extend.texi revision 122180
1@c Copyright (C) 1988,1989,1992,1993,1994,1996,1998,1999,2000,2001,2002, 2003
2@c Free Software Foundation, Inc.
3@c This is part of the GCC manual.
4@c For copying conditions, see the file gcc.texi.
5
6@node C Implementation
7@chapter C Implementation-defined behavior
8@cindex implementation-defined behavior, C language
9
10A conforming implementation of ISO C is required to document its
11choice of behavior in each of the areas that are designated
12``implementation defined.''  The following lists all such areas,
13along with the section number from the ISO/IEC 9899:1999 standard.
14
15@menu
16* Translation implementation::
17* Environment implementation::
18* Identifiers implementation::
19* Characters implementation::
20* Integers implementation::
21* Floating point implementation::
22* Arrays and pointers implementation::
23* Hints implementation::
24* Structures unions enumerations and bit-fields implementation::
25* Qualifiers implementation::
26* Preprocessing directives implementation::
27* Library functions implementation::
28* Architecture implementation::
29* Locale-specific behavior implementation::
30@end menu
31
32@node Translation implementation
33@section Translation
34
35@itemize @bullet
36@item
37@cite{How a diagnostic is identified (3.10, 5.1.1.3).}
38
39Diagnostics consist of all the output sent to stderr by GCC.
40
41@item
42@cite{Whether each nonempty sequence of white-space characters other than
43new-line is retained or replaced by one space character in translation
44phase 3 (5.1.1.2).}
45@end itemize
46
47@node Environment implementation
48@section Environment
49
50The behavior of these points are dependent on the implementation
51of the C library, and are not defined by GCC itself.
52
53@node Identifiers implementation
54@section Identifiers
55
56@itemize @bullet
57@item
58@cite{Which additional multibyte characters may appear in identifiers
59and their correspondence to universal character names (6.4.2).}
60
61@item
62@cite{The number of significant initial characters in an identifier
63(5.2.4.1, 6.4.2).}
64
65For internal names, all characters are significant.  For external names,
66the number of significant characters are defined by the linker; for
67almost all targets, all characters are significant.
68
69@end itemize
70
71@node Characters implementation
72@section Characters
73
74@itemize @bullet
75@item
76@cite{The number of bits in a byte (3.6).}
77
78@item
79@cite{The values of the members of the execution character set (5.2.1).}
80
81@item
82@cite{The unique value of the member of the execution character set produced
83for each of the standard alphabetic escape sequences (5.2.2).}
84
85@item
86@cite{The value of a @code{char} object into which has been stored any
87character other than a member of the basic execution character set (6.2.5).}
88
89@item
90@cite{Which of @code{signed char} or @code{unsigned char} has the same range,
91representation, and behavior as ``plain'' @code{char} (6.2.5, 6.3.1.1).}
92
93@item
94@cite{The mapping of members of the source character set (in character
95constants and string literals) to members of the execution character
96set (6.4.4.4, 5.1.1.2).}
97
98@item
99@cite{The value of an integer character constant containing more than one
100character or containing a character or escape sequence that does not map
101to a single-byte execution character (6.4.4.4).}
102
103@item
104@cite{The value of a wide character constant containing more than one
105multibyte character, or containing a multibyte character or escape
106sequence not represented in the extended execution character set (6.4.4.4).}
107
108@item
109@cite{The current locale used to convert a wide character constant consisting
110of a single multibyte character that maps to a member of the extended
111execution character set into a corresponding wide character code (6.4.4.4).}
112
113@item
114@cite{The current locale used to convert a wide string literal into
115corresponding wide character codes (6.4.5).}
116
117@item
118@cite{The value of a string literal containing a multibyte character or escape
119sequence not represented in the execution character set (6.4.5).}
120@end itemize
121
122@node Integers implementation
123@section Integers
124
125@itemize @bullet
126@item
127@cite{Any extended integer types that exist in the implementation (6.2.5).}
128
129@item
130@cite{Whether signed integer types are represented using sign and magnitude,
131two's complement, or one's complement, and whether the extraordinary value
132is a trap representation or an ordinary value (6.2.6.2).}
133
134GCC supports only two's complement integer types, and all bit patterns
135are ordinary values.
136
137@item
138@cite{The rank of any extended integer type relative to another extended
139integer type with the same precision (6.3.1.1).}
140
141@item
142@cite{The result of, or the signal raised by, converting an integer to a
143signed integer type when the value cannot be represented in an object of
144that type (6.3.1.3).}
145
146@item
147@cite{The results of some bitwise operations on signed integers (6.5).}
148@end itemize
149
150@node Floating point implementation
151@section Floating point
152
153@itemize @bullet
154@item
155@cite{The accuracy of the floating-point operations and of the library
156functions in @code{<math.h>} and @code{<complex.h>} that return floating-point
157results (5.2.4.2.2).}
158
159@item
160@cite{The rounding behaviors characterized by non-standard values
161of @code{FLT_ROUNDS} @gol
162(5.2.4.2.2).}
163
164@item
165@cite{The evaluation methods characterized by non-standard negative
166values of @code{FLT_EVAL_METHOD} (5.2.4.2.2).}
167
168@item
169@cite{The direction of rounding when an integer is converted to a
170floating-point number that cannot exactly represent the original
171value (6.3.1.4).}
172
173@item
174@cite{The direction of rounding when a floating-point number is
175converted to a narrower floating-point number (6.3.1.5).}
176
177@item
178@cite{How the nearest representable value or the larger or smaller
179representable value immediately adjacent to the nearest representable
180value is chosen for certain floating constants (6.4.4.2).}
181
182@item
183@cite{Whether and how floating expressions are contracted when not
184disallowed by the @code{FP_CONTRACT} pragma (6.5).}
185
186@item
187@cite{The default state for the @code{FENV_ACCESS} pragma (7.6.1).}
188
189@item
190@cite{Additional floating-point exceptions, rounding modes, environments,
191and classifications, and their macro names (7.6, 7.12).}
192
193@item
194@cite{The default state for the @code{FP_CONTRACT} pragma (7.12.2).}
195
196@item
197@cite{Whether the ``inexact'' floating-point exception can be raised
198when the rounded result actually does equal the mathematical result
199in an IEC 60559 conformant implementation (F.9).}
200
201@item
202@cite{Whether the ``underflow'' (and ``inexact'') floating-point
203exception can be raised when a result is tiny but not inexact in an
204IEC 60559 conformant implementation (F.9).}
205
206@end itemize
207
208@node Arrays and pointers implementation
209@section Arrays and pointers
210
211@itemize @bullet
212@item
213@cite{The result of converting a pointer to an integer or
214vice versa (6.3.2.3).}
215
216A cast from pointer to integer discards most-significant bits if the
217pointer representation is larger than the integer type,
218sign-extends@footnote{Future versions of GCC may zero-extend, or use
219a target-defined @code{ptr_extend} pattern.  Do not rely on sign extension.}
220if the pointer representation is smaller than the integer type, otherwise
221the bits are unchanged.
222@c ??? We've always claimed that pointers were unsigned entities.
223@c Shouldn't we therefore be doing zero-extension?  If so, the bug
224@c is in convert_to_integer, where we call type_for_size and request
225@c a signed integral type.  On the other hand, it might be most useful
226@c for the target if we extend according to POINTERS_EXTEND_UNSIGNED.
227
228A cast from integer to pointer discards most-significant bits if the
229pointer representation is smaller than the integer type, extends according
230to the signedness of the integer type if the pointer representation
231is larger than the integer type, otherwise the bits are unchanged.
232
233When casting from pointer to integer and back again, the resulting
234pointer must reference the same object as the original pointer, otherwise
235the behavior is undefined.  That is, one may not use integer arithmetic to
236avoid the undefined behavior of pointer arithmetic as proscribed in 6.5.6/8.
237
238@item
239@cite{The size of the result of subtracting two pointers to elements
240of the same array (6.5.6).}
241
242@end itemize
243
244@node Hints implementation
245@section Hints
246
247@itemize @bullet
248@item
249@cite{The extent to which suggestions made by using the @code{register}
250storage-class specifier are effective (6.7.1).}
251
252The @code{register} specifier affects code generation only in these ways:
253
254@itemize @bullet
255@item
256When used as part of the register variable extension, see 
257@ref{Explicit Reg Vars}.
258
259@item
260When @option{-O0} is in use, the compiler allocates distinct stack
261memory for all variables that do not have the @code{register}
262storage-class specifier; if @code{register} is specified, the variable
263may have a shorter lifespan than the code would indicate and may never
264be placed in memory.
265
266@item
267On some rare x86 targets, @code{setjmp} doesn't save the registers in
268all circumstances.  In those cases, GCC doesn't allocate any variables
269in registers unless they are marked @code{register}.
270
271@end itemize
272
273@item
274@cite{The extent to which suggestions made by using the inline function
275specifier are effective (6.7.4).}
276
277GCC will not inline any functions if the @option{-fno-inline} option is
278used or if @option{-O0} is used.  Otherwise, GCC may still be unable to
279inline a function for many reasons; the @option{-Winline} option may be
280used to determine if a function has not been inlined and why not.
281
282@end itemize
283
284@node Structures unions enumerations and bit-fields implementation
285@section Structures, unions, enumerations, and bit-fields
286
287@itemize @bullet
288@item
289@cite{Whether a ``plain'' int bit-field is treated as a @code{signed int}
290bit-field or as an @code{unsigned int} bit-field (6.7.2, 6.7.2.1).}
291
292@item
293@cite{Allowable bit-field types other than @code{_Bool}, @code{signed int},
294and @code{unsigned int} (6.7.2.1).}
295
296@item
297@cite{Whether a bit-field can straddle a storage-unit boundary (6.7.2.1).}
298
299@item
300@cite{The order of allocation of bit-fields within a unit (6.7.2.1).}
301
302@item
303@cite{The alignment of non-bit-field members of structures (6.7.2.1).}
304
305@item
306@cite{The integer type compatible with each enumerated type (6.7.2.2).}
307
308@end itemize
309
310@node Qualifiers implementation
311@section Qualifiers
312
313@itemize @bullet
314@item
315@cite{What constitutes an access to an object that has volatile-qualified
316type (6.7.3).}
317
318@end itemize
319
320@node Preprocessing directives implementation
321@section Preprocessing directives
322
323@itemize @bullet
324@item
325@cite{How sequences in both forms of header names are mapped to headers
326or external source file names (6.4.7).}
327
328@item
329@cite{Whether the value of a character constant in a constant expression
330that controls conditional inclusion matches the value of the same character
331constant in the execution character set (6.10.1).}
332
333@item
334@cite{Whether the value of a single-character character constant in a
335constant expression that controls conditional inclusion may have a
336negative value (6.10.1).}
337
338@item
339@cite{The places that are searched for an included @samp{<>} delimited
340header, and how the places are specified or the header is
341identified (6.10.2).}
342
343@item
344@cite{How the named source file is searched for in an included @samp{""}
345delimited header (6.10.2).}
346
347@item
348@cite{The method by which preprocessing tokens (possibly resulting from
349macro expansion) in a @code{#include} directive are combined into a header
350name (6.10.2).}
351
352@item
353@cite{The nesting limit for @code{#include} processing (6.10.2).}
354
355GCC imposes a limit of 200 nested @code{#include}s.
356
357@item
358@cite{Whether the @samp{#} operator inserts a @samp{\} character before
359the @samp{\} character that begins a universal character name in a
360character constant or string literal (6.10.3.2).}
361
362@item
363@cite{The behavior on each recognized non-@code{STDC #pragma}
364directive (6.10.6).}
365
366@item
367@cite{The definitions for @code{__DATE__} and @code{__TIME__} when
368respectively, the date and time of translation are not available (6.10.8).}
369
370If the date and time are not available, @code{__DATE__} expands to
371@code{@w{"??? ?? ????"}} and @code{__TIME__} expands to
372@code{"??:??:??"}.
373
374@end itemize
375
376@node Library functions implementation
377@section Library functions
378
379The behavior of these points are dependent on the implementation
380of the C library, and are not defined by GCC itself.
381
382@node Architecture implementation
383@section Architecture
384
385@itemize @bullet
386@item
387@cite{The values or expressions assigned to the macros specified in the
388headers @code{<float.h>}, @code{<limits.h>}, and @code{<stdint.h>}
389(5.2.4.2, 7.18.2, 7.18.3).}
390
391@item
392@cite{The number, order, and encoding of bytes in any object
393(when not explicitly specified in this International Standard) (6.2.6.1).}
394
395@item
396@cite{The value of the result of the sizeof operator (6.5.3.4).}
397
398@end itemize
399
400@node Locale-specific behavior implementation
401@section Locale-specific behavior
402
403The behavior of these points are dependent on the implementation
404of the C library, and are not defined by GCC itself.
405
406@node C Extensions
407@chapter Extensions to the C Language Family
408@cindex extensions, C language
409@cindex C language extensions
410
411@opindex pedantic
412GNU C provides several language features not found in ISO standard C@.
413(The @option{-pedantic} option directs GCC to print a warning message if
414any of these features is used.)  To test for the availability of these
415features in conditional compilation, check for a predefined macro
416@code{__GNUC__}, which is always defined under GCC@.
417
418These extensions are available in C and Objective-C@.  Most of them are
419also available in C++.  @xref{C++ Extensions,,Extensions to the
420C++ Language}, for extensions that apply @emph{only} to C++.
421
422Some features that are in ISO C99 but not C89 or C++ are also, as
423extensions, accepted by GCC in C89 mode and in C++.
424
425@menu
426* Statement Exprs::     Putting statements and declarations inside expressions.
427* Local Labels::        Labels local to a statement-expression.
428* Labels as Values::    Getting pointers to labels, and computed gotos.
429* Nested Functions::    As in Algol and Pascal, lexical scoping of functions.
430* Constructing Calls::	Dispatching a call to another function.
431* Typeof::              @code{typeof}: referring to the type of an expression.
432* Lvalues::             Using @samp{?:}, @samp{,} and casts in lvalues.
433* Conditionals::        Omitting the middle operand of a @samp{?:} expression.
434* Long Long::		Double-word integers---@code{long long int}.
435* Complex::             Data types for complex numbers.
436* Hex Floats::          Hexadecimal floating-point constants.
437* Zero Length::         Zero-length arrays.
438* Variable Length::     Arrays whose length is computed at run time.
439* Empty Structures::    Structures with no members.
440* Variadic Macros::	Macros with a variable number of arguments.
441* Escaped Newlines::    Slightly looser rules for escaped newlines.
442* Subscripting::        Any array can be subscripted, even if not an lvalue.
443* Pointer Arith::       Arithmetic on @code{void}-pointers and function pointers.
444* Initializers::        Non-constant initializers.
445* Compound Literals::   Compound literals give structures, unions
446                         or arrays as values.
447* Designated Inits::	Labeling elements of initializers.
448* Cast to Union::       Casting to union type from any member of the union.
449* Case Ranges::		`case 1 ... 9' and such.
450* Mixed Declarations::	Mixing declarations and code.
451* Function Attributes:: Declaring that functions have no side effects,
452                         or that they can never return.
453* Attribute Syntax::    Formal syntax for attributes.
454* Function Prototypes:: Prototype declarations and old-style definitions.
455* C++ Comments::        C++ comments are recognized.
456* Dollar Signs::        Dollar sign is allowed in identifiers.
457* Character Escapes::   @samp{\e} stands for the character @key{ESC}.
458* Variable Attributes::	Specifying attributes of variables.
459* Type Attributes::	Specifying attributes of types.
460* Alignment::           Inquiring about the alignment of a type or variable.
461* Inline::              Defining inline functions (as fast as macros).
462* Extended Asm::        Assembler instructions with C expressions as operands.
463                         (With them you can define ``built-in'' functions.)
464* Constraints::         Constraints for asm operands
465* Asm Labels::          Specifying the assembler name to use for a C symbol.
466* Explicit Reg Vars::   Defining variables residing in specified registers.
467* Alternate Keywords::  @code{__const__}, @code{__asm__}, etc., for header files.
468* Incomplete Enums::    @code{enum foo;}, with details to follow.
469* Function Names::	Printable strings which are the name of the current
470			 function.
471* Return Address::      Getting the return or frame address of a function.
472* Vector Extensions::   Using vector instructions through built-in functions.
473* Other Builtins::      Other built-in functions.
474* Target Builtins::     Built-in functions specific to particular targets.
475* Pragmas::             Pragmas accepted by GCC.
476* Unnamed Fields::      Unnamed struct/union fields within structs/unions.
477* Thread-Local::        Per-thread variables.
478@end menu
479
480@node Statement Exprs
481@section Statements and Declarations in Expressions
482@cindex statements inside expressions
483@cindex declarations inside expressions
484@cindex expressions containing statements
485@cindex macros, statements in expressions
486
487@c the above section title wrapped and causes an underfull hbox.. i
488@c changed it from "within" to "in". --mew 4feb93
489A compound statement enclosed in parentheses may appear as an expression
490in GNU C@.  This allows you to use loops, switches, and local variables
491within an expression.
492
493Recall that a compound statement is a sequence of statements surrounded
494by braces; in this construct, parentheses go around the braces.  For
495example:
496
497@example
498(@{ int y = foo (); int z;
499   if (y > 0) z = y;
500   else z = - y;
501   z; @})
502@end example
503
504@noindent
505is a valid (though slightly more complex than necessary) expression
506for the absolute value of @code{foo ()}.
507
508The last thing in the compound statement should be an expression
509followed by a semicolon; the value of this subexpression serves as the
510value of the entire construct.  (If you use some other kind of statement
511last within the braces, the construct has type @code{void}, and thus
512effectively no value.)
513
514This feature is especially useful in making macro definitions ``safe'' (so
515that they evaluate each operand exactly once).  For example, the
516``maximum'' function is commonly defined as a macro in standard C as
517follows:
518
519@example
520#define max(a,b) ((a) > (b) ? (a) : (b))
521@end example
522
523@noindent
524@cindex side effects, macro argument
525But this definition computes either @var{a} or @var{b} twice, with bad
526results if the operand has side effects.  In GNU C, if you know the
527type of the operands (here let's assume @code{int}), you can define
528the macro safely as follows:
529
530@example
531#define maxint(a,b) \
532  (@{int _a = (a), _b = (b); _a > _b ? _a : _b; @})
533@end example
534
535Embedded statements are not allowed in constant expressions, such as
536the value of an enumeration constant, the width of a bit-field, or
537the initial value of a static variable.
538
539If you don't know the type of the operand, you can still do this, but you
540must use @code{typeof} (@pxref{Typeof}).
541
542Statement expressions are not supported fully in G++, and their fate
543there is unclear.  (It is possible that they will become fully supported
544at some point, or that they will be deprecated, or that the bugs that
545are present will continue to exist indefinitely.)  Presently, statement
546expressions do not work well as default arguments.
547
548In addition, there are semantic issues with statement-expressions in
549C++.  If you try to use statement-expressions instead of inline
550functions in C++, you may be surprised at the way object destruction is
551handled.  For example:
552
553@example
554#define foo(a)  (@{int b = (a); b + 3; @})
555@end example
556
557@noindent
558does not work the same way as:
559
560@example
561inline int foo(int a) @{ int b = a; return b + 3; @}
562@end example
563
564@noindent
565In particular, if the expression passed into @code{foo} involves the
566creation of temporaries, the destructors for those temporaries will be
567run earlier in the case of the macro than in the case of the function.
568
569These considerations mean that it is probably a bad idea to use
570statement-expressions of this form in header files that are designed to
571work with C++.  (Note that some versions of the GNU C Library contained
572header files using statement-expression that lead to precisely this
573bug.)
574
575@node Local Labels
576@section Locally Declared Labels
577@cindex local labels
578@cindex macros, local labels
579
580Each statement expression is a scope in which @dfn{local labels} can be
581declared.  A local label is simply an identifier; you can jump to it
582with an ordinary @code{goto} statement, but only from within the
583statement expression it belongs to.
584
585A local label declaration looks like this:
586
587@example
588__label__ @var{label};
589@end example
590
591@noindent
592or
593
594@example
595__label__ @var{label1}, @var{label2}, /* @r{@dots{}} */;
596@end example
597
598Local label declarations must come at the beginning of the statement
599expression, right after the @samp{(@{}, before any ordinary
600declarations.
601
602The label declaration defines the label @emph{name}, but does not define
603the label itself.  You must do this in the usual way, with
604@code{@var{label}:}, within the statements of the statement expression.
605
606The local label feature is useful because statement expressions are
607often used in macros.  If the macro contains nested loops, a @code{goto}
608can be useful for breaking out of them.  However, an ordinary label
609whose scope is the whole function cannot be used: if the macro can be
610expanded several times in one function, the label will be multiply
611defined in that function.  A local label avoids this problem.  For
612example:
613
614@example
615#define SEARCH(array, target)                     \
616(@{                                                \
617  __label__ found;                                \
618  typeof (target) _SEARCH_target = (target);      \
619  typeof (*(array)) *_SEARCH_array = (array);     \
620  int i, j;                                       \
621  int value;                                      \
622  for (i = 0; i < max; i++)                       \
623    for (j = 0; j < max; j++)                     \
624      if (_SEARCH_array[i][j] == _SEARCH_target)  \
625        @{ value = i; goto found; @}                \
626  value = -1;                                     \
627 found:                                           \
628  value;                                          \
629@})
630@end example
631
632@node Labels as Values
633@section Labels as Values
634@cindex labels as values
635@cindex computed gotos
636@cindex goto with computed label
637@cindex address of a label
638
639You can get the address of a label defined in the current function
640(or a containing function) with the unary operator @samp{&&}.  The
641value has type @code{void *}.  This value is a constant and can be used
642wherever a constant of that type is valid.  For example:
643
644@example
645void *ptr;
646/* @r{@dots{}} */
647ptr = &&foo;
648@end example
649
650To use these values, you need to be able to jump to one.  This is done
651with the computed goto statement@footnote{The analogous feature in
652Fortran is called an assigned goto, but that name seems inappropriate in
653C, where one can do more than simply store label addresses in label
654variables.}, @code{goto *@var{exp};}.  For example,
655
656@example
657goto *ptr;
658@end example
659
660@noindent
661Any expression of type @code{void *} is allowed.
662
663One way of using these constants is in initializing a static array that
664will serve as a jump table:
665
666@example
667static void *array[] = @{ &&foo, &&bar, &&hack @};
668@end example
669
670Then you can select a label with indexing, like this:
671
672@example
673goto *array[i];
674@end example
675
676@noindent
677Note that this does not check whether the subscript is in bounds---array
678indexing in C never does that.
679
680Such an array of label values serves a purpose much like that of the
681@code{switch} statement.  The @code{switch} statement is cleaner, so
682use that rather than an array unless the problem does not fit a
683@code{switch} statement very well.
684
685Another use of label values is in an interpreter for threaded code.
686The labels within the interpreter function can be stored in the
687threaded code for super-fast dispatching.
688
689You may not use this mechanism to jump to code in a different function.
690If you do that, totally unpredictable things will happen.  The best way to
691avoid this is to store the label address only in automatic variables and
692never pass it as an argument.
693
694An alternate way to write the above example is
695
696@example
697static const int array[] = @{ &&foo - &&foo, &&bar - &&foo,
698                             &&hack - &&foo @};
699goto *(&&foo + array[i]);
700@end example
701
702@noindent
703This is more friendly to code living in shared libraries, as it reduces
704the number of dynamic relocations that are needed, and by consequence,
705allows the data to be read-only.
706
707@node Nested Functions
708@section Nested Functions
709@cindex nested functions
710@cindex downward funargs
711@cindex thunks
712
713A @dfn{nested function} is a function defined inside another function.
714(Nested functions are not supported for GNU C++.)  The nested function's
715name is local to the block where it is defined.  For example, here we
716define a nested function named @code{square}, and call it twice:
717
718@example
719@group
720foo (double a, double b)
721@{
722  double square (double z) @{ return z * z; @}
723
724  return square (a) + square (b);
725@}
726@end group
727@end example
728
729The nested function can access all the variables of the containing
730function that are visible at the point of its definition.  This is
731called @dfn{lexical scoping}.  For example, here we show a nested
732function which uses an inherited variable named @code{offset}:
733
734@example
735@group
736bar (int *array, int offset, int size)
737@{
738  int access (int *array, int index)
739    @{ return array[index + offset]; @}
740  int i;
741  /* @r{@dots{}} */
742  for (i = 0; i < size; i++)
743    /* @r{@dots{}} */ access (array, i) /* @r{@dots{}} */
744@}
745@end group
746@end example
747
748Nested function definitions are permitted within functions in the places
749where variable definitions are allowed; that is, in any block, before
750the first statement in the block.
751
752It is possible to call the nested function from outside the scope of its
753name by storing its address or passing the address to another function:
754
755@example
756hack (int *array, int size)
757@{
758  void store (int index, int value)
759    @{ array[index] = value; @}
760
761  intermediate (store, size);
762@}
763@end example
764
765Here, the function @code{intermediate} receives the address of
766@code{store} as an argument.  If @code{intermediate} calls @code{store},
767the arguments given to @code{store} are used to store into @code{array}.
768But this technique works only so long as the containing function
769(@code{hack}, in this example) does not exit.
770
771If you try to call the nested function through its address after the
772containing function has exited, all hell will break loose.  If you try
773to call it after a containing scope level has exited, and if it refers
774to some of the variables that are no longer in scope, you may be lucky,
775but it's not wise to take the risk.  If, however, the nested function
776does not refer to anything that has gone out of scope, you should be
777safe.
778
779GCC implements taking the address of a nested function using a technique
780called @dfn{trampolines}.  A paper describing them is available as
781
782@noindent
783@uref{http://people.debian.org/~aaronl/Usenix88-lexic.pdf}.
784
785A nested function can jump to a label inherited from a containing
786function, provided the label was explicitly declared in the containing
787function (@pxref{Local Labels}).  Such a jump returns instantly to the
788containing function, exiting the nested function which did the
789@code{goto} and any intermediate functions as well.  Here is an example:
790
791@example
792@group
793bar (int *array, int offset, int size)
794@{
795  __label__ failure;
796  int access (int *array, int index)
797    @{
798      if (index > size)
799        goto failure;
800      return array[index + offset];
801    @}
802  int i;
803  /* @r{@dots{}} */
804  for (i = 0; i < size; i++)
805    /* @r{@dots{}} */ access (array, i) /* @r{@dots{}} */
806  /* @r{@dots{}} */
807  return 0;
808
809 /* @r{Control comes here from @code{access}
810    if it detects an error.}  */
811 failure:
812  return -1;
813@}
814@end group
815@end example
816
817A nested function always has internal linkage.  Declaring one with
818@code{extern} is erroneous.  If you need to declare the nested function
819before its definition, use @code{auto} (which is otherwise meaningless
820for function declarations).
821
822@example
823bar (int *array, int offset, int size)
824@{
825  __label__ failure;
826  auto int access (int *, int);
827  /* @r{@dots{}} */
828  int access (int *array, int index)
829    @{
830      if (index > size)
831        goto failure;
832      return array[index + offset];
833    @}
834  /* @r{@dots{}} */
835@}
836@end example
837
838@node Constructing Calls
839@section Constructing Function Calls
840@cindex constructing calls
841@cindex forwarding calls
842
843Using the built-in functions described below, you can record
844the arguments a function received, and call another function
845with the same arguments, without knowing the number or types
846of the arguments.
847
848You can also record the return value of that function call,
849and later return that value, without knowing what data type
850the function tried to return (as long as your caller expects
851that data type).
852
853@deftypefn {Built-in Function} {void *} __builtin_apply_args ()
854This built-in function returns a pointer to data
855describing how to perform a call with the same arguments as were passed
856to the current function.
857
858The function saves the arg pointer register, structure value address,
859and all registers that might be used to pass arguments to a function
860into a block of memory allocated on the stack.  Then it returns the
861address of that block.
862@end deftypefn
863
864@deftypefn {Built-in Function} {void *} __builtin_apply (void (*@var{function})(), void *@var{arguments}, size_t @var{size})
865This built-in function invokes @var{function}
866with a copy of the parameters described by @var{arguments}
867and @var{size}.
868
869The value of @var{arguments} should be the value returned by
870@code{__builtin_apply_args}.  The argument @var{size} specifies the size
871of the stack argument data, in bytes.
872
873This function returns a pointer to data describing
874how to return whatever value was returned by @var{function}.  The data
875is saved in a block of memory allocated on the stack.
876
877It is not always simple to compute the proper value for @var{size}.  The
878value is used by @code{__builtin_apply} to compute the amount of data
879that should be pushed on the stack and copied from the incoming argument
880area.
881@end deftypefn
882
883@deftypefn {Built-in Function} {void} __builtin_return (void *@var{result})
884This built-in function returns the value described by @var{result} from
885the containing function.  You should specify, for @var{result}, a value
886returned by @code{__builtin_apply}.
887@end deftypefn
888
889@node Typeof
890@section Referring to a Type with @code{typeof}
891@findex typeof
892@findex sizeof
893@cindex macros, types of arguments
894
895Another way to refer to the type of an expression is with @code{typeof}.
896The syntax of using of this keyword looks like @code{sizeof}, but the
897construct acts semantically like a type name defined with @code{typedef}.
898
899There are two ways of writing the argument to @code{typeof}: with an
900expression or with a type.  Here is an example with an expression:
901
902@example
903typeof (x[0](1))
904@end example
905
906@noindent
907This assumes that @code{x} is an array of pointers to functions;
908the type described is that of the values of the functions.
909
910Here is an example with a typename as the argument:
911
912@example
913typeof (int *)
914@end example
915
916@noindent
917Here the type described is that of pointers to @code{int}.
918
919If you are writing a header file that must work when included in ISO C
920programs, write @code{__typeof__} instead of @code{typeof}.
921@xref{Alternate Keywords}.
922
923A @code{typeof}-construct can be used anywhere a typedef name could be
924used.  For example, you can use it in a declaration, in a cast, or inside
925of @code{sizeof} or @code{typeof}.
926
927@code{typeof} is often useful in conjunction with the
928statements-within-expressions feature.  Here is how the two together can
929be used to define a safe ``maximum'' macro that operates on any
930arithmetic type and evaluates each of its arguments exactly once:
931
932@example
933#define max(a,b) \
934  (@{ typeof (a) _a = (a); \
935      typeof (b) _b = (b); \
936    _a > _b ? _a : _b; @})
937@end example
938
939@cindex underscores in variables in macros
940@cindex @samp{_} in variables in macros
941@cindex local variables in macros
942@cindex variables, local, in macros
943@cindex macros, local variables in
944
945The reason for using names that start with underscores for the local
946variables is to avoid conflicts with variable names that occur within the
947expressions that are substituted for @code{a} and @code{b}.  Eventually we
948hope to design a new form of declaration syntax that allows you to declare
949variables whose scopes start only after their initializers; this will be a
950more reliable way to prevent such conflicts.
951
952@noindent
953Some more examples of the use of @code{typeof}:
954
955@itemize @bullet
956@item
957This declares @code{y} with the type of what @code{x} points to.
958
959@example
960typeof (*x) y;
961@end example
962
963@item
964This declares @code{y} as an array of such values.
965
966@example
967typeof (*x) y[4];
968@end example
969
970@item
971This declares @code{y} as an array of pointers to characters:
972
973@example
974typeof (typeof (char *)[4]) y;
975@end example
976
977@noindent
978It is equivalent to the following traditional C declaration:
979
980@example
981char *y[4];
982@end example
983
984To see the meaning of the declaration using @code{typeof}, and why it
985might be a useful way to write, let's rewrite it with these macros:
986
987@example
988#define pointer(T)  typeof(T *)
989#define array(T, N) typeof(T [N])
990@end example
991
992@noindent
993Now the declaration can be rewritten this way:
994
995@example
996array (pointer (char), 4) y;
997@end example
998
999@noindent
1000Thus, @code{array (pointer (char), 4)} is the type of arrays of 4
1001pointers to @code{char}.
1002@end itemize
1003
1004@emph{Compatibility Note:} In addition to @code{typeof}, GCC 2 supported
1005a more limited extension which permitted one to write
1006
1007@example
1008typedef @var{T} = @var{expr};
1009@end example
1010
1011@noindent
1012with the effect of declaring @var{T} to have the type of the expression
1013@var{expr}.  This extension does not work with GCC 3 (versions between
10143.0 and 3.2 will crash; 3.2.1 and later give an error).  Code which
1015relies on it should be rewritten to use @code{typeof}:
1016
1017@example
1018typedef typeof(@var{expr}) @var{T};
1019@end example
1020
1021@noindent
1022This will work with all versions of GCC@.
1023
1024@node Lvalues
1025@section Generalized Lvalues
1026@cindex compound expressions as lvalues
1027@cindex expressions, compound, as lvalues
1028@cindex conditional expressions as lvalues
1029@cindex expressions, conditional, as lvalues
1030@cindex casts as lvalues
1031@cindex generalized lvalues
1032@cindex lvalues, generalized
1033@cindex extensions, @code{?:}
1034@cindex @code{?:} extensions
1035
1036Compound expressions, conditional expressions and casts are allowed as
1037lvalues provided their operands are lvalues.  This means that you can take
1038their addresses or store values into them.
1039
1040Standard C++ allows compound expressions and conditional expressions as
1041lvalues, and permits casts to reference type, so use of this extension
1042is deprecated for C++ code.
1043
1044For example, a compound expression can be assigned, provided the last
1045expression in the sequence is an lvalue.  These two expressions are
1046equivalent:
1047
1048@example
1049(a, b) += 5
1050a, (b += 5)
1051@end example
1052
1053Similarly, the address of the compound expression can be taken.  These two
1054expressions are equivalent:
1055
1056@example
1057&(a, b)
1058a, &b
1059@end example
1060
1061A conditional expression is a valid lvalue if its type is not void and the
1062true and false branches are both valid lvalues.  For example, these two
1063expressions are equivalent:
1064
1065@example
1066(a ? b : c) = 5
1067(a ? b = 5 : (c = 5))
1068@end example
1069
1070A cast is a valid lvalue if its operand is an lvalue.  A simple
1071assignment whose left-hand side is a cast works by converting the
1072right-hand side first to the specified type, then to the type of the
1073inner left-hand side expression.  After this is stored, the value is
1074converted back to the specified type to become the value of the
1075assignment.  Thus, if @code{a} has type @code{char *}, the following two
1076expressions are equivalent:
1077
1078@example
1079(int)a = 5
1080(int)(a = (char *)(int)5)
1081@end example
1082
1083An assignment-with-arithmetic operation such as @samp{+=} applied to a cast
1084performs the arithmetic using the type resulting from the cast, and then
1085continues as in the previous case.  Therefore, these two expressions are
1086equivalent:
1087
1088@example
1089(int)a += 5
1090(int)(a = (char *)(int) ((int)a + 5))
1091@end example
1092
1093You cannot take the address of an lvalue cast, because the use of its
1094address would not work out coherently.  Suppose that @code{&(int)f} were
1095permitted, where @code{f} has type @code{float}.  Then the following
1096statement would try to store an integer bit-pattern where a floating
1097point number belongs:
1098
1099@example
1100*&(int)f = 1;
1101@end example
1102
1103This is quite different from what @code{(int)f = 1} would do---that
1104would convert 1 to floating point and store it.  Rather than cause this
1105inconsistency, we think it is better to prohibit use of @samp{&} on a cast.
1106
1107If you really do want an @code{int *} pointer with the address of
1108@code{f}, you can simply write @code{(int *)&f}.
1109
1110@node Conditionals
1111@section Conditionals with Omitted Operands
1112@cindex conditional expressions, extensions
1113@cindex omitted middle-operands
1114@cindex middle-operands, omitted
1115@cindex extensions, @code{?:}
1116@cindex @code{?:} extensions
1117
1118The middle operand in a conditional expression may be omitted.  Then
1119if the first operand is nonzero, its value is the value of the conditional
1120expression.
1121
1122Therefore, the expression
1123
1124@example
1125x ? : y
1126@end example
1127
1128@noindent
1129has the value of @code{x} if that is nonzero; otherwise, the value of
1130@code{y}.
