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68platform (currently C<4> or C<8>) and can be used in preprocessor 68platform (currently C<4> or C<8>) and can be used in preprocessor
69expressions. 69expressions.
70 70
71For C<ptrdiff_t> and C<size_t> use C<stddef.h>. 71For C<ptrdiff_t> and C<size_t> use C<stddef.h>.
72 72
73=head2 LANGUAGE/COMPILER VERSIONS 73=head2 LANGUAGE/ENVIRONMENT/COMPILER VERSIONS
74 74
75All the following symbols expand to an expression that can be tested in 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 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). 77ensure it's either C<0> or C<1> if you need that).
78 78
79=over 4 79=over 4
80 80
81=item ECB_C 81=item ECB_C
82 82
83True if the implementation defines the C<__STDC__> macro to a true value, 83True if the implementation defines the C<__STDC__> macro to a true value,
84which is typically true for both C and C++ compilers. 84while not claiming to be C++.
85 85
86=item ECB_C99 86=item ECB_C99
87 87
88True if the implementation claims to be compliant to C99 (ISO/IEC 88True if the implementation claims to be compliant to C99 (ISO/IEC
899899:1999) or any later version. 899899:1999) or any later version, while not claiming to be C++.
90 90
91Note that later versions (ECB_C11) remove core features again (for 91Note that later versions (ECB_C11) remove core features again (for
92example, variable length arrays). 92example, variable length arrays).
93 93
94=item ECB_C11 94=item ECB_C11
95 95
96True if the implementation claims to be compliant to C11 (ISO/IEC 96True if the implementation claims to be compliant to C11 (ISO/IEC
979899:2011) or any later version. 979899:2011) or any later version, while not claiming to be C++.
98 98
99=item ECB_CPP 99=item ECB_CPP
100 100
101True if the implementation defines the C<__cplusplus__> macro to a true 101True if the implementation defines the C<__cplusplus__> macro to a true
102value, which is typically true for C++ compilers. 102value, which is typically true for C++ compilers.
104=item ECB_CPP11 104=item ECB_CPP11
105 105
106True if the implementation claims to be compliant to ISO/IEC 14882:2011 106True if the implementation claims to be compliant to ISO/IEC 14882:2011
107(C++11) or any later version. 107(C++11) or any later version.
108 108
109=item ECB_GCC_VERSION(major,minor) 109=item ECB_GCC_VERSION (major, minor)
110 110
111Expands to a true value (suitable for testing in by the preprocessor) 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 112if the compiler used is GNU C and the version is the given version, or
113higher. 113higher.
114 114
163C<__x86_64> stands for, well, the x86-64 ABI, making these macros 163C<__x86_64> stands for, well, the x86-64 ABI, making these macros
164necessary. 164necessary.
165 165
166=back 166=back
167 167
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
168=head2 GCC ATTRIBUTES 210=head2 ATTRIBUTES
169 211
170A major part of libecb deals with GCC attributes. These are additional 212A major part of libecb deals with additional attributes that can be
171attributes that you can assign to functions, variables and sometimes even 213assigned to functions, variables and sometimes even types - much like
172types - much like C<const> or C<volatile> in C. 214C<const> or C<volatile> in C. They are implemented using either GCC
173 215attributes or other compiler/language specific features. Attributes
174While GCC allows declarations to show up in many surprising places,
175but not in many expected places, the safest way is to put attribute
176declarations before the whole declaration: 216declarations must be put before the whole declaration:
177 217
178 ecb_const int mysqrt (int a); 218 ecb_const int mysqrt (int a);
179 ecb_unused int i; 219 ecb_unused int i;
180 220
181For variables, it is often nicer to put the attribute after the name, and
182avoid multiple declarations using commas:
183
184 int i ecb_unused;
185
186=over 4 221=over 4
187
188=item ecb_attribute ((attrs...))
189
190A simple wrapper that expands to C<__attribute__((attrs))> on GCC, and to
191nothing on other compilers, so the effect is that only GCC sees these.
192
193Example: use the C<deprecated> attribute on a function.
194
195 ecb_attribute((__deprecated__)) void
196 do_not_use_me_anymore (void);
197 222
198=item ecb_unused 223=item ecb_unused
199 224
200Marks a function or a variable as "unused", which simply suppresses a 225Marks a function or a variable as "unused", which simply suppresses a
201warning 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.
202declare a variable but do not always use it: 227declare a variable but do not always use it:
203 228
204 { 229 {
205 int var ecb_unused; 230 ecb_unused int var;
206 231
207 #ifdef SOMECONDITION 232 #ifdef SOMECONDITION
208 var = ...; 233 var = ...;
209 return var; 234 return var;
210 #else 235 #else
211 return 0; 236 return 0;
212 #endif 237 #endif
213 } 238 }
214 239
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, the specified diagnostic is
248used instead of a generic depreciation message when the object is being
249used.
