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Revision 1.23 by sf-exg, Fri May 27 01:35:46 2011 UTC vs.
Revision 1.64 by root, Wed Feb 18 20:48:59 2015 UTC

15It mainly provides a number of wrappers around GCC built-ins, together 15It mainly provides a number of wrappers around GCC built-ins, together
16with replacement functions for other compilers. In addition to this, 16with replacement functions for other compilers. In addition to this,
17it provides a number of other lowlevel C utilities, such as endianness 17it provides a number of other lowlevel C utilities, such as endianness
18detection, byte swapping or bit rotations. 18detection, byte swapping or bit rotations.
19 19
20Or in other words, things that should be built-in into any standard C 20Or in other words, things that should be built into any standard C system,
21system, but aren't. 21but aren't, implemented as efficient as possible with GCC, and still
22correct with other compilers.
22 23
23More might come. 24More might come.
24 25
25=head2 ABOUT THE HEADER 26=head2 ABOUT THE HEADER
26 27
53only a generic name is used (C<expr>, C<cond>, C<value> and so on), then 54only a generic name is used (C<expr>, C<cond>, C<value> and so on), then
54the corresponding function relies on C to implement the correct types, and 55the corresponding function relies on C to implement the correct types, and
55is usually implemented as a macro. Specifically, a "bool" in this manual 56is usually implemented as a macro. Specifically, a "bool" in this manual
56refers to any kind of boolean value, not a specific type. 57refers to any kind of boolean value, not a specific type.
57 58
59=head2 TYPES / TYPE SUPPORT
60
61ecb.h makes sure that the following types are defined (in the expected way):
62
63 int8_t uint8_t int16_t uint16_t
64 int32_t uint32_t int64_t uint64_t
65 intptr_t uintptr_t
66
67The macro C<ECB_PTRSIZE> is defined to the size of a pointer on this
68platform (currently C<4> or C<8>) and can be used in preprocessor
69expressions.
70
71For C<ptrdiff_t> and C<size_t> use C<stddef.h>.
72
73=head2 LANGUAGE/ENVIRONMENT/COMPILER VERSIONS
74
75All the following symbols expand to an expression that can be tested in
76preprocessor instructions as well as treated as a boolean (use C<!!> to
77ensure it's either C<0> or C<1> if you need that).
78
79=over 4
80
81=item ECB_C
82
83True if the implementation defines the C<__STDC__> macro to a true value,
84while not claiming to be C++.
85
86=item ECB_C99
87
88True if the implementation claims to be compliant to C99 (ISO/IEC
899899:1999) or any later version, while not claiming to be C++.
90
91Note that later versions (ECB_C11) remove core features again (for
92example, variable length arrays).
93
94=item ECB_C11
95
96True if the implementation claims to be compliant to C11 (ISO/IEC
979899:2011) or any later version, while not claiming to be C++.
98
99=item ECB_CPP
100
101True if the implementation defines the C<__cplusplus__> macro to a true
102value, which is typically true for C++ compilers.
103
104=item ECB_CPP11
105
106True if the implementation claims to be compliant to ISO/IEC 14882:2011
107(C++11) or any later version.
108
109=item ECB_GCC_VERSION (major, minor)
110
111Expands to a true value (suitable for testing in by the preprocessor)
112if the compiler used is GNU C and the version is the given version, or
113higher.
114
115This macro tries to return false on compilers that claim to be GCC
116compatible but aren't.
117
118=item ECB_EXTERN_C
119
120Expands to C<extern "C"> in C++, and a simple C<extern> in C.
121
122This can be used to declare a single external C function:
123
124 ECB_EXTERN_C int printf (const char *format, ...);
125
126=item ECB_EXTERN_C_BEG / ECB_EXTERN_C_END
127
128These two macros can be used to wrap multiple C<extern "C"> definitions -
129they expand to nothing in C.
