methodological principle known as the ``contract model'',
26454 the generic declaration explicitly indicates whether
26455 or not such instantiations are permitted. If a generic formal parameter
26456 has explicit unknown discriminants, indicated by using @code{(<>)} after the
26457 type name, then it can be instantiated with indefinite types, but no
26458 stand-alone variables can be declared of this type. Any attempt to declare
26459 such a variable will result in an illegality at the time the generic is
26460 declared. If the @code{(<>)} notation is not used, then it is illegal
26461 to instantiate the generic with an indefinite type.
26462 This is the potential incompatibility issue when porting Ada 83 code to Ada 95.
26463 It will show up as a compile time error, and
26464 the fix is usually simply to add the @code{(<>)} to the generic declaration.
26467 @node More deterministic semantics
26468 @subsection More deterministic semantics
26472 Conversions from real types to integer types round away from 0. In Ada 83
26473 the conversion Integer(2.5) could deliver either 2 or 3 as its value. This
26474 implementation freedom was intended to support unbiased rounding in
26475 statistical applications, but in practice it interfered with portability.
26476 In Ada 95 the conversion semantics are unambiguous, and rounding away from 0
26477 is required. Numeric code may be affected by this change in semantics.
26478 Note, though, that this issue is no worse than already existed in Ada 83
26479 when porting code from one vendor to another.
26482 The Real-Time Annex introduces a set of policies that define the behavior of
26483 features that were implementation dependent in Ada 83, such as the order in
26484 which open select branches are executed.
26487 @node Changed semantics
26488 @subsection Changed semantics
26491 The worst kind of incompatibility is one where a program that is legal in
26492 Ada 83 is also legal in Ada 95 but can have an effect in Ada 95 that was not
26493 possible in Ada 83. Fortunately this is extremely rare, but the one
26494 situation that you should be alert to is the change in the predefined type
26495 @code{Character} from 7-bit ASCII to 8-bit Latin-1.
26498 @item range of @code{Character}
26499 The range of @code{Standard.Character} is now the full 256 characters
26500 of Latin-1, whereas in most Ada 83 implementations it was restricted
26501 to 128 characters. Although some of the effects of
26502 this change will be manifest in compile-time rejection of legal
26503 Ada 83 programs it is possible for a working Ada 83 program to have
26504 a different effect in Ada 95, one that was not permitted in Ada 83.
26505 As an example, the expression
26506 @code{Character'Pos(Character'Last)} returned @code{127} in Ada 83 and now
26507 delivers @code{255} as its value.
26508 In general, you should look at the logic of any
26509 character-processing Ada 83 program and see whether it needs to be adapted
26510 to work correctly with Latin-1. Note that the predefined Ada 95 API has a
26511 character handling package that may be relevant if code needs to be adapted
26512 to account for the additional Latin-1 elements.
26513 The desirable fix is to
26514 modify the program to accommodate the full character set, but in some cases
26515 it may be convenient to define a subtype or derived type of Character that
26516 covers only the restricted range.
26520 @node Other language compatibility issues
26521 @subsection Other language compatibility issues
26523 @item @option{-gnat83 switch}
26524 All implementations of GNAT provide a switch that causes GNAT to operate
26525 in Ada 83 mode. In this mode, some but not all compatibility problems
26526 of the type described above are handled automatically. For example, the
26527 new Ada 95 reserved words are treated simply as identifiers as in Ada 83.
26529 in practice, it is usually advisable to make the necessary modifications
26530 to the program to remove the need for using this switch.
26531 See @ref{Compiling Different Versions of Ada}.
26533 @item Support for removed Ada 83 pragmas and attributes
26534 A number of pragmas and attributes from Ada 83 have been removed from Ada 95,
26535 generally because they have been replaced by other mechanisms. Ada 95
26536 compilers are allowed, but not required, to implement these missing
26537 elements. In contrast with some other Ada 95 compilers, GNAT implements all
26538 such pragmas and attributes, eliminating this compatibility concern. These
26539 include @code{pragma Interface} and the floating point type attributes
26540 (@code{Emax}, @code{Mantissa}, etc.), among other items.
26543 @node Implementation-dependent characteristics
26544 @section Implementation-dependent characteristics
26546 Although the Ada language defines the semantics of each construct as
26547 precisely as practical, in some situations (for example for reasons of
26548 efficiency, or where the effect is heavily dependent on the host or target
26549 platform) the implementation is allowed some freedom. In porting Ada 83
26550 code to GNAT, you need to be aware of whether / how the existing code
26551 exercised such implementation dependencies. Such characteristics fall into
26552 several categories, and GNAT offers specific support in assisting the
26553 transition from certain Ada 83 compilers.
26556 * Implementation-defined pragmas::
26557 * Implementation-defined attributes::
26559 * Elaboration order::
26560 * Target-specific aspects::
26563 @node Implementation-defined pragmas
26564 @subsection Implementation-defined pragmas
26567 Ada compilers are allowed to supplement the language-defined pragmas, and
26568 these are a potential source of non-portability. All GNAT-defined pragmas
26569 are described in the GNAT Reference Manual, and these include several that
26570 are specifically intended to correspond to other vendors' Ada 83 pragmas.
26571 For migrating from VADS, the pragma @code{Use_VADS_Size} may be useful.
26573 compatibility with HP Ada 83, GNAT supplies the pragmas
26574 @code{Extend_System}, @code{Ident}, @code{Inline_Generic},
26575 @code{Interface_Name}, @code{Passive}, @code{Suppress_All},
26576 and @code{Volatile}.
26577 Other relevant pragmas include @code{External} and @code{Link_With}.
26578 Some vendor-specific
26579 Ada 83 pragmas (@code{Share_Generic}, @code{Subtitle}, and @code{Title}) are
26581 avoiding compiler rejection of units that contain such pragmas; they are not
26582 relevant in a GNAT context and hence are not otherwise implemented.
26584 @node Implementation-defined attributes
26585 @subsection Implementation-defined attributes
26587 Analogous to pragmas, the set of attributes may be extended by an
26588 implementation. All GNAT-defined attributes are described in the
26589 @cite{GNAT Reference Manual}, and these include several that are specifically
26591 to correspond to other vendors' Ada 83 attributes. For migrating from VADS,
26592 the attribute @code{VADS_Size} may be useful. For compatibility with HP
26593 Ada 83, GNAT supplies the attributes @code{Bit}, @code{Machine_Size} and
26597 @subsection Libraries
26599 Vendors may supply libraries to supplement the standard Ada API. If Ada 83
26600 code uses vendor-specific libraries then there are several ways to manage
26604 If the source code for the libraries (specifications and bodies) are
26605 available, then the libraries can be migrated in the same way as the
26608 If the source code for the specifications but not the bodies are
26609 available, then you can reimplement the bodies.
26611 Some new Ada 95 features obviate the need for library support. For
26612 example most Ada 83 vendors supplied a package for unsigned integers. The
26613 Ada 95 modular type feature is the preferred way to handle this need, so
26614 instead of migrating or reimplementing the unsigned integer package it may
26615 be preferable to retrofit the application using modular types.
26618 @node Elaboration order
26619 @subsection Elaboration order
26621 The implementation can choose any elaboration order consistent with the unit
26622 dependency relationship. This freedom means that some orders can result in
26623 Program_Error being raised due to an ``Access Before Elaboration'': an attempt
26624 to invoke a subprogram its body has been elaborated, or to instantiate a
26625 generic before the generic body has been elaborated. By default GNAT
26626 attempts to choose a safe order (one that will not encounter access before
26627 elaboration problems) by implicitly inserting @code{Elaborate} or
26628 @code{Elaborate_All} pragmas where
26629 needed. However, this can lead to the creation of elaboration circularities
26630 and a resulting rejection of the program by gnatbind. This issue is
26631 thoroughly described in @ref{Elaboration Order Handling in GNAT}.
26632 In brief, there are several
26633 ways to deal with this situation:
26637 Modify the program to eliminate the circularities, e.g. by moving
26638 elaboration-time code into explicitly-invoked procedures
26640 Constrain the elaboration order by including explicit @code{Elaborate_Body} or
26641 @code{Elaborate} pragmas, and then inhibit the generation of implicit
26642 @code{Elaborate_All}
26643 pragmas either globally (as an effect of the @option{-gnatE} switch) or locally
26644 (by selectively suppressing elaboration checks via pragma
26645 @code{Suppress(Elaboration_Check)} when it is safe to do so).
26648 @node Target-specific aspects
26649 @subsection Target-specific aspects
26651 Low-level applications need to deal with machine addresses, data
26652 representations, interfacing with assembler code, and similar issues. If
26653 such an Ada 83 application is being ported to different target hardware (for
26654 example where the byte endianness has changed) then you will need to
26655 carefully examine the program logic; the porting effort will heavily depend
26656 on the robustness of the original design. Moreover, Ada 95 is sometimes
26657 incompatible with typical Ada 83 compiler practices regarding implicit
26658 packing, the meaning of the Size attribute, and the size of access values.
26659 GNAT's approach to these issues is described in @ref{Representation Clauses}.
26661 @node Compatibility with Other Ada 95 Systems
26662 @section Compatibility with Other Ada 95 Systems
26665 Providing that programs avoid the use of implementation dependent and
26666 implementation defined features of Ada 95, as documented in the Ada 95
26667 reference manual, there should be a high degree of portability between
26668 GNAT and other Ada 95 systems. The following are specific items which
26669 have proved troublesome in moving GNAT programs to other Ada 95
26670 compilers, but do not affect porting code to GNAT@.
26673 @item Ada 83 Pragmas and Attributes
26674 Ada 95 compilers are allowed, but not required, to implement the missing
26675 Ada 83 pragmas and attributes that are no longer defined in Ada 95.
26676 GNAT implements all such pragmas and attributes, eliminating this as
26677 a compatibility concern, but some other Ada 95 compilers reject these
26678 pragmas and attributes.
26680 @item Special-needs Annexes
26681 GNAT implements the full set of special needs annexes. At the
26682 current time, it is the only Ada 95 compiler to do so. This means that
26683 programs making use of these features may not be portable to other Ada
26684 95 compilation systems.
26686 @item Representation Clauses
26687 Some other Ada 95 compilers implement only the minimal set of
26688 representation clauses required by the Ada 95 reference manual. GNAT goes
26689 far beyond this minimal set, as described in the next section.
26692 @node Representation Clauses
26693 @section Representation Clauses
26696 The Ada 83 reference manual was quite vague in describing both the minimal
26697 required implementation of representation clauses, and also their precise
26698 effects. The Ada 95 reference manual is much more explicit, but the minimal
26699 set of capabilities required in Ada 95 is quite limited.
26701 GNAT implements the full required set of capabilities described in the
26702 Ada 95 reference manual, but also goes much beyond this, and in particular
26703 an effort has been made to be compatible with existing Ada 83 usage to the
26704 greatest extent possible.
