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Revision 1.23 by sf-exg, Fri May 27 01:35:46 2011 UTC vs.
Revision 1.75 by root, Sat Dec 28 08:01:05 2019 UTC

15It mainly provides a number of wrappers around GCC built-ins, together 15It mainly provides a number of wrappers around GCC built-ins, together
16with replacement functions for other compilers. In addition to this, 16with replacement functions for other compilers. In addition to this,
17it provides a number of other lowlevel C utilities, such as endianness 17it provides a number of other lowlevel C utilities, such as endianness
18detection, byte swapping or bit rotations. 18detection, byte swapping or bit rotations.
19 19
20Or in other words, things that should be built-in into any standard C 20Or in other words, things that should be built into any standard C system,
21system, but aren't. 21but aren't, implemented as efficient as possible with GCC, and still
22correct with other compilers.
22 23
23More might come. 24More might come.
24 25
25=head2 ABOUT THE HEADER 26=head2 ABOUT THE HEADER
26 27
53only a generic name is used (C<expr>, C<cond>, C<value> and so on), then 54only a generic name is used (C<expr>, C<cond>, C<value> and so on), then
54the corresponding function relies on C to implement the correct types, and 55the corresponding function relies on C to implement the correct types, and
55is usually implemented as a macro. Specifically, a "bool" in this manual 56is usually implemented as a macro. Specifically, a "bool" in this manual
56refers to any kind of boolean value, not a specific type. 57refers to any kind of boolean value, not a specific type.
57 58
59=head2 TYPES / TYPE SUPPORT
60
61ecb.h makes sure that the following types are defined (in the expected way):
62
63 int8_t uint8_t int16_t uint16_t
64 int32_t uint32_t int64_t uint64_t
65 intptr_t uintptr_t
66
67The macro C<ECB_PTRSIZE> is defined to the size of a pointer on this
68platform (currently C<4> or C<8>) and can be used in preprocessor
69expressions.
70
71For C<ptrdiff_t> and C<size_t> use C<stddef.h>/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).
78
79=over 4
80
81=item ECB_C
82
83True if the implementation defines the C<__STDC__> macro to a true value,
84while not claiming to be C++.
85
86=item ECB_C99
87
88True if the implementation claims to be compliant to C99 (ISO/IEC
899899:1999) or any later version, while not claiming to be C++.
90
91Note that later versions (ECB_C11) remove core features again (for
92example, variable length arrays).
93
94=item ECB_C11, 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
58=head2 GCC ATTRIBUTES 210=head2 ATTRIBUTES
59 211
60A major part of libecb deals with GCC attributes. These are additional 212A major part of libecb deals with additional attributes that can be
61attributes that you cna assign to functions, variables and sometimes even 213assigned to functions, variables and sometimes even types - much like
62types - much like C<const> or C<volatile> in C. 214C<const> or C<volatile> in C. They are implemented using either GCC
63 215attributes or other compiler/language specific features. Attributes
64While GCC allows declarations to show up in many surprising places,
65but not in many expeted places, the safest way is to put attribute
66declarations before the whole declaration: 216declarations must be put before the whole declaration:
67 217
68 ecb_const int mysqrt (int a); 218 ecb_const int mysqrt (int a);
69 ecb_unused int i; 219 ecb_unused int i;
70 220
71For variables, it is often nicer to put the attribute after the name, and
72avoid multiple declarations using commas:
73
74 int i ecb_unused;
75
76=over 4 221=over 4
77
78=item ecb_attribute ((attrs...))
79
80A simple wrapper that expands to C<__attribute__((attrs))> on GCC, and to
81nothing on other compilers, so the effect is that only GCC sees these.
82
83Example: use the C<deprecated> attribute on a function.
84
85 ecb_attribute((__deprecated__)) void
86 do_not_use_me_anymore (void);
87 222
88=item ecb_unused 223=item ecb_unused
89 224
90Marks a function or a variable as "unused", which simply suppresses a 225Marks a function or a variable as "unused", which simply suppresses a
91warning by GCC when it detects it as unused. This is useful when you e.g. 226warning by GCC when it detects it as unused. This is useful when you e.g.
92declare a variable but do not always use it: 227declare a variable but do not always use it:
93 228
94 { 229 {
95 int var ecb_unused; 230 ecb_unused int var;
96 231
97 #ifdef SOMECONDITION 232 #ifdef SOMECONDITION
98 var = ...; 233 var = ...;
99 return var; 234 return var;
100 #else 235 #else
101 return 0; 236 return 0;
102 #endif 237 #endif
103 } 238 }
104 239
240=item ecb_deprecated
241
242Similar to C<ecb_unused>, but marks a function, variable or type as
243deprecated. This makes some compilers warn when the type is used.
