1 \input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*-
5 @c oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
7 @c GNAT DOCUMENTATION o
11 @c Copyright (C) 1995-2004 Free Software Foundation o
14 @c GNAT is maintained by Ada Core Technologies Inc (http://www.gnat.com). o
16 @c oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
18 @setfilename gnat_rm.info
22 @settitle GNAT Reference Manual
24 @setchapternewpage odd
27 @include gcc-common.texi
29 @dircategory GNU Ada tools
31 * GNAT Reference Manual: (gnat_rm). Reference Manual for GNU Ada tools.
35 Copyright @copyright{} 1995-2004, Free Software Foundation
37 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
38 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2
39 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation;
40 with the Invariant Sections being ``GNU Free Documentation License'',
41 with the Front-Cover Texts being ``GNAT Reference Manual'', and with
42 no Back-Cover Texts. A copy of the license is included in the section
43 entitled ``GNU Free Documentation License''.
48 @title GNAT Reference Manual
49 @subtitle GNAT, The GNU Ada 95 Compiler
50 @subtitle GCC version @value{version-GCC}
51 @author Ada Core Technologies, Inc.
54 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
61 @node Top, About This Guide, (dir), (dir)
62 @top GNAT Reference Manual
68 GNAT, The GNU Ada 95 Compiler@*
69 GCC version @value{version-GCC}@*
72 Ada Core Technologies, Inc.
76 * Implementation Defined Pragmas::
77 * Implementation Defined Attributes::
78 * Implementation Advice::
79 * Implementation Defined Characteristics::
80 * Intrinsic Subprograms::
81 * Representation Clauses and Pragmas::
82 * Standard Library Routines::
83 * The Implementation of Standard I/O::
85 * Interfacing to Other Languages::
86 * Specialized Needs Annexes::
87 * Implementation of Specific Ada Features::
88 * Project File Reference::
89 * Obsolescent Features::
90 * GNU Free Documentation License::
93 --- The Detailed Node Listing ---
97 * What This Reference Manual Contains::
98 * Related Information::
100 Implementation Defined Pragmas
102 * Pragma Abort_Defer::
108 * Pragma C_Pass_By_Copy::
110 * Pragma Common_Object::
111 * Pragma Compile_Time_Warning::
112 * Pragma Complex_Representation::
113 * Pragma Component_Alignment::
114 * Pragma Convention_Identifier::
116 * Pragma CPP_Constructor::
117 * Pragma CPP_Virtual::
118 * Pragma CPP_Vtable::
120 * Pragma Detect_Blocking::
121 * Pragma Elaboration_Checks::
123 * Pragma Export_Exception::
124 * Pragma Export_Function::
125 * Pragma Export_Object::
126 * Pragma Export_Procedure::
127 * Pragma Export_Value::
128 * Pragma Export_Valued_Procedure::
129 * Pragma Extend_System::
131 * Pragma External_Name_Casing::
132 * Pragma Finalize_Storage_Only::
133 * Pragma Float_Representation::
135 * Pragma Import_Exception::
136 * Pragma Import_Function::
137 * Pragma Import_Object::
138 * Pragma Import_Procedure::
139 * Pragma Import_Valued_Procedure::
140 * Pragma Initialize_Scalars::
141 * Pragma Inline_Always::
142 * Pragma Inline_Generic::
144 * Pragma Interface_Name::
145 * Pragma Interrupt_Handler::
146 * Pragma Interrupt_State::
147 * Pragma Keep_Names::
150 * Pragma Linker_Alias::
151 * Pragma Linker_Section::
152 * Pragma Long_Float::
153 * Pragma Machine_Attribute::
154 * Pragma Main_Storage::
156 * Pragma Normalize_Scalars::
157 * Pragma Obsolescent::
160 * Pragma Profile (Ravenscar)::
161 * Pragma Profile (Restricted)::
162 * Pragma Propagate_Exceptions::
163 * Pragma Psect_Object::
164 * Pragma Pure_Function::
165 * Pragma Restriction_Warnings::
166 * Pragma Source_File_Name::
167 * Pragma Source_File_Name_Project::
168 * Pragma Source_Reference::
169 * Pragma Stream_Convert::
170 * Pragma Style_Checks::
172 * Pragma Suppress_All::
173 * Pragma Suppress_Exception_Locations::
174 * Pragma Suppress_Initialization::
177 * Pragma Task_Storage::
178 * Pragma Thread_Body::
179 * Pragma Time_Slice::
181 * Pragma Unchecked_Union::
182 * Pragma Unimplemented_Unit::
183 * Pragma Universal_Data::
184 * Pragma Unreferenced::
185 * Pragma Unreserve_All_Interrupts::
186 * Pragma Unsuppress::
187 * Pragma Use_VADS_Size::
188 * Pragma Validity_Checks::
191 * Pragma Weak_External::
193 Implementation Defined Attributes
203 * Default_Bit_Order::
211 * Has_Access_Values::
212 * Has_Discriminants::
218 * Max_Interrupt_Priority::
220 * Maximum_Alignment::
224 * Passed_By_Reference::
235 * Unconstrained_Array::
236 * Universal_Literal_String::
237 * Unrestricted_Access::
243 The Implementation of Standard I/O
245 * Standard I/O Packages::
251 * Wide_Wide_Text_IO::
255 * Operations on C Streams::
256 * Interfacing to C Streams::
260 * Ada.Characters.Latin_9 (a-chlat9.ads)::
261 * Ada.Characters.Wide_Latin_1 (a-cwila1.ads)::
262 * Ada.Characters.Wide_Latin_9 (a-cwila9.ads)::
263 * Ada.Characters.Wide_Wide_Latin_1 (a-czila1.ads)::
264 * Ada.Characters.Wide_Wide_Latin_9 (a-czila9.ads)::
265 * Ada.Command_Line.Remove (a-colire.ads)::
266 * Ada.Command_Line.Environment (a-colien.ads)::
267 * Ada.Direct_IO.C_Streams (a-diocst.ads)::
268 * Ada.Exceptions.Is_Null_Occurrence (a-einuoc.ads)::
269 * Ada.Exceptions.Traceback (a-exctra.ads)::
270 * Ada.Sequential_IO.C_Streams (a-siocst.ads)::
271 * Ada.Streams.Stream_IO.C_Streams (a-ssicst.ads)::
272 * Ada.Strings.Unbounded.Text_IO (a-suteio.ads)::
273 * Ada.Strings.Wide_Unbounded.Wide_Text_IO (a-swuwti.ads)::
274 * Ada.Strings.Wide_Wide_Unbounded.Wide_Wide_Text_IO (a-szuzti.ads)::
275 * Ada.Text_IO.C_Streams (a-tiocst.ads)::
276 * Ada.Wide_Text_IO.C_Streams (a-wtcstr.ads)::
277 * Ada.Wide_Wide_Text_IO.C_Streams (a-ztcstr.ads)::
278 * GNAT.Array_Split (g-arrspl.ads)::
279 * GNAT.AWK (g-awk.ads)::
280 * GNAT.Bounded_Buffers (g-boubuf.ads)::
281 * GNAT.Bounded_Mailboxes (g-boumai.ads)::
282 * GNAT.Bubble_Sort (g-bubsor.ads)::
283 * GNAT.Bubble_Sort_A (g-busora.ads)::
284 * GNAT.Bubble_Sort_G (g-busorg.ads)::
285 * GNAT.Calendar (g-calend.ads)::
286 * GNAT.Calendar.Time_IO (g-catiio.ads)::
287 * GNAT.Case_Util (g-casuti.ads)::
288 * GNAT.CGI (g-cgi.ads)::
289 * GNAT.CGI.Cookie (g-cgicoo.ads)::
290 * GNAT.CGI.Debug (g-cgideb.ads)::
291 * GNAT.Command_Line (g-comlin.ads)::
292 * GNAT.Compiler_Version (g-comver.ads)::
293 * GNAT.Ctrl_C (g-ctrl_c.ads)::
294 * GNAT.CRC32 (g-crc32.ads)::
295 * GNAT.Current_Exception (g-curexc.ads)::
296 * GNAT.Debug_Pools (g-debpoo.ads)::
297 * GNAT.Debug_Utilities (g-debuti.ads)::
298 * GNAT.Directory_Operations (g-dirope.ads)::
299 * GNAT.Dynamic_HTables (g-dynhta.ads)::
300 * GNAT.Dynamic_Tables (g-dyntab.ads)::
301 * GNAT.Exception_Actions (g-excact.ads)::
302 * GNAT.Exception_Traces (g-exctra.ads)::
303 * GNAT.Exceptions (g-except.ads)::
304 * GNAT.Expect (g-expect.ads)::
305 * GNAT.Float_Control (g-flocon.ads)::
306 * GNAT.Heap_Sort (g-heasor.ads)::
307 * GNAT.Heap_Sort_A (g-hesora.ads)::
308 * GNAT.Heap_Sort_G (g-hesorg.ads)::
309 * GNAT.HTable (g-htable.ads)::
310 * GNAT.IO (g-io.ads)::
311 * GNAT.IO_Aux (g-io_aux.ads)::
312 * GNAT.Lock_Files (g-locfil.ads)::
313 * GNAT.MD5 (g-md5.ads)::
314 * GNAT.Memory_Dump (g-memdum.ads)::
315 * GNAT.Most_Recent_Exception (g-moreex.ads)::
316 * GNAT.OS_Lib (g-os_lib.ads)::
317 * GNAT.Perfect_Hash_Generators (g-pehage.ads)::
318 * GNAT.Regexp (g-regexp.ads)::
319 * GNAT.Registry (g-regist.ads)::
320 * GNAT.Regpat (g-regpat.ads)::
321 * GNAT.Secondary_Stack_Info (g-sestin.ads)::
322 * GNAT.Semaphores (g-semaph.ads)::
323 * GNAT.Signals (g-signal.ads)::
324 * GNAT.Sockets (g-socket.ads)::
325 * GNAT.Source_Info (g-souinf.ads)::
326 * GNAT.Spell_Checker (g-speche.ads)::
327 * GNAT.Spitbol.Patterns (g-spipat.ads)::
328 * GNAT.Spitbol (g-spitbo.ads)::
329 * GNAT.Spitbol.Table_Boolean (g-sptabo.ads)::
330 * GNAT.Spitbol.Table_Integer (g-sptain.ads)::
331 * GNAT.Spitbol.Table_VString (g-sptavs.ads)::
332 * GNAT.Strings (g-string.ads)::
333 * GNAT.String_Split (g-strspl.ads)::
334 * GNAT.Table (g-table.ads)::
335 * GNAT.Task_Lock (g-tasloc.ads)::
336 * GNAT.Threads (g-thread.ads)::
337 * GNAT.Traceback (g-traceb.ads)::
338 * GNAT.Traceback.Symbolic (g-trasym.ads)::
339 * GNAT.Wide_String_Split (g-wistsp.ads)::
340 * GNAT.Wide_Wide_String_Split (g-zistsp.ads)::
341 * Interfaces.C.Extensions (i-cexten.ads)::
342 * Interfaces.C.Streams (i-cstrea.ads)::
343 * Interfaces.CPP (i-cpp.ads)::
344 * Interfaces.Os2lib (i-os2lib.ads)::
345 * Interfaces.Os2lib.Errors (i-os2err.ads)::
346 * Interfaces.Os2lib.Synchronization (i-os2syn.ads)::
347 * Interfaces.Os2lib.Threads (i-os2thr.ads)::
348 * Interfaces.Packed_Decimal (i-pacdec.ads)::
349 * Interfaces.VxWorks (i-vxwork.ads)::
350 * Interfaces.VxWorks.IO (i-vxwoio.ads)::
351 * System.Address_Image (s-addima.ads)::
352 * System.Assertions (s-assert.ads)::
353 * System.Memory (s-memory.ads)::
354 * System.Partition_Interface (s-parint.ads)::
355 * System.Restrictions (s-restri.ads)::
356 * System.Rident (s-rident.ads)::
357 * System.Task_Info (s-tasinf.ads)::
358 * System.Wch_Cnv (s-wchcnv.ads)::
359 * System.Wch_Con (s-wchcon.ads)::
363 * Text_IO Stream Pointer Positioning::
364 * Text_IO Reading and Writing Non-Regular Files::
366 * Treating Text_IO Files as Streams::
367 * Text_IO Extensions::
368 * Text_IO Facilities for Unbounded Strings::
372 * Wide_Text_IO Stream Pointer Positioning::
373 * Wide_Text_IO Reading and Writing Non-Regular Files::
377 * Wide_Wide_Text_IO Stream Pointer Positioning::
378 * Wide_Wide_Text_IO Reading and Writing Non-Regular Files::
380 Interfacing to Other Languages
383 * Interfacing to C++::
384 * Interfacing to COBOL::
385 * Interfacing to Fortran::
386 * Interfacing to non-GNAT Ada code::
388 Specialized Needs Annexes
390 Implementation of Specific Ada Features
391 * Machine Code Insertions::
392 * GNAT Implementation of Tasking::
393 * GNAT Implementation of Shared Passive Packages::
394 * Code Generation for Array Aggregates::
395 * The Size of Discriminated Records with Default Discriminants::
397 Project File Reference
401 GNU Free Documentation License
408 @node About This Guide
409 @unnumbered About This Guide
413 This manual contains useful information in writing programs using the
414 GNAT compiler. It includes information on implementation dependent
415 characteristics of GNAT, including all the information required by Annex
421 This manual contains useful information in writing programs using the
422 GNAT Pro compiler. It includes information on implementation dependent
423 characteristics of GNAT Pro, including all the information required by Annex
427 Ada 95 is designed to be highly portable.
428 In general, a program will have the same effect even when compiled by
429 different compilers on different platforms.
430 However, since Ada 95 is designed to be used in a
431 wide variety of applications, it also contains a number of system
432 dependent features to be used in interfacing to the external world.
433 @cindex Implementation-dependent features
436 Note: Any program that makes use of implementation-dependent features
437 may be non-portable. You should follow good programming practice and
438 isolate and clearly document any sections of your program that make use
439 of these features in a non-portable manner.
442 For ease of exposition, ``GNAT Pro'' will be referred to simply as
443 ``GNAT'' in the remainder of this document.
447 * What This Reference Manual Contains::
449 * Related Information::
452 @node What This Reference Manual Contains
453 @unnumberedsec What This Reference Manual Contains
456 This reference manual contains the following chapters:
460 @ref{Implementation Defined Pragmas}, lists GNAT implementation-dependent
461 pragmas, which can be used to extend and enhance the functionality of the
465 @ref{Implementation Defined Attributes}, lists GNAT
466 implementation-dependent attributes which can be used to extend and
467 enhance the functionality of the compiler.
470 @ref{Implementation Advice}, provides information on generally
471 desirable behavior which are not requirements that all compilers must
472 follow since it cannot be provided on all systems, or which may be
473 undesirable on some systems.
476 @ref{Implementation Defined Characteristics}, provides a guide to
477 minimizing implementation dependent features.
480 @ref{Intrinsic Subprograms}, describes the intrinsic subprograms
481 implemented by GNAT, and how they can be imported into user
482 application programs.
485 @ref{Representation Clauses and Pragmas}, describes in detail the
486 way that GNAT represents data, and in particular the exact set
487 of representation clauses and pragmas that is accepted.
490 @ref{Standard Library Routines}, provides a listing of packages and a
491 brief description of the functionality that is provided by Ada's
492 extensive set of standard library routines as implemented by GNAT@.
495 @ref{The Implementation of Standard I/O}, details how the GNAT
496 implementation of the input-output facilities.
499 @ref{The GNAT Library}, is a catalog of packages that complement
500 the Ada predefined library.
503 @ref{Interfacing to Other Languages}, describes how programs
504 written in Ada using GNAT can be interfaced to other programming
507 @ref{Specialized Needs Annexes}, describes the GNAT implementation of all
508 of the specialized needs annexes.
511 @ref{Implementation of Specific Ada Features}, discusses issues related
512 to GNAT's implementation of machine code insertions, tasking, and several
516 @ref{Project File Reference}, presents the syntax and semantics
520 @ref{Obsolescent Features} documents implementation dependent features,
521 including pragmas and attributes, which are considered obsolescent, since
522 there are other preferred ways of achieving the same results. These
523 obsolescent forms are retained for backwards compatibilty.
527 @cindex Ada 95 ISO/ANSI Standard
529 This reference manual assumes that you are familiar with Ada 95
530 language, as described in the International Standard
531 ANSI/ISO/IEC-8652:1995, Jan 1995.
534 @unnumberedsec Conventions
535 @cindex Conventions, typographical
536 @cindex Typographical conventions
539 Following are examples of the typographical and graphic conventions used
544 @code{Functions}, @code{utility program names}, @code{standard names},
551 @file{File Names}, @samp{button names}, and @samp{field names}.
560 [optional information or parameters]
563 Examples are described by text
565 and then shown this way.
570 Commands that are entered by the user are preceded in this manual by the
571 characters @samp{$ } (dollar sign followed by space). If your system uses this
572 sequence as a prompt, then the commands will appear exactly as you see them
573 in the manual. If your system uses some other prompt, then the command will
574 appear with the @samp{$} replaced by whatever prompt character you are using.
576 @node Related Information
577 @unnumberedsec Related Information
579 See the following documents for further information on GNAT:
583 @cite{GNAT User's Guide}, which provides information on how to use
584 the GNAT compiler system.
587 @cite{Ada 95 Reference Manual}, which contains all reference
588 material for the Ada 95 programming language.
591 @cite{Ada 95 Annotated Reference Manual}, which is an annotated version
592 of the standard reference manual cited above. The annotations describe
593 detailed aspects of the design decision, and in particular contain useful
594 sections on Ada 83 compatibility.
597 @cite{DEC Ada, Technical Overview and Comparison on DIGITAL Platforms},
598 which contains specific information on compatibility between GNAT and
602 @cite{DEC Ada, Language Reference Manual, part number AA-PYZAB-TK} which
603 describes in detail the pragmas and attributes provided by the DEC Ada 83
608 @node Implementation Defined Pragmas
609 @chapter Implementation Defined Pragmas
612 Ada 95 defines a set of pragmas that can be used to supply additional
613 information to the compiler. These language defined pragmas are
614 implemented in GNAT and work as described in the Ada 95 Reference
617 In addition, Ada 95 allows implementations to define additional pragmas
618 whose meaning is defined by the implementation. GNAT provides a number
619 of these implementation-dependent pragmas which can be used to extend
620 and enhance the functionality of the compiler. This section of the GNAT
621 Reference Manual describes these additional pragmas.
623 Note that any program using these pragmas may not be portable to other
624 compilers (although GNAT implements this set of pragmas on all
625 platforms). Therefore if portability to other compilers is an important
626 consideration, the use of these pragmas should be minimized.
629 * Pragma Abort_Defer::
635 * Pragma C_Pass_By_Copy::
637 * Pragma Common_Object::
638 * Pragma Compile_Time_Warning::
639 * Pragma Complex_Representation::
640 * Pragma Component_Alignment::
641 * Pragma Convention_Identifier::
643 * Pragma CPP_Constructor::
644 * Pragma CPP_Virtual::
645 * Pragma CPP_Vtable::
647 * Pragma Detect_Blocking::
648 * Pragma Elaboration_Checks::
650 * Pragma Export_Exception::
651 * Pragma Export_Function::
652 * Pragma Export_Object::
653 * Pragma Export_Procedure::
654 * Pragma Export_Value::
655 * Pragma Export_Valued_Procedure::
656 * Pragma Extend_System::
658 * Pragma External_Name_Casing::
659 * Pragma Finalize_Storage_Only::
660 * Pragma Float_Representation::
662 * Pragma Import_Exception::
663 * Pragma Import_Function::
664 * Pragma Import_Object::
665 * Pragma Import_Procedure::
666 * Pragma Import_Valued_Procedure::
667 * Pragma Initialize_Scalars::
668 * Pragma Inline_Always::
669 * Pragma Inline_Generic::
671 * Pragma Interface_Name::
672 * Pragma Interrupt_Handler::
673 * Pragma Interrupt_State::
674 * Pragma Keep_Names::
677 * Pragma Linker_Alias::
678 * Pragma Linker_Section::
679 * Pragma Long_Float::
680 * Pragma Machine_Attribute::
681 * Pragma Main_Storage::
683 * Pragma Normalize_Scalars::
684 * Pragma Obsolescent::
687 * Pragma Profile (Ravenscar)::
688 * Pragma Profile (Restricted)::
689 * Pragma Propagate_Exceptions::
690 * Pragma Psect_Object::
691 * Pragma Pure_Function::
692 * Pragma Restriction_Warnings::
693 * Pragma Source_File_Name::
694 * Pragma Source_File_Name_Project::
695 * Pragma Source_Reference::
696 * Pragma Stream_Convert::
697 * Pragma Style_Checks::
699 * Pragma Suppress_All::
700 * Pragma Suppress_Exception_Locations::
701 * Pragma Suppress_Initialization::
704 * Pragma Task_Storage::
705 * Pragma Thread_Body::
706 * Pragma Time_Slice::
708 * Pragma Unchecked_Union::
709 * Pragma Unimplemented_Unit::
710 * Pragma Universal_Data::
711 * Pragma Unreferenced::
712 * Pragma Unreserve_All_Interrupts::
713 * Pragma Unsuppress::
714 * Pragma Use_VADS_Size::
715 * Pragma Validity_Checks::
718 * Pragma Weak_External::
721 @node Pragma Abort_Defer
722 @unnumberedsec Pragma Abort_Defer
724 @cindex Deferring aborts
732 This pragma must appear at the start of the statement sequence of a
733 handled sequence of statements (right after the @code{begin}). It has
734 the effect of deferring aborts for the sequence of statements (but not
735 for the declarations or handlers, if any, associated with this statement
739 @unnumberedsec Pragma Ada_83
748 A configuration pragma that establishes Ada 83 mode for the unit to
749 which it applies, regardless of the mode set by the command line
750 switches. In Ada 83 mode, GNAT attempts to be as compatible with
751 the syntax and semantics of Ada 83, as defined in the original Ada
752 83 Reference Manual as possible. In particular, the new Ada 95
753 keywords are not recognized, optional package bodies are allowed,
754 and generics may name types with unknown discriminants without using
755 the @code{(<>)} notation. In addition, some but not all of the additional
756 restrictions of Ada 83 are enforced.
758 Ada 83 mode is intended for two purposes. Firstly, it allows existing
759 legacy Ada 83 code to be compiled and adapted to GNAT with less effort.
760 Secondly, it aids in keeping code backwards compatible with Ada 83.
761 However, there is no guarantee that code that is processed correctly
762 by GNAT in Ada 83 mode will in fact compile and execute with an Ada
763 83 compiler, since GNAT does not enforce all the additional checks
767 @unnumberedsec Pragma Ada_95
776 A configuration pragma that establishes Ada 95 mode for the unit to which
777 it applies, regardless of the mode set by the command line switches.
778 This mode is set automatically for the @code{Ada} and @code{System}
779 packages and their children, so you need not specify it in these
780 contexts. This pragma is useful when writing a reusable component that
781 itself uses Ada 95 features, but which is intended to be usable from
782 either Ada 83 or Ada 95 programs.
784 @node Pragma Annotate
785 @unnumberedsec Pragma Annotate
790 pragma Annotate (IDENTIFIER @{, ARG@});
792 ARG ::= NAME | EXPRESSION
796 This pragma is used to annotate programs. @var{identifier} identifies
797 the type of annotation. GNAT verifies this is an identifier, but does
798 not otherwise analyze it. The @var{arg} argument
799 can be either a string literal or an
800 expression. String literals are assumed to be of type
801 @code{Standard.String}. Names of entities are simply analyzed as entity
802 names. All other expressions are analyzed as expressions, and must be
805 The analyzed pragma is retained in the tree, but not otherwise processed
806 by any part of the GNAT compiler. This pragma is intended for use by
807 external tools, including ASIS@.
810 @unnumberedsec Pragma Assert
817 [, static_string_EXPRESSION]);
821 The effect of this pragma depends on whether the corresponding command
822 line switch is set to activate assertions. The pragma expands into code
823 equivalent to the following:
826 if assertions-enabled then
827 if not boolean_EXPRESSION then
828 System.Assertions.Raise_Assert_Failure
835 The string argument, if given, is the message that will be associated
836 with the exception occurrence if the exception is raised. If no second
837 argument is given, the default message is @samp{@var{file}:@var{nnn}},
838 where @var{file} is the name of the source file containing the assert,
839 and @var{nnn} is the line number of the assert. A pragma is not a
840 statement, so if a statement sequence contains nothing but a pragma
841 assert, then a null statement is required in addition, as in:
846 pragma Assert (K > 3, "Bad value for K");
852 Note that, as with the @code{if} statement to which it is equivalent, the
853 type of the expression is either @code{Standard.Boolean}, or any type derived
854 from this standard type.
856 If assertions are disabled (switch @code{-gnata} not used), then there
857 is no effect (and in particular, any side effects from the expression
858 are suppressed). More precisely it is not quite true that the pragma
859 has no effect, since the expression is analyzed, and may cause types
860 to be frozen if they are mentioned here for the first time.
862 If assertions are enabled, then the given expression is tested, and if
863 it is @code{False} then @code{System.Assertions.Raise_Assert_Failure} is called
864 which results in the raising of @code{Assert_Failure} with the given message.
866 If the boolean expression has side effects, these side effects will turn
867 on and off with the setting of the assertions mode, resulting in
868 assertions that have an effect on the program. You should generally
869 avoid side effects in the expression arguments of this pragma. However,
870 the expressions are analyzed for semantic correctness whether or not
871 assertions are enabled, so turning assertions on and off cannot affect
872 the legality of a program.
874 @node Pragma Ast_Entry
875 @unnumberedsec Pragma Ast_Entry
881 pragma AST_Entry (entry_IDENTIFIER);
885 This pragma is implemented only in the OpenVMS implementation of GNAT@. The
886 argument is the simple name of a single entry; at most one @code{AST_Entry}
887 pragma is allowed for any given entry. This pragma must be used in
888 conjunction with the @code{AST_Entry} attribute, and is only allowed after
889 the entry declaration and in the same task type specification or single task
890 as the entry to which it applies. This pragma specifies that the given entry
891 may be used to handle an OpenVMS asynchronous system trap (@code{AST})
892 resulting from an OpenVMS system service call. The pragma does not affect
893 normal use of the entry. For further details on this pragma, see the
894 DEC Ada Language Reference Manual, section 9.12a.
896 @node Pragma C_Pass_By_Copy
897 @unnumberedsec Pragma C_Pass_By_Copy
898 @cindex Passing by copy
899 @findex C_Pass_By_Copy
903 pragma C_Pass_By_Copy
904 ([Max_Size =>] static_integer_EXPRESSION);
908 Normally the default mechanism for passing C convention records to C
909 convention subprograms is to pass them by reference, as suggested by RM
910 B.3(69). Use the configuration pragma @code{C_Pass_By_Copy} to change
911 this default, by requiring that record formal parameters be passed by
912 copy if all of the following conditions are met:
916 The size of the record type does not exceed@*@var{static_integer_expression}.
918 The record type has @code{Convention C}.
920 The formal parameter has this record type, and the subprogram has a
921 foreign (non-Ada) convention.
925 If these conditions are met the argument is passed by copy, i.e.@: in a
926 manner consistent with what C expects if the corresponding formal in the
927 C prototype is a struct (rather than a pointer to a struct).
929 You can also pass records by copy by specifying the convention
930 @code{C_Pass_By_Copy} for the record type, or by using the extended
931 @code{Import} and @code{Export} pragmas, which allow specification of
932 passing mechanisms on a parameter by parameter basis.
935 @unnumberedsec Pragma Comment
941 pragma Comment (static_string_EXPRESSION);
945 This is almost identical in effect to pragma @code{Ident}. It allows the
946 placement of a comment into the object file and hence into the
947 executable file if the operating system permits such usage. The
948 difference is that @code{Comment}, unlike @code{Ident}, has
949 no limitations on placement of the pragma (it can be placed
950 anywhere in the main source unit), and if more than one pragma
951 is used, all comments are retained.
953 @node Pragma Common_Object
954 @unnumberedsec Pragma Common_Object
955 @findex Common_Object
960 pragma Common_Object (
961 [Internal =>] LOCAL_NAME,
962 [, [External =>] EXTERNAL_SYMBOL]
963 [, [Size =>] EXTERNAL_SYMBOL] );
967 | static_string_EXPRESSION
971 This pragma enables the shared use of variables stored in overlaid
972 linker areas corresponding to the use of @code{COMMON}
973 in Fortran. The single
974 object @var{local_name} is assigned to the area designated by
975 the @var{External} argument.
976 You may define a record to correspond to a series
977 of fields. The @var{size} argument
978 is syntax checked in GNAT, but otherwise ignored.
980 @code{Common_Object} is not supported on all platforms. If no
981 support is available, then the code generator will issue a message
982 indicating that the necessary attribute for implementation of this
983 pragma is not available.
985 @node Pragma Compile_Time_Warning
986 @unnumberedsec Pragma Compile_Time_Warning
987 @findex Compile_Time_Warning
992 pragma Compile_Time_Warning
993 (boolean_EXPRESSION, static_string_EXPRESSION);
997 This pragma can be used to generate additional compile time warnings. It
998 is particularly useful in generics, where warnings can be issued for
999 specific problematic instantiations. The first parameter is a boolean
1000 expression. The pragma is effective only if the value of this expression
1001 is known at compile time, and has the value True. The set of expressions
1002 whose values are known at compile time includes all static boolean
1003 expressions, and also other values which the compiler can determine
1004 at compile time (e.g. the size of a record type set by an explicit
1005 size representation clause, or the value of a variable which was
1006 initialized to a constant and is known not to have been modified).
1007 If these conditions are met, a warning message is generated using
1008 the value given as the second argument. This string value may contain
1009 embedded ASCII.LF characters to break the message into multiple lines.
1011 @node Pragma Complex_Representation
1012 @unnumberedsec Pragma Complex_Representation
1013 @findex Complex_Representation
1017 @smallexample @c ada
1018 pragma Complex_Representation
1019 ([Entity =>] LOCAL_NAME);
1023 The @var{Entity} argument must be the name of a record type which has
1024 two fields of the same floating-point type. The effect of this pragma is
1025 to force gcc to use the special internal complex representation form for
1026 this record, which may be more efficient. Note that this may result in
1027 the code for this type not conforming to standard ABI (application
1028 binary interface) requirements for the handling of record types. For
1029 example, in some environments, there is a requirement for passing
1030 records by pointer, and the use of this pragma may result in passing
1031 this type in floating-point registers.
1033 @node Pragma Component_Alignment
1034 @unnumberedsec Pragma Component_Alignment
1035 @cindex Alignments of components
1036 @findex Component_Alignment
1040 @smallexample @c ada
1041 pragma Component_Alignment (
1042 [Form =>] ALIGNMENT_CHOICE
1043 [, [Name =>] type_LOCAL_NAME]);
1045 ALIGNMENT_CHOICE ::=
1053 Specifies the alignment of components in array or record types.
1054 The meaning of the @var{Form} argument is as follows:
1057 @findex Component_Size
1058 @item Component_Size
1059 Aligns scalar components and subcomponents of the array or record type
1060 on boundaries appropriate to their inherent size (naturally
1061 aligned). For example, 1-byte components are aligned on byte boundaries,
1062 2-byte integer components are aligned on 2-byte boundaries, 4-byte
1063 integer components are aligned on 4-byte boundaries and so on. These
1064 alignment rules correspond to the normal rules for C compilers on all
1065 machines except the VAX@.
1067 @findex Component_Size_4
1068 @item Component_Size_4
1069 Naturally aligns components with a size of four or fewer
1070 bytes. Components that are larger than 4 bytes are placed on the next
1073 @findex Storage_Unit
1075 Specifies that array or record components are byte aligned, i.e.@:
1076 aligned on boundaries determined by the value of the constant
1077 @code{System.Storage_Unit}.
1081 Specifies that array or record components are aligned on default
1082 boundaries, appropriate to the underlying hardware or operating system or
1083 both. For OpenVMS VAX systems, the @code{Default} choice is the same as
1084 the @code{Storage_Unit} choice (byte alignment). For all other systems,
1085 the @code{Default} choice is the same as @code{Component_Size} (natural
1090 If the @code{Name} parameter is present, @var{type_local_name} must
1091 refer to a local record or array type, and the specified alignment
1092 choice applies to the specified type. The use of
1093 @code{Component_Alignment} together with a pragma @code{Pack} causes the
1094 @code{Component_Alignment} pragma to be ignored. The use of
1095 @code{Component_Alignment} together with a record representation clause
1096 is only effective for fields not specified by the representation clause.
1098 If the @code{Name} parameter is absent, the pragma can be used as either
1099 a configuration pragma, in which case it applies to one or more units in
1100 accordance with the normal rules for configuration pragmas, or it can be
1101 used within a declarative part, in which case it applies to types that
1102 are declared within this declarative part, or within any nested scope
1103 within this declarative part. In either case it specifies the alignment
1104 to be applied to any record or array type which has otherwise standard
1107 If the alignment for a record or array type is not specified (using
1108 pragma @code{Pack}, pragma @code{Component_Alignment}, or a record rep
1109 clause), the GNAT uses the default alignment as described previously.
1111 @node Pragma Convention_Identifier
1112 @unnumberedsec Pragma Convention_Identifier
1113 @findex Convention_Identifier
1114 @cindex Conventions, synonyms
1118 @smallexample @c ada
1119 pragma Convention_Identifier (
1120 [Name =>] IDENTIFIER,
1121 [Convention =>] convention_IDENTIFIER);
1125 This pragma provides a mechanism for supplying synonyms for existing
1126 convention identifiers. The @code{Name} identifier can subsequently
1127 be used as a synonym for the given convention in other pragmas (including
1128 for example pragma @code{Import} or another @code{Convention_Identifier}
1129 pragma). As an example of the use of this, suppose you had legacy code
1130 which used Fortran77 as the identifier for Fortran. Then the pragma:
1132 @smallexample @c ada
1133 pragma Convention_Identifier (Fortran77, Fortran);
1137 would allow the use of the convention identifier @code{Fortran77} in
1138 subsequent code, avoiding the need to modify the sources. As another
1139 example, you could use this to parametrize convention requirements
1140 according to systems. Suppose you needed to use @code{Stdcall} on
1141 windows systems, and @code{C} on some other system, then you could
1142 define a convention identifier @code{Library} and use a single
1143 @code{Convention_Identifier} pragma to specify which convention
1144 would be used system-wide.
1146 @node Pragma CPP_Class
1147 @unnumberedsec Pragma CPP_Class
1149 @cindex Interfacing with C++
1153 @smallexample @c ada
1154 pragma CPP_Class ([Entity =>] LOCAL_NAME);
1158 The argument denotes an entity in the current declarative region
1159 that is declared as a tagged or untagged record type. It indicates that
1160 the type corresponds to an externally declared C++ class type, and is to
1161 be laid out the same way that C++ would lay out the type.
1163 If (and only if) the type is tagged, at least one component in the
1164 record must be of type @code{Interfaces.CPP.Vtable_Ptr}, corresponding
1165 to the C++ Vtable (or Vtables in the case of multiple inheritance) used
1168 Types for which @code{CPP_Class} is specified do not have assignment or
1169 equality operators defined (such operations can be imported or declared
1170 as subprograms as required). Initialization is allowed only by
1171 constructor functions (see pragma @code{CPP_Constructor}).
1173 Pragma @code{CPP_Class} is intended primarily for automatic generation
1174 using an automatic binding generator tool.
1175 See @ref{Interfacing to C++} for related information.
1177 @node Pragma CPP_Constructor
1178 @unnumberedsec Pragma CPP_Constructor
1179 @cindex Interfacing with C++
1180 @findex CPP_Constructor
1184 @smallexample @c ada
1185 pragma CPP_Constructor ([Entity =>] LOCAL_NAME);
1189 This pragma identifies an imported function (imported in the usual way
1190 with pragma @code{Import}) as corresponding to a C++
1191 constructor. The argument is a name that must have been
1192 previously mentioned in a pragma @code{Import}
1193 with @code{Convention} = @code{CPP}, and must be of one of the following
1198 @code{function @var{Fname} return @var{T}'Class}
1201 @code{function @var{Fname} (@dots{}) return @var{T}'Class}
1205 where @var{T} is a tagged type to which the pragma @code{CPP_Class} applies.
1207 The first form is the default constructor, used when an object of type
1208 @var{T} is created on the Ada side with no explicit constructor. Other
1209 constructors (including the copy constructor, which is simply a special
1210 case of the second form in which the one and only argument is of type
1211 @var{T}), can only appear in two contexts:
1215 On the right side of an initialization of an object of type @var{T}.
1217 In an extension aggregate for an object of a type derived from @var{T}.
1221 Although the constructor is described as a function that returns a value
1222 on the Ada side, it is typically a procedure with an extra implicit
1223 argument (the object being initialized) at the implementation
1224 level. GNAT issues the appropriate call, whatever it is, to get the
1225 object properly initialized.
1227 In the case of derived objects, you may use one of two possible forms
1228 for declaring and creating an object:
1231 @item @code{New_Object : Derived_T}
1232 @item @code{New_Object : Derived_T := (@var{constructor-call with} @dots{})}
1236 In the first case the default constructor is called and extension fields
1237 if any are initialized according to the default initialization
1238 expressions in the Ada declaration. In the second case, the given
1239 constructor is called and the extension aggregate indicates the explicit
1240 values of the extension fields.
1242 If no constructors are imported, it is impossible to create any objects
1243 on the Ada side. If no default constructor is imported, only the
1244 initialization forms using an explicit call to a constructor are
1247 Pragma @code{CPP_Constructor} is intended primarily for automatic generation
1248 using an automatic binding generator tool.
1249 See @ref{Interfacing to C++} for more related information.
1251 @node Pragma CPP_Virtual
1252 @unnumberedsec Pragma CPP_Virtual
1253 @cindex Interfacing to C++
1258 @smallexample @c ada
1261 [, [Vtable_Ptr =>] vtable_ENTITY,]
1262 [, [Position =>] static_integer_EXPRESSION]);
1266 This pragma serves the same function as pragma @code{Import} in that
1267 case of a virtual function imported from C++. The @var{Entity} argument
1269 primitive subprogram of a tagged type to which pragma @code{CPP_Class}
1270 applies. The @var{Vtable_Ptr} argument specifies
1271 the Vtable_Ptr component which contains the
1272 entry for this virtual function. The @var{Position} argument
1273 is the sequential number
1274 counting virtual functions for this Vtable starting at 1.
1276 The @code{Vtable_Ptr} and @code{Position} arguments may be omitted if
1277 there is one Vtable_Ptr present (single inheritance case) and all
1278 virtual functions are imported. In that case the compiler can deduce both
1281 No @code{External_Name} or @code{Link_Name} arguments are required for a
1282 virtual function, since it is always accessed indirectly via the
1283 appropriate Vtable entry.
1285 Pragma @code{CPP_Virtual} is intended primarily for automatic generation
1286 using an automatic binding generator tool.
1287 See @ref{Interfacing to C++} for related information.
1289 @node Pragma CPP_Vtable
1290 @unnumberedsec Pragma CPP_Vtable
1291 @cindex Interfacing with C++
1296 @smallexample @c ada
1299 [Vtable_Ptr =>] vtable_ENTITY,
1300 [Entry_Count =>] static_integer_EXPRESSION);
1304 Given a record to which the pragma @code{CPP_Class} applies,
1305 this pragma can be specified for each component of type
1306 @code{CPP.Interfaces.Vtable_Ptr}.
1307 @var{Entity} is the tagged type, @var{Vtable_Ptr}
1308 is the record field of type @code{Vtable_Ptr}, and @var{Entry_Count} is
1309 the number of virtual functions on the C++ side. Not all of these
1310 functions need to be imported on the Ada side.
1312 You may omit the @code{CPP_Vtable} pragma if there is only one
1313 @code{Vtable_Ptr} component in the record and all virtual functions are
1314 imported on the Ada side (the default value for the entry count in this
1315 case is simply the total number of virtual functions).
1317 Pragma @code{CPP_Vtable} is intended primarily for automatic generation
1318 using an automatic binding generator tool.
1319 See @ref{Interfacing to C++} for related information.
1322 @unnumberedsec Pragma Debug
1327 @smallexample @c ada
1328 pragma Debug (PROCEDURE_CALL_WITHOUT_SEMICOLON);
1330 PROCEDURE_CALL_WITHOUT_SEMICOLON ::=
1332 | PROCEDURE_PREFIX ACTUAL_PARAMETER_PART
1336 The argument has the syntactic form of an expression, meeting the
1337 syntactic requirements for pragmas.
1339 If assertions are not enabled on the command line, this pragma has no
1340 effect. If asserts are enabled, the semantics of the pragma is exactly
1341 equivalent to the procedure call statement corresponding to the argument
1342 with a terminating semicolon. Pragmas are permitted in sequences of
1343 declarations, so you can use pragma @code{Debug} to intersperse calls to
1344 debug procedures in the middle of declarations.
1346 @node Pragma Detect_Blocking
1347 @unnumberedsec Pragma Detect_Blocking
1348 @findex Detect_Blocking
1352 @smallexample @c ada
1353 pragma Detect_Blocking;
1357 This is a configuration pragma that forces the detection of potentially
1358 blocking operations within a protected operation, and to raise Program_Error
1361 @node Pragma Elaboration_Checks
1362 @unnumberedsec Pragma Elaboration_Checks
1363 @cindex Elaboration control
1364 @findex Elaboration_Checks
1368 @smallexample @c ada
1369 pragma Elaboration_Checks (Dynamic | Static);
1373 This is a configuration pragma that provides control over the
1374 elaboration model used by the compilation affected by the
1375 pragma. If the parameter is @code{Dynamic},
1376 then the dynamic elaboration
1377 model described in the Ada Reference Manual is used, as though
1378 the @code{-gnatE} switch had been specified on the command
1379 line. If the parameter is @code{Static}, then the default GNAT static
1380 model is used. This configuration pragma overrides the setting
1381 of the command line. For full details on the elaboration models
1382 used by the GNAT compiler, see section ``Elaboration Order
1383 Handling in GNAT'' in the @cite{GNAT User's Guide}.
1385 @node Pragma Eliminate
1386 @unnumberedsec Pragma Eliminate
1387 @cindex Elimination of unused subprograms
1392 @smallexample @c ada
1394 [Unit_Name =>] IDENTIFIER |
1395 SELECTED_COMPONENT);
1398 [Unit_Name =>] IDENTIFIER |
1400 [Entity =>] IDENTIFIER |
1401 SELECTED_COMPONENT |
1403 [,OVERLOADING_RESOLUTION]);
1405 OVERLOADING_RESOLUTION ::= PARAMETER_AND_RESULT_TYPE_PROFILE |
1408 PARAMETER_AND_RESULT_TYPE_PROFILE ::= PROCEDURE_PROFILE |
1411 PROCEDURE_PROFILE ::= Parameter_Types => PARAMETER_TYPES
1413 FUNCTION_PROFILE ::= [Parameter_Types => PARAMETER_TYPES,]
1414 Result_Type => result_SUBTYPE_NAME]
1416 PARAMETER_TYPES ::= (SUBTYPE_NAME @{, SUBTYPE_NAME@})
1417 SUBTYPE_NAME ::= STRING_VALUE
1419 SOURCE_LOCATION ::= Source_Location => SOURCE_TRACE
1420 SOURCE_TRACE ::= STRING_VALUE
1422 STRING_VALUE ::= STRING_LITERAL @{& STRING_LITERAL@}
1426 This pragma indicates that the given entity is not used outside the
1427 compilation unit it is defined in. The entity must be an explicitly declared
1428 subprogram; this includes generic subprogram instances and
1429 subprograms declared in generic package instances.
1431 If the entity to be eliminated is a library level subprogram, then
1432 the first form of pragma @code{Eliminate} is used with only a single argument.
1433 In this form, the @code{Unit_Name} argument specifies the name of the
1434 library level unit to be eliminated.
1436 In all other cases, both @code{Unit_Name} and @code{Entity} arguments
1437 are required. If item is an entity of a library package, then the first
1438 argument specifies the unit name, and the second argument specifies
1439 the particular entity. If the second argument is in string form, it must
1440 correspond to the internal manner in which GNAT stores entity names (see
1441 compilation unit Namet in the compiler sources for details).
1443 The remaining parameters (OVERLOADING_RESOLUTION) are optionally used
1444 to distinguish between overloaded subprograms. If a pragma does not contain
1445 the OVERLOADING_RESOLUTION parameter(s), it is applied to all the overloaded
1446 subprograms denoted by the first two parameters.
1448 Use PARAMETER_AND_RESULT_TYPE_PROFILE to specify the profile of the subprogram
1449 to be eliminated in a manner similar to that used for the extended
1450 @code{Import} and @code{Export} pragmas, except that the subtype names are
1451 always given as strings. At the moment, this form of distinguishing
1452 overloaded subprograms is implemented only partially, so we do not recommend
1453 using it for practical subprogram elimination.
1455 Note, that in case of a parameterless procedure its profile is represented
1456 as @code{Parameter_Types => ("")}
1458 Alternatively, the @code{Source_Location} parameter is used to specify
1459 which overloaded alternative is to be eliminated by pointing to the
1460 location of the DEFINING_PROGRAM_UNIT_NAME of this subprogram in the
1461 source text. The string literal (or concatenation of string literals)
1462 given as SOURCE_TRACE must have the following format:
1464 @smallexample @c ada
1465 SOURCE_TRACE ::= SOURCE_LOCATION@{LBRACKET SOURCE_LOCATION RBRACKET@}
1470 SOURCE_LOCATION ::= FILE_NAME:LINE_NUMBER
1471 FILE_NAME ::= STRING_LITERAL
1472 LINE_NUMBER ::= DIGIT @{DIGIT@}
1475 SOURCE_TRACE should be the short name of the source file (with no directory
1476 information), and LINE_NUMBER is supposed to point to the line where the
1477 defining name of the subprogram is located.
1479 For the subprograms that are not a part of generic instantiations, only one
1480 SOURCE_LOCATION is used. If a subprogram is declared in a package
1481 instantiation, SOURCE_TRACE contains two SOURCE_LOCATIONs, the first one is
1482 the location of the (DEFINING_PROGRAM_UNIT_NAME of the) instantiation, and the
1483 second one denotes the declaration of the corresponding subprogram in the
1484 generic package. This approach is recursively used to create SOURCE_LOCATIONs
1485 in case of nested instantiations.
1487 The effect of the pragma is to allow the compiler to eliminate
1488 the code or data associated with the named entity. Any reference to
1489 an eliminated entity outside the compilation unit it is defined in,
1490 causes a compile time or link time error.
1492 The intention of pragma @code{Eliminate} is to allow a program to be compiled
1493 in a system independent manner, with unused entities eliminated, without
1494 the requirement of modifying the source text. Normally the required set
1495 of @code{Eliminate} pragmas is constructed automatically using the gnatelim
1496 tool. Elimination of unused entities local to a compilation unit is
1497 automatic, without requiring the use of pragma @code{Eliminate}.
1499 Note that the reason this pragma takes string literals where names might
1500 be expected is that a pragma @code{Eliminate} can appear in a context where the
1501 relevant names are not visible.
1503 Note that any change in the source files that includes removing, splitting of
1504 adding lines may make the set of Eliminate pragmas using SOURCE_LOCATION
1507 @node Pragma Export_Exception
1508 @unnumberedsec Pragma Export_Exception
1510 @findex Export_Exception
1514 @smallexample @c ada
1515 pragma Export_Exception (
1516 [Internal =>] LOCAL_NAME,
1517 [, [External =>] EXTERNAL_SYMBOL,]
1518 [, [Form =>] Ada | VMS]
1519 [, [Code =>] static_integer_EXPRESSION]);
1523 | static_string_EXPRESSION
1527 This pragma is implemented only in the OpenVMS implementation of GNAT@. It
1528 causes the specified exception to be propagated outside of the Ada program,
1529 so that it can be handled by programs written in other OpenVMS languages.
1530 This pragma establishes an external name for an Ada exception and makes the
1531 name available to the OpenVMS Linker as a global symbol. For further details
1532 on this pragma, see the
1533 DEC Ada Language Reference Manual, section 13.9a3.2.
1535 @node Pragma Export_Function
1536 @unnumberedsec Pragma Export_Function
1537 @cindex Argument passing mechanisms
1538 @findex Export_Function
1543 @smallexample @c ada
1544 pragma Export_Function (
1545 [Internal =>] LOCAL_NAME,
1546 [, [External =>] EXTERNAL_SYMBOL]
1547 [, [Parameter_Types =>] PARAMETER_TYPES]
1548 [, [Result_Type =>] result_SUBTYPE_MARK]
1549 [, [Mechanism =>] MECHANISM]
1550 [, [Result_Mechanism =>] MECHANISM_NAME]);
1554 | static_string_EXPRESSION
1559 | TYPE_DESIGNATOR @{, TYPE_DESIGNATOR@}
1563 | subtype_Name ' Access
1567 | (MECHANISM_ASSOCIATION @{, MECHANISM_ASSOCIATION@})
1569 MECHANISM_ASSOCIATION ::=
1570 [formal_parameter_NAME =>] MECHANISM_NAME
1578 Use this pragma to make a function externally callable and optionally
1579 provide information on mechanisms to be used for passing parameter and
1580 result values. We recommend, for the purposes of improving portability,
1581 this pragma always be used in conjunction with a separate pragma
1582 @code{Export}, which must precede the pragma @code{Export_Function}.
1583 GNAT does not require a separate pragma @code{Export}, but if none is
1584 present, @code{Convention Ada} is assumed, which is usually
1585 not what is wanted, so it is usually appropriate to use this
1586 pragma in conjunction with a @code{Export} or @code{Convention}
1587 pragma that specifies the desired foreign convention.
1588 Pragma @code{Export_Function}
1589 (and @code{Export}, if present) must appear in the same declarative
1590 region as the function to which they apply.
1592 @var{internal_name} must uniquely designate the function to which the
1593 pragma applies. If more than one function name exists of this name in
1594 the declarative part you must use the @code{Parameter_Types} and
1595 @code{Result_Type} parameters is mandatory to achieve the required
1596 unique designation. @var{subtype_ mark}s in these parameters must
1597 exactly match the subtypes in the corresponding function specification,
1598 using positional notation to match parameters with subtype marks.
1599 The form with an @code{'Access} attribute can be used to match an
1600 anonymous access parameter.
1603 @cindex Passing by descriptor
1604 Note that passing by descriptor is not supported, even on the OpenVMS
1607 @cindex Suppressing external name
1608 Special treatment is given if the EXTERNAL is an explicit null
1609 string or a static string expressions that evaluates to the null
1610 string. In this case, no external name is generated. This form
1611 still allows the specification of parameter mechanisms.
1613 @node Pragma Export_Object
1614 @unnumberedsec Pragma Export_Object
1615 @findex Export_Object
1619 @smallexample @c ada
1620 pragma Export_Object
1621 [Internal =>] LOCAL_NAME,
1622 [, [External =>] EXTERNAL_SYMBOL]
1623 [, [Size =>] EXTERNAL_SYMBOL]
1627 | static_string_EXPRESSION
1631 This pragma designates an object as exported, and apart from the
1632 extended rules for external symbols, is identical in effect to the use of
1633 the normal @code{Export} pragma applied to an object. You may use a
1634 separate Export pragma (and you probably should from the point of view
1635 of portability), but it is not required. @var{Size} is syntax checked,
1636 but otherwise ignored by GNAT@.
1638 @node Pragma Export_Procedure
1639 @unnumberedsec Pragma Export_Procedure
1640 @findex Export_Procedure
1644 @smallexample @c ada
1645 pragma Export_Procedure (
1646 [Internal =>] LOCAL_NAME
1647 [, [External =>] EXTERNAL_SYMBOL]
1648 [, [Parameter_Types =>] PARAMETER_TYPES]
1649 [, [Mechanism =>] MECHANISM]);
1653 | static_string_EXPRESSION
1658 | TYPE_DESIGNATOR @{, TYPE_DESIGNATOR@}
1662 | subtype_Name ' Access
1666 | (MECHANISM_ASSOCIATION @{, MECHANISM_ASSOCIATION@})
1668 MECHANISM_ASSOCIATION ::=
1669 [formal_parameter_NAME =>] MECHANISM_NAME
1677 This pragma is identical to @code{Export_Function} except that it
1678 applies to a procedure rather than a function and the parameters
1679 @code{Result_Type} and @code{Result_Mechanism} are not permitted.
1680 GNAT does not require a separate pragma @code{Export}, but if none is
1681 present, @code{Convention Ada} is assumed, which is usually
1682 not what is wanted, so it is usually appropriate to use this
1683 pragma in conjunction with a @code{Export} or @code{Convention}
1684 pragma that specifies the desired foreign convention.
1687 @cindex Passing by descriptor
1688 Note that passing by descriptor is not supported, even on the OpenVMS
1691 @cindex Suppressing external name
1692 Special treatment is given if the EXTERNAL is an explicit null
1693 string or a static string expressions that evaluates to the null
1694 string. In this case, no external name is generated. This form
1695 still allows the specification of parameter mechanisms.
1697 @node Pragma Export_Value
1698 @unnumberedsec Pragma Export_Value
1699 @findex Export_Value
1703 @smallexample @c ada
1704 pragma Export_Value (
1705 [Value =>] static_integer_EXPRESSION,
1706 [Link_Name =>] static_string_EXPRESSION);
1710 This pragma serves to export a static integer value for external use.
1711 The first argument specifies the value to be exported. The Link_Name
1712 argument specifies the symbolic name to be associated with the integer
1713 value. This pragma is useful for defining a named static value in Ada
1714 that can be referenced in assembly language units to be linked with
1715 the application. This pragma is currently supported only for the
1716 AAMP target and is ignored for other targets.
1718 @node Pragma Export_Valued_Procedure
1719 @unnumberedsec Pragma Export_Valued_Procedure
1720 @findex Export_Valued_Procedure
1724 @smallexample @c ada
1725 pragma Export_Valued_Procedure (
1726 [Internal =>] LOCAL_NAME
1727 [, [External =>] EXTERNAL_SYMBOL]
1728 [, [Parameter_Types =>] PARAMETER_TYPES]
1729 [, [Mechanism =>] MECHANISM]);
1733 | static_string_EXPRESSION
1738 | TYPE_DESIGNATOR @{, TYPE_DESIGNATOR@}
1742 | subtype_Name ' Access
1746 | (MECHANISM_ASSOCIATION @{, MECHANISM_ASSOCIATION@})
1748 MECHANISM_ASSOCIATION ::=
1749 [formal_parameter_NAME =>] MECHANISM_NAME
1757 This pragma is identical to @code{Export_Procedure} except that the
1758 first parameter of @var{local_name}, which must be present, must be of
1759 mode @code{OUT}, and externally the subprogram is treated as a function
1760 with this parameter as the result of the function. GNAT provides for
1761 this capability to allow the use of @code{OUT} and @code{IN OUT}
1762 parameters in interfacing to external functions (which are not permitted
1764 GNAT does not require a separate pragma @code{Export}, but if none is
1765 present, @code{Convention Ada} is assumed, which is almost certainly
1766 not what is wanted since the whole point of this pragma is to interface
1767 with foreign language functions, so it is usually appropriate to use this
1768 pragma in conjunction with a @code{Export} or @code{Convention}
1769 pragma that specifies the desired foreign convention.
1772 @cindex Passing by descriptor
1773 Note that passing by descriptor is not supported, even on the OpenVMS
1776 @cindex Suppressing external name
1777 Special treatment is given if the EXTERNAL is an explicit null
1778 string or a static string expressions that evaluates to the null
1779 string. In this case, no external name is generated. This form
1780 still allows the specification of parameter mechanisms.
1782 @node Pragma Extend_System
1783 @unnumberedsec Pragma Extend_System
1784 @cindex @code{system}, extending
1786 @findex Extend_System
1790 @smallexample @c ada
1791 pragma Extend_System ([Name =>] IDENTIFIER);
1795 This pragma is used to provide backwards compatibility with other
1796 implementations that extend the facilities of package @code{System}. In
1797 GNAT, @code{System} contains only the definitions that are present in
1798 the Ada 95 RM@. However, other implementations, notably the DEC Ada 83
1799 implementation, provide many extensions to package @code{System}.
1801 For each such implementation accommodated by this pragma, GNAT provides a
1802 package @code{Aux_@var{xxx}}, e.g.@: @code{Aux_DEC} for the DEC Ada 83
1803 implementation, which provides the required additional definitions. You
1804 can use this package in two ways. You can @code{with} it in the normal
1805 way and access entities either by selection or using a @code{use}
1806 clause. In this case no special processing is required.
1808 However, if existing code contains references such as
1809 @code{System.@var{xxx}} where @var{xxx} is an entity in the extended
1810 definitions provided in package @code{System}, you may use this pragma
1811 to extend visibility in @code{System} in a non-standard way that
1812 provides greater compatibility with the existing code. Pragma
1813 @code{Extend_System} is a configuration pragma whose single argument is
1814 the name of the package containing the extended definition
1815 (e.g.@: @code{Aux_DEC} for the DEC Ada case). A unit compiled under
1816 control of this pragma will be processed using special visibility
1817 processing that looks in package @code{System.Aux_@var{xxx}} where
1818 @code{Aux_@var{xxx}} is the pragma argument for any entity referenced in
1819 package @code{System}, but not found in package @code{System}.
1821 You can use this pragma either to access a predefined @code{System}
1822 extension supplied with the compiler, for example @code{Aux_DEC} or
1823 you can construct your own extension unit following the above
1824 definition. Note that such a package is a child of @code{System}
1825 and thus is considered part of the implementation. To compile
1826 it you will have to use the appropriate switch for compiling
1827 system units. See the GNAT User's Guide for details.
1829 @node Pragma External
1830 @unnumberedsec Pragma External
1835 @smallexample @c ada
1837 [ Convention =>] convention_IDENTIFIER,
1838 [ Entity =>] local_NAME
1839 [, [External_Name =>] static_string_EXPRESSION ]
1840 [, [Link_Name =>] static_string_EXPRESSION ]);
1844 This pragma is identical in syntax and semantics to pragma
1845 @code{Export} as defined in the Ada Reference Manual. It is
1846 provided for compatibility with some Ada 83 compilers that
1847 used this pragma for exactly the same purposes as pragma
1848 @code{Export} before the latter was standardized.