26706 A few cases exist in which Ada 83 compiler behavior is incompatible with
26707 requirements in the Ada 95 reference manual. These are instances of
26708 intentional or accidental dependence on specific implementation dependent
26709 characteristics of these Ada 83 compilers. The following is a list of
26710 the cases most likely to arise in existing legacy Ada 83 code.
26713 @item Implicit Packing
26714 Some Ada 83 compilers allowed a Size specification to cause implicit
26715 packing of an array or record. This could cause expensive implicit
26716 conversions for change of representation in the presence of derived
26717 types, and the Ada design intends to avoid this possibility.
26718 Subsequent AI's were issued to make it clear that such implicit
26719 change of representation in response to a Size clause is inadvisable,
26720 and this recommendation is represented explicitly in the Ada 95 RM
26721 as implementation advice that is followed by GNAT@.
26722 The problem will show up as an error
26723 message rejecting the size clause. The fix is simply to provide
26724 the explicit pragma @code{Pack}, or for more fine tuned control, provide
26725 a Component_Size clause.
26727 @item Meaning of Size Attribute
26728 The Size attribute in Ada 95 for discrete types is defined as being the
26729 minimal number of bits required to hold values of the type. For example,
26730 on a 32-bit machine, the size of Natural will typically be 31 and not
26731 32 (since no sign bit is required). Some Ada 83 compilers gave 31, and
26732 some 32 in this situation. This problem will usually show up as a compile
26733 time error, but not always. It is a good idea to check all uses of the
26734 'Size attribute when porting Ada 83 code. The GNAT specific attribute
26735 Object_Size can provide a useful way of duplicating the behavior of
26736 some Ada 83 compiler systems.
26738 @item Size of Access Types
26739 A common assumption in Ada 83 code is that an access type is in fact a pointer,
26740 and that therefore it will be the same size as a System.Address value. This
26741 assumption is true for GNAT in most cases with one exception. For the case of
26742 a pointer to an unconstrained array type (where the bounds may vary from one
26743 value of the access type to another), the default is to use a ``fat pointer'',
26744 which is represented as two separate pointers, one to the bounds, and one to
26745 the array. This representation has a number of advantages, including improved
26746 efficiency. However, it may cause some difficulties in porting existing Ada 83
26747 code which makes the assumption that, for example, pointers fit in 32 bits on
26748 a machine with 32-bit addressing.
26750 To get around this problem, GNAT also permits the use of ``thin pointers'' for
26751 access types in this case (where the designated type is an unconstrained array
26752 type). These thin pointers are indeed the same size as a System.Address value.
26753 To specify a thin pointer, use a size clause for the type, for example:
26755 @smallexample @c ada
26756 type X is access all String;
26757 for X'Size use Standard'Address_Size;
26761 which will cause the type X to be represented using a single pointer.
26762 When using this representation, the bounds are right behind the array.
26763 This representation is slightly less efficient, and does not allow quite
26764 such flexibility in the use of foreign pointers or in using the
26765 Unrestricted_Access attribute to create pointers to non-aliased objects.
26766 But for any standard portable use of the access type it will work in
26767 a functionally correct manner and allow porting of existing code.
26768 Note that another way of forcing a thin pointer representation
26769 is to use a component size clause for the element size in an array,
26770 or a record representation clause for an access field in a record.
26774 @c This brief section is only in the non-VMS version
26775 @c The complete chapter on HP Ada is in the VMS version
26776 @node Compatibility with HP Ada 83
26777 @section Compatibility with HP Ada 83
26780 The VMS version of GNAT fully implements all the pragmas and attributes
26781 provided by HP Ada 83, as well as providing the standard HP Ada 83
26782 libraries, including Starlet. In addition, data layouts and parameter
26783 passing conventions are highly compatible. This means that porting
26784 existing HP Ada 83 code to GNAT in VMS systems should be easier than
26785 most other porting efforts. The following are some of the most
26786 significant differences between GNAT and HP Ada 83.
26789 @item Default floating-point representation
26790 In GNAT, the default floating-point format is IEEE, whereas in HP Ada 83,
26791 it is VMS format. GNAT does implement the necessary pragmas
26792 (Long_Float, Float_Representation) for changing this default.
26795 The package System in GNAT exactly corresponds to the definition in the
26796 Ada 95 reference manual, which means that it excludes many of the
26797 HP Ada 83 extensions. However, a separate package Aux_DEC is provided
26798 that contains the additional definitions, and a special pragma,
26799 Extend_System allows this package to be treated transparently as an
26800 extension of package System.
26803 The definitions provided by Aux_DEC are exactly compatible with those
26804 in the HP Ada 83 version of System, with one exception.
26805 HP Ada provides the following declarations:
26807 @smallexample @c ada
26808 TO_ADDRESS (INTEGER)
26809 TO_ADDRESS (UNSIGNED_LONGWORD)
26810 TO_ADDRESS (universal_integer)
26814 The version of TO_ADDRESS taking a universal integer argument is in fact
26815 an extension to Ada 83 not strictly compatible with the reference manual.
26816 In GNAT, we are constrained to be exactly compatible with the standard,
26817 and this means we cannot provide this capability. In HP Ada 83, the
26818 point of this definition is to deal with a call like:
26820 @smallexample @c ada
26821 TO_ADDRESS (16#12777#);
26825 Normally, according to the Ada 83 standard, one would expect this to be
26826 ambiguous, since it matches both the INTEGER and UNSIGNED_LONGWORD forms
26827 of TO_ADDRESS@. However, in HP Ada 83, there is no ambiguity, since the
26828 definition using universal_integer takes precedence.
26830 In GNAT, since the version with universal_integer cannot be supplied, it is
26831 not possible to be 100% compatible. Since there are many programs using
26832 numeric constants for the argument to TO_ADDRESS, the decision in GNAT was
26833 to change the name of the function in the UNSIGNED_LONGWORD case, so the
26834 declarations provided in the GNAT version of AUX_Dec are:
26836 @smallexample @c ada
26837 function To_Address (X : Integer) return Address;
26838 pragma Pure_Function (To_Address);
26840 function To_Address_Long (X : Unsigned_Longword)
26842 pragma Pure_Function (To_Address_Long);
26846 This means that programs using TO_ADDRESS for UNSIGNED_LONGWORD must
26847 change the name to TO_ADDRESS_LONG@.
26849 @item Task_Id values
26850 The Task_Id values assigned will be different in the two systems, and GNAT
26851 does not provide a specified value for the Task_Id of the environment task,
26852 which in GNAT is treated like any other declared task.
26855 For full details on these and other less significant compatibility issues,
26856 see appendix E of the HP publication entitled @cite{HP Ada, Technical
26857 Overview and Comparison on HP Platforms}.
26859 For GNAT running on other than VMS systems, all the HP Ada 83 pragmas and
26860 attributes are recognized, although only a subset of them can sensibly
26861 be implemented. The description of pragmas in the
26862 @cite{GNAT Reference Manual}
26863 indicates whether or not they are applicable to non-VMS systems.
26867 @node Transitioning to 64-Bit GNAT for OpenVMS
26868 @section Transitioning to 64-Bit @value{EDITION} for OpenVMS
26871 This section is meant to assist users of pre-2006 @value{EDITION}
26872 for Alpha OpenVMS who are transitioning to 64-bit @value{EDITION},
26873 the version of the GNAT technology supplied in 2006 and later for
26874 OpenVMS on both Alpha and I64.
26877 * Introduction to transitioning::
26878 * Migration of 32 bit code::
26879 * Taking advantage of 64 bit addressing::
26880 * Technical details::
26883 @node Introduction to transitioning
26884 @subsection Introduction
26887 64-bit @value{EDITION} for Open VMS has been designed to meet
26892 Providing a full conforming implementation of the Ada 95 language
26895 Allowing maximum backward compatibility, thus easing migration of existing
26899 Supplying a path for exploiting the full 64-bit address range
26903 Ada's strong typing semantics has made it
26904 impractical to have different 32-bit and 64-bit modes. As soon as
26905 one object could possibly be outside the 32-bit address space, this
26906 would make it necessary for the @code{System.Address} type to be 64 bits.
26907 In particular, this would cause inconsistencies if 32-bit code is
26908 called from 64-bit code that raises an exception.
26910 This issue has been resolved by always using 64-bit addressing
26911 at the system level, but allowing for automatic conversions between
26912 32-bit and 64-bit addresses where required. Thus users who
26913 do not currently require 64-bit addressing capabilities, can
26914 recompile their code with only minimal changes (and indeed
26915 if the code is written in portable Ada, with no assumptions about
26916 the size of the @code{Address} type, then no changes at all are necessary).
26918 this approach provides a simple, gradual upgrade path to future
26919 use of larger memories than available for 32-bit systems.
26920 Also, newly written applications or libraries will by default
26921 be fully compatible with future systems exploiting 64-bit
26922 addressing capabilities.
26924 @ref{Migration of 32 bit code}, will focus on porting applications
26925 that do not require more than 2 GB of
26926 addressable memory. This code will be referred to as
26927 @emph{32-bit code}.
26928 For applications intending to exploit the full 64-bit address space,
26929 @ref{Taking advantage of 64 bit addressing},
26930 will consider further changes that may be required.
26931 Such code will be referred to below as @emph{64-bit code}.
26933 @node Migration of 32 bit code
26934 @subsection Migration of 32-bit code
26939 * Unchecked conversions::
26940 * Predefined constants::
26941 * Interfacing with C::
26942 * Experience with source compatibility::
26945 @node Address types
26946 @subsubsection Address types
26949 To solve the problem of mixing 64-bit and 32-bit addressing,
26950 while maintaining maximum backward compatibility, the following
26951 approach has been taken:
26955 @code{System.Address} always has a size of 64 bits
26958 @code{System.Short_Address} is a 32-bit subtype of @code{System.Address}
26962 Since @code{System.Short_Address} is a subtype of @code{System.Address},
26963 a @code{Short_Address}
26964 may be used where an @code{Address} is required, and vice versa, without
26965 needing explicit type conversions.
26966 By virtue of the Open VMS parameter passing conventions,
26968 and exported subprograms that have 32-bit address parameters are
26969 compatible with those that have 64-bit address parameters.
26970 (See @ref{Making code 64 bit clean} for details.)
26972 The areas that may need attention are those where record types have
26973 been defined that contain components of the type @code{System.Address}, and
26974 where objects of this type are passed to code expecting a record layout with
26977 Different compilers on different platforms cannot be
26978 expected to represent the same type in the same way,
26979 since alignment constraints
26980 and other system-dependent properties affect the compiler's decision.
26981 For that reason, Ada code
26982 generally uses representation clauses to specify the expected
26983 layout where required.
26985 If such a representation clause uses 32 bits for a component having
26986 the type @code{System.Address}, 64-bit @value{EDITION} for OpenVMS
26987 will detect that error and produce a specific diagnostic message.