130
131They are most useful in header files:
132
133 ECB_EXTERN_C_BEG
134
135 int mycfun1 (int x);
136 int mycfun2 (int x);
137
138 ECB_EXTERN_C_END
139
140=item ECB_STDFP
141
142If this evaluates to a true value (suitable for testing in by the
143preprocessor), then C<float> and C<double> use IEEE 754 single/binary32
144and double/binary64 representations internally I<and> the endianness of
145both types match the endianness of C<uint32_t> and C<uint64_t>.
146
147This means you can just copy the bits of a C<float> (or C<double>) to an
148C<uint32_t> (or C<uint64_t>) and get the raw IEEE 754 bit representation
149without having to think about format or endianness.
150
151This is true for basically all modern platforms, although F<ecb.h> might
152not be able to deduce this correctly everywhere and might err on the safe
153side.
154
155=item ECB_AMD64, ECB_AMD64_X32
156
157These two macros are defined to C<1> on the x86_64/amd64 ABI and the X32
158ABI, respectively, and undefined elsewhere.
159
160The designers of the new X32 ABI for some inexplicable reason decided to
161make it look exactly like amd64, even though it's completely incompatible
162to that ABI, breaking about every piece of software that assumed that
163C<__x86_64> stands for, well, the x86-64 ABI, making these macros
164necessary.
165
166=back
167
168=head2 MACRO TRICKERY
169
170=over 4
171
172=item ECB_CONCAT (a, b)
173
174Expands any macros in C<a> and C<b>, then concatenates the result to form
175a single token. This is mainly useful to form identifiers from components,
176e.g.:
177
178 #define S1 str
179 #define S2 cpy
180
181 ECB_CONCAT (S1, S2)(dst, src); // == strcpy (dst, src);
182
183=item ECB_STRINGIFY (arg)
184
185Expands any macros in C<arg> and returns the stringified version of
186it. This is mainly useful to get the contents of a macro in string form,
187e.g.:
188
189 #define SQL_LIMIT 100
190 sql_exec ("select * from table limit " ECB_STRINGIFY (SQL_LIMIT));
191
192=item ECB_STRINGIFY_EXPR (expr)
193
194Like C<ECB_STRINGIFY>, but additionally evaluates C<expr> to make sure it
195is a valid expression. This is useful to catch typos or cases where the
196macro isn't available:
197
198 #include <errno.h>
199
200 ECB_STRINGIFY (EDOM); // "33" (on my system at least)
201 ECB_STRINGIFY_EXPR (EDOM); // "33"
202
203 // now imagine we had a typo:
204
205 ECB_STRINGIFY (EDAM); // "EDAM"
206 ECB_STRINGIFY_EXPR (EDAM); // error: EDAM undefined
207
208=back
209
58=head2 GCC ATTRIBUTES 210=head2 ATTRIBUTES
59 211
60A major part of libecb deals with GCC attributes. These are additional 212A major part of libecb deals with additional attributes that can be
61attributes that you cna assign to functions, variables and sometimes even 213assigned to functions, variables and sometimes even types - much like
62types - much like C<const> or C<volatile> in C. 214C<const> or C<volatile> in C. They are implemented using either GCC
63 215attributes or other compiler/language specific features. Attributes
64While GCC allows declarations to show up in many surprising places,
65but not in many expeted places, the safest way is to put attribute
66declarations before the whole declaration: 216declarations must be put before the whole declaration:
67 217
68 ecb_const int mysqrt (int a); 218 ecb_const int mysqrt (int a);
69 ecb_unused int i; 219 ecb_unused int i;
70 220
71For variables, it is often nicer to put the attribute after the name, and
72avoid multiple declarations using commas:
73
74 int i ecb_unused;
75
76=over 4 221=over 4
77
78=item ecb_attribute ((attrs...))
79
80A simple wrapper that expands to C<__attribute__((attrs))> on GCC, and to
81nothing on other compilers, so the effect is that only GCC sees these.
82
83Example: use the C<deprecated> attribute on a function.