1850 @node Pragma External_Name_Casing
1851 @unnumberedsec Pragma External_Name_Casing
1852 @cindex Dec Ada 83 casing compatibility
1853 @cindex External Names, casing
1854 @cindex Casing of External names
1855 @findex External_Name_Casing
1859 @smallexample @c ada
1860 pragma External_Name_Casing (
1861 Uppercase | Lowercase
1862 [, Uppercase | Lowercase | As_Is]);
1866 This pragma provides control over the casing of external names associated
1867 with Import and Export pragmas. There are two cases to consider:
1870 @item Implicit external names
1871 Implicit external names are derived from identifiers. The most common case
1872 arises when a standard Ada 95 Import or Export pragma is used with only two
1875 @smallexample @c ada
1876 pragma Import (C, C_Routine);
1880 Since Ada is a case insensitive language, the spelling of the identifier in
1881 the Ada source program does not provide any information on the desired
1882 casing of the external name, and so a convention is needed. In GNAT the
1883 default treatment is that such names are converted to all lower case
1884 letters. This corresponds to the normal C style in many environments.
1885 The first argument of pragma @code{External_Name_Casing} can be used to
1886 control this treatment. If @code{Uppercase} is specified, then the name
1887 will be forced to all uppercase letters. If @code{Lowercase} is specified,
1888 then the normal default of all lower case letters will be used.
1890 This same implicit treatment is also used in the case of extended DEC Ada 83
1891 compatible Import and Export pragmas where an external name is explicitly
1892 specified using an identifier rather than a string.
1894 @item Explicit external names
1895 Explicit external names are given as string literals. The most common case
1896 arises when a standard Ada 95 Import or Export pragma is used with three
1899 @smallexample @c ada
1900 pragma Import (C, C_Routine, "C_routine");
1904 In this case, the string literal normally provides the exact casing required
1905 for the external name. The second argument of pragma
1906 @code{External_Name_Casing} may be used to modify this behavior.
1907 If @code{Uppercase} is specified, then the name
1908 will be forced to all uppercase letters. If @code{Lowercase} is specified,
1909 then the name will be forced to all lowercase letters. A specification of
1910 @code{As_Is} provides the normal default behavior in which the casing is
1911 taken from the string provided.
1915 This pragma may appear anywhere that a pragma is valid. In particular, it
1916 can be used as a configuration pragma in the @file{gnat.adc} file, in which
1917 case it applies to all subsequent compilations, or it can be used as a program
1918 unit pragma, in which case it only applies to the current unit, or it can
1919 be used more locally to control individual Import/Export pragmas.
1921 It is primarily intended for use with OpenVMS systems, where many
1922 compilers convert all symbols to upper case by default. For interfacing to
1923 such compilers (e.g.@: the DEC C compiler), it may be convenient to use
1926 @smallexample @c ada
1927 pragma External_Name_Casing (Uppercase, Uppercase);
1931 to enforce the upper casing of all external symbols.
1933 @node Pragma Finalize_Storage_Only
1934 @unnumberedsec Pragma Finalize_Storage_Only
1935 @findex Finalize_Storage_Only
1939 @smallexample @c ada
1940 pragma Finalize_Storage_Only (first_subtype_LOCAL_NAME);
1944 This pragma allows the compiler not to emit a Finalize call for objects
1945 defined at the library level. This is mostly useful for types where
1946 finalization is only used to deal with storage reclamation since in most
1947 environments it is not necessary to reclaim memory just before terminating
1948 execution, hence the name.
1950 @node Pragma Float_Representation
1951 @unnumberedsec Pragma Float_Representation
1953 @findex Float_Representation
1957 @smallexample @c ada
1958 pragma Float_Representation (FLOAT_REP);
1960 FLOAT_REP ::= VAX_Float | IEEE_Float
1965 allows control over the internal representation chosen for the predefined
1966 floating point types declared in the packages @code{Standard} and
1967 @code{System}. On all systems other than OpenVMS, the argument must
1968 be @code{IEEE_Float} and the pragma has no effect. On OpenVMS, the
1969 argument may be @code{VAX_Float} to specify the use of the VAX float
1970 format for the floating-point types in Standard. This requires that
1971 the standard runtime libraries be recompiled. See the
1972 description of the @code{GNAT LIBRARY} command in the OpenVMS version
1973 of the GNAT Users Guide for details on the use of this command.
1976 @unnumberedsec Pragma Ident
1981 @smallexample @c ada
1982 pragma Ident (static_string_EXPRESSION);
1986 This pragma provides a string identification in the generated object file,
1987 if the system supports the concept of this kind of identification string.
1988 This pragma is allowed only in the outermost declarative part or
1989 declarative items of a compilation unit. If more than one @code{Ident}
1990 pragma is given, only the last one processed is effective.
1992 On OpenVMS systems, the effect of the pragma is identical to the effect of
1993 the DEC Ada 83 pragma of the same name. Note that in DEC Ada 83, the
1994 maximum allowed length is 31 characters, so if it is important to
1995 maintain compatibility with this compiler, you should obey this length
1998 @node Pragma Import_Exception
1999 @unnumberedsec Pragma Import_Exception
2001 @findex Import_Exception
2005 @smallexample @c ada
2006 pragma Import_Exception (
2007 [Internal =>] LOCAL_NAME,
2008 [, [External =>] EXTERNAL_SYMBOL,]
2009 [, [Form =>] Ada | VMS]
2010 [, [Code =>] static_integer_EXPRESSION]);
2014 | static_string_EXPRESSION
2018 This pragma is implemented only in the OpenVMS implementation of GNAT@.
2019 It allows OpenVMS conditions (for example, from OpenVMS system services or
2020 other OpenVMS languages) to be propagated to Ada programs as Ada exceptions.
2021 The pragma specifies that the exception associated with an exception
2022 declaration in an Ada program be defined externally (in non-Ada code).
2023 For further details on this pragma, see the
2024 DEC Ada Language Reference Manual, section 13.9a.3.1.
2026 @node Pragma Import_Function
2027 @unnumberedsec Pragma Import_Function
2028 @findex Import_Function
2032 @smallexample @c ada
2033 pragma Import_Function (
2034 [Internal =>] LOCAL_NAME,
2035 [, [External =>] EXTERNAL_SYMBOL]
2036 [, [Parameter_Types =>] PARAMETER_TYPES]
2037 [, [Result_Type =>] SUBTYPE_MARK]
2038 [, [Mechanism =>] MECHANISM]
2039 [, [Result_Mechanism =>] MECHANISM_NAME]
2040 [, [First_Optional_Parameter =>] IDENTIFIER]);
2044 | static_string_EXPRESSION
2048 | TYPE_DESIGNATOR @{, TYPE_DESIGNATOR@}
2052 | subtype_Name ' Access
2056 | (MECHANISM_ASSOCIATION @{, MECHANISM_ASSOCIATION@})
2058 MECHANISM_ASSOCIATION ::=
2059 [formal_parameter_NAME =>] MECHANISM_NAME
2064 | Descriptor [([Class =>] CLASS_NAME)]
2066 CLASS_NAME ::= ubs | ubsb | uba | s | sb | a | nca
2070 This pragma is used in conjunction with a pragma @code{Import} to
2071 specify additional information for an imported function. The pragma
2072 @code{Import} (or equivalent pragma @code{Interface}) must precede the
2073 @code{Import_Function} pragma and both must appear in the same
2074 declarative part as the function specification.
2076 The @var{Internal} argument must uniquely designate
2077 the function to which the
2078 pragma applies. If more than one function name exists of this name in
2079 the declarative part you must use the @code{Parameter_Types} and
2080 @var{Result_Type} parameters to achieve the required unique
2081 designation. Subtype marks in these parameters must exactly match the
2082 subtypes in the corresponding function specification, using positional
2083 notation to match parameters with subtype marks.
2084 The form with an @code{'Access} attribute can be used to match an
2085 anonymous access parameter.
2087 You may optionally use the @var{Mechanism} and @var{Result_Mechanism}
2088 parameters to specify passing mechanisms for the
2089 parameters and result. If you specify a single mechanism name, it
2090 applies to all parameters. Otherwise you may specify a mechanism on a
2091 parameter by parameter basis using either positional or named
2092 notation. If the mechanism is not specified, the default mechanism
2096 @cindex Passing by descriptor
2097 Passing by descriptor is supported only on the OpenVMS ports of GNAT@.
2099 @code{First_Optional_Parameter} applies only to OpenVMS ports of GNAT@.
2100 It specifies that the designated parameter and all following parameters
2101 are optional, meaning that they are not passed at the generated code
2102 level (this is distinct from the notion of optional parameters in Ada
2103 where the parameters are passed anyway with the designated optional
2104 parameters). All optional parameters must be of mode @code{IN} and have
2105 default parameter values that are either known at compile time
2106 expressions, or uses of the @code{'Null_Parameter} attribute.
2108 @node Pragma Import_Object
2109 @unnumberedsec Pragma Import_Object
2110 @findex Import_Object
2114 @smallexample @c ada
2115 pragma Import_Object
2116 [Internal =>] LOCAL_NAME,
2117 [, [External =>] EXTERNAL_SYMBOL],
2118 [, [Size =>] EXTERNAL_SYMBOL]);
2122 | static_string_EXPRESSION
2126 This pragma designates an object as imported, and apart from the
2127 extended rules for external symbols, is identical in effect to the use of
2128 the normal @code{Import} pragma applied to an object. Unlike the
2129 subprogram case, you need not use a separate @code{Import} pragma,
2130 although you may do so (and probably should do so from a portability
2131 point of view). @var{size} is syntax checked, but otherwise ignored by
2134 @node Pragma Import_Procedure
2135 @unnumberedsec Pragma Import_Procedure
2136 @findex Import_Procedure
2140 @smallexample @c ada
2141 pragma Import_Procedure (
2142 [Internal =>] LOCAL_NAME,
2143 [, [External =>] EXTERNAL_SYMBOL]
2144 [, [Parameter_Types =>] PARAMETER_TYPES]
2145 [, [Mechanism =>] MECHANISM]
2146 [, [First_Optional_Parameter =>] IDENTIFIER]);
2150 | static_string_EXPRESSION
2154 | TYPE_DESIGNATOR @{, TYPE_DESIGNATOR@}
2158 | subtype_Name ' Access
2162 | (MECHANISM_ASSOCIATION @{, MECHANISM_ASSOCIATION@})
2164 MECHANISM_ASSOCIATION ::=
2165 [formal_parameter_NAME =>] MECHANISM_NAME
2170 | Descriptor [([Class =>] CLASS_NAME)]
2172 CLASS_NAME ::= ubs | ubsb | uba | s | sb | a | nca
2176 This pragma is identical to @code{Import_Function} except that it
2177 applies to a procedure rather than a function and the parameters
2178 @code{Result_Type} and @code{Result_Mechanism} are not permitted.
2180 @node Pragma Import_Valued_Procedure
2181 @unnumberedsec Pragma Import_Valued_Procedure
2182 @findex Import_Valued_Procedure
2186 @smallexample @c ada
2187 pragma Import_Valued_Procedure (
2188 [Internal =>] LOCAL_NAME,
2189 [, [External =>] EXTERNAL_SYMBOL]
2190 [, [Parameter_Types =>] PARAMETER_TYPES]
2191 [, [Mechanism =>] MECHANISM]
2192 [, [First_Optional_Parameter =>] IDENTIFIER]);
2196 | static_string_EXPRESSION
2200 | TYPE_DESIGNATOR @{, TYPE_DESIGNATOR@}
2204 | subtype_Name ' Access
2208 | (MECHANISM_ASSOCIATION @{, MECHANISM_ASSOCIATION@})
2210 MECHANISM_ASSOCIATION ::=
2211 [formal_parameter_NAME =>] MECHANISM_NAME
2216 | Descriptor [([Class =>] CLASS_NAME)]
2218 CLASS_NAME ::= ubs | ubsb | uba | s | sb | a | nca
2222 This pragma is identical to @code{Import_Procedure} except that the
2223 first parameter of @var{local_name}, which must be present, must be of
2224 mode @code{OUT}, and externally the subprogram is treated as a function
2225 with this parameter as the result of the function. The purpose of this
2226 capability is to allow the use of @code{OUT} and @code{IN OUT}
2227 parameters in interfacing to external functions (which are not permitted
2228 in Ada functions). You may optionally use the @code{Mechanism}
2229 parameters to specify passing mechanisms for the parameters.
2230 If you specify a single mechanism name, it applies to all parameters.
2231 Otherwise you may specify a mechanism on a parameter by parameter
2232 basis using either positional or named notation. If the mechanism is not
2233 specified, the default mechanism is used.
2235 Note that it is important to use this pragma in conjunction with a separate
2236 pragma Import that specifies the desired convention, since otherwise the
2237 default convention is Ada, which is almost certainly not what is required.
2239 @node Pragma Initialize_Scalars
2240 @unnumberedsec Pragma Initialize_Scalars
2241 @findex Initialize_Scalars
2242 @cindex debugging with Initialize_Scalars
2246 @smallexample @c ada
2247 pragma Initialize_Scalars;
2251 This pragma is similar to @code{Normalize_Scalars} conceptually but has
2252 two important differences. First, there is no requirement for the pragma
2253 to be used uniformly in all units of a partition, in particular, it is fine
2254 to use this just for some or all of the application units of a partition,
2255 without needing to recompile the run-time library.
2257 In the case where some units are compiled with the pragma, and some without,
2258 then a declaration of a variable where the type is defined in package
2259 Standard or is locally declared will always be subject to initialization,
2260 as will any declaration of a scalar variable. For composite variables,
2261 whether the variable is initialized may also depend on whether the package
2262 in which the type of the variable is declared is compiled with the pragma.
2264 The other important difference is that you can control the value used
2265 for initializing scalar objects. At bind time, you can select several
2266 options for initialization. You can
2267 initialize with invalid values (similar to Normalize_Scalars, though for
2268 Initialize_Scalars it is not always possible to determine the invalid
2269 values in complex cases like signed component fields with non-standard
2270 sizes). You can also initialize with high or
2271 low values, or with a specified bit pattern. See the users guide for binder
2272 options for specifying these cases.
2274 This means that you can compile a program, and then without having to
2275 recompile the program, you can run it with different values being used
2276 for initializing otherwise uninitialized values, to test if your program
2277 behavior depends on the choice. Of course the behavior should not change,
2278 and if it does, then most likely you have an erroneous reference to an
2279 uninitialized value.
2281 It is even possible to change the value at execution time eliminating even
2282 the need to rebind with a different switch using an environment variable.
2283 See the GNAT users guide for details.
2285 Note that pragma @code{Initialize_Scalars} is particularly useful in
2286 conjunction with the enhanced validity checking that is now provided
2287 in GNAT, which checks for invalid values under more conditions.
2288 Using this feature (see description of the @code{-gnatV} flag in the
2289 users guide) in conjunction with pragma @code{Initialize_Scalars}
2290 provides a powerful new tool to assist in the detection of problems
2291 caused by uninitialized variables.
2293 Note: the use of @code{Initialize_Scalars} has a fairly extensive
2294 effect on the generated code. This may cause your code to be
2295 substantially larger. It may also cause an increase in the amount
2296 of stack required, so it is probably a good idea to turn on stack
2297 checking (see description of stack checking in the GNAT users guide)
2298 when using this pragma.
2300 @node Pragma Inline_Always
2301 @unnumberedsec Pragma Inline_Always
2302 @findex Inline_Always
2306 @smallexample @c ada
2307 pragma Inline_Always (NAME [, NAME]);
2311 Similar to pragma @code{Inline} except that inlining is not subject to
2312 the use of option @code{-gnatn} and the inlining happens regardless of
2313 whether this option is used.
2315 @node Pragma Inline_Generic
2316 @unnumberedsec Pragma Inline_Generic
2317 @findex Inline_Generic
2321 @smallexample @c ada
2322 pragma Inline_Generic (generic_package_NAME);
2326 This is implemented for compatibility with DEC Ada 83 and is recognized,
2327 but otherwise ignored, by GNAT@. All generic instantiations are inlined
2328 by default when using GNAT@.
2330 @node Pragma Interface
2331 @unnumberedsec Pragma Interface
2336 @smallexample @c ada
2338 [Convention =>] convention_identifier,
2339 [Entity =>] local_name
2340 [, [External_Name =>] static_string_expression],
2341 [, [Link_Name =>] static_string_expression]);
2345 This pragma is identical in syntax and semantics to
2346 the standard Ada 95 pragma @code{Import}. It is provided for compatibility
2347 with Ada 83. The definition is upwards compatible both with pragma
2348 @code{Interface} as defined in the Ada 83 Reference Manual, and also
2349 with some extended implementations of this pragma in certain Ada 83
2352 @node Pragma Interface_Name
2353 @unnumberedsec Pragma Interface_Name
2354 @findex Interface_Name
2358 @smallexample @c ada
2359 pragma Interface_Name (
2360 [Entity =>] LOCAL_NAME
2361 [, [External_Name =>] static_string_EXPRESSION]
2362 [, [Link_Name =>] static_string_EXPRESSION]);
2366 This pragma provides an alternative way of specifying the interface name
2367 for an interfaced subprogram, and is provided for compatibility with Ada
2368 83 compilers that use the pragma for this purpose. You must provide at
2369 least one of @var{External_Name} or @var{Link_Name}.
2371 @node Pragma Interrupt_Handler
2372 @unnumberedsec Pragma Interrupt_Handler
2373 @findex Interrupt_Handler
2377 @smallexample @c ada
2378 pragma Interrupt_Handler (procedure_LOCAL_NAME);
2382 This program unit pragma is supported for parameterless protected procedures
2383 as described in Annex C of the Ada Reference Manual. On the AAMP target
2384 the pragma can also be specified for nonprotected parameterless procedures
2385 that are declared at the library level (which includes procedures
2386 declared at the top level of a library package). In the case of AAMP,
2387 when this pragma is applied to a nonprotected procedure, the instruction
2388 @code{IERET} is generated for returns from the procedure, enabling
2389 maskable interrupts, in place of the normal return instruction.
2391 @node Pragma Interrupt_State
2392 @unnumberedsec Pragma Interrupt_State
2393 @findex Interrupt_State
2397 @smallexample @c ada
2398 pragma Interrupt_State (Name => value, State => SYSTEM | RUNTIME | USER);
2402 Normally certain interrupts are reserved to the implementation. Any attempt
2403 to attach an interrupt causes Program_Error to be raised, as described in
2404 RM C.3.2(22). A typical example is the @code{SIGINT} interrupt used in
2405 many systems for an @kbd{Ctrl-C} interrupt. Normally this interrupt is
2406 reserved to the implementation, so that @kbd{Ctrl-C} can be used to
2407 interrupt execution. Additionally, signals such as @code{SIGSEGV},
2408 @code{SIGABRT}, @code{SIGFPE} and @code{SIGILL} are often mapped to specific
2409 Ada exceptions, or used to implement run-time functions such as the
2410 @code{abort} statement and stack overflow checking.
2412 Pragma @code{Interrupt_State} provides a general mechanism for overriding
2413 such uses of interrupts. It subsumes the functionality of pragma
2414 @code{Unreserve_All_Interrupts}. Pragma @code{Interrupt_State} is not
2415 available on OS/2, Windows or VMS. On all other platforms than VxWorks,
2416 it applies to signals; on VxWorks, it applies to vectored hardware interrupts
2417 and may be used to mark interrupts required by the board support package
2420 Interrupts can be in one of three states:
2424 The interrupt is reserved (no Ada handler can be installed), and the
2425 Ada run-time may not install a handler. As a result you are guaranteed
2426 standard system default action if this interrupt is raised.
2430 The interrupt is reserved (no Ada handler can be installed). The run time
2431 is allowed to install a handler for internal control purposes, but is
2432 not required to do so.
2436 The interrupt is unreserved. The user may install a handler to provide
2441 These states are the allowed values of the @code{State} parameter of the
2442 pragma. The @code{Name} parameter is a value of the type
2443 @code{Ada.Interrupts.Interrupt_ID}. Typically, it is a name declared in
2444 @code{Ada.Interrupts.Names}.
2446 This is a configuration pragma, and the binder will check that there
2447 are no inconsistencies between different units in a partition in how a
2448 given interrupt is specified. It may appear anywhere a pragma is legal.
2450 The effect is to move the interrupt to the specified state.
2452 By declaring interrupts to be SYSTEM, you guarantee the standard system
2453 action, such as a core dump.
2455 By declaring interrupts to be USER, you guarantee that you can install
2458 Note that certain signals on many operating systems cannot be caught and
2459 handled by applications. In such cases, the pragma is ignored. See the
2460 operating system documentation, or the value of the array @code{Reserved}
2461 declared in the specification of package @code{System.OS_Interface}.
2463 Overriding the default state of signals used by the Ada runtime may interfere
2464 with an application's runtime behavior in the cases of the synchronous signals,
2465 and in the case of the signal used to implement the @code{abort} statement.
2467 @node Pragma Keep_Names
2468 @unnumberedsec Pragma Keep_Names
2473 @smallexample @c ada
2474 pragma Keep_Names ([On =>] enumeration_first_subtype_LOCAL_NAME);
2478 The @var{LOCAL_NAME} argument
2479 must refer to an enumeration first subtype
2480 in the current declarative part. The effect is to retain the enumeration
2481 literal names for use by @code{Image} and @code{Value} even if a global
2482 @code{Discard_Names} pragma applies. This is useful when you want to
2483 generally suppress enumeration literal names and for example you therefore
2484 use a @code{Discard_Names} pragma in the @file{gnat.adc} file, but you
2485 want to retain the names for specific enumeration types.
2487 @node Pragma License
2488 @unnumberedsec Pragma License
2490 @cindex License checking
2494 @smallexample @c ada
2495 pragma License (Unrestricted | GPL | Modified_GPL | Restricted);
2499 This pragma is provided to allow automated checking for appropriate license
2500 conditions with respect to the standard and modified GPL@. A pragma
2501 @code{License}, which is a configuration pragma that typically appears at
2502 the start of a source file or in a separate @file{gnat.adc} file, specifies
2503 the licensing conditions of a unit as follows:
2507 This is used for a unit that can be freely used with no license restrictions.
2508 Examples of such units are public domain units, and units from the Ada
2512 This is used for a unit that is licensed under the unmodified GPL, and which
2513 therefore cannot be @code{with}'ed by a restricted unit.
2516 This is used for a unit licensed under the GNAT modified GPL that includes
2517 a special exception paragraph that specifically permits the inclusion of
2518 the unit in programs without requiring the entire program to be released
2519 under the GPL@. This is the license used for the GNAT run-time which ensures
2520 that the run-time can be used freely in any program without GPL concerns.
2523 This is used for a unit that is restricted in that it is not permitted to
2524 depend on units that are licensed under the GPL@. Typical examples are
2525 proprietary code that is to be released under more restrictive license
2526 conditions. Note that restricted units are permitted to @code{with} units
2527 which are licensed under the modified GPL (this is the whole point of the
2533 Normally a unit with no @code{License} pragma is considered to have an
2534 unknown license, and no checking is done. However, standard GNAT headers
2535 are recognized, and license information is derived from them as follows.
2539 A GNAT license header starts with a line containing 78 hyphens. The following
2540 comment text is searched for the appearance of any of the following strings.
2542 If the string ``GNU General Public License'' is found, then the unit is assumed
2543 to have GPL license, unless the string ``As a special exception'' follows, in
2544 which case the license is assumed to be modified GPL@.
2546 If one of the strings
2547 ``This specification is adapted from the Ada Semantic Interface'' or
2548 ``This specification is derived from the Ada Reference Manual'' is found
2549 then the unit is assumed to be unrestricted.
2553 These default actions means that a program with a restricted license pragma
2554 will automatically get warnings if a GPL unit is inappropriately
2555 @code{with}'ed. For example, the program:
2557 @smallexample @c ada
2560 procedure Secret_Stuff is
2566 if compiled with pragma @code{License} (@code{Restricted}) in a
2567 @file{gnat.adc} file will generate the warning:
2572 >>> license of withed unit "Sem_Ch3" is incompatible
2574 2. with GNAT.Sockets;
2575 3. procedure Secret_Stuff is
2579 Here we get a warning on @code{Sem_Ch3} since it is part of the GNAT
2580 compiler and is licensed under the
2581 GPL, but no warning for @code{GNAT.Sockets} which is part of the GNAT
2582 run time, and is therefore licensed under the modified GPL@.
2584 @node Pragma Link_With
2585 @unnumberedsec Pragma Link_With
2590 @smallexample @c ada
2591 pragma Link_With (static_string_EXPRESSION @{,static_string_EXPRESSION@});
2595 This pragma is provided for compatibility with certain Ada 83 compilers.
2596 It has exactly the same effect as pragma @code{Linker_Options} except
2597 that spaces occurring within one of the string expressions are treated
2598 as separators. For example, in the following case:
2600 @smallexample @c ada
2601 pragma Link_With ("-labc -ldef");
2605 results in passing the strings @code{-labc} and @code{-ldef} as two
2606 separate arguments to the linker. In addition pragma Link_With allows
2607 multiple arguments, with the same effect as successive pragmas.
2609 @node Pragma Linker_Alias
2610 @unnumberedsec Pragma Linker_Alias
2611 @findex Linker_Alias
2615 @smallexample @c ada
2616 pragma Linker_Alias (
2617 [Entity =>] LOCAL_NAME
2618 [Alias =>] static_string_EXPRESSION);
2622 This pragma establishes a linker alias for the given named entity. For
2623 further details on the exact effect, consult the GCC manual.
2625 @node Pragma Linker_Section
2626 @unnumberedsec Pragma Linker_Section
2627 @findex Linker_Section
2631 @smallexample @c ada
2632 pragma Linker_Section (
2633 [Entity =>] LOCAL_NAME
2634 [Section =>] static_string_EXPRESSION);
2638 This pragma specifies the name of the linker section for the given entity.
2639 For further details on the exact effect, consult the GCC manual.
2641 @node Pragma Long_Float
2642 @unnumberedsec Pragma Long_Float
2648 @smallexample @c ada
2649 pragma Long_Float (FLOAT_FORMAT);
2651 FLOAT_FORMAT ::= D_Float | G_Float
2655 This pragma is implemented only in the OpenVMS implementation of GNAT@.
2656 It allows control over the internal representation chosen for the predefined
2657 type @code{Long_Float} and for floating point type representations with
2658 @code{digits} specified in the range 7 through 15.
2659 For further details on this pragma, see the
2660 @cite{DEC Ada Language Reference Manual}, section 3.5.7b. Note that to use
2661 this pragma, the standard runtime libraries must be recompiled. See the
2662 description of the @code{GNAT LIBRARY} command in the OpenVMS version
2663 of the GNAT User's Guide for details on the use of this command.
2665 @node Pragma Machine_Attribute
2666 @unnumberedsec Pragma Machine_Attribute
2667 @findex Machine_Attribute
2671 @smallexample @c ada
2672 pragma Machine_Attribute (
2673 [Attribute_Name =>] string_EXPRESSION,
2674 [Entity =>] LOCAL_NAME);
2678 Machine dependent attributes can be specified for types and/or
2679 declarations. Currently only subprogram entities are supported. This
2680 pragma is semantically equivalent to
2681 @code{__attribute__((@var{string_expression}))} in GNU C,
2682 where @code{@var{string_expression}} is
2683 recognized by the GNU C macros @code{VALID_MACHINE_TYPE_ATTRIBUTE} and
2684 @code{VALID_MACHINE_DECL_ATTRIBUTE} which are defined in the
2685 configuration header file @file{tm.h} for each machine. See the GCC
2686 manual for further information.
2688 @node Pragma Main_Storage
2689 @unnumberedsec Pragma Main_Storage
2691 @findex Main_Storage
2695 @smallexample @c ada
2697 (MAIN_STORAGE_OPTION [, MAIN_STORAGE_OPTION]);
2699 MAIN_STORAGE_OPTION ::=
2700 [WORKING_STORAGE =>] static_SIMPLE_EXPRESSION
2701 | [TOP_GUARD =>] static_SIMPLE_EXPRESSION
2706 This pragma is provided for compatibility with OpenVMS VAX Systems. It has
2707 no effect in GNAT, other than being syntax checked. Note that the pragma
2708 also has no effect in DEC Ada 83 for OpenVMS Alpha Systems.
2710 @node Pragma No_Return
2711 @unnumberedsec Pragma No_Return
2716 @smallexample @c ada
2717 pragma No_Return (procedure_LOCAL_NAME);
2721 @var{procedure_local_NAME} must refer to one or more procedure
2722 declarations in the current declarative part. A procedure to which this
2723 pragma is applied may not contain any explicit @code{return} statements,
2724 and also may not contain any implicit return statements from falling off
2725 the end of a statement sequence. One use of this pragma is to identify
2726 procedures whose only purpose is to raise an exception.
2728 Another use of this pragma is to suppress incorrect warnings about
2729 missing returns in functions, where the last statement of a function
2730 statement sequence is a call to such a procedure.
2732 @node Pragma Normalize_Scalars
2733 @unnumberedsec Pragma Normalize_Scalars
2734 @findex Normalize_Scalars
2738 @smallexample @c ada
2739 pragma Normalize_Scalars;
2743 This is a language defined pragma which is fully implemented in GNAT@. The
2744 effect is to cause all scalar objects that are not otherwise initialized
2745 to be initialized. The initial values are implementation dependent and
2749 @item Standard.Character
2751 Objects whose root type is Standard.Character are initialized to
2752 Character'Last unless the subtype range excludes NUL (in which case
2753 NUL is used). This choice will always generate an invalid value if
2756 @item Standard.Wide_Character
2758 Objects whose root type is Standard.Wide_Character are initialized to
2759 Wide_Character'Last unless the subtype range excludes NUL (in which case
2760 NUL is used). This choice will always generate an invalid value if
2763 @item Standard.Wide_Wide_Character
2765 Objects whose root type is Standard.Wide_Wide_Character are initialized to
2766 the invalid value 16#FFFF_FFFF# unless the subtype range excludes NUL (in
2767 which case NUL is used). This choice will always generate an invalid value if
2772 Objects of an integer type are treated differently depending on whether
2773 negative values are present in the subtype. If no negative values are
2774 present, then all one bits is used as the initial value except in the
2775 special case where zero is excluded from the subtype, in which case
2776 all zero bits are used. This choice will always generate an invalid
2777 value if one exists.
2779 For subtypes with negative values present, the largest negative number
2780 is used, except in the unusual case where this largest negative number
2781 is in the subtype, and the largest positive number is not, in which case
2782 the largest positive value is used. This choice will always generate
2783 an invalid value if one exists.
2785 @item Floating-Point Types
2786 Objects of all floating-point types are initialized to all 1-bits. For
2787 standard IEEE format, this corresponds to a NaN (not a number) which is
2788 indeed an invalid value.
2790 @item Fixed-Point Types
2791 Objects of all fixed-point types are treated as described above for integers,
2792 with the rules applying to the underlying integer value used to represent
2793 the fixed-point value.
2796 Objects of a modular type are initialized to all one bits, except in
2797 the special case where zero is excluded from the subtype, in which
2798 case all zero bits are used. This choice will always generate an
2799 invalid value if one exists.
2801 @item Enumeration types
2802 Objects of an enumeration type are initialized to all one-bits, i.e.@: to
2803 the value @code{2 ** typ'Size - 1} unless the subtype excludes the literal
2804 whose Pos value is zero, in which case a code of zero is used. This choice
2805 will always generate an invalid value if one exists.
2809 @node Pragma Obsolescent
2810 @unnumberedsec Pragma Obsolescent
2815 @smallexample @c ada
2816 pragma Obsolescent [(static_string_EXPRESSION)];
2820 This pragma must occur immediately following a subprogram
2821 declaration. It indicates that the associated function or procedure
2822 is considered obsolescent and should not be used. Typically this is
2823 used when an API must be modified by eventually removing or modifying
2824 existing subprograms. The pragma can be used at an intermediate stage
2825 when the subprogram is still present, but will be removed later.
2827 The effect of this pragma is to output a warning message that the
2828 subprogram is obsolescent if the appropriate warning option in the
2829 compiler is activated. If a parameter is present, then a second
2830 warning message is given containing this text.
2832 @node Pragma Passive
2833 @unnumberedsec Pragma Passive
2838 @smallexample @c ada
2839 pragma Passive ([Semaphore | No]);
2843 Syntax checked, but otherwise ignored by GNAT@. This is recognized for
2844 compatibility with DEC Ada 83 implementations, where it is used within a
2845 task definition to request that a task be made passive. If the argument
2846 @code{Semaphore} is present, or the argument is omitted, then DEC Ada 83
2847 treats the pragma as an assertion that the containing task is passive
2848 and that optimization of context switch with this task is permitted and
2849 desired. If the argument @code{No} is present, the task must not be
2850 optimized. GNAT does not attempt to optimize any tasks in this manner
2851 (since protected objects are available in place of passive tasks).
2853 @node Pragma Polling
2854 @unnumberedsec Pragma Polling
2859 @smallexample @c ada
2860 pragma Polling (ON | OFF);
2864 This pragma controls the generation of polling code. This is normally off.
2865 If @code{pragma Polling (ON)} is used then periodic calls are generated to
2866 the routine @code{Ada.Exceptions.Poll}. This routine is a separate unit in the
2867 runtime library, and can be found in file @file{a-excpol.adb}.
2869 Pragma @code{Polling} can appear as a configuration pragma (for example it
2870 can be placed in the @file{gnat.adc} file) to enable polling globally, or it
2871 can be used in the statement or declaration sequence to control polling
2874 A call to the polling routine is generated at the start of every loop and
2875 at the start of every subprogram call. This guarantees that the @code{Poll}
2876 routine is called frequently, and places an upper bound (determined by
2877 the complexity of the code) on the period between two @code{Poll} calls.
2879 The primary purpose of the polling interface is to enable asynchronous
2880 aborts on targets that cannot otherwise support it (for example Windows
2881 NT), but it may be used for any other purpose requiring periodic polling.
2882 The standard version is null, and can be replaced by a user program. This
2883 will require re-compilation of the @code{Ada.Exceptions} package that can
2884 be found in files @file{a-except.ads} and @file{a-except.adb}.
2886 A standard alternative unit (in file @file{4wexcpol.adb} in the standard GNAT
2887 distribution) is used to enable the asynchronous abort capability on
2888 targets that do not normally support the capability. The version of
2889 @code{Poll} in this file makes a call to the appropriate runtime routine
2890 to test for an abort condition.
2892 Note that polling can also be enabled by use of the @code{-gnatP} switch. See
2893 the @cite{GNAT User's Guide} for details.
2895 @node Pragma Profile (Ravenscar)
2896 @unnumberedsec Pragma Profile (Ravenscar)
2901 @smallexample @c ada
2902 pragma Profile (Ravenscar);
2906 A configuration pragma that establishes the following set of configuration
2910 @item Task_Dispatching_Policy (FIFO_Within_Priorities)
2911 [RM D.2.2] Tasks are dispatched following a preemptive
2912 priority-ordered scheduling policy.
2914 @item Locking_Policy (Ceiling_Locking)
2915 [RM D.3] While tasks and interrupts execute a protected action, they inherit
2916 the ceiling priority of the corresponding protected object.
2918 @c @item Detect_Blocking
2919 @c This pragma forces the detection of potentially blocking operations within a
2920 @c protected operation, and to raise Program_Error if that happens.
2924 plus the following set of restrictions:
2927 @item Max_Entry_Queue_Length = 1
2928 Defines the maximum number of calls that are queued on a (protected) entry.
2929 Note that this restrictions is checked at run time. Violation of this
2930 restriction results in the raising of Program_Error exception at the point of
2931 the call. For the Profile (Ravenscar) the value of Max_Entry_Queue_Length is
2932 always 1 and hence no task can be queued on a protected entry.
2934 @item Max_Protected_Entries = 1
2935 [RM D.7] Specifies the maximum number of entries per protected type. The
2936 bounds of every entry family of a protected unit shall be static, or shall be
2937 defined by a discriminant of a subtype whose corresponding bound is static.
2938 For the Profile (Ravenscar) the value of Max_Protected_Entries is always 1.
2940 @item Max_Task_Entries = 0
2941 [RM D.7] Specifies the maximum number of entries
2942 per task. The bounds of every entry family
2943 of a task unit shall be static, or shall be
2944 defined by a discriminant of a subtype whose
2945 corresponding bound is static. A value of zero
2946 indicates that no rendezvous are possible. For
2947 the Profile (Ravenscar), the value of Max_Task_Entries is always
2950 @item No_Abort_Statements
2951 [RM D.7] There are no abort_statements, and there are
2952 no calls to Task_Identification.Abort_Task.
2954 @item No_Asynchronous_Control
2955 [RM D.7] There are no semantic dependences on the package
2956 Asynchronous_Task_Control.
2959 There are no semantic dependencies on the package Ada.Calendar.
2961 @item No_Dynamic_Attachment
2962 There is no call to any of the operations defined in package Ada.Interrupts
2963 (Is_Reserved, Is_Attached, Current_Handler, Attach_Handler, Exchange_Handler,
2964 Detach_Handler, and Reference).
2966 @item No_Dynamic_Priorities
2967 [RM D.7] There are no semantic dependencies on the package Dynamic_Priorities.
2969 @item No_Implicit_Heap_Allocations
2970 [RM D.7] No constructs are allowed to cause implicit heap allocation.
2972 @item No_Local_Protected_Objects
2973 Protected objects and access types that designate
2974 such objects shall be declared only at library level.
2976 @item No_Protected_Type_Allocators
2977 There are no allocators for protected types or
2978 types containing protected subcomponents.
2980 @item No_Relative_Delay
2981 There are no delay_relative statements.
2983 @item No_Requeue_Statements
2984 Requeue statements are not allowed.
2986 @item No_Select_Statements
2987 There are no select_statements.
2989 @item No_Task_Allocators
2990 [RM D.7] There are no allocators for task types
2991 or types containing task subcomponents.
2993 @item No_Task_Attributes_Package
2994 There are no semantic dependencies on the Ada.Task_Attributes package.
2996 @item No_Task_Hierarchy
2997 [RM D.7] All (non-environment) tasks depend
2998 directly on the environment task of the partition.
3000 @item No_Task_Termination
3001 Tasks which terminate are erroneous.
3003 @item Simple_Barriers
3004 Entry barrier condition expressions shall be either static
3005 boolean expressions or boolean objects which are declared in
3006 the protected type which contains the entry.
3010 This set of configuration pragmas and restrictions correspond to the
3011 definition of the ``Ravenscar Profile'' for limited tasking, devised and
3012 published by the @cite{International Real-Time Ada Workshop}, 1997,
3013 and whose most recent description is available at
3014 @url{ftp://ftp.openravenscar.org/openravenscar/ravenscar00.pdf}.
3016 The original definition of the profile was revised at subsequent IRTAW
3017 meetings. It has been included in the ISO
3018 @cite{Guide for the Use of the Ada Programming Language in High
3019 Integrity Systems}, and has been approved by ISO/IEC/SC22/WG9 for inclusion in
3020 the next revision of the standard. The formal definition given by
3021 the Ada Rapporteur Group (ARG) can be found in two Ada Issues (AI-249 and
3022 AI-305) available at
3023 @url{http://www.ada-auth.org/cgi-bin/cvsweb.cgi/AIs/AI-00249.TXT} and
3024 @url{http://www.ada-auth.org/cgi-bin/cvsweb.cgi/AIs/AI-00305.TXT}
3027 The above set is a superset of the restrictions provided by pragma
3028 @code{Profile (Restricted)}, it includes six additional restrictions
3029 (@code{Simple_Barriers}, @code{No_Select_Statements},
3030 @code{No_Calendar}, @code{No_Implicit_Heap_Allocations},
3031 @code{No_Relative_Delay} and @code{No_Task_Termination}). This means
3032 that pragma @code{Profile (Ravenscar)}, like the pragma
3033 @code{Profile (Restricted)},
3034 automatically causes the use of a simplified,
3035 more efficient version of the tasking run-time system.
3037 @node Pragma Profile (Restricted)
3038 @unnumberedsec Pragma Profile (Restricted)
3039 @findex Restricted Run Time
3043 @smallexample @c ada
3044 pragma Profile (Restricted);
3048 A configuration pragma that establishes the following set of restrictions:
3051 @item No_Abort_Statements
3052 @item No_Entry_Queue
3053 @item No_Task_Hierarchy
3054 @item No_Task_Allocators
3055 @item No_Dynamic_Priorities
3056 @item No_Terminate_Alternatives
3057 @item No_Dynamic_Attachment
3058 @item No_Protected_Type_Allocators
3059 @item No_Local_Protected_Objects
3060 @item No_Requeue_Statements
3061 @item No_Task_Attributes_Package
3062 @item Max_Asynchronous_Select_Nesting = 0
3063 @item Max_Task_Entries = 0
3064 @item Max_Protected_Entries = 1
3065 @item Max_Select_Alternatives = 0
3069 This set of restrictions causes the automatic selection of a simplified
3070 version of the run time that provides improved performance for the
3071 limited set of tasking functionality permitted by this set of restrictions.
3073 @node Pragma Propagate_Exceptions
3074 @unnumberedsec Pragma Propagate_Exceptions
3075 @findex Propagate_Exceptions
3076 @cindex Zero Cost Exceptions
3080 @smallexample @c ada
3081 pragma Propagate_Exceptions (subprogram_LOCAL_NAME);
3085 This pragma indicates that the given entity, which is the name of an
3086 imported foreign-language subprogram may receive an Ada exception,
3087 and that the exception should be propagated. It is relevant only if
3088 zero cost exception handling is in use, and is thus never needed if
3089 the alternative @code{longjmp} / @code{setjmp} implementation of
3090 exceptions is used (although it is harmless to use it in such cases).
3092 The implementation of fast exceptions always properly propagates
3093 exceptions through Ada code, as described in the Ada Reference Manual.
3094 However, this manual is silent about the propagation of exceptions
3095 through foreign code. For example, consider the
3096 situation where @code{P1} calls
3097 @code{P2}, and @code{P2} calls @code{P3}, where
3098 @code{P1} and @code{P3} are in Ada, but @code{P2} is in C@.
3099 @code{P3} raises an Ada exception. The question is whether or not
3100 it will be propagated through @code{P2} and can be handled in
3103 For the @code{longjmp} / @code{setjmp} implementation of exceptions,
3104 the answer is always yes. For some targets on which zero cost exception
3105 handling is implemented, the answer is also always yes. However, there
3106 are some targets, notably in the current version all x86 architecture
3107 targets, in which the answer is that such propagation does not
3108 happen automatically. If such propagation is required on these
3109 targets, it is mandatory to use @code{Propagate_Exceptions} to
3110 name all foreign language routines through which Ada exceptions
3113 @node Pragma Psect_Object
3114 @unnumberedsec Pragma Psect_Object
3115 @findex Psect_Object
3119 @smallexample @c ada
3120 pragma Psect_Object (
3121 [Internal =>] LOCAL_NAME,
3122 [, [External =>] EXTERNAL_SYMBOL]
3123 [, [Size =>] EXTERNAL_SYMBOL]);
3127 | static_string_EXPRESSION
3131 This pragma is identical in effect to pragma @code{Common_Object}.
3133 @node Pragma Pure_Function
3134 @unnumberedsec Pragma Pure_Function
3135 @findex Pure_Function
3139 @smallexample @c ada
3140 pragma Pure_Function ([Entity =>] function_LOCAL_NAME);
3144 This pragma appears in the same declarative part as a function
3145 declaration (or a set of function declarations if more than one
3146 overloaded declaration exists, in which case the pragma applies
3147 to all entities). It specifies that the function @code{Entity} is
3148 to be considered pure for the purposes of code generation. This means
3149 that the compiler can assume that there are no side effects, and
3150 in particular that two calls with identical arguments produce the
3151 same result. It also means that the function can be used in an
3154 Note that, quite deliberately, there are no static checks to try
3155 to ensure that this promise is met, so @code{Pure_Function} can be used
3156 with functions that are conceptually pure, even if they do modify
3157 global variables. For example, a square root function that is
3158 instrumented to count the number of times it is called is still
3159 conceptually pure, and can still be optimized, even though it
3160 modifies a global variable (the count). Memo functions are another
3161 example (where a table of previous calls is kept and consulted to
3162 avoid re-computation).
3165 Note: Most functions in a @code{Pure} package are automatically pure, and
3166 there is no need to use pragma @code{Pure_Function} for such functions. One
3167 exception is any function that has at least one formal of type
3168 @code{System.Address} or a type derived from it. Such functions are not
3169 considered pure by default, since the compiler assumes that the
3170 @code{Address} parameter may be functioning as a pointer and that the
3171 referenced data may change even if the address value does not.
3172 Similarly, imported functions are not considered to be pure by default,
3173 since there is no way of checking that they are in fact pure. The use
3174 of pragma @code{Pure_Function} for such a function will override these default
3175 assumption, and cause the compiler to treat a designated subprogram as pure
3178 Note: If pragma @code{Pure_Function} is applied to a renamed function, it
3179 applies to the underlying renamed function. This can be used to
3180 disambiguate cases of overloading where some but not all functions
3181 in a set of overloaded functions are to be designated as pure.
3183 @node Pragma Restriction_Warnings
3184 @unnumberedsec Pragma Restriction_Warnings
3185 @findex Restriction_Warnings
3189 @smallexample @c ada
3190 pragma Restriction_Warnings
3191 (restriction_IDENTIFIER @{, restriction_IDENTIFIER@});
3195 This pragma allows a series of restriction identifiers to be
3196 specified (the list of allowed identifiers is the same as for
3197 pragma @code{Restrictions}). For each of these identifiers
3198 the compiler checks for violations of the restriction, but
3199 generates a warning message rather than an error message
3200 if the restriction is violated.
3202 @node Pragma Source_File_Name
3203 @unnumberedsec Pragma Source_File_Name
3204 @findex Source_File_Name
3208 @smallexample @c ada
3209 pragma Source_File_Name (
3210 [Unit_Name =>] unit_NAME,
3211 Spec_File_Name => STRING_LITERAL);
3213 pragma Source_File_Name (
3214 [Unit_Name =>] unit_NAME,
3215 Body_File_Name => STRING_LITERAL);
3219 Use this to override the normal naming convention. It is a configuration
3220 pragma, and so has the usual applicability of configuration pragmas
3221 (i.e.@: it applies to either an entire partition, or to all units in a
3222 compilation, or to a single unit, depending on how it is used.
3223 @var{unit_name} is mapped to @var{file_name_literal}. The identifier for
3224 the second argument is required, and indicates whether this is the file
3225 name for the spec or for the body.
3227 Another form of the @code{Source_File_Name} pragma allows
3228 the specification of patterns defining alternative file naming schemes
3229 to apply to all files.
3231 @smallexample @c ada
3232 pragma Source_File_Name
3233 (Spec_File_Name => STRING_LITERAL
3234 [,Casing => CASING_SPEC]
3235 [,Dot_Replacement => STRING_LITERAL]);
3237 pragma Source_File_Name
3238 (Body_File_Name => STRING_LITERAL
3239 [,Casing => CASING_SPEC]
3240 [,Dot_Replacement => STRING_LITERAL]);
3242 pragma Source_File_Name
3243 (Subunit_File_Name => STRING_LITERAL
3244 [,Casing => CASING_SPEC]
3245 [,Dot_Replacement => STRING_LITERAL]);
3247 CASING_SPEC ::= Lowercase | Uppercase | Mixedcase
3251 The first argument is a pattern that contains a single asterisk indicating
3252 the point at which the unit name is to be inserted in the pattern string
3253 to form the file name. The second argument is optional. If present it
3254 specifies the casing of the unit name in the resulting file name string.
3255 The default is lower case. Finally the third argument allows for systematic
3256 replacement of any dots in the unit name by the specified string literal.
3258 A pragma Source_File_Name cannot appear after a
3259 @ref{Pragma Source_File_Name_Project}.
3261 For more details on the use of the @code{Source_File_Name} pragma,
3262 see the sections ``Using Other File Names'' and
3263 ``Alternative File Naming Schemes'' in the @cite{GNAT User's Guide}.
3265 @node Pragma Source_File_Name_Project
3266 @unnumberedsec Pragma Source_File_Name_Project
3267 @findex Source_File_Name_Project
3270 This pragma has the same syntax and semantics as pragma Source_File_Name.
3271 It is only allowed as a stand alone configuration pragma.
3272 It cannot appear after a @ref{Pragma Source_File_Name}, and
3273 most importantly, once pragma Source_File_Name_Project appears,
3274 no further Source_File_Name pragmas are allowed.
3276 The intention is that Source_File_Name_Project pragmas are always
3277 generated by the Project Manager in a manner consistent with the naming
3278 specified in a project file, and when naming is controlled in this manner,
3279 it is not permissible to attempt to modify this naming scheme using
3280 Source_File_Name pragmas (which would not be known to the project manager).
3282 @node Pragma Source_Reference
3283 @unnumberedsec Pragma Source_Reference
3284 @findex Source_Reference
3288 @smallexample @c ada
3289 pragma Source_Reference (INTEGER_LITERAL, STRING_LITERAL);
3293 This pragma must appear as the first line of a source file.
3294 @var{integer_literal} is the logical line number of the line following
3295 the pragma line (for use in error messages and debugging
3296 information). @var{string_literal} is a static string constant that
3297 specifies the file name to be used in error messages and debugging
3298 information. This is most notably used for the output of @code{gnatchop}
3299 with the @code{-r} switch, to make sure that the original unchopped
3300 source file is the one referred to.
3302 The second argument must be a string literal, it cannot be a static
3303 string expression other than a string literal. This is because its value
3304 is needed for error messages issued by all phases of the compiler.
3306 @node Pragma Stream_Convert
3307 @unnumberedsec Pragma Stream_Convert
3308 @findex Stream_Convert
3312 @smallexample @c ada
3313 pragma Stream_Convert (
3314 [Entity =>] type_LOCAL_NAME,
3315 [Read =>] function_NAME,
3316 [Write =>] function_NAME);
3320 This pragma provides an efficient way of providing stream functions for
3321 types defined in packages. Not only is it simpler to use than declaring
3322 the necessary functions with attribute representation clauses, but more
3323 significantly, it allows the declaration to made in such a way that the
3324 stream packages are not loaded unless they are needed. The use of
3325 the Stream_Convert pragma adds no overhead at all, unless the stream
3326 attributes are actually used on the designated type.
3328 The first argument specifies the type for which stream functions are
3329 provided. The second parameter provides a function used to read values
3330 of this type. It must name a function whose argument type may be any
3331 subtype, and whose returned type must be the type given as the first
3332 argument to the pragma.
3334 The meaning of the @var{Read}
3335 parameter is that if a stream attribute directly
3336 or indirectly specifies reading of the type given as the first parameter,
3337 then a value of the type given as the argument to the Read function is
3338 read from the stream, and then the Read function is used to convert this
3339 to the required target type.
3341 Similarly the @var{Write} parameter specifies how to treat write attributes
3342 that directly or indirectly apply to the type given as the first parameter.
3343 It must have an input parameter of the type specified by the first parameter,
3344 and the return type must be the same as the input type of the Read function.
3345 The effect is to first call the Write function to convert to the given stream
3346 type, and then write the result type to the stream.
3348 The Read and Write functions must not be overloaded subprograms. If necessary
3349 renamings can be supplied to meet this requirement.
3350 The usage of this attribute is best illustrated by a simple example, taken
3351 from the GNAT implementation of package Ada.Strings.Unbounded:
3353 @smallexample @c ada
3354 function To_Unbounded (S : String)
3355 return Unbounded_String
3356 renames To_Unbounded_String;
3358 pragma Stream_Convert
3359 (Unbounded_String, To_Unbounded, To_String);
3363 The specifications of the referenced functions, as given in the Ada 95
3364 Reference Manual are:
3366 @smallexample @c ada
3367 function To_Unbounded_String (Source : String)
3368 return Unbounded_String;
3370 function To_String (Source : Unbounded_String)
3375 The effect is that if the value of an unbounded string is written to a
3376 stream, then the representation of the item in the stream is in the same
3377 format used for @code{Standard.String}, and this same representation is
3378 expected when a value of this type is read from the stream.
3380 @node Pragma Style_Checks
3381 @unnumberedsec Pragma Style_Checks
3382 @findex Style_Checks
3386 @smallexample @c ada
3387 pragma Style_Checks (string_LITERAL | ALL_CHECKS |
3388 On | Off [, LOCAL_NAME]);
3392 This pragma is used in conjunction with compiler switches to control the
3393 built in style checking provided by GNAT@. The compiler switches, if set,
3394 provide an initial setting for the switches, and this pragma may be used
3395 to modify these settings, or the settings may be provided entirely by
3396 the use of the pragma. This pragma can be used anywhere that a pragma
3397 is legal, including use as a configuration pragma (including use in
3398 the @file{gnat.adc} file).
3400 The form with a string literal specifies which style options are to be
3401 activated. These are additive, so they apply in addition to any previously
3402 set style check options. The codes for the options are the same as those
3403 used in the @code{-gnaty} switch to @code{gcc} or @code{gnatmake}.
3404 For example the following two methods can be used to enable
3409 @smallexample @c ada
3410 pragma Style_Checks ("l");
3415 gcc -c -gnatyl @dots{}
3420 The form ALL_CHECKS activates all standard checks (its use is equivalent
3421 to the use of the @code{gnaty} switch with no options. See GNAT User's
3424 The forms with @code{Off} and @code{On}
3425 can be used to temporarily disable style checks
3426 as shown in the following example:
3428 @smallexample @c ada
3432 pragma Style_Checks ("k"); -- requires keywords in lower case
3433 pragma Style_Checks (Off); -- turn off style checks
3434 NULL; -- this will not generate an error message
3435 pragma Style_Checks (On); -- turn style checks back on
3436 NULL; -- this will generate an error message
3440 Finally the two argument form is allowed only if the first argument is
3441 @code{On} or @code{Off}. The effect is to turn of semantic style checks
3442 for the specified entity, as shown in the following example:
3444 @smallexample @c ada
3448 pragma Style_Checks ("r"); -- require consistency of identifier casing
3450 Rf1 : Integer := ARG; -- incorrect, wrong case
3451 pragma Style_Checks (Off, Arg);
3452 Rf2 : Integer := ARG; -- OK, no error
3455 @node Pragma Subtitle
3456 @unnumberedsec Pragma Subtitle
3461 @smallexample @c ada
3462 pragma Subtitle ([Subtitle =>] STRING_LITERAL);
3466 This pragma is recognized for compatibility with other Ada compilers
3467 but is ignored by GNAT@.
3469 @node Pragma Suppress_All
3470 @unnumberedsec Pragma Suppress_All
3471 @findex Suppress_All
3475 @smallexample @c ada
3476 pragma Suppress_All;
3480 This pragma can only appear immediately following a compilation
3481 unit. The effect is to apply @code{Suppress (All_Checks)} to the unit
3482 which it follows. This pragma is implemented for compatibility with DEC
3483 Ada 83 usage. The use of pragma @code{Suppress (All_Checks)} as a normal
3484 configuration pragma is the preferred usage in GNAT@.
3486 @node Pragma Suppress_Exception_Locations
3487 @unnumberedsec Pragma Suppress_Exception_Locations
3488 @findex Suppress_Exception_Locations
3492 @smallexample @c ada
3493 pragma Suppress_Exception_Locations;
3497 In normal mode, a raise statement for an exception by default generates
3498 an exception message giving the file name and line number for the location
3499 of the raise. This is useful for debugging and logging purposes, but this
3500 entails extra space for the strings for the messages. The configuration
3501 pragma @code{Suppress_Exception_Locations} can be used to suppress the
3502 generation of these strings, with the result that space is saved, but the
3503 exception message for such raises is null. This configuration pragma may
3504 appear in a global configuration pragma file, or in a specific unit as
3505 usual. It is not required that this pragma be used consistently within
3506 a partition, so it is fine to have some units within a partition compiled
3507 with this pragma and others compiled in normal mode without it.
3509 @node Pragma Suppress_Initialization
3510 @unnumberedsec Pragma Suppress_Initialization
3511 @findex Suppress_Initialization
3512 @cindex Suppressing initialization
3513 @cindex Initialization, suppression of
3517 @smallexample @c ada
3518 pragma Suppress_Initialization ([Entity =>] type_Name);
3522 This pragma suppresses any implicit or explicit initialization
3523 associated with the given type name for all variables of this type.
3525 @node Pragma Task_Info
3526 @unnumberedsec Pragma Task_Info
3531 @smallexample @c ada
3532 pragma Task_Info (EXPRESSION);
3536 This pragma appears within a task definition (like pragma
3537 @code{Priority}) and applies to the task in which it appears. The
3538 argument must be of type @code{System.Task_Info.Task_Info_Type}.
3539 The @code{Task_Info} pragma provides system dependent control over
3540 aspects of tasking implementation, for example, the ability to map
3541 tasks to specific processors. For details on the facilities available
3542 for the version of GNAT that you are using, see the documentation
3543 in the specification of package System.Task_Info in the runtime
3546 @node Pragma Task_Name
3547 @unnumberedsec Pragma Task_Name
3552 @smallexample @c ada
3553 pragma Task_Name (string_EXPRESSION);
3557 This pragma appears within a task definition (like pragma
3558 @code{Priority}) and applies to the task in which it appears. The
3559 argument must be of type String, and provides a name to be used for
3560 the task instance when the task is created. Note that this expression
3561 is not required to be static, and in particular, it can contain
3562 references to task discriminants. This facility can be used to
3563 provide different names for different tasks as they are created,
3564 as illustrated in the example below.
3566 The task name is recorded internally in the run-time structures
3567 and is accessible to tools like the debugger. In addition the
3568 routine @code{Ada.Task_Identification.Image} will return this
3569 string, with a unique task address appended.
3571 @smallexample @c ada
3572 -- Example of the use of pragma Task_Name
3574 with Ada.Task_Identification;
3575 use Ada.Task_Identification;
3576 with Text_IO; use Text_IO;
3579 type Astring is access String;
3581 task type Task_Typ (Name : access String) is
3582 pragma Task_Name (Name.all);
3585 task body Task_Typ is
3586 Nam : constant String := Image (Current_Task);
3588 Put_Line ("-->" & Nam (1 .. 14) & "<--");
3591 type Ptr_Task is access Task_Typ;
3592 Task_Var : Ptr_Task;
3596 new Task_Typ (new String'("This is task 1"));
3598 new Task_Typ (new String'("This is task 2"));
3602 @node Pragma Task_Storage
3603 @unnumberedsec Pragma Task_Storage
3604 @findex Task_Storage
3607 @smallexample @c ada
3608 pragma Task_Storage (
3609 [Task_Type =>] LOCAL_NAME,
3610 [Top_Guard =>] static_integer_EXPRESSION);
3614 This pragma specifies the length of the guard area for tasks. The guard
3615 area is an additional storage area allocated to a task. A value of zero
3616 means that either no guard area is created or a minimal guard area is
3617 created, depending on the target. This pragma can appear anywhere a
3618 @code{Storage_Size} attribute definition clause is allowed for a task
3621 @node Pragma Thread_Body
3622 @unnumberedsec Pragma Thread_Body
3626 @smallexample @c ada
3627 pragma Thread_Body (
3628 [Entity =>] LOCAL_NAME,
3629 [[Secondary_Stack_Size =>] static_integer_EXPRESSION)];
3633 This pragma specifies that the subprogram whose name is given as the
3634 @code{Entity} argument is a thread body, which will be activated
3635 by being called via its Address from foreign code. The purpose is
3636 to allow execution and registration of the foreign thread within the
3637 Ada run-time system.
3639 See the library unit @code{System.Threads} for details on the expansion of
3640 a thread body subprogram, including the calls made to subprograms
3641 within System.Threads to register the task. This unit also lists the
3642 targets and runtime systems for which this pragma is supported.