26988 The developer should then determine whether the representation
26989 should be 64 bits or not and make either of two changes:
26990 change the size to 64 bits and leave the type as @code{System.Address}, or
26991 leave the size as 32 bits and change the type to @code{System.Short_Address}.
26992 Since @code{Short_Address} is a subtype of @code{Address}, no changes are
26993 required in any code setting or accessing the field; the compiler will
26994 automatically perform any needed conversions between address
26998 @subsubsection Access types
27001 By default, objects designated by access values are always
27002 allocated in the 32-bit
27003 address space. Thus legacy code will never contain
27004 any objects that are not addressable with 32-bit addresses, and
27005 the compiler will never raise exceptions as result of mixing
27006 32-bit and 64-bit addresses.
27008 However, the access values themselves are represented in 64 bits, for optimum
27009 performance and future compatibility with 64-bit code. As was
27010 the case with @code{System.Address}, the compiler will give an error message
27011 if an object or record component has a representation clause that
27012 requires the access value to fit in 32 bits. In such a situation,
27013 an explicit size clause for the access type, specifying 32 bits,
27014 will have the desired effect.
27016 General access types (declared with @code{access all}) can never be
27017 32 bits, as values of such types must be able to refer to any object
27018 of the designated type,
27019 including objects residing outside the 32-bit address range.
27020 Existing Ada 83 code will not contain such type definitions,
27021 however, since general access types were introduced in Ada 95.
27023 @node Unchecked conversions
27024 @subsubsection Unchecked conversions
27027 In the case of an @code{Unchecked_Conversion} where the source type is a
27028 64-bit access type or the type @code{System.Address}, and the target
27029 type is a 32-bit type, the compiler will generate a warning.
27030 Even though the generated code will still perform the required
27031 conversions, it is highly recommended in these cases to use
27032 respectively a 32-bit access type or @code{System.Short_Address}
27033 as the source type.
27035 @node Predefined constants
27036 @subsubsection Predefined constants
27039 The following table shows the correspondence between pre-2006 versions of
27040 @value{EDITION} on Alpha OpenVMS (``Old'') and 64-bit @value{EDITION}
27043 @multitable {@code{System.Short_Memory_Size}} {2**32} {2**64}
27044 @item @b{Constant} @tab @b{Old} @tab @b{New}
27045 @item @code{System.Word_Size} @tab 32 @tab 64
27046 @item @code{System.Memory_Size} @tab 2**32 @tab 2**64
27047 @item @code{System.Short_Memory_Size} @tab 2**32 @tab 2**32
27048 @item @code{System.Address_Size} @tab 32 @tab 64
27052 If you need to refer to the specific
27053 memory size of a 32-bit implementation, instead of the
27054 actual memory size, use @code{System.Short_Memory_Size}
27055 rather than @code{System.Memory_Size}.
27056 Similarly, references to @code{System.Address_Size} may need
27057 to be replaced by @code{System.Short_Address'Size}.
27058 The program @command{gnatfind} may be useful for locating
27059 references to the above constants, so that you can verify that they
27062 @node Interfacing with C
27063 @subsubsection Interfacing with C
27066 In order to minimize the impact of the transition to 64-bit addresses on
27067 legacy programs, some fundamental types in the @code{Interfaces.C}
27068 package hierarchy continue to be represented in 32 bits.
27069 These types are: @code{ptrdiff_t}, @code{size_t}, and @code{chars_ptr}.
27070 This eases integration with the default HP C layout choices, for example
27071 as found in the system routines in @code{DECC$SHR.EXE}.
27072 Because of this implementation choice, the type fully compatible with
27073 @code{chars_ptr} is now @code{Short_Address} and not @code{Address}.
27074 Depending on the context the compiler will issue a
27075 warning or an error when type @code{Address} is used, alerting the user to a
27076 potential problem. Otherwise 32-bit programs that use
27077 @code{Interfaces.C} should normally not require code modifications
27079 The other issue arising with C interfacing concerns pragma @code{Convention}.
27080 For VMS 64-bit systems, there is an issue of the appropriate default size
27081 of C convention pointers in the absence of an explicit size clause. The HP
27082 C compiler can choose either 32 or 64 bits depending on compiler options.
27083 GNAT chooses 32-bits rather than 64-bits in the default case where no size
27084 clause is given. This proves a better choice for porting 32-bit legacy
27085 applications. In order to have a 64-bit representation, it is necessary to
27086 specify a size representation clause. For example:
27088 @smallexample @c ada
27089 type int_star is access Interfaces.C.int;
27090 pragma Convention(C, int_star);
27091 for int_star'Size use 64; -- Necessary to get 64 and not 32 bits
27094 @node Experience with source compatibility
27095 @subsubsection Experience with source compatibility
27098 The Security Server and STARLET on I64 provide an interesting ``test case''
27099 for source compatibility issues, since it is in such system code
27100 where assumptions about @code{Address} size might be expected to occur.
27101 Indeed, there were a small number of occasions in the Security Server
27102 file @file{jibdef.ads}
27103 where a representation clause for a record type specified
27104 32 bits for a component of type @code{Address}.
27105 All of these errors were detected by the compiler.
27106 The repair was obvious and immediate; to simply replace @code{Address} by
27107 @code{Short_Address}.
27109 In the case of STARLET, there were several record types that should
27110 have had representation clauses but did not. In these record types
27111 there was an implicit assumption that an @code{Address} value occupied
27113 These compiled without error, but their usage resulted in run-time error
27114 returns from STARLET system calls.
27115 Future GNAT technology enhancements may include a tool that detects and flags
27116 these sorts of potential source code porting problems.
27118 @c ****************************************
27119 @node Taking advantage of 64 bit addressing
27120 @subsection Taking advantage of 64-bit addressing
27123 * Making code 64 bit clean::
27124 * Allocating memory from the 64 bit storage pool::
27125 * Restrictions on use of 64 bit objects::
27126 * Using 64 bit storage pools by default::
27127 * General access types::
27128 * STARLET and other predefined libraries::
27131 @node Making code 64 bit clean
27132 @subsubsection Making code 64-bit clean
27135 In order to prevent problems that may occur when (parts of) a
27136 system start using memory outside the 32-bit address range,
27137 we recommend some additional guidelines:
27141 For imported subprograms that take parameters of the
27142 type @code{System.Address}, ensure that these subprograms can
27143 indeed handle 64-bit addresses. If not, or when in doubt,
27144 change the subprogram declaration to specify
27145 @code{System.Short_Address} instead.
27148 Resolve all warnings related to size mismatches in
27149 unchecked conversions. Failing to do so causes
27150 erroneous execution if the source object is outside
27151 the 32-bit address space.
27154 (optional) Explicitly use the 32-bit storage pool
27155 for access types used in a 32-bit context, or use
27156 generic access types where possible
27157 (@pxref{Restrictions on use of 64 bit objects}).
27161 If these rules are followed, the compiler will automatically insert
27162 any necessary checks to ensure that no addresses or access values
27163 passed to 32-bit code ever refer to objects outside the 32-bit
27165 Any attempt to do this will raise @code{Constraint_Error}.
27167 @node Allocating memory from the 64 bit storage pool
27168 @subsubsection Allocating memory from the 64-bit storage pool
27171 For any access type @code{T} that potentially requires memory allocations
27172 beyond the 32-bit address space,
27173 use the following representation clause:
27175 @smallexample @c ada
27176 for T'Storage_Pool use System.Pool_64;
27179 @node Restrictions on use of 64 bit objects
27180 @subsubsection Restrictions on use of 64-bit objects
27183 Taking the address of an object allocated from a 64-bit storage pool,
27184 and then passing this address to a subprogram expecting
27185 @code{System.Short_Address},
27186 or assigning it to a variable of type @code{Short_Address}, will cause
27187 @code{Constraint_Error} to be raised. In case the code is not 64-bit clean
27188 (@pxref{Making code 64 bit clean}), or checks are suppressed,
27189 no exception is raised and execution
27190 will become erroneous.
27192 @node Using 64 bit storage pools by default
27193 @subsubsection Using 64-bit storage pools by default
27196 In some cases it may be desirable to have the compiler allocate
27197 from 64-bit storage pools by default. This may be the case for
27198 libraries that are 64-bit clean, but may be used in both 32-bit
27199 and 64-bit contexts. For these cases the following configuration
27200 pragma may be specified:
27202 @smallexample @c ada
27203 pragma Pool_64_Default;
27207 Any code compiled in the context of this pragma will by default
27208 use the @code{System.Pool_64} storage pool. This default may be overridden
27209 for a specific access type @code{T} by the representation clause:
27211 @smallexample @c ada
27212 for T'Storage_Pool use System.Pool_32;
27216 Any object whose address may be passed to a subprogram with a
27217 @code{Short_Address} argument, or assigned to a variable of type
27218 @code{Short_Address}, needs to be allocated from this pool.
27220 @node General access types
27221 @subsubsection General access types
27224 Objects designated by access values from a
27225 general access type (declared with @code{access all}) are never allocated
27226 from a 64-bit storage pool. Code that uses general access types will
27227 accept objects allocated in either 32-bit or 64-bit address spaces,
27228 but never allocate objects outside the 32-bit address space.
27229 Using general access types ensures maximum compatibility with both
27230 32-bit and 64-bit code.
27232 @node STARLET and other predefined libraries
27233 @subsubsection STARLET and other predefined libraries
27236 All code that comes as part of GNAT is 64-bit clean, but the
27237 restrictions given in @ref{Restrictions on use of 64 bit objects},
27238 still apply. Look at the package
27239 specifications to see in which contexts objects allocated
27240 in 64-bit address space are acceptable.
27242 @node Technical details
27243 @subsection Technical details
27246 64-bit @value{EDITION} for Open VMS takes advantage of the freedom given in the
27247 Ada standard with respect to the type of @code{System.Address}. Previous
27248 versions of GNAT Pro have defined this type as private and implemented it as a
27251 In order to allow defining @code{System.Short_Address} as a proper subtype,
27252 and to match the implicit sign extension in parameter passing,
27253 in 64-bit @value{EDITION} for Open VMS, @code{System.Address} is defined as a
27254 visible (i.e., non-private) integer type.
27255 Standard operations on the type, such as the binary operators ``+'', ``-'',
27256 etc., that take @code{Address} operands and return an @code{Address} result,
27257 have been hidden by declaring these
27258 @code{abstract}, an Ada 95 feature that helps avoid the potential ambiguities
27259 that would otherwise result from overloading.
27260 (Note that, although @code{Address} is a visible integer type,
27261 good programming practice dictates against exploiting the type's
27262 integer properties such as literals, since this will compromise
27265 Defining @code{Address} as a visible integer type helps achieve
27266 maximum compatibility for existing Ada code,
27267 without sacrificing the capabilities of the 64-bit architecture.
27270 @c ************************************************
27272 @node Microsoft Windows Topics
27273 @appendix Microsoft Windows Topics
27279 This chapter describes topics that are specific to the Microsoft Windows
27280 platforms (NT, 2000, and XP Professional).
