ViewVC Help
View File | Revision Log | Show Annotations | Download File
/cvs/libecb/ecb.pod
(Generate patch)

Comparing libecb/ecb.pod (file contents):
Revision 1.16 by sf-exg, Thu May 26 23:32:41 2011 UTC vs.
Revision 1.75 by root, Sat Dec 28 08:01:05 2019 UTC

14 14
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
20Or in other words, things that should be built into any standard C system,
21but aren't, implemented as efficient as possible with GCC, and still
22correct with other compilers.
19 23
20More might come. 24More might come.
21 25
22=head2 ABOUT THE HEADER 26=head2 ABOUT THE HEADER
23 27
50only 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
51the corresponding function relies on C to implement the correct types, and 55the corresponding function relies on C to implement the correct types, and
52is usually implemented as a macro. Specifically, a "bool" in this manual 56is usually implemented as a macro. Specifically, a "bool" in this manual
53refers to any kind of boolean value, not a specific type. 57refers to any kind of boolean value, not a specific type.
54 58
55=head2 GCC ATTRIBUTES 59=head2 TYPES / TYPE SUPPORT
56 60
57blabla where to put, what others 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>/C<cstddef>.
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).
58 78
59=over 4 79=over 4
60 80
61=item ecb_attribute ((attrs...)) 81=item ECB_C
62 82
63A simple wrapper that expands to C<__attribute__((attrs))> on GCC, and to 83True if the implementation defines the C<__STDC__> macro to a true value,
64nothing on other compilers, so the effect is that only GCC sees these. 84while not claiming to be C++.
65 85
66Example: use the C<deprecated> attribute on a function. 86=item ECB_C99
67 87
68 ecb_attribute((__deprecated__)) void 88True if the implementation claims to be compliant to C99 (ISO/IEC
69 do_not_use_me_anymore (void); 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, ECB_C17
95
96True if the implementation claims to be compliant to C11/C17 (ISO/IEC
979899:2011, :20187) 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, ECB_CPP14, ECB_CPP17
105
106True if the implementation claims to be compliant to C++11/C++14/C++17
107(ISO/IEC 14882:2011, :2014, :2017) 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
210=head2 ATTRIBUTES
211
212A major part of libecb deals with additional attributes that can be
213assigned to functions, variables and sometimes even types - much like
214C<const> or C<volatile> in C. They are implemented using either GCC
215attributes or other compiler/language specific features. Attributes
216declarations must be put before the whole declaration:
217
218 ecb_const int mysqrt (int a);
219 ecb_unused int i;
220
221=over 4
70 222
71=item ecb_unused 223=item ecb_unused
72 224
73Marks a function or a variable as "unused", which simply suppresses a 225Marks a function or a variable as "unused", which simply suppresses a
74warning 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.
75declare a variable but do not always use it: 227declare a variable but do not always use it:
76 228
77 { 229 {
78 int var ecb_unused; 230 ecb_unused int var;
79 231
80 #ifdef SOMECONDITION 232 #ifdef SOMECONDITION
81 var = ...; 233 var = ...;
82 return var; 234 return var;
83 #else 235 #else
84 return 0; 236 return 0;
85 #endif 237 #endif
86 } 238 }
87 239
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
251=item ecb_inline
252
253Expands either to (a compiler-specific equivalent of) C<static inline> or
254to just C<static>, if inline isn't supported. It should be used to declare
255functions that should be inlined, 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
88=item ecb_noinline 265=item ecb_noinline
89 266
90Prevent a function from being inlined - it might be optimised away, but 267Prevents a function from being inlined - it might be optimised away, but
91not 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
92is rarely called and large enough for inlining not to be helpful. 269is rarely called and large enough for inlining not to be helpful.
93 270
94=item ecb_noreturn 271=item ecb_noreturn
95 272
273Marks a function as "not returning, ever". Some typical functions that
274don't return are C<exit> or C<abort> (which really works hard to not
275return), and now you can make your own:
276
277 ecb_noreturn void
278 my_abort (const char *errline)
279 {
280 puts (errline);
281 abort ();
282 }
283
284In this case, the compiler would probably be smart enough to deduce it on
285its own, so this is mainly useful for declarations.