244
245=item ecb_deprecated_message (message)
246
247Same as C<ecb_deprecated>, but if possible, 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
105=item ecb_noinline 265=item ecb_noinline
106 266
107Prevent a function from being inlined - it might be optimised away, but 267Prevents a function from being inlined - it might be optimised away, but
108not inlined into other functions. This is useful if you know your function 268not inlined into other functions. This is useful if you know your function
109is rarely called and large enough for inlining not to be helpful. 269is rarely called and large enough for inlining not to be helpful.
110 270
111=item ecb_noreturn 271=item ecb_noreturn
112 272
122 } 282 }
123 283
124In this case, the compiler would probably be smart enough to deduce it on 284In this case, the compiler would probably be smart enough to deduce it on
125its own, so this is mainly useful for declarations. 285its own, so this is mainly useful for declarations.
126 286
287=item ecb_restrict
288
289Expands to the C<restrict> keyword or equivalent on compilers that support
290them, and to nothing on others. Must be specified on a pointer type or
291an array index to indicate that the memory doesn't alias with any other
292restricted pointer in the same scope.
293
294Example: multiply a vector, and allow the compiler to parallelise the
295loop, because it knows it doesn't overwrite input values.
296
297 void
298 multiply (ecb_restrict float *src,
299 ecb_restrict float *dst,
300 int len, float factor)
301 {
302 int i;
303
304 for (i = 0; i < len; ++i)
305 dst [i] = src [i] * factor;
306 }
307
127=item ecb_const 308=item ecb_const
128 309
129Declares that the function only depends on the values of its arguments, 310Declares that the function only depends on the values of its arguments,
130much like a mathematical function. It specifically does not read or write 311much like a mathematical function. It specifically does not read or write
131any memory any arguments might point to, global variables, or call any 312any memory any arguments might point to, global variables, or call any
183 364
184In addition to placing cold functions together (or at least away from hot 365In addition to placing cold functions together (or at least away from hot
185functions), this knowledge can be used in other ways, for example, the 366functions), this knowledge can be used in other ways, for example, the
186function will be optimised for size, as opposed to speed, and codepaths 367function will be optimised for size, as opposed to speed, and codepaths
187leading to calls to those functions can automatically be marked as if 368leading to calls to those functions can automatically be marked as if
188C<ecb_unlikely> had been used to reach them. 369C<ecb_expect_false> had been used to reach them.
189 370
190Good examples for such functions would be error reporting functions, or 371Good examples for such functions would be error reporting functions, or
191functions only called in exceptional or rare cases. 372functions only called in exceptional or rare cases.
192 373
193=item ecb_artificial 374=item ecb_artificial
194 375
195Declares the function as "artificial", in this case meaning that this 376Declares the function as "artificial", in this case meaning that this
196function is not really mean to be a function, but more like an accessor 377function is not really meant to be a function, but more like an accessor
197- many methods in C++ classes are mere accessor functions, and having a 378- many methods in C++ classes are mere accessor functions, and having a
198crash reported in such a method, or single-stepping through them, is not 379crash reported in such a method, or single-stepping through them, is not
199usually so helpful, especially when it's inlined to just a few instructions. 380usually so helpful, especially when it's inlined to just a few instructions.
200 381
201Marking them as artificial will instruct the debugger about just this, 382Marking them as artificial will instruct the debugger about just this,
221 402
222=head2 OPTIMISATION HINTS 403=head2 OPTIMISATION HINTS
223 404
224=over 4 405=over 4
225 406
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
226=item bool ecb_is_constant(expr) 413=item bool ecb_is_constant (expr)
227 414
228Returns 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
229constant, and false otherwise. 416constant, and false otherwise.
230 417
231For 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
249 return is_constant (n) && !(n & (n - 1)) 436 return is_constant (n) && !(n & (n - 1))
250 ? rndm16 () & (num - 1) 437 ? rndm16 () & (num - 1)
251 : (n * (uint32_t)rndm16 ()) >> 16; 438 : (n * (uint32_t)rndm16 ()) >> 16;
252 } 439 }
253 440
254=item bool ecb_expect (expr, value) 441=item ecb_expect (expr, value)
255 442
256Evaluates 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
257the 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
258branch optimisations. 445branch optimisations.