27283 * Using GNAT on Windows::
27284 * Using a network installation of GNAT::
27285 * CONSOLE and WINDOWS subsystems::
27286 * Temporary Files::
27287 * Mixed-Language Programming on Windows::
27288 * Windows Calling Conventions::
27289 * Introduction to Dynamic Link Libraries (DLLs)::
27290 * Using DLLs with GNAT::
27291 * Building DLLs with GNAT::
27292 * Building DLLs with GNAT Project files::
27293 * Building DLLs with gnatdll::
27294 * GNAT and Windows Resources::
27295 * Debugging a DLL::
27296 * Setting Stack Size from gnatlink::
27297 * Setting Heap Size from gnatlink::
27300 @node Using GNAT on Windows
27301 @section Using GNAT on Windows
27304 One of the strengths of the GNAT technology is that its tool set
27305 (@command{gcc}, @command{gnatbind}, @command{gnatlink}, @command{gnatmake}, the
27306 @code{gdb} debugger, etc.) is used in the same way regardless of the
27309 On Windows this tool set is complemented by a number of Microsoft-specific
27310 tools that have been provided to facilitate interoperability with Windows
27311 when this is required. With these tools:
27316 You can build applications using the @code{CONSOLE} or @code{WINDOWS}
27320 You can use any Dynamically Linked Library (DLL) in your Ada code (both
27321 relocatable and non-relocatable DLLs are supported).
27324 You can build Ada DLLs for use in other applications. These applications
27325 can be written in a language other than Ada (e.g., C, C++, etc). Again both
27326 relocatable and non-relocatable Ada DLLs are supported.
27329 You can include Windows resources in your Ada application.
27332 You can use or create COM/DCOM objects.
27336 Immediately below are listed all known general GNAT-for-Windows restrictions.
27337 Other restrictions about specific features like Windows Resources and DLLs
27338 are listed in separate sections below.
27343 It is not possible to use @code{GetLastError} and @code{SetLastError}
27344 when tasking, protected records, or exceptions are used. In these
27345 cases, in order to implement Ada semantics, the GNAT run-time system
27346 calls certain Win32 routines that set the last error variable to 0 upon
27347 success. It should be possible to use @code{GetLastError} and
27348 @code{SetLastError} when tasking, protected record, and exception
27349 features are not used, but it is not guaranteed to work.
27352 It is not possible to link against Microsoft libraries except for
27353 import libraries. The library must be built to be compatible with
27354 @file{MSVCRT.LIB} (/MD Microsoft compiler option), @file{LIBC.LIB} and
27355 @file{LIBCMT.LIB} (/ML or /MT Microsoft compiler options) are known to
27356 not be compatible with the GNAT runtime. Even if the library is
27357 compatible with @file{MSVCRT.LIB} it is not guaranteed to work.
27360 When the compilation environment is located on FAT32 drives, users may
27361 experience recompilations of the source files that have not changed if
27362 Daylight Saving Time (DST) state has changed since the last time files
27363 were compiled. NTFS drives do not have this problem.
27366 No components of the GNAT toolset use any entries in the Windows
27367 registry. The only entries that can be created are file associations and
27368 PATH settings, provided the user has chosen to create them at installation
27369 time, as well as some minimal book-keeping information needed to correctly
27370 uninstall or integrate different GNAT products.
27373 @node Using a network installation of GNAT
27374 @section Using a network installation of GNAT
27377 Make sure the system on which GNAT is installed is accessible from the
27378 current machine, i.e. the install location is shared over the network.
27379 Shared resources are accessed on Windows by means of UNC paths, which
27380 have the format @code{\\server\sharename\path}
27382 In order to use such a network installation, simply add the UNC path of the
27383 @file{bin} directory of your GNAT installation in front of your PATH. For
27384 example, if GNAT is installed in @file{\GNAT} directory of a share location
27385 called @file{c-drive} on a machine @file{LOKI}, the following command will
27388 @code{@ @ @ path \\loki\c-drive\gnat\bin;%path%}
27390 Be aware that every compilation using the network installation results in the
27391 transfer of large amounts of data across the network and will likely cause
27392 serious performance penalty.
27394 @node CONSOLE and WINDOWS subsystems
27395 @section CONSOLE and WINDOWS subsystems
27396 @cindex CONSOLE Subsystem
27397 @cindex WINDOWS Subsystem
27401 There are two main subsystems under Windows. The @code{CONSOLE} subsystem
27402 (which is the default subsystem) will always create a console when
27403 launching the application. This is not something desirable when the
27404 application has a Windows GUI. To get rid of this console the
27405 application must be using the @code{WINDOWS} subsystem. To do so
27406 the @option{-mwindows} linker option must be specified.
27409 $ gnatmake winprog -largs -mwindows
27412 @node Temporary Files
27413 @section Temporary Files
27414 @cindex Temporary files
27417 It is possible to control where temporary files gets created by setting
27418 the TMP environment variable. The file will be created:
27421 @item Under the directory pointed to by the TMP environment variable if
27422 this directory exists.
27424 @item Under c:\temp, if the TMP environment variable is not set (or not
27425 pointing to a directory) and if this directory exists.
27427 @item Under the current working directory otherwise.
27431 This allows you to determine exactly where the temporary
27432 file will be created. This is particularly useful in networked
27433 environments where you may not have write access to some
27436 @node Mixed-Language Programming on Windows
27437 @section Mixed-Language Programming on Windows
27440 Developing pure Ada applications on Windows is no different than on
27441 other GNAT-supported platforms. However, when developing or porting an
27442 application that contains a mix of Ada and C/C++, the choice of your
27443 Windows C/C++ development environment conditions your overall
27444 interoperability strategy.
27446 If you use @command{gcc} to compile the non-Ada part of your application,
27447 there are no Windows-specific restrictions that affect the overall
27448 interoperability with your Ada code. If you plan to use
27449 Microsoft tools (e.g. Microsoft Visual C/C++), you should be aware of
27450 the following limitations:
27454 You cannot link your Ada code with an object or library generated with
27455 Microsoft tools if these use the @code{.tls} section (Thread Local
27456 Storage section) since the GNAT linker does not yet support this section.
27459 You cannot link your Ada code with an object or library generated with
27460 Microsoft tools if these use I/O routines other than those provided in
27461 the Microsoft DLL: @code{msvcrt.dll}. This is because the GNAT run time
27462 uses the services of @code{msvcrt.dll} for its I/Os. Use of other I/O
27463 libraries can cause a conflict with @code{msvcrt.dll} services. For
27464 instance Visual C++ I/O stream routines conflict with those in
27469 If you do want to use the Microsoft tools for your non-Ada code and hit one
27470 of the above limitations, you have two choices:
27474 Encapsulate your non Ada code in a DLL to be linked with your Ada
27475 application. In this case, use the Microsoft or whatever environment to
27476 build the DLL and use GNAT to build your executable
27477 (@pxref{Using DLLs with GNAT}).
27480 Or you can encapsulate your Ada code in a DLL to be linked with the
27481 other part of your application. In this case, use GNAT to build the DLL
27482 (@pxref{Building DLLs with GNAT}) and use the Microsoft or whatever
27483 environment to build your executable.
27486 @node Windows Calling Conventions
27487 @section Windows Calling Conventions
27492 * C Calling Convention::
27493 * Stdcall Calling Convention::
27494 * Win32 Calling Convention::
27495 * DLL Calling Convention::
27499 When a subprogram @code{F} (caller) calls a subprogram @code{G}
27500 (callee), there are several ways to push @code{G}'s parameters on the
27501 stack and there are several possible scenarios to clean up the stack
27502 upon @code{G}'s return. A calling convention is an agreed upon software
27503 protocol whereby the responsibilities between the caller (@code{F}) and
27504 the callee (@code{G}) are clearly defined. Several calling conventions
27505 are available for Windows:
27509 @code{C} (Microsoft defined)
27512 @code{Stdcall} (Microsoft defined)
27515 @code{Win32} (GNAT specific)
27518 @code{DLL} (GNAT specific)
27521 @node C Calling Convention
27522 @subsection @code{C} Calling Convention
27525 This is the default calling convention used when interfacing to C/C++
27526 routines compiled with either @command{gcc} or Microsoft Visual C++.
27528 In the @code{C} calling convention subprogram parameters are pushed on the
27529 stack by the caller from right to left. The caller itself is in charge of
27530 cleaning up the stack after the call. In addition, the name of a routine
27531 with @code{C} calling convention is mangled by adding a leading underscore.
27533 The name to use on the Ada side when importing (or exporting) a routine
27534 with @code{C} calling convention is the name of the routine. For
27535 instance the C function:
27538 int get_val (long);
27542 should be imported from Ada as follows:
27544 @smallexample @c ada
27546 function Get_Val (V : Interfaces.C.long) return Interfaces.C.int;
27547 pragma Import (C, Get_Val, External_Name => "get_val");
27552 Note that in this particular case the @code{External_Name} parameter could
27553 have been omitted since, when missing, this parameter is taken to be the
27554 name of the Ada entity in lower case. When the @code{Link_Name} parameter
27555 is missing, as in the above example, this parameter is set to be the
27556 @code{External_Name} with a leading underscore.
27558 When importing a variable defined in C, you should always use the @code{C}
27559 calling convention unless the object containing the variable is part of a
27560 DLL (in which case you should use the @code{Stdcall} calling
27561 convention, @pxref{Stdcall Calling Convention}).
27563 @node Stdcall Calling Convention
27564 @subsection @code{Stdcall} Calling Convention
27567 This convention, which was the calling convention used for Pascal
27568 programs, is used by Microsoft for all the routines in the Win32 API for
27569 efficiency reasons. It must be used to import any routine for which this
27570 convention was specified.
27572 In the @code{Stdcall} calling convention subprogram parameters are pushed
27573 on the stack by the caller from right to left. The callee (and not the
27574 caller) is in charge of cleaning the stack on routine exit. In addition,
27575 the name of a routine with @code{Stdcall} calling convention is mangled by
27576 adding a leading underscore (as for the @code{C} calling convention) and a
27577 trailing @code{@@}@code{@i{nn}}, where @i{nn} is the overall size (in
27578 bytes) of the parameters passed to the routine.