1131
1132This example is perfectly equivalent to
1133
1134@example
1135x ? x : y
1136@end example
1137
1138@cindex side effect in ?:
1139@cindex ?: side effect
1140@noindent
1141In this simple case, the ability to omit the middle operand is not
1142especially useful.  When it becomes useful is when the first operand does,
1143or may (if it is a macro argument), contain a side effect.  Then repeating
1144the operand in the middle would perform the side effect twice.  Omitting
1145the middle operand uses the value already computed without the undesirable
1146effects of recomputing it.
1147
1148@node Long Long
1149@section Double-Word Integers
1150@cindex @code{long long} data types
1151@cindex double-word arithmetic
1152@cindex multiprecision arithmetic
1153@cindex @code{LL} integer suffix
1154@cindex @code{ULL} integer suffix
1155
1156ISO C99 supports data types for integers that are at least 64 bits wide,
1157and as an extension GCC supports them in C89 mode and in C++.
1158Simply write @code{long long int} for a signed integer, or
1159@code{unsigned long long int} for an unsigned integer.  To make an
1160integer constant of type @code{long long int}, add the suffix @samp{LL}
1161to the integer.  To make an integer constant of type @code{unsigned long
1162long int}, add the suffix @samp{ULL} to the integer.
1163
1164You can use these types in arithmetic like any other integer types.
1165Addition, subtraction, and bitwise boolean operations on these types
1166are open-coded on all types of machines.  Multiplication is open-coded
1167if the machine supports fullword-to-doubleword a widening multiply
1168instruction.  Division and shifts are open-coded only on machines that
1169provide special support.  The operations that are not open-coded use
1170special library routines that come with GCC@.
1171
1172There may be pitfalls when you use @code{long long} types for function
1173arguments, unless you declare function prototypes.  If a function
1174expects type @code{int} for its argument, and you pass a value of type
1175@code{long long int}, confusion will result because the caller and the
1176subroutine will disagree about the number of bytes for the argument.
1177Likewise, if the function expects @code{long long int} and you pass
1178@code{int}.  The best way to avoid such problems is to use prototypes.
1179
1180@node Complex
1181@section Complex Numbers
1182@cindex complex numbers
1183@cindex @code{_Complex} keyword
1184@cindex @code{__complex__} keyword
1185
1186ISO C99 supports complex floating data types, and as an extension GCC
1187supports them in C89 mode and in C++, and supports complex integer data
1188types which are not part of ISO C99.  You can declare complex types
1189using the keyword @code{_Complex}.  As an extension, the older GNU
1190keyword @code{__complex__} is also supported.
1191
1192For example, @samp{_Complex double x;} declares @code{x} as a
1193variable whose real part and imaginary part are both of type
1194@code{double}.  @samp{_Complex short int y;} declares @code{y} to
1195have real and imaginary parts of type @code{short int}; this is not
1196likely to be useful, but it shows that the set of complex types is
1197complete.
1198
1199To write a constant with a complex data type, use the suffix @samp{i} or
1200@samp{j} (either one; they are equivalent).  For example, @code{2.5fi}
1201has type @code{_Complex float} and @code{3i} has type
1202@code{_Complex int}.  Such a constant always has a pure imaginary
1203value, but you can form any complex value you like by adding one to a
1204real constant.  This is a GNU extension; if you have an ISO C99
1205conforming C library (such as GNU libc), and want to construct complex
1206constants of floating type, you should include @code{<complex.h>} and
1207use the macros @code{I} or @code{_Complex_I} instead.
1208
1209@cindex @code{__real__} keyword
1210@cindex @code{__imag__} keyword
1211To extract the real part of a complex-valued expression @var{exp}, write
1212@code{__real__ @var{exp}}.  Likewise, use @code{__imag__} to
1213extract the imaginary part.  This is a GNU extension; for values of
1214floating type, you should use the ISO C99 functions @code{crealf},
1215@code{creal}, @code{creall}, @code{cimagf}, @code{cimag} and
1216@code{cimagl}, declared in @code{<complex.h>} and also provided as
1217built-in functions by GCC@.
1218
1219@cindex complex conjugation
1220The operator @samp{~} performs complex conjugation when used on a value
1221with a complex type.  This is a GNU extension; for values of
1222floating type, you should use the ISO C99 functions @code{conjf},
1223@code{conj} and @code{conjl}, declared in @code{<complex.h>} and also
1224provided as built-in functions by GCC@.
1225
1226GCC can allocate complex automatic variables in a noncontiguous
1227fashion; it's even possible for the real part to be in a register while
1228the imaginary part is on the stack (or vice-versa).  Only the DWARF2
1229debug info format can represent this, so use of DWARF2 is recommended.
1230If you are using the stabs debug info format, GCC describes a noncontiguous
1231complex variable as if it were two separate variables of noncomplex type.
1232If the variable's actual name is @code{foo}, the two fictitious
1233variables are named @code{foo$real} and @code{foo$imag}.  You can
1234examine and set these two fictitious variables with your debugger.
1235
1236@node Hex Floats
1237@section Hex Floats
1238@cindex hex floats
1239
1240ISO C99 supports floating-point numbers written not only in the usual
1241decimal notation, such as @code{1.55e1}, but also numbers such as
1242@code{0x1.fp3} written in hexadecimal format.  As a GNU extension, GCC
1243supports this in C89 mode (except in some cases when strictly
1244conforming) and in C++.  In that format the
1245@samp{0x} hex introducer and the @samp{p} or @samp{P} exponent field are
1246mandatory.  The exponent is a decimal number that indicates the power of
12472 by which the significant part will be multiplied.  Thus @samp{0x1.f} is
1248@tex
1249$1 {15\over16}$,
1250@end tex
1251@ifnottex
12521 15/16,
1253@end ifnottex
1254@samp{p3} multiplies it by 8, and the value of @code{0x1.fp3}
1255is the same as @code{1.55e1}.
1256
1257Unlike for floating-point numbers in the decimal notation the exponent
1258is always required in the hexadecimal notation.  Otherwise the compiler
1259would not be able to resolve the ambiguity of, e.g., @code{0x1.f}.  This
1260could mean @code{1.0f} or @code{1.9375} since @samp{f} is also the
1261extension for floating-point constants of type @code{float}.
1262
1263@node Zero Length
1264@section Arrays of Length Zero
1265@cindex arrays of length zero
1266@cindex zero-length arrays
1267@cindex length-zero arrays
1268@cindex flexible array members
1269
1270Zero-length arrays are allowed in GNU C@.  They are very useful as the
1271last element of a structure which is really a header for a variable-length
1272object:
1273
1274@example
1275struct line @{
1276  int length;
1277  char contents[0];
1278@};
1279
1280struct line *thisline = (struct line *)
1281  malloc (sizeof (struct line) + this_length);
1282thisline->length = this_length;
1283@end example
1284
1285In ISO C90, you would have to give @code{contents} a length of 1, which
1286means either you waste space or complicate the argument to @code{malloc}.
1287
1288In ISO C99, you would use a @dfn{flexible array member}, which is
1289slightly different in syntax and semantics:
1290
1291@itemize @bullet
1292@item
1293Flexible array members are written as @code{contents[]} without
1294the @code{0}.
1295
1296@item
1297Flexible array members have incomplete type, and so the @code{sizeof}
1298operator may not be applied.  As a quirk of the original implementation
1299of zero-length arrays, @code{sizeof} evaluates to zero.
1300
1301@item
1302Flexible array members may only appear as the last member of a
1303@code{struct} that is otherwise non-empty.
1304
1305@item
1306A structure containing a flexible array member, or a union containing
1307such a structure (possibly recursively), may not be a member of a
1308structure or an element of an array.  (However, these uses are
1309permitted by GCC as extensions.)
1310@end itemize
1311
1312GCC versions before 3.0 allowed zero-length arrays to be statically
1313initialized, as if they were flexible arrays.  In addition to those
1314cases that were useful, it also allowed initializations in situations
1315that would corrupt later data.  Non-empty initialization of zero-length
1316arrays is now treated like any case where there are more initializer
1317elements than the array holds, in that a suitable warning about "excess
1318elements in array" is given, and the excess elements (all of them, in
1319this case) are ignored.
1320
1321Instead GCC allows static initialization of flexible array members.
1322This is equivalent to defining a new structure containing the original
1323structure followed by an array of sufficient size to contain the data.
1324I.e.@: in the following, @code{f1} is constructed as if it were declared
1325like @code{f2}.
1326
1327@example
1328struct f1 @{
1329  int x; int y[];
1330@} f1 = @{ 1, @{ 2, 3, 4 @} @};
1331
1332struct f2 @{
1333  struct f1 f1; int data[3];
1334@} f2 = @{ @{ 1 @}, @{ 2, 3, 4 @} @};
1335@end example
1336
1337@noindent
1338The convenience of this extension is that @code{f1} has the desired
1339type, eliminating the need to consistently refer to @code{f2.f1}.
1340
1341This has symmetry with normal static arrays, in that an array of
1342unknown size is also written with @code{[]}.
1343
1344Of course, this extension only makes sense if the extra data comes at
1345the end of a top-level object, as otherwise we would be overwriting
1346data at subsequent offsets.  To avoid undue complication and confusion
1347with initialization of deeply nested arrays, we simply disallow any
1348non-empty initialization except when the structure is the top-level
1349object.  For example:
1350
1351@example
1352struct foo @{ int x; int y[]; @};
1353struct bar @{ struct foo z; @};
1354
1355struct foo a = @{ 1, @{ 2, 3, 4 @} @};        // @r{Valid.}
1356struct bar b = @{ @{ 1, @{ 2, 3, 4 @} @} @};    // @r{Invalid.}
1357struct bar c = @{ @{ 1, @{ @} @} @};            // @r{Valid.}
1358struct foo d[1] = @{ @{ 1 @{ 2, 3, 4 @} @} @};  // @r{Invalid.}
1359@end example
1360
1361@node Empty Structures
1362@section Structures With No Members
1363@cindex empty structures
1364@cindex zero-size structures
1365
1366GCC permits a C structure to have no members:
1367
1368@example
1369struct empty @{
1370@};
1371@end example
1372
1373The structure will have size zero.  In C++, empty structures are part
1374of the language.  G++ treats empty structures as if they had a single
1375member of type @code{char}.
1376
1377@node Variable Length
1378@section Arrays of Variable Length
1379@cindex variable-length arrays
1380@cindex arrays of variable length
1381@cindex VLAs
1382
1383Variable-length automatic arrays are allowed in ISO C99, and as an
1384extension GCC accepts them in C89 mode and in C++.  (However, GCC's
1385implementation of variable-length arrays does not yet conform in detail
1386to the ISO C99 standard.)  These arrays are
1387declared like any other automatic arrays, but with a length that is not
1388a constant expression.  The storage is allocated at the point of
1389declaration and deallocated when the brace-level is exited.  For
1390example:
1391
1392@example
1393FILE *
1394concat_fopen (char *s1, char *s2, char *mode)
1395@{
1396  char str[strlen (s1) + strlen (s2) + 1];
1397  strcpy (str, s1);
1398  strcat (str, s2);
1399  return fopen (str, mode);
1400@}
1401@end example
1402
1403@cindex scope of a variable length array
1404@cindex variable-length array scope
1405@cindex deallocating variable length arrays
1406Jumping or breaking out of the scope of the array name deallocates the
1407storage.  Jumping into the scope is not allowed; you get an error
1408message for it.
1409
1410@cindex @code{alloca} vs variable-length arrays
1411You can use the function @code{alloca} to get an effect much like
1412variable-length arrays.  The function @code{alloca} is available in
1413many other C implementations (but not in all).  On the other hand,
1414variable-length arrays are more elegant.
1415
1416There are other differences between these two methods.  Space allocated
1417with @code{alloca} exists until the containing @emph{function} returns.
1418The space for a variable-length array is deallocated as soon as the array
1419name's scope ends.  (If you use both variable-length arrays and
1420@code{alloca} in the same function, deallocation of a variable-length array
1421will also deallocate anything more recently allocated with @code{alloca}.)
1422
1423You can also use variable-length arrays as arguments to functions:
1424
1425@example
1426struct entry
1427tester (int len, char data[len][len])
1428@{
1429  /* @r{@dots{}} */
1430@}
1431@end example
1432
1433The length of an array is computed once when the storage is allocated
1434and is remembered for the scope of the array in case you access it with
1435@code{sizeof}.
1436
1437If you want to pass the array first and the length afterward, you can
1438use a forward declaration in the parameter list---another GNU extension.
1439
1440@example
1441struct entry
1442tester (int len; char data[len][len], int len)
1443@{
1444  /* @r{@dots{}} */
1445@}
1446@end example
1447
1448@cindex parameter forward declaration
1449The @samp{int len} before the semicolon is a @dfn{parameter forward
1450declaration}, and it serves the purpose of making the name @code{len}
1451known when the declaration of @code{data} is parsed.
1452
1453You can write any number of such parameter forward declarations in the
1454parameter list.  They can be separated by commas or semicolons, but the
1455last one must end with a semicolon, which is followed by the ``real''
1456parameter declarations.  Each forward declaration must match a ``real''
1457declaration in parameter name and data type.  ISO C99 does not support
1458parameter forward declarations.
1459
1460@node Variadic Macros
1461@section Macros with a Variable Number of Arguments.
1462@cindex variable number of arguments
1463@cindex macro with variable arguments
1464@cindex rest argument (in macro)
1465@cindex variadic macros
1466
1467In the ISO C standard of 1999, a macro can be declared to accept a
1468variable number of arguments much as a function can.  The syntax for
1469defining the macro is similar to that of a function.  Here is an
1470example:
1471
1472@smallexample
1473#define debug(format, ...) fprintf (stderr, format, __VA_ARGS__)
1474@end smallexample
1475
1476Here @samp{@dots{}} is a @dfn{variable argument}.  In the invocation of
1477such a macro, it represents the zero or more tokens until the closing
1478parenthesis that ends the invocation, including any commas.  This set of
1479tokens replaces the identifier @code{__VA_ARGS__} in the macro body
1480wherever it appears.  See the CPP manual for more information.
1481
1482GCC has long supported variadic macros, and used a different syntax that
1483allowed you to give a name to the variable arguments just like any other
1484argument.  Here is an example:
1485
1486@example
1487#define debug(format, args...) fprintf (stderr, format, args)
1488@end example
1489
1490This is in all ways equivalent to the ISO C example above, but arguably
1491more readable and descriptive.
1492
1493GNU CPP has two further variadic macro extensions, and permits them to
1494be used with either of the above forms of macro definition.
1495
1496In standard C, you are not allowed to leave the variable argument out
1497entirely; but you are allowed to pass an empty argument.  For example,
1498this invocation is invalid in ISO C, because there is no comma after
1499the string:
1500
1501@example
1502debug ("A message")
1503@end example
1504
1505GNU CPP permits you to completely omit the variable arguments in this
1506way.  In the above examples, the compiler would complain, though since
1507the expansion of the macro still has the extra comma after the format
1508string.
1509
1510To help solve this problem, CPP behaves specially for variable arguments
1511used with the token paste operator, @samp{##}.  If instead you write
1512
1513@smallexample
1514#define debug(format, ...) fprintf (stderr, format, ## __VA_ARGS__)
1515@end smallexample
1516
1517and if the variable arguments are omitted or empty, the @samp{##}
1518operator causes the preprocessor to remove the comma before it.  If you
1519do provide some variable arguments in your macro invocation, GNU CPP
1520does not complain about the paste operation and instead places the
1521variable arguments after the comma.  Just like any other pasted macro
1522argument, these arguments are not macro expanded.
1523
1524@node Escaped Newlines
1525@section Slightly Looser Rules for Escaped Newlines
1526@cindex escaped newlines
1527@cindex newlines (escaped)
1528
1529Recently, the preprocessor has relaxed its treatment of escaped
1530newlines.  Previously, the newline had to immediately follow a
1531backslash.  The current implementation allows whitespace in the form
1532of spaces, horizontal and vertical tabs, and form feeds between the
1533backslash and the subsequent newline.  The preprocessor issues a
1534warning, but treats it as a valid escaped newline and combines the two
1535lines to form a single logical line.  This works within comments and
1536tokens, as well as between tokens.  Comments are @emph{not} treated as
1537whitespace for the purposes of this relaxation, since they have not
1538yet been replaced with spaces.
1539
1540@node Subscripting
1541@section Non-Lvalue Arrays May Have Subscripts
1542@cindex subscripting
1543@cindex arrays, non-lvalue
1544
1545@cindex subscripting and function values
1546In ISO C99, arrays that are not lvalues still decay to pointers, and
1547may be subscripted, although they may not be modified or used after
1548the next sequence point and the unary @samp{&} operator may not be
1549applied to them.  As an extension, GCC allows such arrays to be
1550subscripted in C89 mode, though otherwise they do not decay to
1551pointers outside C99 mode.  For example,
1552this is valid in GNU C though not valid in C89:
1553
1554@example
1555@group
1556struct foo @{int a[4];@};
1557
1558struct foo f();
1559
1560bar (int index)
1561@{
1562  return f().a[index];
1563@}
1564@end group
1565@end example
1566
1567@node Pointer Arith
1568@section Arithmetic on @code{void}- and Function-Pointers
1569@cindex void pointers, arithmetic
1570@cindex void, size of pointer to
1571@cindex function pointers, arithmetic
1572@cindex function, size of pointer to
1573
1574In GNU C, addition and subtraction operations are supported on pointers to
1575@code{void} and on pointers to functions.  This is done by treating the
1576size of a @code{void} or of a function as 1.
1577
1578A consequence of this is that @code{sizeof} is also allowed on @code{void}
1579and on function types, and returns 1.
1580
1581@opindex Wpointer-arith
1582The option @option{-Wpointer-arith} requests a warning if these extensions
1583are used.
1584
1585@node Initializers
1586@section Non-Constant Initializers
1587@cindex initializers, non-constant
1588@cindex non-constant initializers
1589
1590As in standard C++ and ISO C99, the elements of an aggregate initializer for an
1591automatic variable are not required to be constant expressions in GNU C@.
1592Here is an example of an initializer with run-time varying elements:
1593
1594@example
1595foo (float f, float g)
1596@{
1597  float beat_freqs[2] = @{ f-g, f+g @};
1598  /* @r{@dots{}} */
1599@}
1600@end example
1601
1602@node Compound Literals
1603@section Compound Literals
1604@cindex constructor expressions
1605@cindex initializations in expressions
1606@cindex structures, constructor expression
1607@cindex expressions, constructor
1608@cindex compound literals
1609@c The GNU C name for what C99 calls compound literals was "constructor expressions".
1610
1611ISO C99 supports compound literals.  A compound literal looks like
1612a cast containing an initializer.  Its value is an object of the
1613type specified in the cast, containing the elements specified in
1614the initializer; it is an lvalue.  As an extension, GCC supports
1615compound literals in C89 mode and in C++.
1616
1617Usually, the specified type is a structure.  Assume that
1618@code{struct foo} and @code{structure} are declared as shown:
1619
1620@example
1621struct foo @{int a; char b[2];@} structure;
1622@end example
1623
1624@noindent
1625Here is an example of constructing a @code{struct foo} with a compound literal:
1626
1627@example
1628structure = ((struct foo) @{x + y, 'a', 0@});
1629@end example
1630
1631@noindent
1632This is equivalent to writing the following:
1633
1634@example
1635@{
1636  struct foo temp = @{x + y, 'a', 0@};
1637  structure = temp;
1638@}
1639@end example
1640
1641You can also construct an array.  If all the elements of the compound literal
1642are (made up of) simple constant expressions, suitable for use in
1643initializers of objects of static storage duration, then the compound
1644literal can be coerced to a pointer to its first element and used in
1645such an initializer, as shown here:
1646
1647@example
1648char **foo = (char *[]) @{ "x", "y", "z" @};
1649@end example
1650
1651Compound literals for scalar types and union types are is
1652also allowed, but then the compound literal is equivalent
1653to a cast.
1654
1655As a GNU extension, GCC allows initialization of objects with static storage
1656duration by compound literals (which is not possible in ISO C99, because
1657the initializer is not a constant).
1658It is handled as if the object was initialized only with the bracket
1659enclosed list if compound literal's and object types match.
1660The initializer list of the compound literal must be constant.
1661If the object being initialized has array type of unknown size, the size is
1662determined by compound literal size.
1663
1664@example
1665static struct foo x = (struct foo) @{1, 'a', 'b'@};
1666static int y[] = (int []) @{1, 2, 3@};
1667static int z[] = (int [3]) @{1@};
1668@end example
1669
1670@noindent
1671The above lines are equivalent to the following:
1672@example
1673static struct foo x = @{1, 'a', 'b'@};
1674static int y[] = @{1, 2, 3@};
1675static int z[] = @{1, 0, 0@};
1676@end example
1677
1678@node Designated Inits
1679@section Designated Initializers
1680@cindex initializers with labeled elements
1681@cindex labeled elements in initializers
1682@cindex case labels in initializers
1683@cindex designated initializers
1684
1685Standard C89 requires the elements of an initializer to appear in a fixed
1686order, the same as the order of the elements in the array or structure
1687being initialized.
1688
1689In ISO C99 you can give the elements in any order, specifying the array
1690indices or structure field names they apply to, and GNU C allows this as
1691an extension in C89 mode as well.  This extension is not
1692implemented in GNU C++.
1693
1694To specify an array index, write
1695@samp{[@var{index}] =} before the element value.  For example,
1696
1697@example
1698int a[6] = @{ [4] = 29, [2] = 15 @};
1699@end example
1700
1701@noindent
1702is equivalent to
1703
1704@example
1705int a[6] = @{ 0, 0, 15, 0, 29, 0 @};
1706@end example
1707
1708@noindent
1709The index values must be constant expressions, even if the array being
1710initialized is automatic.
1711
1712An alternative syntax for this which has been obsolete since GCC 2.5 but
1713GCC still accepts is to write @samp{[@var{index}]} before the element
1714value, with no @samp{=}.
1715
1716To initialize a range of elements to the same value, write
1717@samp{[@var{first} ... @var{last}] = @var{value}}.  This is a GNU
1718extension.  For example,
1719
1720@example
1721int widths[] = @{ [0 ... 9] = 1, [10 ... 99] = 2, [100] = 3 @};
1722@end example
1723
1724@noindent
1725If the value in it has side-effects, the side-effects will happen only once,
1726not for each initialized field by the range initializer.
1727
1728@noindent
1729Note that the length of the array is the highest value specified
1730plus one.
1731
1732In a structure initializer, specify the name of a field to initialize
1733with @samp{.@var{fieldname} =} before the element value.  For example,
1734given the following structure,
1735
1736@example
1737struct point @{ int x, y; @};
1738@end example
1739
1740@noindent
1741the following initialization
1742
1743@example
1744struct point p = @{ .y = yvalue, .x = xvalue @};
1745@end example
1746
1747@noindent
1748is equivalent to
1749
1750@example
1751struct point p = @{ xvalue, yvalue @};
1752@end example
1753
1754Another syntax which has the same meaning, obsolete since GCC 2.5, is
1755@samp{@var{fieldname}:}, as shown here:
1756
1757@example
1758struct point p = @{ y: yvalue, x: xvalue @};
1759@end example
1760
1761@cindex designators
1762The @samp{[@var{index}]} or @samp{.@var{fieldname}} is known as a
1763@dfn{designator}.  You can also use a designator (or the obsolete colon
1764syntax) when initializing a union, to specify which element of the union
1765should be used.  For example,
1766
1767@example
1768union foo @{ int i; double d; @};
1769
1770union foo f = @{ .d = 4 @};
1771@end example
1772
1773@noindent
1774will convert 4 to a @code{double} to store it in the union using
1775the second element.  By contrast, casting 4 to type @code{union foo}
1776would store it into the union as the integer @code{i}, since it is
1777an integer.  (@xref{Cast to Union}.)
1778
1779You can combine this technique of naming elements with ordinary C
1780initialization of successive elements.  Each initializer element that
1781does not have a designator applies to the next consecutive element of the
1782array or structure.  For example,
1783
1784@example
1785int a[6] = @{ [1] = v1, v2, [4] = v4 @};
1786@end example
1787
1788@noindent
1789is equivalent to
1790
1791@example
1792int a[6] = @{ 0, v1, v2, 0, v4, 0 @};
1793@end example
1794
1795Labeling the elements of an array initializer is especially useful
1796when the indices are characters or belong to an @code{enum} type.
1797For example:
1798
1799@example
1800int whitespace[256]
1801  = @{ [' '] = 1, ['\t'] = 1, ['\h'] = 1,
1802      ['\f'] = 1, ['\n'] = 1, ['\r'] = 1 @};
1803@end example
1804
1805@cindex designator lists
1806You can also write a series of @samp{.@var{fieldname}} and
1807@samp{[@var{index}]} designators before an @samp{=} to specify a
1808nested subobject to initialize; the list is taken relative to the
1809subobject corresponding to the closest surrounding brace pair.  For
1810example, with the @samp{struct point} declaration above:
1811
1812@smallexample
1813struct point ptarray[10] = @{ [2].y = yv2, [2].x = xv2, [0].x = xv0 @};
1814@end smallexample
1815
1816@noindent
1817If the same field is initialized multiple times, it will have value from
1818the last initialization.  If any such overridden initialization has
1819side-effect, it is unspecified whether the side-effect happens or not.
1820Currently, gcc will discard them and issue a warning.
1821
1822@node Case Ranges
1823@section Case Ranges
1824@cindex case ranges
1825@cindex ranges in case statements
1826
1827You can specify a range of consecutive values in a single @code{case} label,
1828like this:
1829
1830@example
1831case @var{low} ... @var{high}:
1832@end example
1833
1834@noindent
1835This has the same effect as the proper number of individual @code{case}
1836labels, one for each integer value from @var{low} to @var{high}, inclusive.
1837
1838This feature is especially useful for ranges of ASCII character codes:
1839
1840@example
1841case 'A' ... 'Z':
1842@end example
1843
1844@strong{Be careful:} Write spaces around the @code{...}, for otherwise
1845it may be parsed wrong when you use it with integer values.  For example,
1846write this:
1847
1848@example
1849case 1 ... 5:
1850@end example
1851
1852@noindent
1853rather than this:
1854
1855@example
1856case 1...5:
1857@end example
1858
1859@node Cast to Union
1860@section Cast to a Union Type
1861@cindex cast to a union
1862@cindex union, casting to a
1863
1864A cast to union type is similar to other casts, except that the type
1865specified is a union type.  You can specify the type either with
1866@code{union @var{tag}} or with a typedef name.  A cast to union is actually
1867a constructor though, not a cast, and hence does not yield an lvalue like
1868normal casts.  (@xref{Compound Literals}.)
1869
1870The types that may be cast to the union type are those of the members
1871of the union.  Thus, given the following union and variables:
1872
1873@example
1874union foo @{ int i; double d; @};
1875int x;
1876double y;
1877@end example
1878
1879@noindent
1880both @code{x} and @code{y} can be cast to type @code{union foo}.
1881
1882Using the cast as the right-hand side of an assignment to a variable of
1883union type is equivalent to storing in a member of the union:
1884
1885@example
1886union foo u;
1887/* @r{@dots{}} */
1888u = (union foo) x  @equiv{}  u.i = x
1889u = (union foo) y  @equiv{}  u.d = y
1890@end example
1891
1892You can also use the union cast as a function argument:
1893
1894@example
1895void hack (union foo);
1896/* @r{@dots{}} */
1897hack ((union foo) x);
1898@end example
1899
1900@node Mixed Declarations
1901@section Mixed Declarations and Code
1902@cindex mixed declarations and code
1903@cindex declarations, mixed with code
1904@cindex code, mixed with declarations
1905
1906ISO C99 and ISO C++ allow declarations and code to be freely mixed
1907within compound statements.  As an extension, GCC also allows this in
1908C89 mode.  For example, you could do:
1909
1910@example
1911int i;
1912/* @r{@dots{}} */
1913i++;
1914int j = i + 2;
1915@end example
1916
1917Each identifier is visible from where it is declared until the end of
1918the enclosing block.
1919
1920@node Function Attributes
1921@section Declaring Attributes of Functions
1922@cindex function attributes
1923@cindex declaring attributes of functions
1924@cindex functions that never return
1925@cindex functions that have no side effects
1926@cindex functions in arbitrary sections
1927@cindex functions that behave like malloc
1928@cindex @code{volatile} applied to function
1929@cindex @code{const} applied to function
1930@cindex functions with @code{printf}, @code{scanf}, @code{strftime} or @code{strfmon} style arguments
1931@cindex functions with non-null pointer arguments
1932@cindex functions that are passed arguments in registers on the 386
1933@cindex functions that pop the argument stack on the 386
1934@cindex functions that do not pop the argument stack on the 386
1935
1936In GNU C, you declare certain things about functions called in your program
1937which help the compiler optimize function calls and check your code more
1938carefully.
1939
1940The keyword @code{__attribute__} allows you to specify special
1941attributes when making a declaration.  This keyword is followed by an
1942attribute specification inside double parentheses.  The following
1943attributes are currently defined for functions on all targets:
1944@code{noreturn}, @code{noinline}, @code{always_inline},
1945@code{pure}, @code{const}, @code{nothrow},
1946@code{format}, @code{format_arg}, @code{no_instrument_function},
1947@code{section}, @code{constructor}, @code{destructor}, @code{used},
1948@code{unused}, @code{deprecated}, @code{weak}, @code{malloc},
1949@code{alias}, and @code{nonnull}.  Several other attributes are defined
1950for functions on particular target systems.  Other attributes, including
1951@code{section} are supported for variables declarations
1952(@pxref{Variable Attributes}) and for types (@pxref{Type Attributes}).
1953
1954You may also specify attributes with @samp{__} preceding and following
1955each keyword.  This allows you to use them in header files without
1956being concerned about a possible macro of the same name.  For example,
1957you may use @code{__noreturn__} instead of @code{noreturn}.
1958
1959@xref{Attribute Syntax}, for details of the exact syntax for using
1960attributes.
1961
1962@table @code
1963@cindex @code{noreturn} function attribute
1964@item noreturn
1965A few standard library functions, such as @code{abort} and @code{exit},
1966cannot return.  GCC knows this automatically.  Some programs define
1967their own functions that never return.  You can declare them
1968@code{noreturn} to tell the compiler this fact.  For example,
1969
1970@smallexample
1971@group
1972void fatal () __attribute__ ((noreturn));
1973
1974void
1975fatal (/* @r{@dots{}} */)
1976@{
1977  /* @r{@dots{}} */ /* @r{Print error message.} */ /* @r{@dots{}} */
1978  exit (1);
1979@}
1980@end group
1981@end smallexample
1982
1983The @code{noreturn} keyword tells the compiler to assume that
1984@code{fatal} cannot return.  It can then optimize without regard to what
1985would happen if @code{fatal} ever did return.  This makes slightly
1986better code.  More importantly, it helps avoid spurious warnings of
1987uninitialized variables.
1988
1989Do not assume that registers saved by the calling function are
1990restored before calling the @code{noreturn} function.
1991
1992It does not make sense for a @code{noreturn} function to have a return
1993type other than @code{void}.
1994
1995The attribute @code{noreturn} is not implemented in GCC versions
1996earlier than 2.5.  An alternative way to declare that a function does
1997not return, which works in the current version and in some older
1998versions, is as follows:
1999
2000@smallexample
2001typedef void voidfn ();
2002
2003volatile voidfn fatal;
2004@end smallexample
2005
2006@cindex @code{noinline} function attribute
2007@item noinline
2008This function attribute prevents a function from being considered for
2009inlining.
2010
2011@cindex @code{always_inline} function attribute
2012@item always_inline
2013Generally, functions are not inlined unless optimization is specified.
2014For functions declared inline, this attribute inlines the function even
2015if no optimization level was specified.
2016
2017@cindex @code{pure} function attribute
2018@item pure
2019Many functions have no effects except the return value and their
2020return value depends only on the parameters and/or global variables.
2021Such a function can be subject
2022to common subexpression elimination and loop optimization just as an
2023arithmetic operator would be.  These functions should be declared
2024with the attribute @code{pure}.  For example,
2025
2026@smallexample
2027int square (int) __attribute__ ((pure));
2028@end smallexample
2029
2030@noindent
2031says that the hypothetical function @code{square} is safe to call
2032fewer times than the program says.
2033
2034Some of common examples of pure functions are @code{strlen} or @code{memcmp}.
2035Interesting non-pure functions are functions with infinite loops or those
2036depending on volatile memory or other system resource, that may change between
2037two consecutive calls (such as @code{feof} in a multithreading environment).
2038
2039The attribute @code{pure} is not implemented in GCC versions earlier
2040than 2.96.
2041@cindex @code{const} function attribute
2042@item const
2043Many functions do not examine any values except their arguments, and
2044have no effects except the return value.  Basically this is just slightly
2045more strict class than the @code{pure} attribute above, since function is not
2046allowed to read global memory.
2047
2048@cindex pointer arguments
2049Note that a function that has pointer arguments and examines the data
2050pointed to must @emph{not} be declared @code{const}.  Likewise, a
2051function that calls a non-@code{const} function usually must not be
2052@code{const}.  It does not make sense for a @code{const} function to
2053return @code{void}.
2054
2055The attribute @code{const} is not implemented in GCC versions earlier
2056than 2.5.  An alternative way to declare that a function has no side
2057effects, which works in the current version and in some older versions,
2058is as follows:
2059
2060@smallexample
2061typedef int intfn ();
2062
2063extern const intfn square;
2064@end smallexample
2065
2066This approach does not work in GNU C++ from 2.6.0 on, since the language
2067specifies that the @samp{const} must be attached to the return value.
2068
2069@cindex @code{nothrow} function attribute
2070@item nothrow
2071The @code{nothrow} attribute is used to inform the compiler that a
2072function cannot throw an exception.  For example, most functions in
2073the standard C library can be guaranteed not to throw an exception
2074with the notable exceptions of @code{qsort} and @code{bsearch} that
2075take function pointer arguments.  The @code{nothrow} attribute is not
2076implemented in GCC versions earlier than 3.2.
2077
2078@item format (@var{archetype}, @var{string-index}, @var{first-to-check})
2079@cindex @code{format} function attribute
2080@opindex Wformat
2081The @code{format} attribute specifies that a function takes @code{printf},
2082@code{scanf}, @code{strftime} or @code{strfmon} style arguments which
2083should be type-checked against a format string.  For example, the
2084declaration:
2085
2086@smallexample
2087extern int
2088my_printf (void *my_object, const char *my_format, ...)
2089      __attribute__ ((format (printf, 2, 3)));
2090@end smallexample
2091
2092@noindent
2093causes the compiler to check the arguments in calls to @code{my_printf}
2094for consistency with the @code{printf} style format string argument
2095@code{my_format}.
2096
2097The parameter @var{archetype} determines how the format string is
2098interpreted, and should be @code{printf}, @code{scanf}, @code{strftime}
2099or @code{strfmon}.  (You can also use @code{__printf__},
2100@code{__scanf__}, @code{__strftime__} or @code{__strfmon__}.)  The
2101parameter @var{string-index} specifies which argument is the format
2102string argument (starting from 1), while @var{first-to-check} is the
2103number of the first argument to check against the format string.  For
2104functions where the arguments are not available to be checked (such as
2105@code{vprintf}), specify the third parameter as zero.  In this case the
2106compiler only checks the format string for consistency.  For
2107@code{strftime} formats, the third parameter is required to be zero.
2108Since non-static C++ methods have an implicit @code{this} argument, the
2109arguments of such methods should be counted from two, not one, when
2110giving values for @var{string-index} and @var{first-to-check}.
2111
2112In the example above, the format string (@code{my_format}) is the second
2113argument of the function @code{my_print}, and the arguments to check
2114start with the third argument, so the correct parameters for the format
2115attribute are 2 and 3.
2116
2117@opindex ffreestanding
2118The @code{format} attribute allows you to identify your own functions
2119which take format strings as arguments, so that GCC can check the
2120calls to these functions for errors.  The compiler always (unless
2121@option{-ffreestanding} is used) checks formats
2122for the standard library functions @code{printf}, @code{fprintf},
2123@code{sprintf}, @code{scanf}, @code{fscanf}, @code{sscanf}, @code{strftime},
2124@code{vprintf}, @code{vfprintf} and @code{vsprintf} whenever such
2125warnings are requested (using @option{-Wformat}), so there is no need to
2126modify the header file @file{stdio.h}.  In C99 mode, the functions
2127@code{snprintf}, @code{vsnprintf}, @code{vscanf}, @code{vfscanf} and
2128@code{vsscanf} are also checked.  Except in strictly conforming C
2129standard modes, the X/Open function @code{strfmon} is also checked as
2130are @code{printf_unlocked} and @code{fprintf_unlocked}.
