1=========================
2Clang Language Extensions
3=========================
4
5.. contents::
6   :local:
7   :depth: 1
8
9.. toctree::
10   :hidden:
11
12   ObjectiveCLiterals
13   BlockLanguageSpec
14   Block-ABI-Apple
15   AutomaticReferenceCounting
16   MatrixTypes
17
18Introduction
19============
20
21This document describes the language extensions provided by Clang.  In addition
22to the language extensions listed here, Clang aims to support a broad range of
23GCC extensions.  Please see the `GCC manual
24<https://gcc.gnu.org/onlinedocs/gcc/C-Extensions.html>`_ for more information on
25these extensions.
26
27.. _langext-feature_check:
28
29Feature Checking Macros
30=======================
31
32Language extensions can be very useful, but only if you know you can depend on
33them.  In order to allow fine-grain features checks, we support three builtin
34function-like macros.  This allows you to directly test for a feature in your
35code without having to resort to something like autoconf or fragile "compiler
36version checks".
37
38``__has_builtin``
39-----------------
40
41This function-like macro takes a single identifier argument that is the name of
42a builtin function, a builtin pseudo-function (taking one or more type
43arguments), or a builtin template.
44It evaluates to 1 if the builtin is supported or 0 if not.
45It can be used like this:
46
47.. code-block:: c++
48
49  #ifndef __has_builtin         // Optional of course.
50    #define __has_builtin(x) 0  // Compatibility with non-clang compilers.
51  #endif
52
53  ...
54  #if __has_builtin(__builtin_trap)
55    __builtin_trap();
56  #else
57    abort();
58  #endif
59  ...
60
61.. note::
62
63  Prior to Clang 10, ``__has_builtin`` could not be used to detect most builtin
64  pseudo-functions.
65
66  ``__has_builtin`` should not be used to detect support for a builtin macro;
67  use ``#ifdef`` instead.
68
69.. _langext-__has_feature-__has_extension:
70
71``__has_feature`` and ``__has_extension``
72-----------------------------------------
73
74These function-like macros take a single identifier argument that is the name
75of a feature.  ``__has_feature`` evaluates to 1 if the feature is both
76supported by Clang and standardized in the current language standard or 0 if
77not (but see :ref:`below <langext-has-feature-back-compat>`), while
78``__has_extension`` evaluates to 1 if the feature is supported by Clang in the
79current language (either as a language extension or a standard language
80feature) or 0 if not.  They can be used like this:
81
82.. code-block:: c++
83
84  #ifndef __has_feature         // Optional of course.
85    #define __has_feature(x) 0  // Compatibility with non-clang compilers.
86  #endif
87  #ifndef __has_extension
88    #define __has_extension __has_feature // Compatibility with pre-3.0 compilers.
89  #endif
90
91  ...
92  #if __has_feature(cxx_rvalue_references)
93  // This code will only be compiled with the -std=c++11 and -std=gnu++11
94  // options, because rvalue references are only standardized in C++11.
95  #endif
96
97  #if __has_extension(cxx_rvalue_references)
98  // This code will be compiled with the -std=c++11, -std=gnu++11, -std=c++98
99  // and -std=gnu++98 options, because rvalue references are supported as a
100  // language extension in C++98.
101  #endif
102
103.. _langext-has-feature-back-compat:
104
105For backward compatibility, ``__has_feature`` can also be used to test
106for support for non-standardized features, i.e. features not prefixed ``c_``,
107``cxx_`` or ``objc_``.
108
109Another use of ``__has_feature`` is to check for compiler features not related
110to the language standard, such as e.g. :doc:`AddressSanitizer
111<AddressSanitizer>`.
112
113If the ``-pedantic-errors`` option is given, ``__has_extension`` is equivalent
114to ``__has_feature``.
115
116The feature tag is described along with the language feature below.
117
118The feature name or extension name can also be specified with a preceding and
119following ``__`` (double underscore) to avoid interference from a macro with
120the same name.  For instance, ``__cxx_rvalue_references__`` can be used instead
121of ``cxx_rvalue_references``.
122
123``__has_cpp_attribute``
124-----------------------
125
126This function-like macro is available in C++20 by default, and is provided as an
127extension in earlier language standards. It takes a single argument that is the
128name of a double-square-bracket-style attribute. The argument can either be a
129single identifier or a scoped identifier. If the attribute is supported, a
130nonzero value is returned. If the attribute is a standards-based attribute, this
131macro returns a nonzero value based on the year and month in which the attribute
132was voted into the working draft. See `WG21 SD-6
133<https://isocpp.org/std/standing-documents/sd-6-sg10-feature-test-recommendations>`_
134for the list of values returned for standards-based attributes. If the attribute
135is not supported by the current compilation target, this macro evaluates to 0.
136It can be used like this:
137
138.. code-block:: c++
139
140  #ifndef __has_cpp_attribute         // For backwards compatibility
141    #define __has_cpp_attribute(x) 0
142  #endif
143
144  ...
145  #if __has_cpp_attribute(clang::fallthrough)
146  #define FALLTHROUGH [[clang::fallthrough]]
147  #else
148  #define FALLTHROUGH
149  #endif
150  ...
151
152The attribute scope tokens ``clang`` and ``_Clang`` are interchangeable, as are
153the attribute scope tokens ``gnu`` and ``__gnu__``. Attribute tokens in either
154of these namespaces can be specified with a preceding and following ``__``
155(double underscore) to avoid interference from a macro with the same name. For
156instance, ``gnu::__const__`` can be used instead of ``gnu::const``.
157
158``__has_c_attribute``
159---------------------
160
161This function-like macro takes a single argument that is the name of an
162attribute exposed with the double square-bracket syntax in C mode. The argument
163can either be a single identifier or a scoped identifier. If the attribute is
164supported, a nonzero value is returned. If the attribute is not supported by the
165current compilation target, this macro evaluates to 0. It can be used like this:
166
167.. code-block:: c
168
169  #ifndef __has_c_attribute         // Optional of course.
170    #define __has_c_attribute(x) 0  // Compatibility with non-clang compilers.
171  #endif
172
173  ...
174  #if __has_c_attribute(fallthrough)
175    #define FALLTHROUGH [[fallthrough]]
176  #else
177    #define FALLTHROUGH
178  #endif
179  ...
180
181The attribute scope tokens ``clang`` and ``_Clang`` are interchangeable, as are
182the attribute scope tokens ``gnu`` and ``__gnu__``. Attribute tokens in either
183of these namespaces can be specified with a preceding and following ``__``
184(double underscore) to avoid interference from a macro with the same name. For
185instance, ``gnu::__const__`` can be used instead of ``gnu::const``.
186
187``__has_attribute``
188-------------------
189
190This function-like macro takes a single identifier argument that is the name of
191a GNU-style attribute.  It evaluates to 1 if the attribute is supported by the
192current compilation target, or 0 if not.  It can be used like this:
193
194.. code-block:: c++
195
196  #ifndef __has_attribute         // Optional of course.
197    #define __has_attribute(x) 0  // Compatibility with non-clang compilers.
198  #endif
199
200  ...
201  #if __has_attribute(always_inline)
202  #define ALWAYS_INLINE __attribute__((always_inline))
203  #else
204  #define ALWAYS_INLINE
205  #endif
206  ...
207
208The attribute name can also be specified with a preceding and following ``__``
209(double underscore) to avoid interference from a macro with the same name.  For
210instance, ``__always_inline__`` can be used instead of ``always_inline``.
211
212
213``__has_declspec_attribute``
214----------------------------
215
216This function-like macro takes a single identifier argument that is the name of
217an attribute implemented as a Microsoft-style ``__declspec`` attribute.  It
218evaluates to 1 if the attribute is supported by the current compilation target,
219or 0 if not.  It can be used like this:
220
221.. code-block:: c++
222
223  #ifndef __has_declspec_attribute         // Optional of course.
224    #define __has_declspec_attribute(x) 0  // Compatibility with non-clang compilers.
225  #endif
226
227  ...
228  #if __has_declspec_attribute(dllexport)
229  #define DLLEXPORT __declspec(dllexport)
230  #else
231  #define DLLEXPORT
232  #endif
233  ...
234
235The attribute name can also be specified with a preceding and following ``__``
236(double underscore) to avoid interference from a macro with the same name.  For
237instance, ``__dllexport__`` can be used instead of ``dllexport``.
238
239``__is_identifier``
240-------------------
241
242This function-like macro takes a single identifier argument that might be either
243a reserved word or a regular identifier. It evaluates to 1 if the argument is just
244a regular identifier and not a reserved word, in the sense that it can then be
245used as the name of a user-defined function or variable. Otherwise it evaluates
246to 0.  It can be used like this:
247
248.. code-block:: c++
249
250  ...
251  #ifdef __is_identifier          // Compatibility with non-clang compilers.
252    #if __is_identifier(__wchar_t)
253      typedef wchar_t __wchar_t;
254    #endif
255  #endif
256
257  __wchar_t WideCharacter;
258  ...
259
260Include File Checking Macros
261============================
262
263Not all developments systems have the same include files.  The
264:ref:`langext-__has_include` and :ref:`langext-__has_include_next` macros allow
265you to check for the existence of an include file before doing a possibly
266failing ``#include`` directive.  Include file checking macros must be used
267as expressions in ``#if`` or ``#elif`` preprocessing directives.
268
269.. _langext-__has_include:
270
271``__has_include``
272-----------------
273
274This function-like macro takes a single file name string argument that is the
275name of an include file.  It evaluates to 1 if the file can be found using the
276include paths, or 0 otherwise:
277
278.. code-block:: c++
279
280  // Note the two possible file name string formats.
281  #if __has_include("myinclude.h") && __has_include(<stdint.h>)
282  # include "myinclude.h"
283  #endif
284
285To test for this feature, use ``#if defined(__has_include)``:
286
287.. code-block:: c++
288
289  // To avoid problem with non-clang compilers not having this macro.
290  #if defined(__has_include)
291  #if __has_include("myinclude.h")
292  # include "myinclude.h"
293  #endif
294  #endif
295
296.. _langext-__has_include_next:
297
298``__has_include_next``
299----------------------
300
301This function-like macro takes a single file name string argument that is the
302name of an include file.  It is like ``__has_include`` except that it looks for
303the second instance of the given file found in the include paths.  It evaluates
304to 1 if the second instance of the file can be found using the include paths,
305or 0 otherwise:
306
307.. code-block:: c++
308
309  // Note the two possible file name string formats.
310  #if __has_include_next("myinclude.h") && __has_include_next(<stdint.h>)
311  # include_next "myinclude.h"
312  #endif
313
314  // To avoid problem with non-clang compilers not having this macro.
315  #if defined(__has_include_next)
316  #if __has_include_next("myinclude.h")
317  # include_next "myinclude.h"
318  #endif
319  #endif
320
321Note that ``__has_include_next``, like the GNU extension ``#include_next``
322directive, is intended for use in headers only, and will issue a warning if
323used in the top-level compilation file.  A warning will also be issued if an
324absolute path is used in the file argument.
325
326``__has_warning``
327-----------------
328
329This function-like macro takes a string literal that represents a command line
330option for a warning and returns true if that is a valid warning option.
331
332.. code-block:: c++
333
334  #if __has_warning("-Wformat")
335  ...
336  #endif
337
338.. _languageextensions-builtin-macros:
339
340Builtin Macros
341==============
342
343``__BASE_FILE__``
344  Defined to a string that contains the name of the main input file passed to
345  Clang.
346
347``__FILE_NAME__``
348  Clang-specific extension that functions similar to ``__FILE__`` but only
349  renders the last path component (the filename) instead of an invocation
350  dependent full path to that file.
351
352``__COUNTER__``
353  Defined to an integer value that starts at zero and is incremented each time
354  the ``__COUNTER__`` macro is expanded.
355
356``__INCLUDE_LEVEL__``
357  Defined to an integral value that is the include depth of the file currently
358  being translated.  For the main file, this value is zero.
359
360``__TIMESTAMP__``
361  Defined to the date and time of the last modification of the current source
362  file.
363
364``__clang__``
365  Defined when compiling with Clang
366
367``__clang_major__``
368  Defined to the major marketing version number of Clang (e.g., the 2 in
369  2.0.1).  Note that marketing version numbers should not be used to check for
370  language features, as different vendors use different numbering schemes.
371  Instead, use the :ref:`langext-feature_check`.
372
373``__clang_minor__``
374  Defined to the minor version number of Clang (e.g., the 0 in 2.0.1).  Note
375  that marketing version numbers should not be used to check for language
376  features, as different vendors use different numbering schemes.  Instead, use
377  the :ref:`langext-feature_check`.
378
379``__clang_patchlevel__``
380  Defined to the marketing patch level of Clang (e.g., the 1 in 2.0.1).
381
382``__clang_version__``
383  Defined to a string that captures the Clang marketing version, including the
384  Subversion tag or revision number, e.g., "``1.5 (trunk 102332)``".
385
386``__clang_literal_encoding__``
387  Defined to a narrow string literal that represents the current encoding of
388  narrow string literals, e.g., ``"hello"``. This macro typically expands to
389  "UTF-8" (but may change in the future if the
390  ``-fexec-charset="Encoding-Name"`` option is implemented.)
391
392``__clang_wide_literal_encoding__``
393  Defined to a narrow string literal that represents the current encoding of
394  wide string literals, e.g., ``L"hello"``. This macro typically expands to
395  "UTF-16" or "UTF-32" (but may change in the future if the
396  ``-fwide-exec-charset="Encoding-Name"`` option is implemented.)
397
398.. _langext-vectors:
399
400Vectors and Extended Vectors
401============================
402
403Supports the GCC, OpenCL, AltiVec and NEON vector extensions.
404
405OpenCL vector types are created using the ``ext_vector_type`` attribute.  It
406supports the ``V.xyzw`` syntax and other tidbits as seen in OpenCL.  An example
407is:
408
409.. code-block:: c++
410
411  typedef float float4 __attribute__((ext_vector_type(4)));
412  typedef float float2 __attribute__((ext_vector_type(2)));
413
414  float4 foo(float2 a, float2 b) {
415    float4 c;
416    c.xz = a;
417    c.yw = b;
418    return c;
419  }
420
421Query for this feature with ``__has_attribute(ext_vector_type)``.
422
423Giving ``-maltivec`` option to clang enables support for AltiVec vector syntax
424and functions.  For example:
425
426.. code-block:: c++
427
428  vector float foo(vector int a) {
429    vector int b;
430    b = vec_add(a, a) + a;
431    return (vector float)b;
432  }
433
434NEON vector types are created using ``neon_vector_type`` and
435``neon_polyvector_type`` attributes.  For example:
436
437.. code-block:: c++
438
439  typedef __attribute__((neon_vector_type(8))) int8_t int8x8_t;
440  typedef __attribute__((neon_polyvector_type(16))) poly8_t poly8x16_t;
441
442  int8x8_t foo(int8x8_t a) {
443    int8x8_t v;
444    v = a;
445    return v;
446  }
447
448GCC vector types are created using the ``vector_size(N)`` attribute.  The
449argument ``N`` specifies the number of bytes that will be allocated for an
450object of this type.  The size has to be multiple of the size of the vector
451element type. For example:
452
453.. code-block:: c++
454
455  // OK: This declares a vector type with four 'int' elements
456  typedef int int4 __attribute__((vector_size(4 * sizeof(int))));
457
458  // ERROR: '11' is not a multiple of sizeof(int)
459  typedef int int_impossible __attribute__((vector_size(11)));
460
461  int4 foo(int4 a) {
462    int4 v;
463    v = a;
464    return v;
465  }
466
467
468Boolean Vectors
469---------------
470
471Clang also supports the ext_vector_type attribute with boolean element types in
472C and C++.  For example:
473
474.. code-block:: c++
475
476  // legal for Clang, error for GCC:
477  typedef bool bool4 __attribute__((ext_vector_type(4)));
478  // Objects of bool4 type hold 8 bits, sizeof(bool4) == 1
479
480  bool4 foo(bool4 a) {
481    bool4 v;
482    v = a;
483    return v;
484  }
485
486Boolean vectors are a Clang extension of the ext vector type.  Boolean vectors
487are intended, though not guaranteed, to map to vector mask registers.  The size
488parameter of a boolean vector type is the number of bits in the vector.  The
489boolean vector is dense and each bit in the boolean vector is one vector
490element.
491
492The semantics of boolean vectors borrows from C bit-fields with the following
493differences:
494
495* Distinct boolean vectors are always distinct memory objects (there is no
496  packing).
497* Only the operators `?:`, `!`, `~`, `|`, `&`, `^` and comparison are allowed on
498  boolean vectors.
499* Casting a scalar bool value to a boolean vector type means broadcasting the
500  scalar value onto all lanes (same as general ext_vector_type).
501* It is not possible to access or swizzle elements of a boolean vector
502  (different than general ext_vector_type).
503
504The size and alignment are both the number of bits rounded up to the next power
505of two, but the alignment is at most the maximum vector alignment of the
506target.
507
508
509Vector Literals
510---------------
511
512Vector literals can be used to create vectors from a set of scalars, or
513vectors.  Either parentheses or braces form can be used.  In the parentheses
514form the number of literal values specified must be one, i.e. referring to a
515scalar value, or must match the size of the vector type being created.  If a
516single scalar literal value is specified, the scalar literal value will be
517replicated to all the components of the vector type.  In the brackets form any
518number of literals can be specified.  For example:
519
520.. code-block:: c++
521
522  typedef int v4si __attribute__((__vector_size__(16)));
523  typedef float float4 __attribute__((ext_vector_type(4)));
524  typedef float float2 __attribute__((ext_vector_type(2)));
525
526  v4si vsi = (v4si){1, 2, 3, 4};
527  float4 vf = (float4)(1.0f, 2.0f, 3.0f, 4.0f);
528  vector int vi1 = (vector int)(1);    // vi1 will be (1, 1, 1, 1).
529  vector int vi2 = (vector int){1};    // vi2 will be (1, 0, 0, 0).
530  vector int vi3 = (vector int)(1, 2); // error
531  vector int vi4 = (vector int){1, 2}; // vi4 will be (1, 2, 0, 0).
532  vector int vi5 = (vector int)(1, 2, 3, 4);
533  float4 vf = (float4)((float2)(1.0f, 2.0f), (float2)(3.0f, 4.0f));
534
535Vector Operations
536-----------------
537
538The table below shows the support for each operation by vector extension.  A
539dash indicates that an operation is not accepted according to a corresponding
540specification.
541
542============================== ======= ======= ============= =======
543         Operator              OpenCL  AltiVec     GCC        NEON
544============================== ======= ======= ============= =======
545[]                               yes     yes       yes         --
546unary operators +, --            yes     yes       yes         --
547++, -- --                        yes     yes       yes         --
548+,--,*,/,%                       yes     yes       yes         --
549bitwise operators &,|,^,~        yes     yes       yes         --
550>>,<<                            yes     yes       yes         --
551!, &&, ||                        yes     --        yes         --
552==, !=, >, <, >=, <=             yes     yes       yes         --
553=                                yes     yes       yes         yes
554?: [#]_                          yes     --        yes         --
555sizeof                           yes     yes       yes         yes
556C-style cast                     yes     yes       yes         no
557reinterpret_cast                 yes     no        yes         no
558static_cast                      yes     no        yes         no
559const_cast                       no      no        no          no
560address &v[i]                    no      no        no [#]_     no
561============================== ======= ======= ============= =======
562
563See also :ref:`langext-__builtin_shufflevector`, :ref:`langext-__builtin_convertvector`.
564
565.. [#] ternary operator(?:) has different behaviors depending on condition
566  operand's vector type. If the condition is a GNU vector (i.e. __vector_size__),
567  it's only available in C++ and uses normal bool conversions (that is, != 0).
568  If it's an extension (OpenCL) vector, it's only available in C and OpenCL C.
569  And it selects base on signedness of the condition operands (OpenCL v1.1 s6.3.9).
570.. [#] Clang does not allow the address of an element to be taken while GCC
571   allows this. This is intentional for vectors with a boolean element type and
572   not implemented otherwise.
573
574Vector Builtins
575---------------
576
577**Note: The implementation of vector builtins is work-in-progress and incomplete.**
578
579In addition to the operators mentioned above, Clang provides a set of builtins
580to perform additional operations on certain scalar and vector types.
581
582Let ``T`` be one of the following types:
583
584* an integer type (as in C2x 6.2.5p19), but excluding enumerated types and _Bool
585* the standard floating types float or double
586* a half-precision floating point type, if one is supported on the target
587* a vector type.
588
589For scalar types, consider the operation applied to a vector with a single element.
590
591*Elementwise Builtins*
592
593Each builtin returns a vector equivalent to applying the specified operation
594elementwise to the input.
595
596Unless specified otherwise operation(±0) = ±0 and operation(±infinity) = ±infinity
597
598=========================================== ================================================================ =========================================
599         Name                                Operation                                                        Supported element types
600=========================================== ================================================================ =========================================
601 T __builtin_elementwise_abs(T x)            return the absolute value of a number x; the absolute value of   signed integer and floating point types
602                                             the most negative integer remains the most negative integer
603 T __builtin_elementwise_ceil(T x)           return the smallest integral value greater than or equal to x    floating point types
604 T __builtin_elementwise_floor(T x)          return the largest integral value less than or equal to x        floating point types
605 T __builtin_elementwise_roundeven(T x)      round x to the nearest integer value in floating point format,   floating point types
606                                             rounding halfway cases to even (that is, to the nearest value
607                                             that is an even integer), regardless of the current rounding
608                                             direction.
609 T__builtin_elementwise_trunc(T x)           return the integral value nearest to but no larger in            floating point types
610                                             magnitude than x
611 T __builtin_elementwise_max(T x, T y)       return x or y, whichever is larger                               integer and floating point types
612 T __builtin_elementwise_min(T x, T y)       return x or y, whichever is smaller                              integer and floating point types
613 T __builtin_elementwise_add_sat(T x, T y)   return the sum of x and y, clamped to the range of               integer types
614                                             representable values for the signed/unsigned integer type.
615 T __builtin_elementwise_sub_sat(T x, T y)   return the difference of x and y, clamped to the range of        integer types
616                                             representable values for the signed/unsigned integer type.
