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Revision 1.82 by root, Mon Jan 20 21:02:28 2020 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_
64 int16_t uint16_t
65 int32_t uint32_
66 int64_t uint64_t
67 int_fast8_t uint_fast8_t
68 int_fast16_t uint_fast16_t
69 int_fast32_t uint_fast32_t
70 int_fast64_t uint_fast64_t
71 intptr_t uintptr_t
72
73The macro C<ECB_PTRSIZE> is defined to the size of a pointer on this
74platform (currently C<4> or C<8>) and can be used in preprocessor
75expressions.
76
77For C<ptrdiff_t> and C<size_t> use C<stddef.h>/C<cstddef>.
78
79=head2 LANGUAGE/ENVIRONMENT/COMPILER VERSIONS
80
81All the following symbols expand to an expression that can be tested in
82preprocessor instructions as well as treated as a boolean (use C<!!> to
83ensure it's either C<0> or C<1> if you need that).
84
85=over 4
86
87=item ECB_C
88
89True if the implementation defines the C<__STDC__> macro to a true value,
90while not claiming to be C++, i..e C, but not C++.
91
92=item ECB_C99
93
94True if the implementation claims to be compliant to C99 (ISO/IEC
959899:1999) or any later version, while not claiming to be C++.
96
97Note that later versions (ECB_C11) remove core features again (for
98example, variable length arrays).
99
100=item ECB_C11, ECB_C17
101
102True if the implementation claims to be compliant to C11/C17 (ISO/IEC
1039899:2011, :20187) or any later version, while not claiming to be C++.
104
105=item ECB_CPP
106
107True if the implementation defines the C<__cplusplus__> macro to a true
108value, which is typically true for C++ compilers.
109
110=item ECB_CPP11, ECB_CPP14, ECB_CPP17
111
112True if the implementation claims to be compliant to C++11/C++14/C++17
113(ISO/IEC 14882:2011, :2014, :2017) or any later version.
114
115=item ECB_OPTIMIZE_SIZE
116
117Is C<1> when the compiler optimizes for size, C<0> otherwise. This symbol
118can also be defined before including F<ecb.h>, in which case it will be
119unchanged.
120
121=item ECB_GCC_VERSION (major, minor)
122
123Expands to a true value (suitable for testing in by the preprocessor)
124if the compiler used is GNU C and the version is the given version, or
125higher.
126
127This macro tries to return false on compilers that claim to be GCC
128compatible but aren't.
129
130=item ECB_EXTERN_C
131
132Expands to C<extern "C"> in C++, and a simple C<extern> in C.
133
134This can be used to declare a single external C function:
135
136 ECB_EXTERN_C int printf (const char *format, ...);
137
138=item ECB_EXTERN_C_BEG / ECB_EXTERN_C_END
139
140These two macros can be used to wrap multiple C<extern "C"> definitions -
141they expand to nothing in C.
142
143They are most useful in header files:
144
145 ECB_EXTERN_C_BEG
146
147 int mycfun1 (int x);
148 int mycfun2 (int x);
149
150 ECB_EXTERN_C_END
151
152=item ECB_STDFP
153
154If this evaluates to a true value (suitable for testing in by the
155preprocessor), then C<float> and C<double> use IEEE 754 single/binary32
156and double/binary64 representations internally I<and> the endianness of
157both types match the endianness of C<uint32_t> and C<uint64_t>.
158
159This means you can just copy the bits of a C<float> (or C<double>) to an
160C<uint32_t> (or C<uint64_t>) and get the raw IEEE 754 bit representation
161without having to think about format or endianness.
162
163This is true for basically all modern platforms, although F<ecb.h> might
164not be able to deduce this correctly everywhere and might err on the safe
165side.
166
167=item ECB_AMD64, ECB_AMD64_X32
168
169These two macros are defined to C<1> on the x86_64/amd64 ABI and the X32
170ABI, respectively, and undefined elsewhere.
171
172The designers of the new X32 ABI for some inexplicable reason decided to
173make it look exactly like amd64, even though it's completely incompatible
174to that ABI, breaking about every piece of software that assumed that
175C<__x86_64> stands for, well, the x86-64 ABI, making these macros
176necessary.
177
178=back
179
180=head2 MACRO TRICKERY
181
182=over 4
183
184=item ECB_CONCAT (a, b)
185
186Expands any macros in C<a> and C<b>, then concatenates the result to form
187a single token. This is mainly useful to form identifiers from components,
188e.g.:
189
190 #define S1 str
191 #define S2 cpy
192
193 ECB_CONCAT (S1, S2)(dst, src); // == strcpy (dst, src);
194
195=item ECB_STRINGIFY (arg)
196
197Expands any macros in C<arg> and returns the stringified version of
198it. This is mainly useful to get the contents of a macro in string form,
199e.g.:
200
201 #define SQL_LIMIT 100
202 sql_exec ("select * from table limit " ECB_STRINGIFY (SQL_LIMIT));
203
204=item ECB_STRINGIFY_EXPR (expr)
205
206Like C<ECB_STRINGIFY>, but additionally evaluates C<expr> to make sure it
207is a valid expression. This is useful to catch typos or cases where the
208macro isn't available:
209
210 #include <errno.h>
211
212 ECB_STRINGIFY (EDOM); // "33" (on my system at least)
213 ECB_STRINGIFY_EXPR (EDOM); // "33"
214
215 // now imagine we had a typo:
216
217 ECB_STRINGIFY (EDAM); // "EDAM"
218 ECB_STRINGIFY_EXPR (EDAM); // error: EDAM undefined
219
220=back
221
58=head2 GCC ATTRIBUTES 222=head2 ATTRIBUTES
59 223
60blabla where to put, what others 224A major part of libecb deals with additional attributes that can be
225assigned to functions, variables and sometimes even types - much like
226C<const> or C<volatile> in C. They are implemented using either GCC
227attributes or other compiler/language specific features. Attributes
228declarations must be put before the whole declaration:
61 229
62=over 4 230 ecb_const int mysqrt (int a);
231 ecb_unused int i;
63 232
64=item ecb_attribute ((attrs...)) 233=over 4
65
66A simple wrapper that expands to C<__attribute__((attrs))> on GCC, and to
67nothing on other compilers, so the effect is that only GCC sees these.