2131@xref{C Dialect Options,,Options Controlling C Dialect}.
2132
2133@item format_arg (@var{string-index})
2134@cindex @code{format_arg} function attribute
2135@opindex Wformat-nonliteral
2136The @code{format_arg} attribute specifies that a function takes a format
2137string for a @code{printf}, @code{scanf}, @code{strftime} or
2138@code{strfmon} style function and modifies it (for example, to translate
2139it into another language), so the result can be passed to a
2140@code{printf}, @code{scanf}, @code{strftime} or @code{strfmon} style
2141function (with the remaining arguments to the format function the same
2142as they would have been for the unmodified string).  For example, the
2143declaration:
2144
2145@smallexample
2146extern char *
2147my_dgettext (char *my_domain, const char *my_format)
2148      __attribute__ ((format_arg (2)));
2149@end smallexample
2150
2151@noindent
2152causes the compiler to check the arguments in calls to a @code{printf},
2153@code{scanf}, @code{strftime} or @code{strfmon} type function, whose
2154format string argument is a call to the @code{my_dgettext} function, for
2155consistency with the format string argument @code{my_format}.  If the
2156@code{format_arg} attribute had not been specified, all the compiler
2157could tell in such calls to format functions would be that the format
2158string argument is not constant; this would generate a warning when
2159@option{-Wformat-nonliteral} is used, but the calls could not be checked
2160without the attribute.
2161
2162The parameter @var{string-index} specifies which argument is the format
2163string argument (starting from one).  Since non-static C++ methods have
2164an implicit @code{this} argument, the arguments of such methods should
2165be counted from two.
2166
2167The @code{format-arg} attribute allows you to identify your own
2168functions which modify format strings, so that GCC can check the
2169calls to @code{printf}, @code{scanf}, @code{strftime} or @code{strfmon}
2170type function whose operands are a call to one of your own function.
2171The compiler always treats @code{gettext}, @code{dgettext}, and
2172@code{dcgettext} in this manner except when strict ISO C support is
2173requested by @option{-ansi} or an appropriate @option{-std} option, or
2174@option{-ffreestanding} is used.  @xref{C Dialect Options,,Options
2175Controlling C Dialect}.
2176
2177@item nonnull (@var{arg-index}, @dots{})
2178@cindex @code{nonnull} function attribute
2179The @code{nonnull} attribute specifies that some function parameters should
2180be non-null pointers.  For instance, the declaration:
2181
2182@smallexample
2183extern void *
2184my_memcpy (void *dest, const void *src, size_t len)
2185	__attribute__((nonnull (1, 2)));
2186@end smallexample
2187
2188@noindent
2189causes the compiler to check that, in calls to @code{my_memcpy},
2190arguments @var{dest} and @var{src} are non-null.  If the compiler
2191determines that a null pointer is passed in an argument slot marked
2192as non-null, and the @option{-Wnonnull} option is enabled, a warning
2193is issued.  The compiler may also choose to make optimizations based
2194on the knowledge that certain function arguments will not be null.
2195
2196If no argument index list is given to the @code{nonnull} attribute,
2197all pointer arguments are marked as non-null.  To illustrate, the
2198following declaration is equivalent to the previous example:
2199
2200@smallexample
2201extern void *
2202my_memcpy (void *dest, const void *src, size_t len)
2203	__attribute__((nonnull));
2204@end smallexample
2205
2206@item no_instrument_function
2207@cindex @code{no_instrument_function} function attribute
2208@opindex finstrument-functions
2209If @option{-finstrument-functions} is given, profiling function calls will
2210be generated at entry and exit of most user-compiled functions.
2211Functions with this attribute will not be so instrumented.
2212
2213@item section ("@var{section-name}")
2214@cindex @code{section} function attribute
2215Normally, the compiler places the code it generates in the @code{text} section.
2216Sometimes, however, you need additional sections, or you need certain
2217particular functions to appear in special sections.  The @code{section}
2218attribute specifies that a function lives in a particular section.
2219For example, the declaration:
2220
2221@smallexample
2222extern void foobar (void) __attribute__ ((section ("bar")));
2223@end smallexample
2224
2225@noindent
2226puts the function @code{foobar} in the @code{bar} section.
2227
2228Some file formats do not support arbitrary sections so the @code{section}
2229attribute is not available on all platforms.
2230If you need to map the entire contents of a module to a particular
2231section, consider using the facilities of the linker instead.
2232
2233@item constructor
2234@itemx destructor
2235@cindex @code{constructor} function attribute
2236@cindex @code{destructor} function attribute
2237The @code{constructor} attribute causes the function to be called
2238automatically before execution enters @code{main ()}.  Similarly, the
2239@code{destructor} attribute causes the function to be called
2240automatically after @code{main ()} has completed or @code{exit ()} has
2241been called.  Functions with these attributes are useful for
2242initializing data that will be used implicitly during the execution of
2243the program.
2244
2245These attributes are not currently implemented for Objective-C@.
2246
2247@cindex @code{unused} attribute.
2248@item unused
2249This attribute, attached to a function, means that the function is meant
2250to be possibly unused.  GCC will not produce a warning for this
2251function.  GNU C++ does not currently support this attribute as
2252definitions without parameters are valid in C++.
2253
2254@cindex @code{used} attribute.
2255@item used
2256This attribute, attached to a function, means that code must be emitted
2257for the function even if it appears that the function is not referenced.
2258This is useful, for example, when the function is referenced only in
2259inline assembly.
2260
2261@cindex @code{deprecated} attribute.
2262@item deprecated
2263The @code{deprecated} attribute results in a warning if the function
2264is used anywhere in the source file.  This is useful when identifying
2265functions that are expected to be removed in a future version of a
2266program.  The warning also includes the location of the declaration
2267of the deprecated function, to enable users to easily find further
2268information about why the function is deprecated, or what they should
2269do instead.  Note that the warnings only occurs for uses:
2270
2271@smallexample
2272int old_fn () __attribute__ ((deprecated));
2273int old_fn ();
2274int (*fn_ptr)() = old_fn;
2275@end smallexample
2276
2277results in a warning on line 3 but not line 2.
2278
2279The @code{deprecated} attribute can also be used for variables and
2280types (@pxref{Variable Attributes}, @pxref{Type Attributes}.)
2281
2282@item weak
2283@cindex @code{weak} attribute
2284The @code{weak} attribute causes the declaration to be emitted as a weak
2285symbol rather than a global.  This is primarily useful in defining
2286library functions which can be overridden in user code, though it can
2287also be used with non-function declarations.  Weak symbols are supported
2288for ELF targets, and also for a.out targets when using the GNU assembler
2289and linker.
2290
2291@item malloc
2292@cindex @code{malloc} attribute
2293The @code{malloc} attribute is used to tell the compiler that a function
2294may be treated as if it were the malloc function.  The compiler assumes
2295that calls to malloc result in pointers that cannot alias anything.
2296This will often improve optimization.
2297
2298@item alias ("@var{target}")
2299@cindex @code{alias} attribute
2300The @code{alias} attribute causes the declaration to be emitted as an
2301alias for another symbol, which must be specified.  For instance,
2302
2303@smallexample
2304void __f () @{ /* @r{Do something.} */; @}
2305void f () __attribute__ ((weak, alias ("__f")));
2306@end smallexample
2307
2308declares @samp{f} to be a weak alias for @samp{__f}.  In C++, the
2309mangled name for the target must be used.
2310
2311Not all target machines support this attribute.
2312
2313@item visibility ("@var{visibility_type}")
2314@cindex @code{visibility} attribute
2315The @code{visibility} attribute on ELF targets causes the declaration
2316to be emitted with default, hidden, protected or internal visibility.
2317
2318@smallexample
2319void __attribute__ ((visibility ("protected")))
2320f () @{ /* @r{Do something.} */; @}
2321int i __attribute__ ((visibility ("hidden")));
2322@end smallexample
2323
2324See the ELF gABI for complete details, but the short story is:
2325
2326@table @dfn
2327@item default
2328Default visibility is the normal case for ELF.  This value is 
2329available for the visibility attribute to override other options
2330that may change the assumed visibility of symbols.
2331
2332@item hidden
2333Hidden visibility indicates that the symbol will not be placed into
2334the dynamic symbol table, so no other @dfn{module} (executable or
2335shared library) can reference it directly.
2336
2337@item protected
2338Protected visibility indicates that the symbol will be placed in the
2339dynamic symbol table, but that references within the defining module
2340will bind to the local symbol.  That is, the symbol cannot be overridden
2341by another module.
2342
2343@item internal
2344Internal visibility is like hidden visibility, but with additional
2345processor specific semantics.  Unless otherwise specified by the psABI,
2346gcc defines internal visibility to mean that the function is @emph{never}
2347called from another module.  Note that hidden symbols, while they cannot
2348be referenced directly by other modules, can be referenced indirectly via
2349function pointers.  By indicating that a symbol cannot be called from
2350outside the module, gcc may for instance omit the load of a PIC register
2351since it is known that the calling function loaded the correct value.
2352@end table
2353
2354Not all ELF targets support this attribute.
2355
2356@item regparm (@var{number})
2357@cindex @code{regparm} attribute
2358@cindex functions that are passed arguments in registers on the 386
2359On the Intel 386, the @code{regparm} attribute causes the compiler to
2360pass up to @var{number} integer arguments in registers EAX,
2361EDX, and ECX instead of on the stack.  Functions that take a
2362variable number of arguments will continue to be passed all of their
2363arguments on the stack.
2364
2365Beware that on some ELF systems this attribute is unsuitable for
2366global functions in shared libraries with lazy binding (which is the
2367default).  Lazy binding will send the first call via resolving code in
2368the loader, which might assume EAX, EDX and ECX can be clobbered, as
2369per the standard calling conventions.  Solaris 8 is affected by this.
2370GNU systems with GLIBC 2.1 or higher, and FreeBSD, are believed to be
2371safe since the loaders there save all registers.  (Lazy binding can be
2372disabled with the linker or the loader if desired, to avoid the
2373problem.)
2374
2375@item stdcall
2376@cindex functions that pop the argument stack on the 386
2377On the Intel 386, the @code{stdcall} attribute causes the compiler to
2378assume that the called function will pop off the stack space used to
2379pass arguments, unless it takes a variable number of arguments.
2380
2381
2382@item cdecl
2383@cindex functions that do pop the argument stack on the 386
2384@opindex mrtd
2385On the Intel 386, the @code{cdecl} attribute causes the compiler to
2386assume that the calling function will pop off the stack space used to
2387pass arguments.  This is
2388useful to override the effects of the @option{-mrtd} switch.
2389
2390@item longcall/shortcall
2391@cindex functions called via pointer on the RS/6000 and PowerPC
2392On the RS/6000 and PowerPC, the @code{longcall} attribute causes the
2393compiler to always call this function via a pointer, just as it would if
2394the @option{-mlongcall} option had been specified.  The @code{shortcall}
2395attribute causes the compiler not to do this.  These attributes override
2396both the @option{-mlongcall} switch and the @code{#pragma longcall}
2397setting.
2398
2399@xref{RS/6000 and PowerPC Options}, for more information on whether long
2400calls are necessary.
2401
2402@item long_call/short_call
2403@cindex indirect calls on ARM
2404This attribute specifies how a particular function is called on
2405ARM@.  Both attributes override the @option{-mlong-calls} (@pxref{ARM Options})
2406command line switch and @code{#pragma long_calls} settings.  The
2407@code{long_call} attribute causes the compiler to always call the
2408function by first loading its address into a register and then using the
2409contents of that register.   The @code{short_call} attribute always places
2410the offset to the function from the call site into the @samp{BL}
2411instruction directly.
2412
2413@item function_vector
2414@cindex calling functions through the function vector on the H8/300 processors
2415Use this attribute on the H8/300 and H8/300H to indicate that the specified
2416function should be called through the function vector.  Calling a
2417function through the function vector will reduce code size, however;
2418the function vector has a limited size (maximum 128 entries on the H8/300
2419and 64 entries on the H8/300H) and shares space with the interrupt vector.
2420
2421You must use GAS and GLD from GNU binutils version 2.7 or later for
2422this attribute to work correctly.
2423
2424@item interrupt
2425@cindex interrupt handler functions
2426Use this attribute on the ARM, AVR, M32R/D and Xstormy16 ports to indicate
2427that the specified function is an interrupt handler.  The compiler will
2428generate function entry and exit sequences suitable for use in an
2429interrupt handler when this attribute is present.
2430
2431Note, interrupt handlers for the H8/300, H8/300H and SH processors can
2432be specified via the @code{interrupt_handler} attribute.
2433
2434Note, on the AVR, interrupts will be enabled inside the function.
2435
2436Note, for the ARM, you can specify the kind of interrupt to be handled by
2437adding an optional parameter to the interrupt attribute like this:
2438
2439@smallexample
2440void f () __attribute__ ((interrupt ("IRQ")));
2441@end smallexample
2442
2443Permissible values for this parameter are: IRQ, FIQ, SWI, ABORT and UNDEF@.
2444
2445@item interrupt_handler
2446@cindex interrupt handler functions on the H8/300 and SH processors
2447Use this attribute on the H8/300, H8/300H and SH to indicate that the
2448specified function is an interrupt handler.  The compiler will generate
2449function entry and exit sequences suitable for use in an interrupt
2450handler when this attribute is present.
2451
2452@item sp_switch
2453Use this attribute on the SH to indicate an @code{interrupt_handler}
2454function should switch to an alternate stack.  It expects a string
2455argument that names a global variable holding the address of the
2456alternate stack.
2457
2458@smallexample
2459void *alt_stack;
2460void f () __attribute__ ((interrupt_handler,
2461                          sp_switch ("alt_stack")));
2462@end smallexample
2463
2464@item trap_exit
2465Use this attribute on the SH for an @code{interrupt_handle} to return using
2466@code{trapa} instead of @code{rte}.  This attribute expects an integer
2467argument specifying the trap number to be used.
2468
2469@item eightbit_data
2470@cindex eight bit data on the H8/300 and H8/300H
2471Use this attribute on the H8/300 and H8/300H to indicate that the specified
2472variable should be placed into the eight bit data section.
2473The compiler will generate more efficient code for certain operations
2474on data in the eight bit data area.  Note the eight bit data area is limited to
2475256 bytes of data.
2476
2477You must use GAS and GLD from GNU binutils version 2.7 or later for
2478this attribute to work correctly.
2479
2480@item tiny_data
2481@cindex tiny data section on the H8/300H
2482Use this attribute on the H8/300H to indicate that the specified
2483variable should be placed into the tiny data section.
2484The compiler will generate more efficient code for loads and stores
2485on data in the tiny data section.  Note the tiny data area is limited to
2486slightly under 32kbytes of data.
2487
2488@item signal
2489@cindex signal handler functions on the AVR processors
2490Use this attribute on the AVR to indicate that the specified
2491function is a signal handler.  The compiler will generate function
2492entry and exit sequences suitable for use in a signal handler when this
2493attribute is present.  Interrupts will be disabled inside the function.
2494
2495@item naked
2496@cindex function without a prologue/epilogue code
2497Use this attribute on the ARM, AVR and IP2K ports to indicate that the
2498specified function does not need prologue/epilogue sequences generated by
2499the compiler.  It is up to the programmer to provide these sequences.
2500
2501@item model (@var{model-name})
2502@cindex function addressability on the M32R/D
2503Use this attribute on the M32R/D to set the addressability of an object,
2504and of the code generated for a function.
2505The identifier @var{model-name} is one of @code{small}, @code{medium},
2506or @code{large}, representing each of the code models.
2507
2508Small model objects live in the lower 16MB of memory (so that their
2509addresses can be loaded with the @code{ld24} instruction), and are
2510callable with the @code{bl} instruction.
2511
2512Medium model objects may live anywhere in the 32-bit address space (the
2513compiler will generate @code{seth/add3} instructions to load their addresses),
2514and are callable with the @code{bl} instruction.
2515
2516Large model objects may live anywhere in the 32-bit address space (the
2517compiler will generate @code{seth/add3} instructions to load their addresses),
2518and may not be reachable with the @code{bl} instruction (the compiler will
2519generate the much slower @code{seth/add3/jl} instruction sequence).
2520
2521@item far
2522@cindex functions which handle memory bank switching
2523On 68HC11 and 68HC12 the @code{far} attribute causes the compiler to
2524use a calling convention that takes care of switching memory banks when
2525entering and leaving a function.  This calling convention is also the
2526default when using the @option{-mlong-calls} option.
2527
2528On 68HC12 the compiler will use the @code{call} and @code{rtc} instructions
2529to call and return from a function.
2530
2531On 68HC11 the compiler will generate a sequence of instructions
2532to invoke a board-specific routine to switch the memory bank and call the
2533real function. The board-specific routine simulates a @code{call}.
2534At the end of a function, it will jump to a board-specific routine
2535instead of using @code{rts}. The board-specific return routine simulates
2536the @code{rtc}.
2537
2538@item near
2539@cindex functions which do not handle memory bank switching on 68HC11/68HC12
2540On 68HC11 and 68HC12 the @code{near} attribute causes the compiler to
2541use the normal calling convention based on @code{jsr} and @code{rts}.
2542This attribute can be used to cancel the effect of the @option{-mlong-calls}
2543option.
2544
2545@item dllimport
2546@cindex @code{__declspec(dllimport)}
2547On Windows targets, the @code{dllimport} attribute causes the compiler
2548to reference a function or variable via a global pointer to a pointer
2549that is set up by the Windows dll library. The pointer name is formed by
2550combining @code{_imp__} and the function or variable name. The attribute
2551implies @code{extern} storage.
2552
2553Currently, the attribute is ignored for inlined functions. If the
2554attribute is applied to a symbol @emph{definition}, an error is reported.
2555If a symbol previously declared @code{dllimport} is later defined, the
2556attribute is ignored in subsequent references, and a warning is emitted.
2557The attribute is also overridden by a subsequent declaration as
2558@code{dllexport}. 
2559
2560When applied to C++ classes, the attribute marks non-inlined
2561member functions and static data members as imports.  However, the
2562attribute is ignored for virtual methods to allow creation of vtables
2563using thunks.
2564
2565On cygwin, mingw and arm-pe targets, @code{__declspec(dllimport)} is
2566recognized as a synonym for @code{__attribute__ ((dllimport))} for
2567compatibility with other Windows compilers.
2568
2569The use of the @code{dllimport} attribute on functions is not necessary,
2570but provides a small performance benefit by eliminating a thunk in the
2571dll. The use of the @code{dllimport} attribute on imported variables was
2572required on older versions of GNU ld, but can now be avoided by passing
2573the @option{--enable-auto-import} switch to ld. As with functions, using
2574the attribute for a variable eliminates a thunk in the dll. 
2575
2576One drawback to using this attribute is that a pointer to a function or
2577variable marked as dllimport cannot be used as a constant address. The
2578attribute can be disabled for functions by setting the
2579@option{-mnop-fun-dllimport} flag.
2580
2581@item dllexport
2582@cindex @code{__declspec(dllexport)}
2583On Windows targets the @code{dllexport} attribute causes the compiler to
2584provide a global pointer to a pointer in a dll, so that it can be
2585referenced with the @code{dllimport} attribute. The pointer name is
2586formed by combining @code{_imp__} and the function or variable name.
2587
2588Currently, the @code{dllexport}attribute is ignored for inlined
2589functions, but export can be forced by using the
2590@option{-fkeep-inline-functions} flag. The attribute is also ignored for
2591undefined symbols.
2592
2593When applied to C++ classes. the attribute marks defined non-inlined
2594member functions and static data members as exports. Static consts
2595initialized in-class are not marked unless they are also defined
2596out-of-class.
2597
2598On cygwin, mingw and arm-pe targets, @code{__declspec(dllexport)} is
2599recognized as a synonym for @code{__attribute__ ((dllexport))} for
2600compatibility with other Windows compilers.
2601
2602Alternative methods for including the symbol in the dll's export table
2603are to use a .def file with an @code{EXPORTS} section or, with GNU ld,
2604using the @option{--export-all} linker flag.
2605
2606@end table
2607
2608You can specify multiple attributes in a declaration by separating them
2609by commas within the double parentheses or by immediately following an
2610attribute declaration with another attribute declaration.
2611
2612@cindex @code{#pragma}, reason for not using
2613@cindex pragma, reason for not using
2614Some people object to the @code{__attribute__} feature, suggesting that
2615ISO C's @code{#pragma} should be used instead.  At the time
2616@code{__attribute__} was designed, there were two reasons for not doing
2617this.
2618
2619@enumerate
2620@item
2621It is impossible to generate @code{#pragma} commands from a macro.
2622
2623@item
2624There is no telling what the same @code{#pragma} might mean in another
2625compiler.
2626@end enumerate
2627
2628These two reasons applied to almost any application that might have been
2629proposed for @code{#pragma}.  It was basically a mistake to use
2630@code{#pragma} for @emph{anything}.
2631
2632The ISO C99 standard includes @code{_Pragma}, which now allows pragmas
2633to be generated from macros.  In addition, a @code{#pragma GCC}
2634namespace is now in use for GCC-specific pragmas.  However, it has been
2635found convenient to use @code{__attribute__} to achieve a natural
2636attachment of attributes to their corresponding declarations, whereas
2637@code{#pragma GCC} is of use for constructs that do not naturally form
2638part of the grammar.  @xref{Other Directives,,Miscellaneous
2639Preprocessing Directives, cpp, The GNU C Preprocessor}.
2640
2641@node Attribute Syntax
2642@section Attribute Syntax
2643@cindex attribute syntax
2644
2645This section describes the syntax with which @code{__attribute__} may be
2646used, and the constructs to which attribute specifiers bind, for the C
2647language.  Some details may vary for C++ and Objective-C@.  Because of
2648infelicities in the grammar for attributes, some forms described here
2649may not be successfully parsed in all cases.
2650
2651There are some problems with the semantics of attributes in C++.  For
2652example, there are no manglings for attributes, although they may affect
2653code generation, so problems may arise when attributed types are used in
2654conjunction with templates or overloading.  Similarly, @code{typeid}
2655does not distinguish between types with different attributes.  Support
2656for attributes in C++ may be restricted in future to attributes on
2657declarations only, but not on nested declarators.
2658
2659@xref{Function Attributes}, for details of the semantics of attributes
2660applying to functions.  @xref{Variable Attributes}, for details of the
2661semantics of attributes applying to variables.  @xref{Type Attributes},
2662for details of the semantics of attributes applying to structure, union
2663and enumerated types.
2664
2665An @dfn{attribute specifier} is of the form
2666@code{__attribute__ ((@var{attribute-list}))}.  An @dfn{attribute list}
2667is a possibly empty comma-separated sequence of @dfn{attributes}, where
2668each attribute is one of the following:
2669
2670@itemize @bullet
2671@item
2672Empty.  Empty attributes are ignored.
2673
2674@item
2675A word (which may be an identifier such as @code{unused}, or a reserved
2676word such as @code{const}).
2677
2678@item
2679A word, followed by, in parentheses, parameters for the attribute.
2680These parameters take one of the following forms:
2681
2682@itemize @bullet
2683@item
2684An identifier.  For example, @code{mode} attributes use this form.
2685
2686@item
2687An identifier followed by a comma and a non-empty comma-separated list
2688of expressions.  For example, @code{format} attributes use this form.
2689
2690@item
2691A possibly empty comma-separated list of expressions.  For example,
2692@code{format_arg} attributes use this form with the list being a single
2693integer constant expression, and @code{alias} attributes use this form
2694with the list being a single string constant.
2695@end itemize
2696@end itemize
2697
2698An @dfn{attribute specifier list} is a sequence of one or more attribute
2699specifiers, not separated by any other tokens.
2700
2701An attribute specifier list may appear after the colon following a
2702label, other than a @code{case} or @code{default} label.  The only
2703attribute it makes sense to use after a label is @code{unused}.  This
2704feature is intended for code generated by programs which contains labels
2705that may be unused but which is compiled with @option{-Wall}.  It would
2706not normally be appropriate to use in it human-written code, though it
2707could be useful in cases where the code that jumps to the label is
2708contained within an @code{#ifdef} conditional.
2709
2710An attribute specifier list may appear as part of a @code{struct},
2711@code{union} or @code{enum} specifier.  It may go either immediately
2712after the @code{struct}, @code{union} or @code{enum} keyword, or after
2713the closing brace.  It is ignored if the content of the structure, union
2714or enumerated type is not defined in the specifier in which the
2715attribute specifier list is used---that is, in usages such as
2716@code{struct __attribute__((foo)) bar} with no following opening brace.
2717Where attribute specifiers follow the closing brace, they are considered
2718to relate to the structure, union or enumerated type defined, not to any
2719enclosing declaration the type specifier appears in, and the type
2720defined is not complete until after the attribute specifiers.
2721@c Otherwise, there would be the following problems: a shift/reduce
2722@c conflict between attributes binding the struct/union/enum and
2723@c binding to the list of specifiers/qualifiers; and "aligned"
2724@c attributes could use sizeof for the structure, but the size could be
2725@c changed later by "packed" attributes.
2726
2727Otherwise, an attribute specifier appears as part of a declaration,
2728counting declarations of unnamed parameters and type names, and relates
2729to that declaration (which may be nested in another declaration, for
2730example in the case of a parameter declaration), or to a particular declarator
2731within a declaration.  Where an
2732attribute specifier is applied to a parameter declared as a function or
2733an array, it should apply to the function or array rather than the
2734pointer to which the parameter is implicitly converted, but this is not
2735yet correctly implemented.
2736
2737Any list of specifiers and qualifiers at the start of a declaration may
2738contain attribute specifiers, whether or not such a list may in that
2739context contain storage class specifiers.  (Some attributes, however,
2740are essentially in the nature of storage class specifiers, and only make
2741sense where storage class specifiers may be used; for example,
2742@code{section}.)  There is one necessary limitation to this syntax: the
2743first old-style parameter declaration in a function definition cannot
2744begin with an attribute specifier, because such an attribute applies to
2745the function instead by syntax described below (which, however, is not
2746yet implemented in this case).  In some other cases, attribute
2747specifiers are permitted by this grammar but not yet supported by the
2748compiler.  All attribute specifiers in this place relate to the
2749declaration as a whole.  In the obsolescent usage where a type of
2750@code{int} is implied by the absence of type specifiers, such a list of
2751specifiers and qualifiers may be an attribute specifier list with no
2752other specifiers or qualifiers.
2753
2754An attribute specifier list may appear immediately before a declarator
2755(other than the first) in a comma-separated list of declarators in a
2756declaration of more than one identifier using a single list of
2757specifiers and qualifiers.  Such attribute specifiers apply
2758only to the identifier before whose declarator they appear.  For
2759example, in
2760
2761@smallexample
2762__attribute__((noreturn)) void d0 (void),
2763    __attribute__((format(printf, 1, 2))) d1 (const char *, ...),
2764     d2 (void)
2765@end smallexample
2766
2767@noindent
2768the @code{noreturn} attribute applies to all the functions
2769declared; the @code{format} attribute only applies to @code{d1}.
2770
2771An attribute specifier list may appear immediately before the comma,
2772@code{=} or semicolon terminating the declaration of an identifier other
2773than a function definition.  At present, such attribute specifiers apply
2774to the declared object or function, but in future they may attach to the
2775outermost adjacent declarator.  In simple cases there is no difference,
2776but, for example, in
2777
2778@smallexample
2779void (****f)(void) __attribute__((noreturn));
2780@end smallexample
2781
2782@noindent
2783at present the @code{noreturn} attribute applies to @code{f}, which
2784causes a warning since @code{f} is not a function, but in future it may
2785apply to the function @code{****f}.  The precise semantics of what
2786attributes in such cases will apply to are not yet specified.  Where an
2787assembler name for an object or function is specified (@pxref{Asm
2788Labels}), at present the attribute must follow the @code{asm}
2789specification; in future, attributes before the @code{asm} specification
2790may apply to the adjacent declarator, and those after it to the declared
2791object or function.
2792
2793An attribute specifier list may, in future, be permitted to appear after
2794the declarator in a function definition (before any old-style parameter
2795declarations or the function body).
2796
2797Attribute specifiers may be mixed with type qualifiers appearing inside
2798the @code{[]} of a parameter array declarator, in the C99 construct by
2799which such qualifiers are applied to the pointer to which the array is
2800implicitly converted.  Such attribute specifiers apply to the pointer,
2801not to the array, but at present this is not implemented and they are
2802ignored.
2803
2804An attribute specifier list may appear at the start of a nested
2805declarator.  At present, there are some limitations in this usage: the
2806attributes correctly apply to the declarator, but for most individual
2807attributes the semantics this implies are not implemented.
2808When attribute specifiers follow the @code{*} of a pointer
2809declarator, they may be mixed with any type qualifiers present.
2810The following describes the formal semantics of this syntax.  It will make the
2811most sense if you are familiar with the formal specification of
2812declarators in the ISO C standard.
2813
2814Consider (as in C99 subclause 6.7.5 paragraph 4) a declaration @code{T
2815D1}, where @code{T} contains declaration specifiers that specify a type
2816@var{Type} (such as @code{int}) and @code{D1} is a declarator that
2817contains an identifier @var{ident}.  The type specified for @var{ident}
2818for derived declarators whose type does not include an attribute
2819specifier is as in the ISO C standard.
2820
2821If @code{D1} has the form @code{( @var{attribute-specifier-list} D )},
2822and the declaration @code{T D} specifies the type
2823``@var{derived-declarator-type-list} @var{Type}'' for @var{ident}, then
2824@code{T D1} specifies the type ``@var{derived-declarator-type-list}
2825@var{attribute-specifier-list} @var{Type}'' for @var{ident}.
2826
2827If @code{D1} has the form @code{*
2828@var{type-qualifier-and-attribute-specifier-list} D}, and the
2829declaration @code{T D} specifies the type
2830``@var{derived-declarator-type-list} @var{Type}'' for @var{ident}, then
2831@code{T D1} specifies the type ``@var{derived-declarator-type-list}
2832@var{type-qualifier-and-attribute-specifier-list} @var{Type}'' for
2833@var{ident}.
2834
2835For example,
2836
2837@smallexample
2838void (__attribute__((noreturn)) ****f) (void);
2839@end smallexample
2840
2841@noindent
2842specifies the type ``pointer to pointer to pointer to pointer to
2843non-returning function returning @code{void}''.  As another example,
2844
2845@smallexample
2846char *__attribute__((aligned(8))) *f;
2847@end smallexample
2848
2849@noindent
2850specifies the type ``pointer to 8-byte-aligned pointer to @code{char}''.
2851Note again that this does not work with most attributes; for example,
2852the usage of @samp{aligned} and @samp{noreturn} attributes given above
2853is not yet supported.
2854
2855For compatibility with existing code written for compiler versions that
2856did not implement attributes on nested declarators, some laxity is
2857allowed in the placing of attributes.  If an attribute that only applies
2858to types is applied to a declaration, it will be treated as applying to
2859the type of that declaration.  If an attribute that only applies to
2860declarations is applied to the type of a declaration, it will be treated
2861as applying to that declaration; and, for compatibility with code
2862placing the attributes immediately before the identifier declared, such
2863an attribute applied to a function return type will be treated as
2864applying to the function type, and such an attribute applied to an array
2865element type will be treated as applying to the array type.  If an
2866attribute that only applies to function types is applied to a
2867pointer-to-function type, it will be treated as applying to the pointer
2868target type; if such an attribute is applied to a function return type
2869that is not a pointer-to-function type, it will be treated as applying
2870to the function type.
2871
2872@node Function Prototypes
2873@section Prototypes and Old-Style Function Definitions
2874@cindex function prototype declarations
2875@cindex old-style function definitions
2876@cindex promotion of formal parameters
2877
2878GNU C extends ISO C to allow a function prototype to override a later
2879old-style non-prototype definition.  Consider the following example:
2880
2881@example
2882/* @r{Use prototypes unless the compiler is old-fashioned.}  */
2883#ifdef __STDC__
2884#define P(x) x
2885#else
2886#define P(x) ()
2887#endif
2888
2889/* @r{Prototype function declaration.}  */
2890int isroot P((uid_t));
2891
2892/* @r{Old-style function definition.}  */
2893int
2894isroot (x)   /* ??? lossage here ??? */
2895     uid_t x;
2896@{
2897  return x == 0;
2898@}
2899@end example
2900
2901Suppose the type @code{uid_t} happens to be @code{short}.  ISO C does
2902not allow this example, because subword arguments in old-style
2903non-prototype definitions are promoted.  Therefore in this example the
2904function definition's argument is really an @code{int}, which does not
2905match the prototype argument type of @code{short}.
2906
2907This restriction of ISO C makes it hard to write code that is portable
2908to traditional C compilers, because the programmer does not know
2909whether the @code{uid_t} type is @code{short}, @code{int}, or
2910@code{long}.  Therefore, in cases like these GNU C allows a prototype
2911to override a later old-style definition.  More precisely, in GNU C, a
2912function prototype argument type overrides the argument type specified
2913by a later old-style definition if the former type is the same as the
2914latter type before promotion.  Thus in GNU C the above example is
2915equivalent to the following:
2916
2917@example
2918int isroot (uid_t);
2919
2920int
2921isroot (uid_t x)
2922@{
2923  return x == 0;
2924@}
2925@end example
2926
2927@noindent
2928GNU C++ does not support old-style function definitions, so this
2929extension is irrelevant.
2930
2931@node C++ Comments
2932@section C++ Style Comments
2933@cindex //
2934@cindex C++ comments
2935@cindex comments, C++ style
2936
2937In GNU C, you may use C++ style comments, which start with @samp{//} and
2938continue until the end of the line.  Many other C implementations allow
2939such comments, and they are included in the 1999 C standard.  However,
2940C++ style comments are not recognized if you specify an @option{-std}
2941option specifying a version of ISO C before C99, or @option{-ansi}
2942(equivalent to @option{-std=c89}).
2943
2944@node Dollar Signs
2945@section Dollar Signs in Identifier Names
2946@cindex $
2947@cindex dollar signs in identifier names
2948@cindex identifier names, dollar signs in
2949
2950In GNU C, you may normally use dollar signs in identifier names.
2951This is because many traditional C implementations allow such identifiers.
2952However, dollar signs in identifiers are not supported on a few target
2953machines, typically because the target assembler does not allow them.
2954
2955@node Character Escapes
2956@section The Character @key{ESC} in Constants
2957
2958You can use the sequence @samp{\e} in a string or character constant to
2959stand for the ASCII character @key{ESC}.
2960
2961@node Alignment
2962@section Inquiring on Alignment of Types or Variables
2963@cindex alignment
2964@cindex type alignment
2965@cindex variable alignment
2966
2967The keyword @code{__alignof__} allows you to inquire about how an object
2968is aligned, or the minimum alignment usually required by a type.  Its
2969syntax is just like @code{sizeof}.
2970
2971For example, if the target machine requires a @code{double} value to be
2972aligned on an 8-byte boundary, then @code{__alignof__ (double)} is 8.
2973This is true on many RISC machines.  On more traditional machine
2974designs, @code{__alignof__ (double)} is 4 or even 2.
2975
2976Some machines never actually require alignment; they allow reference to any
2977data type even at an odd address.  For these machines, @code{__alignof__}
2978reports the @emph{recommended} alignment of a type.
2979
2980If the operand of @code{__alignof__} is an lvalue rather than a type,
2981its value is the required alignment for its type, taking into account
2982any minimum alignment specified with GCC's @code{__attribute__}
2983extension (@pxref{Variable Attributes}).  For example, after this
2984declaration:
2985
2986@example
2987struct foo @{ int x; char y; @} foo1;
2988@end example
2989
2990@noindent
2991the value of @code{__alignof__ (foo1.y)} is 1, even though its actual
2992alignment is probably 2 or 4, the same as @code{__alignof__ (int)}.
2993
2994It is an error to ask for the alignment of an incomplete type.
2995
2996@node Variable Attributes
2997@section Specifying Attributes of Variables
2998@cindex attribute of variables
2999@cindex variable attributes
3000
3001The keyword @code{__attribute__} allows you to specify special
3002attributes of variables or structure fields.  This keyword is followed
3003by an attribute specification inside double parentheses.  Some
3004attributes are currently defined generically for variables.
