\input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*-
@c %**start of header
@c oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
@c o
@c GNAT DOCUMENTATION o
@c o
@c G N A T _ U G N o
@c o
@c Copyright (C) 1992-2005 Ada Core Technologies, Inc. o
@c o
@c GNAT is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it under o
@c terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Soft- o
@c ware Foundation; either version 2, or (at your option) any later ver- o
@c sion. GNAT is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITH- o
@c OUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY o
@c or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License o
@c for more details. You should have received a copy of the GNU General o
@c Public License distributed with GNAT; see file COPYING. If not, write o
@c to the Free Software Foundation, 59 Temple Place - Suite 330, Boston, o
@c MA 02111-1307, USA. o
@c o
@c oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
@c oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
@c
@c GNAT_UGN Style Guide
@c
@c 1. Always put a @noindent on the line before the first paragraph
@c after any of these commands:
@c
@c @chapter
@c @section
@c @subsection
@c @subsubsection
@c @subsubsubsection
@c
@c @end smallexample
@c @end itemize
@c @end enumerate
@c
@c 2. DO NOT use @example. Use @smallexample instead.
@c a) DO NOT use highlighting commands (@b{}, @i{}) inside an @smallexample
@c context. These can interfere with the readability of the texi
@c source file. Instead, use one of the following annotated
@c @smallexample commands, and preprocess the texi file with the
@c ada2texi tool (which generates appropriate highlighting):
@c @smallexample @c ada
@c @smallexample @c adanocomment
@c @smallexample @c projectfile
@c b) The "@c ada" markup will result in boldface for reserved words
@c and italics for comments
@c c) The "@c adanocomment" markup will result only in boldface for
@c reserved words (comments are left alone)
@c d) The "@c projectfile" markup is like "@c ada" except that the set
@c of reserved words include the new reserved words for project files
@c
@c 3. Each @chapter, @section, @subsection, @subsubsection, etc.
@c command must be preceded by two empty lines
@c
@c 4. The @item command should be on a line of its own if it is in an
@c @itemize or @enumerate command.
@c
@c 5. When talking about ALI files use "ALI" (all uppercase), not "Ali"
@c or "ali".
@c
@c 6. DO NOT put trailing spaces at the end of a line. Such spaces will
@c cause the document build to fail.
@c
@c 7. DO NOT use @cartouche for examples that are longer than around 10 lines.
@c This command inhibits page breaks, so long examples in a @cartouche can
@c lead to large, ugly patches of empty space on a page.
@c
@c NOTE: This file should be submitted to xgnatugn with either the vms flag
@c or the unw flag set. The unw flag covers topics for both Unix and
@c Windows.
@c
@c oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
@ifset vms
@setfilename gnat_ugn_vms.info
@end ifset
@ifset unw
@setfilename gnat_ugn_unw.info
@end ifset
@set FSFEDITION
@set EDITION GNAT
@ifset unw
@set PLATFORM
@set FILE gnat_ugn_unw
@end ifset
@ifset vms
@set PLATFORM OpenVMS
@set FILE gnat_ugn_vms
@end ifset
@settitle @value{EDITION} User's Guide @value{PLATFORM}
@dircategory GNU Ada tools
@direntry
* @value{EDITION} User's Guide (@value{FILE}) @value{PLATFORM}
@end direntry
@include gcc-common.texi
@setchapternewpage odd
@syncodeindex fn cp
@c %**end of header
@copying
Copyright @copyright{} 1995-2005, Free Software Foundation
Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2
or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation;
with the Invariant Sections being ``GNU Free Documentation License'', with the
Front-Cover Texts being
``@value{EDITION} User's Guide'',
and with no Back-Cover Texts.
A copy of the license is included in the section entitled
``GNU Free Documentation License''.
@end copying
@titlepage
@title @value{EDITION} User's Guide
@ifset vms
@sp 1
@flushright
@titlefont{@i{@value{PLATFORM}}}
@end flushright
@end ifset
@sp 2
@subtitle GNAT, The GNU Ada 95 Compiler
@subtitle GCC version @value{version-GCC}
@author AdaCore
@page
@vskip 0pt plus 1filll
@insertcopying
@end titlepage
@ifnottex
@node Top, About This Guide, (dir), (dir)
@top @value{EDITION} User's Guide
@noindent
@value{EDITION} User's Guide @value{PLATFORM}
@noindent
GNAT, The GNU Ada 95 Compiler@*
GCC version @value{version-GCC}@*
@noindent
AdaCore@*
@menu
* About This Guide::
* Getting Started with GNAT::
* The GNAT Compilation Model::
* Compiling Using gcc::
* Binding Using gnatbind::
* Linking Using gnatlink::
* The GNAT Make Program gnatmake::
* Improving Performance::
* Renaming Files Using gnatchop::
* Configuration Pragmas::
* Handling Arbitrary File Naming Conventions Using gnatname::
* GNAT Project Manager::
* The Cross-Referencing Tools gnatxref and gnatfind::
* The GNAT Pretty-Printer gnatpp::
* The GNAT Metric Tool gnatmetric::
* File Name Krunching Using gnatkr::
* Preprocessing Using gnatprep::
@ifset vms
* The GNAT Run-Time Library Builder gnatlbr::
@end ifset
* The GNAT Library Browser gnatls::
* Cleaning Up Using gnatclean::
@ifclear vms
* GNAT and Libraries::
* Using the GNU make Utility::
@end ifclear
* Memory Management Issues::
* Creating Sample Bodies Using gnatstub::
* Other Utility Programs::
* Running and Debugging Ada Programs::
@ifset vms
* Compatibility with DEC Ada::
@end ifset
* Platform-Specific Information for the Run-Time Libraries::
* Example of Binder Output File::
* Elaboration Order Handling in GNAT::
* Inline Assembler::
* Compatibility and Porting Guide::
@ifset unw
* Microsoft Windows Topics::
@end ifset
* GNU Free Documentation License::
* Index::
--- The Detailed Node Listing ---
About This Guide
* What This Guide Contains::
* What You Should Know before Reading This Guide::
* Related Information::
* Conventions::
Getting Started with GNAT
* Running GNAT::
* Running a Simple Ada Program::
* Running a Program with Multiple Units::
* Using the gnatmake Utility::
@ifset vms
* Editing with Emacs::
@end ifset
@ifclear vms
* Introduction to GPS::
* Introduction to Glide and GVD::
@end ifclear
The GNAT Compilation Model
* Source Representation::
* Foreign Language Representation::
* File Naming Rules::
* Using Other File Names::
* Alternative File Naming Schemes::
* Generating Object Files::
* Source Dependencies::
* The Ada Library Information Files::
* Binding an Ada Program::
* Mixed Language Programming::
* Building Mixed Ada & C++ Programs::
* Comparison between GNAT and C/C++ Compilation Models::
* Comparison between GNAT and Conventional Ada Library Models::
@ifset vms
* Placement of temporary files::
@end ifset
Foreign Language Representation
* Latin-1::
* Other 8-Bit Codes::
* Wide Character Encodings::
Compiling Ada Programs With gcc
* Compiling Programs::
* Switches for gcc::
* Search Paths and the Run-Time Library (RTL)::
* Order of Compilation Issues::
* Examples::
Switches for gcc
* Output and Error Message Control::
* Warning Message Control::
* Debugging and Assertion Control::
* Validity Checking::
* Style Checking::
* Run-Time Checks::
* Stack Overflow Checking::
* Using gcc for Syntax Checking::
* Using gcc for Semantic Checking::
* Compiling Ada 83 Programs::
* Character Set Control::
* File Naming Control::
* Subprogram Inlining Control::
* Auxiliary Output Control::
* Debugging Control::
* Exception Handling Control::
* Units to Sources Mapping Files::
* Integrated Preprocessing::
@ifset vms
* Return Codes::
@end ifset
Binding Ada Programs With gnatbind
* Running gnatbind::
* Switches for gnatbind::
* Command-Line Access::
* Search Paths for gnatbind::
* Examples of gnatbind Usage::
Switches for gnatbind
* Consistency-Checking Modes::
* Binder Error Message Control::
* Elaboration Control::
* Output Control::
* Binding with Non-Ada Main Programs::
* Binding Programs with No Main Subprogram::
Linking Using gnatlink
* Running gnatlink::
* Switches for gnatlink::
* Setting Stack Size from gnatlink::
* Setting Heap Size from gnatlink::
The GNAT Make Program gnatmake
* Running gnatmake::
* Switches for gnatmake::
* Mode Switches for gnatmake::
* Notes on the Command Line::
* How gnatmake Works::
* Examples of gnatmake Usage::
Improving Performance
* Performance Considerations::
* Reducing the Size of Ada Executables with gnatelim::
Performance Considerations
* Controlling Run-Time Checks::
* Use of Restrictions::
* Optimization Levels::
* Debugging Optimized Code::
* Inlining of Subprograms::
* Optimization and Strict Aliasing::
@ifset vms
* Coverage Analysis::
@end ifset
Reducing the Size of Ada Executables with gnatelim
* About gnatelim::
* Running gnatelim::
* Correcting the List of Eliminate Pragmas::
* Making Your Executables Smaller::
* Summary of the gnatelim Usage Cycle::
Renaming Files Using gnatchop
* Handling Files with Multiple Units::
* Operating gnatchop in Compilation Mode::
* Command Line for gnatchop::
* Switches for gnatchop::
* Examples of gnatchop Usage::
Configuration Pragmas
* Handling of Configuration Pragmas::
* The Configuration Pragmas Files::
Handling Arbitrary File Naming Conventions Using gnatname
* Arbitrary File Naming Conventions::
* Running gnatname::
* Switches for gnatname::
* Examples of gnatname Usage::
GNAT Project Manager
* Introduction::
* Examples of Project Files::
* Project File Syntax::
* Objects and Sources in Project Files::
* Importing Projects::
* Project Extension::
* Project Hierarchy Extension::
* External References in Project Files::
* Packages in Project Files::
* Variables from Imported Projects::
* Naming Schemes::
* Library Projects::
* Using Third-Party Libraries through Projects::
* Stand-alone Library Projects::
* Switches Related to Project Files::
* Tools Supporting Project Files::
* An Extended Example::
* Project File Complete Syntax::
The Cross-Referencing Tools gnatxref and gnatfind
* gnatxref Switches::
* gnatfind Switches::
* Project Files for gnatxref and gnatfind::
* Regular Expressions in gnatfind and gnatxref::
* Examples of gnatxref Usage::
* Examples of gnatfind Usage::
The GNAT Pretty-Printer gnatpp
* Switches for gnatpp::
* Formatting Rules::
The GNAT Metrics Tool gnatmetric
* Switches for gnatmetric::
File Name Krunching Using gnatkr
* About gnatkr::
* Using gnatkr::
* Krunching Method::
* Examples of gnatkr Usage::
Preprocessing Using gnatprep
* Using gnatprep::
* Switches for gnatprep::
* Form of Definitions File::
* Form of Input Text for gnatprep::
@ifset vms
The GNAT Run-Time Library Builder gnatlbr
* Running gnatlbr::
* Switches for gnatlbr::
* Examples of gnatlbr Usage::
@end ifset
The GNAT Library Browser gnatls
* Running gnatls::
* Switches for gnatls::
* Examples of gnatls Usage::
Cleaning Up Using gnatclean
* Running gnatclean::
* Switches for gnatclean::
* Examples of gnatclean Usage::
@ifclear vms
GNAT and Libraries
* Introduction to Libraries in GNAT::
* General Ada Libraries::
* Stand-alone Ada Libraries::
* Rebuilding the GNAT Run-Time Library::
Using the GNU make Utility
* Using gnatmake in a Makefile::
* Automatically Creating a List of Directories::
* Generating the Command Line Switches::
* Overcoming Command Line Length Limits::
@end ifclear
Memory Management Issues
* Some Useful Memory Pools::
* The GNAT Debug Pool Facility::
@ifclear vms
* The gnatmem Tool::
@end ifclear
Some Useful Memory Pools
The GNAT Debug Pool Facility
@ifclear vms
The gnatmem Tool
* Running gnatmem::
* Switches for gnatmem::
* Example of gnatmem Usage::
@end ifclear
Sample Bodies Using gnatstub
* Running gnatstub::
* Switches for gnatstub::
Other Utility Programs
* Using Other Utility Programs with GNAT::
* The External Symbol Naming Scheme of GNAT::
@ifclear vms
* Ada Mode for Glide::
@end ifclear
* Converting Ada Files to html with gnathtml::
Running and Debugging Ada Programs
* The GNAT Debugger GDB::
* Running GDB::
* Introduction to GDB Commands::
* Using Ada Expressions::
* Calling User-Defined Subprograms::
* Using the Next Command in a Function::
* Ada Exceptions::
* Ada Tasks::
* Debugging Generic Units::
* GNAT Abnormal Termination or Failure to Terminate::
* Naming Conventions for GNAT Source Files::
* Getting Internal Debugging Information::
* Stack Traceback::
@ifset vms
* LSE::
@end ifset
@ifset vms
Compatibility with DEC Ada
* Ada 95 Compatibility::
* Differences in the Definition of Package System::
* Language-Related Features::
* The Package STANDARD::
* The Package SYSTEM::
* Tasking and Task-Related Features::
* Implementation of Tasks in DEC Ada for OpenVMS Alpha Systems::
* Pragmas and Pragma-Related Features::
* Library of Predefined Units::
* Bindings::
* Main Program Definition::
* Implementation-Defined Attributes::
* Compiler and Run-Time Interfacing::
* Program Compilation and Library Management::
* Input-Output::
* Implementation Limits::
* Tools::
Language-Related Features
* Integer Types and Representations::
* Floating-Point Types and Representations::
* Pragmas Float_Representation and Long_Float::
* Fixed-Point Types and Representations::
* Record and Array Component Alignment::
* Address Clauses::
* Other Representation Clauses::
Implementation of Tasks in DEC Ada for OpenVMS Alpha Systems
* Assigning Task IDs::
* Task IDs and Delays::
* Task-Related Pragmas::
* Scheduling and Task Priority::
* The Task Stack::
* External Interrupts::
Pragmas and Pragma-Related Features
* Restrictions on the Pragma INLINE::
* Restrictions on the Pragma INTERFACE::
* Restrictions on the Pragma SYSTEM_NAME::
Library of Predefined Units
* Changes to DECLIB::
Bindings
* Shared Libraries and Options Files::
* Interfaces to C::
@end ifset
Platform-Specific Information for the Run-Time Libraries
* Summary of Run-Time Configurations::
* Specifying a Run-Time Library::
* Choosing the Scheduling Policy::
* Solaris-Specific Considerations::
* IRIX-Specific Considerations::
* Linux-Specific Considerations::
* AIX-Specific Considerations::
Example of Binder Output File
Elaboration Order Handling in GNAT
* Elaboration Code in Ada 95::
* Checking the Elaboration Order in Ada 95::
* Controlling the Elaboration Order in Ada 95::
* Controlling Elaboration in GNAT - Internal Calls::
* Controlling Elaboration in GNAT - External Calls::
* Default Behavior in GNAT - Ensuring Safety::
* Treatment of Pragma Elaborate::
* Elaboration Issues for Library Tasks::
* Mixing Elaboration Models::
* What to Do If the Default Elaboration Behavior Fails::
* Elaboration for Access-to-Subprogram Values::
* Summary of Procedures for Elaboration Control::
* Other Elaboration Order Considerations::
Inline Assembler
* Basic Assembler Syntax::
* A Simple Example of Inline Assembler::
* Output Variables in Inline Assembler::
* Input Variables in Inline Assembler::
* Inlining Inline Assembler Code::
* Other Asm Functionality::
* A Complete Example::
Compatibility and Porting Guide
* Compatibility with Ada 83::
* Implementation-dependent characteristics::
* Compatibility with DEC Ada 83::
* Compatibility with Other Ada 95 Systems::
* Representation Clauses::
@ifset vms
* Transitioning from Alpha to Integrity OpenVMS::
@end ifset
@ifset unw
Microsoft Windows Topics
* Using GNAT on Windows::
* CONSOLE and WINDOWS subsystems::
* Temporary Files::
* Mixed-Language Programming on Windows::
* Windows Calling Conventions::
* Introduction to Dynamic Link Libraries (DLLs)::
* Using DLLs with GNAT::
* Building DLLs with GNAT::
* GNAT and Windows Resources::
* Debugging a DLL::
* GNAT and COM/DCOM Objects::
@end ifset
* Index::
@end menu
@end ifnottex
@node About This Guide
@unnumbered About This Guide
@noindent
@ifset vms
This guide describes the use of @value{EDITION},
a full language compiler for the Ada
95 programming language, implemented on HP's Alpha and
Integrity (ia64) OpenVMS platforms.
@end ifset
@ifclear vms
This guide describes the use of @value{EDITION},
a compiler and software development
toolset for the full Ada 95 programming language.
@end ifclear
It describes the features of the compiler and tools, and details
how to use them to build Ada 95 applications.
@ifset PROEDITION
For ease of exposition, ``GNAT Pro'' will be referred to simply as
``GNAT'' in the remainder of this document.
@end ifset
@menu
* What This Guide Contains::
* What You Should Know before Reading This Guide::
* Related Information::
* Conventions::
@end menu
@node What This Guide Contains
@unnumberedsec What This Guide Contains
@noindent
This guide contains the following chapters:
@itemize @bullet
@item
@ref{Getting Started with GNAT}, describes how to get started compiling
and running Ada programs with the GNAT Ada programming environment.
@item
@ref{The GNAT Compilation Model}, describes the compilation model used
by GNAT.
@item
@ref{Compiling Using gcc}, describes how to compile
Ada programs with @command{gcc}, the Ada compiler.
@item
@ref{Binding Using gnatbind}, describes how to
perform binding of Ada programs with @code{gnatbind}, the GNAT binding
utility.
@item
@ref{Linking Using gnatlink},
describes @command{gnatlink}, a
program that provides for linking using the GNAT run-time library to
construct a program. @command{gnatlink} can also incorporate foreign language
object units into the executable.
@item
@ref{The GNAT Make Program gnatmake}, describes @command{gnatmake}, a
utility that automatically determines the set of sources
needed by an Ada compilation unit, and executes the necessary compilations
binding and link.
@item
@ref{Improving Performance}, shows various techniques for making your
Ada program run faster or take less space.
It discusses the effect of the compiler's optimization switch and
also describes the @command{gnatelim} tool.
@item
@ref{Renaming Files Using gnatchop}, describes
@code{gnatchop}, a utility that allows you to preprocess a file that
contains Ada source code, and split it into one or more new files, one
for each compilation unit.
@item
@ref{Configuration Pragmas}, describes the configuration pragmas
handled by GNAT.
@item
@ref{Handling Arbitrary File Naming Conventions Using gnatname},
shows how to override the default GNAT file naming conventions,
either for an individual unit or globally.
@item
@ref{GNAT Project Manager}, describes how to use project files
to organize large projects.
@item
@ref{The Cross-Referencing Tools gnatxref and gnatfind}, discusses
@code{gnatxref} and @code{gnatfind}, two tools that provide an easy
way to navigate through sources.
@item
@ref{The GNAT Pretty-Printer gnatpp}, shows how to produce a reformatted
version of an Ada source file with control over casing, indentation,
comment placement, and other elements of program presentation style.
@item
@ref{The GNAT Metric Tool gnatmetric}, shows how to compute various
metrics for an Ada source file, such as the number of types and subprograms,
and assorted complexity measures.
@item
@ref{File Name Krunching Using gnatkr}, describes the @code{gnatkr}
file name krunching utility, used to handle shortened
file names on operating systems with a limit on the length of names.
@item
@ref{Preprocessing Using gnatprep}, describes @code{gnatprep}, a
preprocessor utility that allows a single source file to be used to
generate multiple or parameterized source files, by means of macro
substitution.
@ifset vms
@item
@ref{The GNAT Run-Time Library Builder gnatlbr}, describes @command{gnatlbr},
a tool for rebuilding the GNAT run time with user-supplied
configuration pragmas.
@end ifset
@item
@ref{The GNAT Library Browser gnatls}, describes @code{gnatls}, a
utility that displays information about compiled units, including dependences
on the corresponding sources files, and consistency of compilations.
@item
@ref{Cleaning Up Using gnatclean}, describes @code{gnatclean}, a utility
to delete files that are produced by the compiler, binder and linker.
@ifclear vms
@item
@ref{GNAT and Libraries}, describes the process of creating and using
Libraries with GNAT. It also describes how to recompile the GNAT run-time
library.
@item
@ref{Using the GNU make Utility}, describes some techniques for using
the GNAT toolset in Makefiles.
@end ifclear
@item
@ref{Memory Management Issues}, describes some useful predefined storage pools
and in particular the GNAT Debug Pool facility, which helps detect incorrect
memory references.
@ifclear vms
It also describes @command{gnatmem}, a utility that monitors dynamic
allocation and deallocation and helps detect ``memory leaks''.
@end ifclear
@item
@ref{Creating Sample Bodies Using gnatstub}, discusses @code{gnatstub},
a utility that generates empty but compilable bodies for library units.
@item
@ref{Other Utility Programs}, discusses several other GNAT utilities,
including @code{gnathtml}.
@item
@ref{Running and Debugging Ada Programs}, describes how to run and debug
Ada programs.
@ifset vms
@item
@ref{Compatibility with DEC Ada}, details the compatibility of GNAT with
DEC Ada 83 @footnote{``DEC Ada'' refers to the legacy product originally
developed by Digital Equipment Corporation and currently supported by HP.}
for OpenVMS Alpha.
@end ifset
@item
@ref{Platform-Specific Information for the Run-Time Libraries},
describes the various run-time
libraries supported by GNAT on various platforms and explains how to
choose a particular library.
@item
@ref{Example of Binder Output File}, shows the source code for the binder
output file for a sample program.
@item
@ref{Elaboration Order Handling in GNAT}, describes how GNAT helps
you deal with elaboration order issues.
@item
@ref{Inline Assembler}, shows how to use the inline assembly facility
in an Ada program.
@item
@ref{Compatibility and Porting Guide}, includes sections on compatibility
of GNAT with other Ada 83 and Ada 95 compilation systems, to assist
in porting code from other environments.
@ifset unw
@item
@ref{Microsoft Windows Topics}, presents information relevant to the
Microsoft Windows platform.
@end ifset
@end itemize
@c *************************************************
@node What You Should Know before Reading This Guide
@c *************************************************
@unnumberedsec What You Should Know before Reading This Guide
@cindex Ada 95 Language Reference Manual
@noindent
This user's guide assumes that you are familiar with Ada 95 language, as
described in the International Standard ANSI/ISO/IEC-8652:1995, January
1995.
@node Related Information
@unnumberedsec Related Information
@noindent
For further information about related tools, refer to the following
documents:
@itemize @bullet
@item
@cite{GNAT Reference Manual}, which contains all reference
material for the GNAT implementation of Ada 95.
@ifset unw
@item
@cite{Using the GNAT Programming System}, which describes the GPS
integrated development environment.
@item
@cite{GNAT Programming System Tutorial}, which introduces the
main GPS features through examples.
@end ifset
@item
@cite{Ada 95 Language Reference Manual}, which contains all reference
material for the Ada 95 programming language.
@item
@cite{Debugging with GDB}
@ifset vms
, located in the GNU:[DOCS] directory,
@end ifset
contains all details on the use of the GNU source-level debugger.
@item
@cite{GNU Emacs Manual}
@ifset vms
, located in the GNU:[DOCS] directory if the EMACS kit is installed,
@end ifset
contains full information on the extensible editor and programming
environment Emacs.
@end itemize
@c **************
@node Conventions
@unnumberedsec Conventions
@cindex Conventions
@cindex Typographical conventions
@noindent
Following are examples of the typographical and graphic conventions used
in this guide:
@itemize @bullet
@item
@code{Functions}, @code{utility program names}, @code{standard names},
and @code{classes}.
@item
@samp{Option flags}
@item
@file{File Names}, @file{button names}, and @file{field names}.
@item
@var{Variables}.
@item
@emph{Emphasis}.
@item
[optional information or parameters]
@item
Examples are described by text
@smallexample
and then shown this way.
@end smallexample
@end itemize
@noindent
Commands that are entered by the user are preceded in this manual by the
characters @w{``@code{$ }''} (dollar sign followed by space). If your system
uses this sequence as a prompt, then the commands will appear exactly as
you see them in the manual. If your system uses some other prompt, then
the command will appear with the @code{$} replaced by whatever prompt
character you are using.
@ifset unw
Full file names are shown with the ``@code{/}'' character
as the directory separator; e.g., @file{parent-dir/subdir/myfile.adb}.
If you are using GNAT on a Windows platform, please note that
the ``@code{\}'' character should be used instead.
@end ifset
@c ****************************
@node Getting Started with GNAT
@chapter Getting Started with GNAT
@noindent
This chapter describes some simple ways of using GNAT to build
executable Ada programs.
@ifset unw
@ref{Running GNAT}, through @ref{Using the gnatmake Utility},
show how to use the command line environment.
@ref{Introduction to Glide and GVD}, provides a brief
introduction to the visually-oriented IDE for GNAT.
Supplementing Glide on some platforms is GPS, the
GNAT Programming System, which offers a richer graphical
``look and feel'', enhanced configurability, support for
development in other programming language, comprehensive
browsing features, and many other capabilities.
For information on GPS please refer to
@cite{Using the GNAT Programming System}.
@end ifset
@menu
* Running GNAT::
* Running a Simple Ada Program::
* Running a Program with Multiple Units::
* Using the gnatmake Utility::
@ifset vms
* Editing with Emacs::
@end ifset
@ifclear vms
* Introduction to GPS::
* Introduction to Glide and GVD::
@end ifclear
@end menu
@node Running GNAT
@section Running GNAT
@noindent
Three steps are needed to create an executable file from an Ada source
file:
@enumerate
@item
The source file(s) must be compiled.
@item
The file(s) must be bound using the GNAT binder.
@item
All appropriate object files must be linked to produce an executable.
@end enumerate
@noindent
All three steps are most commonly handled by using the @command{gnatmake}
utility program that, given the name of the main program, automatically
performs the necessary compilation, binding and linking steps.
@node Running a Simple Ada Program
@section Running a Simple Ada Program
@noindent
Any text editor may be used to prepare an Ada program.
@ifclear vms
If @code{Glide} is
used, the optional Ada mode may be helpful in laying out the program.
@end ifclear
The
program text is a normal text file. We will suppose in our initial
example that you have used your editor to prepare the following
standard format text file:
@smallexample @c ada
@cartouche
with Ada.Text_IO; use Ada.Text_IO;
procedure Hello is
begin
Put_Line ("Hello WORLD!");
end Hello;
@end cartouche
@end smallexample
@noindent
This file should be named @file{hello.adb}.
With the normal default file naming conventions, GNAT requires
that each file
contain a single compilation unit whose file name is the
unit name,
with periods replaced by hyphens; the
extension is @file{ads} for a
spec and @file{adb} for a body.
You can override this default file naming convention by use of the
special pragma @code{Source_File_Name} (@pxref{Using Other File Names}).
Alternatively, if you want to rename your files according to this default
convention, which is probably more convenient if you will be using GNAT
for all your compilations, then the @code{gnatchop} utility
can be used to generate correctly-named source files
(@pxref{Renaming Files Using gnatchop}).
You can compile the program using the following command (@code{$} is used
as the command prompt in the examples in this document):
@smallexample
$ gcc -c hello.adb
@end smallexample
@noindent
@command{gcc} is the command used to run the compiler. This compiler is
capable of compiling programs in several languages, including Ada 95 and
C. It assumes that you have given it an Ada program if the file extension is
either @file{.ads} or @file{.adb}, and it will then call
the GNAT compiler to compile the specified file.
@ifclear vms
The @option{-c} switch is required. It tells @command{gcc} to only do a
compilation. (For C programs, @command{gcc} can also do linking, but this
capability is not used directly for Ada programs, so the @option{-c}
switch must always be present.)
@end ifclear
This compile command generates a file
@file{hello.o}, which is the object
file corresponding to your Ada program. It also generates
an ``Ada Library Information'' file @file{hello.ali},
which contains additional information used to check
that an Ada program is consistent.
To build an executable file,
use @code{gnatbind} to bind the program
and @command{gnatlink} to link it. The
argument to both @code{gnatbind} and @command{gnatlink} is the name of the
@file{ALI} file, but the default extension of @file{.ali} can
be omitted. This means that in the most common case, the argument
is simply the name of the main program:
@smallexample
$ gnatbind hello
$ gnatlink hello
@end smallexample
@noindent
A simpler method of carrying out these steps is to use
@command{gnatmake},
a master program that invokes all the required
compilation, binding and linking tools in the correct order. In particular,
@command{gnatmake} automatically recompiles any sources that have been
modified since they were last compiled, or sources that depend
on such modified sources, so that ``version skew'' is avoided.
@cindex Version skew (avoided by @command{gnatmake})
@smallexample
$ gnatmake hello.adb
@end smallexample
@noindent
The result is an executable program called @file{hello}, which can be
run by entering:
@c The following should be removed (BMB 2001-01-23)
@c @smallexample
@c $ ^./hello^$ RUN HELLO^
@c @end smallexample
@smallexample
$ hello
@end smallexample
@noindent
assuming that the current directory is on the search path
for executable programs.
@noindent
and, if all has gone well, you will see
@smallexample
Hello WORLD!
@end smallexample
@noindent
appear in response to this command.
@c ****************************************
@node Running a Program with Multiple Units
@section Running a Program with Multiple Units
@noindent
Consider a slightly more complicated example that has three files: a
main program, and the spec and body of a package:
@smallexample @c ada
@cartouche
@group
package Greetings is
procedure Hello;
procedure Goodbye;
end Greetings;
with Ada.Text_IO; use Ada.Text_IO;
package body Greetings is
procedure Hello is
begin
Put_Line ("Hello WORLD!");
end Hello;
procedure Goodbye is
begin
Put_Line ("Goodbye WORLD!");
end Goodbye;
end Greetings;
@end group
@group
with Greetings;
procedure Gmain is
begin
Greetings.Hello;
Greetings.Goodbye;
end Gmain;
@end group
@end cartouche
@end smallexample
@noindent
Following the one-unit-per-file rule, place this program in the
following three separate files:
@table @file
@item greetings.ads
spec of package @code{Greetings}
@item greetings.adb
body of package @code{Greetings}
@item gmain.adb
body of main program
@end table
@noindent
To build an executable version of
this program, we could use four separate steps to compile, bind, and link
the program, as follows:
@smallexample
$ gcc -c gmain.adb
$ gcc -c greetings.adb
$ gnatbind gmain
$ gnatlink gmain
@end smallexample
@noindent
Note that there is no required order of compilation when using GNAT.
In particular it is perfectly fine to compile the main program first.
Also, it is not necessary to compile package specs in the case where
there is an accompanying body; you only need to compile the body. If you want
to submit these files to the compiler for semantic checking and not code
generation, then use the
@option{-gnatc} switch:
@smallexample
$ gcc -c greetings.ads -gnatc
@end smallexample
@noindent
Although the compilation can be done in separate steps as in the
above example, in practice it is almost always more convenient
to use the @command{gnatmake} tool. All you need to know in this case
is the name of the main program's source file. The effect of the above four
commands can be achieved with a single one:
@smallexample
$ gnatmake gmain.adb
@end smallexample
@noindent
In the next section we discuss the advantages of using @command{gnatmake} in
more detail.
@c *****************************
@node Using the gnatmake Utility
@section Using the @command{gnatmake} Utility
@noindent
If you work on a program by compiling single components at a time using
@command{gcc}, you typically keep track of the units you modify. In order to
build a consistent system, you compile not only these units, but also any
units that depend on the units you have modified.
For example, in the preceding case,
if you edit @file{gmain.adb}, you only need to recompile that file. But if
you edit @file{greetings.ads}, you must recompile both
@file{greetings.adb} and @file{gmain.adb}, because both files contain
units that depend on @file{greetings.ads}.
@code{gnatbind} will warn you if you forget one of these compilation
steps, so that it is impossible to generate an inconsistent program as a
result of forgetting to do a compilation. Nevertheless it is tedious and
error-prone to keep track of dependencies among units.
One approach to handle the dependency-bookkeeping is to use a
makefile. However, makefiles present maintenance problems of their own:
if the dependencies change as you change the program, you must make
sure that the makefile is kept up-to-date manually, which is also an
error-prone process.
The @command{gnatmake} utility takes care of these details automatically.
Invoke it using either one of the following forms:
@smallexample
$ gnatmake gmain.adb
$ gnatmake ^gmain^GMAIN^
@end smallexample
@noindent
The argument is the name of the file containing the main program;
you may omit the extension. @command{gnatmake}
examines the environment, automatically recompiles any files that need
recompiling, and binds and links the resulting set of object files,
generating the executable file, @file{^gmain^GMAIN.EXE^}.
In a large program, it
can be extremely helpful to use @command{gnatmake}, because working out by hand
what needs to be recompiled can be difficult.
Note that @command{gnatmake}
takes into account all the Ada 95 rules that
establish dependencies among units. These include dependencies that result
from inlining subprogram bodies, and from
generic instantiation. Unlike some other
Ada make tools, @command{gnatmake} does not rely on the dependencies that were
found by the compiler on a previous compilation, which may possibly
be wrong when sources change. @command{gnatmake} determines the exact set of
dependencies from scratch each time it is run.
@ifset vms
@node Editing with Emacs
@section Editing with Emacs
@cindex Emacs
@noindent
Emacs is an extensible self-documenting text editor that is available in a
separate VMSINSTAL kit.
Invoke Emacs by typing @kbd{Emacs} at the command prompt. To get started,
click on the Emacs Help menu and run the Emacs Tutorial.
In a character cell terminal, Emacs help is invoked with @kbd{Ctrl-h} (also
written as @kbd{C-h}), and the tutorial by @kbd{C-h t}.
Documentation on Emacs and other tools is available in Emacs under the
pull-down menu button: @code{Help - Info}. After selecting @code{Info},
use the middle mouse button to select a topic (e.g. Emacs).
In a character cell terminal, do @kbd{C-h i} to invoke info, and then @kbd{m}
(stands for menu) followed by the menu item desired, as in @kbd{m Emacs}, to
get to the Emacs manual.