68
69Example: use the C<deprecated> attribute on a function.
70
71 ecb_attribute((__deprecated__)) void
72 do_not_use_me_anymore (void);
73 234
74=item ecb_unused 235=item ecb_unused
75 236
76Marks a function or a variable as "unused", which simply suppresses a 237Marks a function or a variable as "unused", which simply suppresses a
77warning by GCC when it detects it as unused. This is useful when you e.g. 238warning by GCC when it detects it as unused. This is useful when you e.g.
78declare a variable but do not always use it: 239declare a variable but do not always use it:
79 240
80 { 241 {
81 int var ecb_unused; 242 ecb_unused int var;
82 243
83 #ifdef SOMECONDITION 244 #ifdef SOMECONDITION
84 var = ...; 245 var = ...;
85 return var; 246 return var;
86 #else 247 #else
87 return 0; 248 return 0;
88 #endif 249 #endif
89 } 250 }
90 251
252=item ecb_deprecated
253
254Similar to C<ecb_unused>, but marks a function, variable or type as
255deprecated. This makes some compilers warn when the type is used.
256
257=item ecb_deprecated_message (message)
258
259Same as C<ecb_deprecated>, but if possible, the specified diagnostic is
260used instead of a generic depreciation message when the object is being
261used.
262
263=item ecb_inline
264
265Expands either to (a compiler-specific equivalent of) C<static inline> or
266to just C<static>, if inline isn't supported. It should be used to declare
267functions that should be inlined, for code size or speed reasons.
268
269Example: inline this function, it surely will reduce codesize.
270
271 ecb_inline int
272 negmul (int a, int b)
273 {
274 return - (a * b);
275 }
276
91=item ecb_noinline 277=item ecb_noinline
92 278
93Prevent a function from being inlined - it might be optimised away, but 279Prevents a function from being inlined - it might be optimised away, but
94not inlined into other functions. This is useful if you know your function 280not inlined into other functions. This is useful if you know your function
95is rarely called and large enough for inlining not to be helpful. 281is rarely called and large enough for inlining not to be helpful.
96 282
97=item ecb_noreturn 283=item ecb_noreturn
98 284
105 { 291 {
106 puts (errline); 292 puts (errline);
107 abort (); 293 abort ();
108 } 294 }
109 295
110In this case, the compiler would probbaly be smart enough to decude it on 296In this case, the compiler would probably be smart enough to deduce it on
111it's own, so this is mainly useful for declarations. 297its own, so this is mainly useful for declarations.
298
299=item ecb_restrict
300
301Expands to the C<restrict> keyword or equivalent on compilers that support
302them, and to nothing on others. Must be specified on a pointer type or
303an array index to indicate that the memory doesn't alias with any other
304restricted pointer in the same scope.
305
306Example: multiply a vector, and allow the compiler to parallelise the
307loop, because it knows it doesn't overwrite input values.
308
309 void
310 multiply (ecb_restrict float *src,
311 ecb_restrict float *dst,
312 int len, float factor)
313 {
314 int i;
315
316 for (i = 0; i < len; ++i)
317 dst [i] = src [i] * factor;
318 }
112 319
113=item ecb_const 320=item ecb_const
114 321
115Declares that the function only depends on the values of it's arguments, 322Declares that the function only depends on the values of its arguments,
116much like a mathematical function. It specifically does not read or write 323much like a mathematical function. It specifically does not read or write
117any memory any arguments might point to, global variables, or call any 324any memory any arguments might point to, global variables, or call any
118non-const functions. It also must not have any side effects. 325non-const functions. It also must not have any side effects.
119 326
120Such a function can be optimised much more aggressively by the compiler - 327Such a function can be optimised much more aggressively by the compiler -
121for example, multiple calls with the same arguments can be optimised into 328for example, multiple calls with the same arguments can be optimised into
122a single call, which wouldn't be possible if the compiler would have to 329a single call, which wouldn't be possible if the compiler would have to
123expect any side effects. 330expect any side effects.
124 331
125It is best suited for functions in the sense of mathematical functions, 332It is best suited for functions in the sense of mathematical functions,
126such as a function return the square root of its input argument. 333such as a function returning the square root of its input argument.
127 334
128Not suited would be a function that calculates the hash of some memory 335Not suited would be a function that calculates the hash of some memory
129area you pass in, prints some messages or looks at a global variable to 336area you pass in, prints some messages or looks at a global variable to
130decide on rounding. 337decide on rounding.
131 338
154possible. 361possible.