3005Other attributes are defined for variables on particular target
3006systems.  Other attributes are available for functions
3007(@pxref{Function Attributes}) and for types (@pxref{Type Attributes}).
3008Other front ends might define more attributes
3009(@pxref{C++ Extensions,,Extensions to the C++ Language}).
3010
3011You may also specify attributes with @samp{__} preceding and following
3012each keyword.  This allows you to use them in header files without
3013being concerned about a possible macro of the same name.  For example,
3014you may use @code{__aligned__} instead of @code{aligned}.
3015
3016@xref{Attribute Syntax}, for details of the exact syntax for using
3017attributes.
3018
3019@table @code
3020@cindex @code{aligned} attribute
3021@item aligned (@var{alignment})
3022This attribute specifies a minimum alignment for the variable or
3023structure field, measured in bytes.  For example, the declaration:
3024
3025@smallexample
3026int x __attribute__ ((aligned (16))) = 0;
3027@end smallexample
3028
3029@noindent
3030causes the compiler to allocate the global variable @code{x} on a
303116-byte boundary.  On a 68040, this could be used in conjunction with
3032an @code{asm} expression to access the @code{move16} instruction which
3033requires 16-byte aligned operands.
3034
3035You can also specify the alignment of structure fields.  For example, to
3036create a double-word aligned @code{int} pair, you could write:
3037
3038@smallexample
3039struct foo @{ int x[2] __attribute__ ((aligned (8))); @};
3040@end smallexample
3041
3042@noindent
3043This is an alternative to creating a union with a @code{double} member
3044that forces the union to be double-word aligned.
3045
3046As in the preceding examples, you can explicitly specify the alignment
3047(in bytes) that you wish the compiler to use for a given variable or
3048structure field.  Alternatively, you can leave out the alignment factor
3049and just ask the compiler to align a variable or field to the maximum
3050useful alignment for the target machine you are compiling for.  For
3051example, you could write:
3052
3053@smallexample
3054short array[3] __attribute__ ((aligned));
3055@end smallexample
3056
3057Whenever you leave out the alignment factor in an @code{aligned} attribute
3058specification, the compiler automatically sets the alignment for the declared
3059variable or field to the largest alignment which is ever used for any data
3060type on the target machine you are compiling for.  Doing this can often make
3061copy operations more efficient, because the compiler can use whatever
3062instructions copy the biggest chunks of memory when performing copies to
3063or from the variables or fields that you have aligned this way.
3064
3065The @code{aligned} attribute can only increase the alignment; but you
3066can decrease it by specifying @code{packed} as well.  See below.
3067
3068Note that the effectiveness of @code{aligned} attributes may be limited
3069by inherent limitations in your linker.  On many systems, the linker is
3070only able to arrange for variables to be aligned up to a certain maximum
3071alignment.  (For some linkers, the maximum supported alignment may
3072be very very small.)  If your linker is only able to align variables
3073up to a maximum of 8 byte alignment, then specifying @code{aligned(16)}
3074in an @code{__attribute__} will still only provide you with 8 byte
3075alignment.  See your linker documentation for further information.
3076
3077@item cleanup (@var{cleanup_function})
3078@cindex @code{cleanup} attribute
3079The @code{cleanup} attribute runs a function when the variable goes
3080out of scope.  This attribute can only be applied to auto function
3081scope variables; it may not be applied to parameters or variables
3082with static storage duration.  The function must take one parameter,
3083a pointer to a type compatible with the variable.  The return value
3084of the function (if any) is ignored.
3085
3086If @option{-fexceptions} is enabled, then @var{cleanup_function}
3087will be run during the stack unwinding that happens during the
3088processing of the exception.  Note that the @code{cleanup} attribute
3089does not allow the exception to be caught, only to perform an action.
3090It is undefined what happens if @var{cleanup_function} does not
3091return normally.
3092
3093@item common
3094@itemx nocommon
3095@cindex @code{common} attribute
3096@cindex @code{nocommon} attribute
3097@opindex fcommon
3098@opindex fno-common
3099The @code{common} attribute requests GCC to place a variable in
3100``common'' storage.  The @code{nocommon} attribute requests the
3101opposite -- to allocate space for it directly.
3102
3103These attributes override the default chosen by the 
3104@option{-fno-common} and @option{-fcommon} flags respectively.
3105
3106@item deprecated
3107@cindex @code{deprecated} attribute
3108The @code{deprecated} attribute results in a warning if the variable
3109is used anywhere in the source file.  This is useful when identifying
3110variables that are expected to be removed in a future version of a
3111program.  The warning also includes the location of the declaration
3112of the deprecated variable, to enable users to easily find further
3113information about why the variable is deprecated, or what they should
3114do instead.  Note that the warning only occurs for uses:
3115
3116@smallexample
3117extern int old_var __attribute__ ((deprecated));
3118extern int old_var;
3119int new_fn () @{ return old_var; @}
3120@end smallexample
3121
3122results in a warning on line 3 but not line 2.
3123
3124The @code{deprecated} attribute can also be used for functions and
3125types (@pxref{Function Attributes}, @pxref{Type Attributes}.)
3126
3127@item mode (@var{mode})
3128@cindex @code{mode} attribute
3129This attribute specifies the data type for the declaration---whichever
3130type corresponds to the mode @var{mode}.  This in effect lets you
3131request an integer or floating point type according to its width.
3132
3133You may also specify a mode of @samp{byte} or @samp{__byte__} to
3134indicate the mode corresponding to a one-byte integer, @samp{word} or
3135@samp{__word__} for the mode of a one-word integer, and @samp{pointer}
3136or @samp{__pointer__} for the mode used to represent pointers.
3137
3138@item packed
3139@cindex @code{packed} attribute
3140The @code{packed} attribute specifies that a variable or structure field
3141should have the smallest possible alignment---one byte for a variable,
3142and one bit for a field, unless you specify a larger value with the
3143@code{aligned} attribute.
3144
3145Here is a structure in which the field @code{x} is packed, so that it
3146immediately follows @code{a}:
3147
3148@example
3149struct foo
3150@{
3151  char a;
3152  int x[2] __attribute__ ((packed));
3153@};
3154@end example
3155
3156@item section ("@var{section-name}")
3157@cindex @code{section} variable attribute
3158Normally, the compiler places the objects it generates in sections like
3159@code{data} and @code{bss}.  Sometimes, however, you need additional sections,
3160or you need certain particular variables to appear in special sections,
3161for example to map to special hardware.  The @code{section}
3162attribute specifies that a variable (or function) lives in a particular
3163section.  For example, this small program uses several specific section names:
3164
3165@smallexample
3166struct duart a __attribute__ ((section ("DUART_A"))) = @{ 0 @};
3167struct duart b __attribute__ ((section ("DUART_B"))) = @{ 0 @};
3168char stack[10000] __attribute__ ((section ("STACK"))) = @{ 0 @};
3169int init_data __attribute__ ((section ("INITDATA"))) = 0;
3170
3171main()
3172@{
3173  /* Initialize stack pointer */
3174  init_sp (stack + sizeof (stack));
3175
3176  /* Initialize initialized data */
3177  memcpy (&init_data, &data, &edata - &data);
3178
3179  /* Turn on the serial ports */
3180  init_duart (&a);
3181  init_duart (&b);
3182@}
3183@end smallexample
3184
3185@noindent
3186Use the @code{section} attribute with an @emph{initialized} definition
3187of a @emph{global} variable, as shown in the example.  GCC issues
3188a warning and otherwise ignores the @code{section} attribute in
3189uninitialized variable declarations.
3190
3191You may only use the @code{section} attribute with a fully initialized
3192global definition because of the way linkers work.  The linker requires
3193each object be defined once, with the exception that uninitialized
3194variables tentatively go in the @code{common} (or @code{bss}) section
3195and can be multiply ``defined''.  You can force a variable to be
3196initialized with the @option{-fno-common} flag or the @code{nocommon}
3197attribute.
3198
3199Some file formats do not support arbitrary sections so the @code{section}
3200attribute is not available on all platforms.
3201If you need to map the entire contents of a module to a particular
3202section, consider using the facilities of the linker instead.
3203
3204@item shared
3205@cindex @code{shared} variable attribute
3206On Windows, in addition to putting variable definitions in a named
3207section, the section can also be shared among all running copies of an
3208executable or DLL@.  For example, this small program defines shared data
3209by putting it in a named section @code{shared} and marking the section
3210shareable:
3211
3212@smallexample
3213int foo __attribute__((section ("shared"), shared)) = 0;
3214
3215int
3216main()
3217@{
3218  /* Read and write foo.  All running
3219     copies see the same value.  */
3220  return 0;
3221@}
3222@end smallexample
3223
3224@noindent
3225You may only use the @code{shared} attribute along with @code{section}
3226attribute with a fully initialized global definition because of the way
3227linkers work.  See @code{section} attribute for more information.
3228
3229The @code{shared} attribute is only available on Windows@.
3230
3231@item tls_model ("@var{tls_model}")
3232@cindex @code{tls_model} attribute
3233The @code{tls_model} attribute sets thread-local storage model
3234(@pxref{Thread-Local}) of a particular @code{__thread} variable,
3235overriding @code{-ftls-model=} command line switch on a per-variable
3236basis.
3237The @var{tls_model} argument should be one of @code{global-dynamic},
3238@code{local-dynamic}, @code{initial-exec} or @code{local-exec}.
3239
3240Not all targets support this attribute.
3241
3242@item transparent_union
3243This attribute, attached to a function parameter which is a union, means
3244that the corresponding argument may have the type of any union member,
3245but the argument is passed as if its type were that of the first union
3246member.  For more details see @xref{Type Attributes}.  You can also use
3247this attribute on a @code{typedef} for a union data type; then it
3248applies to all function parameters with that type.
3249
3250@item unused
3251This attribute, attached to a variable, means that the variable is meant
3252to be possibly unused.  GCC will not produce a warning for this
3253variable.
3254
3255@item vector_size (@var{bytes})
3256This attribute specifies the vector size for the variable, measured in
3257bytes.  For example, the declaration:
3258
3259@smallexample
3260int foo __attribute__ ((vector_size (16)));
3261@end smallexample
3262
3263@noindent
3264causes the compiler to set the mode for @code{foo}, to be 16 bytes,
3265divided into @code{int} sized units.  Assuming a 32-bit int (a vector of
32664 units of 4 bytes), the corresponding mode of @code{foo} will be V4SI@.
3267
3268This attribute is only applicable to integral and float scalars,
3269although arrays, pointers, and function return values are allowed in
3270conjunction with this construct.
3271
3272Aggregates with this attribute are invalid, even if they are of the same
3273size as a corresponding scalar.  For example, the declaration:
3274
3275@smallexample
3276struct S @{ int a; @};
3277struct S  __attribute__ ((vector_size (16))) foo;
3278@end smallexample
3279
3280@noindent
3281is invalid even if the size of the structure is the same as the size of
3282the @code{int}.
3283
3284@item weak
3285The @code{weak} attribute is described in @xref{Function Attributes}.
3286
3287@item model (@var{model-name})
3288@cindex variable addressability on the M32R/D
3289Use this attribute on the M32R/D to set the addressability of an object.
3290The identifier @var{model-name} is one of @code{small}, @code{medium},
3291or @code{large}, representing each of the code models.
3292
3293Small model objects live in the lower 16MB of memory (so that their
3294addresses can be loaded with the @code{ld24} instruction).
3295
3296Medium and large model objects may live anywhere in the 32-bit address space
3297(the compiler will generate @code{seth/add3} instructions to load their
3298addresses).
3299
3300@item dllimport
3301The @code{dllimport} attribute is described in @xref{Function Attributes}.
3302
3303@item dlexport
3304The @code{dllexport} attribute is described in @xref{Function Attributes}.
3305
3306@end table
3307
3308To specify multiple attributes, separate them by commas within the
3309double parentheses: for example, @samp{__attribute__ ((aligned (16),
3310packed))}.
3311
3312@node Type Attributes
3313@section Specifying Attributes of Types
3314@cindex attribute of types
3315@cindex type attributes
3316
3317The keyword @code{__attribute__} allows you to specify special
3318attributes of @code{struct} and @code{union} types when you define such
3319types.  This keyword is followed by an attribute specification inside
3320double parentheses.  Six attributes are currently defined for types:
3321@code{aligned}, @code{packed}, @code{transparent_union}, @code{unused},
3322@code{deprecated} and @code{may_alias}.  Other attributes are defined for
3323functions (@pxref{Function Attributes}) and for variables
3324(@pxref{Variable Attributes}).
3325
3326You may also specify any one of these attributes with @samp{__}
3327preceding and following its keyword.  This allows you to use these
3328attributes in header files without being concerned about a possible
3329macro of the same name.  For example, you may use @code{__aligned__}
3330instead of @code{aligned}.
3331
3332You may specify the @code{aligned} and @code{transparent_union}
3333attributes either in a @code{typedef} declaration or just past the
3334closing curly brace of a complete enum, struct or union type
3335@emph{definition} and the @code{packed} attribute only past the closing
3336brace of a definition.
3337
3338You may also specify attributes between the enum, struct or union
3339tag and the name of the type rather than after the closing brace.
3340
3341@xref{Attribute Syntax}, for details of the exact syntax for using
3342attributes.
3343
3344@table @code
3345@cindex @code{aligned} attribute
3346@item aligned (@var{alignment})
3347This attribute specifies a minimum alignment (in bytes) for variables
3348of the specified type.  For example, the declarations:
3349
3350@smallexample
3351struct S @{ short f[3]; @} __attribute__ ((aligned (8)));
3352typedef int more_aligned_int __attribute__ ((aligned (8)));
3353@end smallexample
3354
3355@noindent
3356force the compiler to insure (as far as it can) that each variable whose
3357type is @code{struct S} or @code{more_aligned_int} will be allocated and
3358aligned @emph{at least} on a 8-byte boundary.  On a SPARC, having all
3359variables of type @code{struct S} aligned to 8-byte boundaries allows
3360the compiler to use the @code{ldd} and @code{std} (doubleword load and
3361store) instructions when copying one variable of type @code{struct S} to
3362another, thus improving run-time efficiency.
3363
3364Note that the alignment of any given @code{struct} or @code{union} type
3365is required by the ISO C standard to be at least a perfect multiple of
3366the lowest common multiple of the alignments of all of the members of
3367the @code{struct} or @code{union} in question.  This means that you @emph{can}
3368effectively adjust the alignment of a @code{struct} or @code{union}
3369type by attaching an @code{aligned} attribute to any one of the members
3370of such a type, but the notation illustrated in the example above is a
3371more obvious, intuitive, and readable way to request the compiler to
3372adjust the alignment of an entire @code{struct} or @code{union} type.
3373
3374As in the preceding example, you can explicitly specify the alignment
3375(in bytes) that you wish the compiler to use for a given @code{struct}
3376or @code{union} type.  Alternatively, you can leave out the alignment factor
3377and just ask the compiler to align a type to the maximum
3378useful alignment for the target machine you are compiling for.  For
3379example, you could write:
3380
3381@smallexample
3382struct S @{ short f[3]; @} __attribute__ ((aligned));
3383@end smallexample
3384
3385Whenever you leave out the alignment factor in an @code{aligned}
3386attribute specification, the compiler automatically sets the alignment
3387for the type to the largest alignment which is ever used for any data
3388type on the target machine you are compiling for.  Doing this can often
3389make copy operations more efficient, because the compiler can use
3390whatever instructions copy the biggest chunks of memory when performing
3391copies to or from the variables which have types that you have aligned
3392this way.
3393
3394In the example above, if the size of each @code{short} is 2 bytes, then
3395the size of the entire @code{struct S} type is 6 bytes.  The smallest
3396power of two which is greater than or equal to that is 8, so the
3397compiler sets the alignment for the entire @code{struct S} type to 8
3398bytes.
3399
3400Note that although you can ask the compiler to select a time-efficient
3401alignment for a given type and then declare only individual stand-alone
3402objects of that type, the compiler's ability to select a time-efficient
3403alignment is primarily useful only when you plan to create arrays of
3404variables having the relevant (efficiently aligned) type.  If you
3405declare or use arrays of variables of an efficiently-aligned type, then
3406it is likely that your program will also be doing pointer arithmetic (or
3407subscripting, which amounts to the same thing) on pointers to the
3408relevant type, and the code that the compiler generates for these
3409pointer arithmetic operations will often be more efficient for
3410efficiently-aligned types than for other types.
3411
3412The @code{aligned} attribute can only increase the alignment; but you
3413can decrease it by specifying @code{packed} as well.  See below.
3414
3415Note that the effectiveness of @code{aligned} attributes may be limited
3416by inherent limitations in your linker.  On many systems, the linker is
3417only able to arrange for variables to be aligned up to a certain maximum
3418alignment.  (For some linkers, the maximum supported alignment may
3419be very very small.)  If your linker is only able to align variables
3420up to a maximum of 8 byte alignment, then specifying @code{aligned(16)}
3421in an @code{__attribute__} will still only provide you with 8 byte
3422alignment.  See your linker documentation for further information.
3423
3424@item packed
3425This attribute, attached to an @code{enum}, @code{struct}, or
3426@code{union} type definition, specifies that the minimum required memory
3427be used to represent the type.
3428
3429@opindex fshort-enums
3430Specifying this attribute for @code{struct} and @code{union} types is
3431equivalent to specifying the @code{packed} attribute on each of the
3432structure or union members.  Specifying the @option{-fshort-enums}
3433flag on the line is equivalent to specifying the @code{packed}
3434attribute on all @code{enum} definitions.
3435
3436You may only specify this attribute after a closing curly brace on an
3437@code{enum} definition, not in a @code{typedef} declaration, unless that
3438declaration also contains the definition of the @code{enum}.
3439
3440@item transparent_union
3441This attribute, attached to a @code{union} type definition, indicates
3442that any function parameter having that union type causes calls to that
3443function to be treated in a special way.
3444
3445First, the argument corresponding to a transparent union type can be of
3446any type in the union; no cast is required.  Also, if the union contains
3447a pointer type, the corresponding argument can be a null pointer
3448constant or a void pointer expression; and if the union contains a void
3449pointer type, the corresponding argument can be any pointer expression.
3450If the union member type is a pointer, qualifiers like @code{const} on
3451the referenced type must be respected, just as with normal pointer
3452conversions.
3453
3454Second, the argument is passed to the function using the calling
3455conventions of the first member of the transparent union, not the calling
3456conventions of the union itself.  All members of the union must have the
3457same machine representation; this is necessary for this argument passing
3458to work properly.
3459
3460Transparent unions are designed for library functions that have multiple
3461interfaces for compatibility reasons.  For example, suppose the
3462@code{wait} function must accept either a value of type @code{int *} to
3463comply with Posix, or a value of type @code{union wait *} to comply with
3464the 4.1BSD interface.  If @code{wait}'s parameter were @code{void *},
3465@code{wait} would accept both kinds of arguments, but it would also
3466accept any other pointer type and this would make argument type checking
3467less useful.  Instead, @code{<sys/wait.h>} might define the interface
3468as follows:
3469
3470@smallexample
3471typedef union
3472  @{
3473    int *__ip;
3474    union wait *__up;
3475  @} wait_status_ptr_t __attribute__ ((__transparent_union__));
3476
3477pid_t wait (wait_status_ptr_t);
3478@end smallexample
3479
3480This interface allows either @code{int *} or @code{union wait *}
3481arguments to be passed, using the @code{int *} calling convention.
3482The program can call @code{wait} with arguments of either type:
3483
3484@example
3485int w1 () @{ int w; return wait (&w); @}
3486int w2 () @{ union wait w; return wait (&w); @}
3487@end example
3488
3489With this interface, @code{wait}'s implementation might look like this:
3490
3491@example
3492pid_t wait (wait_status_ptr_t p)
3493@{
3494  return waitpid (-1, p.__ip, 0);
3495@}
3496@end example
3497
3498@item unused
3499When attached to a type (including a @code{union} or a @code{struct}),
3500this attribute means that variables of that type are meant to appear
3501possibly unused.  GCC will not produce a warning for any variables of
3502that type, even if the variable appears to do nothing.  This is often
3503the case with lock or thread classes, which are usually defined and then
3504not referenced, but contain constructors and destructors that have
3505nontrivial bookkeeping functions.
3506
3507@item deprecated
3508The @code{deprecated} attribute results in a warning if the type
3509is used anywhere in the source file.  This is useful when identifying
3510types that are expected to be removed in a future version of a program.
3511If possible, the warning also includes the location of the declaration
3512of the deprecated type, to enable users to easily find further
3513information about why the type is deprecated, or what they should do
3514instead.  Note that the warnings only occur for uses and then only
3515if the type is being applied to an identifier that itself is not being
3516declared as deprecated.
3517
3518@smallexample
3519typedef int T1 __attribute__ ((deprecated));
3520T1 x;
3521typedef T1 T2;
3522T2 y;
3523typedef T1 T3 __attribute__ ((deprecated));
3524T3 z __attribute__ ((deprecated));
3525@end smallexample
3526
3527results in a warning on line 2 and 3 but not lines 4, 5, or 6.  No
3528warning is issued for line 4 because T2 is not explicitly
3529deprecated.  Line 5 has no warning because T3 is explicitly
3530deprecated.  Similarly for line 6.
3531
3532The @code{deprecated} attribute can also be used for functions and
3533variables (@pxref{Function Attributes}, @pxref{Variable Attributes}.)
3534
3535@item may_alias
3536Accesses to objects with types with this attribute are not subjected to
3537type-based alias analysis, but are instead assumed to be able to alias
3538any other type of objects, just like the @code{char} type.  See
3539@option{-fstrict-aliasing} for more information on aliasing issues.
3540
3541Example of use:
3542
3543@smallexample
3544typedef short __attribute__((__may_alias__)) short_a;
3545
3546int
3547main (void)
3548@{
3549  int a = 0x12345678;
3550  short_a *b = (short_a *) &a;
3551
3552  b[1] = 0;
3553
3554  if (a == 0x12345678)
3555    abort();
3556
3557  exit(0);
3558@}
3559@end smallexample
3560
3561If you replaced @code{short_a} with @code{short} in the variable
3562declaration, the above program would abort when compiled with
3563@option{-fstrict-aliasing}, which is on by default at @option{-O2} or
3564above in recent GCC versions.
3565@end table
3566
3567To specify multiple attributes, separate them by commas within the
3568double parentheses: for example, @samp{__attribute__ ((aligned (16),
3569packed))}.
3570
3571@node Inline
3572@section An Inline Function is As Fast As a Macro
3573@cindex inline functions
3574@cindex integrating function code
3575@cindex open coding
3576@cindex macros, inline alternative
3577
3578By declaring a function @code{inline}, you can direct GCC to
3579integrate that function's code into the code for its callers.  This
3580makes execution faster by eliminating the function-call overhead; in
3581addition, if any of the actual argument values are constant, their known
3582values may permit simplifications at compile time so that not all of the
3583inline function's code needs to be included.  The effect on code size is
3584less predictable; object code may be larger or smaller with function
3585inlining, depending on the particular case.  Inlining of functions is an
3586optimization and it really ``works'' only in optimizing compilation.  If
3587you don't use @option{-O}, no function is really inline.
3588
3589Inline functions are included in the ISO C99 standard, but there are
3590currently substantial differences between what GCC implements and what
3591the ISO C99 standard requires.
3592
3593To declare a function inline, use the @code{inline} keyword in its
3594declaration, like this:
3595
3596@example
3597inline int
3598inc (int *a)
3599@{
3600  (*a)++;
3601@}
3602@end example
3603
3604(If you are writing a header file to be included in ISO C programs, write
3605@code{__inline__} instead of @code{inline}.  @xref{Alternate Keywords}.)
3606You can also make all ``simple enough'' functions inline with the option
3607@option{-finline-functions}.
3608
3609@opindex Winline
3610Note that certain usages in a function definition can make it unsuitable
3611for inline substitution.  Among these usages are: use of varargs, use of
3612alloca, use of variable sized data types (@pxref{Variable Length}),
3613use of computed goto (@pxref{Labels as Values}), use of nonlocal goto,
3614and nested functions (@pxref{Nested Functions}).  Using @option{-Winline}
3615will warn when a function marked @code{inline} could not be substituted,
3616and will give the reason for the failure.
3617
3618Note that in C and Objective-C, unlike C++, the @code{inline} keyword
3619does not affect the linkage of the function.
3620
3621@cindex automatic @code{inline} for C++ member fns
3622@cindex @code{inline} automatic for C++ member fns
3623@cindex member fns, automatically @code{inline}
3624@cindex C++ member fns, automatically @code{inline}
3625@opindex fno-default-inline
3626GCC automatically inlines member functions defined within the class
3627body of C++ programs even if they are not explicitly declared
3628@code{inline}.  (You can override this with @option{-fno-default-inline};
3629@pxref{C++ Dialect Options,,Options Controlling C++ Dialect}.)
3630
3631@cindex inline functions, omission of
3632@opindex fkeep-inline-functions
3633When a function is both inline and @code{static}, if all calls to the
3634function are integrated into the caller, and the function's address is
3635never used, then the function's own assembler code is never referenced.
3636In this case, GCC does not actually output assembler code for the
3637function, unless you specify the option @option{-fkeep-inline-functions}.
3638Some calls cannot be integrated for various reasons (in particular,
3639calls that precede the function's definition cannot be integrated, and
3640neither can recursive calls within the definition).  If there is a
3641nonintegrated call, then the function is compiled to assembler code as
3642usual.  The function must also be compiled as usual if the program
3643refers to its address, because that can't be inlined.
3644
3645@cindex non-static inline function
3646When an inline function is not @code{static}, then the compiler must assume
3647that there may be calls from other source files; since a global symbol can
3648be defined only once in any program, the function must not be defined in
3649the other source files, so the calls therein cannot be integrated.
3650Therefore, a non-@code{static} inline function is always compiled on its
3651own in the usual fashion.
3652
3653If you specify both @code{inline} and @code{extern} in the function
3654definition, then the definition is used only for inlining.  In no case
3655is the function compiled on its own, not even if you refer to its
3656address explicitly.  Such an address becomes an external reference, as
3657if you had only declared the function, and had not defined it.
3658
3659This combination of @code{inline} and @code{extern} has almost the
3660effect of a macro.  The way to use it is to put a function definition in
3661a header file with these keywords, and put another copy of the
3662definition (lacking @code{inline} and @code{extern}) in a library file.
3663The definition in the header file will cause most calls to the function
3664to be inlined.  If any uses of the function remain, they will refer to
3665the single copy in the library.
3666
3667Since GCC eventually will implement ISO C99 semantics for
3668inline functions, it is best to use @code{static inline} only
3669to guarantee compatibility.  (The
3670existing semantics will remain available when @option{-std=gnu89} is
3671specified, but eventually the default will be @option{-std=gnu99} and
3672that will implement the C99 semantics, though it does not do so yet.)
3673
3674GCC does not inline any functions when not optimizing unless you specify
3675the @samp{always_inline} attribute for the function, like this:
3676
3677@example
3678/* Prototype.  */
3679inline void foo (const char) __attribute__((always_inline));
3680@end example
3681
3682@node Extended Asm
3683@section Assembler Instructions with C Expression Operands
3684@cindex extended @code{asm}
3685@cindex @code{asm} expressions
3686@cindex assembler instructions
3687@cindex registers
3688
3689In an assembler instruction using @code{asm}, you can specify the
3690operands of the instruction using C expressions.  This means you need not
3691guess which registers or memory locations will contain the data you want
3692to use.
3693
3694You must specify an assembler instruction template much like what
3695appears in a machine description, plus an operand constraint string for
3696each operand.
3697
3698For example, here is how to use the 68881's @code{fsinx} instruction:
3699
3700@example
3701asm ("fsinx %1,%0" : "=f" (result) : "f" (angle));
3702@end example
3703
3704@noindent
3705Here @code{angle} is the C expression for the input operand while
3706@code{result} is that of the output operand.  Each has @samp{"f"} as its
3707operand constraint, saying that a floating point register is required.
3708The @samp{=} in @samp{=f} indicates that the operand is an output; all
3709output operands' constraints must use @samp{=}.  The constraints use the
3710same language used in the machine description (@pxref{Constraints}).
3711
3712Each operand is described by an operand-constraint string followed by
3713the C expression in parentheses.  A colon separates the assembler
3714template from the first output operand and another separates the last
3715output operand from the first input, if any.  Commas separate the
3716operands within each group.  The total number of operands is currently
3717limited to 30; this limitation may be lifted in some future version of
3718GCC.
3719
3720If there are no output operands but there are input operands, you must
3721place two consecutive colons surrounding the place where the output
3722operands would go.
3723
3724As of GCC version 3.1, it is also possible to specify input and output
3725operands using symbolic names which can be referenced within the
3726assembler code.  These names are specified inside square brackets
3727preceding the constraint string, and can be referenced inside the
3728assembler code using @code{%[@var{name}]} instead of a percentage sign
3729followed by the operand number.  Using named operands the above example
3730could look like:
3731
3732@example
3733asm ("fsinx %[angle],%[output]"
3734     : [output] "=f" (result)
3735     : [angle] "f" (angle));
3736@end example
3737
3738@noindent
3739Note that the symbolic operand names have no relation whatsoever to
3740other C identifiers.  You may use any name you like, even those of
3741existing C symbols, but you must ensure that no two operands within the same
3742assembler construct use the same symbolic name.
3743
3744Output operand expressions must be lvalues; the compiler can check this.
3745The input operands need not be lvalues.  The compiler cannot check
3746whether the operands have data types that are reasonable for the
3747instruction being executed.  It does not parse the assembler instruction
3748template and does not know what it means or even whether it is valid
3749assembler input.  The extended @code{asm} feature is most often used for
3750machine instructions the compiler itself does not know exist.  If
3751the output expression cannot be directly addressed (for example, it is a
3752bit-field), your constraint must allow a register.  In that case, GCC
3753will use the register as the output of the @code{asm}, and then store
3754that register into the output.
3755
3756The ordinary output operands must be write-only; GCC will assume that
3757the values in these operands before the instruction are dead and need
3758not be generated.  Extended asm supports input-output or read-write
3759operands.  Use the constraint character @samp{+} to indicate such an
3760operand and list it with the output operands.
3761
3762When the constraints for the read-write operand (or the operand in which
3763only some of the bits are to be changed) allows a register, you may, as
3764an alternative, logically split its function into two separate operands,
3765one input operand and one write-only output operand.  The connection
3766between them is expressed by constraints which say they need to be in
3767the same location when the instruction executes.  You can use the same C
3768expression for both operands, or different expressions.  For example,
3769here we write the (fictitious) @samp{combine} instruction with
3770@code{bar} as its read-only source operand and @code{foo} as its
3771read-write destination:
3772
3773@example
3774asm ("combine %2,%0" : "=r" (foo) : "0" (foo), "g" (bar));
3775@end example
3776
3777@noindent
3778The constraint @samp{"0"} for operand 1 says that it must occupy the
3779same location as operand 0.  A number in constraint is allowed only in
3780an input operand and it must refer to an output operand.
3781
3782Only a number in the constraint can guarantee that one operand will be in
3783the same place as another.  The mere fact that @code{foo} is the value
3784of both operands is not enough to guarantee that they will be in the
3785same place in the generated assembler code.  The following would not
3786work reliably:
3787
3788@example
3789asm ("combine %2,%0" : "=r" (foo) : "r" (foo), "g" (bar));
3790@end example
3791
3792Various optimizations or reloading could cause operands 0 and 1 to be in
3793different registers; GCC knows no reason not to do so.  For example, the
3794compiler might find a copy of the value of @code{foo} in one register and
3795use it for operand 1, but generate the output operand 0 in a different
3796register (copying it afterward to @code{foo}'s own address).  Of course,
3797since the register for operand 1 is not even mentioned in the assembler
3798code, the result will not work, but GCC can't tell that.
3799
3800As of GCC version 3.1, one may write @code{[@var{name}]} instead of
3801the operand number for a matching constraint.  For example:
3802
3803@example
3804asm ("cmoveq %1,%2,%[result]"
3805     : [result] "=r"(result)
3806     : "r" (test), "r"(new), "[result]"(old));
3807@end example
3808
3809Some instructions clobber specific hard registers.  To describe this,
3810write a third colon after the input operands, followed by the names of
3811the clobbered hard registers (given as strings).  Here is a realistic
3812example for the VAX:
3813
3814@example
3815asm volatile ("movc3 %0,%1,%2"
3816              : /* no outputs */
3817              : "g" (from), "g" (to), "g" (count)
3818              : "r0", "r1", "r2", "r3", "r4", "r5");
3819@end example
3820
3821You may not write a clobber description in a way that overlaps with an
3822input or output operand.  For example, you may not have an operand
3823describing a register class with one member if you mention that register
3824in the clobber list.  Variables declared to live in specific registers
3825(@pxref{Explicit Reg Vars}), and used as asm input or output operands must
3826have no part mentioned in the clobber description.
3827There is no way for you to specify that an input
3828operand is modified without also specifying it as an output
3829operand.  Note that if all the output operands you specify are for this
3830purpose (and hence unused), you will then also need to specify
3831@code{volatile} for the @code{asm} construct, as described below, to
3832prevent GCC from deleting the @code{asm} statement as unused.
3833
3834If you refer to a particular hardware register from the assembler code,
3835you will probably have to list the register after the third colon to
3836tell the compiler the register's value is modified.  In some assemblers,
3837the register names begin with @samp{%}; to produce one @samp{%} in the
3838assembler code, you must write @samp{%%} in the input.
3839
3840If your assembler instruction can alter the condition code register, add
3841@samp{cc} to the list of clobbered registers.  GCC on some machines
3842represents the condition codes as a specific hardware register;
3843@samp{cc} serves to name this register.  On other machines, the
3844condition code is handled differently, and specifying @samp{cc} has no
3845effect.  But it is valid no matter what the machine.
3846
3847If your assembler instruction modifies memory in an unpredictable
3848fashion, add @samp{memory} to the list of clobbered registers.  This
3849will cause GCC to not keep memory values cached in registers across
3850the assembler instruction.  You will also want to add the
3851@code{volatile} keyword if the memory affected is not listed in the
3852inputs or outputs of the @code{asm}, as the @samp{memory} clobber does
3853not count as a side-effect of the @code{asm}.
3854
3855You can put multiple assembler instructions together in a single
3856@code{asm} template, separated by the characters normally used in assembly
3857code for the system.  A combination that works in most places is a newline
3858to break the line, plus a tab character to move to the instruction field
3859(written as @samp{\n\t}).  Sometimes semicolons can be used, if the
3860assembler allows semicolons as a line-breaking character.  Note that some
3861assembler dialects use semicolons to start a comment.
3862The input operands are guaranteed not to use any of the clobbered
3863registers, and neither will the output operands' addresses, so you can
3864read and write the clobbered registers as many times as you like.  Here
3865is an example of multiple instructions in a template; it assumes the
3866subroutine @code{_foo} accepts arguments in registers 9 and 10:
3867
3868@example
3869asm ("movl %0,r9\n\tmovl %1,r10\n\tcall _foo"
3870     : /* no outputs */
3871     : "g" (from), "g" (to)
3872     : "r9", "r10");
3873@end example
3874
3875Unless an output operand has the @samp{&} constraint modifier, GCC
3876may allocate it in the same register as an unrelated input operand, on
3877the assumption the inputs are consumed before the outputs are produced.
3878This assumption may be false if the assembler code actually consists of
3879more than one instruction.  In such a case, use @samp{&} for each output
3880operand that may not overlap an input.  @xref{Modifiers}.
3881
3882If you want to test the condition code produced by an assembler
3883instruction, you must include a branch and a label in the @code{asm}
3884construct, as follows:
3885
3886@example
3887asm ("clr %0\n\tfrob %1\n\tbeq 0f\n\tmov #1,%0\n0:"
3888     : "g" (result)
3889     : "g" (input));
3890@end example
3891
3892@noindent
3893This assumes your assembler supports local labels, as the GNU assembler
3894and most Unix assemblers do.
3895
3896Speaking of labels, jumps from one @code{asm} to another are not
3897supported.  The compiler's optimizers do not know about these jumps, and
3898therefore they cannot take account of them when deciding how to
3899optimize.