Help on Emacs is also available by typing @kbd{HELP EMACS} at the DCL command
prompt.
The tutorial is highly recommended in order to learn the intricacies of Emacs,
which is sufficiently extensible to provide for a complete programming
environment and shell for the sophisticated user.
@end ifset
@ifclear vms
@node Introduction to GPS
@section Introduction to GPS
@cindex GPS (GNAT Programming System)
@cindex GNAT Programming System (GPS)
@noindent
Although the command line interface (@command{gnatmake}, etc.) alone
is sufficient, a graphical Interactive Development
Environment can make it easier for you to compose, navigate, and debug
programs. This section describes the main features of GPS
(``GNAT Programming System''), the GNAT graphical IDE.
You will see how to use GPS to build and debug an executable, and
you will also learn some of the basics of the GNAT ``project'' facility.
GPS enables you to do much more than is presented here;
e.g., you can produce a call graph, interface to a third-party
Version Control System, and inspect the generated assembly language
for a program.
Indeed, GPS also supports languages other than Ada.
Such additional information, and an explanation of all of the GPS menu
items. may be found in the on-line help, which includes
a user's guide and a tutorial (these are also accessible from the GNAT
startup menu).
@menu
* Building a New Program with GPS::
* Simple Debugging with GPS::
@end menu
@node Building a New Program with GPS
@subsection Building a New Program with GPS
@noindent
GPS invokes the GNAT compilation tools using information
contained in a @emph{project} (also known as a @emph{project file}):
a collection of properties such
as source directories, identities of main subprograms, tool switches, etc.,
and their associated values.
See @ref{GNAT Project Manager} for details.
In order to run GPS, you will need to either create a new project
or else open an existing one.
This section will explain how you can use GPS to create a project,
to associate Ada source files with a project, and to build and run
programs.
@enumerate
@item @emph{Creating a project}
Invoke GPS, either from the command line or the platform's IDE.
After it starts, GPS will display a ``Welcome'' screen with three
radio buttons:
@itemize @bullet
@item
@code{Start with default project in directory}
@item
@code{Create new project with wizard}
@item
@code{Open existing project}
@end itemize
@noindent
Select @code{Create new project with wizard} and press @code{OK}.
A new window will appear. In the text box labeled with
@code{Enter the name of the project to create}, type @file{sample}
as the project name.
In the next box, browse to choose the directory in which you
would like to create the project file.
After selecting an appropriate directory, press @code{Forward}.
A window will appear with the title
@code{Version Control System Configuration}.
Simply press @code{Forward}.
A window will appear with the title
@code{Please select the source directories for this project}.
The directory that you specified for the project file will be selected
by default as the one to use for sources; simply press @code{Forward}.
A window will appear with the title
@code{Please select the build directory for this project}.
The directory that you specified for the project file will be selected
by default for object files and executables;
simply press @code{Forward}.
A window will appear with the title
@code{Please select the main units for this project}.
You will supply this information later, after creating the source file.
Simply press @code{Forward} for now.
A window will appear with the title
@code{Please select the switches to build the project}.
Press @code{Apply}. This will create a project file named
@file{sample.prj} in the directory that you had specified.
@item @emph{Creating and saving the source file}
After you create the new project, a GPS window will appear, which is
partitioned into two main sections:
@itemize @bullet
@item
A @emph{Workspace area}, initially greyed out, which you will use for
creating and editing source files
@item
Directly below, a @emph{Messages area}, which initially displays a
``Welcome'' message.
(If the Messages area is not visible, drag its border upward to expand it.)
@end itemize
@noindent
Select @code{File} on the menu bar, and then the @code{New} command.
The Workspace area will become white, and you can now
enter the source program explicitly.
Type the following text
@smallexample @c ada
@group
with Ada.Text_IO; use Ada.Text_IO;
procedure Hello is
begin
Put_Line("Hello from GPS!");
end Hello;
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
Select @code{File}, then @code{Save As}, and enter the source file name
@file{hello.adb}.
The file will be saved in the same directory you specified as the
location of the default project file.
@item @emph{Updating the project file}
You need to add the new source file to the project.
To do this, select
the @code{Project} menu and then @code{Edit project properties}.
Click the @code{Main files} tab on the left, and then the
@code{Add} button.
Choose @file{hello.adb} from the list, and press @code{Open}.
The project settings window will reflect this action.
Click @code{OK}.
@item @emph{Building and running the program}
In the main GPS window, now choose the @code{Build} menu, then @code{Make},
and select @file{hello.adb}.
The Messages window will display the resulting invocations of @command{gcc},
@command{gnatbind}, and @command{gnatlink}
(reflecting the default switch settings from the
project file that you created) and then a ``successful compilation/build''
message.
To run the program, choose the @code{Build} menu, then @code{Run}, and
select @command{hello}.
An @emph{Arguments Selection} window will appear.
There are no command line arguments, so just click @code{OK}.
The Messages window will now display the program's output (the string
@code{Hello from GPS}), and at the bottom of the GPS window a status
update is displayed (@code{Run: hello}).
Close the GPS window (or select @code{File}, then @code{Exit}) to
terminate this GPS session.
@end enumerate
@node Simple Debugging with GPS
@subsection Simple Debugging with GPS
@noindent
This section illustrates basic debugging techniques (setting breakpoints,
examining/modifying variables, single stepping).
@enumerate
@item @emph{Opening a project}
Start GPS and select @code{Open existing project}; browse to
specify the project file @file{sample.prj} that you had created in the
earlier example.
@item @emph{Creating a source file}
Select @code{File}, then @code{New}, and type in the following program:
@smallexample @c ada
@group
with Ada.Text_IO; use Ada.Text_IO;
procedure Example is
Line : String (1..80);
N : Natural;
begin
Put_Line("Type a line of text at each prompt; an empty line to exit");
loop
Put(": ");
Get_Line (Line, N);
Put_Line (Line (1..N) );
exit when N=0;
end loop;
end Example;
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
Select @code{File}, then @code{Save as}, and enter the file name
@file{example.adb}.
@item @emph{Updating the project file}
Add @code{Example} as a new main unit for the project:
@enumerate a
@item
Select @code{Project}, then @code{Edit Project Properties}.
@item
Select the @code{Main files} tab, click @code{Add}, then
select the file @file{example.adb} from the list, and
click @code{Open}.
You will see the file name appear in the list of main units
@item
Click @code{OK}
@end enumerate
@item @emph{Building/running the executable}
To build the executable
select @code{Build}, then @code{Make}, and then choose @file{example.adb}.
Run the program to see its effect (in the Messages area).
Each line that you enter is displayed; an empty line will
cause the loop to exit and the program to terminate.
@item @emph{Debugging the program}
Note that the @option{-g} switches to @command{gcc} and @command{gnatlink},
which are required for debugging, are on by default when you create
a new project.
Thus unless you intentionally remove these settings, you will be able
to debug any program that you develop using GPS.
@enumerate a
@item @emph{Initializing}
Select @code{Debug}, then @code{Initialize}, then @file{example}
@item @emph{Setting a breakpoint}
After performing the initialization step, you will observe a small
icon to the right of each line number.
This serves as a toggle for breakpoints; clicking the icon will
set a breakpoint at the corresponding line (the icon will change to
a red circle with an ``x''), and clicking it again
will remove the breakpoint / reset the icon.
For purposes of this example, set a breakpoint at line 10 (the
statement @code{Put_Line@ (Line@ (1..N));}
@item @emph{Starting program execution}
Select @code{Debug}, then @code{Run}. When the
@code{Program Arguments} window appears, click @code{OK}.
A console window will appear; enter some line of text,
e.g. @code{abcde}, at the prompt.
The program will pause execution when it gets to the
breakpoint, and the corresponding line is highlighted.
@item @emph{Examining a variable}
Move the mouse over one of the occurrences of the variable @code{N}.
You will see the value (5) displayed, in ``tool tip'' fashion.
Right click on @code{N}, select @code{Debug}, then select @code{Display N}.
You will see information about @code{N} appear in the @code{Debugger Data}
pane, showing the value as 5.
@item @emph{Assigning a new value to a variable}
Right click on the @code{N} in the @code{Debugger Data} pane, and
select @code{Set value of N}.
When the input window appears, enter the value @code{4} and click
@code{OK}.
This value does not automatically appear in the @code{Debugger Data}
pane; to see it, right click again on the @code{N} in the
@code{Debugger Data} pane and select @code{Update value}.
The new value, 4, will appear in red.
@item @emph{Single stepping}
Select @code{Debug}, then @code{Next}.
This will cause the next statement to be executed, in this case the
call of @code{Put_Line} with the string slice.
Notice in the console window that the displayed string is simply
@code{abcd} and not @code{abcde} which you had entered.
This is because the upper bound of the slice is now 4 rather than 5.
@item @emph{Removing a breakpoint}
Toggle the breakpoint icon at line 10.
@item @emph{Resuming execution from a breakpoint}
Select @code{Debug}, then @code{Continue}.
The program will reach the next iteration of the loop, and
wait for input after displaying the prompt.
This time, just hit the @kbd{Enter} key.
The value of @code{N} will be 0, and the program will terminate.
The console window will disappear.
@end enumerate
@end enumerate
@node Introduction to Glide and GVD
@section Introduction to Glide and GVD
@cindex Glide
@cindex GVD
@noindent
This section describes the main features of Glide,
a GNAT graphical IDE, and also shows how to use the basic commands in GVD,
the GNU Visual Debugger.
These tools may be present in addition to, or in place of, GPS on some
platforms.
Additional information on Glide and GVD may be found
in the on-line help for these tools.
@menu
* Building a New Program with Glide::
* Simple Debugging with GVD::
* Other Glide Features::
@end menu
@node Building a New Program with Glide
@subsection Building a New Program with Glide
@noindent
The simplest way to invoke Glide is to enter @command{glide}
at the command prompt. It will generally be useful to issue this
as a background command, thus allowing you to continue using
your command window for other purposes while Glide is running:
@smallexample
$ glide&
@end smallexample
@noindent
Glide will start up with an initial screen displaying the top-level menu items
as well as some other information. The menu selections are as follows
@itemize @bullet
@item @code{Buffers}
@item @code{Files}
@item @code{Tools}
@item @code{Edit}
@item @code{Search}
@item @code{Mule}
@item @code{Glide}
@item @code{Help}
@end itemize
@noindent
For this introductory example, you will need to create a new Ada source file.
First, select the @code{Files} menu. This will pop open a menu with around
a dozen or so items. To create a file, select the @code{Open file...} choice.
Depending on the platform, you may see a pop-up window where you can browse
to an appropriate directory and then enter the file name, or else simply
see a line at the bottom of the Glide window where you can likewise enter
the file name. Note that in Glide, when you attempt to open a non-existent
file, the effect is to create a file with that name. For this example enter
@file{hello.adb} as the name of the file.
A new buffer will now appear, occupying the entire Glide window,
with the file name at the top. The menu selections are slightly different
from the ones you saw on the opening screen; there is an @code{Entities} item,
and in place of @code{Glide} there is now an @code{Ada} item. Glide uses
the file extension to identify the source language, so @file{adb} indicates
an Ada source file.
You will enter some of the source program lines explicitly,
and use the syntax-oriented template mechanism to enter other lines.
First, type the following text:
@smallexample
with Ada.Text_IO; use Ada.Text_IO;
procedure Hello is
begin
@end smallexample
@noindent
Observe that Glide uses different colors to distinguish reserved words from
identifiers. Also, after the @code{procedure Hello is} line, the cursor is
automatically indented in anticipation of declarations. When you enter
@code{begin}, Glide recognizes that there are no declarations and thus places
@code{begin} flush left. But after the @code{begin} line the cursor is again
indented, where the statement(s) will be placed.
The main part of the program will be a @code{for} loop. Instead of entering
the text explicitly, however, use a statement template. Select the @code{Ada}
item on the top menu bar, move the mouse to the @code{Statements} item,
and you will see a large selection of alternatives. Choose @code{for loop}.
You will be prompted (at the bottom of the buffer) for a loop name;
simply press the @key{Enter} key since a loop name is not needed.
You should see the beginning of a @code{for} loop appear in the source
program window. You will now be prompted for the name of the loop variable;
enter a line with the identifier @code{ind} (lower case). Note that,
by default, Glide capitalizes the name (you can override such behavior
if you wish, although this is outside the scope of this introduction).
Next, Glide prompts you for the loop range; enter a line containing
@code{1..5} and you will see this also appear in the source program,
together with the remaining elements of the @code{for} loop syntax.
Next enter the statement (with an intentional error, a missing semicolon)
that will form the body of the loop:
@smallexample
Put_Line("Hello, World" & Integer'Image(I))
@end smallexample
@noindent
Finally, type @code{end Hello;} as the last line in the program.
Now save the file: choose the @code{File} menu item, and then the
@code{Save buffer} selection. You will see a message at the bottom
of the buffer confirming that the file has been saved.
You are now ready to attempt to build the program. Select the @code{Ada}
item from the top menu bar. Although we could choose simply to compile
the file, we will instead attempt to do a build (which invokes
@command{gnatmake}) since, if the compile is successful, we want to build
an executable. Thus select @code{Ada build}. This will fail because of the
compilation error, and you will notice that the Glide window has been split:
the top window contains the source file, and the bottom window contains the
output from the GNAT tools. Glide allows you to navigate from a compilation
error to the source file position corresponding to the error: click the
middle mouse button (or simultaneously press the left and right buttons,
on a two-button mouse) on the diagnostic line in the tool window. The
focus will shift to the source window, and the cursor will be positioned
on the character at which the error was detected.
Correct the error: type in a semicolon to terminate the statement.
Although you can again save the file explicitly, you can also simply invoke
@code{Ada} @result{} @code{Build} and you will be prompted to save the file.
This time the build will succeed; the tool output window shows you the
options that are supplied by default. The GNAT tools' output (e.g.
object and ALI files, executable) will go in the directory from which
Glide was launched.
To execute the program, choose @code{Ada} and then @code{Run}.
You should see the program's output displayed in the bottom window:
@smallexample
Hello, world 1
Hello, world 2
Hello, world 3
Hello, world 4
Hello, world 5
@end smallexample
@node Simple Debugging with GVD
@subsection Simple Debugging with GVD
@noindent
This section describes how to set breakpoints, examine/modify variables,
and step through execution.
In order to enable debugging, you need to pass the @option{-g} switch
to both the compiler and to @command{gnatlink}. If you are using
the command line, passing @option{-g} to @command{gnatmake} will have
this effect. You can then launch GVD, e.g. on the @code{hello} program,
by issuing the command:
@smallexample
$ gvd hello
@end smallexample
@noindent
If you are using Glide, then @option{-g} is passed to the relevant tools
by default when you do a build. Start the debugger by selecting the
@code{Ada} menu item, and then @code{Debug}.
GVD comes up in a multi-part window. One pane shows the names of files
comprising your executable; another pane shows the source code of the current
unit (initially your main subprogram), another pane shows the debugger output
and user interactions, and the fourth pane (the data canvas at the top
of the window) displays data objects that you have selected.
To the left of the source file pane, you will notice green dots adjacent
to some lines. These are lines for which object code exists and where
breakpoints can thus be set. You set/reset a breakpoint by clicking
the green dot. When a breakpoint is set, the dot is replaced by an @code{X}
in a red circle. Clicking the circle toggles the breakpoint off,
and the red circle is replaced by the green dot.
For this example, set a breakpoint at the statement where @code{Put_Line}
is invoked.
Start program execution by selecting the @code{Run} button on the top menu bar.
(The @code{Start} button will also start your program, but it will
cause program execution to break at the entry to your main subprogram.)
Evidence of reaching the breakpoint will appear: the source file line will be
highlighted, and the debugger interactions pane will display
a relevant message.
You can examine the values of variables in several ways. Move the mouse
over an occurrence of @code{Ind} in the @code{for} loop, and you will see
the value (now @code{1}) displayed. Alternatively, right-click on @code{Ind}
and select @code{Display Ind}; a box showing the variable's name and value
will appear in the data canvas.
Although a loop index is a constant with respect to Ada semantics,
you can change its value in the debugger. Right-click in the box
for @code{Ind}, and select the @code{Set Value of Ind} item.
Enter @code{2} as the new value, and press @command{OK}.
The box for @code{Ind} shows the update.
Press the @code{Step} button on the top menu bar; this will step through
one line of program text (the invocation of @code{Put_Line}), and you can
observe the effect of having modified @code{Ind} since the value displayed
is @code{2}.
Remove the breakpoint, and resume execution by selecting the @code{Cont}
button. You will see the remaining output lines displayed in the debugger
interaction window, along with a message confirming normal program
termination.
@node Other Glide Features
@subsection Other Glide Features
@noindent
You may have observed that some of the menu selections contain abbreviations;
e.g., @code{(C-x C-f)} for @code{Open file...} in the @code{Files} menu.
These are @emph{shortcut keys} that you can use instead of selecting
menu items. The @key{C} stands for @key{Ctrl}; thus @code{(C-x C-f)} means
@key{Ctrl-x} followed by @key{Ctrl-f}, and this sequence can be used instead
of selecting @code{Files} and then @code{Open file...}.
To abort a Glide command, type @key{Ctrl-g}.
If you want Glide to start with an existing source file, you can either
launch Glide as above and then open the file via @code{Files} @result{}
@code{Open file...}, or else simply pass the name of the source file
on the command line:
@smallexample
$ glide hello.adb&
@end smallexample
@noindent
While you are using Glide, a number of @emph{buffers} exist.
You create some explicitly; e.g., when you open/create a file.
Others arise as an effect of the commands that you issue; e.g., the buffer
containing the output of the tools invoked during a build. If a buffer
is hidden, you can bring it into a visible window by first opening
the @code{Buffers} menu and then selecting the desired entry.
If a buffer occupies only part of the Glide screen and you want to expand it
to fill the entire screen, then click in the buffer and then select
@code{Files} @result{} @code{One Window}.
If a window is occupied by one buffer and you want to split the window
to bring up a second buffer, perform the following steps:
@itemize @bullet
@item Select @code{Files} @result{} @code{Split Window};
this will produce two windows each of which holds the original buffer
(these are not copies, but rather different views of the same buffer contents)
@item With the focus in one of the windows,
select the desired buffer from the @code{Buffers} menu
@end itemize
@noindent
To exit from Glide, choose @code{Files} @result{} @code{Exit}.
@end ifclear
@node The GNAT Compilation Model
@chapter The GNAT Compilation Model
@cindex GNAT compilation model
@cindex Compilation model
@menu
* Source Representation::
* Foreign Language Representation::
* File Naming Rules::
* Using Other File Names::
* Alternative File Naming Schemes::
* Generating Object Files::
* Source Dependencies::
* The Ada Library Information Files::
* Binding an Ada Program::
* Mixed Language Programming::
* Building Mixed Ada & C++ Programs::
* Comparison between GNAT and C/C++ Compilation Models::
* Comparison between GNAT and Conventional Ada Library Models::
@ifset vms
* Placement of temporary files::
@end ifset
@end menu
@noindent
This chapter describes the compilation model used by GNAT. Although
similar to that used by other languages, such as C and C++, this model
is substantially different from the traditional Ada compilation models,
which are based on a library. The model is initially described without
reference to the library-based model. If you have not previously used an
Ada compiler, you need only read the first part of this chapter. The
last section describes and discusses the differences between the GNAT
model and the traditional Ada compiler models. If you have used other
Ada compilers, this section will help you to understand those
differences, and the advantages of the GNAT model.
@node Source Representation
@section Source Representation
@cindex Latin-1
@noindent
Ada source programs are represented in standard text files, using
Latin-1 coding. Latin-1 is an 8-bit code that includes the familiar
7-bit ASCII set, plus additional characters used for
representing foreign languages (@pxref{Foreign Language Representation}
for support of non-USA character sets). The format effector characters
are represented using their standard ASCII encodings, as follows:
@table @code
@item VT
@findex VT
Vertical tab, @code{16#0B#}
@item HT
@findex HT
Horizontal tab, @code{16#09#}
@item CR
@findex CR
Carriage return, @code{16#0D#}
@item LF
@findex LF
Line feed, @code{16#0A#}
@item FF
@findex FF
Form feed, @code{16#0C#}
@end table
@noindent
Source files are in standard text file format. In addition, GNAT will
recognize a wide variety of stream formats, in which the end of
physical lines is marked by any of the following sequences:
@code{LF}, @code{CR}, @code{CR-LF}, or @code{LF-CR}. This is useful
in accommodating files that are imported from other operating systems.
@cindex End of source file
@cindex Source file, end
@findex SUB
The end of a source file is normally represented by the physical end of
file. However, the control character @code{16#1A#} (@code{SUB}) is also
recognized as signalling the end of the source file. Again, this is
provided for compatibility with other operating systems where this
code is used to represent the end of file.
Each file contains a single Ada compilation unit, including any pragmas
associated with the unit. For example, this means you must place a
package declaration (a package @dfn{spec}) and the corresponding body in
separate files. An Ada @dfn{compilation} (which is a sequence of
compilation units) is represented using a sequence of files. Similarly,
you will place each subunit or child unit in a separate file.
@node Foreign Language Representation
@section Foreign Language Representation
@noindent
GNAT supports the standard character sets defined in Ada 95 as well as
several other non-standard character sets for use in localized versions
of the compiler (@pxref{Character Set Control}).
@menu
* Latin-1::
* Other 8-Bit Codes::
* Wide Character Encodings::
@end menu
@node Latin-1
@subsection Latin-1
@cindex Latin-1
@noindent
The basic character set is Latin-1. This character set is defined by ISO
standard 8859, part 1. The lower half (character codes @code{16#00#}
... @code{16#7F#)} is identical to standard ASCII coding, but the upper half
is used to represent additional characters. These include extended letters
used by European languages, such as French accents, the vowels with umlauts
used in German, and the extra letter A-ring used in Swedish.
@findex Ada.Characters.Latin_1
For a complete list of Latin-1 codes and their encodings, see the source
file of library unit @code{Ada.Characters.Latin_1} in file
@file{a-chlat1.ads}.
You may use any of these extended characters freely in character or
string literals. In addition, the extended characters that represent
letters can be used in identifiers.
@node Other 8-Bit Codes
@subsection Other 8-Bit Codes
@noindent
GNAT also supports several other 8-bit coding schemes:
@table @asis
@item ISO 8859-2 (Latin-2)
@cindex Latin-2
@cindex ISO 8859-2
Latin-2 letters allowed in identifiers, with uppercase and lowercase
equivalence.
@item ISO 8859-3 (Latin-3)
@cindex Latin-3
@cindex ISO 8859-3
Latin-3 letters allowed in identifiers, with uppercase and lowercase
equivalence.
@item ISO 8859-4 (Latin-4)
@cindex Latin-4
@cindex ISO 8859-4
Latin-4 letters allowed in identifiers, with uppercase and lowercase
equivalence.
@item ISO 8859-5 (Cyrillic)
@cindex ISO 8859-5
@cindex Cyrillic
ISO 8859-5 letters (Cyrillic) allowed in identifiers, with uppercase and
lowercase equivalence.
@item ISO 8859-15 (Latin-9)
@cindex ISO 8859-15
@cindex Latin-9
ISO 8859-15 (Latin-9) letters allowed in identifiers, with uppercase and
lowercase equivalence
@item IBM PC (code page 437)
@cindex code page 437
This code page is the normal default for PCs in the U.S. It corresponds
to the original IBM PC character set. This set has some, but not all, of
the extended Latin-1 letters, but these letters do not have the same
encoding as Latin-1. In this mode, these letters are allowed in
identifiers with uppercase and lowercase equivalence.
@item IBM PC (code page 850)
@cindex code page 850
This code page is a modification of 437 extended to include all the
Latin-1 letters, but still not with the usual Latin-1 encoding. In this
mode, all these letters are allowed in identifiers with uppercase and
lowercase equivalence.
@item Full Upper 8-bit
Any character in the range 80-FF allowed in identifiers, and all are
considered distinct. In other words, there are no uppercase and lowercase
equivalences in this range. This is useful in conjunction with
certain encoding schemes used for some foreign character sets (e.g.
the typical method of representing Chinese characters on the PC).
@item No Upper-Half
No upper-half characters in the range 80-FF are allowed in identifiers.
This gives Ada 83 compatibility for identifier names.
@end table
@noindent
For precise data on the encodings permitted, and the uppercase and lowercase
equivalences that are recognized, see the file @file{csets.adb} in
the GNAT compiler sources. You will need to obtain a full source release
of GNAT to obtain this file.
@node Wide Character Encodings
@subsection Wide Character Encodings
@noindent
GNAT allows wide character codes to appear in character and string
literals, and also optionally in identifiers, by means of the following
possible encoding schemes:
@table @asis
@item Hex Coding
In this encoding, a wide character is represented by the following five
character sequence:
@smallexample
ESC a b c d
@end smallexample
@noindent
Where @code{a}, @code{b}, @code{c}, @code{d} are the four hexadecimal
characters (using uppercase letters) of the wide character code. For
example, ESC A345 is used to represent the wide character with code
@code{16#A345#}.
This scheme is compatible with use of the full Wide_Character set.
@item Upper-Half Coding
@cindex Upper-Half Coding
The wide character with encoding @code{16#abcd#} where the upper bit is on
(in other words, ``a'' is in the range 8-F) is represented as two bytes,
@code{16#ab#} and @code{16#cd#}. The second byte cannot be a format control
character, but is not required to be in the upper half. This method can
be also used for shift-JIS or EUC, where the internal coding matches the
external coding.
@item Shift JIS Coding
@cindex Shift JIS Coding
A wide character is represented by a two-character sequence,
@code{16#ab#} and
@code{16#cd#}, with the restrictions described for upper-half encoding as
described above. The internal character code is the corresponding JIS
character according to the standard algorithm for Shift-JIS
conversion. Only characters defined in the JIS code set table can be
used with this encoding method.
@item EUC Coding
@cindex EUC Coding
A wide character is represented by a two-character sequence
@code{16#ab#} and
@code{16#cd#}, with both characters being in the upper half. The internal
character code is the corresponding JIS character according to the EUC
encoding algorithm. Only characters defined in the JIS code set table
can be used with this encoding method.
@item UTF-8 Coding
A wide character is represented using
UCS Transformation Format 8 (UTF-8) as defined in Annex R of ISO
10646-1/Am.2. Depending on the character value, the representation
is a one, two, or three byte sequence:
@smallexample
@iftex
@leftskip=.7cm
@end iftex
16#0000#-16#007f#: 2#0xxxxxxx#
16#0080#-16#07ff#: 2#110xxxxx# 2#10xxxxxx#
16#0800#-16#ffff#: 2#1110xxxx# 2#10xxxxxx# 2#10xxxxxx#
@end smallexample
@noindent
where the xxx bits correspond to the left-padded bits of the
16-bit character value. Note that all lower half ASCII characters
are represented as ASCII bytes and all upper half characters and
other wide characters are represented as sequences of upper-half
(The full UTF-8 scheme allows for encoding 31-bit characters as
6-byte sequences, but in this implementation, all UTF-8 sequences
of four or more bytes length will be treated as illegal).
@item Brackets Coding
In this encoding, a wide character is represented by the following eight
character sequence:
@smallexample
[ " a b c d " ]
@end smallexample
@noindent
Where @code{a}, @code{b}, @code{c}, @code{d} are the four hexadecimal
characters (using uppercase letters) of the wide character code. For
example, [``A345''] is used to represent the wide character with code
@code{16#A345#}. It is also possible (though not required) to use the
Brackets coding for upper half characters. For example, the code
@code{16#A3#} can be represented as @code{[``A3'']}.
This scheme is compatible with use of the full Wide_Character set,
and is also the method used for wide character encoding in the standard
ACVC (Ada Compiler Validation Capability) test suite distributions.
@end table
@noindent
Note: Some of these coding schemes do not permit the full use of the
Ada 95 character set. For example, neither Shift JIS, nor EUC allow the
use of the upper half of the Latin-1 set.
@node File Naming Rules
@section File Naming Rules
@noindent
The default file name is determined by the name of the unit that the
file contains. The name is formed by taking the full expanded name of
the unit and replacing the separating dots with hyphens and using
^lowercase^uppercase^ for all letters.
An exception arises if the file name generated by the above rules starts
with one of the characters
@ifset vms
A,G,I, or S,
@end ifset
@ifclear vms
a,g,i, or s,
@end ifclear
and the second character is a
minus. In this case, the character ^tilde^dollar sign^ is used in place
of the minus. The reason for this special rule is to avoid clashes with
the standard names for child units of the packages System, Ada,
Interfaces, and GNAT, which use the prefixes
@ifset vms
S- A- I- and G-
@end ifset
@ifclear vms
s- a- i- and g-
@end ifclear
respectively.
The file extension is @file{.ads} for a spec and
@file{.adb} for a body. The following list shows some
examples of these rules.
@table @file
@item main.ads
Main (spec)
@item main.adb
Main (body)
@item arith_functions.ads
Arith_Functions (package spec)
@item arith_functions.adb
Arith_Functions (package body)
@item func-spec.ads
Func.Spec (child package spec)
@item func-spec.adb
Func.Spec (child package body)
@item main-sub.adb
Sub (subunit of Main)
@item ^a~bad.adb^A$BAD.ADB^
A.Bad (child package body)
@end table
@noindent
Following these rules can result in excessively long
file names if corresponding
unit names are long (for example, if child units or subunits are
heavily nested). An option is available to shorten such long file names
(called file name ``krunching''). This may be particularly useful when
programs being developed with GNAT are to be used on operating systems
with limited file name lengths. @xref{Using gnatkr}.
Of course, no file shortening algorithm can guarantee uniqueness over
all possible unit names; if file name krunching is used, it is your
responsibility to ensure no name clashes occur. Alternatively you
can specify the exact file names that you want used, as described
in the next section. Finally, if your Ada programs are migrating from a
compiler with a different naming convention, you can use the gnatchop
utility to produce source files that follow the GNAT naming conventions.
(For details @pxref{Renaming Files Using gnatchop}.)
Note: in the case of @code{Windows NT/XP} or @code{OpenVMS} operating
systems, case is not significant. So for example on @code{Windows XP}
if the canonical name is @code{main-sub.adb}, you can use the file name
@code{Main-Sub.adb} instead. However, case is significant for other
operating systems, so for example, if you want to use other than
canonically cased file names on a Unix system, you need to follow
the procedures described in the next section.
@node Using Other File Names
@section Using Other File Names
@cindex File names
@noindent
In the previous section, we have described the default rules used by
GNAT to determine the file name in which a given unit resides. It is
often convenient to follow these default rules, and if you follow them,
the compiler knows without being explicitly told where to find all
the files it needs.
However, in some cases, particularly when a program is imported from
another Ada compiler environment, it may be more convenient for the
programmer to specify which file names contain which units. GNAT allows
arbitrary file names to be used by means of the Source_File_Name pragma.
The form of this pragma is as shown in the following examples:
@cindex Source_File_Name pragma
@smallexample @c ada
@cartouche
pragma Source_File_Name (My_Utilities.Stacks,
Spec_File_Name => "myutilst_a.ada");
pragma Source_File_name (My_Utilities.Stacks,
Body_File_Name => "myutilst.ada");
@end cartouche
@end smallexample
@noindent
As shown in this example, the first argument for the pragma is the unit
name (in this example a child unit). The second argument has the form
of a named association. The identifier
indicates whether the file name is for a spec or a body;
the file name itself is given by a string literal.
The source file name pragma is a configuration pragma, which means that
normally it will be placed in the @file{gnat.adc}
file used to hold configuration
pragmas that apply to a complete compilation environment.
For more details on how the @file{gnat.adc} file is created and used
see @ref{Handling of Configuration Pragmas}.
@cindex @file{gnat.adc}
@ifclear vms
GNAT allows completely arbitrary file names to be specified using the
source file name pragma. However, if the file name specified has an
extension other than @file{.ads} or @file{.adb} it is necessary to use
a special syntax when compiling the file. The name in this case must be
preceded by the special sequence @code{-x} followed by a space and the name
of the language, here @code{ada}, as in:
@smallexample
$ gcc -c -x ada peculiar_file_name.sim
@end smallexample
@end ifclear
@noindent
@command{gnatmake} handles non-standard file names in the usual manner (the
non-standard file name for the main program is simply used as the
argument to gnatmake). Note that if the extension is also non-standard,
then it must be included in the gnatmake command, it may not be omitted.
@node Alternative File Naming Schemes
@section Alternative File Naming Schemes
@cindex File naming schemes, alternative
@cindex File names
In the previous section, we described the use of the @code{Source_File_Name}
pragma to allow arbitrary names to be assigned to individual source files.
However, this approach requires one pragma for each file, and especially in
large systems can result in very long @file{gnat.adc} files, and also create
a maintenance problem.
GNAT also provides a facility for specifying systematic file naming schemes
other than the standard default naming scheme previously described. An
alternative scheme for naming is specified by the use of
@code{Source_File_Name} pragmas having the following format:
@cindex Source_File_Name pragma
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Source_File_Name (
Spec_File_Name => FILE_NAME_PATTERN
[,Casing => CASING_SPEC]
[,Dot_Replacement => STRING_LITERAL]);
pragma Source_File_Name (
Body_File_Name => FILE_NAME_PATTERN
[,Casing => CASING_SPEC]
[,Dot_Replacement => STRING_LITERAL]);
pragma Source_File_Name (
Subunit_File_Name => FILE_NAME_PATTERN
[,Casing => CASING_SPEC]
[,Dot_Replacement => STRING_LITERAL]);
FILE_NAME_PATTERN ::= STRING_LITERAL
CASING_SPEC ::= Lowercase | Uppercase | Mixedcase
@end smallexample
@noindent
The @code{FILE_NAME_PATTERN} string shows how the file name is constructed.
It contains a single asterisk character, and the unit name is substituted
systematically for this asterisk. The optional parameter
@code{Casing} indicates
whether the unit name is to be all upper-case letters, all lower-case letters,
or mixed-case. If no
@code{Casing} parameter is used, then the default is all
^lower-case^upper-case^.
The optional @code{Dot_Replacement} string is used to replace any periods
that occur in subunit or child unit names. If no @code{Dot_Replacement}
argument is used then separating dots appear unchanged in the resulting
file name.
Although the above syntax indicates that the
@code{Casing} argument must appear
before the @code{Dot_Replacement} argument, but it
is also permissible to write these arguments in the opposite order.