155 362
156The compiler reacts by trying to place hot functions near to each other in 363The compiler reacts by trying to place hot functions near to each other in
157memory. 364memory.
158 365
159Whether a function is hot or not often depend son the whole program, 366Whether a function is hot or not often depends on the whole program,
160and less on the function itself. C<ecb_cold> is likely more useful in 367and less on the function itself. C<ecb_cold> is likely more useful in
161practise. 368practise.
162 369
163=item ecb_cold 370=item ecb_cold
164 371
169 376
170In addition to placing cold functions together (or at least away from hot 377In addition to placing cold functions together (or at least away from hot
171functions), this knowledge can be used in other ways, for example, the 378functions), this knowledge can be used in other ways, for example, the
172function will be optimised for size, as opposed to speed, and codepaths 379function will be optimised for size, as opposed to speed, and codepaths
173leading to calls to those functions can automatically be marked as if 380leading to calls to those functions can automatically be marked as if
174C<ecb_unlikel> had been used to reach them. 381C<ecb_expect_false> had been used to reach them.
175 382
176Good examples for such functions would be error reporting functions, or 383Good examples for such functions would be error reporting functions, or
177functions only called in exceptional or rare cases. 384functions only called in exceptional or rare cases.
178 385
179=item ecb_artificial 386=item ecb_artificial
180 387
181Declares the function as "artificial", in this case meaning that this 388Declares the function as "artificial", in this case meaning that this
182function is not really mean to be a function, but more like an accessor 389function is not really meant to be a function, but more like an accessor
183- many methods in C++ classes are mere accessor functions, and having a 390- many methods in C++ classes are mere accessor functions, and having a
184crash reported in such a method, or single-stepping through them, is not 391crash reported in such a method, or single-stepping through them, is not
185usually so helpful, especially when it's inlined to just a few instructions. 392usually so helpful, especially when it's inlined to just a few instructions.
186 393
187Marking them as artificial will instruct the debugger about just this, 394Marking them as artificial will instruct the debugger about just this,
207 414
208=head2 OPTIMISATION HINTS 415=head2 OPTIMISATION HINTS
209 416
210=over 4 417=over 4
211 418
212=item bool ecb_is_constant(expr) 419=item bool ecb_is_constant (expr)
213 420
214Returns true iff the expression can be deduced to be a compile-time 421Returns true iff the expression can be deduced to be a compile-time
215constant, and false otherwise. 422constant, and false otherwise.
216 423
217For example, when you have a C<rndm16> function that returns a 16 bit 424For example, when you have a C<rndm16> function that returns a 16 bit
235 return is_constant (n) && !(n & (n - 1)) 442 return is_constant (n) && !(n & (n - 1))
236 ? rndm16 () & (num - 1) 443 ? rndm16 () & (num - 1)
237 : (n * (uint32_t)rndm16 ()) >> 16; 444 : (n * (uint32_t)rndm16 ()) >> 16;
238 } 445 }
239 446
240=item bool ecb_expect (expr, value) 447=item ecb_expect (expr, value)
241 448
242Evaluates C<expr> and returns it. In addition, it tells the compiler that 449Evaluates C<expr> and returns it. In addition, it tells the compiler that
243the C<expr> evaluates to C<value> a lot, which can be used for static 450the C<expr> evaluates to C<value> a lot, which can be used for static
244branch optimisations. 451branch optimisations.
245 452
246Usually, you want to use the more intuitive C<ecb_likely> and 453Usually, you want to use the more intuitive C<ecb_expect_true> and
247C<ecb_unlikely> functions instead. 454C<ecb_expect_false> functions instead.
248 455
456=item bool ecb_expect_true (cond)
457
249=item bool ecb_likely (cond) 458=item bool ecb_expect_false (cond)
250
251=item bool ecb_unlikely (cond)
252 459
253These two functions expect a expression that is true or false and return 460These two functions expect a expression that is true or false and return
254C<1> or C<0>, respectively, so when used in the condition of an C<if> or 461C<1> or C<0>, respectively, so when used in the condition of an C<if> or
255other conditional statement, it will not change the program: 462other conditional statement, it will not change the program:
256 463
257 /* these two do the same thing */ 464 /* these two do the same thing */
258 if (some_condition) ...; 465 if (some_condition) ...;
259 if (ecb_likely (some_condition)) ...; 466 if (ecb_expect_true (some_condition)) ...;
260 467
261However, by using C<ecb_likely>, you tell the compiler that the condition 468However, by using C<ecb_expect_true>, you tell the compiler that the
262is likely to be true (and for C<ecb_unlikely>, that it is unlikely to be 469condition is likely to be true (and for C<ecb_expect_false>, that it is
263true). 470unlikely to be true).
264 471
265For example, when you check for a null pointer and expect this to be a 472For example, when you check for a null pointer and expect this to be a
266rare, exceptional, case, then use C<ecb_unlikely>: 473rare, exceptional, case, then use C<ecb_expect_false>:
267 474
268 void my_free (void *ptr) 475 void my_free (void *ptr)
269 { 476 {
270 if (ecb_unlikely (ptr == 0)) 477 if (ecb_expect_false (ptr == 0))
271 return; 478 return;
272 } 479 }
273 480
274Consequent use of these functions to mark away exceptional cases or to 481Consequent use of these functions to mark away exceptional cases or to
275tell the compiler what the hot path through a function is can increase 482tell the compiler what the hot path through a function is can increase
276performance considerably. 483performance considerably.