3644 A thread body subprogram may not be called directly from Ada code, and
3645 it is not permitted to apply the Access (or Unrestricted_Access) attributes
3646 to such a subprogram. The only legitimate way of calling such a subprogram
3647 is to pass its Address to foreign code and then make the call from the
3650 A thread body subprogram may have any parameters, and it may be a function
3651 returning a result. The convention of the thread body subprogram may be
3652 set in the usual manner using @code{pragma Convention}.
3654 The secondary stack size parameter, if given, is used to set the size
3655 of secondary stack for the thread. The secondary stack is allocated as
3656 a local variable of the expanded thread body subprogram, and thus is
3657 allocated out of the main thread stack size. If no secondary stack
3658 size parameter is present, the default size (from the declaration in
3659 @code{System.Secondary_Stack} is used.
3661 @node Pragma Time_Slice
3662 @unnumberedsec Pragma Time_Slice
3667 @smallexample @c ada
3668 pragma Time_Slice (static_duration_EXPRESSION);
3672 For implementations of GNAT on operating systems where it is possible
3673 to supply a time slice value, this pragma may be used for this purpose.
3674 It is ignored if it is used in a system that does not allow this control,
3675 or if it appears in other than the main program unit.
3677 Note that the effect of this pragma is identical to the effect of the
3678 DEC Ada 83 pragma of the same name when operating under OpenVMS systems.
3681 @unnumberedsec Pragma Title
3686 @smallexample @c ada
3687 pragma Title (TITLING_OPTION [, TITLING OPTION]);
3690 [Title =>] STRING_LITERAL,
3691 | [Subtitle =>] STRING_LITERAL
3695 Syntax checked but otherwise ignored by GNAT@. This is a listing control
3696 pragma used in DEC Ada 83 implementations to provide a title and/or
3697 subtitle for the program listing. The program listing generated by GNAT
3698 does not have titles or subtitles.
3700 Unlike other pragmas, the full flexibility of named notation is allowed
3701 for this pragma, i.e.@: the parameters may be given in any order if named
3702 notation is used, and named and positional notation can be mixed
3703 following the normal rules for procedure calls in Ada.
3705 @node Pragma Unchecked_Union
3706 @unnumberedsec Pragma Unchecked_Union
3708 @findex Unchecked_Union
3712 @smallexample @c ada
3713 pragma Unchecked_Union (first_subtype_LOCAL_NAME);
3717 This pragma is used to declare that the specified type should be represented
3719 equivalent to a C union type, and is intended only for use in
3720 interfacing with C code that uses union types. In Ada terms, the named
3721 type must obey the following rules:
3725 It is a non-tagged non-limited record type.
3727 It has a single discrete discriminant with a default value.
3729 The component list consists of a single variant part.
3731 Each variant has a component list with a single component.
3733 No nested variants are allowed.
3735 No component has an explicit default value.
3737 No component has a non-static constraint.
3741 In addition, given a type that meets the above requirements, the
3742 following restrictions apply to its use throughout the program:
3746 The discriminant name can be mentioned only in an aggregate.
3748 No subtypes may be created of this type.
3750 The type may not be constrained by giving a discriminant value.
3752 The type cannot be passed as the actual for a generic formal with a
3757 Equality and inequality operations on @code{unchecked_unions} are not
3758 available, since there is no discriminant to compare and the compiler
3759 does not even know how many bits to compare. It is implementation
3760 dependent whether this is detected at compile time as an illegality or
3761 whether it is undetected and considered to be an erroneous construct. In
3762 GNAT, a direct comparison is illegal, but GNAT does not attempt to catch
3763 the composite case (where two composites are compared that contain an
3764 unchecked union component), so such comparisons are simply considered
3767 The layout of the resulting type corresponds exactly to a C union, where
3768 each branch of the union corresponds to a single variant in the Ada
3769 record. The semantics of the Ada program is not changed in any way by
3770 the pragma, i.e.@: provided the above restrictions are followed, and no
3771 erroneous incorrect references to fields or erroneous comparisons occur,
3772 the semantics is exactly as described by the Ada reference manual.
3773 Pragma @code{Suppress (Discriminant_Check)} applies implicitly to the
3774 type and the default convention is C.
3776 @node Pragma Unimplemented_Unit
3777 @unnumberedsec Pragma Unimplemented_Unit
3778 @findex Unimplemented_Unit
3782 @smallexample @c ada
3783 pragma Unimplemented_Unit;
3787 If this pragma occurs in a unit that is processed by the compiler, GNAT
3788 aborts with the message @samp{@var{xxx} not implemented}, where
3789 @var{xxx} is the name of the current compilation unit. This pragma is
3790 intended to allow the compiler to handle unimplemented library units in
3793 The abort only happens if code is being generated. Thus you can use
3794 specs of unimplemented packages in syntax or semantic checking mode.
3796 @node Pragma Universal_Data
3797 @unnumberedsec Pragma Universal_Data
3798 @findex Universal_Data
3802 @smallexample @c ada
3803 pragma Universal_Data [(library_unit_Name)];
3807 This pragma is supported only for the AAMP target and is ignored for
3808 other targets. The pragma specifies that all library-level objects
3809 (Counter 0 data) associated with the library unit are to be accessed
3810 and updated using universal addressing (24-bit addresses for AAMP5)
3811 rather than the default of 16-bit Data Environment (DENV) addressing.
3812 Use of this pragma will generally result in less efficient code for
3813 references to global data associated with the library unit, but
3814 allows such data to be located anywhere in memory. This pragma is
3815 a library unit pragma, but can also be used as a configuration pragma
3816 (including use in the @file{gnat.adc} file). The functionality
3817 of this pragma is also available by applying the -univ switch on the
3818 compilations of units where universal addressing of the data is desired.
3820 @node Pragma Unreferenced
3821 @unnumberedsec Pragma Unreferenced
3822 @findex Unreferenced
3823 @cindex Warnings, unreferenced
3827 @smallexample @c ada
3828 pragma Unreferenced (local_Name @{, local_Name@});
3832 This pragma signals that the entities whose names are listed are
3833 deliberately not referenced in the current source unit. This
3834 suppresses warnings about the
3835 entities being unreferenced, and in addition a warning will be
3836 generated if one of these entities is in fact referenced in the
3837 same unit as the pragma (or in the corresponding body, or one
3840 This is particularly useful for clearly signaling that a particular
3841 parameter is not referenced in some particular subprogram implementation
3842 and that this is deliberate. It can also be useful in the case of
3843 objects declared only for their initialization or finalization side
3846 If @code{local_Name} identifies more than one matching homonym in the
3847 current scope, then the entity most recently declared is the one to which
3850 The left hand side of an assignment does not count as a reference for the
3851 purpose of this pragma. Thus it is fine to assign to an entity for which
3852 pragma Unreferenced is given.
3854 @node Pragma Unreserve_All_Interrupts
3855 @unnumberedsec Pragma Unreserve_All_Interrupts
3856 @findex Unreserve_All_Interrupts
3860 @smallexample @c ada
3861 pragma Unreserve_All_Interrupts;
3865 Normally certain interrupts are reserved to the implementation. Any attempt
3866 to attach an interrupt causes Program_Error to be raised, as described in
3867 RM C.3.2(22). A typical example is the @code{SIGINT} interrupt used in
3868 many systems for a @kbd{Ctrl-C} interrupt. Normally this interrupt is
3869 reserved to the implementation, so that @kbd{Ctrl-C} can be used to
3870 interrupt execution.
3872 If the pragma @code{Unreserve_All_Interrupts} appears anywhere in any unit in
3873 a program, then all such interrupts are unreserved. This allows the
3874 program to handle these interrupts, but disables their standard
3875 functions. For example, if this pragma is used, then pressing
3876 @kbd{Ctrl-C} will not automatically interrupt execution. However,
3877 a program can then handle the @code{SIGINT} interrupt as it chooses.
3879 For a full list of the interrupts handled in a specific implementation,
3880 see the source code for the specification of @code{Ada.Interrupts.Names} in
3881 file @file{a-intnam.ads}. This is a target dependent file that contains the
3882 list of interrupts recognized for a given target. The documentation in
3883 this file also specifies what interrupts are affected by the use of
3884 the @code{Unreserve_All_Interrupts} pragma.
3886 For a more general facility for controlling what interrupts can be
3887 handled, see pragma @code{Interrupt_State}, which subsumes the functionality
3888 of the @code{Unreserve_All_Interrupts} pragma.
3890 @node Pragma Unsuppress
3891 @unnumberedsec Pragma Unsuppress
3896 @smallexample @c ada
3897 pragma Unsuppress (IDENTIFIER [, [On =>] NAME]);
3901 This pragma undoes the effect of a previous pragma @code{Suppress}. If
3902 there is no corresponding pragma @code{Suppress} in effect, it has no
3903 effect. The range of the effect is the same as for pragma
3904 @code{Suppress}. The meaning of the arguments is identical to that used
3905 in pragma @code{Suppress}.
3907 One important application is to ensure that checks are on in cases where
3908 code depends on the checks for its correct functioning, so that the code
3909 will compile correctly even if the compiler switches are set to suppress
3912 @node Pragma Use_VADS_Size
3913 @unnumberedsec Pragma Use_VADS_Size
3914 @cindex @code{Size}, VADS compatibility
3915 @findex Use_VADS_Size
3919 @smallexample @c ada
3920 pragma Use_VADS_Size;
3924 This is a configuration pragma. In a unit to which it applies, any use
3925 of the 'Size attribute is automatically interpreted as a use of the
3926 'VADS_Size attribute. Note that this may result in incorrect semantic
3927 processing of valid Ada 95 programs. This is intended to aid in the
3928 handling of legacy code which depends on the interpretation of Size
3929 as implemented in the VADS compiler. See description of the VADS_Size
3930 attribute for further details.
3932 @node Pragma Validity_Checks
3933 @unnumberedsec Pragma Validity_Checks
3934 @findex Validity_Checks
3938 @smallexample @c ada
3939 pragma Validity_Checks (string_LITERAL | ALL_CHECKS | On | Off);
3943 This pragma is used in conjunction with compiler switches to control the
3944 built-in validity checking provided by GNAT@. The compiler switches, if set
3945 provide an initial setting for the switches, and this pragma may be used
3946 to modify these settings, or the settings may be provided entirely by
3947 the use of the pragma. This pragma can be used anywhere that a pragma
3948 is legal, including use as a configuration pragma (including use in
3949 the @file{gnat.adc} file).
3951 The form with a string literal specifies which validity options are to be
3952 activated. The validity checks are first set to include only the default
3953 reference manual settings, and then a string of letters in the string
3954 specifies the exact set of options required. The form of this string
3955 is exactly as described for the @code{-gnatVx} compiler switch (see the
3956 GNAT users guide for details). For example the following two methods
3957 can be used to enable validity checking for mode @code{in} and
3958 @code{in out} subprogram parameters:
3962 @smallexample @c ada
3963 pragma Validity_Checks ("im");
3968 gcc -c -gnatVim @dots{}
3973 The form ALL_CHECKS activates all standard checks (its use is equivalent
3974 to the use of the @code{gnatva} switch.
3976 The forms with @code{Off} and @code{On}
3977 can be used to temporarily disable validity checks
3978 as shown in the following example:
3980 @smallexample @c ada
3984 pragma Validity_Checks ("c"); -- validity checks for copies
3985 pragma Validity_Checks (Off); -- turn off validity checks
3986 A := B; -- B will not be validity checked
3987 pragma Validity_Checks (On); -- turn validity checks back on
3988 A := C; -- C will be validity checked
3991 @node Pragma Volatile
3992 @unnumberedsec Pragma Volatile
3997 @smallexample @c ada
3998 pragma Volatile (local_NAME);
4002 This pragma is defined by the Ada 95 Reference Manual, and the GNAT
4003 implementation is fully conformant with this definition. The reason it
4004 is mentioned in this section is that a pragma of the same name was supplied
4005 in some Ada 83 compilers, including DEC Ada 83. The Ada 95 implementation
4006 of pragma Volatile is upwards compatible with the implementation in
4009 @node Pragma Warnings
4010 @unnumberedsec Pragma Warnings
4015 @smallexample @c ada
4016 pragma Warnings (On | Off [, LOCAL_NAME]);
4020 Normally warnings are enabled, with the output being controlled by
4021 the command line switch. Warnings (@code{Off}) turns off generation of
4022 warnings until a Warnings (@code{On}) is encountered or the end of the
4023 current unit. If generation of warnings is turned off using this
4024 pragma, then no warning messages are output, regardless of the
4025 setting of the command line switches.
4027 The form with a single argument is a configuration pragma.
4029 If the @var{local_name} parameter is present, warnings are suppressed for
4030 the specified entity. This suppression is effective from the point where
4031 it occurs till the end of the extended scope of the variable (similar to
4032 the scope of @code{Suppress}).
4034 @node Pragma Weak_External
4035 @unnumberedsec Pragma Weak_External
4036 @findex Weak_External
4040 @smallexample @c ada
4041 pragma Weak_External ([Entity =>] LOCAL_NAME);
4045 This pragma specifies that the given entity should be marked as a weak
4046 external (one that does not have to be resolved) for the linker. For
4047 further details, consult the GCC manual.
4049 @node Implementation Defined Attributes
4050 @chapter Implementation Defined Attributes
4051 Ada 95 defines (throughout the Ada 95 reference manual,
4052 summarized in annex K),
4053 a set of attributes that provide useful additional functionality in all
4054 areas of the language. These language defined attributes are implemented
4055 in GNAT and work as described in the Ada 95 Reference Manual.
4057 In addition, Ada 95 allows implementations to define additional
4058 attributes whose meaning is defined by the implementation. GNAT provides
4059 a number of these implementation-dependent attributes which can be used
4060 to extend and enhance the functionality of the compiler. This section of
4061 the GNAT reference manual describes these additional attributes.
4063 Note that any program using these attributes may not be portable to
4064 other compilers (although GNAT implements this set of attributes on all
4065 platforms). Therefore if portability to other compilers is an important
4066 consideration, you should minimize the use of these attributes.
4077 * Default_Bit_Order::
4085 * Has_Access_Values::
4086 * Has_Discriminants::
4092 * Max_Interrupt_Priority::
4094 * Maximum_Alignment::
4098 * Passed_By_Reference::
4109 * Unconstrained_Array::
4110 * Universal_Literal_String::
4111 * Unrestricted_Access::
4119 @unnumberedsec Abort_Signal
4120 @findex Abort_Signal
4122 @code{Standard'Abort_Signal} (@code{Standard} is the only allowed
4123 prefix) provides the entity for the special exception used to signal
4124 task abort or asynchronous transfer of control. Normally this attribute
4125 should only be used in the tasking runtime (it is highly peculiar, and
4126 completely outside the normal semantics of Ada, for a user program to
4127 intercept the abort exception).
4130 @unnumberedsec Address_Size
4131 @cindex Size of @code{Address}
4132 @findex Address_Size
4134 @code{Standard'Address_Size} (@code{Standard} is the only allowed
4135 prefix) is a static constant giving the number of bits in an
4136 @code{Address}. It is the same value as System.Address'Size,
4137 but has the advantage of being static, while a direct
4138 reference to System.Address'Size is non-static because Address
4142 @unnumberedsec Asm_Input
4145 The @code{Asm_Input} attribute denotes a function that takes two
4146 parameters. The first is a string, the second is an expression of the
4147 type designated by the prefix. The first (string) argument is required
4148 to be a static expression, and is the constraint for the parameter,
4149 (e.g.@: what kind of register is required). The second argument is the
4150 value to be used as the input argument. The possible values for the
4151 constant are the same as those used in the RTL, and are dependent on
4152 the configuration file used to built the GCC back end.
4153 @ref{Machine Code Insertions}
4156 @unnumberedsec Asm_Output
4159 The @code{Asm_Output} attribute denotes a function that takes two
4160 parameters. The first is a string, the second is the name of a variable
4161 of the type designated by the attribute prefix. The first (string)
4162 argument is required to be a static expression and designates the
4163 constraint for the parameter (e.g.@: what kind of register is
4164 required). The second argument is the variable to be updated with the
4165 result. The possible values for constraint are the same as those used in
4166 the RTL, and are dependent on the configuration file used to build the
4167 GCC back end. If there are no output operands, then this argument may
4168 either be omitted, or explicitly given as @code{No_Output_Operands}.
4169 @ref{Machine Code Insertions}
4172 @unnumberedsec AST_Entry
4176 This attribute is implemented only in OpenVMS versions of GNAT@. Applied to
4177 the name of an entry, it yields a value of the predefined type AST_Handler
4178 (declared in the predefined package System, as extended by the use of
4179 pragma @code{Extend_System (Aux_DEC)}). This value enables the given entry to
4180 be called when an AST occurs. For further details, refer to the @cite{DEC Ada
4181 Language Reference Manual}, section 9.12a.
4186 @code{@var{obj}'Bit}, where @var{obj} is any object, yields the bit
4187 offset within the storage unit (byte) that contains the first bit of
4188 storage allocated for the object. The value of this attribute is of the
4189 type @code{Universal_Integer}, and is always a non-negative number not
4190 exceeding the value of @code{System.Storage_Unit}.
4192 For an object that is a variable or a constant allocated in a register,
4193 the value is zero. (The use of this attribute does not force the
4194 allocation of a variable to memory).
4196 For an object that is a formal parameter, this attribute applies
4197 to either the matching actual parameter or to a copy of the
4198 matching actual parameter.
4200 For an access object the value is zero. Note that
4201 @code{@var{obj}.all'Bit} is subject to an @code{Access_Check} for the
4202 designated object. Similarly for a record component
4203 @code{@var{X}.@var{C}'Bit} is subject to a discriminant check and
4204 @code{@var{X}(@var{I}).Bit} and @code{@var{X}(@var{I1}..@var{I2})'Bit}
4205 are subject to index checks.
4207 This attribute is designed to be compatible with the DEC Ada 83 definition
4208 and implementation of the @code{Bit} attribute.
4211 @unnumberedsec Bit_Position
4212 @findex Bit_Position
4214 @code{@var{R.C}'Bit}, where @var{R} is a record object and C is one
4215 of the fields of the record type, yields the bit
4216 offset within the record contains the first bit of
4217 storage allocated for the object. The value of this attribute is of the
4218 type @code{Universal_Integer}. The value depends only on the field
4219 @var{C} and is independent of the alignment of
4220 the containing record @var{R}.
4223 @unnumberedsec Code_Address
4224 @findex Code_Address
4225 @cindex Subprogram address
4226 @cindex Address of subprogram code
4229 attribute may be applied to subprograms in Ada 95, but the
4230 intended effect from the Ada 95 reference manual seems to be to provide
4231 an address value which can be used to call the subprogram by means of
4232 an address clause as in the following example:
4234 @smallexample @c ada
4235 procedure K is @dots{}
4238 for L'Address use K'Address;
4239 pragma Import (Ada, L);
4243 A call to @code{L} is then expected to result in a call to @code{K}@.
4244 In Ada 83, where there were no access-to-subprogram values, this was
4245 a common work around for getting the effect of an indirect call.
4246 GNAT implements the above use of @code{Address} and the technique
4247 illustrated by the example code works correctly.
4249 However, for some purposes, it is useful to have the address of the start
4250 of the generated code for the subprogram. On some architectures, this is
4251 not necessarily the same as the @code{Address} value described above.
4252 For example, the @code{Address} value may reference a subprogram
4253 descriptor rather than the subprogram itself.
4255 The @code{'Code_Address} attribute, which can only be applied to
4256 subprogram entities, always returns the address of the start of the
4257 generated code of the specified subprogram, which may or may not be
4258 the same value as is returned by the corresponding @code{'Address}
4261 @node Default_Bit_Order
4262 @unnumberedsec Default_Bit_Order
4264 @cindex Little endian
4265 @findex Default_Bit_Order
4267 @code{Standard'Default_Bit_Order} (@code{Standard} is the only
4268 permissible prefix), provides the value @code{System.Default_Bit_Order}
4269 as a @code{Pos} value (0 for @code{High_Order_First}, 1 for
4270 @code{Low_Order_First}). This is used to construct the definition of
4271 @code{Default_Bit_Order} in package @code{System}.
4274 @unnumberedsec Elaborated
4277 The prefix of the @code{'Elaborated} attribute must be a unit name. The
4278 value is a Boolean which indicates whether or not the given unit has been
4279 elaborated. This attribute is primarily intended for internal use by the
4280 generated code for dynamic elaboration checking, but it can also be used
4281 in user programs. The value will always be True once elaboration of all
4282 units has been completed. An exception is for units which need no
4283 elaboration, the value is always False for such units.
4286 @unnumberedsec Elab_Body
4289 This attribute can only be applied to a program unit name. It returns
4290 the entity for the corresponding elaboration procedure for elaborating
4291 the body of the referenced unit. This is used in the main generated
4292 elaboration procedure by the binder and is not normally used in any
4293 other context. However, there may be specialized situations in which it
4294 is useful to be able to call this elaboration procedure from Ada code,
4295 e.g.@: if it is necessary to do selective re-elaboration to fix some
4299 @unnumberedsec Elab_Spec
4302 This attribute can only be applied to a program unit name. It returns
4303 the entity for the corresponding elaboration procedure for elaborating
4304 the specification of the referenced unit. This is used in the main
4305 generated elaboration procedure by the binder and is not normally used
4306 in any other context. However, there may be specialized situations in
4307 which it is useful to be able to call this elaboration procedure from
4308 Ada code, e.g.@: if it is necessary to do selective re-elaboration to fix
4313 @cindex Ada 83 attributes
4316 The @code{Emax} attribute is provided for compatibility with Ada 83. See
4317 the Ada 83 reference manual for an exact description of the semantics of
4321 @unnumberedsec Enum_Rep
4322 @cindex Representation of enums
4325 For every enumeration subtype @var{S}, @code{@var{S}'Enum_Rep} denotes a
4326 function with the following spec:
4328 @smallexample @c ada
4329 function @var{S}'Enum_Rep (Arg : @var{S}'Base)
4330 return @i{Universal_Integer};
4334 It is also allowable to apply @code{Enum_Rep} directly to an object of an
4335 enumeration type or to a non-overloaded enumeration
4336 literal. In this case @code{@var{S}'Enum_Rep} is equivalent to
4337 @code{@var{typ}'Enum_Rep(@var{S})} where @var{typ} is the type of the
4338 enumeration literal or object.
4340 The function returns the representation value for the given enumeration
4341 value. This will be equal to value of the @code{Pos} attribute in the
4342 absence of an enumeration representation clause. This is a static
4343 attribute (i.e.@: the result is static if the argument is static).
4345 @code{@var{S}'Enum_Rep} can also be used with integer types and objects,
4346 in which case it simply returns the integer value. The reason for this
4347 is to allow it to be used for @code{(<>)} discrete formal arguments in
4348 a generic unit that can be instantiated with either enumeration types
4349 or integer types. Note that if @code{Enum_Rep} is used on a modular
4350 type whose upper bound exceeds the upper bound of the largest signed
4351 integer type, and the argument is a variable, so that the universal
4352 integer calculation is done at run-time, then the call to @code{Enum_Rep}
4353 may raise @code{Constraint_Error}.
4356 @unnumberedsec Epsilon
4357 @cindex Ada 83 attributes
4360 The @code{Epsilon} attribute is provided for compatibility with Ada 83. See
4361 the Ada 83 reference manual for an exact description of the semantics of
4365 @unnumberedsec Fixed_Value
4368 For every fixed-point type @var{S}, @code{@var{S}'Fixed_Value} denotes a
4369 function with the following specification:
4371 @smallexample @c ada
4372 function @var{S}'Fixed_Value (Arg : @i{Universal_Integer})
4377 The value returned is the fixed-point value @var{V} such that
4379 @smallexample @c ada
4380 @var{V} = Arg * @var{S}'Small
4384 The effect is thus similar to first converting the argument to the
4385 integer type used to represent @var{S}, and then doing an unchecked
4386 conversion to the fixed-point type. The difference is
4387 that there are full range checks, to ensure that the result is in range.
4388 This attribute is primarily intended for use in implementation of the
4389 input-output functions for fixed-point values.
4391 @node Has_Access_Values
4392 @unnumberedsec Has_Access_Values
4393 @cindex Access values, testing for
4394 @findex Has_Access_Values
4396 The prefix of the @code{Has_Access_Values} attribute is a type. The result
4397 is a Boolean value which is True if the is an access type, or is a composite
4398 type with a component (at any nesting depth) that is an access type, and is
4400 The intended use of this attribute is in conjunction with generic
4401 definitions. If the attribute is applied to a generic private type, it
4402 indicates whether or not the corresponding actual type has access values.
4404 @node Has_Discriminants
4405 @unnumberedsec Has_Discriminants
4406 @cindex Discriminants, testing for
4407 @findex Has_Discriminants
4409 The prefix of the @code{Has_Discriminants} attribute is a type. The result
4410 is a Boolean value which is True if the type has discriminants, and False
4411 otherwise. The intended use of this attribute is in conjunction with generic
4412 definitions. If the attribute is applied to a generic private type, it
4413 indicates whether or not the corresponding actual type has discriminants.
4419 The @code{Img} attribute differs from @code{Image} in that it may be
4420 applied to objects as well as types, in which case it gives the
4421 @code{Image} for the subtype of the object. This is convenient for
4424 @smallexample @c ada
4425 Put_Line ("X = " & X'Img);
4429 has the same meaning as the more verbose:
4431 @smallexample @c ada
4432 Put_Line ("X = " & @var{T}'Image (X));
4436 where @var{T} is the (sub)type of the object @code{X}.
4439 @unnumberedsec Integer_Value
4440 @findex Integer_Value
4442 For every integer type @var{S}, @code{@var{S}'Integer_Value} denotes a
4443 function with the following spec:
4445 @smallexample @c ada
4446 function @var{S}'Integer_Value (Arg : @i{Universal_Fixed})
4451 The value returned is the integer value @var{V}, such that
4453 @smallexample @c ada
4454 Arg = @var{V} * @var{T}'Small
4458 where @var{T} is the type of @code{Arg}.
4459 The effect is thus similar to first doing an unchecked conversion from
4460 the fixed-point type to its corresponding implementation type, and then
4461 converting the result to the target integer type. The difference is
4462 that there are full range checks, to ensure that the result is in range.
4463 This attribute is primarily intended for use in implementation of the
4464 standard input-output functions for fixed-point values.
4467 @unnumberedsec Large
4468 @cindex Ada 83 attributes
4471 The @code{Large} attribute is provided for compatibility with Ada 83. See
4472 the Ada 83 reference manual for an exact description of the semantics of
4476 @unnumberedsec Machine_Size
4477 @findex Machine_Size
4479 This attribute is identical to the @code{Object_Size} attribute. It is
4480 provided for compatibility with the DEC Ada 83 attribute of this name.
4483 @unnumberedsec Mantissa
4484 @cindex Ada 83 attributes
4487 The @code{Mantissa} attribute is provided for compatibility with Ada 83. See
4488 the Ada 83 reference manual for an exact description of the semantics of
4491 @node Max_Interrupt_Priority
4492 @unnumberedsec Max_Interrupt_Priority
4493 @cindex Interrupt priority, maximum
4494 @findex Max_Interrupt_Priority
4496 @code{Standard'Max_Interrupt_Priority} (@code{Standard} is the only
4497 permissible prefix), provides the same value as
4498 @code{System.Max_Interrupt_Priority}.
4501 @unnumberedsec Max_Priority
4502 @cindex Priority, maximum
4503 @findex Max_Priority
4505 @code{Standard'Max_Priority} (@code{Standard} is the only permissible
4506 prefix) provides the same value as @code{System.Max_Priority}.
4508 @node Maximum_Alignment
4509 @unnumberedsec Maximum_Alignment
4510 @cindex Alignment, maximum
4511 @findex Maximum_Alignment
4513 @code{Standard'Maximum_Alignment} (@code{Standard} is the only
4514 permissible prefix) provides the maximum useful alignment value for the
4515 target. This is a static value that can be used to specify the alignment
4516 for an object, guaranteeing that it is properly aligned in all
4519 @node Mechanism_Code
4520 @unnumberedsec Mechanism_Code
4521 @cindex Return values, passing mechanism
4522 @cindex Parameters, passing mechanism
4523 @findex Mechanism_Code
4525 @code{@var{function}'Mechanism_Code} yields an integer code for the
4526 mechanism used for the result of function, and
4527 @code{@var{subprogram}'Mechanism_Code (@var{n})} yields the mechanism
4528 used for formal parameter number @var{n} (a static integer value with 1
4529 meaning the first parameter) of @var{subprogram}. The code returned is:
4537 by descriptor (default descriptor class)
4539 by descriptor (UBS: unaligned bit string)
4541 by descriptor (UBSB: aligned bit string with arbitrary bounds)
4543 by descriptor (UBA: unaligned bit array)
4545 by descriptor (S: string, also scalar access type parameter)
4547 by descriptor (SB: string with arbitrary bounds)
4549 by descriptor (A: contiguous array)
4551 by descriptor (NCA: non-contiguous array)
4555 Values from 3 through 10 are only relevant to Digital OpenVMS implementations.
4558 @node Null_Parameter
4559 @unnumberedsec Null_Parameter
4560 @cindex Zero address, passing
4561 @findex Null_Parameter
4563 A reference @code{@var{T}'Null_Parameter} denotes an imaginary object of
4564 type or subtype @var{T} allocated at machine address zero. The attribute
4565 is allowed only as the default expression of a formal parameter, or as
4566 an actual expression of a subprogram call. In either case, the
4567 subprogram must be imported.
4569 The identity of the object is represented by the address zero in the
4570 argument list, independent of the passing mechanism (explicit or
4573 This capability is needed to specify that a zero address should be
4574 passed for a record or other composite object passed by reference.
4575 There is no way of indicating this without the @code{Null_Parameter}
4579 @unnumberedsec Object_Size
4580 @cindex Size, used for objects
4583 The size of an object is not necessarily the same as the size of the type
4584 of an object. This is because by default object sizes are increased to be
4585 a multiple of the alignment of the object. For example,
4586 @code{Natural'Size} is
4587 31, but by default objects of type @code{Natural} will have a size of 32 bits.
4588 Similarly, a record containing an integer and a character:
4590 @smallexample @c ada
4598 will have a size of 40 (that is @code{Rec'Size} will be 40. The
4599 alignment will be 4, because of the
4600 integer field, and so the default size of record objects for this type
4601 will be 64 (8 bytes).
4603 The @code{@var{type}'Object_Size} attribute
4604 has been added to GNAT to allow the
4605 default object size of a type to be easily determined. For example,
4606 @code{Natural'Object_Size} is 32, and
4607 @code{Rec'Object_Size} (for the record type in the above example) will be
4608 64. Note also that, unlike the situation with the
4609 @code{Size} attribute as defined in the Ada RM, the
4610 @code{Object_Size} attribute can be specified individually
4611 for different subtypes. For example:
4613 @smallexample @c ada
4614 type R is new Integer;
4615 subtype R1 is R range 1 .. 10;
4616 subtype R2 is R range 1 .. 10;
4617 for R2'Object_Size use 8;
4621 In this example, @code{R'Object_Size} and @code{R1'Object_Size} are both
4622 32 since the default object size for a subtype is the same as the object size
4623 for the parent subtype. This means that objects of type @code{R}
4625 by default be 32 bits (four bytes). But objects of type
4626 @code{R2} will be only
4627 8 bits (one byte), since @code{R2'Object_Size} has been set to 8.
4629 @node Passed_By_Reference
4630 @unnumberedsec Passed_By_Reference
4631 @cindex Parameters, when passed by reference
4632 @findex Passed_By_Reference
4634 @code{@var{type}'Passed_By_Reference} for any subtype @var{type} returns
4635 a value of type @code{Boolean} value that is @code{True} if the type is
4636 normally passed by reference and @code{False} if the type is normally
4637 passed by copy in calls. For scalar types, the result is always @code{False}
4638 and is static. For non-scalar types, the result is non-static.
4641 @unnumberedsec Range_Length
4642 @findex Range_Length
4644 @code{@var{type}'Range_Length} for any discrete type @var{type} yields
4645 the number of values represented by the subtype (zero for a null
4646 range). The result is static for static subtypes. @code{Range_Length}
4647 applied to the index subtype of a one dimensional array always gives the
4648 same result as @code{Range} applied to the array itself.
4651 @unnumberedsec Safe_Emax
4652 @cindex Ada 83 attributes
4655 The @code{Safe_Emax} attribute is provided for compatibility with Ada 83. See
4656 the Ada 83 reference manual for an exact description of the semantics of
4660 @unnumberedsec Safe_Large
4661 @cindex Ada 83 attributes
4664 The @code{Safe_Large} attribute is provided for compatibility with Ada 83. See
4665 the Ada 83 reference manual for an exact description of the semantics of
4669 @unnumberedsec Small
4670 @cindex Ada 83 attributes
4673 The @code{Small} attribute is defined in Ada 95 only for fixed-point types.
4674 GNAT also allows this attribute to be applied to floating-point types
4675 for compatibility with Ada 83. See
4676 the Ada 83 reference manual for an exact description of the semantics of
4677 this attribute when applied to floating-point types.
4680 @unnumberedsec Storage_Unit
4681 @findex Storage_Unit
4683 @code{Standard'Storage_Unit} (@code{Standard} is the only permissible
4684 prefix) provides the same value as @code{System.Storage_Unit}.
4687 @unnumberedsec Target_Name
4690 @code{Standard'Target_Name} (@code{Standard} is the only permissible
4691 prefix) provides a static string value that identifies the target
4692 for the current compilation. For GCC implementations, this is the
4693 standard gcc target name without the terminating slash (for
4694 example, GNAT 5.0 on windows yields "i586-pc-mingw32msv").
4700 @code{Standard'Tick} (@code{Standard} is the only permissible prefix)
4701 provides the same value as @code{System.Tick},
4704 @unnumberedsec To_Address
4707 The @code{System'To_Address}
4708 (@code{System} is the only permissible prefix)
4709 denotes a function identical to
4710 @code{System.Storage_Elements.To_Address} except that
4711 it is a static attribute. This means that if its argument is
4712 a static expression, then the result of the attribute is a
4713 static expression. The result is that such an expression can be
4714 used in contexts (e.g.@: preelaborable packages) which require a
4715 static expression and where the function call could not be used
4716 (since the function call is always non-static, even if its
4717 argument is static).
4720 @unnumberedsec Type_Class
4723 @code{@var{type}'Type_Class} for any type or subtype @var{type} yields
4724 the value of the type class for the full type of @var{type}. If
4725 @var{type} is a generic formal type, the value is the value for the
4726 corresponding actual subtype. The value of this attribute is of type
4727 @code{System.Aux_DEC.Type_Class}, which has the following definition:
4729 @smallexample @c ada
4731 (Type_Class_Enumeration,
4733 Type_Class_Fixed_Point,
4734 Type_Class_Floating_Point,
4739 Type_Class_Address);
4743 Protected types yield the value @code{Type_Class_Task}, which thus
4744 applies to all concurrent types. This attribute is designed to
4745 be compatible with the DEC Ada 83 attribute of the same name.
4748 @unnumberedsec UET_Address
4751 The @code{UET_Address} attribute can only be used for a prefix which
4752 denotes a library package. It yields the address of the unit exception
4753 table when zero cost exception handling is used. This attribute is
4754 intended only for use within the GNAT implementation. See the unit
4755 @code{Ada.Exceptions} in files @file{a-except.ads} and @file{a-except.adb}
4756 for details on how this attribute is used in the implementation.
4758 @node Unconstrained_Array
4759 @unnumberedsec Unconstrained_Array
4760 @findex Unconstrained_Array
4762 The @code{Unconstrained_Array} attribute can be used with a prefix that
4763 denotes any type or subtype. It is a static attribute that yields
4764 @code{True} if the prefix designates an unconstrained array,
4765 and @code{False} otherwise. In a generic instance, the result is
4766 still static, and yields the result of applying this test to the
4769 @node Universal_Literal_String
4770 @unnumberedsec Universal_Literal_String
4771 @cindex Named numbers, representation of
4772 @findex Universal_Literal_String
4774 The prefix of @code{Universal_Literal_String} must be a named
4775 number. The static result is the string consisting of the characters of
4776 the number as defined in the original source. This allows the user
4777 program to access the actual text of named numbers without intermediate
4778 conversions and without the need to enclose the strings in quotes (which
4779 would preclude their use as numbers). This is used internally for the
4780 construction of values of the floating-point attributes from the file
4781 @file{ttypef.ads}, but may also be used by user programs.
4783 @node Unrestricted_Access
4784 @unnumberedsec Unrestricted_Access
4785 @cindex @code{Access}, unrestricted
4786 @findex Unrestricted_Access
4788 The @code{Unrestricted_Access} attribute is similar to @code{Access}
4789 except that all accessibility and aliased view checks are omitted. This
4790 is a user-beware attribute. It is similar to
4791 @code{Address}, for which it is a desirable replacement where the value
4792 desired is an access type. In other words, its effect is identical to
4793 first applying the @code{Address} attribute and then doing an unchecked
4794 conversion to a desired access type. In GNAT, but not necessarily in
4795 other implementations, the use of static chains for inner level
4796 subprograms means that @code{Unrestricted_Access} applied to a
4797 subprogram yields a value that can be called as long as the subprogram
4798 is in scope (normal Ada 95 accessibility rules restrict this usage).
4800 It is possible to use @code{Unrestricted_Access} for any type, but care
4801 must be excercised if it is used to create pointers to unconstrained
4802 objects. In this case, the resulting pointer has the same scope as the
4803 context of the attribute, and may not be returned to some enclosing
4804 scope. For instance, a function cannot use @code{Unrestricted_Access}
4805 to create a unconstrained pointer and then return that value to the
4809 @unnumberedsec VADS_Size
4810 @cindex @code{Size}, VADS compatibility
4813 The @code{'VADS_Size} attribute is intended to make it easier to port
4814 legacy code which relies on the semantics of @code{'Size} as implemented
4815 by the VADS Ada 83 compiler. GNAT makes a best effort at duplicating the
4816 same semantic interpretation. In particular, @code{'VADS_Size} applied
4817 to a predefined or other primitive type with no Size clause yields the
4818 Object_Size (for example, @code{Natural'Size} is 32 rather than 31 on
4819 typical machines). In addition @code{'VADS_Size} applied to an object
4820 gives the result that would be obtained by applying the attribute to
4821 the corresponding type.
4824 @unnumberedsec Value_Size
4825 @cindex @code{Size}, setting for not-first subtype
4827 @code{@var{type}'Value_Size} is the number of bits required to represent
4828 a value of the given subtype. It is the same as @code{@var{type}'Size},
4829 but, unlike @code{Size}, may be set for non-first subtypes.
4832 @unnumberedsec Wchar_T_Size
4833 @findex Wchar_T_Size
4834 @code{Standard'Wchar_T_Size} (@code{Standard} is the only permissible
4835 prefix) provides the size in bits of the C @code{wchar_t} type
4836 primarily for constructing the definition of this type in
4837 package @code{Interfaces.C}.
4840 @unnumberedsec Word_Size
4842 @code{Standard'Word_Size} (@code{Standard} is the only permissible
4843 prefix) provides the value @code{System.Word_Size}.
4845 @c ------------------------
4846 @node Implementation Advice
4847 @chapter Implementation Advice
4849 The main text of the Ada 95 Reference Manual describes the required
4850 behavior of all Ada 95 compilers, and the GNAT compiler conforms to
4853 In addition, there are sections throughout the Ada 95
4854 reference manual headed
4855 by the phrase ``implementation advice''. These sections are not normative,
4856 i.e.@: they do not specify requirements that all compilers must
4857 follow. Rather they provide advice on generally desirable behavior. You
4858 may wonder why they are not requirements. The most typical answer is
4859 that they describe behavior that seems generally desirable, but cannot
4860 be provided on all systems, or which may be undesirable on some systems.
4862 As far as practical, GNAT follows the implementation advice sections in
4863 the Ada 95 Reference Manual. This chapter contains a table giving the
4864 reference manual section number, paragraph number and several keywords
4865 for each advice. Each entry consists of the text of the advice followed
4866 by the GNAT interpretation of this advice. Most often, this simply says
4867 ``followed'', which means that GNAT follows the advice. However, in a
4868 number of cases, GNAT deliberately deviates from this advice, in which
4869 case the text describes what GNAT does and why.
4871 @cindex Error detection
4872 @unnumberedsec 1.1.3(20): Error Detection
4875 If an implementation detects the use of an unsupported Specialized Needs
4876 Annex feature at run time, it should raise @code{Program_Error} if
4879 Not relevant. All specialized needs annex features are either supported,
4880 or diagnosed at compile time.
4883 @unnumberedsec 1.1.3(31): Child Units
4886 If an implementation wishes to provide implementation-defined
4887 extensions to the functionality of a language-defined library unit, it
4888 should normally do so by adding children to the library unit.
4892 @cindex Bounded errors
4893 @unnumberedsec 1.1.5(12): Bounded Errors
4896 If an implementation detects a bounded error or erroneous
4897 execution, it should raise @code{Program_Error}.
4899 Followed in all cases in which the implementation detects a bounded
4900 error or erroneous execution. Not all such situations are detected at
4904 @unnumberedsec 2.8(16): Pragmas
4907 Normally, implementation-defined pragmas should have no semantic effect
4908 for error-free programs; that is, if the implementation-defined pragmas
4909 are removed from a working program, the program should still be legal,
4910 and should still have the same semantics.
4912 The following implementation defined pragmas are exceptions to this
4924 @item CPP_Constructor
4932 @item Interface_Name
4934 @item Machine_Attribute
4936 @item Unimplemented_Unit
4938 @item Unchecked_Union
4943 In each of the above cases, it is essential to the purpose of the pragma
4944 that this advice not be followed. For details see the separate section
4945 on implementation defined pragmas.
4947 @unnumberedsec 2.8(17-19): Pragmas
4950 Normally, an implementation should not define pragmas that can
4951 make an illegal program legal, except as follows:
4955 A pragma used to complete a declaration, such as a pragma @code{Import};
4959 A pragma used to configure the environment by adding, removing, or
4960 replacing @code{library_items}.
4962 See response to paragraph 16 of this same section.
4964 @cindex Character Sets
4965 @cindex Alternative Character Sets
4966 @unnumberedsec 3.5.2(5): Alternative Character Sets
4969 If an implementation supports a mode with alternative interpretations
4970 for @code{Character} and @code{Wide_Character}, the set of graphic
4971 characters of @code{Character} should nevertheless remain a proper
4972 subset of the set of graphic characters of @code{Wide_Character}. Any
4973 character set ``localizations'' should be reflected in the results of
4974 the subprograms defined in the language-defined package
4975 @code{Characters.Handling} (see A.3) available in such a mode. In a mode with
4976 an alternative interpretation of @code{Character}, the implementation should
4977 also support a corresponding change in what is a legal
4978 @code{identifier_letter}.
4980 Not all wide character modes follow this advice, in particular the JIS
4981 and IEC modes reflect standard usage in Japan, and in these encoding,
4982 the upper half of the Latin-1 set is not part of the wide-character
4983 subset, since the most significant bit is used for wide character
4984 encoding. However, this only applies to the external forms. Internally
4985 there is no such restriction.
4987 @cindex Integer types
4988 @unnumberedsec 3.5.4(28): Integer Types
4992 An implementation should support @code{Long_Integer} in addition to
4993 @code{Integer} if the target machine supports 32-bit (or longer)
4994 arithmetic. No other named integer subtypes are recommended for package
4995 @code{Standard}. Instead, appropriate named integer subtypes should be
4996 provided in the library package @code{Interfaces} (see B.2).
4998 @code{Long_Integer} is supported. Other standard integer types are supported
4999 so this advice is not fully followed. These types
5000 are supported for convenient interface to C, and so that all hardware
5001 types of the machine are easily available.
5002 @unnumberedsec 3.5.4(29): Integer Types
5006 An implementation for a two's complement machine should support
5007 modular types with a binary modulus up to @code{System.Max_Int*2+2}. An
5008 implementation should support a non-binary modules up to @code{Integer'Last}.
5012 @cindex Enumeration values
5013 @unnumberedsec 3.5.5(8): Enumeration Values
5016 For the evaluation of a call on @code{@var{S}'Pos} for an enumeration
5017 subtype, if the value of the operand does not correspond to the internal
5018 code for any enumeration literal of its type (perhaps due to an
5019 un-initialized variable), then the implementation should raise
5020 @code{Program_Error}. This is particularly important for enumeration
5021 types with noncontiguous internal codes specified by an
5022 enumeration_representation_clause.
5027 @unnumberedsec 3.5.7(17): Float Types
5030 An implementation should support @code{Long_Float} in addition to
5031 @code{Float} if the target machine supports 11 or more digits of
5032 precision. No other named floating point subtypes are recommended for
5033 package @code{Standard}. Instead, appropriate named floating point subtypes
5034 should be provided in the library package @code{Interfaces} (see B.2).
5036 @code{Short_Float} and @code{Long_Long_Float} are also provided. The
5037 former provides improved compatibility with other implementations
5038 supporting this type. The latter corresponds to the highest precision
5039 floating-point type supported by the hardware. On most machines, this
5040 will be the same as @code{Long_Float}, but on some machines, it will
5041 correspond to the IEEE extended form. The notable case is all ia32
5042 (x86) implementations, where @code{Long_Long_Float} corresponds to
5043 the 80-bit extended precision format supported in hardware on this
5044 processor. Note that the 128-bit format on SPARC is not supported,
5045 since this is a software rather than a hardware format.
5047 @cindex Multidimensional arrays
5048 @cindex Arrays, multidimensional
5049 @unnumberedsec 3.6.2(11): Multidimensional Arrays
5052 An implementation should normally represent multidimensional arrays in
5053 row-major order, consistent with the notation used for multidimensional
5054 array aggregates (see 4.3.3). However, if a pragma @code{Convention}
5055 (@code{Fortran}, @dots{}) applies to a multidimensional array type, then
5056 column-major order should be used instead (see B.5, ``Interfacing with
5061 @findex Duration'Small
5062 @unnumberedsec 9.6(30-31): Duration'Small
5065 Whenever possible in an implementation, the value of @code{Duration'Small}
5066 should be no greater than 100 microseconds.
5068 Followed. (@code{Duration'Small} = 10**(@minus{}9)).
5072 The time base for @code{delay_relative_statements} should be monotonic;
5073 it need not be the same time base as used for @code{Calendar.Clock}.
5077 @unnumberedsec 10.2.1(12): Consistent Representation
5080 In an implementation, a type declared in a pre-elaborated package should
5081 have the same representation in every elaboration of a given version of
5082 the package, whether the elaborations occur in distinct executions of
5083 the same program, or in executions of distinct programs or partitions
5084 that include the given version.
5086 Followed, except in the case of tagged types. Tagged types involve
5087 implicit pointers to a local copy of a dispatch table, and these pointers
5088 have representations which thus depend on a particular elaboration of the
5089 package. It is not easy to see how it would be possible to follow this
5090 advice without severely impacting efficiency of execution.
5092 @cindex Exception information
5093 @unnumberedsec 11.4.1(19): Exception Information
5096 @code{Exception_Message} by default and @code{Exception_Information}
5097 should produce information useful for
5098 debugging. @code{Exception_Message} should be short, about one
5099 line. @code{Exception_Information} can be long. @code{Exception_Message}
5100 should not include the
5101 @code{Exception_Name}. @code{Exception_Information} should include both
5102 the @code{Exception_Name} and the @code{Exception_Message}.
5104 Followed. For each exception that doesn't have a specified
5105 @code{Exception_Message}, the compiler generates one containing the location
5106 of the raise statement. This location has the form ``file:line'', where
5107 file is the short file name (without path information) and line is the line
5108 number in the file. Note that in the case of the Zero Cost Exception
5109 mechanism, these messages become redundant with the Exception_Information that
5110 contains a full backtrace of the calling sequence, so they are disabled.
5111 To disable explicitly the generation of the source location message, use the
5112 Pragma @code{Discard_Names}.
5114 @cindex Suppression of checks
5115 @cindex Checks, suppression of
5116 @unnumberedsec 11.5(28): Suppression of Checks
5119 The implementation should minimize the code executed for checks that
5120 have been suppressed.
5124 @cindex Representation clauses
5125 @unnumberedsec 13.1 (21-24): Representation Clauses
5128 The recommended level of support for all representation items is
5129 qualified as follows:
5133 An implementation need not support representation items containing
5134 non-static expressions, except that an implementation should support a
5135 representation item for a given entity if each non-static expression in
5136 the representation item is a name that statically denotes a constant
5137 declared before the entity.
5139 Followed. GNAT does not support non-static expressions in representation
5140 clauses unless they are constants declared before the entity. For
5143 @smallexample @c ada
5145 for X'Address use To_address (16#2000#);
5149 will be rejected, since the To_Address expression is non-static. Instead
5152 @smallexample @c ada
5153 X_Address : constant Address : = To_Address (16#2000#);
5155 for X'Address use X_Address;
5160 An implementation need not support a specification for the @code{Size}
5161 for a given composite subtype, nor the size or storage place for an
5162 object (including a component) of a given composite subtype, unless the
5163 constraints on the subtype and its composite subcomponents (if any) are
5164 all static constraints.
5166 Followed. Size Clauses are not permitted on non-static components, as
5171 An aliased component, or a component whose type is by-reference, should
5172 always be allocated at an addressable location.
5176 @cindex Packed types
5177 @unnumberedsec 13.2(6-8): Packed Types
5180 If a type is packed, then the implementation should try to minimize
5181 storage allocated to objects of the type, possibly at the expense of
5182 speed of accessing components, subject to reasonable complexity in
5183 addressing calculations.
5187 The recommended level of support pragma @code{Pack} is:
5189 For a packed record type, the components should be packed as tightly as
5190 possible subject to the Sizes of the component subtypes, and subject to
5191 any @code{record_representation_clause} that applies to the type; the
5192 implementation may, but need not, reorder components or cross aligned
5193 word boundaries to improve the packing. A component whose @code{Size} is
5194 greater than the word size may be allocated an integral number of words.
5196 Followed. Tight packing of arrays is supported for all component sizes
5197 up to 64-bits. If the array component size is 1 (that is to say, if
5198 the component is a boolean type or an enumeration type with two values)
5199 then values of the type are implicitly initialized to zero. This
5200 happens both for objects of the packed type, and for objects that have a
5201 subcomponent of the packed type.
5205 An implementation should support Address clauses for imported
5209 @cindex @code{Address} clauses
5210 @unnumberedsec 13.3(14-19): Address Clauses
5214 For an array @var{X}, @code{@var{X}'Address} should point at the first
5215 component of the array, and not at the array bounds.
5221 The recommended level of support for the @code{Address} attribute is:
5223 @code{@var{X}'Address} should produce a useful result if @var{X} is an
5224 object that is aliased or of a by-reference type, or is an entity whose
5225 @code{Address} has been specified.
5227 Followed. A valid address will be produced even if none of those
5228 conditions have been met. If necessary, the object is forced into
5229 memory to ensure the address is valid.
5233 An implementation should support @code{Address} clauses for imported
5240 Objects (including subcomponents) that are aliased or of a by-reference
5241 type should be allocated on storage element boundaries.
5247 If the @code{Address} of an object is specified, or it is imported or exported,
5248 then the implementation should not perform optimizations based on
5249 assumptions of no aliases.
5253 @cindex @code{Alignment} clauses
5254 @unnumberedsec 13.3(29-35): Alignment Clauses
5257 The recommended level of support for the @code{Alignment} attribute for
5260 An implementation should support specified Alignments that are factors
5261 and multiples of the number of storage elements per word, subject to the
5268 An implementation need not support specified @code{Alignment}s for
5269 combinations of @code{Size}s and @code{Alignment}s that cannot be easily
5270 loaded and stored by available machine instructions.
5276 An implementation need not support specified @code{Alignment}s that are
5277 greater than the maximum @code{Alignment} the implementation ever returns by
5284 The recommended level of support for the @code{Alignment} attribute for
5287 Same as above, for subtypes, but in addition:
5293 For stand-alone library-level objects of statically constrained
5294 subtypes, the implementation should support all @code{Alignment}s
5295 supported by the target linker. For example, page alignment is likely to
5296 be supported for such objects, but not for subtypes.
5300 @cindex @code{Size} clauses
5301 @unnumberedsec 13.3(42-43): Size Clauses
5304 The recommended level of support for the @code{Size} attribute of
5307 A @code{Size} clause should be supported for an object if the specified
5308 @code{Size} is at least as large as its subtype's @code{Size}, and
5309 corresponds to a size in storage elements that is a multiple of the
5310 object's @code{Alignment} (if the @code{Alignment} is nonzero).
5314 @unnumberedsec 13.3(50-56): Size Clauses
5317 If the @code{Size} of a subtype is specified, and allows for efficient
5318 independent addressability (see 9.10) on the target architecture, then
5319 the @code{Size} of the following objects of the subtype should equal the
5320 @code{Size} of the subtype:
5322 Aliased objects (including components).
5328 @code{Size} clause on a composite subtype should not affect the
5329 internal layout of components.
5335 The recommended level of support for the @code{Size} attribute of subtypes is:
5339 The @code{Size} (if not specified) of a static discrete or fixed point
5340 subtype should be the number of bits needed to represent each value
5341 belonging to the subtype using an unbiased representation, leaving space
5342 for a sign bit only if the subtype contains negative values. If such a
5343 subtype is a first subtype, then an implementation should support a
5344 specified @code{Size} for it that reflects this representation.
5350 For a subtype implemented with levels of indirection, the @code{Size}
5351 should include the size of the pointers, but not the size of what they
5356 @cindex @code{Component_Size} clauses
5357 @unnumberedsec 13.3(71-73): Component Size Clauses
5360 The recommended level of support for the @code{Component_Size}
5365 An implementation need not support specified @code{Component_Sizes} that are
5366 less than the @code{Size} of the component subtype.
5372 An implementation should support specified @code{Component_Size}s that
5373 are factors and multiples of the word size. For such
5374 @code{Component_Size}s, the array should contain no gaps between
5375 components. For other @code{Component_Size}s (if supported), the array
5376 should contain no gaps between components when packing is also
5377 specified; the implementation should forbid this combination in cases
5378 where it cannot support a no-gaps representation.
5382 @cindex Enumeration representation clauses
5383 @cindex Representation clauses, enumeration
5384 @unnumberedsec 13.4(9-10): Enumeration Representation Clauses
5387 The recommended level of support for enumeration representation clauses
5390 An implementation need not support enumeration representation clauses
5391 for boolean types, but should at minimum support the internal codes in
5392 the range @code{System.Min_Int.System.Max_Int}.
5396 @cindex Record representation clauses
5397 @cindex Representation clauses, records
5398 @unnumberedsec 13.5.1(17-22): Record Representation Clauses
5401 The recommended level of support for
5402 @*@code{record_representation_clauses} is:
5404 An implementation should support storage places that can be extracted
5405 with a load, mask, shift sequence of machine code, and set with a load,
5406 shift, mask, store sequence, given the available machine instructions
5413 A storage place should be supported if its size is equal to the
5414 @code{Size} of the component subtype, and it starts and ends on a
5415 boundary that obeys the @code{Alignment} of the component subtype.
5421 If the default bit ordering applies to the declaration of a given type,
5422 then for a component whose subtype's @code{Size} is less than the word
5423 size, any storage place that does not cross an aligned word boundary
5424 should be supported.
5430 An implementation may reserve a storage place for the tag field of a
5431 tagged type, and disallow other components from overlapping that place.
5433 Followed. The storage place for the tag field is the beginning of the tagged
5434 record, and its size is Address'Size. GNAT will reject an explicit component
5435 clause for the tag field.
5439 An implementation need not support a @code{component_clause} for a
5440 component of an extension part if the storage place is not after the
5441 storage places of all components of the parent type, whether or not
5442 those storage places had been specified.
5444 Followed. The above advice on record representation clauses is followed,
5445 and all mentioned features are implemented.
5447 @cindex Storage place attributes
5448 @unnumberedsec 13.5.2(5): Storage Place Attributes
5451 If a component is represented using some form of pointer (such as an
5452 offset) to the actual data of the component, and this data is contiguous
5453 with the rest of the object, then the storage place attributes should
5454 reflect the place of the actual data, not the pointer. If a component is
5455 allocated discontinuously from the rest of the object, then a warning
5456 should be generated upon reference to one of its storage place
5459 Followed. There are no such components in GNAT@.
5461 @cindex Bit ordering
5462 @unnumberedsec 13.5.3(7-8): Bit Ordering
5465 The recommended level of support for the non-default bit ordering is:
5469 If @code{Word_Size} = @code{Storage_Unit}, then the implementation
5470 should support the non-default bit ordering in addition to the default
5473 Followed. Word size does not equal storage size in this implementation.
5474 Thus non-default bit ordering is not supported.
5476 @cindex @code{Address}, as private type
5477 @unnumberedsec 13.7(37): Address as Private
5480 @code{Address} should be of a private type.
5484 @cindex Operations, on @code{Address}
5485 @cindex @code{Address}, operations of
5486 @unnumberedsec 13.7.1(16): Address Operations
5489 Operations in @code{System} and its children should reflect the target
5490 environment semantics as closely as is reasonable. For example, on most
5491 machines, it makes sense for address arithmetic to ``wrap around''.
5492 Operations that do not make sense should raise @code{Program_Error}.
5494 Followed. Address arithmetic is modular arithmetic that wraps around. No
5495 operation raises @code{Program_Error}, since all operations make sense.
5497 @cindex Unchecked conversion
5498 @unnumberedsec 13.9(14-17): Unchecked Conversion
5501 The @code{Size} of an array object should not include its bounds; hence,
5502 the bounds should not be part of the converted data.
5508 The implementation should not generate unnecessary run-time checks to
5509 ensure that the representation of @var{S} is a representation of the
5510 target type. It should take advantage of the permission to return by
5511 reference when possible. Restrictions on unchecked conversions should be
5512 avoided unless required by the target environment.