84
85 ecb_attribute((__deprecated__)) void
86 do_not_use_me_anymore (void);
87 222
88=item ecb_unused 223=item ecb_unused
89 224
90Marks a function or a variable as "unused", which simply suppresses a 225Marks a function or a variable as "unused", which simply suppresses a
91warning by GCC when it detects it as unused. This is useful when you e.g. 226warning by GCC when it detects it as unused. This is useful when you e.g.
92declare a variable but do not always use it: 227declare a variable but do not always use it:
93 228
94 { 229 {
95 int var ecb_unused; 230 ecb_unused int var;
96 231
97 #ifdef SOMECONDITION 232 #ifdef SOMECONDITION
98 var = ...; 233 var = ...;
99 return var; 234 return var;
100 #else 235 #else
101 return 0; 236 return 0;
102 #endif 237 #endif
103 } 238 }
104 239
240=item ecb_deprecated
241
242Similar to C<ecb_unused>, but marks a function, variable or type as
243deprecated. This makes some compilers warn when the type is used.
244
245=item ecb_deprecated_message (message)
246
247Same as C<ecb_deprecated>, but if possible, supply a diagnostic that is
248used instead of a generic depreciation message when the object is being
249used.
250
251=item ecb_inline
252
253Expands either to C<static inline> or to just C<static>, if inline
254isn't supported. It should be used to declare functions that should be
255inlined, for code size or speed reasons.
256
257Example: inline this function, it surely will reduce codesize.
258
259 ecb_inline int
260 negmul (int a, int b)
261 {
262 return - (a * b);
263 }
264
105=item ecb_noinline 265=item ecb_noinline
106 266
107Prevent a function from being inlined - it might be optimised away, but 267Prevent a function from being inlined - it might be optimised away, but
108not inlined into other functions. This is useful if you know your function 268not inlined into other functions. This is useful if you know your function
109is rarely called and large enough for inlining not to be helpful. 269is rarely called and large enough for inlining not to be helpful.
122 } 282 }
123 283
124In this case, the compiler would probably be smart enough to deduce it on 284In this case, the compiler would probably be smart enough to deduce it on
125its own, so this is mainly useful for declarations. 285its own, so this is mainly useful for declarations.
126 286
287=item ecb_restrict
288
289Expands to the C<restrict> keyword or equivalent on compilers that support
290them, and to nothing on others. Must be specified on a pointer type or
291an array index to indicate that the memory doesn't alias with any other
292restricted pointer in the same scope.
293
294Example: multiply a vector, and allow the compiler to parallelise the
295loop, because it knows it doesn't overwrite input values.
296
297 void
298 multiply (ecb_restrict float *src,
299 ecb_restrict float *dst,
300 int len, float factor)
301 {
302 int i;
303
304 for (i = 0; i < len; ++i)
305 dst [i] = src [i] * factor;
306 }
307
127=item ecb_const 308=item ecb_const
128 309
129Declares that the function only depends on the values of its arguments, 310Declares that the function only depends on the values of its arguments,
130much like a mathematical function. It specifically does not read or write 311much like a mathematical function. It specifically does not read or write
131any memory any arguments might point to, global variables, or call any 312any memory any arguments might point to, global variables, or call any
183 364
184In addition to placing cold functions together (or at least away from hot 365In addition to placing cold functions together (or at least away from hot
185functions), this knowledge can be used in other ways, for example, the 366functions), this knowledge can be used in other ways, for example, the
186function will be optimised for size, as opposed to speed, and codepaths 367function will be optimised for size, as opposed to speed, and codepaths
187leading to calls to those functions can automatically be marked as if 368leading to calls to those functions can automatically be marked as if
188C<ecb_unlikely> had been used to reach them. 369C<ecb_expect_false> had been used to reach them.
189 370
190Good examples for such functions would be error reporting functions, or 371Good examples for such functions would be error reporting functions, or
191functions only called in exceptional or rare cases. 372functions only called in exceptional or rare cases.