3900
3901@cindex macros containing @code{asm}
3902Usually the most convenient way to use these @code{asm} instructions is to
3903encapsulate them in macros that look like functions.  For example,
3904
3905@example
3906#define sin(x)       \
3907(@{ double __value, __arg = (x);   \
3908   asm ("fsinx %1,%0": "=f" (__value): "f" (__arg));  \
3909   __value; @})
3910@end example
3911
3912@noindent
3913Here the variable @code{__arg} is used to make sure that the instruction
3914operates on a proper @code{double} value, and to accept only those
3915arguments @code{x} which can convert automatically to a @code{double}.
3916
3917Another way to make sure the instruction operates on the correct data
3918type is to use a cast in the @code{asm}.  This is different from using a
3919variable @code{__arg} in that it converts more different types.  For
3920example, if the desired type were @code{int}, casting the argument to
3921@code{int} would accept a pointer with no complaint, while assigning the
3922argument to an @code{int} variable named @code{__arg} would warn about
3923using a pointer unless the caller explicitly casts it.
3924
3925If an @code{asm} has output operands, GCC assumes for optimization
3926purposes the instruction has no side effects except to change the output
3927operands.  This does not mean instructions with a side effect cannot be
3928used, but you must be careful, because the compiler may eliminate them
3929if the output operands aren't used, or move them out of loops, or
3930replace two with one if they constitute a common subexpression.  Also,
3931if your instruction does have a side effect on a variable that otherwise
3932appears not to change, the old value of the variable may be reused later
3933if it happens to be found in a register.
3934
3935You can prevent an @code{asm} instruction from being deleted, moved
3936significantly, or combined, by writing the keyword @code{volatile} after
3937the @code{asm}.  For example:
3938
3939@example
3940#define get_and_set_priority(new)              \
3941(@{ int __old;                                  \
3942   asm volatile ("get_and_set_priority %0, %1" \
3943                 : "=g" (__old) : "g" (new));  \
3944   __old; @})
3945@end example
3946
3947@noindent
3948If you write an @code{asm} instruction with no outputs, GCC will know
3949the instruction has side-effects and will not delete the instruction or
3950move it outside of loops.
3951
3952The @code{volatile} keyword indicates that the instruction has
3953important side-effects.  GCC will not delete a volatile @code{asm} if
3954it is reachable.  (The instruction can still be deleted if GCC can
3955prove that control-flow will never reach the location of the
3956instruction.)  In addition, GCC will not reschedule instructions
3957across a volatile @code{asm} instruction.  For example:
3958
3959@example
3960*(volatile int *)addr = foo;
3961asm volatile ("eieio" : : );
3962@end example
3963
3964@noindent
3965Assume @code{addr} contains the address of a memory mapped device
3966register.  The PowerPC @code{eieio} instruction (Enforce In-order
3967Execution of I/O) tells the CPU to make sure that the store to that
3968device register happens before it issues any other I/O@.
3969
3970Note that even a volatile @code{asm} instruction can be moved in ways
3971that appear insignificant to the compiler, such as across jump
3972instructions.  You can't expect a sequence of volatile @code{asm}
3973instructions to remain perfectly consecutive.  If you want consecutive
3974output, use a single @code{asm}.  Also, GCC will perform some
3975optimizations across a volatile @code{asm} instruction; GCC does not
3976``forget everything'' when it encounters a volatile @code{asm}
3977instruction the way some other compilers do.
3978
3979An @code{asm} instruction without any operands or clobbers (an ``old
3980style'' @code{asm}) will be treated identically to a volatile
3981@code{asm} instruction.
3982
3983It is a natural idea to look for a way to give access to the condition
3984code left by the assembler instruction.  However, when we attempted to
3985implement this, we found no way to make it work reliably.  The problem
3986is that output operands might need reloading, which would result in
3987additional following ``store'' instructions.  On most machines, these
3988instructions would alter the condition code before there was time to
3989test it.  This problem doesn't arise for ordinary ``test'' and
3990``compare'' instructions because they don't have any output operands.
3991
3992For reasons similar to those described above, it is not possible to give
3993an assembler instruction access to the condition code left by previous
3994instructions.
3995
3996If you are writing a header file that should be includable in ISO C
3997programs, write @code{__asm__} instead of @code{asm}.  @xref{Alternate
3998Keywords}.
3999
4000@subsection i386 floating point asm operands
4001
4002There are several rules on the usage of stack-like regs in
4003asm_operands insns.  These rules apply only to the operands that are
4004stack-like regs:
4005
4006@enumerate
4007@item
4008Given a set of input regs that die in an asm_operands, it is
4009necessary to know which are implicitly popped by the asm, and
4010which must be explicitly popped by gcc.
4011
4012An input reg that is implicitly popped by the asm must be
4013explicitly clobbered, unless it is constrained to match an
4014output operand.
4015
4016@item
4017For any input reg that is implicitly popped by an asm, it is
4018necessary to know how to adjust the stack to compensate for the pop.
4019If any non-popped input is closer to the top of the reg-stack than
4020the implicitly popped reg, it would not be possible to know what the
4021stack looked like---it's not clear how the rest of the stack ``slides
4022up''.
4023
4024All implicitly popped input regs must be closer to the top of
4025the reg-stack than any input that is not implicitly popped.
4026
4027It is possible that if an input dies in an insn, reload might
4028use the input reg for an output reload.  Consider this example:
4029
4030@example
4031asm ("foo" : "=t" (a) : "f" (b));
4032@end example
4033
4034This asm says that input B is not popped by the asm, and that
4035the asm pushes a result onto the reg-stack, i.e., the stack is one
4036deeper after the asm than it was before.  But, it is possible that
4037reload will think that it can use the same reg for both the input and
4038the output, if input B dies in this insn.
4039
4040If any input operand uses the @code{f} constraint, all output reg
4041constraints must use the @code{&} earlyclobber.
4042
4043The asm above would be written as
4044
4045@example
4046asm ("foo" : "=&t" (a) : "f" (b));
4047@end example
4048
4049@item
4050Some operands need to be in particular places on the stack.  All
4051output operands fall in this category---there is no other way to
4052know which regs the outputs appear in unless the user indicates
4053this in the constraints.
4054
4055Output operands must specifically indicate which reg an output
4056appears in after an asm.  @code{=f} is not allowed: the operand
4057constraints must select a class with a single reg.
4058
4059@item
4060Output operands may not be ``inserted'' between existing stack regs.
4061Since no 387 opcode uses a read/write operand, all output operands
4062are dead before the asm_operands, and are pushed by the asm_operands.
4063It makes no sense to push anywhere but the top of the reg-stack.
4064
4065Output operands must start at the top of the reg-stack: output
4066operands may not ``skip'' a reg.
4067
4068@item
4069Some asm statements may need extra stack space for internal
4070calculations.  This can be guaranteed by clobbering stack registers
4071unrelated to the inputs and outputs.
4072
4073@end enumerate
4074
4075Here are a couple of reasonable asms to want to write.  This asm
4076takes one input, which is internally popped, and produces two outputs.
4077
4078@example
4079asm ("fsincos" : "=t" (cos), "=u" (sin) : "0" (inp));
4080@end example
4081
4082This asm takes two inputs, which are popped by the @code{fyl2xp1} opcode,
4083and replaces them with one output.  The user must code the @code{st(1)}
4084clobber for reg-stack.c to know that @code{fyl2xp1} pops both inputs.
4085
4086@example
4087asm ("fyl2xp1" : "=t" (result) : "0" (x), "u" (y) : "st(1)");
4088@end example
4089
4090@include md.texi
4091
4092@node Asm Labels
4093@section Controlling Names Used in Assembler Code
4094@cindex assembler names for identifiers
4095@cindex names used in assembler code
4096@cindex identifiers, names in assembler code
4097
4098You can specify the name to be used in the assembler code for a C
4099function or variable by writing the @code{asm} (or @code{__asm__})
4100keyword after the declarator as follows:
4101
4102@example
4103int foo asm ("myfoo") = 2;
4104@end example
4105
4106@noindent
4107This specifies that the name to be used for the variable @code{foo} in
4108the assembler code should be @samp{myfoo} rather than the usual
4109@samp{_foo}.
4110
4111On systems where an underscore is normally prepended to the name of a C
4112function or variable, this feature allows you to define names for the
4113linker that do not start with an underscore.
4114
4115It does not make sense to use this feature with a non-static local
4116variable since such variables do not have assembler names.  If you are
4117trying to put the variable in a particular register, see @ref{Explicit
4118Reg Vars}.  GCC presently accepts such code with a warning, but will
4119probably be changed to issue an error, rather than a warning, in the
4120future.
4121
4122You cannot use @code{asm} in this way in a function @emph{definition}; but
4123you can get the same effect by writing a declaration for the function
4124before its definition and putting @code{asm} there, like this:
4125
4126@example
4127extern func () asm ("FUNC");
4128
4129func (x, y)
4130     int x, y;
4131/* @r{@dots{}} */
4132@end example
4133
4134It is up to you to make sure that the assembler names you choose do not
4135conflict with any other assembler symbols.  Also, you must not use a
4136register name; that would produce completely invalid assembler code.  GCC
4137does not as yet have the ability to store static variables in registers.
4138Perhaps that will be added.
4139
4140@node Explicit Reg Vars
4141@section Variables in Specified Registers
4142@cindex explicit register variables
4143@cindex variables in specified registers
4144@cindex specified registers
4145@cindex registers, global allocation
4146
4147GNU C allows you to put a few global variables into specified hardware
4148registers.  You can also specify the register in which an ordinary
4149register variable should be allocated.
4150
4151@itemize @bullet
4152@item
4153Global register variables reserve registers throughout the program.
4154This may be useful in programs such as programming language
4155interpreters which have a couple of global variables that are accessed
4156very often.
4157
4158@item
4159Local register variables in specific registers do not reserve the
4160registers.  The compiler's data flow analysis is capable of determining
4161where the specified registers contain live values, and where they are
4162available for other uses.  Stores into local register variables may be deleted
4163when they appear to be dead according to dataflow analysis.  References
4164to local register variables may be deleted or moved or simplified.
4165
4166These local variables are sometimes convenient for use with the extended
4167@code{asm} feature (@pxref{Extended Asm}), if you want to write one
4168output of the assembler instruction directly into a particular register.
4169(This will work provided the register you specify fits the constraints
4170specified for that operand in the @code{asm}.)
4171@end itemize
4172
4173@menu
4174* Global Reg Vars::
4175* Local Reg Vars::
4176@end menu
4177
4178@node Global Reg Vars
4179@subsection Defining Global Register Variables
4180@cindex global register variables
4181@cindex registers, global variables in
4182
4183You can define a global register variable in GNU C like this:
4184
4185@example
4186register int *foo asm ("a5");
4187@end example
4188
4189@noindent
4190Here @code{a5} is the name of the register which should be used.  Choose a
4191register which is normally saved and restored by function calls on your
4192machine, so that library routines will not clobber it.
4193
4194Naturally the register name is cpu-dependent, so you would need to
4195conditionalize your program according to cpu type.  The register
4196@code{a5} would be a good choice on a 68000 for a variable of pointer
4197type.  On machines with register windows, be sure to choose a ``global''
4198register that is not affected magically by the function call mechanism.
4199
4200In addition, operating systems on one type of cpu may differ in how they
4201name the registers; then you would need additional conditionals.  For
4202example, some 68000 operating systems call this register @code{%a5}.
4203
4204Eventually there may be a way of asking the compiler to choose a register
4205automatically, but first we need to figure out how it should choose and
4206how to enable you to guide the choice.  No solution is evident.
4207
4208Defining a global register variable in a certain register reserves that
4209register entirely for this use, at least within the current compilation.
4210The register will not be allocated for any other purpose in the functions
4211in the current compilation.  The register will not be saved and restored by
4212these functions.  Stores into this register are never deleted even if they
4213would appear to be dead, but references may be deleted or moved or
4214simplified.
4215
4216It is not safe to access the global register variables from signal
4217handlers, or from more than one thread of control, because the system
4218library routines may temporarily use the register for other things (unless
4219you recompile them specially for the task at hand).
4220
4221@cindex @code{qsort}, and global register variables
4222It is not safe for one function that uses a global register variable to
4223call another such function @code{foo} by way of a third function
4224@code{lose} that was compiled without knowledge of this variable (i.e.@: in a
4225different source file in which the variable wasn't declared).  This is
4226because @code{lose} might save the register and put some other value there.
4227For example, you can't expect a global register variable to be available in
4228the comparison-function that you pass to @code{qsort}, since @code{qsort}
4229might have put something else in that register.  (If you are prepared to
4230recompile @code{qsort} with the same global register variable, you can
4231solve this problem.)
4232
4233If you want to recompile @code{qsort} or other source files which do not
4234actually use your global register variable, so that they will not use that
4235register for any other purpose, then it suffices to specify the compiler
4236option @option{-ffixed-@var{reg}}.  You need not actually add a global
4237register declaration to their source code.
4238
4239A function which can alter the value of a global register variable cannot
4240safely be called from a function compiled without this variable, because it
4241could clobber the value the caller expects to find there on return.
4242Therefore, the function which is the entry point into the part of the
4243program that uses the global register variable must explicitly save and
4244restore the value which belongs to its caller.
4245
4246@cindex register variable after @code{longjmp}
4247@cindex global register after @code{longjmp}
4248@cindex value after @code{longjmp}
4249@findex longjmp
4250@findex setjmp
4251On most machines, @code{longjmp} will restore to each global register
4252variable the value it had at the time of the @code{setjmp}.  On some
4253machines, however, @code{longjmp} will not change the value of global
4254register variables.  To be portable, the function that called @code{setjmp}
4255should make other arrangements to save the values of the global register
4256variables, and to restore them in a @code{longjmp}.  This way, the same
4257thing will happen regardless of what @code{longjmp} does.
4258
4259All global register variable declarations must precede all function
4260definitions.  If such a declaration could appear after function
4261definitions, the declaration would be too late to prevent the register from
4262being used for other purposes in the preceding functions.
4263
4264Global register variables may not have initial values, because an
4265executable file has no means to supply initial contents for a register.
4266
4267On the SPARC, there are reports that g3 @dots{} g7 are suitable
4268registers, but certain library functions, such as @code{getwd}, as well
4269as the subroutines for division and remainder, modify g3 and g4.  g1 and
4270g2 are local temporaries.
4271
4272On the 68000, a2 @dots{} a5 should be suitable, as should d2 @dots{} d7.
4273Of course, it will not do to use more than a few of those.
4274
4275@node Local Reg Vars
4276@subsection Specifying Registers for Local Variables
4277@cindex local variables, specifying registers
4278@cindex specifying registers for local variables
4279@cindex registers for local variables
4280
4281You can define a local register variable with a specified register
4282like this:
4283
4284@example
4285register int *foo asm ("a5");
4286@end example
4287
4288@noindent
4289Here @code{a5} is the name of the register which should be used.  Note
4290that this is the same syntax used for defining global register
4291variables, but for a local variable it would appear within a function.
4292
4293Naturally the register name is cpu-dependent, but this is not a
4294problem, since specific registers are most often useful with explicit
4295assembler instructions (@pxref{Extended Asm}).  Both of these things
4296generally require that you conditionalize your program according to
4297cpu type.
4298
4299In addition, operating systems on one type of cpu may differ in how they
4300name the registers; then you would need additional conditionals.  For
4301example, some 68000 operating systems call this register @code{%a5}.
4302
4303Defining such a register variable does not reserve the register; it
4304remains available for other uses in places where flow control determines
4305the variable's value is not live.  However, these registers are made
4306unavailable for use in the reload pass; excessive use of this feature
4307leaves the compiler too few available registers to compile certain
4308functions.
4309
4310This option does not guarantee that GCC will generate code that has
4311this variable in the register you specify at all times.  You may not
4312code an explicit reference to this register in an @code{asm} statement
4313and assume it will always refer to this variable.
4314
4315Stores into local register variables may be deleted when they appear to be dead
4316according to dataflow analysis.  References to local register variables may
4317be deleted or moved or simplified.
4318
4319@node Alternate Keywords
4320@section Alternate Keywords
4321@cindex alternate keywords
4322@cindex keywords, alternate
4323
4324@option{-ansi} and the various @option{-std} options disable certain
4325keywords.  This causes trouble when you want to use GNU C extensions, or
4326a general-purpose header file that should be usable by all programs,
4327including ISO C programs.  The keywords @code{asm}, @code{typeof} and
4328@code{inline} are not available in programs compiled with
4329@option{-ansi} or @option{-std} (although @code{inline} can be used in a
4330program compiled with @option{-std=c99}).  The ISO C99 keyword
4331@code{restrict} is only available when @option{-std=gnu99} (which will
4332eventually be the default) or @option{-std=c99} (or the equivalent
4333@option{-std=iso9899:1999}) is used.
4334
4335The way to solve these problems is to put @samp{__} at the beginning and
4336end of each problematical keyword.  For example, use @code{__asm__}
4337instead of @code{asm}, and @code{__inline__} instead of @code{inline}.
4338
4339Other C compilers won't accept these alternative keywords; if you want to
4340compile with another compiler, you can define the alternate keywords as
4341macros to replace them with the customary keywords.  It looks like this:
4342
4343@example
4344#ifndef __GNUC__
4345#define __asm__ asm
4346#endif
4347@end example
4348
4349@findex __extension__
4350@opindex pedantic
4351@option{-pedantic} and other options cause warnings for many GNU C extensions.
4352You can
4353prevent such warnings within one expression by writing
4354@code{__extension__} before the expression.  @code{__extension__} has no
4355effect aside from this.
4356
4357@node Incomplete Enums
4358@section Incomplete @code{enum} Types
4359
4360You can define an @code{enum} tag without specifying its possible values.
4361This results in an incomplete type, much like what you get if you write
4362@code{struct foo} without describing the elements.  A later declaration
4363which does specify the possible values completes the type.
4364
4365You can't allocate variables or storage using the type while it is
4366incomplete.  However, you can work with pointers to that type.
4367
4368This extension may not be very useful, but it makes the handling of
4369@code{enum} more consistent with the way @code{struct} and @code{union}
4370are handled.
4371
4372This extension is not supported by GNU C++.
4373
4374@node Function Names
4375@section Function Names as Strings
4376@cindex @code{__FUNCTION__} identifier
4377@cindex @code{__PRETTY_FUNCTION__} identifier
4378@cindex @code{__func__} identifier
4379
4380GCC predefines two magic identifiers to hold the name of the current
4381function.  The identifier @code{__FUNCTION__} holds the name of the function
4382as it appears in the source.  The identifier @code{__PRETTY_FUNCTION__}
4383holds the name of the function pretty printed in a language specific
4384fashion.
4385
4386These names are always the same in a C function, but in a C++ function
4387they may be different.  For example, this program:
4388
4389@smallexample
4390extern "C" @{
4391extern int printf (char *, ...);
4392@}
4393
4394class a @{
4395 public:
4396  sub (int i)
4397    @{
4398      printf ("__FUNCTION__ = %s\n", __FUNCTION__);
4399      printf ("__PRETTY_FUNCTION__ = %s\n", __PRETTY_FUNCTION__);
4400    @}
4401@};
4402
4403int
4404main (void)
4405@{
4406  a ax;
4407  ax.sub (0);
4408  return 0;
4409@}
4410@end smallexample
4411
4412@noindent
4413gives this output:
4414
4415@smallexample
4416__FUNCTION__ = sub
4417__PRETTY_FUNCTION__ = int  a::sub (int)
4418@end smallexample
4419
4420The compiler automagically replaces the identifiers with a string
4421literal containing the appropriate name.  Thus, they are neither
4422preprocessor macros, like @code{__FILE__} and @code{__LINE__}, nor
4423variables.  This means that they catenate with other string literals, and
4424that they can be used to initialize char arrays.  For example
4425
4426@smallexample
4427char here[] = "Function " __FUNCTION__ " in " __FILE__;
4428@end smallexample
4429
4430On the other hand, @samp{#ifdef __FUNCTION__} does not have any special
4431meaning inside a function, since the preprocessor does not do anything
4432special with the identifier @code{__FUNCTION__}.
4433
4434Note that these semantics are deprecated, and that GCC 3.2 will handle
4435@code{__FUNCTION__} and @code{__PRETTY_FUNCTION__} the same way as
4436@code{__func__}.  @code{__func__} is defined by the ISO standard C99:
4437
4438@display
4439The identifier @code{__func__} is implicitly declared by the translator
4440as if, immediately following the opening brace of each function
4441definition, the declaration
4442
4443@smallexample
4444static const char __func__[] = "function-name";
4445@end smallexample
4446
4447appeared, where function-name is the name of the lexically-enclosing
4448function.  This name is the unadorned name of the function.
4449@end display
4450
4451By this definition, @code{__func__} is a variable, not a string literal.
4452In particular, @code{__func__} does not catenate with other string
4453literals.
4454
4455In @code{C++}, @code{__FUNCTION__} and @code{__PRETTY_FUNCTION__} are
4456variables, declared in the same way as @code{__func__}.
4457
4458@node Return Address
4459@section Getting the Return or Frame Address of a Function
4460
4461These functions may be used to get information about the callers of a
4462function.
4463
4464@deftypefn {Built-in Function} {void *} __builtin_return_address (unsigned int @var{level})
4465This function returns the return address of the current function, or of
4466one of its callers.  The @var{level} argument is number of frames to
4467scan up the call stack.  A value of @code{0} yields the return address
4468of the current function, a value of @code{1} yields the return address
4469of the caller of the current function, and so forth. When inlining
4470the expected behavior is that the function will return the address of
4471the function that will be returned to.  To work around this behavior use
4472the @code{noinline} function attribute.
4473
4474The @var{level} argument must be a constant integer.
4475
4476On some machines it may be impossible to determine the return address of
4477any function other than the current one; in such cases, or when the top
4478of the stack has been reached, this function will return @code{0} or a
4479random value. In addition, @code{__builtin_frame_address} may be used
4480to determine if the top of the stack has been reached.
4481
4482This function should only be used with a nonzero argument for debugging
4483purposes.
4484@end deftypefn
4485
4486@deftypefn {Built-in Function} {void *} __builtin_frame_address (unsigned int @var{level})
4487This function is similar to @code{__builtin_return_address}, but it
4488returns the address of the function frame rather than the return address
4489of the function.  Calling @code{__builtin_frame_address} with a value of
4490@code{0} yields the frame address of the current function, a value of
4491@code{1} yields the frame address of the caller of the current function,
4492and so forth.
4493
4494The frame is the area on the stack which holds local variables and saved
4495registers.  The frame address is normally the address of the first word
4496pushed on to the stack by the function.  However, the exact definition
4497depends upon the processor and the calling convention.  If the processor
4498has a dedicated frame pointer register, and the function has a frame,
4499then @code{__builtin_frame_address} will return the value of the frame
4500pointer register.
4501
4502On some machines it may be impossible to determine the frame address of
4503any function other than the current one; in such cases, or when the top
4504of the stack has been reached, this function will return @code{0} if
4505the first frame pointer is properly initialized by the startup code.
4506
4507This function should only be used with a nonzero argument for debugging
4508purposes.
4509@end deftypefn
4510
4511@node Vector Extensions
4512@section Using vector instructions through built-in functions
4513
4514On some targets, the instruction set contains SIMD vector instructions that
4515operate on multiple values contained in one large register at the same time.
4516For example, on the i386 the MMX, 3Dnow! and SSE extensions can be used
4517this way.
4518
4519The first step in using these extensions is to provide the necessary data
4520types.  This should be done using an appropriate @code{typedef}:
4521
4522@example
4523typedef int v4si __attribute__ ((mode(V4SI)));
4524@end example
4525
4526The base type @code{int} is effectively ignored by the compiler, the
4527actual properties of the new type @code{v4si} are defined by the
4528@code{__attribute__}.  It defines the machine mode to be used; for vector
4529types these have the form @code{V@var{n}@var{B}}; @var{n} should be the
4530number of elements in the vector, and @var{B} should be the base mode of the
4531individual elements.  The following can be used as base modes:
4532
4533@table @code
4534@item QI
4535An integer that is as wide as the smallest addressable unit, usually 8 bits.
4536@item HI
4537An integer, twice as wide as a QI mode integer, usually 16 bits.
4538@item SI
4539An integer, four times as wide as a QI mode integer, usually 32 bits.
4540@item DI
4541An integer, eight times as wide as a QI mode integer, usually 64 bits.
4542@item SF
4543A floating point value, as wide as a SI mode integer, usually 32 bits.
4544@item DF
4545A floating point value, as wide as a DI mode integer, usually 64 bits.
4546@end table
4547
4548Specifying a combination that is not valid for the current architecture
4549will cause gcc to synthesize the instructions using a narrower mode.
4550For example, if you specify a variable of type @code{V4SI} and your
4551architecture does not allow for this specific SIMD type, gcc will
4552produce code that uses 4 @code{SIs}.
4553
4554The types defined in this manner can be used with a subset of normal C
4555operations.  Currently, gcc will allow using the following operators on
4556these types: @code{+, -, *, /, unary minus}@.
4557
4558The operations behave like C++ @code{valarrays}.  Addition is defined as
4559the addition of the corresponding elements of the operands.  For
4560example, in the code below, each of the 4 elements in @var{a} will be
4561added to the corresponding 4 elements in @var{b} and the resulting
4562vector will be stored in @var{c}.
4563
4564@example
4565typedef int v4si __attribute__ ((mode(V4SI)));
4566
4567v4si a, b, c;
4568
4569c = a + b;
4570@end example
4571
4572Subtraction, multiplication, and division operate in a similar manner.
4573Likewise, the result of using the unary minus operator on a vector type
4574is a vector whose elements are the negative value of the corresponding
4575elements in the operand.
4576
4577You can declare variables and use them in function calls and returns, as
4578well as in assignments and some casts.  You can specify a vector type as
4579a return type for a function.  Vector types can also be used as function
4580arguments.  It is possible to cast from one vector type to another,
4581provided they are of the same size (in fact, you can also cast vectors
4582to and from other datatypes of the same size).
4583
4584You cannot operate between vectors of different lengths or different
4585signedness without a cast.
4586
4587A port that supports hardware vector operations, usually provides a set
4588of built-in functions that can be used to operate on vectors.  For
4589example, a function to add two vectors and multiply the result by a
4590third could look like this:
4591
4592@example
4593v4si f (v4si a, v4si b, v4si c)
4594@{
4595  v4si tmp = __builtin_addv4si (a, b);
4596  return __builtin_mulv4si (tmp, c);
4597@}
4598
4599@end example
4600
4601@node Other Builtins
4602@section Other built-in functions provided by GCC
4603@cindex built-in functions
4604@findex __builtin_isgreater
4605@findex __builtin_isgreaterequal
4606@findex __builtin_isless
4607@findex __builtin_islessequal
4608@findex __builtin_islessgreater
4609@findex __builtin_isunordered
4610@findex abort
4611@findex abs
4612@findex alloca
4613@findex bcmp
4614@findex bzero
4615@findex cimag
4616@findex cimagf
4617@findex cimagl
4618@findex conj
4619@findex conjf
4620@findex conjl
4621@findex cos
4622@findex cosf
4623@findex cosl
4624@findex creal
4625@findex crealf
4626@findex creall
4627@findex exit
4628@findex _exit
4629@findex _Exit
4630@findex exp
4631@findex expf
4632@findex expl
4633@findex fabs
4634@findex fabsf
4635@findex fabsl
4636@findex ffs
4637@findex fprintf
4638@findex fprintf_unlocked
4639@findex fputs
4640@findex fputs_unlocked
4641@findex imaxabs
4642@findex index
4643@findex labs
4644@findex llabs
4645@findex log
4646@findex logf
4647@findex logl
4648@findex memcmp
4649@findex memcpy
4650@findex memset
4651@findex printf
4652@findex printf_unlocked
4653@findex putchar
4654@findex puts
4655@findex rindex
4656@findex scanf
4657@findex sin
4658@findex sinf
4659@findex sinl
4660@findex snprintf
4661@findex sprintf
4662@findex sqrt
4663@findex sqrtf
4664@findex sqrtl
4665@findex sscanf
4666@findex strcat
4667@findex strchr
4668@findex strcmp
4669@findex strcpy
4670@findex strcspn
4671@findex strlen
4672@findex strncat
4673@findex strncmp
4674@findex strncpy
4675@findex strpbrk
4676@findex strrchr
4677@findex strspn
4678@findex strstr
4679@findex vprintf
4680@findex vscanf
4681@findex vsnprintf
4682@findex vsprintf
4683@findex vsscanf
4684
4685GCC provides a large number of built-in functions other than the ones
4686mentioned above.  Some of these are for internal use in the processing
4687of exceptions or variable-length argument lists and will not be
4688documented here because they may change from time to time; we do not
4689recommend general use of these functions.
4690
4691The remaining functions are provided for optimization purposes.
4692
4693@opindex fno-builtin
4694GCC includes built-in versions of many of the functions in the standard
4695C library.  The versions prefixed with @code{__builtin_} will always be
4696treated as having the same meaning as the C library function even if you
4697specify the @option{-fno-builtin} option. (@pxref{C Dialect Options})
4698Many of these functions are only optimized in certain cases; if they are
4699not optimized in a particular case, a call to the library function will
4700be emitted.
4701
4702@opindex ansi
4703@opindex std
4704The functions @code{abort}, @code{exit}, @code{_Exit} and @code{_exit}
4705are recognized and presumed not to return, but otherwise are not built
4706in.  @code{_exit} is not recognized in strict ISO C mode (@option{-ansi},
4707@option{-std=c89} or @option{-std=c99}).  @code{_Exit} is not recognized in
4708strict C89 mode (@option{-ansi} or @option{-std=c89}).  All these functions
4709have corresponding versions prefixed with @code{__builtin_}, which may be
4710used even in strict C89 mode.
4711
4712Outside strict ISO C mode, the functions @code{alloca}, @code{bcmp},
4713@code{bzero}, @code{index}, @code{rindex}, @code{ffs}, @code{fputs_unlocked},
4714@code{printf_unlocked} and @code{fprintf_unlocked} may be handled as
4715built-in functions.  All these functions have corresponding versions
4716prefixed with @code{__builtin_}, which may be used even in strict C89
4717mode.
4718
4719The ISO C99 functions @code{conj}, @code{conjf}, @code{conjl},
4720@code{creal}, @code{crealf}, @code{creall}, @code{cimag}, @code{cimagf},
4721@code{cimagl}, @code{imaxabs}, @code{llabs}, @code{snprintf},
4722@code{vscanf}, @code{vsnprintf} and @code{vsscanf} are handled as built-in
4723functions except in strict ISO C90 mode.  There are also built-in
4724versions of the ISO C99 functions @code{cosf}, @code{cosl},
4725@code{expf}, @code{expl}, @code{fabsf}, @code{fabsl},
4726@code{logf}, @code{logl}, @code{sinf}, @code{sinl}, @code{sqrtf}, and
4727@code{sqrtl}, that are recognized in any mode since ISO C90 reserves
4728these names for the purpose to which ISO C99 puts them.  All these
4729functions have corresponding versions prefixed with @code{__builtin_}.
4730
4731The ISO C90 functions @code{abs}, @code{cos}, @code{exp}, @code{fabs},
4732@code{fprintf}, @code{fputs}, @code{labs}, @code{log},
4733@code{memcmp}, @code{memcpy},
4734@code{memset}, @code{printf}, @code{putchar}, @code{puts}, @code{scanf},
4735@code{sin}, @code{snprintf}, @code{sprintf}, @code{sqrt}, @code{sscanf},
4736@code{strcat},
4737@code{strchr}, @code{strcmp}, @code{strcpy}, @code{strcspn},
4738@code{strlen}, @code{strncat}, @code{strncmp}, @code{strncpy},
4739@code{strpbrk}, @code{strrchr}, @code{strspn}, @code{strstr},
4740@code{vprintf} and @code{vsprintf} are all
4741recognized as built-in functions unless @option{-fno-builtin} is
4742specified (or @option{-fno-builtin-@var{function}} is specified for an
4743individual function).  All of these functions have corresponding
4744versions prefixed with @code{__builtin_}.
4745
4746GCC provides built-in versions of the ISO C99 floating point comparison
4747macros that avoid raising exceptions for unordered operands.  They have
4748the same names as the standard macros ( @code{isgreater},
4749@code{isgreaterequal}, @code{isless}, @code{islessequal},
4750@code{islessgreater}, and @code{isunordered}) , with @code{__builtin_}
4751prefixed.  We intend for a library implementor to be able to simply
4752@code{#define} each standard macro to its built-in equivalent.
4753
4754@deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_types_compatible_p (@var{type1}, @var{type2})
4755
4756You can use the built-in function @code{__builtin_types_compatible_p} to
4757determine whether two types are the same.
4758
4759This built-in function returns 1 if the unqualified versions of the
4760types @var{type1} and @var{type2} (which are types, not expressions) are
4761compatible, 0 otherwise.  The result of this built-in function can be
4762used in integer constant expressions.
4763
4764This built-in function ignores top level qualifiers (e.g., @code{const},
4765@code{volatile}).  For example, @code{int} is equivalent to @code{const
4766int}.
4767
4768The type @code{int[]} and @code{int[5]} are compatible.  On the other
4769hand, @code{int} and @code{char *} are not compatible, even if the size
4770of their types, on the particular architecture are the same.  Also, the
4771amount of pointer indirection is taken into account when determining
4772similarity.  Consequently, @code{short *} is not similar to
4773@code{short **}.  Furthermore, two types that are typedefed are
4774considered compatible if their underlying types are compatible.
4775
4776An @code{enum} type is considered to be compatible with another
4777@code{enum} type.  For example, @code{enum @{foo, bar@}} is similar to
4778@code{enum @{hot, dog@}}.
4779
4780You would typically use this function in code whose execution varies
4781depending on the arguments' types.  For example:
4782
4783@smallexample
4784#define foo(x)                                                  \
4785  (@{                                                           \
4786    typeof (x) tmp;                                             \
4787    if (__builtin_types_compatible_p (typeof (x), long double)) \
4788      tmp = foo_long_double (tmp);                              \
4789    else if (__builtin_types_compatible_p (typeof (x), double)) \
4790      tmp = foo_double (tmp);                                   \
4791    else if (__builtin_types_compatible_p (typeof (x), float))  \
4792      tmp = foo_float (tmp);                                    \
4793    else                                                        \
4794      abort ();                                                 \
4795    tmp;                                                        \
4796  @})
4797@end smallexample
4798
4799@emph{Note:} This construct is only available for C.
4800
4801@end deftypefn
4802
4803@deftypefn {Built-in Function} @var{type} __builtin_choose_expr (@var{const_exp}, @var{exp1}, @var{exp2})
4804
4805You can use the built-in function @code{__builtin_choose_expr} to
4806evaluate code depending on the value of a constant expression.  This
4807built-in function returns @var{exp1} if @var{const_exp}, which is a
4808constant expression that must be able to be determined at compile time,
4809is nonzero.  Otherwise it returns 0.
4810
4811This built-in function is analogous to the @samp{? :} operator in C,
4812except that the expression returned has its type unaltered by promotion
4813rules.  Also, the built-in function does not evaluate the expression
4814that was not chosen.  For example, if @var{const_exp} evaluates to true,
4815@var{exp2} is not evaluated even if it has side-effects.
4816
4817This built-in function can return an lvalue if the chosen argument is an
4818lvalue.
4819
4820If @var{exp1} is returned, the return type is the same as @var{exp1}'s
4821type.  Similarly, if @var{exp2} is returned, its return type is the same
4822as @var{exp2}.
4823
4824Example:
4825
4826@smallexample
4827#define foo(x)                                                    \
4828  __builtin_choose_expr (                                         \
4829    __builtin_types_compatible_p (typeof (x), double),            \
4830    foo_double (x),                                               \
4831    __builtin_choose_expr (                                       \
4832      __builtin_types_compatible_p (typeof (x), float),           \
4833      foo_float (x),                                              \
4834      /* @r{The void expression results in a compile-time error}  \
4835         @r{when assigning the result to something.}  */          \
4836      (void)0))
4837@end smallexample
4838
4839@emph{Note:} This construct is only available for C.  Furthermore, the
4840unused expression (@var{exp1} or @var{exp2} depending on the value of
4841@var{const_exp}) may still generate syntax errors.  This may change in
4842future revisions.