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
96=item ecb_const 308=item ecb_const
97 309
310Declares that the function only depends on the values of its arguments,
311much like a mathematical function. It specifically does not read or write
312any memory any arguments might point to, global variables, or call any
313non-const functions. It also must not have any side effects.
314
315Such a function can be optimised much more aggressively by the compiler -
316for example, multiple calls with the same arguments can be optimised into
317a single call, which wouldn't be possible if the compiler would have to
318expect any side effects.
319
320It is best suited for functions in the sense of mathematical functions,
321such as a function returning the square root of its input argument.
322
323Not suited would be a function that calculates the hash of some memory
324area you pass in, prints some messages or looks at a global variable to
325decide on rounding.
326
327See C<ecb_pure> for a slightly less restrictive class of functions.
328
98=item ecb_pure 329=item ecb_pure
99 330
331Similar to C<ecb_const>, declares a function that has no side
332effects. Unlike C<ecb_const>, the function is allowed to examine global
333variables and any other memory areas (such as the ones passed to it via
334pointers).
335
336While these functions cannot be optimised as aggressively as C<ecb_const>
337functions, they can still be optimised away in many occasions, and the
338compiler has more freedom in moving calls to them around.
339
340Typical examples for such functions would be C<strlen> or C<memcmp>. A
341function that calculates the MD5 sum of some input and updates some MD5
342state passed as argument would I<NOT> be pure, however, as it would modify
343some memory area that is not the return value.
344
100=item ecb_hot 345=item ecb_hot
101 346
347This declares a function as "hot" with regards to the cache - the function
348is used so often, that it is very beneficial to keep it in the cache if
349possible.
350
351The compiler reacts by trying to place hot functions near to each other in
352memory.
353
354Whether a function is hot or not often depends on the whole program,
355and less on the function itself. C<ecb_cold> is likely more useful in
356practise.
357
102=item ecb_cold 358=item ecb_cold
103 359
360The opposite of C<ecb_hot> - declares a function as "cold" with regards to
361the cache, or in other words, this function is not called often, or not at
362speed-critical times, and keeping it in the cache might be a waste of said
363cache.
364
365In addition to placing cold functions together (or at least away from hot
366functions), this knowledge can be used in other ways, for example, the
367function will be optimised for size, as opposed to speed, and codepaths
368leading to calls to those functions can automatically be marked as if
369C<ecb_expect_false> had been used to reach them.
370
371Good examples for such functions would be error reporting functions, or
372functions only called in exceptional or rare cases.
373
104=item ecb_artificial 374=item ecb_artificial
105 375
376Declares the function as "artificial", in this case meaning that this
377function is not really meant to be a function, but more like an accessor
378- many methods in C++ classes are mere accessor functions, and having a
379crash reported in such a method, or single-stepping through them, is not
380usually so helpful, especially when it's inlined to just a few instructions.
381
382Marking them as artificial will instruct the debugger about just this,
383leading to happier debugging and thus happier lives.
384
385Example: in some kind of smart-pointer class, mark the pointer accessor as
386artificial, so that the whole class acts more like a pointer and less like
387some C++ abstraction monster.
388
389 template<typename T>
390 struct my_smart_ptr
391 {
392 T *value;
393
394 ecb_artificial
395 operator T *()
396 {
397 return value;
398 }
399 };
400
106=back 401=back
107 402
108=head2 OPTIMISATION HINTS 403=head2 OPTIMISATION HINTS
109 404
110=over 4 405=over 4
111 406
407=item ECB_OPTIMIZE_SIZE
408
409Is C<1> when the compiler optimizes for size, C<0> otherwise. This symbol
410can also be defined before including F<ecb.h>, in which case it will be
411unchanged.
412
112=item bool ecb_is_constant(expr) 413=item bool ecb_is_constant (expr)
113 414
114Returns true iff the expression can be deduced to be a compile-time 415Returns true iff the expression can be deduced to be a compile-time
115constant, and false otherwise. 416constant, and false otherwise.