192 373
193=item ecb_artificial 374=item ecb_artificial
194 375
195Declares the function as "artificial", in this case meaning that this 376Declares the function as "artificial", in this case meaning that this
196function is not really mean to be a function, but more like an accessor 377function is not really meant to be a function, but more like an accessor
197- many methods in C++ classes are mere accessor functions, and having a 378- many methods in C++ classes are mere accessor functions, and having a
198crash reported in such a method, or single-stepping through them, is not 379crash reported in such a method, or single-stepping through them, is not
199usually so helpful, especially when it's inlined to just a few instructions. 380usually so helpful, especially when it's inlined to just a few instructions.
200 381
201Marking them as artificial will instruct the debugger about just this, 382Marking them as artificial will instruct the debugger about just this,
221 402
222=head2 OPTIMISATION HINTS 403=head2 OPTIMISATION HINTS
223 404
224=over 4 405=over 4
225 406
226=item bool ecb_is_constant(expr) 407=item bool ecb_is_constant (expr)
227 408
228Returns true iff the expression can be deduced to be a compile-time 409Returns true iff the expression can be deduced to be a compile-time
229constant, and false otherwise. 410constant, and false otherwise.
230 411
231For example, when you have a C<rndm16> function that returns a 16 bit 412For example, when you have a C<rndm16> function that returns a 16 bit
249 return is_constant (n) && !(n & (n - 1)) 430 return is_constant (n) && !(n & (n - 1))
250 ? rndm16 () & (num - 1) 431 ? rndm16 () & (num - 1)
251 : (n * (uint32_t)rndm16 ()) >> 16; 432 : (n * (uint32_t)rndm16 ()) >> 16;
252 } 433 }
253 434
254=item bool ecb_expect (expr, value) 435=item ecb_expect (expr, value)
255 436
256Evaluates C<expr> and returns it. In addition, it tells the compiler that 437Evaluates C<expr> and returns it. In addition, it tells the compiler that
257the C<expr> evaluates to C<value> a lot, which can be used for static 438the C<expr> evaluates to C<value> a lot, which can be used for static
258branch optimisations. 439branch optimisations.
259 440
260Usually, you want to use the more intuitive C<ecb_likely> and 441Usually, you want to use the more intuitive C<ecb_expect_true> and
261C<ecb_unlikely> functions instead. 442C<ecb_expect_false> functions instead.
262 443
444=item bool ecb_expect_true (cond)
445
263=item bool ecb_likely (cond) 446=item bool ecb_expect_false (cond)
264
265=item bool ecb_unlikely (cond)
266 447
267These two functions expect a expression that is true or false and return 448These two functions expect a expression that is true or false and return
268C<1> or C<0>, respectively, so when used in the condition of an C<if> or 449C<1> or C<0>, respectively, so when used in the condition of an C<if> or
269other conditional statement, it will not change the program: 450other conditional statement, it will not change the program:
270 451
271 /* these two do the same thing */ 452 /* these two do the same thing */
272 if (some_condition) ...; 453 if (some_condition) ...;
273 if (ecb_likely (some_condition)) ...; 454 if (ecb_expect_true (some_condition)) ...;
274 455
275However, by using C<ecb_likely>, you tell the compiler that the condition 456However, by using C<ecb_expect_true>, you tell the compiler that the
276is likely to be true (and for C<ecb_unlikely>, that it is unlikely to be 457condition is likely to be true (and for C<ecb_expect_false>, that it is
277true). 458unlikely to be true).
278 459
279For example, when you check for a null pointer and expect this to be a 460For example, when you check for a null pointer and expect this to be a
280rare, exceptional, case, then use C<ecb_unlikely>: 461rare, exceptional, case, then use C<ecb_expect_false>:
281 462
282 void my_free (void *ptr) 463 void my_free (void *ptr)
283 { 464 {
284 if (ecb_unlikely (ptr == 0)) 465 if (ecb_expect_false (ptr == 0))
285 return; 466 return;
286 } 467 }
287 468
288Consequent use of these functions to mark away exceptional cases or to 469Consequent use of these functions to mark away exceptional cases or to
289tell the compiler what the hot path through a function is can increase 470tell the compiler what the hot path through a function is can increase
290performance considerably. 471performance considerably.