4843
4844@end deftypefn
4845
4846@deftypefn {Built-in Function} int __builtin_constant_p (@var{exp})
4847You can use the built-in function @code{__builtin_constant_p} to
4848determine if a value is known to be constant at compile-time and hence
4849that GCC can perform constant-folding on expressions involving that
4850value.  The argument of the function is the value to test.  The function
4851returns the integer 1 if the argument is known to be a compile-time
4852constant and 0 if it is not known to be a compile-time constant.  A
4853return of 0 does not indicate that the value is @emph{not} a constant,
4854but merely that GCC cannot prove it is a constant with the specified
4855value of the @option{-O} option.
4856
4857You would typically use this function in an embedded application where
4858memory was a critical resource.  If you have some complex calculation,
4859you may want it to be folded if it involves constants, but need to call
4860a function if it does not.  For example:
4861
4862@smallexample
4863#define Scale_Value(X)      \
4864  (__builtin_constant_p (X) \
4865  ? ((X) * SCALE + OFFSET) : Scale (X))
4866@end smallexample
4867
4868You may use this built-in function in either a macro or an inline
4869function.  However, if you use it in an inlined function and pass an
4870argument of the function as the argument to the built-in, GCC will
4871never return 1 when you call the inline function with a string constant
4872or compound literal (@pxref{Compound Literals}) and will not return 1
4873when you pass a constant numeric value to the inline function unless you
4874specify the @option{-O} option.
4875
4876You may also use @code{__builtin_constant_p} in initializers for static
4877data.  For instance, you can write
4878
4879@smallexample
4880static const int table[] = @{
4881   __builtin_constant_p (EXPRESSION) ? (EXPRESSION) : -1,
4882   /* @r{@dots{}} */
4883@};
4884@end smallexample
4885
4886@noindent
4887This is an acceptable initializer even if @var{EXPRESSION} is not a
4888constant expression.  GCC must be more conservative about evaluating the
4889built-in in this case, because it has no opportunity to perform
4890optimization.
4891
4892Previous versions of GCC did not accept this built-in in data
4893initializers.  The earliest version where it is completely safe is
48943.0.1.
4895@end deftypefn
4896
4897@deftypefn {Built-in Function} long __builtin_expect (long @var{exp}, long @var{c})
4898@opindex fprofile-arcs
4899You may use @code{__builtin_expect} to provide the compiler with
4900branch prediction information.  In general, you should prefer to
4901use actual profile feedback for this (@option{-fprofile-arcs}), as
4902programmers are notoriously bad at predicting how their programs
4903actually perform.  However, there are applications in which this
4904data is hard to collect.
4905
4906The return value is the value of @var{exp}, which should be an
4907integral expression.  The value of @var{c} must be a compile-time
4908constant.  The semantics of the built-in are that it is expected
4909that @var{exp} == @var{c}.  For example:
4910
4911@smallexample
4912if (__builtin_expect (x, 0))
4913  foo ();
4914@end smallexample
4915
4916@noindent
4917would indicate that we do not expect to call @code{foo}, since
4918we expect @code{x} to be zero.  Since you are limited to integral
4919expressions for @var{exp}, you should use constructions such as
4920
4921@smallexample
4922if (__builtin_expect (ptr != NULL, 1))
4923  error ();
4924@end smallexample
4925
4926@noindent
4927when testing pointer or floating-point values.
4928@end deftypefn
4929
4930@deftypefn {Built-in Function} void __builtin_prefetch (const void *@var{addr}, ...)
4931This function is used to minimize cache-miss latency by moving data into
4932a cache before it is accessed.
4933You can insert calls to @code{__builtin_prefetch} into code for which
4934you know addresses of data in memory that is likely to be accessed soon.
4935If the target supports them, data prefetch instructions will be generated.
4936If the prefetch is done early enough before the access then the data will
4937be in the cache by the time it is accessed.
4938
4939The value of @var{addr} is the address of the memory to prefetch.
4940There are two optional arguments, @var{rw} and @var{locality}.
4941The value of @var{rw} is a compile-time constant one or zero; one
4942means that the prefetch is preparing for a write to the memory address
4943and zero, the default, means that the prefetch is preparing for a read.
4944The value @var{locality} must be a compile-time constant integer between
4945zero and three.  A value of zero means that the data has no temporal
4946locality, so it need not be left in the cache after the access.  A value
4947of three means that the data has a high degree of temporal locality and
4948should be left in all levels of cache possible.  Values of one and two
4949mean, respectively, a low or moderate degree of temporal locality.  The
4950default is three.
4951
4952@smallexample
4953for (i = 0; i < n; i++)
4954  @{
4955    a[i] = a[i] + b[i];
4956    __builtin_prefetch (&a[i+j], 1, 1);
4957    __builtin_prefetch (&b[i+j], 0, 1);
4958    /* @r{@dots{}} */
4959  @}
4960@end smallexample
4961
4962Data prefetch does not generate faults if @var{addr} is invalid, but
4963the address expression itself must be valid.  For example, a prefetch
4964of @code{p->next} will not fault if @code{p->next} is not a valid
4965address, but evaluation will fault if @code{p} is not a valid address.
4966
4967If the target does not support data prefetch, the address expression
4968is evaluated if it includes side effects but no other code is generated
4969and GCC does not issue a warning.
4970@end deftypefn
4971
4972@deftypefn {Built-in Function} double __builtin_huge_val (void)
4973Returns a positive infinity, if supported by the floating-point format,
4974else @code{DBL_MAX}.  This function is suitable for implementing the
4975ISO C macro @code{HUGE_VAL}.
4976@end deftypefn
4977
4978@deftypefn {Built-in Function} float __builtin_huge_valf (void)
4979Similar to @code{__builtin_huge_val}, except the return type is @code{float}.
4980@end deftypefn
4981
4982@deftypefn {Built-in Function} {long double} __builtin_huge_vall (void)
4983Similar to @code{__builtin_huge_val}, except the return
4984type is @code{long double}.
4985@end deftypefn
4986
4987@deftypefn {Built-in Function} double __builtin_inf (void)
4988Similar to @code{__builtin_huge_val}, except a warning is generated
4989if the target floating-point format does not support infinities.
4990This function is suitable for implementing the ISO C99 macro @code{INFINITY}.
4991@end deftypefn
4992
4993@deftypefn {Built-in Function} float __builtin_inff (void)
4994Similar to @code{__builtin_inf}, except the return type is @code{float}.
4995@end deftypefn
4996
4997@deftypefn {Built-in Function} {long double} __builtin_infl (void)
4998Similar to @code{__builtin_inf}, except the return
4999type is @code{long double}.
5000@end deftypefn
5001
5002@deftypefn {Built-in Function} double __builtin_nan (const char *str)
5003This is an implementation of the ISO C99 function @code{nan}.
5004
5005Since ISO C99 defines this function in terms of @code{strtod}, which we
5006do not implement, a description of the parsing is in order.  The string
5007is parsed as by @code{strtol}; that is, the base is recognized by
5008leading @samp{0} or @samp{0x} prefixes.  The number parsed is placed
5009in the significand such that the least significant bit of the number
5010is at the least significant bit of the significand.  The number is 
5011truncated to fit the significand field provided.  The significand is
5012forced to be a quiet NaN.
5013
5014This function, if given a string literal, is evaluated early enough
5015that it is considered a compile-time constant.
5016@end deftypefn
5017
5018@deftypefn {Built-in Function} float __builtin_nanf (const char *str)
5019Similar to @code{__builtin_nan}, except the return type is @code{float}.
5020@end deftypefn
5021
5022@deftypefn {Built-in Function} {long double} __builtin_nanl (const char *str)
5023Similar to @code{__builtin_nan}, except the return type is @code{long double}.
5024@end deftypefn
5025
5026@deftypefn {Built-in Function} double __builtin_nans (const char *str)
5027Similar to @code{__builtin_nan}, except the significand is forced 
5028to be a signaling NaN.  The @code{nans} function is proposed by
5029@uref{http://std.dkuug.dk/JTC1/SC22/WG14/www/docs/n965.htm,,WG14 N965}.
5030@end deftypefn
5031
5032@deftypefn {Built-in Function} float __builtin_nansf (const char *str)
5033Similar to @code{__builtin_nans}, except the return type is @code{float}.
5034@end deftypefn
5035
5036@deftypefn {Built-in Function} {long double} __builtin_nansl (const char *str)
5037Similar to @code{__builtin_nans}, except the return type is @code{long double}.
5038@end deftypefn
5039
5040@node Target Builtins
5041@section Built-in Functions Specific to Particular Target Machines
5042
5043On some target machines, GCC supports many built-in functions specific
5044to those machines.  Generally these generate calls to specific machine
5045instructions, but allow the compiler to schedule those calls.
5046
5047@menu
5048* Alpha Built-in Functions::
5049* X86 Built-in Functions::
5050* PowerPC AltiVec Built-in Functions::
5051@end menu
5052
5053@node Alpha Built-in Functions
5054@subsection Alpha Built-in Functions
5055
5056These built-in functions are available for the Alpha family of
5057processors, depending on the command-line switches used.
5058
5059The following built-in functions are always available.  They
5060all generate the machine instruction that is part of the name.
5061
5062@example
5063long __builtin_alpha_implver (void)
5064long __builtin_alpha_rpcc (void)
5065long __builtin_alpha_amask (long)
5066long __builtin_alpha_cmpbge (long, long)
5067long __builtin_alpha_extbl (long, long)
5068long __builtin_alpha_extwl (long, long)
5069long __builtin_alpha_extll (long, long)
5070long __builtin_alpha_extql (long, long)
5071long __builtin_alpha_extwh (long, long)
5072long __builtin_alpha_extlh (long, long)
5073long __builtin_alpha_extqh (long, long)
5074long __builtin_alpha_insbl (long, long)
5075long __builtin_alpha_inswl (long, long)
5076long __builtin_alpha_insll (long, long)
5077long __builtin_alpha_insql (long, long)
5078long __builtin_alpha_inswh (long, long)
5079long __builtin_alpha_inslh (long, long)
5080long __builtin_alpha_insqh (long, long)
5081long __builtin_alpha_mskbl (long, long)
5082long __builtin_alpha_mskwl (long, long)
5083long __builtin_alpha_mskll (long, long)
5084long __builtin_alpha_mskql (long, long)
5085long __builtin_alpha_mskwh (long, long)
5086long __builtin_alpha_msklh (long, long)
5087long __builtin_alpha_mskqh (long, long)
5088long __builtin_alpha_umulh (long, long)
5089long __builtin_alpha_zap (long, long)
5090long __builtin_alpha_zapnot (long, long)
5091@end example
5092
5093The following built-in functions are always with @option{-mmax}
5094or @option{-mcpu=@var{cpu}} where @var{cpu} is @code{pca56} or
5095later.  They all generate the machine instruction that is part
5096of the name.
5097
5098@example
5099long __builtin_alpha_pklb (long)
5100long __builtin_alpha_pkwb (long)
5101long __builtin_alpha_unpkbl (long)
5102long __builtin_alpha_unpkbw (long)
5103long __builtin_alpha_minub8 (long, long)
5104long __builtin_alpha_minsb8 (long, long)
5105long __builtin_alpha_minuw4 (long, long)
5106long __builtin_alpha_minsw4 (long, long)
5107long __builtin_alpha_maxub8 (long, long)
5108long __builtin_alpha_maxsb8 (long, long)
5109long __builtin_alpha_maxuw4 (long, long)
5110long __builtin_alpha_maxsw4 (long, long)
5111long __builtin_alpha_perr (long, long)
5112@end example
5113
5114The following built-in functions are always with @option{-mcix}
5115or @option{-mcpu=@var{cpu}} where @var{cpu} is @code{ev67} or
5116later.  They all generate the machine instruction that is part
5117of the name.
5118
5119@example
5120long __builtin_alpha_cttz (long)
5121long __builtin_alpha_ctlz (long)
5122long __builtin_alpha_ctpop (long)
5123@end example
5124
5125The following builtins are available on systems that use the OSF/1
5126PALcode.  Normally they invoke the @code{rduniq} and @code{wruniq}
5127PAL calls, but when invoked with @option{-mtls-kernel}, they invoke
5128@code{rdval} and @code{wrval}.
5129
5130@example
5131void *__builtin_thread_pointer (void)
5132void __builtin_set_thread_pointer (void *)
5133@end example
5134
5135@node X86 Built-in Functions
5136@subsection X86 Built-in Functions
5137
5138These built-in functions are available for the i386 and x86-64 family
5139of computers, depending on the command-line switches used.
5140
5141The following machine modes are available for use with MMX built-in functions
5142(@pxref{Vector Extensions}): @code{V2SI} for a vector of two 32-bit integers,
5143@code{V4HI} for a vector of four 16-bit integers, and @code{V8QI} for a
5144vector of eight 8-bit integers.  Some of the built-in functions operate on
5145MMX registers as a whole 64-bit entity, these use @code{DI} as their mode.
5146
5147If 3Dnow extensions are enabled, @code{V2SF} is used as a mode for a vector
5148of two 32-bit floating point values.
5149
5150If SSE extensions are enabled, @code{V4SF} is used for a vector of four 32-bit
5151floating point values.  Some instructions use a vector of four 32-bit
5152integers, these use @code{V4SI}.  Finally, some instructions operate on an
5153entire vector register, interpreting it as a 128-bit integer, these use mode
5154@code{TI}.
5155
5156The following built-in functions are made available by @option{-mmmx}.
5157All of them generate the machine instruction that is part of the name.
5158
5159@example
5160v8qi __builtin_ia32_paddb (v8qi, v8qi)
5161v4hi __builtin_ia32_paddw (v4hi, v4hi)
5162v2si __builtin_ia32_paddd (v2si, v2si)
5163v8qi __builtin_ia32_psubb (v8qi, v8qi)
5164v4hi __builtin_ia32_psubw (v4hi, v4hi)
5165v2si __builtin_ia32_psubd (v2si, v2si)
5166v8qi __builtin_ia32_paddsb (v8qi, v8qi)
5167v4hi __builtin_ia32_paddsw (v4hi, v4hi)
5168v8qi __builtin_ia32_psubsb (v8qi, v8qi)
5169v4hi __builtin_ia32_psubsw (v4hi, v4hi)
5170v8qi __builtin_ia32_paddusb (v8qi, v8qi)
5171v4hi __builtin_ia32_paddusw (v4hi, v4hi)
5172v8qi __builtin_ia32_psubusb (v8qi, v8qi)
5173v4hi __builtin_ia32_psubusw (v4hi, v4hi)
5174v4hi __builtin_ia32_pmullw (v4hi, v4hi)
5175v4hi __builtin_ia32_pmulhw (v4hi, v4hi)
5176di __builtin_ia32_pand (di, di)
5177di __builtin_ia32_pandn (di,di)
5178di __builtin_ia32_por (di, di)
5179di __builtin_ia32_pxor (di, di)
5180v8qi __builtin_ia32_pcmpeqb (v8qi, v8qi)
5181v4hi __builtin_ia32_pcmpeqw (v4hi, v4hi)
5182v2si __builtin_ia32_pcmpeqd (v2si, v2si)
5183v8qi __builtin_ia32_pcmpgtb (v8qi, v8qi)
5184v4hi __builtin_ia32_pcmpgtw (v4hi, v4hi)
5185v2si __builtin_ia32_pcmpgtd (v2si, v2si)
5186v8qi __builtin_ia32_punpckhbw (v8qi, v8qi)
5187v4hi __builtin_ia32_punpckhwd (v4hi, v4hi)
5188v2si __builtin_ia32_punpckhdq (v2si, v2si)
5189v8qi __builtin_ia32_punpcklbw (v8qi, v8qi)
5190v4hi __builtin_ia32_punpcklwd (v4hi, v4hi)
5191v2si __builtin_ia32_punpckldq (v2si, v2si)
5192v8qi __builtin_ia32_packsswb (v4hi, v4hi)
5193v4hi __builtin_ia32_packssdw (v2si, v2si)
5194v8qi __builtin_ia32_packuswb (v4hi, v4hi)
5195@end example
5196
5197The following built-in functions are made available either with
5198@option{-msse}, or with a combination of @option{-m3dnow} and
5199@option{-march=athlon}.  All of them generate the machine
5200instruction that is part of the name.
5201
5202@example
5203v4hi __builtin_ia32_pmulhuw (v4hi, v4hi)
5204v8qi __builtin_ia32_pavgb (v8qi, v8qi)
5205v4hi __builtin_ia32_pavgw (v4hi, v4hi)
5206v4hi __builtin_ia32_psadbw (v8qi, v8qi)
5207v8qi __builtin_ia32_pmaxub (v8qi, v8qi)
5208v4hi __builtin_ia32_pmaxsw (v4hi, v4hi)
5209v8qi __builtin_ia32_pminub (v8qi, v8qi)
5210v4hi __builtin_ia32_pminsw (v4hi, v4hi)
5211int __builtin_ia32_pextrw (v4hi, int)
5212v4hi __builtin_ia32_pinsrw (v4hi, int, int)
5213int __builtin_ia32_pmovmskb (v8qi)
5214void __builtin_ia32_maskmovq (v8qi, v8qi, char *)
5215void __builtin_ia32_movntq (di *, di)
5216void __builtin_ia32_sfence (void)
5217@end example
5218
5219The following built-in functions are available when @option{-msse} is used.
5220All of them generate the machine instruction that is part of the name.
5221
5222@example
5223int __builtin_ia32_comieq (v4sf, v4sf)
5224int __builtin_ia32_comineq (v4sf, v4sf)
5225int __builtin_ia32_comilt (v4sf, v4sf)
5226int __builtin_ia32_comile (v4sf, v4sf)
5227int __builtin_ia32_comigt (v4sf, v4sf)
5228int __builtin_ia32_comige (v4sf, v4sf)
5229int __builtin_ia32_ucomieq (v4sf, v4sf)
5230int __builtin_ia32_ucomineq (v4sf, v4sf)
5231int __builtin_ia32_ucomilt (v4sf, v4sf)
5232int __builtin_ia32_ucomile (v4sf, v4sf)
5233int __builtin_ia32_ucomigt (v4sf, v4sf)
5234int __builtin_ia32_ucomige (v4sf, v4sf)
5235v4sf __builtin_ia32_addps (v4sf, v4sf)
5236v4sf __builtin_ia32_subps (v4sf, v4sf)
5237v4sf __builtin_ia32_mulps (v4sf, v4sf)
5238v4sf __builtin_ia32_divps (v4sf, v4sf)
5239v4sf __builtin_ia32_addss (v4sf, v4sf)
5240v4sf __builtin_ia32_subss (v4sf, v4sf)
5241v4sf __builtin_ia32_mulss (v4sf, v4sf)
5242v4sf __builtin_ia32_divss (v4sf, v4sf)
5243v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpeqps (v4sf, v4sf)
5244v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpltps (v4sf, v4sf)
5245v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpleps (v4sf, v4sf)
5246v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpgtps (v4sf, v4sf)
5247v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpgeps (v4sf, v4sf)
5248v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpunordps (v4sf, v4sf)
5249v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpneqps (v4sf, v4sf)
5250v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpnltps (v4sf, v4sf)
5251v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpnleps (v4sf, v4sf)
5252v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpngtps (v4sf, v4sf)
5253v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpngeps (v4sf, v4sf)
5254v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpordps (v4sf, v4sf)
5255v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpeqss (v4sf, v4sf)
5256v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpltss (v4sf, v4sf)
5257v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpless (v4sf, v4sf)
5258v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpunordss (v4sf, v4sf)
5259v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpneqss (v4sf, v4sf)
5260v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpnlts (v4sf, v4sf)
5261v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpnless (v4sf, v4sf)
5262v4si __builtin_ia32_cmpordss (v4sf, v4sf)
5263v4sf __builtin_ia32_maxps (v4sf, v4sf)
5264v4sf __builtin_ia32_maxss (v4sf, v4sf)
5265v4sf __builtin_ia32_minps (v4sf, v4sf)
5266v4sf __builtin_ia32_minss (v4sf, v4sf)
5267v4sf __builtin_ia32_andps (v4sf, v4sf)
5268v4sf __builtin_ia32_andnps (v4sf, v4sf)
5269v4sf __builtin_ia32_orps (v4sf, v4sf)
5270v4sf __builtin_ia32_xorps (v4sf, v4sf)
5271v4sf __builtin_ia32_movss (v4sf, v4sf)
5272v4sf __builtin_ia32_movhlps (v4sf, v4sf)
5273v4sf __builtin_ia32_movlhps (v4sf, v4sf)
5274v4sf __builtin_ia32_unpckhps (v4sf, v4sf)
5275v4sf __builtin_ia32_unpcklps (v4sf, v4sf)
5276v4sf __builtin_ia32_cvtpi2ps (v4sf, v2si)
5277v4sf __builtin_ia32_cvtsi2ss (v4sf, int)
5278v2si __builtin_ia32_cvtps2pi (v4sf)
5279int __builtin_ia32_cvtss2si (v4sf)
5280v2si __builtin_ia32_cvttps2pi (v4sf)
5281int __builtin_ia32_cvttss2si (v4sf)
5282v4sf __builtin_ia32_rcpps (v4sf)
5283v4sf __builtin_ia32_rsqrtps (v4sf)
5284v4sf __builtin_ia32_sqrtps (v4sf)
5285v4sf __builtin_ia32_rcpss (v4sf)
5286v4sf __builtin_ia32_rsqrtss (v4sf)
5287v4sf __builtin_ia32_sqrtss (v4sf)
5288v4sf __builtin_ia32_shufps (v4sf, v4sf, int)
5289void __builtin_ia32_movntps (float *, v4sf)
5290int __builtin_ia32_movmskps (v4sf)
5291@end example
5292
5293The following built-in functions are available when @option{-msse} is used.
5294
5295@table @code
5296@item v4sf __builtin_ia32_loadaps (float *)
5297Generates the @code{movaps} machine instruction as a load from memory.
5298@item void __builtin_ia32_storeaps (float *, v4sf)
5299Generates the @code{movaps} machine instruction as a store to memory.
5300@item v4sf __builtin_ia32_loadups (float *)
5301Generates the @code{movups} machine instruction as a load from memory.
5302@item void __builtin_ia32_storeups (float *, v4sf)
5303Generates the @code{movups} machine instruction as a store to memory.
5304@item v4sf __builtin_ia32_loadsss (float *)
5305Generates the @code{movss} machine instruction as a load from memory.
5306@item void __builtin_ia32_storess (float *, v4sf)
5307Generates the @code{movss} machine instruction as a store to memory.
5308@item v4sf __builtin_ia32_loadhps (v4sf, v2si *)
5309Generates the @code{movhps} machine instruction as a load from memory.
5310@item v4sf __builtin_ia32_loadlps (v4sf, v2si *)
5311Generates the @code{movlps} machine instruction as a load from memory
5312@item void __builtin_ia32_storehps (v4sf, v2si *)
5313Generates the @code{movhps} machine instruction as a store to memory.
5314@item void __builtin_ia32_storelps (v4sf, v2si *)
5315Generates the @code{movlps} machine instruction as a store to memory.
5316@end table
5317
5318The following built-in functions are available when @option{-mpni} is used.
5319All of them generate the machine instruction that is part of the name.
5320
5321@example
5322v2df __builtin_ia32_addsubpd (v2df, v2df)
5323v2df __builtin_ia32_addsubps (v2df, v2df)
5324v2df __builtin_ia32_haddpd (v2df, v2df)
5325v2df __builtin_ia32_haddps (v2df, v2df)
5326v2df __builtin_ia32_hsubpd (v2df, v2df)
5327v2df __builtin_ia32_hsubps (v2df, v2df)
5328v16qi __builtin_ia32_lddqu (char const *)
5329void __builtin_ia32_monitor (void *, unsigned int, unsigned int)
5330v2df __builtin_ia32_movddup (v2df)
5331v4sf __builtin_ia32_movshdup (v4sf)
5332v4sf __builtin_ia32_movsldup (v4sf)
5333void __builtin_ia32_mwait (unsigned int, unsigned int)
5334@end example
5335
5336The following built-in functions are available when @option{-mpni} is used.
5337
5338@table @code
5339@item v2df __builtin_ia32_loadddup (double const *)
5340Generates the @code{movddup} machine instruction as a load from memory.
5341@end table
5342
5343The following built-in functions are available when @option{-m3dnow} is used.
5344All of them generate the machine instruction that is part of the name.
5345
5346@example
5347void __builtin_ia32_femms (void)
5348v8qi __builtin_ia32_pavgusb (v8qi, v8qi)
5349v2si __builtin_ia32_pf2id (v2sf)
5350v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfacc (v2sf, v2sf)
5351v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfadd (v2sf, v2sf)
5352v2si __builtin_ia32_pfcmpeq (v2sf, v2sf)
5353v2si __builtin_ia32_pfcmpge (v2sf, v2sf)
5354v2si __builtin_ia32_pfcmpgt (v2sf, v2sf)
5355v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfmax (v2sf, v2sf)
5356v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfmin (v2sf, v2sf)
5357v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfmul (v2sf, v2sf)
5358v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfrcp (v2sf)
5359v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfrcpit1 (v2sf, v2sf)
5360v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfrcpit2 (v2sf, v2sf)
5361v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfrsqrt (v2sf)
5362v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfrsqrtit1 (v2sf, v2sf)
5363v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfsub (v2sf, v2sf)
5364v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfsubr (v2sf, v2sf)
5365v2sf __builtin_ia32_pi2fd (v2si)
5366v4hi __builtin_ia32_pmulhrw (v4hi, v4hi)
5367@end example
5368
5369The following built-in functions are available when both @option{-m3dnow}
5370and @option{-march=athlon} are used.  All of them generate the machine
5371instruction that is part of the name.
5372
5373@example
5374v2si __builtin_ia32_pf2iw (v2sf)
5375v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfnacc (v2sf, v2sf)
5376v2sf __builtin_ia32_pfpnacc (v2sf, v2sf)
5377v2sf __builtin_ia32_pi2fw (v2si)
5378v2sf __builtin_ia32_pswapdsf (v2sf)
5379v2si __builtin_ia32_pswapdsi (v2si)
5380@end example
5381
5382@node PowerPC AltiVec Built-in Functions
5383@subsection PowerPC AltiVec Built-in Functions
5384
5385These built-in functions are available for the PowerPC family
5386of computers, depending on the command-line switches used.
5387
5388The following machine modes are available for use with AltiVec built-in
5389functions (@pxref{Vector Extensions}): @code{V4SI} for a vector of four
539032-bit integers, @code{V4SF} for a vector of four 32-bit floating point
5391numbers, @code{V8HI} for a vector of eight 16-bit integers, and
5392@code{V16QI} for a vector of sixteen 8-bit integers.
5393
5394The following functions are made available by including
5395@code{<altivec.h>} and using @option{-maltivec} and
5396@option{-mabi=altivec}.  The functions implement the functionality
5397described in Motorola's AltiVec Programming Interface Manual.
5398
5399There are a few differences from Motorola's documentation and GCC's
5400implementation.  Vector constants are done with curly braces (not
5401parentheses).  Vector initializers require no casts if the vector
5402constant is of the same type as the variable it is initializing.  The
5403@code{vector bool} type is deprecated and will be discontinued in
5404further revisions.  Use @code{vector signed} instead.  If @code{signed}
5405or @code{unsigned} is omitted, the vector type will default to
5406@code{signed}.  Lastly, all overloaded functions are implemented with macros
5407for the C implementation.  So code the following example will not work:
5408
5409@smallexample
5410  vec_add ((vector signed int)@{1, 2, 3, 4@}, foo);
5411@end smallexample
5412
5413Since vec_add is a macro, the vector constant in the above example will
5414be treated as four different arguments.  Wrap the entire argument in
5415parentheses for this to work.  The C++ implementation does not use
5416macros.
5417
5418@emph{Note:} Only the @code{<altivec.h>} interface is supported.
5419Internally, GCC uses built-in functions to achieve the functionality in
5420the aforementioned header file, but they are not supported and are
5421subject to change without notice.