250
215=item ecb_inline 251=item ecb_inline
216 252
217This is not actually an attribute, but you use it like one. It expands
218either to C<static inline> or to just C<static>, if inline isn't 253Expands either to C<static inline> or to just C<static>, if inline
219supported. It should be used to declare functions that should be inlined, 254isn't supported. It should be used to declare functions that should be
220for code size or speed reasons. 255inlined, for code size or speed reasons.
221 256
222Example: inline this function, it surely will reduce codesize. 257Example: inline this function, it surely will reduce codesize.
223 258
224 ecb_inline int 259 ecb_inline int
225 negmul (int a, int b) 260 negmul (int a, int b)
227 return - (a * b); 262 return - (a * b);
228 } 263 }
229 264
230=item ecb_noinline 265=item ecb_noinline
231 266
232Prevent a function from being inlined - it might be optimised away, but 267Prevents a function from being inlined - it might be optimised away, but
233not 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
234is rarely called and large enough for inlining not to be helpful. 269is rarely called and large enough for inlining not to be helpful.
235 270
236=item ecb_noreturn 271=item ecb_noreturn
237 272
258 293
259Example: multiply a vector, and allow the compiler to parallelise the 294Example: multiply a vector, and allow the compiler to parallelise the
260loop, because it knows it doesn't overwrite input values. 295loop, because it knows it doesn't overwrite input values.
261 296
262 void 297 void
263 multiply (float *ecb_restrict src, 298 multiply (ecb_restrict float *src,
264 float *ecb_restrict dst, 299 ecb_restrict float *dst,
265 int len, float factor) 300 int len, float factor)
266 { 301 {
267 int i; 302 int i;
268 303
269 for (i = 0; i < len; ++i) 304 for (i = 0; i < len; ++i)
367 402
368=head2 OPTIMISATION HINTS 403=head2 OPTIMISATION HINTS
369 404
370=over 4 405=over 4
371 406
372=item bool ecb_is_constant(expr) 407=item bool ecb_is_constant (expr)
373 408
374Returns 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
375constant, and false otherwise. 410constant, and false otherwise.
376 411
377For 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
395 return is_constant (n) && !(n & (n - 1)) 430 return is_constant (n) && !(n & (n - 1))
396 ? rndm16 () & (num - 1) 431 ? rndm16 () & (num - 1)
397 : (n * (uint32_t)rndm16 ()) >> 16; 432 : (n * (uint32_t)rndm16 ()) >> 16;
398 } 433 }
399 434
400=item bool ecb_expect (expr, value) 435=item ecb_expect (expr, value)
401 436
402Evaluates 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
403the 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
404branch optimisations. 439branch optimisations.
405 440
452 { 487 {
453 if (ecb_expect_false (current + size > end)) 488 if (ecb_expect_false (current + size > end))
454 real_reserve_method (size); /* presumably noinline */ 489 real_reserve_method (size); /* presumably noinline */
455 } 490 }
456 491
457=item bool ecb_assume (cond) 492=item ecb_assume (cond)
458 493
459Try to tell the compiler that some condition is true, even if it's not 494Tries to tell the compiler that some condition is true, even if it's not
460obvious. 495obvious. This is not a function, but a statement: it cannot be used in
496another expression.
461 497
462This can be used to teach the compiler about invariants or other 498This can be used to teach the compiler about invariants or other
463conditions that might improve code generation, but which are impossible to 499conditions that might improve code generation, but which are impossible to
464deduce form the code itself. 500deduce form the code itself.
465 501
482 518
483Then the compiler I<might> be able to optimise out the second call 519Then the compiler I<might> be able to optimise out the second call
484completely, as it knows that C<< current + 1 > end >> is false and the 520completely, as it knows that C<< current + 1 > end >> is false and the
485call will never be executed. 521call will never be executed.
486 522
487=item bool ecb_unreachable () 523=item ecb_unreachable ()
488 524
489This function does nothing itself, except tell the compiler that it will 525This function does nothing itself, except tell the compiler that it will
490never be executed. Apart from suppressing a warning in some cases, this 526never be executed. Apart from suppressing a warning in some cases, this
491function can be used to implement C<ecb_assume> or similar functions. 527function can be used to implement C<ecb_assume> or similar functionality.
492 528
493=item bool ecb_prefetch (addr, rw, locality) 529=item ecb_prefetch (addr, rw, locality)
494 530
495Tells the compiler to try to prefetch memory at the given C<addr>ess 531Tells the compiler to try to prefetch memory at the given C<addr>ess
496for either reading (C<rw> = 0) or writing (C<rw> = 1). A C<locality> of 532for either reading (C<rw> = 0) or writing (C<rw> = 1). A C<locality> of
497C<0> means that there will only be one access later, C<3> means that 533C<0> means that there will only be one access later, C<3> means that
498the data will likely be accessed very often, and values in between mean 534the data will likely be accessed very often, and values in between mean
499something... in between. The memory pointed to by the address does not 535something... in between. The memory pointed to by the address does not
500need to be accessible (it could be a null pointer for example), but C<rw> 536need to be accessible (it could be a null pointer for example), but C<rw>
501and C<locality> must be compile-time constants. 537and C<locality> must be compile-time constants.
502 538
539This is a statement, not a function: you cannot use it as part of an
540expression.