472
473You might know these functions under the name C<likely> and C<unlikely>
474- while these are common aliases, we find that the expect name is easier
475to understand when quickly skimming code. If you wish, you can use
476C<ecb_likely> instead of C<ecb_expect_true> and C<ecb_unlikely> instead of
477C<ecb_expect_false> - these are simply aliases.
291 478
292A very good example is in a function that reserves more space for some 479A very good example is in a function that reserves more space for some
293memory block (for example, inside an implementation of a string stream) - 480memory block (for example, inside an implementation of a string stream) -
294each time something is added, you have to check for a buffer overrun, but 481each time something is added, you have to check for a buffer overrun, but
295you expect that most checks will turn out to be false: 482you expect that most checks will turn out to be false:
296 483
297 /* make sure we have "size" extra room in our buffer */ 484 /* make sure we have "size" extra room in our buffer */
298 ecb_inline void 485 ecb_inline void
299 reserve (int size) 486 reserve (int size)
300 { 487 {
301 if (ecb_unlikely (current + size > end)) 488 if (ecb_expect_false (current + size > end))
302 real_reserve_method (size); /* presumably noinline */ 489 real_reserve_method (size); /* presumably noinline */
303 } 490 }
304 491
305=item bool ecb_assume (cond) 492=item ecb_assume (cond)
306 493
307Try to tell the compiler that some condition is true, even if it's not 494Try to tell the compiler that some condition is true, even if it's not
308obvious. 495obvious.
309 496
310This can be used to teach the compiler about invariants or other 497This can be used to teach the compiler about invariants or other
311conditions that might improve code generation, but which are impossible to 498conditions that might improve code generation, but which are impossible to
312deduce form the code itself. 499deduce form the code itself.
313 500
314For example, the example reservation function from the C<ecb_unlikely> 501For example, the example reservation function from the C<ecb_expect_false>
315description could be written thus (only C<ecb_assume> was added): 502description could be written thus (only C<ecb_assume> was added):
316 503
317 ecb_inline void 504 ecb_inline void
318 reserve (int size) 505 reserve (int size)
319 { 506 {
320 if (ecb_unlikely (current + size > end)) 507 if (ecb_expect_false (current + size > end))
321 real_reserve_method (size); /* presumably noinline */ 508 real_reserve_method (size); /* presumably noinline */
322 509
323 ecb_assume (current + size <= end); 510 ecb_assume (current + size <= end);
324 } 511 }
325 512
330 517
331Then the compiler I<might> be able to optimise out the second call 518Then the compiler I<might> be able to optimise out the second call
332completely, as it knows that C<< current + 1 > end >> is false and the 519completely, as it knows that C<< current + 1 > end >> is false and the
333call will never be executed. 520call will never be executed.
334 521
335=item bool ecb_unreachable () 522=item ecb_unreachable ()
336 523
337This function does nothing itself, except tell the compiler that it will 524This function does nothing itself, except tell the compiler that it will
338never be executed. Apart from suppressing a warning in some cases, this 525never be executed. Apart from suppressing a warning in some cases, this
339function can be used to implement C<ecb_assume> or similar functions. 526function can be used to implement C<ecb_assume> or similar functions.
340 527
341=item bool ecb_prefetch (addr, rw, locality) 528=item ecb_prefetch (addr, rw, locality)
342 529
343Tells the compiler to try to prefetch memory at the given C<addr>ess 530Tells the compiler to try to prefetch memory at the given C<addr>ess
344for either reading (C<rw> = 0) or writing (C<rw> = 1). A C<locality> of 531for either reading (C<rw> = 0) or writing (C<rw> = 1). A C<locality> of
345C<0> means that there will only be one access later, C<3> means that 532C<0> means that there will only be one access later, C<3> means that
346the data will likely be accessed very often, and values in between mean 533the data will likely be accessed very often, and values in between mean
374After processing the node, (part of) the next node might already be in 561After processing the node, (part of) the next node might already be in
375cache. 562cache.