5422
5423@smallexample
5424vector signed char vec_abs (vector signed char, vector signed char);
5425vector signed short vec_abs (vector signed short, vector signed short);
5426vector signed int vec_abs (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5427vector signed float vec_abs (vector signed float, vector signed float);
5428
5429vector signed char vec_abss (vector signed char, vector signed char);
5430vector signed short vec_abss (vector signed short, vector signed short);
5431
5432vector signed char vec_add (vector signed char, vector signed char);
5433vector unsigned char vec_add (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
5434
5435vector unsigned char vec_add (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
5436
5437vector unsigned char vec_add (vector unsigned char,
5438                              vector unsigned char);
5439vector signed short vec_add (vector signed short, vector signed short);
5440vector unsigned short vec_add (vector signed short,
5441                               vector unsigned short);
5442vector unsigned short vec_add (vector unsigned short,
5443                               vector signed short);
5444vector unsigned short vec_add (vector unsigned short,
5445                               vector unsigned short);
5446vector signed int vec_add (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5447vector unsigned int vec_add (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
5448vector unsigned int vec_add (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
5449vector unsigned int vec_add (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5450vector float vec_add (vector float, vector float);
5451
5452vector unsigned int vec_addc (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5453
5454vector unsigned char vec_adds (vector signed char,
5455                               vector unsigned char);
5456vector unsigned char vec_adds (vector unsigned char,
5457                               vector signed char);
5458vector unsigned char vec_adds (vector unsigned char,
5459                               vector unsigned char);
5460vector signed char vec_adds (vector signed char, vector signed char);
5461vector unsigned short vec_adds (vector signed short,
5462                                vector unsigned short);
5463vector unsigned short vec_adds (vector unsigned short,
5464                                vector signed short);
5465vector unsigned short vec_adds (vector unsigned short,
5466                                vector unsigned short);
5467vector signed short vec_adds (vector signed short, vector signed short);
5468
5469vector unsigned int vec_adds (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
5470vector unsigned int vec_adds (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
5471vector unsigned int vec_adds (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5472
5473vector signed int vec_adds (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5474
5475vector float vec_and (vector float, vector float);
5476vector float vec_and (vector float, vector signed int);
5477vector float vec_and (vector signed int, vector float);
5478vector signed int vec_and (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5479vector unsigned int vec_and (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
5480vector unsigned int vec_and (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
5481vector unsigned int vec_and (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5482vector signed short vec_and (vector signed short, vector signed short);
5483vector unsigned short vec_and (vector signed short,
5484                               vector unsigned short);
5485vector unsigned short vec_and (vector unsigned short,
5486                               vector signed short);
5487vector unsigned short vec_and (vector unsigned short,
5488                               vector unsigned short);
5489vector signed char vec_and (vector signed char, vector signed char);
5490vector unsigned char vec_and (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
5491
5492vector unsigned char vec_and (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
5493
5494vector unsigned char vec_and (vector unsigned char,
5495                              vector unsigned char);
5496
5497vector float vec_andc (vector float, vector float);
5498vector float vec_andc (vector float, vector signed int);
5499vector float vec_andc (vector signed int, vector float);
5500vector signed int vec_andc (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5501vector unsigned int vec_andc (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
5502vector unsigned int vec_andc (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
5503vector unsigned int vec_andc (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5504
5505vector signed short vec_andc (vector signed short, vector signed short);
5506
5507vector unsigned short vec_andc (vector signed short,
5508                                vector unsigned short);
5509vector unsigned short vec_andc (vector unsigned short,
5510                                vector signed short);
5511vector unsigned short vec_andc (vector unsigned short,
5512                                vector unsigned short);
5513vector signed char vec_andc (vector signed char, vector signed char);
5514vector unsigned char vec_andc (vector signed char,
5515                               vector unsigned char);
5516vector unsigned char vec_andc (vector unsigned char,
5517                               vector signed char);
5518vector unsigned char vec_andc (vector unsigned char,
5519                               vector unsigned char);
5520
5521vector unsigned char vec_avg (vector unsigned char,
5522                              vector unsigned char);
5523vector signed char vec_avg (vector signed char, vector signed char);
5524vector unsigned short vec_avg (vector unsigned short,
5525                               vector unsigned short);
5526vector signed short vec_avg (vector signed short, vector signed short);
5527vector unsigned int vec_avg (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5528vector signed int vec_avg (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5529
5530vector float vec_ceil (vector float);
5531
5532vector signed int vec_cmpb (vector float, vector float);
5533
5534vector signed char vec_cmpeq (vector signed char, vector signed char);
5535vector signed char vec_cmpeq (vector unsigned char,
5536                              vector unsigned char);
5537vector signed short vec_cmpeq (vector signed short,
5538                               vector signed short);
5539vector signed short vec_cmpeq (vector unsigned short,
5540                               vector unsigned short);
5541vector signed int vec_cmpeq (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5542vector signed int vec_cmpeq (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5543vector signed int vec_cmpeq (vector float, vector float);
5544
5545vector signed int vec_cmpge (vector float, vector float);
5546
5547vector signed char vec_cmpgt (vector unsigned char,
5548                              vector unsigned char);
5549vector signed char vec_cmpgt (vector signed char, vector signed char);
5550vector signed short vec_cmpgt (vector unsigned short,
5551                               vector unsigned short);
5552vector signed short vec_cmpgt (vector signed short,
5553                               vector signed short);
5554vector signed int vec_cmpgt (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5555vector signed int vec_cmpgt (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5556vector signed int vec_cmpgt (vector float, vector float);
5557
5558vector signed int vec_cmple (vector float, vector float);
5559
5560vector signed char vec_cmplt (vector unsigned char,
5561                              vector unsigned char);
5562vector signed char vec_cmplt (vector signed char, vector signed char);
5563vector signed short vec_cmplt (vector unsigned short,
5564                               vector unsigned short);
5565vector signed short vec_cmplt (vector signed short,
5566                               vector signed short);
5567vector signed int vec_cmplt (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5568vector signed int vec_cmplt (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5569vector signed int vec_cmplt (vector float, vector float);
5570
5571vector float vec_ctf (vector unsigned int, const char);
5572vector float vec_ctf (vector signed int, const char);
5573
5574vector signed int vec_cts (vector float, const char);
5575
5576vector unsigned int vec_ctu (vector float, const char);
5577
5578void vec_dss (const char);
5579
5580void vec_dssall (void);
5581
5582void vec_dst (void *, int, const char);
5583
5584void vec_dstst (void *, int, const char);
5585
5586void vec_dststt (void *, int, const char);
5587
5588void vec_dstt (void *, int, const char);
5589
5590vector float vec_expte (vector float, vector float);
5591
5592vector float vec_floor (vector float, vector float);
5593
5594vector float vec_ld (int, vector float *);
5595vector float vec_ld (int, float *):
5596vector signed int vec_ld (int, int *);
5597vector signed int vec_ld (int, vector signed int *);
5598vector unsigned int vec_ld (int, vector unsigned int *);
5599vector unsigned int vec_ld (int, unsigned int *);
5600vector signed short vec_ld (int, short *, vector signed short *);
5601vector unsigned short vec_ld (int, unsigned short *,
5602                              vector unsigned short *);
5603vector signed char vec_ld (int, signed char *);
5604vector signed char vec_ld (int, vector signed char *);
5605vector unsigned char vec_ld (int, unsigned char *);
5606vector unsigned char vec_ld (int, vector unsigned char *);
5607
5608vector signed char vec_lde (int, signed char *);
5609vector unsigned char vec_lde (int, unsigned char *);
5610vector signed short vec_lde (int, short *);
5611vector unsigned short vec_lde (int, unsigned short *);
5612vector float vec_lde (int, float *);
5613vector signed int vec_lde (int, int *);
5614vector unsigned int vec_lde (int, unsigned int *);
5615
5616void float vec_ldl (int, float *);
5617void float vec_ldl (int, vector float *);
5618void signed int vec_ldl (int, vector signed int *);
5619void signed int vec_ldl (int, int *);
5620void unsigned int vec_ldl (int, unsigned int *);
5621void unsigned int vec_ldl (int, vector unsigned int *);
5622void signed short vec_ldl (int, vector signed short *);
5623void signed short vec_ldl (int, short *);
5624void unsigned short vec_ldl (int, vector unsigned short *);
5625void unsigned short vec_ldl (int, unsigned short *);
5626void signed char vec_ldl (int, vector signed char *);
5627void signed char vec_ldl (int, signed char *);
5628void unsigned char vec_ldl (int, vector unsigned char *);
5629void unsigned char vec_ldl (int, unsigned char *);
5630
5631vector float vec_loge (vector float);
5632
5633vector unsigned char vec_lvsl (int, void *, int *);
5634
5635vector unsigned char vec_lvsr (int, void *, int *);
5636
5637vector float vec_madd (vector float, vector float, vector float);
5638
5639vector signed short vec_madds (vector signed short, vector signed short,
5640                               vector signed short);
5641
5642vector unsigned char vec_max (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
5643
5644vector unsigned char vec_max (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
5645
5646vector unsigned char vec_max (vector unsigned char,
5647                              vector unsigned char);
5648vector signed char vec_max (vector signed char, vector signed char);
5649vector unsigned short vec_max (vector signed short,
5650                               vector unsigned short);
5651vector unsigned short vec_max (vector unsigned short,
5652                               vector signed short);
5653vector unsigned short vec_max (vector unsigned short,
5654                               vector unsigned short);
5655vector signed short vec_max (vector signed short, vector signed short);
5656vector unsigned int vec_max (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
5657vector unsigned int vec_max (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
5658vector unsigned int vec_max (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5659vector signed int vec_max (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5660vector float vec_max (vector float, vector float);
5661
5662vector signed char vec_mergeh (vector signed char, vector signed char);
5663vector unsigned char vec_mergeh (vector unsigned char,
5664                                 vector unsigned char);
5665vector signed short vec_mergeh (vector signed short,
5666                                vector signed short);
5667vector unsigned short vec_mergeh (vector unsigned short,
5668                                  vector unsigned short);
5669vector float vec_mergeh (vector float, vector float);
5670vector signed int vec_mergeh (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5671vector unsigned int vec_mergeh (vector unsigned int,
5672                                vector unsigned int);
5673
5674vector signed char vec_mergel (vector signed char, vector signed char);
5675vector unsigned char vec_mergel (vector unsigned char,
5676                                 vector unsigned char);
5677vector signed short vec_mergel (vector signed short,
5678                                vector signed short);
5679vector unsigned short vec_mergel (vector unsigned short,
5680                                  vector unsigned short);
5681vector float vec_mergel (vector float, vector float);
5682vector signed int vec_mergel (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5683vector unsigned int vec_mergel (vector unsigned int,
5684                                vector unsigned int);
5685
5686vector unsigned short vec_mfvscr (void);
5687
5688vector unsigned char vec_min (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
5689
5690vector unsigned char vec_min (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
5691
5692vector unsigned char vec_min (vector unsigned char,
5693                              vector unsigned char);
5694vector signed char vec_min (vector signed char, vector signed char);
5695vector unsigned short vec_min (vector signed short,
5696                               vector unsigned short);
5697vector unsigned short vec_min (vector unsigned short,
5698                               vector signed short);
5699vector unsigned short vec_min (vector unsigned short,
5700                               vector unsigned short);
5701vector signed short vec_min (vector signed short, vector signed short);
5702vector unsigned int vec_min (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
5703vector unsigned int vec_min (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
5704vector unsigned int vec_min (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5705vector signed int vec_min (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5706vector float vec_min (vector float, vector float);
5707
5708vector signed short vec_mladd (vector signed short, vector signed short,
5709                               vector signed short);
5710vector signed short vec_mladd (vector signed short,
5711                               vector unsigned short,
5712                               vector unsigned short);
5713vector signed short vec_mladd (vector unsigned short,
5714                               vector signed short,
5715                               vector signed short);
5716vector unsigned short vec_mladd (vector unsigned short,
5717                                 vector unsigned short,
5718                                 vector unsigned short);
5719
5720vector signed short vec_mradds (vector signed short,
5721                                vector signed short,
5722                                vector signed short);
5723
5724vector unsigned int vec_msum (vector unsigned char,
5725                              vector unsigned char,
5726                              vector unsigned int);
5727vector signed int vec_msum (vector signed char, vector unsigned char,
5728                            vector signed int);
5729vector unsigned int vec_msum (vector unsigned short,
5730                              vector unsigned short,
5731                              vector unsigned int);
5732vector signed int vec_msum (vector signed short, vector signed short,
5733                            vector signed int);
5734
5735vector unsigned int vec_msums (vector unsigned short,
5736                               vector unsigned short,
5737                               vector unsigned int);
5738vector signed int vec_msums (vector signed short, vector signed short,
5739                             vector signed int);
5740
5741void vec_mtvscr (vector signed int);
5742void vec_mtvscr (vector unsigned int);
5743void vec_mtvscr (vector signed short);
5744void vec_mtvscr (vector unsigned short);
5745void vec_mtvscr (vector signed char);
5746void vec_mtvscr (vector unsigned char);
5747
5748vector unsigned short vec_mule (vector unsigned char,
5749                                vector unsigned char);
5750vector signed short vec_mule (vector signed char, vector signed char);
5751vector unsigned int vec_mule (vector unsigned short,
5752                              vector unsigned short);
5753vector signed int vec_mule (vector signed short, vector signed short);
5754
5755vector unsigned short vec_mulo (vector unsigned char,
5756                                vector unsigned char);
5757vector signed short vec_mulo (vector signed char, vector signed char);
5758vector unsigned int vec_mulo (vector unsigned short,
5759                              vector unsigned short);
5760vector signed int vec_mulo (vector signed short, vector signed short);
5761
5762vector float vec_nmsub (vector float, vector float, vector float);
5763
5764vector float vec_nor (vector float, vector float);
5765vector signed int vec_nor (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5766vector unsigned int vec_nor (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5767vector signed short vec_nor (vector signed short, vector signed short);
5768vector unsigned short vec_nor (vector unsigned short,
5769                               vector unsigned short);
5770vector signed char vec_nor (vector signed char, vector signed char);
5771vector unsigned char vec_nor (vector unsigned char,
5772                              vector unsigned char);
5773
5774vector float vec_or (vector float, vector float);
5775vector float vec_or (vector float, vector signed int);
5776vector float vec_or (vector signed int, vector float);
5777vector signed int vec_or (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5778vector unsigned int vec_or (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
5779vector unsigned int vec_or (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
5780vector unsigned int vec_or (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5781vector signed short vec_or (vector signed short, vector signed short);
5782vector unsigned short vec_or (vector signed short,
5783                              vector unsigned short);
5784vector unsigned short vec_or (vector unsigned short,
5785                              vector signed short);
5786vector unsigned short vec_or (vector unsigned short,
5787                              vector unsigned short);
5788vector signed char vec_or (vector signed char, vector signed char);
5789vector unsigned char vec_or (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
5790vector unsigned char vec_or (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
5791vector unsigned char vec_or (vector unsigned char,
5792                             vector unsigned char);
5793
5794vector signed char vec_pack (vector signed short, vector signed short);
5795vector unsigned char vec_pack (vector unsigned short,
5796                               vector unsigned short);
5797vector signed short vec_pack (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5798vector unsigned short vec_pack (vector unsigned int,
5799                                vector unsigned int);
5800
5801vector signed short vec_packpx (vector unsigned int,
5802                                vector unsigned int);
5803
5804vector unsigned char vec_packs (vector unsigned short,
5805                                vector unsigned short);
5806vector signed char vec_packs (vector signed short, vector signed short);
5807
5808vector unsigned short vec_packs (vector unsigned int,
5809                                 vector unsigned int);
5810vector signed short vec_packs (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5811
5812vector unsigned char vec_packsu (vector unsigned short,
5813                                 vector unsigned short);
5814vector unsigned char vec_packsu (vector signed short,
5815                                 vector signed short);
5816vector unsigned short vec_packsu (vector unsigned int,
5817                                  vector unsigned int);
5818vector unsigned short vec_packsu (vector signed int, vector signed int);
5819
5820vector float vec_perm (vector float, vector float,
5821                       vector unsigned char);
5822vector signed int vec_perm (vector signed int, vector signed int,
5823                            vector unsigned char);
5824vector unsigned int vec_perm (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int,
5825                              vector unsigned char);
5826vector signed short vec_perm (vector signed short, vector signed short,
5827                              vector unsigned char);
5828vector unsigned short vec_perm (vector unsigned short,
5829                                vector unsigned short,
5830                                vector unsigned char);
5831vector signed char vec_perm (vector signed char, vector signed char,
5832                             vector unsigned char);
5833vector unsigned char vec_perm (vector unsigned char,
5834                               vector unsigned char,
5835                               vector unsigned char);
5836
5837vector float vec_re (vector float);
5838
5839vector signed char vec_rl (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
5840vector unsigned char vec_rl (vector unsigned char,
5841                             vector unsigned char);
5842vector signed short vec_rl (vector signed short, vector unsigned short);
5843
5844vector unsigned short vec_rl (vector unsigned short,
5845                              vector unsigned short);
5846vector signed int vec_rl (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
5847vector unsigned int vec_rl (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5848
5849vector float vec_round (vector float);
5850
5851vector float vec_rsqrte (vector float);
5852
5853vector float vec_sel (vector float, vector float, vector signed int);
5854vector float vec_sel (vector float, vector float, vector unsigned int);
5855vector signed int vec_sel (vector signed int, vector signed int,
5856                           vector signed int);
5857vector signed int vec_sel (vector signed int, vector signed int,
5858                           vector unsigned int);
5859vector unsigned int vec_sel (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int,
5860                             vector signed int);
5861vector unsigned int vec_sel (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int,
5862                             vector unsigned int);
5863vector signed short vec_sel (vector signed short, vector signed short,
5864                             vector signed short);
5865vector signed short vec_sel (vector signed short, vector signed short,
5866                             vector unsigned short);
5867vector unsigned short vec_sel (vector unsigned short,
5868                               vector unsigned short,
5869                               vector signed short);
5870vector unsigned short vec_sel (vector unsigned short,
5871                               vector unsigned short,
5872                               vector unsigned short);
5873vector signed char vec_sel (vector signed char, vector signed char,
5874                            vector signed char);
5875vector signed char vec_sel (vector signed char, vector signed char,
5876                            vector unsigned char);
5877vector unsigned char vec_sel (vector unsigned char,
5878                              vector unsigned char,
5879                              vector signed char);
5880vector unsigned char vec_sel (vector unsigned char,
5881                              vector unsigned char,
5882                              vector unsigned char);
5883
5884vector signed char vec_sl (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
5885vector unsigned char vec_sl (vector unsigned char,
5886                             vector unsigned char);
5887vector signed short vec_sl (vector signed short, vector unsigned short);
5888
5889vector unsigned short vec_sl (vector unsigned short,
5890                              vector unsigned short);
5891vector signed int vec_sl (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
5892vector unsigned int vec_sl (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5893
5894vector float vec_sld (vector float, vector float, const char);
5895vector signed int vec_sld (vector signed int, vector signed int,
5896                           const char);
5897vector unsigned int vec_sld (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int,
5898                             const char);
5899vector signed short vec_sld (vector signed short, vector signed short,
5900                             const char);
5901vector unsigned short vec_sld (vector unsigned short,
5902                               vector unsigned short, const char);
5903vector signed char vec_sld (vector signed char, vector signed char,
5904                            const char);
5905vector unsigned char vec_sld (vector unsigned char,
5906                              vector unsigned char,
5907                              const char);
5908
5909vector signed int vec_sll (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
5910vector signed int vec_sll (vector signed int, vector unsigned short);
5911vector signed int vec_sll (vector signed int, vector unsigned char);
5912vector unsigned int vec_sll (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5913vector unsigned int vec_sll (vector unsigned int,
5914                             vector unsigned short);
5915vector unsigned int vec_sll (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned char);
5916
5917vector signed short vec_sll (vector signed short, vector unsigned int);
5918vector signed short vec_sll (vector signed short,
5919                             vector unsigned short);
5920vector signed short vec_sll (vector signed short, vector unsigned char);
5921
5922vector unsigned short vec_sll (vector unsigned short,
5923                               vector unsigned int);
5924vector unsigned short vec_sll (vector unsigned short,
5925                               vector unsigned short);
5926vector unsigned short vec_sll (vector unsigned short,
5927                               vector unsigned char);
5928vector signed char vec_sll (vector signed char, vector unsigned int);
5929vector signed char vec_sll (vector signed char, vector unsigned short);
5930vector signed char vec_sll (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
5931vector unsigned char vec_sll (vector unsigned char,
5932                              vector unsigned int);
5933vector unsigned char vec_sll (vector unsigned char,
5934                              vector unsigned short);
5935vector unsigned char vec_sll (vector unsigned char,
5936                              vector unsigned char);
5937
5938vector float vec_slo (vector float, vector signed char);
5939vector float vec_slo (vector float, vector unsigned char);
5940vector signed int vec_slo (vector signed int, vector signed char);
5941vector signed int vec_slo (vector signed int, vector unsigned char);
5942vector unsigned int vec_slo (vector unsigned int, vector signed char);
5943vector unsigned int vec_slo (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned char);
5944
5945vector signed short vec_slo (vector signed short, vector signed char);
5946vector signed short vec_slo (vector signed short, vector unsigned char);
5947
5948vector unsigned short vec_slo (vector unsigned short,
5949                               vector signed char);
5950vector unsigned short vec_slo (vector unsigned short,
5951                               vector unsigned char);
5952vector signed char vec_slo (vector signed char, vector signed char);
5953vector signed char vec_slo (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
5954vector unsigned char vec_slo (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
5955
5956vector unsigned char vec_slo (vector unsigned char,
5957                              vector unsigned char);
5958
5959vector signed char vec_splat (vector signed char, const char);
5960vector unsigned char vec_splat (vector unsigned char, const char);
5961vector signed short vec_splat (vector signed short, const char);
5962vector unsigned short vec_splat (vector unsigned short, const char);
5963vector float vec_splat (vector float, const char);
5964vector signed int vec_splat (vector signed int, const char);
5965vector unsigned int vec_splat (vector unsigned int, const char);
5966
5967vector signed char vec_splat_s8 (const char);
5968
5969vector signed short vec_splat_s16 (const char);
5970
5971vector signed int vec_splat_s32 (const char);
5972
5973vector unsigned char vec_splat_u8 (const char);
5974
5975vector unsigned short vec_splat_u16 (const char);
5976
5977vector unsigned int vec_splat_u32 (const char);
5978
5979vector signed char vec_sr (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
5980vector unsigned char vec_sr (vector unsigned char,
5981                             vector unsigned char);
5982vector signed short vec_sr (vector signed short, vector unsigned short);
5983
5984vector unsigned short vec_sr (vector unsigned short,
5985                              vector unsigned short);
5986vector signed int vec_sr (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
5987vector unsigned int vec_sr (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5988
5989vector signed char vec_sra (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
5990vector unsigned char vec_sra (vector unsigned char,
5991                              vector unsigned char);
5992vector signed short vec_sra (vector signed short,
5993                             vector unsigned short);
5994vector unsigned short vec_sra (vector unsigned short,
5995                               vector unsigned short);
5996vector signed int vec_sra (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
5997vector unsigned int vec_sra (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
5998
5999vector signed int vec_srl (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6000vector signed int vec_srl (vector signed int, vector unsigned short);
6001vector signed int vec_srl (vector signed int, vector unsigned char);
6002vector unsigned int vec_srl (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6003vector unsigned int vec_srl (vector unsigned int,
6004                             vector unsigned short);
6005vector unsigned int vec_srl (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned char);
6006
6007vector signed short vec_srl (vector signed short, vector unsigned int);
6008vector signed short vec_srl (vector signed short,
6009                             vector unsigned short);
6010vector signed short vec_srl (vector signed short, vector unsigned char);
6011
6012vector unsigned short vec_srl (vector unsigned short,
6013                               vector unsigned int);
6014vector unsigned short vec_srl (vector unsigned short,
6015                               vector unsigned short);
6016vector unsigned short vec_srl (vector unsigned short,
6017                               vector unsigned char);
6018vector signed char vec_srl (vector signed char, vector unsigned int);
6019vector signed char vec_srl (vector signed char, vector unsigned short);
6020vector signed char vec_srl (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6021vector unsigned char vec_srl (vector unsigned char,
6022                              vector unsigned int);
6023vector unsigned char vec_srl (vector unsigned char,
6024                              vector unsigned short);
6025vector unsigned char vec_srl (vector unsigned char,
6026                              vector unsigned char);
6027
6028vector float vec_sro (vector float, vector signed char);
6029vector float vec_sro (vector float, vector unsigned char);
6030vector signed int vec_sro (vector signed int, vector signed char);
6031vector signed int vec_sro (vector signed int, vector unsigned char);
6032vector unsigned int vec_sro (vector unsigned int, vector signed char);
6033vector unsigned int vec_sro (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned char);
6034
6035vector signed short vec_sro (vector signed short, vector signed char);
6036vector signed short vec_sro (vector signed short, vector unsigned char);
6037
6038vector unsigned short vec_sro (vector unsigned short,
6039                               vector signed char);
6040vector unsigned short vec_sro (vector unsigned short,
6041                               vector unsigned char);
6042vector signed char vec_sro (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6043vector signed char vec_sro (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6044vector unsigned char vec_sro (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6045
6046vector unsigned char vec_sro (vector unsigned char,
6047                              vector unsigned char);
6048
6049void vec_st (vector float, int, float *);
6050void vec_st (vector float, int, vector float *);
6051void vec_st (vector signed int, int, int *);
6052void vec_st (vector signed int, int, unsigned int *);
6053void vec_st (vector unsigned int, int, unsigned int *);
6054void vec_st (vector unsigned int, int, vector unsigned int *);
6055void vec_st (vector signed short, int, short *);
6056void vec_st (vector signed short, int, vector unsigned short *);
6057void vec_st (vector signed short, int, vector signed short *);
6058void vec_st (vector unsigned short, int, unsigned short *);
6059void vec_st (vector unsigned short, int, vector unsigned short *);
6060void vec_st (vector signed char, int, signed char *);
6061void vec_st (vector signed char, int, unsigned char *);
6062void vec_st (vector signed char, int, vector signed char *);
6063void vec_st (vector unsigned char, int, unsigned char *);
6064void vec_st (vector unsigned char, int, vector unsigned char *);
6065
6066void vec_ste (vector signed char, int, unsigned char *);
6067void vec_ste (vector signed char, int, signed char *);
6068void vec_ste (vector unsigned char, int, unsigned char *);
6069void vec_ste (vector signed short, int, short *);
6070void vec_ste (vector signed short, int, unsigned short *);
6071void vec_ste (vector unsigned short, int, void *);
6072void vec_ste (vector signed int, int, unsigned int *);
6073void vec_ste (vector signed int, int, int *);
6074void vec_ste (vector unsigned int, int, unsigned int *);
6075void vec_ste (vector float, int, float *);
6076
6077void vec_stl (vector float, int, vector float *);
6078void vec_stl (vector float, int, float *);
6079void vec_stl (vector signed int, int, vector signed int *);
6080void vec_stl (vector signed int, int, int *);
6081void vec_stl (vector signed int, int, unsigned int *);
6082void vec_stl (vector unsigned int, int, vector unsigned int *);
6083void vec_stl (vector unsigned int, int, unsigned int *);
6084void vec_stl (vector signed short, int, short *);
6085void vec_stl (vector signed short, int, unsigned short *);
6086void vec_stl (vector signed short, int, vector signed short *);
6087void vec_stl (vector unsigned short, int, unsigned short *);
6088void vec_stl (vector unsigned short, int, vector signed short *);
6089void vec_stl (vector signed char, int, signed char *);
6090void vec_stl (vector signed char, int, unsigned char *);
6091void vec_stl (vector signed char, int, vector signed char *);
6092void vec_stl (vector unsigned char, int, unsigned char *);
6093void vec_stl (vector unsigned char, int, vector unsigned char *);
6094
6095vector signed char vec_sub (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6096vector unsigned char vec_sub (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6097
6098vector unsigned char vec_sub (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6099
6100vector unsigned char vec_sub (vector unsigned char,
6101                              vector unsigned char);
6102vector signed short vec_sub (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6103vector unsigned short vec_sub (vector signed short,
6104                               vector unsigned short);
6105vector unsigned short vec_sub (vector unsigned short,
6106                               vector signed short);
6107vector unsigned short vec_sub (vector unsigned short,
6108                               vector unsigned short);
6109vector signed int vec_sub (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6110vector unsigned int vec_sub (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6111vector unsigned int vec_sub (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6112vector unsigned int vec_sub (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6113vector float vec_sub (vector float, vector float);
6114
6115vector unsigned int vec_subc (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6116
6117vector unsigned char vec_subs (vector signed char,
6118                               vector unsigned char);
6119vector unsigned char vec_subs (vector unsigned char,
6120                               vector signed char);
6121vector unsigned char vec_subs (vector unsigned char,
6122                               vector unsigned char);
6123vector signed char vec_subs (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6124vector unsigned short vec_subs (vector signed short,
6125                                vector unsigned short);
6126vector unsigned short vec_subs (vector unsigned short,
6127                                vector signed short);
6128vector unsigned short vec_subs (vector unsigned short,
6129                                vector unsigned short);
6130vector signed short vec_subs (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6131
6132vector unsigned int vec_subs (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6133vector unsigned int vec_subs (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6134vector unsigned int vec_subs (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6135
6136vector signed int vec_subs (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6137
6138vector unsigned int vec_sum4s (vector unsigned char,
6139                               vector unsigned int);
6140vector signed int vec_sum4s (vector signed char, vector signed int);
6141vector signed int vec_sum4s (vector signed short, vector signed int);
6142
6143vector signed int vec_sum2s (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6144
6145vector signed int vec_sums (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6146
6147vector float vec_trunc (vector float);
6148
6149vector signed short vec_unpackh (vector signed char);
6150vector unsigned int vec_unpackh (vector signed short);
6151vector signed int vec_unpackh (vector signed short);
6152
6153vector signed short vec_unpackl (vector signed char);
6154vector unsigned int vec_unpackl (vector signed short);
6155vector signed int vec_unpackl (vector signed short);
6156
6157vector float vec_xor (vector float, vector float);
6158vector float vec_xor (vector float, vector signed int);
6159vector float vec_xor (vector signed int, vector float);
6160vector signed int vec_xor (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6161vector unsigned int vec_xor (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6162vector unsigned int vec_xor (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6163vector unsigned int vec_xor (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6164vector signed short vec_xor (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6165vector unsigned short vec_xor (vector signed short,
6166                               vector unsigned short);
6167vector unsigned short vec_xor (vector unsigned short,
6168                               vector signed short);
6169vector unsigned short vec_xor (vector unsigned short,
6170                               vector unsigned short);
6171vector signed char vec_xor (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6172vector unsigned char vec_xor (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6173
6174vector unsigned char vec_xor (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6175
6176vector unsigned char vec_xor (vector unsigned char,
6177                              vector unsigned char);
6178
6179vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6180
6181vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6182vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6183
6184vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector unsigned char,
6185                              vector unsigned char);
6186vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector signed short,
6187                              vector unsigned short);
6188vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6189
6190vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector unsigned short,
6191                              vector signed short);
6192vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector unsigned short,
6193                              vector unsigned short);
6194vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6195vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6196vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6197vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6198
6199vector signed int vec_all_eq (vector float, vector float);
6200
6201vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6202
6203vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6204
6205vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector unsigned char,
6206                              vector unsigned char);
6207vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6208vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector signed short,
6209                              vector unsigned short);
6210vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector unsigned short,
6211                              vector signed short);
6212vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector unsigned short,
6213                              vector unsigned short);
6214vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6215
6216vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6217vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6218vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6219
6220vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6221vector signed int vec_all_ge (vector float, vector float);
6222
6223vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6224
6225vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6226
6227vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector unsigned char,
6228                              vector unsigned char);
6229vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6230vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector signed short,
6231                              vector unsigned short);
6232vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector unsigned short,
6233                              vector signed short);
6234vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector unsigned short,
6235                              vector unsigned short);
6236vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6237
6238vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6239vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6240vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6241
6242vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6243vector signed int vec_all_gt (vector float, vector float);
6244
6245vector signed int vec_all_in (vector float, vector float);
6246
6247vector signed int vec_all_le (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6248
6249vector signed int vec_all_le (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6250
6251vector signed int vec_all_le (vector unsigned char,
6252                              vector unsigned char);
6253vector signed int vec_all_le (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6254vector signed int vec_all_le (vector signed short,
6255                              vector unsigned short);
6256vector signed int vec_all_le (vector unsigned short,
6257                              vector signed short);
6258vector signed int vec_all_le (vector unsigned short,
6259                              vector unsigned short);
6260vector signed int vec_all_le (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6261
6262vector signed int vec_all_le (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6263vector signed int vec_all_le (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6264vector signed int vec_all_le (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6265
6266vector signed int vec_all_le (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6267vector signed int vec_all_le (vector float, vector float);
6268
6269vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6270
6271vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6272
6273vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector unsigned char,
6274                              vector unsigned char);
6275vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6276vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector signed short,
6277                              vector unsigned short);
6278vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector unsigned short,
6279                              vector signed short);
6280vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector unsigned short,
6281                              vector unsigned short);
6282vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6283
6284vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6285vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6286vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6287
6288vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6289vector signed int vec_all_lt (vector float, vector float);
6290
6291vector signed int vec_all_nan (vector float);
6292
6293vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6294
6295vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6296vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6297
6298vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector unsigned char,
6299                              vector unsigned char);
6300vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector signed short,
6301                              vector unsigned short);
6302vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6303
6304vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector unsigned short,
6305                              vector signed short);
6306vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector unsigned short,
6307                              vector unsigned short);
6308vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6309vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6310vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6311vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6312
6313vector signed int vec_all_ne (vector float, vector float);
6314
6315vector signed int vec_all_nge (vector float, vector float);
6316
6317vector signed int vec_all_ngt (vector float, vector float);
6318
6319vector signed int vec_all_nle (vector float, vector float);
6320
6321vector signed int vec_all_nlt (vector float, vector float);
6322
6323vector signed int vec_all_numeric (vector float);
6324
6325vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6326
6327vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6328vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6329
6330vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector unsigned char,
6331                              vector unsigned char);
6332vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector signed short,
6333                              vector unsigned short);
6334vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6335
6336vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector unsigned short,
6337                              vector signed short);
6338vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector unsigned short,
6339                              vector unsigned short);
6340vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6341vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6342vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6343vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6344
6345vector signed int vec_any_eq (vector float, vector float);
6346
6347vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6348
6349vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6350
6351vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector unsigned char,
6352                              vector unsigned char);
6353vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6354vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector signed short,
6355                              vector unsigned short);
6356vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector unsigned short,
6357                              vector signed short);
6358vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector unsigned short,
6359                              vector unsigned short);
6360vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6361
6362vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6363vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6364vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6365
6366vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6367vector signed int vec_any_ge (vector float, vector float);
6368
6369vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6370
6371vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6372
6373vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector unsigned char,
6374                              vector unsigned char);
6375vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6376vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector signed short,
6377                              vector unsigned short);
6378vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector unsigned short,
6379                              vector signed short);
6380vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector unsigned short,
6381                              vector unsigned short);
6382vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6383
6384vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6385vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6386vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6387
6388vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6389vector signed int vec_any_gt (vector float, vector float);
6390
6391vector signed int vec_any_le (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6392
6393vector signed int vec_any_le (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6394
6395vector signed int vec_any_le (vector unsigned char,
6396                              vector unsigned char);
6397vector signed int vec_any_le (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6398vector signed int vec_any_le (vector signed short,
6399                              vector unsigned short);
6400vector signed int vec_any_le (vector unsigned short,
6401                              vector signed short);
6402vector signed int vec_any_le (vector unsigned short,
6403                              vector unsigned short);
6404vector signed int vec_any_le (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6405
6406vector signed int vec_any_le (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6407vector signed int vec_any_le (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6408vector signed int vec_any_le (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6409
6410vector signed int vec_any_le (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6411vector signed int vec_any_le (vector float, vector float);
6412
6413vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6414
6415vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6416
6417vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector unsigned char,
6418                              vector unsigned char);
6419vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6420vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector signed short,
6421                              vector unsigned short);
6422vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector unsigned short,
6423                              vector signed short);
6424vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector unsigned short,
6425                              vector unsigned short);
6426vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6427
6428vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6429vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6430vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6431
6432vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6433vector signed int vec_any_lt (vector float, vector float);
6434
6435vector signed int vec_any_nan (vector float);
6436
6437vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector signed char, vector unsigned char);
6438
6439vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector signed char, vector signed char);
6440vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector unsigned char, vector signed char);
6441
6442vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector unsigned char,
6443                              vector unsigned char);
6444vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector signed short,
6445                              vector unsigned short);
6446vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector signed short, vector signed short);
6447
6448vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector unsigned short,
6449                              vector signed short);
6450vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector unsigned short,
6451                              vector unsigned short);
6452vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector signed int, vector unsigned int);
6453vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector signed int, vector signed int);
6454vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector unsigned int, vector signed int);
6455vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector unsigned int, vector unsigned int);
6456
6457vector signed int vec_any_ne (vector float, vector float);
6458
6459vector signed int vec_any_nge (vector float, vector float);
6460
6461vector signed int vec_any_ngt (vector float, vector float);
6462
6463vector signed int vec_any_nle (vector float, vector float);
6464
6465vector signed int vec_any_nlt (vector float, vector float);
6466
6467vector signed int vec_any_numeric (vector float);
6468
6469vector signed int vec_any_out (vector float, vector float);
6470@end smallexample
6471
6472@node Pragmas
6473@section Pragmas Accepted by GCC
6474@cindex pragmas
6475@cindex #pragma
6476
6477GCC supports several types of pragmas, primarily in order to compile
6478code originally written for other compilers.  Note that in general
6479we do not recommend the use of pragmas; @xref{Function Attributes},
6480for further explanation.
6481
6482@menu
6483* ARM Pragmas::
6484* RS/6000 and PowerPC Pragmas::
6485* Darwin Pragmas::
6486* Solaris Pragmas::
6487* Tru64 Pragmas::
6488@end menu
6489
6490@node ARM Pragmas
6491@subsection ARM Pragmas
6492
6493The ARM target defines pragmas for controlling the default addition of
6494@code{long_call} and @code{short_call} attributes to functions.
6495@xref{Function Attributes}, for information about the effects of these
6496attributes.
6497
6498@table @code
6499@item long_calls
6500@cindex pragma, long_calls
6501Set all subsequent functions to have the @code{long_call} attribute.
6502
6503@item no_long_calls
6504@cindex pragma, no_long_calls
6505Set all subsequent functions to have the @code{short_call} attribute.
6506
6507@item long_calls_off
6508@cindex pragma, long_calls_off
6509Do not affect the @code{long_call} or @code{short_call} attributes of
6510subsequent functions.
6511@end table
6512
6513@node RS/6000 and PowerPC Pragmas
6514@subsection RS/6000 and PowerPC Pragmas
6515
6516The RS/6000 and PowerPC targets define one pragma for controlling
6517whether or not the @code{longcall} attribute is added to function
6518declarations by default.  This pragma overrides the @option{-mlongcall}
6519option, but not the @code{longcall} and @code{shortcall} attributes.
6520@xref{RS/6000 and PowerPC Options}, for more information about when long
6521calls are and are not necessary.
6522
6523@table @code
6524@item longcall (1)
6525@cindex pragma, longcall
6526Apply the @code{longcall} attribute to all subsequent function
6527declarations.
6528
6529@item longcall (0)
6530Do not apply the @code{longcall} attribute to subsequent function
6531declarations.
6532@end table
6533
6534@c Describe c4x pragmas here.
6535@c Describe h8300 pragmas here.
6536@c Describe i370 pragmas here.
6537@c Describe i960 pragmas here.
6538@c Describe sh pragmas here.
6539@c Describe v850 pragmas here.
6540
6541@node Darwin Pragmas
6542@subsection Darwin Pragmas
6543
6544The following pragmas are available for all architectures running the
6545Darwin operating system.  These are useful for compatibility with other
6546Mac OS compilers.
6547
6548@table @code
6549@item mark @var{tokens}@dots{}
6550@cindex pragma, mark
6551This pragma is accepted, but has no effect.
6552
6553@item options align=@var{alignment}
6554@cindex pragma, options align
6555This pragma sets the alignment of fields in structures.  The values of
6556@var{alignment} may be @code{mac68k}, to emulate m68k alignment, or
6557@code{power}, to emulate PowerPC alignment.  Uses of this pragma nest
6558properly; to restore the previous setting, use @code{reset} for the
6559@var{alignment}.
6560
6561@item segment @var{tokens}@dots{}
6562@cindex pragma, segment
6563This pragma is accepted, but has no effect.
6564
6565@item unused (@var{var} [, @var{var}]@dots{})
6566@cindex pragma, unused
6567This pragma declares variables to be possibly unused.  GCC will not
6568produce warnings for the listed variables.  The effect is similar to
6569that of the @code{unused} attribute, except that this pragma may appear
6570anywhere within the variables' scopes.
6571@end table
6572
6573@node Solaris Pragmas
6574@subsection Solaris Pragmas
6575
6576For compatibility with the SunPRO compiler, the following pragma
6577is supported.
6578
6579@table @code
6580@item redefine_extname @var{oldname} @var{newname}
6581@cindex pragma, redefine_extname
6582
6583This pragma gives the C function @var{oldname} the assembler label
6584@var{newname}.  The pragma must appear before the function declaration.
6585This pragma is equivalent to the asm labels extension (@pxref{Asm
6586Labels}).  The preprocessor defines @code{__PRAGMA_REDEFINE_EXTNAME}
6587if the pragma is available.
6588@end table
6589
6590@node Tru64 Pragmas
6591@subsection Tru64 Pragmas
6592
6593For compatibility with the Compaq C compiler, the following pragma
6594is supported.
6595
6596@table @code
6597@item extern_prefix @var{string}
6598@cindex pragma, extern_prefix
6599
6600This pragma renames all subsequent function and variable declarations
6601such that @var{string} is prepended to the name.  This effect may be
6602terminated by using another @code{extern_prefix} pragma with the
6603empty string.
6604
6605This pragma is similar in intent to to the asm labels extension
6606(@pxref{Asm Labels}) in that the system programmer wants to change
6607the assembly-level ABI without changing the source-level API.  The
6608preprocessor defines @code{__PRAGMA_EXTERN_PREFIX} if the pragma is
6609available.
6610@end table
6611
6612@node Unnamed Fields
6613@section Unnamed struct/union fields within structs/unions.
6614@cindex struct
6615@cindex union
6616
6617For compatibility with other compilers, GCC allows you to define
6618a structure or union that contains, as fields, structures and unions
6619without names.  For example:
6620
6621@example
6622struct @{
6623  int a;
6624  union @{
6625    int b;
6626    float c;
6627  @};
6628  int d;
6629@} foo;
6630@end example
6631
6632In this example, the user would be able to access members of the unnamed
6633union with code like @samp{foo.b}.  Note that only unnamed structs and
6634unions are allowed, you may not have, for example, an unnamed
6635@code{int}.
6636
6637You must never create such structures that cause ambiguous field definitions.
6638For example, this structure:
6639
6640@example
6641struct @{
6642  int a;
6643  struct @{
6644    int a;
6645  @};
6646@} foo;
6647@end example
6648
6649It is ambiguous which @code{a} is being referred to with @samp{foo.a}.
6650Such constructs are not supported and must be avoided.  In the future,
6651such constructs may be detected and treated as compilation errors.
6652
6653@node Thread-Local
6654@section Thread-Local Storage
6655@cindex Thread-Local Storage
6656@cindex @acronym{TLS}
6657@cindex __thread
6658
6659Thread-local storage (@acronym{TLS}) is a mechanism by which variables
6660are allocated such that there is one instance of the variable per extant
6661thread.  The run-time model GCC uses to implement this originates
6662in the IA-64 processor-specific ABI, but has since been migrated
6663to other processors as well.  It requires significant support from
6664the linker (@command{ld}), dynamic linker (@command{ld.so}), and
6665system libraries (@file{libc.so} and @file{libpthread.so}), so it
6666is not available everywhere.
6667
6668At the user level, the extension is visible with a new storage
6669class keyword: @code{__thread}.  For example:
6670
6671@example
6672__thread int i;
6673extern __thread struct state s;
6674static __thread char *p;
6675@end example
6676
6677The @code{__thread} specifier may be used alone, with the @code{extern}
6678or @code{static} specifiers, but with no other storage class specifier.