As indicated, it is possible to specify different naming schemes for
bodies, specs, and subunits. Quite often the rule for subunits is the
same as the rule for bodies, in which case, there is no need to give
a separate @code{Subunit_File_Name} rule, and in this case the
@code{Body_File_name} rule is used for subunits as well.
The separate rule for subunits can also be used to implement the rather
unusual case of a compilation environment (e.g. a single directory) which
contains a subunit and a child unit with the same unit name. Although
both units cannot appear in the same partition, the Ada Reference Manual
allows (but does not require) the possibility of the two units coexisting
in the same environment.
The file name translation works in the following steps:
@itemize @bullet
@item
If there is a specific @code{Source_File_Name} pragma for the given unit,
then this is always used, and any general pattern rules are ignored.
@item
If there is a pattern type @code{Source_File_Name} pragma that applies to
the unit, then the resulting file name will be used if the file exists. If
more than one pattern matches, the latest one will be tried first, and the
first attempt resulting in a reference to a file that exists will be used.
@item
If no pattern type @code{Source_File_Name} pragma that applies to the unit
for which the corresponding file exists, then the standard GNAT default
naming rules are used.
@end itemize
@noindent
As an example of the use of this mechanism, consider a commonly used scheme
in which file names are all lower case, with separating periods copied
unchanged to the resulting file name, and specs end with @file{.1.ada}, and
bodies end with @file{.2.ada}. GNAT will follow this scheme if the following
two pragmas appear:
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Source_File_Name
(Spec_File_Name => "*.1.ada");
pragma Source_File_Name
(Body_File_Name => "*.2.ada");
@end smallexample
@noindent
The default GNAT scheme is actually implemented by providing the following
default pragmas internally:
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Source_File_Name
(Spec_File_Name => "*.ads", Dot_Replacement => "-");
pragma Source_File_Name
(Body_File_Name => "*.adb", Dot_Replacement => "-");
@end smallexample
@noindent
Our final example implements a scheme typically used with one of the
Ada 83 compilers, where the separator character for subunits was ``__''
(two underscores), specs were identified by adding @file{_.ADA}, bodies
by adding @file{.ADA}, and subunits by
adding @file{.SEP}. All file names were
upper case. Child units were not present of course since this was an
Ada 83 compiler, but it seems reasonable to extend this scheme to use
the same double underscore separator for child units.
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Source_File_Name
(Spec_File_Name => "*_.ADA",
Dot_Replacement => "__",
Casing = Uppercase);
pragma Source_File_Name
(Body_File_Name => "*.ADA",
Dot_Replacement => "__",
Casing = Uppercase);
pragma Source_File_Name
(Subunit_File_Name => "*.SEP",
Dot_Replacement => "__",
Casing = Uppercase);
@end smallexample
@node Generating Object Files
@section Generating Object Files
@noindent
An Ada program consists of a set of source files, and the first step in
compiling the program is to generate the corresponding object files.
These are generated by compiling a subset of these source files.
The files you need to compile are the following:
@itemize @bullet
@item
If a package spec has no body, compile the package spec to produce the
object file for the package.
@item
If a package has both a spec and a body, compile the body to produce the
object file for the package. The source file for the package spec need
not be compiled in this case because there is only one object file, which
contains the code for both the spec and body of the package.
@item
For a subprogram, compile the subprogram body to produce the object file
for the subprogram. The spec, if one is present, is as usual in a
separate file, and need not be compiled.
@item
@cindex Subunits
In the case of subunits, only compile the parent unit. A single object
file is generated for the entire subunit tree, which includes all the
subunits.
@item
Compile child units independently of their parent units
(though, of course, the spec of all the ancestor unit must be present in order
to compile a child unit).
@item
@cindex Generics
Compile generic units in the same manner as any other units. The object
files in this case are small dummy files that contain at most the
flag used for elaboration checking. This is because GNAT always handles generic
instantiation by means of macro expansion. However, it is still necessary to
compile generic units, for dependency checking and elaboration purposes.
@end itemize
@noindent
The preceding rules describe the set of files that must be compiled to
generate the object files for a program. Each object file has the same
name as the corresponding source file, except that the extension is
@file{.o} as usual.
You may wish to compile other files for the purpose of checking their
syntactic and semantic correctness. For example, in the case where a
package has a separate spec and body, you would not normally compile the
spec. However, it is convenient in practice to compile the spec to make
sure it is error-free before compiling clients of this spec, because such
compilations will fail if there is an error in the spec.
GNAT provides an option for compiling such files purely for the
purposes of checking correctness; such compilations are not required as
part of the process of building a program. To compile a file in this
checking mode, use the @option{-gnatc} switch.
@node Source Dependencies
@section Source Dependencies
@noindent
A given object file clearly depends on the source file which is compiled
to produce it. Here we are using @dfn{depends} in the sense of a typical
@code{make} utility; in other words, an object file depends on a source
file if changes to the source file require the object file to be
recompiled.
In addition to this basic dependency, a given object may depend on
additional source files as follows:
@itemize @bullet
@item
If a file being compiled @code{with}'s a unit @var{X}, the object file
depends on the file containing the spec of unit @var{X}. This includes
files that are @code{with}'ed implicitly either because they are parents
of @code{with}'ed child units or they are run-time units required by the
language constructs used in a particular unit.
@item
If a file being compiled instantiates a library level generic unit, the
object file depends on both the spec and body files for this generic
unit.
@item
If a file being compiled instantiates a generic unit defined within a
package, the object file depends on the body file for the package as
well as the spec file.
@item
@findex Inline
@cindex @option{-gnatn} switch
If a file being compiled contains a call to a subprogram for which
pragma @code{Inline} applies and inlining is activated with the
@option{-gnatn} switch, the object file depends on the file containing the
body of this subprogram as well as on the file containing the spec. Note
that for inlining to actually occur as a result of the use of this switch,
it is necessary to compile in optimizing mode.
@cindex @option{-gnatN} switch
The use of @option{-gnatN} activates a more extensive inlining optimization
that is performed by the front end of the compiler. This inlining does
not require that the code generation be optimized. Like @option{-gnatn},
the use of this switch generates additional dependencies.
Note that
@option{-gnatN} automatically implies @option{-gnatn} so it is not necessary
to specify both options.
@item
If an object file O depends on the proper body of a subunit through inlining
or instantiation, it depends on the parent unit of the subunit. This means that
any modification of the parent unit or one of its subunits affects the
compilation of O.
@item
The object file for a parent unit depends on all its subunit body files.
@item
The previous two rules meant that for purposes of computing dependencies and
recompilation, a body and all its subunits are treated as an indivisible whole.
@noindent
These rules are applied transitively: if unit @code{A} @code{with}'s
unit @code{B}, whose elaboration calls an inlined procedure in package
@code{C}, the object file for unit @code{A} will depend on the body of
@code{C}, in file @file{c.adb}.
The set of dependent files described by these rules includes all the
files on which the unit is semantically dependent, as described in the
Ada 95 Language Reference Manual. However, it is a superset of what the
ARM describes, because it includes generic, inline, and subunit dependencies.
An object file must be recreated by recompiling the corresponding source
file if any of the source files on which it depends are modified. For
example, if the @code{make} utility is used to control compilation,
the rule for an Ada object file must mention all the source files on
which the object file depends, according to the above definition.
The determination of the necessary
recompilations is done automatically when one uses @command{gnatmake}.
@end itemize
@node The Ada Library Information Files
@section The Ada Library Information Files
@cindex Ada Library Information files
@cindex @file{ALI} files
@noindent
Each compilation actually generates two output files. The first of these
is the normal object file that has a @file{.o} extension. The second is a
text file containing full dependency information. It has the same
name as the source file, but an @file{.ali} extension.
This file is known as the Ada Library Information (@file{ALI}) file.
The following information is contained in the @file{ALI} file.
@itemize @bullet
@item
Version information (indicates which version of GNAT was used to compile
the unit(s) in question)
@item
Main program information (including priority and time slice settings,
as well as the wide character encoding used during compilation).
@item
List of arguments used in the @command{gcc} command for the compilation
@item
Attributes of the unit, including configuration pragmas used, an indication
of whether the compilation was successful, exception model used etc.
@item
A list of relevant restrictions applying to the unit (used for consistency)
checking.
@item
Categorization information (e.g. use of pragma @code{Pure}).
@item
Information on all @code{with}'ed units, including presence of
@code{Elaborate} or @code{Elaborate_All} pragmas.
@item
Information from any @code{Linker_Options} pragmas used in the unit
@item
Information on the use of @code{Body_Version} or @code{Version}
attributes in the unit.
@item
Dependency information. This is a list of files, together with
time stamp and checksum information. These are files on which
the unit depends in the sense that recompilation is required
if any of these units are modified.
@item
Cross-reference data. Contains information on all entities referenced
in the unit. Used by tools like @code{gnatxref} and @code{gnatfind} to
provide cross-reference information.
@end itemize
@noindent
For a full detailed description of the format of the @file{ALI} file,
see the source of the body of unit @code{Lib.Writ}, contained in file
@file{lib-writ.adb} in the GNAT compiler sources.
@node Binding an Ada Program
@section Binding an Ada Program
@noindent
When using languages such as C and C++, once the source files have been
compiled the only remaining step in building an executable program
is linking the object modules together. This means that it is possible to
link an inconsistent version of a program, in which two units have
included different versions of the same header.
The rules of Ada do not permit such an inconsistent program to be built.
For example, if two clients have different versions of the same package,
it is illegal to build a program containing these two clients.
These rules are enforced by the GNAT binder, which also determines an
elaboration order consistent with the Ada rules.
The GNAT binder is run after all the object files for a program have
been created. It is given the name of the main program unit, and from
this it determines the set of units required by the program, by reading the
corresponding ALI files. It generates error messages if the program is
inconsistent or if no valid order of elaboration exists.
If no errors are detected, the binder produces a main program, in Ada by
default, that contains calls to the elaboration procedures of those
compilation unit that require them, followed by
a call to the main program. This Ada program is compiled to generate the
object file for the main program. The name of
the Ada file is @file{b~@var{xxx}.adb} (with the corresponding spec
@file{b~@var{xxx}.ads}) where @var{xxx} is the name of the
main program unit.
Finally, the linker is used to build the resulting executable program,
using the object from the main program from the bind step as well as the
object files for the Ada units of the program.
@node Mixed Language Programming
@section Mixed Language Programming
@cindex Mixed Language Programming
@noindent
This section describes how to develop a mixed-language program,
specifically one that comprises units in both Ada and C.
@menu
* Interfacing to C::
* Calling Conventions::
@end menu
@node Interfacing to C
@subsection Interfacing to C
@noindent
Interfacing Ada with a foreign language such as C involves using
compiler directives to import and/or export entity definitions in each
language---using @code{extern} statements in C, for instance, and the
@code{Import}, @code{Export}, and @code{Convention} pragmas in Ada. For
a full treatment of these topics, read Appendix B, section 1 of the Ada
95 Language Reference Manual.
There are two ways to build a program using GNAT that contains some Ada
sources and some foreign language sources, depending on whether or not
the main subprogram is written in Ada. Here is a source example with
the main subprogram in Ada:
@smallexample
/* file1.c */
#include <stdio.h>
void print_num (int num)
@{
printf ("num is %d.\n", num);
return;
@}
/* file2.c */
/* num_from_Ada is declared in my_main.adb */
extern int num_from_Ada;
int get_num (void)
@{
return num_from_Ada;
@}
@end smallexample
@smallexample @c ada
-- my_main.adb
procedure My_Main is
-- Declare then export an Integer entity called num_from_Ada
My_Num : Integer := 10;
pragma Export (C, My_Num, "num_from_Ada");
-- Declare an Ada function spec for Get_Num, then use
-- C function get_num for the implementation.
function Get_Num return Integer;
pragma Import (C, Get_Num, "get_num");
-- Declare an Ada procedure spec for Print_Num, then use
-- C function print_num for the implementation.
procedure Print_Num (Num : Integer);
pragma Import (C, Print_Num, "print_num");
begin
Print_Num (Get_Num);
end My_Main;
@end smallexample
@enumerate
@item
To build this example, first compile the foreign language files to
generate object files:
@smallexample
gcc -c file1.c
gcc -c file2.c
@end smallexample
@item
Then, compile the Ada units to produce a set of object files and ALI
files:
@smallexample
gnatmake ^-c^/ACTIONS=COMPILE^ my_main.adb
@end smallexample
@item
Run the Ada binder on the Ada main program:
@smallexample
gnatbind my_main.ali
@end smallexample
@item
Link the Ada main program, the Ada objects and the other language
objects:
@smallexample
gnatlink my_main.ali file1.o file2.o
@end smallexample
@end enumerate
The last three steps can be grouped in a single command:
@smallexample
gnatmake my_main.adb -largs file1.o file2.o
@end smallexample
@cindex Binder output file
@noindent
If the main program is in a language other than Ada, then you may have
more than one entry point into the Ada subsystem. You must use a special
binder option to generate callable routines that initialize and
finalize the Ada units (@pxref{Binding with Non-Ada Main Programs}).
Calls to the initialization and finalization routines must be inserted
in the main program, or some other appropriate point in the code. The
call to initialize the Ada units must occur before the first Ada
subprogram is called, and the call to finalize the Ada units must occur
after the last Ada subprogram returns. The binder will place the
initialization and finalization subprograms into the
@file{b~@var{xxx}.adb} file where they can be accessed by your C
sources. To illustrate, we have the following example:
@smallexample
/* main.c */
extern void adainit (void);
extern void adafinal (void);
extern int add (int, int);
extern int sub (int, int);
int main (int argc, char *argv[])
@{
int a = 21, b = 7;
adainit();
/* Should print "21 + 7 = 28" */
printf ("%d + %d = %d\n", a, b, add (a, b));
/* Should print "21 - 7 = 14" */
printf ("%d - %d = %d\n", a, b, sub (a, b));
adafinal();
@}
@end smallexample
@smallexample @c ada
-- unit1.ads
package Unit1 is
function Add (A, B : Integer) return Integer;
pragma Export (C, Add, "add");
end Unit1;
-- unit1.adb
package body Unit1 is
function Add (A, B : Integer) return Integer is
begin
return A + B;
end Add;
end Unit1;
-- unit2.ads
package Unit2 is
function Sub (A, B : Integer) return Integer;
pragma Export (C, Sub, "sub");
end Unit2;
-- unit2.adb
package body Unit2 is
function Sub (A, B : Integer) return Integer is
begin
return A - B;
end Sub;
end Unit2;
@end smallexample
@enumerate
@item
The build procedure for this application is similar to the last
example's. First, compile the foreign language files to generate object
files:
@smallexample
gcc -c main.c
@end smallexample
@item
Next, compile the Ada units to produce a set of object files and ALI
files:
@smallexample
gnatmake ^-c^/ACTIONS=COMPILE^ unit1.adb
gnatmake ^-c^/ACTIONS=COMPILE^ unit2.adb
@end smallexample
@item
Run the Ada binder on every generated ALI file. Make sure to use the
@option{-n} option to specify a foreign main program:
@smallexample
gnatbind ^-n^/NOMAIN^ unit1.ali unit2.ali
@end smallexample
@item
Link the Ada main program, the Ada objects and the foreign language
objects. You need only list the last ALI file here:
@smallexample
gnatlink unit2.ali main.o -o exec_file
@end smallexample
This procedure yields a binary executable called @file{exec_file}.
@end enumerate
@node Calling Conventions
@subsection Calling Conventions
@cindex Foreign Languages
@cindex Calling Conventions
GNAT follows standard calling sequence conventions and will thus interface
to any other language that also follows these conventions. The following
Convention identifiers are recognized by GNAT:
@table @code
@cindex Interfacing to Ada
@cindex Other Ada compilers
@cindex Convention Ada
@item Ada
This indicates that the standard Ada calling sequence will be
used and all Ada data items may be passed without any limitations in the
case where GNAT is used to generate both the caller and callee. It is also
possible to mix GNAT generated code and code generated by another Ada
compiler. In this case, the data types should be restricted to simple
cases, including primitive types. Whether complex data types can be passed
depends on the situation. Probably it is safe to pass simple arrays, such
as arrays of integers or floats. Records may or may not work, depending
on whether both compilers lay them out identically. Complex structures
involving variant records, access parameters, tasks, or protected types,
are unlikely to be able to be passed.
Note that in the case of GNAT running
on a platform that supports DEC Ada 83, a higher degree of compatibility
can be guaranteed, and in particular records are layed out in an identical
manner in the two compilers. Note also that if output from two different
compilers is mixed, the program is responsible for dealing with elaboration
issues. Probably the safest approach is to write the main program in the
version of Ada other than GNAT, so that it takes care of its own elaboration
requirements, and then call the GNAT-generated adainit procedure to ensure
elaboration of the GNAT components. Consult the documentation of the other
Ada compiler for further details on elaboration.
However, it is not possible to mix the tasking run time of GNAT and
DEC Ada 83, All the tasking operations must either be entirely within
GNAT compiled sections of the program, or entirely within DEC Ada 83
compiled sections of the program.
@cindex Interfacing to Assembly
@cindex Convention Assembler
@item Assembler
Specifies assembler as the convention. In practice this has the
same effect as convention Ada (but is not equivalent in the sense of being
considered the same convention).
@cindex Convention Asm
@findex Asm
@item Asm
Equivalent to Assembler.
@cindex Interfacing to COBOL
@cindex Convention COBOL
@findex COBOL
@item COBOL
Data will be passed according to the conventions described
in section B.4 of the Ada 95 Reference Manual.
@findex C
@cindex Interfacing to C
@cindex Convention C
@item C
Data will be passed according to the conventions described
in section B.3 of the Ada 95 Reference Manual.
@findex C varargs function
@cindex Intefacing to C varargs function
@cindex varargs function intefacs
@item C varargs function
In C, @code{varargs} allows a function to take a variable number of
arguments. There is no direct equivalent in this to Ada. One
approach that can be used is to create a C wrapper for each
different profile and then interface to this C wrapper. For
example, to print an @code{int} value using @code{printf},
create a C function @code{printfi} that takes two arguments, a
pointer to a string and an int, and calls @code{printf}.
Then in the Ada program, use pragma @code{Import} to
interface to printfi.
It may work on some platforms to directly interface to
a @code{varargs} function by providing a specific Ada profile
for a a particular call. However, this does not work on
all platforms, since there is no guarantee that the
calling sequence for a two argument normal C function
is the same as for calling a @code{varargs} C function with
the same two arguments.
@cindex Convention Default
@findex Default
@item Default
Equivalent to C.
@cindex Convention External
@findex External
@item External
Equivalent to C.
@findex C++
@cindex Interfacing to C++
@cindex Convention C++
@item CPP
This stands for C++. For most purposes this is identical to C.
See the separate description of the specialized GNAT pragmas relating to
C++ interfacing for further details.
@findex Fortran
@cindex Interfacing to Fortran
@cindex Convention Fortran
@item Fortran
Data will be passed according to the conventions described
in section B.5 of the Ada 95 Reference Manual.
@item Intrinsic
This applies to an intrinsic operation, as defined in the Ada 95
Reference Manual. If a a pragma Import (Intrinsic) applies to a subprogram,
this means that the body of the subprogram is provided by the compiler itself,
usually by means of an efficient code sequence, and that the user does not
supply an explicit body for it. In an application program, the pragma can
only be applied to the following two sets of names, which the GNAT compiler
recognizes.
@itemize @bullet
@item
Rotate_Left, Rotate_Right, Shift_Left, Shift_Right, Shift_Right_-
Arithmetic. The corresponding subprogram declaration must have
two formal parameters. The
first one must be a signed integer type or a modular type with a binary
modulus, and the second parameter must be of type Natural.
The return type must be the same as the type of the first argument. The size
of this type can only be 8, 16, 32, or 64.
@item binary arithmetic operators: ``+'', ``-'', ``*'', ``/''
The corresponding operator declaration must have parameters and result type
that have the same root numeric type (for example, all three are long_float
types). This simplifies the definition of operations that use type checking
to perform dimensional checks:
@smallexample @c ada
type Distance is new Long_Float;
type Time is new Long_Float;
type Velocity is new Long_Float;
function "/" (D : Distance; T : Time)
return Velocity;
pragma Import (Intrinsic, "/");
@end smallexample
@noindent
This common idiom is often programmed with a generic definition and an
explicit body. The pragma makes it simpler to introduce such declarations.
It incurs no overhead in compilation time or code size, because it is
implemented as a single machine instruction.
@end itemize
@noindent
@ifset unw
@findex Stdcall
@cindex Convention Stdcall
@item Stdcall
This is relevant only to NT/Win95 implementations of GNAT,
and specifies that the Stdcall calling sequence will be used, as defined
by the NT API.
@findex DLL
@cindex Convention DLL
@item DLL
This is equivalent to Stdcall.
@findex Win32
@cindex Convention Win32
@item Win32
This is equivalent to Stdcall.
@end ifset
@findex Stubbed
@cindex Convention Stubbed
@item Stubbed
This is a special convention that indicates that the compiler
should provide a stub body that raises @code{Program_Error}.
@end table
@noindent
GNAT additionally provides a useful pragma @code{Convention_Identifier}
that can be used to parametrize conventions and allow additional synonyms
to be specified. For example if you have legacy code in which the convention
identifier Fortran77 was used for Fortran, you can use the configuration
pragma:
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Convention_Identifier (Fortran77, Fortran);
@end smallexample
@noindent
And from now on the identifier Fortran77 may be used as a convention
identifier (for example in an @code{Import} pragma) with the same
meaning as Fortran.
@node Building Mixed Ada & C++ Programs
@section Building Mixed Ada & C++ Programs
@noindent
A programmer inexperienced with mixed-language development may find that
building an application containing both Ada and C++ code can be a
challenge. As a matter of fact, interfacing with C++ has not been
standardized in the Ada 95 Reference Manual due to the immaturity of --
and lack of standards for -- C++ at the time. This section gives a few
hints that should make this task easier. The first section addresses
the differences regarding interfacing with C. The second section
looks into the delicate problem of linking the complete application from
its Ada and C++ parts. The last section gives some hints on how the GNAT
run time can be adapted in order to allow inter-language dispatching
with a new C++ compiler.
@menu
* Interfacing to C++::
* Linking a Mixed C++ & Ada Program::
* A Simple Example::
* Adapting the Run Time to a New C++ Compiler::
@end menu
@node Interfacing to C++
@subsection Interfacing to C++
@noindent
GNAT supports interfacing with C++ compilers generating code that is
compatible with the standard Application Binary Interface of the given
platform.
@noindent
Interfacing can be done at 3 levels: simple data, subprograms, and
classes. In the first two cases, GNAT offers a specific @var{Convention
CPP} that behaves exactly like @var{Convention C}. Usually, C++ mangles
the names of subprograms, and currently, GNAT does not provide any help
to solve the demangling problem. This problem can be addressed in two
ways:
@itemize @bullet
@item
by modifying the C++ code in order to force a C convention using
the @code{extern "C"} syntax.
@item
by figuring out the mangled name and use it as the Link_Name argument of
the pragma import.
@end itemize
@noindent
Interfacing at the class level can be achieved by using the GNAT specific
pragmas such as @code{CPP_Class} and @code{CPP_Virtual}. See the GNAT
Reference Manual for additional information.
@node Linking a Mixed C++ & Ada Program
@subsection Linking a Mixed C++ & Ada Program
@noindent
Usually the linker of the C++ development system must be used to link
mixed applications because most C++ systems will resolve elaboration
issues (such as calling constructors on global class instances)
transparently during the link phase. GNAT has been adapted to ease the
use of a foreign linker for the last phase. Three cases can be
considered:
@enumerate
@item
Using GNAT and G++ (GNU C++ compiler) from the same GCC installation:
The C++ linker can simply be called by using the C++ specific driver
called @code{c++}. Note that this setup is not very common because it
may involve recompiling the whole GCC tree from sources, which makes it
harder to upgrade the compilation system for one language without
destabilizing the other.
@smallexample
$ c++ -c file1.C
$ c++ -c file2.C
$ gnatmake ada_unit -largs file1.o file2.o --LINK=c++
@end smallexample
@item
Using GNAT and G++ from two different GCC installations: If both
compilers are on the PATH, the previous method may be used. It is
important to note that environment variables such as C_INCLUDE_PATH,
GCC_EXEC_PREFIX, BINUTILS_ROOT, and GCC_ROOT will affect both compilers
at the same time and may make one of the two compilers operate
improperly if set during invocation of the wrong compiler. It is also
very important that the linker uses the proper @file{libgcc.a} GCC
library -- that is, the one from the C++ compiler installation. The
implicit link command as suggested in the gnatmake command from the
former example can be replaced by an explicit link command with the
full-verbosity option in order to verify which library is used:
@smallexample
$ gnatbind ada_unit
$ gnatlink -v -v ada_unit file1.o file2.o --LINK=c++
@end smallexample
If there is a problem due to interfering environment variables, it can
be worked around by using an intermediate script. The following example
shows the proper script to use when GNAT has not been installed at its
default location and g++ has been installed at its default location:
@smallexample
$ cat ./my_script
#!/bin/sh
unset BINUTILS_ROOT
unset GCC_ROOT
c++ $*
$ gnatlink -v -v ada_unit file1.o file2.o --LINK=./my_script
@end smallexample
@item
Using a non-GNU C++ compiler: The commands previously described can be
used to insure that the C++ linker is used. Nonetheless, you need to add
the path to libgcc explicitly, since some libraries needed by GNAT are
located in this directory:
@smallexample
$ cat ./my_script
#!/bin/sh
CC $* `gcc -print-file-name=libgcc.a` `gcc -print-file-name=libgcc_eh.a`
$ gnatlink ada_unit file1.o file2.o --LINK=./my_script
@end smallexample
Where CC is the name of the non-GNU C++ compiler.
@end enumerate
@node A Simple Example
@subsection A Simple Example
@noindent
The following example, provided as part of the GNAT examples, shows how
to achieve procedural interfacing between Ada and C++ in both
directions. The C++ class A has two methods. The first method is exported
to Ada by the means of an extern C wrapper function. The second method
calls an Ada subprogram. On the Ada side, The C++ calls are modelled by
a limited record with a layout comparable to the C++ class. The Ada
subprogram, in turn, calls the C++ method. So, starting from the C++
main program, the process passes back and forth between the two
languages.
@noindent
Here are the compilation commands:
@smallexample
$ gnatmake -c simple_cpp_interface
$ c++ -c cpp_main.C
$ c++ -c ex7.C
$ gnatbind -n simple_cpp_interface
$ gnatlink simple_cpp_interface -o cpp_main --LINK=$(CPLUSPLUS)
-lstdc++ ex7.o cpp_main.o
@end smallexample
@noindent
Here are the corresponding sources:
@smallexample
//cpp_main.C
#include "ex7.h"
extern "C" @{
void adainit (void);
void adafinal (void);
void method1 (A *t);
@}
void method1 (A *t)
@{
t->method1 ();
@}
int main ()
@{
A obj;
adainit ();
obj.method2 (3030);
adafinal ();
@}
//ex7.h
class Origin @{
public:
int o_value;
@};
class A : public Origin @{
public:
void method1 (void);
void method2 (int v);
A();
int a_value;
@};
//ex7.C
#include "ex7.h"
#include <stdio.h>
extern "C" @{ void ada_method2 (A *t, int v);@}
void A::method1 (void)
@{
a_value = 2020;
printf ("in A::method1, a_value = %d \n",a_value);
@}
void A::method2 (int v)
@{
ada_method2 (this, v);
printf ("in A::method2, a_value = %d \n",a_value);
@}
A::A(void)
@{
a_value = 1010;
printf ("in A::A, a_value = %d \n",a_value);
@}
-- Ada sources
@b{package} @b{body} Simple_Cpp_Interface @b{is}
@b{procedure} Ada_Method2 (This : @b{in} @b{out} A; V : Integer) @b{is}
@b{begin}
Method1 (This);
This.A_Value := V;
@b{end} Ada_Method2;
@b{end} Simple_Cpp_Interface;
@b{package} Simple_Cpp_Interface @b{is}
@b{type} A @b{is} @b{limited}
@b{record}
O_Value : Integer;
A_Value : Integer;
@b{end} @b{record};
@b{pragma} Convention (C, A);
@b{procedure} Method1 (This : @b{in} @b{out} A);
@b{pragma} Import (C, Method1);
@b{procedure} Ada_Method2 (This : @b{in} @b{out} A; V : Integer);
@b{pragma} Export (C, Ada_Method2);
@b{end} Simple_Cpp_Interface;
@end smallexample
@node Adapting the Run Time to a New C++ Compiler
@subsection Adapting the Run Time to a New C++ Compiler
@noindent
GNAT offers the capability to derive Ada 95 tagged types directly from
preexisting C++ classes and . See ``Interfacing with C++'' in the
@cite{GNAT Reference Manual}. The mechanism used by GNAT for achieving
such a goal
has been made user configurable through a GNAT library unit
@code{Interfaces.CPP}. The default version of this file is adapted to
the GNU C++ compiler. Internal knowledge of the virtual
table layout used by the new C++ compiler is needed to configure
properly this unit. The Interface of this unit is known by the compiler
and cannot be changed except for the value of the constants defining the
characteristics of the virtual table: CPP_DT_Prologue_Size, CPP_DT_Entry_Size,
CPP_TSD_Prologue_Size, CPP_TSD_Entry_Size. Read comments in the source
of this unit for more details.
@node Comparison between GNAT and C/C++ Compilation Models
@section Comparison between GNAT and C/C++ Compilation Models
@noindent
The GNAT model of compilation is close to the C and C++ models. You can
think of Ada specs as corresponding to header files in C. As in C, you
don't need to compile specs; they are compiled when they are used. The
Ada @code{with} is similar in effect to the @code{#include} of a C
header.
One notable difference is that, in Ada, you may compile specs separately
to check them for semantic and syntactic accuracy. This is not always
possible with C headers because they are fragments of programs that have
less specific syntactic or semantic rules.
The other major difference is the requirement for running the binder,
which performs two important functions. First, it checks for
consistency. In C or C++, the only defense against assembling
inconsistent programs lies outside the compiler, in a makefile, for
example. The binder satisfies the Ada requirement that it be impossible
to construct an inconsistent program when the compiler is used in normal
mode.
@cindex Elaboration order control
The other important function of the binder is to deal with elaboration
issues. There are also elaboration issues in C++ that are handled
automatically. This automatic handling has the advantage of being
simpler to use, but the C++ programmer has no control over elaboration.
Where @code{gnatbind} might complain there was no valid order of
elaboration, a C++ compiler would simply construct a program that
malfunctioned at run time.
@node Comparison between GNAT and Conventional Ada Library Models
@section Comparison between GNAT and Conventional Ada Library Models
@noindent
This section is intended to be useful to Ada programmers who have
previously used an Ada compiler implementing the traditional Ada library
model, as described in the Ada 95 Language Reference Manual. If you
have not used such a system, please go on to the next section.
@cindex GNAT library
In GNAT, there is no @dfn{library} in the normal sense. Instead, the set of
source files themselves acts as the library. Compiling Ada programs does
not generate any centralized information, but rather an object file and
a ALI file, which are of interest only to the binder and linker.
In a traditional system, the compiler reads information not only from
the source file being compiled, but also from the centralized library.
This means that the effect of a compilation depends on what has been
previously compiled. In particular:
@itemize @bullet
@item
When a unit is @code{with}'ed, the unit seen by the compiler corresponds
to the version of the unit most recently compiled into the library.
@item
Inlining is effective only if the necessary body has already been
compiled into the library.
@item
Compiling a unit may obsolete other units in the library.
@end itemize
@noindent
In GNAT, compiling one unit never affects the compilation of any other
units because the compiler reads only source files. Only changes to source
files can affect the results of a compilation. In particular:
@itemize @bullet
@item
When a unit is @code{with}'ed, the unit seen by the compiler corresponds
to the source version of the unit that is currently accessible to the
compiler.
@item
@cindex Inlining
Inlining requires the appropriate source files for the package or
subprogram bodies to be available to the compiler. Inlining is always
effective, independent of the order in which units are complied.
@item
Compiling a unit never affects any other compilations. The editing of
sources may cause previous compilations to be out of date if they
depended on the source file being modified.
@end itemize
@noindent
The most important result of these differences is that order of compilation
is never significant in GNAT. There is no situation in which one is
required to do one compilation before another. What shows up as order of
compilation requirements in the traditional Ada library becomes, in
GNAT, simple source dependencies; in other words, there is only a set
of rules saying what source files must be present when a file is
compiled.
@ifset vms
@node Placement of temporary files
@section Placement of temporary files
@cindex Temporary files (user control over placement)
@noindent
GNAT creates temporary files in the directory designated by the environment
variable @env{TMPDIR}.
(See the HP @emph{C RTL Reference Manual} on the function @code{getenv()}
for detailed information on how environment variables are resolved.
For most users the easiest way to make use of this feature is to simply
define @env{TMPDIR} as a job level logical name).
For example, if you wish to use a Ramdisk (assuming DECRAM is installed)
for compiler temporary files, then you can include something like the
following command in your @file{LOGIN.COM} file:
@smallexample
$ define/job TMPDIR "/disk$scratchram/000000/temp/"
@end smallexample
@noindent
If @env{TMPDIR} is not defined, then GNAT uses the directory designated by
@env{TMP}; if @env{TMP} is not defined, then GNAT uses the directory
designated by @env{TEMP}.
If none of these environment variables are defined then GNAT uses the
directory designated by the logical name @code{SYS$SCRATCH:}
(by default the user's home directory). If all else fails
GNAT uses the current directory for temporary files.
@end ifset
@c *************************
@node Compiling Using gcc
@chapter Compiling Using @command{gcc}
@noindent
This chapter discusses how to compile Ada programs using the @command{gcc}
command. It also describes the set of switches
that can be used to control the behavior of the compiler.