484
485You might know these functions under the name C<likely> and C<unlikely>
486- while these are common aliases, we find that the expect name is easier
487to understand when quickly skimming code. If you wish, you can use
488C<ecb_likely> instead of C<ecb_expect_true> and C<ecb_unlikely> instead of
489C<ecb_expect_false> - these are simply aliases.
277 490
278A very good example is in a function that reserves more space for some 491A very good example is in a function that reserves more space for some
279memory block (for example, inside an implementation of a string stream) - 492memory block (for example, inside an implementation of a string stream) -
280each time something is added, you have to check for a buffer overrun, but 493each time something is added, you have to check for a buffer overrun, but
281you expect that most checks will turn out to be false: 494you expect that most checks will turn out to be false:
282 495
283 /* make sure we have "size" extra room in our buffer */ 496 /* make sure we have "size" extra room in our buffer */
284 ecb_inline void 497 ecb_inline void
285 reserve (int size) 498 reserve (int size)
286 { 499 {
287 if (ecb_unlikely (current + size > end)) 500 if (ecb_expect_false (current + size > end))
288 real_reserve_method (size); /* presumably noinline */ 501 real_reserve_method (size); /* presumably noinline */
289 } 502 }
290 503
291=item bool ecb_assume (cond) 504=item ecb_assume (cond)
292 505
293Try to tell the compiler that some condition is true, even if it's not 506Tries to tell the compiler that some condition is true, even if it's not
294obvious. 507obvious. This is not a function, but a statement: it cannot be used in
508another expression.
295 509
296This can be used to teach the compiler about invariants or other 510This can be used to teach the compiler about invariants or other
297conditions that might improve code generation, but which are impossible to 511conditions that might improve code generation, but which are impossible to
298deduce form the code itself. 512deduce form the code itself.
299 513
300For example, the example reservation function from the C<ecb_unlikely> 514For example, the example reservation function from the C<ecb_expect_false>
301description could be written thus (only C<ecb_assume> was added): 515description could be written thus (only C<ecb_assume> was added):
302 516
303 ecb_inline void 517 ecb_inline void
304 reserve (int size) 518 reserve (int size)
305 { 519 {
306 if (ecb_unlikely (current + size > end)) 520 if (ecb_expect_false (current + size > end))
307 real_reserve_method (size); /* presumably noinline */ 521 real_reserve_method (size); /* presumably noinline */
308 522
309 ecb_assume (current + size <= end); 523 ecb_assume (current + size <= end);
310 } 524 }
311 525
316 530
317Then the compiler I<might> be able to optimise out the second call 531Then the compiler I<might> be able to optimise out the second call
318completely, as it knows that C<< current + 1 > end >> is false and the 532completely, as it knows that C<< current + 1 > end >> is false and the
319call will never be executed. 533call will never be executed.
320 534
321=item bool ecb_unreachable () 535=item ecb_unreachable ()
322 536
323This function does nothing itself, except tell the compiler that it will 537This function does nothing itself, except tell the compiler that it will
324never be executed. Apart from suppressing a warning in some cases, this 538never be executed. Apart from suppressing a warning in some cases, this
325function can be used to implement C<ecb_assume> or similar functions. 539function can be used to implement C<ecb_assume> or similar functionality.
326 540
327=item bool ecb_prefetch (addr, rw, locality) 541=item ecb_prefetch (addr, rw, locality)
328 542
329Tells the compiler to try to prefetch memory at the given C<addr>ess 543Tells the compiler to try to prefetch memory at the given C<addr>ess
330for either reading (C<rw> = 0) or writing (C<rw> = 1). A C<locality> of 544for either reading (C<rw> = 0) or writing (C<rw> = 1). A C<locality> of
331C<0> means that there will only be one access later, C<3> means that 545C<0> means that there will only be one access later, C<3> means that
332the data will likely be accessed very often, and values in between mean 546the data will likely be accessed very often, and values in between mean
333something... in between. The memory pointed to by the address does not 547something... in between. The memory pointed to by the address does not
334need to be accessible (it could be a null pointer for example), but C<rw> 548need to be accessible (it could be a null pointer for example), but C<rw>
335and C<locality> must be compile-time constants. 549and C<locality> must be compile-time constants.
336 550
551This is a statement, not a function: you cannot use it as part of an
552expression.
553
337An obvious way to use this is to prefetch some data far away, in a big 554An obvious way to use this is to prefetch some data far away, in a big
338array you loop over. This prefetches memory some 128 array elements later, 555array you loop over. This prefetches memory some 128 array elements later,
339in the hope that it will be ready when the CPU arrives at that location. 556in the hope that it will be ready when the CPU arrives at that location.
340 557
341 int sum = 0; 558 int sum = 0;
360After processing the node, (part of) the next node might already be in 577After processing the node, (part of) the next node might already be in
361cache. 578cache.
362 579
363=back 580=back
364 581
365=head2 BIT FIDDLING / BITSTUFFS 582=head2 BIT FIDDLING / BIT WIZARDRY
366 583
367=over 4 584=over 4
368 585
369=item bool ecb_big_endian () 586=item bool ecb_big_endian ()
370 587
372 589
373These two functions return true if the byte order is big endian 590These two functions return true if the byte order is big endian
374(most-significant byte first) or little endian (least-significant byte 591(most-significant byte first) or little endian (least-significant byte
375first) respectively. 592first) respectively.