27580 The name to use on the Ada side when importing a C routine with a
27581 @code{Stdcall} calling convention is the name of the C routine. The leading
27582 underscore and trailing @code{@@}@code{@i{nn}} are added automatically by
27583 the compiler. For instance the Win32 function:
27586 @b{APIENTRY} int get_val (long);
27590 should be imported from Ada as follows:
27592 @smallexample @c ada
27594 function Get_Val (V : Interfaces.C.long) return Interfaces.C.int;
27595 pragma Import (Stdcall, Get_Val);
27596 -- On the x86 a long is 4 bytes, so the Link_Name is "_get_val@@4"
27601 As for the @code{C} calling convention, when the @code{External_Name}
27602 parameter is missing, it is taken to be the name of the Ada entity in lower
27603 case. If instead of writing the above import pragma you write:
27605 @smallexample @c ada
27607 function Get_Val (V : Interfaces.C.long) return Interfaces.C.int;
27608 pragma Import (Stdcall, Get_Val, External_Name => "retrieve_val");
27613 then the imported routine is @code{_retrieve_val@@4}. However, if instead
27614 of specifying the @code{External_Name} parameter you specify the
27615 @code{Link_Name} as in the following example:
27617 @smallexample @c ada
27619 function Get_Val (V : Interfaces.C.long) return Interfaces.C.int;
27620 pragma Import (Stdcall, Get_Val, Link_Name => "retrieve_val");
27625 then the imported routine is @code{retrieve_val@@4}, that is, there is no
27626 trailing underscore but the appropriate @code{@@}@code{@i{nn}} is always
27627 added at the end of the @code{Link_Name} by the compiler.
27630 Note, that in some special cases a DLL's entry point name lacks a trailing
27631 @code{@@}@code{@i{nn}} while the exported name generated for a call has it.
27632 The @code{gnatdll} tool, which creates the import library for the DLL, is able
27633 to handle those cases (@pxref{Using gnatdll} for the description of
27637 It is also possible to import variables defined in a DLL by using an
27638 import pragma for a variable. As an example, if a DLL contains a
27639 variable defined as:
27646 then, to access this variable from Ada you should write:
27648 @smallexample @c ada
27650 My_Var : Interfaces.C.int;
27651 pragma Import (Stdcall, My_Var);
27656 Note that to ease building cross-platform bindings this convention
27657 will be handled as a @code{C} calling convention on non Windows platforms.
27659 @node Win32 Calling Convention
27660 @subsection @code{Win32} Calling Convention
27663 This convention, which is GNAT-specific is fully equivalent to the
27664 @code{Stdcall} calling convention described above.
27666 @node DLL Calling Convention
27667 @subsection @code{DLL} Calling Convention
27670 This convention, which is GNAT-specific is fully equivalent to the
27671 @code{Stdcall} calling convention described above.
27673 @node Introduction to Dynamic Link Libraries (DLLs)
27674 @section Introduction to Dynamic Link Libraries (DLLs)
27678 A Dynamically Linked Library (DLL) is a library that can be shared by
27679 several applications running under Windows. A DLL can contain any number of
27680 routines and variables.
27682 One advantage of DLLs is that you can change and enhance them without
27683 forcing all the applications that depend on them to be relinked or
27684 recompiled. However, you should be aware than all calls to DLL routines are
27685 slower since, as you will understand below, such calls are indirect.
27687 To illustrate the remainder of this section, suppose that an application
27688 wants to use the services of a DLL @file{API.dll}. To use the services
27689 provided by @file{API.dll} you must statically link against the DLL or
27690 an import library which contains a jump table with an entry for each
27691 routine and variable exported by the DLL. In the Microsoft world this
27692 import library is called @file{API.lib}. When using GNAT this import
27693 library is called either @file{libAPI.a} or @file{libapi.a} (names are
27696 After you have linked your application with the DLL or the import library
27697 and you run your application, here is what happens:
27701 Your application is loaded into memory.
27704 The DLL @file{API.dll} is mapped into the address space of your
27705 application. This means that:
27709 The DLL will use the stack of the calling thread.
27712 The DLL will use the virtual address space of the calling process.
27715 The DLL will allocate memory from the virtual address space of the calling
27719 Handles (pointers) can be safely exchanged between routines in the DLL
27720 routines and routines in the application using the DLL.
27724 The entries in the jump table (from the import library @file{libAPI.a}
27725 or @file{API.lib} or automatically created when linking against a DLL)
27726 which is part of your application are initialized with the addresses
27727 of the routines and variables in @file{API.dll}.
27730 If present in @file{API.dll}, routines @code{DllMain} or
27731 @code{DllMainCRTStartup} are invoked. These routines typically contain
27732 the initialization code needed for the well-being of the routines and
27733 variables exported by the DLL.
27737 There is an additional point which is worth mentioning. In the Windows
27738 world there are two kind of DLLs: relocatable and non-relocatable
27739 DLLs. Non-relocatable DLLs can only be loaded at a very specific address
27740 in the target application address space. If the addresses of two
27741 non-relocatable DLLs overlap and these happen to be used by the same
27742 application, a conflict will occur and the application will run
27743 incorrectly. Hence, when possible, it is always preferable to use and
27744 build relocatable DLLs. Both relocatable and non-relocatable DLLs are
27745 supported by GNAT. Note that the @option{-s} linker option (see GNU Linker
27746 User's Guide) removes the debugging symbols from the DLL but the DLL can
27747 still be relocated.
27749 As a side note, an interesting difference between Microsoft DLLs and
27750 Unix shared libraries, is the fact that on most Unix systems all public
27751 routines are exported by default in a Unix shared library, while under
27752 Windows it is possible (but not required) to list exported routines in
27753 a definition file (@pxref{The Definition File}).
27755 @node Using DLLs with GNAT
27756 @section Using DLLs with GNAT
27759 * Creating an Ada Spec for the DLL Services::
27760 * Creating an Import Library::
27764 To use the services of a DLL, say @file{API.dll}, in your Ada application
27769 The Ada spec for the routines and/or variables you want to access in
27770 @file{API.dll}. If not available this Ada spec must be built from the C/C++
27771 header files provided with the DLL.
27774 The import library (@file{libAPI.a} or @file{API.lib}). As previously
27775 mentioned an import library is a statically linked library containing the
27776 import table which will be filled at load time to point to the actual
27777 @file{API.dll} routines. Sometimes you don't have an import library for the
27778 DLL you want to use. The following sections will explain how to build
27779 one. Note that this is optional.
27782 The actual DLL, @file{API.dll}.
27786 Once you have all the above, to compile an Ada application that uses the
27787 services of @file{API.dll} and whose main subprogram is @code{My_Ada_App},
27788 you simply issue the command
27791 $ gnatmake my_ada_app -largs -lAPI
27795 The argument @option{-largs -lAPI} at the end of the @command{gnatmake} command
27796 tells the GNAT linker to look first for a library named @file{API.lib}
27797 (Microsoft-style name) and if not found for a library named @file{libAPI.a}
27798 (GNAT-style name). Note that if the Ada package spec for @file{API.dll}
27799 contains the following pragma
27801 @smallexample @c ada
27802 pragma Linker_Options ("-lAPI");
27806 you do not have to add @option{-largs -lAPI} at the end of the
27807 @command{gnatmake} command.
27809 If any one of the items above is missing you will have to create it
27810 yourself. The following sections explain how to do so using as an
27811 example a fictitious DLL called @file{API.dll}.
27813 @node Creating an Ada Spec for the DLL Services
27814 @subsection Creating an Ada Spec for the DLL Services
27817 A DLL typically comes with a C/C++ header file which provides the
27818 definitions of the routines and variables exported by the DLL. The Ada
27819 equivalent of this header file is a package spec that contains definitions
27820 for the imported entities. If the DLL you intend to use does not come with
27821 an Ada spec you have to generate one such spec yourself. For example if
27822 the header file of @file{API.dll} is a file @file{api.h} containing the
27823 following two definitions:
27835 then the equivalent Ada spec could be:
27837 @smallexample @c ada
27840 with Interfaces.C.Strings;
27845 function Get (Str : C.Strings.Chars_Ptr) return C.int;
27848 pragma Import (C, Get);
27849 pragma Import (DLL, Some_Var);
27856 Note that a variable is
27857 @strong{always imported with a Stdcall convention}. A function
27858 can have @code{C} or @code{Stdcall} convention.
27859 (@pxref{Windows Calling Conventions}).
27861 @node Creating an Import Library
27862 @subsection Creating an Import Library
27863 @cindex Import library
27866 * The Definition File::
27867 * GNAT-Style Import Library::
27868 * Microsoft-Style Import Library::
27872 If a Microsoft-style import library @file{API.lib} or a GNAT-style
27873 import library @file{libAPI.a} is available with @file{API.dll} you
27874 can skip this section. You can also skip this section if
27875 @file{API.dll} is built with GNU tools as in this case it is possible
27876 to link directly against the DLL. Otherwise read on.
27878 @node The Definition File
27879 @subsubsection The Definition File
27880 @cindex Definition file
27884 As previously mentioned, and unlike Unix systems, the list of symbols
27885 that are exported from a DLL must be provided explicitly in Windows.
27886 The main goal of a definition file is precisely that: list the symbols
27887 exported by a DLL. A definition file (usually a file with a @code{.def}
27888 suffix) has the following structure:
27894 [DESCRIPTION @i{string}]
27904 @item LIBRARY @i{name}
27905 This section, which is optional, gives the name of the DLL.
27907 @item DESCRIPTION @i{string}
27908 This section, which is optional, gives a description string that will be
27909 embedded in the import library.
27912 This section gives the list of exported symbols (procedures, functions or
27913 variables). For instance in the case of @file{API.dll} the @code{EXPORTS}
27914 section of @file{API.def} looks like:
27928 Note that you must specify the correct suffix (@code{@@}@code{@i{nn}})
27929 (@pxref{Windows Calling Conventions}) for a Stdcall
27930 calling convention function in the exported symbols list.
27933 There can actually be other sections in a definition file, but these
27934 sections are not relevant to the discussion at hand.
27936 @node GNAT-Style Import Library
27937 @subsubsection GNAT-Style Import Library
27940 To create a static import library from @file{API.dll} with the GNAT tools
27941 you should proceed as follows:
27945 Create the definition file @file{API.def} (@pxref{The Definition File}).
27946 For that use the @code{dll2def} tool as follows:
27949 $ dll2def API.dll > API.def
27953 @code{dll2def} is a very simple tool: it takes as input a DLL and prints
27954 to standard output the list of entry points in the DLL. Note that if
27955 some routines in the DLL have the @code{Stdcall} convention
27956 (@pxref{Windows Calling Conventions}) with stripped @code{@@}@i{nn}
27957 suffix then you'll have to edit @file{api.def} to add it, and specify
27958 @code{-k} to @code{gnatdll} when creating the import library.
27961 Here are some hints to find the right @code{@@}@i{nn} suffix.
27965 If you have the Microsoft import library (.lib), it is possible to get
27966 the right symbols by using Microsoft @code{dumpbin} tool (see the
27967 corresponding Microsoft documentation for further details).
27970 $ dumpbin /exports api.lib
27974 If you have a message about a missing symbol at link time the compiler
27975 tells you what symbol is expected. You just have to go back to the
27976 definition file and add the right suffix.