@menu
* Compiling Programs::
* Switches for gcc::
* Search Paths and the Run-Time Library (RTL)::
* Order of Compilation Issues::
* Examples::
@end menu
@node Compiling Programs
@section Compiling Programs
@noindent
The first step in creating an executable program is to compile the units
of the program using the @command{gcc} command. You must compile the
following files:
@itemize @bullet
@item
the body file (@file{.adb}) for a library level subprogram or generic
subprogram
@item
the spec file (@file{.ads}) for a library level package or generic
package that has no body
@item
the body file (@file{.adb}) for a library level package
or generic package that has a body
@end itemize
@noindent
You need @emph{not} compile the following files
@itemize @bullet
@item
the spec of a library unit which has a body
@item
subunits
@end itemize
@noindent
because they are compiled as part of compiling related units. GNAT
package specs
when the corresponding body is compiled, and subunits when the parent is
compiled.
@cindex cannot generate code
If you attempt to compile any of these files, you will get one of the
following error messages (where fff is the name of the file you compiled):
@smallexample
cannot generate code for file @var{fff} (package spec)
to check package spec, use -gnatc
cannot generate code for file @var{fff} (missing subunits)
to check parent unit, use -gnatc
cannot generate code for file @var{fff} (subprogram spec)
to check subprogram spec, use -gnatc
cannot generate code for file @var{fff} (subunit)
to check subunit, use -gnatc
@end smallexample
@noindent
As indicated by the above error messages, if you want to submit
one of these files to the compiler to check for correct semantics
without generating code, then use the @option{-gnatc} switch.
The basic command for compiling a file containing an Ada unit is
@smallexample
$ gcc -c [@var{switches}] @file{file name}
@end smallexample
@noindent
where @var{file name} is the name of the Ada file (usually
having an extension
@file{.ads} for a spec or @file{.adb} for a body).
@ifclear vms
You specify the
@option{-c} switch to tell @command{gcc} to compile, but not link, the file.
@end ifclear
The result of a successful compilation is an object file, which has the
same name as the source file but an extension of @file{.o} and an Ada
Library Information (ALI) file, which also has the same name as the
source file, but with @file{.ali} as the extension. GNAT creates these
two output files in the current directory, but you may specify a source
file in any directory using an absolute or relative path specification
containing the directory information.
@findex gnat1
@command{gcc} is actually a driver program that looks at the extensions of
the file arguments and loads the appropriate compiler. For example, the
GNU C compiler is @file{cc1}, and the Ada compiler is @file{gnat1}.
These programs are in directories known to the driver program (in some
configurations via environment variables you set), but need not be in
your path. The @command{gcc} driver also calls the assembler and any other
utilities needed to complete the generation of the required object
files.
It is possible to supply several file names on the same @command{gcc}
command. This causes @command{gcc} to call the appropriate compiler for
each file. For example, the following command lists three separate
files to be compiled:
@smallexample
$ gcc -c x.adb y.adb z.c
@end smallexample
@noindent
calls @code{gnat1} (the Ada compiler) twice to compile @file{x.adb} and
@file{y.adb}, and @code{cc1} (the C compiler) once to compile @file{z.c}.
The compiler generates three object files @file{x.o}, @file{y.o} and
@file{z.o} and the two ALI files @file{x.ali} and @file{y.ali} from the
Ada compilations. Any switches apply to all the files ^listed,^listed.^
@ifclear vms
except for
@option{-gnat@var{x}} switches, which apply only to Ada compilations.
@end ifclear
@node Switches for gcc
@section Switches for @command{gcc}
@noindent
The @command{gcc} command accepts switches that control the
compilation process. These switches are fully described in this section.
First we briefly list all the switches, in alphabetical order, then we
describe the switches in more detail in functionally grouped sections.
@menu
* Output and Error Message Control::
* Warning Message Control::
* Debugging and Assertion Control::
* Validity Checking::
* Style Checking::
* Run-Time Checks::
* Stack Overflow Checking::
* Using gcc for Syntax Checking::
* Using gcc for Semantic Checking::
* Compiling Ada 83 Programs::
* Character Set Control::
* File Naming Control::
* Subprogram Inlining Control::
* Auxiliary Output Control::
* Debugging Control::
* Exception Handling Control::
* Units to Sources Mapping Files::
* Integrated Preprocessing::
* Code Generation Control::
@ifset vms
* Return Codes::
@end ifset
@end menu
@table @option
@c !sort!
@ifclear vms
@cindex @option{-b} (@command{gcc})
@item -b @var{target}
Compile your program to run on @var{target}, which is the name of a
system configuration. You must have a GNAT cross-compiler built if
@var{target} is not the same as your host system.
@item -B@var{dir}
@cindex @option{-B} (@command{gcc})
Load compiler executables (for example, @code{gnat1}, the Ada compiler)
from @var{dir} instead of the default location. Only use this switch
when multiple versions of the GNAT compiler are available. See the
@command{gcc} manual page for further details. You would normally use the
@option{-b} or @option{-V} switch instead.
@item -c
@cindex @option{-c} (@command{gcc})
Compile. Always use this switch when compiling Ada programs.
Note: for some other languages when using @command{gcc}, notably in
the case of C and C++, it is possible to use
use @command{gcc} without a @option{-c} switch to
compile and link in one step. In the case of GNAT, you
cannot use this approach, because the binder must be run
and @command{gcc} cannot be used to run the GNAT binder.
@end ifclear
@item -fno-inline
@cindex @option{-fno-inline} (@command{gcc})
Suppresses all back-end inlining, even if other optimization or inlining
switches are set.
This includes suppression of inlining that results
from the use of the pragma @code{Inline_Always}.
See also @option{-gnatn} and @option{-gnatN}.
@item -fno-strict-aliasing
@cindex @option{-fno-strict-aliasing} (@command{gcc})
Causes the compiler to avoid assumptions regarding non-aliasing
of objects of different types. See
@ref{Optimization and Strict Aliasing} for details.
@item -fstack-check
@cindex @option{-fstack-check} (@command{gcc})
Activates stack checking.
See @ref{Stack Overflow Checking} for details of the use of this option.
@item ^-g^/DEBUG^
@cindex @option{^-g^/DEBUG^} (@command{gcc})
Generate debugging information. This information is stored in the object
file and copied from there to the final executable file by the linker,
where it can be read by the debugger. You must use the
@option{^-g^/DEBUG^} switch if you plan on using the debugger.
@item -gnat83
@cindex @option{-gnat83} (@command{gcc})
Enforce Ada 83 restrictions.
@item -gnata
@cindex @option{-gnata} (@command{gcc})
Assertions enabled. @code{Pragma Assert} and @code{pragma Debug} to be
activated.
@item -gnatA
@cindex @option{-gnatA} (@command{gcc})
Avoid processing @file{gnat.adc}. If a gnat.adc file is present,
it will be ignored.
@item -gnatb
@cindex @option{-gnatb} (@command{gcc})
Generate brief messages to @file{stderr} even if verbose mode set.
@item -gnatc
@cindex @option{-gnatc} (@command{gcc})
Check syntax and semantics only (no code generation attempted).
@item -gnatd
@cindex @option{-gnatd} (@command{gcc})
Specify debug options for the compiler. The string of characters after
the @option{-gnatd} specify the specific debug options. The possible
characters are 0-9, a-z, A-Z, optionally preceded by a dot. See
compiler source file @file{debug.adb} for details of the implemented
debug options. Certain debug options are relevant to applications
programmers, and these are documented at appropriate points in this
users guide.
@item -gnatD
@cindex @option{-gnatD} (@command{gcc})
Create expanded source files for source level debugging. This switch
also suppress generation of cross-reference information
(see @option{-gnatx}).
@item -gnatec=@var{path}
@cindex @option{-gnatec} (@command{gcc})
Specify a configuration pragma file
@ifclear vms
(the equal sign is optional)
@end ifclear
(@pxref{The Configuration Pragmas Files}).
@item ^-gnateD^/DATA_PREPROCESSING=^symbol[=value]
@cindex @option{-gnateD} (@command{gcc})
Defines a symbol, associated with value, for preprocessing.
(@pxref{Integrated Preprocessing}).
@item -gnatef
@cindex @option{-gnatef} (@command{gcc})
Display full source path name in brief error messages.
@item -gnatem=@var{path}
@cindex @option{-gnatem} (@command{gcc})
Specify a mapping file
@ifclear vms
(the equal sign is optional)
@end ifclear
(@pxref{Units to Sources Mapping Files}).
@item -gnatep=@var{file}
@cindex @option{-gnatep} (@command{gcc})
Specify a preprocessing data file
@ifclear vms
(the equal sign is optional)
@end ifclear
(@pxref{Integrated Preprocessing}).
@item -gnatE
@cindex @option{-gnatE} (@command{gcc})
Full dynamic elaboration checks.
@item -gnatf
@cindex @option{-gnatf} (@command{gcc})
Full errors. Multiple errors per line, all undefined references, do not
attempt to suppress cascaded errors.
@item -gnatF
@cindex @option{-gnatF} (@command{gcc})
Externals names are folded to all uppercase.
@item -gnatg
@cindex @option{-gnatg} (@command{gcc})
Internal GNAT implementation mode. This should not be used for
applications programs, it is intended only for use by the compiler
and its run-time library. For documentation, see the GNAT sources.
Note that @option{-gnatg} implies @option{-gnatwu} so that warnings
are generated on unreferenced entities, and all warnings are treated
as errors.
@item -gnatG
@cindex @option{-gnatG} (@command{gcc})
List generated expanded code in source form.
@item ^-gnath^/HELP^
@cindex @option{^-gnath^/HELP^} (@command{gcc})
Output usage information. The output is written to @file{stdout}.
@item ^-gnati^/IDENTIFIER_CHARACTER_SET=^@var{c}
@cindex @option{^-gnati^/IDENTIFIER_CHARACTER_SET^} (@command{gcc})
Identifier character set
@ifclear vms
(@var{c}=1/2/3/4/8/9/p/f/n/w).
@end ifclear
@ifset vms
For details of the possible selections for @var{c},
see @ref{Character Set Control}.
@end ifset
@item -gnatk=@var{n}
@cindex @option{-gnatk} (@command{gcc})
Limit file names to @var{n} (1-999) characters ^(@code{k} = krunch)^^.
@item -gnatl
@cindex @option{-gnatl} (@command{gcc})
Output full source listing with embedded error messages.
@item -gnatL
@cindex @option{-gnatL} (@command{gcc})
Use the longjmp/setjmp method for exception handling
@item -gnatm=@var{n}
@cindex @option{-gnatm} (@command{gcc})
Limit number of detected error or warning messages to @var{n}
where @var{n} is in the range 1..999_999. The default setting if
no switch is given is 9999. Compilation is terminated if this
limit is exceeded.
@item -gnatn
@cindex @option{-gnatn} (@command{gcc})
Activate inlining for subprograms for which
pragma @code{inline} is specified. This inlining is performed
by the GCC back-end.
@item -gnatN
@cindex @option{-gnatN} (@command{gcc})
Activate front end inlining for subprograms for which
pragma @code{Inline} is specified. This inlining is performed
by the front end and will be visible in the
@option{-gnatG} output.
In some cases, this has proved more effective than the back end
inlining resulting from the use of
@option{-gnatn}.
Note that
@option{-gnatN} automatically implies
@option{-gnatn} so it is not necessary
to specify both options. There are a few cases that the back-end inlining
catches that cannot be dealt with in the front-end.
@item -gnato
@cindex @option{-gnato} (@command{gcc})
Enable numeric overflow checking (which is not normally enabled by
default). Not that division by zero is a separate check that is not
controlled by this switch (division by zero checking is on by default).
@item -gnatp
@cindex @option{-gnatp} (@command{gcc})
Suppress all checks.
@item -gnatP
@cindex @option{-gnatP} (@command{gcc})
Enable polling. This is required on some systems (notably Windows NT) to
obtain asynchronous abort and asynchronous transfer of control capability.
See the description of pragma Polling in the GNAT Reference Manual for
full details.
@item -gnatq
@cindex @option{-gnatq} (@command{gcc})
Don't quit; try semantics, even if parse errors.
@item -gnatQ
@cindex @option{-gnatQ} (@command{gcc})
Don't quit; generate @file{ALI} and tree files even if illegalities.
@item ^-gnatR[0/1/2/3[s]]^/REPRESENTATION_INFO^
@cindex @option{-gnatR} (@command{gcc})
Output representation information for declared types and objects.
@item -gnats
@cindex @option{-gnats} (@command{gcc})
Syntax check only.
@item -gnatS
@cindex @option{-gnatS} (@command{gcc})
Print package Standard.
@item -gnatt
@cindex @option{-gnatt} (@command{gcc})
Generate tree output file.
@item ^-gnatT^/TABLE_MULTIPLIER=^@var{nnn}
@cindex @option{^-gnatT^/TABLE_MULTIPLIER^} (@command{gcc})
All compiler tables start at @var{nnn} times usual starting size.
@item -gnatu
@cindex @option{-gnatu} (@command{gcc})
List units for this compilation.
@item -gnatU
@cindex @option{-gnatU} (@command{gcc})
Tag all error messages with the unique string ``error:''
@item -gnatv
@cindex @option{-gnatv} (@command{gcc})
Verbose mode. Full error output with source lines to @file{stdout}.
@item -gnatV
@cindex @option{-gnatV} (@command{gcc})
Control level of validity checking. See separate section describing
this feature.
@item ^-gnatw@var{xxx}^/WARNINGS=(@var{option}[,...])^
@cindex @option{^-gnatw^/WARNINGS^} (@command{gcc})
Warning mode where
^@var{xxx} is a string of option letters that^the list of options^ denotes
the exact warnings that
are enabled or disabled (@pxref{Warning Message Control}).
@item ^-gnatW^/WIDE_CHARACTER_ENCODING=^@var{e}
@cindex @option{^-gnatW^/WIDE_CHARACTER_ENCODING^} (@command{gcc})
Wide character encoding method
@ifclear vms
(@var{e}=n/h/u/s/e/8).
@end ifclear
@ifset vms
(@var{e}=@code{BRACKETS, NONE, HEX, UPPER, SHIFT_JIS, EUC, UTF8})
@end ifset
@item -gnatx
@cindex @option{-gnatx} (@command{gcc})
Suppress generation of cross-reference information.
@item ^-gnaty^/STYLE_CHECKS=(option,option..)^
@cindex @option{^-gnaty^/STYLE_CHECKS^} (@command{gcc})
Enable built-in style checks (@pxref{Style Checking}).
@item ^-gnatz^/DISTRIBUTION_STUBS=^@var{m}
@cindex @option{^-gnatz^/DISTRIBUTION_STUBS^} (@command{gcc})
Distribution stub generation and compilation
@ifclear vms
(@var{m}=r/c for receiver/caller stubs).
@end ifclear
@ifset vms
(@var{m}=@code{RECEIVER} or @code{CALLER} to specify the type of stubs
to be generated and compiled).
@end ifset
@item -gnatZ
Use the zero cost method for exception handling
@item ^-I^/SEARCH=^@var{dir}
@cindex @option{^-I^/SEARCH^} (@command{gcc})
@cindex RTL
Direct GNAT to search the @var{dir} directory for source files needed by
the current compilation
(@pxref{Search Paths and the Run-Time Library (RTL)}).
@item ^-I-^/NOCURRENT_DIRECTORY^
@cindex @option{^-I-^/NOCURRENT_DIRECTORY^} (@command{gcc})
@cindex RTL
Except for the source file named in the command line, do not look for source
files in the directory containing the source file named in the command line
(@pxref{Search Paths and the Run-Time Library (RTL)}).
@ifclear vms
@item -mbig-switch
@cindex @option{-mbig-switch} (@command{gcc})
@cindex @code{case} statement (effect of @option{-mbig-switch} option)
This standard gcc switch causes the compiler to use larger offsets in its
jump table representation for @code{case} statements.
This may result in less efficient code, but is sometimes necessary
(for example on HP-UX targets)
@cindex HP-UX and @option{-mbig-switch} option
in order to compile large and/or nested @code{case} statements.
@item -o @var{file}
@cindex @option{-o} (@command{gcc})
This switch is used in @command{gcc} to redirect the generated object file
and its associated ALI file. Beware of this switch with GNAT, because it may
cause the object file and ALI file to have different names which in turn
may confuse the binder and the linker.
@end ifclear
@item -nostdinc
@cindex @option{-nostdinc} (@command{gcc})
Inhibit the search of the default location for the GNAT Run Time
Library (RTL) source files.
@item -nostdlib
@cindex @option{-nostdlib} (@command{gcc})
Inhibit the search of the default location for the GNAT Run Time
Library (RTL) ALI files.
@ifclear vms
@item -O[@var{n}]
@cindex @option{-O} (@command{gcc})
@var{n} controls the optimization level.
@table @asis
@item n = 0
No optimization, the default setting if no @option{-O} appears
@item n = 1
Normal optimization, the default if you specify @option{-O} without
an operand.
@item n = 2
Extensive optimization
@item n = 3
Extensive optimization with automatic inlining of subprograms not
specified by pragma @code{Inline}. This applies only to
inlining within a unit. For details on control of inlining
see @ref{Subprogram Inlining Control}.
@end table
@end ifclear
@ifset vms
@item /NOOPTIMIZE
@cindex @option{/NOOPTIMIZE} (@code{GNAT COMPILE})
Equivalent to @option{/OPTIMIZE=NONE}.
This is the default behavior in the absence of an @option{/OPTMIZE}
qualifier.
@item /OPTIMIZE[=(keyword[,...])]
@cindex @option{/OPTIMIZE} (@code{GNAT COMPILE})
Selects the level of optimization for your program. The supported
keywords are as follows:
@table @code
@item ALL
Perform most optimizations, including those that
are expensive.
This is the default if the @option{/OPTMIZE} qualifier is supplied
without keyword options.
@item NONE
Do not do any optimizations. Same as @code{/NOOPTIMIZE}.
@item SOME
Perform some optimizations, but omit ones that are costly.
@item DEVELOPMENT
Same as @code{SOME}.
@item INLINING
Full optimization, and also attempt automatic inlining of small
subprograms within a unit even when pragma @code{Inline}
is not specified (@pxref{Inlining of Subprograms}).
@item UNROLL_LOOPS
Try to unroll loops. This keyword may be specified together with
any keyword above other than @code{NONE}. Loop unrolling
usually, but not always, improves the performance of programs.
@end table
@end ifset
@ifclear vms
@item -pass-exit-codes
@cindex @option{-pass-exit-codes} (@command{gcc})
Catch exit codes from the compiler and use the most meaningful as
exit status.
@end ifclear
@item --RTS=@var{rts-path}
@cindex @option{--RTS} (@command{gcc})
Specifies the default location of the runtime library. Same meaning as the
equivalent @command{gnatmake} flag (@pxref{Switches for gnatmake}).
@item ^-S^/ASM^
@cindex @option{^-S^/ASM^} (@command{gcc})
^Used in place of @option{-c} to^Used to^
cause the assembler source file to be
generated, using @file{^.s^.S^} as the extension,
instead of the object file.
This may be useful if you need to examine the generated assembly code.
@item ^-fverbose-asm^/VERBOSE_ASM^
@cindex @option{^-fverbose-asm^/VERBOSE_ASM^} (@command{gcc})
^Used in conjunction with @option{-S}^Used in place of @option{/ASM}^
to cause the generated assembly code file to be annotated with variable
names, making it significantly easier to follow.
@item ^-v^/VERBOSE^
@cindex @option{^-v^/VERBOSE^} (@command{gcc})
Show commands generated by the @command{gcc} driver. Normally used only for
debugging purposes or if you need to be sure what version of the
compiler you are executing.
@ifclear vms
@item -V @var{ver}
@cindex @option{-V} (@command{gcc})
Execute @var{ver} version of the compiler. This is the @command{gcc}
version, not the GNAT version.
@end ifclear
@end table
@ifclear vms
You may combine a sequence of GNAT switches into a single switch. For
example, the combined switch
@cindex Combining GNAT switches
@smallexample
-gnatofi3
@end smallexample
@noindent
is equivalent to specifying the following sequence of switches:
@smallexample
-gnato -gnatf -gnati3
@end smallexample
@end ifclear
@c NEED TO CHECK THIS FOR VMS
@noindent
The following restrictions apply to the combination of switches
in this manner:
@itemize @bullet
@item
The switch @option{-gnatc} if combined with other switches must come
first in the string.
@item
The switch @option{-gnats} if combined with other switches must come
first in the string.
@item
The switches
@option{^-gnatz^/DISTRIBUTION_STUBS^}, @option{-gnatzc}, and @option{-gnatzr}
may not be combined with any other switches.
@ifclear vms
@item
Once a ``y'' appears in the string (that is a use of the @option{-gnaty}
switch), then all further characters in the switch are interpreted
as style modifiers (see description of @option{-gnaty}).
@item
Once a ``d'' appears in the string (that is a use of the @option{-gnatd}
switch), then all further characters in the switch are interpreted
as debug flags (see description of @option{-gnatd}).
@item
Once a ``w'' appears in the string (that is a use of the @option{-gnatw}
switch), then all further characters in the switch are interpreted
as warning mode modifiers (see description of @option{-gnatw}).
@item
Once a ``V'' appears in the string (that is a use of the @option{-gnatV}
switch), then all further characters in the switch are interpreted
as validity checking options (see description of @option{-gnatV}).
@end ifclear
@end itemize
@node Output and Error Message Control
@subsection Output and Error Message Control
@findex stderr
@noindent
The standard default format for error messages is called ``brief format''.
Brief format messages are written to @file{stderr} (the standard error
file) and have the following form:
@smallexample
e.adb:3:04: Incorrect spelling of keyword "function"
e.adb:4:20: ";" should be "is"
@end smallexample
@noindent
The first integer after the file name is the line number in the file,
and the second integer is the column number within the line.
@code{glide} can parse the error messages
and point to the referenced character.
The following switches provide control over the error message
format:
@table @option
@c !sort!
@item -gnatv
@cindex @option{-gnatv} (@command{gcc})
@findex stdout
@ifclear vms
The v stands for verbose.
@end ifclear
The effect of this setting is to write long-format error
messages to @file{stdout} (the standard output file.
The same program compiled with the
@option{-gnatv} switch would generate:
@smallexample
@cartouche
3. funcion X (Q : Integer)
|
>>> Incorrect spelling of keyword "function"
4. return Integer;
|
>>> ";" should be "is"
@end cartouche
@end smallexample
@noindent
The vertical bar indicates the location of the error, and the @samp{>>>}
prefix can be used to search for error messages. When this switch is
used the only source lines output are those with errors.
@item -gnatl
@cindex @option{-gnatl} (@command{gcc})
@ifclear vms
The @code{l} stands for list.
@end ifclear
This switch causes a full listing of
the file to be generated. The output might look as follows:
@smallexample
@cartouche
1. procedure E is
2. V : Integer;
3. funcion X (Q : Integer)
|
>>> Incorrect spelling of keyword "function"
4. return Integer;
|
>>> ";" should be "is"
5. begin
6. return Q + Q;
7. end;
8. begin
9. V := X + X;
10.end E;
@end cartouche
@end smallexample
@noindent
@findex stderr
When you specify the @option{-gnatv} or @option{-gnatl} switches and
standard output is redirected, a brief summary is written to
@file{stderr} (standard error) giving the number of error messages and
warning messages generated.
@item -gnatU
@cindex @option{-gnatU} (@command{gcc})
This switch forces all error messages to be preceded by the unique
string ``error:''. This means that error messages take a few more
characters in space, but allows easy searching for and identification
of error messages.
@item -gnatb
@cindex @option{-gnatb} (@command{gcc})
@ifclear vms
The @code{b} stands for brief.
@end ifclear
This switch causes GNAT to generate the
brief format error messages to @file{stderr} (the standard error
file) as well as the verbose
format message or full listing (which as usual is written to
@file{stdout} (the standard output file).
@item -gnatm^^=^@var{n}
@cindex @option{-gnatm} (@command{gcc})
@ifclear vms
The @code{m} stands for maximum.
@end ifclear
@var{n} is a decimal integer in the
range of 1 to 999 and limits the number of error messages to be
generated. For example, using @option{-gnatm2} might yield
@smallexample
e.adb:3:04: Incorrect spelling of keyword "function"
e.adb:5:35: missing ".."
fatal error: maximum errors reached
compilation abandoned
@end smallexample
@item -gnatf
@cindex @option{-gnatf} (@command{gcc})
@cindex Error messages, suppressing
@ifclear vms
The @code{f} stands for full.
@end ifclear
Normally, the compiler suppresses error messages that are likely to be
redundant. This switch causes all error
messages to be generated. In particular, in the case of
references to undefined variables. If a given variable is referenced
several times, the normal format of messages is
@smallexample
e.adb:7:07: "V" is undefined (more references follow)
@end smallexample
@noindent
where the parenthetical comment warns that there are additional
references to the variable @code{V}. Compiling the same program with the
@option{-gnatf} switch yields
@smallexample
e.adb:7:07: "V" is undefined
e.adb:8:07: "V" is undefined
e.adb:8:12: "V" is undefined
e.adb:8:16: "V" is undefined
e.adb:9:07: "V" is undefined
e.adb:9:12: "V" is undefined
@end smallexample
@noindent
The @option{-gnatf} switch also generates additional information for
some error messages. Some examples are:
@itemize @bullet
@item
Full details on entities not available in high integrity mode
@item
Details on possibly non-portable unchecked conversion
@item
List possible interpretations for ambiguous calls
@item
Additional details on incorrect parameters
@end itemize
@item -gnatq
@cindex @option{-gnatq} (@command{gcc})
@ifclear vms
The @code{q} stands for quit (really ``don't quit'').
@end ifclear
In normal operation mode, the compiler first parses the program and
determines if there are any syntax errors. If there are, appropriate
error messages are generated and compilation is immediately terminated.
This switch tells
GNAT to continue with semantic analysis even if syntax errors have been
found. This may enable the detection of more errors in a single run. On
the other hand, the semantic analyzer is more likely to encounter some
internal fatal error when given a syntactically invalid tree.
@item -gnatQ
@cindex @option{-gnatQ} (@command{gcc})
In normal operation mode, the @file{ALI} file is not generated if any
illegalities are detected in the program. The use of @option{-gnatQ} forces
generation of the @file{ALI} file. This file is marked as being in
error, so it cannot be used for binding purposes, but it does contain
reasonably complete cross-reference information, and thus may be useful
for use by tools (e.g. semantic browsing tools or integrated development
environments) that are driven from the @file{ALI} file. This switch
implies @option{-gnatq}, since the semantic phase must be run to get a
meaningful ALI file.
In addition, if @option{-gnatt} is also specified, then the tree file is
generated even if there are illegalities. It may be useful in this case
to also specify @option{-gnatq} to ensure that full semantic processing
occurs. The resulting tree file can be processed by ASIS, for the purpose
of providing partial information about illegal units, but if the error
causes the tree to be badly malformed, then ASIS may crash during the
analysis.
When @option{-gnatQ} is used and the generated @file{ALI} file is marked as
being in error, @command{gnatmake} will attempt to recompile the source when it
finds such an @file{ALI} file, including with switch @option{-gnatc}.
Note that @option{-gnatQ} has no effect if @option{-gnats} is specified,
since ALI files are never generated if @option{-gnats} is set.
@end table
@node Warning Message Control
@subsection Warning Message Control
@cindex Warning messages
@noindent
In addition to error messages, which correspond to illegalities as defined
in the Ada 95 Reference Manual, the compiler detects two kinds of warning
situations.
First, the compiler considers some constructs suspicious and generates a
warning message to alert you to a possible error. Second, if the
compiler detects a situation that is sure to raise an exception at
run time, it generates a warning message. The following shows an example
of warning messages:
@smallexample
e.adb:4:24: warning: creation of object may raise Storage_Error
e.adb:10:17: warning: static value out of range
e.adb:10:17: warning: "Constraint_Error" will be raised at run time
@end smallexample
@noindent
GNAT considers a large number of situations as appropriate
for the generation of warning messages. As always, warnings are not
definite indications of errors. For example, if you do an out-of-range
assignment with the deliberate intention of raising a
@code{Constraint_Error} exception, then the warning that may be
issued does not indicate an error. Some of the situations for which GNAT
issues warnings (at least some of the time) are given in the following
list. This list is not complete, and new warnings are often added to
subsequent versions of GNAT. The list is intended to give a general idea
of the kinds of warnings that are generated.
@itemize @bullet
@item
Possible infinitely recursive calls
@item
Out-of-range values being assigned
@item
Possible order of elaboration problems
@item
Unreachable code
@item
Fixed-point type declarations with a null range
@item
Direct_IO or Sequential_IO instantiated with a type that has access values
@item
Variables that are never assigned a value
@item
Variables that are referenced before being initialized
@item
Task entries with no corresponding @code{accept} statement
@item
Duplicate accepts for the same task entry in a @code{select}
@item
Objects that take too much storage
@item
Unchecked conversion between types of differing sizes
@item
Missing @code{return} statement along some execution path in a function
@item
Incorrect (unrecognized) pragmas
@item
Incorrect external names
@item
Allocation from empty storage pool
@item
Potentially blocking operation in protected type
@item
Suspicious parenthesization of expressions
@item
Mismatching bounds in an aggregate
@item
Attempt to return local value by reference
@item
Premature instantiation of a generic body
@item
Attempt to pack aliased components
@item
Out of bounds array subscripts
@item
Wrong length on string assignment
@item
Violations of style rules if style checking is enabled
@item
Unused @code{with} clauses
@item
@code{Bit_Order} usage that does not have any effect
@item
@code{Standard.Duration} used to resolve universal fixed expression
@item
Dereference of possibly null value
@item
Declaration that is likely to cause storage error
@item
Internal GNAT unit @code{with}'ed by application unit
@item
Values known to be out of range at compile time
@item
Unreferenced labels and variables
@item
Address overlays that could clobber memory
@item
Unexpected initialization when address clause present
@item
Bad alignment for address clause
@item
Useless type conversions
@item
Redundant assignment statements and other redundant constructs
@item
Useless exception handlers
@item
Accidental hiding of name by child unit
@item
Access before elaboration detected at compile time
@item
A range in a @code{for} loop that is known to be null or might be null
@end itemize
@noindent
The following switches are available to control the handling of
warning messages:
@table @option
@c !sort!
@item -gnatwa
@emph{Activate all optional errors.}
@cindex @option{-gnatwa} (@command{gcc})
This switch activates most optional warning messages, see remaining list
in this section for details on optional warning messages that can be
individually controlled. The warnings that are not turned on by this
switch are
@option{-gnatwd} (implicit dereferencing),
@option{-gnatwh} (hiding),
and @option{-gnatwl} (elaboration warnings).
All other optional warnings are turned on.
@item -gnatwA
@emph{Suppress all optional errors.}
@cindex @option{-gnatwA} (@command{gcc})
This switch suppresses all optional warning messages, see remaining list
in this section for details on optional warning messages that can be
individually controlled.
@item -gnatwc
@emph{Activate warnings on conditionals.}
@cindex @option{-gnatwc} (@command{gcc})
@cindex Conditionals, constant
This switch activates warnings for conditional expressions used in
tests that are known to be True or False at compile time. The default
is that such warnings are not generated.
Note that this warning does
not get issued for the use of boolean variables or constants whose
values are known at compile time, since this is a standard technique
for conditional compilation in Ada, and this would generate too many
``false positive'' warnings.
This warning can also be turned on using @option{-gnatwa}.
@item -gnatwC
@emph{Suppress warnings on conditionals.}
@cindex @option{-gnatwC} (@command{gcc})
This switch suppresses warnings for conditional expressions used in
tests that are known to be True or False at compile time.
@item -gnatwd
@emph{Activate warnings on implicit dereferencing.}
@cindex @option{-gnatwd} (@command{gcc})
If this switch is set, then the use of a prefix of an access type
in an indexed component, slice, or selected component without an
explicit @code{.all} will generate a warning. With this warning
enabled, access checks occur only at points where an explicit
@code{.all} appears in the source code (assuming no warnings are
generated as a result of this switch). The default is that such
warnings are not generated.
Note that @option{-gnatwa} does not affect the setting of
this warning option.
@item -gnatwD
@emph{Suppress warnings on implicit dereferencing.}
@cindex @option{-gnatwD} (@command{gcc})
@cindex Implicit dereferencing
@cindex Dereferencing, implicit
This switch suppresses warnings for implicit dereferences in
indexed components, slices, and selected components.
@item -gnatwe
@emph{Treat warnings as errors.}
@cindex @option{-gnatwe} (@command{gcc})
@cindex Warnings, treat as error
This switch causes warning messages to be treated as errors.
The warning string still appears, but the warning messages are counted
as errors, and prevent the generation of an object file.
@item -gnatwf
@emph{Activate warnings on unreferenced formals.}
@cindex @option{-gnatwf} (@command{gcc})
@cindex Formals, unreferenced
This switch causes a warning to be generated if a formal parameter
is not referenced in the body of the subprogram. This warning can
also be turned on using @option{-gnatwa} or @option{-gnatwu}.
@item -gnatwF
@emph{Suppress warnings on unreferenced formals.}
@cindex @option{-gnatwF} (@command{gcc})
This switch suppresses warnings for unreferenced formal
parameters. Note that the
combination @option{-gnatwu} followed by @option{-gnatwF} has the
effect of warning on unreferenced entities other than subprogram
formals.
@item -gnatwg
@emph{Activate warnings on unrecognized pragmas.}
@cindex @option{-gnatwg} (@command{gcc})
@cindex Pragmas, unrecognized
This switch causes a warning to be generated if an unrecognized
pragma is encountered. Apart from issuing this warning, the
pragma is ignored and has no effect. This warning can
also be turned on using @option{-gnatwa}. The default
is that such warnings are issued (satisfying the Ada Reference
Manual requirement that such warnings appear).
@item -gnatwG
@emph{Suppress warnings on unrecognized pragmas.}
@cindex @option{-gnatwG} (@command{gcc})
This switch suppresses warnings for unrecognized pragmas.
@item -gnatwh
@emph{Activate warnings on hiding.}
@cindex @option{-gnatwh} (@command{gcc})
@cindex Hiding of Declarations
This switch activates warnings on hiding declarations.
A declaration is considered hiding
if it is for a non-overloadable entity, and it declares an entity with the
same name as some other entity that is directly or use-visible. The default
is that such warnings are not generated.
Note that @option{-gnatwa} does not affect the setting of this warning option.
@item -gnatwH
@emph{Suppress warnings on hiding.}
@cindex @option{-gnatwH} (@command{gcc})
This switch suppresses warnings on hiding declarations.