116 417
117For example, when you have a C<rndm16> function that returns a 16 bit 418For example, when you have a C<rndm16> function that returns a 16 bit
135 return is_constant (n) && !(n & (n - 1)) 436 return is_constant (n) && !(n & (n - 1))
136 ? rndm16 () & (num - 1) 437 ? rndm16 () & (num - 1)
137 : (n * (uint32_t)rndm16 ()) >> 16; 438 : (n * (uint32_t)rndm16 ()) >> 16;
138 } 439 }
139 440
140=item bool ecb_expect (expr, value) 441=item ecb_expect (expr, value)
141 442
142Evaluates C<expr> and returns it. In addition, it tells the compiler that 443Evaluates C<expr> and returns it. In addition, it tells the compiler that
143the C<expr> evaluates to C<value> a lot, which can be used for static 444the C<expr> evaluates to C<value> a lot, which can be used for static
144branch optimisations. 445branch optimisations.
145 446
146Usually, you want to use the more intuitive C<ecb_likely> and 447Usually, you want to use the more intuitive C<ecb_expect_true> and
147C<ecb_unlikely> functions instead. 448C<ecb_expect_false> functions instead.
148 449
450=item bool ecb_expect_true (cond)
451
149=item bool ecb_likely (cond) 452=item bool ecb_expect_false (cond)
150
151=item bool ecb_unlikely (cond)
152 453
153These two functions expect a expression that is true or false and return 454These two functions expect a expression that is true or false and return
154C<1> or C<0>, respectively, so when used in the condition of an C<if> or 455C<1> or C<0>, respectively, so when used in the condition of an C<if> or
155other conditional statement, it will not change the program: 456other conditional statement, it will not change the program:
156 457
157 /* these two do the same thing */ 458 /* these two do the same thing */
158 if (some_condition) ...; 459 if (some_condition) ...;
159 if (ecb_likely (some_condition)) ...; 460 if (ecb_expect_true (some_condition)) ...;
160 461
161However, by using C<ecb_likely>, you tell the compiler that the condition 462However, by using C<ecb_expect_true>, you tell the compiler that the
162is likely to be true (and for C<ecb_unlikely>, that it is unlikely to be 463condition is likely to be true (and for C<ecb_expect_false>, that it is
163true). 464unlikely to be true).
164 465
165For example, when you check for a null pointer and expect this to be a 466For example, when you check for a null pointer and expect this to be a
166rare, exceptional, case, then use C<ecb_unlikely>: 467rare, exceptional, case, then use C<ecb_expect_false>:
167 468
168 void my_free (void *ptr) 469 void my_free (void *ptr)
169 { 470 {
170 if (ecb_unlikely (ptr == 0)) 471 if (ecb_expect_false (ptr == 0))
171 return; 472 return;
172 } 473 }
173 474
174Consequent use of these functions to mark away exceptional cases or to 475Consequent use of these functions to mark away exceptional cases or to
175tell the compiler what the hot path through a function is can increase 476tell the compiler what the hot path through a function is can increase
176performance considerably. 477performance considerably.
478
479You might know these functions under the name C<likely> and C<unlikely>
480- while these are common aliases, we find that the expect name is easier
481to understand when quickly skimming code. If you wish, you can use
482C<ecb_likely> instead of C<ecb_expect_true> and C<ecb_unlikely> instead of
483C<ecb_expect_false> - these are simply aliases.
177 484
178A very good example is in a function that reserves more space for some 485A very good example is in a function that reserves more space for some
179memory block (for example, inside an implementation of a string stream) - 486memory block (for example, inside an implementation of a string stream) -
180each time something is added, you have to check for a buffer overrun, but 487each time something is added, you have to check for a buffer overrun, but
181you expect that most checks will turn out to be false: 488you expect that most checks will turn out to be false:
182 489
183 /* make sure we have "size" extra room in our buffer */ 490 /* make sure we have "size" extra room in our buffer */
184 ecb_inline void 491 ecb_inline void
185 reserve (int size) 492 reserve (int size)
186 { 493 {
187 if (ecb_unlikely (current + size > end)) 494 if (ecb_expect_false (current + size > end))
188 real_reserve_method (size); /* presumably noinline */ 495 real_reserve_method (size); /* presumably noinline */
189 } 496 }
190 497
191=item bool ecb_assume (cond) 498=item ecb_assume (cond)
192 499
193Try to tell the compiler that some condition is true, even if it's not 500Tries to tell the compiler that some condition is true, even if it's not
194obvious. 501obvious. This is not a function, but a statement: it cannot be used in
502another expression.