27980 Build the import library @code{libAPI.a}, using @code{gnatdll}
27981 (@pxref{Using gnatdll}) as follows:
27984 $ gnatdll -e API.def -d API.dll
27988 @code{gnatdll} takes as input a definition file @file{API.def} and the
27989 name of the DLL containing the services listed in the definition file
27990 @file{API.dll}. The name of the static import library generated is
27991 computed from the name of the definition file as follows: if the
27992 definition file name is @i{xyz}@code{.def}, the import library name will
27993 be @code{lib}@i{xyz}@code{.a}. Note that in the previous example option
27994 @option{-e} could have been removed because the name of the definition
27995 file (before the ``@code{.def}'' suffix) is the same as the name of the
27996 DLL (@pxref{Using gnatdll} for more information about @code{gnatdll}).
27999 @node Microsoft-Style Import Library
28000 @subsubsection Microsoft-Style Import Library
28003 With GNAT you can either use a GNAT-style or Microsoft-style import
28004 library. A Microsoft import library is needed only if you plan to make an
28005 Ada DLL available to applications developed with Microsoft
28006 tools (@pxref{Mixed-Language Programming on Windows}).
28008 To create a Microsoft-style import library for @file{API.dll} you
28009 should proceed as follows:
28013 Create the definition file @file{API.def} from the DLL. For this use either
28014 the @code{dll2def} tool as described above or the Microsoft @code{dumpbin}
28015 tool (see the corresponding Microsoft documentation for further details).
28018 Build the actual import library using Microsoft's @code{lib} utility:
28021 $ lib -machine:IX86 -def:API.def -out:API.lib
28025 If you use the above command the definition file @file{API.def} must
28026 contain a line giving the name of the DLL:
28033 See the Microsoft documentation for further details about the usage of
28037 @node Building DLLs with GNAT
28038 @section Building DLLs with GNAT
28039 @cindex DLLs, building
28042 This section explain how to build DLLs using the GNAT built-in DLL
28043 support. With the following procedure it is straight forward to build
28044 and use DLLs with GNAT.
28048 @item building object files
28050 The first step is to build all objects files that are to be included
28051 into the DLL. This is done by using the standard @command{gnatmake} tool.
28053 @item building the DLL
28055 To build the DLL you must use @command{gcc}'s @code{-shared}
28056 option. It is quite simple to use this method:
28059 $ gcc -shared -o api.dll obj1.o obj2.o ...
28062 It is important to note that in this case all symbols found in the
28063 object files are automatically exported. It is possible to restrict
28064 the set of symbols to export by passing to @command{gcc} a definition
28065 file, @pxref{The Definition File}. For example:
28068 $ gcc -shared -o api.dll api.def obj1.o obj2.o ...
28071 If you use a definition file you must export the elaboration procedures
28072 for every package that required one. Elaboration procedures are named
28073 using the package name followed by "_E".
28075 @item preparing DLL to be used
28077 For the DLL to be used by client programs the bodies must be hidden
28078 from it and the .ali set with read-only attribute. This is very important
28079 otherwise GNAT will recompile all packages and will not actually use
28080 the code in the DLL. For example:
28084 $ copy *.ads *.ali api.dll apilib
28085 $ attrib +R apilib\*.ali
28090 At this point it is possible to use the DLL by directly linking
28091 against it. Note that you must use the GNAT shared runtime when using
28092 GNAT shared libraries. This is achieved by using @code{-shared} binder's
28096 $ gnatmake main -Iapilib -bargs -shared -largs -Lapilib -lAPI
28099 @node Building DLLs with GNAT Project files
28100 @section Building DLLs with GNAT Project files
28101 @cindex DLLs, building
28104 There is nothing specific to Windows in this area. @pxref{Library Projects}.
28106 @node Building DLLs with gnatdll
28107 @section Building DLLs with gnatdll
28108 @cindex DLLs, building
28111 * Limitations When Using Ada DLLs from Ada::
28112 * Exporting Ada Entities::
28113 * Ada DLLs and Elaboration::
28114 * Ada DLLs and Finalization::
28115 * Creating a Spec for Ada DLLs::
28116 * Creating the Definition File::
28121 Note that it is preferred to use the built-in GNAT DLL support
28122 (@pxref{Building DLLs with GNAT}) or GNAT Project files
28123 (@pxref{Building DLLs with GNAT Project files}) to build DLLs.
28125 This section explains how to build DLLs containing Ada code using
28126 @code{gnatdll}. These DLLs will be referred to as Ada DLLs in the
28127 remainder of this section.
28129 The steps required to build an Ada DLL that is to be used by Ada as well as
28130 non-Ada applications are as follows:
28134 You need to mark each Ada @i{entity} exported by the DLL with a @code{C} or
28135 @code{Stdcall} calling convention to avoid any Ada name mangling for the
28136 entities exported by the DLL (@pxref{Exporting Ada Entities}). You can
28137 skip this step if you plan to use the Ada DLL only from Ada applications.
28140 Your Ada code must export an initialization routine which calls the routine
28141 @code{adainit} generated by @command{gnatbind} to perform the elaboration of
28142 the Ada code in the DLL (@pxref{Ada DLLs and Elaboration}). The initialization
28143 routine exported by the Ada DLL must be invoked by the clients of the DLL
28144 to initialize the DLL.
28147 When useful, the DLL should also export a finalization routine which calls
28148 routine @code{adafinal} generated by @command{gnatbind} to perform the
28149 finalization of the Ada code in the DLL (@pxref{Ada DLLs and Finalization}).
28150 The finalization routine exported by the Ada DLL must be invoked by the
28151 clients of the DLL when the DLL services are no further needed.
28154 You must provide a spec for the services exported by the Ada DLL in each
28155 of the programming languages to which you plan to make the DLL available.
28158 You must provide a definition file listing the exported entities
28159 (@pxref{The Definition File}).
28162 Finally you must use @code{gnatdll} to produce the DLL and the import
28163 library (@pxref{Using gnatdll}).
28167 Note that a relocatable DLL stripped using the @code{strip}
28168 binutils tool will not be relocatable anymore. To build a DLL without
28169 debug information pass @code{-largs -s} to @code{gnatdll}. This
28170 restriction does not apply to a DLL built using a Library Project.
28171 @pxref{Library Projects}.
28173 @node Limitations When Using Ada DLLs from Ada
28174 @subsection Limitations When Using Ada DLLs from Ada
28177 When using Ada DLLs from Ada applications there is a limitation users
28178 should be aware of. Because on Windows the GNAT run time is not in a DLL of
28179 its own, each Ada DLL includes a part of the GNAT run time. Specifically,
28180 each Ada DLL includes the services of the GNAT run time that are necessary
28181 to the Ada code inside the DLL. As a result, when an Ada program uses an
28182 Ada DLL there are two independent GNAT run times: one in the Ada DLL and
28183 one in the main program.
28185 It is therefore not possible to exchange GNAT run-time objects between the
28186 Ada DLL and the main Ada program. Example of GNAT run-time objects are file
28187 handles (e.g. @code{Text_IO.File_Type}), tasks types, protected objects
28190 It is completely safe to exchange plain elementary, array or record types,
28191 Windows object handles, etc.
28193 @node Exporting Ada Entities
28194 @subsection Exporting Ada Entities
28195 @cindex Export table
28198 Building a DLL is a way to encapsulate a set of services usable from any
28199 application. As a result, the Ada entities exported by a DLL should be
28200 exported with the @code{C} or @code{Stdcall} calling conventions to avoid
28201 any Ada name mangling. As an example here is an Ada package
28202 @code{API}, spec and body, exporting two procedures, a function, and a
28205 @smallexample @c ada
28208 with Interfaces.C; use Interfaces;
28210 Count : C.int := 0;
28211 function Factorial (Val : C.int) return C.int;
28213 procedure Initialize_API;
28214 procedure Finalize_API;
28215 -- Initialization & Finalization routines. More in the next section.
28217 pragma Export (C, Initialize_API);
28218 pragma Export (C, Finalize_API);
28219 pragma Export (C, Count);
28220 pragma Export (C, Factorial);
28226 @smallexample @c ada
28229 package body API is
28230 function Factorial (Val : C.int) return C.int is
28233 Count := Count + 1;
28234 for K in 1 .. Val loop
28240 procedure Initialize_API is
28242 pragma Import (C, Adainit);
28245 end Initialize_API;
28247 procedure Finalize_API is
28248 procedure Adafinal;
28249 pragma Import (C, Adafinal);
28259 If the Ada DLL you are building will only be used by Ada applications
28260 you do not have to export Ada entities with a @code{C} or @code{Stdcall}
28261 convention. As an example, the previous package could be written as
28264 @smallexample @c ada
28268 Count : Integer := 0;
28269 function Factorial (Val : Integer) return Integer;
28271 procedure Initialize_API;
28272 procedure Finalize_API;
28273 -- Initialization and Finalization routines.
28279 @smallexample @c ada
28282 package body API is
28283 function Factorial (Val : Integer) return Integer is
28284 Fact : Integer := 1;
28286 Count := Count + 1;
28287 for K in 1 .. Val loop
28294 -- The remainder of this package body is unchanged.
28301 Note that if you do not export the Ada entities with a @code{C} or
28302 @code{Stdcall} convention you will have to provide the mangled Ada names
28303 in the definition file of the Ada DLL
28304 (@pxref{Creating the Definition File}).
28306 @node Ada DLLs and Elaboration
28307 @subsection Ada DLLs and Elaboration
28308 @cindex DLLs and elaboration
28311 The DLL that you are building contains your Ada code as well as all the
28312 routines in the Ada library that are needed by it. The first thing a
28313 user of your DLL must do is elaborate the Ada code
28314 (@pxref{Elaboration Order Handling in GNAT}).
28316 To achieve this you must export an initialization routine
28317 (@code{Initialize_API} in the previous example), which must be invoked
28318 before using any of the DLL services. This elaboration routine must call
28319 the Ada elaboration routine @code{adainit} generated by the GNAT binder
28320 (@pxref{Binding with Non-Ada Main Programs}). See the body of
28321 @code{Initialize_Api} for an example. Note that the GNAT binder is
28322 automatically invoked during the DLL build process by the @code{gnatdll}
28323 tool (@pxref{Using gnatdll}).
28325 When a DLL is loaded, Windows systematically invokes a routine called
28326 @code{DllMain}. It would therefore be possible to call @code{adainit}
28327 directly from @code{DllMain} without having to provide an explicit
28328 initialization routine. Unfortunately, it is not possible to call
28329 @code{adainit} from the @code{DllMain} if your program has library level
28330 tasks because access to the @code{DllMain} entry point is serialized by
28331 the system (that is, only a single thread can execute ``through'' it at a
28332 time), which means that the GNAT run time will deadlock waiting for the
28333 newly created task to complete its initialization.
28335 @node Ada DLLs and Finalization
28336 @subsection Ada DLLs and Finalization
28337 @cindex DLLs and finalization
28340 When the services of an Ada DLL are no longer needed, the client code should
28341 invoke the DLL finalization routine, if available. The DLL finalization
28342 routine is in charge of releasing all resources acquired by the DLL. In the
28343 case of the Ada code contained in the DLL, this is achieved by calling
28344 routine @code{adafinal} generated by the GNAT binder
28345 (@pxref{Binding with Non-Ada Main Programs}).