541
503An obvious way to use this is to prefetch some data far away, in a big 542An obvious way to use this is to prefetch some data far away, in a big
504array you loop over. This prefetches memory some 128 array elements later, 543array you loop over. This prefetches memory some 128 array elements later,
505in the hope that it will be ready when the CPU arrives at that location. 544in the hope that it will be ready when the CPU arrives at that location.
506 545
507 int sum = 0; 546 int sum = 0;
559 598
560=item bool ecb_is_pot32 (uint32_t x) 599=item bool ecb_is_pot32 (uint32_t x)
561 600
562=item bool ecb_is_pot64 (uint32_t x) 601=item bool ecb_is_pot64 (uint32_t x)
563 602
564Return true iff C<x> is a power of two or C<x == 0>. 603Returns true iff C<x> is a power of two or C<x == 0>.
565 604
566For smaller types then C<uint32_t> you can safely use C<ecb_is_pot32>. 605For smaller types than C<uint32_t> you can safely use C<ecb_is_pot32>.
567 606
568=item int ecb_ld32 (uint32_t x) 607=item int ecb_ld32 (uint32_t x)
569 608
570=item int ecb_ld64 (uint64_t x) 609=item int ecb_ld64 (uint64_t x)
571 610
647 686
648=head2 FLOATING POINT FIDDLING 687=head2 FLOATING POINT FIDDLING
649 688
650=over 4 689=over 4
651 690
691=item ECB_INFINITY
692
693Evaluates to positive infinity if supported by the platform, otherwise to
694a truly huge number.
695
696=item ECB_NAN
697
698Evaluates to a quiet NAN if supported by the platform, otherwise to
699C<ECB_INFINITY>.
700
701=item float ecb_ldexpf (float x, int exp)
702
703Same as C<ldexpf>, but always available.
704
652=item uint32_t ecb_float_to_binary32 (float x) [-UECB_NO_LIBM] 705=item uint32_t ecb_float_to_binary32 (float x) [-UECB_NO_LIBM]
653 706
654=item uint64_t ecb_double_to_binary64 (double x) [-UECB_NO_LIBM] 707=item uint64_t ecb_double_to_binary64 (double x) [-UECB_NO_LIBM]
655 708
656These functions each take an argument in the native C<float> or C<double> 709These functions each take an argument in the native C<float> or C<double>
679 /* this results in a single add instruction to toggle the bit, and 4 extra */ 732 /* this results in a single add instruction to toggle the bit, and 4 extra */
680 /* instructions to move the float value to an integer register and back. */ 733 /* instructions to move the float value to an integer register and back. */
681 734
682 x = ecb_binary32_to_float (ecb_float_to_binary32 (x) ^ 0x80000000U) 735 x = ecb_binary32_to_float (ecb_float_to_binary32 (x) ^ 0x80000000U)
683 736
737=item float ecb_binary16_to_float (uint16_t x) [-UECB_NO_LIBM]
738
684=item float ecb_binary32_to_float (uint32_t x) [-UECB_NO_LIBM] 739=item float ecb_binary32_to_float (uint32_t x) [-UECB_NO_LIBM]
685 740
686=item double ecb_binary32_to_double (uint64_t x) [-UECB_NO_LIBM] 741=item double ecb_binary64_to_double (uint64_t x) [-UECB_NO_LIBM]
687 742
688The reverse operation of the previos function - takes the bit representation 743The reverse operation of the previous function - takes the bit
689of an IEEE binary32 or binary64 number and converts it to the native C<float> 744representation of an IEEE binary16, binary32 or binary64 number and
690or C<double> format. 745converts it to the native C<float> or C<double> format.
691 746
692This function should work even when the native floating point format isn't 747This function should work even when the native floating point format isn't
693IEEE compliant, of course at a speed and code size penalty, and of course 748IEEE compliant, of course at a speed and code size penalty, and of course
694also within reasonable limits (it tries to convert normals and denormals, 749also within reasonable limits (it tries to convert normals and denormals,
695and might be lucky for infinities, and with extraordinary luck, also for 750and might be lucky for infinities, and with extraordinary luck, also for
785dependencies on the math library (usually called F<-lm>) - these are 840dependencies on the math library (usually called F<-lm>) - these are
786marked with [-UECB_NO_LIBM]. 841marked with [-UECB_NO_LIBM].
787 842
788=back 843=back
789 844
845=head1 UNDOCUMENTED FUNCTIONALITY
790 846
847F<ecb.h> is full of undocumented functionality as well, some of which is
848intended to be internal-use only, some of which we forgot to document, and
849some of which we hide because we are not sure we will keep the interface
850stable.
851
852While you are welcome to rummage around and use whatever you find useful
853(we can't stop you), keep in mind that we will change undocumented
854functionality in incompatible ways without thinking twice, while we are
855considerably more conservative with documented things.
856
857=head1 AUTHORS
858
859C<libecb> is designed and maintained by:
860
861 Emanuele Giaquinta <e.giaquinta@glauco.it>
862 Marc Alexander Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
863
864

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