@item -gnatwi
@emph{Activate warnings on implementation units.}
@cindex @option{-gnatwi} (@command{gcc})
This switch activates warnings for a @code{with} of an internal GNAT
implementation unit, defined as any unit from the @code{Ada},
@code{Interfaces}, @code{GNAT},
^^@code{DEC},^ or @code{System}
hierarchies that is not
documented in either the Ada Reference Manual or the GNAT
Programmer's Reference Manual. Such units are intended only
for internal implementation purposes and should not be @code{with}'ed
by user programs. The default is that such warnings are generated
This warning can also be turned on using @option{-gnatwa}.
@item -gnatwI
@emph{Disable warnings on implementation units.}
@cindex @option{-gnatwI} (@command{gcc})
This switch disables warnings for a @code{with} of an internal GNAT
implementation unit.
@item -gnatwj
@emph{Activate warnings on obsolescent features (Annex J).}
@cindex @option{-gnatwj} (@command{gcc})
@cindex Features, obsolescent
@cindex Obsolescent features
If this warning option is activated, then warnings are generated for
calls to subprograms marked with @code{pragma Obsolescent} and
for use of features in Annex J of the Ada Reference Manual. In the
case of Annex J, not all features are flagged. In particular use
of the renamed packages (like @code{Text_IO}) and use of package
@code{ASCII} are not flagged, since these are very common and
would generate many annoying positive warnings. The default is that
such warnings are not generated.
In addition to the above cases, warnings are also generated for
GNAT features that have been provided in past versions but which
have been superceded (typically by features in the new Ada standard).
For example, @code{pragma Ravenscar} will be flagged since its
function is replaced by @code{pragma Profile(Ravenscar)}.
Note that this warning option functions differently from the
restriction @code{No_Obsolescent_Features} in two respects.
First, the restriction applies only to annex J features.
Second, the restriction does flag uses of package @code{ASCII}.
@item -gnatwJ
@emph{Suppress warnings on obsolescent features (Annex J).}
@cindex @option{-gnatwJ} (@command{gcc})
This switch disables warnings on use of obsolescent features.
@item -gnatwk
@emph{Activate warnings on variables that could be constants.}
@cindex @option{-gnatwk} (@command{gcc})
This switch activates warnings for variables that are initialized but
never modified, and then could be declared constants.
@item -gnatwK
@emph{Suppress warnings on variables that could be constants.}
@cindex @option{-gnatwK} (@command{gcc})
This switch disables warnings on variables that could be declared constants.
@item -gnatwl
@emph{Activate warnings for missing elaboration pragmas.}
@cindex @option{-gnatwl} (@command{gcc})
@cindex Elaboration, warnings
This switch activates warnings on missing
@code{pragma Elaborate_All} statements.
See the section in this guide on elaboration checking for details on
when such pragma should be used. Warnings are also generated if you
are using the static mode of elaboration, and a @code{pragma Elaborate}
is encountered. The default is that such warnings
are not generated.
This warning is not automatically turned on by the use of @option{-gnatwa}.
@item -gnatwL
@emph{Suppress warnings for missing elaboration pragmas.}
@cindex @option{-gnatwL} (@command{gcc})
This switch suppresses warnings on missing pragma Elaborate_All statements.
See the section in this guide on elaboration checking for details on
when such pragma should be used.
@item -gnatwm
@emph{Activate warnings on modified but unreferenced variables.}
@cindex @option{-gnatwm} (@command{gcc})
This switch activates warnings for variables that are assigned (using
an initialization value or with one or more assignment statements) but
whose value is never read. The warning is suppressed for volatile
variables and also for variables that are renamings of other variables
or for which an address clause is given.
This warning can also be turned on using @option{-gnatwa}.
@item -gnatwM
@emph{Disable warnings on modified but unreferenced variables.}
@cindex @option{-gnatwM} (@command{gcc})
This switch disables warnings for variables that are assigned or
initialized, but never read.
@item -gnatwn
@emph{Set normal warnings mode.}
@cindex @option{-gnatwn} (@command{gcc})
This switch sets normal warning mode, in which enabled warnings are
issued and treated as warnings rather than errors. This is the default
mode. the switch @option{-gnatwn} can be used to cancel the effect of
an explicit @option{-gnatws} or
@option{-gnatwe}. It also cancels the effect of the
implicit @option{-gnatwe} that is activated by the
use of @option{-gnatg}.
@item -gnatwo
@emph{Activate warnings on address clause overlays.}
@cindex @option{-gnatwo} (@command{gcc})
@cindex Address Clauses, warnings
This switch activates warnings for possibly unintended initialization
effects of defining address clauses that cause one variable to overlap
another. The default is that such warnings are generated.
This warning can also be turned on using @option{-gnatwa}.
@item -gnatwO
@emph{Suppress warnings on address clause overlays.}
@cindex @option{-gnatwO} (@command{gcc})
This switch suppresses warnings on possibly unintended initialization
effects of defining address clauses that cause one variable to overlap
another.
@item -gnatwp
@emph{Activate warnings on ineffective pragma Inlines.}
@cindex @option{-gnatwp} (@command{gcc})
@cindex Inlining, warnings
This switch activates warnings for failure of front end inlining
(activated by @option{-gnatN}) to inline a particular call. There are
many reasons for not being able to inline a call, including most
commonly that the call is too complex to inline.
This warning can also be turned on using @option{-gnatwa}.
@item -gnatwP
@emph{Suppress warnings on ineffective pragma Inlines.}
@cindex @option{-gnatwP} (@command{gcc})
This switch suppresses warnings on ineffective pragma Inlines. If the
inlining mechanism cannot inline a call, it will simply ignore the
request silently.
@item -gnatwr
@emph{Activate warnings on redundant constructs.}
@cindex @option{-gnatwr} (@command{gcc})
This switch activates warnings for redundant constructs. The following
is the current list of constructs regarded as redundant:
This warning can also be turned on using @option{-gnatwa}.
@itemize @bullet
@item
Assignment of an item to itself.
@item
Type conversion that converts an expression to its own type.
@item
Use of the attribute @code{Base} where @code{typ'Base} is the same
as @code{typ}.
@item
Use of pragma @code{Pack} when all components are placed by a record
representation clause.
@item
Exception handler containing only a reraise statement (raise with no
operand) which has no effect.
@item
Use of the operator abs on an operand that is known at compile time
to be non-negative
@item
Comparison of boolean expressions to an explicit True value.
@end itemize
@item -gnatwR
@emph{Suppress warnings on redundant constructs.}
@cindex @option{-gnatwR} (@command{gcc})
This switch suppresses warnings for redundant constructs.
@item -gnatws
@emph{Suppress all warnings.}
@cindex @option{-gnatws} (@command{gcc})
This switch completely suppresses the
output of all warning messages from the GNAT front end.
Note that it does not suppress warnings from the @command{gcc} back end.
To suppress these back end warnings as well, use the switch @option{-w}
in addition to @option{-gnatws}.
@item -gnatwu
@emph{Activate warnings on unused entities.}
@cindex @option{-gnatwu} (@command{gcc})
This switch activates warnings to be generated for entities that
are declared but not referenced, and for units that are @code{with}'ed
and not
referenced. In the case of packages, a warning is also generated if
no entities in the package are referenced. This means that if the package
is referenced but the only references are in @code{use}
clauses or @code{renames}
declarations, a warning is still generated. A warning is also generated
for a generic package that is @code{with}'ed but never instantiated.
In the case where a package or subprogram body is compiled, and there
is a @code{with} on the corresponding spec
that is only referenced in the body,
a warning is also generated, noting that the
@code{with} can be moved to the body. The default is that
such warnings are not generated.
This switch also activates warnings on unreferenced formals
(it includes the effect of @option{-gnatwf}).
This warning can also be turned on using @option{-gnatwa}.
@item -gnatwU
@emph{Suppress warnings on unused entities.}
@cindex @option{-gnatwU} (@command{gcc})
This switch suppresses warnings for unused entities and packages.
It also turns off warnings on unreferenced formals (and thus includes
the effect of @option{-gnatwF}).
@item -gnatwv
@emph{Activate warnings on unassigned variables.}
@cindex @option{-gnatwv} (@command{gcc})
@cindex Unassigned variable warnings
This switch activates warnings for access to variables which
may not be properly initialized. The default is that
such warnings are generated.
@item -gnatwV
@emph{Suppress warnings on unassigned variables.}
@cindex @option{-gnatwV} (@command{gcc})
This switch suppresses warnings for access to variables which
may not be properly initialized.
@item -gnatwx
@emph{Activate warnings on Export/Import pragmas.}
@cindex @option{-gnatwx} (@command{gcc})
@cindex Export/Import pragma warnings
This switch activates warnings on Export/Import pragmas when
the compiler detects a possible conflict between the Ada and
foreign language calling sequences. For example, the use of
default parameters in a convention C procedure is dubious
because the C compiler cannot supply the proper default, so
a warning is issued. The default is that such warnings are
generated.
@item -gnatwX
@emph{Suppress warnings on Export/Import pragmas.}
@cindex @option{-gnatwX} (@command{gcc})
This switch suppresses warnings on Export/Import pragmas.
The sense of this is that you are telling the compiler that
you know what you are doing in writing the pragma, and it
should not complain at you.
@item -gnatwz
@emph{Activate warnings on unchecked conversions.}
@cindex @option{-gnatwz} (@command{gcc})
@cindex Unchecked_Conversion warnings
This switch activates warnings for unchecked conversions
where the types are known at compile time to have different
sizes. The default
is that such warnings are generated.
@item -gnatwZ
@emph{Suppress warnings on unchecked conversions.}
@cindex @option{-gnatwZ} (@command{gcc})
This switch suppresses warnings for unchecked conversions
where the types are known at compile time to have different
sizes.
@item ^-Wuninitialized^WARNINGS=UNINITIALIZED^
@cindex @option{-Wuninitialized}
The warnings controlled by the @option{-gnatw} switch are generated by the
front end of the compiler. In some cases, the @option{^gcc^GCC^} back end
can provide additional warnings. One such useful warning is provided by
@option{^-Wuninitialized^WARNINGS=UNINITIALIZED^}. This must be used in
conjunction with tunrning on optimization mode. This causes the flow
analysis circuits of the back end optimizer to output additional
warnings about uninitialized variables.
@item ^-w^/NO_BACK_END_WARNINGS^
@cindex @option{-w}
This switch suppresses warnings from the @option{^gcc^GCC^} back end. It may
be used in conjunction with @option{-gnatws} to ensure that all warnings
are suppressed during the entire compilation process.
@end table
@noindent
@ifclear vms
A string of warning parameters can be used in the same parameter. For example:
@smallexample
-gnatwaLe
@end smallexample
@noindent
will turn on all optional warnings except for elaboration pragma warnings,
and also specify that warnings should be treated as errors.
@end ifclear
When no switch @option{^-gnatw^/WARNINGS^} is used, this is equivalent to:
@table @option
@c !sort!
@item -gnatwC
@item -gnatwD
@item -gnatwF
@item -gnatwg
@item -gnatwH
@item -gnatwi
@item -gnatwJ
@item -gnatwK
@item -gnatwL
@item -gnatwM
@item -gnatwn
@item -gnatwo
@item -gnatwP
@item -gnatwR
@item -gnatwU
@item -gnatwv
@item -gnatwz
@item -gnatwx
@end table
@node Debugging and Assertion Control
@subsection Debugging and Assertion Control
@table @option
@item -gnata
@cindex @option{-gnata} (@command{gcc})
@findex Assert
@findex Debug
@cindex Assertions
@noindent
The pragmas @code{Assert} and @code{Debug} normally have no effect and
are ignored. This switch, where @samp{a} stands for assert, causes
@code{Assert} and @code{Debug} pragmas to be activated.
The pragmas have the form:
@smallexample
@cartouche
@b{pragma} Assert (@var{Boolean-expression} [,
@var{static-string-expression}])
@b{pragma} Debug (@var{procedure call})
@end cartouche
@end smallexample
@noindent
The @code{Assert} pragma causes @var{Boolean-expression} to be tested.
If the result is @code{True}, the pragma has no effect (other than
possible side effects from evaluating the expression). If the result is
@code{False}, the exception @code{Assert_Failure} declared in the package
@code{System.Assertions} is
raised (passing @var{static-string-expression}, if present, as the
message associated with the exception). If no string expression is
given the default is a string giving the file name and line number
of the pragma.
The @code{Debug} pragma causes @var{procedure} to be called. Note that
@code{pragma Debug} may appear within a declaration sequence, allowing
debugging procedures to be called between declarations.
@ifset vms
@item /DEBUG[=debug-level]
@itemx /NODEBUG
Specifies how much debugging information is to be included in
the resulting object file where 'debug-level' is one of the following:
@table @code
@item TRACEBACK
Include both debugger symbol records and traceback
the object file.
This is the default setting.
@item ALL
Include both debugger symbol records and traceback in
object file.
@item NONE
Excludes both debugger symbol records and traceback
the object file. Same as /NODEBUG.
@item SYMBOLS
Includes only debugger symbol records in the object
file. Note that this doesn't include traceback information.
@end table
@end ifset
@end table
@node Validity Checking
@subsection Validity Checking
@findex Validity Checking
@noindent
The Ada 95 Reference Manual has specific requirements for checking
for invalid values. In particular, RM 13.9.1 requires that the
evaluation of invalid values (for example from unchecked conversions),
not result in erroneous execution. In GNAT, the result of such an
evaluation in normal default mode is to either use the value
unmodified, or to raise Constraint_Error in those cases where use
of the unmodified value would cause erroneous execution. The cases
where unmodified values might lead to erroneous execution are case
statements (where a wild jump might result from an invalid value),
and subscripts on the left hand side (where memory corruption could
occur as a result of an invalid value).
The @option{-gnatV^@var{x}^^} switch allows more control over the validity
checking mode.
@ifclear vms
The @code{x} argument is a string of letters that
indicate validity checks that are performed or not performed in addition
to the default checks described above.
@end ifclear
@ifset vms
The options allowed for this qualifier
indicate validity checks that are performed or not performed in addition
to the default checks described above.
@end ifset
@table @option
@c !sort!
@item -gnatVa
@emph{All validity checks.}
@cindex @option{-gnatVa} (@command{gcc})
All validity checks are turned on.
@ifclear vms
That is, @option{-gnatVa} is
equivalent to @option{gnatVcdfimorst}.
@end ifclear
@item -gnatVc
@emph{Validity checks for copies.}
@cindex @option{-gnatVc} (@command{gcc})
The right hand side of assignments, and the initializing values of
object declarations are validity checked.
@item -gnatVd
@emph{Default (RM) validity checks.}
@cindex @option{-gnatVd} (@command{gcc})
Some validity checks are done by default following normal Ada semantics
(RM 13.9.1 (9-11)).
A check is done in case statements that the expression is within the range
of the subtype. If it is not, Constraint_Error is raised.
For assignments to array components, a check is done that the expression used
as index is within the range. If it is not, Constraint_Error is raised.
Both these validity checks may be turned off using switch @option{-gnatVD}.
They are turned on by default. If @option{-gnatVD} is specified, a subsequent
switch @option{-gnatVd} will leave the checks turned on.
Switch @option{-gnatVD} should be used only if you are sure that all such
expressions have valid values. If you use this switch and invalid values
are present, then the program is erroneous, and wild jumps or memory
overwriting may occur.
@item -gnatVf
@emph{Validity checks for floating-point values.}
@cindex @option{-gnatVf} (@command{gcc})
In the absence of this switch, validity checking occurs only for discrete
values. If @option{-gnatVf} is specified, then validity checking also applies
for floating-point values, and NaN's and infinities are considered invalid,
as well as out of range values for constrained types. Note that this means
that standard @code{IEEE} infinity mode is not allowed. The exact contexts
in which floating-point values are checked depends on the setting of other
options. For example,
@option{^-gnatVif^VALIDITY_CHECKING=(IN_PARAMS,FLOATS)^} or
@option{^-gnatVfi^VALIDITY_CHECKING=(FLOATS,IN_PARAMS)^}
(the order does not matter) specifies that floating-point parameters of mode
@code{in} should be validity checked.
@item -gnatVi
@emph{Validity checks for @code{in} mode parameters}
@cindex @option{-gnatVi} (@command{gcc})
Arguments for parameters of mode @code{in} are validity checked in function
and procedure calls at the point of call.
@item -gnatVm
@emph{Validity checks for @code{in out} mode parameters.}
@cindex @option{-gnatVm} (@command{gcc})
Arguments for parameters of mode @code{in out} are validity checked in
procedure calls at the point of call. The @code{'m'} here stands for
modify, since this concerns parameters that can be modified by the call.
Note that there is no specific option to test @code{out} parameters,
but any reference within the subprogram will be tested in the usual
manner, and if an invalid value is copied back, any reference to it
will be subject to validity checking.
@item -gnatVn
@emph{No validity checks.}
@cindex @option{-gnatVn} (@command{gcc})
This switch turns off all validity checking, including the default checking
for case statements and left hand side subscripts. Note that the use of
the switch @option{-gnatp} suppresses all run-time checks, including
validity checks, and thus implies @option{-gnatVn}. When this switch
is used, it cancels any other @option{-gnatV} previously issued.
@item -gnatVo
@emph{Validity checks for operator and attribute operands.}
@cindex @option{-gnatVo} (@command{gcc})
Arguments for predefined operators and attributes are validity checked.
This includes all operators in package @code{Standard},
the shift operators defined as intrinsic in package @code{Interfaces}
and operands for attributes such as @code{Pos}. Checks are also made
on individual component values for composite comparisons.
@item -gnatVp
@emph{Validity checks for parameters.}
@cindex @option{-gnatVp} (@command{gcc})
This controls the treatment of parameters within a subprogram (as opposed
to @option{-gnatVi} and @option{-gnatVm} which control validity testing
of parameters on a call. If either of these call options is used, then
normally an assumption is made within a subprogram that the input arguments
have been validity checking at the point of call, and do not need checking
again within a subprogram). If @option{-gnatVp} is set, then this assumption
is not made, and parameters are not assumed to be valid, so their validity
will be checked (or rechecked) within the subprogram.
@item -gnatVr
@emph{Validity checks for function returns.}
@cindex @option{-gnatVr} (@command{gcc})
The expression in @code{return} statements in functions is validity
checked.
@item -gnatVs
@emph{Validity checks for subscripts.}
@cindex @option{-gnatVs} (@command{gcc})
All subscripts expressions are checked for validity, whether they appear
on the right side or left side (in default mode only left side subscripts
are validity checked).
@item -gnatVt
@emph{Validity checks for tests.}
@cindex @option{-gnatVt} (@command{gcc})
Expressions used as conditions in @code{if}, @code{while} or @code{exit}
statements are checked, as well as guard expressions in entry calls.
@end table
@noindent
The @option{-gnatV} switch may be followed by
^a string of letters^a list of options^
to turn on a series of validity checking options.
For example,
@option{^-gnatVcr^/VALIDITY_CHECKING=(COPIES, RETURNS)^}
specifies that in addition to the default validity checking, copies and
function return expressions are to be validity checked.
In order to make it easier
to specify the desired combination of effects,
@ifclear vms
the upper case letters @code{CDFIMORST} may
be used to turn off the corresponding lower case option.
@end ifclear
@ifset vms
the prefix @code{NO} on an option turns off the corresponding validity
checking:
@itemize @bullet
@item @code{NOCOPIES}
@item @code{NODEFAULT}
@item @code{NOFLOATS}
@item @code{NOIN_PARAMS}
@item @code{NOMOD_PARAMS}
@item @code{NOOPERANDS}
@item @code{NORETURNS}
@item @code{NOSUBSCRIPTS}
@item @code{NOTESTS}
@end itemize
@end ifset
Thus
@option{^-gnatVaM^/VALIDITY_CHECKING=(ALL, NOMOD_PARAMS)^}
turns on all validity checking options except for
checking of @code{@b{in out}} procedure arguments.
The specification of additional validity checking generates extra code (and
in the case of @option{-gnatVa} the code expansion can be substantial.
However, these additional checks can be very useful in detecting
uninitialized variables, incorrect use of unchecked conversion, and other
errors leading to invalid values. The use of pragma @code{Initialize_Scalars}
is useful in conjunction with the extra validity checking, since this
ensures that wherever possible uninitialized variables have invalid values.
See also the pragma @code{Validity_Checks} which allows modification of
the validity checking mode at the program source level, and also allows for
temporary disabling of validity checks.
@node Style Checking
@subsection Style Checking
@findex Style checking
@noindent
The @option{-gnaty^x^(option,option,...)^} switch
@cindex @option{-gnaty} (@command{gcc})
causes the compiler to
enforce specified style rules. A limited set of style rules has been used
in writing the GNAT sources themselves. This switch allows user programs
to activate all or some of these checks. If the source program fails a
specified style check, an appropriate warning message is given, preceded by
the character sequence ``(style)''.
@ifset vms
@code{(option,option,...)} is a sequence of keywords
@end ifset
@ifclear vms
The string @var{x} is a sequence of letters or digits
@end ifclear
indicating the particular style
checks to be performed. The following checks are defined:
@table @option
@c !sort!
@item 1-9
@emph{Specify indentation level.}
If a digit from 1-9 appears
^in the string after @option{-gnaty}^as an option for /STYLE_CHECKS^
then proper indentation is checked, with the digit indicating the
indentation level required.
The general style of required indentation is as specified by
the examples in the Ada Reference Manual. Full line comments must be
aligned with the @code{--} starting on a column that is a multiple of
the alignment level.
@item ^a^ATTRIBUTE^
@emph{Check attribute casing.}
If the ^letter a^word ATTRIBUTE^ appears in the string after @option{-gnaty}
then attribute names, including the case of keywords such as @code{digits}
used as attributes names, must be written in mixed case, that is, the
initial letter and any letter following an underscore must be uppercase.
All other letters must be lowercase.
@item ^b^BLANKS^
@emph{Blanks not allowed at statement end.}
If the ^letter b^word BLANKS^ appears in the string after @option{-gnaty} then
trailing blanks are not allowed at the end of statements. The purpose of this
rule, together with h (no horizontal tabs), is to enforce a canonical format
for the use of blanks to separate source tokens.
@item ^c^COMMENTS^
@emph{Check comments.}
If the ^letter c^word COMMENTS^ appears in the string after @option{-gnaty}
then comments must meet the following set of rules:
@itemize @bullet
@item
The ``@code{--}'' that starts the column must either start in column one,
or else at least one blank must precede this sequence.
@item
Comments that follow other tokens on a line must have at least one blank
following the ``@code{--}'' at the start of the comment.
@item
Full line comments must have two blanks following the ``@code{--}'' that
starts the comment, with the following exceptions.
@item
A line consisting only of the ``@code{--}'' characters, possibly preceded
by blanks is permitted.
@item
A comment starting with ``@code{--x}'' where @code{x} is a special character
is permitted.
This allows proper processing of the output generated by specialized tools
including @command{gnatprep} (where ``@code{--!}'' is used) and the SPARK
annotation
language (where ``@code{--#}'' is used). For the purposes of this rule, a
special character is defined as being in one of the ASCII ranges
@code{16#21#..16#2F#} or @code{16#3A#..16#3F#}.
Note that this usage is not permitted
in GNAT implementation units (i.e. when @option{-gnatg} is used).
@item
A line consisting entirely of minus signs, possibly preceded by blanks, is
permitted. This allows the construction of box comments where lines of minus
signs are used to form the top and bottom of the box.
@item
A comment that starts and ends with ``@code{--}'' is permitted as long as at
least one blank follows the initial ``@code{--}''. Together with the preceding
rule, this allows the construction of box comments, as shown in the following
example:
@smallexample
---------------------------
-- This is a box comment --
-- with two text lines. --
---------------------------
@end smallexample
@end itemize
@item ^e^END^
@emph{Check end/exit labels.}
If the ^letter e^word END^ appears in the string after @option{-gnaty} then
optional labels on @code{end} statements ending subprograms and on
@code{exit} statements exiting named loops, are required to be present.
@item ^f^VTABS^
@emph{No form feeds or vertical tabs.}
If the ^letter f^word VTABS^ appears in the string after @option{-gnaty} then
neither form feeds nor vertical tab characters are permitted
in the source text.
@item ^h^HTABS^
@emph{No horizontal tabs.}
If the ^letter h^word HTABS^ appears in the string after @option{-gnaty} then
horizontal tab characters are not permitted in the source text.
Together with the b (no blanks at end of line) check, this
enforces a canonical form for the use of blanks to separate
source tokens.
@item ^i^IF_THEN^
@emph{Check if-then layout.}
If the ^letter i^word IF_THEN^ appears in the string after @option{-gnaty},
then the keyword @code{then} must appear either on the same
line as corresponding @code{if}, or on a line on its own, lined
up under the @code{if} with at least one non-blank line in between
containing all or part of the condition to be tested.
@item ^k^KEYWORD^
@emph{Check keyword casing.}
If the ^letter k^word KEYWORD^ appears in the string after @option{-gnaty} then
all keywords must be in lower case (with the exception of keywords
such as @code{digits} used as attribute names to which this check
does not apply).
@item ^l^LAYOUT^
@emph{Check layout.}
If the ^letter l^word LAYOUT^ appears in the string after @option{-gnaty} then
layout of statement and declaration constructs must follow the
recommendations in the Ada Reference Manual, as indicated by the
form of the syntax rules. For example an @code{else} keyword must
be lined up with the corresponding @code{if} keyword.
There are two respects in which the style rule enforced by this check
option are more liberal than those in the Ada Reference Manual. First
in the case of record declarations, it is permissible to put the
@code{record} keyword on the same line as the @code{type} keyword, and
then the @code{end} in @code{end record} must line up under @code{type}.
For example, either of the following two layouts is acceptable:
@smallexample @c ada
@cartouche
type q is record
a : integer;
b : integer;
end record;
type q is
record
a : integer;
b : integer;
end record;
@end cartouche
@end smallexample
@noindent
Second, in the case of a block statement, a permitted alternative
is to put the block label on the same line as the @code{declare} or
@code{begin} keyword, and then line the @code{end} keyword up under
the block label. For example both the following are permitted:
@smallexample @c ada
@cartouche
Block : declare
A : Integer := 3;
begin
Proc (A, A);
end Block;
Block :
declare
A : Integer := 3;
begin
Proc (A, A);
end Block;
@end cartouche
@end smallexample
@noindent
The same alternative format is allowed for loops. For example, both of
the following are permitted:
@smallexample @c ada
@cartouche
Clear : while J < 10 loop
A (J) := 0;
end loop Clear;
Clear :
while J < 10 loop
A (J) := 0;
end loop Clear;
@end cartouche
@end smallexample
@item ^Lnnn^MAX_NESTING=nnn^
@emph{Set maximum nesting level}
If the sequence ^Lnnn^MAX_NESTING=nnn^, where nnn is a decimal number in
the range 0-999, appears in the string after @option{-gnaty} then the
maximum level of nesting of constructs (including subprograms, loops,
blocks, packages, and conditionals) may not exceed the given value. A
value of zero disconnects this style check.
@item ^m^LINE_LENGTH^
@emph{Check maximum line length.}
If the ^letter m^word LINE_LENGTH^ appears in the string after @option{-gnaty}
then the length of source lines must not exceed 79 characters, including
any trailing blanks. The value of 79 allows convenient display on an
80 character wide device or window, allowing for possible special
treatment of 80 character lines. Note that this count is of raw
characters in the source text. This means that a tab character counts
as one character in this count and a wide character sequence counts as
several characters (however many are needed in the encoding).
@item ^Mnnn^MAX_LENGTH=nnn^
@emph{Set maximum line length.}
If the sequence ^M^MAX_LENGTH=^nnn, where nnn is a decimal number, appears in
the string after @option{-gnaty} then the length of lines must not exceed the
given value.
@item ^n^STANDARD_CASING^
@emph{Check casing of entities in Standard.}
If the ^letter n^word STANDARD_CASING^ appears in the string
after @option{-gnaty} then any identifier from Standard must be cased
to match the presentation in the Ada Reference Manual (for example,
@code{Integer} and @code{ASCII.NUL}).
@item ^o^ORDERED_SUBPROGRAMS^
@emph{Check order of subprogram bodies.}
If the ^letter o^word ORDERED_SUBPROGRAMS^ appears in the string
after @option{-gnaty} then all subprogram bodies in a given scope
(e.g. a package body) must be in alphabetical order. The ordering
rule uses normal Ada rules for comparing strings, ignoring casing
of letters, except that if there is a trailing numeric suffix, then
the value of this suffix is used in the ordering (e.g. Junk2 comes
before Junk10).
@item ^p^PRAGMA^
@emph{Check pragma casing.}
If the ^letter p^word PRAGMA^ appears in the string after @option{-gnaty} then
pragma names must be written in mixed case, that is, the
initial letter and any letter following an underscore must be uppercase.
All other letters must be lowercase.
@item ^r^REFERENCES^
@emph{Check references.}
If the ^letter r^word REFERENCES^ appears in the string after @option{-gnaty}
then all identifier references must be cased in the same way as the
corresponding declaration. No specific casing style is imposed on
identifiers. The only requirement is for consistency of references
with declarations.
@item ^s^SPECS^
@emph{Check separate specs.}
If the ^letter s^word SPECS^ appears in the string after @option{-gnaty} then
separate declarations (``specs'') are required for subprograms (a
body is not allowed to serve as its own declaration). The only
exception is that parameterless library level procedures are
not required to have a separate declaration. This exception covers
the most frequent form of main program procedures.
@item ^t^TOKEN^
@emph{Check token spacing.}
If the ^letter t^word TOKEN^ appears in the string after @option{-gnaty} then
the following token spacing rules are enforced:
@itemize @bullet
@item
The keywords @code{@b{abs}} and @code{@b{not}} must be followed by a space.
@item
The token @code{=>} must be surrounded by spaces.
@item
The token @code{<>} must be preceded by a space or a left parenthesis.
@item
Binary operators other than @code{**} must be surrounded by spaces.
There is no restriction on the layout of the @code{**} binary operator.
@item
Colon must be surrounded by spaces.
@item
Colon-equal (assignment, initialization) must be surrounded by spaces.
@item
Comma must be the first non-blank character on the line, or be
immediately preceded by a non-blank character, and must be followed
by a space.
@item
If the token preceding a left parenthesis ends with a letter or digit, then
a space must separate the two tokens.
@item
A right parenthesis must either be the first non-blank character on
a line, or it must be preceded by a non-blank character.
@item
A semicolon must not be preceded by a space, and must not be followed by
a non-blank character.
@item
A unary plus or minus may not be followed by a space.
@item
A vertical bar must be surrounded by spaces.
@end itemize
@item ^x^XTRA_PARENS^
@emph{Check extra parentheses.}
Check for the use of an unnecessary extra level of parentheses (C-style)
around conditions in @code{if} statements, @code{while} statements and
@code{exit} statements.
@end table
@noindent
In the above rules, appearing in column one is always permitted, that is,
counts as meeting either a requirement for a required preceding space,
or as meeting a requirement for no preceding space.
Appearing at the end of a line is also always permitted, that is, counts
as meeting either a requirement for a following space, or as meeting
a requirement for no following space.
@noindent
If any of these style rules is violated, a message is generated giving
details on the violation. The initial characters of such messages are
always ``@code{(style)}''. Note that these messages are treated as warning
messages, so they normally do not prevent the generation of an object
file. The @option{-gnatwe} switch can be used to treat warning messages,
including style messages, as fatal errors.
The switch
@ifclear vms
@option{-gnaty} on its own (that is not
followed by any letters or digits),
is equivalent to @code{gnaty3abcefhiklmprst}, that is all checking
options enabled with the exception of -gnatyo,
@end ifclear
@ifset vms
/STYLE_CHECKS=ALL_BUILTIN enables all checking options with
the exception of ORDERED_SUBPROGRAMS,
@end ifset
with an indentation level of 3. This is the standard
checking option that is used for the GNAT sources.
The switch
@ifclear vms
@option{-gnatyN}
@end ifclear
@ifset vms
/STYLE_CHECKS=NONE
@end ifset
clears any previously set style checks.
@node Run-Time Checks
@subsection Run-Time Checks
@cindex Division by zero
@cindex Access before elaboration
@cindex Checks, division by zero
@cindex Checks, access before elaboration
@noindent
If you compile with the default options, GNAT will insert many run-time
checks into the compiled code, including code that performs range
checking against constraints, but not arithmetic overflow checking for
integer operations (including division by zero) or checks for access
before elaboration on subprogram calls. All other run-time checks, as
required by the Ada 95 Reference Manual, are generated by default.
The following @command{gcc} switches refine this default behavior:
@table @option
@c !sort!
@item -gnatp
@cindex @option{-gnatp} (@command{gcc})
@cindex Suppressing checks
@cindex Checks, suppressing
@findex Suppress
Suppress all run-time checks as though @code{pragma Suppress (all_checks})
had been present in the source. Validity checks are also suppressed (in
other words @option{-gnatp} also implies @option{-gnatVn}.
Use this switch to improve the performance
of the code at the expense of safety in the presence of invalid data or
program bugs.
@item -gnato
@cindex @option{-gnato} (@command{gcc})
@cindex Overflow checks
@cindex Check, overflow
Enables overflow checking for integer operations.
This causes GNAT to generate slower and larger executable
programs by adding code to check for overflow (resulting in raising
@code{Constraint_Error} as required by standard Ada
semantics). These overflow checks correspond to situations in which
the true value of the result of an operation may be outside the base
range of the result type. The following example shows the distinction:
@smallexample @c ada
X1 : Integer := Integer'Last;
X2 : Integer range 1 .. 5 := 5;
X3 : Integer := Integer'Last;
X4 : Integer range 1 .. 5 := 5;
F : Float := 2.0E+20;
...
X1 := X1 + 1;
X2 := X2 + 1;
X3 := Integer (F);
X4 := Integer (F);
@end smallexample
@noindent
Here the first addition results in a value that is outside the base range
of Integer, and hence requires an overflow check for detection of the
constraint error. Thus the first assignment to @code{X1} raises a
@code{Constraint_Error} exception only if @option{-gnato} is set.
The second increment operation results in a violation
of the explicit range constraint, and such range checks are always
performed (unless specifically suppressed with a pragma @code{suppress}
or the use of @option{-gnatp}).