28346 See the body of @code{Finalize_Api} for an
28347 example. As already pointed out the GNAT binder is automatically invoked
28348 during the DLL build process by the @code{gnatdll} tool
28349 (@pxref{Using gnatdll}).
28351 @node Creating a Spec for Ada DLLs
28352 @subsection Creating a Spec for Ada DLLs
28355 To use the services exported by the Ada DLL from another programming
28356 language (e.g. C), you have to translate the specs of the exported Ada
28357 entities in that language. For instance in the case of @code{API.dll},
28358 the corresponding C header file could look like:
28363 extern int *_imp__count;
28364 #define count (*_imp__count)
28365 int factorial (int);
28371 It is important to understand that when building an Ada DLL to be used by
28372 other Ada applications, you need two different specs for the packages
28373 contained in the DLL: one for building the DLL and the other for using
28374 the DLL. This is because the @code{DLL} calling convention is needed to
28375 use a variable defined in a DLL, but when building the DLL, the variable
28376 must have either the @code{Ada} or @code{C} calling convention. As an
28377 example consider a DLL comprising the following package @code{API}:
28379 @smallexample @c ada
28383 Count : Integer := 0;
28385 -- Remainder of the package omitted.
28392 After producing a DLL containing package @code{API}, the spec that
28393 must be used to import @code{API.Count} from Ada code outside of the
28396 @smallexample @c ada
28401 pragma Import (DLL, Count);
28407 @node Creating the Definition File
28408 @subsection Creating the Definition File
28411 The definition file is the last file needed to build the DLL. It lists
28412 the exported symbols. As an example, the definition file for a DLL
28413 containing only package @code{API} (where all the entities are exported
28414 with a @code{C} calling convention) is:
28429 If the @code{C} calling convention is missing from package @code{API},
28430 then the definition file contains the mangled Ada names of the above
28431 entities, which in this case are:
28440 api__initialize_api
28445 @node Using gnatdll
28446 @subsection Using @code{gnatdll}
28450 * gnatdll Example::
28451 * gnatdll behind the Scenes::
28456 @code{gnatdll} is a tool to automate the DLL build process once all the Ada
28457 and non-Ada sources that make up your DLL have been compiled.
28458 @code{gnatdll} is actually in charge of two distinct tasks: build the
28459 static import library for the DLL and the actual DLL. The form of the
28460 @code{gnatdll} command is
28464 $ gnatdll [@var{switches}] @var{list-of-files} [-largs @var{opts}]
28469 where @i{list-of-files} is a list of ALI and object files. The object
28470 file list must be the exact list of objects corresponding to the non-Ada
28471 sources whose services are to be included in the DLL. The ALI file list
28472 must be the exact list of ALI files for the corresponding Ada sources
28473 whose services are to be included in the DLL. If @i{list-of-files} is
28474 missing, only the static import library is generated.
28477 You may specify any of the following switches to @code{gnatdll}:
28480 @item -a[@var{address}]
28481 @cindex @option{-a} (@code{gnatdll})
28482 Build a non-relocatable DLL at @var{address}. If @var{address} is not
28483 specified the default address @var{0x11000000} will be used. By default,
28484 when this switch is missing, @code{gnatdll} builds relocatable DLL. We
28485 advise the reader to build relocatable DLL.
28487 @item -b @var{address}
28488 @cindex @option{-b} (@code{gnatdll})
28489 Set the relocatable DLL base address. By default the address is
28492 @item -bargs @var{opts}
28493 @cindex @option{-bargs} (@code{gnatdll})
28494 Binder options. Pass @var{opts} to the binder.
28496 @item -d @var{dllfile}
28497 @cindex @option{-d} (@code{gnatdll})
28498 @var{dllfile} is the name of the DLL. This switch must be present for
28499 @code{gnatdll} to do anything. The name of the generated import library is
28500 obtained algorithmically from @var{dllfile} as shown in the following
28501 example: if @var{dllfile} is @code{xyz.dll}, the import library name is
28502 @code{libxyz.a}. The name of the definition file to use (if not specified
28503 by option @option{-e}) is obtained algorithmically from @var{dllfile}
28504 as shown in the following example:
28505 if @var{dllfile} is @code{xyz.dll}, the definition
28506 file used is @code{xyz.def}.
28508 @item -e @var{deffile}
28509 @cindex @option{-e} (@code{gnatdll})
28510 @var{deffile} is the name of the definition file.
28513 @cindex @option{-g} (@code{gnatdll})
28514 Generate debugging information. This information is stored in the object
28515 file and copied from there to the final DLL file by the linker,
28516 where it can be read by the debugger. You must use the
28517 @option{-g} switch if you plan on using the debugger or the symbolic
28521 @cindex @option{-h} (@code{gnatdll})
28522 Help mode. Displays @code{gnatdll} switch usage information.
28525 @cindex @option{-I} (@code{gnatdll})
28526 Direct @code{gnatdll} to search the @var{dir} directory for source and
28527 object files needed to build the DLL.
28528 (@pxref{Search Paths and the Run-Time Library (RTL)}).
28531 @cindex @option{-k} (@code{gnatdll})
28532 Removes the @code{@@}@i{nn} suffix from the import library's exported
28533 names, but keeps them for the link names. You must specify this
28534 option if you want to use a @code{Stdcall} function in a DLL for which
28535 the @code{@@}@i{nn} suffix has been removed. This is the case for most
28536 of the Windows NT DLL for example. This option has no effect when
28537 @option{-n} option is specified.
28539 @item -l @var{file}
28540 @cindex @option{-l} (@code{gnatdll})
28541 The list of ALI and object files used to build the DLL are listed in
28542 @var{file}, instead of being given in the command line. Each line in
28543 @var{file} contains the name of an ALI or object file.
28546 @cindex @option{-n} (@code{gnatdll})
28547 No Import. Do not create the import library.
28550 @cindex @option{-q} (@code{gnatdll})
28551 Quiet mode. Do not display unnecessary messages.
28554 @cindex @option{-v} (@code{gnatdll})
28555 Verbose mode. Display extra information.
28557 @item -largs @var{opts}
28558 @cindex @option{-largs} (@code{gnatdll})
28559 Linker options. Pass @var{opts} to the linker.
28562 @node gnatdll Example
28563 @subsubsection @code{gnatdll} Example
28566 As an example the command to build a relocatable DLL from @file{api.adb}
28567 once @file{api.adb} has been compiled and @file{api.def} created is
28570 $ gnatdll -d api.dll api.ali
28574 The above command creates two files: @file{libapi.a} (the import
28575 library) and @file{api.dll} (the actual DLL). If you want to create
28576 only the DLL, just type:
28579 $ gnatdll -d api.dll -n api.ali
28583 Alternatively if you want to create just the import library, type:
28586 $ gnatdll -d api.dll
28589 @node gnatdll behind the Scenes
28590 @subsubsection @code{gnatdll} behind the Scenes
28593 This section details the steps involved in creating a DLL. @code{gnatdll}
28594 does these steps for you. Unless you are interested in understanding what
28595 goes on behind the scenes, you should skip this section.
28597 We use the previous example of a DLL containing the Ada package @code{API},
28598 to illustrate the steps necessary to build a DLL. The starting point is a
28599 set of objects that will make up the DLL and the corresponding ALI
28600 files. In the case of this example this means that @file{api.o} and
28601 @file{api.ali} are available. To build a relocatable DLL, @code{gnatdll} does
28606 @code{gnatdll} builds the base file (@file{api.base}). A base file gives
28607 the information necessary to generate relocation information for the
28613 $ gnatlink api -o api.jnk -mdll -Wl,--base-file,api.base
28618 In addition to the base file, the @command{gnatlink} command generates an
28619 output file @file{api.jnk} which can be discarded. The @option{-mdll} switch
28620 asks @command{gnatlink} to generate the routines @code{DllMain} and
28621 @code{DllMainCRTStartup} that are called by the Windows loader when the DLL
28622 is loaded into memory.
28625 @code{gnatdll} uses @code{dlltool} (@pxref{Using dlltool}) to build the
28626 export table (@file{api.exp}). The export table contains the relocation
28627 information in a form which can be used during the final link to ensure
28628 that the Windows loader is able to place the DLL anywhere in memory.
28632 $ dlltool --dllname api.dll --def api.def --base-file api.base \
28633 --output-exp api.exp
28638 @code{gnatdll} builds the base file using the new export table. Note that
28639 @command{gnatbind} must be called once again since the binder generated file
28640 has been deleted during the previous call to @command{gnatlink}.
28645 $ gnatlink api -o api.jnk api.exp -mdll
28646 -Wl,--base-file,api.base
28651 @code{gnatdll} builds the new export table using the new base file and
28652 generates the DLL import library @file{libAPI.a}.
28656 $ dlltool --dllname api.dll --def api.def --base-file api.base \
28657 --output-exp api.exp --output-lib libAPI.a
28662 Finally @code{gnatdll} builds the relocatable DLL using the final export
28668 $ gnatlink api api.exp -o api.dll -mdll
28673 @node Using dlltool
28674 @subsubsection Using @code{dlltool}
28677 @code{dlltool} is the low-level tool used by @code{gnatdll} to build
28678 DLLs and static import libraries. This section summarizes the most
28679 common @code{dlltool} switches. The form of the @code{dlltool} command
28683 $ dlltool [@var{switches}]
28687 @code{dlltool} switches include:
28690 @item --base-file @var{basefile}
28691 @cindex @option{--base-file} (@command{dlltool})
28692 Read the base file @var{basefile} generated by the linker. This switch
28693 is used to create a relocatable DLL.
28695 @item --def @var{deffile}
28696 @cindex @option{--def} (@command{dlltool})
28697 Read the definition file.
28699 @item --dllname @var{name}
28700 @cindex @option{--dllname} (@command{dlltool})
28701 Gives the name of the DLL. This switch is used to embed the name of the
28702 DLL in the static import library generated by @code{dlltool} with switch
28703 @option{--output-lib}.
28706 @cindex @option{-k} (@command{dlltool})
28707 Kill @code{@@}@i{nn} from exported names
28708 (@pxref{Windows Calling Conventions}
28709 for a discussion about @code{Stdcall}-style symbols.
28712 @cindex @option{--help} (@command{dlltool})
28713 Prints the @code{dlltool} switches with a concise description.
28715 @item --output-exp @var{exportfile}
28716 @cindex @option{--output-exp} (@command{dlltool})
28717 Generate an export file @var{exportfile}. The export file contains the
28718 export table (list of symbols in the DLL) and is used to create the DLL.