5514 Followed. There are no restrictions on unchecked conversion. A warning is
5515 generated if the source and target types do not have the same size since
5516 the semantics in this case may be target dependent.
5520 The recommended level of support for unchecked conversions is:
5524 Unchecked conversions should be supported and should be reversible in
5525 the cases where this clause defines the result. To enable meaningful use
5526 of unchecked conversion, a contiguous representation should be used for
5527 elementary subtypes, for statically constrained array subtypes whose
5528 component subtype is one of the subtypes described in this paragraph,
5529 and for record subtypes without discriminants whose component subtypes
5530 are described in this paragraph.
5534 @cindex Heap usage, implicit
5535 @unnumberedsec 13.11(23-25): Implicit Heap Usage
5538 An implementation should document any cases in which it dynamically
5539 allocates heap storage for a purpose other than the evaluation of an
5542 Followed, the only other points at which heap storage is dynamically
5543 allocated are as follows:
5547 At initial elaboration time, to allocate dynamically sized global
5551 To allocate space for a task when a task is created.
5554 To extend the secondary stack dynamically when needed. The secondary
5555 stack is used for returning variable length results.
5560 A default (implementation-provided) storage pool for an
5561 access-to-constant type should not have overhead to support deallocation of
5568 A storage pool for an anonymous access type should be created at the
5569 point of an allocator for the type, and be reclaimed when the designated
5570 object becomes inaccessible.
5574 @cindex Unchecked deallocation
5575 @unnumberedsec 13.11.2(17): Unchecked De-allocation
5578 For a standard storage pool, @code{Free} should actually reclaim the
5583 @cindex Stream oriented attributes
5584 @unnumberedsec 13.13.2(17): Stream Oriented Attributes
5587 If a stream element is the same size as a storage element, then the
5588 normal in-memory representation should be used by @code{Read} and
5589 @code{Write} for scalar objects. Otherwise, @code{Read} and @code{Write}
5590 should use the smallest number of stream elements needed to represent
5591 all values in the base range of the scalar type.
5594 Followed. By default, GNAT uses the interpretation suggested by AI-195,
5595 which specifies using the size of the first subtype.
5596 However, such an implementation is based on direct binary
5597 representations and is therefore target- and endianness-dependent.
5598 To address this issue, GNAT also supplies an alternate implementation
5599 of the stream attributes @code{Read} and @code{Write},
5600 which uses the target-independent XDR standard representation
5602 @cindex XDR representation
5603 @cindex @code{Read} attribute
5604 @cindex @code{Write} attribute
5605 @cindex Stream oriented attributes
5606 The XDR implementation is provided as an alternative body of the
5607 @code{System.Stream_Attributes} package, in the file
5608 @file{s-strxdr.adb} in the GNAT library.
5609 There is no @file{s-strxdr.ads} file.
5610 In order to install the XDR implementation, do the following:
5612 @item Replace the default implementation of the
5613 @code{System.Stream_Attributes} package with the XDR implementation.
5614 For example on a Unix platform issue the commands:
5616 $ mv s-stratt.adb s-strold.adb
5617 $ mv s-strxdr.adb s-stratt.adb
5621 Rebuild the GNAT run-time library as documented in the
5622 @cite{GNAT User's Guide}
5625 @unnumberedsec A.1(52): Names of Predefined Numeric Types
5628 If an implementation provides additional named predefined integer types,
5629 then the names should end with @samp{Integer} as in
5630 @samp{Long_Integer}. If an implementation provides additional named
5631 predefined floating point types, then the names should end with
5632 @samp{Float} as in @samp{Long_Float}.
5636 @findex Ada.Characters.Handling
5637 @unnumberedsec A.3.2(49): @code{Ada.Characters.Handling}
5640 If an implementation provides a localized definition of @code{Character}
5641 or @code{Wide_Character}, then the effects of the subprograms in
5642 @code{Characters.Handling} should reflect the localizations. See also
5645 Followed. GNAT provides no such localized definitions.
5647 @cindex Bounded-length strings
5648 @unnumberedsec A.4.4(106): Bounded-Length String Handling
5651 Bounded string objects should not be implemented by implicit pointers
5652 and dynamic allocation.
5654 Followed. No implicit pointers or dynamic allocation are used.
5656 @cindex Random number generation
5657 @unnumberedsec A.5.2(46-47): Random Number Generation
5660 Any storage associated with an object of type @code{Generator} should be
5661 reclaimed on exit from the scope of the object.
5667 If the generator period is sufficiently long in relation to the number
5668 of distinct initiator values, then each possible value of
5669 @code{Initiator} passed to @code{Reset} should initiate a sequence of
5670 random numbers that does not, in a practical sense, overlap the sequence
5671 initiated by any other value. If this is not possible, then the mapping
5672 between initiator values and generator states should be a rapidly
5673 varying function of the initiator value.
5675 Followed. The generator period is sufficiently long for the first
5676 condition here to hold true.
5678 @findex Get_Immediate
5679 @unnumberedsec A.10.7(23): @code{Get_Immediate}
5682 The @code{Get_Immediate} procedures should be implemented with
5683 unbuffered input. For a device such as a keyboard, input should be
5684 @dfn{available} if a key has already been typed, whereas for a disk
5685 file, input should always be available except at end of file. For a file
5686 associated with a keyboard-like device, any line-editing features of the
5687 underlying operating system should be disabled during the execution of
5688 @code{Get_Immediate}.
5690 Followed on all targets except VxWorks. For VxWorks, there is no way to
5691 provide this functionality that does not result in the input buffer being
5692 flushed before the @code{Get_Immediate} call. A special unit
5693 @code{Interfaces.Vxworks.IO} is provided that contains routines to enable
5697 @unnumberedsec B.1(39-41): Pragma @code{Export}
5700 If an implementation supports pragma @code{Export} to a given language,
5701 then it should also allow the main subprogram to be written in that
5702 language. It should support some mechanism for invoking the elaboration
5703 of the Ada library units included in the system, and for invoking the
5704 finalization of the environment task. On typical systems, the
5705 recommended mechanism is to provide two subprograms whose link names are
5706 @code{adainit} and @code{adafinal}. @code{adainit} should contain the
5707 elaboration code for library units. @code{adafinal} should contain the
5708 finalization code. These subprograms should have no effect the second
5709 and subsequent time they are called.
5715 Automatic elaboration of pre-elaborated packages should be
5716 provided when pragma @code{Export} is supported.
5718 Followed when the main program is in Ada. If the main program is in a
5719 foreign language, then
5720 @code{adainit} must be called to elaborate pre-elaborated
5725 For each supported convention @var{L} other than @code{Intrinsic}, an
5726 implementation should support @code{Import} and @code{Export} pragmas
5727 for objects of @var{L}-compatible types and for subprograms, and pragma
5728 @code{Convention} for @var{L}-eligible types and for subprograms,
5729 presuming the other language has corresponding features. Pragma
5730 @code{Convention} need not be supported for scalar types.
5734 @cindex Package @code{Interfaces}
5736 @unnumberedsec B.2(12-13): Package @code{Interfaces}
5739 For each implementation-defined convention identifier, there should be a
5740 child package of package Interfaces with the corresponding name. This
5741 package should contain any declarations that would be useful for
5742 interfacing to the language (implementation) represented by the
5743 convention. Any declarations useful for interfacing to any language on
5744 the given hardware architecture should be provided directly in
5747 Followed. An additional package not defined
5748 in the Ada 95 Reference Manual is @code{Interfaces.CPP}, used
5749 for interfacing to C++.
5753 An implementation supporting an interface to C, COBOL, or Fortran should
5754 provide the corresponding package or packages described in the following
5757 Followed. GNAT provides all the packages described in this section.
5759 @cindex C, interfacing with
5760 @unnumberedsec B.3(63-71): Interfacing with C
5763 An implementation should support the following interface correspondences
5770 An Ada procedure corresponds to a void-returning C function.
5776 An Ada function corresponds to a non-void C function.
5782 An Ada @code{in} scalar parameter is passed as a scalar argument to a C
5789 An Ada @code{in} parameter of an access-to-object type with designated
5790 type @var{T} is passed as a @code{@var{t}*} argument to a C function,
5791 where @var{t} is the C type corresponding to the Ada type @var{T}.
5797 An Ada access @var{T} parameter, or an Ada @code{out} or @code{in out}
5798 parameter of an elementary type @var{T}, is passed as a @code{@var{t}*}
5799 argument to a C function, where @var{t} is the C type corresponding to
5800 the Ada type @var{T}. In the case of an elementary @code{out} or
5801 @code{in out} parameter, a pointer to a temporary copy is used to
5802 preserve by-copy semantics.
5808 An Ada parameter of a record type @var{T}, of any mode, is passed as a
5809 @code{@var{t}*} argument to a C function, where @var{t} is the C
5810 structure corresponding to the Ada type @var{T}.
5812 Followed. This convention may be overridden by the use of the C_Pass_By_Copy
5813 pragma, or Convention, or by explicitly specifying the mechanism for a given
5814 call using an extended import or export pragma.
5818 An Ada parameter of an array type with component type @var{T}, of any
5819 mode, is passed as a @code{@var{t}*} argument to a C function, where
5820 @var{t} is the C type corresponding to the Ada type @var{T}.
5826 An Ada parameter of an access-to-subprogram type is passed as a pointer
5827 to a C function whose prototype corresponds to the designated
5828 subprogram's specification.
5832 @cindex COBOL, interfacing with
5833 @unnumberedsec B.4(95-98): Interfacing with COBOL
5836 An Ada implementation should support the following interface
5837 correspondences between Ada and COBOL@.
5843 An Ada access @var{T} parameter is passed as a @samp{BY REFERENCE} data item of
5844 the COBOL type corresponding to @var{T}.
5850 An Ada in scalar parameter is passed as a @samp{BY CONTENT} data item of
5851 the corresponding COBOL type.
5857 Any other Ada parameter is passed as a @samp{BY REFERENCE} data item of the
5858 COBOL type corresponding to the Ada parameter type; for scalars, a local
5859 copy is used if necessary to ensure by-copy semantics.
5863 @cindex Fortran, interfacing with
5864 @unnumberedsec B.5(22-26): Interfacing with Fortran
5867 An Ada implementation should support the following interface
5868 correspondences between Ada and Fortran:
5874 An Ada procedure corresponds to a Fortran subroutine.
5880 An Ada function corresponds to a Fortran function.
5886 An Ada parameter of an elementary, array, or record type @var{T} is
5887 passed as a @var{T} argument to a Fortran procedure, where @var{T} is
5888 the Fortran type corresponding to the Ada type @var{T}, and where the
5889 INTENT attribute of the corresponding dummy argument matches the Ada
5890 formal parameter mode; the Fortran implementation's parameter passing
5891 conventions are used. For elementary types, a local copy is used if
5892 necessary to ensure by-copy semantics.
5898 An Ada parameter of an access-to-subprogram type is passed as a
5899 reference to a Fortran procedure whose interface corresponds to the
5900 designated subprogram's specification.
5904 @cindex Machine operations
5905 @unnumberedsec C.1(3-5): Access to Machine Operations
5908 The machine code or intrinsic support should allow access to all
5909 operations normally available to assembly language programmers for the
5910 target environment, including privileged instructions, if any.
5916 The interfacing pragmas (see Annex B) should support interface to
5917 assembler; the default assembler should be associated with the
5918 convention identifier @code{Assembler}.
5924 If an entity is exported to assembly language, then the implementation
5925 should allocate it at an addressable location, and should ensure that it
5926 is retained by the linking process, even if not otherwise referenced
5927 from the Ada code. The implementation should assume that any call to a
5928 machine code or assembler subprogram is allowed to read or update every
5929 object that is specified as exported.
5933 @unnumberedsec C.1(10-16): Access to Machine Operations
5936 The implementation should ensure that little or no overhead is
5937 associated with calling intrinsic and machine-code subprograms.
5939 Followed for both intrinsics and machine-code subprograms.
5943 It is recommended that intrinsic subprograms be provided for convenient
5944 access to any machine operations that provide special capabilities or
5945 efficiency and that are not otherwise available through the language
5948 Followed. A full set of machine operation intrinsic subprograms is provided.
5952 Atomic read-modify-write operations---e.g.@:, test and set, compare and
5953 swap, decrement and test, enqueue/dequeue.
5955 Followed on any target supporting such operations.
5959 Standard numeric functions---e.g.@:, sin, log.
5961 Followed on any target supporting such operations.
5965 String manipulation operations---e.g.@:, translate and test.
5967 Followed on any target supporting such operations.
5971 Vector operations---e.g.@:, compare vector against thresholds.
5973 Followed on any target supporting such operations.
5977 Direct operations on I/O ports.
5979 Followed on any target supporting such operations.
5981 @cindex Interrupt support
5982 @unnumberedsec C.3(28): Interrupt Support
5985 If the @code{Ceiling_Locking} policy is not in effect, the
5986 implementation should provide means for the application to specify which
5987 interrupts are to be blocked during protected actions, if the underlying
5988 system allows for a finer-grain control of interrupt blocking.
5990 Followed. The underlying system does not allow for finer-grain control
5991 of interrupt blocking.
5993 @cindex Protected procedure handlers
5994 @unnumberedsec C.3.1(20-21): Protected Procedure Handlers
5997 Whenever possible, the implementation should allow interrupt handlers to
5998 be called directly by the hardware.
6002 This is never possible under IRIX, so this is followed by default.
6004 Followed on any target where the underlying operating system permits
6009 Whenever practical, violations of any
6010 implementation-defined restrictions should be detected before run time.
6012 Followed. Compile time warnings are given when possible.
6014 @cindex Package @code{Interrupts}
6016 @unnumberedsec C.3.2(25): Package @code{Interrupts}
6020 If implementation-defined forms of interrupt handler procedures are
6021 supported, such as protected procedures with parameters, then for each
6022 such form of a handler, a type analogous to @code{Parameterless_Handler}
6023 should be specified in a child package of @code{Interrupts}, with the
6024 same operations as in the predefined package Interrupts.
6028 @cindex Pre-elaboration requirements
6029 @unnumberedsec C.4(14): Pre-elaboration Requirements
6032 It is recommended that pre-elaborated packages be implemented in such a
6033 way that there should be little or no code executed at run time for the
6034 elaboration of entities not already covered by the Implementation
6037 Followed. Executable code is generated in some cases, e.g.@: loops
6038 to initialize large arrays.
6040 @unnumberedsec C.5(8): Pragma @code{Discard_Names}
6044 If the pragma applies to an entity, then the implementation should
6045 reduce the amount of storage used for storing names associated with that
6050 @cindex Package @code{Task_Attributes}
6051 @findex Task_Attributes
6052 @unnumberedsec C.7.2(30): The Package Task_Attributes
6055 Some implementations are targeted to domains in which memory use at run
6056 time must be completely deterministic. For such implementations, it is
6057 recommended that the storage for task attributes will be pre-allocated
6058 statically and not from the heap. This can be accomplished by either
6059 placing restrictions on the number and the size of the task's
6060 attributes, or by using the pre-allocated storage for the first @var{N}
6061 attribute objects, and the heap for the others. In the latter case,
6062 @var{N} should be documented.
6064 Not followed. This implementation is not targeted to such a domain.
6066 @cindex Locking Policies
6067 @unnumberedsec D.3(17): Locking Policies
6071 The implementation should use names that end with @samp{_Locking} for
6072 locking policies defined by the implementation.
6074 Followed. A single implementation-defined locking policy is defined,
6075 whose name (@code{Inheritance_Locking}) follows this suggestion.
6077 @cindex Entry queuing policies
6078 @unnumberedsec D.4(16): Entry Queuing Policies
6081 Names that end with @samp{_Queuing} should be used
6082 for all implementation-defined queuing policies.
6084 Followed. No such implementation-defined queuing policies exist.
6086 @cindex Preemptive abort
6087 @unnumberedsec D.6(9-10): Preemptive Abort
6090 Even though the @code{abort_statement} is included in the list of
6091 potentially blocking operations (see 9.5.1), it is recommended that this
6092 statement be implemented in a way that never requires the task executing
6093 the @code{abort_statement} to block.
6099 On a multi-processor, the delay associated with aborting a task on
6100 another processor should be bounded; the implementation should use
6101 periodic polling, if necessary, to achieve this.
6105 @cindex Tasking restrictions
6106 @unnumberedsec D.7(21): Tasking Restrictions
6109 When feasible, the implementation should take advantage of the specified
6110 restrictions to produce a more efficient implementation.
6112 GNAT currently takes advantage of these restrictions by providing an optimized
6113 run time when the Ravenscar profile and the GNAT restricted run time set
6114 of restrictions are specified. See pragma @code{Profile (Ravenscar)} and
6115 pragma @code{Profile (Restricted)} for more details.
6117 @cindex Time, monotonic
6118 @unnumberedsec D.8(47-49): Monotonic Time
6121 When appropriate, implementations should provide configuration
6122 mechanisms to change the value of @code{Tick}.
6124 Such configuration mechanisms are not appropriate to this implementation
6125 and are thus not supported.
6129 It is recommended that @code{Calendar.Clock} and @code{Real_Time.Clock}
6130 be implemented as transformations of the same time base.
6136 It is recommended that the @dfn{best} time base which exists in
6137 the underlying system be available to the application through
6138 @code{Clock}. @dfn{Best} may mean highest accuracy or largest range.
6142 @cindex Partition communication subsystem
6144 @unnumberedsec E.5(28-29): Partition Communication Subsystem
6147 Whenever possible, the PCS on the called partition should allow for
6148 multiple tasks to call the RPC-receiver with different messages and
6149 should allow them to block until the corresponding subprogram body
6152 Followed by GLADE, a separately supplied PCS that can be used with
6157 The @code{Write} operation on a stream of type @code{Params_Stream_Type}
6158 should raise @code{Storage_Error} if it runs out of space trying to
6159 write the @code{Item} into the stream.
6161 Followed by GLADE, a separately supplied PCS that can be used with
6164 @cindex COBOL support
6165 @unnumberedsec F(7): COBOL Support
6168 If COBOL (respectively, C) is widely supported in the target
6169 environment, implementations supporting the Information Systems Annex
6170 should provide the child package @code{Interfaces.COBOL} (respectively,
6171 @code{Interfaces.C}) specified in Annex B and should support a
6172 @code{convention_identifier} of COBOL (respectively, C) in the interfacing
6173 pragmas (see Annex B), thus allowing Ada programs to interface with
6174 programs written in that language.
6178 @cindex Decimal radix support
6179 @unnumberedsec F.1(2): Decimal Radix Support
6182 Packed decimal should be used as the internal representation for objects
6183 of subtype @var{S} when @var{S}'Machine_Radix = 10.
6185 Not followed. GNAT ignores @var{S}'Machine_Radix and always uses binary
6189 @unnumberedsec G: Numerics
6192 If Fortran (respectively, C) is widely supported in the target
6193 environment, implementations supporting the Numerics Annex
6194 should provide the child package @code{Interfaces.Fortran} (respectively,
6195 @code{Interfaces.C}) specified in Annex B and should support a
6196 @code{convention_identifier} of Fortran (respectively, C) in the interfacing
6197 pragmas (see Annex B), thus allowing Ada programs to interface with
6198 programs written in that language.
6202 @cindex Complex types
6203 @unnumberedsec G.1.1(56-58): Complex Types
6206 Because the usual mathematical meaning of multiplication of a complex
6207 operand and a real operand is that of the scaling of both components of
6208 the former by the latter, an implementation should not perform this
6209 operation by first promoting the real operand to complex type and then
6210 performing a full complex multiplication. In systems that, in the
6211 future, support an Ada binding to IEC 559:1989, the latter technique
6212 will not generate the required result when one of the components of the
6213 complex operand is infinite. (Explicit multiplication of the infinite
6214 component by the zero component obtained during promotion yields a NaN
6215 that propagates into the final result.) Analogous advice applies in the
6216 case of multiplication of a complex operand and a pure-imaginary
6217 operand, and in the case of division of a complex operand by a real or
6218 pure-imaginary operand.
6224 Similarly, because the usual mathematical meaning of addition of a
6225 complex operand and a real operand is that the imaginary operand remains
6226 unchanged, an implementation should not perform this operation by first
6227 promoting the real operand to complex type and then performing a full
6228 complex addition. In implementations in which the @code{Signed_Zeros}
6229 attribute of the component type is @code{True} (and which therefore
6230 conform to IEC 559:1989 in regard to the handling of the sign of zero in
6231 predefined arithmetic operations), the latter technique will not
6232 generate the required result when the imaginary component of the complex
6233 operand is a negatively signed zero. (Explicit addition of the negative
6234 zero to the zero obtained during promotion yields a positive zero.)
6235 Analogous advice applies in the case of addition of a complex operand
6236 and a pure-imaginary operand, and in the case of subtraction of a
6237 complex operand and a real or pure-imaginary operand.
6243 Implementations in which @code{Real'Signed_Zeros} is @code{True} should
6244 attempt to provide a rational treatment of the signs of zero results and
6245 result components. As one example, the result of the @code{Argument}
6246 function should have the sign of the imaginary component of the
6247 parameter @code{X} when the point represented by that parameter lies on
6248 the positive real axis; as another, the sign of the imaginary component
6249 of the @code{Compose_From_Polar} function should be the same as
6250 (respectively, the opposite of) that of the @code{Argument} parameter when that
6251 parameter has a value of zero and the @code{Modulus} parameter has a
6252 nonnegative (respectively, negative) value.
6256 @cindex Complex elementary functions
6257 @unnumberedsec G.1.2(49): Complex Elementary Functions
6260 Implementations in which @code{Complex_Types.Real'Signed_Zeros} is
6261 @code{True} should attempt to provide a rational treatment of the signs
6262 of zero results and result components. For example, many of the complex
6263 elementary functions have components that are odd functions of one of
6264 the parameter components; in these cases, the result component should
6265 have the sign of the parameter component at the origin. Other complex
6266 elementary functions have zero components whose sign is opposite that of
6267 a parameter component at the origin, or is always positive or always
6272 @cindex Accuracy requirements
6273 @unnumberedsec G.2.4(19): Accuracy Requirements
6276 The versions of the forward trigonometric functions without a
6277 @code{Cycle} parameter should not be implemented by calling the
6278 corresponding version with a @code{Cycle} parameter of
6279 @code{2.0*Numerics.Pi}, since this will not provide the required
6280 accuracy in some portions of the domain. For the same reason, the
6281 version of @code{Log} without a @code{Base} parameter should not be
6282 implemented by calling the corresponding version with a @code{Base}
6283 parameter of @code{Numerics.e}.
6287 @cindex Complex arithmetic accuracy
6288 @cindex Accuracy, complex arithmetic
6289 @unnumberedsec G.2.6(15): Complex Arithmetic Accuracy
6293 The version of the @code{Compose_From_Polar} function without a
6294 @code{Cycle} parameter should not be implemented by calling the
6295 corresponding version with a @code{Cycle} parameter of
6296 @code{2.0*Numerics.Pi}, since this will not provide the required
6297 accuracy in some portions of the domain.
6301 @c -----------------------------------------
6302 @node Implementation Defined Characteristics
6303 @chapter Implementation Defined Characteristics
6306 In addition to the implementation dependent pragmas and attributes, and
6307 the implementation advice, there are a number of other features of Ada
6308 95 that are potentially implementation dependent. These are mentioned
6309 throughout the Ada 95 Reference Manual, and are summarized in annex M@.
6311 A requirement for conforming Ada compilers is that they provide
6312 documentation describing how the implementation deals with each of these
6313 issues. In this chapter, you will find each point in annex M listed
6314 followed by a description in italic font of how GNAT
6318 implementation on IRIX 5.3 operating system or greater
6320 handles the implementation dependence.
6322 You can use this chapter as a guide to minimizing implementation
6323 dependent features in your programs if portability to other compilers
6324 and other operating systems is an important consideration. The numbers
6325 in each section below correspond to the paragraph number in the Ada 95
6331 @strong{2}. Whether or not each recommendation given in Implementation
6332 Advice is followed. See 1.1.2(37).
6335 @xref{Implementation Advice}.
6340 @strong{3}. Capacity limitations of the implementation. See 1.1.3(3).
6343 The complexity of programs that can be processed is limited only by the
6344 total amount of available virtual memory, and disk space for the
6345 generated object files.
6350 @strong{4}. Variations from the standard that are impractical to avoid
6351 given the implementation's execution environment. See 1.1.3(6).
6354 There are no variations from the standard.
6359 @strong{5}. Which @code{code_statement}s cause external
6360 interactions. See 1.1.3(10).
6363 Any @code{code_statement} can potentially cause external interactions.
6368 @strong{6}. The coded representation for the text of an Ada
6369 program. See 2.1(4).
6372 See separate section on source representation.
6377 @strong{7}. The control functions allowed in comments. See 2.1(14).
6380 See separate section on source representation.
6385 @strong{8}. The representation for an end of line. See 2.2(2).
6388 See separate section on source representation.
6393 @strong{9}. Maximum supported line length and lexical element
6394 length. See 2.2(15).
6397 The maximum line length is 255 characters an the maximum length of a
6398 lexical element is also 255 characters.
6403 @strong{10}. Implementation defined pragmas. See 2.8(14).
6407 @xref{Implementation Defined Pragmas}.
6412 @strong{11}. Effect of pragma @code{Optimize}. See 2.8(27).
6415 Pragma @code{Optimize}, if given with a @code{Time} or @code{Space}
6416 parameter, checks that the optimization flag is set, and aborts if it is
6422 @strong{12}. The sequence of characters of the value returned by
6423 @code{@var{S}'Image} when some of the graphic characters of
6424 @code{@var{S}'Wide_Image} are not defined in @code{Character}. See
6428 The sequence of characters is as defined by the wide character encoding
6429 method used for the source. See section on source representation for
6435 @strong{13}. The predefined integer types declared in
6436 @code{Standard}. See 3.5.4(25).
6440 @item Short_Short_Integer
6443 (Short) 16 bit signed
6447 64 bit signed (Alpha OpenVMS only)
6448 32 bit signed (all other targets)
6449 @item Long_Long_Integer
6456 @strong{14}. Any nonstandard integer types and the operators defined
6457 for them. See 3.5.4(26).
6460 There are no nonstandard integer types.
6465 @strong{15}. Any nonstandard real types and the operators defined for
6469 There are no nonstandard real types.
6474 @strong{16}. What combinations of requested decimal precision and range
6475 are supported for floating point types. See 3.5.7(7).
6478 The precision and range is as defined by the IEEE standard.
6483 @strong{17}. The predefined floating point types declared in
6484 @code{Standard}. See 3.5.7(16).
6491 (Short) 32 bit IEEE short
6494 @item Long_Long_Float
6495 64 bit IEEE long (80 bit IEEE long on x86 processors)
6501 @strong{18}. The small of an ordinary fixed point type. See 3.5.9(8).
6504 @code{Fine_Delta} is 2**(@minus{}63)
6509 @strong{19}. What combinations of small, range, and digits are
6510 supported for fixed point types. See 3.5.9(10).
6513 Any combinations are permitted that do not result in a small less than
6514 @code{Fine_Delta} and do not result in a mantissa larger than 63 bits.
6515 If the mantissa is larger than 53 bits on machines where Long_Long_Float
6516 is 64 bits (true of all architectures except ia32), then the output from
6517 Text_IO is accurate to only 53 bits, rather than the full mantissa. This
6518 is because floating-point conversions are used to convert fixed point.
6523 @strong{20}. The result of @code{Tags.Expanded_Name} for types declared
6524 within an unnamed @code{block_statement}. See 3.9(10).
6527 Block numbers of the form @code{B@var{nnn}}, where @var{nnn} is a
6528 decimal integer are allocated.
6533 @strong{21}. Implementation-defined attributes. See 4.1.4(12).
6536 @xref{Implementation Defined Attributes}.
6541 @strong{22}. Any implementation-defined time types. See 9.6(6).
6544 There are no implementation-defined time types.
6549 @strong{23}. The time base associated with relative delays.
6552 See 9.6(20). The time base used is that provided by the C library
6553 function @code{gettimeofday}.
6558 @strong{24}. The time base of the type @code{Calendar.Time}. See
6562 The time base used is that provided by the C library function
6563 @code{gettimeofday}.
6568 @strong{25}. The time zone used for package @code{Calendar}
6569 operations. See 9.6(24).
6572 The time zone used by package @code{Calendar} is the current system time zone
6573 setting for local time, as accessed by the C library function
6579 @strong{26}. Any limit on @code{delay_until_statements} of
6580 @code{select_statements}. See 9.6(29).
6583 There are no such limits.
6588 @strong{27}. Whether or not two non overlapping parts of a composite
6589 object are independently addressable, in the case where packing, record
6590 layout, or @code{Component_Size} is specified for the object. See
6594 Separate components are independently addressable if they do not share
6595 overlapping storage units.
6600 @strong{28}. The representation for a compilation. See 10.1(2).
6603 A compilation is represented by a sequence of files presented to the
6604 compiler in a single invocation of the @code{gcc} command.
6609 @strong{29}. Any restrictions on compilations that contain multiple
6610 compilation_units. See 10.1(4).
6613 No single file can contain more than one compilation unit, but any
6614 sequence of files can be presented to the compiler as a single
6620 @strong{30}. The mechanisms for creating an environment and for adding
6621 and replacing compilation units. See 10.1.4(3).
6624 See separate section on compilation model.
6629 @strong{31}. The manner of explicitly assigning library units to a
6630 partition. See 10.2(2).
6633 If a unit contains an Ada main program, then the Ada units for the partition
6634 are determined by recursive application of the rules in the Ada Reference
6635 Manual section 10.2(2-6). In other words, the Ada units will be those that
6636 are needed by the main program, and then this definition of need is applied
6637 recursively to those units, and the partition contains the transitive
6638 closure determined by this relationship. In short, all the necessary units
6639 are included, with no need to explicitly specify the list. If additional
6640 units are required, e.g.@: by foreign language units, then all units must be
6641 mentioned in the context clause of one of the needed Ada units.
6643 If the partition contains no main program, or if the main program is in
6644 a language other than Ada, then GNAT
6645 provides the binder options @code{-z} and @code{-n} respectively, and in
6646 this case a list of units can be explicitly supplied to the binder for
6647 inclusion in the partition (all units needed by these units will also
6648 be included automatically). For full details on the use of these
6649 options, refer to the @cite{GNAT User's Guide} sections on Binding
6655 @strong{32}. The implementation-defined means, if any, of specifying
6656 which compilation units are needed by a given compilation unit. See
6660 The units needed by a given compilation unit are as defined in
6661 the Ada Reference Manual section 10.2(2-6). There are no
6662 implementation-defined pragmas or other implementation-defined
6663 means for specifying needed units.
6668 @strong{33}. The manner of designating the main subprogram of a
6669 partition. See 10.2(7).
6672 The main program is designated by providing the name of the
6673 corresponding @file{ALI} file as the input parameter to the binder.
6678 @strong{34}. The order of elaboration of @code{library_items}. See
6682 The first constraint on ordering is that it meets the requirements of
6683 chapter 10 of the Ada 95 Reference Manual. This still leaves some
6684 implementation dependent choices, which are resolved by first
6685 elaborating bodies as early as possible (i.e.@: in preference to specs
6686 where there is a choice), and second by evaluating the immediate with
6687 clauses of a unit to determine the probably best choice, and
6688 third by elaborating in alphabetical order of unit names
6689 where a choice still remains.
6694 @strong{35}. Parameter passing and function return for the main
6695 subprogram. See 10.2(21).
6698 The main program has no parameters. It may be a procedure, or a function
6699 returning an integer type. In the latter case, the returned integer
6700 value is the return code of the program (overriding any value that
6701 may have been set by a call to @code{Ada.Command_Line.Set_Exit_Status}).
6706 @strong{36}. The mechanisms for building and running partitions. See
6710 GNAT itself supports programs with only a single partition. The GNATDIST
6711 tool provided with the GLADE package (which also includes an implementation
6712 of the PCS) provides a completely flexible method for building and running
6713 programs consisting of multiple partitions. See the separate GLADE manual
6719 @strong{37}. The details of program execution, including program
6720 termination. See 10.2(25).
6723 See separate section on compilation model.
6728 @strong{38}. The semantics of any non-active partitions supported by the
6729 implementation. See 10.2(28).
6732 Passive partitions are supported on targets where shared memory is
6733 provided by the operating system. See the GLADE reference manual for
6739 @strong{39}. The information returned by @code{Exception_Message}. See
6743 Exception message returns the null string unless a specific message has
6744 been passed by the program.
6749 @strong{40}. The result of @code{Exceptions.Exception_Name} for types
6750 declared within an unnamed @code{block_statement}. See 11.4.1(12).
6753 Blocks have implementation defined names of the form @code{B@var{nnn}}
6754 where @var{nnn} is an integer.
6759 @strong{41}. The information returned by
6760 @code{Exception_Information}. See 11.4.1(13).
6763 @code{Exception_Information} returns a string in the following format:
6766 @emph{Exception_Name:} nnnnn
6767 @emph{Message:} mmmmm
6769 @emph{Call stack traceback locations:}
6770 0xhhhh 0xhhhh 0xhhhh ... 0xhhh
6778 @code{nnnn} is the fully qualified name of the exception in all upper
6779 case letters. This line is always present.
6782 @code{mmmm} is the message (this line present only if message is non-null)
6785 @code{ppp} is the Process Id value as a decimal integer (this line is
6786 present only if the Process Id is non-zero). Currently we are
6787 not making use of this field.
6790 The Call stack traceback locations line and the following values
6791 are present only if at least one traceback location was recorded.
6792 The values are given in C style format, with lower case letters
6793 for a-f, and only as many digits present as are necessary.
6797 The line terminator sequence at the end of each line, including
6798 the last line is a single @code{LF} character (@code{16#0A#}).
6803 @strong{42}. Implementation-defined check names. See 11.5(27).
6806 No implementation-defined check names are supported.
6811 @strong{43}. The interpretation of each aspect of representation. See
6815 See separate section on data representations.
6820 @strong{44}. Any restrictions placed upon representation items. See
6824 See separate section on data representations.
6829 @strong{45}. The meaning of @code{Size} for indefinite subtypes. See
6833 Size for an indefinite subtype is the maximum possible size, except that
6834 for the case of a subprogram parameter, the size of the parameter object
6840 @strong{46}. The default external representation for a type tag. See
6844 The default external representation for a type tag is the fully expanded
6845 name of the type in upper case letters.
6850 @strong{47}. What determines whether a compilation unit is the same in
6851 two different partitions. See 13.3(76).
6854 A compilation unit is the same in two different partitions if and only
6855 if it derives from the same source file.
6860 @strong{48}. Implementation-defined components. See 13.5.1(15).
6863 The only implementation defined component is the tag for a tagged type,
6864 which contains a pointer to the dispatching table.
6869 @strong{49}. If @code{Word_Size} = @code{Storage_Unit}, the default bit
6870 ordering. See 13.5.3(5).
6873 @code{Word_Size} (32) is not the same as @code{Storage_Unit} (8) for this
6874 implementation, so no non-default bit ordering is supported. The default
6875 bit ordering corresponds to the natural endianness of the target architecture.
6880 @strong{50}. The contents of the visible part of package @code{System}
6881 and its language-defined children. See 13.7(2).
6884 See the definition of these packages in files @file{system.ads} and
6885 @file{s-stoele.ads}.
6890 @strong{51}. The contents of the visible part of package
6891 @code{System.Machine_Code}, and the meaning of
6892 @code{code_statements}. See 13.8(7).
6895 See the definition and documentation in file @file{s-maccod.ads}.
6900 @strong{52}. The effect of unchecked conversion. See 13.9(11).
6903 Unchecked conversion between types of the same size
6904 and results in an uninterpreted transmission of the bits from one type
6905 to the other. If the types are of unequal sizes, then in the case of
6906 discrete types, a shorter source is first zero or sign extended as
6907 necessary, and a shorter target is simply truncated on the left.
6908 For all non-discrete types, the source is first copied if necessary
6909 to ensure that the alignment requirements of the target are met, then
6910 a pointer is constructed to the source value, and the result is obtained
6911 by dereferencing this pointer after converting it to be a pointer to the
6917 @strong{53}. The manner of choosing a storage pool for an access type
6918 when @code{Storage_Pool} is not specified for the type. See 13.11(17).
6921 There are 3 different standard pools used by the compiler when
6922 @code{Storage_Pool} is not specified depending whether the type is local
6923 to a subprogram or defined at the library level and whether
6924 @code{Storage_Size}is specified or not. See documentation in the runtime
6925 library units @code{System.Pool_Global}, @code{System.Pool_Size} and
6926 @code{System.Pool_Local} in files @file{s-poosiz.ads},
6927 @file{s-pooglo.ads} and @file{s-pooloc.ads} for full details on the
6933 @strong{54}. Whether or not the implementation provides user-accessible
6934 names for the standard pool type(s). See 13.11(17).
6938 See documentation in the sources of the run time mentioned in paragraph
6939 @strong{53} . All these pools are accessible by means of @code{with}'ing
6945 @strong{55}. The meaning of @code{Storage_Size}. See 13.11(18).
6948 @code{Storage_Size} is measured in storage units, and refers to the
6949 total space available for an access type collection, or to the primary
6950 stack space for a task.
6955 @strong{56}. Implementation-defined aspects of storage pools. See
6959 See documentation in the sources of the run time mentioned in paragraph
6960 @strong{53} for details on GNAT-defined aspects of storage pools.
6965 @strong{57}. The set of restrictions allowed in a pragma
6966 @code{Restrictions}. See 13.12(7).
6969 All RM defined Restriction identifiers are implemented. The following
6970 additional restriction identifiers are provided. There are two separate
6971 lists of implementation dependent restriction identifiers. The first
6972 set requires consistency throughout a partition (in other words, if the
6973 restriction identifier is used for any compilation unit in the partition,
6974 then all compilation units in the partition must obey the restriction.
6978 @item Simple_Barriers
6979 @findex Simple_Barriers
6980 This restriction ensures at compile time that barriers in entry declarations
6981 for protected types are restricted to either static boolean expressions or
6982 references to simple boolean variables defined in the private part of the
6983 protected type. No other form of entry barriers is permitted. This is one
6984 of the restrictions of the Ravenscar profile for limited tasking (see also
6985 pragma @code{Profile (Ravenscar)}).
6987 @item Max_Entry_Queue_Length => Expr
6988 @findex Max_Entry_Queue_Length
6989 This restriction is a declaration that any protected entry compiled in
6990 the scope of the restriction has at most the specified number of
6991 tasks waiting on the entry
6992 at any one time, and so no queue is required. This restriction is not
6993 checked at compile time. A program execution is erroneous if an attempt
6994 is made to queue more than the specified number of tasks on such an entry.
6998 This restriction ensures at compile time that there is no implicit or
6999 explicit dependence on the package @code{Ada.Calendar}.
7001 @item No_Direct_Boolean_Operators
7002 @findex No_Direct_Boolean_Operators
7003 This restriction ensures that no logical (and/or/xor) or comparison
7004 operators are used on operands of type Boolean (or any type derived
7005 from Boolean). This is intended for use in safety critical programs
7006 where the certification protocol requires the use of short-circuit
7007 (and then, or else) forms for all composite boolean operations.
7009 @item No_Dynamic_Attachment
7010 @findex No_Dynamic_Attachment
7011 This restriction ensures that there is no call to any of the operations
7012 defined in package Ada.Interrupts.
7014 @item No_Enumeration_Maps
7015 @findex No_Enumeration_Maps
7016 This restriction ensures at compile time that no operations requiring
7017 enumeration maps are used (that is Image and Value attributes applied
7018 to enumeration types).
7020 @item No_Entry_Calls_In_Elaboration_Code
7021 @findex No_Entry_Calls_In_Elaboration_Code
7022 This restriction ensures at compile time that no task or protected entry
7023 calls are made during elaboration code. As a result of the use of this
7024 restriction, the compiler can assume that no code past an accept statement
7025 in a task can be executed at elaboration time.
7027 @item No_Exception_Handlers
7028 @findex No_Exception_Handlers
7029 This restriction ensures at compile time that there are no explicit
7030 exception handlers. It also indicates that no exception propagation will
7031 be provided. In this mode, exceptions may be raised but will result in
7032 an immediate call to the last chance handler, a routine that the user
7033 must define with the following profile:
7035 procedure Last_Chance_Handler
7036 (Source_Location : System.Address; Line : Integer);
7037 pragma Export (C, Last_Chance_Handler,
7038 "__gnat_last_chance_handler");
7040 The parameter is a C null-terminated string representing a message to be
7041 associated with the exception (typically the source location of the raise
7042 statement generated by the compiler). The Line parameter when non-zero
7043 represents the line number in the source program where the raise occurs.
7045 @item No_Exception_Streams
7046 @findex No_Exception_Streams
7047 This restriction ensures at compile time that no stream operations for
7048 types Exception_Id or Exception_Occurrence are used. This also makes it
7049 impossible to pass exceptions to or from a partition with this restriction
7050 in a distributed environment. If this exception is active, then the generated
7051 code is simplified by omitting the otherwise-required global registration
7052 of exceptions when they are declared.
7054 @item No_Implicit_Conditionals
7055 @findex No_Implicit_Conditionals
7056 This restriction ensures that the generated code does not contain any
7057 implicit conditionals, either by modifying the generated code where possible,
7058 or by rejecting any construct that would otherwise generate an implicit
7059 conditional. Note that this check does not include run time constraint
7060 checks, which on some targets may generate implicit conditionals as
7061 well. To control the latter, constraint checks can be suppressed in the
7064 @item No_Implicit_Dynamic_Code
7065 @findex No_Implicit_Dynamic_Code
7066 This restriction prevents the compiler from building ``trampolines''.
7067 This is a structure that is built on the stack and contains dynamic
7068 code to be executed at run time. A trampoline is needed to indirectly
7069 address a nested subprogram (that is a subprogram that is not at the
7070 library level). The restriction prevents the use of any of the
7071 attributes @code{Address}, @code{Access} or @code{Unrestricted_Access}
7072 being applied to a subprogram that is not at the library level.
7074 @item No_Implicit_Loops
7075 @findex No_Implicit_Loops
7076 This restriction ensures that the generated code does not contain any
7077 implicit @code{for} loops, either by modifying
7078 the generated code where possible,
7079 or by rejecting any construct that would otherwise generate an implicit
7082 @item No_Initialize_Scalars
7083 @findex No_Initialize_Scalars
7084 This restriction ensures that no unit in the partition is compiled with
7085 pragma Initialize_Scalars. This allows the generation of more efficient
7086 code, and in particular eliminates dummy null initialization routines that
7087 are otherwise generated for some record and array types.
7089 @item No_Local_Protected_Objects
7090 @findex No_Local_Protected_Objects
7091 This restriction ensures at compile time that protected objects are
7092 only declared at the library level.
7094 @item No_Protected_Type_Allocators
7095 @findex No_Protected_Type_Allocators
7096 This restriction ensures at compile time that there are no allocator
7097 expressions that attempt to allocate protected objects.
7099 @item No_Secondary_Stack
7100 @findex No_Secondary_Stack
7101 This restriction ensures at compile time that the generated code does not
7102 contain any reference to the secondary stack. The secondary stack is used
7103 to implement functions returning unconstrained objects (arrays or records)
7106 @item No_Select_Statements
7107 @findex No_Select_Statements
7108 This restriction ensures at compile time no select statements of any kind
7109 are permitted, that is the keyword @code{select} may not appear.
7110 This is one of the restrictions of the Ravenscar
7111 profile for limited tasking (see also pragma @code{Profile (Ravenscar)}).
7113 @item No_Standard_Storage_Pools
7114 @findex No_Standard_Storage_Pools
7115 This restriction ensures at compile time that no access types
7116 use the standard default storage pool. Any access type declared must
7117 have an explicit Storage_Pool attribute defined specifying a
7118 user-defined storage pool.
7122 This restriction ensures at compile/bind time that there are no
7123 stream objects created (and therefore no actual stream operations).
7124 This restriction does not forbid dependences on the package
7125 @code{Ada.Streams}. So it is permissible to with
7126 @code{Ada.Streams} (or another package that does so itself)
7127 as long as no actual stream objects are created.
7129 @item No_Task_Attributes_Package
7130 @findex No_Task_Attributes_Package
7131 This restriction ensures at compile time that there are no implicit or
7132 explicit dependencies on the package @code{Ada.Task_Attributes}.
7134 @item No_Task_Termination
7135 @findex No_Task_Termination
7136 This restriction ensures at compile time that no terminate alternatives
7137 appear in any task body.
7141 This restriction prevents the declaration of tasks or task types throughout
7142 the partition. It is similar in effect to the use of @code{Max_Tasks => 0}
7143 except that violations are caught at compile time and cause an error message
7144 to be output either by the compiler or binder.
7146 @item No_Wide_Characters
7147 @findex No_Wide_Characters
7148 This restriction ensures at compile time that no uses of the types
7149 @code{Wide_Character} or @code{Wide_String} or corresponding wide
7151 appear, and that no wide or wide wide string or character literals
7152 appear in the program (that is literals representing characters not in
7153 type @code{Character}.
7155 @item Static_Priorities
7156 @findex Static_Priorities
7157 This restriction ensures at compile time that all priority expressions
7158 are static, and that there are no dependencies on the package
7159 @code{Ada.Dynamic_Priorities}.
7161 @item Static_Storage_Size
7162 @findex Static_Storage_Size
7163 This restriction ensures at compile time that any expression appearing
7164 in a Storage_Size pragma or attribute definition clause is static.
7169 The second set of implementation dependent restriction identifiers
7170 does not require partition-wide consistency.
7171 The restriction may be enforced for a single
7172 compilation unit without any effect on any of the
7173 other compilation units in the partition.
7177 @item No_Elaboration_Code
7178 @findex No_Elaboration_Code
7179 This restriction ensures at compile time that no elaboration code is
7180 generated. Note that this is not the same condition as is enforced
7181 by pragma @code{Preelaborate}. There are cases in which pragma
7182 @code{Preelaborate} still permits code to be generated (e.g.@: code
7183 to initialize a large array to all zeroes), and there are cases of units
7184 which do not meet the requirements for pragma @code{Preelaborate},
7185 but for which no elaboration code is generated. Generally, it is
7186 the case that preelaborable units will meet the restrictions, with
7187 the exception of large aggregates initialized with an others_clause,
7188 and exception declarations (which generate calls to a run-time
7189 registry procedure). Note that this restriction is enforced on
7190 a unit by unit basis, it need not be obeyed consistently
7191 throughout a partition.
7193 @item No_Entry_Queue
7194 @findex No_Entry_Queue
7195 This restriction is a declaration that any protected entry compiled in
7196 the scope of the restriction has at most one task waiting on the entry
7197 at any one time, and so no queue is required. This restriction is not
7198 checked at compile time. A program execution is erroneous if an attempt
7199 is made to queue a second task on such an entry.
7201 @item No_Implementation_Attributes
7202 @findex No_Implementation_Attributes
7203 This restriction checks at compile time that no GNAT-defined attributes
7204 are present. With this restriction, the only attributes that can be used
7205 are those defined in the Ada 95 Reference Manual.
7207 @item No_Implementation_Pragmas
7208 @findex No_Implementation_Pragmas
7209 This restriction checks at compile time that no GNAT-defined pragmas
7210 are present. With this restriction, the only pragmas that can be used
7211 are those defined in the Ada 95 Reference Manual.
7213 @item No_Implementation_Restrictions
7214 @findex No_Implementation_Restrictions
7215 This restriction checks at compile time that no GNAT-defined restriction
7216 identifiers (other than @code{No_Implementation_Restrictions} itself)
7217 are present. With this restriction, the only other restriction identifiers
7218 that can be used are those defined in the Ada 95 Reference Manual.
7225 @strong{58}. The consequences of violating limitations on
7226 @code{Restrictions} pragmas. See 13.12(9).
7229 Restrictions that can be checked at compile time result in illegalities
7230 if violated. Currently there are no other consequences of violating
7236 @strong{59}. The representation used by the @code{Read} and
7237 @code{Write} attributes of elementary types in terms of stream
7238 elements. See 13.13.2(9).
7241 The representation is the in-memory representation of the base type of
7242 the type, using the number of bits corresponding to the
7243 @code{@var{type}'Size} value, and the natural ordering of the machine.
7248 @strong{60}. The names and characteristics of the numeric subtypes
7249 declared in the visible part of package @code{Standard}. See A.1(3).
7252 See items describing the integer and floating-point types supported.
7257 @strong{61}. The accuracy actually achieved by the elementary
7258 functions. See A.5.1(1).
7261 The elementary functions correspond to the functions available in the C
7262 library. Only fast math mode is implemented.
7267 @strong{62}. The sign of a zero result from some of the operators or
7268 functions in @code{Numerics.Generic_Elementary_Functions}, when
7269 @code{Float_Type'Signed_Zeros} is @code{True}. See A.5.1(46).
7272 The sign of zeroes follows the requirements of the IEEE 754 standard on
7278 @strong{63}. The value of
7279 @code{Numerics.Float_Random.Max_Image_Width}. See A.5.2(27).
7282 Maximum image width is 649, see library file @file{a-numran.ads}.
7287 @strong{64}. The value of
7288 @code{Numerics.Discrete_Random.Max_Image_Width}. See A.5.2(27).
7291 Maximum image width is 80, see library file @file{a-nudira.ads}.
7296 @strong{65}. The algorithms for random number generation. See
7300 The algorithm is documented in the source files @file{a-numran.ads} and
7301 @file{a-numran.adb}.
7306 @strong{66}. The string representation of a random number generator's
7307 state. See A.5.2(38).
7310 See the documentation contained in the file @file{a-numran.adb}.
7315 @strong{67}. The minimum time interval between calls to the
7316 time-dependent Reset procedure that are guaranteed to initiate different
7317 random number sequences. See A.5.2(45).
7320 The minimum period between reset calls to guarantee distinct series of
7321 random numbers is one microsecond.
7326 @strong{68}. The values of the @code{Model_Mantissa},
7327 @code{Model_Emin}, @code{Model_Epsilon}, @code{Model},
7328 @code{Safe_First}, and @code{Safe_Last} attributes, if the Numerics
7329 Annex is not supported. See A.5.3(72).
7332 See the source file @file{ttypef.ads} for the values of all numeric
7338 @strong{69}. Any implementation-defined characteristics of the
7339 input-output packages. See A.7(14).
7342 There are no special implementation defined characteristics for these
7348 @strong{70}. The value of @code{Buffer_Size} in @code{Storage_IO}. See
7352 All type representations are contiguous, and the @code{Buffer_Size} is
7353 the value of @code{@var{type}'Size} rounded up to the next storage unit
7359 @strong{71}. External files for standard input, standard output, and
7360 standard error See A.10(5).
7363 These files are mapped onto the files provided by the C streams
7364 libraries. See source file @file{i-cstrea.ads} for further details.
7369 @strong{72}. The accuracy of the value produced by @code{Put}. See
7373 If more digits are requested in the output than are represented by the
7374 precision of the value, zeroes are output in the corresponding least
7375 significant digit positions.
7380 @strong{73}. The meaning of @code{Argument_Count}, @code{Argument}, and
7381 @code{Command_Name}. See A.15(1).
7384 These are mapped onto the @code{argv} and @code{argc} parameters of the
7385 main program in the natural manner.
7390 @strong{74}. Implementation-defined convention names. See B.1(11).
7393 The following convention names are supported
7401 Synonym for Assembler
7403 Synonym for Assembler
7406 @item C_Pass_By_Copy
7407 Allowed only for record types, like C, but also notes that record
7408 is to be passed by copy rather than reference.
7414 Treated the same as C
7416 Treated the same as C
7420 For support of pragma @code{Import} with convention Intrinsic, see
7421 separate section on Intrinsic Subprograms.
7423 Stdcall (used for Windows implementations only). This convention correspond
7424 to the WINAPI (previously called Pascal convention) C/C++ convention under
7425 Windows. A function with this convention cleans the stack before exit.
7431 Stubbed is a special convention used to indicate that the body of the
7432 subprogram will be entirely ignored. Any call to the subprogram
7433 is converted into a raise of the @code{Program_Error} exception. If a
7434 pragma @code{Import} specifies convention @code{stubbed} then no body need
7435 be present at all. This convention is useful during development for the
7436 inclusion of subprograms whose body has not yet been written.
7440 In addition, all otherwise unrecognized convention names are also
7441 treated as being synonymous with convention C@. In all implementations
7442 except for VMS, use of such other names results in a warning. In VMS
7443 implementations, these names are accepted silently.
7448 @strong{75}. The meaning of link names. See B.1(36).
7451 Link names are the actual names used by the linker.
7456 @strong{76}. The manner of choosing link names when neither the link
7457 name nor the address of an imported or exported entity is specified. See
7461 The default linker name is that which would be assigned by the relevant
7462 external language, interpreting the Ada name as being in all lower case
7468 @strong{77}. The effect of pragma @code{Linker_Options}. See B.1(37).
7471 The string passed to @code{Linker_Options} is presented uninterpreted as
7472 an argument to the link command, unless it contains Ascii.NUL characters.
7473 NUL characters if they appear act as argument separators, so for example
7475 @smallexample @c ada
7476 pragma Linker_Options ("-labc" & ASCII.Nul & "-ldef");
7480 causes two separate arguments @code{-labc} and @code{-ldef} to be passed to the
7481 linker. The order of linker options is preserved for a given unit. The final
7482 list of options passed to the linker is in reverse order of the elaboration
7483 order. For example, linker options fo a body always appear before the options
7484 from the corresponding package spec.
7489 @strong{78}. The contents of the visible part of package
7490 @code{Interfaces} and its language-defined descendants. See B.2(1).
7493 See files with prefix @file{i-} in the distributed library.
7498 @strong{79}. Implementation-defined children of package
7499 @code{Interfaces}. The contents of the visible part of package
7500 @code{Interfaces}. See B.2(11).
7503 See files with prefix @file{i-} in the distributed library.
7508 @strong{80}. The types @code{Floating}, @code{Long_Floating},
7509 @code{Binary}, @code{Long_Binary}, @code{Decimal_ Element}, and
7510 @code{COBOL_Character}; and the initialization of the variables
7511 @code{Ada_To_COBOL} and @code{COBOL_To_Ada}, in
7512 @code{Interfaces.COBOL}. See B.4(50).
7519 (Floating) Long_Float
7524 @item Decimal_Element
7526 @item COBOL_Character
7531 For initialization, see the file @file{i-cobol.ads} in the distributed library.
7536 @strong{81}. Support for access to machine instructions. See C.1(1).
7539 See documentation in file @file{s-maccod.ads} in the distributed library.
7544 @strong{82}. Implementation-defined aspects of access to machine
7545 operations. See C.1(9).
7548 See documentation in file @file{s-maccod.ads} in the distributed library.
7553 @strong{83}. Implementation-defined aspects of interrupts. See C.3(2).
7556 Interrupts are mapped to signals or conditions as appropriate. See
7558 @code{Ada.Interrupt_Names} in source file @file{a-intnam.ads} for details
7559 on the interrupts supported on a particular target.
7564 @strong{84}. Implementation-defined aspects of pre-elaboration. See
7568 GNAT does not permit a partition to be restarted without reloading,
7569 except under control of the debugger.
7574 @strong{85}. The semantics of pragma @code{Discard_Names}. See C.5(7).
7577 Pragma @code{Discard_Names} causes names of enumeration literals to
7578 be suppressed. In the presence of this pragma, the Image attribute
7579 provides the image of the Pos of the literal, and Value accepts
7585 @strong{86}. The result of the @code{Task_Identification.Image}
7586 attribute. See C.7.1(7).
7589 The result of this attribute is an 8-digit hexadecimal string
7590 representing the virtual address of the task control block.
7595 @strong{87}. The value of @code{Current_Task} when in a protected entry
7596 or interrupt handler. See C.7.1(17).
7599 Protected entries or interrupt handlers can be executed by any
7600 convenient thread, so the value of @code{Current_Task} is undefined.
7605 @strong{88}. The effect of calling @code{Current_Task} from an entry
7606 body or interrupt handler. See C.7.1(19).
7609 The effect of calling @code{Current_Task} from an entry body or
7610 interrupt handler is to return the identification of the task currently
7616 @strong{89}. Implementation-defined aspects of
7617 @code{Task_Attributes}. See C.7.2(19).
7620 There are no implementation-defined aspects of @code{Task_Attributes}.
7625 @strong{90}. Values of all @code{Metrics}. See D(2).
7628 The metrics information for GNAT depends on the performance of the
7629 underlying operating system. The sources of the run-time for tasking
7630 implementation, together with the output from @code{-gnatG} can be
7631 used to determine the exact sequence of operating systems calls made
7632 to implement various tasking constructs. Together with appropriate
7633 information on the performance of the underlying operating system,
7634 on the exact target in use, this information can be used to determine
7635 the required metrics.
7640 @strong{91}. The declarations of @code{Any_Priority} and
7641 @code{Priority}. See D.1(11).
7644 See declarations in file @file{system.ads}.
7649 @strong{92}. Implementation-defined execution resources. See D.1(15).
7652 There are no implementation-defined execution resources.
7657 @strong{93}. Whether, on a multiprocessor, a task that is waiting for
7658 access to a protected object keeps its processor busy. See D.2.1(3).
7661 On a multi-processor, a task that is waiting for access to a protected
7662 object does not keep its processor busy.
7667 @strong{94}. The affect of implementation defined execution resources
7668 on task dispatching. See D.2.1(9).
7673 Tasks map to IRIX threads, and the dispatching policy is as defined by
7674 the IRIX implementation of threads.
7676 Tasks map to threads in the threads package used by GNAT@. Where possible
7677 and appropriate, these threads correspond to native threads of the
7678 underlying operating system.
7683 @strong{95}. Implementation-defined @code{policy_identifiers} allowed
7684 in a pragma @code{Task_Dispatching_Policy}. See D.2.2(3).
7687 There are no implementation-defined policy-identifiers allowed in this
7693 @strong{96}. Implementation-defined aspects of priority inversion. See
7697 Execution of a task cannot be preempted by the implementation processing
7698 of delay expirations for lower priority tasks.
7703 @strong{97}. Implementation defined task dispatching. See D.2.2(18).
7708 Tasks map to IRIX threads, and the dispatching policy is as defied by
7709 the IRIX implementation of threads.
7711 The policy is the same as that of the underlying threads implementation.
7716 @strong{98}. Implementation-defined @code{policy_identifiers} allowed
7717 in a pragma @code{Locking_Policy}. See D.3(4).
7720 The only implementation defined policy permitted in GNAT is
7721 @code{Inheritance_Locking}. On targets that support this policy, locking
7722 is implemented by inheritance, i.e.@: the task owning the lock operates
7723 at a priority equal to the highest priority of any task currently
7724 requesting the lock.