617=========================================== ================================================================ =========================================
618
619
620*Reduction Builtins*
621
622Each builtin returns a scalar equivalent to applying the specified
623operation(x, y) as recursive even-odd pairwise reduction to all vector
624elements. ``operation(x, y)`` is repeatedly applied to each non-overlapping
625even-odd element pair with indices ``i * 2`` and ``i * 2 + 1`` with
626``i in [0, Number of elements / 2)``. If the numbers of elements is not a
627power of 2, the vector is widened with neutral elements for the reduction
628at the end to the next power of 2.
629
630Example:
631
632.. code-block:: c++
633
634    __builtin_reduce_add([e3, e2, e1, e0]) = __builtin_reduced_add([e3 + e2, e1 + e0])
635                                           = (e3 + e2) + (e1 + e0)
636
637
638Let ``VT`` be a vector type and ``ET`` the element type of ``VT``.
639
640======================================= ================================================================ ==================================
641         Name                            Operation                                                        Supported element types
642======================================= ================================================================ ==================================
643 ET __builtin_reduce_max(VT a)           return x or y, whichever is larger; If exactly one argument is   integer and floating point types
644                                         a NaN, return the other argument. If both arguments are NaNs,
645                                         fmax() return a NaN.
646 ET __builtin_reduce_min(VT a)           return x or y, whichever is smaller; If exactly one argument     integer and floating point types
647                                         is a NaN, return the other argument. If both arguments are
648                                         NaNs, fmax() return a NaN.
649 ET __builtin_reduce_add(VT a)           \+                                                               integer and floating point types
650 ET __builtin_reduce_mul(VT a)           \*                                                               integer and floating point types
651 ET __builtin_reduce_and(VT a)           &                                                                integer types
652 ET __builtin_reduce_or(VT a)            \|                                                               integer types
653 ET __builtin_reduce_xor(VT a)           ^                                                                integer types
654======================================= ================================================================ ==================================
655
656Matrix Types
657============
658
659Clang provides an extension for matrix types, which is currently being
660implemented. See :ref:`the draft specification <matrixtypes>` for more details.
661
662For example, the code below uses the matrix types extension to multiply two 4x4
663float matrices and add the result to a third 4x4 matrix.
664
665.. code-block:: c++
666
667  typedef float m4x4_t __attribute__((matrix_type(4, 4)));
668
669  m4x4_t f(m4x4_t a, m4x4_t b, m4x4_t c) {
670    return a + b * c;
671  }
672
673The matrix type extension also supports operations on a matrix and a scalar.
674
675.. code-block:: c++
676
677  typedef float m4x4_t __attribute__((matrix_type(4, 4)));
678
679  m4x4_t f(m4x4_t a) {
680    return (a + 23) * 12;
681  }
682
683The matrix type extension supports division on a matrix and a scalar but not on a matrix and a matrix.
684
685.. code-block:: c++
686
687  typedef float m4x4_t __attribute__((matrix_type(4, 4)));
688
689  m4x4_t f(m4x4_t a) {
690    a = a / 3.0;
691    return a;
692  }
693
694The matrix type extension supports compound assignments for addition, subtraction, and multiplication on matrices
695and on a matrix and a scalar, provided their types are consistent.
696
697.. code-block:: c++
698
699  typedef float m4x4_t __attribute__((matrix_type(4, 4)));
700
701  m4x4_t f(m4x4_t a, m4x4_t b) {
702    a += b;
703    a -= b;
704    a *= b;
705    a += 23;
706    a -= 12;
707    return a;
708  }
709
710The matrix type extension supports explicit casts. Implicit type conversion between matrix types is not allowed.
711
712.. code-block:: c++
713
714  typedef int ix5x5 __attribute__((matrix_type(5, 5)));
715  typedef float fx5x5 __attribute__((matrix_type(5, 5)));
716
717  fx5x5 f1(ix5x5 i, fx5x5 f) {
718    return (fx5x5) i;
719  }
720
721
722  template <typename X>
723  using matrix_4_4 = X __attribute__((matrix_type(4, 4)));
724
725  void f2() {
726    matrix_5_5<double> d;
727    matrix_5_5<int> i;
728    i = (matrix_5_5<int>)d;
729    i = static_cast<matrix_5_5<int>>(d);
730  }
731
732Half-Precision Floating Point
733=============================
734
735Clang supports three half-precision (16-bit) floating point types: ``__fp16``,
736``_Float16`` and ``__bf16``.  These types are supported in all language modes.
737
738``__fp16`` is supported on every target, as it is purely a storage format; see below.
739``_Float16`` is currently only supported on the following targets, with further
740targets pending ABI standardization:
741
742* 32-bit ARM
743* 64-bit ARM (AArch64)
744* AMDGPU
745* SPIR
746* X86 (Only available under feature AVX512-FP16)
747
748``_Float16`` will be supported on more targets as they define ABIs for it.
749
750``__bf16`` is purely a storage format; it is currently only supported on the following targets:
751* 32-bit ARM
752* 64-bit ARM (AArch64)
753
754The ``__bf16`` type is only available when supported in hardware.
755
756``__fp16`` is a storage and interchange format only.  This means that values of
757``__fp16`` are immediately promoted to (at least) ``float`` when used in arithmetic
758operations, so that e.g. the result of adding two ``__fp16`` values has type ``float``.
759The behavior of ``__fp16`` is specified by the ARM C Language Extensions (`ACLE <http://infocenter.arm.com/help/topic/com.arm.doc.ihi0053d/IHI0053D_acle_2_1.pdf>`_).
760Clang uses the ``binary16`` format from IEEE 754-2008 for ``__fp16``, not the ARM
761alternative format.
762
763``_Float16`` is an interchange floating-point type.  This means that, just like arithmetic on
764``float`` or ``double``, arithmetic on ``_Float16`` operands is formally performed in the
765``_Float16`` type, so that e.g. the result of adding two ``_Float16`` values has type
766``_Float16``.  The behavior of ``_Float16`` is specified by ISO/IEC TS 18661-3:2015
767("Floating-point extensions for C").  As with ``__fp16``, Clang uses the ``binary16``
768format from IEEE 754-2008 for ``_Float16``.
769
770``_Float16`` arithmetic will be performed using native half-precision support
771when available on the target (e.g. on ARMv8.2a); otherwise it will be performed
772at a higher precision (currently always ``float``) and then truncated down to
773``_Float16``.  Note that C and C++ allow intermediate floating-point operands
774of an expression to be computed with greater precision than is expressible in
775their type, so Clang may avoid intermediate truncations in certain cases; this may
776lead to results that are inconsistent with native arithmetic.
777
778It is recommended that portable code use ``_Float16`` instead of ``__fp16``,
779as it has been defined by the C standards committee and has behavior that is
780more familiar to most programmers.
781
782Because ``__fp16`` operands are always immediately promoted to ``float``, the
783common real type of ``__fp16`` and ``_Float16`` for the purposes of the usual
784arithmetic conversions is ``float``.
785
786A literal can be given ``_Float16`` type using the suffix ``f16``. For example,
787``3.14f16``.
788
789Because default argument promotion only applies to the standard floating-point
790types, ``_Float16`` values are not promoted to ``double`` when passed as variadic
791or untyped arguments.  As a consequence, some caution must be taken when using
792certain library facilities with ``_Float16``; for example, there is no ``printf`` format
793specifier for ``_Float16``, and (unlike ``float``) it will not be implicitly promoted to
794``double`` when passed to ``printf``, so the programmer must explicitly cast it to
795``double`` before using it with an ``%f`` or similar specifier.
796
797Messages on ``deprecated`` and ``unavailable`` Attributes
798=========================================================
799
800An optional string message can be added to the ``deprecated`` and
801``unavailable`` attributes.  For example:
802
803.. code-block:: c++
804
805  void explode(void) __attribute__((deprecated("extremely unsafe, use 'combust' instead!!!")));
806
807If the deprecated or unavailable declaration is used, the message will be
808incorporated into the appropriate diagnostic:
809
810.. code-block:: none
811
812  harmless.c:4:3: warning: 'explode' is deprecated: extremely unsafe, use 'combust' instead!!!
813        [-Wdeprecated-declarations]
814    explode();
815    ^
816
817Query for this feature with
818``__has_extension(attribute_deprecated_with_message)`` and
819``__has_extension(attribute_unavailable_with_message)``.
820
821Attributes on Enumerators
822=========================
823
824Clang allows attributes to be written on individual enumerators.  This allows
825enumerators to be deprecated, made unavailable, etc.  The attribute must appear
826after the enumerator name and before any initializer, like so:
827
828.. code-block:: c++
829
830  enum OperationMode {
831    OM_Invalid,
832    OM_Normal,
833    OM_Terrified __attribute__((deprecated)),
834    OM_AbortOnError __attribute__((deprecated)) = 4
835  };
836
837Attributes on the ``enum`` declaration do not apply to individual enumerators.
838
839Query for this feature with ``__has_extension(enumerator_attributes)``.
840
841C++11 Attributes on using-declarations
842======================================
843
844Clang allows C++-style ``[[]]`` attributes to be written on using-declarations.
845For instance:
846
847.. code-block:: c++
848
849  [[clang::using_if_exists]] using foo::bar;
850  using foo::baz [[clang::using_if_exists]];
851
852You can test for support for this extension with
853``__has_extension(cxx_attributes_on_using_declarations)``.
854
855'User-Specified' System Frameworks
856==================================
857
858Clang provides a mechanism by which frameworks can be built in such a way that
859they will always be treated as being "system frameworks", even if they are not
860present in a system framework directory.  This can be useful to system
861framework developers who want to be able to test building other applications
862with development builds of their framework, including the manner in which the
863compiler changes warning behavior for system headers.
864
865Framework developers can opt-in to this mechanism by creating a
866"``.system_framework``" file at the top-level of their framework.  That is, the
867framework should have contents like:
868
869.. code-block:: none
870
871  .../TestFramework.framework
872  .../TestFramework.framework/.system_framework
873  .../TestFramework.framework/Headers
874  .../TestFramework.framework/Headers/TestFramework.h
875  ...
876
877Clang will treat the presence of this file as an indicator that the framework
878should be treated as a system framework, regardless of how it was found in the
879framework search path.  For consistency, we recommend that such files never be
880included in installed versions of the framework.
881
882Checks for Standard Language Features
883=====================================
884
885The ``__has_feature`` macro can be used to query if certain standard language
886features are enabled.  The ``__has_extension`` macro can be used to query if
887language features are available as an extension when compiling for a standard
888which does not provide them.  The features which can be tested are listed here.
889
890Since Clang 3.4, the C++ SD-6 feature test macros are also supported.
891These are macros with names of the form ``__cpp_<feature_name>``, and are
892intended to be a portable way to query the supported features of the compiler.
893See `the C++ status page <https://clang.llvm.org/cxx_status.html#ts>`_ for
894information on the version of SD-6 supported by each Clang release, and the
895macros provided by that revision of the recommendations.
896
897C++98
898-----
899
900The features listed below are part of the C++98 standard.  These features are
901enabled by default when compiling C++ code.
902
903C++ exceptions
904^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
905
906Use ``__has_feature(cxx_exceptions)`` to determine if C++ exceptions have been
907enabled.  For example, compiling code with ``-fno-exceptions`` disables C++
908exceptions.
909
910C++ RTTI
911^^^^^^^^
912
913Use ``__has_feature(cxx_rtti)`` to determine if C++ RTTI has been enabled.  For
914example, compiling code with ``-fno-rtti`` disables the use of RTTI.
915
916C++11
917-----
918
919The features listed below are part of the C++11 standard.  As a result, all
920these features are enabled with the ``-std=c++11`` or ``-std=gnu++11`` option
921when compiling C++ code.
922
923C++11 SFINAE includes access control
924^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
925
926Use ``__has_feature(cxx_access_control_sfinae)`` or
927``__has_extension(cxx_access_control_sfinae)`` to determine whether
928access-control errors (e.g., calling a private constructor) are considered to
929be template argument deduction errors (aka SFINAE errors), per `C++ DR1170
930<http://www.open-std.org/jtc1/sc22/wg21/docs/cwg_defects.html#1170>`_.
931
932C++11 alias templates
933^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
934
935Use ``__has_feature(cxx_alias_templates)`` or
936``__has_extension(cxx_alias_templates)`` to determine if support for C++11's
937alias declarations and alias templates is enabled.
938
939C++11 alignment specifiers
940^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
941
942Use ``__has_feature(cxx_alignas)`` or ``__has_extension(cxx_alignas)`` to
943determine if support for alignment specifiers using ``alignas`` is enabled.
944
945Use ``__has_feature(cxx_alignof)`` or ``__has_extension(cxx_alignof)`` to
946determine if support for the ``alignof`` keyword is enabled.
947
948C++11 attributes
949^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
950
951Use ``__has_feature(cxx_attributes)`` or ``__has_extension(cxx_attributes)`` to
952determine if support for attribute parsing with C++11's square bracket notation
953is enabled.
954
955C++11 generalized constant expressions
956^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
957
958Use ``__has_feature(cxx_constexpr)`` to determine if support for generalized
959constant expressions (e.g., ``constexpr``) is enabled.
960
961C++11 ``decltype()``
962^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
963
964Use ``__has_feature(cxx_decltype)`` or ``__has_extension(cxx_decltype)`` to
965determine if support for the ``decltype()`` specifier is enabled.  C++11's
966``decltype`` does not require type-completeness of a function call expression.
967Use ``__has_feature(cxx_decltype_incomplete_return_types)`` or
968``__has_extension(cxx_decltype_incomplete_return_types)`` to determine if
969support for this feature is enabled.
970
971C++11 default template arguments in function templates
972^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
973
974Use ``__has_feature(cxx_default_function_template_args)`` or
975``__has_extension(cxx_default_function_template_args)`` to determine if support
976for default template arguments in function templates is enabled.
977
978C++11 ``default``\ ed functions
979^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
980
981Use ``__has_feature(cxx_defaulted_functions)`` or
982``__has_extension(cxx_defaulted_functions)`` to determine if support for
983defaulted function definitions (with ``= default``) is enabled.
984
985C++11 delegating constructors
986^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
987
988Use ``__has_feature(cxx_delegating_constructors)`` to determine if support for
989delegating constructors is enabled.
990
991C++11 ``deleted`` functions
992^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
993
994Use ``__has_feature(cxx_deleted_functions)`` or
995``__has_extension(cxx_deleted_functions)`` to determine if support for deleted
996function definitions (with ``= delete``) is enabled.
997
998C++11 explicit conversion functions
999^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1000
1001Use ``__has_feature(cxx_explicit_conversions)`` to determine if support for
1002``explicit`` conversion functions is enabled.
1003
1004C++11 generalized initializers
1005^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1006
1007Use ``__has_feature(cxx_generalized_initializers)`` to determine if support for
1008generalized initializers (using braced lists and ``std::initializer_list``) is
1009enabled.
1010
1011C++11 implicit move constructors/assignment operators
1012^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1013
1014Use ``__has_feature(cxx_implicit_moves)`` to determine if Clang will implicitly
1015generate move constructors and move assignment operators where needed.
1016
1017C++11 inheriting constructors
1018^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1019
1020Use ``__has_feature(cxx_inheriting_constructors)`` to determine if support for
1021inheriting constructors is enabled.
1022
1023C++11 inline namespaces
1024^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1025
1026Use ``__has_feature(cxx_inline_namespaces)`` or
1027``__has_extension(cxx_inline_namespaces)`` to determine if support for inline
1028namespaces is enabled.
1029
1030C++11 lambdas
1031^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1032
1033Use ``__has_feature(cxx_lambdas)`` or ``__has_extension(cxx_lambdas)`` to
1034determine if support for lambdas is enabled.
1035
1036C++11 local and unnamed types as template arguments
1037^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1038
1039Use ``__has_feature(cxx_local_type_template_args)`` or
1040``__has_extension(cxx_local_type_template_args)`` to determine if support for
1041local and unnamed types as template arguments is enabled.
1042
1043C++11 noexcept
1044^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1045
1046Use ``__has_feature(cxx_noexcept)`` or ``__has_extension(cxx_noexcept)`` to
1047determine if support for noexcept exception specifications is enabled.
1048
1049C++11 in-class non-static data member initialization
1050^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1051
1052Use ``__has_feature(cxx_nonstatic_member_init)`` to determine whether in-class
1053initialization of non-static data members is enabled.
1054
1055C++11 ``nullptr``
1056^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1057
1058Use ``__has_feature(cxx_nullptr)`` or ``__has_extension(cxx_nullptr)`` to
1059determine if support for ``nullptr`` is enabled.
1060
1061C++11 ``override control``
1062^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1063
1064Use ``__has_feature(cxx_override_control)`` or
1065``__has_extension(cxx_override_control)`` to determine if support for the
1066override control keywords is enabled.
1067
1068C++11 reference-qualified functions
1069^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1070
1071Use ``__has_feature(cxx_reference_qualified_functions)`` or
1072``__has_extension(cxx_reference_qualified_functions)`` to determine if support
1073for reference-qualified functions (e.g., member functions with ``&`` or ``&&``
1074applied to ``*this``) is enabled.
1075
1076C++11 range-based ``for`` loop
1077^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1078
1079Use ``__has_feature(cxx_range_for)`` or ``__has_extension(cxx_range_for)`` to
1080determine if support for the range-based for loop is enabled.
1081
1082C++11 raw string literals
1083^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1084
1085Use ``__has_feature(cxx_raw_string_literals)`` to determine if support for raw
1086string literals (e.g., ``R"x(foo\bar)x"``) is enabled.
1087
1088C++11 rvalue references
1089^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1090
1091Use ``__has_feature(cxx_rvalue_references)`` or
1092``__has_extension(cxx_rvalue_references)`` to determine if support for rvalue
1093references is enabled.
1094
1095C++11 ``static_assert()``
1096^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1097
1098Use ``__has_feature(cxx_static_assert)`` or
1099``__has_extension(cxx_static_assert)`` to determine if support for compile-time
1100assertions using ``static_assert`` is enabled.
1101
1102C++11 ``thread_local``
1103^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1104
1105Use ``__has_feature(cxx_thread_local)`` to determine if support for
1106``thread_local`` variables is enabled.
1107
1108C++11 type inference
1109^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1110
1111Use ``__has_feature(cxx_auto_type)`` or ``__has_extension(cxx_auto_type)`` to
1112determine C++11 type inference is supported using the ``auto`` specifier.  If
1113this is disabled, ``auto`` will instead be a storage class specifier, as in C
1114or C++98.
1115
1116C++11 strongly typed enumerations
1117^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1118
1119Use ``__has_feature(cxx_strong_enums)`` or
1120``__has_extension(cxx_strong_enums)`` to determine if support for strongly
1121typed, scoped enumerations is enabled.
1122
1123C++11 trailing return type
1124^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1125
1126Use ``__has_feature(cxx_trailing_return)`` or
1127``__has_extension(cxx_trailing_return)`` to determine if support for the
1128alternate function declaration syntax with trailing return type is enabled.
1129
1130C++11 Unicode string literals
1131^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1132
1133Use ``__has_feature(cxx_unicode_literals)`` to determine if support for Unicode
1134string literals is enabled.
1135
1136C++11 unrestricted unions
1137^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1138
1139Use ``__has_feature(cxx_unrestricted_unions)`` to determine if support for
1140unrestricted unions is enabled.
1141
1142C++11 user-defined literals
1143^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1144
1145Use ``__has_feature(cxx_user_literals)`` to determine if support for
1146user-defined literals is enabled.
1147
1148C++11 variadic templates
1149^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1150
1151Use ``__has_feature(cxx_variadic_templates)`` or
1152``__has_extension(cxx_variadic_templates)`` to determine if support for
1153variadic templates is enabled.
1154
1155C++14
1156-----
1157
1158The features listed below are part of the C++14 standard.  As a result, all
1159these features are enabled with the ``-std=C++14`` or ``-std=gnu++14`` option
1160when compiling C++ code.
1161
1162C++14 binary literals
1163^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1164
1165Use ``__has_feature(cxx_binary_literals)`` or
1166``__has_extension(cxx_binary_literals)`` to determine whether
1167binary literals (for instance, ``0b10010``) are recognized. Clang supports this
1168feature as an extension in all language modes.
1169
1170C++14 contextual conversions
1171^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1172
1173Use ``__has_feature(cxx_contextual_conversions)`` or
1174``__has_extension(cxx_contextual_conversions)`` to determine if the C++14 rules
1175are used when performing an implicit conversion for an array bound in a
1176*new-expression*, the operand of a *delete-expression*, an integral constant
1177expression, or a condition in a ``switch`` statement.
1178
1179C++14 decltype(auto)
1180^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1181
1182Use ``__has_feature(cxx_decltype_auto)`` or
1183``__has_extension(cxx_decltype_auto)`` to determine if support
1184for the ``decltype(auto)`` placeholder type is enabled.
1185
1186C++14 default initializers for aggregates
1187^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1188
1189Use ``__has_feature(cxx_aggregate_nsdmi)`` or
1190``__has_extension(cxx_aggregate_nsdmi)`` to determine if support
1191for default initializers in aggregate members is enabled.
1192
1193C++14 digit separators
1194^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1195
1196Use ``__cpp_digit_separators`` to determine if support for digit separators
1197using single quotes (for instance, ``10'000``) is enabled. At this time, there
1198is no corresponding ``__has_feature`` name
1199
1200C++14 generalized lambda capture
1201^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1202
1203Use ``__has_feature(cxx_init_captures)`` or
1204``__has_extension(cxx_init_captures)`` to determine if support for
1205lambda captures with explicit initializers is enabled
1206(for instance, ``[n(0)] { return ++n; }``).
1207
1208C++14 generic lambdas
1209^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1210
1211Use ``__has_feature(cxx_generic_lambdas)`` or
1212``__has_extension(cxx_generic_lambdas)`` to determine if support for generic
1213(polymorphic) lambdas is enabled
1214(for instance, ``[] (auto x) { return x + 1; }``).
1215
1216C++14 relaxed constexpr
1217^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1218
1219Use ``__has_feature(cxx_relaxed_constexpr)`` or
1220``__has_extension(cxx_relaxed_constexpr)`` to determine if variable
1221declarations, local variable modification, and control flow constructs
1222are permitted in ``constexpr`` functions.
1223
1224C++14 return type deduction
1225^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1226
1227Use ``__has_feature(cxx_return_type_deduction)`` or
1228``__has_extension(cxx_return_type_deduction)`` to determine if support
1229for return type deduction for functions (using ``auto`` as a return type)
1230is enabled.
1231
1232C++14 runtime-sized arrays
1233^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1234
1235Use ``__has_feature(cxx_runtime_array)`` or
1236``__has_extension(cxx_runtime_array)`` to determine if support
1237for arrays of runtime bound (a restricted form of variable-length arrays)
1238is enabled.