376 563
377=back 564=back
378 565
379=head2 BIT FIDDLING / BITSTUFFS 566=head2 BIT FIDDLING / BIT WIZARDRY
380 567
381=over 4 568=over 4
382 569
383=item bool ecb_big_endian () 570=item bool ecb_big_endian ()
384 571
386 573
387These two functions return true if the byte order is big endian 574These two functions return true if the byte order is big endian
388(most-significant byte first) or little endian (least-significant byte 575(most-significant byte first) or little endian (least-significant byte
389first) respectively. 576first) respectively.
390 577
578On systems that are neither, their return values are unspecified.
579
391=item int ecb_ctz32 (uint32_t x) 580=item int ecb_ctz32 (uint32_t x)
392 581
582=item int ecb_ctz64 (uint64_t x)
583
393Returns the index of the least significant bit set in C<x> (or 584Returns the index of the least significant bit set in C<x> (or
394equivalently the number of bits set to 0 before the least significant 585equivalently the number of bits set to 0 before the least significant bit
395bit set), starting from 0. If C<x> is 0 the result is undefined. A 586set), starting from 0. If C<x> is 0 the result is undefined.
396common use case is to compute the integer binary logarithm, i.e., 587
397floor(log2(n)). For example: 588For smaller types than C<uint32_t> you can safely use C<ecb_ctz32>.
589
590For example:
398 591
399 ecb_ctz32 (3) = 0 592 ecb_ctz32 (3) = 0
400 ecb_ctz32 (6) = 1 593 ecb_ctz32 (6) = 1
401 594
595=item bool ecb_is_pot32 (uint32_t x)
596
597=item bool ecb_is_pot64 (uint32_t x)
598
599Return true iff C<x> is a power of two or C<x == 0>.
600
601For smaller types then C<uint32_t> you can safely use C<ecb_is_pot32>.
602
603=item int ecb_ld32 (uint32_t x)
604
605=item int ecb_ld64 (uint64_t x)
606
607Returns the index of the most significant bit set in C<x>, or the number
608of digits the number requires in binary (so that C<< 2**ld <= x <
6092**(ld+1) >>). If C<x> is 0 the result is undefined. A common use case is
610to compute the integer binary logarithm, i.e. C<floor (log2 (n))>, for
611example to see how many bits a certain number requires to be encoded.
612
613This function is similar to the "count leading zero bits" function, except
614that that one returns how many zero bits are "in front" of the number (in
615the given data type), while C<ecb_ld> returns how many bits the number
616itself requires.
617
618For smaller types than C<uint32_t> you can safely use C<ecb_ld32>.
619
402=item int ecb_popcount32 (uint32_t x) 620=item int ecb_popcount32 (uint32_t x)
403 621
622=item int ecb_popcount64 (uint64_t x)
623
404Returns the number of bits set to 1 in C<x>. For example: 624Returns the number of bits set to 1 in C<x>.
625
626For smaller types than C<uint32_t> you can safely use C<ecb_popcount32>.
627
628For example:
405 629
406 ecb_popcount32 (7) = 3 630 ecb_popcount32 (7) = 3
407 ecb_popcount32 (255) = 8 631 ecb_popcount32 (255) = 8
408 632
633=item uint8_t ecb_bitrev8 (uint8_t x)
634
635=item uint16_t ecb_bitrev16 (uint16_t x)
636
637=item uint32_t ecb_bitrev32 (uint32_t x)
638
639Reverses the bits in x, i.e. the MSB becomes the LSB, MSB-1 becomes LSB+1
640and so on.