195 503
196This can be used to teach the compiler about invariants or other 504This can be used to teach the compiler about invariants or other
197conditions that might improve code generation, but which are impossible to 505conditions that might improve code generation, but which are impossible to
198deduce form the code itself. 506deduce form the code itself.
199 507
200For example, the example reservation function from the C<ecb_unlikely> 508For example, the example reservation function from the C<ecb_expect_false>
201description could be written thus (only C<ecb_assume> was added): 509description could be written thus (only C<ecb_assume> was added):
202 510
203 ecb_inline void 511 ecb_inline void
204 reserve (int size) 512 reserve (int size)
205 { 513 {
206 if (ecb_unlikely (current + size > end)) 514 if (ecb_expect_false (current + size > end))
207 real_reserve_method (size); /* presumably noinline */ 515 real_reserve_method (size); /* presumably noinline */
208 516
209 ecb_assume (current + size <= end); 517 ecb_assume (current + size <= end);
210 } 518 }
211 519
216 524
217Then the compiler I<might> be able to optimise out the second call 525Then the compiler I<might> be able to optimise out the second call
218completely, as it knows that C<< current + 1 > end >> is false and the 526completely, as it knows that C<< current + 1 > end >> is false and the
219call will never be executed. 527call will never be executed.
220 528
221=item bool ecb_unreachable () 529=item ecb_unreachable ()
222 530
223This function does nothing itself, except tell the compiler that it will 531This function does nothing itself, except tell the compiler that it will
224never be executed. Apart from suppressing a warning in some cases, this 532never be executed. Apart from suppressing a warning in some cases, this
225function can be used to implement C<ecb_assume> or similar functions. 533function can be used to implement C<ecb_assume> or similar functionality.
226 534
227=item bool ecb_prefetch (addr, rw, locality) 535=item ecb_prefetch (addr, rw, locality)
228 536
229Tells the compiler to try to prefetch memory at the given C<addr>ess 537Tells the compiler to try to prefetch memory at the given C<addr>ess
230for either reading (C<rw> = 0) or writing (C<rw> = 1). A C<locality> of 538for either reading (C<rw> = 0) or writing (C<rw> = 1). A C<locality> of
231C<0> means that there will only be one access later, C<3> means that 539C<0> means that there will only be one access later, C<3> means that
232the data will likely be accessed very often, and values in between mean 540the data will likely be accessed very often, and values in between mean
233something... in between. The memory pointed to by the address does not 541something... in between. The memory pointed to by the address does not
234need to be accessible (it could be a null pointer for example), but C<rw> 542need to be accessible (it could be a null pointer for example), but C<rw>
235and C<locality> must be compile-time constants. 543and C<locality> must be compile-time constants.
236 544
545This is a statement, not a function: you cannot use it as part of an
546expression.
547
237An obvious way to use this is to prefetch some data far away, in a big 548An obvious way to use this is to prefetch some data far away, in a big
238array you loop over. This prefetches memory some 128 array elements later, 549array you loop over. This prefetches memory some 128 array elements later,
239in the hope that it will be ready when the CPU arrives at that location. 550in the hope that it will be ready when the CPU arrives at that location.
240 551
241 int sum = 0; 552 int sum = 0;
260After processing the node, (part of) the next node might already be in 571After processing the node, (part of) the next node might already be in
261cache. 572cache.
262 573
263=back 574=back
264 575
265=head2 BIT FIDDLING / BITSTUFFS 576=head2 BIT FIDDLING / BIT WIZARDRY
266 577
267=over 4 578=over 4
268 579
269=item bool ecb_big_endian () 580=item bool ecb_big_endian ()
270 581
272 583
273These two functions return true if the byte order is big endian 584These two functions return true if the byte order is big endian
274(most-significant byte first) or little endian (least-significant byte 585(most-significant byte first) or little endian (least-significant byte
275first) respectively. 586first) respectively.
276 587
588On systems that are neither, their return values are unspecified.
589
277=item int ecb_ctz32 (uint32_t x) 590=item int ecb_ctz32 (uint32_t x)
278 591
592=item int ecb_ctz64 (uint64_t x)
593
279Returns the index of the least significant bit set in C<x> (or 594Returns the index of the least significant bit set in C<x> (or
280equivalently the number of bits set to 0 before the least significant 595equivalently the number of bits set to 0 before the least significant bit
281bit set), starting from 0. If C<x> is 0 the result is undefined. A 596set), starting from 0. If C<x> is 0 the result is undefined.