1239Clang's implementation of this feature is incomplete.
1240
1241C++14 variable templates
1242^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1243
1244Use ``__has_feature(cxx_variable_templates)`` or
1245``__has_extension(cxx_variable_templates)`` to determine if support for
1246templated variable declarations is enabled.
1247
1248C11
1249---
1250
1251The features listed below are part of the C11 standard.  As a result, all these
1252features are enabled with the ``-std=c11`` or ``-std=gnu11`` option when
1253compiling C code.  Additionally, because these features are all
1254backward-compatible, they are available as extensions in all language modes.
1255
1256C11 alignment specifiers
1257^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1258
1259Use ``__has_feature(c_alignas)`` or ``__has_extension(c_alignas)`` to determine
1260if support for alignment specifiers using ``_Alignas`` is enabled.
1261
1262Use ``__has_feature(c_alignof)`` or ``__has_extension(c_alignof)`` to determine
1263if support for the ``_Alignof`` keyword is enabled.
1264
1265C11 atomic operations
1266^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1267
1268Use ``__has_feature(c_atomic)`` or ``__has_extension(c_atomic)`` to determine
1269if support for atomic types using ``_Atomic`` is enabled.  Clang also provides
1270:ref:`a set of builtins <langext-__c11_atomic>` which can be used to implement
1271the ``<stdatomic.h>`` operations on ``_Atomic`` types. Use
1272``__has_include(<stdatomic.h>)`` to determine if C11's ``<stdatomic.h>`` header
1273is available.
1274
1275Clang will use the system's ``<stdatomic.h>`` header when one is available, and
1276will otherwise use its own. When using its own, implementations of the atomic
1277operations are provided as macros. In the cases where C11 also requires a real
1278function, this header provides only the declaration of that function (along
1279with a shadowing macro implementation), and you must link to a library which
1280provides a definition of the function if you use it instead of the macro.
1281
1282C11 generic selections
1283^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1284
1285Use ``__has_feature(c_generic_selections)`` or
1286``__has_extension(c_generic_selections)`` to determine if support for generic
1287selections is enabled.
1288
1289As an extension, the C11 generic selection expression is available in all
1290languages supported by Clang.  The syntax is the same as that given in the C11
1291standard.
1292
1293In C, type compatibility is decided according to the rules given in the
1294appropriate standard, but in C++, which lacks the type compatibility rules used
1295in C, types are considered compatible only if they are equivalent.
1296
1297C11 ``_Static_assert()``
1298^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1299
1300Use ``__has_feature(c_static_assert)`` or ``__has_extension(c_static_assert)``
1301to determine if support for compile-time assertions using ``_Static_assert`` is
1302enabled.
1303
1304C11 ``_Thread_local``
1305^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1306
1307Use ``__has_feature(c_thread_local)`` or ``__has_extension(c_thread_local)``
1308to determine if support for ``_Thread_local`` variables is enabled.
1309
1310Modules
1311-------
1312
1313Use ``__has_feature(modules)`` to determine if Modules have been enabled.
1314For example, compiling code with ``-fmodules`` enables the use of Modules.
1315
1316More information could be found `here <https://clang.llvm.org/docs/Modules.html>`_.
1317
1318Type Trait Primitives
1319=====================
1320
1321Type trait primitives are special builtin constant expressions that can be used
1322by the standard C++ library to facilitate or simplify the implementation of
1323user-facing type traits in the <type_traits> header.
1324
1325They are not intended to be used directly by user code because they are
1326implementation-defined and subject to change -- as such they're tied closely to
1327the supported set of system headers, currently:
1328
1329* LLVM's own libc++
1330* GNU libstdc++
1331* The Microsoft standard C++ library
1332
1333Clang supports the `GNU C++ type traits
1334<https://gcc.gnu.org/onlinedocs/gcc/Type-Traits.html>`_ and a subset of the
1335`Microsoft Visual C++ type traits
1336<https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms177194(v=VS.100).aspx>`_,
1337as well as nearly all of the
1338`Embarcadero C++ type traits
1339<http://docwiki.embarcadero.com/RADStudio/Rio/en/Type_Trait_Functions_(C%2B%2B11)_Index>`_.
1340
1341The following type trait primitives are supported by Clang. Those traits marked
1342(C++) provide implementations for type traits specified by the C++ standard;
1343``__X(...)`` has the same semantics and constraints as the corresponding
1344``std::X_t<...>`` or ``std::X_v<...>`` type trait.
1345
1346* ``__array_rank(type)`` (Embarcadero):
1347  Returns the number of levels of array in the type ``type``:
1348  ``0`` if ``type`` is not an array type, and
1349  ``__array_rank(element) + 1`` if ``type`` is an array of ``element``.
1350* ``__array_extent(type, dim)`` (Embarcadero):
1351  The ``dim``'th array bound in the type ``type``, or ``0`` if
1352  ``dim >= __array_rank(type)``.
1353* ``__has_nothrow_assign`` (GNU, Microsoft, Embarcadero):
1354  Deprecated, use ``__is_nothrow_assignable`` instead.
1355* ``__has_nothrow_move_assign`` (GNU, Microsoft):
1356  Deprecated, use ``__is_nothrow_assignable`` instead.
1357* ``__has_nothrow_copy`` (GNU, Microsoft):
1358  Deprecated, use ``__is_nothrow_constructible`` instead.
1359* ``__has_nothrow_constructor`` (GNU, Microsoft):
1360  Deprecated, use ``__is_nothrow_constructible`` instead.
1361* ``__has_trivial_assign`` (GNU, Microsoft, Embarcadero):
1362  Deprecated, use ``__is_trivially_assignable`` instead.
1363* ``__has_trivial_move_assign`` (GNU, Microsoft):
1364  Deprecated, use ``__is_trivially_assignable`` instead.
1365* ``__has_trivial_copy`` (GNU, Microsoft):
1366  Deprecated, use ``__is_trivially_constructible`` instead.
1367* ``__has_trivial_constructor`` (GNU, Microsoft):
1368  Deprecated, use ``__is_trivially_constructible`` instead.
1369* ``__has_trivial_move_constructor`` (GNU, Microsoft):
1370  Deprecated, use ``__is_trivially_constructible`` instead.
1371* ``__has_trivial_destructor`` (GNU, Microsoft, Embarcadero):
1372  Deprecated, use ``__is_trivially_destructible`` instead.
1373* ``__has_unique_object_representations`` (C++, GNU)
1374* ``__has_virtual_destructor`` (C++, GNU, Microsoft, Embarcadero)
1375* ``__is_abstract`` (C++, GNU, Microsoft, Embarcadero)
1376* ``__is_aggregate`` (C++, GNU, Microsoft)
1377* ``__is_arithmetic`` (C++, Embarcadero)
1378* ``__is_array`` (C++, Embarcadero)
1379* ``__is_assignable`` (C++, MSVC 2015)
1380* ``__is_base_of`` (C++, GNU, Microsoft, Embarcadero)
1381* ``__is_class`` (C++, GNU, Microsoft, Embarcadero)
1382* ``__is_complete_type(type)`` (Embarcadero):
1383  Return ``true`` if ``type`` is a complete type.
1384  Warning: this trait is dangerous because it can return different values at
1385  different points in the same program.
1386* ``__is_compound`` (C++, Embarcadero)
1387* ``__is_const`` (C++, Embarcadero)
1388* ``__is_constructible`` (C++, MSVC 2013)
1389* ``__is_convertible`` (C++, Embarcadero)
1390* ``__is_convertible_to`` (Microsoft):
1391  Synonym for ``__is_convertible``.
1392* ``__is_destructible`` (C++, MSVC 2013):
1393  Only available in ``-fms-extensions`` mode.
1394* ``__is_empty`` (C++, GNU, Microsoft, Embarcadero)
1395* ``__is_enum`` (C++, GNU, Microsoft, Embarcadero)
1396* ``__is_final`` (C++, GNU, Microsoft)
1397* ``__is_floating_point`` (C++, Embarcadero)
1398* ``__is_function`` (C++, Embarcadero)
1399* ``__is_fundamental`` (C++, Embarcadero)
1400* ``__is_integral`` (C++, Embarcadero)
1401* ``__is_interface_class`` (Microsoft):
1402  Returns ``false``, even for types defined with ``__interface``.
1403* ``__is_literal`` (Clang):
1404  Synonym for ``__is_literal_type``.
1405* ``__is_literal_type`` (C++, GNU, Microsoft):
1406  Note, the corresponding standard trait was deprecated in C++17
1407  and removed in C++20.
1408* ``__is_lvalue_reference`` (C++, Embarcadero)
1409* ``__is_member_object_pointer`` (C++, Embarcadero)
1410* ``__is_member_function_pointer`` (C++, Embarcadero)
1411* ``__is_member_pointer`` (C++, Embarcadero)
1412* ``__is_nothrow_assignable`` (C++, MSVC 2013)
1413* ``__is_nothrow_constructible`` (C++, MSVC 2013)
1414* ``__is_nothrow_destructible`` (C++, MSVC 2013)
1415  Only available in ``-fms-extensions`` mode.
1416* ``__is_object`` (C++, Embarcadero)
1417* ``__is_pod`` (C++, GNU, Microsoft, Embarcadero):
1418  Note, the corresponding standard trait was deprecated in C++20.
1419* ``__is_pointer`` (C++, Embarcadero)
1420* ``__is_polymorphic`` (C++, GNU, Microsoft, Embarcadero)
1421* ``__is_reference`` (C++, Embarcadero)
1422* ``__is_rvalue_reference`` (C++, Embarcadero)
1423* ``__is_same`` (C++, Embarcadero)
1424* ``__is_same_as`` (GCC): Synonym for ``__is_same``.
1425* ``__is_scalar`` (C++, Embarcadero)
1426* ``__is_sealed`` (Microsoft):
1427  Synonym for ``__is_final``.
1428* ``__is_signed`` (C++, Embarcadero):
1429  Returns false for enumeration types, and returns true for floating-point
1430  types. Note, before Clang 10, returned true for enumeration types if the
1431  underlying type was signed, and returned false for floating-point types.
1432* ``__is_standard_layout`` (C++, GNU, Microsoft, Embarcadero)
1433* ``__is_trivial`` (C++, GNU, Microsoft, Embarcadero)
1434* ``__is_trivially_assignable`` (C++, GNU, Microsoft)
1435* ``__is_trivially_constructible`` (C++, GNU, Microsoft)
1436* ``__is_trivially_copyable`` (C++, GNU, Microsoft)
1437* ``__is_trivially_destructible`` (C++, MSVC 2013)
1438* ``__is_trivially_relocatable`` (Clang): Returns true if moving an object
1439  of the given type, and then destroying the source object, is known to be
1440  functionally equivalent to copying the underlying bytes and then dropping the
1441  source object on the floor. This is true of trivial types and types which
1442  were made trivially relocatable via the ``clang::trivial_abi`` attribute.
1443* ``__is_union`` (C++, GNU, Microsoft, Embarcadero)
1444* ``__is_unsigned`` (C++, Embarcadero):
1445  Returns false for enumeration types. Note, before Clang 13, returned true for
1446  enumeration types if the underlying type was unsigned.
1447* ``__is_void`` (C++, Embarcadero)
1448* ``__is_volatile`` (C++, Embarcadero)
1449* ``__reference_binds_to_temporary(T, U)`` (Clang):  Determines whether a
1450  reference of type ``T`` bound to an expression of type ``U`` would bind to a
1451  materialized temporary object. If ``T`` is not a reference type the result
1452  is false. Note this trait will also return false when the initialization of
1453  ``T`` from ``U`` is ill-formed.
1454* ``__underlying_type`` (C++, GNU, Microsoft)
1455
1456In addition, the following expression traits are supported:
1457
1458* ``__is_lvalue_expr(e)`` (Embarcadero):
1459  Returns true if ``e`` is an lvalue expression.
1460  Deprecated, use ``__is_lvalue_reference(decltype((e)))`` instead.
1461* ``__is_rvalue_expr(e)`` (Embarcadero):
1462  Returns true if ``e`` is a prvalue expression.
1463  Deprecated, use ``!__is_reference(decltype((e)))`` instead.
1464
1465There are multiple ways to detect support for a type trait ``__X`` in the
1466compiler, depending on the oldest version of Clang you wish to support.
1467
1468* From Clang 10 onwards, ``__has_builtin(__X)`` can be used.
1469* From Clang 6 onwards, ``!__is_identifier(__X)`` can be used.
1470* From Clang 3 onwards, ``__has_feature(X)`` can be used, but only supports
1471  the following traits:
1472
1473  * ``__has_nothrow_assign``
1474  * ``__has_nothrow_copy``
1475  * ``__has_nothrow_constructor``
1476  * ``__has_trivial_assign``
1477  * ``__has_trivial_copy``
1478  * ``__has_trivial_constructor``
1479  * ``__has_trivial_destructor``
1480  * ``__has_virtual_destructor``
1481  * ``__is_abstract``
1482  * ``__is_base_of``
1483  * ``__is_class``
1484  * ``__is_constructible``
1485  * ``__is_convertible_to``
1486  * ``__is_empty``
1487  * ``__is_enum``
1488  * ``__is_final``
1489  * ``__is_literal``
1490  * ``__is_standard_layout``
1491  * ``__is_pod``
1492  * ``__is_polymorphic``
1493  * ``__is_sealed``
1494  * ``__is_trivial``
1495  * ``__is_trivially_assignable``
1496  * ``__is_trivially_constructible``
1497  * ``__is_trivially_copyable``
1498  * ``__is_union``
1499  * ``__underlying_type``
1500
1501A simplistic usage example as might be seen in standard C++ headers follows:
1502
1503.. code-block:: c++
1504
1505  #if __has_builtin(__is_convertible_to)
1506  template<typename From, typename To>
1507  struct is_convertible_to {
1508    static const bool value = __is_convertible_to(From, To);
1509  };
1510  #else
1511  // Emulate type trait for compatibility with other compilers.
1512  #endif
1513
1514Blocks
1515======
1516
1517The syntax and high level language feature description is in
1518:doc:`BlockLanguageSpec<BlockLanguageSpec>`. Implementation and ABI details for
1519the clang implementation are in :doc:`Block-ABI-Apple<Block-ABI-Apple>`.
1520
1521Query for this feature with ``__has_extension(blocks)``.
1522
1523ASM Goto with Output Constraints
1524================================
1525
1526In addition to the functionality provided by `GCC's extended
1527assembly <https://gcc.gnu.org/onlinedocs/gcc/Extended-Asm.html>`_, clang
1528supports output constraints with the `goto` form.
1529
1530The goto form of GCC's extended assembly allows the programmer to branch to a C
1531label from within an inline assembly block. Clang extends this behavior by
1532allowing the programmer to use output constraints:
1533
1534.. code-block:: c++
1535
1536  int foo(int x) {
1537      int y;
1538      asm goto("# %0 %1 %l2" : "=r"(y) : "r"(x) : : err);
1539      return y;
1540    err:
1541      return -1;
1542  }
1543
1544It's important to note that outputs are valid only on the "fallthrough" branch.
1545Using outputs on an indirect branch may result in undefined behavior. For
1546example, in the function above, use of the value assigned to `y` in the `err`
1547block is undefined behavior.
1548
1549When using tied-outputs (i.e. outputs that are inputs and outputs, not just
1550outputs) with the `+r` constraint, there is a hidden input that's created
1551before the label, so numeric references to operands must account for that.
1552
1553.. code-block:: c++
1554
1555  int foo(int x) {
1556      // %0 and %1 both refer to x
1557      // %l2 refers to err
1558      asm goto("# %0 %1 %l2" : "+r"(x) : : : err);
1559      return x;
1560    err:
1561      return -1;
1562  }
1563
1564This was changed to match GCC in clang-13; for better portability, symbolic
1565references can be used instead of numeric references.
1566
1567.. code-block:: c++
1568
1569  int foo(int x) {
1570      asm goto("# %[x] %l[err]" : [x]"+r"(x) : : : err);
1571      return x;
1572    err:
1573      return -1;
1574  }
1575
1576Query for this feature with ``__has_extension(gnu_asm_goto_with_outputs)``.
1577
1578Objective-C Features
1579====================
1580
1581Related result types
1582--------------------
1583
1584According to Cocoa conventions, Objective-C methods with certain names
1585("``init``", "``alloc``", etc.) always return objects that are an instance of
1586the receiving class's type.  Such methods are said to have a "related result
1587type", meaning that a message send to one of these methods will have the same
1588static type as an instance of the receiver class.  For example, given the
1589following classes:
1590
1591.. code-block:: objc
1592
1593  @interface NSObject
1594  + (id)alloc;
1595  - (id)init;
1596  @end
1597
1598  @interface NSArray : NSObject
1599  @end
1600
1601and this common initialization pattern
1602
1603.. code-block:: objc
1604
1605  NSArray *array = [[NSArray alloc] init];
1606
1607the type of the expression ``[NSArray alloc]`` is ``NSArray*`` because
1608``alloc`` implicitly has a related result type.  Similarly, the type of the
1609expression ``[[NSArray alloc] init]`` is ``NSArray*``, since ``init`` has a
1610related result type and its receiver is known to have the type ``NSArray *``.
1611If neither ``alloc`` nor ``init`` had a related result type, the expressions
1612would have had type ``id``, as declared in the method signature.
1613
1614A method with a related result type can be declared by using the type
1615``instancetype`` as its result type.  ``instancetype`` is a contextual keyword
1616that is only permitted in the result type of an Objective-C method, e.g.
1617
1618.. code-block:: objc
1619
1620  @interface A
1621  + (instancetype)constructAnA;
1622  @end
1623
1624The related result type can also be inferred for some methods.  To determine
1625whether a method has an inferred related result type, the first word in the
1626camel-case selector (e.g., "``init``" in "``initWithObjects``") is considered,
1627and the method will have a related result type if its return type is compatible
1628with the type of its class and if:
1629
1630* the first word is "``alloc``" or "``new``", and the method is a class method,
1631  or
1632
1633* the first word is "``autorelease``", "``init``", "``retain``", or "``self``",
1634  and the method is an instance method.
1635
1636If a method with a related result type is overridden by a subclass method, the
1637subclass method must also return a type that is compatible with the subclass
1638type.  For example:
1639
1640.. code-block:: objc
1641
1642  @interface NSString : NSObject
1643  - (NSUnrelated *)init; // incorrect usage: NSUnrelated is not NSString or a superclass of NSString
1644  @end
1645
1646Related result types only affect the type of a message send or property access
1647via the given method.  In all other respects, a method with a related result
1648type is treated the same way as method that returns ``id``.
1649
1650Use ``__has_feature(objc_instancetype)`` to determine whether the
1651``instancetype`` contextual keyword is available.
1652
1653Automatic reference counting
1654----------------------------
1655
1656Clang provides support for :doc:`automated reference counting
1657<AutomaticReferenceCounting>` in Objective-C, which eliminates the need
1658for manual ``retain``/``release``/``autorelease`` message sends.  There are three
1659feature macros associated with automatic reference counting:
1660``__has_feature(objc_arc)`` indicates the availability of automated reference
1661counting in general, while ``__has_feature(objc_arc_weak)`` indicates that
1662automated reference counting also includes support for ``__weak`` pointers to
1663Objective-C objects. ``__has_feature(objc_arc_fields)`` indicates that C structs
1664are allowed to have fields that are pointers to Objective-C objects managed by
1665automatic reference counting.
1666
1667.. _objc-weak:
1668
1669Weak references
1670---------------
1671
1672Clang supports ARC-style weak and unsafe references in Objective-C even
1673outside of ARC mode.  Weak references must be explicitly enabled with
1674the ``-fobjc-weak`` option; use ``__has_feature((objc_arc_weak))``
1675to test whether they are enabled.  Unsafe references are enabled
1676unconditionally.  ARC-style weak and unsafe references cannot be used
1677when Objective-C garbage collection is enabled.
1678
1679Except as noted below, the language rules for the ``__weak`` and
1680``__unsafe_unretained`` qualifiers (and the ``weak`` and
1681``unsafe_unretained`` property attributes) are just as laid out
1682in the :doc:`ARC specification <AutomaticReferenceCounting>`.
1683In particular, note that some classes do not support forming weak
1684references to their instances, and note that special care must be
1685taken when storing weak references in memory where initialization
1686and deinitialization are outside the responsibility of the compiler
1687(such as in ``malloc``-ed memory).
1688
1689Loading from a ``__weak`` variable always implicitly retains the
1690loaded value.  In non-ARC modes, this retain is normally balanced
1691by an implicit autorelease.  This autorelease can be suppressed
1692by performing the load in the receiver position of a ``-retain``
1693message send (e.g. ``[weakReference retain]``); note that this performs
1694only a single retain (the retain done when primitively loading from
1695the weak reference).
1696
1697For the most part, ``__unsafe_unretained`` in non-ARC modes is just the
1698default behavior of variables and therefore is not needed.  However,
1699it does have an effect on the semantics of block captures: normally,
1700copying a block which captures an Objective-C object or block pointer
1701causes the captured pointer to be retained or copied, respectively,
1702but that behavior is suppressed when the captured variable is qualified
1703with ``__unsafe_unretained``.
1704
1705Note that the ``__weak`` qualifier formerly meant the GC qualifier in
1706all non-ARC modes and was silently ignored outside of GC modes.  It now
1707means the ARC-style qualifier in all non-GC modes and is no longer
1708allowed if not enabled by either ``-fobjc-arc`` or ``-fobjc-weak``.
1709It is expected that ``-fobjc-weak`` will eventually be enabled by default
1710in all non-GC Objective-C modes.
1711
1712.. _objc-fixed-enum:
1713
1714Enumerations with a fixed underlying type
1715-----------------------------------------
1716
1717Clang provides support for C++11 enumerations with a fixed underlying type
1718within Objective-C.  For example, one can write an enumeration type as:
1719
1720.. code-block:: c++
1721
1722  typedef enum : unsigned char { Red, Green, Blue } Color;
1723
1724This specifies that the underlying type, which is used to store the enumeration
1725value, is ``unsigned char``.
1726
1727Use ``__has_feature(objc_fixed_enum)`` to determine whether support for fixed
1728underlying types is available in Objective-C.