7729 @strong{99}. Default ceiling priorities. See D.3(10).
7732 The ceiling priority of protected objects of the type
7733 @code{System.Interrupt_Priority'Last} as described in the Ada 95
7734 Reference Manual D.3(10),
7739 @strong{100}. The ceiling of any protected object used internally by
7740 the implementation. See D.3(16).
7743 The ceiling priority of internal protected objects is
7744 @code{System.Priority'Last}.
7749 @strong{101}. Implementation-defined queuing policies. See D.4(1).
7752 There are no implementation-defined queueing policies.
7757 @strong{102}. On a multiprocessor, any conditions that cause the
7758 completion of an aborted construct to be delayed later than what is
7759 specified for a single processor. See D.6(3).
7762 The semantics for abort on a multi-processor is the same as on a single
7763 processor, there are no further delays.
7768 @strong{103}. Any operations that implicitly require heap storage
7769 allocation. See D.7(8).
7772 The only operation that implicitly requires heap storage allocation is
7778 @strong{104}. Implementation-defined aspects of pragma
7779 @code{Restrictions}. See D.7(20).
7782 There are no such implementation-defined aspects.
7787 @strong{105}. Implementation-defined aspects of package
7788 @code{Real_Time}. See D.8(17).
7791 There are no implementation defined aspects of package @code{Real_Time}.
7796 @strong{106}. Implementation-defined aspects of
7797 @code{delay_statements}. See D.9(8).
7800 Any difference greater than one microsecond will cause the task to be
7801 delayed (see D.9(7)).
7806 @strong{107}. The upper bound on the duration of interrupt blocking
7807 caused by the implementation. See D.12(5).
7810 The upper bound is determined by the underlying operating system. In
7811 no cases is it more than 10 milliseconds.
7816 @strong{108}. The means for creating and executing distributed
7820 The GLADE package provides a utility GNATDIST for creating and executing
7821 distributed programs. See the GLADE reference manual for further details.
7826 @strong{109}. Any events that can result in a partition becoming
7827 inaccessible. See E.1(7).
7830 See the GLADE reference manual for full details on such events.
7835 @strong{110}. The scheduling policies, treatment of priorities, and
7836 management of shared resources between partitions in certain cases. See
7840 See the GLADE reference manual for full details on these aspects of
7841 multi-partition execution.
7846 @strong{111}. Events that cause the version of a compilation unit to
7850 Editing the source file of a compilation unit, or the source files of
7851 any units on which it is dependent in a significant way cause the version
7852 to change. No other actions cause the version number to change. All changes
7853 are significant except those which affect only layout, capitalization or
7859 @strong{112}. Whether the execution of the remote subprogram is
7860 immediately aborted as a result of cancellation. See E.4(13).
7863 See the GLADE reference manual for details on the effect of abort in
7864 a distributed application.
7869 @strong{113}. Implementation-defined aspects of the PCS@. See E.5(25).
7872 See the GLADE reference manual for a full description of all implementation
7873 defined aspects of the PCS@.
7878 @strong{114}. Implementation-defined interfaces in the PCS@. See
7882 See the GLADE reference manual for a full description of all
7883 implementation defined interfaces.
7888 @strong{115}. The values of named numbers in the package
7889 @code{Decimal}. See F.2(7).
7901 @item Max_Decimal_Digits
7908 @strong{116}. The value of @code{Max_Picture_Length} in the package
7909 @code{Text_IO.Editing}. See F.3.3(16).
7917 @strong{117}. The value of @code{Max_Picture_Length} in the package
7918 @code{Wide_Text_IO.Editing}. See F.3.4(5).
7926 @strong{118}. The accuracy actually achieved by the complex elementary
7927 functions and by other complex arithmetic operations. See G.1(1).
7930 Standard library functions are used for the complex arithmetic
7931 operations. Only fast math mode is currently supported.
7936 @strong{119}. The sign of a zero result (or a component thereof) from
7937 any operator or function in @code{Numerics.Generic_Complex_Types}, when
7938 @code{Real'Signed_Zeros} is True. See G.1.1(53).
7941 The signs of zero values are as recommended by the relevant
7942 implementation advice.
7947 @strong{120}. The sign of a zero result (or a component thereof) from
7948 any operator or function in
7949 @code{Numerics.Generic_Complex_Elementary_Functions}, when
7950 @code{Real'Signed_Zeros} is @code{True}. See G.1.2(45).
7953 The signs of zero values are as recommended by the relevant
7954 implementation advice.
7959 @strong{121}. Whether the strict mode or the relaxed mode is the
7960 default. See G.2(2).
7963 The strict mode is the default. There is no separate relaxed mode. GNAT
7964 provides a highly efficient implementation of strict mode.
7969 @strong{122}. The result interval in certain cases of fixed-to-float
7970 conversion. See G.2.1(10).
7973 For cases where the result interval is implementation dependent, the
7974 accuracy is that provided by performing all operations in 64-bit IEEE
7975 floating-point format.
7980 @strong{123}. The result of a floating point arithmetic operation in
7981 overflow situations, when the @code{Machine_Overflows} attribute of the
7982 result type is @code{False}. See G.2.1(13).
7985 Infinite and Nan values are produced as dictated by the IEEE
7986 floating-point standard.
7991 @strong{124}. The result interval for division (or exponentiation by a
7992 negative exponent), when the floating point hardware implements division
7993 as multiplication by a reciprocal. See G.2.1(16).
7996 Not relevant, division is IEEE exact.
8001 @strong{125}. The definition of close result set, which determines the
8002 accuracy of certain fixed point multiplications and divisions. See
8006 Operations in the close result set are performed using IEEE long format
8007 floating-point arithmetic. The input operands are converted to
8008 floating-point, the operation is done in floating-point, and the result
8009 is converted to the target type.
8014 @strong{126}. Conditions on a @code{universal_real} operand of a fixed
8015 point multiplication or division for which the result shall be in the
8016 perfect result set. See G.2.3(22).
8019 The result is only defined to be in the perfect result set if the result
8020 can be computed by a single scaling operation involving a scale factor
8021 representable in 64-bits.
8026 @strong{127}. The result of a fixed point arithmetic operation in
8027 overflow situations, when the @code{Machine_Overflows} attribute of the
8028 result type is @code{False}. See G.2.3(27).
8031 Not relevant, @code{Machine_Overflows} is @code{True} for fixed-point
8037 @strong{128}. The result of an elementary function reference in
8038 overflow situations, when the @code{Machine_Overflows} attribute of the
8039 result type is @code{False}. See G.2.4(4).
8042 IEEE infinite and Nan values are produced as appropriate.
8047 @strong{129}. The value of the angle threshold, within which certain
8048 elementary functions, complex arithmetic operations, and complex
8049 elementary functions yield results conforming to a maximum relative
8050 error bound. See G.2.4(10).
8053 Information on this subject is not yet available.
8058 @strong{130}. The accuracy of certain elementary functions for
8059 parameters beyond the angle threshold. See G.2.4(10).
8062 Information on this subject is not yet available.
8067 @strong{131}. The result of a complex arithmetic operation or complex
8068 elementary function reference in overflow situations, when the
8069 @code{Machine_Overflows} attribute of the corresponding real type is
8070 @code{False}. See G.2.6(5).
8073 IEEE infinite and Nan values are produced as appropriate.
8078 @strong{132}. The accuracy of certain complex arithmetic operations and
8079 certain complex elementary functions for parameters (or components
8080 thereof) beyond the angle threshold. See G.2.6(8).
8083 Information on those subjects is not yet available.
8088 @strong{133}. Information regarding bounded errors and erroneous
8089 execution. See H.2(1).
8092 Information on this subject is not yet available.
8097 @strong{134}. Implementation-defined aspects of pragma
8098 @code{Inspection_Point}. See H.3.2(8).
8101 Pragma @code{Inspection_Point} ensures that the variable is live and can
8102 be examined by the debugger at the inspection point.
8107 @strong{135}. Implementation-defined aspects of pragma
8108 @code{Restrictions}. See H.4(25).
8111 There are no implementation-defined aspects of pragma @code{Restrictions}. The
8112 use of pragma @code{Restrictions [No_Exceptions]} has no effect on the
8113 generated code. Checks must suppressed by use of pragma @code{Suppress}.
8118 @strong{136}. Any restrictions on pragma @code{Restrictions}. See
8122 There are no restrictions on pragma @code{Restrictions}.
8124 @node Intrinsic Subprograms
8125 @chapter Intrinsic Subprograms
8126 @cindex Intrinsic Subprograms
8129 * Intrinsic Operators::
8130 * Enclosing_Entity::
8131 * Exception_Information::
8132 * Exception_Message::
8140 * Shift_Right_Arithmetic::
8145 GNAT allows a user application program to write the declaration:
8147 @smallexample @c ada
8148 pragma Import (Intrinsic, name);
8152 providing that the name corresponds to one of the implemented intrinsic
8153 subprograms in GNAT, and that the parameter profile of the referenced
8154 subprogram meets the requirements. This chapter describes the set of
8155 implemented intrinsic subprograms, and the requirements on parameter profiles.
8156 Note that no body is supplied; as with other uses of pragma Import, the
8157 body is supplied elsewhere (in this case by the compiler itself). Note
8158 that any use of this feature is potentially non-portable, since the
8159 Ada standard does not require Ada compilers to implement this feature.
8161 @node Intrinsic Operators
8162 @section Intrinsic Operators
8163 @cindex Intrinsic operator
8166 All the predefined numeric operators in package Standard
8167 in @code{pragma Import (Intrinsic,..)}
8168 declarations. In the binary operator case, the operands must have the same
8169 size. The operand or operands must also be appropriate for
8170 the operator. For example, for addition, the operands must
8171 both be floating-point or both be fixed-point, and the
8172 right operand for @code{"**"} must have a root type of
8173 @code{Standard.Integer'Base}.
8174 You can use an intrinsic operator declaration as in the following example:
8176 @smallexample @c ada
8177 type Int1 is new Integer;
8178 type Int2 is new Integer;
8180 function "+" (X1 : Int1; X2 : Int2) return Int1;
8181 function "+" (X1 : Int1; X2 : Int2) return Int2;
8182 pragma Import (Intrinsic, "+");
8186 This declaration would permit ``mixed mode'' arithmetic on items
8187 of the differing types @code{Int1} and @code{Int2}.
8188 It is also possible to specify such operators for private types, if the
8189 full views are appropriate arithmetic types.
8191 @node Enclosing_Entity
8192 @section Enclosing_Entity
8193 @cindex Enclosing_Entity
8195 This intrinsic subprogram is used in the implementation of the
8196 library routine @code{GNAT.Source_Info}. The only useful use of the
8197 intrinsic import in this case is the one in this unit, so an
8198 application program should simply call the function
8199 @code{GNAT.Source_Info.Enclosing_Entity} to obtain the name of
8200 the current subprogram, package, task, entry, or protected subprogram.
8202 @node Exception_Information
8203 @section Exception_Information
8204 @cindex Exception_Information'
8206 This intrinsic subprogram is used in the implementation of the
8207 library routine @code{GNAT.Current_Exception}. The only useful
8208 use of the intrinsic import in this case is the one in this unit,
8209 so an application program should simply call the function
8210 @code{GNAT.Current_Exception.Exception_Information} to obtain
8211 the exception information associated with the current exception.
8213 @node Exception_Message
8214 @section Exception_Message
8215 @cindex Exception_Message
8217 This intrinsic subprogram is used in the implementation of the
8218 library routine @code{GNAT.Current_Exception}. The only useful
8219 use of the intrinsic import in this case is the one in this unit,
8220 so an application program should simply call the function
8221 @code{GNAT.Current_Exception.Exception_Message} to obtain
8222 the message associated with the current exception.
8224 @node Exception_Name
8225 @section Exception_Name
8226 @cindex Exception_Name
8228 This intrinsic subprogram is used in the implementation of the
8229 library routine @code{GNAT.Current_Exception}. The only useful
8230 use of the intrinsic import in this case is the one in this unit,
8231 so an application program should simply call the function
8232 @code{GNAT.Current_Exception.Exception_Name} to obtain
8233 the name of the current exception.
8239 This intrinsic subprogram is used in the implementation of the
8240 library routine @code{GNAT.Source_Info}. The only useful use of the
8241 intrinsic import in this case is the one in this unit, so an
8242 application program should simply call the function
8243 @code{GNAT.Source_Info.File} to obtain the name of the current
8250 This intrinsic subprogram is used in the implementation of the
8251 library routine @code{GNAT.Source_Info}. The only useful use of the
8252 intrinsic import in this case is the one in this unit, so an
8253 application program should simply call the function
8254 @code{GNAT.Source_Info.Line} to obtain the number of the current
8258 @section Rotate_Left
8261 In standard Ada 95, the @code{Rotate_Left} function is available only
8262 for the predefined modular types in package @code{Interfaces}. However, in
8263 GNAT it is possible to define a Rotate_Left function for a user
8264 defined modular type or any signed integer type as in this example:
8266 @smallexample @c ada
8268 (Value : My_Modular_Type;
8270 return My_Modular_Type;
8274 The requirements are that the profile be exactly as in the example
8275 above. The only modifications allowed are in the formal parameter
8276 names, and in the type of @code{Value} and the return type, which
8277 must be the same, and must be either a signed integer type, or
8278 a modular integer type with a binary modulus, and the size must
8279 be 8. 16, 32 or 64 bits.
8282 @section Rotate_Right
8283 @cindex Rotate_Right
8285 A @code{Rotate_Right} function can be defined for any user defined
8286 binary modular integer type, or signed integer type, as described
8287 above for @code{Rotate_Left}.
8293 A @code{Shift_Left} function can be defined for any user defined
8294 binary modular integer type, or signed integer type, as described
8295 above for @code{Rotate_Left}.
8298 @section Shift_Right
8301 A @code{Shift_Right} function can be defined for any user defined
8302 binary modular integer type, or signed integer type, as described
8303 above for @code{Rotate_Left}.
8305 @node Shift_Right_Arithmetic
8306 @section Shift_Right_Arithmetic
8307 @cindex Shift_Right_Arithmetic
8309 A @code{Shift_Right_Arithmetic} function can be defined for any user
8310 defined binary modular integer type, or signed integer type, as described
8311 above for @code{Rotate_Left}.
8313 @node Source_Location
8314 @section Source_Location
8315 @cindex Source_Location
8317 This intrinsic subprogram is used in the implementation of the
8318 library routine @code{GNAT.Source_Info}. The only useful use of the
8319 intrinsic import in this case is the one in this unit, so an
8320 application program should simply call the function
8321 @code{GNAT.Source_Info.Source_Location} to obtain the current
8322 source file location.
8324 @node Representation Clauses and Pragmas
8325 @chapter Representation Clauses and Pragmas
8326 @cindex Representation Clauses
8329 * Alignment Clauses::
8331 * Storage_Size Clauses::
8332 * Size of Variant Record Objects::
8333 * Biased Representation ::
8334 * Value_Size and Object_Size Clauses::
8335 * Component_Size Clauses::
8336 * Bit_Order Clauses::
8337 * Effect of Bit_Order on Byte Ordering::
8338 * Pragma Pack for Arrays::
8339 * Pragma Pack for Records::
8340 * Record Representation Clauses::
8341 * Enumeration Clauses::
8343 * Effect of Convention on Representation::
8344 * Determining the Representations chosen by GNAT::
8348 @cindex Representation Clause
8349 @cindex Representation Pragma
8350 @cindex Pragma, representation
8351 This section describes the representation clauses accepted by GNAT, and
8352 their effect on the representation of corresponding data objects.
8354 GNAT fully implements Annex C (Systems Programming). This means that all
8355 the implementation advice sections in chapter 13 are fully implemented.
8356 However, these sections only require a minimal level of support for
8357 representation clauses. GNAT provides much more extensive capabilities,
8358 and this section describes the additional capabilities provided.
8360 @node Alignment Clauses
8361 @section Alignment Clauses
8362 @cindex Alignment Clause
8365 GNAT requires that all alignment clauses specify a power of 2, and all
8366 default alignments are always a power of 2. The default alignment
8367 values are as follows:
8370 @item @emph{Primitive Types}.
8371 For primitive types, the alignment is the minimum of the actual size of
8372 objects of the type divided by @code{Storage_Unit},
8373 and the maximum alignment supported by the target.
8374 (This maximum alignment is given by the GNAT-specific attribute
8375 @code{Standard'Maximum_Alignment}; see @ref{Maximum_Alignment}.)
8376 @cindex @code{Maximum_Alignment} attribute
8377 For example, for type @code{Long_Float}, the object size is 8 bytes, and the
8378 default alignment will be 8 on any target that supports alignments
8379 this large, but on some targets, the maximum alignment may be smaller
8380 than 8, in which case objects of type @code{Long_Float} will be maximally
8383 @item @emph{Arrays}.
8384 For arrays, the alignment is equal to the alignment of the component type
8385 for the normal case where no packing or component size is given. If the
8386 array is packed, and the packing is effective (see separate section on
8387 packed arrays), then the alignment will be one for long packed arrays,
8388 or arrays whose length is not known at compile time. For short packed
8389 arrays, which are handled internally as modular types, the alignment
8390 will be as described for primitive types, e.g.@: a packed array of length
8391 31 bits will have an object size of four bytes, and an alignment of 4.
8393 @item @emph{Records}.
8394 For the normal non-packed case, the alignment of a record is equal to
8395 the maximum alignment of any of its components. For tagged records, this
8396 includes the implicit access type used for the tag. If a pragma @code{Pack} is
8397 used and all fields are packable (see separate section on pragma @code{Pack}),
8398 then the resulting alignment is 1.
8400 A special case is when:
8403 the size of the record is given explicitly, or a
8404 full record representation clause is given, and
8406 the size of the record is 2, 4, or 8 bytes.
8409 In this case, an alignment is chosen to match the
8410 size of the record. For example, if we have:
8412 @smallexample @c ada
8413 type Small is record
8416 for Small'Size use 16;
8420 then the default alignment of the record type @code{Small} is 2, not 1. This
8421 leads to more efficient code when the record is treated as a unit, and also
8422 allows the type to specified as @code{Atomic} on architectures requiring
8428 An alignment clause may
8429 always specify a larger alignment than the default value, up to some
8430 maximum value dependent on the target (obtainable by using the
8431 attribute reference @code{Standard'Maximum_Alignment}).
8433 it is permissible to specify a smaller alignment than the default value
8434 is for a record with a record representation clause.
8435 In this case, packable fields for which a component clause is
8436 given still result in a default alignment corresponding to the original
8437 type, but this may be overridden, since these components in fact only
8438 require an alignment of one byte. For example, given
8440 @smallexample @c ada
8446 A at 0 range 0 .. 31;
8449 for V'alignment use 1;
8453 @cindex Alignment, default
8454 The default alignment for the type @code{V} is 4, as a result of the
8455 Integer field in the record, but since this field is placed with a
8456 component clause, it is permissible, as shown, to override the default
8457 alignment of the record with a smaller value.
8460 @section Size Clauses
8464 The default size for a type @code{T} is obtainable through the
8465 language-defined attribute @code{T'Size} and also through the
8466 equivalent GNAT-defined attribute @code{T'Value_Size}.
8467 For objects of type @code{T}, GNAT will generally increase the type size
8468 so that the object size (obtainable through the GNAT-defined attribute
8469 @code{T'Object_Size})
8470 is a multiple of @code{T'Alignment * Storage_Unit}.
8473 @smallexample @c ada
8474 type Smallint is range 1 .. 6;
8483 In this example, @code{Smallint'Size} = @code{Smallint'Value_Size} = 3,
8484 as specified by the RM rules,
8485 but objects of this type will have a size of 8
8486 (@code{Smallint'Object_Size} = 8),
8487 since objects by default occupy an integral number
8488 of storage units. On some targets, notably older
8489 versions of the Digital Alpha, the size of stand
8490 alone objects of this type may be 32, reflecting
8491 the inability of the hardware to do byte load/stores.
8493 Similarly, the size of type @code{Rec} is 40 bits
8494 (@code{Rec'Size} = @code{Rec'Value_Size} = 40), but
8495 the alignment is 4, so objects of this type will have
8496 their size increased to 64 bits so that it is a multiple
8497 of the alignment (in bits). This decision is
8498 in accordance with the specific Implementation Advice in RM 13.3(43):
8501 A @code{Size} clause should be supported for an object if the specified
8502 @code{Size} is at least as large as its subtype's @code{Size}, and corresponds
8503 to a size in storage elements that is a multiple of the object's
8504 @code{Alignment} (if the @code{Alignment} is nonzero).
8508 An explicit size clause may be used to override the default size by
8509 increasing it. For example, if we have:
8511 @smallexample @c ada
8512 type My_Boolean is new Boolean;
8513 for My_Boolean'Size use 32;
8517 then values of this type will always be 32 bits long. In the case of
8518 discrete types, the size can be increased up to 64 bits, with the effect
8519 that the entire specified field is used to hold the value, sign- or
8520 zero-extended as appropriate. If more than 64 bits is specified, then
8521 padding space is allocated after the value, and a warning is issued that
8522 there are unused bits.
8524 Similarly the size of records and arrays may be increased, and the effect
8525 is to add padding bits after the value. This also causes a warning message
8528 The largest Size value permitted in GNAT is 2**31@minus{}1. Since this is a
8529 Size in bits, this corresponds to an object of size 256 megabytes (minus
8530 one). This limitation is true on all targets. The reason for this
8531 limitation is that it improves the quality of the code in many cases
8532 if it is known that a Size value can be accommodated in an object of
8535 @node Storage_Size Clauses
8536 @section Storage_Size Clauses
8537 @cindex Storage_Size Clause
8540 For tasks, the @code{Storage_Size} clause specifies the amount of space
8541 to be allocated for the task stack. This cannot be extended, and if the
8542 stack is exhausted, then @code{Storage_Error} will be raised (if stack
8543 checking is enabled). Use a @code{Storage_Size} attribute definition clause,
8544 or a @code{Storage_Size} pragma in the task definition to set the
8545 appropriate required size. A useful technique is to include in every
8546 task definition a pragma of the form:
8548 @smallexample @c ada
8549 pragma Storage_Size (Default_Stack_Size);
8553 Then @code{Default_Stack_Size} can be defined in a global package, and
8554 modified as required. Any tasks requiring stack sizes different from the
8555 default can have an appropriate alternative reference in the pragma.
8557 For access types, the @code{Storage_Size} clause specifies the maximum
8558 space available for allocation of objects of the type. If this space is
8559 exceeded then @code{Storage_Error} will be raised by an allocation attempt.
8560 In the case where the access type is declared local to a subprogram, the
8561 use of a @code{Storage_Size} clause triggers automatic use of a special
8562 predefined storage pool (@code{System.Pool_Size}) that ensures that all
8563 space for the pool is automatically reclaimed on exit from the scope in
8564 which the type is declared.
8566 A special case recognized by the compiler is the specification of a
8567 @code{Storage_Size} of zero for an access type. This means that no
8568 items can be allocated from the pool, and this is recognized at compile
8569 time, and all the overhead normally associated with maintaining a fixed
8570 size storage pool is eliminated. Consider the following example:
8572 @smallexample @c ada
8574 type R is array (Natural) of Character;
8575 type P is access all R;
8576 for P'Storage_Size use 0;
8577 -- Above access type intended only for interfacing purposes
8581 procedure g (m : P);
8582 pragma Import (C, g);
8593 As indicated in this example, these dummy storage pools are often useful in
8594 connection with interfacing where no object will ever be allocated. If you
8595 compile the above example, you get the warning:
8598 p.adb:16:09: warning: allocation from empty storage pool
8599 p.adb:16:09: warning: Storage_Error will be raised at run time
8603 Of course in practice, there will not be any explicit allocators in the
8604 case of such an access declaration.
8606 @node Size of Variant Record Objects
8607 @section Size of Variant Record Objects
8608 @cindex Size, variant record objects
8609 @cindex Variant record objects, size
8612 In the case of variant record objects, there is a question whether Size gives
8613 information about a particular variant, or the maximum size required
8614 for any variant. Consider the following program
8616 @smallexample @c ada
8617 with Text_IO; use Text_IO;
8619 type R1 (A : Boolean := False) is record
8621 when True => X : Character;
8630 Put_Line (Integer'Image (V1'Size));
8631 Put_Line (Integer'Image (V2'Size));
8636 Here we are dealing with a variant record, where the True variant
8637 requires 16 bits, and the False variant requires 8 bits.
8638 In the above example, both V1 and V2 contain the False variant,
8639 which is only 8 bits long. However, the result of running the
8648 The reason for the difference here is that the discriminant value of
8649 V1 is fixed, and will always be False. It is not possible to assign
8650 a True variant value to V1, therefore 8 bits is sufficient. On the
8651 other hand, in the case of V2, the initial discriminant value is
8652 False (from the default), but it is possible to assign a True
8653 variant value to V2, therefore 16 bits must be allocated for V2
8654 in the general case, even fewer bits may be needed at any particular
8655 point during the program execution.
8657 As can be seen from the output of this program, the @code{'Size}
8658 attribute applied to such an object in GNAT gives the actual allocated
8659 size of the variable, which is the largest size of any of the variants.
8660 The Ada Reference Manual is not completely clear on what choice should
8661 be made here, but the GNAT behavior seems most consistent with the
8662 language in the RM@.
8664 In some cases, it may be desirable to obtain the size of the current
8665 variant, rather than the size of the largest variant. This can be
8666 achieved in GNAT by making use of the fact that in the case of a
8667 subprogram parameter, GNAT does indeed return the size of the current
8668 variant (because a subprogram has no way of knowing how much space
8669 is actually allocated for the actual).
8671 Consider the following modified version of the above program:
8673 @smallexample @c ada
8674 with Text_IO; use Text_IO;
8676 type R1 (A : Boolean := False) is record
8678 when True => X : Character;
8685 function Size (V : R1) return Integer is
8691 Put_Line (Integer'Image (V2'Size));
8692 Put_Line (Integer'IMage (Size (V2)));
8694 Put_Line (Integer'Image (V2'Size));
8695 Put_Line (Integer'IMage (Size (V2)));
8700 The output from this program is
8710 Here we see that while the @code{'Size} attribute always returns
8711 the maximum size, regardless of the current variant value, the
8712 @code{Size} function does indeed return the size of the current
8715 @node Biased Representation
8716 @section Biased Representation
8717 @cindex Size for biased representation
8718 @cindex Biased representation
8721 In the case of scalars with a range starting at other than zero, it is
8722 possible in some cases to specify a size smaller than the default minimum
8723 value, and in such cases, GNAT uses an unsigned biased representation,
8724 in which zero is used to represent the lower bound, and successive values
8725 represent successive values of the type.
8727 For example, suppose we have the declaration:
8729 @smallexample @c ada
8730 type Small is range -7 .. -4;
8731 for Small'Size use 2;
8735 Although the default size of type @code{Small} is 4, the @code{Size}
8736 clause is accepted by GNAT and results in the following representation
8740 -7 is represented as 2#00#
8741 -6 is represented as 2#01#
8742 -5 is represented as 2#10#
8743 -4 is represented as 2#11#
8747 Biased representation is only used if the specified @code{Size} clause
8748 cannot be accepted in any other manner. These reduced sizes that force
8749 biased representation can be used for all discrete types except for
8750 enumeration types for which a representation clause is given.
8752 @node Value_Size and Object_Size Clauses
8753 @section Value_Size and Object_Size Clauses
8756 @cindex Size, of objects
8759 In Ada 95, @code{T'Size} for a type @code{T} is the minimum number of bits
8760 required to hold values of type @code{T}. Although this interpretation was
8761 allowed in Ada 83, it was not required, and this requirement in practice
8762 can cause some significant difficulties. For example, in most Ada 83
8763 compilers, @code{Natural'Size} was 32. However, in Ada 95,
8764 @code{Natural'Size} is
8765 typically 31. This means that code may change in behavior when moving
8766 from Ada 83 to Ada 95. For example, consider:
8768 @smallexample @c ada
8775 at 0 range 0 .. Natural'Size - 1;
8776 at 0 range Natural'Size .. 2 * Natural'Size - 1;
8781 In the above code, since the typical size of @code{Natural} objects
8782 is 32 bits and @code{Natural'Size} is 31, the above code can cause
8783 unexpected inefficient packing in Ada 95, and in general there are
8784 cases where the fact that the object size can exceed the
8785 size of the type causes surprises.
8787 To help get around this problem GNAT provides two implementation
8788 defined attributes, @code{Value_Size} and @code{Object_Size}. When
8789 applied to a type, these attributes yield the size of the type
8790 (corresponding to the RM defined size attribute), and the size of
8791 objects of the type respectively.
8793 The @code{Object_Size} is used for determining the default size of
8794 objects and components. This size value can be referred to using the
8795 @code{Object_Size} attribute. The phrase ``is used'' here means that it is
8796 the basis of the determination of the size. The backend is free to
8797 pad this up if necessary for efficiency, e.g.@: an 8-bit stand-alone
8798 character might be stored in 32 bits on a machine with no efficient
8799 byte access instructions such as the Alpha.
8801 The default rules for the value of @code{Object_Size} for
8802 discrete types are as follows:
8806 The @code{Object_Size} for base subtypes reflect the natural hardware
8807 size in bits (run the compiler with @option{-gnatS} to find those values
8808 for numeric types). Enumeration types and fixed-point base subtypes have
8809 8, 16, 32 or 64 bits for this size, depending on the range of values
8813 The @code{Object_Size} of a subtype is the same as the
8814 @code{Object_Size} of
8815 the type from which it is obtained.
8818 The @code{Object_Size} of a derived base type is copied from the parent
8819 base type, and the @code{Object_Size} of a derived first subtype is copied
8820 from the parent first subtype.
8824 The @code{Value_Size} attribute
8825 is the (minimum) number of bits required to store a value
8827 This value is used to determine how tightly to pack
8828 records or arrays with components of this type, and also affects
8829 the semantics of unchecked conversion (unchecked conversions where
8830 the @code{Value_Size} values differ generate a warning, and are potentially
8833 The default rules for the value of @code{Value_Size} are as follows:
8837 The @code{Value_Size} for a base subtype is the minimum number of bits
8838 required to store all values of the type (including the sign bit
8839 only if negative values are possible).
8842 If a subtype statically matches the first subtype of a given type, then it has
8843 by default the same @code{Value_Size} as the first subtype. This is a
8844 consequence of RM 13.1(14) (``if two subtypes statically match,
8845 then their subtype-specific aspects are the same''.)
8848 All other subtypes have a @code{Value_Size} corresponding to the minimum
8849 number of bits required to store all values of the subtype. For
8850 dynamic bounds, it is assumed that the value can range down or up
8851 to the corresponding bound of the ancestor
8855 The RM defined attribute @code{Size} corresponds to the
8856 @code{Value_Size} attribute.
8858 The @code{Size} attribute may be defined for a first-named subtype. This sets
8859 the @code{Value_Size} of
8860 the first-named subtype to the given value, and the
8861 @code{Object_Size} of this first-named subtype to the given value padded up
8862 to an appropriate boundary. It is a consequence of the default rules
8863 above that this @code{Object_Size} will apply to all further subtypes. On the
8864 other hand, @code{Value_Size} is affected only for the first subtype, any
8865 dynamic subtypes obtained from it directly, and any statically matching
8866 subtypes. The @code{Value_Size} of any other static subtypes is not affected.
8868 @code{Value_Size} and
8869 @code{Object_Size} may be explicitly set for any subtype using
8870 an attribute definition clause. Note that the use of these attributes
8871 can cause the RM 13.1(14) rule to be violated. If two access types
8872 reference aliased objects whose subtypes have differing @code{Object_Size}
8873 values as a result of explicit attribute definition clauses, then it
8874 is erroneous to convert from one access subtype to the other.
8876 At the implementation level, Esize stores the Object_Size and the
8877 RM_Size field stores the @code{Value_Size} (and hence the value of the
8878 @code{Size} attribute,
8879 which, as noted above, is equivalent to @code{Value_Size}).
8881 To get a feel for the difference, consider the following examples (note
8882 that in each case the base is @code{Short_Short_Integer} with a size of 8):
8885 Object_Size Value_Size
8887 type x1 is range 0 .. 5; 8 3
8889 type x2 is range 0 .. 5;
8890 for x2'size use 12; 16 12
8892 subtype x3 is x2 range 0 .. 3; 16 2
8894 subtype x4 is x2'base range 0 .. 10; 8 4
8896 subtype x5 is x2 range 0 .. dynamic; 16 3*
8898 subtype x6 is x2'base range 0 .. dynamic; 8 3*
8903 Note: the entries marked ``3*'' are not actually specified by the Ada 95 RM,
8904 but it seems in the spirit of the RM rules to allocate the minimum number
8905 of bits (here 3, given the range for @code{x2})
8906 known to be large enough to hold the given range of values.
8908 So far, so good, but GNAT has to obey the RM rules, so the question is
8909 under what conditions must the RM @code{Size} be used.
8910 The following is a list
8911 of the occasions on which the RM @code{Size} must be used:
8915 Component size for packed arrays or records
8918 Value of the attribute @code{Size} for a type
8921 Warning about sizes not matching for unchecked conversion
8925 For record types, the @code{Object_Size} is always a multiple of the
8926 alignment of the type (this is true for all types). In some cases the
8927 @code{Value_Size} can be smaller. Consider:
8937 On a typical 32-bit architecture, the X component will be four bytes, and
8938 require four-byte alignment, and the Y component will be one byte. In this
8939 case @code{R'Value_Size} will be 40 (bits) since this is the minimum size
8940 required to store a value of this type, and for example, it is permissible
8941 to have a component of type R in an outer record whose component size is
8942 specified to be 48 bits. However, @code{R'Object_Size} will be 64 (bits),
8943 since it must be rounded up so that this value is a multiple of the
8944 alignment (4 bytes = 32 bits).
8947 For all other types, the @code{Object_Size}
8948 and Value_Size are the same (and equivalent to the RM attribute @code{Size}).
8949 Only @code{Size} may be specified for such types.
8951 @node Component_Size Clauses
8952 @section Component_Size Clauses
8953 @cindex Component_Size Clause
8956 Normally, the value specified in a component clause must be consistent
8957 with the subtype of the array component with regard to size and alignment.
8958 In other words, the value specified must be at least equal to the size
8959 of this subtype, and must be a multiple of the alignment value.
8961 In addition, component size clauses are allowed which cause the array
8962 to be packed, by specifying a smaller value. The cases in which this
8963 is allowed are for component size values in the range 1 through 63. The value
8964 specified must not be smaller than the Size of the subtype. GNAT will
8965 accurately honor all packing requests in this range. For example, if
8968 @smallexample @c ada
8969 type r is array (1 .. 8) of Natural;
8970 for r'Component_Size use 31;
8974 then the resulting array has a length of 31 bytes (248 bits = 8 * 31).
8975 Of course access to the components of such an array is considerably
8976 less efficient than if the natural component size of 32 is used.
8978 @node Bit_Order Clauses
8979 @section Bit_Order Clauses
8980 @cindex Bit_Order Clause
8981 @cindex bit ordering
8982 @cindex ordering, of bits
8985 For record subtypes, GNAT permits the specification of the @code{Bit_Order}
8986 attribute. The specification may either correspond to the default bit
8987 order for the target, in which case the specification has no effect and
8988 places no additional restrictions, or it may be for the non-standard
8989 setting (that is the opposite of the default).
8991 In the case where the non-standard value is specified, the effect is
8992 to renumber bits within each byte, but the ordering of bytes is not
8993 affected. There are certain
8994 restrictions placed on component clauses as follows:
8998 @item Components fitting within a single storage unit.
9000 These are unrestricted, and the effect is merely to renumber bits. For
9001 example if we are on a little-endian machine with @code{Low_Order_First}
9002 being the default, then the following two declarations have exactly
9005 @smallexample @c ada
9008 B : Integer range 1 .. 120;
9012 A at 0 range 0 .. 0;
9013 B at 0 range 1 .. 7;
9018 B : Integer range 1 .. 120;
9021 for R2'Bit_Order use High_Order_First;
9024 A at 0 range 7 .. 7;
9025 B at 0 range 0 .. 6;
9030 The useful application here is to write the second declaration with the
9031 @code{Bit_Order} attribute definition clause, and know that it will be treated
9032 the same, regardless of whether the target is little-endian or big-endian.
9034 @item Components occupying an integral number of bytes.
9036 These are components that exactly fit in two or more bytes. Such component
9037 declarations are allowed, but have no effect, since it is important to realize
9038 that the @code{Bit_Order} specification does not affect the ordering of bytes.
9039 In particular, the following attempt at getting an endian-independent integer
9042 @smallexample @c ada
9047 for R2'Bit_Order use High_Order_First;
9050 A at 0 range 0 .. 31;
9055 This declaration will result in a little-endian integer on a
9056 little-endian machine, and a big-endian integer on a big-endian machine.
9057 If byte flipping is required for interoperability between big- and
9058 little-endian machines, this must be explicitly programmed. This capability
9059 is not provided by @code{Bit_Order}.
9061 @item Components that are positioned across byte boundaries
9063 but do not occupy an integral number of bytes. Given that bytes are not
9064 reordered, such fields would occupy a non-contiguous sequence of bits
9065 in memory, requiring non-trivial code to reassemble. They are for this
9066 reason not permitted, and any component clause specifying such a layout
9067 will be flagged as illegal by GNAT@.
9072 Since the misconception that Bit_Order automatically deals with all
9073 endian-related incompatibilities is a common one, the specification of
9074 a component field that is an integral number of bytes will always
9075 generate a warning. This warning may be suppressed using
9076 @code{pragma Suppress} if desired. The following section contains additional
9077 details regarding the issue of byte ordering.
9079 @node Effect of Bit_Order on Byte Ordering
9080 @section Effect of Bit_Order on Byte Ordering
9081 @cindex byte ordering
9082 @cindex ordering, of bytes
9085 In this section we will review the effect of the @code{Bit_Order} attribute
9086 definition clause on byte ordering. Briefly, it has no effect at all, but
9087 a detailed example will be helpful. Before giving this
9088 example, let us review the precise
9089 definition of the effect of defining @code{Bit_Order}. The effect of a
9090 non-standard bit order is described in section 15.5.3 of the Ada
9094 2 A bit ordering is a method of interpreting the meaning of
9095 the storage place attributes.
9099 To understand the precise definition of storage place attributes in
9100 this context, we visit section 13.5.1 of the manual:
9103 13 A record_representation_clause (without the mod_clause)
9104 specifies the layout. The storage place attributes (see 13.5.2)
9105 are taken from the values of the position, first_bit, and last_bit
9106 expressions after normalizing those values so that first_bit is
9107 less than Storage_Unit.
9111 The critical point here is that storage places are taken from
9112 the values after normalization, not before. So the @code{Bit_Order}
9113 interpretation applies to normalized values. The interpretation
9114 is described in the later part of the 15.5.3 paragraph:
9117 2 A bit ordering is a method of interpreting the meaning of
9118 the storage place attributes. High_Order_First (known in the
9119 vernacular as ``big endian'') means that the first bit of a
9120 storage element (bit 0) is the most significant bit (interpreting
9121 the sequence of bits that represent a component as an unsigned
9122 integer value). Low_Order_First (known in the vernacular as
9123 ``little endian'') means the opposite: the first bit is the
9128 Note that the numbering is with respect to the bits of a storage
9129 unit. In other words, the specification affects only the numbering
9130 of bits within a single storage unit.
9132 We can make the effect clearer by giving an example.
9134 Suppose that we have an external device which presents two bytes, the first
9135 byte presented, which is the first (low addressed byte) of the two byte
9136 record is called Master, and the second byte is called Slave.
9138 The left most (most significant bit is called Control for each byte, and
9139 the remaining 7 bits are called V1, V2, @dots{} V7, where V7 is the rightmost
9140 (least significant) bit.
9142 On a big-endian machine, we can write the following representation clause
9144 @smallexample @c ada
9146 Master_Control : Bit;
9154 Slave_Control : Bit;
9165 Master_Control at 0 range 0 .. 0;
9166 Master_V1 at 0 range 1 .. 1;
9167 Master_V2 at 0 range 2 .. 2;
9168 Master_V3 at 0 range 3 .. 3;
9169 Master_V4 at 0 range 4 .. 4;
9170 Master_V5 at 0 range 5 .. 5;
9171 Master_V6 at 0 range 6 .. 6;
9172 Master_V7 at 0 range 7 .. 7;
9173 Slave_Control at 1 range 0 .. 0;
9174 Slave_V1 at 1 range 1 .. 1;
9175 Slave_V2 at 1 range 2 .. 2;
9176 Slave_V3 at 1 range 3 .. 3;
9177 Slave_V4 at 1 range 4 .. 4;
9178 Slave_V5 at 1 range 5 .. 5;
9179 Slave_V6 at 1 range 6 .. 6;
9180 Slave_V7 at 1 range 7 .. 7;
9185 Now if we move this to a little endian machine, then the bit ordering within
9186 the byte is backwards, so we have to rewrite the record rep clause as:
9188 @smallexample @c ada
9190 Master_Control at 0 range 7 .. 7;
9191 Master_V1 at 0 range 6 .. 6;
9192 Master_V2 at 0 range 5 .. 5;
9193 Master_V3 at 0 range 4 .. 4;
9194 Master_V4 at 0 range 3 .. 3;
9195 Master_V5 at 0 range 2 .. 2;
9196 Master_V6 at 0 range 1 .. 1;
9197 Master_V7 at 0 range 0 .. 0;
9198 Slave_Control at 1 range 7 .. 7;
9199 Slave_V1 at 1 range 6 .. 6;
9200 Slave_V2 at 1 range 5 .. 5;
9201 Slave_V3 at 1 range 4 .. 4;
9202 Slave_V4 at 1 range 3 .. 3;
9203 Slave_V5 at 1 range 2 .. 2;
9204 Slave_V6 at 1 range 1 .. 1;
9205 Slave_V7 at 1 range 0 .. 0;
9210 It is a nuisance to have to rewrite the clause, especially if
9211 the code has to be maintained on both machines. However,
9212 this is a case that we can handle with the
9213 @code{Bit_Order} attribute if it is implemented.
9214 Note that the implementation is not required on byte addressed
9215 machines, but it is indeed implemented in GNAT.
9216 This means that we can simply use the
9217 first record clause, together with the declaration
9219 @smallexample @c ada
9220 for Data'Bit_Order use High_Order_First;
9224 and the effect is what is desired, namely the layout is exactly the same,
9225 independent of whether the code is compiled on a big-endian or little-endian
9228 The important point to understand is that byte ordering is not affected.
9229 A @code{Bit_Order} attribute definition never affects which byte a field
9230 ends up in, only where it ends up in that byte.
9231 To make this clear, let us rewrite the record rep clause of the previous
9234 @smallexample @c ada
9235 for Data'Bit_Order use High_Order_First;
9237 Master_Control at 0 range 0 .. 0;
9238 Master_V1 at 0 range 1 .. 1;
9239 Master_V2 at 0 range 2 .. 2;
9240 Master_V3 at 0 range 3 .. 3;
9241 Master_V4 at 0 range 4 .. 4;
9242 Master_V5 at 0 range 5 .. 5;
9243 Master_V6 at 0 range 6 .. 6;
9244 Master_V7 at 0 range 7 .. 7;
9245 Slave_Control at 0 range 8 .. 8;
9246 Slave_V1 at 0 range 9 .. 9;
9247 Slave_V2 at 0 range 10 .. 10;
9248 Slave_V3 at 0 range 11 .. 11;
9249 Slave_V4 at 0 range 12 .. 12;
9250 Slave_V5 at 0 range 13 .. 13;
9251 Slave_V6 at 0 range 14 .. 14;
9252 Slave_V7 at 0 range 15 .. 15;
9257 This is exactly equivalent to saying (a repeat of the first example):
9259 @smallexample @c ada
9260 for Data'Bit_Order use High_Order_First;
9262 Master_Control at 0 range 0 .. 0;
9263 Master_V1 at 0 range 1 .. 1;
9264 Master_V2 at 0 range 2 .. 2;
9265 Master_V3 at 0 range 3 .. 3;
9266 Master_V4 at 0 range 4 .. 4;
9267 Master_V5 at 0 range 5 .. 5;
9268 Master_V6 at 0 range 6 .. 6;
9269 Master_V7 at 0 range 7 .. 7;
9270 Slave_Control at 1 range 0 .. 0;
9271 Slave_V1 at 1 range 1 .. 1;
9272 Slave_V2 at 1 range 2 .. 2;
9273 Slave_V3 at 1 range 3 .. 3;
9274 Slave_V4 at 1 range 4 .. 4;
9275 Slave_V5 at 1 range 5 .. 5;
9276 Slave_V6 at 1 range 6 .. 6;
9277 Slave_V7 at 1 range 7 .. 7;
9282 Why are they equivalent? Well take a specific field, the @code{Slave_V2}
9283 field. The storage place attributes are obtained by normalizing the
9284 values given so that the @code{First_Bit} value is less than 8. After
9285 normalizing the values (0,10,10) we get (1,2,2) which is exactly what
9286 we specified in the other case.
9288 Now one might expect that the @code{Bit_Order} attribute might affect
9289 bit numbering within the entire record component (two bytes in this
9290 case, thus affecting which byte fields end up in), but that is not
9291 the way this feature is defined, it only affects numbering of bits,
9292 not which byte they end up in.
9294 Consequently it never makes sense to specify a starting bit number
9295 greater than 7 (for a byte addressable field) if an attribute
9296 definition for @code{Bit_Order} has been given, and indeed it
9297 may be actively confusing to specify such a value, so the compiler
9298 generates a warning for such usage.
9300 If you do need to control byte ordering then appropriate conditional
9301 values must be used. If in our example, the slave byte came first on
9302 some machines we might write:
9304 @smallexample @c ada
9305 Master_Byte_First constant Boolean := @dots{};
9307 Master_Byte : constant Natural :=
9308 1 - Boolean'Pos (Master_Byte_First);
9309 Slave_Byte : constant Natural :=
9310 Boolean'Pos (Master_Byte_First);
9312 for Data'Bit_Order use High_Order_First;
9314 Master_Control at Master_Byte range 0 .. 0;
9315 Master_V1 at Master_Byte range 1 .. 1;
9316 Master_V2 at Master_Byte range 2 .. 2;
9317 Master_V3 at Master_Byte range 3 .. 3;
9318 Master_V4 at Master_Byte range 4 .. 4;
9319 Master_V5 at Master_Byte range 5 .. 5;
9320 Master_V6 at Master_Byte range 6 .. 6;
9321 Master_V7 at Master_Byte range 7 .. 7;
9322 Slave_Control at Slave_Byte range 0 .. 0;
9323 Slave_V1 at Slave_Byte range 1 .. 1;
9324 Slave_V2 at Slave_Byte range 2 .. 2;
9325 Slave_V3 at Slave_Byte range 3 .. 3;
9326 Slave_V4 at Slave_Byte range 4 .. 4;
9327 Slave_V5 at Slave_Byte range 5 .. 5;
9328 Slave_V6 at Slave_Byte range 6 .. 6;
9329 Slave_V7 at Slave_Byte range 7 .. 7;
9334 Now to switch between machines, all that is necessary is
9335 to set the boolean constant @code{Master_Byte_First} in
9336 an appropriate manner.
9338 @node Pragma Pack for Arrays
9339 @section Pragma Pack for Arrays
9340 @cindex Pragma Pack (for arrays)
9343 Pragma @code{Pack} applied to an array has no effect unless the component type
9344 is packable. For a component type to be packable, it must be one of the
9351 Any type whose size is specified with a size clause
9353 Any packed array type with a static size
9357 For all these cases, if the component subtype size is in the range
9358 1 through 63, then the effect of the pragma @code{Pack} is exactly as though a
9359 component size were specified giving the component subtype size.
9360 For example if we have:
9362 @smallexample @c ada
9363 type r is range 0 .. 17;
9365 type ar is array (1 .. 8) of r;
9370 Then the component size of @code{ar} will be set to 5 (i.e.@: to @code{r'size},
9371 and the size of the array @code{ar} will be exactly 40 bits.
9373 Note that in some cases this rather fierce approach to packing can produce
9374 unexpected effects. For example, in Ada 95, type Natural typically has a
9375 size of 31, meaning that if you pack an array of Natural, you get 31-bit
9376 close packing, which saves a few bits, but results in far less efficient
9377 access. Since many other Ada compilers will ignore such a packing request,
9378 GNAT will generate a warning on some uses of pragma @code{Pack} that it guesses
9379 might not be what is intended. You can easily remove this warning by
9380 using an explicit @code{Component_Size} setting instead, which never generates
9381 a warning, since the intention of the programmer is clear in this case.
9383 GNAT treats packed arrays in one of two ways. If the size of the array is
9384 known at compile time and is less than 64 bits, then internally the array
9385 is represented as a single modular type, of exactly the appropriate number
9386 of bits. If the length is greater than 63 bits, or is not known at compile
9387 time, then the packed array is represented as an array of bytes, and the
9388 length is always a multiple of 8 bits.
9390 Note that to represent a packed array as a modular type, the alignment must
9391 be suitable for the modular type involved. For example, on typical machines
9392 a 32-bit packed array will be represented by a 32-bit modular integer with
9393 an alignment of four bytes. If you explicitly override the default alignment
9394 with an alignment clause that is too small, the modular representation
9395 cannot be used. For example, consider the following set of declarations:
9397 @smallexample @c ada
9398 type R is range 1 .. 3;
9399 type S is array (1 .. 31) of R;
9400 for S'Component_Size use 2;
9402 for S'Alignment use 1;
9406 If the alignment clause were not present, then a 62-bit modular
9407 representation would be chosen (typically with an alignment of 4 or 8
9408 bytes depending on the target). But the default alignment is overridden
9409 with the explicit alignment clause. This means that the modular
9410 representation cannot be used, and instead the array of bytes
9411 representation must be used, meaning that the length must be a multiple
9412 of 8. Thus the above set of declarations will result in a diagnostic
9413 rejecting the size clause and noting that the minimum size allowed is 64.
9415 @cindex Pragma Pack (for type Natural)
9416 @cindex Pragma Pack warning
9418 One special case that is worth noting occurs when the base type of the
9419 component size is 8/16/32 and the subtype is one bit less. Notably this
9420 occurs with subtype @code{Natural}. Consider:
9422 @smallexample @c ada
9423 type Arr is array (1 .. 32) of Natural;
9428 In all commonly used Ada 83 compilers, this pragma Pack would be ignored,
9429 since typically @code{Natural'Size} is 32 in Ada 83, and in any case most
9430 Ada 83 compilers did not attempt 31 bit packing.
9432 In Ada 95, @code{Natural'Size} is required to be 31. Furthermore, GNAT really
9433 does pack 31-bit subtype to 31 bits. This may result in a substantial
9434 unintended performance penalty when porting legacy Ada 83 code. To help
9435 prevent this, GNAT generates a warning in such cases. If you really want 31
9436 bit packing in a case like this, you can set the component size explicitly:
9438 @smallexample @c ada
9439 type Arr is array (1 .. 32) of Natural;
9440 for Arr'Component_Size use 31;
9444 Here 31-bit packing is achieved as required, and no warning is generated,
9445 since in this case the programmer intention is clear.
9447 @node Pragma Pack for Records
9448 @section Pragma Pack for Records
9449 @cindex Pragma Pack (for records)
9452 Pragma @code{Pack} applied to a record will pack the components to reduce
9453 wasted space from alignment gaps and by reducing the amount of space
9454 taken by components. We distinguish between @emph{packable} components and
9455 @emph{non-packable} components.
9456 Components of the following types are considered packable:
9459 All primitive types are packable.
9462 Small packed arrays, whose size does not exceed 64 bits, and where the
9463 size is statically known at compile time, are represented internally
9464 as modular integers, and so they are also packable.
9469 All packable components occupy the exact number of bits corresponding to
9470 their @code{Size} value, and are packed with no padding bits, i.e.@: they
9471 can start on an arbitrary bit boundary.
9473 All other types are non-packable, they occupy an integral number of
9475 are placed at a boundary corresponding to their alignment requirements.
9477 For example, consider the record
9479 @smallexample @c ada
9480 type Rb1 is array (1 .. 13) of Boolean;
9483 type Rb2 is array (1 .. 65) of Boolean;
9498 The representation for the record x2 is as follows:
9500 @smallexample @c ada
9501 for x2'Size use 224;
9503 l1 at 0 range 0 .. 0;
9504 l2 at 0 range 1 .. 64;
9505 l3 at 12 range 0 .. 31;
9506 l4 at 16 range 0 .. 0;
9507 l5 at 16 range 1 .. 13;
9508 l6 at 18 range 0 .. 71;
9513 Studying this example, we see that the packable fields @code{l1}
9515 of length equal to their sizes, and placed at specific bit boundaries (and
9516 not byte boundaries) to
9517 eliminate padding. But @code{l3} is of a non-packable float type, so
9518 it is on the next appropriate alignment boundary.
9520 The next two fields are fully packable, so @code{l4} and @code{l5} are
9521 minimally packed with no gaps. However, type @code{Rb2} is a packed
9522 array that is longer than 64 bits, so it is itself non-packable. Thus
9523 the @code{l6} field is aligned to the next byte boundary, and takes an
9524 integral number of bytes, i.e.@: 72 bits.
9526 @node Record Representation Clauses
9527 @section Record Representation Clauses
9528 @cindex Record Representation Clause
9531 Record representation clauses may be given for all record types, including
9532 types obtained by record extension. Component clauses are allowed for any
9533 static component. The restrictions on component clauses depend on the type
9536 @cindex Component Clause
9537 For all components of an elementary type, the only restriction on component
9538 clauses is that the size must be at least the 'Size value of the type
9539 (actually the Value_Size). There are no restrictions due to alignment,
9540 and such components may freely cross storage boundaries.
9542 Packed arrays with a size up to and including 64 bits are represented
9543 internally using a modular type with the appropriate number of bits, and
9544 thus the same lack of restriction applies. For example, if you declare:
9546 @smallexample @c ada
9547 type R is array (1 .. 49) of Boolean;
9553 then a component clause for a component of type R may start on any
9554 specified bit boundary, and may specify a value of 49 bits or greater.
9556 Packed bit arrays that are longer than 64 bits must always be placed
9557 on a storage unit (byte) boundary. Any component clause that does not
9558 meet this requirement will be rejected.
9560 The rules for other types are different for GNAT 3 and GNAT 5 versions
9561 (based on GCC 2 and GCC 3 respectively). In GNAT 5, larger components
9562 (other than packed arrays)
9563 may also be placed on arbitrary boundaries, so for example, the following
9566 @smallexample @c ada
9567 type R is array (1 .. 10) of Boolean;
9576 G at 0 range 0 .. 0;
9577 H at 0 range 1 .. 1;
9578 L at 0 range 2 .. 81;
9579 R at 0 range 82 .. 161;
9584 In GNAT 3, there are more severe restrictions on larger components.
9585 For non-primitive types, including packed arrays with a size greater than
9586 64 bits, component clauses must respect the alignment requirement of the
9587 type, in particular, always starting on a byte boundary, and the length
9588 must be a multiple of the storage unit.
9590 The following rules regarding tagged types are enforced in both GNAT 3 and
9593 The tag field of a tagged type always occupies an address sized field at
9594 the start of the record. No component clause may attempt to overlay this
9597 In the case of a record extension T1, of a type T, no component clause applied
9598 to the type T1 can specify a storage location that would overlap the first
9599 T'Size bytes of the record.
9601 @node Enumeration Clauses
9602 @section Enumeration Clauses
9604 The only restriction on enumeration clauses is that the range of values
9605 must be representable. For the signed case, if one or more of the
9606 representation values are negative, all values must be in the range:
9608 @smallexample @c ada
9609 System.Min_Int .. System.Max_Int
9613 For the unsigned case, where all values are non negative, the values must
9616 @smallexample @c ada
9617 0 .. System.Max_Binary_Modulus;
9621 A @emph{confirming} representation clause is one in which the values range
9622 from 0 in sequence, i.e.@: a clause that confirms the default representation
9623 for an enumeration type.
9624 Such a confirming representation
9625 is permitted by these rules, and is specially recognized by the compiler so
9626 that no extra overhead results from the use of such a clause.
9628 If an array has an index type which is an enumeration type to which an
9629 enumeration clause has been applied, then the array is stored in a compact
9630 manner. Consider the declarations:
9632 @smallexample @c ada
9633 type r is (A, B, C);
9634 for r use (A => 1, B => 5, C => 10);
9635 type t is array (r) of Character;
9639 The array type t corresponds to a vector with exactly three elements and
9640 has a default size equal to @code{3*Character'Size}. This ensures efficient
9641 use of space, but means that accesses to elements of the array will incur
9642 the overhead of converting representation values to the corresponding
9643 positional values, (i.e.@: the value delivered by the @code{Pos} attribute).
9645 @node Address Clauses
9646 @section Address Clauses
9647 @cindex Address Clause
9649 The reference manual allows a general restriction on representation clauses,
9650 as found in RM 13.1(22):
9653 An implementation need not support representation
9654 items containing nonstatic expressions, except that
9655 an implementation should support a representation item
9656 for a given entity if each nonstatic expression in the
9657 representation item is a name that statically denotes
9658 a constant declared before the entity.
9662 In practice this is applicable only to address clauses, since this is the
9663 only case in which a non-static expression is permitted by the syntax. As
9664 the AARM notes in sections 13.1 (22.a-22.h):
9667 22.a Reason: This is to avoid the following sort of thing:
9669 22.b X : Integer := F(@dots{});
9670 Y : Address := G(@dots{});
9671 for X'Address use Y;
9673 22.c In the above, we have to evaluate the
9674 initialization expression for X before we
9675 know where to put the result. This seems
9676 like an unreasonable implementation burden.
9678 22.d The above code should instead be written
9681 22.e Y : constant Address := G(@dots{});
9682 X : Integer := F(@dots{});
9683 for X'Address use Y;
9685 22.f This allows the expression ``Y'' to be safely
9686 evaluated before X is created.
9688 22.g The constant could be a formal parameter of mode in.
9690 22.h An implementation can support other nonstatic
9691 expressions if it wants to. Expressions of type
9692 Address are hardly ever static, but their value
9693 might be known at compile time anyway in many
9698 GNAT does indeed permit many additional cases of non-static expressions. In
9699 particular, if the type involved is elementary there are no restrictions
9700 (since in this case, holding a temporary copy of the initialization value,
9701 if one is present, is inexpensive). In addition, if there is no implicit or
9702 explicit initialization, then there are no restrictions. GNAT will reject
9703 only the case where all three of these conditions hold:
9708 The type of the item is non-elementary (e.g.@: a record or array).
9711 There is explicit or implicit initialization required for the object.
9712 Note that access values are always implicitly initialized, and also
9713 in GNAT, certain bit-packed arrays (those having a dynamic length or
9714 a length greater than 64) will also be implicitly initialized to zero.