259 446
260Usually, you want to use the more intuitive C<ecb_likely> and 447Usually, you want to use the more intuitive C<ecb_expect_true> and
261C<ecb_unlikely> functions instead. 448C<ecb_expect_false> functions instead.
262 449
450=item bool ecb_expect_true (cond)
451
263=item bool ecb_likely (cond) 452=item bool ecb_expect_false (cond)
264
265=item bool ecb_unlikely (cond)
266 453
267These 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
268C<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
269other conditional statement, it will not change the program: 456other conditional statement, it will not change the program:
270 457
271 /* these two do the same thing */ 458 /* these two do the same thing */
272 if (some_condition) ...; 459 if (some_condition) ...;
273 if (ecb_likely (some_condition)) ...; 460 if (ecb_expect_true (some_condition)) ...;
274 461
275However, 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
276is 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
277true). 464unlikely to be true).
278 465
279For 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
280rare, exceptional, case, then use C<ecb_unlikely>: 467rare, exceptional, case, then use C<ecb_expect_false>:
281 468
282 void my_free (void *ptr) 469 void my_free (void *ptr)
283 { 470 {
284 if (ecb_unlikely (ptr == 0)) 471 if (ecb_expect_false (ptr == 0))
285 return; 472 return;
286 } 473 }
287 474
288Consequent use of these functions to mark away exceptional cases or to 475Consequent use of these functions to mark away exceptional cases or to
289tell 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
290performance 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.
291 484
292A 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
293memory block (for example, inside an implementation of a string stream) - 486memory block (for example, inside an implementation of a string stream) -
294each 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
295you expect that most checks will turn out to be false: 488you expect that most checks will turn out to be false:
296 489
297 /* make sure we have "size" extra room in our buffer */ 490 /* make sure we have "size" extra room in our buffer */
298 ecb_inline void 491 ecb_inline void
299 reserve (int size) 492 reserve (int size)
300 { 493 {
301 if (ecb_unlikely (current + size > end)) 494 if (ecb_expect_false (current + size > end))
302 real_reserve_method (size); /* presumably noinline */ 495 real_reserve_method (size); /* presumably noinline */
303 } 496 }
304 497
305=item bool ecb_assume (cond) 498=item ecb_assume (cond)
306 499
307Try 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
308obvious. 501obvious. This is not a function, but a statement: it cannot be used in
502another expression.
309 503
310This can be used to teach the compiler about invariants or other 504This can be used to teach the compiler about invariants or other
311conditions that might improve code generation, but which are impossible to 505conditions that might improve code generation, but which are impossible to
312deduce form the code itself. 506deduce form the code itself.
313 507
314For example, the example reservation function from the C<ecb_unlikely> 508For example, the example reservation function from the C<ecb_expect_false>
315description could be written thus (only C<ecb_assume> was added): 509description could be written thus (only C<ecb_assume> was added):
316 510
317 ecb_inline void 511 ecb_inline void
318 reserve (int size) 512 reserve (int size)
319 { 513 {
320 if (ecb_unlikely (current + size > end)) 514 if (ecb_expect_false (current + size > end))
321 real_reserve_method (size); /* presumably noinline */ 515 real_reserve_method (size); /* presumably noinline */
322 516
323 ecb_assume (current + size <= end); 517 ecb_assume (current + size <= end);
324 } 518 }
325 519
330 524
331Then 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
332completely, 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
333call will never be executed. 527call will never be executed.
334 528
335=item bool ecb_unreachable () 529=item ecb_unreachable ()
336 530
337This function does nothing itself, except tell the compiler that it will 531This function does nothing itself, except tell the compiler that it will
338never be executed. Apart from suppressing a warning in some cases, this 532never be executed. Apart from suppressing a warning in some cases, this
339function can be used to implement C<ecb_assume> or similar functions. 533function can be used to implement C<ecb_assume> or similar functionality.
340 534
341=item bool ecb_prefetch (addr, rw, locality) 535=item ecb_prefetch (addr, rw, locality)
342 536
343Tells 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
344for 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
345C<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
346the 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
347something... in between. The memory pointed to by the address does not 541something... in between. The memory pointed to by the address does not
348need 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>
349and C<locality> must be compile-time constants. 543and C<locality> must be compile-time constants.
350 544
545This is a statement, not a function: you cannot use it as part of an
546expression.