641
642Example:
643
644 ecb_bitrev8 (0xa7) = 0xea
645 ecb_bitrev32 (0xffcc4411) = 0x882233ff
646
409=item uint32_t ecb_bswap16 (uint32_t x) 647=item uint32_t ecb_bswap16 (uint32_t x)
410 648
411=item uint32_t ecb_bswap32 (uint32_t x) 649=item uint32_t ecb_bswap32 (uint32_t x)
412 650
651=item uint64_t ecb_bswap64 (uint64_t x)
652
413These two functions return the value of the 16-bit (32-bit) value C<x> 653These functions return the value of the 16-bit (32-bit, 64-bit) value
414after reversing the order of bytes (0x11223344 becomes 0x44332211). 654C<x> after reversing the order of bytes (0x11223344 becomes 0x44332211 in
655C<ecb_bswap32>).
656
657=item uint8_t ecb_rotl8 (uint8_t x, unsigned int count)
658
659=item uint16_t ecb_rotl16 (uint16_t x, unsigned int count)
660
661=item uint32_t ecb_rotl32 (uint32_t x, unsigned int count)
662
663=item uint64_t ecb_rotl64 (uint64_t x, unsigned int count)
664
665=item uint8_t ecb_rotr8 (uint8_t x, unsigned int count)
666
667=item uint16_t ecb_rotr16 (uint16_t x, unsigned int count)
415 668
416=item uint32_t ecb_rotr32 (uint32_t x, unsigned int count) 669=item uint32_t ecb_rotr32 (uint32_t x, unsigned int count)
417 670
418=item uint32_t ecb_rotl32 (uint32_t x, unsigned int count) 671=item uint64_t ecb_rotr64 (uint64_t x, unsigned int count)
419 672
420These two functions return the value of C<x> after rotating all the bits 673These two families of functions return the value of C<x> after rotating
421by C<count> positions to the right or left respectively. 674all the bits by C<count> positions to the right (C<ecb_rotr>) or left
675(C<ecb_rotl>).
422 676
423Current GCC versions understand these functions and usually compile them 677Current GCC versions understand these functions and usually compile them
424to "optimal" code (e.g. a single C<roll> on x86). 678to "optimal" code (e.g. a single C<rol> or a combination of C<shld> on
679x86).
425 680
426=back 681=back
427 682
683=head2 FLOATING POINT FIDDLING
684
685=over 4
686
687=item ECB_INFINITY
688
689Evaluates to positive infinity if supported by the platform, otherwise to
690a truly huge number.
691
692=item ECB_NAN
693
694Evaluates to a quiet NAN if supported by the platform, otherwise to
695C<ECB_INFINITY>.
696
697=item float ecb_ldexpf (float x, int exp)
698
699Same as C<ldexpf>, but always available.
700
701=item uint32_t ecb_float_to_binary32 (float x) [-UECB_NO_LIBM]
702
703=item uint64_t ecb_double_to_binary64 (double x) [-UECB_NO_LIBM]
704
705These functions each take an argument in the native C<float> or C<double>
706type and return the IEEE 754 bit representation of it.
707
708The bit representation is just as IEEE 754 defines it, i.e. the sign bit
709will be the most significant bit, followed by exponent and mantissa.
710
711This function should work even when the native floating point format isn't
712IEEE compliant, of course at a speed and code size penalty, and of course
713also within reasonable limits (it tries to convert NaNs, infinities and
714denormals, but will likely convert negative zero to positive zero).
715
716On all modern platforms (where C<ECB_STDFP> is true), the compiler should
717be able to optimise away this function completely.
718
719These functions can be helpful when serialising floats to the network - you
720can serialise the return value like a normal uint32_t/uint64_t.
721
722Another use for these functions is to manipulate floating point values
723directly.
724
725Silly example: toggle the sign bit of a float.
726
727 /* On gcc-4.7 on amd64, */
728 /* this results in a single add instruction to toggle the bit, and 4 extra */
729 /* instructions to move the float value to an integer register and back. */
730
731 x = ecb_binary32_to_float (ecb_float_to_binary32 (x) ^ 0x80000000U)
732
733=item float ecb_binary16_to_float (uint16_t x) [-UECB_NO_LIBM]
734
735=item float ecb_binary32_to_float (uint32_t x) [-UECB_NO_LIBM]
736
737=item double ecb_binary32_to_double (uint64_t x) [-UECB_NO_LIBM]
738
739The reverse operation of the previous function - takes the bit
740representation of an IEEE binary16, binary32 or binary64 number and
741converts it to the native C<float> or C<double> format.