9717 The address value is non-static. Here GNAT is more permissive than the
9718 RM, and allows the address value to be the address of a previously declared
9719 stand-alone variable, as long as it does not itself have an address clause.
9721 @smallexample @c ada
9722 Anchor : Some_Initialized_Type;
9723 Overlay : Some_Initialized_Type;
9724 for Overlay'Address use Anchor'Address;
9728 However, the prefix of the address clause cannot be an array component, or
9729 a component of a discriminated record.
9734 As noted above in section 22.h, address values are typically non-static. In
9735 particular the To_Address function, even if applied to a literal value, is
9736 a non-static function call. To avoid this minor annoyance, GNAT provides
9737 the implementation defined attribute 'To_Address. The following two
9738 expressions have identical values:
9742 @smallexample @c ada
9743 To_Address (16#1234_0000#)
9744 System'To_Address (16#1234_0000#);
9748 except that the second form is considered to be a static expression, and
9749 thus when used as an address clause value is always permitted.
9752 Additionally, GNAT treats as static an address clause that is an
9753 unchecked_conversion of a static integer value. This simplifies the porting
9754 of legacy code, and provides a portable equivalent to the GNAT attribute
9757 Another issue with address clauses is the interaction with alignment
9758 requirements. When an address clause is given for an object, the address
9759 value must be consistent with the alignment of the object (which is usually
9760 the same as the alignment of the type of the object). If an address clause
9761 is given that specifies an inappropriately aligned address value, then the
9762 program execution is erroneous.
9764 Since this source of erroneous behavior can have unfortunate effects, GNAT
9765 checks (at compile time if possible, generating a warning, or at execution
9766 time with a run-time check) that the alignment is appropriate. If the
9767 run-time check fails, then @code{Program_Error} is raised. This run-time
9768 check is suppressed if range checks are suppressed, or if
9769 @code{pragma Restrictions (No_Elaboration_Code)} is in effect.
9772 An address clause cannot be given for an exported object. More
9773 understandably the real restriction is that objects with an address
9774 clause cannot be exported. This is because such variables are not
9775 defined by the Ada program, so there is no external object to export.
9778 It is permissible to give an address clause and a pragma Import for the
9779 same object. In this case, the variable is not really defined by the
9780 Ada program, so there is no external symbol to be linked. The link name
9781 and the external name are ignored in this case. The reason that we allow this
9782 combination is that it provides a useful idiom to avoid unwanted
9783 initializations on objects with address clauses.
9785 When an address clause is given for an object that has implicit or
9786 explicit initialization, then by default initialization takes place. This
9787 means that the effect of the object declaration is to overwrite the
9788 memory at the specified address. This is almost always not what the
9789 programmer wants, so GNAT will output a warning:
9799 for Ext'Address use System'To_Address (16#1234_1234#);
9801 >>> warning: implicit initialization of "Ext" may
9802 modify overlaid storage
9803 >>> warning: use pragma Import for "Ext" to suppress
9804 initialization (RM B(24))
9810 As indicated by the warning message, the solution is to use a (dummy) pragma
9811 Import to suppress this initialization. The pragma tell the compiler that the
9812 object is declared and initialized elsewhere. The following package compiles
9813 without warnings (and the initialization is suppressed):
9815 @smallexample @c ada
9823 for Ext'Address use System'To_Address (16#1234_1234#);
9824 pragma Import (Ada, Ext);
9829 A final issue with address clauses involves their use for overlaying
9830 variables, as in the following example:
9831 @cindex Overlaying of objects
9833 @smallexample @c ada
9836 for B'Address use A'Address;
9840 or alternatively, using the form recommended by the RM:
9842 @smallexample @c ada
9844 Addr : constant Address := A'Address;
9846 for B'Address use Addr;
9850 In both of these cases, @code{A}
9851 and @code{B} become aliased to one another via the
9852 address clause. This use of address clauses to overlay
9853 variables, achieving an effect similar to unchecked
9854 conversion was erroneous in Ada 83, but in Ada 95
9855 the effect is implementation defined. Furthermore, the
9856 Ada 95 RM specifically recommends that in a situation
9857 like this, @code{B} should be subject to the following
9858 implementation advice (RM 13.3(19)):
9861 19 If the Address of an object is specified, or it is imported
9862 or exported, then the implementation should not perform
9863 optimizations based on assumptions of no aliases.
9867 GNAT follows this recommendation, and goes further by also applying
9868 this recommendation to the overlaid variable (@code{A}
9869 in the above example) in this case. This means that the overlay
9870 works "as expected", in that a modification to one of the variables
9871 will affect the value of the other.
9873 @node Effect of Convention on Representation
9874 @section Effect of Convention on Representation
9875 @cindex Convention, effect on representation
9878 Normally the specification of a foreign language convention for a type or
9879 an object has no effect on the chosen representation. In particular, the
9880 representation chosen for data in GNAT generally meets the standard system
9881 conventions, and for example records are laid out in a manner that is
9882 consistent with C@. This means that specifying convention C (for example)
9885 There are three exceptions to this general rule:
9889 @item Convention Fortran and array subtypes
9890 If pragma Convention Fortran is specified for an array subtype, then in
9891 accordance with the implementation advice in section 3.6.2(11) of the
9892 Ada Reference Manual, the array will be stored in a Fortran-compatible
9893 column-major manner, instead of the normal default row-major order.
9895 @item Convention C and enumeration types
9896 GNAT normally stores enumeration types in 8, 16, or 32 bits as required
9897 to accommodate all values of the type. For example, for the enumeration
9900 @smallexample @c ada
9901 type Color is (Red, Green, Blue);
9905 8 bits is sufficient to store all values of the type, so by default, objects
9906 of type @code{Color} will be represented using 8 bits. However, normal C
9907 convention is to use 32 bits for all enum values in C, since enum values
9908 are essentially of type int. If pragma @code{Convention C} is specified for an
9909 Ada enumeration type, then the size is modified as necessary (usually to
9910 32 bits) to be consistent with the C convention for enum values.
9912 @item Convention C/Fortran and Boolean types
9913 In C, the usual convention for boolean values, that is values used for
9914 conditions, is that zero represents false, and nonzero values represent
9915 true. In Ada, the normal convention is that two specific values, typically
9916 0/1, are used to represent false/true respectively.
9918 Fortran has a similar convention for @code{LOGICAL} values (any nonzero
9919 value represents true).
9921 To accommodate the Fortran and C conventions, if a pragma Convention specifies
9922 C or Fortran convention for a derived Boolean, as in the following example:
9924 @smallexample @c ada
9925 type C_Switch is new Boolean;
9926 pragma Convention (C, C_Switch);
9930 then the GNAT generated code will treat any nonzero value as true. For truth
9931 values generated by GNAT, the conventional value 1 will be used for True, but
9932 when one of these values is read, any nonzero value is treated as True.
9936 @node Determining the Representations chosen by GNAT
9937 @section Determining the Representations chosen by GNAT
9938 @cindex Representation, determination of
9939 @cindex @code{-gnatR} switch
9942 Although the descriptions in this section are intended to be complete, it is
9943 often easier to simply experiment to see what GNAT accepts and what the
9944 effect is on the layout of types and objects.
9946 As required by the Ada RM, if a representation clause is not accepted, then
9947 it must be rejected as illegal by the compiler. However, when a
9948 representation clause or pragma is accepted, there can still be questions
9949 of what the compiler actually does. For example, if a partial record
9950 representation clause specifies the location of some components and not
9951 others, then where are the non-specified components placed? Or if pragma
9952 @code{Pack} is used on a record, then exactly where are the resulting
9953 fields placed? The section on pragma @code{Pack} in this chapter can be
9954 used to answer the second question, but it is often easier to just see
9955 what the compiler does.
9957 For this purpose, GNAT provides the option @code{-gnatR}. If you compile
9958 with this option, then the compiler will output information on the actual
9959 representations chosen, in a format similar to source representation
9960 clauses. For example, if we compile the package:
9962 @smallexample @c ada
9964 type r (x : boolean) is tagged record
9966 when True => S : String (1 .. 100);
9971 type r2 is new r (false) with record
9976 y2 at 16 range 0 .. 31;
9983 type x1 is array (1 .. 10) of x;
9984 for x1'component_size use 11;
9986 type ia is access integer;
9988 type Rb1 is array (1 .. 13) of Boolean;
9991 type Rb2 is array (1 .. 65) of Boolean;
10007 using the switch @code{-gnatR} we obtain the following output:
10010 Representation information for unit q
10011 -------------------------------------
10014 for r'Alignment use 4;
10016 x at 4 range 0 .. 7;
10017 _tag at 0 range 0 .. 31;
10018 s at 5 range 0 .. 799;
10021 for r2'Size use 160;
10022 for r2'Alignment use 4;
10024 x at 4 range 0 .. 7;
10025 _tag at 0 range 0 .. 31;
10026 _parent at 0 range 0 .. 63;
10027 y2 at 16 range 0 .. 31;
10031 for x'Alignment use 1;
10033 y at 0 range 0 .. 7;
10036 for x1'Size use 112;
10037 for x1'Alignment use 1;
10038 for x1'Component_Size use 11;
10040 for rb1'Size use 13;
10041 for rb1'Alignment use 2;
10042 for rb1'Component_Size use 1;
10044 for rb2'Size use 72;
10045 for rb2'Alignment use 1;
10046 for rb2'Component_Size use 1;
10048 for x2'Size use 224;
10049 for x2'Alignment use 4;
10051 l1 at 0 range 0 .. 0;
10052 l2 at 0 range 1 .. 64;
10053 l3 at 12 range 0 .. 31;
10054 l4 at 16 range 0 .. 0;
10055 l5 at 16 range 1 .. 13;
10056 l6 at 18 range 0 .. 71;
10061 The Size values are actually the Object_Size, i.e.@: the default size that
10062 will be allocated for objects of the type.
10063 The ?? size for type r indicates that we have a variant record, and the
10064 actual size of objects will depend on the discriminant value.
10066 The Alignment values show the actual alignment chosen by the compiler
10067 for each record or array type.
10069 The record representation clause for type r shows where all fields
10070 are placed, including the compiler generated tag field (whose location
10071 cannot be controlled by the programmer).
10073 The record representation clause for the type extension r2 shows all the
10074 fields present, including the parent field, which is a copy of the fields
10075 of the parent type of r2, i.e.@: r1.
10077 The component size and size clauses for types rb1 and rb2 show
10078 the exact effect of pragma @code{Pack} on these arrays, and the record
10079 representation clause for type x2 shows how pragma @code{Pack} affects
10082 In some cases, it may be useful to cut and paste the representation clauses
10083 generated by the compiler into the original source to fix and guarantee
10084 the actual representation to be used.
10086 @node Standard Library Routines
10087 @chapter Standard Library Routines
10090 The Ada 95 Reference Manual contains in Annex A a full description of an
10091 extensive set of standard library routines that can be used in any Ada
10092 program, and which must be provided by all Ada compilers. They are
10093 analogous to the standard C library used by C programs.
10095 GNAT implements all of the facilities described in annex A, and for most
10096 purposes the description in the Ada 95
10097 reference manual, or appropriate Ada
10098 text book, will be sufficient for making use of these facilities.
10100 In the case of the input-output facilities, @xref{The Implementation of
10101 Standard I/O}, gives details on exactly how GNAT interfaces to the
10102 file system. For the remaining packages, the Ada 95 reference manual
10103 should be sufficient. The following is a list of the packages included,
10104 together with a brief description of the functionality that is provided.
10106 For completeness, references are included to other predefined library
10107 routines defined in other sections of the Ada 95 reference manual (these are
10108 cross-indexed from annex A).
10112 This is a parent package for all the standard library packages. It is
10113 usually included implicitly in your program, and itself contains no
10114 useful data or routines.
10116 @item Ada.Calendar (9.6)
10117 @code{Calendar} provides time of day access, and routines for
10118 manipulating times and durations.
10120 @item Ada.Characters (A.3.1)
10121 This is a dummy parent package that contains no useful entities
10123 @item Ada.Characters.Handling (A.3.2)
10124 This package provides some basic character handling capabilities,
10125 including classification functions for classes of characters (e.g.@: test
10126 for letters, or digits).
10128 @item Ada.Characters.Latin_1 (A.3.3)
10129 This package includes a complete set of definitions of the characters
10130 that appear in type CHARACTER@. It is useful for writing programs that
10131 will run in international environments. For example, if you want an
10132 upper case E with an acute accent in a string, it is often better to use
10133 the definition of @code{UC_E_Acute} in this package. Then your program
10134 will print in an understandable manner even if your environment does not
10135 support these extended characters.
10137 @item Ada.Command_Line (A.15)
10138 This package provides access to the command line parameters and the name
10139 of the current program (analogous to the use of @code{argc} and @code{argv}
10140 in C), and also allows the exit status for the program to be set in a
10141 system-independent manner.
10143 @item Ada.Decimal (F.2)
10144 This package provides constants describing the range of decimal numbers
10145 implemented, and also a decimal divide routine (analogous to the COBOL
10146 verb DIVIDE .. GIVING .. REMAINDER ..)
10148 @item Ada.Direct_IO (A.8.4)
10149 This package provides input-output using a model of a set of records of
10150 fixed-length, containing an arbitrary definite Ada type, indexed by an
10151 integer record number.
10153 @item Ada.Dynamic_Priorities (D.5)
10154 This package allows the priorities of a task to be adjusted dynamically
10155 as the task is running.
10157 @item Ada.Exceptions (11.4.1)
10158 This package provides additional information on exceptions, and also
10159 contains facilities for treating exceptions as data objects, and raising
10160 exceptions with associated messages.
10162 @item Ada.Finalization (7.6)
10163 This package contains the declarations and subprograms to support the
10164 use of controlled types, providing for automatic initialization and
10165 finalization (analogous to the constructors and destructors of C++)
10167 @item Ada.Interrupts (C.3.2)
10168 This package provides facilities for interfacing to interrupts, which
10169 includes the set of signals or conditions that can be raised and
10170 recognized as interrupts.
10172 @item Ada.Interrupts.Names (C.3.2)
10173 This package provides the set of interrupt names (actually signal
10174 or condition names) that can be handled by GNAT@.
10176 @item Ada.IO_Exceptions (A.13)
10177 This package defines the set of exceptions that can be raised by use of
10178 the standard IO packages.
10181 This package contains some standard constants and exceptions used
10182 throughout the numerics packages. Note that the constants pi and e are
10183 defined here, and it is better to use these definitions than rolling
10186 @item Ada.Numerics.Complex_Elementary_Functions
10187 Provides the implementation of standard elementary functions (such as
10188 log and trigonometric functions) operating on complex numbers using the
10189 standard @code{Float} and the @code{Complex} and @code{Imaginary} types
10190 created by the package @code{Numerics.Complex_Types}.
10192 @item Ada.Numerics.Complex_Types
10193 This is a predefined instantiation of
10194 @code{Numerics.Generic_Complex_Types} using @code{Standard.Float} to
10195 build the type @code{Complex} and @code{Imaginary}.
10197 @item Ada.Numerics.Discrete_Random
10198 This package provides a random number generator suitable for generating
10199 random integer values from a specified range.
10201 @item Ada.Numerics.Float_Random
10202 This package provides a random number generator suitable for generating
10203 uniformly distributed floating point values.
10205 @item Ada.Numerics.Generic_Complex_Elementary_Functions
10206 This is a generic version of the package that provides the
10207 implementation of standard elementary functions (such as log and
10208 trigonometric functions) for an arbitrary complex type.
10210 The following predefined instantiations of this package are provided:
10214 @code{Ada.Numerics.Short_Complex_Elementary_Functions}
10216 @code{Ada.Numerics.Complex_Elementary_Functions}
10218 @code{Ada.Numerics.
10219 Long_Complex_Elementary_Functions}
10222 @item Ada.Numerics.Generic_Complex_Types
10223 This is a generic package that allows the creation of complex types,
10224 with associated complex arithmetic operations.
10226 The following predefined instantiations of this package exist
10229 @code{Ada.Numerics.Short_Complex_Complex_Types}
10231 @code{Ada.Numerics.Complex_Complex_Types}
10233 @code{Ada.Numerics.Long_Complex_Complex_Types}
10236 @item Ada.Numerics.Generic_Elementary_Functions
10237 This is a generic package that provides the implementation of standard
10238 elementary functions (such as log an trigonometric functions) for an
10239 arbitrary float type.
10241 The following predefined instantiations of this package exist
10245 @code{Ada.Numerics.Short_Elementary_Functions}
10247 @code{Ada.Numerics.Elementary_Functions}
10249 @code{Ada.Numerics.Long_Elementary_Functions}
10252 @item Ada.Real_Time (D.8)
10253 This package provides facilities similar to those of @code{Calendar}, but
10254 operating with a finer clock suitable for real time control. Note that
10255 annex D requires that there be no backward clock jumps, and GNAT generally
10256 guarantees this behavior, but of course if the external clock on which
10257 the GNAT runtime depends is deliberately reset by some external event,
10258 then such a backward jump may occur.
10260 @item Ada.Sequential_IO (A.8.1)
10261 This package provides input-output facilities for sequential files,
10262 which can contain a sequence of values of a single type, which can be
10263 any Ada type, including indefinite (unconstrained) types.
10265 @item Ada.Storage_IO (A.9)
10266 This package provides a facility for mapping arbitrary Ada types to and
10267 from a storage buffer. It is primarily intended for the creation of new
10270 @item Ada.Streams (13.13.1)
10271 This is a generic package that provides the basic support for the
10272 concept of streams as used by the stream attributes (@code{Input},
10273 @code{Output}, @code{Read} and @code{Write}).
10275 @item Ada.Streams.Stream_IO (A.12.1)
10276 This package is a specialization of the type @code{Streams} defined in
10277 package @code{Streams} together with a set of operations providing
10278 Stream_IO capability. The Stream_IO model permits both random and
10279 sequential access to a file which can contain an arbitrary set of values
10280 of one or more Ada types.
10282 @item Ada.Strings (A.4.1)
10283 This package provides some basic constants used by the string handling
10286 @item Ada.Strings.Bounded (A.4.4)
10287 This package provides facilities for handling variable length
10288 strings. The bounded model requires a maximum length. It is thus
10289 somewhat more limited than the unbounded model, but avoids the use of
10290 dynamic allocation or finalization.
10292 @item Ada.Strings.Fixed (A.4.3)
10293 This package provides facilities for handling fixed length strings.
10295 @item Ada.Strings.Maps (A.4.2)
10296 This package provides facilities for handling character mappings and
10297 arbitrarily defined subsets of characters. For instance it is useful in
10298 defining specialized translation tables.
10300 @item Ada.Strings.Maps.Constants (A.4.6)
10301 This package provides a standard set of predefined mappings and
10302 predefined character sets. For example, the standard upper to lower case
10303 conversion table is found in this package. Note that upper to lower case
10304 conversion is non-trivial if you want to take the entire set of
10305 characters, including extended characters like E with an acute accent,
10306 into account. You should use the mappings in this package (rather than
10307 adding 32 yourself) to do case mappings.
10309 @item Ada.Strings.Unbounded (A.4.5)
10310 This package provides facilities for handling variable length
10311 strings. The unbounded model allows arbitrary length strings, but
10312 requires the use of dynamic allocation and finalization.
10314 @item Ada.Strings.Wide_Bounded (A.4.7)
10315 @itemx Ada.Strings.Wide_Fixed (A.4.7)
10316 @itemx Ada.Strings.Wide_Maps (A.4.7)
10317 @itemx Ada.Strings.Wide_Maps.Constants (A.4.7)
10318 @itemx Ada.Strings.Wide_Unbounded (A.4.7)
10319 These packages provide analogous capabilities to the corresponding
10320 packages without @samp{Wide_} in the name, but operate with the types
10321 @code{Wide_String} and @code{Wide_Character} instead of @code{String}
10322 and @code{Character}.
10324 @item Ada.Strings.Wide_Wide_Bounded (A.4.7)
10325 @itemx Ada.Strings.Wide_Wide_Fixed (A.4.7)
10326 @itemx Ada.Strings.Wide_Wide_Maps (A.4.7)
10327 @itemx Ada.Strings.Wide_Wide_Maps.Constants (A.4.7)
10328 @itemx Ada.Strings.Wide_Wide_Unbounded (A.4.7)
10329 These packages provide analogous capabilities to the corresponding
10330 packages without @samp{Wide_} in the name, but operate with the types
10331 @code{Wide_Wide_String} and @code{Wide_Wide_Character} instead
10332 of @code{String} and @code{Character}.
10334 @item Ada.Synchronous_Task_Control (D.10)
10335 This package provides some standard facilities for controlling task
10336 communication in a synchronous manner.
10339 This package contains definitions for manipulation of the tags of tagged
10342 @item Ada.Task_Attributes
10343 This package provides the capability of associating arbitrary
10344 task-specific data with separate tasks.
10347 This package provides basic text input-output capabilities for
10348 character, string and numeric data. The subpackages of this
10349 package are listed next.
10351 @item Ada.Text_IO.Decimal_IO
10352 Provides input-output facilities for decimal fixed-point types
10354 @item Ada.Text_IO.Enumeration_IO
10355 Provides input-output facilities for enumeration types.
10357 @item Ada.Text_IO.Fixed_IO
10358 Provides input-output facilities for ordinary fixed-point types.
10360 @item Ada.Text_IO.Float_IO
10361 Provides input-output facilities for float types. The following
10362 predefined instantiations of this generic package are available:
10366 @code{Short_Float_Text_IO}
10368 @code{Float_Text_IO}
10370 @code{Long_Float_Text_IO}
10373 @item Ada.Text_IO.Integer_IO
10374 Provides input-output facilities for integer types. The following
10375 predefined instantiations of this generic package are available:
10378 @item Short_Short_Integer
10379 @code{Ada.Short_Short_Integer_Text_IO}
10380 @item Short_Integer
10381 @code{Ada.Short_Integer_Text_IO}
10383 @code{Ada.Integer_Text_IO}
10385 @code{Ada.Long_Integer_Text_IO}
10386 @item Long_Long_Integer
10387 @code{Ada.Long_Long_Integer_Text_IO}
10390 @item Ada.Text_IO.Modular_IO
10391 Provides input-output facilities for modular (unsigned) types
10393 @item Ada.Text_IO.Complex_IO (G.1.3)
10394 This package provides basic text input-output capabilities for complex
10397 @item Ada.Text_IO.Editing (F.3.3)
10398 This package contains routines for edited output, analogous to the use
10399 of pictures in COBOL@. The picture formats used by this package are a
10400 close copy of the facility in COBOL@.
10402 @item Ada.Text_IO.Text_Streams (A.12.2)
10403 This package provides a facility that allows Text_IO files to be treated
10404 as streams, so that the stream attributes can be used for writing
10405 arbitrary data, including binary data, to Text_IO files.
10407 @item Ada.Unchecked_Conversion (13.9)
10408 This generic package allows arbitrary conversion from one type to
10409 another of the same size, providing for breaking the type safety in
10410 special circumstances.
10412 If the types have the same Size (more accurately the same Value_Size),
10413 then the effect is simply to transfer the bits from the source to the
10414 target type without any modification. This usage is well defined, and
10415 for simple types whose representation is typically the same across
10416 all implementations, gives a portable method of performing such
10419 If the types do not have the same size, then the result is implementation
10420 defined, and thus may be non-portable. The following describes how GNAT
10421 handles such unchecked conversion cases.
10423 If the types are of different sizes, and are both discrete types, then
10424 the effect is of a normal type conversion without any constraint checking.
10425 In particular if the result type has a larger size, the result will be
10426 zero or sign extended. If the result type has a smaller size, the result
10427 will be truncated by ignoring high order bits.
10429 If the types are of different sizes, and are not both discrete types,
10430 then the conversion works as though pointers were created to the source
10431 and target, and the pointer value is converted. The effect is that bits
10432 are copied from successive low order storage units and bits of the source
10433 up to the length of the target type.
10435 A warning is issued if the lengths differ, since the effect in this
10436 case is implementation dependent, and the above behavior may not match
10437 that of some other compiler.
10439 A pointer to one type may be converted to a pointer to another type using
10440 unchecked conversion. The only case in which the effect is undefined is
10441 when one or both pointers are pointers to unconstrained array types. In
10442 this case, the bounds information may get incorrectly transferred, and in
10443 particular, GNAT uses double size pointers for such types, and it is
10444 meaningless to convert between such pointer types. GNAT will issue a
10445 warning if the alignment of the target designated type is more strict
10446 than the alignment of the source designated type (since the result may
10447 be unaligned in this case).
10449 A pointer other than a pointer to an unconstrained array type may be
10450 converted to and from System.Address. Such usage is common in Ada 83
10451 programs, but note that Ada.Address_To_Access_Conversions is the
10452 preferred method of performing such conversions in Ada 95. Neither
10453 unchecked conversion nor Ada.Address_To_Access_Conversions should be
10454 used in conjunction with pointers to unconstrained objects, since
10455 the bounds information cannot be handled correctly in this case.
10457 @item Ada.Unchecked_Deallocation (13.11.2)
10458 This generic package allows explicit freeing of storage previously
10459 allocated by use of an allocator.
10461 @item Ada.Wide_Text_IO (A.11)
10462 This package is similar to @code{Ada.Text_IO}, except that the external
10463 file supports wide character representations, and the internal types are
10464 @code{Wide_Character} and @code{Wide_String} instead of @code{Character}
10465 and @code{String}. It contains generic subpackages listed next.
10467 @item Ada.Wide_Text_IO.Decimal_IO
10468 Provides input-output facilities for decimal fixed-point types
10470 @item Ada.Wide_Text_IO.Enumeration_IO
10471 Provides input-output facilities for enumeration types.
10473 @item Ada.Wide_Text_IO.Fixed_IO
10474 Provides input-output facilities for ordinary fixed-point types.
10476 @item Ada.Wide_Text_IO.Float_IO
10477 Provides input-output facilities for float types. The following
10478 predefined instantiations of this generic package are available:
10482 @code{Short_Float_Wide_Text_IO}
10484 @code{Float_Wide_Text_IO}
10486 @code{Long_Float_Wide_Text_IO}
10489 @item Ada.Wide_Text_IO.Integer_IO
10490 Provides input-output facilities for integer types. The following
10491 predefined instantiations of this generic package are available:
10494 @item Short_Short_Integer
10495 @code{Ada.Short_Short_Integer_Wide_Text_IO}
10496 @item Short_Integer
10497 @code{Ada.Short_Integer_Wide_Text_IO}
10499 @code{Ada.Integer_Wide_Text_IO}
10501 @code{Ada.Long_Integer_Wide_Text_IO}
10502 @item Long_Long_Integer
10503 @code{Ada.Long_Long_Integer_Wide_Text_IO}
10506 @item Ada.Wide_Text_IO.Modular_IO
10507 Provides input-output facilities for modular (unsigned) types
10509 @item Ada.Wide_Text_IO.Complex_IO (G.1.3)
10510 This package is similar to @code{Ada.Text_IO.Complex_IO}, except that the
10511 external file supports wide character representations.
10513 @item Ada.Wide_Text_IO.Editing (F.3.4)
10514 This package is similar to @code{Ada.Text_IO.Editing}, except that the
10515 types are @code{Wide_Character} and @code{Wide_String} instead of
10516 @code{Character} and @code{String}.
10518 @item Ada.Wide_Text_IO.Streams (A.12.3)
10519 This package is similar to @code{Ada.Text_IO.Streams}, except that the
10520 types are @code{Wide_Character} and @code{Wide_String} instead of
10521 @code{Character} and @code{String}.
10523 @item Ada.Wide_Wide_Text_IO (A.11)
10524 This package is similar to @code{Ada.Text_IO}, except that the external
10525 file supports wide character representations, and the internal types are
10526 @code{Wide_Character} and @code{Wide_String} instead of @code{Character}
10527 and @code{String}. It contains generic subpackages listed next.
10529 @item Ada.Wide_Wide_Text_IO.Decimal_IO
10530 Provides input-output facilities for decimal fixed-point types
10532 @item Ada.Wide_Wide_Text_IO.Enumeration_IO
10533 Provides input-output facilities for enumeration types.
10535 @item Ada.Wide_Wide_Text_IO.Fixed_IO
10536 Provides input-output facilities for ordinary fixed-point types.
10538 @item Ada.Wide_Wide_Text_IO.Float_IO
10539 Provides input-output facilities for float types. The following
10540 predefined instantiations of this generic package are available:
10544 @code{Short_Float_Wide_Wide_Text_IO}
10546 @code{Float_Wide_Wide_Text_IO}
10548 @code{Long_Float_Wide_Wide_Text_IO}
10551 @item Ada.Wide_Wide_Text_IO.Integer_IO
10552 Provides input-output facilities for integer types. The following
10553 predefined instantiations of this generic package are available:
10556 @item Short_Short_Integer
10557 @code{Ada.Short_Short_Integer_Wide_Wide_Text_IO}
10558 @item Short_Integer
10559 @code{Ada.Short_Integer_Wide_Wide_Text_IO}
10561 @code{Ada.Integer_Wide_Wide_Text_IO}
10563 @code{Ada.Long_Integer_Wide_Wide_Text_IO}
10564 @item Long_Long_Integer
10565 @code{Ada.Long_Long_Integer_Wide_Wide_Text_IO}
10568 @item Ada.Wide_Wide_Text_IO.Modular_IO
10569 Provides input-output facilities for modular (unsigned) types
10571 @item Ada.Wide_Wide_Text_IO.Complex_IO (G.1.3)
10572 This package is similar to @code{Ada.Text_IO.Complex_IO}, except that the
10573 external file supports wide character representations.
10575 @item Ada.Wide_Wide_Text_IO.Editing (F.3.4)
10576 This package is similar to @code{Ada.Text_IO.Editing}, except that the
10577 types are @code{Wide_Character} and @code{Wide_String} instead of
10578 @code{Character} and @code{String}.
10580 @item Ada.Wide_Wide_Text_IO.Streams (A.12.3)
10581 This package is similar to @code{Ada.Text_IO.Streams}, except that the
10582 types are @code{Wide_Character} and @code{Wide_String} instead of
10583 @code{Character} and @code{String}.
10588 @node The Implementation of Standard I/O
10589 @chapter The Implementation of Standard I/O
10592 GNAT implements all the required input-output facilities described in
10593 A.6 through A.14. These sections of the Ada 95 reference manual describe the
10594 required behavior of these packages from the Ada point of view, and if
10595 you are writing a portable Ada program that does not need to know the
10596 exact manner in which Ada maps to the outside world when it comes to
10597 reading or writing external files, then you do not need to read this
10598 chapter. As long as your files are all regular files (not pipes or
10599 devices), and as long as you write and read the files only from Ada, the
10600 description in the Ada 95 reference manual is sufficient.
10602 However, if you want to do input-output to pipes or other devices, such
10603 as the keyboard or screen, or if the files you are dealing with are
10604 either generated by some other language, or to be read by some other
10605 language, then you need to know more about the details of how the GNAT
10606 implementation of these input-output facilities behaves.
10608 In this chapter we give a detailed description of exactly how GNAT
10609 interfaces to the file system. As always, the sources of the system are
10610 available to you for answering questions at an even more detailed level,
10611 but for most purposes the information in this chapter will suffice.
10613 Another reason that you may need to know more about how input-output is
10614 implemented arises when you have a program written in mixed languages
10615 where, for example, files are shared between the C and Ada sections of
10616 the same program. GNAT provides some additional facilities, in the form
10617 of additional child library packages, that facilitate this sharing, and
10618 these additional facilities are also described in this chapter.
10621 * Standard I/O Packages::
10627 * Wide_Wide_Text_IO::
10631 * Operations on C Streams::
10632 * Interfacing to C Streams::
10635 @node Standard I/O Packages
10636 @section Standard I/O Packages
10639 The Standard I/O packages described in Annex A for
10645 Ada.Text_IO.Complex_IO
10647 Ada.Text_IO.Text_Streams
10651 Ada.Wide_Text_IO.Complex_IO
10653 Ada.Wide_Text_IO.Text_Streams
10655 Ada.Wide_Wide_Text_IO
10657 Ada.Wide_Wide_Text_IO.Complex_IO
10659 Ada.Wide_Wide_Text_IO.Text_Streams
10669 are implemented using the C
10670 library streams facility; where
10674 All files are opened using @code{fopen}.
10676 All input/output operations use @code{fread}/@code{fwrite}.
10680 There is no internal buffering of any kind at the Ada library level. The
10681 only buffering is that provided at the system level in the
10682 implementation of the C library routines that support streams. This
10683 facilitates shared use of these streams by mixed language programs.
10686 @section FORM Strings
10689 The format of a FORM string in GNAT is:
10692 "keyword=value,keyword=value,@dots{},keyword=value"
10696 where letters may be in upper or lower case, and there are no spaces
10697 between values. The order of the entries is not important. Currently
10698 there are two keywords defined.
10706 The use of these parameters is described later in this section.
10712 Direct_IO can only be instantiated for definite types. This is a
10713 restriction of the Ada language, which means that the records are fixed
10714 length (the length being determined by @code{@var{type}'Size}, rounded
10715 up to the next storage unit boundary if necessary).
10717 The records of a Direct_IO file are simply written to the file in index
10718 sequence, with the first record starting at offset zero, and subsequent
10719 records following. There is no control information of any kind. For
10720 example, if 32-bit integers are being written, each record takes
10721 4-bytes, so the record at index @var{K} starts at offset
10722 (@var{K}@minus{}1)*4.
10724 There is no limit on the size of Direct_IO files, they are expanded as
10725 necessary to accommodate whatever records are written to the file.
10727 @node Sequential_IO
10728 @section Sequential_IO
10731 Sequential_IO may be instantiated with either a definite (constrained)
10732 or indefinite (unconstrained) type.
10734 For the definite type case, the elements written to the file are simply
10735 the memory images of the data values with no control information of any
10736 kind. The resulting file should be read using the same type, no validity
10737 checking is performed on input.
10739 For the indefinite type case, the elements written consist of two
10740 parts. First is the size of the data item, written as the memory image
10741 of a @code{Interfaces.C.size_t} value, followed by the memory image of
10742 the data value. The resulting file can only be read using the same
10743 (unconstrained) type. Normal assignment checks are performed on these
10744 read operations, and if these checks fail, @code{Data_Error} is
10745 raised. In particular, in the array case, the lengths must match, and in
10746 the variant record case, if the variable for a particular read operation
10747 is constrained, the discriminants must match.
10749 Note that it is not possible to use Sequential_IO to write variable
10750 length array items, and then read the data back into different length
10751 arrays. For example, the following will raise @code{Data_Error}:
10753 @smallexample @c ada
10754 package IO is new Sequential_IO (String);
10759 IO.Write (F, "hello!")
10760 IO.Reset (F, Mode=>In_File);
10767 On some Ada implementations, this will print @code{hell}, but the program is
10768 clearly incorrect, since there is only one element in the file, and that
10769 element is the string @code{hello!}.
10771 In Ada 95, this kind of behavior can be legitimately achieved using
10772 Stream_IO, and this is the preferred mechanism. In particular, the above
10773 program fragment rewritten to use Stream_IO will work correctly.
10779 Text_IO files consist of a stream of characters containing the following
10780 special control characters:
10783 LF (line feed, 16#0A#) Line Mark
10784 FF (form feed, 16#0C#) Page Mark
10788 A canonical Text_IO file is defined as one in which the following
10789 conditions are met:
10793 The character @code{LF} is used only as a line mark, i.e.@: to mark the end
10797 The character @code{FF} is used only as a page mark, i.e.@: to mark the
10798 end of a page and consequently can appear only immediately following a
10799 @code{LF} (line mark) character.
10802 The file ends with either @code{LF} (line mark) or @code{LF}-@code{FF}
10803 (line mark, page mark). In the former case, the page mark is implicitly
10804 assumed to be present.
10808 A file written using Text_IO will be in canonical form provided that no
10809 explicit @code{LF} or @code{FF} characters are written using @code{Put}
10810 or @code{Put_Line}. There will be no @code{FF} character at the end of
10811 the file unless an explicit @code{New_Page} operation was performed
10812 before closing the file.
10814 A canonical Text_IO file that is a regular file, i.e.@: not a device or a
10815 pipe, can be read using any of the routines in Text_IO@. The
10816 semantics in this case will be exactly as defined in the Ada 95 reference
10817 manual and all the routines in Text_IO are fully implemented.
10819 A text file that does not meet the requirements for a canonical Text_IO
10820 file has one of the following:
10824 The file contains @code{FF} characters not immediately following a
10825 @code{LF} character.
10828 The file contains @code{LF} or @code{FF} characters written by
10829 @code{Put} or @code{Put_Line}, which are not logically considered to be
10830 line marks or page marks.
10833 The file ends in a character other than @code{LF} or @code{FF},
10834 i.e.@: there is no explicit line mark or page mark at the end of the file.
10838 Text_IO can be used to read such non-standard text files but subprograms
10839 to do with line or page numbers do not have defined meanings. In
10840 particular, a @code{FF} character that does not follow a @code{LF}
10841 character may or may not be treated as a page mark from the point of
10842 view of page and line numbering. Every @code{LF} character is considered
10843 to end a line, and there is an implied @code{LF} character at the end of
10847 * Text_IO Stream Pointer Positioning::
10848 * Text_IO Reading and Writing Non-Regular Files::
10850 * Treating Text_IO Files as Streams::
10851 * Text_IO Extensions::
10852 * Text_IO Facilities for Unbounded Strings::
10855 @node Text_IO Stream Pointer Positioning
10856 @subsection Stream Pointer Positioning
10859 @code{Ada.Text_IO} has a definition of current position for a file that
10860 is being read. No internal buffering occurs in Text_IO, and usually the
10861 physical position in the stream used to implement the file corresponds
10862 to this logical position defined by Text_IO@. There are two exceptions:
10866 After a call to @code{End_Of_Page} that returns @code{True}, the stream
10867 is positioned past the @code{LF} (line mark) that precedes the page
10868 mark. Text_IO maintains an internal flag so that subsequent read
10869 operations properly handle the logical position which is unchanged by
10870 the @code{End_Of_Page} call.
10873 After a call to @code{End_Of_File} that returns @code{True}, if the
10874 Text_IO file was positioned before the line mark at the end of file
10875 before the call, then the logical position is unchanged, but the stream
10876 is physically positioned right at the end of file (past the line mark,
10877 and past a possible page mark following the line mark. Again Text_IO
10878 maintains internal flags so that subsequent read operations properly
10879 handle the logical position.
10883 These discrepancies have no effect on the observable behavior of
10884 Text_IO, but if a single Ada stream is shared between a C program and
10885 Ada program, or shared (using @samp{shared=yes} in the form string)
10886 between two Ada files, then the difference may be observable in some
10889 @node Text_IO Reading and Writing Non-Regular Files
10890 @subsection Reading and Writing Non-Regular Files
10893 A non-regular file is a device (such as a keyboard), or a pipe. Text_IO
10894 can be used for reading and writing. Writing is not affected and the
10895 sequence of characters output is identical to the normal file case, but
10896 for reading, the behavior of Text_IO is modified to avoid undesirable
10897 look-ahead as follows:
10899 An input file that is not a regular file is considered to have no page
10900 marks. Any @code{Ascii.FF} characters (the character normally used for a
10901 page mark) appearing in the file are considered to be data
10902 characters. In particular:
10906 @code{Get_Line} and @code{Skip_Line} do not test for a page mark
10907 following a line mark. If a page mark appears, it will be treated as a
10911 This avoids the need to wait for an extra character to be typed or
10912 entered from the pipe to complete one of these operations.
10915 @code{End_Of_Page} always returns @code{False}
10918 @code{End_Of_File} will return @code{False} if there is a page mark at
10919 the end of the file.
10923 Output to non-regular files is the same as for regular files. Page marks
10924 may be written to non-regular files using @code{New_Page}, but as noted
10925 above they will not be treated as page marks on input if the output is
10926 piped to another Ada program.
10928 Another important discrepancy when reading non-regular files is that the end
10929 of file indication is not ``sticky''. If an end of file is entered, e.g.@: by
10930 pressing the @key{EOT} key,
10932 is signaled once (i.e.@: the test @code{End_Of_File}
10933 will yield @code{True}, or a read will
10934 raise @code{End_Error}), but then reading can resume
10935 to read data past that end of
10936 file indication, until another end of file indication is entered.
10938 @node Get_Immediate
10939 @subsection Get_Immediate
10940 @cindex Get_Immediate
10943 Get_Immediate returns the next character (including control characters)
10944 from the input file. In particular, Get_Immediate will return LF or FF
10945 characters used as line marks or page marks. Such operations leave the
10946 file positioned past the control character, and it is thus not treated
10947 as having its normal function. This means that page, line and column
10948 counts after this kind of Get_Immediate call are set as though the mark
10949 did not occur. In the case where a Get_Immediate leaves the file
10950 positioned between the line mark and page mark (which is not normally
10951 possible), it is undefined whether the FF character will be treated as a
10954 @node Treating Text_IO Files as Streams
10955 @subsection Treating Text_IO Files as Streams
10956 @cindex Stream files
10959 The package @code{Text_IO.Streams} allows a Text_IO file to be treated
10960 as a stream. Data written to a Text_IO file in this stream mode is
10961 binary data. If this binary data contains bytes 16#0A# (@code{LF}) or
10962 16#0C# (@code{FF}), the resulting file may have non-standard
10963 format. Similarly if read operations are used to read from a Text_IO
10964 file treated as a stream, then @code{LF} and @code{FF} characters may be
10965 skipped and the effect is similar to that described above for
10966 @code{Get_Immediate}.
10968 @node Text_IO Extensions
10969 @subsection Text_IO Extensions
10970 @cindex Text_IO extensions
10973 A package GNAT.IO_Aux in the GNAT library provides some useful extensions
10974 to the standard @code{Text_IO} package:
10977 @item function File_Exists (Name : String) return Boolean;
10978 Determines if a file of the given name exists.
10980 @item function Get_Line return String;
10981 Reads a string from the standard input file. The value returned is exactly
10982 the length of the line that was read.
10984 @item function Get_Line (File : Ada.Text_IO.File_Type) return String;
10985 Similar, except that the parameter File specifies the file from which
10986 the string is to be read.
10990 @node Text_IO Facilities for Unbounded Strings
10991 @subsection Text_IO Facilities for Unbounded Strings
10992 @cindex Text_IO for unbounded strings
10993 @cindex Unbounded_String, Text_IO operations
10996 The package @code{Ada.Strings.Unbounded.Text_IO}
10997 in library files @code{a-suteio.ads/adb} contains some GNAT-specific
10998 subprograms useful for Text_IO operations on unbounded strings:
11002 @item function Get_Line (File : File_Type) return Unbounded_String;
11003 Reads a line from the specified file
11004 and returns the result as an unbounded string.
11006 @item procedure Put (File : File_Type; U : Unbounded_String);
11007 Writes the value of the given unbounded string to the specified file
11008 Similar to the effect of
11009 @code{Put (To_String (U))} except that an extra copy is avoided.
11011 @item procedure Put_Line (File : File_Type; U : Unbounded_String);
11012 Writes the value of the given unbounded string to the specified file,
11013 followed by a @code{New_Line}.
11014 Similar to the effect of @code{Put_Line (To_String (U))} except
11015 that an extra copy is avoided.
11019 In the above procedures, @code{File} is of type @code{Ada.Text_IO.File_Type}
11020 and is optional. If the parameter is omitted, then the standard input or
11021 output file is referenced as appropriate.
11023 The package @code{Ada.Strings.Wide_Unbounded.Wide_Text_IO} in library
11024 files @file{a-swuwti.ads} and @file{a-swuwti.adb} provides similar extended
11025 @code{Wide_Text_IO} functionality for unbounded wide strings.
11027 The package @code{Ada.Strings.Wide_Wide_Unbounded.Wide_Wide_Text_IO} in library
11028 files @file{a-szuzti.ads} and @file{a-szuzti.adb} provides similar extended
11029 @code{Wide_Wide_Text_IO} functionality for unbounded wide wide strings.
11032 @section Wide_Text_IO
11035 @code{Wide_Text_IO} is similar in most respects to Text_IO, except that
11036 both input and output files may contain special sequences that represent
11037 wide character values. The encoding scheme for a given file may be
11038 specified using a FORM parameter:
11045 as part of the FORM string (WCEM = wide character encoding method),
11046 where @var{x} is one of the following characters
11052 Upper half encoding
11064 The encoding methods match those that
11065 can be used in a source
11066 program, but there is no requirement that the encoding method used for
11067 the source program be the same as the encoding method used for files,
11068 and different files may use different encoding methods.
11070 The default encoding method for the standard files, and for opened files
11071 for which no WCEM parameter is given in the FORM string matches the
11072 wide character encoding specified for the main program (the default
11073 being brackets encoding if no coding method was specified with -gnatW).
11077 In this encoding, a wide character is represented by a five character
11085 where @var{a}, @var{b}, @var{c}, @var{d} are the four hexadecimal
11086 characters (using upper case letters) of the wide character code. For
11087 example, ESC A345 is used to represent the wide character with code
11088 16#A345#. This scheme is compatible with use of the full
11089 @code{Wide_Character} set.
11091 @item Upper Half Coding
11092 The wide character with encoding 16#abcd#, where the upper bit is on
11093 (i.e.@: a is in the range 8-F) is represented as two bytes 16#ab# and
11094 16#cd#. The second byte may never be a format control character, but is
11095 not required to be in the upper half. This method can be also used for
11096 shift-JIS or EUC where the internal coding matches the external coding.
11098 @item Shift JIS Coding
11099 A wide character is represented by a two character sequence 16#ab# and
11100 16#cd#, with the restrictions described for upper half encoding as
11101 described above. The internal character code is the corresponding JIS
11102 character according to the standard algorithm for Shift-JIS
11103 conversion. Only characters defined in the JIS code set table can be
11104 used with this encoding method.
11107 A wide character is represented by a two character sequence 16#ab# and
11108 16#cd#, with both characters being in the upper half. The internal
11109 character code is the corresponding JIS character according to the EUC
11110 encoding algorithm. Only characters defined in the JIS code set table
11111 can be used with this encoding method.
11114 A wide character is represented using
11115 UCS Transformation Format 8 (UTF-8) as defined in Annex R of ISO
11116 10646-1/Am.2. Depending on the character value, the representation
11117 is a one, two, or three byte sequence:
11120 16#0000#-16#007f#: 2#0xxxxxxx#
11121 16#0080#-16#07ff#: 2#110xxxxx# 2#10xxxxxx#
11122 16#0800#-16#ffff#: 2#1110xxxx# 2#10xxxxxx# 2#10xxxxxx#
11126 where the xxx bits correspond to the left-padded bits of the
11127 16-bit character value. Note that all lower half ASCII characters
11128 are represented as ASCII bytes and all upper half characters and
11129 other wide characters are represented as sequences of upper-half
11130 (The full UTF-8 scheme allows for encoding 31-bit characters as
11131 6-byte sequences, but in this implementation, all UTF-8 sequences
11132 of four or more bytes length will raise a Constraint_Error, as
11133 will all invalid UTF-8 sequences.)
11135 @item Brackets Coding
11136 In this encoding, a wide character is represented by the following eight
11137 character sequence:
11144 where @code{a}, @code{b}, @code{c}, @code{d} are the four hexadecimal
11145 characters (using uppercase letters) of the wide character code. For
11146 example, @code{["A345"]} is used to represent the wide character with code
11148 This scheme is compatible with use of the full Wide_Character set.
11149 On input, brackets coding can also be used for upper half characters,
11150 e.g.@: @code{["C1"]} for lower case a. However, on output, brackets notation
11151 is only used for wide characters with a code greater than @code{16#FF#}.
11156 For the coding schemes other than Hex and Brackets encoding,
11157 not all wide character
11158 values can be represented. An attempt to output a character that cannot
11159 be represented using the encoding scheme for the file causes
11160 Constraint_Error to be raised. An invalid wide character sequence on
11161 input also causes Constraint_Error to be raised.
11164 * Wide_Text_IO Stream Pointer Positioning::
11165 * Wide_Text_IO Reading and Writing Non-Regular Files::
11168 @node Wide_Text_IO Stream Pointer Positioning
11169 @subsection Stream Pointer Positioning
11172 @code{Ada.Wide_Text_IO} is similar to @code{Ada.Text_IO} in its handling
11173 of stream pointer positioning (@pxref{Text_IO}). There is one additional
11176 If @code{Ada.Wide_Text_IO.Look_Ahead} reads a character outside the
11177 normal lower ASCII set (i.e.@: a character in the range:
11179 @smallexample @c ada
11180 Wide_Character'Val (16#0080#) .. Wide_Character'Val (16#FFFF#)
11184 then although the logical position of the file pointer is unchanged by
11185 the @code{Look_Ahead} call, the stream is physically positioned past the
11186 wide character sequence. Again this is to avoid the need for buffering
11187 or backup, and all @code{Wide_Text_IO} routines check the internal
11188 indication that this situation has occurred so that this is not visible
11189 to a normal program using @code{Wide_Text_IO}. However, this discrepancy
11190 can be observed if the wide text file shares a stream with another file.
11192 @node Wide_Text_IO Reading and Writing Non-Regular Files
11193 @subsection Reading and Writing Non-Regular Files
11196 As in the case of Text_IO, when a non-regular file is read, it is
11197 assumed that the file contains no page marks (any form characters are
11198 treated as data characters), and @code{End_Of_Page} always returns
11199 @code{False}. Similarly, the end of file indication is not sticky, so
11200 it is possible to read beyond an end of file.
11202 @node Wide_Wide_Text_IO
11203 @section Wide_Wide_Text_IO
11206 @code{Wide_Wide_Text_IO} is similar in most respects to Text_IO, except that
11207 both input and output files may contain special sequences that represent
11208 wide wide character values. The encoding scheme for a given file may be
11209 specified using a FORM parameter:
11216 as part of the FORM string (WCEM = wide character encoding method),
11217 where @var{x} is one of the following characters
11223 Upper half encoding
11235 The encoding methods match those that
11236 can be used in a source
11237 program, but there is no requirement that the encoding method used for
11238 the source program be the same as the encoding method used for files,
11239 and different files may use different encoding methods.
11241 The default encoding method for the standard files, and for opened files
11242 for which no WCEM parameter is given in the FORM string matches the
11243 wide character encoding specified for the main program (the default
11244 being brackets encoding if no coding method was specified with -gnatW).
11249 A wide character is represented using
11250 UCS Transformation Format 8 (UTF-8) as defined in Annex R of ISO
11251 10646-1/Am.2. Depending on the character value, the representation
11252 is a one, two, three, or four byte sequence:
11255 16#000000#-16#00007f#: 2#0xxxxxxx#
11256 16#000080#-16#0007ff#: 2#110xxxxx# 2#10xxxxxx#
11257 16#000800#-16#00ffff#: 2#1110xxxx# 2#10xxxxxx# 2#10xxxxxx#
11258 16#010000#-16#10ffff#: 2#11110xxx# 2#10xxxxxx# 2#10xxxxxx# 2#10xxxxxx#
11262 where the xxx bits correspond to the left-padded bits of the
11263 21-bit character value. Note that all lower half ASCII characters
11264 are represented as ASCII bytes and all upper half characters and
11265 other wide characters are represented as sequences of upper-half
11268 @item Brackets Coding
11269 In this encoding, a wide wide character is represented by the following eight
11270 character sequence if is in wide character range
11276 and by the following ten character sequence if not
11279 [ " a b c d e f " ]
11283 where @code{a}, @code{b}, @code{c}, @code{d}, @code{e}, and @code{f}
11284 are the four or six hexadecimal
11285 characters (using uppercase letters) of the wide wide character code. For
11286 example, @code{["01A345"]} is used to represent the wide wide character
11287 with code @code{16#01A345#}.
11289 This scheme is compatible with use of the full Wide_Wide_Character set.
11290 On input, brackets coding can also be used for upper half characters,
11291 e.g.@: @code{["C1"]} for lower case a. However, on output, brackets notation
11292 is only used for wide characters with a code greater than @code{16#FF#}.
11297 If is also possible to use the other Wide_Character encoding methods,
11298 such as Shift-JIS, but the other schemes cannot support the full range
11299 of wide wide characters.
11300 An attempt to output a character that cannot
11301 be represented using the encoding scheme for the file causes
11302 Constraint_Error to be raised. An invalid wide character sequence on
11303 input also causes Constraint_Error to be raised.
11306 * Wide_Wide_Text_IO Stream Pointer Positioning::
11307 * Wide_Wide_Text_IO Reading and Writing Non-Regular Files::
11310 @node Wide_Wide_Text_IO Stream Pointer Positioning
11311 @subsection Stream Pointer Positioning
11314 @code{Ada.Wide_Wide_Text_IO} is similar to @code{Ada.Text_IO} in its handling
11315 of stream pointer positioning (@pxref{Text_IO}). There is one additional
11318 If @code{Ada.Wide_Wide_Text_IO.Look_Ahead} reads a character outside the
11319 normal lower ASCII set (i.e.@: a character in the range:
11321 @smallexample @c ada
11322 Wide_Wide_Character'Val (16#0080#) .. Wide_Wide_Character'Val (16#10FFFF#)
11326 then although the logical position of the file pointer is unchanged by
11327 the @code{Look_Ahead} call, the stream is physically positioned past the
11328 wide character sequence. Again this is to avoid the need for buffering
11329 or backup, and all @code{Wide_Wide_Text_IO} routines check the internal
11330 indication that this situation has occurred so that this is not visible
11331 to a normal program using @code{Wide_Wide_Text_IO}. However, this discrepancy
11332 can be observed if the wide text file shares a stream with another file.
11334 @node Wide_Wide_Text_IO Reading and Writing Non-Regular Files
11335 @subsection Reading and Writing Non-Regular Files
11338 As in the case of Text_IO, when a non-regular file is read, it is
11339 assumed that the file contains no page marks (any form characters are
11340 treated as data characters), and @code{End_Of_Page} always returns
11341 @code{False}. Similarly, the end of file indication is not sticky, so
11342 it is possible to read beyond an end of file.
11348 A stream file is a sequence of bytes, where individual elements are
11349 written to the file as described in the Ada 95 reference manual. The type
11350 @code{Stream_Element} is simply a byte. There are two ways to read or
11351 write a stream file.
11355 The operations @code{Read} and @code{Write} directly read or write a
11356 sequence of stream elements with no control information.
11359 The stream attributes applied to a stream file transfer data in the
11360 manner described for stream attributes.
11364 @section Shared Files
11367 Section A.14 of the Ada 95 Reference Manual allows implementations to
11368 provide a wide variety of behavior if an attempt is made to access the
11369 same external file with two or more internal files.
11371 To provide a full range of functionality, while at the same time
11372 minimizing the problems of portability caused by this implementation
11373 dependence, GNAT handles file sharing as follows:
11377 In the absence of a @samp{shared=@var{xxx}} form parameter, an attempt
11378 to open two or more files with the same full name is considered an error
11379 and is not supported. The exception @code{Use_Error} will be
11380 raised. Note that a file that is not explicitly closed by the program
11381 remains open until the program terminates.
11384 If the form parameter @samp{shared=no} appears in the form string, the
11385 file can be opened or created with its own separate stream identifier,
11386 regardless of whether other files sharing the same external file are
11387 opened. The exact effect depends on how the C stream routines handle
11388 multiple accesses to the same external files using separate streams.
11391 If the form parameter @samp{shared=yes} appears in the form string for
11392 each of two or more files opened using the same full name, the same
11393 stream is shared between these files, and the semantics are as described
11394 in Ada 95 Reference Manual, Section A.14.
11398 When a program that opens multiple files with the same name is ported
11399 from another Ada compiler to GNAT, the effect will be that
11400 @code{Use_Error} is raised.
11402 The documentation of the original compiler and the documentation of the
11403 program should then be examined to determine if file sharing was
11404 expected, and @samp{shared=@var{xxx}} parameters added to @code{Open}
11405 and @code{Create} calls as required.
11407 When a program is ported from GNAT to some other Ada compiler, no
11408 special attention is required unless the @samp{shared=@var{xxx}} form
11409 parameter is used in the program. In this case, you must examine the
11410 documentation of the new compiler to see if it supports the required
11411 file sharing semantics, and form strings modified appropriately. Of
11412 course it may be the case that the program cannot be ported if the
11413 target compiler does not support the required functionality. The best
11414 approach in writing portable code is to avoid file sharing (and hence
11415 the use of the @samp{shared=@var{xxx}} parameter in the form string)
11418 One common use of file sharing in Ada 83 is the use of instantiations of
11419 Sequential_IO on the same file with different types, to achieve
11420 heterogeneous input-output. Although this approach will work in GNAT if
11421 @samp{shared=yes} is specified, it is preferable in Ada 95 to use Stream_IO
11422 for this purpose (using the stream attributes)
11425 @section Open Modes
11428 @code{Open} and @code{Create} calls result in a call to @code{fopen}
11429 using the mode shown in the following table:
11432 @center @code{Open} and @code{Create} Call Modes
11434 @b{OPEN } @b{CREATE}
11435 Append_File "r+" "w+"
11437 Out_File (Direct_IO) "r+" "w"
11438 Out_File (all other cases) "w" "w"
11439 Inout_File "r+" "w+"
11443 If text file translation is required, then either @samp{b} or @samp{t}
11444 is added to the mode, depending on the setting of Text. Text file
11445 translation refers to the mapping of CR/LF sequences in an external file
11446 to LF characters internally. This mapping only occurs in DOS and
11447 DOS-like systems, and is not relevant to other systems.
11449 A special case occurs with Stream_IO@. As shown in the above table, the
11450 file is initially opened in @samp{r} or @samp{w} mode for the
11451 @code{In_File} and @code{Out_File} cases. If a @code{Set_Mode} operation
11452 subsequently requires switching from reading to writing or vice-versa,
11453 then the file is reopened in @samp{r+} mode to permit the required operation.
11455 @node Operations on C Streams
11456 @section Operations on C Streams
11457 The package @code{Interfaces.C_Streams} provides an Ada program with direct
11458 access to the C library functions for operations on C streams:
11460 @smallexample @c adanocomment
11461 package Interfaces.C_Streams is
11462 -- Note: the reason we do not use the types that are in
11463 -- Interfaces.C is that we want to avoid dragging in the
11464 -- code in this unit if possible.