1729
1730Interoperability with C++11 lambdas
1731-----------------------------------
1732
1733Clang provides interoperability between C++11 lambdas and blocks-based APIs, by
1734permitting a lambda to be implicitly converted to a block pointer with the
1735corresponding signature.  For example, consider an API such as ``NSArray``'s
1736array-sorting method:
1737
1738.. code-block:: objc
1739
1740  - (NSArray *)sortedArrayUsingComparator:(NSComparator)cmptr;
1741
1742``NSComparator`` is simply a typedef for the block pointer ``NSComparisonResult
1743(^)(id, id)``, and parameters of this type are generally provided with block
1744literals as arguments.  However, one can also use a C++11 lambda so long as it
1745provides the same signature (in this case, accepting two parameters of type
1746``id`` and returning an ``NSComparisonResult``):
1747
1748.. code-block:: objc
1749
1750  NSArray *array = @[@"string 1", @"string 21", @"string 12", @"String 11",
1751                     @"String 02"];
1752  const NSStringCompareOptions comparisonOptions
1753    = NSCaseInsensitiveSearch | NSNumericSearch |
1754      NSWidthInsensitiveSearch | NSForcedOrderingSearch;
1755  NSLocale *currentLocale = [NSLocale currentLocale];
1756  NSArray *sorted
1757    = [array sortedArrayUsingComparator:[=](id s1, id s2) -> NSComparisonResult {
1758               NSRange string1Range = NSMakeRange(0, [s1 length]);
1759               return [s1 compare:s2 options:comparisonOptions
1760               range:string1Range locale:currentLocale];
1761       }];
1762  NSLog(@"sorted: %@", sorted);
1763
1764This code relies on an implicit conversion from the type of the lambda
1765expression (an unnamed, local class type called the *closure type*) to the
1766corresponding block pointer type.  The conversion itself is expressed by a
1767conversion operator in that closure type that produces a block pointer with the
1768same signature as the lambda itself, e.g.,
1769
1770.. code-block:: objc
1771
1772  operator NSComparisonResult (^)(id, id)() const;
1773
1774This conversion function returns a new block that simply forwards the two
1775parameters to the lambda object (which it captures by copy), then returns the
1776result.  The returned block is first copied (with ``Block_copy``) and then
1777autoreleased.  As an optimization, if a lambda expression is immediately
1778converted to a block pointer (as in the first example, above), then the block
1779is not copied and autoreleased: rather, it is given the same lifetime as a
1780block literal written at that point in the program, which avoids the overhead
1781of copying a block to the heap in the common case.
1782
1783The conversion from a lambda to a block pointer is only available in
1784Objective-C++, and not in C++ with blocks, due to its use of Objective-C memory
1785management (autorelease).
1786
1787Object Literals and Subscripting
1788--------------------------------
1789
1790Clang provides support for :doc:`Object Literals and Subscripting
1791<ObjectiveCLiterals>` in Objective-C, which simplifies common Objective-C
1792programming patterns, makes programs more concise, and improves the safety of
1793container creation.  There are several feature macros associated with object
1794literals and subscripting: ``__has_feature(objc_array_literals)`` tests the
1795availability of array literals; ``__has_feature(objc_dictionary_literals)``
1796tests the availability of dictionary literals;
1797``__has_feature(objc_subscripting)`` tests the availability of object
1798subscripting.
1799
1800Objective-C Autosynthesis of Properties
1801---------------------------------------
1802
1803Clang provides support for autosynthesis of declared properties.  Using this
1804feature, clang provides default synthesis of those properties not declared
1805@dynamic and not having user provided backing getter and setter methods.
1806``__has_feature(objc_default_synthesize_properties)`` checks for availability
1807of this feature in version of clang being used.
1808
1809.. _langext-objc-retain-release:
1810
1811Objective-C retaining behavior attributes
1812-----------------------------------------
1813
1814In Objective-C, functions and methods are generally assumed to follow the
1815`Cocoa Memory Management
1816<https://developer.apple.com/library/mac/#documentation/Cocoa/Conceptual/MemoryMgmt/Articles/mmRules.html>`_
1817conventions for ownership of object arguments and
1818return values. However, there are exceptions, and so Clang provides attributes
1819to allow these exceptions to be documented. This are used by ARC and the
1820`static analyzer <https://clang-analyzer.llvm.org>`_ Some exceptions may be
1821better described using the ``objc_method_family`` attribute instead.
1822
1823**Usage**: The ``ns_returns_retained``, ``ns_returns_not_retained``,
1824``ns_returns_autoreleased``, ``cf_returns_retained``, and
1825``cf_returns_not_retained`` attributes can be placed on methods and functions
1826that return Objective-C or CoreFoundation objects. They are commonly placed at
1827the end of a function prototype or method declaration:
1828
1829.. code-block:: objc
1830
1831  id foo() __attribute__((ns_returns_retained));
1832
1833  - (NSString *)bar:(int)x __attribute__((ns_returns_retained));
1834
1835The ``*_returns_retained`` attributes specify that the returned object has a +1
1836retain count.  The ``*_returns_not_retained`` attributes specify that the return
1837object has a +0 retain count, even if the normal convention for its selector
1838would be +1.  ``ns_returns_autoreleased`` specifies that the returned object is
1839+0, but is guaranteed to live at least as long as the next flush of an
1840autorelease pool.
1841
1842**Usage**: The ``ns_consumed`` and ``cf_consumed`` attributes can be placed on
1843an parameter declaration; they specify that the argument is expected to have a
1844+1 retain count, which will be balanced in some way by the function or method.
1845The ``ns_consumes_self`` attribute can only be placed on an Objective-C
1846method; it specifies that the method expects its ``self`` parameter to have a
1847+1 retain count, which it will balance in some way.
1848
1849.. code-block:: objc
1850
1851  void foo(__attribute__((ns_consumed)) NSString *string);
1852
1853  - (void) bar __attribute__((ns_consumes_self));
1854  - (void) baz:(id) __attribute__((ns_consumed)) x;
1855
1856Further examples of these attributes are available in the static analyzer's `list of annotations for analysis
1857<https://clang-analyzer.llvm.org/annotations.html#cocoa_mem>`_.
1858
1859Query for these features with ``__has_attribute(ns_consumed)``,
1860``__has_attribute(ns_returns_retained)``, etc.
1861
1862Objective-C @available
1863----------------------
1864
1865It is possible to use the newest SDK but still build a program that can run on
1866older versions of macOS and iOS by passing ``-mmacosx-version-min=`` /
1867``-miphoneos-version-min=``.
1868
1869Before LLVM 5.0, when calling a function that exists only in the OS that's
1870newer than the target OS (as determined by the minimum deployment version),
1871programmers had to carefully check if the function exists at runtime, using
1872null checks for weakly-linked C functions, ``+class`` for Objective-C classes,
1873and ``-respondsToSelector:`` or ``+instancesRespondToSelector:`` for
1874Objective-C methods.  If such a check was missed, the program would compile
1875fine, run fine on newer systems, but crash on older systems.
1876
1877As of LLVM 5.0, ``-Wunguarded-availability`` uses the `availability attributes
1878<https://clang.llvm.org/docs/AttributeReference.html#availability>`_ together
1879with the new ``@available()`` keyword to assist with this issue.
1880When a method that's introduced in the OS newer than the target OS is called, a
1881-Wunguarded-availability warning is emitted if that call is not guarded:
1882
1883.. code-block:: objc
1884
1885  void my_fun(NSSomeClass* var) {
1886    // If fancyNewMethod was added in e.g. macOS 10.12, but the code is
1887    // built with -mmacosx-version-min=10.11, then this unconditional call
1888    // will emit a -Wunguarded-availability warning:
1889    [var fancyNewMethod];
1890  }
1891
1892To fix the warning and to avoid the crash on macOS 10.11, wrap it in
1893``if(@available())``:
1894
1895.. code-block:: objc
1896
1897  void my_fun(NSSomeClass* var) {
1898    if (@available(macOS 10.12, *)) {
1899      [var fancyNewMethod];
1900    } else {
1901      // Put fallback behavior for old macOS versions (and for non-mac
1902      // platforms) here.
1903    }
1904  }
1905
1906The ``*`` is required and means that platforms not explicitly listed will take
1907the true branch, and the compiler will emit ``-Wunguarded-availability``
1908warnings for unlisted platforms based on those platform's deployment target.
1909More than one platform can be listed in ``@available()``:
1910
1911.. code-block:: objc
1912
1913  void my_fun(NSSomeClass* var) {
1914    if (@available(macOS 10.12, iOS 10, *)) {
1915      [var fancyNewMethod];
1916    }
1917  }
1918
1919If the caller of ``my_fun()`` already checks that ``my_fun()`` is only called
1920on 10.12, then add an `availability attribute
1921<https://clang.llvm.org/docs/AttributeReference.html#availability>`_ to it,
1922which will also suppress the warning and require that calls to my_fun() are
1923checked:
1924
1925.. code-block:: objc
1926
1927  API_AVAILABLE(macos(10.12)) void my_fun(NSSomeClass* var) {
1928    [var fancyNewMethod];  // Now ok.
1929  }
1930
1931``@available()`` is only available in Objective-C code.  To use the feature
1932in C and C++ code, use the ``__builtin_available()`` spelling instead.
1933
1934If existing code uses null checks or ``-respondsToSelector:``, it should
1935be changed to use ``@available()`` (or ``__builtin_available``) instead.
1936
1937``-Wunguarded-availability`` is disabled by default, but
1938``-Wunguarded-availability-new``, which only emits this warning for APIs
1939that have been introduced in macOS >= 10.13, iOS >= 11, watchOS >= 4 and
1940tvOS >= 11, is enabled by default.
1941
1942.. _langext-overloading:
1943
1944Objective-C++ ABI: protocol-qualifier mangling of parameters
1945------------------------------------------------------------
1946
1947Starting with LLVM 3.4, Clang produces a new mangling for parameters whose
1948type is a qualified-``id`` (e.g., ``id<Foo>``).  This mangling allows such
1949parameters to be differentiated from those with the regular unqualified ``id``
1950type.
1951
1952This was a non-backward compatible mangling change to the ABI.  This change
1953allows proper overloading, and also prevents mangling conflicts with template
1954parameters of protocol-qualified type.
1955
1956Query the presence of this new mangling with
1957``__has_feature(objc_protocol_qualifier_mangling)``.
1958
1959Initializer lists for complex numbers in C
1960==========================================
1961
1962clang supports an extension which allows the following in C:
1963
1964.. code-block:: c++
1965
1966  #include <math.h>
1967  #include <complex.h>
1968  complex float x = { 1.0f, INFINITY }; // Init to (1, Inf)
1969
1970This construct is useful because there is no way to separately initialize the
1971real and imaginary parts of a complex variable in standard C, given that clang
1972does not support ``_Imaginary``.  (Clang also supports the ``__real__`` and
1973``__imag__`` extensions from gcc, which help in some cases, but are not usable
1974in static initializers.)
1975
1976Note that this extension does not allow eliding the braces; the meaning of the
1977following two lines is different:
1978
1979.. code-block:: c++
1980
1981  complex float x[] = { { 1.0f, 1.0f } }; // [0] = (1, 1)
1982  complex float x[] = { 1.0f, 1.0f }; // [0] = (1, 0), [1] = (1, 0)
1983
1984This extension also works in C++ mode, as far as that goes, but does not apply
1985to the C++ ``std::complex``.  (In C++11, list initialization allows the same
1986syntax to be used with ``std::complex`` with the same meaning.)
1987
1988For GCC compatibility, ``__builtin_complex(re, im)`` can also be used to
1989construct a complex number from the given real and imaginary components.
1990
1991OpenCL Features
1992===============
1993
1994Clang supports internal OpenCL extensions documented below.
1995
1996``__cl_clang_bitfields``
1997--------------------------------
1998
1999With this extension it is possible to enable bitfields in structs
2000or unions using the OpenCL extension pragma mechanism detailed in
2001`the OpenCL Extension Specification, section 1.2
2002<https://www.khronos.org/registry/OpenCL/specs/3.0-unified/html/OpenCL_Ext.html#extensions-overview>`_.
2003
2004Use of bitfields in OpenCL kernels can result in reduced portability as struct
2005layout is not guaranteed to be consistent when compiled by different compilers.
2006If structs with bitfields are used as kernel function parameters, it can result
2007in incorrect functionality when the layout is different between the host and
2008device code.
2009
2010**Example of Use**:
2011
2012.. code-block:: c++
2013
2014  #pragma OPENCL EXTENSION __cl_clang_bitfields : enable
2015  struct with_bitfield {
2016    unsigned int i : 5; // compiled - no diagnostic generated
2017  };
2018
2019  #pragma OPENCL EXTENSION __cl_clang_bitfields : disable
2020  struct without_bitfield {
2021    unsigned int i : 5; // error - bitfields are not supported
2022  };
2023
2024``__cl_clang_function_pointers``
2025--------------------------------
2026
2027With this extension it is possible to enable various language features that
2028are relying on function pointers using regular OpenCL extension pragma
2029mechanism detailed in `the OpenCL Extension Specification,
2030section 1.2
2031<https://www.khronos.org/registry/OpenCL/specs/3.0-unified/html/OpenCL_Ext.html#extensions-overview>`_.
2032
2033In C++ for OpenCL this also enables:
2034
2035- Use of member function pointers;
2036
2037- Unrestricted use of references to functions;
2038
2039- Virtual member functions.
2040
2041Such functionality is not conformant and does not guarantee to compile
2042correctly in any circumstances. It can be used if:
2043
2044- the kernel source does not contain call expressions to (member-) function
2045  pointers, or virtual functions. For example this extension can be used in
2046  metaprogramming algorithms to be able to specify/detect types generically.
2047
2048- the generated kernel binary does not contain indirect calls because they
2049  are eliminated using compiler optimizations e.g. devirtualization.
2050
2051- the selected target supports the function pointer like functionality e.g.
2052  most CPU targets.
2053
2054**Example of Use**:
2055
2056.. code-block:: c++
2057
2058  #pragma OPENCL EXTENSION __cl_clang_function_pointers : enable
2059  void foo()
2060  {
2061    void (*fp)(); // compiled - no diagnostic generated
2062  }
2063
2064  #pragma OPENCL EXTENSION __cl_clang_function_pointers : disable
2065  void bar()
2066  {
2067    void (*fp)(); // error - pointers to function are not allowed
2068  }
2069
2070``__cl_clang_variadic_functions``
2071---------------------------------
2072
2073With this extension it is possible to enable variadic arguments in functions
2074using regular OpenCL extension pragma mechanism detailed in `the OpenCL
2075Extension Specification, section 1.2
2076<https://www.khronos.org/registry/OpenCL/specs/3.0-unified/html/OpenCL_Ext.html#extensions-overview>`_.
2077
2078This is not conformant behavior and it can only be used portably when the
2079functions with variadic prototypes do not get generated in binary e.g. the
2080variadic prototype is used to specify a function type with any number of
2081arguments in metaprogramming algorithms in C++ for OpenCL.
2082
2083This extensions can also be used when the kernel code is intended for targets
2084supporting the variadic arguments e.g. majority of CPU targets.
2085
2086**Example of Use**:
2087
2088.. code-block:: c++
2089
2090  #pragma OPENCL EXTENSION __cl_clang_variadic_functions : enable
2091  void foo(int a, ...); // compiled - no diagnostic generated
2092
2093  #pragma OPENCL EXTENSION __cl_clang_variadic_functions : disable
2094  void bar(int a, ...); // error - variadic prototype is not allowed
2095
2096``__cl_clang_non_portable_kernel_param_types``
2097----------------------------------------------
2098
2099With this extension it is possible to enable the use of some restricted types
2100in kernel parameters specified in `C++ for OpenCL v1.0 s2.4
2101<https://www.khronos.org/opencl/assets/CXX_for_OpenCL.html#kernel_function>`_.
2102The restrictions can be relaxed using regular OpenCL extension pragma mechanism
2103detailed in `the OpenCL Extension Specification, section 1.2
2104<https://www.khronos.org/registry/OpenCL/specs/3.0-unified/html/OpenCL_Ext.html#extensions-overview>`_.
2105
2106This is not a conformant behavior and it can only be used when the
2107kernel arguments are not accessed on the host side or the data layout/size
2108between the host and device is known to be compatible.
2109
2110**Example of Use**:
2111
2112.. code-block:: c++
2113
2114  // Plain Old Data type.
2115  struct Pod {
2116    int a;
2117    int b;
2118  };
2119
2120  // Not POD type because of the constructor.
2121  // Standard layout type because there is only one access control.
2122  struct OnlySL {
2123    int a;
2124    int b;
2125    NotPod() : a(0), b(0) {}
2126  };
2127
2128  // Not standard layout type because of two different access controls.
2129  struct NotSL {
2130    int a;
2131  private:
2132    int b;
2133  }
2134
2135  kernel void kernel_main(
2136    Pod a,
2137  #pragma OPENCL EXTENSION __cl_clang_non_portable_kernel_param_types : enable
2138    OnlySL b,
2139    global NotSL *c,
2140  #pragma OPENCL EXTENSION __cl_clang_non_portable_kernel_param_types : disable
2141    global OnlySL *d,
2142  );
2143
2144Remove address space builtin function
2145-------------------------------------
2146
2147``__remove_address_space`` allows to derive types in C++ for OpenCL
2148that have address space qualifiers removed. This utility only affects
2149address space qualifiers, therefore, other type qualifiers such as
2150``const`` or ``volatile`` remain unchanged.
2151
2152**Example of Use**:
2153
2154.. code-block:: c++
2155
2156  template<typename T>
2157  void foo(T *par){
2158    T var1; // error - local function variable with global address space
2159    __private T var2; // error - conflicting address space qualifiers
2160    __private __remove_address_space<T>::type var3; // var3 is __private int
2161  }
2162
2163  void bar(){
2164    __global int* ptr;
2165    foo(ptr);
2166  }
2167
2168Legacy 1.x atomics with generic address space
2169---------------------------------------------
2170
2171Clang allows use of atomic functions from the OpenCL 1.x standards
2172with the generic address space pointer in C++ for OpenCL mode.
2173
2174This is a non-portable feature and might not be supported by all
2175targets.
2176
2177**Example of Use**:
2178
2179.. code-block:: c++
2180
2181  void foo(__generic volatile unsigned int* a) {
2182    atomic_add(a, 1);
2183  }
2184
2185Builtin Functions
2186=================
2187
2188Clang supports a number of builtin library functions with the same syntax as
2189GCC, including things like ``__builtin_nan``, ``__builtin_constant_p``,
2190``__builtin_choose_expr``, ``__builtin_types_compatible_p``,
2191``__builtin_assume_aligned``, ``__sync_fetch_and_add``, etc.  In addition to
2192the GCC builtins, Clang supports a number of builtins that GCC does not, which
2193are listed here.
2194
2195Please note that Clang does not and will not support all of the GCC builtins
2196for vector operations.  Instead of using builtins, you should use the functions
2197defined in target-specific header files like ``<xmmintrin.h>``, which define
2198portable wrappers for these.  Many of the Clang versions of these functions are
2199implemented directly in terms of :ref:`extended vector support
2200<langext-vectors>` instead of builtins, in order to reduce the number of
2201builtins that we need to implement.
2202
2203``__builtin_alloca``
2204--------------------
2205
2206``__builtin_alloca`` is used to dynamically allocate memory on the stack. Memory
2207is automatically freed upon function termination.
2208
2209**Syntax**:
2210
2211.. code-block:: c++
2212
2213  __builtin_alloca(size_t n)
2214
2215**Example of Use**:
2216
2217.. code-block:: c++
2218
2219  void init(float* data, size_t nbelems);
2220  void process(float* data, size_t nbelems);
2221  int foo(size_t n) {
2222    auto mem = (float*)__builtin_alloca(n * sizeof(float));
2223    init(mem, n);
2224    process(mem, n);
2225    /* mem is automatically freed at this point */
2226  }
2227
2228**Description**:
2229
2230``__builtin_alloca`` is meant to be used to allocate a dynamic amount of memory
2231on the stack. This amount is subject to stack allocation limits.
2232
2233Query for this feature with ``__has_builtin(__builtin_alloca)``.
2234
2235``__builtin_alloca_with_align``
2236-------------------------------
2237
2238``__builtin_alloca_with_align`` is used to dynamically allocate memory on the
2239stack while controlling its alignment. Memory is automatically freed upon
2240function termination.
2241
2242
2243**Syntax**:
2244
2245.. code-block:: c++
2246
2247  __builtin_alloca_with_align(size_t n, size_t align)
2248
2249**Example of Use**:
2250
2251.. code-block:: c++
2252
2253  void init(float* data, size_t nbelems);
2254  void process(float* data, size_t nbelems);
2255  int foo(size_t n) {
2256    auto mem = (float*)__builtin_alloca_with_align(
2257                        n * sizeof(float),
2258                        CHAR_BIT * alignof(float));
2259    init(mem, n);
2260    process(mem, n);
2261    /* mem is automatically freed at this point */
2262  }
2263
2264**Description**:
2265
2266``__builtin_alloca_with_align`` is meant to be used to allocate a dynamic amount of memory
2267on the stack. It is similar to ``__builtin_alloca`` but accepts a second
2268argument whose value is the alignment constraint, as a power of 2 in *bits*.
2269
2270Query for this feature with ``__has_builtin(__builtin_alloca_with_align)``.
2271
2272.. _langext-__builtin_assume:
2273
2274``__builtin_assume``
2275--------------------
2276
2277``__builtin_assume`` is used to provide the optimizer with a boolean
2278invariant that is defined to be true.
2279
2280**Syntax**:
2281
2282.. code-block:: c++
2283
2284    __builtin_assume(bool)
2285
2286**Example of Use**:
2287
2288.. code-block:: c++
2289
2290  int foo(int x) {
2291      __builtin_assume(x != 0);
2292      // The optimizer may short-circuit this check using the invariant.
2293      if (x == 0)
2294            return do_something();
2295      return do_something_else();
2296  }
2297
2298**Description**:
2299
2300The boolean argument to this function is defined to be true. The optimizer may
2301analyze the form of the expression provided as the argument and deduce from
2302that information used to optimize the program. If the condition is violated
2303during execution, the behavior is undefined. The argument itself is never
2304evaluated, so any side effects of the expression will be discarded.
2305
2306Query for this feature with ``__has_builtin(__builtin_assume)``.
2307
2308``__builtin_call_with_static_chain``
2309------------------------------------
2310
2311``__builtin_call_with_static_chain`` is used to perform a static call while
2312setting updating the static chain register.