376 593
594On systems that are neither, their return values are unspecified.
595
377=item int ecb_ctz32 (uint32_t x) 596=item int ecb_ctz32 (uint32_t x)
378 597
598=item int ecb_ctz64 (uint64_t x)
599
600=item int ecb_ctz (T x) [C++]
601
379Returns the index of the least significant bit set in C<x> (or 602Returns the index of the least significant bit set in C<x> (or
380equivalently the number of bits set to 0 before the least significant 603equivalently the number of bits set to 0 before the least significant bit
381bit set), starting from 0. If C<x> is 0 the result is undefined. A 604set), starting from 0. If C<x> is 0 the result is undefined.
382common use case is to compute the integer binary logarithm, i.e., 605
383floor(log2(n)). For example: 606For smaller types than C<uint32_t> you can safely use C<ecb_ctz32>.
607
608The overloaded C++ C<ecb_ctz> function supports C<uint8_t>, C<uint16_t>,
609C<uint32_t> and C<uint64_t> types.
610
611For example:
384 612
385 ecb_ctz32 (3) = 0 613 ecb_ctz32 (3) = 0
386 ecb_ctz32 (6) = 1 614 ecb_ctz32 (6) = 1
387 615
616=item bool ecb_is_pot32 (uint32_t x)
617
618=item bool ecb_is_pot64 (uint32_t x)
619
620=item bool ecb_is_pot (T x) [C++]
621
622Returns true iff C<x> is a power of two or C<x == 0>.
623
624For smaller types than C<uint32_t> you can safely use C<ecb_is_pot32>.
625
626The overloaded C++ C<ecb_is_pot> function supports C<uint8_t>, C<uint16_t>,
627C<uint32_t> and C<uint64_t> types.
628
629=item int ecb_ld32 (uint32_t x)
630
631=item int ecb_ld64 (uint64_t x)
632
633=item int ecb_ld64 (T x) [C++]
634
635Returns the index of the most significant bit set in C<x>, or the number
636of digits the number requires in binary (so that C<< 2**ld <= x <
6372**(ld+1) >>). If C<x> is 0 the result is undefined. A common use case is
638to compute the integer binary logarithm, i.e. C<floor (log2 (n))>, for
639example to see how many bits a certain number requires to be encoded.
640
641This function is similar to the "count leading zero bits" function, except
642that that one returns how many zero bits are "in front" of the number (in
643the given data type), while C<ecb_ld> returns how many bits the number
644itself requires.
645
646For smaller types than C<uint32_t> you can safely use C<ecb_ld32>.
647
648The overloaded C++ C<ecb_ld> function supports C<uint8_t>, C<uint16_t>,
649C<uint32_t> and C<uint64_t> types.
650
388=item int ecb_popcount32 (uint32_t x) 651=item int ecb_popcount32 (uint32_t x)
389 652
653=item int ecb_popcount64 (uint64_t x)
654
655=item int ecb_popcount (T x) [C++]
656
390Returns the number of bits set to 1 in C<x>. For example: 657Returns the number of bits set to 1 in C<x>.
658
659For smaller types than C<uint32_t> you can safely use C<ecb_popcount32>.
660
661The overloaded C++ C<ecb_popcount> function supports C<uint8_t>, C<uint16_t>,
662C<uint32_t> and C<uint64_t> types.
663
664For example:
391 665
392 ecb_popcount32 (7) = 3 666 ecb_popcount32 (7) = 3
393 ecb_popcount32 (255) = 8 667 ecb_popcount32 (255) = 8
394 668
669=item uint8_t ecb_bitrev8 (uint8_t x)
670
671=item uint16_t ecb_bitrev16 (uint16_t x)
672
673=item uint32_t ecb_bitrev32 (uint32_t x)
674
675=item T ecb_bitrev (T x) [C++]
676
677Reverses the bits in x, i.e. the MSB becomes the LSB, MSB-1 becomes LSB+1
678and so on.
679
680The overloaded C++ C<ecb_bitrev> function supports C<uint8_t>, C<uint16_t> and C<uint32_t> types.
681
682Example:
683
684 ecb_bitrev8 (0xa7) = 0xea
685 ecb_bitrev32 (0xffcc4411) = 0x882233ff
686
687=item T ecb_bitrev (T x) [C++]
688
689Overloaded C++ bitrev function.
690
691C<T> must be one of C<uint8_t>, C<uint16_t> or C<uint32_t>.
692
395=item uint32_t ecb_bswap16 (uint32_t x) 693=item uint32_t ecb_bswap16 (uint32_t x)
396 694
397=item uint32_t ecb_bswap32 (uint32_t x) 695=item uint32_t ecb_bswap32 (uint32_t x)
398 696
697=item uint64_t ecb_bswap64 (uint64_t x)
698
699=item T ecb_bswap (T x)
700
399These two functions return the value of the 16-bit (32-bit) variable 701These functions return the value of the 16-bit (32-bit, 64-bit) value
400C<x> after reversing the order of bytes. 702C<x> after reversing the order of bytes (0x11223344 becomes 0x44332211 in
703C<ecb_bswap32>).
704
705The overloaded C++ C<ecb_bswap> function supports C<uint8_t>, C<uint16_t>,
706C<uint32_t> and C<uint64_t> types.