11465 subtype chars is System.Address;
11466 -- Pointer to null-terminated array of characters
11467 subtype FILEs is System.Address;
11468 -- Corresponds to the C type FILE*
11469 subtype voids is System.Address;
11470 -- Corresponds to the C type void*
11471 subtype int is Integer;
11472 subtype long is Long_Integer;
11473 -- Note: the above types are subtypes deliberately, and it
11474 -- is part of this spec that the above correspondences are
11475 -- guaranteed. This means that it is legitimate to, for
11476 -- example, use Integer instead of int. We provide these
11477 -- synonyms for clarity, but in some cases it may be
11478 -- convenient to use the underlying types (for example to
11479 -- avoid an unnecessary dependency of a spec on the spec
11481 type size_t is mod 2 ** Standard'Address_Size;
11482 NULL_Stream : constant FILEs;
11483 -- Value returned (NULL in C) to indicate an
11484 -- fdopen/fopen/tmpfile error
11485 ----------------------------------
11486 -- Constants Defined in stdio.h --
11487 ----------------------------------
11488 EOF : constant int;
11489 -- Used by a number of routines to indicate error or
11491 IOFBF : constant int;
11492 IOLBF : constant int;
11493 IONBF : constant int;
11494 -- Used to indicate buffering mode for setvbuf call
11495 SEEK_CUR : constant int;
11496 SEEK_END : constant int;
11497 SEEK_SET : constant int;
11498 -- Used to indicate origin for fseek call
11499 function stdin return FILEs;
11500 function stdout return FILEs;
11501 function stderr return FILEs;
11502 -- Streams associated with standard files
11503 --------------------------
11504 -- Standard C functions --
11505 --------------------------
11506 -- The functions selected below are ones that are
11507 -- available in DOS, OS/2, UNIX and Xenix (but not
11508 -- necessarily in ANSI C). These are very thin interfaces
11509 -- which copy exactly the C headers. For more
11510 -- documentation on these functions, see the Microsoft C
11511 -- "Run-Time Library Reference" (Microsoft Press, 1990,
11512 -- ISBN 1-55615-225-6), which includes useful information
11513 -- on system compatibility.
11514 procedure clearerr (stream : FILEs);
11515 function fclose (stream : FILEs) return int;
11516 function fdopen (handle : int; mode : chars) return FILEs;
11517 function feof (stream : FILEs) return int;
11518 function ferror (stream : FILEs) return int;
11519 function fflush (stream : FILEs) return int;
11520 function fgetc (stream : FILEs) return int;
11521 function fgets (strng : chars; n : int; stream : FILEs)
11523 function fileno (stream : FILEs) return int;
11524 function fopen (filename : chars; Mode : chars)
11526 -- Note: to maintain target independence, use
11527 -- text_translation_required, a boolean variable defined in
11528 -- a-sysdep.c to deal with the target dependent text
11529 -- translation requirement. If this variable is set,
11530 -- then b/t should be appended to the standard mode
11531 -- argument to set the text translation mode off or on
11533 function fputc (C : int; stream : FILEs) return int;
11534 function fputs (Strng : chars; Stream : FILEs) return int;
11551 function ftell (stream : FILEs) return long;
11558 function isatty (handle : int) return int;
11559 procedure mktemp (template : chars);
11560 -- The return value (which is just a pointer to template)
11562 procedure rewind (stream : FILEs);
11563 function rmtmp return int;
11571 function tmpfile return FILEs;
11572 function ungetc (c : int; stream : FILEs) return int;
11573 function unlink (filename : chars) return int;
11574 ---------------------
11575 -- Extra functions --
11576 ---------------------
11577 -- These functions supply slightly thicker bindings than
11578 -- those above. They are derived from functions in the
11579 -- C Run-Time Library, but may do a bit more work than
11580 -- just directly calling one of the Library functions.
11581 function is_regular_file (handle : int) return int;
11582 -- Tests if given handle is for a regular file (result 1)
11583 -- or for a non-regular file (pipe or device, result 0).
11584 ---------------------------------
11585 -- Control of Text/Binary Mode --
11586 ---------------------------------
11587 -- If text_translation_required is true, then the following
11588 -- functions may be used to dynamically switch a file from
11589 -- binary to text mode or vice versa. These functions have
11590 -- no effect if text_translation_required is false (i.e. in
11591 -- normal UNIX mode). Use fileno to get a stream handle.
11592 procedure set_binary_mode (handle : int);
11593 procedure set_text_mode (handle : int);
11594 ----------------------------
11595 -- Full Path Name support --
11596 ----------------------------
11597 procedure full_name (nam : chars; buffer : chars);
11598 -- Given a NUL terminated string representing a file
11599 -- name, returns in buffer a NUL terminated string
11600 -- representing the full path name for the file name.
11601 -- On systems where it is relevant the drive is also
11602 -- part of the full path name. It is the responsibility
11603 -- of the caller to pass an actual parameter for buffer
11604 -- that is big enough for any full path name. Use
11605 -- max_path_len given below as the size of buffer.
11606 max_path_len : integer;
11607 -- Maximum length of an allowable full path name on the
11608 -- system, including a terminating NUL character.
11609 end Interfaces.C_Streams;
11612 @node Interfacing to C Streams
11613 @section Interfacing to C Streams
11616 The packages in this section permit interfacing Ada files to C Stream
11619 @smallexample @c ada
11620 with Interfaces.C_Streams;
11621 package Ada.Sequential_IO.C_Streams is
11622 function C_Stream (F : File_Type)
11623 return Interfaces.C_Streams.FILEs;
11625 (File : in out File_Type;
11626 Mode : in File_Mode;
11627 C_Stream : in Interfaces.C_Streams.FILEs;
11628 Form : in String := "");
11629 end Ada.Sequential_IO.C_Streams;
11631 with Interfaces.C_Streams;
11632 package Ada.Direct_IO.C_Streams is
11633 function C_Stream (F : File_Type)
11634 return Interfaces.C_Streams.FILEs;
11636 (File : in out File_Type;
11637 Mode : in File_Mode;
11638 C_Stream : in Interfaces.C_Streams.FILEs;
11639 Form : in String := "");
11640 end Ada.Direct_IO.C_Streams;
11642 with Interfaces.C_Streams;
11643 package Ada.Text_IO.C_Streams is
11644 function C_Stream (F : File_Type)
11645 return Interfaces.C_Streams.FILEs;
11647 (File : in out File_Type;
11648 Mode : in File_Mode;
11649 C_Stream : in Interfaces.C_Streams.FILEs;
11650 Form : in String := "");
11651 end Ada.Text_IO.C_Streams;
11653 with Interfaces.C_Streams;
11654 package Ada.Wide_Text_IO.C_Streams is
11655 function C_Stream (F : File_Type)
11656 return Interfaces.C_Streams.FILEs;
11658 (File : in out File_Type;
11659 Mode : in File_Mode;
11660 C_Stream : in Interfaces.C_Streams.FILEs;
11661 Form : in String := "");
11662 end Ada.Wide_Text_IO.C_Streams;
11664 with Interfaces.C_Streams;
11665 package Ada.Wide_Wide_Text_IO.C_Streams is
11666 function C_Stream (F : File_Type)
11667 return Interfaces.C_Streams.FILEs;
11669 (File : in out File_Type;
11670 Mode : in File_Mode;
11671 C_Stream : in Interfaces.C_Streams.FILEs;
11672 Form : in String := "");
11673 end Ada.Wide_Wide_Text_IO.C_Streams;
11675 with Interfaces.C_Streams;
11676 package Ada.Stream_IO.C_Streams is
11677 function C_Stream (F : File_Type)
11678 return Interfaces.C_Streams.FILEs;
11680 (File : in out File_Type;
11681 Mode : in File_Mode;
11682 C_Stream : in Interfaces.C_Streams.FILEs;
11683 Form : in String := "");
11684 end Ada.Stream_IO.C_Streams;
11688 In each of these six packages, the @code{C_Stream} function obtains the
11689 @code{FILE} pointer from a currently opened Ada file. It is then
11690 possible to use the @code{Interfaces.C_Streams} package to operate on
11691 this stream, or the stream can be passed to a C program which can
11692 operate on it directly. Of course the program is responsible for
11693 ensuring that only appropriate sequences of operations are executed.
11695 One particular use of relevance to an Ada program is that the
11696 @code{setvbuf} function can be used to control the buffering of the
11697 stream used by an Ada file. In the absence of such a call the standard
11698 default buffering is used.
11700 The @code{Open} procedures in these packages open a file giving an
11701 existing C Stream instead of a file name. Typically this stream is
11702 imported from a C program, allowing an Ada file to operate on an
11705 @node The GNAT Library
11706 @chapter The GNAT Library
11709 The GNAT library contains a number of general and special purpose packages.
11710 It represents functionality that the GNAT developers have found useful, and
11711 which is made available to GNAT users. The packages described here are fully
11712 supported, and upwards compatibility will be maintained in future releases,
11713 so you can use these facilities with the confidence that the same functionality
11714 will be available in future releases.
11716 The chapter here simply gives a brief summary of the facilities available.
11717 The full documentation is found in the spec file for the package. The full
11718 sources of these library packages, including both spec and body, are provided
11719 with all GNAT releases. For example, to find out the full specifications of
11720 the SPITBOL pattern matching capability, including a full tutorial and
11721 extensive examples, look in the @file{g-spipat.ads} file in the library.
11723 For each entry here, the package name (as it would appear in a @code{with}
11724 clause) is given, followed by the name of the corresponding spec file in
11725 parentheses. The packages are children in four hierarchies, @code{Ada},
11726 @code{Interfaces}, @code{System}, and @code{GNAT}, the latter being a
11727 GNAT-specific hierarchy.
11729 Note that an application program should only use packages in one of these
11730 four hierarchies if the package is defined in the Ada Reference Manual,
11731 or is listed in this section of the GNAT Programmers Reference Manual.
11732 All other units should be considered internal implementation units and
11733 should not be directly @code{with}'ed by application code. The use of
11734 a @code{with} statement that references one of these internal implementation
11735 units makes an application potentially dependent on changes in versions
11736 of GNAT, and will generate a warning message.
11739 * Ada.Characters.Latin_9 (a-chlat9.ads)::
11740 * Ada.Characters.Wide_Latin_1 (a-cwila1.ads)::
11741 * Ada.Characters.Wide_Latin_9 (a-cwila9.ads)::
11742 * Ada.Characters.Wide_Wide_Latin_1 (a-czila1.ads)::
11743 * Ada.Characters.Wide_Wide_Latin_9 (a-czila9.ads)::
11744 * Ada.Command_Line.Remove (a-colire.ads)::
11745 * Ada.Command_Line.Environment (a-colien.ads)::
11746 * Ada.Direct_IO.C_Streams (a-diocst.ads)::
11747 * Ada.Exceptions.Is_Null_Occurrence (a-einuoc.ads)::
11748 * Ada.Exceptions.Traceback (a-exctra.ads)::
11749 * Ada.Sequential_IO.C_Streams (a-siocst.ads)::
11750 * Ada.Streams.Stream_IO.C_Streams (a-ssicst.ads)::
11751 * Ada.Strings.Unbounded.Text_IO (a-suteio.ads)::
11752 * Ada.Strings.Wide_Unbounded.Wide_Text_IO (a-swuwti.ads)::
11753 * Ada.Strings.Wide_Wide_Unbounded.Wide_Wide_Text_IO (a-szuzti.ads)::
11754 * Ada.Text_IO.C_Streams (a-tiocst.ads)::
11755 * Ada.Wide_Text_IO.C_Streams (a-wtcstr.ads)::
11756 * Ada.Wide_Wide_Text_IO.C_Streams (a-ztcstr.ads)::
11757 * GNAT.Array_Split (g-arrspl.ads)::
11758 * GNAT.AWK (g-awk.ads)::
11759 * GNAT.Bounded_Buffers (g-boubuf.ads)::
11760 * GNAT.Bounded_Mailboxes (g-boumai.ads)::
11761 * GNAT.Bubble_Sort (g-bubsor.ads)::
11762 * GNAT.Bubble_Sort_A (g-busora.ads)::
11763 * GNAT.Bubble_Sort_G (g-busorg.ads)::
11764 * GNAT.Calendar (g-calend.ads)::
11765 * GNAT.Calendar.Time_IO (g-catiio.ads)::
11766 * GNAT.CRC32 (g-crc32.ads)::
11767 * GNAT.Case_Util (g-casuti.ads)::
11768 * GNAT.CGI (g-cgi.ads)::
11769 * GNAT.CGI.Cookie (g-cgicoo.ads)::
11770 * GNAT.CGI.Debug (g-cgideb.ads)::
11771 * GNAT.Command_Line (g-comlin.ads)::
11772 * GNAT.Compiler_Version (g-comver.ads)::
11773 * GNAT.Ctrl_C (g-ctrl_c.ads)::
11774 * GNAT.Current_Exception (g-curexc.ads)::
11775 * GNAT.Debug_Pools (g-debpoo.ads)::
11776 * GNAT.Debug_Utilities (g-debuti.ads)::
11777 * GNAT.Directory_Operations (g-dirope.ads)::
11778 * GNAT.Dynamic_HTables (g-dynhta.ads)::
11779 * GNAT.Dynamic_Tables (g-dyntab.ads)::
11780 * GNAT.Exception_Actions (g-excact.ads)::
11781 * GNAT.Exception_Traces (g-exctra.ads)::
11782 * GNAT.Exceptions (g-except.ads)::
11783 * GNAT.Expect (g-expect.ads)::
11784 * GNAT.Float_Control (g-flocon.ads)::
11785 * GNAT.Heap_Sort (g-heasor.ads)::
11786 * GNAT.Heap_Sort_A (g-hesora.ads)::
11787 * GNAT.Heap_Sort_G (g-hesorg.ads)::
11788 * GNAT.HTable (g-htable.ads)::
11789 * GNAT.IO (g-io.ads)::
11790 * GNAT.IO_Aux (g-io_aux.ads)::
11791 * GNAT.Lock_Files (g-locfil.ads)::
11792 * GNAT.MD5 (g-md5.ads)::
11793 * GNAT.Memory_Dump (g-memdum.ads)::
11794 * GNAT.Most_Recent_Exception (g-moreex.ads)::
11795 * GNAT.OS_Lib (g-os_lib.ads)::
11796 * GNAT.Perfect_Hash_Generators (g-pehage.ads)::
11797 * GNAT.Regexp (g-regexp.ads)::
11798 * GNAT.Registry (g-regist.ads)::
11799 * GNAT.Regpat (g-regpat.ads)::
11800 * GNAT.Secondary_Stack_Info (g-sestin.ads)::
11801 * GNAT.Semaphores (g-semaph.ads)::
11802 * GNAT.Signals (g-signal.ads)::
11803 * GNAT.Sockets (g-socket.ads)::
11804 * GNAT.Source_Info (g-souinf.ads)::
11805 * GNAT.Spell_Checker (g-speche.ads)::
11806 * GNAT.Spitbol.Patterns (g-spipat.ads)::
11807 * GNAT.Spitbol (g-spitbo.ads)::
11808 * GNAT.Spitbol.Table_Boolean (g-sptabo.ads)::
11809 * GNAT.Spitbol.Table_Integer (g-sptain.ads)::
11810 * GNAT.Spitbol.Table_VString (g-sptavs.ads)::
11811 * GNAT.Strings (g-string.ads)::
11812 * GNAT.String_Split (g-strspl.ads)::
11813 * GNAT.Table (g-table.ads)::
11814 * GNAT.Task_Lock (g-tasloc.ads)::
11815 * GNAT.Threads (g-thread.ads)::
11816 * GNAT.Traceback (g-traceb.ads)::
11817 * GNAT.Traceback.Symbolic (g-trasym.ads)::
11818 * GNAT.Wide_String_Split (g-wistsp.ads)::
11819 * GNAT.Wide_Wide_String_Split (g-zistsp.ads)::
11820 * Interfaces.C.Extensions (i-cexten.ads)::
11821 * Interfaces.C.Streams (i-cstrea.ads)::
11822 * Interfaces.CPP (i-cpp.ads)::
11823 * Interfaces.Os2lib (i-os2lib.ads)::
11824 * Interfaces.Os2lib.Errors (i-os2err.ads)::
11825 * Interfaces.Os2lib.Synchronization (i-os2syn.ads)::
11826 * Interfaces.Os2lib.Threads (i-os2thr.ads)::
11827 * Interfaces.Packed_Decimal (i-pacdec.ads)::
11828 * Interfaces.VxWorks (i-vxwork.ads)::
11829 * Interfaces.VxWorks.IO (i-vxwoio.ads)::
11830 * System.Address_Image (s-addima.ads)::
11831 * System.Assertions (s-assert.ads)::
11832 * System.Memory (s-memory.ads)::
11833 * System.Partition_Interface (s-parint.ads)::
11834 * System.Restrictions (s-restri.ads)::
11835 * System.Rident (s-rident.ads)::
11836 * System.Task_Info (s-tasinf.ads)::
11837 * System.Wch_Cnv (s-wchcnv.ads)::
11838 * System.Wch_Con (s-wchcon.ads)::
11841 @node Ada.Characters.Latin_9 (a-chlat9.ads)
11842 @section @code{Ada.Characters.Latin_9} (@file{a-chlat9.ads})
11843 @cindex @code{Ada.Characters.Latin_9} (@file{a-chlat9.ads})
11844 @cindex Latin_9 constants for Character
11847 This child of @code{Ada.Characters}
11848 provides a set of definitions corresponding to those in the
11849 RM-defined package @code{Ada.Characters.Latin_1} but with the
11850 few modifications required for @code{Latin-9}
11851 The provision of such a package
11852 is specifically authorized by the Ada Reference Manual
11855 @node Ada.Characters.Wide_Latin_1 (a-cwila1.ads)
11856 @section @code{Ada.Characters.Wide_Latin_1} (@file{a-cwila1.ads})
11857 @cindex @code{Ada.Characters.Wide_Latin_1} (@file{a-cwila1.ads})
11858 @cindex Latin_1 constants for Wide_Character
11861 This child of @code{Ada.Characters}
11862 provides a set of definitions corresponding to those in the
11863 RM-defined package @code{Ada.Characters.Latin_1} but with the
11864 types of the constants being @code{Wide_Character}
11865 instead of @code{Character}. The provision of such a package
11866 is specifically authorized by the Ada Reference Manual
11869 @node Ada.Characters.Wide_Latin_9 (a-cwila9.ads)
11870 @section @code{Ada.Characters.Wide_Latin_9} (@file{a-cwila1.ads})
11871 @cindex @code{Ada.Characters.Wide_Latin_9} (@file{a-cwila1.ads})
11872 @cindex Latin_9 constants for Wide_Character
11875 This child of @code{Ada.Characters}
11876 provides a set of definitions corresponding to those in the
11877 GNAT defined package @code{Ada.Characters.Latin_9} but with the
11878 types of the constants being @code{Wide_Character}
11879 instead of @code{Character}. The provision of such a package
11880 is specifically authorized by the Ada Reference Manual
11883 @node Ada.Characters.Wide_Wide_Latin_1 (a-czila1.ads)
11884 @section @code{Ada.Characters.Wide_Wide_Latin_1} (@file{a-czila1.ads})
11885 @cindex @code{Ada.Characters.Wide_Wide_Latin_1} (@file{a-czila1.ads})
11886 @cindex Latin_1 constants for Wide_Wide_Character
11889 This child of @code{Ada.Characters}
11890 provides a set of definitions corresponding to those in the
11891 RM-defined package @code{Ada.Characters.Latin_1} but with the
11892 types of the constants being @code{Wide_Wide_Character}
11893 instead of @code{Character}. The provision of such a package
11894 is specifically authorized by the Ada Reference Manual
11897 @node Ada.Characters.Wide_Wide_Latin_9 (a-czila9.ads)
11898 @section @code{Ada.Characters.Wide_Wide_Latin_9} (@file{a-czila9.ads})
11899 @cindex @code{Ada.Characters.Wide_Wide_Latin_9} (@file{a-czila9.ads})
11900 @cindex Latin_9 constants for Wide_Wide_Character
11903 This child of @code{Ada.Characters}
11904 provides a set of definitions corresponding to those in the
11905 GNAT defined package @code{Ada.Characters.Latin_9} but with the
11906 types of the constants being @code{Wide_Wide_Character}
11907 instead of @code{Character}. The provision of such a package
11908 is specifically authorized by the Ada Reference Manual
11911 @node Ada.Command_Line.Remove (a-colire.ads)
11912 @section @code{Ada.Command_Line.Remove} (@file{a-colire.ads})
11913 @cindex @code{Ada.Command_Line.Remove} (@file{a-colire.ads})
11914 @cindex Removing command line arguments
11915 @cindex Command line, argument removal
11918 This child of @code{Ada.Command_Line}
11919 provides a mechanism for logically removing
11920 arguments from the argument list. Once removed, an argument is not visible
11921 to further calls on the subprograms in @code{Ada.Command_Line} will not
11922 see the removed argument.
11924 @node Ada.Command_Line.Environment (a-colien.ads)
11925 @section @code{Ada.Command_Line.Environment} (@file{a-colien.ads})
11926 @cindex @code{Ada.Command_Line.Environment} (@file{a-colien.ads})
11927 @cindex Environment entries
11930 This child of @code{Ada.Command_Line}
11931 provides a mechanism for obtaining environment values on systems
11932 where this concept makes sense.
11934 @node Ada.Direct_IO.C_Streams (a-diocst.ads)
11935 @section @code{Ada.Direct_IO.C_Streams} (@file{a-diocst.ads})
11936 @cindex @code{Ada.Direct_IO.C_Streams} (@file{a-diocst.ads})
11937 @cindex C Streams, Interfacing with Direct_IO
11940 This package provides subprograms that allow interfacing between
11941 C streams and @code{Direct_IO}. The stream identifier can be
11942 extracted from a file opened on the Ada side, and an Ada file
11943 can be constructed from a stream opened on the C side.
11945 @node Ada.Exceptions.Is_Null_Occurrence (a-einuoc.ads)
11946 @section @code{Ada.Exceptions.Is_Null_Occurrence} (@file{a-einuoc.ads})
11947 @cindex @code{Ada.Exceptions.Is_Null_Occurrence} (@file{a-einuoc.ads})
11948 @cindex Null_Occurrence, testing for
11951 This child subprogram provides a way of testing for the null
11952 exception occurrence (@code{Null_Occurrence}) without raising
11955 @node Ada.Exceptions.Traceback (a-exctra.ads)
11956 @section @code{Ada.Exceptions.Traceback} (@file{a-exctra.ads})
11957 @cindex @code{Ada.Exceptions.Traceback} (@file{a-exctra.ads})
11958 @cindex Traceback for Exception Occurrence
11961 This child package provides the subprogram (@code{Tracebacks}) to
11962 give a traceback array of addresses based on an exception
11965 @node Ada.Sequential_IO.C_Streams (a-siocst.ads)
11966 @section @code{Ada.Sequential_IO.C_Streams} (@file{a-siocst.ads})
11967 @cindex @code{Ada.Sequential_IO.C_Streams} (@file{a-siocst.ads})
11968 @cindex C Streams, Interfacing with Sequential_IO
11971 This package provides subprograms that allow interfacing between
11972 C streams and @code{Sequential_IO}. The stream identifier can be
11973 extracted from a file opened on the Ada side, and an Ada file
11974 can be constructed from a stream opened on the C side.
11976 @node Ada.Streams.Stream_IO.C_Streams (a-ssicst.ads)
11977 @section @code{Ada.Streams.Stream_IO.C_Streams} (@file{a-ssicst.ads})
11978 @cindex @code{Ada.Streams.Stream_IO.C_Streams} (@file{a-ssicst.ads})
11979 @cindex C Streams, Interfacing with Stream_IO
11982 This package provides subprograms that allow interfacing between
11983 C streams and @code{Stream_IO}. The stream identifier can be
11984 extracted from a file opened on the Ada side, and an Ada file
11985 can be constructed from a stream opened on the C side.
11987 @node Ada.Strings.Unbounded.Text_IO (a-suteio.ads)
11988 @section @code{Ada.Strings.Unbounded.Text_IO} (@file{a-suteio.ads})
11989 @cindex @code{Ada.Strings.Unbounded.Text_IO} (@file{a-suteio.ads})
11990 @cindex @code{Unbounded_String}, IO support
11991 @cindex @code{Text_IO}, extensions for unbounded strings
11994 This package provides subprograms for Text_IO for unbounded
11995 strings, avoiding the necessity for an intermediate operation
11996 with ordinary strings.
11998 @node Ada.Strings.Wide_Unbounded.Wide_Text_IO (a-swuwti.ads)
11999 @section @code{Ada.Strings.Wide_Unbounded.Wide_Text_IO} (@file{a-swuwti.ads})
12000 @cindex @code{Ada.Strings.Wide_Unbounded.Wide_Text_IO} (@file{a-swuwti.ads})
12001 @cindex @code{Unbounded_Wide_String}, IO support
12002 @cindex @code{Text_IO}, extensions for unbounded wide strings
12005 This package provides subprograms for Text_IO for unbounded
12006 wide strings, avoiding the necessity for an intermediate operation
12007 with ordinary wide strings.
12009 @node Ada.Strings.Wide_Wide_Unbounded.Wide_Wide_Text_IO (a-szuzti.ads)
12010 @section @code{Ada.Strings.Wide_Wide_Unbounded.Wide_Wide_Text_IO} (@file{a-szuzti.ads})
12011 @cindex @code{Ada.Strings.Wide_Wide_Unbounded.Wide_Wide_Text_IO} (@file{a-szuzti.ads})
12012 @cindex @code{Unbounded_Wide_Wide_String}, IO support
12013 @cindex @code{Text_IO}, extensions for unbounded wide wide strings
12016 This package provides subprograms for Text_IO for unbounded
12017 wide wide strings, avoiding the necessity for an intermediate operation
12018 with ordinary wide wide strings.
12020 @node Ada.Text_IO.C_Streams (a-tiocst.ads)
12021 @section @code{Ada.Text_IO.C_Streams} (@file{a-tiocst.ads})
12022 @cindex @code{Ada.Text_IO.C_Streams} (@file{a-tiocst.ads})
12023 @cindex C Streams, Interfacing with @code{Text_IO}
12026 This package provides subprograms that allow interfacing between
12027 C streams and @code{Text_IO}. The stream identifier can be
12028 extracted from a file opened on the Ada side, and an Ada file
12029 can be constructed from a stream opened on the C side.
12031 @node Ada.Wide_Text_IO.C_Streams (a-wtcstr.ads)
12032 @section @code{Ada.Wide_Text_IO.C_Streams} (@file{a-wtcstr.ads})
12033 @cindex @code{Ada.Wide_Text_IO.C_Streams} (@file{a-wtcstr.ads})
12034 @cindex C Streams, Interfacing with @code{Wide_Text_IO}
12037 This package provides subprograms that allow interfacing between
12038 C streams and @code{Wide_Text_IO}. The stream identifier can be
12039 extracted from a file opened on the Ada side, and an Ada file
12040 can be constructed from a stream opened on the C side.
12042 @node Ada.Wide_Wide_Text_IO.C_Streams (a-ztcstr.ads)
12043 @section @code{Ada.Wide_Wide_Text_IO.C_Streams} (@file{a-ztcstr.ads})
12044 @cindex @code{Ada.Wide_Wide_Text_IO.C_Streams} (@file{a-ztcstr.ads})
12045 @cindex C Streams, Interfacing with @code{Wide_Wide_Text_IO}
12048 This package provides subprograms that allow interfacing between
12049 C streams and @code{Wide_Wide_Text_IO}. The stream identifier can be
12050 extracted from a file opened on the Ada side, and an Ada file
12051 can be constructed from a stream opened on the C side.
12054 @node GNAT.Array_Split (g-arrspl.ads)
12055 @section @code{GNAT.Array_Split} (@file{g-arrspl.ads})
12056 @cindex @code{GNAT.Array_Split} (@file{g-arrspl.ads})
12057 @cindex Array splitter
12060 Useful array-manipulation routines: given a set of separators, split
12061 an array wherever the separators appear, and provide direct access
12062 to the resulting slices.
12064 @node GNAT.AWK (g-awk.ads)
12065 @section @code{GNAT.AWK} (@file{g-awk.ads})
12066 @cindex @code{GNAT.AWK} (@file{g-awk.ads})
12071 Provides AWK-like parsing functions, with an easy interface for parsing one
12072 or more files containing formatted data. The file is viewed as a database
12073 where each record is a line and a field is a data element in this line.
12075 @node GNAT.Bounded_Buffers (g-boubuf.ads)
12076 @section @code{GNAT.Bounded_Buffers} (@file{g-boubuf.ads})
12077 @cindex @code{GNAT.Bounded_Buffers} (@file{g-boubuf.ads})
12079 @cindex Bounded Buffers
12082 Provides a concurrent generic bounded buffer abstraction. Instances are
12083 useful directly or as parts of the implementations of other abstractions,
12086 @node GNAT.Bounded_Mailboxes (g-boumai.ads)
12087 @section @code{GNAT.Bounded_Mailboxes} (@file{g-boumai.ads})
12088 @cindex @code{GNAT.Bounded_Mailboxes} (@file{g-boumai.ads})
12093 Provides a thread-safe asynchronous intertask mailbox communication facility.
12095 @node GNAT.Bubble_Sort (g-bubsor.ads)
12096 @section @code{GNAT.Bubble_Sort} (@file{g-bubsor.ads})
12097 @cindex @code{GNAT.Bubble_Sort} (@file{g-bubsor.ads})
12099 @cindex Bubble sort
12102 Provides a general implementation of bubble sort usable for sorting arbitrary
12103 data items. Exchange and comparison procedures are provided by passing
12104 access-to-procedure values.
12106 @node GNAT.Bubble_Sort_A (g-busora.ads)
12107 @section @code{GNAT.Bubble_Sort_A} (@file{g-busora.ads})
12108 @cindex @code{GNAT.Bubble_Sort_A} (@file{g-busora.ads})
12110 @cindex Bubble sort
12113 Provides a general implementation of bubble sort usable for sorting arbitrary
12114 data items. Move and comparison procedures are provided by passing
12115 access-to-procedure values. This is an older version, retained for
12116 compatibility. Usually @code{GNAT.Bubble_Sort} will be preferable.
12118 @node GNAT.Bubble_Sort_G (g-busorg.ads)
12119 @section @code{GNAT.Bubble_Sort_G} (@file{g-busorg.ads})
12120 @cindex @code{GNAT.Bubble_Sort_G} (@file{g-busorg.ads})
12122 @cindex Bubble sort
12125 Similar to @code{Bubble_Sort_A} except that the move and sorting procedures
12126 are provided as generic parameters, this improves efficiency, especially
12127 if the procedures can be inlined, at the expense of duplicating code for
12128 multiple instantiations.
12130 @node GNAT.Calendar (g-calend.ads)
12131 @section @code{GNAT.Calendar} (@file{g-calend.ads})
12132 @cindex @code{GNAT.Calendar} (@file{g-calend.ads})
12133 @cindex @code{Calendar}
12136 Extends the facilities provided by @code{Ada.Calendar} to include handling
12137 of days of the week, an extended @code{Split} and @code{Time_Of} capability.
12138 Also provides conversion of @code{Ada.Calendar.Time} values to and from the
12139 C @code{timeval} format.
12141 @node GNAT.Calendar.Time_IO (g-catiio.ads)
12142 @section @code{GNAT.Calendar.Time_IO} (@file{g-catiio.ads})
12143 @cindex @code{Calendar}
12145 @cindex @code{GNAT.Calendar.Time_IO} (@file{g-catiio.ads})
12147 @node GNAT.CRC32 (g-crc32.ads)
12148 @section @code{GNAT.CRC32} (@file{g-crc32.ads})
12149 @cindex @code{GNAT.CRC32} (@file{g-crc32.ads})
12151 @cindex Cyclic Redundancy Check
12154 This package implements the CRC-32 algorithm. For a full description
12155 of this algorithm see
12156 ``Computation of Cyclic Redundancy Checks via Table Look-Up'',
12157 @cite{Communications of the ACM}, Vol.@: 31 No.@: 8, pp.@: 1008-1013,
12158 Aug.@: 1988. Sarwate, D.V@.
12161 Provides an extended capability for formatted output of time values with
12162 full user control over the format. Modeled on the GNU Date specification.
12164 @node GNAT.Case_Util (g-casuti.ads)
12165 @section @code{GNAT.Case_Util} (@file{g-casuti.ads})
12166 @cindex @code{GNAT.Case_Util} (@file{g-casuti.ads})
12167 @cindex Casing utilities
12168 @cindex Character handling (@code{GNAT.Case_Util})
12171 A set of simple routines for handling upper and lower casing of strings
12172 without the overhead of the full casing tables
12173 in @code{Ada.Characters.Handling}.
12175 @node GNAT.CGI (g-cgi.ads)
12176 @section @code{GNAT.CGI} (@file{g-cgi.ads})
12177 @cindex @code{GNAT.CGI} (@file{g-cgi.ads})
12178 @cindex CGI (Common Gateway Interface)
12181 This is a package for interfacing a GNAT program with a Web server via the
12182 Common Gateway Interface (CGI)@. Basically this package parses the CGI
12183 parameters, which are a set of key/value pairs sent by the Web server. It
12184 builds a table whose index is the key and provides some services to deal
12187 @node GNAT.CGI.Cookie (g-cgicoo.ads)
12188 @section @code{GNAT.CGI.Cookie} (@file{g-cgicoo.ads})
12189 @cindex @code{GNAT.CGI.Cookie} (@file{g-cgicoo.ads})
12190 @cindex CGI (Common Gateway Interface) cookie support
12191 @cindex Cookie support in CGI
12194 This is a package to interface a GNAT program with a Web server via the
12195 Common Gateway Interface (CGI). It exports services to deal with Web
12196 cookies (piece of information kept in the Web client software).
12198 @node GNAT.CGI.Debug (g-cgideb.ads)
12199 @section @code{GNAT.CGI.Debug} (@file{g-cgideb.ads})
12200 @cindex @code{GNAT.CGI.Debug} (@file{g-cgideb.ads})
12201 @cindex CGI (Common Gateway Interface) debugging
12204 This is a package to help debugging CGI (Common Gateway Interface)
12205 programs written in Ada.
12207 @node GNAT.Command_Line (g-comlin.ads)
12208 @section @code{GNAT.Command_Line} (@file{g-comlin.ads})
12209 @cindex @code{GNAT.Command_Line} (@file{g-comlin.ads})
12210 @cindex Command line
12213 Provides a high level interface to @code{Ada.Command_Line} facilities,
12214 including the ability to scan for named switches with optional parameters
12215 and expand file names using wild card notations.
12217 @node GNAT.Compiler_Version (g-comver.ads)
12218 @section @code{GNAT.Compiler_Version} (@file{g-comver.ads})
12219 @cindex @code{GNAT.Compiler_Version} (@file{g-comver.ads})
12220 @cindex Compiler Version
12221 @cindex Version, of compiler
12224 Provides a routine for obtaining the version of the compiler used to
12225 compile the program. More accurately this is the version of the binder
12226 used to bind the program (this will normally be the same as the version
12227 of the compiler if a consistent tool set is used to compile all units
12230 @node GNAT.Ctrl_C (g-ctrl_c.ads)
12231 @section @code{GNAT.Ctrl_C} (@file{g-ctrl_c.ads})
12232 @cindex @code{GNAT.Ctrl_C} (@file{g-ctrl_c.ads})
12236 Provides a simple interface to handle Ctrl-C keyboard events.
12238 @node GNAT.Current_Exception (g-curexc.ads)
12239 @section @code{GNAT.Current_Exception} (@file{g-curexc.ads})
12240 @cindex @code{GNAT.Current_Exception} (@file{g-curexc.ads})
12241 @cindex Current exception
12242 @cindex Exception retrieval
12245 Provides access to information on the current exception that has been raised
12246 without the need for using the Ada-95 exception choice parameter specification
12247 syntax. This is particularly useful in simulating typical facilities for
12248 obtaining information about exceptions provided by Ada 83 compilers.
12250 @node GNAT.Debug_Pools (g-debpoo.ads)
12251 @section @code{GNAT.Debug_Pools} (@file{g-debpoo.ads})
12252 @cindex @code{GNAT.Debug_Pools} (@file{g-debpoo.ads})
12254 @cindex Debug pools
12255 @cindex Memory corruption debugging
12258 Provide a debugging storage pools that helps tracking memory corruption
12259 problems. See section ``Finding memory problems with GNAT Debug Pool'' in
12260 the @cite{GNAT User's Guide}.
12262 @node GNAT.Debug_Utilities (g-debuti.ads)
12263 @section @code{GNAT.Debug_Utilities} (@file{g-debuti.ads})
12264 @cindex @code{GNAT.Debug_Utilities} (@file{g-debuti.ads})
12268 Provides a few useful utilities for debugging purposes, including conversion
12269 to and from string images of address values. Supports both C and Ada formats
12270 for hexadecimal literals.
12272 @node GNAT.Directory_Operations (g-dirope.ads)
12273 @section @code{GNAT.Directory_Operations} (g-dirope.ads)
12274 @cindex @code{GNAT.Directory_Operations} (g-dirope.ads)
12275 @cindex Directory operations
12278 Provides a set of routines for manipulating directories, including changing
12279 the current directory, making new directories, and scanning the files in a
12282 @node GNAT.Dynamic_HTables (g-dynhta.ads)
12283 @section @code{GNAT.Dynamic_HTables} (@file{g-dynhta.ads})
12284 @cindex @code{GNAT.Dynamic_HTables} (@file{g-dynhta.ads})
12285 @cindex Hash tables
12288 A generic implementation of hash tables that can be used to hash arbitrary
12289 data. Provided in two forms, a simple form with built in hash functions,
12290 and a more complex form in which the hash function is supplied.
12293 This package provides a facility similar to that of @code{GNAT.HTable},
12294 except that this package declares a type that can be used to define
12295 dynamic instances of the hash table, while an instantiation of
12296 @code{GNAT.HTable} creates a single instance of the hash table.
12298 @node GNAT.Dynamic_Tables (g-dyntab.ads)
12299 @section @code{GNAT.Dynamic_Tables} (@file{g-dyntab.ads})
12300 @cindex @code{GNAT.Dynamic_Tables} (@file{g-dyntab.ads})
12301 @cindex Table implementation
12302 @cindex Arrays, extendable
12305 A generic package providing a single dimension array abstraction where the
12306 length of the array can be dynamically modified.
12309 This package provides a facility similar to that of @code{GNAT.Table},
12310 except that this package declares a type that can be used to define
12311 dynamic instances of the table, while an instantiation of
12312 @code{GNAT.Table} creates a single instance of the table type.
12314 @node GNAT.Exception_Actions (g-excact.ads)
12315 @section @code{GNAT.Exception_Actions} (@file{g-excact.ads})
12316 @cindex @code{GNAT.Exception_Actions} (@file{g-excact.ads})
12317 @cindex Exception actions
12320 Provides callbacks when an exception is raised. Callbacks can be registered
12321 for specific exceptions, or when any exception is raised. This
12322 can be used for instance to force a core dump to ease debugging.
12324 @node GNAT.Exception_Traces (g-exctra.ads)
12325 @section @code{GNAT.Exception_Traces} (@file{g-exctra.ads})
12326 @cindex @code{GNAT.Exception_Traces} (@file{g-exctra.ads})
12327 @cindex Exception traces
12331 Provides an interface allowing to control automatic output upon exception
12334 @node GNAT.Exceptions (g-except.ads)
12335 @section @code{GNAT.Exceptions} (@file{g-expect.ads})
12336 @cindex @code{GNAT.Exceptions} (@file{g-expect.ads})
12337 @cindex Exceptions, Pure
12338 @cindex Pure packages, exceptions
12341 Normally it is not possible to raise an exception with
12342 a message from a subprogram in a pure package, since the
12343 necessary types and subprograms are in @code{Ada.Exceptions}
12344 which is not a pure unit. @code{GNAT.Exceptions} provides a
12345 facility for getting around this limitation for a few
12346 predefined exceptions, and for example allow raising
12347 @code{Constraint_Error} with a message from a pure subprogram.
12349 @node GNAT.Expect (g-expect.ads)
12350 @section @code{GNAT.Expect} (@file{g-expect.ads})
12351 @cindex @code{GNAT.Expect} (@file{g-expect.ads})
12354 Provides a set of subprograms similar to what is available
12355 with the standard Tcl Expect tool.
12356 It allows you to easily spawn and communicate with an external process.
12357 You can send commands or inputs to the process, and compare the output
12358 with some expected regular expression. Currently @code{GNAT.Expect}
12359 is implemented on all native GNAT ports except for OpenVMS@.
12360 It is not implemented for cross ports, and in particular is not
12361 implemented for VxWorks or LynxOS@.
12363 @node GNAT.Float_Control (g-flocon.ads)
12364 @section @code{GNAT.Float_Control} (@file{g-flocon.ads})
12365 @cindex @code{GNAT.Float_Control} (@file{g-flocon.ads})
12366 @cindex Floating-Point Processor
12369 Provides an interface for resetting the floating-point processor into the
12370 mode required for correct semantic operation in Ada. Some third party
12371 library calls may cause this mode to be modified, and the Reset procedure
12372 in this package can be used to reestablish the required mode.
12374 @node GNAT.Heap_Sort (g-heasor.ads)
12375 @section @code{GNAT.Heap_Sort} (@file{g-heasor.ads})
12376 @cindex @code{GNAT.Heap_Sort} (@file{g-heasor.ads})
12380 Provides a general implementation of heap sort usable for sorting arbitrary
12381 data items. Exchange and comparison procedures are provided by passing
12382 access-to-procedure values. The algorithm used is a modified heap sort
12383 that performs approximately N*log(N) comparisons in the worst case.
12385 @node GNAT.Heap_Sort_A (g-hesora.ads)
12386 @section @code{GNAT.Heap_Sort_A} (@file{g-hesora.ads})
12387 @cindex @code{GNAT.Heap_Sort_A} (@file{g-hesora.ads})
12391 Provides a general implementation of heap sort usable for sorting arbitrary
12392 data items. Move and comparison procedures are provided by passing
12393 access-to-procedure values. The algorithm used is a modified heap sort
12394 that performs approximately N*log(N) comparisons in the worst case.
12395 This differs from @code{GNAT.Heap_Sort} in having a less convenient
12396 interface, but may be slightly more efficient.
12398 @node GNAT.Heap_Sort_G (g-hesorg.ads)
12399 @section @code{GNAT.Heap_Sort_G} (@file{g-hesorg.ads})
12400 @cindex @code{GNAT.Heap_Sort_G} (@file{g-hesorg.ads})
12404 Similar to @code{Heap_Sort_A} except that the move and sorting procedures
12405 are provided as generic parameters, this improves efficiency, especially
12406 if the procedures can be inlined, at the expense of duplicating code for
12407 multiple instantiations.
12409 @node GNAT.HTable (g-htable.ads)
12410 @section @code{GNAT.HTable} (@file{g-htable.ads})
12411 @cindex @code{GNAT.HTable} (@file{g-htable.ads})
12412 @cindex Hash tables
12415 A generic implementation of hash tables that can be used to hash arbitrary
12416 data. Provides two approaches, one a simple static approach, and the other
12417 allowing arbitrary dynamic hash tables.
12419 @node GNAT.IO (g-io.ads)
12420 @section @code{GNAT.IO} (@file{g-io.ads})
12421 @cindex @code{GNAT.IO} (@file{g-io.ads})
12423 @cindex Input/Output facilities
12426 A simple preelaborable input-output package that provides a subset of
12427 simple Text_IO functions for reading characters and strings from
12428 Standard_Input, and writing characters, strings and integers to either
12429 Standard_Output or Standard_Error.
12431 @node GNAT.IO_Aux (g-io_aux.ads)
12432 @section @code{GNAT.IO_Aux} (@file{g-io_aux.ads})
12433 @cindex @code{GNAT.IO_Aux} (@file{g-io_aux.ads})
12435 @cindex Input/Output facilities
12437 Provides some auxiliary functions for use with Text_IO, including a test
12438 for whether a file exists, and functions for reading a line of text.
12440 @node GNAT.Lock_Files (g-locfil.ads)
12441 @section @code{GNAT.Lock_Files} (@file{g-locfil.ads})
12442 @cindex @code{GNAT.Lock_Files} (@file{g-locfil.ads})
12443 @cindex File locking
12444 @cindex Locking using files
12447 Provides a general interface for using files as locks. Can be used for
12448 providing program level synchronization.
12450 @node GNAT.MD5 (g-md5.ads)
12451 @section @code{GNAT.MD5} (@file{g-md5.ads})
12452 @cindex @code{GNAT.MD5} (@file{g-md5.ads})
12453 @cindex Message Digest MD5
12456 Implements the MD5 Message-Digest Algorithm as described in RFC 1321.
12458 @node GNAT.Memory_Dump (g-memdum.ads)
12459 @section @code{GNAT.Memory_Dump} (@file{g-memdum.ads})
12460 @cindex @code{GNAT.Memory_Dump} (@file{g-memdum.ads})
12461 @cindex Dump Memory
12464 Provides a convenient routine for dumping raw memory to either the
12465 standard output or standard error files. Uses GNAT.IO for actual
12468 @node GNAT.Most_Recent_Exception (g-moreex.ads)
12469 @section @code{GNAT.Most_Recent_Exception} (@file{g-moreex.ads})
12470 @cindex @code{GNAT.Most_Recent_Exception} (@file{g-moreex.ads})
12471 @cindex Exception, obtaining most recent
12474 Provides access to the most recently raised exception. Can be used for
12475 various logging purposes, including duplicating functionality of some
12476 Ada 83 implementation dependent extensions.
12478 @node GNAT.OS_Lib (g-os_lib.ads)
12479 @section @code{GNAT.OS_Lib} (@file{g-os_lib.ads})
12480 @cindex @code{GNAT.OS_Lib} (@file{g-os_lib.ads})
12481 @cindex Operating System interface
12482 @cindex Spawn capability
12485 Provides a range of target independent operating system interface functions,
12486 including time/date management, file operations, subprocess management,
12487 including a portable spawn procedure, and access to environment variables
12488 and error return codes.
12490 @node GNAT.Perfect_Hash_Generators (g-pehage.ads)
12491 @section @code{GNAT.Perfect_Hash_Generators} (@file{g-pehage.ads})
12492 @cindex @code{GNAT.Perfect_Hash_Generators} (@file{g-pehage.ads})
12493 @cindex Hash functions
12496 Provides a generator of static minimal perfect hash functions. No
12497 collisions occur and each item can be retrieved from the table in one
12498 probe (perfect property). The hash table size corresponds to the exact
12499 size of the key set and no larger (minimal property). The key set has to
12500 be know in advance (static property). The hash functions are also order
12501 preservering. If w2 is inserted after w1 in the generator, their
12502 hashcode are in the same order. These hashing functions are very
12503 convenient for use with realtime applications.
12505 @node GNAT.Regexp (g-regexp.ads)
12506 @section @code{GNAT.Regexp} (@file{g-regexp.ads})
12507 @cindex @code{GNAT.Regexp} (@file{g-regexp.ads})
12508 @cindex Regular expressions
12509 @cindex Pattern matching
12512 A simple implementation of regular expressions, using a subset of regular
12513 expression syntax copied from familiar Unix style utilities. This is the
12514 simples of the three pattern matching packages provided, and is particularly
12515 suitable for ``file globbing'' applications.
12517 @node GNAT.Registry (g-regist.ads)
12518 @section @code{GNAT.Registry} (@file{g-regist.ads})
12519 @cindex @code{GNAT.Registry} (@file{g-regist.ads})
12520 @cindex Windows Registry
12523 This is a high level binding to the Windows registry. It is possible to
12524 do simple things like reading a key value, creating a new key. For full
12525 registry API, but at a lower level of abstraction, refer to the Win32.Winreg
12526 package provided with the Win32Ada binding
12528 @node GNAT.Regpat (g-regpat.ads)
12529 @section @code{GNAT.Regpat} (@file{g-regpat.ads})
12530 @cindex @code{GNAT.Regpat} (@file{g-regpat.ads})
12531 @cindex Regular expressions
12532 @cindex Pattern matching
12535 A complete implementation of Unix-style regular expression matching, copied
12536 from the original V7 style regular expression library written in C by
12537 Henry Spencer (and binary compatible with this C library).
12539 @node GNAT.Secondary_Stack_Info (g-sestin.ads)
12540 @section @code{GNAT.Secondary_Stack_Info} (@file{g-sestin.ads})
12541 @cindex @code{GNAT.Secondary_Stack_Info} (@file{g-sestin.ads})
12542 @cindex Secondary Stack Info
12545 Provide the capability to query the high water mark of the current task's
12548 @node GNAT.Semaphores (g-semaph.ads)
12549 @section @code{GNAT.Semaphores} (@file{g-semaph.ads})
12550 @cindex @code{GNAT.Semaphores} (@file{g-semaph.ads})
12554 Provides classic counting and binary semaphores using protected types.
12556 @node GNAT.Signals (g-signal.ads)
12557 @section @code{GNAT.Signals} (@file{g-signal.ads})
12558 @cindex @code{GNAT.Signals} (@file{g-signal.ads})
12562 Provides the ability to manipulate the blocked status of signals on supported
12565 @node GNAT.Sockets (g-socket.ads)
12566 @section @code{GNAT.Sockets} (@file{g-socket.ads})
12567 @cindex @code{GNAT.Sockets} (@file{g-socket.ads})
12571 A high level and portable interface to develop sockets based applications.
12572 This package is based on the sockets thin binding found in
12573 @code{GNAT.Sockets.Thin}. Currently @code{GNAT.Sockets} is implemented
12574 on all native GNAT ports except for OpenVMS@. It is not implemented
12575 for the LynxOS@ cross port.
12577 @node GNAT.Source_Info (g-souinf.ads)
12578 @section @code{GNAT.Source_Info} (@file{g-souinf.ads})
12579 @cindex @code{GNAT.Source_Info} (@file{g-souinf.ads})
12580 @cindex Source Information
12583 Provides subprograms that give access to source code information known at
12584 compile time, such as the current file name and line number.
12586 @node GNAT.Spell_Checker (g-speche.ads)
12587 @section @code{GNAT.Spell_Checker} (@file{g-speche.ads})
12588 @cindex @code{GNAT.Spell_Checker} (@file{g-speche.ads})
12589 @cindex Spell checking
12592 Provides a function for determining whether one string is a plausible
12593 near misspelling of another string.
12595 @node GNAT.Spitbol.Patterns (g-spipat.ads)
12596 @section @code{GNAT.Spitbol.Patterns} (@file{g-spipat.ads})
12597 @cindex @code{GNAT.Spitbol.Patterns} (@file{g-spipat.ads})
12598 @cindex SPITBOL pattern matching
12599 @cindex Pattern matching
12602 A complete implementation of SNOBOL4 style pattern matching. This is the
12603 most elaborate of the pattern matching packages provided. It fully duplicates
12604 the SNOBOL4 dynamic pattern construction and matching capabilities, using the
12605 efficient algorithm developed by Robert Dewar for the SPITBOL system.
12607 @node GNAT.Spitbol (g-spitbo.ads)
12608 @section @code{GNAT.Spitbol} (@file{g-spitbo.ads})
12609 @cindex @code{GNAT.Spitbol} (@file{g-spitbo.ads})
12610 @cindex SPITBOL interface
12613 The top level package of the collection of SPITBOL-style functionality, this
12614 package provides basic SNOBOL4 string manipulation functions, such as
12615 Pad, Reverse, Trim, Substr capability, as well as a generic table function
12616 useful for constructing arbitrary mappings from strings in the style of
12617 the SNOBOL4 TABLE function.
12619 @node GNAT.Spitbol.Table_Boolean (g-sptabo.ads)
12620 @section @code{GNAT.Spitbol.Table_Boolean} (@file{g-sptabo.ads})
12621 @cindex @code{GNAT.Spitbol.Table_Boolean} (@file{g-sptabo.ads})
12622 @cindex Sets of strings
12623 @cindex SPITBOL Tables
12626 A library level of instantiation of @code{GNAT.Spitbol.Patterns.Table}
12627 for type @code{Standard.Boolean}, giving an implementation of sets of
12630 @node GNAT.Spitbol.Table_Integer (g-sptain.ads)
12631 @section @code{GNAT.Spitbol.Table_Integer} (@file{g-sptain.ads})
12632 @cindex @code{GNAT.Spitbol.Table_Integer} (@file{g-sptain.ads})
12633 @cindex Integer maps
12635 @cindex SPITBOL Tables
12638 A library level of instantiation of @code{GNAT.Spitbol.Patterns.Table}
12639 for type @code{Standard.Integer}, giving an implementation of maps
12640 from string to integer values.
12642 @node GNAT.Spitbol.Table_VString (g-sptavs.ads)
12643 @section @code{GNAT.Spitbol.Table_VString} (@file{g-sptavs.ads})
12644 @cindex @code{GNAT.Spitbol.Table_VString} (@file{g-sptavs.ads})
12645 @cindex String maps
12647 @cindex SPITBOL Tables
12650 A library level of instantiation of @code{GNAT.Spitbol.Patterns.Table} for
12651 a variable length string type, giving an implementation of general
12652 maps from strings to strings.
12654 @node GNAT.Strings (g-string.ads)
12655 @section @code{GNAT.Strings} (@file{g-string.ads})
12656 @cindex @code{GNAT.Strings} (@file{g-string.ads})
12659 Common String access types and related subprograms. Basically it
12660 defines a string access and an array of string access types.
12662 @node GNAT.String_Split (g-strspl.ads)
12663 @section @code{GNAT.String_Split} (@file{g-strspl.ads})
12664 @cindex @code{GNAT.String_Split} (@file{g-strspl.ads})
12665 @cindex String splitter
12668 Useful string manipulation routines: given a set of separators, split
12669 a string wherever the separators appear, and provide direct access
12670 to the resulting slices. This package is instantiated from
12671 @code{GNAT.Array_Split}.
12673 @node GNAT.Table (g-table.ads)
12674 @section @code{GNAT.Table} (@file{g-table.ads})
12675 @cindex @code{GNAT.Table} (@file{g-table.ads})
12676 @cindex Table implementation
12677 @cindex Arrays, extendable
12680 A generic package providing a single dimension array abstraction where the
12681 length of the array can be dynamically modified.
12684 This package provides a facility similar to that of @code{GNAT.Dynamic_Tables},
12685 except that this package declares a single instance of the table type,
12686 while an instantiation of @code{GNAT.Dynamic_Tables} creates a type that can be
12687 used to define dynamic instances of the table.
12689 @node GNAT.Task_Lock (g-tasloc.ads)
12690 @section @code{GNAT.Task_Lock} (@file{g-tasloc.ads})
12691 @cindex @code{GNAT.Task_Lock} (@file{g-tasloc.ads})
12692 @cindex Task synchronization
12693 @cindex Task locking
12697 A very simple facility for locking and unlocking sections of code using a
12698 single global task lock. Appropriate for use in situations where contention
12699 between tasks is very rarely expected.
12701 @node GNAT.Threads (g-thread.ads)
12702 @section @code{GNAT.Threads} (@file{g-thread.ads})
12703 @cindex @code{GNAT.Threads} (@file{g-thread.ads})
12704 @cindex Foreign threads
12705 @cindex Threads, foreign
12708 Provides facilities for creating and destroying threads with explicit calls.
12709 These threads are known to the GNAT run-time system. These subprograms are
12710 exported C-convention procedures intended to be called from foreign code.
12711 By using these primitives rather than directly calling operating systems
12712 routines, compatibility with the Ada tasking runt-time is provided.
12714 @node GNAT.Traceback (g-traceb.ads)
12715 @section @code{GNAT.Traceback} (@file{g-traceb.ads})
12716 @cindex @code{GNAT.Traceback} (@file{g-traceb.ads})
12717 @cindex Trace back facilities
12720 Provides a facility for obtaining non-symbolic traceback information, useful
12721 in various debugging situations.
12723 @node GNAT.Traceback.Symbolic (g-trasym.ads)
12724 @section @code{GNAT.Traceback.Symbolic} (@file{g-trasym.ads})
12725 @cindex @code{GNAT.Traceback.Symbolic} (@file{g-trasym.ads})
12726 @cindex Trace back facilities
12729 Provides symbolic traceback information that includes the subprogram
12730 name and line number information.
12732 @node GNAT.Wide_String_Split (g-wistsp.ads)
12733 @section @code{GNAT.Wide_String_Split} (@file{g-wistsp.ads})
12734 @cindex @code{GNAT.Wide_String_Split} (@file{g-wistsp.ads})
12735 @cindex Wide_String splitter
12738 Useful wide string manipulation routines: given a set of separators, split
12739 a wide string wherever the separators appear, and provide direct access
12740 to the resulting slices. This package is instantiated from
12741 @code{GNAT.Array_Split}.
12743 @node GNAT.Wide_Wide_String_Split (g-zistsp.ads)
12744 @section @code{GNAT.Wide_Wide_String_Split} (@file{g-zistsp.ads})
12745 @cindex @code{GNAT.Wide_Wide_String_Split} (@file{g-zistsp.ads})
12746 @cindex Wide_Wide_String splitter
12749 Useful wide wide string manipulation routines: given a set of separators, split
12750 a wide wide string wherever the separators appear, and provide direct access
12751 to the resulting slices. This package is instantiated from
12752 @code{GNAT.Array_Split}.
12754 @node Interfaces.C.Extensions (i-cexten.ads)
12755 @section @code{Interfaces.C.Extensions} (@file{i-cexten.ads})
12756 @cindex @code{Interfaces.C.Extensions} (@file{i-cexten.ads})
12759 This package contains additional C-related definitions, intended
12760 for use with either manually or automatically generated bindings
12763 @node Interfaces.C.Streams (i-cstrea.ads)
12764 @section @code{Interfaces.C.Streams} (@file{i-cstrea.ads})
12765 @cindex @code{Interfaces.C.Streams} (@file{i-cstrea.ads})
12766 @cindex C streams, interfacing
12769 This package is a binding for the most commonly used operations
12772 @node Interfaces.CPP (i-cpp.ads)
12773 @section @code{Interfaces.CPP} (@file{i-cpp.ads})
12774 @cindex @code{Interfaces.CPP} (@file{i-cpp.ads})
12775 @cindex C++ interfacing
12776 @cindex Interfacing, to C++
12779 This package provides facilities for use in interfacing to C++. It
12780 is primarily intended to be used in connection with automated tools
12781 for the generation of C++ interfaces.
12783 @node Interfaces.Os2lib (i-os2lib.ads)
12784 @section @code{Interfaces.Os2lib} (@file{i-os2lib.ads})
12785 @cindex @code{Interfaces.Os2lib} (@file{i-os2lib.ads})
12786 @cindex Interfacing, to OS/2
12787 @cindex OS/2 interfacing
12790 This package provides interface definitions to the OS/2 library.
12791 It is a thin binding which is a direct translation of the
12792 various @file{<bse@.h>} files.