2313
2314**Syntax**:
2315
2316.. code-block:: c++
2317
2318  T __builtin_call_with_static_chain(T expr, void* ptr)
2319
2320**Example of Use**:
2321
2322.. code-block:: c++
2323
2324  auto v = __builtin_call_with_static_chain(foo(3), foo);
2325
2326**Description**:
2327
2328This builtin returns ``expr`` after checking that ``expr`` is a non-member
2329static call expression. The call to that expression is made while using ``ptr``
2330as a function pointer stored in a dedicated register to implement *static chain*
2331calling convention, as used by some language to implement closures or nested
2332functions.
2333
2334Query for this feature with ``__has_builtin(__builtin_call_with_static_chain)``.
2335
2336``__builtin_readcyclecounter``
2337------------------------------
2338
2339``__builtin_readcyclecounter`` is used to access the cycle counter register (or
2340a similar low-latency, high-accuracy clock) on those targets that support it.
2341
2342**Syntax**:
2343
2344.. code-block:: c++
2345
2346  __builtin_readcyclecounter()
2347
2348**Example of Use**:
2349
2350.. code-block:: c++
2351
2352  unsigned long long t0 = __builtin_readcyclecounter();
2353  do_something();
2354  unsigned long long t1 = __builtin_readcyclecounter();
2355  unsigned long long cycles_to_do_something = t1 - t0; // assuming no overflow
2356
2357**Description**:
2358
2359The ``__builtin_readcyclecounter()`` builtin returns the cycle counter value,
2360which may be either global or process/thread-specific depending on the target.
2361As the backing counters often overflow quickly (on the order of seconds) this
2362should only be used for timing small intervals.  When not supported by the
2363target, the return value is always zero.  This builtin takes no arguments and
2364produces an unsigned long long result.
2365
2366Query for this feature with ``__has_builtin(__builtin_readcyclecounter)``. Note
2367that even if present, its use may depend on run-time privilege or other OS
2368controlled state.
2369
2370``__builtin_dump_struct``
2371-------------------------
2372
2373**Syntax**:
2374
2375.. code-block:: c++
2376
2377    __builtin_dump_struct(&some_struct, some_printf_func, args...);
2378
2379**Examples**:
2380
2381.. code-block:: c++
2382
2383    struct S {
2384      int x, y;
2385      float f;
2386      struct T {
2387        int i;
2388      } t;
2389    };
2390
2391    void func(struct S *s) {
2392      __builtin_dump_struct(s, printf);
2393    }
2394
2395Example output:
2396
2397.. code-block:: none
2398
2399    struct S {
2400      int x = 100
2401      int y = 42
2402      float f = 3.141593
2403      struct T t = {
2404        int i = 1997
2405      }
2406    }
2407
2408.. code-block:: c++
2409
2410    #include <string>
2411    struct T { int a, b; };
2412    constexpr void constexpr_sprintf(std::string &out, const char *format,
2413                                     auto ...args) {
2414      // ...
2415    }
2416    constexpr std::string dump_struct(auto &x) {
2417      std::string s;
2418      __builtin_dump_struct(&x, constexpr_sprintf, s);
2419      return s;
2420    }
2421    static_assert(dump_struct(T{1, 2}) == R"(struct T {
2422      int a = 1
2423      int b = 2
2424    }
2425    )");
2426
2427**Description**:
2428
2429The ``__builtin_dump_struct`` function is used to print the fields of a simple
2430structure and their values for debugging purposes. The first argument of the
2431builtin should be a pointer to the struct to dump. The second argument ``f``
2432should be some callable expression, and can be a function object or an overload
2433set. The builtin calls ``f``, passing any further arguments ``args...``
2434followed by a ``printf``-compatible format string and the corresponding
2435arguments. ``f`` may be called more than once, and ``f`` and ``args`` will be
2436evaluated once per call. In C++, ``f`` may be a template or overload set and
2437resolve to different functions for each call.
2438
2439In the format string, a suitable format specifier will be used for builtin
2440types that Clang knows how to format. This includes standard builtin types, as
2441well as aggregate structures, ``void*`` (printed with ``%p``), and ``const
2442char*`` (printed with ``%s``). A ``*%p`` specifier will be used for a field
2443that Clang doesn't know how to format, and the corresopnding argument will be a
2444pointer to the field. This allows a C++ templated formatting function to detect
2445this case and implement custom formatting. A ``*`` will otherwise not precede a
2446format specifier.
2447
2448This builtin does not return a value.
2449
2450This builtin can be used in constant expressions.
2451
2452Query for this feature with ``__has_builtin(__builtin_dump_struct)``
2453
2454.. _langext-__builtin_shufflevector:
2455
2456``__builtin_shufflevector``
2457---------------------------
2458
2459``__builtin_shufflevector`` is used to express generic vector
2460permutation/shuffle/swizzle operations.  This builtin is also very important
2461for the implementation of various target-specific header files like
2462``<xmmintrin.h>``.
2463
2464**Syntax**:
2465
2466.. code-block:: c++
2467
2468  __builtin_shufflevector(vec1, vec2, index1, index2, ...)
2469
2470**Examples**:
2471
2472.. code-block:: c++
2473
2474  // identity operation - return 4-element vector v1.
2475  __builtin_shufflevector(v1, v1, 0, 1, 2, 3)
2476
2477  // "Splat" element 0 of V1 into a 4-element result.
2478  __builtin_shufflevector(V1, V1, 0, 0, 0, 0)
2479
2480  // Reverse 4-element vector V1.
2481  __builtin_shufflevector(V1, V1, 3, 2, 1, 0)
2482
2483  // Concatenate every other element of 4-element vectors V1 and V2.
2484  __builtin_shufflevector(V1, V2, 0, 2, 4, 6)
2485
2486  // Concatenate every other element of 8-element vectors V1 and V2.
2487  __builtin_shufflevector(V1, V2, 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14)
2488
2489  // Shuffle v1 with some elements being undefined
2490  __builtin_shufflevector(v1, v1, 3, -1, 1, -1)
2491
2492**Description**:
2493
2494The first two arguments to ``__builtin_shufflevector`` are vectors that have
2495the same element type.  The remaining arguments are a list of integers that
2496specify the elements indices of the first two vectors that should be extracted
2497and returned in a new vector.  These element indices are numbered sequentially
2498starting with the first vector, continuing into the second vector.  Thus, if
2499``vec1`` is a 4-element vector, index 5 would refer to the second element of
2500``vec2``. An index of -1 can be used to indicate that the corresponding element
2501in the returned vector is a don't care and can be optimized by the backend.
2502
2503The result of ``__builtin_shufflevector`` is a vector with the same element
2504type as ``vec1``/``vec2`` but that has an element count equal to the number of
2505indices specified.
2506
2507Query for this feature with ``__has_builtin(__builtin_shufflevector)``.
2508
2509.. _langext-__builtin_convertvector:
2510
2511``__builtin_convertvector``
2512---------------------------
2513
2514``__builtin_convertvector`` is used to express generic vector
2515type-conversion operations. The input vector and the output vector
2516type must have the same number of elements.
2517
2518**Syntax**:
2519
2520.. code-block:: c++
2521
2522  __builtin_convertvector(src_vec, dst_vec_type)
2523
2524**Examples**:
2525
2526.. code-block:: c++
2527
2528  typedef double vector4double __attribute__((__vector_size__(32)));
2529  typedef float  vector4float  __attribute__((__vector_size__(16)));
2530  typedef short  vector4short  __attribute__((__vector_size__(8)));
2531  vector4float vf; vector4short vs;
2532
2533  // convert from a vector of 4 floats to a vector of 4 doubles.
2534  __builtin_convertvector(vf, vector4double)
2535  // equivalent to:
2536  (vector4double) { (double) vf[0], (double) vf[1], (double) vf[2], (double) vf[3] }
2537
2538  // convert from a vector of 4 shorts to a vector of 4 floats.
2539  __builtin_convertvector(vs, vector4float)
2540  // equivalent to:
2541  (vector4float) { (float) vs[0], (float) vs[1], (float) vs[2], (float) vs[3] }
2542
2543**Description**:
2544
2545The first argument to ``__builtin_convertvector`` is a vector, and the second
2546argument is a vector type with the same number of elements as the first
2547argument.
2548
2549The result of ``__builtin_convertvector`` is a vector with the same element
2550type as the second argument, with a value defined in terms of the action of a
2551C-style cast applied to each element of the first argument.
2552
2553Query for this feature with ``__has_builtin(__builtin_convertvector)``.
2554
2555``__builtin_bitreverse``
2556------------------------
2557
2558* ``__builtin_bitreverse8``
2559* ``__builtin_bitreverse16``
2560* ``__builtin_bitreverse32``
2561* ``__builtin_bitreverse64``
2562
2563**Syntax**:
2564
2565.. code-block:: c++
2566
2567     __builtin_bitreverse32(x)
2568
2569**Examples**:
2570
2571.. code-block:: c++
2572
2573      uint8_t rev_x = __builtin_bitreverse8(x);
2574      uint16_t rev_x = __builtin_bitreverse16(x);
2575      uint32_t rev_y = __builtin_bitreverse32(y);
2576      uint64_t rev_z = __builtin_bitreverse64(z);
2577
2578**Description**:
2579
2580The '``__builtin_bitreverse``' family of builtins is used to reverse
2581the bitpattern of an integer value; for example ``0b10110110`` becomes
2582``0b01101101``. These builtins can be used within constant expressions.
2583
2584``__builtin_rotateleft``
2585------------------------
2586
2587* ``__builtin_rotateleft8``
2588* ``__builtin_rotateleft16``
2589* ``__builtin_rotateleft32``
2590* ``__builtin_rotateleft64``
2591
2592**Syntax**:
2593
2594.. code-block:: c++
2595
2596     __builtin_rotateleft32(x, y)
2597
2598**Examples**:
2599
2600.. code-block:: c++
2601
2602      uint8_t rot_x = __builtin_rotateleft8(x, y);
2603      uint16_t rot_x = __builtin_rotateleft16(x, y);
2604      uint32_t rot_x = __builtin_rotateleft32(x, y);
2605      uint64_t rot_x = __builtin_rotateleft64(x, y);
2606
2607**Description**:
2608
2609The '``__builtin_rotateleft``' family of builtins is used to rotate
2610the bits in the first argument by the amount in the second argument.
2611For example, ``0b10000110`` rotated left by 11 becomes ``0b00110100``.
2612The shift value is treated as an unsigned amount modulo the size of
2613the arguments. Both arguments and the result have the bitwidth specified
2614by the name of the builtin. These builtins can be used within constant
2615expressions.
2616
2617``__builtin_rotateright``
2618-------------------------
2619
2620* ``__builtin_rotateright8``
2621* ``__builtin_rotateright16``
2622* ``__builtin_rotateright32``
2623* ``__builtin_rotateright64``
2624
2625**Syntax**:
2626
2627.. code-block:: c++
2628
2629     __builtin_rotateright32(x, y)
2630
2631**Examples**:
2632
2633.. code-block:: c++
2634
2635      uint8_t rot_x = __builtin_rotateright8(x, y);
2636      uint16_t rot_x = __builtin_rotateright16(x, y);
2637      uint32_t rot_x = __builtin_rotateright32(x, y);
2638      uint64_t rot_x = __builtin_rotateright64(x, y);
2639
2640**Description**:
2641
2642The '``__builtin_rotateright``' family of builtins is used to rotate
2643the bits in the first argument by the amount in the second argument.
2644For example, ``0b10000110`` rotated right by 3 becomes ``0b11010000``.
2645The shift value is treated as an unsigned amount modulo the size of
2646the arguments. Both arguments and the result have the bitwidth specified
2647by the name of the builtin. These builtins can be used within constant
2648expressions.
2649
2650``__builtin_unreachable``
2651-------------------------
2652
2653``__builtin_unreachable`` is used to indicate that a specific point in the
2654program cannot be reached, even if the compiler might otherwise think it can.
2655This is useful to improve optimization and eliminates certain warnings.  For
2656example, without the ``__builtin_unreachable`` in the example below, the
2657compiler assumes that the inline asm can fall through and prints a "function
2658declared '``noreturn``' should not return" warning.
2659
2660**Syntax**:
2661
2662.. code-block:: c++
2663
2664    __builtin_unreachable()
2665
2666**Example of use**:
2667
2668.. code-block:: c++
2669
2670  void myabort(void) __attribute__((noreturn));
2671  void myabort(void) {
2672    asm("int3");
2673    __builtin_unreachable();
2674  }
2675
2676**Description**:
2677
2678The ``__builtin_unreachable()`` builtin has completely undefined behavior.
2679Since it has undefined behavior, it is a statement that it is never reached and
2680the optimizer can take advantage of this to produce better code.  This builtin
2681takes no arguments and produces a void result.
2682
2683Query for this feature with ``__has_builtin(__builtin_unreachable)``.
2684
2685``__builtin_unpredictable``
2686---------------------------
2687
2688``__builtin_unpredictable`` is used to indicate that a branch condition is
2689unpredictable by hardware mechanisms such as branch prediction logic.
2690
2691**Syntax**:
2692
2693.. code-block:: c++
2694
2695    __builtin_unpredictable(long long)
2696
2697**Example of use**:
2698
2699.. code-block:: c++
2700
2701  if (__builtin_unpredictable(x > 0)) {
2702     foo();
2703  }
2704
2705**Description**:
2706
2707The ``__builtin_unpredictable()`` builtin is expected to be used with control
2708flow conditions such as in ``if`` and ``switch`` statements.
2709
2710Query for this feature with ``__has_builtin(__builtin_unpredictable)``.
2711
2712
2713``__builtin_expect``
2714--------------------
2715
2716``__builtin_expect`` is used to indicate that the value of an expression is
2717anticipated to be the same as a statically known result.
2718
2719**Syntax**:
2720
2721.. code-block:: c++
2722
2723    long __builtin_expect(long expr, long val)
2724
2725**Example of use**:
2726
2727.. code-block:: c++
2728
2729  if (__builtin_expect(x, 0)) {
2730     bar();
2731  }
2732
2733**Description**:
2734
2735The ``__builtin_expect()`` builtin is typically used with control flow
2736conditions such as in ``if`` and ``switch`` statements to help branch
2737prediction. It means that its first argument ``expr`` is expected to take the
2738value of its second argument ``val``. It always returns ``expr``.
2739
2740Query for this feature with ``__has_builtin(__builtin_expect)``.
2741
2742``__builtin_expect_with_probability``
2743-------------------------------------
2744
2745``__builtin_expect_with_probability`` is similar to ``__builtin_expect`` but it
2746takes a probability as third argument.
2747
2748**Syntax**:
2749
2750.. code-block:: c++
2751
2752    long __builtin_expect_with_probability(long expr, long val, double p)
2753
2754**Example of use**:
2755
2756.. code-block:: c++
2757
2758  if (__builtin_expect_with_probability(x, 0, .3)) {
2759     bar();
2760  }
2761
2762**Description**:
2763
2764The ``__builtin_expect_with_probability()`` builtin is typically used with
2765control flow conditions such as in ``if`` and ``switch`` statements to help
2766branch prediction. It means that its first argument ``expr`` is expected to take
2767the value of its second argument ``val`` with probability ``p``. ``p`` must be
2768within ``[0.0 ; 1.0]`` bounds. This builtin always returns the value of ``expr``.
2769
2770Query for this feature with ``__has_builtin(__builtin_expect_with_probability)``.
2771
2772``__builtin_prefetch``
2773----------------------
2774
2775``__builtin_prefetch`` is used to communicate with the cache handler to bring
2776data into the cache before it gets used.
2777
2778**Syntax**:
2779
2780.. code-block:: c++
2781
2782    void __builtin_prefetch(const void *addr, int rw=0, int locality=3)
2783
2784**Example of use**:
2785
2786.. code-block:: c++
2787
2788    __builtin_prefetch(a + i);
2789
2790**Description**:
2791
2792The ``__builtin_prefetch(addr, rw, locality)`` builtin is expected to be used to
2793avoid cache misses when the developper has a good understanding of which data
2794are going to be used next. ``addr`` is the address that needs to be brought into
2795the cache. ``rw`` indicates the expected access mode: ``0`` for *read* and ``1``
2796for *write*. In case of *read write* access, ``1`` is to be used. ``locality``
2797indicates the expected persistance of data in cache, from ``0`` which means that
2798data can be discarded from cache after its next use to ``3`` which means that
2799data is going to be reused a lot once in cache. ``1`` and ``2`` provide
2800intermediate behavior between these two extremes.
2801
2802Query for this feature with ``__has_builtin(__builtin_prefetch)``.
2803
2804``__sync_swap``
2805---------------
2806
2807``__sync_swap`` is used to atomically swap integers or pointers in memory.
2808
2809**Syntax**:
2810
2811.. code-block:: c++
2812
2813  type __sync_swap(type *ptr, type value, ...)
2814
2815**Example of Use**:
2816
2817.. code-block:: c++
2818
2819  int old_value = __sync_swap(&value, new_value);
2820
2821**Description**:
2822
2823The ``__sync_swap()`` builtin extends the existing ``__sync_*()`` family of
2824atomic intrinsics to allow code to atomically swap the current value with the
2825new value.  More importantly, it helps developers write more efficient and
2826correct code by avoiding expensive loops around
2827``__sync_bool_compare_and_swap()`` or relying on the platform specific
2828implementation details of ``__sync_lock_test_and_set()``.  The
2829``__sync_swap()`` builtin is a full barrier.
2830
2831``__builtin_addressof``
2832-----------------------
2833
2834``__builtin_addressof`` performs the functionality of the built-in ``&``
2835operator, ignoring any ``operator&`` overload.  This is useful in constant
2836expressions in C++11, where there is no other way to take the address of an
2837object that overloads ``operator&``.
2838
2839**Example of use**:
2840
2841.. code-block:: c++
2842
2843  template<typename T> constexpr T *addressof(T &value) {
2844    return __builtin_addressof(value);
2845  }
2846
2847``__builtin_function_start``
2848-----------------------------
2849
2850``__builtin_function_start`` returns the address of a function body.
2851
2852**Syntax**:
2853
2854.. code-block:: c++
2855
2856  void *__builtin_function_start(function)
2857
2858**Example of use**:
2859
2860.. code-block:: c++
2861
2862  void a() {}
2863  void *p = __builtin_function_start(a);
2864
2865  class A {
2866  public:
2867    void a(int n);
2868    void a();
2869  };
2870
2871  void A::a(int n) {}
2872  void A::a() {}
2873
2874  void *pa1 = __builtin_function_start((void(A::*)(int)) &A::a);
2875  void *pa2 = __builtin_function_start((void(A::*)()) &A::a);
2876
2877**Description**:
2878
2879The ``__builtin_function_start`` builtin accepts an argument that can be
2880constant-evaluated to a function, and returns the address of the function
2881body.  This builtin is not supported on all targets.
2882
2883The returned pointer may differ from the normally taken function address
2884and is not safe to call.  For example, with ``-fsanitize=cfi``, taking a
2885function address produces a callable pointer to a CFI jump table, while
2886``__builtin_function_start`` returns an address that fails
2887:doc:`cfi-icall<ControlFlowIntegrity>` checks.
2888
2889``__builtin_operator_new`` and ``__builtin_operator_delete``
2890------------------------------------------------------------
2891
2892A call to ``__builtin_operator_new(args)`` is exactly the same as a call to
2893``::operator new(args)``, except that it allows certain optimizations
2894that the C++ standard does not permit for a direct function call to
2895``::operator new`` (in particular, removing ``new`` / ``delete`` pairs and
2896merging allocations), and that the call is required to resolve to a
2897`replaceable global allocation function
2898<https://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/memory/new/operator_new>`_.
2899
2900Likewise, ``__builtin_operator_delete`` is exactly the same as a call to
2901``::operator delete(args)``, except that it permits optimizations
2902and that the call is required to resolve to a
2903`replaceable global deallocation function
2904<https://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/memory/new/operator_delete>`_.
2905
2906These builtins are intended for use in the implementation of ``std::allocator``
2907and other similar allocation libraries, and are only available in C++.
2908
2909Query for this feature with ``__has_builtin(__builtin_operator_new)`` or
2910``__has_builtin(__builtin_operator_delete)``:
2911
2912  * If the value is at least ``201802L``, the builtins behave as described above.
2913
2914  * If the value is non-zero, the builtins may not support calling arbitrary
2915    replaceable global (de)allocation functions, but do support calling at least
2916    ``::operator new(size_t)`` and ``::operator delete(void*)``.
2917
2918``__builtin_preserve_access_index``
2919-----------------------------------
2920
2921``__builtin_preserve_access_index`` specifies a code section where
2922array subscript access and structure/union member access are relocatable
2923under bpf compile-once run-everywhere framework. Debuginfo (typically
2924with ``-g``) is needed, otherwise, the compiler will exit with an error.
2925The return type for the intrinsic is the same as the type of the
2926argument.
2927
2928**Syntax**:
2929
2930.. code-block:: c
2931
2932  type __builtin_preserve_access_index(type arg)
2933
2934**Example of Use**:
2935
2936.. code-block:: c
2937
2938  struct t {
2939    int i;
2940    int j;
2941    union {
2942      int a;
2943      int b;
2944    } c[4];
2945  };
2946  struct t *v = ...;
2947  int *pb =__builtin_preserve_access_index(&v->c[3].b);
2948  __builtin_preserve_access_index(v->j);
2949
2950``__builtin_debugtrap``
2951-----------------------
2952
2953``__builtin_debugtrap`` causes the program to stop its execution in such a way that a debugger can catch it.
2954
2955**Syntax**:
2956
2957.. code-block:: c++
2958
2959    __builtin_debugtrap()
2960
2961**Description**
2962
2963``__builtin_debugtrap`` is lowered to the ` ``llvm.debugtrap`` <https://llvm.org/docs/LangRef.html#llvm-debugtrap-intrinsic>`_ builtin. It should have the same effect as setting a breakpoint on the line where the builtin is called.
2964
2965Query for this feature with ``__has_builtin(__builtin_debugtrap)``.
2966
2967
2968``__builtin_trap``
2969------------------
2970
2971``__builtin_trap`` causes the program to stop its execution abnormally.
2972
2973**Syntax**:
2974
2975.. code-block:: c++
2976
2977    __builtin_trap()
2978
2979**Description**
2980
2981``__builtin_trap`` is lowered to the ` ``llvm.trap`` <https://llvm.org/docs/LangRef.html#llvm-trap-intrinsic>`_ builtin.