707
708=item uint8_t ecb_rotl8 (uint8_t x, unsigned int count)
709
710=item uint16_t ecb_rotl16 (uint16_t x, unsigned int count)
711
712=item uint32_t ecb_rotl32 (uint32_t x, unsigned int count)
713
714=item uint64_t ecb_rotl64 (uint64_t x, unsigned int count)
715
716=item uint8_t ecb_rotr8 (uint8_t x, unsigned int count)
717
718=item uint16_t ecb_rotr16 (uint16_t x, unsigned int count)
401 719
402=item uint32_t ecb_rotr32 (uint32_t x, unsigned int count) 720=item uint32_t ecb_rotr32 (uint32_t x, unsigned int count)
403 721
404=item uint32_t ecb_rotl32 (uint32_t x, unsigned int count) 722=item uint64_t ecb_rotr64 (uint64_t x, unsigned int count)
405 723
406These two functions return the value of C<x> after shifting all the bits 724These two families of functions return the value of C<x> after rotating
407by C<count> positions to the right or left respectively. 725all the bits by C<count> positions to the right (C<ecb_rotr>) or left
726(C<ecb_rotl>).
727
728Current GCC versions understand these functions and usually compile them
729to "optimal" code (e.g. a single C<rol> or a combination of C<shld> on
730x86).
731
732=item T ecb_rotl (T x, unsigned int count) [C++]
733
734=item T ecb_rotr (T x, unsigned int count) [C++]
735
736Overloaded C++ rotl/rotr functions.
737
738C<T> must be one of C<uint8_t>, C<uint16_t>, C<uint32_t> or C<uint64_t>.
408 739
409=back 740=back
410 741
742=head2 HOST ENDIANNESS CONVERSION
743
744=over 4
745
746=item uint_fast16_t ecb_be_u16_to_host (uint_fast16_t v)
747
748=item uint_fast32_t ecb_be_u32_to_host (uint_fast32_t v)
749
750=item uint_fast64_t ecb_be_u64_to_host (uint_fast64_t v)
751
752=item uint_fast16_t ecb_le_u16_to_host (uint_fast16_t v)
753
754=item uint_fast32_t ecb_le_u32_to_host (uint_fast32_t v)
755
756=item uint_fast64_t ecb_le_u64_to_host (uint_fast64_t v)
757
758Convert an unsigned 16, 32 or 64 bit value from big or little endian to host byte order.
759
760The naming convention is C<ecb_>(C<be>|C<le>)C<_u>C<16|32|64>C<_to_host>,
761where C<be> and C<le> stand for big endian and little endian, respectively.
762
763=item uint_fast16_t ecb_host_to_be_u16 (uint_fast16_t v)
764
765=item uint_fast32_t ecb_host_to_be_u32 (uint_fast32_t v)
766
767=item uint_fast64_t ecb_host_to_be_u64 (uint_fast64_t v)
768
769=item uint_fast16_t ecb_host_to_le_u16 (uint_fast16_t v)
770
771=item uint_fast32_t ecb_host_to_le_u32 (uint_fast32_t v)
772
773=item uint_fast64_t ecb_host_to_le_u64 (uint_fast64_t v)
774
775Like above, but converts I<from> host byte order to the specified
776endianness.
777
778=back
779
780In C++ the following additional template functions are supported:
781
782=over 4
783
784=item T ecb_be_to_host (T v)
785
786=item T ecb_le_to_host (T v)
787
788=item T ecb_host_to_be (T v)
789
790=item T ecb_host_to_le (T v)
791
792These functions work like their C counterparts, above, but use templates,
793which make them useful in generic code.
794
795C<T> must be one of C<uint8_t>, C<uint16_t>, C<uint32_t> or C<uint64_t>
796(so unlike their C counterparts, there is a version for C<uint8_t>, which
797again can be useful in generic code).
798
799=head2 UNALIGNED LOAD/STORE
800
801These function load or store unaligned multi-byte values.
802
803=over 4
804
805=item uint_fast16_t ecb_peek_u16_u (const void *ptr)
806
807=item uint_fast32_t ecb_peek_u32_u (const void *ptr)
808
809=item uint_fast64_t ecb_peek_u64_u (const void *ptr)
810
811These functions load an unaligned, unsigned 16, 32 or 64 bit value from
812memory.
813
814=item uint_fast16_t ecb_peek_be_u16_u (const void *ptr)
815
816=item uint_fast32_t ecb_peek_be_u32_u (const void *ptr)
817
818=item uint_fast64_t ecb_peek_be_u64_u (const void *ptr)
819
820=item uint_fast16_t ecb_peek_le_u16_u (const void *ptr)
821
822=item uint_fast32_t ecb_peek_le_u32_u (const void *ptr)
823
824=item uint_fast64_t ecb_peek_le_u64_u (const void *ptr)
825
826Like above, but additionally convert from big endian (C<be>) or little
827endian (C<le>) byte order to host byte order while doing so.
828
829=item ecb_poke_u16_u (void *ptr, uint16_t v)
830
831=item ecb_poke_u32_u (void *ptr, uint32_t v)
832
833=item ecb_poke_u64_u (void *ptr, uint64_t v)
834
835These functions store an unaligned, unsigned 16, 32 or 64 bit value to
836memory.