The two conversions of @code{F} both result in values that are outside
the base range of type @code{Integer} and thus will raise
@code{Constraint_Error} exceptions only if @option{-gnato} is used.
The fact that the result of the second conversion is assigned to
variable @code{X4} with a restricted range is irrelevant, since the problem
is in the conversion, not the assignment.
Basically the rule is that in the default mode (@option{-gnato} not
used), the generated code assures that all integer variables stay
within their declared ranges, or within the base range if there is
no declared range. This prevents any serious problems like indexes
out of range for array operations.
What is not checked in default mode is an overflow that results in
an in-range, but incorrect value. In the above example, the assignments
to @code{X1}, @code{X2}, @code{X3} all give results that are within the
range of the target variable, but the result is wrong in the sense that
it is too large to be represented correctly. Typically the assignment
to @code{X1} will result in wrap around to the largest negative number.
The conversions of @code{F} will result in some @code{Integer} value
and if that integer value is out of the @code{X4} range then the
subsequent assignment would generate an exception.
@findex Machine_Overflows
Note that the @option{-gnato} switch does not affect the code generated
for any floating-point operations; it applies only to integer
semantics).
For floating-point, GNAT has the @code{Machine_Overflows}
attribute set to @code{False} and the normal mode of operation is to
generate IEEE NaN and infinite values on overflow or invalid operations
(such as dividing 0.0 by 0.0).
The reason that we distinguish overflow checking from other kinds of
range constraint checking is that a failure of an overflow check can
generate an incorrect value, but cannot cause erroneous behavior. This
is unlike the situation with a constraint check on an array subscript,
where failure to perform the check can result in random memory description,
or the range check on a case statement, where failure to perform the check
can cause a wild jump.
Note again that @option{-gnato} is off by default, so overflow checking is
not performed in default mode. This means that out of the box, with the
default settings, GNAT does not do all the checks expected from the
language description in the Ada Reference Manual. If you want all constraint
checks to be performed, as described in this Manual, then you must
explicitly use the -gnato switch either on the @command{gnatmake} or
@command{gcc} command.
@item -gnatE
@cindex @option{-gnatE} (@command{gcc})
@cindex Elaboration checks
@cindex Check, elaboration
Enables dynamic checks for access-before-elaboration
on subprogram calls and generic instantiations.
For full details of the effect and use of this switch,
@xref{Compiling Using gcc}.
@end table
@findex Unsuppress
@noindent
The setting of these switches only controls the default setting of the
checks. You may modify them using either @code{Suppress} (to remove
checks) or @code{Unsuppress} (to add back suppressed checks) pragmas in
the program source.
@node Stack Overflow Checking
@subsection Stack Overflow Checking
@cindex Stack Overflow Checking
@cindex -fstack-check
@noindent
For most operating systems, @command{gcc} does not perform stack overflow
checking by default. This means that if the main environment task or
some other task exceeds the available stack space, then unpredictable
behavior will occur.
To activate stack checking, compile all units with the gcc option
@option{-fstack-check}. For example:
@smallexample
gcc -c -fstack-check package1.adb
@end smallexample
@noindent
Units compiled with this option will generate extra instructions to check
that any use of the stack (for procedure calls or for declaring local
variables in declare blocks) do not exceed the available stack space.
If the space is exceeded, then a @code{Storage_Error} exception is raised.
For declared tasks, the stack size is always controlled by the size
given in an applicable @code{Storage_Size} pragma (or is set to
the default size if no pragma is used.
For the environment task, the stack size depends on
system defaults and is unknown to the compiler. The stack
may even dynamically grow on some systems, precluding the
normal Ada semantics for stack overflow. In the worst case,
unbounded stack usage, causes unbounded stack expansion
resulting in the system running out of virtual memory.
The stack checking may still work correctly if a fixed
size stack is allocated, but this cannot be guaranteed.
To ensure that a clean exception is signalled for stack
overflow, set the environment variable
@code{GNAT_STACK_LIMIT} to indicate the maximum
stack area that can be used, as in:
@cindex GNAT_STACK_LIMIT
@smallexample
SET GNAT_STACK_LIMIT 1600
@end smallexample
@noindent
The limit is given in kilobytes, so the above declaration would
set the stack limit of the environment task to 1.6 megabytes.
Note that the only purpose of this usage is to limit the amount
of stack used by the environment task. If it is necessary to
increase the amount of stack for the environment task, then this
is an operating systems issue, and must be addressed with the
appropriate operating systems commands.
@node Using gcc for Syntax Checking
@subsection Using @command{gcc} for Syntax Checking
@table @option
@item -gnats
@cindex @option{-gnats} (@command{gcc})
@ifclear vms
@noindent
The @code{s} stands for ``syntax''.
@end ifclear
Run GNAT in syntax checking only mode. For
example, the command
@smallexample
$ gcc -c -gnats x.adb
@end smallexample
@noindent
compiles file @file{x.adb} in syntax-check-only mode. You can check a
series of files in a single command
@ifclear vms
, and can use wild cards to specify such a group of files.
Note that you must specify the @option{-c} (compile
only) flag in addition to the @option{-gnats} flag.
@end ifclear
.
You may use other switches in conjunction with @option{-gnats}. In
particular, @option{-gnatl} and @option{-gnatv} are useful to control the
format of any generated error messages.
When the source file is empty or contains only empty lines and/or comments,
the output is a warning:
@smallexample
$ gcc -c -gnats -x ada toto.txt
toto.txt:1:01: warning: empty file, contains no compilation units
$
@end smallexample
Otherwise, the output is simply the error messages, if any. No object file or
ALI file is generated by a syntax-only compilation. Also, no units other
than the one specified are accessed. For example, if a unit @code{X}
@code{with}'s a unit @code{Y}, compiling unit @code{X} in syntax
check only mode does not access the source file containing unit
@code{Y}.
@cindex Multiple units, syntax checking
Normally, GNAT allows only a single unit in a source file. However, this
restriction does not apply in syntax-check-only mode, and it is possible
to check a file containing multiple compilation units concatenated
together. This is primarily used by the @code{gnatchop} utility
(@pxref{Renaming Files Using gnatchop}).
@end table
@node Using gcc for Semantic Checking
@subsection Using @command{gcc} for Semantic Checking
@table @option
@item -gnatc
@cindex @option{-gnatc} (@command{gcc})
@ifclear vms
@noindent
The @code{c} stands for ``check''.
@end ifclear
Causes the compiler to operate in semantic check mode,
with full checking for all illegalities specified in the
Ada 95 Reference Manual, but without generation of any object code
(no object file is generated).
Because dependent files must be accessed, you must follow the GNAT
semantic restrictions on file structuring to operate in this mode:
@itemize @bullet
@item
The needed source files must be accessible
(@pxref{Search Paths and the Run-Time Library (RTL)}).
@item
Each file must contain only one compilation unit.
@item
The file name and unit name must match (@pxref{File Naming Rules}).
@end itemize
The output consists of error messages as appropriate. No object file is
generated. An @file{ALI} file is generated for use in the context of
cross-reference tools, but this file is marked as not being suitable
for binding (since no object file is generated).
The checking corresponds exactly to the notion of
legality in the Ada 95 Reference Manual.
Any unit can be compiled in semantics-checking-only mode, including
units that would not normally be compiled (subunits,
and specifications where a separate body is present).
@end table
@node Compiling Ada 83 Programs
@subsection Compiling Ada 83 Programs
@table @option
@cindex Ada 83 compatibility
@item -gnat83
@cindex @option{-gnat83} (@command{gcc})
@cindex ACVC, Ada 83 tests
@noindent
Although GNAT is primarily an Ada 95 compiler, it accepts this switch to
specify that an Ada 83 program is to be compiled in Ada 83 mode. If you specify
this switch, GNAT rejects most Ada 95 extensions and applies Ada 83 semantics
where this can be done easily.
It is not possible to guarantee this switch does a perfect
job; for example, some subtle tests, such as are
found in earlier ACVC tests (and that have been removed from the ACATS suite
for Ada 95), might not compile correctly.
Nevertheless, this switch may be useful in some circumstances, for example
where, due to contractual reasons, legacy code needs to be maintained
using only Ada 83 features.
With few exceptions (most notably the need to use @code{<>} on
@cindex Generic formal parameters
unconstrained generic formal parameters, the use of the new Ada 95
reserved words, and the use of packages
with optional bodies), it is not necessary to use the
@option{-gnat83} switch when compiling Ada 83 programs, because, with rare
exceptions, Ada 95 is upwardly compatible with Ada 83. This
means that a correct Ada 83 program is usually also a correct Ada 95
program.
For further information, please refer to @ref{Compatibility and Porting Guide}.
@end table
@node Character Set Control
@subsection Character Set Control
@table @option
@item ^-gnati^/IDENTIFIER_CHARACTER_SET=^@var{c}
@cindex @option{^-gnati^/IDENTIFIER_CHARACTER_SET^} (@command{gcc})
@noindent
Normally GNAT recognizes the Latin-1 character set in source program
identifiers, as described in the Ada 95 Reference Manual.
This switch causes
GNAT to recognize alternate character sets in identifiers. @var{c} is a
single character ^^or word^ indicating the character set, as follows:
@table @code
@item 1
ISO 8859-1 (Latin-1) identifiers
@item 2
ISO 8859-2 (Latin-2) letters allowed in identifiers
@item 3
ISO 8859-3 (Latin-3) letters allowed in identifiers
@item 4
ISO 8859-4 (Latin-4) letters allowed in identifiers
@item 5
ISO 8859-5 (Cyrillic) letters allowed in identifiers
@item 9
ISO 8859-15 (Latin-9) letters allowed in identifiers
@item ^p^PC^
IBM PC letters (code page 437) allowed in identifiers
@item ^8^PC850^
IBM PC letters (code page 850) allowed in identifiers
@item ^f^FULL_UPPER^
Full upper-half codes allowed in identifiers
@item ^n^NO_UPPER^
No upper-half codes allowed in identifiers
@item ^w^WIDE^
Wide-character codes (that is, codes greater than 255)
allowed in identifiers
@end table
@xref{Foreign Language Representation}, for full details on the
implementation of these character sets.
@item ^-gnatW^/WIDE_CHARACTER_ENCODING=^@var{e}
@cindex @option{^-gnatW^/WIDE_CHARACTER_ENCODING^} (@command{gcc})
Specify the method of encoding for wide characters.
@var{e} is one of the following:
@table @code
@item ^h^HEX^
Hex encoding (brackets coding also recognized)
@item ^u^UPPER^
Upper half encoding (brackets encoding also recognized)
@item ^s^SHIFT_JIS^
Shift/JIS encoding (brackets encoding also recognized)
@item ^e^EUC^
EUC encoding (brackets encoding also recognized)
@item ^8^UTF8^
UTF-8 encoding (brackets encoding also recognized)
@item ^b^BRACKETS^
Brackets encoding only (default value)
@end table
For full details on the these encoding
methods see @ref{Wide Character Encodings}.
Note that brackets coding is always accepted, even if one of the other
options is specified, so for example @option{-gnatW8} specifies that both
brackets and @code{UTF-8} encodings will be recognized. The units that are
with'ed directly or indirectly will be scanned using the specified
representation scheme, and so if one of the non-brackets scheme is
used, it must be used consistently throughout the program. However,
since brackets encoding is always recognized, it may be conveniently
used in standard libraries, allowing these libraries to be used with
any of the available coding schemes.
scheme. If no @option{-gnatW?} parameter is present, then the default
representation is Brackets encoding only.
Note that the wide character representation that is specified (explicitly
or by default) for the main program also acts as the default encoding used
for Wide_Text_IO files if not specifically overridden by a WCEM form
parameter.
@end table
@node File Naming Control
@subsection File Naming Control
@table @option
@item ^-gnatk^/FILE_NAME_MAX_LENGTH=^@var{n}
@cindex @option{-gnatk} (@command{gcc})
Activates file name ``krunching''. @var{n}, a decimal integer in the range
1-999, indicates the maximum allowable length of a file name (not
including the @file{.ads} or @file{.adb} extension). The default is not
to enable file name krunching.
For the source file naming rules, @xref{File Naming Rules}.
@end table
@node Subprogram Inlining Control
@subsection Subprogram Inlining Control
@table @option
@c !sort!
@item -gnatn
@cindex @option{-gnatn} (@command{gcc})
@ifclear vms
The @code{n} here is intended to suggest the first syllable of the
word ``inline''.
@end ifclear
GNAT recognizes and processes @code{Inline} pragmas. However, for the
inlining to actually occur, optimization must be enabled. To enable
inlining of subprograms specified by pragma @code{Inline},
you must also specify this switch.
In the absence of this switch, GNAT does not attempt
inlining and does not need to access the bodies of
subprograms for which @code{pragma Inline} is specified if they are not
in the current unit.
If you specify this switch the compiler will access these bodies,
creating an extra source dependency for the resulting object file, and
where possible, the call will be inlined.
For further details on when inlining is possible
see @ref{Inlining of Subprograms}.
@item -gnatN
@cindex @option{-gnatN} (@command{gcc})
The front end inlining activated by this switch is generally more extensive,
and quite often more effective than the standard @option{-gnatn} inlining mode.
It will also generate additional dependencies.
Note that
@option{-gnatN} automatically implies @option{-gnatn} so it is not necessary
to specify both options.
@end table
@node Auxiliary Output Control
@subsection Auxiliary Output Control
@table @option
@item -gnatt
@cindex @option{-gnatt} (@command{gcc})
@cindex Writing internal trees
@cindex Internal trees, writing to file
Causes GNAT to write the internal tree for a unit to a file (with the
extension @file{.adt}.
This not normally required, but is used by separate analysis tools.
Typically
these tools do the necessary compilations automatically, so you should
not have to specify this switch in normal operation.
@item -gnatu
@cindex @option{-gnatu} (@command{gcc})
Print a list of units required by this compilation on @file{stdout}.
The listing includes all units on which the unit being compiled depends
either directly or indirectly.
@ifclear vms
@item -pass-exit-codes
@cindex @option{-pass-exit-codes} (@command{gcc})
If this switch is not used, the exit code returned by @command{gcc} when
compiling multiple files indicates whether all source files have
been successfully used to generate object files or not.
When @option{-pass-exit-codes} is used, @command{gcc} exits with an extended
exit status and allows an integrated development environment to better
react to a compilation failure. Those exit status are:
@table @asis
@item 5
There was an error in at least one source file.
@item 3
At least one source file did not generate an object file.
@item 2
The compiler died unexpectedly (internal error for example).
@item 0
An object file has been generated for every source file.
@end table
@end ifclear
@end table
@node Debugging Control
@subsection Debugging Control
@table @option
@c !sort!
@cindex Debugging options
@ifclear vms
@item -gnatd@var{x}
@cindex @option{-gnatd} (@command{gcc})
Activate internal debugging switches. @var{x} is a letter or digit, or
string of letters or digits, which specifies the type of debugging
outputs desired. Normally these are used only for internal development
or system debugging purposes. You can find full documentation for these
switches in the body of the @code{Debug} unit in the compiler source
file @file{debug.adb}.
@end ifclear
@item -gnatG
@cindex @option{-gnatG} (@command{gcc})
This switch causes the compiler to generate auxiliary output containing
a pseudo-source listing of the generated expanded code. Like most Ada
compilers, GNAT works by first transforming the high level Ada code into
lower level constructs. For example, tasking operations are transformed
into calls to the tasking run-time routines. A unique capability of GNAT
is to list this expanded code in a form very close to normal Ada source.
This is very useful in understanding the implications of various Ada
usage on the efficiency of the generated code. There are many cases in
Ada (e.g. the use of controlled types), where simple Ada statements can
generate a lot of run-time code. By using @option{-gnatG} you can identify
these cases, and consider whether it may be desirable to modify the coding
approach to improve efficiency.
The format of the output is very similar to standard Ada source, and is
easily understood by an Ada programmer. The following special syntactic
additions correspond to low level features used in the generated code that
do not have any exact analogies in pure Ada source form. The following
is a partial list of these special constructions. See the specification
of package @code{Sprint} in file @file{sprint.ads} for a full list.
@table @code
@item new @var{xxx} [storage_pool = @var{yyy}]
Shows the storage pool being used for an allocator.
@item at end @var{procedure-name};
Shows the finalization (cleanup) procedure for a scope.
@item (if @var{expr} then @var{expr} else @var{expr})
Conditional expression equivalent to the @code{x?y:z} construction in C.
@item @var{target}^^^(@var{source})
A conversion with floating-point truncation instead of rounding.
@item @var{target}?(@var{source})
A conversion that bypasses normal Ada semantic checking. In particular
enumeration types and fixed-point types are treated simply as integers.
@item @var{target}?^^^(@var{source})
Combines the above two cases.
@item @var{x} #/ @var{y}
@itemx @var{x} #mod @var{y}
@itemx @var{x} #* @var{y}
@itemx @var{x} #rem @var{y}
A division or multiplication of fixed-point values which are treated as
integers without any kind of scaling.
@item free @var{expr} [storage_pool = @var{xxx}]
Shows the storage pool associated with a @code{free} statement.
@item freeze @var{typename} [@var{actions}]
Shows the point at which @var{typename} is frozen, with possible
associated actions to be performed at the freeze point.
@item reference @var{itype}
Reference (and hence definition) to internal type @var{itype}.
@item @var{function-name}! (@var{arg}, @var{arg}, @var{arg})
Intrinsic function call.
@item @var{labelname} : label
Declaration of label @var{labelname}.
@item @var{expr} && @var{expr} && @var{expr} ... && @var{expr}
A multiple concatenation (same effect as @var{expr} & @var{expr} &
@var{expr}, but handled more efficiently).
@item [constraint_error]
Raise the @code{Constraint_Error} exception.
@item @var{expression}'reference
A pointer to the result of evaluating @var{expression}.
@item @var{target-type}!(@var{source-expression})
An unchecked conversion of @var{source-expression} to @var{target-type}.
@item [@var{numerator}/@var{denominator}]
Used to represent internal real literals (that) have no exact
representation in base 2-16 (for example, the result of compile time
evaluation of the expression 1.0/27.0).
@end table
@item -gnatD
@cindex @option{-gnatD} (@command{gcc})
When used in conjunction with @option{-gnatG}, this switch causes
the expanded source, as described above for
@option{-gnatG} to be written to files with names
@file{^xxx.dg^XXX_DG^}, where @file{xxx} is the normal file name,
instead of to the standard ooutput file. For
example, if the source file name is @file{hello.adb}, then a file
@file{^hello.adb.dg^HELLO.ADB_DG^} will be written. The debugging
information generated by the @command{gcc} @option{^-g^/DEBUG^} switch
will refer to the generated @file{^xxx.dg^XXX_DG^} file. This allows
you to do source level debugging using the generated code which is
sometimes useful for complex code, for example to find out exactly
which part of a complex construction raised an exception. This switch
also suppress generation of cross-reference information (see
@option{-gnatx}) since otherwise the cross-reference information
would refer to the @file{^.dg^.DG^} file, which would cause
confusion since this is not the original source file.
Note that @option{-gnatD} actually implies @option{-gnatG}
automatically, so it is not necessary to give both options.
In other words @option{-gnatD} is equivalent to @option{-gnatDG}).
@ifclear vms
@item -gnatR[0|1|2|3[s]]
@cindex @option{-gnatR} (@command{gcc})
This switch controls output from the compiler of a listing showing
representation information for declared types and objects. For
@option{-gnatR0}, no information is output (equivalent to omitting
the @option{-gnatR} switch). For @option{-gnatR1} (which is the default,
so @option{-gnatR} with no parameter has the same effect), size and alignment
information is listed for declared array and record types. For
@option{-gnatR2}, size and alignment information is listed for all
expression information for values that are computed at run time for
variant records. These symbolic expressions have a mostly obvious
format with #n being used to represent the value of the n'th
discriminant. See source files @file{repinfo.ads/adb} in the
@code{GNAT} sources for full details on the format of @option{-gnatR3}
output. If the switch is followed by an s (e.g. @option{-gnatR2s}), then
the output is to a file with the name @file{^file.rep^file_REP^} where
file is the name of the corresponding source file.
@end ifclear
@ifset vms
@item /REPRESENTATION_INFO
@cindex @option{/REPRESENTATION_INFO} (@command{gcc})
This qualifier controls output from the compiler of a listing showing
representation information for declared types and objects. For
@option{/REPRESENTATION_INFO=NONE}, no information is output
(equivalent to omitting the @option{/REPRESENTATION_INFO} qualifier).
@option{/REPRESENTATION_INFO} without option is equivalent to
@option{/REPRESENTATION_INFO=ARRAYS}.
For @option{/REPRESENTATION_INFO=ARRAYS}, size and alignment
information is listed for declared array and record types. For
@option{/REPRESENTATION_INFO=OBJECTS}, size and alignment information
is listed for all expression information for values that are computed
at run time for variant records. These symbolic expressions have a mostly
obvious format with #n being used to represent the value of the n'th
discriminant. See source files @file{REPINFO.ADS/ADB} in the
@code{GNAT} sources for full details on the format of
@option{/REPRESENTATION_INFO=SYMBOLIC} output.
If _FILE is added at the end of an option
(e.g. @option{/REPRESENTATION_INFO=ARRAYS_FILE}),
then the output is to a file with the name @file{file_REP} where
file is the name of the corresponding source file.
@end ifset
@item -gnatS
@cindex @option{-gnatS} (@command{gcc})
The use of the switch @option{-gnatS} for an
Ada compilation will cause the compiler to output a
representation of package Standard in a form very
close to standard Ada. It is not quite possible to
do this entirely in standard Ada (since new
numeric base types cannot be created in standard
Ada), but the output is easily
readable to any Ada programmer, and is useful to
determine the characteristics of target dependent
types in package Standard.
@item -gnatx
@cindex @option{-gnatx} (@command{gcc})
Normally the compiler generates full cross-referencing information in
the @file{ALI} file. This information is used by a number of tools,
including @code{gnatfind} and @code{gnatxref}. The @option{-gnatx} switch
suppresses this information. This saves some space and may slightly
speed up compilation, but means that these tools cannot be used.
@end table
@node Exception Handling Control
@subsection Exception Handling Control
@noindent
GNAT uses two methods for handling exceptions at run-time. The
@code{longjmp/setjmp} method saves the context when entering
a frame with an exception handler. Then when an exception is
raised, the context can be restored immediately, without the
need for tracing stack frames. This method provides very fast
exception propagation, but introduces significant overhead for
the use of exception handlers, even if no exception is raised.
The other approach is called ``zero cost'' exception handling.
With this method, the compiler builds static tables to describe
the exception ranges. No dynamic code is required when entering
a frame containing an exception handler. When an exception is
raised, the tables are used to control a back trace of the
subprogram invocation stack to locate the required exception
handler. This method has considerably poorer performance for
the propagation of exceptions, but there is no overhead for
exception handlers if no exception is raised. Note that in this
mode and in the context of mixed Ada and C/C++ programming,
to propagate an exception through a C/C++ code, the C/C++ code
must be compiled with the @option{-funwind-tables} GCC's
option.
The following switches can be used to control which of the
two exception handling methods is used.
@table @option
@c !sort!
@item -gnatL
@cindex @option{-gnatL} (@command{gcc})
This switch causes the longjmp/setjmp approach to be used
for exception handling. If this is the default mechanism for the
target (see below), then this has no effect. If the default
mechanism for the target is zero cost exceptions, then
this switch can be used to modify this default, but it must be
used for all units in the partition, including all run-time
library units. One way to achieve this is to use the
@option{-a} and @option{-f} switches for @command{gnatmake}.
This option is rarely used. One case in which it may be
advantageous is if you have an application where exception
raising is common and the overall performance of the
application is improved by favoring exception propagation.
@item -gnatZ
@cindex @option{-gnatZ} (@command{gcc})
@cindex Zero Cost Exceptions
This switch causes the zero cost approach to be sed
for exception handling. If this is the default mechanism for the
target (see below), then this has no effect. If the default
mechanism for the target is longjmp/setjmp exceptions, then
this switch can be used to modify this default, but it must be
used for all units in the partition, including all run-time
library units. One way to achieve this is to use the
@option{-a} and @option{-f} switches for @command{gnatmake}.
This option can only be used if the zero cost approach
is available for the target in use (see below).
@end table
@noindent
The @code{longjmp/setjmp} approach is available on all targets, but
the @code{zero cost} approach is only available on selected targets.
To determine whether zero cost exceptions can be used for a
particular target, look at the private part of the file system.ads.
Either @code{GCC_ZCX_Support} or @code{Front_End_ZCX_Support} must
be True to use the zero cost approach. If both of these switches
are set to False, this means that zero cost exception handling
is not yet available for that target. The switch
@code{ZCX_By_Default} indicates the default approach. If this
switch is set to True, then the @code{zero cost} approach is
used by default.
@node Units to Sources Mapping Files
@subsection Units to Sources Mapping Files
@table @option
@item -gnatem^^=^@var{path}
@cindex @option{-gnatem} (@command{gcc})
A mapping file is a way to communicate to the compiler two mappings:
from unit names to file names (without any directory information) and from
file names to path names (with full directory information). These mappings
are used by the compiler to short-circuit the path search.
The use of mapping files is not required for correct operation of the
compiler, but mapping files can improve efficiency, particularly when
sources are read over a slow network connection. In normal operation,
you need not be concerned with the format or use of mapping files,
and the @option{-gnatem} switch is not a switch that you would use
explicitly. it is intended only for use by automatic tools such as
@command{gnatmake} running under the project file facility. The
description here of the format of mapping files is provided
for completeness and for possible use by other tools.
A mapping file is a sequence of sets of three lines. In each set,
the first line is the unit name, in lower case, with ``@code{%s}''
appended for
specifications and ``@code{%b}'' appended for bodies; the second line is the
file name; and the third line is the path name.
Example:
@smallexample
main%b
main.2.ada
/gnat/project1/sources/main.2.ada
@end smallexample
When the switch @option{-gnatem} is specified, the compiler will create
in memory the two mappings from the specified file. If there is any problem
(non existent file, truncated file or duplicate entries), no mapping
will be created.
Several @option{-gnatem} switches may be specified; however, only the last
one on the command line will be taken into account.
When using a project file, @command{gnatmake} create a temporary mapping file
and communicates it to the compiler using this switch.
@end table
@node Integrated Preprocessing
@subsection Integrated Preprocessing
@noindent
GNAT sources may be preprocessed immediately before compilation; the actual
text of the source is not the text of the source file, but is derived from it
through a process called preprocessing. Integrated preprocessing is specified
through switches @option{-gnatep} and/or @option{-gnateD}. @option{-gnatep}
indicates, through a text file, the preprocessing data to be used.
@option{-gnateD} specifies or modifies the values of preprocessing symbol.
@noindent
It is recommended that @command{gnatmake} switch ^-s^/SWITCH_CHECK^ should be
used when Integrated Preprocessing is used. The reason is that preprocessing
with another Preprocessing Data file without changing the sources will
not trigger recompilation without this switch.
@noindent
Note that @command{gnatmake} switch ^-m^/MINIMAL_RECOMPILATION^ will almost
always trigger recompilation for sources that are preprocessed,
because @command{gnatmake} cannot compute the checksum of the source after
preprocessing.
@noindent
The actual preprocessing function is described in details in section
@ref{Preprocessing Using gnatprep}. This section only describes how integrated
preprocessing is triggered and parameterized.
@table @code
@item -gnatep=@var{file}
@cindex @option{-gnatep} (@command{gcc})
This switch indicates to the compiler the file name (without directory
information) of the preprocessor data file to use. The preprocessor data file
should be found in the source directories.
@noindent
A preprocessing data file is a text file with significant lines indicating
how should be preprocessed either a specific source or all sources not
mentioned in other lines. A significant line is a non empty, non comment line.
Comments are similar to Ada comments.
@noindent
Each significant line starts with either a literal string or the character '*'.
A literal string is the file name (without directory information) of the source
to preprocess. A character '*' indicates the preprocessing for all the sources
that are not specified explicitly on other lines (order of the lines is not
significant). It is an error to have two lines with the same file name or two
lines starting with the character '*'.
@noindent
After the file name or the character '*', another optional literal string
indicating the file name of the definition file to be used for preprocessing
(@pxref{Form of Definitions File}). The definition files are found by the
compiler in one of the source directories. In some cases, when compiling
a source in a directory other than the current directory, if the definition
file is in the current directory, it may be necessary to add the current
directory as a source directory through switch ^-I.^/SEARCH=[]^, otherwise
the compiler would not find the definition file.
@noindent
Then, optionally, ^switches^switches^ similar to those of @code{gnatprep} may
be found. Those ^switches^switches^ are:
@table @code
@item -b
Causes both preprocessor lines and the lines deleted by
preprocessing to be replaced by blank lines, preserving the line number.
This ^switch^switch^ is always implied; however, if specified after @option{-c}
it cancels the effect of @option{-c}.
@item -c
Causes both preprocessor lines and the lines deleted
by preprocessing to be retained as comments marked
with the special string ``@code{--! }''.
@item -Dsymbol=value
Define or redefine a symbol, associated with value. A symbol is an Ada
identifier, or an Ada reserved word, with the exception of @code{if},
@code{else}, @code{elsif}, @code{end}, @code{and}, @code{or} and @code{then}.
@code{value} is either a literal string, an Ada identifier or any Ada reserved
word. A symbol declared with this ^switch^switch^ replaces a symbol with the
same name defined in a definition file.
@item -s
Causes a sorted list of symbol names and values to be
listed on the standard output file.
@item -u
Causes undefined symbols to be treated as having the value @code{FALSE}
in the context
of a preprocessor test. In the absence of this option, an undefined symbol in
a @code{#if} or @code{#elsif} test will be treated as an error.
@end table
@noindent
Examples of valid lines in a preprocessor data file:
@smallexample
"toto.adb" "prep.def" -u
-- preprocess "toto.adb", using definition file "prep.def",
-- undefined symbol are False.
* -c -DVERSION=V101
-- preprocess all other sources without a definition file;
-- suppressed lined are commented; symbol VERSION has the value V101.
"titi.adb" "prep2.def" -s
-- preprocess "titi.adb", using definition file "prep2.def";
-- list all symbols with their values.
@end smallexample
@item ^-gnateD^/DATA_PREPROCESSING=^symbol[=value]
@cindex @option{-gnateD} (@command{gcc})
Define or redefine a preprocessing symbol, associated with value. If no value
is given on the command line, then the value of the symbol is @code{True}.
A symbol is an identifier, following normal Ada (case-insensitive)
rules for its syntax, and value is any sequence (including an empty sequence)
of characters from the set (letters, digits, period, underline).
Ada reserved words may be used as symbols, with the exceptions of @code{if},
@code{else}, @code{elsif}, @code{end}, @code{and}, @code{or} and @code{then}.
@noindent
A symbol declared with this ^switch^switch^ on the command line replaces a
symbol with the same name either in a definition file or specified with a
^switch^switch^ -D in the preprocessor data file.
@noindent
This switch is similar to switch @option{^-D^/ASSOCIATE^} of @code{gnatprep}.
@end table
@node Code Generation Control
@subsection Code Generation Control
@noindent
The GCC technology provides a wide range of target dependent
@option{-m} switches for controlling
details of code generation with respect to different versions of
architectures. This includes variations in instruction sets (e.g.
different members of the power pc family), and different requirements
for optimal arrangement of instructions (e.g. different members of
the x86 family). The list of available @option{-m} switches may be
found in the GCC documentation.
Use of the these @option{-m} switches may in some cases result in improved
code performance.
The GNAT Pro technology is tested and qualified without any
@option{-m} switches,
so generally the most reliable approach is to avoid the use of these
switches. However, we generally expect most of these switches to work
successfully with GNAT Pro, and many customers have reported successful
use of these options.
Our general advice is to avoid the use of @option{-m} switches unless
special needs lead to requirements in this area. In particular,
there is no point in using @option{-m} switches to improve performance
unless you actually see a performance improvement.
@ifset vms
@node Return Codes
@subsection Return Codes
@cindex Return Codes
@cindex @option{/RETURN_CODES=VMS}
@noindent
On VMS, GNAT compiled programs return POSIX-style codes by default,
e.g. @option{/RETURN_CODES=POSIX}.
To enable VMS style return codes, use GNAT BIND and LINK with the option
@option{/RETURN_CODES=VMS}. For example:
@smallexample
GNAT BIND MYMAIN.ALI /RETURN_CODES=VMS
GNAT LINK MYMAIN.ALI /RETURN_CODES=VMS
@end smallexample
@noindent
Programs built with /RETURN_CODES=VMS are suitable to be called in
VMS DCL scripts. Programs compiled with the default /RETURN_CODES=POSIX
are suitable for spawning with appropriate GNAT RTL routines.
@end ifset
@node Search Paths and the Run-Time Library (RTL)
@section Search Paths and the Run-Time Library (RTL)
@noindent
With the GNAT source-based library system, the compiler must be able to
find source files for units that are needed by the unit being compiled.
Search paths are used to guide this process.
The compiler compiles one source file whose name must be given
explicitly on the command line. In other words, no searching is done
for this file. To find all other source files that are needed (the most
common being the specs of units), the compiler examines the following
directories, in the following order:
@enumerate
@item
The directory containing the source file of the main unit being compiled
(the file name on the command line).
@item
Each directory named by an @option{^-I^/SOURCE_SEARCH^} switch given on the
@command{gcc} command line, in the order given.
@item
@findex ADA_INCLUDE_PATH
Each of the directories listed in the value of the
@code{ADA_INCLUDE_PATH} ^environment variable^logical name^.
@ifclear vms
Construct this value
exactly as the @code{PATH} environment variable: a list of directory
names separated by colons (semicolons when working with the NT version).
@end ifclear
@ifset vms
Normally, define this value as a logical name containing a comma separated
list of directory names.
This variable can also be defined by means of an environment string
(an argument to the DEC C exec* set of functions).
Logical Name:
@smallexample
DEFINE ANOTHER_PATH FOO:[BAG]
DEFINE ADA_INCLUDE_PATH ANOTHER_PATH,FOO:[BAM],FOO:[BAR]
@end smallexample
By default, the path includes GNU:[LIB.OPENVMS7_x.2_8_x.DECLIB]
first, followed by the standard Ada 95
libraries in GNU:[LIB.OPENVMS7_x.2_8_x.ADAINCLUDE].