2982
2983Query for this feature with ``__has_builtin(__builtin_trap)``.
2984
2985
2986``__builtin_sycl_unique_stable_name``
2987-------------------------------------
2988
2989``__builtin_sycl_unique_stable_name()`` is a builtin that takes a type and
2990produces a string literal containing a unique name for the type that is stable
2991across split compilations, mainly to support SYCL/Data Parallel C++ language.
2992
2993In cases where the split compilation needs to share a unique token for a type
2994across the boundary (such as in an offloading situation), this name can be used
2995for lookup purposes, such as in the SYCL Integration Header.
2996
2997The value of this builtin is computed entirely at compile time, so it can be
2998used in constant expressions. This value encodes lambda functions based on a
2999stable numbering order in which they appear in their local declaration contexts.
3000Once this builtin is evaluated in a constexpr context, it is erroneous to use
3001it in an instantiation which changes its value.
3002
3003In order to produce the unique name, the current implementation of the bultin
3004uses Itanium mangling even if the host compilation uses a different name
3005mangling scheme at runtime. The mangler marks all the lambdas required to name
3006the SYCL kernel and emits a stable local ordering of the respective lambdas.
3007The resulting pattern is demanglable.  When non-lambda types are passed to the
3008builtin, the mangler emits their usual pattern without any special treatment.
3009
3010**Syntax**:
3011
3012.. code-block:: c
3013
3014  // Computes a unique stable name for the given type.
3015  constexpr const char * __builtin_sycl_unique_stable_name( type-id );
3016
3017Multiprecision Arithmetic Builtins
3018----------------------------------
3019
3020Clang provides a set of builtins which expose multiprecision arithmetic in a
3021manner amenable to C. They all have the following form:
3022
3023.. code-block:: c
3024
3025  unsigned x = ..., y = ..., carryin = ..., carryout;
3026  unsigned sum = __builtin_addc(x, y, carryin, &carryout);
3027
3028Thus one can form a multiprecision addition chain in the following manner:
3029
3030.. code-block:: c
3031
3032  unsigned *x, *y, *z, carryin=0, carryout;
3033  z[0] = __builtin_addc(x[0], y[0], carryin, &carryout);
3034  carryin = carryout;
3035  z[1] = __builtin_addc(x[1], y[1], carryin, &carryout);
3036  carryin = carryout;
3037  z[2] = __builtin_addc(x[2], y[2], carryin, &carryout);
3038  carryin = carryout;
3039  z[3] = __builtin_addc(x[3], y[3], carryin, &carryout);
3040
3041The complete list of builtins are:
3042
3043.. code-block:: c
3044
3045  unsigned char      __builtin_addcb (unsigned char x, unsigned char y, unsigned char carryin, unsigned char *carryout);
3046  unsigned short     __builtin_addcs (unsigned short x, unsigned short y, unsigned short carryin, unsigned short *carryout);
3047  unsigned           __builtin_addc  (unsigned x, unsigned y, unsigned carryin, unsigned *carryout);
3048  unsigned long      __builtin_addcl (unsigned long x, unsigned long y, unsigned long carryin, unsigned long *carryout);
3049  unsigned long long __builtin_addcll(unsigned long long x, unsigned long long y, unsigned long long carryin, unsigned long long *carryout);
3050  unsigned char      __builtin_subcb (unsigned char x, unsigned char y, unsigned char carryin, unsigned char *carryout);
3051  unsigned short     __builtin_subcs (unsigned short x, unsigned short y, unsigned short carryin, unsigned short *carryout);
3052  unsigned           __builtin_subc  (unsigned x, unsigned y, unsigned carryin, unsigned *carryout);
3053  unsigned long      __builtin_subcl (unsigned long x, unsigned long y, unsigned long carryin, unsigned long *carryout);
3054  unsigned long long __builtin_subcll(unsigned long long x, unsigned long long y, unsigned long long carryin, unsigned long long *carryout);
3055
3056Checked Arithmetic Builtins
3057---------------------------
3058
3059Clang provides a set of builtins that implement checked arithmetic for security
3060critical applications in a manner that is fast and easily expressible in C. As
3061an example of their usage:
3062
3063.. code-block:: c
3064
3065  errorcode_t security_critical_application(...) {
3066    unsigned x, y, result;
3067    ...
3068    if (__builtin_mul_overflow(x, y, &result))
3069      return kErrorCodeHackers;
3070    ...
3071    use_multiply(result);
3072    ...
3073  }
3074
3075Clang provides the following checked arithmetic builtins:
3076
3077.. code-block:: c
3078
3079  bool __builtin_add_overflow   (type1 x, type2 y, type3 *sum);
3080  bool __builtin_sub_overflow   (type1 x, type2 y, type3 *diff);
3081  bool __builtin_mul_overflow   (type1 x, type2 y, type3 *prod);
3082  bool __builtin_uadd_overflow  (unsigned x, unsigned y, unsigned *sum);
3083  bool __builtin_uaddl_overflow (unsigned long x, unsigned long y, unsigned long *sum);
3084  bool __builtin_uaddll_overflow(unsigned long long x, unsigned long long y, unsigned long long *sum);
3085  bool __builtin_usub_overflow  (unsigned x, unsigned y, unsigned *diff);
3086  bool __builtin_usubl_overflow (unsigned long x, unsigned long y, unsigned long *diff);
3087  bool __builtin_usubll_overflow(unsigned long long x, unsigned long long y, unsigned long long *diff);
3088  bool __builtin_umul_overflow  (unsigned x, unsigned y, unsigned *prod);
3089  bool __builtin_umull_overflow (unsigned long x, unsigned long y, unsigned long *prod);
3090  bool __builtin_umulll_overflow(unsigned long long x, unsigned long long y, unsigned long long *prod);
3091  bool __builtin_sadd_overflow  (int x, int y, int *sum);
3092  bool __builtin_saddl_overflow (long x, long y, long *sum);
3093  bool __builtin_saddll_overflow(long long x, long long y, long long *sum);
3094  bool __builtin_ssub_overflow  (int x, int y, int *diff);
3095  bool __builtin_ssubl_overflow (long x, long y, long *diff);
3096  bool __builtin_ssubll_overflow(long long x, long long y, long long *diff);
3097  bool __builtin_smul_overflow  (int x, int y, int *prod);
3098  bool __builtin_smull_overflow (long x, long y, long *prod);
3099  bool __builtin_smulll_overflow(long long x, long long y, long long *prod);
3100
3101Each builtin performs the specified mathematical operation on the
3102first two arguments and stores the result in the third argument.  If
3103possible, the result will be equal to mathematically-correct result
3104and the builtin will return 0.  Otherwise, the builtin will return
31051 and the result will be equal to the unique value that is equivalent
3106to the mathematically-correct result modulo two raised to the *k*
3107power, where *k* is the number of bits in the result type.  The
3108behavior of these builtins is well-defined for all argument values.
3109
3110The first three builtins work generically for operands of any integer type,
3111including boolean types.  The operands need not have the same type as each
3112other, or as the result.  The other builtins may implicitly promote or
3113convert their operands before performing the operation.
3114
3115Query for this feature with ``__has_builtin(__builtin_add_overflow)``, etc.
3116
3117Floating point builtins
3118---------------------------------------
3119
3120``__builtin_canonicalize``
3121--------------------------
3122
3123.. code-block:: c
3124
3125   double __builtin_canonicalize(double);
3126   float __builtin_canonicalizef(float);
3127   long double__builtin_canonicalizel(long double);
3128
3129Returns the platform specific canonical encoding of a floating point
3130number. This canonicalization is useful for implementing certain
3131numeric primitives such as frexp. See `LLVM canonicalize intrinsic
3132<https://llvm.org/docs/LangRef.html#llvm-canonicalize-intrinsic>`_ for
3133more information on the semantics.
3134
3135String builtins
3136---------------
3137
3138Clang provides constant expression evaluation support for builtins forms of
3139the following functions from the C standard library headers
3140``<string.h>`` and ``<wchar.h>``:
3141
3142* ``memchr``
3143* ``memcmp`` (and its deprecated BSD / POSIX alias ``bcmp``)
3144* ``strchr``
3145* ``strcmp``
3146* ``strlen``
3147* ``strncmp``
3148* ``wcschr``
3149* ``wcscmp``
3150* ``wcslen``
3151* ``wcsncmp``
3152* ``wmemchr``
3153* ``wmemcmp``
3154
3155In each case, the builtin form has the name of the C library function prefixed
3156by ``__builtin_``. Example:
3157
3158.. code-block:: c
3159
3160  void *p = __builtin_memchr("foobar", 'b', 5);
3161
3162In addition to the above, one further builtin is provided:
3163
3164.. code-block:: c
3165
3166  char *__builtin_char_memchr(const char *haystack, int needle, size_t size);
3167
3168``__builtin_char_memchr(a, b, c)`` is identical to
3169``(char*)__builtin_memchr(a, b, c)`` except that its use is permitted within
3170constant expressions in C++11 onwards (where a cast from ``void*`` to ``char*``
3171is disallowed in general).
3172
3173Constant evaluation support for the ``__builtin_mem*`` functions is provided
3174only for arrays of ``char``, ``signed char``, ``unsigned char``, or ``char8_t``,
3175despite these functions accepting an argument of type ``const void*``.
3176
3177Support for constant expression evaluation for the above builtins can be detected
3178with ``__has_feature(cxx_constexpr_string_builtins)``.
3179
3180Memory builtins
3181---------------
3182
3183Clang provides constant expression evaluation support for builtin forms of the
3184following functions from the C standard library headers
3185``<string.h>`` and ``<wchar.h>``:
3186
3187* ``memcpy``
3188* ``memmove``
3189* ``wmemcpy``
3190* ``wmemmove``
3191
3192In each case, the builtin form has the name of the C library function prefixed
3193by ``__builtin_``.
3194
3195Constant evaluation support is only provided when the source and destination
3196are pointers to arrays with the same trivially copyable element type, and the
3197given size is an exact multiple of the element size that is no greater than
3198the number of elements accessible through the source and destination operands.
3199
3200Guaranteed inlined copy
3201^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
3202
3203.. code-block:: c
3204
3205  void __builtin_memcpy_inline(void *dst, const void *src, size_t size);
3206
3207
3208``__builtin_memcpy_inline`` has been designed as a building block for efficient
3209``memcpy`` implementations. It is identical to ``__builtin_memcpy`` but also
3210guarantees not to call any external functions. See LLVM IR `llvm.memcpy.inline
3211<https://llvm.org/docs/LangRef.html#llvm-memcpy-inline-intrinsic>`_ intrinsic
3212for more information.
3213
3214This is useful to implement a custom version of ``memcpy``, implement a
3215``libc`` memcpy or work around the absence of a ``libc``.
3216
3217Note that the `size` argument must be a compile time constant.
3218
3219Note that this intrinsic cannot yet be called in a ``constexpr`` context.
3220
3221
3222Atomic Min/Max builtins with memory ordering
3223--------------------------------------------
3224
3225There are two atomic builtins with min/max in-memory comparison and swap.
3226The syntax and semantics are similar to GCC-compatible __atomic_* builtins.
3227
3228* ``__atomic_fetch_min``
3229* ``__atomic_fetch_max``
3230
3231The builtins work with signed and unsigned integers and require to specify memory ordering.
3232The return value is the original value that was stored in memory before comparison.
3233
3234Example:
3235
3236.. code-block:: c
3237
3238  unsigned int val = __atomic_fetch_min(unsigned int *pi, unsigned int ui, __ATOMIC_RELAXED);
3239
3240The third argument is one of the memory ordering specifiers ``__ATOMIC_RELAXED``,
3241``__ATOMIC_CONSUME``, ``__ATOMIC_ACQUIRE``, ``__ATOMIC_RELEASE``,
3242``__ATOMIC_ACQ_REL``, or ``__ATOMIC_SEQ_CST`` following C++11 memory model semantics.
3243
3244In terms or aquire-release ordering barriers these two operations are always
3245considered as operations with *load-store* semantics, even when the original value
3246is not actually modified after comparison.
3247
3248.. _langext-__c11_atomic:
3249
3250__c11_atomic builtins
3251---------------------
3252
3253Clang provides a set of builtins which are intended to be used to implement
3254C11's ``<stdatomic.h>`` header.  These builtins provide the semantics of the
3255``_explicit`` form of the corresponding C11 operation, and are named with a
3256``__c11_`` prefix.  The supported operations, and the differences from
3257the corresponding C11 operations, are:
3258
3259* ``__c11_atomic_init``
3260* ``__c11_atomic_thread_fence``
3261* ``__c11_atomic_signal_fence``
3262* ``__c11_atomic_is_lock_free`` (The argument is the size of the
3263  ``_Atomic(...)`` object, instead of its address)
3264* ``__c11_atomic_store``
3265* ``__c11_atomic_load``
3266* ``__c11_atomic_exchange``
3267* ``__c11_atomic_compare_exchange_strong``
3268* ``__c11_atomic_compare_exchange_weak``
3269* ``__c11_atomic_fetch_add``
3270* ``__c11_atomic_fetch_sub``
3271* ``__c11_atomic_fetch_and``
3272* ``__c11_atomic_fetch_or``
3273* ``__c11_atomic_fetch_xor``
3274* ``__c11_atomic_fetch_nand`` (Nand is not presented in ``<stdatomic.h>``)
3275* ``__c11_atomic_fetch_max``
3276* ``__c11_atomic_fetch_min``
3277
3278The macros ``__ATOMIC_RELAXED``, ``__ATOMIC_CONSUME``, ``__ATOMIC_ACQUIRE``,
3279``__ATOMIC_RELEASE``, ``__ATOMIC_ACQ_REL``, and ``__ATOMIC_SEQ_CST`` are
3280provided, with values corresponding to the enumerators of C11's
3281``memory_order`` enumeration.
3282
3283(Note that Clang additionally provides GCC-compatible ``__atomic_*``
3284builtins and OpenCL 2.0 ``__opencl_atomic_*`` builtins. The OpenCL 2.0
3285atomic builtins are an explicit form of the corresponding OpenCL 2.0
3286builtin function, and are named with a ``__opencl_`` prefix. The macros
3287``__OPENCL_MEMORY_SCOPE_WORK_ITEM``, ``__OPENCL_MEMORY_SCOPE_WORK_GROUP``,
3288``__OPENCL_MEMORY_SCOPE_DEVICE``, ``__OPENCL_MEMORY_SCOPE_ALL_SVM_DEVICES``,
3289and ``__OPENCL_MEMORY_SCOPE_SUB_GROUP`` are provided, with values
3290corresponding to the enumerators of OpenCL's ``memory_scope`` enumeration.)
3291
3292Low-level ARM exclusive memory builtins
3293---------------------------------------
3294
3295Clang provides overloaded builtins giving direct access to the three key ARM
3296instructions for implementing atomic operations.
3297
3298.. code-block:: c
3299
3300  T __builtin_arm_ldrex(const volatile T *addr);
3301  T __builtin_arm_ldaex(const volatile T *addr);
3302  int __builtin_arm_strex(T val, volatile T *addr);
3303  int __builtin_arm_stlex(T val, volatile T *addr);
3304  void __builtin_arm_clrex(void);
3305
3306The types ``T`` currently supported are:
3307
3308* Integer types with width at most 64 bits (or 128 bits on AArch64).
3309* Floating-point types
3310* Pointer types.
3311
3312Note that the compiler does not guarantee it will not insert stores which clear
3313the exclusive monitor in between an ``ldrex`` type operation and its paired
3314``strex``. In practice this is only usually a risk when the extra store is on
3315the same cache line as the variable being modified and Clang will only insert
3316stack stores on its own, so it is best not to use these operations on variables
3317with automatic storage duration.
3318
3319Also, loads and stores may be implicit in code written between the ``ldrex`` and
3320``strex``. Clang will not necessarily mitigate the effects of these either, so
3321care should be exercised.
3322
3323For these reasons the higher level atomic primitives should be preferred where
3324possible.
3325
3326Non-temporal load/store builtins
3327--------------------------------
3328
3329Clang provides overloaded builtins allowing generation of non-temporal memory
3330accesses.
3331
3332.. code-block:: c
3333
3334  T __builtin_nontemporal_load(T *addr);
3335  void __builtin_nontemporal_store(T value, T *addr);
3336
3337The types ``T`` currently supported are:
3338
3339* Integer types.
3340* Floating-point types.
3341* Vector types.
3342
3343Note that the compiler does not guarantee that non-temporal loads or stores
3344will be used.
3345
3346C++ Coroutines support builtins
3347--------------------------------
3348
3349.. warning::
3350  This is a work in progress. Compatibility across Clang/LLVM releases is not
3351  guaranteed.
3352
3353Clang provides experimental builtins to support C++ Coroutines as defined by
3354https://wg21.link/P0057. The following four are intended to be used by the
3355standard library to implement the ``std::coroutine_handle`` type.
3356
3357**Syntax**:
3358
3359.. code-block:: c
3360
3361  void  __builtin_coro_resume(void *addr);
3362  void  __builtin_coro_destroy(void *addr);
3363  bool  __builtin_coro_done(void *addr);
3364  void *__builtin_coro_promise(void *addr, int alignment, bool from_promise)
3365
3366**Example of use**:
3367
3368.. code-block:: c++
3369
3370  template <> struct coroutine_handle<void> {
3371    void resume() const { __builtin_coro_resume(ptr); }
3372    void destroy() const { __builtin_coro_destroy(ptr); }
3373    bool done() const { return __builtin_coro_done(ptr); }
3374    // ...
3375  protected:
3376    void *ptr;
3377  };
3378
3379  template <typename Promise> struct coroutine_handle : coroutine_handle<> {
3380    // ...
3381    Promise &promise() const {
3382      return *reinterpret_cast<Promise *>(
3383        __builtin_coro_promise(ptr, alignof(Promise), /*from-promise=*/false));
3384    }
3385    static coroutine_handle from_promise(Promise &promise) {
3386      coroutine_handle p;
3387      p.ptr = __builtin_coro_promise(&promise, alignof(Promise),
3388                                                      /*from-promise=*/true);
3389      return p;
3390    }
3391  };
3392
3393
3394Other coroutine builtins are either for internal clang use or for use during
3395development of the coroutine feature. See `Coroutines in LLVM
3396<https://llvm.org/docs/Coroutines.html#intrinsics>`_ for
3397more information on their semantics. Note that builtins matching the intrinsics
3398that take token as the first parameter (llvm.coro.begin, llvm.coro.alloc,
3399llvm.coro.free and llvm.coro.suspend) omit the token parameter and fill it to
3400an appropriate value during the emission.
3401
3402**Syntax**:
3403
3404.. code-block:: c
3405
3406  size_t __builtin_coro_size()
3407  void  *__builtin_coro_frame()
3408  void  *__builtin_coro_free(void *coro_frame)
3409
3410  void  *__builtin_coro_id(int align, void *promise, void *fnaddr, void *parts)
3411  bool   __builtin_coro_alloc()
3412  void  *__builtin_coro_begin(void *memory)
3413  void   __builtin_coro_end(void *coro_frame, bool unwind)
3414  char   __builtin_coro_suspend(bool final)
3415
3416Note that there is no builtin matching the `llvm.coro.save` intrinsic. LLVM
3417automatically will insert one if the first argument to `llvm.coro.suspend` is
3418token `none`. If a user calls `__builin_suspend`, clang will insert `token none`
3419as the first argument to the intrinsic.
3420
3421Source location builtins
3422------------------------
3423
3424Clang provides builtins to support C++ standard library implementation
3425of ``std::source_location`` as specified in C++20.  With the exception
3426of ``__builtin_COLUMN``, these builtins are also implemented by GCC.
3427
3428**Syntax**:
3429
3430.. code-block:: c
3431
3432  const char *__builtin_FILE();
3433  const char *__builtin_FUNCTION();
3434  unsigned    __builtin_LINE();
3435  unsigned    __builtin_COLUMN(); // Clang only
3436  const std::source_location::__impl *__builtin_source_location();
3437
3438**Example of use**:
3439
3440.. code-block:: c++
3441
3442  void my_assert(bool pred, int line = __builtin_LINE(), // Captures line of caller
3443                 const char* file = __builtin_FILE(),
3444                 const char* function = __builtin_FUNCTION()) {
3445    if (pred) return;
3446    printf("%s:%d assertion failed in function %s\n", file, line, function);
3447    std::abort();
3448  }
3449
3450  struct MyAggregateType {
3451    int x;
3452    int line = __builtin_LINE(); // captures line where aggregate initialization occurs
3453  };
3454  static_assert(MyAggregateType{42}.line == __LINE__);
3455
3456  struct MyClassType {
3457    int line = __builtin_LINE(); // captures line of the constructor used during initialization
3458    constexpr MyClassType(int) { assert(line == __LINE__); }
3459  };
3460
3461**Description**:
3462
3463The builtins ``__builtin_LINE``, ``__builtin_FUNCTION``, and ``__builtin_FILE``
3464return the values, at the "invocation point", for ``__LINE__``,
3465``__FUNCTION__``, and ``__FILE__`` respectively. ``__builtin_COLUMN`` similarly
3466returns the column, though there is no corresponding macro. These builtins are
3467constant expressions.
3468
3469When the builtins appear as part of a default function argument the invocation
3470point is the location of the caller. When the builtins appear as part of a
3471default member initializer, the invocation point is the location of the
3472constructor or aggregate initialization used to create the object. Otherwise
3473the invocation point is the same as the location of the builtin.
3474
3475When the invocation point of ``__builtin_FUNCTION`` is not a function scope the
3476empty string is returned.
3477
3478The builtin ``__builtin_source_location`` returns a pointer to constant static
3479data of type ``std::source_location::__impl``. This type must have already been
3480defined, and must contain exactly four fields: ``const char *_M_file_name``,
3481``const char *_M_function_name``, ``<any-integral-type> _M_line``, and
3482``<any-integral-type> _M_column``. The fields will be populated in the same
3483manner as the above four builtins, except that ``_M_function_name`` is populated
3484with ``__PRETTY_FUNCTION__`` rather than ``__FUNCTION__``.
3485
3486
3487Alignment builtins
3488------------------
3489Clang provides builtins to support checking and adjusting alignment of
3490pointers and integers.
3491These builtins can be used to avoid relying on implementation-defined behavior
3492of arithmetic on integers derived from pointers.
3493Additionally, these builtins retain type information and, unlike bitwise
3494arithmetic, they can perform semantic checking on the alignment value.