28720 @item --output-lib @i{libfile}
28721 @cindex @option{--output-lib} (@command{dlltool})
28722 Generate a static import library @var{libfile}.
28725 @cindex @option{-v} (@command{dlltool})
28728 @item --as @i{assembler-name}
28729 @cindex @option{--as} (@command{dlltool})
28730 Use @i{assembler-name} as the assembler. The default is @code{as}.
28733 @node GNAT and Windows Resources
28734 @section GNAT and Windows Resources
28735 @cindex Resources, windows
28738 * Building Resources::
28739 * Compiling Resources::
28740 * Using Resources::
28744 Resources are an easy way to add Windows specific objects to your
28745 application. The objects that can be added as resources include:
28774 This section explains how to build, compile and use resources.
28776 @node Building Resources
28777 @subsection Building Resources
28778 @cindex Resources, building
28781 A resource file is an ASCII file. By convention resource files have an
28782 @file{.rc} extension.
28783 The easiest way to build a resource file is to use Microsoft tools
28784 such as @code{imagedit.exe} to build bitmaps, icons and cursors and
28785 @code{dlgedit.exe} to build dialogs.
28786 It is always possible to build an @file{.rc} file yourself by writing a
28789 It is not our objective to explain how to write a resource file. A
28790 complete description of the resource script language can be found in the
28791 Microsoft documentation.
28793 @node Compiling Resources
28794 @subsection Compiling Resources
28797 @cindex Resources, compiling
28800 This section describes how to build a GNAT-compatible (COFF) object file
28801 containing the resources. This is done using the Resource Compiler
28802 @code{windres} as follows:
28805 $ windres -i myres.rc -o myres.o
28809 By default @code{windres} will run @command{gcc} to preprocess the @file{.rc}
28810 file. You can specify an alternate preprocessor (usually named
28811 @file{cpp.exe}) using the @code{windres} @option{--preprocessor}
28812 parameter. A list of all possible options may be obtained by entering
28813 the command @code{windres} @option{--help}.
28815 It is also possible to use the Microsoft resource compiler @code{rc.exe}
28816 to produce a @file{.res} file (binary resource file). See the
28817 corresponding Microsoft documentation for further details. In this case
28818 you need to use @code{windres} to translate the @file{.res} file to a
28819 GNAT-compatible object file as follows:
28822 $ windres -i myres.res -o myres.o
28825 @node Using Resources
28826 @subsection Using Resources
28827 @cindex Resources, using
28830 To include the resource file in your program just add the
28831 GNAT-compatible object file for the resource(s) to the linker
28832 arguments. With @command{gnatmake} this is done by using the @option{-largs}
28836 $ gnatmake myprog -largs myres.o
28839 @node Debugging a DLL
28840 @section Debugging a DLL
28841 @cindex DLL debugging
28844 * Program and DLL Both Built with GCC/GNAT::
28845 * Program Built with Foreign Tools and DLL Built with GCC/GNAT::
28849 Debugging a DLL is similar to debugging a standard program. But
28850 we have to deal with two different executable parts: the DLL and the
28851 program that uses it. We have the following four possibilities:
28855 The program and the DLL are built with @code{GCC/GNAT}.
28857 The program is built with foreign tools and the DLL is built with
28860 The program is built with @code{GCC/GNAT} and the DLL is built with
28866 In this section we address only cases one and two above.
28867 There is no point in trying to debug
28868 a DLL with @code{GNU/GDB}, if there is no GDB-compatible debugging
28869 information in it. To do so you must use a debugger compatible with the
28870 tools suite used to build the DLL.
28872 @node Program and DLL Both Built with GCC/GNAT
28873 @subsection Program and DLL Both Built with GCC/GNAT
28876 This is the simplest case. Both the DLL and the program have @code{GDB}
28877 compatible debugging information. It is then possible to break anywhere in
28878 the process. Let's suppose here that the main procedure is named
28879 @code{ada_main} and that in the DLL there is an entry point named
28883 The DLL (@pxref{Introduction to Dynamic Link Libraries (DLLs)}) and
28884 program must have been built with the debugging information (see GNAT -g
28885 switch). Here are the step-by-step instructions for debugging it:
28888 @item Launch @code{GDB} on the main program.
28894 @item Start the program and stop at the beginning of the main procedure
28901 This step is required to be able to set a breakpoint inside the DLL. As long
28902 as the program is not run, the DLL is not loaded. This has the
28903 consequence that the DLL debugging information is also not loaded, so it is not
28904 possible to set a breakpoint in the DLL.
28906 @item Set a breakpoint inside the DLL
28909 (gdb) break ada_dll
28916 At this stage a breakpoint is set inside the DLL. From there on
28917 you can use the standard approach to debug the whole program
28918 (@pxref{Running and Debugging Ada Programs}).
28921 @c This used to work, probably because the DLLs were non-relocatable
28922 @c keep this section around until the problem is sorted out.
28924 To break on the @code{DllMain} routine it is not possible to follow
28925 the procedure above. At the time the program stop on @code{ada_main}
28926 the @code{DllMain} routine as already been called. Either you can use
28927 the procedure below @pxref{Debugging the DLL Directly} or this procedure:
28930 @item Launch @code{GDB} on the main program.
28936 @item Load DLL symbols
28939 (gdb) add-sym api.dll
28942 @item Set a breakpoint inside the DLL
28945 (gdb) break ada_dll.adb:45
28948 Note that at this point it is not possible to break using the routine symbol
28949 directly as the program is not yet running. The solution is to break
28950 on the proper line (break in @file{ada_dll.adb} line 45).
28952 @item Start the program
28961 @node Program Built with Foreign Tools and DLL Built with GCC/GNAT
28962 @subsection Program Built with Foreign Tools and DLL Built with GCC/GNAT
28965 * Debugging the DLL Directly::
28966 * Attaching to a Running Process::
28970 In this case things are slightly more complex because it is not possible to
28971 start the main program and then break at the beginning to load the DLL and the
28972 associated DLL debugging information. It is not possible to break at the
28973 beginning of the program because there is no @code{GDB} debugging information,
28974 and therefore there is no direct way of getting initial control. This
28975 section addresses this issue by describing some methods that can be used
28976 to break somewhere in the DLL to debug it.
28979 First suppose that the main procedure is named @code{main} (this is for
28980 example some C code built with Microsoft Visual C) and that there is a
28981 DLL named @code{test.dll} containing an Ada entry point named
28985 The DLL (@pxref{Introduction to Dynamic Link Libraries (DLLs)}) must have
28986 been built with debugging information (see GNAT -g option).
28988 @node Debugging the DLL Directly
28989 @subsubsection Debugging the DLL Directly
28993 Find out the executable starting address
28996 $ objdump --file-header main.exe
28999 The starting address is reported on the last line. For example:
29002 main.exe: file format pei-i386
29003 architecture: i386, flags 0x0000010a:
29004 EXEC_P, HAS_DEBUG, D_PAGED
29005 start address 0x00401010
29009 Launch the debugger on the executable.
29016 Set a breakpoint at the starting address, and launch the program.
29019 $ (gdb) break *0x00401010
29023 The program will stop at the given address.
29026 Set a breakpoint on a DLL subroutine.
29029 (gdb) break ada_dll.adb:45
29032 Or if you want to break using a symbol on the DLL, you need first to
29033 select the Ada language (language used by the DLL).
29036 (gdb) set language ada
29037 (gdb) break ada_dll
29041 Continue the program.
29048 This will run the program until it reaches the breakpoint that has been
29049 set. From that point you can use the standard way to debug a program
29050 as described in (@pxref{Running and Debugging Ada Programs}).
29055 It is also possible to debug the DLL by attaching to a running process.
29057 @node Attaching to a Running Process
29058 @subsubsection Attaching to a Running Process
29059 @cindex DLL debugging, attach to process
29062 With @code{GDB} it is always possible to debug a running process by
29063 attaching to it. It is possible to debug a DLL this way. The limitation
29064 of this approach is that the DLL must run long enough to perform the
29065 attach operation. It may be useful for instance to insert a time wasting
29066 loop in the code of the DLL to meet this criterion.
29070 @item Launch the main program @file{main.exe}.
29076 @item Use the Windows @i{Task Manager} to find the process ID. Let's say
29077 that the process PID for @file{main.exe} is 208.
29085 @item Attach to the running process to be debugged.
29091 @item Load the process debugging information.
29094 (gdb) symbol-file main.exe
29097 @item Break somewhere in the DLL.
29100 (gdb) break ada_dll
29103 @item Continue process execution.
29112 This last step will resume the process execution, and stop at
29113 the breakpoint we have set. From there you can use the standard
29114 approach to debug a program as described in
29115 (@pxref{Running and Debugging Ada Programs}).
29117 @node Setting Stack Size from gnatlink
29118 @section Setting Stack Size from @command{gnatlink}
29121 It is possible to specify the program stack size at link time. On modern
29122 versions of Windows, starting with XP, this is mostly useful to set the size of
29123 the main stack (environment task). The other task stacks are set with pragma
29124 Storage_Size or with gnatbind -d.
29126 Older versions of Windows (2000, NT4, etc.) do
29127 not provide any means of setting the reserve size of individual tasks, thus the
29128 link-time stack size applies to all tasks and pragma Storage_Size has no effect.
29129 It means, in particular, that Stack Overflow checks are made against this
29130 link-time specified size.
29132 This setting can be done with
29133 @command{gnatlink} using either:
29137 @item using @option{-Xlinker} linker option
29140 $ gnatlink hello -Xlinker --stack=0x10000,0x1000
29143 This sets the stack reserve size to 0x10000 bytes and the stack commit
29144 size to 0x1000 bytes.
29146 @item using @option{-Wl} linker option
29149 $ gnatlink hello -Wl,--stack=0x1000000
29152 This sets the stack reserve size to 0x1000000 bytes. Note that with
29153 @option{-Wl} option it is not possible to set the stack commit size
29154 because the coma is a separator for this option.
29158 @node Setting Heap Size from gnatlink
29159 @section Setting Heap Size from @command{gnatlink}
29162 Under Windows systems, it is possible to specify the program heap size from
29163 @command{gnatlink} using either:
29167 @item using @option{-Xlinker} linker option
29170 $ gnatlink hello -Xlinker --heap=0x10000,0x1000
29173 This sets the heap reserve size to 0x10000 bytes and the heap commit
29174 size to 0x1000 bytes.
29176 @item using @option{-Wl} linker option
29179 $ gnatlink hello -Wl,--heap=0x1000000
29182 This sets the heap reserve size to 0x1000000 bytes. Note that with
29183 @option{-Wl} option it is not possible to set the heap commit size
29184 because the coma is a separator for this option.
29190 @c **********************************
29191 @c * GNU Free Documentation License *
29192 @c **********************************
29194 @c GNU Free Documentation License
29196 @node Index,,GNU Free Documentation License, Top
29202 @c Put table of contents at end, otherwise it precedes the "title page" in
29203 @c the .txt version
29204 @c Edit the pdf file to move the contents to the beginning, after the title