If this is not redefined, the user will obtain the DEC Ada 83 IO packages
(Text_IO, Sequential_IO, etc)
instead of the Ada95 packages. Thus, in order to get the Ada 95
packages by default, ADA_INCLUDE_PATH must be redefined.
@end ifset
@item
@findex ADA_PRJ_INCLUDE_FILE
Each of the directories listed in the text file whose name is given
by the @code{ADA_PRJ_INCLUDE_FILE} ^environment variable^logical name^.
@noindent
@code{ADA_PRJ_INCLUDE_FILE} is normally set by gnatmake or by the ^gnat^GNAT^
driver when project files are used. It should not normally be set
by other means.
@item
The content of the @file{ada_source_path} file which is part of the GNAT
installation tree and is used to store standard libraries such as the
GNAT Run Time Library (RTL) source files.
@ifclear vms
@ref{Installing a library}
@end ifclear
@end enumerate
@noindent
Specifying the switch @option{^-I-^/NOCURRENT_DIRECTORY^}
inhibits the use of the directory
containing the source file named in the command line. You can still
have this directory on your search path, but in this case it must be
explicitly requested with a @option{^-I^/SOURCE_SEARCH^} switch.
Specifying the switch @option{-nostdinc}
inhibits the search of the default location for the GNAT Run Time
Library (RTL) source files.
The compiler outputs its object files and ALI files in the current
working directory.
@ifclear vms
Caution: The object file can be redirected with the @option{-o} switch;
however, @command{gcc} and @code{gnat1} have not been coordinated on this
so the @file{ALI} file will not go to the right place. Therefore, you should
avoid using the @option{-o} switch.
@end ifclear
@findex System.IO
The packages @code{Ada}, @code{System}, and @code{Interfaces} and their
children make up the GNAT RTL, together with the simple @code{System.IO}
package used in the @code{"Hello World"} example. The sources for these units
are needed by the compiler and are kept together in one directory. Not
all of the bodies are needed, but all of the sources are kept together
anyway. In a normal installation, you need not specify these directory
names when compiling or binding. Either the environment variables or
the built-in defaults cause these files to be found.
In addition to the language-defined hierarchies (@code{System}, @code{Ada} and
@code{Interfaces}), the GNAT distribution provides a fourth hierarchy,
consisting of child units of @code{GNAT}. This is a collection of generally
useful types, subprograms, etc. See the @cite{GNAT Reference Manual} for
further details.
Besides simplifying access to the RTL, a major use of search paths is
in compiling sources from multiple directories. This can make
development environments much more flexible.
@node Order of Compilation Issues
@section Order of Compilation Issues
@noindent
If, in our earlier example, there was a spec for the @code{hello}
procedure, it would be contained in the file @file{hello.ads}; yet this
file would not have to be explicitly compiled. This is the result of the
model we chose to implement library management. Some of the consequences
of this model are as follows:
@itemize @bullet
@item
There is no point in compiling specs (except for package
specs with no bodies) because these are compiled as needed by clients. If
you attempt a useless compilation, you will receive an error message.
It is also useless to compile subunits because they are compiled as needed
by the parent.
@item
There are no order of compilation requirements: performing a
compilation never obsoletes anything. The only way you can obsolete
something and require recompilations is to modify one of the
source files on which it depends.
@item
There is no library as such, apart from the ALI files
(@pxref{The Ada Library Information Files}, for information on the format
of these files). For now we find it convenient to create separate ALI files,
but eventually the information therein may be incorporated into the object
file directly.
@item
When you compile a unit, the source files for the specs of all units
that it @code{with}'s, all its subunits, and the bodies of any generics it
instantiates must be available (reachable by the search-paths mechanism
described above), or you will receive a fatal error message.
@end itemize
@node Examples
@section Examples
@noindent
The following are some typical Ada compilation command line examples:
@table @code
@item $ gcc -c xyz.adb
Compile body in file @file{xyz.adb} with all default options.
@ifclear vms
@item $ gcc -c -O2 -gnata xyz-def.adb
@end ifclear
@ifset vms
@item $ GNAT COMPILE /OPTIMIZE=ALL -gnata xyz-def.adb
@end ifset
Compile the child unit package in file @file{xyz-def.adb} with extensive
optimizations, and pragma @code{Assert}/@code{Debug} statements
enabled.
@item $ gcc -c -gnatc abc-def.adb
Compile the subunit in file @file{abc-def.adb} in semantic-checking-only
mode.
@end table
@node Binding Using gnatbind
@chapter Binding Using @code{gnatbind}
@findex gnatbind
@menu
* Running gnatbind::
* Switches for gnatbind::
* Command-Line Access::
* Search Paths for gnatbind::
* Examples of gnatbind Usage::
@end menu
@noindent
This chapter describes the GNAT binder, @code{gnatbind}, which is used
to bind compiled GNAT objects. The @code{gnatbind} program performs
four separate functions:
@enumerate
@item
Checks that a program is consistent, in accordance with the rules in
Chapter 10 of the Ada 95 Reference Manual. In particular, error
messages are generated if a program uses inconsistent versions of a
given unit.
@item
Checks that an acceptable order of elaboration exists for the program
and issues an error message if it cannot find an order of elaboration
that satisfies the rules in Chapter 10 of the Ada 95 Language Manual.
@item
Generates a main program incorporating the given elaboration order.
This program is a small Ada package (body and spec) that
must be subsequently compiled
using the GNAT compiler. The necessary compilation step is usually
performed automatically by @command{gnatlink}. The two most important
functions of this program
are to call the elaboration routines of units in an appropriate order
and to call the main program.
@item
Determines the set of object files required by the given main program.
This information is output in the forms of comments in the generated program,
to be read by the @command{gnatlink} utility used to link the Ada application.
@end enumerate
@node Running gnatbind
@section Running @code{gnatbind}
@noindent
The form of the @code{gnatbind} command is
@smallexample
$ gnatbind [@i{switches}] @i{mainprog}[.ali] [@i{switches}]
@end smallexample
@noindent
where @file{@i{mainprog}.adb} is the Ada file containing the main program
unit body. If no switches are specified, @code{gnatbind} constructs an Ada
package in two files whose names are
@file{b~@i{mainprog}.ads}, and @file{b~@i{mainprog}.adb}.
For example, if given the
parameter @file{hello.ali}, for a main program contained in file
@file{hello.adb}, the binder output files would be @file{b~hello.ads}
and @file{b~hello.adb}.
When doing consistency checking, the binder takes into consideration
any source files it can locate. For example, if the binder determines
that the given main program requires the package @code{Pack}, whose
@file{.ALI}
file is @file{pack.ali} and whose corresponding source spec file is
@file{pack.ads}, it attempts to locate the source file @file{pack.ads}
(using the same search path conventions as previously described for the
@command{gcc} command). If it can locate this source file, it checks that
the time stamps
or source checksums of the source and its references to in @file{ALI} files
match. In other words, any @file{ALI} files that mentions this spec must have
resulted from compiling this version of the source file (or in the case
where the source checksums match, a version close enough that the
difference does not matter).
@cindex Source files, use by binder
The effect of this consistency checking, which includes source files, is
that the binder ensures that the program is consistent with the latest
version of the source files that can be located at bind time. Editing a
source file without compiling files that depend on the source file cause
error messages to be generated by the binder.
For example, suppose you have a main program @file{hello.adb} and a
package @code{P}, from file @file{p.ads} and you perform the following
steps:
@enumerate
@item
Enter @code{gcc -c hello.adb} to compile the main program.
@item
Enter @code{gcc -c p.ads} to compile package @code{P}.
@item
Edit file @file{p.ads}.
@item
Enter @code{gnatbind hello}.
@end enumerate
@noindent
At this point, the file @file{p.ali} contains an out-of-date time stamp
because the file @file{p.ads} has been edited. The attempt at binding
fails, and the binder generates the following error messages:
@smallexample
error: "hello.adb" must be recompiled ("p.ads" has been modified)
error: "p.ads" has been modified and must be recompiled
@end smallexample
@noindent
Now both files must be recompiled as indicated, and then the bind can
succeed, generating a main program. You need not normally be concerned
with the contents of this file, but for reference purposes a sample
binder output file is given in @ref{Example of Binder Output File}.
In most normal usage, the default mode of @command{gnatbind} which is to
generate the main package in Ada, as described in the previous section.
In particular, this means that any Ada programmer can read and understand
the generated main program. It can also be debugged just like any other
Ada code provided the @option{^-g^/DEBUG^} switch is used for
@command{gnatbind} and @command{gnatlink}.
However for some purposes it may be convenient to generate the main
program in C rather than Ada. This may for example be helpful when you
are generating a mixed language program with the main program in C. The
GNAT compiler itself is an example.
The use of the @option{^-C^/BIND_FILE=C^} switch
for both @code{gnatbind} and @command{gnatlink} will cause the program to
be generated in C (and compiled using the gnu C compiler).
@node Switches for gnatbind
@section Switches for @command{gnatbind}
@noindent
The following switches are available with @code{gnatbind}; details will
be presented in subsequent sections.
@menu
* Consistency-Checking Modes::
* Binder Error Message Control::
* Elaboration Control::
* Output Control::
* Binding with Non-Ada Main Programs::
* Binding Programs with No Main Subprogram::
@end menu
@table @option
@c !sort!
@item ^-aO^/OBJECT_SEARCH^
@cindex @option{^-aO^/OBJECT_SEARCH^} (@command{gnatbind})
Specify directory to be searched for ALI files.
@item ^-aI^/SOURCE_SEARCH^
@cindex @option{^-aI^/SOURCE_SEARCH^} (@command{gnatbind})
Specify directory to be searched for source file.
@item ^-A^/BIND_FILE=ADA^
@cindex @option{^-A^/BIND_FILE=ADA^} (@command{gnatbind})
Generate binder program in Ada (default)
@item ^-b^/REPORT_ERRORS=BRIEF^
@cindex @option{^-b^/REPORT_ERRORS=BRIEF^} (@command{gnatbind})
Generate brief messages to @file{stderr} even if verbose mode set.
@item ^-c^/NOOUTPUT^
@cindex @option{^-c^/NOOUTPUT^} (@command{gnatbind})
Check only, no generation of binder output file.
@item ^-C^/BIND_FILE=C^
@cindex @option{^-C^/BIND_FILE=C^} (@command{gnatbind})
Generate binder program in C
@item ^-e^/ELABORATION_DEPENDENCIES^
@cindex @option{^-e^/ELABORATION_DEPENDENCIES^} (@command{gnatbind})
Output complete list of elaboration-order dependencies.
@item ^-E^/STORE_TRACEBACKS^
@cindex @option{^-E^/STORE_TRACEBACKS^} (@command{gnatbind})
Store tracebacks in exception occurrences when the target supports it.
This is the default with the zero cost exception mechanism.
@ignore
@c The following may get moved to an appendix
This option is currently supported on the following targets:
all x86 ports, Solaris, Windows, HP-UX, AIX, PowerPC VxWorks and Alpha VxWorks.
@end ignore
See also the packages @code{GNAT.Traceback} and
@code{GNAT.Traceback.Symbolic} for more information.
@ifclear vms
Note that on x86 ports, you must not use @option{-fomit-frame-pointer}
@command{gcc} option.
@end ifclear
@item ^-F^/FORCE_ELABS_FLAGS^
@cindex @option{^-F^/FORCE_ELABS_FLAGS^} (@command{gnatbind})
Force the checks of elaboration flags. @command{gnatbind} does not normally
generate checks of elaboration flags for the main executable, except when
a Stand-Alone Library is used. However, there are cases when this cannot be
detected by gnatbind. An example is importing an interface of a Stand-Alone
Library through a pragma Import and only specifying through a linker switch
this Stand-Alone Library. This switch is used to guarantee that elaboration
flag checks are generated.
@item ^-h^/HELP^
@cindex @option{^-h^/HELP^} (@command{gnatbind})
Output usage (help) information
@item ^-I^/SEARCH^
@cindex @option{^-I^/SEARCH^} (@command{gnatbind})
Specify directory to be searched for source and ALI files.
@item ^-I-^/NOCURRENT_DIRECTORY^
@cindex @option{^-I-^/NOCURRENT_DIRECTORY^} (@command{gnatbind})
Do not look for sources in the current directory where @code{gnatbind} was
invoked, and do not look for ALI files in the directory containing the
ALI file named in the @code{gnatbind} command line.
@item ^-l^/ORDER_OF_ELABORATION^
@cindex @option{^-l^/ORDER_OF_ELABORATION^} (@command{gnatbind})
Output chosen elaboration order.
@item ^-Lxxx^/BUILD_LIBRARY=xxx^
@cindex @option{^-L^/BUILD_LIBRARY^} (@command{gnatbind})
Bind the units for library building. In this case the adainit and
adafinal procedures (@pxref{Binding with Non-Ada Main Programs})
are renamed to ^xxxinit^XXXINIT^ and
^xxxfinal^XXXFINAL^.
Implies ^-n^/NOCOMPILE^.
@ifclear vms
(@xref{GNAT and Libraries}, for more details.)
@end ifclear
@ifset vms
On OpenVMS, these init and final procedures are exported in uppercase
letters. For example if /BUILD_LIBRARY=toto is used, the exported name of
the init procedure will be "TOTOINIT" and the exported name of the final
procedure will be "TOTOFINAL".
@end ifset
@item ^-Mxyz^/RENAME_MAIN=xyz^
@cindex @option{^-M^/RENAME_MAIN^} (@command{gnatbind})
Rename generated main program from main to xyz
@item ^-m^/ERROR_LIMIT=^@var{n}
@cindex @option{^-m^/ERROR_LIMIT^} (@command{gnatbind})
Limit number of detected errors to @var{n}, where @var{n} is
in the range 1..999_999. The default value if no switch is
given is 9999. Binding is terminated if the limit is exceeded.
@ifset unw
Furthermore, under Windows, the sources pointed to by the libraries path
set in the registry are not searched for.
@end ifset
@item ^-n^/NOMAIN^
@cindex @option{^-n^/NOMAIN^} (@command{gnatbind})
No main program.
@item -nostdinc
@cindex @option{-nostdinc} (@command{gnatbind})
Do not look for sources in the system default directory.
@item -nostdlib
@cindex @option{-nostdlib} (@command{gnatbind})
Do not look for library files in the system default directory.
@item --RTS=@var{rts-path}
@cindex @option{--RTS} (@code{gnatbind})
Specifies the default location of the runtime library. Same meaning as the
equivalent @command{gnatmake} flag (@pxref{Switches for gnatmake}).
@item ^-o ^/OUTPUT=^@var{file}
@cindex @option{^-o ^/OUTPUT^} (@command{gnatbind})
Name the output file @var{file} (default is @file{b~@var{xxx}.adb}).
Note that if this option is used, then linking must be done manually,
gnatlink cannot be used.
@item ^-O^/OBJECT_LIST^
@cindex @option{^-O^/OBJECT_LIST^} (@command{gnatbind})
Output object list.
@item ^-p^/PESSIMISTIC_ELABORATION^
@cindex @option{^-p^/PESSIMISTIC_ELABORATION^} (@command{gnatbind})
Pessimistic (worst-case) elaboration order
@item ^-s^/READ_SOURCES=ALL^
@cindex @option{^-s^/READ_SOURCES=ALL^} (@command{gnatbind})
Require all source files to be present.
@item ^-S@var{xxx}^/INITIALIZE_SCALARS=@var{xxx}^
@cindex @option{^-S^/INITIALIZE_SCALARS^} (@command{gnatbind})
Specifies the value to be used when detecting uninitialized scalar
objects with pragma Initialize_Scalars.
The @var{xxx} ^string specified with the switch^option^ may be either
@itemize @bullet
@item ``@option{^in^INVALID^}'' requesting an invalid value where possible
@item ``@option{^lo^LOW^}'' for the lowest possible value
possible, and the low
@item ``@option{^hi^HIGH^}'' for the highest possible value
@item ``@option{xx}'' for a value consisting of repeated bytes with the
value 16#xx# (i.e. xx is a string of two hexadecimal digits).
@end itemize
In addition, you can specify @option{-Sev} to indicate that the value is
to be set at run time. In this case, the program will look for an environment
@cindex GNAT_INIT_SCALARS
variable of the form @code{GNAT_INIT_SCALARS=xx}, where xx is one
of @option{in/lo/hi/xx} with the same meanings as above.
If no environment variable is found, or if it does not have a valid value,
then the default is @option{in} (invalid values).
@ifclear vms
@item -static
@cindex @option{-static} (@code{gnatbind})
Link against a static GNAT run time.
@item -shared
@cindex @option{-shared} (@code{gnatbind})
Link against a shared GNAT run time when available.
@end ifclear
@item ^-t^/NOTIME_STAMP_CHECK^
@cindex @option{^-t^/NOTIME_STAMP_CHECK^} (@code{gnatbind})
Tolerate time stamp and other consistency errors
@item ^-T@var{n}^/TIME_SLICE=@var{n}^
@cindex @option{^-T^/TIME_SLICE^} (@code{gnatbind})
Set the time slice value to @var{n} milliseconds. If the system supports
the specification of a specific time slice value, then the indicated value
is used. If the system does not support specific time slice values, but
does support some general notion of round-robin scheduling, then any
non-zero value will activate round-robin scheduling.
A value of zero is treated specially. It turns off time
slicing, and in addition, indicates to the tasking run time that the
semantics should match as closely as possible the Annex D
requirements of the Ada RM, and in particular sets the default
scheduling policy to @code{FIFO_Within_Priorities}.
@item ^-v^/REPORT_ERRORS=VERBOSE^
@cindex @option{^-v^/REPORT_ERRORS=VERBOSE^} (@code{gnatbind})
Verbose mode. Write error messages, header, summary output to
@file{stdout}.
@ifclear vms
@item -w@var{x}
@cindex @option{-w} (@code{gnatbind})
Warning mode (@var{x}=s/e for suppress/treat as error)
@end ifclear
@ifset vms
@item /WARNINGS=NORMAL
@cindex @option{/WARNINGS} (@code{gnatbind})
Normal warnings mode. Warnings are issued but ignored
@item /WARNINGS=SUPPRESS
@cindex @option{/WARNINGS} (@code{gnatbind})
All warning messages are suppressed
@item /WARNINGS=ERROR
@cindex @option{/WARNINGS} (@code{gnatbind})
Warning messages are treated as fatal errors
@end ifset
@item ^-x^/READ_SOURCES=NONE^
@cindex @option{^-x^/READ_SOURCES^} (@code{gnatbind})
Exclude source files (check object consistency only).
@ifset vms
@item /READ_SOURCES=AVAILABLE
@cindex @option{/READ_SOURCES} (@code{gnatbind})
Default mode, in which sources are checked for consistency only if
they are available.
@end ifset
@item ^-z^/ZERO_MAIN^
@cindex @option{^-z^/ZERO_MAIN^} (@code{gnatbind})
No main subprogram.
@end table
@ifclear vms
@noindent
You may obtain this listing of switches by running @code{gnatbind} with
no arguments.
@end ifclear
@node Consistency-Checking Modes
@subsection Consistency-Checking Modes
@noindent
As described earlier, by default @code{gnatbind} checks
that object files are consistent with one another and are consistent
with any source files it can locate. The following switches control binder
access to sources.
@table @option
@c !sort!
@item ^-s^/READ_SOURCES=ALL^
@cindex @option{^-s^/READ_SOURCES=ALL^} (@code{gnatbind})
Require source files to be present. In this mode, the binder must be
able to locate all source files that are referenced, in order to check
their consistency. In normal mode, if a source file cannot be located it
is simply ignored. If you specify this switch, a missing source
file is an error.
@item ^-x^/READ_SOURCES=NONE^
@cindex @option{^-x^/READ_SOURCES=NONE^} (@code{gnatbind})
Exclude source files. In this mode, the binder only checks that ALI
files are consistent with one another. Source files are not accessed.
The binder runs faster in this mode, and there is still a guarantee that
the resulting program is self-consistent.
If a source file has been edited since it was last compiled, and you
specify this switch, the binder will not detect that the object
file is out of date with respect to the source file. Note that this is the
mode that is automatically used by @command{gnatmake} because in this
case the checking against sources has already been performed by
@command{gnatmake} in the course of compilation (i.e. before binding).
@ifset vms
@item /READ_SOURCES=AVAILABLE
@cindex @code{/READ_SOURCES=AVAILABLE} (@code{gnatbind})
This is the default mode in which source files are checked if they are
available, and ignored if they are not available.
@end ifset
@end table
@node Binder Error Message Control
@subsection Binder Error Message Control
@noindent
The following switches provide control over the generation of error
messages from the binder:
@table @option
@c !sort!
@item ^-v^/REPORT_ERRORS=VERBOSE^
@cindex @option{^-v^/REPORT_ERRORS=VERBOSE^} (@code{gnatbind})
Verbose mode. In the normal mode, brief error messages are generated to
@file{stderr}. If this switch is present, a header is written
to @file{stdout} and any error messages are directed to @file{stdout}.
All that is written to @file{stderr} is a brief summary message.
@item ^-b^/REPORT_ERRORS=BRIEF^
@cindex @option{^-b^/REPORT_ERRORS=BRIEF^} (@code{gnatbind})
Generate brief error messages to @file{stderr} even if verbose mode is
specified. This is relevant only when used with the
@option{^-v^/REPORT_ERRORS=VERBOSE^} switch.
@ifclear vms
@item -m@var{n}
@cindex @option{-m} (@code{gnatbind})
Limits the number of error messages to @var{n}, a decimal integer in the
range 1-999. The binder terminates immediately if this limit is reached.
@item -M@var{xxx}
@cindex @option{-M} (@code{gnatbind})
Renames the generated main program from @code{main} to @code{xxx}.
This is useful in the case of some cross-building environments, where
the actual main program is separate from the one generated
by @code{gnatbind}.
@end ifclear
@item ^-ws^/WARNINGS=SUPPRESS^
@cindex @option{^-ws^/WARNINGS=SUPPRESS^} (@code{gnatbind})
@cindex Warnings
Suppress all warning messages.
@item ^-we^/WARNINGS=ERROR^
@cindex @option{^-we^/WARNINGS=ERROR^} (@code{gnatbind})
Treat any warning messages as fatal errors.
@ifset vms
@item /WARNINGS=NORMAL
Standard mode with warnings generated, but warnings do not get treated
as errors.
@end ifset
@item ^-t^/NOTIME_STAMP_CHECK^
@cindex @option{^-t^/NOTIME_STAMP_CHECK^} (@code{gnatbind})
@cindex Time stamp checks, in binder
@cindex Binder consistency checks
@cindex Consistency checks, in binder
The binder performs a number of consistency checks including:
@itemize @bullet
@item
Check that time stamps of a given source unit are consistent
@item
Check that checksums of a given source unit are consistent
@item
Check that consistent versions of @code{GNAT} were used for compilation
@item
Check consistency of configuration pragmas as required
@end itemize
@noindent
Normally failure of such checks, in accordance with the consistency
requirements of the Ada Reference Manual, causes error messages to be
generated which abort the binder and prevent the output of a binder
file and subsequent link to obtain an executable.
The @option{^-t^/NOTIME_STAMP_CHECK^} switch converts these error messages
into warnings, so that
binding and linking can continue to completion even in the presence of such
errors. The result may be a failed link (due to missing symbols), or a
non-functional executable which has undefined semantics.
@emph{This means that
@option{^-t^/NOTIME_STAMP_CHECK^} should be used only in unusual situations,
with extreme care.}
@end table
@node Elaboration Control
@subsection Elaboration Control
@noindent
The following switches provide additional control over the elaboration
order. For full details see @ref{Elaboration Order Handling in GNAT}.
@table @option
@item ^-p^/PESSIMISTIC_ELABORATION^
@cindex @option{^-p^/PESSIMISTIC_ELABORATION^} (@code{gnatbind})
Normally the binder attempts to choose an elaboration order that is
likely to minimize the likelihood of an elaboration order error resulting
in raising a @code{Program_Error} exception. This switch reverses the
action of the binder, and requests that it deliberately choose an order
that is likely to maximize the likelihood of an elaboration error.
This is useful in ensuring portability and avoiding dependence on
accidental fortuitous elaboration ordering.
Normally it only makes sense to use the @option{^-p^/PESSIMISTIC_ELABORATION^}
switch if dynamic
elaboration checking is used (@option{-gnatE} switch used for compilation).
This is because in the default static elaboration mode, all necessary
@code{Elaborate_All} pragmas are implicitly inserted.
These implicit pragmas are still respected by the binder in
@option{^-p^/PESSIMISTIC_ELABORATION^} mode, so a
safe elaboration order is assured.
@end table
@node Output Control
@subsection Output Control
@noindent
The following switches allow additional control over the output
generated by the binder.
@table @option
@c !sort!
@item ^-A^/BIND_FILE=ADA^
@cindex @option{^-A^/BIND_FILE=ADA^} (@code{gnatbind})
Generate binder program in Ada (default). The binder program is named
@file{b~@var{mainprog}.adb} by default. This can be changed with
@option{^-o^/OUTPUT^} @code{gnatbind} option.
@item ^-c^/NOOUTPUT^
@cindex @option{^-c^/NOOUTPUT^} (@code{gnatbind})
Check only. Do not generate the binder output file. In this mode the
binder performs all error checks but does not generate an output file.
@item ^-C^/BIND_FILE=C^
@cindex @option{^-C^/BIND_FILE=C^} (@code{gnatbind})
Generate binder program in C. The binder program is named
@file{b_@var{mainprog}.c}.
This can be changed with @option{^-o^/OUTPUT^} @code{gnatbind}
option.
@item ^-e^/ELABORATION_DEPENDENCIES^
@cindex @option{^-e^/ELABORATION_DEPENDENCIES^} (@code{gnatbind})
Output complete list of elaboration-order dependencies, showing the
reason for each dependency. This output can be rather extensive but may
be useful in diagnosing problems with elaboration order. The output is
written to @file{stdout}.
@item ^-h^/HELP^
@cindex @option{^-h^/HELP^} (@code{gnatbind})
Output usage information. The output is written to @file{stdout}.
@item ^-K^/LINKER_OPTION_LIST^
@cindex @option{^-K^/LINKER_OPTION_LIST^} (@code{gnatbind})
Output linker options to @file{stdout}. Includes library search paths,
contents of pragmas Ident and Linker_Options, and libraries added
by @code{gnatbind}.
@item ^-l^/ORDER_OF_ELABORATION^
@cindex @option{^-l^/ORDER_OF_ELABORATION^} (@code{gnatbind})
Output chosen elaboration order. The output is written to @file{stdout}.
@item ^-O^/OBJECT_LIST^
@cindex @option{^-O^/OBJECT_LIST^} (@code{gnatbind})
Output full names of all the object files that must be linked to provide
the Ada component of the program. The output is written to @file{stdout}.
This list includes the files explicitly supplied and referenced by the user
as well as implicitly referenced run-time unit files. The latter are
omitted if the corresponding units reside in shared libraries. The
directory names for the run-time units depend on the system configuration.
@item ^-o ^/OUTPUT=^@var{file}
@cindex @option{^-o^/OUTPUT^} (@code{gnatbind})
Set name of output file to @var{file} instead of the normal
@file{b~@var{mainprog}.adb} default. Note that @var{file} denote the Ada
binder generated body filename. In C mode you would normally give
@var{file} an extension of @file{.c} because it will be a C source program.
Note that if this option is used, then linking must be done manually.
It is not possible to use gnatlink in this case, since it cannot locate
the binder file.
@item ^-r^/RESTRICTION_LIST^
@cindex @option{^-r^/RESTRICTION_LIST^} (@code{gnatbind})
Generate list of @code{pragma Restrictions} that could be applied to
the current unit. This is useful for code audit purposes, and also may
be used to improve code generation in some cases.
@end table
@node Binding with Non-Ada Main Programs
@subsection Binding with Non-Ada Main Programs
@noindent
In our description so far we have assumed that the main
program is in Ada, and that the task of the binder is to generate a
corresponding function @code{main} that invokes this Ada main
program. GNAT also supports the building of executable programs where
the main program is not in Ada, but some of the called routines are
written in Ada and compiled using GNAT (@pxref{Mixed Language Programming}).
The following switch is used in this situation:
@table @option
@item ^-n^/NOMAIN^
@cindex @option{^-n^/NOMAIN^} (@code{gnatbind})
No main program. The main program is not in Ada.
@end table
@noindent
In this case, most of the functions of the binder are still required,
but instead of generating a main program, the binder generates a file
containing the following callable routines:
@table @code
@item adainit
@findex adainit
You must call this routine to initialize the Ada part of the program by
calling the necessary elaboration routines. A call to @code{adainit} is
required before the first call to an Ada subprogram.
Note that it is assumed that the basic execution environment must be setup
to be appropriate for Ada execution at the point where the first Ada
subprogram is called. In particular, if the Ada code will do any
floating-point operations, then the FPU must be setup in an appropriate
manner. For the case of the x86, for example, full precision mode is
required. The procedure GNAT.Float_Control.Reset may be used to ensure
that the FPU is in the right state.
@item adafinal
@findex adafinal
You must call this routine to perform any library-level finalization
required by the Ada subprograms. A call to @code{adafinal} is required
after the last call to an Ada subprogram, and before the program
terminates.
@end table
@noindent
If the @option{^-n^/NOMAIN^} switch
@cindex @option{^-n^/NOMAIN^} (@command{gnatbind})
@cindex Binder, multiple input files
is given, more than one ALI file may appear on
the command line for @code{gnatbind}. The normal @dfn{closure}
calculation is performed for each of the specified units. Calculating
the closure means finding out the set of units involved by tracing
@code{with} references. The reason it is necessary to be able to
specify more than one ALI file is that a given program may invoke two or
more quite separate groups of Ada units.
The binder takes the name of its output file from the last specified ALI
file, unless overridden by the use of the @option{^-o file^/OUTPUT=file^}.
@cindex @option{^-o^/OUTPUT^} (@command{gnatbind})
The output is an Ada unit in source form that can
be compiled with GNAT unless the -C switch is used in which case the
output is a C source file, which must be compiled using the C compiler.
This compilation occurs automatically as part of the @command{gnatlink}
processing.
Currently the GNAT run time requires a FPU using 80 bits mode
precision. Under targets where this is not the default it is required to
call GNAT.Float_Control.Reset before using floating point numbers (this
include float computation, float input and output) in the Ada code. A
side effect is that this could be the wrong mode for the foreign code
where floating point computation could be broken after this call.
@node Binding Programs with No Main Subprogram
@subsection Binding Programs with No Main Subprogram
@noindent
It is possible to have an Ada program which does not have a main
subprogram. This program will call the elaboration routines of all the
packages, then the finalization routines.
The following switch is used to bind programs organized in this manner:
@table @option
@item ^-z^/ZERO_MAIN^
@cindex @option{^-z^/ZERO_MAIN^} (@code{gnatbind})
Normally the binder checks that the unit name given on the command line
corresponds to a suitable main subprogram. When this switch is used,
a list of ALI files can be given, and the execution of the program
consists of elaboration of these units in an appropriate order.
@end table
@node Command-Line Access
@section Command-Line Access
@noindent
The package @code{Ada.Command_Line} provides access to the command-line
arguments and program name. In order for this interface to operate
correctly, the two variables
@smallexample
@group
int gnat_argc;
char **gnat_argv;
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
@findex gnat_argv
@findex gnat_argc
are declared in one of the GNAT library routines. These variables must
be set from the actual @code{argc} and @code{argv} values passed to the
main program. With no @option{^n^/NOMAIN^} present, @code{gnatbind}
generates the C main program to automatically set these variables.
If the @option{^n^/NOMAIN^} switch is used, there is no automatic way to
set these variables. If they are not set, the procedures in
@code{Ada.Command_Line} will not be available, and any attempt to use
them will raise @code{Constraint_Error}. If command line access is
required, your main program must set @code{gnat_argc} and
@code{gnat_argv} from the @code{argc} and @code{argv} values passed to
it.
@node Search Paths for gnatbind
@section Search Paths for @code{gnatbind}
@noindent
The binder takes the name of an ALI file as its argument and needs to
locate source files as well as other ALI files to verify object consistency.
For source files, it follows exactly the same search rules as @command{gcc}
(@pxref{Search Paths and the Run-Time Library (RTL)}). For ALI files the
directories searched are:
@enumerate
@item
The directory containing the ALI file named in the command line, unless
the switch @option{^-I-^/NOCURRENT_DIRECTORY^} is specified.
@item
All directories specified by @option{^-I^/SEARCH^}
switches on the @code{gnatbind}
command line, in the order given.
@item
@findex ADA_OBJECTS_PATH
Each of the directories listed in the value of the
@code{ADA_OBJECTS_PATH} ^environment variable^logical name^.
@ifset unw
Construct this value
exactly as the @code{PATH} environment variable: a list of directory
names separated by colons (semicolons when working with the NT version
of GNAT).
@end ifset
@ifset vms
Normally, define this value as a logical name containing a comma separated
list of directory names.
This variable can also be defined by means of an environment string
(an argument to the DEC C exec* set of functions).
Logical Name:
@smallexample
DEFINE ANOTHER_PATH FOO:[BAG]
DEFINE ADA_OBJECTS_PATH ANOTHER_PATH,FOO:[BAM],FOO:[BAR]
@end smallexample
By default, the path includes GNU:[LIB.OPENVMS7_x.2_8_x.DECLIB]
first, followed by the standard Ada 95
libraries in GNU:[LIB.OPENVMS7_x.2_8_x.ADALIB].
If this is not redefined, the user will obtain the DEC Ada 83 IO packages
(Text_IO, Sequential_IO, etc)
instead of the Ada95 packages. Thus, in order to get the Ada 95
packages by default, ADA_OBJECTS_PATH must be redefined.
@end ifset
@item
@findex ADA_PRJ_OBJECTS_FILE
Each of the directories listed in the text file whose name is given
by the @code{ADA_PRJ_OBJECTS_FILE} ^environment variable^logical name^.
@noindent
@code{ADA_PRJ_OBJECTS_FILE} is normally set by gnatmake or by the ^gnat^GNAT^
driver when project files are used. It should not normally be set
by other means.
@item
The content of the @file{ada_object_path} file which is part of the GNAT
installation tree and is used to store standard libraries such as the
GNAT Run Time Library (RTL) unless the switch @option{-nostdlib} is
specified.