742
743This function should work even when the native floating point format isn't
744IEEE compliant, of course at a speed and code size penalty, and of course
745also within reasonable limits (it tries to convert normals and denormals,
746and might be lucky for infinities, and with extraordinary luck, also for
747negative zero).
748
749On all modern platforms (where C<ECB_STDFP> is true), the compiler should
750be able to optimise away this function completely.
751
752=back
753
428=head2 ARITHMETIC 754=head2 ARITHMETIC
429 755
430=over 4 756=over 4
431 757
432=item x = ecb_mod (m, n) 758=item x = ecb_mod (m, n)
433 759
434Returns the positive remainder of the modulo operation between C<m> and 760Returns C<m> modulo C<n>, which is the same as the positive remainder
761of the division operation between C<m> and C<n>, using floored
435C<n>. Unlike the C modulo operator C<%>, this function ensures that the 762division. Unlike the C remainder operator C<%>, this function ensures that
436return value is always positive - ISO C guarantees very little when 763the return value is always positive and that the two numbers I<m> and
437negative numbers are used with C<%>. 764I<m' = m + i * n> result in the same value modulo I<n> - in other words,
765C<ecb_mod> implements the mathematical modulo operation, which is missing
766in the language.
438 767
439C<n> must be strictly positive (i.e. C<< >= 1 >>), while C<m> must be 768C<n> must be strictly positive (i.e. C<< >= 1 >>), while C<m> must be
440negatable, that is, both C<m> and C<-m> must be representable in its 769negatable, that is, both C<m> and C<-m> must be representable in its
441type. 770type (this typically excludes the minimum signed integer value, the same
771limitation as for C</> and C<%> in C).
772
773Current GCC versions compile this into an efficient branchless sequence on
774almost all CPUs.
775
776For example, when you want to rotate forward through the members of an
777array for increasing C<m> (which might be negative), then you should use
778C<ecb_mod>, as the C<%> operator might give either negative results, or
779change direction for negative values:
780
781 for (m = -100; m <= 100; ++m)
782 int elem = myarray [ecb_mod (m, ecb_array_length (myarray))];
783
784=item x = ecb_div_rd (val, div)
785
786=item x = ecb_div_ru (val, div)
787
788Returns C<val> divided by C<div> rounded down or up, respectively.
789C<val> and C<div> must have integer types and C<div> must be strictly
790positive. Note that these functions are implemented with macros in C
791and with function templates in C++.
442 792
443=back 793=back
444 794
445=head2 UTILITY 795=head2 UTILITY
446 796
456 for (i = 0; i < ecb_array_length (primes); i++) 806 for (i = 0; i < ecb_array_length (primes); i++)
457 sum += primes [i]; 807 sum += primes [i];
458 808
459=back 809=back
460 810
811=head2 SYMBOLS GOVERNING COMPILATION OF ECB.H ITSELF
461 812
813These symbols need to be defined before including F<ecb.h> the first time.
814
815=over 4
816
817=item ECB_NO_THREADS
818
819If F<ecb.h> is never used from multiple threads, then this symbol can
820be defined, in which case memory fences (and similar constructs) are
821completely removed, leading to more efficient code and fewer dependencies.
822
823Setting this symbol to a true value implies C<ECB_NO_SMP>.
824
825=item ECB_NO_SMP
826
827The weaker version of C<ECB_NO_THREADS> - if F<ecb.h> is used from
828multiple threads, but never concurrently (e.g. if the system the program
829runs on has only a single CPU with a single core, no hyperthreading and so
830on), then this symbol can be defined, leading to more efficient code and
831fewer dependencies.
832
833=item ECB_NO_LIBM
834
835When defined to C<1>, do not export any functions that might introduce
836dependencies on the math library (usually called F<-lm>) - these are
837marked with [-UECB_NO_LIBM].
838
839=back
840
841

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