12794 @node Interfaces.Os2lib.Errors (i-os2err.ads)
12795 @section @code{Interfaces.Os2lib.Errors} (@file{i-os2err.ads})
12796 @cindex @code{Interfaces.Os2lib.Errors} (@file{i-os2err.ads})
12797 @cindex OS/2 Error codes
12798 @cindex Interfacing, to OS/2
12799 @cindex OS/2 interfacing
12802 This package provides definitions of the OS/2 error codes.
12804 @node Interfaces.Os2lib.Synchronization (i-os2syn.ads)
12805 @section @code{Interfaces.Os2lib.Synchronization} (@file{i-os2syn.ads})
12806 @cindex @code{Interfaces.Os2lib.Synchronization} (@file{i-os2syn.ads})
12807 @cindex Interfacing, to OS/2
12808 @cindex Synchronization, OS/2
12809 @cindex OS/2 synchronization primitives
12812 This is a child package that provides definitions for interfacing
12813 to the @code{OS/2} synchronization primitives.
12815 @node Interfaces.Os2lib.Threads (i-os2thr.ads)
12816 @section @code{Interfaces.Os2lib.Threads} (@file{i-os2thr.ads})
12817 @cindex @code{Interfaces.Os2lib.Threads} (@file{i-os2thr.ads})
12818 @cindex Interfacing, to OS/2
12819 @cindex Thread control, OS/2
12820 @cindex OS/2 thread interfacing
12823 This is a child package that provides definitions for interfacing
12824 to the @code{OS/2} thread primitives.
12826 @node Interfaces.Packed_Decimal (i-pacdec.ads)
12827 @section @code{Interfaces.Packed_Decimal} (@file{i-pacdec.ads})
12828 @cindex @code{Interfaces.Packed_Decimal} (@file{i-pacdec.ads})
12829 @cindex IBM Packed Format
12830 @cindex Packed Decimal
12833 This package provides a set of routines for conversions to and
12834 from a packed decimal format compatible with that used on IBM
12837 @node Interfaces.VxWorks (i-vxwork.ads)
12838 @section @code{Interfaces.VxWorks} (@file{i-vxwork.ads})
12839 @cindex @code{Interfaces.VxWorks} (@file{i-vxwork.ads})
12840 @cindex Interfacing to VxWorks
12841 @cindex VxWorks, interfacing
12844 This package provides a limited binding to the VxWorks API.
12845 In particular, it interfaces with the
12846 VxWorks hardware interrupt facilities.
12848 @node Interfaces.VxWorks.IO (i-vxwoio.ads)
12849 @section @code{Interfaces.VxWorks.IO} (@file{i-vxwoio.ads})
12850 @cindex @code{Interfaces.VxWorks.IO} (@file{i-vxwoio.ads})
12851 @cindex Interfacing to VxWorks' I/O
12852 @cindex VxWorks, I/O interfacing
12853 @cindex VxWorks, Get_Immediate
12854 @cindex Get_Immediate, VxWorks
12857 This package provides a binding to the ioctl (IO/Control)
12858 function of VxWorks, defining a set of option values and
12859 function codes. A particular use of this package is
12860 to enable the use of Get_Immediate under VxWorks.
12862 @node System.Address_Image (s-addima.ads)
12863 @section @code{System.Address_Image} (@file{s-addima.ads})
12864 @cindex @code{System.Address_Image} (@file{s-addima.ads})
12865 @cindex Address image
12866 @cindex Image, of an address
12869 This function provides a useful debugging
12870 function that gives an (implementation dependent)
12871 string which identifies an address.
12873 @node System.Assertions (s-assert.ads)
12874 @section @code{System.Assertions} (@file{s-assert.ads})
12875 @cindex @code{System.Assertions} (@file{s-assert.ads})
12877 @cindex Assert_Failure, exception
12880 This package provides the declaration of the exception raised
12881 by an run-time assertion failure, as well as the routine that
12882 is used internally to raise this assertion.
12884 @node System.Memory (s-memory.ads)
12885 @section @code{System.Memory} (@file{s-memory.ads})
12886 @cindex @code{System.Memory} (@file{s-memory.ads})
12887 @cindex Memory allocation
12890 This package provides the interface to the low level routines used
12891 by the generated code for allocation and freeing storage for the
12892 default storage pool (analogous to the C routines malloc and free.
12893 It also provides a reallocation interface analogous to the C routine
12894 realloc. The body of this unit may be modified to provide alternative
12895 allocation mechanisms for the default pool, and in addition, direct
12896 calls to this unit may be made for low level allocation uses (for
12897 example see the body of @code{GNAT.Tables}).
12899 @node System.Partition_Interface (s-parint.ads)
12900 @section @code{System.Partition_Interface} (@file{s-parint.ads})
12901 @cindex @code{System.Partition_Interface} (@file{s-parint.ads})
12902 @cindex Partition intefacing functions
12905 This package provides facilities for partition interfacing. It
12906 is used primarily in a distribution context when using Annex E
12909 @node System.Restrictions (s-restri.ads)
12910 @section @code{System.Restrictions} (@file{s-restri.ads})
12911 @cindex @code{System.Restrictions} (@file{s-restri.ads})
12912 @cindex Run-time restrictions access
12915 This package provides facilities for accessing at run-time
12916 the status of restrictions specified at compile time for
12917 the partition. Information is available both with regard
12918 to actual restrictions specified, and with regard to
12919 compiler determined information on which restrictions
12920 are violated by one or more packages in the partition.
12922 @node System.Rident (s-rident.ads)
12923 @section @code{System.Rident} (@file{s-rident.ads})
12924 @cindex @code{System.Rident} (@file{s-rident.ads})
12925 @cindex Restrictions definitions
12928 This package provides definitions of the restrictions
12929 identifiers supported by GNAT, and also the format of
12930 the restrictions provided in package System.Restrictions.
12931 It is not normally necessary to @code{with} this generic package
12932 since the necessary instantiation is included in
12933 package System.Restrictions.
12935 @node System.Task_Info (s-tasinf.ads)
12936 @section @code{System.Task_Info} (@file{s-tasinf.ads})
12937 @cindex @code{System.Task_Info} (@file{s-tasinf.ads})
12938 @cindex Task_Info pragma
12941 This package provides target dependent functionality that is used
12942 to support the @code{Task_Info} pragma
12944 @node System.Wch_Cnv (s-wchcnv.ads)
12945 @section @code{System.Wch_Cnv} (@file{s-wchcnv.ads})
12946 @cindex @code{System.Wch_Cnv} (@file{s-wchcnv.ads})
12947 @cindex Wide Character, Representation
12948 @cindex Wide String, Conversion
12949 @cindex Representation of wide characters
12952 This package provides routines for converting between
12953 wide and wide wide characters and a representation as a value of type
12954 @code{Standard.String}, using a specified wide character
12955 encoding method. It uses definitions in
12956 package @code{System.Wch_Con}.
12958 @node System.Wch_Con (s-wchcon.ads)
12959 @section @code{System.Wch_Con} (@file{s-wchcon.ads})
12960 @cindex @code{System.Wch_Con} (@file{s-wchcon.ads})
12963 This package provides definitions and descriptions of
12964 the various methods used for encoding wide characters
12965 in ordinary strings. These definitions are used by
12966 the package @code{System.Wch_Cnv}.
12968 @node Interfacing to Other Languages
12969 @chapter Interfacing to Other Languages
12971 The facilities in annex B of the Ada 95 Reference Manual are fully
12972 implemented in GNAT, and in addition, a full interface to C++ is
12976 * Interfacing to C::
12977 * Interfacing to C++::
12978 * Interfacing to COBOL::
12979 * Interfacing to Fortran::
12980 * Interfacing to non-GNAT Ada code::
12983 @node Interfacing to C
12984 @section Interfacing to C
12987 Interfacing to C with GNAT can use one of two approaches:
12991 The types in the package @code{Interfaces.C} may be used.
12993 Standard Ada types may be used directly. This may be less portable to
12994 other compilers, but will work on all GNAT compilers, which guarantee
12995 correspondence between the C and Ada types.
12999 Pragma @code{Convention C} may be applied to Ada types, but mostly has no
13000 effect, since this is the default. The following table shows the
13001 correspondence between Ada scalar types and the corresponding C types.
13006 @item Short_Integer
13008 @item Short_Short_Integer
13012 @item Long_Long_Integer
13020 @item Long_Long_Float
13021 This is the longest floating-point type supported by the hardware.
13025 Additionally, there are the following general correspondences between Ada
13029 Ada enumeration types map to C enumeration types directly if pragma
13030 @code{Convention C} is specified, which causes them to have int
13031 length. Without pragma @code{Convention C}, Ada enumeration types map to
13032 8, 16, or 32 bits (i.e.@: C types @code{signed char}, @code{short},
13033 @code{int}, respectively) depending on the number of values passed.
13034 This is the only case in which pragma @code{Convention C} affects the
13035 representation of an Ada type.
13038 Ada access types map to C pointers, except for the case of pointers to
13039 unconstrained types in Ada, which have no direct C equivalent.
13042 Ada arrays map directly to C arrays.
13045 Ada records map directly to C structures.
13048 Packed Ada records map to C structures where all members are bit fields
13049 of the length corresponding to the @code{@var{type}'Size} value in Ada.
13052 @node Interfacing to C++
13053 @section Interfacing to C++
13056 The interface to C++ makes use of the following pragmas, which are
13057 primarily intended to be constructed automatically using a binding generator
13058 tool, although it is possible to construct them by hand. No suitable binding
13059 generator tool is supplied with GNAT though.
13061 Using these pragmas it is possible to achieve complete
13062 inter-operability between Ada tagged types and C class definitions.
13063 See @ref{Implementation Defined Pragmas}, for more details.
13066 @item pragma CPP_Class ([Entity =>] @var{local_name})
13067 The argument denotes an entity in the current declarative region that is
13068 declared as a tagged or untagged record type. It indicates that the type
13069 corresponds to an externally declared C++ class type, and is to be laid
13070 out the same way that C++ would lay out the type.
13072 @item pragma CPP_Constructor ([Entity =>] @var{local_name})
13073 This pragma identifies an imported function (imported in the usual way
13074 with pragma @code{Import}) as corresponding to a C++ constructor.
13076 @item pragma CPP_Vtable @dots{}
13077 One @code{CPP_Vtable} pragma can be present for each component of type
13078 @code{CPP.Interfaces.Vtable_Ptr} in a record to which pragma @code{CPP_Class}
13082 @node Interfacing to COBOL
13083 @section Interfacing to COBOL
13086 Interfacing to COBOL is achieved as described in section B.4 of
13087 the Ada 95 reference manual.
13089 @node Interfacing to Fortran
13090 @section Interfacing to Fortran
13093 Interfacing to Fortran is achieved as described in section B.5 of the
13094 reference manual. The pragma @code{Convention Fortran}, applied to a
13095 multi-dimensional array causes the array to be stored in column-major
13096 order as required for convenient interface to Fortran.
13098 @node Interfacing to non-GNAT Ada code
13099 @section Interfacing to non-GNAT Ada code
13101 It is possible to specify the convention @code{Ada} in a pragma
13102 @code{Import} or pragma @code{Export}. However this refers to
13103 the calling conventions used by GNAT, which may or may not be
13104 similar enough to those used by some other Ada 83 or Ada 95
13105 compiler to allow interoperation.
13107 If arguments types are kept simple, and if the foreign compiler generally
13108 follows system calling conventions, then it may be possible to integrate
13109 files compiled by other Ada compilers, provided that the elaboration
13110 issues are adequately addressed (for example by eliminating the
13111 need for any load time elaboration).
13113 In particular, GNAT running on VMS is designed to
13114 be highly compatible with the DEC Ada 83 compiler, so this is one
13115 case in which it is possible to import foreign units of this type,
13116 provided that the data items passed are restricted to simple scalar
13117 values or simple record types without variants, or simple array
13118 types with fixed bounds.
13120 @node Specialized Needs Annexes
13121 @chapter Specialized Needs Annexes
13124 Ada 95 defines a number of specialized needs annexes, which are not
13125 required in all implementations. However, as described in this chapter,
13126 GNAT implements all of these special needs annexes:
13129 @item Systems Programming (Annex C)
13130 The Systems Programming Annex is fully implemented.
13132 @item Real-Time Systems (Annex D)
13133 The Real-Time Systems Annex is fully implemented.
13135 @item Distributed Systems (Annex E)
13136 Stub generation is fully implemented in the GNAT compiler. In addition,
13137 a complete compatible PCS is available as part of the GLADE system,
13138 a separate product. When the two
13139 products are used in conjunction, this annex is fully implemented.
13141 @item Information Systems (Annex F)
13142 The Information Systems annex is fully implemented.
13144 @item Numerics (Annex G)
13145 The Numerics Annex is fully implemented.
13147 @item Safety and Security (Annex H)
13148 The Safety and Security annex is fully implemented.
13151 @node Implementation of Specific Ada Features
13152 @chapter Implementation of Specific Ada Features
13155 This chapter describes the GNAT implementation of several Ada language
13159 * Machine Code Insertions::
13160 * GNAT Implementation of Tasking::
13161 * GNAT Implementation of Shared Passive Packages::
13162 * Code Generation for Array Aggregates::
13163 * The Size of Discriminated Records with Default Discriminants::
13166 @node Machine Code Insertions
13167 @section Machine Code Insertions
13170 Package @code{Machine_Code} provides machine code support as described
13171 in the Ada 95 Reference Manual in two separate forms:
13174 Machine code statements, consisting of qualified expressions that
13175 fit the requirements of RM section 13.8.
13177 An intrinsic callable procedure, providing an alternative mechanism of
13178 including machine instructions in a subprogram.
13182 The two features are similar, and both are closely related to the mechanism
13183 provided by the asm instruction in the GNU C compiler. Full understanding
13184 and use of the facilities in this package requires understanding the asm
13185 instruction as described in @cite{Using the GNU Compiler Collection (GCC)}
13186 by Richard Stallman. The relevant section is titled ``Extensions to the C
13187 Language Family'' -> ``Assembler Instructions with C Expression Operands''.
13189 Calls to the function @code{Asm} and the procedure @code{Asm} have identical
13190 semantic restrictions and effects as described below. Both are provided so
13191 that the procedure call can be used as a statement, and the function call
13192 can be used to form a code_statement.
13194 The first example given in the GCC documentation is the C @code{asm}
13197 asm ("fsinx %1 %0" : "=f" (result) : "f" (angle));
13201 The equivalent can be written for GNAT as:
13203 @smallexample @c ada
13204 Asm ("fsinx %1 %0",
13205 My_Float'Asm_Output ("=f", result),
13206 My_Float'Asm_Input ("f", angle));
13210 The first argument to @code{Asm} is the assembler template, and is
13211 identical to what is used in GNU C@. This string must be a static
13212 expression. The second argument is the output operand list. It is
13213 either a single @code{Asm_Output} attribute reference, or a list of such
13214 references enclosed in parentheses (technically an array aggregate of
13217 The @code{Asm_Output} attribute denotes a function that takes two
13218 parameters. The first is a string, the second is the name of a variable
13219 of the type designated by the attribute prefix. The first (string)
13220 argument is required to be a static expression and designates the
13221 constraint for the parameter (e.g.@: what kind of register is
13222 required). The second argument is the variable to be updated with the
13223 result. The possible values for constraint are the same as those used in
13224 the RTL, and are dependent on the configuration file used to build the
13225 GCC back end. If there are no output operands, then this argument may
13226 either be omitted, or explicitly given as @code{No_Output_Operands}.
13228 The second argument of @code{@var{my_float}'Asm_Output} functions as
13229 though it were an @code{out} parameter, which is a little curious, but
13230 all names have the form of expressions, so there is no syntactic
13231 irregularity, even though normally functions would not be permitted
13232 @code{out} parameters. The third argument is the list of input
13233 operands. It is either a single @code{Asm_Input} attribute reference, or
13234 a list of such references enclosed in parentheses (technically an array
13235 aggregate of such references).
13237 The @code{Asm_Input} attribute denotes a function that takes two
13238 parameters. The first is a string, the second is an expression of the
13239 type designated by the prefix. The first (string) argument is required
13240 to be a static expression, and is the constraint for the parameter,
13241 (e.g.@: what kind of register is required). The second argument is the
13242 value to be used as the input argument. The possible values for the
13243 constant are the same as those used in the RTL, and are dependent on
13244 the configuration file used to built the GCC back end.
13246 If there are no input operands, this argument may either be omitted, or
13247 explicitly given as @code{No_Input_Operands}. The fourth argument, not
13248 present in the above example, is a list of register names, called the
13249 @dfn{clobber} argument. This argument, if given, must be a static string
13250 expression, and is a space or comma separated list of names of registers
13251 that must be considered destroyed as a result of the @code{Asm} call. If
13252 this argument is the null string (the default value), then the code
13253 generator assumes that no additional registers are destroyed.
13255 The fifth argument, not present in the above example, called the
13256 @dfn{volatile} argument, is by default @code{False}. It can be set to
13257 the literal value @code{True} to indicate to the code generator that all
13258 optimizations with respect to the instruction specified should be
13259 suppressed, and that in particular, for an instruction that has outputs,
13260 the instruction will still be generated, even if none of the outputs are
13261 used. See the full description in the GCC manual for further details.
13263 The @code{Asm} subprograms may be used in two ways. First the procedure
13264 forms can be used anywhere a procedure call would be valid, and
13265 correspond to what the RM calls ``intrinsic'' routines. Such calls can
13266 be used to intersperse machine instructions with other Ada statements.
13267 Second, the function forms, which return a dummy value of the limited
13268 private type @code{Asm_Insn}, can be used in code statements, and indeed
13269 this is the only context where such calls are allowed. Code statements
13270 appear as aggregates of the form:
13272 @smallexample @c ada
13273 Asm_Insn'(Asm (@dots{}));
13274 Asm_Insn'(Asm_Volatile (@dots{}));
13278 In accordance with RM rules, such code statements are allowed only
13279 within subprograms whose entire body consists of such statements. It is
13280 not permissible to intermix such statements with other Ada statements.
13282 Typically the form using intrinsic procedure calls is more convenient
13283 and more flexible. The code statement form is provided to meet the RM
13284 suggestion that such a facility should be made available. The following
13285 is the exact syntax of the call to @code{Asm}. As usual, if named notation
13286 is used, the arguments may be given in arbitrary order, following the
13287 normal rules for use of positional and named arguments)
13291 [Template =>] static_string_EXPRESSION
13292 [,[Outputs =>] OUTPUT_OPERAND_LIST ]
13293 [,[Inputs =>] INPUT_OPERAND_LIST ]
13294 [,[Clobber =>] static_string_EXPRESSION ]
13295 [,[Volatile =>] static_boolean_EXPRESSION] )
13297 OUTPUT_OPERAND_LIST ::=
13298 [PREFIX.]No_Output_Operands
13299 | OUTPUT_OPERAND_ATTRIBUTE
13300 | (OUTPUT_OPERAND_ATTRIBUTE @{,OUTPUT_OPERAND_ATTRIBUTE@})
13302 OUTPUT_OPERAND_ATTRIBUTE ::=
13303 SUBTYPE_MARK'Asm_Output (static_string_EXPRESSION, NAME)
13305 INPUT_OPERAND_LIST ::=
13306 [PREFIX.]No_Input_Operands
13307 | INPUT_OPERAND_ATTRIBUTE
13308 | (INPUT_OPERAND_ATTRIBUTE @{,INPUT_OPERAND_ATTRIBUTE@})
13310 INPUT_OPERAND_ATTRIBUTE ::=
13311 SUBTYPE_MARK'Asm_Input (static_string_EXPRESSION, EXPRESSION)
13315 The identifiers @code{No_Input_Operands} and @code{No_Output_Operands}
13316 are declared in the package @code{Machine_Code} and must be referenced
13317 according to normal visibility rules. In particular if there is no
13318 @code{use} clause for this package, then appropriate package name
13319 qualification is required.
13321 @node GNAT Implementation of Tasking
13322 @section GNAT Implementation of Tasking
13325 This chapter outlines the basic GNAT approach to tasking (in particular,
13326 a multi-layered library for portability) and discusses issues related
13327 to compliance with the Real-Time Systems Annex.
13330 * Mapping Ada Tasks onto the Underlying Kernel Threads::
13331 * Ensuring Compliance with the Real-Time Annex::
13334 @node Mapping Ada Tasks onto the Underlying Kernel Threads
13335 @subsection Mapping Ada Tasks onto the Underlying Kernel Threads
13338 GNAT's run-time support comprises two layers:
13341 @item GNARL (GNAT Run-time Layer)
13342 @item GNULL (GNAT Low-level Library)
13346 In GNAT, Ada's tasking services rely on a platform and OS independent
13347 layer known as GNARL@. This code is responsible for implementing the
13348 correct semantics of Ada's task creation, rendezvous, protected
13351 GNARL decomposes Ada's tasking semantics into simpler lower level
13352 operations such as create a thread, set the priority of a thread,
13353 yield, create a lock, lock/unlock, etc. The spec for these low-level
13354 operations constitutes GNULLI, the GNULL Interface. This interface is
13355 directly inspired from the POSIX real-time API@.
13357 If the underlying executive or OS implements the POSIX standard
13358 faithfully, the GNULL Interface maps as is to the services offered by
13359 the underlying kernel. Otherwise, some target dependent glue code maps
13360 the services offered by the underlying kernel to the semantics expected
13363 Whatever the underlying OS (VxWorks, UNIX, OS/2, Windows NT, etc.) the
13364 key point is that each Ada task is mapped on a thread in the underlying
13365 kernel. For example, in the case of VxWorks, one Ada task = one VxWorks task.
13367 In addition Ada task priorities map onto the underlying thread priorities.
13368 Mapping Ada tasks onto the underlying kernel threads has several advantages:
13372 The underlying scheduler is used to schedule the Ada tasks. This
13373 makes Ada tasks as efficient as kernel threads from a scheduling
13377 Interaction with code written in C containing threads is eased
13378 since at the lowest level Ada tasks and C threads map onto the same
13379 underlying kernel concept.
13382 When an Ada task is blocked during I/O the remaining Ada tasks are
13386 On multiprocessor systems Ada tasks can execute in parallel.
13390 Some threads libraries offer a mechanism to fork a new process, with the
13391 child process duplicating the threads from the parent.
13393 support this functionality when the parent contains more than one task.
13394 @cindex Forking a new process
13396 @node Ensuring Compliance with the Real-Time Annex
13397 @subsection Ensuring Compliance with the Real-Time Annex
13398 @cindex Real-Time Systems Annex compliance
13401 Although mapping Ada tasks onto
13402 the underlying threads has significant advantages, it does create some
13403 complications when it comes to respecting the scheduling semantics
13404 specified in the real-time annex (Annex D).
13406 For instance the Annex D requirement for the @code{FIFO_Within_Priorities}
13407 scheduling policy states:
13410 @emph{When the active priority of a ready task that is not running
13411 changes, or the setting of its base priority takes effect, the
13412 task is removed from the ready queue for its old active priority
13413 and is added at the tail of the ready queue for its new active
13414 priority, except in the case where the active priority is lowered
13415 due to the loss of inherited priority, in which case the task is
13416 added at the head of the ready queue for its new active priority.}
13420 While most kernels do put tasks at the end of the priority queue when
13421 a task changes its priority, (which respects the main
13422 FIFO_Within_Priorities requirement), almost none keep a thread at the
13423 beginning of its priority queue when its priority drops from the loss
13424 of inherited priority.
13426 As a result most vendors have provided incomplete Annex D implementations.
13428 The GNAT run-time, has a nice cooperative solution to this problem
13429 which ensures that accurate FIFO_Within_Priorities semantics are
13432 The principle is as follows. When an Ada task T is about to start
13433 running, it checks whether some other Ada task R with the same
13434 priority as T has been suspended due to the loss of priority
13435 inheritance. If this is the case, T yields and is placed at the end of
13436 its priority queue. When R arrives at the front of the queue it
13439 Note that this simple scheme preserves the relative order of the tasks
13440 that were ready to execute in the priority queue where R has been
13443 @node GNAT Implementation of Shared Passive Packages
13444 @section GNAT Implementation of Shared Passive Packages
13445 @cindex Shared passive packages
13448 GNAT fully implements the pragma @code{Shared_Passive} for
13449 @cindex pragma @code{Shared_Passive}
13450 the purpose of designating shared passive packages.
13451 This allows the use of passive partitions in the
13452 context described in the Ada Reference Manual; i.e. for communication
13453 between separate partitions of a distributed application using the
13454 features in Annex E.
13456 @cindex Distribution Systems Annex
13458 However, the implementation approach used by GNAT provides for more
13459 extensive usage as follows:
13462 @item Communication between separate programs
13464 This allows separate programs to access the data in passive
13465 partitions, using protected objects for synchronization where
13466 needed. The only requirement is that the two programs have a
13467 common shared file system. It is even possible for programs
13468 running on different machines with different architectures
13469 (e.g. different endianness) to communicate via the data in
13470 a passive partition.
13472 @item Persistence between program runs
13474 The data in a passive package can persist from one run of a
13475 program to another, so that a later program sees the final
13476 values stored by a previous run of the same program.
13481 The implementation approach used is to store the data in files. A
13482 separate stream file is created for each object in the package, and
13483 an access to an object causes the corresponding file to be read or
13486 The environment variable @code{SHARED_MEMORY_DIRECTORY} should be
13487 @cindex @code{SHARED_MEMORY_DIRECTORY} environment variable
13488 set to the directory to be used for these files.
13489 The files in this directory
13490 have names that correspond to their fully qualified names. For
13491 example, if we have the package
13493 @smallexample @c ada
13495 pragma Shared_Passive (X);
13502 and the environment variable is set to @code{/stemp/}, then the files created
13503 will have the names:
13511 These files are created when a value is initially written to the object, and
13512 the files are retained until manually deleted. This provides the persistence
13513 semantics. If no file exists, it means that no partition has assigned a value
13514 to the variable; in this case the initial value declared in the package
13515 will be used. This model ensures that there are no issues in synchronizing
13516 the elaboration process, since elaboration of passive packages elaborates the
13517 initial values, but does not create the files.
13519 The files are written using normal @code{Stream_IO} access.
13520 If you want to be able
13521 to communicate between programs or partitions running on different
13522 architectures, then you should use the XDR versions of the stream attribute
13523 routines, since these are architecture independent.
13525 If active synchronization is required for access to the variables in the
13526 shared passive package, then as described in the Ada Reference Manual, the
13527 package may contain protected objects used for this purpose. In this case
13528 a lock file (whose name is @file{___lock} (three underscores)
13529 is created in the shared memory directory.
13530 @cindex @file{___lock} file (for shared passive packages)
13531 This is used to provide the required locking
13532 semantics for proper protected object synchronization.
13534 As of January 2003, GNAT supports shared passive packages on all platforms
13535 except for OpenVMS.
13537 @node Code Generation for Array Aggregates
13538 @section Code Generation for Array Aggregates
13541 * Static constant aggregates with static bounds::
13542 * Constant aggregates with an unconstrained nominal types::
13543 * Aggregates with static bounds::
13544 * Aggregates with non-static bounds::
13545 * Aggregates in assignment statements::
13549 Aggregate have a rich syntax and allow the user to specify the values of
13550 complex data structures by means of a single construct. As a result, the
13551 code generated for aggregates can be quite complex and involve loops, case
13552 statements and multiple assignments. In the simplest cases, however, the
13553 compiler will recognize aggregates whose components and constraints are
13554 fully static, and in those cases the compiler will generate little or no
13555 executable code. The following is an outline of the code that GNAT generates
13556 for various aggregate constructs. For further details, the user will find it
13557 useful to examine the output produced by the -gnatG flag to see the expanded
13558 source that is input to the code generator. The user will also want to examine
13559 the assembly code generated at various levels of optimization.
13561 The code generated for aggregates depends on the context, the component values,
13562 and the type. In the context of an object declaration the code generated is
13563 generally simpler than in the case of an assignment. As a general rule, static
13564 component values and static subtypes also lead to simpler code.
13566 @node Static constant aggregates with static bounds
13567 @subsection Static constant aggregates with static bounds
13570 For the declarations:
13571 @smallexample @c ada
13572 type One_Dim is array (1..10) of integer;
13573 ar0 : constant One_Dim := ( 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 0);
13577 GNAT generates no executable code: the constant ar0 is placed in static memory.
13578 The same is true for constant aggregates with named associations:
13580 @smallexample @c ada
13581 Cr1 : constant One_Dim := (4 => 16, 2 => 4, 3 => 9, 1=> 1);
13582 Cr3 : constant One_Dim := (others => 7777);
13586 The same is true for multidimensional constant arrays such as:
13588 @smallexample @c ada
13589 type two_dim is array (1..3, 1..3) of integer;
13590 Unit : constant two_dim := ( (1,0,0), (0,1,0), (0,0,1));
13594 The same is true for arrays of one-dimensional arrays: the following are
13597 @smallexample @c ada
13598 type ar1b is array (1..3) of boolean;
13599 type ar_ar is array (1..3) of ar1b;
13600 None : constant ar1b := (others => false); -- fully static
13601 None2 : constant ar_ar := (1..3 => None); -- fully static
13605 However, for multidimensional aggregates with named associations, GNAT will
13606 generate assignments and loops, even if all associations are static. The
13607 following two declarations generate a loop for the first dimension, and
13608 individual component assignments for the second dimension:
13610 @smallexample @c ada
13611 Zero1: constant two_dim := (1..3 => (1..3 => 0));
13612 Zero2: constant two_dim := (others => (others => 0));
13615 @node Constant aggregates with an unconstrained nominal types
13616 @subsection Constant aggregates with an unconstrained nominal types
13619 In such cases the aggregate itself establishes the subtype, so that
13620 associations with @code{others} cannot be used. GNAT determines the
13621 bounds for the actual subtype of the aggregate, and allocates the
13622 aggregate statically as well. No code is generated for the following:
13624 @smallexample @c ada
13625 type One_Unc is array (natural range <>) of integer;
13626 Cr_Unc : constant One_Unc := (12,24,36);
13629 @node Aggregates with static bounds
13630 @subsection Aggregates with static bounds
13633 In all previous examples the aggregate was the initial (and immutable) value
13634 of a constant. If the aggregate initializes a variable, then code is generated
13635 for it as a combination of individual assignments and loops over the target
13636 object. The declarations
13638 @smallexample @c ada
13639 Cr_Var1 : One_Dim := (2, 5, 7, 11);
13640 Cr_Var2 : One_Dim := (others > -1);
13644 generate the equivalent of
13646 @smallexample @c ada
13652 for I in Cr_Var2'range loop
13653 Cr_Var2 (I) := =-1;
13657 @node Aggregates with non-static bounds
13658 @subsection Aggregates with non-static bounds
13661 If the bounds of the aggregate are not statically compatible with the bounds
13662 of the nominal subtype of the target, then constraint checks have to be
13663 generated on the bounds. For a multidimensional array, constraint checks may
13664 have to be applied to sub-arrays individually, if they do not have statically
13665 compatible subtypes.
13667 @node Aggregates in assignment statements
13668 @subsection Aggregates in assignment statements
13671 In general, aggregate assignment requires the construction of a temporary,
13672 and a copy from the temporary to the target of the assignment. This is because
13673 it is not always possible to convert the assignment into a series of individual
13674 component assignments. For example, consider the simple case:
13676 @smallexample @c ada
13681 This cannot be converted into:
13683 @smallexample @c ada
13689 So the aggregate has to be built first in a separate location, and then
13690 copied into the target. GNAT recognizes simple cases where this intermediate
13691 step is not required, and the assignments can be performed in place, directly
13692 into the target. The following sufficient criteria are applied:
13696 The bounds of the aggregate are static, and the associations are static.
13698 The components of the aggregate are static constants, names of
13699 simple variables that are not renamings, or expressions not involving
13700 indexed components whose operands obey these rules.
13704 If any of these conditions are violated, the aggregate will be built in
13705 a temporary (created either by the front-end or the code generator) and then
13706 that temporary will be copied onto the target.
13709 @node The Size of Discriminated Records with Default Discriminants
13710 @section The Size of Discriminated Records with Default Discriminants
13713 If a discriminated type @code{T} has discriminants with default values, it is
13714 possible to declare an object of this type without providing an explicit
13717 @smallexample @c ada
13719 type Size is range 1..100;
13721 type Rec (D : Size := 15) is record
13722 Name : String (1..D);
13730 Such an object is said to be @emph{unconstrained}.
13731 The discriminant of the object
13732 can be modified by a full assignment to the object, as long as it preserves the
13733 relation between the value of the discriminant, and the value of the components
13736 @smallexample @c ada
13738 Word := (3, "yes");
13740 Word := (5, "maybe");
13742 Word := (5, "no"); -- raises Constraint_Error
13747 In order to support this behavior efficiently, an unconstrained object is
13748 given the maximum size that any value of the type requires. In the case
13749 above, @code{Word} has storage for the discriminant and for
13750 a @code{String} of length 100.
13751 It is important to note that unconstrained objects do not require dynamic
13752 allocation. It would be an improper implementation to place on the heap those
13753 components whose size depends on discriminants. (This improper implementation
13754 was used by some Ada83 compilers, where the @code{Name} component above
13756 been stored as a pointer to a dynamic string). Following the principle that
13757 dynamic storage management should never be introduced implicitly,
13758 an Ada95 compiler should reserve the full size for an unconstrained declared
13759 object, and place it on the stack.
13761 This maximum size approach
13762 has been a source of surprise to some users, who expect the default
13763 values of the discriminants to determine the size reserved for an
13764 unconstrained object: ``If the default is 15, why should the object occupy
13766 The answer, of course, is that the discriminant may be later modified,
13767 and its full range of values must be taken into account. This is why the
13772 type Rec (D : Positive := 15) is record
13773 Name : String (1..D);
13781 is flagged by the compiler with a warning:
13782 an attempt to create @code{Too_Large} will raise @code{Storage_Error},
13783 because the required size includes @code{Positive'Last}
13784 bytes. As the first example indicates, the proper approach is to declare an
13785 index type of ``reasonable'' range so that unconstrained objects are not too
13788 One final wrinkle: if the object is declared to be @code{aliased}, or if it is
13789 created in the heap by means of an allocator, then it is @emph{not}
13791 it is constrained by the default values of the discriminants, and those values
13792 cannot be modified by full assignment. This is because in the presence of
13793 aliasing all views of the object (which may be manipulated by different tasks,
13794 say) must be consistent, so it is imperative that the object, once created,
13800 @node Project File Reference
13801 @chapter Project File Reference
13804 This chapter describes the syntax and semantics of project files.
13805 Project files specify the options to be used when building a system.
13806 Project files can specify global settings for all tools,
13807 as well as tool-specific settings.
13808 See the chapter on project files in the GNAT Users guide for examples of use.
13812 * Lexical Elements::
13814 * Empty declarations::
13815 * Typed string declarations::
13819 * Project Attributes::
13820 * Attribute References::
13821 * External Values::
13822 * Case Construction::
13824 * Package Renamings::
13826 * Project Extensions::
13827 * Project File Elaboration::
13830 @node Reserved Words
13831 @section Reserved Words
13834 All Ada95 reserved words are reserved in project files, and cannot be used
13835 as variable names or project names. In addition, the following are
13836 also reserved in project files:
13839 @item @code{extends}
13841 @item @code{external}
13843 @item @code{project}
13847 @node Lexical Elements
13848 @section Lexical Elements
13851 Rules for identifiers are the same as in Ada95. Identifiers
13852 are case-insensitive. Strings are case sensitive, except where noted.
13853 Comments have the same form as in Ada95.
13863 simple_name @{. simple_name@}
13867 @section Declarations
13870 Declarations introduce new entities that denote types, variables, attributes,
13871 and packages. Some declarations can only appear immediately within a project
13872 declaration. Others can appear within a project or within a package.
13876 declarative_item ::=
13877 simple_declarative_item |
13878 typed_string_declaration |
13879 package_declaration
13881 simple_declarative_item ::=
13882 variable_declaration |
13883 typed_variable_declaration |
13884 attribute_declaration |
13885 case_construction |
13889 @node Empty declarations
13890 @section Empty declarations
13893 empty_declaration ::=
13897 An empty declaration is allowed anywhere a declaration is allowed.
13900 @node Typed string declarations
13901 @section Typed string declarations
13904 Typed strings are sequences of string literals. Typed strings are the only
13905 named types in project files. They are used in case constructions, where they
13906 provide support for conditional attribute definitions.
13910 typed_string_declaration ::=
13911 @b{type} <typed_string_>_simple_name @b{is}
13912 ( string_literal @{, string_literal@} );
13916 A typed string declaration can only appear immediately within a project
13919 All the string literals in a typed string declaration must be distinct.
13925 Variables denote values, and appear as constituents of expressions.
13928 typed_variable_declaration ::=
13929 <typed_variable_>simple_name : <typed_string_>name := string_expression ;
13931 variable_declaration ::=
13932 <variable_>simple_name := expression;
13936 The elaboration of a variable declaration introduces the variable and
13937 assigns to it the value of the expression. The name of the variable is
13938 available after the assignment symbol.
13941 A typed_variable can only be declare once.
13944 a non typed variable can be declared multiple times.
13947 Before the completion of its first declaration, the value of variable
13948 is the null string.
13951 @section Expressions
13954 An expression is a formula that defines a computation or retrieval of a value.
13955 In a project file the value of an expression is either a string or a list
13956 of strings. A string value in an expression is either a literal, the current
13957 value of a variable, an external value, an attribute reference, or a
13958 concatenation operation.
13971 attribute_reference
13977 ( <string_>expression @{ , <string_>expression @} )
13980 @subsection Concatenation
13982 The following concatenation functions are defined:
13984 @smallexample @c ada
13985 function "&" (X : String; Y : String) return String;
13986 function "&" (X : String_List; Y : String) return String_List;
13987 function "&" (X : String_List; Y : String_List) return String_List;
13991 @section Attributes
13994 An attribute declaration defines a property of a project or package. This
13995 property can later be queried by means of an attribute reference.
13996 Attribute values are strings or string lists.
13998 Some attributes are associative arrays. These attributes are mappings whose
13999 domain is a set of strings. These attributes are declared one association
14000 at a time, by specifying a point in the domain and the corresponding image
14001 of the attribute. They may also be declared as a full associative array,
14002 getting the same associations as the corresponding attribute in an imported
14003 or extended project.
14005 Attributes that are not associative arrays are called simple attributes.
14009 attribute_declaration ::=
14010 full_associative_array_declaration |
14011 @b{for} attribute_designator @b{use} expression ;
14013 full_associative_array_declaration ::=
14014 @b{for} <associative_array_attribute_>simple_name @b{use}
14015 <project_>simple_name [ . <package_>simple_Name ] ' <attribute_>simple_name ;
14017 attribute_designator ::=
14018 <simple_attribute_>simple_name |
14019 <associative_array_attribute_>simple_name ( string_literal )
14023 Some attributes are project-specific, and can only appear immediately within
14024 a project declaration. Others are package-specific, and can only appear within
14025 the proper package.
14027 The expression in an attribute definition must be a string or a string_list.
14028 The string literal appearing in the attribute_designator of an associative
14029 array attribute is case-insensitive.
14031 @node Project Attributes
14032 @section Project Attributes
14035 The following attributes apply to a project. All of them are simple
14040 Expression must be a path name. The attribute defines the
14041 directory in which the object files created by the build are to be placed. If
14042 not specified, object files are placed in the project directory.
14045 Expression must be a path name. The attribute defines the
14046 directory in which the executables created by the build are to be placed.
14047 If not specified, executables are placed in the object directory.
14050 Expression must be a list of path names. The attribute
14051 defines the directories in which the source files for the project are to be
14052 found. If not specified, source files are found in the project directory.
14055 Expression must be a list of file names. The attribute
14056 defines the individual files, in the project directory, which are to be used
14057 as sources for the project. File names are path_names that contain no directory
14058 information. If the project has no sources the attribute must be declared
14059 explicitly with an empty list.
14061 @item Source_List_File
14062 Expression must a single path name. The attribute
14063 defines a text file that contains a list of source file names to be used
14064 as sources for the project
14067 Expression must be a path name. The attribute defines the
14068 directory in which a library is to be built. The directory must exist, must
14069 be distinct from the project's object directory, and must be writable.
14072 Expression must be a string that is a legal file name,
14073 without extension. The attribute defines a string that is used to generate
14074 the name of the library to be built by the project.
14077 Argument must be a string value that must be one of the
14078 following @code{"static"}, @code{"dynamic"} or @code{"relocatable"}. This
14079 string is case-insensitive. If this attribute is not specified, the library is
14080 a static library. Otherwise, the library may be dynamic or relocatable. This
14081 distinction is operating-system dependent.
14083 @item Library_Version
14084 Expression must be a string value whose interpretation
14085 is platform dependent. On UNIX, it is used only for dynamic/relocatable
14086 libraries as the internal name of the library (the @code{"soname"}). If the
14087 library file name (built from the @code{Library_Name}) is different from the
14088 @code{Library_Version}, then the library file will be a symbolic link to the
14089 actual file whose name will be @code{Library_Version}.
14091 @item Library_Interface
14092 Expression must be a string list. Each element of the string list
14093 must designate a unit of the project.
14094 If this attribute is present in a Library Project File, then the project
14095 file is a Stand-alone Library_Project_File.
14097 @item Library_Auto_Init
14098 Expression must be a single string "true" or "false", case-insensitive.
14099 If this attribute is present in a Stand-alone Library Project File,
14100 it indicates if initialization is automatic when the dynamic library
14103 @item Library_Options
14104 Expression must be a string list. Indicates additional switches that
14105 are to be used when building a shared library.
14108 Expression must be a single string. Designates an alternative to "gcc"
14109 for building shared libraries.
14111 @item Library_Src_Dir
14112 Expression must be a path name. The attribute defines the
14113 directory in which the sources of the interfaces of a Stand-alone Library will
14114 be copied. The directory must exist, must be distinct from the project's
14115 object directory and source directories, and must be writable.
14118 Expression must be a list of strings that are legal file names.
14119 These file names designate existing compilation units in the source directory
14120 that are legal main subprograms.
14122 When a project file is elaborated, as part of the execution of a gnatmake
14123 command, one or several executables are built and placed in the Exec_Dir.
14124 If the gnatmake command does not include explicit file names, the executables
14125 that are built correspond to the files specified by this attribute.
14127 @item Main_Language
14128 This is a simple attribute. Its value is a string that specifies the
14129 language of the main program.
14132 Expression must be a string list. Each string designates
14133 a programming language that is known to GNAT. The strings are case-insensitive.
14135 @item Locally_Removed_Files
14136 This attribute is legal only in a project file that extends another.
14137 Expression must be a list of strings that are legal file names.
14138 Each file name must designate a source that would normally be inherited
14139 by the current project file. It cannot designate an immediate source that is
14140 not inherited. Each of the source files in the list are not considered to
14141 be sources of the project file: they are not inherited.
14144 @node Attribute References
14145 @section Attribute References
14148 Attribute references are used to retrieve the value of previously defined
14149 attribute for a package or project.
14152 attribute_reference ::=
14153 attribute_prefix ' <simple_attribute_>simple_name [ ( string_literal ) ]
14155 attribute_prefix ::=
14157 <project_simple_name | package_identifier |
14158 <project_>simple_name . package_identifier
14162 If an attribute has not been specified for a given package or project, its
14163 value is the null string or the empty list.
14165 @node External Values
14166 @section External Values
14169 An external value is an expression whose value is obtained from the command
14170 that invoked the processing of the current project file (typically a
14176 @b{external} ( string_literal [, string_literal] )
14180 The first string_literal is the string to be used on the command line or
14181 in the environment to specify the external value. The second string_literal,
14182 if present, is the default to use if there is no specification for this
14183 external value either on the command line or in the environment.
14185 @node Case Construction
14186 @section Case Construction
14189 A case construction supports attribute declarations that depend on the value of
14190 a previously declared variable.
14194 case_construction ::=
14195 @b{case} <typed_variable_>name @b{is}
14200 @b{when} discrete_choice_list =>
14201 @{case_construction | attribute_declaration | empty_declaration@}
14203 discrete_choice_list ::=
14204 string_literal @{| string_literal@} |
14209 All choices in a choice list must be distinct. The choice lists of two
14210 distinct alternatives must be disjoint. Unlike Ada, the choice lists of all
14211 alternatives do not need to include all values of the type. An @code{others}
14212 choice must appear last in the list of alternatives.
14218 A package provides a grouping of variable declarations and attribute
14219 declarations to be used when invoking various GNAT tools. The name of
14220 the package indicates the tool(s) to which it applies.
14224 package_declaration ::=
14225 package_specification | package_renaming
14227 package_specification ::=
14228 @b{package} package_identifier @b{is}
14229 @{simple_declarative_item@}
14230 @b{end} package_identifier ;
14232 package_identifier ::=
14233 @code{Naming} | @code{Builder} | @code{Compiler} | @code{Binder} |
14234 @code{Linker} | @code{Finder} | @code{Cross_Reference} |
14235 @code{gnatls} | @code{IDE} | @code{Pretty_Printer}
14238 @subsection Package Naming
14241 The attributes of a @code{Naming} package specifies the naming conventions
14242 that apply to the source files in a project. When invoking other GNAT tools,
14243 they will use the sources in the source directories that satisfy these
14244 naming conventions.
14246 The following attributes apply to a @code{Naming} package:
14250 This is a simple attribute whose value is a string. Legal values of this
14251 string are @code{"lowercase"}, @code{"uppercase"} or @code{"mixedcase"}.
14252 These strings are themselves case insensitive.
14255 If @code{Casing} is not specified, then the default is @code{"lowercase"}.
14257 @item Dot_Replacement
14258 This is a simple attribute whose string value satisfies the following
14262 @item It must not be empty
14263 @item It cannot start or end with an alphanumeric character
14264 @item It cannot be a single underscore
14265 @item It cannot start with an underscore followed by an alphanumeric
14266 @item It cannot contain a dot @code{'.'} if longer than one character
14270 If @code{Dot_Replacement} is not specified, then the default is @code{"-"}.
14273 This is an associative array attribute, defined on language names,
14274 whose image is a string that must satisfy the following
14278 @item It must not be empty
14279 @item It cannot start with an alphanumeric character
14280 @item It cannot start with an underscore followed by an alphanumeric character
14284 For Ada, the attribute denotes the suffix used in file names that contain
14285 library unit declarations, that is to say units that are package and
14286 subprogram declarations. If @code{Spec_Suffix ("Ada")} is not
14287 specified, then the default is @code{".ads"}.
14289 For C and C++, the attribute denotes the suffix used in file names that
14290 contain prototypes.
14293 This is an associative array attribute defined on language names,
14294 whose image is a string that must satisfy the following
14298 @item It must not be empty
14299 @item It cannot start with an alphanumeric character
14300 @item It cannot start with an underscore followed by an alphanumeric character
14301 @item It cannot be a suffix of @code{Spec_Suffix}
14305 For Ada, the attribute denotes the suffix used in file names that contain
14306 library bodies, that is to say units that are package and subprogram bodies.
14307 If @code{Body_Suffix ("Ada")} is not specified, then the default is
14310 For C and C++, the attribute denotes the suffix used in file names that contain
14313 @item Separate_Suffix
14314 This is a simple attribute whose value satisfies the same conditions as
14315 @code{Body_Suffix}.
14317 This attribute is specific to Ada. It denotes the suffix used in file names
14318 that contain separate bodies. If it is not specified, then it defaults to same
14319 value as @code{Body_Suffix ("Ada")}.
14322 This is an associative array attribute, specific to Ada, defined over
14323 compilation unit names. The image is a string that is the name of the file
14324 that contains that library unit. The file name is case sensitive if the
14325 conventions of the host operating system require it.
14328 This is an associative array attribute, specific to Ada, defined over
14329 compilation unit names. The image is a string that is the name of the file
14330 that contains the library unit body for the named unit. The file name is case
14331 sensitive if the conventions of the host operating system require it.
14333 @item Specification_Exceptions
14334 This is an associative array attribute defined on language names,
14335 whose value is a list of strings.
14337 This attribute is not significant for Ada.
14339 For C and C++, each string in the list denotes the name of a file that
14340 contains prototypes, but whose suffix is not necessarily the
14341 @code{Spec_Suffix} for the language.
14343 @item Implementation_Exceptions
14344 This is an associative array attribute defined on language names,
14345 whose value is a list of strings.
14347 This attribute is not significant for Ada.
14349 For C and C++, each string in the list denotes the name of a file that
14350 contains source code, but whose suffix is not necessarily the
14351 @code{Body_Suffix} for the language.
14354 The following attributes of package @code{Naming} are obsolescent. They are
14355 kept as synonyms of other attributes for compatibility with previous versions
14356 of the Project Manager.
14359 @item Specification_Suffix
14360 This is a synonym of @code{Spec_Suffix}.
14362 @item Implementation_Suffix
14363 This is a synonym of @code{Body_Suffix}.
14365 @item Specification
14366 This is a synonym of @code{Spec}.
14368 @item Implementation
14369 This is a synonym of @code{Body}.
14372 @subsection package Compiler
14375 The attributes of the @code{Compiler} package specify the compilation options
14376 to be used by the underlying compiler.
14379 @item Default_Switches
14380 This is an associative array attribute. Its
14381 domain is a set of language names. Its range is a string list that
14382 specifies the compilation options to be used when compiling a component
14383 written in that language, for which no file-specific switches have been
14387 This is an associative array attribute. Its domain is
14388 a set of file names. Its range is a string list that specifies the
14389 compilation options to be used when compiling the named file. If a file
14390 is not specified in the Switches attribute, it is compiled with the
14391 settings specified by Default_Switches.
14393 @item Local_Configuration_Pragmas.
14394 This is a simple attribute, whose
14395 value is a path name that designates a file containing configuration pragmas
14396 to be used for all invocations of the compiler for immediate sources of the
14400 This is an associative array attribute. Its domain is
14401 a set of main source file names. Its range is a simple string that specifies
14402 the executable file name to be used when linking the specified main source.
14403 If a main source is not specified in the Executable attribute, the executable
14404 file name is deducted from the main source file name.
14407 @subsection package Builder
14410 The attributes of package @code{Builder} specify the compilation, binding, and
14411 linking options to be used when building an executable for a project. The
14412 following attributes apply to package @code{Builder}:
14415 @item Default_Switches
14421 @item Global_Configuration_Pragmas
14422 This is a simple attribute, whose
14423 value is a path name that designates a file that contains configuration pragmas
14424 to be used in every build of an executable. If both local and global
14425 configuration pragmas are specified, a compilation makes use of both sets.
14428 This is an associative array attribute, defined over
14429 compilation unit names. The image is a string that is the name of the
14430 executable file corresponding to the main source file index.
14431 This attribute has no effect if its value is the empty string.
14433 @item Executable_Suffix
14434 This is a simple attribute whose value is a suffix to be added to
14435 the executables that don't have an attribute Executable specified.
14438 @subsection package Gnatls
14441 The attributes of package @code{Gnatls} specify the tool options to be used
14442 when invoking the library browser @command{gnatls}.
14443 The following attributes apply to package @code{Gnatls}:
14450 @subsection package Binder
14453 The attributes of package @code{Binder} specify the options to be used
14454 when invoking the binder in the construction of an executable.
14455 The following attributes apply to package @code{Binder}:
14458 @item Default_Switches
14464 @subsection package Linker
14467 The attributes of package @code{Linker} specify the options to be used when
14468 invoking the linker in the construction of an executable.
14469 The following attributes apply to package @code{Linker}:
14472 @item Default_Switches
14478 @subsection package Cross_Reference
14481 The attributes of package @code{Cross_Reference} specify the tool options
14483 when invoking the library tool @command{gnatxref}.
14484 The following attributes apply to package @code{Cross_Reference}:
14487 @item Default_Switches
14493 @subsection package Finder
14496 The attributes of package @code{Finder} specify the tool options to be used
14497 when invoking the search tool @command{gnatfind}.
14498 The following attributes apply to package @code{Finder}:
14501 @item Default_Switches
14507 @subsection package Pretty_Printer
14510 The attributes of package @code{Pretty_Printer}
14511 specify the tool options to be used
14512 when invoking the formatting tool @command{gnatpp}.
14513 The following attributes apply to package @code{Pretty_Printer}:
14516 @item Default_switches
14522 @subsection package IDE
14525 The attributes of package @code{IDE} specify the options to be used when using
14526 an Integrated Development Environment such as @command{GPS}.
14530 This is a simple attribute. Its value is a string that designates the remote
14531 host in a cross-compilation environment, to be used for remote compilation and
14532 debugging. This field should not be specified when running on the local
14536 This is a simple attribute. Its value is a string that specifies the
14537 name of IP address of the embedded target in a cross-compilation environment,
14538 on which the program should execute.
14540 @item Communication_Protocol
14541 This is a simple string attribute. Its value is the name of the protocol
14542 to use to communicate with the target in a cross-compilation environment,
14543 e.g. @code{"wtx"} or @code{"vxworks"}.
14545 @item Compiler_Command
14546 This is an associative array attribute, whose domain is a language name. Its
14547 value is string that denotes the command to be used to invoke the compiler.
14548 The value of @code{Compiler_Command ("Ada")} is expected to be compatible with
14549 gnatmake, in particular in the handling of switches.
14551 @item Debugger_Command
14552 This is simple attribute, Its value is a string that specifies the name of
14553 the debugger to be used, such as gdb, powerpc-wrs-vxworks-gdb or gdb-4.
14555 @item Default_Switches
14556 This is an associative array attribute. Its indexes are the name of the
14557 external tools that the GNAT Programming System (GPS) is supporting. Its
14558 value is a list of switches to use when invoking that tool.
14561 This is a simple attribute. Its value is a string that specifies the name
14562 of the @command{gnatls} utility to be used to retrieve information about the
14563 predefined path; e.g., @code{"gnatls"}, @code{"powerpc-wrs-vxworks-gnatls"}.
14566 This is a simple atribute. Is value is a string used to specify the
14567 Version Control System (VCS) to be used for this project, e.g CVS, RCS
14568 ClearCase or Perforce.
14570 @item VCS_File_Check
14571 This is a simple attribute. Its value is a string that specifies the
14572 command used by the VCS to check the validity of a file, either
14573 when the user explicitly asks for a check, or as a sanity check before
14574 doing the check-in.
14576 @item VCS_Log_Check
14577 This is a simple attribute. Its value is a string that specifies
14578 the command used by the VCS to check the validity of a log file.
14582 @node Package Renamings
14583 @section Package Renamings
14586 A package can be defined by a renaming declaration. The new package renames
14587 a package declared in a different project file, and has the same attributes
14588 as the package it renames.
14591 package_renaming ::==
14592 @b{package} package_identifier @b{renames}
14593 <project_>simple_name.package_identifier ;
14597 The package_identifier of the renamed package must be the same as the
14598 package_identifier. The project whose name is the prefix of the renamed
14599 package must contain a package declaration with this name. This project
14600 must appear in the context_clause of the enclosing project declaration,
14601 or be the parent project of the enclosing child project.
14607 A project file specifies a set of rules for constructing a software system.
14608 A project file can be self-contained, or depend on other project files.
14609 Dependencies are expressed through a context clause that names other projects.
14615 context_clause project_declaration
14617 project_declaration ::=
14618 simple_project_declaration | project_extension
14620 simple_project_declaration ::=
14621 @b{project} <project_>simple_name @b{is}
14622 @{declarative_item@}
14623 @b{end} <project_>simple_name;
14629 [@b{limited}] @b{with} path_name @{ , path_name @} ;
14636 A path name denotes a project file. A path name can be absolute or relative.
14637 An absolute path name includes a sequence of directories, in the syntax of
14638 the host operating system, that identifies uniquely the project file in the
14639 file system. A relative path name identifies the project file, relative
14640 to the directory that contains the current project, or relative to a
14641 directory listed in the environment variable ADA_PROJECT_PATH.
14642 Path names are case sensitive if file names in the host operating system
14643 are case sensitive.
14645 The syntax of the environment variable ADA_PROJECT_PATH is a list of
14646 directory names separated by colons (semicolons on Windows).
14648 A given project name can appear only once in a context_clause.
14650 It is illegal for a project imported by a context clause to refer, directly
14651 or indirectly, to the project in which this context clause appears (the
14652 dependency graph cannot contain cycles), except when one of the with_clause
14653 in the cycle is a @code{limited with}.
14655 @node Project Extensions
14656 @section Project Extensions
14659 A project extension introduces a new project, which inherits the declarations
14660 of another project.
14664 project_extension ::=
14665 @b{project} <project_>simple_name @b{extends} path_name @b{is}
14666 @{declarative_item@}
14667 @b{end} <project_>simple_name;
14671 The project extension declares a child project. The child project inherits
14672 all the declarations and all the files of the parent project, These inherited
14673 declaration can be overridden in the child project, by means of suitable
14676 @node Project File Elaboration
14677 @section Project File Elaboration
14680 A project file is processed as part of the invocation of a gnat tool that
14681 uses the project option. Elaboration of the process file consists in the
14682 sequential elaboration of all its declarations. The computed values of
14683 attributes and variables in the project are then used to establish the
14684 environment in which the gnat tool will execute.
14686 @node Obsolescent Features
14687 @chapter Obsolescent Features
14690 This chapter describes features that are provided by GNAT, but are
14691 considered obsolescent since there are preferred ways of achieving
14692 the same effect. These features are provided solely for historical
14693 compatibility purposes.
14696 * pragma No_Run_Time::
14697 * pragma Ravenscar::
14698 * pragma Restricted_Run_Time::
14701 @node pragma No_Run_Time
14702 @section pragma No_Run_Time
14704 The pragma @code{No_Run_Time} is used to achieve an affect similar
14705 to the use of the "Zero Foot Print" configurable run time, but without
14706 requiring a specially configured run time. The result of using this
14707 pragma, which must be used for all units in a partition, is to restrict
14708 the use of any language features requiring run-time support code. The
14709 preferred usage is to use an appropriately configured run-time that
14710 includes just those features that are to be made accessible.
14712 @node pragma Ravenscar
14713 @section pragma Ravenscar
14715 The pragma @code{Ravenscar} has exactly the same effect as pragma
14716 @code{Profile (Ravenscar)}. The latter usage is preferred since it
14717 is part of the new Ada 2005 standard.
14719 @node pragma Restricted_Run_Time
14720 @section pragma Restricted_Run_Time
14722 The pragma @code{Restricted_Run_Time} has exactly the same effect as
14723 pragma @code{Profile (Restricted)}. The latter usage is
14724 preferred since the Ada 2005 pragma @code{Profile} is intended for
14725 this kind of implementation dependent addition.
14728 @c GNU Free Documentation License
14730 @node Index,,GNU Free Documentation License, Top