282common use case is to compute the integer binary logarithm, i.e., 597
283floor(log2(n)). For example: 598For smaller types than C<uint32_t> you can safely use C<ecb_ctz32>.
599
600For example:
284 601
285 ecb_ctz32 (3) = 0 602 ecb_ctz32 (3) = 0
286 ecb_ctz32 (6) = 1 603 ecb_ctz32 (6) = 1
287 604
605=item bool ecb_is_pot32 (uint32_t x)
606
607=item bool ecb_is_pot64 (uint32_t x)
608
609Returns true iff C<x> is a power of two or C<x == 0>.
610
611For smaller types than C<uint32_t> you can safely use C<ecb_is_pot32>.
612
613=item int ecb_ld32 (uint32_t x)
614
615=item int ecb_ld64 (uint64_t x)
616
617Returns the index of the most significant bit set in C<x>, or the number
618of digits the number requires in binary (so that C<< 2**ld <= x <
6192**(ld+1) >>). If C<x> is 0 the result is undefined. A common use case is
620to compute the integer binary logarithm, i.e. C<floor (log2 (n))>, for
621example to see how many bits a certain number requires to be encoded.
622
623This function is similar to the "count leading zero bits" function, except
624that that one returns how many zero bits are "in front" of the number (in
625the given data type), while C<ecb_ld> returns how many bits the number
626itself requires.
627
628For smaller types than C<uint32_t> you can safely use C<ecb_ld32>.
629
288=item int ecb_popcount32 (uint32_t x) 630=item int ecb_popcount32 (uint32_t x)
289 631
632=item int ecb_popcount64 (uint64_t x)
633
290Returns the number of bits set to 1 in C<x>. For example: 634Returns the number of bits set to 1 in C<x>.
635
636For smaller types than C<uint32_t> you can safely use C<ecb_popcount32>.
637
638For example:
291 639
292 ecb_popcount32 (7) = 3 640 ecb_popcount32 (7) = 3
293 ecb_popcount32 (255) = 8 641 ecb_popcount32 (255) = 8
294 642
643=item uint8_t ecb_bitrev8 (uint8_t x)
644
645=item uint16_t ecb_bitrev16 (uint16_t x)
646
647=item uint32_t ecb_bitrev32 (uint32_t x)
648
649Reverses the bits in x, i.e. the MSB becomes the LSB, MSB-1 becomes LSB+1
650and so on.
651
652Example:
653
654 ecb_bitrev8 (0xa7) = 0xea
655 ecb_bitrev32 (0xffcc4411) = 0x882233ff
656
295=item uint32_t ecb_bswap16 (uint32_t x) 657=item uint32_t ecb_bswap16 (uint32_t x)
296 658
297=item uint32_t ecb_bswap32 (uint32_t x) 659=item uint32_t ecb_bswap32 (uint32_t x)
298 660
661=item uint64_t ecb_bswap64 (uint64_t x)
662
299These two functions return the value of the 16-bit (32-bit) variable 663These functions return the value of the 16-bit (32-bit, 64-bit) value
300C<x> after reversing the order of bytes. 664C<x> after reversing the order of bytes (0x11223344 becomes 0x44332211 in
665C<ecb_bswap32>).
666
667=item uint8_t ecb_rotl8 (uint8_t x, unsigned int count)
668
669=item uint16_t ecb_rotl16 (uint16_t x, unsigned int count)
670
671=item uint32_t ecb_rotl32 (uint32_t x, unsigned int count)
672
673=item uint64_t ecb_rotl64 (uint64_t x, unsigned int count)
674
675=item uint8_t ecb_rotr8 (uint8_t x, unsigned int count)
676
677=item uint16_t ecb_rotr16 (uint16_t x, unsigned int count)
301 678
302=item uint32_t ecb_rotr32 (uint32_t x, unsigned int count) 679=item uint32_t ecb_rotr32 (uint32_t x, unsigned int count)
303 680
304=item uint32_t ecb_rotl32 (uint32_t x, unsigned int count) 681=item uint64_t ecb_rotr64 (uint64_t x, unsigned int count)
305 682
306These two functions return the value of C<x> after shifting all the bits 683These two families of functions return the value of C<x> after rotating
307by C<count> positions to the right or left respectively. 684all the bits by C<count> positions to the right (C<ecb_rotr>) or left
685(C<ecb_rotl>).