3495
3496**Syntax**:
3497
3498.. code-block:: c
3499
3500  Type __builtin_align_up(Type value, size_t alignment);
3501  Type __builtin_align_down(Type value, size_t alignment);
3502  bool __builtin_is_aligned(Type value, size_t alignment);
3503
3504
3505**Example of use**:
3506
3507.. code-block:: c++
3508
3509  char* global_alloc_buffer;
3510  void* my_aligned_allocator(size_t alloc_size, size_t alignment) {
3511    char* result = __builtin_align_up(global_alloc_buffer, alignment);
3512    // result now contains the value of global_alloc_buffer rounded up to the
3513    // next multiple of alignment.
3514    global_alloc_buffer = result + alloc_size;
3515    return result;
3516  }
3517
3518  void* get_start_of_page(void* ptr) {
3519    return __builtin_align_down(ptr, PAGE_SIZE);
3520  }
3521
3522  void example(char* buffer) {
3523     if (__builtin_is_aligned(buffer, 64)) {
3524       do_fast_aligned_copy(buffer);
3525     } else {
3526       do_unaligned_copy(buffer);
3527     }
3528  }
3529
3530  // In addition to pointers, the builtins can also be used on integer types
3531  // and are evaluatable inside constant expressions.
3532  static_assert(__builtin_align_up(123, 64) == 128, "");
3533  static_assert(__builtin_align_down(123u, 64) == 64u, "");
3534  static_assert(!__builtin_is_aligned(123, 64), "");
3535
3536
3537**Description**:
3538
3539The builtins ``__builtin_align_up``, ``__builtin_align_down``, return their
3540first argument aligned up/down to the next multiple of the second argument.
3541If the value is already sufficiently aligned, it is returned unchanged.
3542The builtin ``__builtin_is_aligned`` returns whether the first argument is
3543aligned to a multiple of the second argument.
3544All of these builtins expect the alignment to be expressed as a number of bytes.
3545
3546These builtins can be used for all integer types as well as (non-function)
3547pointer types. For pointer types, these builtins operate in terms of the integer
3548address of the pointer and return a new pointer of the same type (including
3549qualifiers such as ``const``) with an adjusted address.
3550When aligning pointers up or down, the resulting value must be within the same
3551underlying allocation or one past the end (see C17 6.5.6p8, C++ [expr.add]).
3552This means that arbitrary integer values stored in pointer-type variables must
3553not be passed to these builtins. For those use cases, the builtins can still be
3554used, but the operation must be performed on the pointer cast to ``uintptr_t``.
3555
3556If Clang can determine that the alignment is not a power of two at compile time,
3557it will result in a compilation failure. If the alignment argument is not a
3558power of two at run time, the behavior of these builtins is undefined.
3559
3560Non-standard C++11 Attributes
3561=============================
3562
3563Clang's non-standard C++11 attributes live in the ``clang`` attribute
3564namespace.
3565
3566Clang supports GCC's ``gnu`` attribute namespace. All GCC attributes which
3567are accepted with the ``__attribute__((foo))`` syntax are also accepted as
3568``[[gnu::foo]]``. This only extends to attributes which are specified by GCC
3569(see the list of `GCC function attributes
3570<https://gcc.gnu.org/onlinedocs/gcc/Function-Attributes.html>`_, `GCC variable
3571attributes <https://gcc.gnu.org/onlinedocs/gcc/Variable-Attributes.html>`_, and
3572`GCC type attributes
3573<https://gcc.gnu.org/onlinedocs/gcc/Type-Attributes.html>`_). As with the GCC
3574implementation, these attributes must appertain to the *declarator-id* in a
3575declaration, which means they must go either at the start of the declaration or
3576immediately after the name being declared.
3577
3578For example, this applies the GNU ``unused`` attribute to ``a`` and ``f``, and
3579also applies the GNU ``noreturn`` attribute to ``f``.
3580
3581.. code-block:: c++
3582
3583  [[gnu::unused]] int a, f [[gnu::noreturn]] ();
3584
3585Target-Specific Extensions
3586==========================
3587
3588Clang supports some language features conditionally on some targets.
3589
3590ARM/AArch64 Language Extensions
3591-------------------------------
3592
3593Memory Barrier Intrinsics
3594^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
3595Clang implements the ``__dmb``, ``__dsb`` and ``__isb`` intrinsics as defined
3596in the `ARM C Language Extensions Release 2.0
3597<http://infocenter.arm.com/help/topic/com.arm.doc.ihi0053c/IHI0053C_acle_2_0.pdf>`_.
3598Note that these intrinsics are implemented as motion barriers that block
3599reordering of memory accesses and side effect instructions. Other instructions
3600like simple arithmetic may be reordered around the intrinsic. If you expect to
3601have no reordering at all, use inline assembly instead.
3602
3603X86/X86-64 Language Extensions
3604------------------------------
3605
3606The X86 backend has these language extensions:
3607
3608Memory references to specified segments
3609^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
3610
3611Annotating a pointer with address space #256 causes it to be code generated
3612relative to the X86 GS segment register, address space #257 causes it to be
3613relative to the X86 FS segment, and address space #258 causes it to be
3614relative to the X86 SS segment.  Note that this is a very very low-level
3615feature that should only be used if you know what you're doing (for example in
3616an OS kernel).
3617
3618Here is an example:
3619
3620.. code-block:: c++
3621
3622  #define GS_RELATIVE __attribute__((address_space(256)))
3623  int foo(int GS_RELATIVE *P) {
3624    return *P;
3625  }
3626
3627Which compiles to (on X86-32):
3628
3629.. code-block:: gas
3630
3631  _foo:
3632          movl    4(%esp), %eax
3633          movl    %gs:(%eax), %eax
3634          ret
3635
3636You can also use the GCC compatibility macros ``__seg_fs`` and ``__seg_gs`` for
3637the same purpose. The preprocessor symbols ``__SEG_FS`` and ``__SEG_GS``
3638indicate their support.
3639
3640PowerPC Language Extensions
3641---------------------------
3642
3643Set the Floating Point Rounding Mode
3644^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
3645PowerPC64/PowerPC64le supports the builtin function ``__builtin_setrnd`` to set
3646the floating point rounding mode. This function will use the least significant
3647two bits of integer argument to set the floating point rounding mode.
3648
3649.. code-block:: c++
3650
3651  double __builtin_setrnd(int mode);
3652
3653The effective values for mode are:
3654
3655    - 0 - round to nearest
3656    - 1 - round to zero
3657    - 2 - round to +infinity
3658    - 3 - round to -infinity
3659
3660Note that the mode argument will modulo 4, so if the integer argument is greater
3661than 3, it will only use the least significant two bits of the mode.
3662Namely, ``__builtin_setrnd(102))`` is equal to ``__builtin_setrnd(2)``.
3663
3664PowerPC cache builtins
3665^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
3666
3667The PowerPC architecture specifies instructions implementing cache operations.
3668Clang provides builtins that give direct programmer access to these cache
3669instructions.
3670
3671Currently the following builtins are implemented in clang:
3672
3673``__builtin_dcbf`` copies the contents of a modified block from the data cache
3674to main memory and flushes the copy from the data cache.
3675
3676**Syntax**:
3677
3678.. code-block:: c
3679
3680  void __dcbf(const void* addr); /* Data Cache Block Flush */
3681
3682**Example of Use**:
3683
3684.. code-block:: c
3685
3686  int a = 1;
3687  __builtin_dcbf (&a);
3688
3689Extensions for Static Analysis
3690==============================
3691
3692Clang supports additional attributes that are useful for documenting program
3693invariants and rules for static analysis tools, such as the `Clang Static
3694Analyzer <https://clang-analyzer.llvm.org/>`_. These attributes are documented
3695in the analyzer's `list of source-level annotations
3696<https://clang-analyzer.llvm.org/annotations.html>`_.
3697
3698
3699Extensions for Dynamic Analysis
3700===============================
3701
3702Use ``__has_feature(address_sanitizer)`` to check if the code is being built
3703with :doc:`AddressSanitizer`.
3704
3705Use ``__has_feature(thread_sanitizer)`` to check if the code is being built
3706with :doc:`ThreadSanitizer`.
3707
3708Use ``__has_feature(memory_sanitizer)`` to check if the code is being built
3709with :doc:`MemorySanitizer`.
3710
3711Use ``__has_feature(dataflow_sanitizer)`` to check if the code is being built
3712with :doc:`DataFlowSanitizer`.
3713
3714Use ``__has_feature(safe_stack)`` to check if the code is being built
3715with :doc:`SafeStack`.
3716
3717
3718Extensions for selectively disabling optimization
3719=================================================
3720
3721Clang provides a mechanism for selectively disabling optimizations in functions
3722and methods.
3723
3724To disable optimizations in a single function definition, the GNU-style or C++11
3725non-standard attribute ``optnone`` can be used.
3726
3727.. code-block:: c++
3728
3729  // The following functions will not be optimized.
3730  // GNU-style attribute
3731  __attribute__((optnone)) int foo() {
3732    // ... code
3733  }
3734  // C++11 attribute
3735  [[clang::optnone]] int bar() {
3736    // ... code
3737  }
3738
3739To facilitate disabling optimization for a range of function definitions, a
3740range-based pragma is provided. Its syntax is ``#pragma clang optimize``
3741followed by ``off`` or ``on``.
3742
3743All function definitions in the region between an ``off`` and the following
3744``on`` will be decorated with the ``optnone`` attribute unless doing so would
3745conflict with explicit attributes already present on the function (e.g. the
3746ones that control inlining).
3747
3748.. code-block:: c++
3749
3750  #pragma clang optimize off
3751  // This function will be decorated with optnone.
3752  int foo() {
3753    // ... code
3754  }
3755
3756  // optnone conflicts with always_inline, so bar() will not be decorated.
3757  __attribute__((always_inline)) int bar() {
3758    // ... code
3759  }
3760  #pragma clang optimize on
3761
3762If no ``on`` is found to close an ``off`` region, the end of the region is the
3763end of the compilation unit.
3764
3765Note that a stray ``#pragma clang optimize on`` does not selectively enable
3766additional optimizations when compiling at low optimization levels. This feature
3767can only be used to selectively disable optimizations.
3768
3769The pragma has an effect on functions only at the point of their definition; for
3770function templates, this means that the state of the pragma at the point of an
3771instantiation is not necessarily relevant. Consider the following example:
3772
3773.. code-block:: c++
3774
3775  template<typename T> T twice(T t) {
3776    return 2 * t;
3777  }
3778
3779  #pragma clang optimize off
3780  template<typename T> T thrice(T t) {
3781    return 3 * t;
3782  }
3783
3784  int container(int a, int b) {
3785    return twice(a) + thrice(b);
3786  }
3787  #pragma clang optimize on
3788
3789In this example, the definition of the template function ``twice`` is outside
3790the pragma region, whereas the definition of ``thrice`` is inside the region.
3791The ``container`` function is also in the region and will not be optimized, but
3792it causes the instantiation of ``twice`` and ``thrice`` with an ``int`` type; of
3793these two instantiations, ``twice`` will be optimized (because its definition
3794was outside the region) and ``thrice`` will not be optimized.
3795
3796Extensions for loop hint optimizations
3797======================================
3798
3799The ``#pragma clang loop`` directive is used to specify hints for optimizing the
3800subsequent for, while, do-while, or c++11 range-based for loop. The directive
3801provides options for vectorization, interleaving, predication, unrolling and
3802distribution. Loop hints can be specified before any loop and will be ignored if
3803the optimization is not safe to apply.
3804
3805There are loop hints that control transformations (e.g. vectorization, loop
3806unrolling) and there are loop hints that set transformation options (e.g.
3807``vectorize_width``, ``unroll_count``).  Pragmas setting transformation options
3808imply the transformation is enabled, as if it was enabled via the corresponding
3809transformation pragma (e.g. ``vectorize(enable)``). If the transformation is
3810disabled  (e.g. ``vectorize(disable)``), that takes precedence over
3811transformations option pragmas implying that transformation.
3812
3813Vectorization, Interleaving, and Predication
3814--------------------------------------------
3815
3816A vectorized loop performs multiple iterations of the original loop
3817in parallel using vector instructions. The instruction set of the target
3818processor determines which vector instructions are available and their vector
3819widths. This restricts the types of loops that can be vectorized. The vectorizer
3820automatically determines if the loop is safe and profitable to vectorize. A
3821vector instruction cost model is used to select the vector width.
3822
3823Interleaving multiple loop iterations allows modern processors to further
3824improve instruction-level parallelism (ILP) using advanced hardware features,
3825such as multiple execution units and out-of-order execution. The vectorizer uses
3826a cost model that depends on the register pressure and generated code size to
3827select the interleaving count.
3828
3829Vectorization is enabled by ``vectorize(enable)`` and interleaving is enabled
3830by ``interleave(enable)``. This is useful when compiling with ``-Os`` to
3831manually enable vectorization or interleaving.
3832
3833.. code-block:: c++
3834
3835  #pragma clang loop vectorize(enable)
3836  #pragma clang loop interleave(enable)
3837  for(...) {
3838    ...
3839  }
3840
3841The vector width is specified by
3842``vectorize_width(_value_[, fixed|scalable])``, where _value_ is a positive
3843integer and the type of vectorization can be specified with an optional
3844second parameter. The default for the second parameter is 'fixed' and
3845refers to fixed width vectorization, whereas 'scalable' indicates the
3846compiler should use scalable vectors instead. Another use of vectorize_width
3847is ``vectorize_width(fixed|scalable)`` where the user can hint at the type
3848of vectorization to use without specifying the exact width. In both variants
3849of the pragma the vectorizer may decide to fall back on fixed width
3850vectorization if the target does not support scalable vectors.
3851
3852The interleave count is specified by ``interleave_count(_value_)``, where
3853_value_ is a positive integer. This is useful for specifying the optimal
3854width/count of the set of target architectures supported by your application.
3855
3856.. code-block:: c++
3857
3858  #pragma clang loop vectorize_width(2)
3859  #pragma clang loop interleave_count(2)
3860  for(...) {
3861    ...
3862  }
3863
3864Specifying a width/count of 1 disables the optimization, and is equivalent to
3865``vectorize(disable)`` or ``interleave(disable)``.
3866
3867Vector predication is enabled by ``vectorize_predicate(enable)``, for example:
3868
3869.. code-block:: c++
3870
3871  #pragma clang loop vectorize(enable)
3872  #pragma clang loop vectorize_predicate(enable)
3873  for(...) {
3874    ...
3875  }
3876
3877This predicates (masks) all instructions in the loop, which allows the scalar
3878remainder loop (the tail) to be folded into the main vectorized loop. This
3879might be more efficient when vector predication is efficiently supported by the
3880target platform.
3881
3882Loop Unrolling
3883--------------
3884
3885Unrolling a loop reduces the loop control overhead and exposes more
3886opportunities for ILP. Loops can be fully or partially unrolled. Full unrolling
3887eliminates the loop and replaces it with an enumerated sequence of loop
3888iterations. Full unrolling is only possible if the loop trip count is known at
3889compile time. Partial unrolling replicates the loop body within the loop and
3890reduces the trip count.
3891
3892If ``unroll(enable)`` is specified the unroller will attempt to fully unroll the
3893loop if the trip count is known at compile time. If the fully unrolled code size
3894is greater than an internal limit the loop will be partially unrolled up to this
3895limit. If the trip count is not known at compile time the loop will be partially
3896unrolled with a heuristically chosen unroll factor.
3897
3898.. code-block:: c++
3899
3900  #pragma clang loop unroll(enable)
3901  for(...) {
3902    ...
3903  }
3904
3905If ``unroll(full)`` is specified the unroller will attempt to fully unroll the
3906loop if the trip count is known at compile time identically to
3907``unroll(enable)``. However, with ``unroll(full)`` the loop will not be unrolled
3908if the loop count is not known at compile time.
3909
3910.. code-block:: c++
3911
3912  #pragma clang loop unroll(full)
3913  for(...) {
3914    ...
3915  }
3916
3917The unroll count can be specified explicitly with ``unroll_count(_value_)`` where
3918_value_ is a positive integer. If this value is greater than the trip count the
3919loop will be fully unrolled. Otherwise the loop is partially unrolled subject
3920to the same code size limit as with ``unroll(enable)``.
3921
3922.. code-block:: c++
3923
3924  #pragma clang loop unroll_count(8)
3925  for(...) {
3926    ...
3927  }
3928
3929Unrolling of a loop can be prevented by specifying ``unroll(disable)``.
3930
3931Loop unroll parameters can be controlled by options
3932`-mllvm -unroll-count=n` and `-mllvm -pragma-unroll-threshold=n`.
3933
3934Loop Distribution
3935-----------------
3936
3937Loop Distribution allows splitting a loop into multiple loops.  This is
3938beneficial for example when the entire loop cannot be vectorized but some of the
3939resulting loops can.
3940
3941If ``distribute(enable))`` is specified and the loop has memory dependencies
3942that inhibit vectorization, the compiler will attempt to isolate the offending
3943operations into a new loop.  This optimization is not enabled by default, only
3944loops marked with the pragma are considered.
3945
3946.. code-block:: c++
3947
3948  #pragma clang loop distribute(enable)
3949  for (i = 0; i < N; ++i) {
3950    S1: A[i + 1] = A[i] + B[i];
3951    S2: C[i] = D[i] * E[i];
3952  }
3953
3954This loop will be split into two loops between statements S1 and S2.  The
3955second loop containing S2 will be vectorized.
3956
3957Loop Distribution is currently not enabled by default in the optimizer because
3958it can hurt performance in some cases.  For example, instruction-level
3959parallelism could be reduced by sequentializing the execution of the
3960statements S1 and S2 above.
3961
3962If Loop Distribution is turned on globally with
3963``-mllvm -enable-loop-distribution``, specifying ``distribute(disable)`` can
3964be used the disable it on a per-loop basis.
3965
3966Additional Information
3967----------------------
3968
3969For convenience multiple loop hints can be specified on a single line.
3970
3971.. code-block:: c++
3972
3973  #pragma clang loop vectorize_width(4) interleave_count(8)
3974  for(...) {
3975    ...
3976  }
3977
3978If an optimization cannot be applied any hints that apply to it will be ignored.
3979For example, the hint ``vectorize_width(4)`` is ignored if the loop is not
3980proven safe to vectorize. To identify and diagnose optimization issues use
3981`-Rpass`, `-Rpass-missed`, and `-Rpass-analysis` command line options. See the
3982user guide for details.
3983
3984Extensions to specify floating-point flags
3985====================================================
3986
3987The ``#pragma clang fp`` pragma allows floating-point options to be specified
3988for a section of the source code. This pragma can only appear at file scope or
3989at the start of a compound statement (excluding comments). When using within a
3990compound statement, the pragma is active within the scope of the compound
3991statement.
3992
3993Currently, the following settings can be controlled with this pragma:
3994
3995``#pragma clang fp reassociate`` allows control over the reassociation
3996of floating point expressions. When enabled, this pragma allows the expression
3997``x + (y + z)`` to be reassociated as ``(x + y) + z``.
3998Reassociation can also occur across multiple statements.
3999This pragma can be used to disable reassociation when it is otherwise
4000enabled for the translation unit with the ``-fassociative-math`` flag.
4001The pragma can take two values: ``on`` and ``off``.
4002
4003.. code-block:: c++
4004
4005  float f(float x, float y, float z)
4006  {
4007    // Enable floating point reassociation across statements
4008    #pragma clang fp reassociate(on)
4009    float t = x + y;
4010    float v = t + z;
4011  }
4012
4013
4014``#pragma clang fp contract`` specifies whether the compiler should
4015contract a multiply and an addition (or subtraction) into a fused FMA
4016operation when supported by the target.
4017
4018The pragma can take three values: ``on``, ``fast`` and ``off``.  The ``on``
4019option is identical to using ``#pragma STDC FP_CONTRACT(ON)`` and it allows
4020fusion as specified the language standard.  The ``fast`` option allows fusion
4021in cases when the language standard does not make this possible (e.g. across
4022statements in C).
4023
4024.. code-block:: c++
4025
4026  for(...) {
4027    #pragma clang fp contract(fast)
4028    a = b[i] * c[i];
4029    d[i] += a;
4030  }
4031
4032
4033The pragma can also be used with ``off`` which turns FP contraction off for a
4034section of the code. This can be useful when fast contraction is otherwise
4035enabled for the translation unit with the ``-ffp-contract=fast-honor-pragmas`` flag.
4036Note that ``-ffp-contract=fast`` will override pragmas to fuse multiply and
4037addition across statements regardless of any controlling pragmas.
4038
4039``#pragma clang fp exceptions`` specifies floating point exception behavior. It
4040may take one of the values: ``ignore``, ``maytrap`` or ``strict``. Meaning of
4041these values is same as for `constrained floating point intrinsics <http://llvm.org/docs/LangRef.html#constrained-floating-point-intrinsics>`_.
4042
4043.. code-block:: c++
4044
4045  {
4046    // Preserve floating point exceptions
4047    #pragma clang fp exceptions(strict)
4048    z = x + y;
4049    if (fetestexcept(FE_OVERFLOW))
4050	  ...
4051  }
4052
4053A ``#pragma clang fp`` pragma may contain any number of options:
4054
4055.. code-block:: c++
4056
4057  void func(float *dest, float a, float b) {
4058    #pragma clang fp exceptions(maytrap) contract(fast) reassociate(on)
4059    ...
4060  }
4061
4062``#pragma clang fp eval_method`` allows floating-point behavior to be specified
4063for a section of the source code. This pragma can appear at file or namespace
4064scope, or at the start of a compound statement (excluding comments).
4065The pragma is active within the scope of the compound statement.
4066
4067When ``pragma clang fp eval_method(source)`` is enabled, the section of code
4068governed by the pragma behaves as though the command-line option
4069``-ffp-eval-method=source`` is enabled. Rounds intermediate results to
4070source-defined precision.
4071
4072When ``pragma clang fp eval_method(double)`` is enabled, the section of code
4073governed by the pragma behaves as though the command-line option
4074``-ffp-eval-method=double`` is enabled. Rounds intermediate results to
4075``double`` precision.
4076
4077When ``pragma clang fp eval_method(extended)`` is enabled, the section of code
4078governed by the pragma behaves as though the command-line option
4079``-ffp-eval-method=extended`` is enabled. Rounds intermediate results to
4080target-dependent ``long double`` precision. In Win32 programming, for instance,
4081the long double data type maps to the double, 64-bit precision data type.
4082
4083The full syntax this pragma supports is
4084``#pragma clang fp eval_method(source|double|extended)``.