6679When used with @code{extern} or @code{static}, @code{__thread} must appear
6680immediately after the other storage class specifier.
6681
6682The @code{__thread} specifier may be applied to any global, file-scoped
6683static, function-scoped static, or static data member of a class.  It may
6684not be applied to block-scoped automatic or non-static data member.
6685
6686When the address-of operator is applied to a thread-local variable, it is
6687evaluated at run-time and returns the address of the current thread's
6688instance of that variable.  An address so obtained may be used by any
6689thread.  When a thread terminates, any pointers to thread-local variables
6690in that thread become invalid.
6691
6692No static initialization may refer to the address of a thread-local variable.
6693
6694In C++, if an initializer is present for a thread-local variable, it must
6695be a @var{constant-expression}, as defined in 5.19.2 of the ANSI/ISO C++
6696standard.
6697
6698See @uref{http://people.redhat.com/drepper/tls.pdf,
6699ELF Handling For Thread-Local Storage} for a detailed explanation of
6700the four thread-local storage addressing models, and how the run-time
6701is expected to function.
6702
6703@menu
6704* C99 Thread-Local Edits::
6705* C++98 Thread-Local Edits::
6706@end menu
6707
6708@node C99 Thread-Local Edits
6709@subsection ISO/IEC 9899:1999 Edits for Thread-Local Storage
6710
6711The following are a set of changes to ISO/IEC 9899:1999 (aka C99)
6712that document the exact semantics of the language extension.
6713
6714@itemize @bullet
6715@item
6716@cite{5.1.2  Execution environments}
6717
6718Add new text after paragraph 1
6719
6720@quotation
6721Within either execution environment, a @dfn{thread} is a flow of
6722control within a program.  It is implementation defined whether
6723or not there may be more than one thread associated with a program.
6724It is implementation defined how threads beyond the first are
6725created, the name and type of the function called at thread
6726startup, and how threads may be terminated.  However, objects
6727with thread storage duration shall be initialized before thread
6728startup.
6729@end quotation
6730
6731@item
6732@cite{6.2.4  Storage durations of objects}
6733
6734Add new text before paragraph 3
6735
6736@quotation
6737An object whose identifier is declared with the storage-class
6738specifier @w{@code{__thread}} has @dfn{thread storage duration}.
6739Its lifetime is the entire execution of the thread, and its
6740stored value is initialized only once, prior to thread startup.
6741@end quotation
6742
6743@item
6744@cite{6.4.1  Keywords}
6745
6746Add @code{__thread}.
6747
6748@item
6749@cite{6.7.1  Storage-class specifiers}
6750
6751Add @code{__thread} to the list of storage class specifiers in
6752paragraph 1.
6753
6754Change paragraph 2 to
6755
6756@quotation
6757With the exception of @code{__thread}, at most one storage-class
6758specifier may be given [@dots{}].  The @code{__thread} specifier may
6759be used alone, or immediately following @code{extern} or
6760@code{static}.
6761@end quotation
6762
6763Add new text after paragraph 6
6764
6765@quotation
6766The declaration of an identifier for a variable that has
6767block scope that specifies @code{__thread} shall also
6768specify either @code{extern} or @code{static}.
6769
6770The @code{__thread} specifier shall be used only with
6771variables.
6772@end quotation
6773@end itemize
6774
6775@node C++98 Thread-Local Edits
6776@subsection ISO/IEC 14882:1998 Edits for Thread-Local Storage
6777
6778The following are a set of changes to ISO/IEC 14882:1998 (aka C++98)
6779that document the exact semantics of the language extension.
6780
6781@itemize @bullet
6782@item
6783@b{[intro.execution]}
6784
6785New text after paragraph 4
6786
6787@quotation
6788A @dfn{thread} is a flow of control within the abstract machine.
6789It is implementation defined whether or not there may be more than
6790one thread.
6791@end quotation
6792
6793New text after paragraph 7
6794
6795@quotation
6796It is unspecified whether additional action must be taken to
6797ensure when and whether side effects are visible to other threads.
6798@end quotation
6799
6800@item
6801@b{[lex.key]}
6802
6803Add @code{__thread}.
6804
6805@item
6806@b{[basic.start.main]}
6807
6808Add after paragraph 5
6809
6810@quotation
6811The thread that begins execution at the @code{main} function is called
6812the @dfn{main thread}.  It is implementation defined how functions
6813beginning threads other than the main thread are designated or typed.
6814A function so designated, as well as the @code{main} function, is called
6815a @dfn{thread startup function}.  It is implementation defined what
6816happens if a thread startup function returns.  It is implementation
6817defined what happens to other threads when any thread calls @code{exit}.
6818@end quotation
6819
6820@item
6821@b{[basic.start.init]}
6822
6823Add after paragraph 4
6824
6825@quotation
6826The storage for an object of thread storage duration shall be
6827statically initialized before the first statement of the thread startup
6828function.  An object of thread storage duration shall not require
6829dynamic initialization.
6830@end quotation
6831
6832@item
6833@b{[basic.start.term]}
6834
6835Add after paragraph 3
6836
6837@quotation
6838The type of an object with thread storage duration shall not have a
6839non-trivial destructor, nor shall it be an array type whose elements
6840(directly or indirectly) have non-trivial destructors.
6841@end quotation
6842
6843@item
6844@b{[basic.stc]}
6845
6846Add ``thread storage duration'' to the list in paragraph 1.
6847
6848Change paragraph 2
6849
6850@quotation
6851Thread, static, and automatic storage durations are associated with
6852objects introduced by declarations [@dots{}].
6853@end quotation
6854
6855Add @code{__thread} to the list of specifiers in paragraph 3.
6856
6857@item
6858@b{[basic.stc.thread]}
6859
6860New section before @b{[basic.stc.static]}
6861
6862@quotation
6863The keyword @code{__thread} applied to a non-local object gives the
6864object thread storage duration.
6865
6866A local variable or class data member declared both @code{static}
6867and @code{__thread} gives the variable or member thread storage
6868duration.
6869@end quotation
6870
6871@item
6872@b{[basic.stc.static]}
6873
6874Change paragraph 1
6875
6876@quotation
6877All objects which have neither thread storage duration, dynamic
6878storage duration nor are local [@dots{}].
6879@end quotation
6880
6881@item
6882@b{[dcl.stc]}
6883
6884Add @code{__thread} to the list in paragraph 1.
6885
6886Change paragraph 1
6887
6888@quotation
6889With the exception of @code{__thread}, at most one
6890@var{storage-class-specifier} shall appear in a given
6891@var{decl-specifier-seq}.  The @code{__thread} specifier may
6892be used alone, or immediately following the @code{extern} or
6893@code{static} specifiers.  [@dots{}]
6894@end quotation
6895
6896Add after paragraph 5
6897
6898@quotation
6899The @code{__thread} specifier can be applied only to the names of objects
6900and to anonymous unions.
6901@end quotation
6902
6903@item
6904@b{[class.mem]}
6905
6906Add after paragraph 6
6907
6908@quotation
6909Non-@code{static} members shall not be @code{__thread}.
6910@end quotation
6911@end itemize
6912
6913@node C++ Extensions
6914@chapter Extensions to the C++ Language
6915@cindex extensions, C++ language
6916@cindex C++ language extensions
6917
6918The GNU compiler provides these extensions to the C++ language (and you
6919can also use most of the C language extensions in your C++ programs).  If you
6920want to write code that checks whether these features are available, you can
6921test for the GNU compiler the same way as for C programs: check for a
6922predefined macro @code{__GNUC__}.  You can also use @code{__GNUG__} to
6923test specifically for GNU C++ (@pxref{Common Predefined Macros,,
6924Predefined Macros,cpp,The GNU C Preprocessor}).
6925
6926@menu
6927* Min and Max::		C++ Minimum and maximum operators.
6928* Volatiles::		What constitutes an access to a volatile object.
6929* Restricted Pointers:: C99 restricted pointers and references.
6930* Vague Linkage::       Where G++ puts inlines, vtables and such.
6931* C++ Interface::       You can use a single C++ header file for both
6932                        declarations and definitions.
6933* Template Instantiation:: Methods for ensuring that exactly one copy of
6934                        each needed template instantiation is emitted.
6935* Bound member functions:: You can extract a function pointer to the
6936                        method denoted by a @samp{->*} or @samp{.*} expression.
6937* C++ Attributes::      Variable, function, and type attributes for C++ only.
6938* Java Exceptions::     Tweaking exception handling to work with Java.
6939* Deprecated Features:: Things might disappear from g++.
6940* Backwards Compatibility:: Compatibilities with earlier definitions of C++.
6941@end menu
6942
6943@node Min and Max
6944@section Minimum and Maximum Operators in C++
6945
6946It is very convenient to have operators which return the ``minimum'' or the
6947``maximum'' of two arguments.  In GNU C++ (but not in GNU C),
6948
6949@table @code
6950@item @var{a} <? @var{b}
6951@findex <?
6952@cindex minimum operator
6953is the @dfn{minimum}, returning the smaller of the numeric values
6954@var{a} and @var{b};
6955
6956@item @var{a} >? @var{b}
6957@findex >?
6958@cindex maximum operator
6959is the @dfn{maximum}, returning the larger of the numeric values @var{a}
6960and @var{b}.
6961@end table
6962
6963These operations are not primitive in ordinary C++, since you can
6964use a macro to return the minimum of two things in C++, as in the
6965following example.
6966
6967@example
6968#define MIN(X,Y) ((X) < (Y) ? : (X) : (Y))
6969@end example
6970
6971@noindent
6972You might then use @w{@samp{int min = MIN (i, j);}} to set @var{min} to
6973the minimum value of variables @var{i} and @var{j}.
6974
6975However, side effects in @code{X} or @code{Y} may cause unintended
6976behavior.  For example, @code{MIN (i++, j++)} will fail, incrementing
6977the smaller counter twice.  The GNU C @code{typeof} extension allows you
6978to write safe macros that avoid this kind of problem (@pxref{Typeof}).
6979However, writing @code{MIN} and @code{MAX} as macros also forces you to
6980use function-call notation for a fundamental arithmetic operation.
6981Using GNU C++ extensions, you can write @w{@samp{int min = i <? j;}}
6982instead.
6983
6984Since @code{<?} and @code{>?} are built into the compiler, they properly
6985handle expressions with side-effects;  @w{@samp{int min = i++ <? j++;}}
6986works correctly.
6987
6988@node Volatiles
6989@section When is a Volatile Object Accessed?
6990@cindex accessing volatiles
6991@cindex volatile read
6992@cindex volatile write
6993@cindex volatile access
6994
6995Both the C and C++ standard have the concept of volatile objects.  These
6996are normally accessed by pointers and used for accessing hardware.  The
6997standards encourage compilers to refrain from optimizations
6998concerning accesses to volatile objects that it might perform on
6999non-volatile objects.  The C standard leaves it implementation defined
7000as to what constitutes a volatile access.  The C++ standard omits to
7001specify this, except to say that C++ should behave in a similar manner
7002to C with respect to volatiles, where possible.  The minimum either
7003standard specifies is that at a sequence point all previous accesses to
7004volatile objects have stabilized and no subsequent accesses have
7005occurred.  Thus an implementation is free to reorder and combine
7006volatile accesses which occur between sequence points, but cannot do so
7007for accesses across a sequence point.  The use of volatiles does not
7008allow you to violate the restriction on updating objects multiple times
7009within a sequence point.
7010
7011In most expressions, it is intuitively obvious what is a read and what is
7012a write.  For instance
7013
7014@example
7015volatile int *dst = @var{somevalue};
7016volatile int *src = @var{someothervalue};
7017*dst = *src;
7018@end example
7019
7020@noindent
7021will cause a read of the volatile object pointed to by @var{src} and stores the
7022value into the volatile object pointed to by @var{dst}.  There is no
7023guarantee that these reads and writes are atomic, especially for objects
7024larger than @code{int}.
7025
7026Less obvious expressions are where something which looks like an access
7027is used in a void context.  An example would be,
7028
7029@example
7030volatile int *src = @var{somevalue};
7031*src;
7032@end example
7033
7034With C, such expressions are rvalues, and as rvalues cause a read of
7035the object, GCC interprets this as a read of the volatile being pointed
7036to.  The C++ standard specifies that such expressions do not undergo
7037lvalue to rvalue conversion, and that the type of the dereferenced
7038object may be incomplete.  The C++ standard does not specify explicitly
7039that it is this lvalue to rvalue conversion which is responsible for
7040causing an access.  However, there is reason to believe that it is,
7041because otherwise certain simple expressions become undefined.  However,
7042because it would surprise most programmers, G++ treats dereferencing a
7043pointer to volatile object of complete type in a void context as a read
7044of the object.  When the object has incomplete type, G++ issues a
7045warning.
7046
7047@example
7048struct S;
7049struct T @{int m;@};
7050volatile S *ptr1 = @var{somevalue};
7051volatile T *ptr2 = @var{somevalue};
7052*ptr1;
7053*ptr2;
7054@end example
7055
7056In this example, a warning is issued for @code{*ptr1}, and @code{*ptr2}
7057causes a read of the object pointed to.  If you wish to force an error on
7058the first case, you must force a conversion to rvalue with, for instance
7059a static cast, @code{static_cast<S>(*ptr1)}.
7060
7061When using a reference to volatile, G++ does not treat equivalent
7062expressions as accesses to volatiles, but instead issues a warning that
7063no volatile is accessed.  The rationale for this is that otherwise it
7064becomes difficult to determine where volatile access occur, and not
7065possible to ignore the return value from functions returning volatile
7066references.  Again, if you wish to force a read, cast the reference to
7067an rvalue.
7068
7069@node Restricted Pointers
7070@section Restricting Pointer Aliasing
7071@cindex restricted pointers
7072@cindex restricted references
7073@cindex restricted this pointer
7074
7075As with gcc, g++ understands the C99 feature of restricted pointers,
7076specified with the @code{__restrict__}, or @code{__restrict} type
7077qualifier.  Because you cannot compile C++ by specifying the @option{-std=c99}
7078language flag, @code{restrict} is not a keyword in C++.
7079
7080In addition to allowing restricted pointers, you can specify restricted
7081references, which indicate that the reference is not aliased in the local
7082context.
7083
7084@example
7085void fn (int *__restrict__ rptr, int &__restrict__ rref)
7086@{
7087  /* @r{@dots{}} */
7088@}
7089@end example
7090
7091@noindent
7092In the body of @code{fn}, @var{rptr} points to an unaliased integer and
7093@var{rref} refers to a (different) unaliased integer.
7094
7095You may also specify whether a member function's @var{this} pointer is
7096unaliased by using @code{__restrict__} as a member function qualifier.
7097
7098@example
7099void T::fn () __restrict__
7100@{
7101  /* @r{@dots{}} */
7102@}
7103@end example
7104
7105@noindent
7106Within the body of @code{T::fn}, @var{this} will have the effective
7107definition @code{T *__restrict__ const this}.  Notice that the
7108interpretation of a @code{__restrict__} member function qualifier is
7109different to that of @code{const} or @code{volatile} qualifier, in that it
7110is applied to the pointer rather than the object.  This is consistent with
7111other compilers which implement restricted pointers.
7112
7113As with all outermost parameter qualifiers, @code{__restrict__} is
7114ignored in function definition matching.  This means you only need to
7115specify @code{__restrict__} in a function definition, rather than
7116in a function prototype as well.
7117
7118@node Vague Linkage
7119@section Vague Linkage
7120@cindex vague linkage
7121
7122There are several constructs in C++ which require space in the object
7123file but are not clearly tied to a single translation unit.  We say that
7124these constructs have ``vague linkage''.  Typically such constructs are
7125emitted wherever they are needed, though sometimes we can be more
7126clever.
7127
7128@table @asis
7129@item Inline Functions
7130Inline functions are typically defined in a header file which can be
7131included in many different compilations.  Hopefully they can usually be
7132inlined, but sometimes an out-of-line copy is necessary, if the address
7133of the function is taken or if inlining fails.  In general, we emit an
7134out-of-line copy in all translation units where one is needed.  As an
7135exception, we only emit inline virtual functions with the vtable, since
7136it will always require a copy.
7137
7138Local static variables and string constants used in an inline function
7139are also considered to have vague linkage, since they must be shared
7140between all inlined and out-of-line instances of the function.
7141
7142@item VTables
7143@cindex vtable
7144C++ virtual functions are implemented in most compilers using a lookup
7145table, known as a vtable.  The vtable contains pointers to the virtual
7146functions provided by a class, and each object of the class contains a
7147pointer to its vtable (or vtables, in some multiple-inheritance
7148situations).  If the class declares any non-inline, non-pure virtual
7149functions, the first one is chosen as the ``key method'' for the class,
7150and the vtable is only emitted in the translation unit where the key
7151method is defined.
7152
7153@emph{Note:} If the chosen key method is later defined as inline, the
7154vtable will still be emitted in every translation unit which defines it.
7155Make sure that any inline virtuals are declared inline in the class
7156body, even if they are not defined there.
7157
7158@item type_info objects
7159@cindex type_info
7160@cindex RTTI
7161C++ requires information about types to be written out in order to
7162implement @samp{dynamic_cast}, @samp{typeid} and exception handling.
7163For polymorphic classes (classes with virtual functions), the type_info
7164object is written out along with the vtable so that @samp{dynamic_cast}
7165can determine the dynamic type of a class object at runtime.  For all
7166other types, we write out the type_info object when it is used: when
7167applying @samp{typeid} to an expression, throwing an object, or
7168referring to a type in a catch clause or exception specification.
7169
7170@item Template Instantiations
7171Most everything in this section also applies to template instantiations,
7172but there are other options as well.
7173@xref{Template Instantiation,,Where's the Template?}.
7174
7175@end table
7176
7177When used with GNU ld version 2.8 or later on an ELF system such as
7178Linux/GNU or Solaris 2, or on Microsoft Windows, duplicate copies of
7179these constructs will be discarded at link time.  This is known as
7180COMDAT support.
7181
7182On targets that don't support COMDAT, but do support weak symbols, GCC
7183will use them.  This way one copy will override all the others, but
7184the unused copies will still take up space in the executable.
7185
7186For targets which do not support either COMDAT or weak symbols,
7187most entities with vague linkage will be emitted as local symbols to
7188avoid duplicate definition errors from the linker.  This will not happen
7189for local statics in inlines, however, as having multiple copies will
7190almost certainly break things.
7191
7192@xref{C++ Interface,,Declarations and Definitions in One Header}, for
7193another way to control placement of these constructs.
7194
7195@node C++ Interface
7196@section Declarations and Definitions in One Header
7197
7198@cindex interface and implementation headers, C++
7199@cindex C++ interface and implementation headers
7200C++ object definitions can be quite complex.  In principle, your source
7201code will need two kinds of things for each object that you use across
7202more than one source file.  First, you need an @dfn{interface}
7203specification, describing its structure with type declarations and
7204function prototypes.  Second, you need the @dfn{implementation} itself.
7205It can be tedious to maintain a separate interface description in a
7206header file, in parallel to the actual implementation.  It is also
7207dangerous, since separate interface and implementation definitions may
7208not remain parallel.
7209
7210@cindex pragmas, interface and implementation
7211With GNU C++, you can use a single header file for both purposes.
7212
7213@quotation
7214@emph{Warning:} The mechanism to specify this is in transition.  For the
7215nonce, you must use one of two @code{#pragma} commands; in a future
7216release of GNU C++, an alternative mechanism will make these
7217@code{#pragma} commands unnecessary.
7218@end quotation
7219
7220The header file contains the full definitions, but is marked with
7221@samp{#pragma interface} in the source code.  This allows the compiler
7222to use the header file only as an interface specification when ordinary
7223source files incorporate it with @code{#include}.  In the single source
7224file where the full implementation belongs, you can use either a naming
7225convention or @samp{#pragma implementation} to indicate this alternate
7226use of the header file.
7227
7228@table @code
7229@item #pragma interface
7230@itemx #pragma interface "@var{subdir}/@var{objects}.h"
7231@kindex #pragma interface
7232Use this directive in @emph{header files} that define object classes, to save
7233space in most of the object files that use those classes.  Normally,
7234local copies of certain information (backup copies of inline member
7235functions, debugging information, and the internal tables that implement
7236virtual functions) must be kept in each object file that includes class
7237definitions.  You can use this pragma to avoid such duplication.  When a
7238header file containing @samp{#pragma interface} is included in a
7239compilation, this auxiliary information will not be generated (unless
7240the main input source file itself uses @samp{#pragma implementation}).
7241Instead, the object files will contain references to be resolved at link
7242time.
7243
7244The second form of this directive is useful for the case where you have
7245multiple headers with the same name in different directories.  If you
7246use this form, you must specify the same string to @samp{#pragma
7247implementation}.
7248
7249@item #pragma implementation
7250@itemx #pragma implementation "@var{objects}.h"
7251@kindex #pragma implementation
7252Use this pragma in a @emph{main input file}, when you want full output from
7253included header files to be generated (and made globally visible).  The
7254included header file, in turn, should use @samp{#pragma interface}.
7255Backup copies of inline member functions, debugging information, and the
7256internal tables used to implement virtual functions are all generated in
7257implementation files.
7258
7259@cindex implied @code{#pragma implementation}
7260@cindex @code{#pragma implementation}, implied
7261@cindex naming convention, implementation headers
7262If you use @samp{#pragma implementation} with no argument, it applies to
7263an include file with the same basename@footnote{A file's @dfn{basename}
7264was the name stripped of all leading path information and of trailing
7265suffixes, such as @samp{.h} or @samp{.C} or @samp{.cc}.} as your source
7266file.  For example, in @file{allclass.cc}, giving just
7267@samp{#pragma implementation}
7268by itself is equivalent to @samp{#pragma implementation "allclass.h"}.
7269
7270In versions of GNU C++ prior to 2.6.0 @file{allclass.h} was treated as
7271an implementation file whenever you would include it from
7272@file{allclass.cc} even if you never specified @samp{#pragma
7273implementation}.  This was deemed to be more trouble than it was worth,
7274however, and disabled.
7275
7276If you use an explicit @samp{#pragma implementation}, it must appear in
7277your source file @emph{before} you include the affected header files.
7278
7279Use the string argument if you want a single implementation file to
7280include code from multiple header files.  (You must also use
7281@samp{#include} to include the header file; @samp{#pragma
7282implementation} only specifies how to use the file---it doesn't actually
7283include it.)
7284
7285There is no way to split up the contents of a single header file into
7286multiple implementation files.
7287@end table
7288
7289@cindex inlining and C++ pragmas
7290@cindex C++ pragmas, effect on inlining
7291@cindex pragmas in C++, effect on inlining
7292@samp{#pragma implementation} and @samp{#pragma interface} also have an
7293effect on function inlining.
7294
7295If you define a class in a header file marked with @samp{#pragma
7296interface}, the effect on a function defined in that class is similar to
7297an explicit @code{extern} declaration---the compiler emits no code at
7298all to define an independent version of the function.  Its definition
7299is used only for inlining with its callers.
7300
7301@opindex fno-implement-inlines
7302Conversely, when you include the same header file in a main source file
7303that declares it as @samp{#pragma implementation}, the compiler emits
7304code for the function itself; this defines a version of the function
7305that can be found via pointers (or by callers compiled without
7306inlining).  If all calls to the function can be inlined, you can avoid
7307emitting the function by compiling with @option{-fno-implement-inlines}.
7308If any calls were not inlined, you will get linker errors.
7309
7310@node Template Instantiation
7311@section Where's the Template?
7312@cindex template instantiation
7313
7314C++ templates are the first language feature to require more
7315intelligence from the environment than one usually finds on a UNIX
7316system.  Somehow the compiler and linker have to make sure that each
7317template instance occurs exactly once in the executable if it is needed,
7318and not at all otherwise.  There are two basic approaches to this
7319problem, which I will refer to as the Borland model and the Cfront model.
7320
7321@table @asis
7322@item Borland model
7323Borland C++ solved the template instantiation problem by adding the code
7324equivalent of common blocks to their linker; the compiler emits template
7325instances in each translation unit that uses them, and the linker
7326collapses them together.  The advantage of this model is that the linker
7327only has to consider the object files themselves; there is no external
7328complexity to worry about.  This disadvantage is that compilation time
7329is increased because the template code is being compiled repeatedly.
7330Code written for this model tends to include definitions of all
7331templates in the header file, since they must be seen to be
7332instantiated.
7333
7334@item Cfront model
7335The AT&T C++ translator, Cfront, solved the template instantiation
7336problem by creating the notion of a template repository, an
7337automatically maintained place where template instances are stored.  A
7338more modern version of the repository works as follows: As individual
7339object files are built, the compiler places any template definitions and
7340instantiations encountered in the repository.  At link time, the link
7341wrapper adds in the objects in the repository and compiles any needed
7342instances that were not previously emitted.  The advantages of this
7343model are more optimal compilation speed and the ability to use the
7344system linker; to implement the Borland model a compiler vendor also
7345needs to replace the linker.  The disadvantages are vastly increased
7346complexity, and thus potential for error; for some code this can be
7347just as transparent, but in practice it can been very difficult to build
7348multiple programs in one directory and one program in multiple
7349directories.  Code written for this model tends to separate definitions
7350of non-inline member templates into a separate file, which should be
7351compiled separately.
7352@end table
7353
7354When used with GNU ld version 2.8 or later on an ELF system such as
7355Linux/GNU or Solaris 2, or on Microsoft Windows, g++ supports the
7356Borland model.  On other systems, g++ implements neither automatic
7357model.
7358
7359A future version of g++ will support a hybrid model whereby the compiler
7360will emit any instantiations for which the template definition is
7361included in the compile, and store template definitions and
7362instantiation context information into the object file for the rest.
7363The link wrapper will extract that information as necessary and invoke
7364the compiler to produce the remaining instantiations.  The linker will
7365then combine duplicate instantiations.
7366
7367In the mean time, you have the following options for dealing with
7368template instantiations:
7369
7370@enumerate
7371@item
7372@opindex frepo
7373Compile your template-using code with @option{-frepo}.  The compiler will
7374generate files with the extension @samp{.rpo} listing all of the
7375template instantiations used in the corresponding object files which
7376could be instantiated there; the link wrapper, @samp{collect2}, will
7377then update the @samp{.rpo} files to tell the compiler where to place
7378those instantiations and rebuild any affected object files.  The
7379link-time overhead is negligible after the first pass, as the compiler
7380will continue to place the instantiations in the same files.
7381
7382This is your best option for application code written for the Borland
7383model, as it will just work.  Code written for the Cfront model will
7384need to be modified so that the template definitions are available at
7385one or more points of instantiation; usually this is as simple as adding
7386@code{#include <tmethods.cc>} to the end of each template header.
7387
7388For library code, if you want the library to provide all of the template
7389instantiations it needs, just try to link all of its object files
7390together; the link will fail, but cause the instantiations to be
7391generated as a side effect.  Be warned, however, that this may cause
7392conflicts if multiple libraries try to provide the same instantiations.
7393For greater control, use explicit instantiation as described in the next
7394option.
7395
7396@item
7397@opindex fno-implicit-templates
7398Compile your code with @option{-fno-implicit-templates} to disable the
7399implicit generation of template instances, and explicitly instantiate
7400all the ones you use.  This approach requires more knowledge of exactly
7401which instances you need than do the others, but it's less
7402mysterious and allows greater control.  You can scatter the explicit
7403instantiations throughout your program, perhaps putting them in the
7404translation units where the instances are used or the translation units
7405that define the templates themselves; you can put all of the explicit
7406instantiations you need into one big file; or you can create small files
7407like
7408
7409@example
7410#include "Foo.h"
7411#include "Foo.cc"
7412
7413template class Foo<int>;
7414template ostream& operator <<
7415                (ostream&, const Foo<int>&);
7416@end example
7417
7418for each of the instances you need, and create a template instantiation
7419library from those.
7420
7421If you are using Cfront-model code, you can probably get away with not
7422using @option{-fno-implicit-templates} when compiling files that don't
7423@samp{#include} the member template definitions.
7424
7425If you use one big file to do the instantiations, you may want to
7426compile it without @option{-fno-implicit-templates} so you get all of the
7427instances required by your explicit instantiations (but not by any
7428other files) without having to specify them as well.
7429
7430g++ has extended the template instantiation syntax given in the ISO
7431standard to allow forward declaration of explicit instantiations
7432(with @code{extern}), instantiation of the compiler support data for a
7433template class (i.e.@: the vtable) without instantiating any of its
7434members (with @code{inline}), and instantiation of only the static data
7435members of a template class, without the support data or member
7436functions (with (@code{static}):
7437
7438@example
7439extern template int max (int, int);
7440inline template class Foo<int>;
7441static template class Foo<int>;
7442@end example
7443
7444@item
7445Do nothing.  Pretend g++ does implement automatic instantiation
7446management.  Code written for the Borland model will work fine, but
7447each translation unit will contain instances of each of the templates it
7448uses.  In a large program, this can lead to an unacceptable amount of code
7449duplication.
7450
7451@xref{C++ Interface,,Declarations and Definitions in One Header}, for
7452more discussion of these pragmas.
7453@end enumerate
7454
7455@node Bound member functions
7456@section Extracting the function pointer from a bound pointer to member function
7457@cindex pmf
7458@cindex pointer to member function
7459@cindex bound pointer to member function
7460
7461In C++, pointer to member functions (PMFs) are implemented using a wide
7462pointer of sorts to handle all the possible call mechanisms; the PMF
7463needs to store information about how to adjust the @samp{this} pointer,
7464and if the function pointed to is virtual, where to find the vtable, and
7465where in the vtable to look for the member function.  If you are using
7466PMFs in an inner loop, you should really reconsider that decision.  If
7467that is not an option, you can extract the pointer to the function that
7468would be called for a given object/PMF pair and call it directly inside
7469the inner loop, to save a bit of time.
7470
7471Note that you will still be paying the penalty for the call through a
7472function pointer; on most modern architectures, such a call defeats the
7473branch prediction features of the CPU@.  This is also true of normal
7474virtual function calls.
7475
7476The syntax for this extension is
7477
7478@example
7479extern A a;
7480extern int (A::*fp)();
7481typedef int (*fptr)(A *);
7482
7483fptr p = (fptr)(a.*fp);
7484@end example
7485
7486For PMF constants (i.e.@: expressions of the form @samp{&Klasse::Member}),
7487no object is needed to obtain the address of the function.  They can be
7488converted to function pointers directly:
7489
7490@example
7491fptr p1 = (fptr)(&A::foo);
7492@end example
7493
7494@opindex Wno-pmf-conversions
7495You must specify @option{-Wno-pmf-conversions} to use this extension.
7496
7497@node C++ Attributes
7498@section C++-Specific Variable, Function, and Type Attributes
7499
7500Some attributes only make sense for C++ programs.
7501
7502@table @code
7503@item init_priority (@var{priority})
7504@cindex init_priority attribute
7505
7506
7507In Standard C++, objects defined at namespace scope are guaranteed to be
7508initialized in an order in strict accordance with that of their definitions
7509@emph{in a given translation unit}.  No guarantee is made for initializations
7510across translation units.  However, GNU C++ allows users to control the
7511order of initialization of objects defined at namespace scope with the
7512@code{init_priority} attribute by specifying a relative @var{priority},
7513a constant integral expression currently bounded between 101 and 65535
7514inclusive.  Lower numbers indicate a higher priority.
7515
7516In the following example, @code{A} would normally be created before
7517@code{B}, but the @code{init_priority} attribute has reversed that order:
7518
7519@smallexample
7520Some_Class  A  __attribute__ ((init_priority (2000)));
7521Some_Class  B  __attribute__ ((init_priority (543)));
7522@end smallexample
7523
7524@noindent
7525Note that the particular values of @var{priority} do not matter; only their
7526relative ordering.
7527
7528@item java_interface
7529@cindex java_interface attribute
7530
7531This type attribute informs C++ that the class is a Java interface.  It may
7532only be applied to classes declared within an @code{extern "Java"} block.
7533Calls to methods declared in this interface will be dispatched using GCJ's
7534interface table mechanism, instead of regular virtual table dispatch.
7535
7536@end table
7537
7538@node Java Exceptions
7539@section Java Exceptions
7540
7541The Java language uses a slightly different exception handling model
7542from C++.  Normally, GNU C++ will automatically detect when you are
7543writing C++ code that uses Java exceptions, and handle them
7544appropriately.  However, if C++ code only needs to execute destructors
7545when Java exceptions are thrown through it, GCC will guess incorrectly.
7546Sample problematic code is:
7547
7548@smallexample
7549  struct S @{ ~S(); @};
7550  extern void bar();    // is written in Java, and may throw exceptions
7551  void foo()
7552  @{
7553    S s;
7554    bar();
7555  @}
7556@end smallexample
7557
7558@noindent
7559The usual effect of an incorrect guess is a link failure, complaining of
7560a missing routine called @samp{__gxx_personality_v0}.
7561
7562You can inform the compiler that Java exceptions are to be used in a
7563translation unit, irrespective of what it might think, by writing
7564@samp{@w{#pragma GCC java_exceptions}} at the head of the file.  This
7565@samp{#pragma} must appear before any functions that throw or catch
7566exceptions, or run destructors when exceptions are thrown through them.
7567
7568You cannot mix Java and C++ exceptions in the same translation unit.  It
7569is believed to be safe to throw a C++ exception from one file through
7570another file compiled for the Java exception model, or vice versa, but
7571there may be bugs in this area.
7572
7573@node Deprecated Features
7574@section Deprecated Features
7575
7576In the past, the GNU C++ compiler was extended to experiment with new
7577features, at a time when the C++ language was still evolving.  Now that
7578the C++ standard is complete, some of those features are superseded by
7579superior alternatives.  Using the old features might cause a warning in
7580some cases that the feature will be dropped in the future.  In other
7581cases, the feature might be gone already.
7582
7583While the list below is not exhaustive, it documents some of the options
7584that are now deprecated:
7585
7586@table @code
7587@item -fexternal-templates
7588@itemx -falt-external-templates
7589These are two of the many ways for g++ to implement template
7590instantiation.  @xref{Template Instantiation}.  The C++ standard clearly
7591defines how template definitions have to be organized across
7592implementation units.  g++ has an implicit instantiation mechanism that
7593should work just fine for standard-conforming code.
7594
7595@item -fstrict-prototype
7596@itemx -fno-strict-prototype
7597Previously it was possible to use an empty prototype parameter list to
7598indicate an unspecified number of parameters (like C), rather than no
7599parameters, as C++ demands.  This feature has been removed, except where
7600it is required for backwards compatibility @xref{Backwards Compatibility}.
7601@end table
7602
7603The named return value extension has been deprecated, and is now
7604removed from g++.
7605
7606The use of initializer lists with new expressions has been deprecated,
7607and is now removed from g++.
7608
7609Floating and complex non-type template parameters have been deprecated,
7610and are now removed from g++.
7611
7612The implicit typename extension has been deprecated and will be removed
7613from g++ at some point.  In some cases g++ determines that a dependent
7614type such as @code{TPL<T>::X} is a type without needing a
7615@code{typename} keyword, contrary to the standard.
7616
7617@node Backwards Compatibility
7618@section Backwards Compatibility
7619@cindex Backwards Compatibility
7620@cindex ARM [Annotated C++ Reference Manual]
7621
7622Now that there is a definitive ISO standard C++, G++ has a specification
7623to adhere to.  The C++ language evolved over time, and features that
7624used to be acceptable in previous drafts of the standard, such as the ARM
7625[Annotated C++ Reference Manual], are no longer accepted.  In order to allow
7626compilation of C++ written to such drafts, G++ contains some backwards
7627compatibilities.  @emph{All such backwards compatibility features are
7628liable to disappear in future versions of G++.} They should be considered
7629deprecated @xref{Deprecated Features}.
7630
7631@table @code
7632@item For scope
7633If a variable is declared at for scope, it used to remain in scope until
7634the end of the scope which contained the for statement (rather than just
7635within the for scope).  G++ retains this, but issues a warning, if such a
7636variable is accessed outside the for scope.
7637
7638@item Implicit C language
7639Old C system header files did not contain an @code{extern "C" @{@dots{}@}}
7640scope to set the language.  On such systems, all header files are
7641implicitly scoped inside a C language scope.  Also, an empty prototype
7642@code{()} will be treated as an unspecified number of arguments, rather
7643than no arguments, as C++ demands.
7644@end table
7645