686
687Current GCC versions understand these functions and usually compile them
688to "optimal" code (e.g. a single C<rol> or a combination of C<shld> on
689x86).
308 690
309=back 691=back
310 692
693=head2 FLOATING POINT FIDDLING
694
695=over 4
696
697=item ECB_INFINITY [-UECB_NO_LIBM]
698
699Evaluates to positive infinity if supported by the platform, otherwise to
700a truly huge number.
701
702=item ECB_NAN [-UECB_NO_LIBM]
703
704Evaluates to a quiet NAN if supported by the platform, otherwise to
705C<ECB_INFINITY>.
706
707=item float ecb_ldexpf (float x, int exp) [-UECB_NO_LIBM]
708
709Same as C<ldexpf>, but always available.
710
711=item uint32_t ecb_float_to_binary16 (float x) [-UECB_NO_LIBM]
712
713=item uint32_t ecb_float_to_binary32 (float x) [-UECB_NO_LIBM]
714
715=item uint64_t ecb_double_to_binary64 (double x) [-UECB_NO_LIBM]
716
717These functions each take an argument in the native C<float> or C<double>
718type and return the IEEE 754 bit representation of it (binary16/half,
719binary32/single or binary64/double precision).
720
721The bit representation is just as IEEE 754 defines it, i.e. the sign bit
722will be the most significant bit, followed by exponent and mantissa.
723
724This function should work even when the native floating point format isn't
725IEEE compliant, of course at a speed and code size penalty, and of course
726also within reasonable limits (it tries to convert NaNs, infinities and
727denormals, but will likely convert negative zero to positive zero).
728
729On all modern platforms (where C<ECB_STDFP> is true), the compiler should
730be able to optimise away this function completely.
731
732These functions can be helpful when serialising floats to the network - you
733can serialise the return value like a normal uint16_t/uint32_t/uint64_t.
734
735Another use for these functions is to manipulate floating point values
736directly.
737
738Silly example: toggle the sign bit of a float.
739
740 /* On gcc-4.7 on amd64, */
741 /* this results in a single add instruction to toggle the bit, and 4 extra */
742 /* instructions to move the float value to an integer register and back. */
743
744 x = ecb_binary32_to_float (ecb_float_to_binary32 (x) ^ 0x80000000U)
745
746=item float ecb_binary16_to_float (uint16_t x) [-UECB_NO_LIBM]
747
748=item float ecb_binary32_to_float (uint32_t x) [-UECB_NO_LIBM]
749
750=item double ecb_binary64_to_double (uint64_t x) [-UECB_NO_LIBM]
751
752The reverse operation of the previous function - takes the bit
753representation of an IEEE binary16, binary32 or binary64 number (half,
754single or double precision) and converts it to the native C<float> or
755C<double> format.
756
757This function should work even when the native floating point format isn't
758IEEE compliant, of course at a speed and code size penalty, and of course
759also within reasonable limits (it tries to convert normals and denormals,
760and might be lucky for infinities, and with extraordinary luck, also for
761negative zero).
762
763On all modern platforms (where C<ECB_STDFP> is true), the compiler should
764be able to optimise away this function completely.
765
766=item uint16_t ecb_binary32_to_binary16 (uint32_t x)
767
768=item uint32_t ecb_binary16_to_binary32 (uint16_t x)
769
770Convert a IEEE binary32/single precision to binary16/half format, and vice
771versa, handling all details (round-to-nearest-even, subnormals, infinity
772and NaNs) correctly.
773
774These are functions are available under C<-DECB_NO_LIBM>, since
775they do not rely on the platform floating point format. The
776C<ecb_float_to_binary16> and C<ecb_binary16_to_float> functions are
777usually what you want.