837
838=item ecb_poke_be_u16_u (void *ptr, uint_fast16_t v)
839
840=item ecb_poke_be_u32_u (void *ptr, uint_fast32_t v)
841
842=item ecb_poke_be_u64_u (void *ptr, uint_fast64_t v)
843
844=item ecb_poke_le_u16_u (void *ptr, uint_fast16_t v)
845
846=item ecb_poke_le_u32_u (void *ptr, uint_fast32_t v)
847
848=item ecb_poke_le_u64_u (void *ptr, uint_fast64_t v)
849
850Like above, but additionally convert from host byte order to big endian
851(C<be>) or little endian (C<le>) byte order while doing so.
852
853=back
854
855In C++ the following additional template functions are supported:
856
857=over 4
858
859=item T ecb_peek<T> (const void *ptr)
860
861=item T ecb_peek_be<T> (const void *ptr)
862
863=item T ecb_peek_le<T> (const void *ptr)
864
865=item T ecb_peek_u<T> (const void *ptr)
866
867=item T ecb_peek_be_u<T> (const void *ptr)
868
869=item T ecb_peek_le_u<T> (const void *ptr)
870
871Similarly to their C counterparts, these functions load an unsigned 8, 16,
87232 or 64 bit value from memory, with optional conversion from big/little
873endian.
874
875Since the type cannot be deduced, it has to be specified explicitly, e.g.
876
877 uint_fast16_t v = ecb_peek<uint16_t> (ptr);
878
879C<T> must be one of C<uint8_t>, C<uint16_t>, C<uint32_t> or C<uint64_t>.
880
881Unlike their C counterparts, these functions support 8 bit quantities
882(C<uint8_t>) and also have an aligned version (without the C<_u> prefix),
883all of which hopefully makes them more useful in generic code.
884
885=item ecb_poke (void *ptr, T v)
886
887=item ecb_poke_be (void *ptr, T v)
888
889=item ecb_poke_le (void *ptr, T v)
890
891=item ecb_poke_u (void *ptr, T v)
892
893=item ecb_poke_be_u (void *ptr, T v)
894
895=item ecb_poke_le_u (void *ptr, T v)
896
897Again, similarly to their C counterparts, these functions store an
898unsigned 8, 16, 32 or z64 bit value to memory, with optional conversion to
899big/little endian.
900
901C<T> must be one of C<uint8_t>, C<uint16_t>, C<uint32_t> or C<uint64_t>.
902
903Unlike their C counterparts, these functions support 8 bit quantities
904(C<uint8_t>) and also have an aligned version (without the C<_u> prefix),
905all of which hopefully makes them more useful in generic code.
906
907=back
908
909=head2 FLOATING POINT FIDDLING
910
911=over 4
912
913=item ECB_INFINITY [-UECB_NO_LIBM]
914
915Evaluates to positive infinity if supported by the platform, otherwise to
916a truly huge number.
917
918=item ECB_NAN [-UECB_NO_LIBM]
919
920Evaluates to a quiet NAN if supported by the platform, otherwise to
921C<ECB_INFINITY>.
922
923=item float ecb_ldexpf (float x, int exp) [-UECB_NO_LIBM]
924
925Same as C<ldexpf>, but always available.
926
927=item uint32_t ecb_float_to_binary16 (float x) [-UECB_NO_LIBM]
928
929=item uint32_t ecb_float_to_binary32 (float x) [-UECB_NO_LIBM]
930
931=item uint64_t ecb_double_to_binary64 (double x) [-UECB_NO_LIBM]
932
933These functions each take an argument in the native C<float> or C<double>
934type and return the IEEE 754 bit representation of it (binary16/half,
935binary32/single or binary64/double precision).
936
937The bit representation is just as IEEE 754 defines it, i.e. the sign bit
938will be the most significant bit, followed by exponent and mantissa.
939
940This function should work even when the native floating point format isn't
941IEEE compliant, of course at a speed and code size penalty, and of course
942also within reasonable limits (it tries to convert NaNs, infinities and
943denormals, but will likely convert negative zero to positive zero).
944
945On all modern platforms (where C<ECB_STDFP> is true), the compiler should
946be able to optimise away this function completely.
947
948These functions can be helpful when serialising floats to the network - you
949can serialise the return value like a normal uint16_t/uint32_t/uint64_t.
950
951Another use for these functions is to manipulate floating point values
952directly.
953
954Silly example: toggle the sign bit of a float.
955
956 /* On gcc-4.7 on amd64, */
957 /* this results in a single add instruction to toggle the bit, and 4 extra */
958 /* instructions to move the float value to an integer register and back. */
959
960 x = ecb_binary32_to_float (ecb_float_to_binary32 (x) ^ 0x80000000U)
961
962=item float ecb_binary16_to_float (uint16_t x) [-UECB_NO_LIBM]
963
964=item float ecb_binary32_to_float (uint32_t x) [-UECB_NO_LIBM]
965
966=item double ecb_binary64_to_double (uint64_t x) [-UECB_NO_LIBM]
967
968The reverse operation of the previous function - takes the bit
969representation of an IEEE binary16, binary32 or binary64 number (half,
970single or double precision) and converts it to the native C<float> or
971C<double> format.
972
973This function should work even when the native floating point format isn't
974IEEE compliant, of course at a speed and code size penalty, and of course
975also within reasonable limits (it tries to convert normals and denormals,
976and might be lucky for infinities, and with extraordinary luck, also for
977negative zero).