547
351An 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
352array you loop over. This prefetches memory some 128 array elements later, 549array you loop over. This prefetches memory some 128 array elements later,
353in 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.
354 551
355 int sum = 0; 552 int sum = 0;
374After 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
375cache. 572cache.
376 573
377=back 574=back
378 575
379=head2 BIT FIDDLING / BITSTUFFS 576=head2 BIT FIDDLING / BIT WIZARDRY
380 577
381=over 4 578=over 4
382 579
383=item bool ecb_big_endian () 580=item bool ecb_big_endian ()
384 581
386 583
387These two functions return true if the byte order is big endian 584These two functions return true if the byte order is big endian
388(most-significant byte first) or little endian (least-significant byte 585(most-significant byte first) or little endian (least-significant byte
389first) respectively. 586first) respectively.
390 587
588On systems that are neither, their return values are unspecified.
589
391=item int ecb_ctz32 (uint32_t x) 590=item int ecb_ctz32 (uint32_t x)
392 591
592=item int ecb_ctz64 (uint64_t x)
593
393Returns 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
394equivalently the number of bits set to 0 before the least significant 595equivalently the number of bits set to 0 before the least significant bit
395bit set), starting from 0. If C<x> is 0 the result is undefined. A 596set), starting from 0. If C<x> is 0 the result is undefined.
396common use case is to compute the integer binary logarithm, i.e., 597
397floor(log2(n)). For example: 598For smaller types than C<uint32_t> you can safely use C<ecb_ctz32>.
599
600For example:
398 601
399 ecb_ctz32 (3) = 0 602 ecb_ctz32 (3) = 0
400 ecb_ctz32 (6) = 1 603 ecb_ctz32 (6) = 1
401 604
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
402=item int ecb_popcount32 (uint32_t x) 630=item int ecb_popcount32 (uint32_t x)
403 631
632=item int ecb_popcount64 (uint64_t x)
633
404Returns 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:
405 639
406 ecb_popcount32 (7) = 3 640 ecb_popcount32 (7) = 3
407 ecb_popcount32 (255) = 8 641 ecb_popcount32 (255) = 8
408 642
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
409=item uint32_t ecb_bswap16 (uint32_t x) 657=item uint32_t ecb_bswap16 (uint32_t x)
410 658
411=item uint32_t ecb_bswap32 (uint32_t x) 659=item uint32_t ecb_bswap32 (uint32_t x)
412 660
661=item uint64_t ecb_bswap64 (uint64_t x)
662
413These two functions return the value of the 16-bit (32-bit) value C<x> 663These functions return the value of the 16-bit (32-bit, 64-bit) value
414after reversing the order of bytes (0x11223344 becomes 0x44332211). 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)
415 678
416=item uint32_t ecb_rotr32 (uint32_t x, unsigned int count) 679=item uint32_t ecb_rotr32 (uint32_t x, unsigned int count)
417 680
418=item uint32_t ecb_rotl32 (uint32_t x, unsigned int count) 681=item uint64_t ecb_rotr64 (uint64_t x, unsigned int count)
419 682
420These two functions return the value of C<x> after rotating all the bits 683These two families of functions return the value of C<x> after rotating
421by 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>).
422 686
423Current GCC versions understand these functions and usually compile them 687Current GCC versions understand these functions and usually compile them
424to "optimal" code (e.g. a single C<roll> on x86). 688to "optimal" code (e.g. a single C<rol> or a combination of C<shld> on
689x86).
425 690
426=back 691=back
427 692
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
428=head2 ARITHMETIC 781=head2 ARITHMETIC
429 782
430=over 4 783=over 4
431 784
432=item x = ecb_mod (m, n) 785=item x = ecb_mod (m, n)
433 786
434Returns 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
435C<n>. Unlike the C modulo operator C<%>, this function ensures that the 789division. Unlike the C remainder operator C<%>, this function ensures that
436return value is always positive - ISO C guarantees very little when 790the return value is always positive and that the two numbers I<m> and
437negative numbers are used with C<%>. 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.
438 794
439C<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
440negatable, 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
441type. 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++.
442 819
443=back 820=back
444 821
445=head2 UTILITY 822=head2 UTILITY
446 823
456 for (i = 0; i < ecb_array_length (primes); i++) 833 for (i = 0; i < ecb_array_length (primes); i++)
457 sum += primes [i]; 834 sum += primes [i];
458 835
459=back 836=back
460 837
838=head2 SYMBOLS GOVERNING COMPILATION OF ECB.H ITSELF
461 839
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

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