4085
4086.. code-block:: c++
4087
4088  for(...) {
4089    // The compiler will use long double as the floating-point evaluation
4090    // method.
4091    #pragma clang fp eval_method(extended)
4092    a = b[i] * c[i] + e;
4093  }
4094
4095The ``#pragma float_control`` pragma allows precise floating-point
4096semantics and floating-point exception behavior to be specified
4097for a section of the source code. This pragma can only appear at file or
4098namespace scope, within a language linkage specification or at the start of a
4099compound statement (excluding comments). When used within a compound statement,
4100the pragma is active within the scope of the compound statement.  This pragma
4101is modeled after a Microsoft pragma with the same spelling and syntax.  For
4102pragmas specified at file or namespace scope, or within a language linkage
4103specification, a stack is supported so that the ``pragma float_control``
4104settings can be pushed or popped.
4105
4106When ``pragma float_control(precise, on)`` is enabled, the section of code
4107governed by the pragma uses precise floating point semantics, effectively
4108``-ffast-math`` is disabled and ``-ffp-contract=on``
4109(fused multiply add) is enabled.
4110
4111When ``pragma float_control(except, on)`` is enabled, the section of code
4112governed by the pragma behaves as though the command-line option
4113``-ffp-exception-behavior=strict`` is enabled,
4114when ``pragma float_control(except, off)`` is enabled, the section of code
4115governed by the pragma behaves as though the command-line option
4116``-ffp-exception-behavior=ignore`` is enabled.
4117
4118The full syntax this pragma supports is
4119``float_control(except|precise, on|off [, push])`` and
4120``float_control(push|pop)``.
4121The ``push`` and ``pop`` forms, including using ``push`` as the optional
4122third argument, can only occur at file scope.
4123
4124.. code-block:: c++
4125
4126  for(...) {
4127    // This block will be compiled with -fno-fast-math and -ffp-contract=on
4128    #pragma float_control(precise, on)
4129    a = b[i] * c[i] + e;
4130  }
4131
4132Specifying an attribute for multiple declarations (#pragma clang attribute)
4133===========================================================================
4134
4135The ``#pragma clang attribute`` directive can be used to apply an attribute to
4136multiple declarations. The ``#pragma clang attribute push`` variation of the
4137directive pushes a new "scope" of ``#pragma clang attribute`` that attributes
4138can be added to. The ``#pragma clang attribute (...)`` variation adds an
4139attribute to that scope, and the ``#pragma clang attribute pop`` variation pops
4140the scope. You can also use ``#pragma clang attribute push (...)``, which is a
4141shorthand for when you want to add one attribute to a new scope. Multiple push
4142directives can be nested inside each other.
4143
4144The attributes that are used in the ``#pragma clang attribute`` directives
4145can be written using the GNU-style syntax:
4146
4147.. code-block:: c++
4148
4149  #pragma clang attribute push (__attribute__((annotate("custom"))), apply_to = function)
4150
4151  void function(); // The function now has the annotate("custom") attribute
4152
4153  #pragma clang attribute pop
4154
4155The attributes can also be written using the C++11 style syntax:
4156
4157.. code-block:: c++
4158
4159  #pragma clang attribute push ([[noreturn]], apply_to = function)
4160
4161  void function(); // The function now has the [[noreturn]] attribute
4162
4163  #pragma clang attribute pop
4164
4165The ``__declspec`` style syntax is also supported:
4166
4167.. code-block:: c++
4168
4169  #pragma clang attribute push (__declspec(dllexport), apply_to = function)
4170
4171  void function(); // The function now has the __declspec(dllexport) attribute
4172
4173  #pragma clang attribute pop
4174
4175A single push directive can contain multiple attributes, however,
4176only one syntax style can be used within a single directive:
4177
4178.. code-block:: c++
4179
4180  #pragma clang attribute push ([[noreturn, noinline]], apply_to = function)
4181
4182  void function1(); // The function now has the [[noreturn]] and [[noinline]] attributes
4183
4184  #pragma clang attribute pop
4185
4186  #pragma clang attribute push (__attribute((noreturn, noinline)), apply_to = function)
4187
4188  void function2(); // The function now has the __attribute((noreturn)) and __attribute((noinline)) attributes
4189
4190  #pragma clang attribute pop
4191
4192Because multiple push directives can be nested, if you're writing a macro that
4193expands to ``_Pragma("clang attribute")`` it's good hygiene (though not
4194required) to add a namespace to your push/pop directives. A pop directive with a
4195namespace will pop the innermost push that has that same namespace. This will
4196ensure that another macro's ``pop`` won't inadvertently pop your attribute. Note
4197that an ``pop`` without a namespace will pop the innermost ``push`` without a
4198namespace. ``push``es with a namespace can only be popped by ``pop`` with the
4199same namespace. For instance:
4200
4201.. code-block:: c++
4202
4203   #define ASSUME_NORETURN_BEGIN _Pragma("clang attribute AssumeNoreturn.push ([[noreturn]], apply_to = function)")
4204   #define ASSUME_NORETURN_END   _Pragma("clang attribute AssumeNoreturn.pop")
4205
4206   #define ASSUME_UNAVAILABLE_BEGIN _Pragma("clang attribute Unavailable.push (__attribute__((unavailable)), apply_to=function)")
4207   #define ASSUME_UNAVAILABLE_END   _Pragma("clang attribute Unavailable.pop")
4208
4209
4210   ASSUME_NORETURN_BEGIN
4211   ASSUME_UNAVAILABLE_BEGIN
4212   void function(); // function has [[noreturn]] and __attribute__((unavailable))
4213   ASSUME_NORETURN_END
4214   void other_function(); // function has __attribute__((unavailable))
4215   ASSUME_UNAVAILABLE_END
4216
4217Without the namespaces on the macros, ``other_function`` will be annotated with
4218``[[noreturn]]`` instead of ``__attribute__((unavailable))``. This may seem like
4219a contrived example, but its very possible for this kind of situation to appear
4220in real code if the pragmas are spread out across a large file. You can test if
4221your version of clang supports namespaces on ``#pragma clang attribute`` with
4222``__has_extension(pragma_clang_attribute_namespaces)``.
4223
4224Subject Match Rules
4225-------------------
4226
4227The set of declarations that receive a single attribute from the attribute stack
4228depends on the subject match rules that were specified in the pragma. Subject
4229match rules are specified after the attribute. The compiler expects an
4230identifier that corresponds to the subject set specifier. The ``apply_to``
4231specifier is currently the only supported subject set specifier. It allows you
4232to specify match rules that form a subset of the attribute's allowed subject
4233set, i.e. the compiler doesn't require all of the attribute's subjects. For
4234example, an attribute like ``[[nodiscard]]`` whose subject set includes
4235``enum``, ``record`` and ``hasType(functionType)``, requires the presence of at
4236least one of these rules after ``apply_to``:
4237
4238.. code-block:: c++
4239
4240  #pragma clang attribute push([[nodiscard]], apply_to = enum)
4241
4242  enum Enum1 { A1, B1 }; // The enum will receive [[nodiscard]]
4243
4244  struct Record1 { }; // The struct will *not* receive [[nodiscard]]
4245
4246  #pragma clang attribute pop
4247
4248  #pragma clang attribute push([[nodiscard]], apply_to = any(record, enum))
4249
4250  enum Enum2 { A2, B2 }; // The enum will receive [[nodiscard]]
4251
4252  struct Record2 { }; // The struct *will* receive [[nodiscard]]
4253
4254  #pragma clang attribute pop
4255
4256  // This is an error, since [[nodiscard]] can't be applied to namespaces:
4257  #pragma clang attribute push([[nodiscard]], apply_to = any(record, namespace))
4258
4259  #pragma clang attribute pop
4260
4261Multiple match rules can be specified using the ``any`` match rule, as shown
4262in the example above. The ``any`` rule applies attributes to all declarations
4263that are matched by at least one of the rules in the ``any``. It doesn't nest
4264and can't be used inside the other match rules. Redundant match rules or rules
4265that conflict with one another should not be used inside of ``any``. Failing to
4266specify a rule within the ``any`` rule results in an error.
4267
4268Clang supports the following match rules:
4269
4270- ``function``: Can be used to apply attributes to functions. This includes C++
4271  member functions, static functions, operators, and constructors/destructors.
4272
4273- ``function(is_member)``: Can be used to apply attributes to C++ member
4274  functions. This includes members like static functions, operators, and
4275  constructors/destructors.
4276
4277- ``hasType(functionType)``: Can be used to apply attributes to functions, C++
4278  member functions, and variables/fields whose type is a function pointer. It
4279  does not apply attributes to Objective-C methods or blocks.
4280
4281- ``type_alias``: Can be used to apply attributes to ``typedef`` declarations
4282  and C++11 type aliases.
4283
4284- ``record``: Can be used to apply attributes to ``struct``, ``class``, and
4285  ``union`` declarations.
4286
4287- ``record(unless(is_union))``: Can be used to apply attributes only to
4288  ``struct`` and ``class`` declarations.
4289
4290- ``enum``: Can be be used to apply attributes to enumeration declarations.
4291
4292- ``enum_constant``: Can be used to apply attributes to enumerators.
4293
4294- ``variable``: Can be used to apply attributes to variables, including
4295  local variables, parameters, global variables, and static member variables.
4296  It does not apply attributes to instance member variables or Objective-C
4297  ivars.
4298
4299- ``variable(is_thread_local)``: Can be used to apply attributes to thread-local
4300  variables only.
4301
4302- ``variable(is_global)``: Can be used to apply attributes to global variables
4303  only.
4304
4305- ``variable(is_local)``: Can be used to apply attributes to local variables
4306  only.
4307
4308- ``variable(is_parameter)``: Can be used to apply attributes to parameters
4309  only.
4310
4311- ``variable(unless(is_parameter))``: Can be used to apply attributes to all
4312  the variables that are not parameters.
4313
4314- ``field``: Can be used to apply attributes to non-static member variables
4315  in a record. This includes Objective-C ivars.
4316
4317- ``namespace``: Can be used to apply attributes to ``namespace`` declarations.
4318
4319- ``objc_interface``: Can be used to apply attributes to ``@interface``
4320  declarations.
4321
4322- ``objc_protocol``: Can be used to apply attributes to ``@protocol``
4323  declarations.
4324
4325- ``objc_category``: Can be used to apply attributes to category declarations,
4326  including class extensions.
4327
4328- ``objc_method``: Can be used to apply attributes to Objective-C methods,
4329  including instance and class methods. Implicit methods like implicit property
4330  getters and setters do not receive the attribute.
4331
4332- ``objc_method(is_instance)``: Can be used to apply attributes to Objective-C
4333  instance methods.
4334
4335- ``objc_property``: Can be used to apply attributes to ``@property``
4336  declarations.
4337
4338- ``block``: Can be used to apply attributes to block declarations. This does
4339  not include variables/fields of block pointer type.
4340
4341The use of ``unless`` in match rules is currently restricted to a strict set of
4342sub-rules that are used by the supported attributes. That means that even though
4343``variable(unless(is_parameter))`` is a valid match rule,
4344``variable(unless(is_thread_local))`` is not.
4345
4346Supported Attributes
4347--------------------
4348
4349Not all attributes can be used with the ``#pragma clang attribute`` directive.
4350Notably, statement attributes like ``[[fallthrough]]`` or type attributes
4351like ``address_space`` aren't supported by this directive. You can determine
4352whether or not an attribute is supported by the pragma by referring to the
4353:doc:`individual documentation for that attribute <AttributeReference>`.
4354
4355The attributes are applied to all matching declarations individually, even when
4356the attribute is semantically incorrect. The attributes that aren't applied to
4357any declaration are not verified semantically.
4358
4359Specifying section names for global objects (#pragma clang section)
4360===================================================================
4361
4362The ``#pragma clang section`` directive provides a means to assign section-names
4363to global variables, functions and static variables.
4364
4365The section names can be specified as:
4366
4367.. code-block:: c++
4368
4369  #pragma clang section bss="myBSS" data="myData" rodata="myRodata" relro="myRelro" text="myText"
4370
4371The section names can be reverted back to default name by supplying an empty
4372string to the section kind, for example:
4373
4374.. code-block:: c++
4375
4376  #pragma clang section bss="" data="" text="" rodata="" relro=""
4377
4378The ``#pragma clang section`` directive obeys the following rules:
4379
4380* The pragma applies to all global variable, statics and function declarations
4381  from the pragma to the end of the translation unit.
4382
4383* The pragma clang section is enabled automatically, without need of any flags.
4384
4385* This feature is only defined to work sensibly for ELF targets.
4386
4387* If section name is specified through _attribute_((section("myname"))), then
4388  the attribute name gains precedence.
4389
4390* Global variables that are initialized to zero will be placed in the named
4391  bss section, if one is present.
4392
4393* The ``#pragma clang section`` directive does not does try to infer section-kind
4394  from the name. For example, naming a section "``.bss.mySec``" does NOT mean
4395  it will be a bss section name.
4396
4397* The decision about which section-kind applies to each global is taken in the back-end.
4398  Once the section-kind is known, appropriate section name, as specified by the user using
4399  ``#pragma clang section`` directive, is applied to that global.
4400
4401Specifying Linker Options on ELF Targets
4402========================================
4403
4404The ``#pragma comment(lib, ...)`` directive is supported on all ELF targets.
4405The second parameter is the library name (without the traditional Unix prefix of
4406``lib``).  This allows you to provide an implicit link of dependent libraries.
4407
4408Evaluating Object Size Dynamically
4409==================================
4410
4411Clang supports the builtin ``__builtin_dynamic_object_size``, the semantics are
4412the same as GCC's ``__builtin_object_size`` (which Clang also supports), but
4413``__builtin_dynamic_object_size`` can evaluate the object's size at runtime.
4414``__builtin_dynamic_object_size`` is meant to be used as a drop-in replacement
4415for ``__builtin_object_size`` in libraries that support it.
4416
4417For instance, here is a program that ``__builtin_dynamic_object_size`` will make
4418safer:
4419
4420.. code-block:: c
4421
4422  void copy_into_buffer(size_t size) {
4423    char* buffer = malloc(size);
4424    strlcpy(buffer, "some string", strlen("some string"));
4425    // Previous line preprocesses to:
4426    // __builtin___strlcpy_chk(buffer, "some string", strlen("some string"), __builtin_object_size(buffer, 0))
4427  }
4428
4429Since the size of ``buffer`` can't be known at compile time, Clang will fold
4430``__builtin_object_size(buffer, 0)`` into ``-1``. However, if this was written
4431as ``__builtin_dynamic_object_size(buffer, 0)``, Clang will fold it into
4432``size``, providing some extra runtime safety.
4433
4434Deprecating Macros
4435==================
4436
4437Clang supports the pragma ``#pragma clang deprecated``, which can be used to
4438provide deprecation warnings for macro uses. For example:
4439
4440.. code-block:: c
4441
4442   #define MIN(x, y) x < y ? x : y
4443   #pragma clang deprecated(MIN, "use std::min instead")
4444
4445   void min(int a, int b) {
4446     return MIN(a, b); // warning: MIN is deprecated: use std::min instead
4447   }
4448
4449``#pragma clang deprecated`` should be preferred for this purpose over
4450``#pragma GCC warning`` because the warning can be controlled with
4451``-Wdeprecated``.
4452
4453Restricted Expansion Macros
4454===========================
4455
4456Clang supports the pragma ``#pragma clang restrict_expansion``, which can be
4457used restrict macro expansion in headers. This can be valuable when providing
4458headers with ABI stability requirements. Any expansion of the annotated macro
4459processed by the preprocessor after the ``#pragma`` annotation will log a
4460warning. Redefining the macro or undefining the macro will not be diagnosed, nor
4461will expansion of the macro within the main source file. For example:
4462
4463.. code-block:: c
4464
4465   #define TARGET_ARM 1
4466   #pragma clang restrict_expansion(TARGET_ARM, "<reason>")
4467
4468   /// Foo.h
4469   struct Foo {
4470   #if TARGET_ARM // warning: TARGET_ARM is marked unsafe in headers: <reason>
4471     uint32_t X;
4472   #else
4473     uint64_t X;
4474   #endif
4475   };
4476
4477   /// main.c
4478   #include "foo.h"
4479   #if TARGET_ARM // No warning in main source file
4480   X_TYPE uint32_t
4481   #else
4482   X_TYPE uint64_t
4483   #endif
4484
4485This warning is controlled by ``-Wpedantic-macros``.
4486
4487Final Macros
4488============
4489
4490Clang supports the pragma ``#pragma clang final``, which can be used to
4491mark macros as final, meaning they cannot be undef'd or re-defined. For example:
4492
4493.. code-block:: c
4494
4495   #define FINAL_MACRO 1
4496   #pragma clang final(FINAL_MACRO)
4497
4498   #define FINAL_MACRO // warning: FINAL_MACRO is marked final and should not be redefined
4499   #undef FINAL_MACRO  // warning: FINAL_MACRO is marked final and should not be undefined
4500
4501This is useful for enforcing system-provided macros that should not be altered
4502in user headers or code. This is controlled by ``-Wpedantic-macros``. Final
4503macros will always warn on redefinition, including situations with identical
4504bodies and in system headers.
4505
4506Line Control
4507============
4508
4509Clang supports an extension for source line control, which takes the
4510form of a preprocessor directive starting with an unsigned integral
4511constant. In addition to the standard ``#line`` directive, this form
4512allows control of an include stack and header file type, which is used
4513in issuing diagnostics. These lines are emitted in preprocessed
4514output.
4515
4516.. code-block:: c
4517
4518   # <line:number> <filename:string> <header-type:numbers>
4519
4520The filename is optional, and if unspecified indicates no change in
4521source filename. The header-type is an optional, whitespace-delimited,
4522sequence of magic numbers as follows.
4523
4524* ``1:`` Push the current source file name onto the include stack and
4525  enter a new file.
4526
4527* ``2``: Pop the include stack and return to the specified file. If
4528  the filename is ``""``, the name popped from the include stack is
4529  used. Otherwise there is no requirement that the specified filename
4530  matches the current source when originally pushed.
4531
4532* ``3``: Enter a system-header region. System headers often contain
4533  implementation-specific source that would normally emit a diagnostic.
4534
4535* ``4``: Enter an implicit ``extern "C"`` region. This is not required on
4536  modern systems where system headers are C++-aware.
4537
4538At most a single ``1`` or ``2`` can be present, and values must be in
4539ascending order.
4540
4541Examples are:
4542
4543.. code-block:: c
4544
4545   # 57 // Advance (or return) to line 57 of the current source file
4546   # 57 "frob" // Set to line 57 of "frob"
4547   # 1 "foo.h" 1 // Enter "foo.h" at line 1
4548   # 59 "main.c" 2 // Leave current include and return to "main.c"
4549   # 1 "/usr/include/stdio.h" 1 3 // Enter a system header
4550   # 60 "" 2 // return to "main.c"
4551   # 1 "/usr/ancient/header.h" 1 4 // Enter an implicit extern "C" header
4552
4553Extended Integer Types
4554======================
4555
4556Clang supports the C23 ``_BitInt(N)`` feature as an extension in older C modes
4557and in C++. This type was previously implemented in Clang with the same
4558semantics, but spelled ``_ExtInt(N)``. This spelling has been deprecated in
4559favor of the standard type.
4560
4561Note: the ABI for ``_BitInt(N)`` is still in the process of being stabilized,
4562so this type should not yet be used in interfaces that require ABI stability.
4563
4564Intrinsics Support within Constant Expressions
4565==============================================
4566
4567The following builtin intrinsics can be used in constant expressions:
4568
4569* ``__builtin_bitreverse8``
4570* ``__builtin_bitreverse16``
4571* ``__builtin_bitreverse32``
4572* ``__builtin_bitreverse64``
4573* ``__builtin_bswap16``
4574* ``__builtin_bswap32``
4575* ``__builtin_bswap64``
4576* ``__builtin_clrsb``
4577* ``__builtin_clrsbl``
4578* ``__builtin_clrsbll``
4579* ``__builtin_clz``
4580* ``__builtin_clzl``
4581* ``__builtin_clzll``
4582* ``__builtin_clzs``
4583* ``__builtin_ctz``
4584* ``__builtin_ctzl``
4585* ``__builtin_ctzll``
4586* ``__builtin_ctzs``
4587* ``__builtin_ffs``
4588* ``__builtin_ffsl``
4589* ``__builtin_ffsll``
4590* ``__builtin_fpclassify``
4591* ``__builtin_inf``
4592* ``__builtin_isinf``
4593* ``__builtin_isinf_sign``
4594* ``__builtin_isfinite``
4595* ``__builtin_isnan``
4596* ``__builtin_isnormal``
4597* ``__builtin_nan``
4598* ``__builtin_nans``
4599* ``__builtin_parity``
4600* ``__builtin_parityl``
4601* ``__builtin_parityll``
4602* ``__builtin_popcount``
4603* ``__builtin_popcountl``
4604* ``__builtin_popcountll``
4605* ``__builtin_rotateleft8``
4606* ``__builtin_rotateleft16``
4607* ``__builtin_rotateleft32``
4608* ``__builtin_rotateleft64``
4609* ``__builtin_rotateright8``
4610* ``__builtin_rotateright16``
4611* ``__builtin_rotateright32``
4612* ``__builtin_rotateright64``
4613
4614The following x86-specific intrinsics can be used in constant expressions:
4615
4616* ``_bit_scan_forward``
4617* ``_bit_scan_reverse``
4618* ``__bsfd``
4619* ``__bsfq``
4620* ``__bsrd``
4621* ``__bsrq``
4622* ``__bswap``
4623* ``__bswapd``
4624* ``__bswap64``
4625* ``__bswapq``
4626* ``_castf32_u32``
4627* ``_castf64_u64``
4628* ``_castu32_f32``
4629* ``_castu64_f64``
4630* ``_mm_popcnt_u32``
4631* ``_mm_popcnt_u64``
4632* ``_popcnt32``
4633* ``_popcnt64``
4634* ``__popcntd``
4635* ``__popcntq``
4636* ``__rolb``
4637* ``__rolw``
4638* ``__rold``
4639* ``__rolq``
4640* ``__rorb``
4641* ``__rorw``
4642* ``__rord``
4643* ``__rorq``
4644* ``_rotl``
4645* ``_rotr``
4646* ``_rotwl``
4647* ``_rotwr``
4648* ``_lrotl``
4649* ``_lrotr``
4650