978
979On all modern platforms (where C<ECB_STDFP> is true), the compiler should
980be able to optimise away this function completely.
981
982=item uint16_t ecb_binary32_to_binary16 (uint32_t x)
983
984=item uint32_t ecb_binary16_to_binary32 (uint16_t x)
985
986Convert a IEEE binary32/single precision to binary16/half format, and vice
987versa, handling all details (round-to-nearest-even, subnormals, infinity
988and NaNs) correctly.
989
990These are functions are available under C<-DECB_NO_LIBM>, since
991they do not rely on the platform floating point format. The
992C<ecb_float_to_binary16> and C<ecb_binary16_to_float> functions are
993usually what you want.
994
995=back
996
411=head2 ARITHMETIC 997=head2 ARITHMETIC
412 998
413=over 4 999=over 4
414 1000
415=item x = ecb_mod (m, n) 1001=item x = ecb_mod (m, n)
416 1002
417Returns the positive remainder of the modulo operation between C<m> and 1003Returns C<m> modulo C<n>, which is the same as the positive remainder
1004of the division operation between C<m> and C<n>, using floored
418C<n>. Unlike the C modulo operator C<%>, this function ensures that the 1005division. Unlike the C remainder operator C<%>, this function ensures that
419return value is always positive). 1006the return value is always positive and that the two numbers I<m> and
1007I<m' = m + i * n> result in the same value modulo I<n> - in other words,
1008C<ecb_mod> implements the mathematical modulo operation, which is missing
1009in the language.
420 1010
421C<n> must be strictly positive (i.e. C<< >1 >>), while C<m> must be 1011C<n> must be strictly positive (i.e. C<< >= 1 >>), while C<m> must be
422negatable, that is, both C<m> and C<-m> must be representable in its 1012negatable, that is, both C<m> and C<-m> must be representable in its
423type. 1013type (this typically excludes the minimum signed integer value, the same
1014limitation as for C</> and C<%> in C).
1015
1016Current GCC versions compile this into an efficient branchless sequence on
1017almost all CPUs.
1018
1019For example, when you want to rotate forward through the members of an
1020array for increasing C<m> (which might be negative), then you should use
1021C<ecb_mod>, as the C<%> operator might give either negative results, or
1022change direction for negative values:
1023
1024 for (m = -100; m <= 100; ++m)
1025 int elem = myarray [ecb_mod (m, ecb_array_length (myarray))];
1026
1027=item x = ecb_div_rd (val, div)
1028
1029=item x = ecb_div_ru (val, div)
1030
1031Returns C<val> divided by C<div> rounded down or up, respectively.
1032C<val> and C<div> must have integer types and C<div> must be strictly
1033positive. Note that these functions are implemented with macros in C
1034and with function templates in C++.
424 1035
425=back 1036=back
426 1037
427=head2 UTILITY 1038=head2 UTILITY
428 1039
429=over 4 1040=over 4
430 1041
431=item element_count = ecb_array_length (name) [MACRO] 1042=item element_count = ecb_array_length (name)
432 1043
433Returns the number of elements in the array C<name>. For example: 1044Returns the number of elements in the array C<name>. For example:
434 1045
435 int primes[] = { 2, 3, 5, 7, 11 }; 1046 int primes[] = { 2, 3, 5, 7, 11 };
436 int sum = 0; 1047 int sum = 0;
438 for (i = 0; i < ecb_array_length (primes); i++) 1049 for (i = 0; i < ecb_array_length (primes); i++)
439 sum += primes [i]; 1050 sum += primes [i];
440 1051
441=back 1052=back
442 1053
1054=head2 SYMBOLS GOVERNING COMPILATION OF ECB.H ITSELF
443 1055
1056These symbols need to be defined before including F<ecb.h> the first time.
1057
1058=over 4
1059
1060=item ECB_NO_THREADS
1061
1062If F<ecb.h> is never used from multiple threads, then this symbol can
1063be defined, in which case memory fences (and similar constructs) are
1064completely removed, leading to more efficient code and fewer dependencies.
1065
1066Setting this symbol to a true value implies C<ECB_NO_SMP>.
1067
1068=item ECB_NO_SMP
1069
1070The weaker version of C<ECB_NO_THREADS> - if F<ecb.h> is used from
1071multiple threads, but never concurrently (e.g. if the system the program
1072runs on has only a single CPU with a single core, no hyperthreading and so
1073on), then this symbol can be defined, leading to more efficient code and
1074fewer dependencies.
1075
1076=item ECB_NO_LIBM
1077
1078When defined to C<1>, do not export any functions that might introduce
1079dependencies on the math library (usually called F<-lm>) - these are
1080marked with [-UECB_NO_LIBM].
1081
1082=back
1083
1084=head1 UNDOCUMENTED FUNCTIONALITY
1085
1086F<ecb.h> is full of undocumented functionality as well, some of which is
1087intended to be internal-use only, some of which we forgot to document, and
1088some of which we hide because we are not sure we will keep the interface
1089stable.
1090
1091While you are welcome to rummage around and use whatever you find useful
1092(we can't stop you), keep in mind that we will change undocumented
1093functionality in incompatible ways without thinking twice, while we are
1094considerably more conservative with documented things.
1095
1096=head1 AUTHORS
1097
1098C<libecb> is designed and maintained by:
1099
1100 Emanuele Giaquinta <e.giaquinta@glauco.it>
1101 Marc Alexander Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
1102
1103

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