778
779=back
780
311=head2 ARITHMETIC 781=head2 ARITHMETIC
312 782
313=over 4 783=over 4
314 784
315=item x = ecb_mod (m, n) 785=item x = ecb_mod (m, n)
316 786
317Returns the positive remainder of the modulo operation between C<m> and 787Returns C<m> modulo C<n>, which is the same as the positive remainder
788of the division operation between C<m> and C<n>, using floored
318C<n>. Unlike the C modulo operator C<%>, this function ensures that the 789division. Unlike the C remainder operator C<%>, this function ensures that
319return value is always positive). 790the return value is always positive and that the two numbers I<m> and
791I<m' = m + i * n> result in the same value modulo I<n> - in other words,
792C<ecb_mod> implements the mathematical modulo operation, which is missing
793in the language.
320 794
321C<n> must be strictly positive (i.e. C<< >1 >>), while C<m> must be 795C<n> must be strictly positive (i.e. C<< >= 1 >>), while C<m> must be
322negatable, that is, both C<m> and C<-m> must be representable in its 796negatable, that is, both C<m> and C<-m> must be representable in its
323type. 797type (this typically excludes the minimum signed integer value, the same
798limitation as for C</> and C<%> in C).
799
800Current GCC versions compile this into an efficient branchless sequence on
801almost all CPUs.
802
803For example, when you want to rotate forward through the members of an
804array for increasing C<m> (which might be negative), then you should use
805C<ecb_mod>, as the C<%> operator might give either negative results, or
806change direction for negative values:
807
808 for (m = -100; m <= 100; ++m)
809 int elem = myarray [ecb_mod (m, ecb_array_length (myarray))];
810
811=item x = ecb_div_rd (val, div)
812
813=item x = ecb_div_ru (val, div)
814
815Returns C<val> divided by C<div> rounded down or up, respectively.
816C<val> and C<div> must have integer types and C<div> must be strictly
817positive. Note that these functions are implemented with macros in C
818and with function templates in C++.
324 819
325=back 820=back
326 821
327=head2 UTILITY 822=head2 UTILITY
328 823
329=over 4 824=over 4
330 825
331=item element_count = ecb_array_length (name) [MACRO] 826=item element_count = ecb_array_length (name)
332 827
333Returns the number of elements in the array C<name>. For example: 828Returns the number of elements in the array C<name>. For example:
334 829
335 int primes[] = { 2, 3, 5, 7, 11 }; 830 int primes[] = { 2, 3, 5, 7, 11 };
336 int sum = 0; 831 int sum = 0;
338 for (i = 0; i < ecb_array_length (primes); i++) 833 for (i = 0; i < ecb_array_length (primes); i++)
339 sum += primes [i]; 834 sum += primes [i];
340 835
341=back 836=back
342 837
838=head2 SYMBOLS GOVERNING COMPILATION OF ECB.H ITSELF
343 839
840These symbols need to be defined before including F<ecb.h> the first time.
841
842=over 4
843
844=item ECB_NO_THREADS
845
846If F<ecb.h> is never used from multiple threads, then this symbol can
847be defined, in which case memory fences (and similar constructs) are
848completely removed, leading to more efficient code and fewer dependencies.
849
850Setting this symbol to a true value implies C<ECB_NO_SMP>.
851
852=item ECB_NO_SMP
853
854The weaker version of C<ECB_NO_THREADS> - if F<ecb.h> is used from
855multiple threads, but never concurrently (e.g. if the system the program
856runs on has only a single CPU with a single core, no hyperthreading and so
857on), then this symbol can be defined, leading to more efficient code and
858fewer dependencies.
859
860=item ECB_NO_LIBM
861
862When defined to C<1>, do not export any functions that might introduce
863dependencies on the math library (usually called F<-lm>) - these are
864marked with [-UECB_NO_LIBM].
865
866=back
867
868=head1 UNDOCUMENTED FUNCTIONALITY
869
870F<ecb.h> is full of undocumented functionality as well, some of which is
871intended to be internal-use only, some of which we forgot to document, and
872some of which we hide because we are not sure we will keep the interface
873stable.
874
875While you are welcome to rummage around and use whatever you find useful
876(we can't stop you), keep in mind that we will change undocumented
877functionality in incompatible ways without thinking twice, while we are
878considerably more conservative with documented things.
879
880=head1 AUTHORS
881
882C<libecb> is designed and maintained by:
883
884 Emanuele Giaquinta <e.giaquinta@glauco.it>
885 Marc Alexander Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
886
887

Diff Legend

Removed lines
+ Added lines
< Changed lines
> Changed lines