@ifclear vms
@ref{Installing a library}
@end ifclear
@end enumerate
@noindent
In the binder the switch @option{^-I^/SEARCH^}
@cindex @option{^-I^/SEARCH^} (@command{gnatbind})
is used to specify both source and
library file paths. Use @option{^-aI^/SOURCE_SEARCH^}
@cindex @option{^-aI^/SOURCE_SEARCH^} (@command{gnatbind})
instead if you want to specify
source paths only, and @option{^-aO^/LIBRARY_SEARCH^}
@cindex @option{^-aO^/LIBRARY_SEARCH^} (@command{gnatbind})
if you want to specify library paths
only. This means that for the binder
@option{^-I^/SEARCH=^}@var{dir} is equivalent to
@option{^-aI^/SOURCE_SEARCH=^}@var{dir}
@option{^-aO^/OBJECT_SEARCH=^}@var{dir}.
The binder generates the bind file (a C language source file) in the
current working directory.
@findex Ada
@findex System
@findex Interfaces
@findex GNAT
The packages @code{Ada}, @code{System}, and @code{Interfaces} and their
children make up the GNAT Run-Time Library, together with the package
GNAT and its children, which contain a set of useful additional
library functions provided by GNAT. The sources for these units are
needed by the compiler and are kept together in one directory. The ALI
files and object files generated by compiling the RTL are needed by the
binder and the linker and are kept together in one directory, typically
different from the directory containing the sources. In a normal
installation, you need not specify these directory names when compiling
or binding. Either the environment variables or the built-in defaults
cause these files to be found.
Besides simplifying access to the RTL, a major use of search paths is
in compiling sources from multiple directories. This can make
development environments much more flexible.
@node Examples of gnatbind Usage
@section Examples of @code{gnatbind} Usage
@noindent
This section contains a number of examples of using the GNAT binding
utility @code{gnatbind}.
@table @code
@item gnatbind hello
The main program @code{Hello} (source program in @file{hello.adb}) is
bound using the standard switch settings. The generated main program is
@file{b~hello.adb}. This is the normal, default use of the binder.
@ifclear vms
@item gnatbind hello -o mainprog.adb
@end ifclear
@ifset vms
@item gnatbind HELLO.ALI /OUTPUT=Mainprog.ADB
@end ifset
The main program @code{Hello} (source program in @file{hello.adb}) is
bound using the standard switch settings. The generated main program is
@file{mainprog.adb} with the associated spec in
@file{mainprog.ads}. Note that you must specify the body here not the
spec, in the case where the output is in Ada. Note that if this option
is used, then linking must be done manually, since gnatlink will not
be able to find the generated file.
@ifclear vms
@item gnatbind main -C -o mainprog.c -x
@end ifclear
@ifset vms
@item gnatbind MAIN.ALI /BIND_FILE=C /OUTPUT=Mainprog.C /READ_SOURCES=NONE
@end ifset
The main program @code{Main} (source program in
@file{main.adb}) is bound, excluding source files from the
consistency checking, generating
the file @file{mainprog.c}.
@ifclear vms
@item gnatbind -x main_program -C -o mainprog.c
This command is exactly the same as the previous example. Switches may
appear anywhere in the command line, and single letter switches may be
combined into a single switch.
@end ifclear
@ifclear vms
@item gnatbind -n math dbase -C -o ada-control.c
@end ifclear
@ifset vms
@item gnatbind /NOMAIN math dbase /BIND_FILE=C /OUTPUT=ada-control.c
@end ifset
The main program is in a language other than Ada, but calls to
subprograms in packages @code{Math} and @code{Dbase} appear. This call
to @code{gnatbind} generates the file @file{ada-control.c} containing
the @code{adainit} and @code{adafinal} routines to be called before and
after accessing the Ada units.
@end table
@c ------------------------------------
@node Linking Using gnatlink
@chapter Linking Using @command{gnatlink}
@c ------------------------------------
@findex gnatlink
@noindent
This chapter discusses @command{gnatlink}, a tool that links
an Ada program and builds an executable file. This utility
invokes the system linker ^(via the @command{gcc} command)^^
with a correct list of object files and library references.
@command{gnatlink} automatically determines the list of files and
references for the Ada part of a program. It uses the binder file
generated by the @command{gnatbind} to determine this list.
@menu
* Running gnatlink::
* Switches for gnatlink::
* Setting Stack Size from gnatlink::
* Setting Heap Size from gnatlink::
@end menu
@node Running gnatlink
@section Running @command{gnatlink}
@noindent
The form of the @command{gnatlink} command is
@smallexample
$ gnatlink [@var{switches}] @var{mainprog}[.ali]
[@var{non-Ada objects}] [@var{linker options}]
@end smallexample
@noindent
The arguments of @command{gnatlink} (switches, main @file{ALI} file,
non-Ada objects
or linker options) may be in any order, provided that no non-Ada object may
be mistaken for a main @file{ALI} file.
Any file name @file{F} without the @file{.ali}
extension will be taken as the main @file{ALI} file if a file exists
whose name is the concatenation of @file{F} and @file{.ali}.
@noindent
@file{@var{mainprog}.ali} references the ALI file of the main program.
The @file{.ali} extension of this file can be omitted. From this
reference, @command{gnatlink} locates the corresponding binder file
@file{b~@var{mainprog}.adb} and, using the information in this file along
with the list of non-Ada objects and linker options, constructs a
linker command file to create the executable.
The arguments other than the @command{gnatlink} switches and the main
@file{ALI} file are passed to the linker uninterpreted.
They typically include the names of
object files for units written in other languages than Ada and any library
references required to resolve references in any of these foreign language
units, or in @code{Import} pragmas in any Ada units.
@var{linker options} is an optional list of linker specific
switches.
The default linker called by gnatlink is @var{gcc} which in
turn calls the appropriate system linker.
Standard options for the linker such as @option{-lmy_lib} or
@option{-Ldir} can be added as is.
For options that are not recognized by
@var{gcc} as linker options, use the @var{gcc} switches @option{-Xlinker} or
@option{-Wl,}.
Refer to the GCC documentation for
details. Here is an example showing how to generate a linker map:
@ifclear vms
@smallexample
$ gnatlink my_prog -Wl,-Map,MAPFILE
@end smallexample
@end ifclear
@ifset vms
<<Need example for VMS>>
@end ifset
Using @var{linker options} it is possible to set the program stack and
heap size. See @ref{Setting Stack Size from gnatlink} and
@ref{Setting Heap Size from gnatlink}.
@command{gnatlink} determines the list of objects required by the Ada
program and prepends them to the list of objects passed to the linker.
@command{gnatlink} also gathers any arguments set by the use of
@code{pragma Linker_Options} and adds them to the list of arguments
presented to the linker.
@ifset vms
@command{gnatlink} accepts the following types of extra files on the command
line: objects (.OBJ), libraries (.OLB), sharable images (.EXE), and
options files (.OPT). These are recognized and handled according to their
extension.
@end ifset
@node Switches for gnatlink
@section Switches for @command{gnatlink}
@noindent
The following switches are available with the @command{gnatlink} utility:
@table @option
@c !sort!
@item ^-A^/BIND_FILE=ADA^
@cindex @option{^-A^/BIND_FILE=ADA^} (@command{gnatlink})
The binder has generated code in Ada. This is the default.
@item ^-C^/BIND_FILE=C^
@cindex @option{^-C^/BIND_FILE=C^} (@command{gnatlink})
If instead of generating a file in Ada, the binder has generated one in
C, then the linker needs to know about it. Use this switch to signal
to @command{gnatlink} that the binder has generated C code rather than
Ada code.
@item ^-f^/FORCE_OBJECT_FILE_LIST^
@cindex Command line length
@cindex @option{^-f^/FORCE_OBJECT_FILE_LIST^} (@command{gnatlink})
On some targets, the command line length is limited, and @command{gnatlink}
will generate a separate file for the linker if the list of object files
is too long.
The @option{^-f^/FORCE_OBJECT_FILE_LIST^} switch forces this file
to be generated even if
the limit is not exceeded. This is useful in some cases to deal with
special situations where the command line length is exceeded.
@item ^-g^/DEBUG^
@cindex Debugging information, including
@cindex @option{^-g^/DEBUG^} (@command{gnatlink})
The option to include debugging information causes the Ada bind file (in
other words, @file{b~@var{mainprog}.adb}) to be compiled with
@option{^-g^/DEBUG^}.
In addition, the binder does not delete the @file{b~@var{mainprog}.adb},
@file{b~@var{mainprog}.o} and @file{b~@var{mainprog}.ali} files.
Without @option{^-g^/DEBUG^}, the binder removes these files by
default. The same procedure apply if a C bind file was generated using
@option{^-C^/BIND_FILE=C^} @code{gnatbind} option, in this case the filenames
are @file{b_@var{mainprog}.c} and @file{b_@var{mainprog}.o}.
@item ^-n^/NOCOMPILE^
@cindex @option{^-n^/NOCOMPILE^} (@command{gnatlink})
Do not compile the file generated by the binder. This may be used when
a link is rerun with different options, but there is no need to recompile
the binder file.
@item ^-v^/VERBOSE^
@cindex @option{^-v^/VERBOSE^} (@command{gnatlink})
Causes additional information to be output, including a full list of the
included object files. This switch option is most useful when you want
to see what set of object files are being used in the link step.
@item ^-v -v^/VERBOSE/VERBOSE^
@cindex @option{^-v -v^/VERBOSE/VERBOSE^} (@command{gnatlink})
Very verbose mode. Requests that the compiler operate in verbose mode when
it compiles the binder file, and that the system linker run in verbose mode.
@item ^-o ^/EXECUTABLE=^@var{exec-name}
@cindex @option{^-o^/EXECUTABLE^} (@command{gnatlink})
@var{exec-name} specifies an alternate name for the generated
executable program. If this switch is omitted, the executable has the same
name as the main unit. For example, @code{gnatlink try.ali} creates
an executable called @file{^try^TRY.EXE^}.
@ifclear vms
@item -b @var{target}
@cindex @option{-b} (@command{gnatlink})
Compile your program to run on @var{target}, which is the name of a
system configuration. You must have a GNAT cross-compiler built if
@var{target} is not the same as your host system.
@item -B@var{dir}
@cindex @option{-B} (@command{gnatlink})
Load compiler executables (for example, @code{gnat1}, the Ada compiler)
from @var{dir} instead of the default location. Only use this switch
when multiple versions of the GNAT compiler are available. See the
@command{gcc} manual page for further details. You would normally use the
@option{-b} or @option{-V} switch instead.
@item --GCC=@var{compiler_name}
@cindex @option{--GCC=compiler_name} (@command{gnatlink})
Program used for compiling the binder file. The default is
@command{gcc}. You need to use quotes around @var{compiler_name} if
@code{compiler_name} contains spaces or other separator characters. As
an example @option{--GCC="foo -x -y"} will instruct @command{gnatlink} to use
@code{foo -x -y} as your compiler. Note that switch @option{-c} is always
inserted after your command name. Thus in the above example the compiler
command that will be used by @command{gnatlink} will be @code{foo -c -x -y}.
If several @option{--GCC=compiler_name} are used, only the last
@var{compiler_name} is taken into account. However, all the additional
switches are also taken into account. Thus,
@option{--GCC="foo -x -y" --GCC="bar -z -t"} is equivalent to
@option{--GCC="bar -x -y -z -t"}.
@item --LINK=@var{name}
@cindex @option{--LINK=} (@command{gnatlink})
@var{name} is the name of the linker to be invoked. This is especially
useful in mixed language programs since languages such as C++ require
their own linker to be used. When this switch is omitted, the default
name for the linker is @command{gcc}. When this switch is used, the
specified linker is called instead of @command{gcc} with exactly the same
parameters that would have been passed to @command{gcc} so if the desired
linker requires different parameters it is necessary to use a wrapper
script that massages the parameters before invoking the real linker. It
may be useful to control the exact invocation by using the verbose
switch.
@end ifclear
@ifset vms
@item /DEBUG=TRACEBACK
@cindex @code{/DEBUG=TRACEBACK} (@command{gnatlink})
This qualifier causes sufficient information to be included in the
executable file to allow a traceback, but does not include the full
symbol information needed by the debugger.
@item /IDENTIFICATION="<string>"
@code{"<string>"} specifies the string to be stored in the image file
identification field in the image header.
It overrides any pragma @code{Ident} specified string.
@item /NOINHIBIT-EXEC
Generate the executable file even if there are linker warnings.
@item /NOSTART_FILES
Don't link in the object file containing the ``main'' transfer address.
Used when linking with a foreign language main program compiled with a
Digital compiler.
@item /STATIC
Prefer linking with object libraries over sharable images, even without
/DEBUG.
@end ifset
@end table
@node Setting Stack Size from gnatlink
@section Setting Stack Size from @command{gnatlink}
@noindent
Under Windows systems, it is possible to specify the program stack size from
@command{gnatlink} using either:
@itemize @bullet
@item using @option{-Xlinker} linker option
@smallexample
$ gnatlink hello -Xlinker --stack=0x10000,0x1000
@end smallexample
This sets the stack reserve size to 0x10000 bytes and the stack commit
size to 0x1000 bytes.
@item using @option{-Wl} linker option
@smallexample
$ gnatlink hello -Wl,--stack=0x1000000
@end smallexample
This sets the stack reserve size to 0x1000000 bytes. Note that with
@option{-Wl} option it is not possible to set the stack commit size
because the coma is a separator for this option.
@end itemize
@node Setting Heap Size from gnatlink
@section Setting Heap Size from @command{gnatlink}
@noindent
Under Windows systems, it is possible to specify the program heap size from
@command{gnatlink} using either:
@itemize @bullet
@item using @option{-Xlinker} linker option
@smallexample
$ gnatlink hello -Xlinker --heap=0x10000,0x1000
@end smallexample
This sets the heap reserve size to 0x10000 bytes and the heap commit
size to 0x1000 bytes.
@item using @option{-Wl} linker option
@smallexample
$ gnatlink hello -Wl,--heap=0x1000000
@end smallexample
This sets the heap reserve size to 0x1000000 bytes. Note that with
@option{-Wl} option it is not possible to set the heap commit size
because the coma is a separator for this option.
@end itemize
@node The GNAT Make Program gnatmake
@chapter The GNAT Make Program @command{gnatmake}
@findex gnatmake
@menu
* Running gnatmake::
* Switches for gnatmake::
* Mode Switches for gnatmake::
* Notes on the Command Line::
* How gnatmake Works::
* Examples of gnatmake Usage::
@end menu
@noindent
A typical development cycle when working on an Ada program consists of
the following steps:
@enumerate
@item
Edit some sources to fix bugs.
@item
Add enhancements.
@item
Compile all sources affected.
@item
Rebind and relink.
@item
Test.
@end enumerate
@noindent
The third step can be tricky, because not only do the modified files
@cindex Dependency rules
have to be compiled, but any files depending on these files must also be
recompiled. The dependency rules in Ada can be quite complex, especially
in the presence of overloading, @code{use} clauses, generics and inlined
subprograms.
@command{gnatmake} automatically takes care of the third and fourth steps
of this process. It determines which sources need to be compiled,
compiles them, and binds and links the resulting object files.
Unlike some other Ada make programs, the dependencies are always
accurately recomputed from the new sources. The source based approach of
the GNAT compilation model makes this possible. This means that if
changes to the source program cause corresponding changes in
dependencies, they will always be tracked exactly correctly by
@command{gnatmake}.
@node Running gnatmake
@section Running @command{gnatmake}
@noindent
The usual form of the @command{gnatmake} command is
@smallexample
$ gnatmake [@var{switches}] @var{file_name}
[@var{file_names}] [@var{mode_switches}]
@end smallexample
@noindent
The only required argument is one @var{file_name}, which specifies
a compilation unit that is a main program. Several @var{file_names} can be
specified: this will result in several executables being built.
If @code{switches} are present, they can be placed before the first
@var{file_name}, between @var{file_names} or after the last @var{file_name}.
If @var{mode_switches} are present, they must always be placed after
the last @var{file_name} and all @code{switches}.
If you are using standard file extensions (.adb and .ads), then the
extension may be omitted from the @var{file_name} arguments. However, if
you are using non-standard extensions, then it is required that the
extension be given. A relative or absolute directory path can be
specified in a @var{file_name}, in which case, the input source file will
be searched for in the specified directory only. Otherwise, the input
source file will first be searched in the directory where
@command{gnatmake} was invoked and if it is not found, it will be search on
the source path of the compiler as described in
@ref{Search Paths and the Run-Time Library (RTL)}.
All @command{gnatmake} output (except when you specify
@option{^-M^/DEPENDENCIES_LIST^}) is to
@file{stderr}. The output produced by the
@option{^-M^/DEPENDENCIES_LIST^} switch is send to
@file{stdout}.
@node Switches for gnatmake
@section Switches for @command{gnatmake}
@noindent
You may specify any of the following switches to @command{gnatmake}:
@table @option
@c !sort!
@ifclear vms
@item --GCC=@var{compiler_name}
@cindex @option{--GCC=compiler_name} (@command{gnatmake})
Program used for compiling. The default is `@command{gcc}'. You need to use
quotes around @var{compiler_name} if @code{compiler_name} contains
spaces or other separator characters. As an example @option{--GCC="foo -x
-y"} will instruct @command{gnatmake} to use @code{foo -x -y} as your
compiler. Note that switch @option{-c} is always inserted after your
command name. Thus in the above example the compiler command that will
be used by @command{gnatmake} will be @code{foo -c -x -y}.
If several @option{--GCC=compiler_name} are used, only the last
@var{compiler_name} is taken into account. However, all the additional
switches are also taken into account. Thus,
@option{--GCC="foo -x -y" --GCC="bar -z -t"} is equivalent to
@option{--GCC="bar -x -y -z -t"}.
@item --GNATBIND=@var{binder_name}
@cindex @option{--GNATBIND=binder_name} (@command{gnatmake})
Program used for binding. The default is `@code{gnatbind}'. You need to
use quotes around @var{binder_name} if @var{binder_name} contains spaces
or other separator characters. As an example @option{--GNATBIND="bar -x
-y"} will instruct @command{gnatmake} to use @code{bar -x -y} as your
binder. Binder switches that are normally appended by @command{gnatmake} to
`@code{gnatbind}' are now appended to the end of @code{bar -x -y}.
@item --GNATLINK=@var{linker_name}
@cindex @option{--GNATLINK=linker_name} (@command{gnatmake})
Program used for linking. The default is `@command{gnatlink}'. You need to
use quotes around @var{linker_name} if @var{linker_name} contains spaces
or other separator characters. As an example @option{--GNATLINK="lan -x
-y"} will instruct @command{gnatmake} to use @code{lan -x -y} as your
linker. Linker switches that are normally appended by @command{gnatmake} to
`@command{gnatlink}' are now appended to the end of @code{lan -x -y}.
@end ifclear
@item ^-a^/ALL_FILES^
@cindex @option{^-a^/ALL_FILES^} (@command{gnatmake})
Consider all files in the make process, even the GNAT internal system
files (for example, the predefined Ada library files), as well as any
locked files. Locked files are files whose ALI file is write-protected.
By default,
@command{gnatmake} does not check these files,
because the assumption is that the GNAT internal files are properly up
to date, and also that any write protected ALI files have been properly
installed. Note that if there is an installation problem, such that one
of these files is not up to date, it will be properly caught by the
binder.
You may have to specify this switch if you are working on GNAT
itself. The switch @option{^-a^/ALL_FILES^} is also useful
in conjunction with @option{^-f^/FORCE_COMPILE^}
if you need to recompile an entire application,
including run-time files, using special configuration pragmas,
such as a @code{Normalize_Scalars} pragma.
By default
@code{gnatmake ^-a^/ALL_FILES^} compiles all GNAT
internal files with
@ifclear vms
@code{gcc -c -gnatpg} rather than @code{gcc -c}.
@end ifclear
@ifset vms
the @code{/CHECKS=SUPPRESS_ALL /STYLE_CHECKS=GNAT} switch.
@end ifset
@item ^-b^/ACTIONS=BIND^
@cindex @option{^-b^/ACTIONS=BIND^} (@command{gnatmake})
Bind only. Can be combined with @option{^-c^/ACTIONS=COMPILE^} to do
compilation and binding, but no link.
Can be combined with @option{^-l^/ACTIONS=LINK^}
to do binding and linking. When not combined with
@option{^-c^/ACTIONS=COMPILE^}
all the units in the closure of the main program must have been previously
compiled and must be up to date. The root unit specified by @var{file_name}
may be given without extension, with the source extension or, if no GNAT
Project File is specified, with the ALI file extension.
@item ^-c^/ACTIONS=COMPILE^
@cindex @option{^-c^/ACTIONS=COMPILE^} (@command{gnatmake})
Compile only. Do not perform binding, except when @option{^-b^/ACTIONS=BIND^}
is also specified. Do not perform linking, except if both
@option{^-b^/ACTIONS=BIND^} and
@option{^-l^/ACTIONS=LINK^} are also specified.
If the root unit specified by @var{file_name} is not a main unit, this is the
default. Otherwise @command{gnatmake} will attempt binding and linking
unless all objects are up to date and the executable is more recent than
the objects.
@item ^-C^/MAPPING^
@cindex @option{^-C^/MAPPING^} (@command{gnatmake})
Use a temporary mapping file. A mapping file is a way to communicate to the
compiler two mappings: from unit names to file names (without any directory
information) and from file names to path names (with full directory
information). These mappings are used by the compiler to short-circuit the path
search. When @command{gnatmake} is invoked with this switch, it will create
a temporary mapping file, initially populated by the project manager,
if @option{^-P^/PROJECT_FILE^} is used, otherwise initially empty.
Each invocation of the compiler will add the newly accessed sources to the
mapping file. This will improve the source search during the next invocation
of the compiler.
@item ^-C=^/USE_MAPPING_FILE=^@var{file}
@cindex @option{^-C=^/USE_MAPPING^} (@command{gnatmake})
Use a specific mapping file. The file, specified as a path name (absolute or
relative) by this switch, should already exist, otherwise the switch is
ineffective. The specified mapping file will be communicated to the compiler.
This switch is not compatible with a project file
(^-P^/PROJECT_FILE=^@var{file}) or with multiple compiling processes
(^-j^/PROCESSES=^nnn, when nnn is greater than 1).
@item ^-D ^/DIRECTORY_OBJECTS=^@var{dir}
@cindex @option{^-D^/DIRECTORY_OBJECTS^} (@command{gnatmake})
Put all object files and ALI file in directory @var{dir}.
If the @option{^-D^/DIRECTORY_OBJECTS^} switch is not used, all object files
and ALI files go in the current working directory.
This switch cannot be used when using a project file.
@ifclear vms
@item -eL
@cindex @option{-eL} (@command{gnatmake})
Follow all symbolic links when processing project files.
@end ifclear
@item ^-f^/FORCE_COMPILE^
@cindex @option{^-f^/FORCE_COMPILE^} (@command{gnatmake})
Force recompilations. Recompile all sources, even though some object
files may be up to date, but don't recompile predefined or GNAT internal
files or locked files (files with a write-protected ALI file),
unless the @option{^-a^/ALL_FILES^} switch is also specified.
@item ^-F^/FULL_PATH_IN_BRIEF_MESSAGES^
@cindex @option{^-F^/FULL_PATH_IN_BRIEF_MESSAGES^} (@command{gnatmake})
When using project files, if some errors or warnings are detected during
parsing and verbose mode is not in effect (no use of switch
^-v^/VERBOSE^), then error lines start with the full path name of the project
file, rather than its simple file name.
@item ^-i^/IN_PLACE^
@cindex @option{^-i^/IN_PLACE^} (@command{gnatmake})
In normal mode, @command{gnatmake} compiles all object files and ALI files
into the current directory. If the @option{^-i^/IN_PLACE^} switch is used,
then instead object files and ALI files that already exist are overwritten
in place. This means that once a large project is organized into separate
directories in the desired manner, then @command{gnatmake} will automatically
maintain and update this organization. If no ALI files are found on the
Ada object path (@ref{Search Paths and the Run-Time Library (RTL)}),
the new object and ALI files are created in the
directory containing the source being compiled. If another organization
is desired, where objects and sources are kept in different directories,
a useful technique is to create dummy ALI files in the desired directories.
When detecting such a dummy file, @command{gnatmake} will be forced to
recompile the corresponding source file, and it will be put the resulting
object and ALI files in the directory where it found the dummy file.
@item ^-j^/PROCESSES=^@var{n}
@cindex @option{^-j^/PROCESSES^} (@command{gnatmake})
@cindex Parallel make
Use @var{n} processes to carry out the (re)compilations. On a
multiprocessor machine compilations will occur in parallel. In the
event of compilation errors, messages from various compilations might
get interspersed (but @command{gnatmake} will give you the full ordered
list of failing compiles at the end). If this is problematic, rerun
the make process with n set to 1 to get a clean list of messages.
@item ^-k^/CONTINUE_ON_ERROR^
@cindex @option{^-k^/CONTINUE_ON_ERROR^} (@command{gnatmake})
Keep going. Continue as much as possible after a compilation error. To
ease the programmer's task in case of compilation errors, the list of
sources for which the compile fails is given when @command{gnatmake}
terminates.
If @command{gnatmake} is invoked with several @file{file_names} and with this
switch, if there are compilation errors when building an executable,
@command{gnatmake} will not attempt to build the following executables.
@item ^-l^/ACTIONS=LINK^
@cindex @option{^-l^/ACTIONS=LINK^} (@command{gnatmake})
Link only. Can be combined with @option{^-b^/ACTIONS=BIND^} to binding
and linking. Linking will not be performed if combined with
@option{^-c^/ACTIONS=COMPILE^}
but not with @option{^-b^/ACTIONS=BIND^}.
When not combined with @option{^-b^/ACTIONS=BIND^}
all the units in the closure of the main program must have been previously
compiled and must be up to date, and the main program needs to have been bound.
The root unit specified by @var{file_name}
may be given without extension, with the source extension or, if no GNAT
Project File is specified, with the ALI file extension.
@item ^-m^/MINIMAL_RECOMPILATION^
@cindex @option{^-m^/MINIMAL_RECOMPILATION^} (@command{gnatmake})
Specify that the minimum necessary amount of recompilations
be performed. In this mode @command{gnatmake} ignores time
stamp differences when the only
modifications to a source file consist in adding/removing comments,
empty lines, spaces or tabs. This means that if you have changed the
comments in a source file or have simply reformatted it, using this
switch will tell gnatmake not to recompile files that depend on it
(provided other sources on which these files depend have undergone no
semantic modifications). Note that the debugging information may be
out of date with respect to the sources if the @option{-m} switch causes
a compilation to be switched, so the use of this switch represents a
trade-off between compilation time and accurate debugging information.
@item ^-M^/DEPENDENCIES_LIST^
@cindex Dependencies, producing list
@cindex @option{^-M^/DEPENDENCIES_LIST^} (@command{gnatmake})
Check if all objects are up to date. If they are, output the object
dependences to @file{stdout} in a form that can be directly exploited in
a @file{Makefile}. By default, each source file is prefixed with its
(relative or absolute) directory name. This name is whatever you
specified in the various @option{^-aI^/SOURCE_SEARCH^}
and @option{^-I^/SEARCH^} switches. If you use
@code{gnatmake ^-M^/DEPENDENCIES_LIST^}
@option{^-q^/QUIET^}
(see below), only the source file names,
without relative paths, are output. If you just specify the
@option{^-M^/DEPENDENCIES_LIST^}
switch, dependencies of the GNAT internal system files are omitted. This
is typically what you want. If you also specify
the @option{^-a^/ALL_FILES^} switch,
dependencies of the GNAT internal files are also listed. Note that
dependencies of the objects in external Ada libraries (see switch
@option{^-aL^/SKIP_MISSING=^}@var{dir} in the following list)
are never reported.
@item ^-n^/DO_OBJECT_CHECK^
@cindex @option{^-n^/DO_OBJECT_CHECK^} (@command{gnatmake})
Don't compile, bind, or link. Checks if all objects are up to date.
If they are not, the full name of the first file that needs to be
recompiled is printed.
Repeated use of this option, followed by compiling the indicated source
file, will eventually result in recompiling all required units.
@item ^-o ^/EXECUTABLE=^@var{exec_name}
@cindex @option{^-o^/EXECUTABLE^} (@command{gnatmake})
Output executable name. The name of the final executable program will be
@var{exec_name}. If the @option{^-o^/EXECUTABLE^} switch is omitted the default
name for the executable will be the name of the input file in appropriate form
for an executable file on the host system.
This switch cannot be used when invoking @command{gnatmake} with several
@file{file_names}.
@item ^-P^/PROJECT_FILE=^@var{project}
@cindex @option{^-P^/PROJECT_FILE^} (@command{gnatmake})
Use project file @var{project}. Only one such switch can be used.
@xref{gnatmake and Project Files}.
@item ^-q^/QUIET^
@cindex @option{^-q^/QUIET^} (@command{gnatmake})
Quiet. When this flag is not set, the commands carried out by
@command{gnatmake} are displayed.
@item ^-s^/SWITCH_CHECK/^
@cindex @option{^-s^/SWITCH_CHECK^} (@command{gnatmake})
Recompile if compiler switches have changed since last compilation.
All compiler switches but -I and -o are taken into account in the
following way:
orders between different ``first letter'' switches are ignored, but
orders between same switches are taken into account. For example,
@option{-O -O2} is different than @option{-O2 -O}, but @option{-g -O}
is equivalent to @option{-O -g}.
This switch is recommended when Integrated Preprocessing is used.
@item ^-u^/UNIQUE^
@cindex @option{^-u^/UNIQUE^} (@command{gnatmake})
Unique. Recompile at most the main files. It implies -c. Combined with
-f, it is equivalent to calling the compiler directly. Note that using
^-u^/UNIQUE^ with a project file and no main has a special meaning
(@pxref{Project Files and Main Subprograms}).
@item ^-U^/ALL_PROJECTS^
@cindex @option{^-U^/ALL_PROJECTS^} (@command{gnatmake})
When used without a project file or with one or several mains on the command
line, is equivalent to ^-u^/UNIQUE^. When used with a project file and no main
on the command line, all sources of all project files are checked and compiled
if not up to date, and libraries are rebuilt, if necessary.
@item ^-v^/REASONS^
@cindex @option{^-v^/REASONS^} (@command{gnatmake})
Verbose. Display the reason for all recompilations @command{gnatmake}
decides are necessary.
@item ^-vP^/MESSAGES_PROJECT_FILE=^@emph{x}
Indicate the verbosity of the parsing of GNAT project files.
@xref{Switches Related to Project Files}.
@item ^-x^/NON_PROJECT_UNIT_COMPILATION^
@cindex @option{^-x^/NON_PROJECT_UNIT_COMPILATION^} (@command{gnatmake})
Indicate that sources that are not part of any Project File may be compiled.
Normally, when using Project Files, only sources that are part of a Project
File may be compile. When this switch is used, a source outside of all Project
Files may be compiled. The ALI file and the object file will be put in the
object directory of the main Project. The compilation switches used will only
be those specified on the command line.
@item ^-X^/EXTERNAL_REFERENCE=^@var{name=value}
Indicate that external variable @var{name} has the value @var{value}.
The Project Manager will use this value for occurrences of
@code{external(name)} when parsing the project file.
@xref{Switches Related to Project Files}.
@item ^-z^/NOMAIN^
@cindex @option{^-z^/NOMAIN^} (@command{gnatmake})
No main subprogram. Bind and link the program even if the unit name
given on the command line is a package name. The resulting executable
will execute the elaboration routines of the package and its closure,
then the finalization routines.
@item ^-g^/DEBUG^
@cindex @option{^-g^/DEBUG^} (@command{gnatmake})
Enable debugging. This switch is simply passed to the compiler and to the
linker.
@end table
@table @asis
@item @command{gcc} @asis{switches}
@ifclear vms
Any uppercase or multi-character switch that is not a @command{gnatmake} switch
is passed to @command{gcc} (e.g. @option{-O}, @option{-gnato,} etc.)
@end ifclear
@ifset vms
Any qualifier that cannot be recognized as a qualifier for @code{GNAT MAKE}
but is recognizable as a valid qualifier for @code{GNAT COMPILE} is
automatically treated as a compiler switch, and passed on to all
compilations that are carried out.
@end ifset
@end table
@noindent
Source and library search path switches:
@table @option
@c !sort!
@item ^-aI^/SOURCE_SEARCH=^@var{dir}
@cindex @option{^-aI^/SOURCE_SEARCH^} (@command{gnatmake})
When looking for source files also look in directory @var{dir}.
The order in which source files search is undertaken is
described in @ref{Search Paths and the Run-Time Library (RTL)}.
@item ^-aL^/SKIP_MISSING=^@var{dir}
@cindex @option{^-aL^/SKIP_MISSING^} (@command{gnatmake})
Consider @var{dir} as being an externally provided Ada library.
Instructs @command{gnatmake} to skip compilation units whose @file{.ALI}
files have been located in directory @var{dir}. This allows you to have
missing bodies for the units in @var{dir} and to ignore out of date bodies
for the same units. You still need to specify
the location of the specs for these units by using the switches
@option{^-aI^/SOURCE_SEARCH=^@var{dir}}
or @option{^-I^/SEARCH=^@var{dir}}.
Note: this switch is provided for compatibility with previous versions
of @command{gnatmake}. The easier method of causing standard libraries
to be excluded from consideration is to write-protect the corresponding
ALI files.
@item ^-aO^/OBJECT_SEARCH=^@var{dir}
@cindex @option{^-aO^/OBJECT_SEARCH^} (@command{gnatmake})
When searching for library and object files, look in directory
@var{dir}. The order in which library files are searched is described in
@ref{Search Paths for gnatbind}.
@item ^-A^/CONDITIONAL_SOURCE_SEARCH=^@var{dir}
@cindex Search paths, for @command{gnatmake}
@cindex @option{^-A^/CONDITIONAL_SOURCE_SEARCH^} (@command{gnatmake})
Equivalent to @option{^-aL^/SKIP_MISSING=^@var{dir}
^-aI^/SOURCE_SEARCH=^@var{dir}}.
@item ^-I^/SEARCH=^@var{dir}
@cindex @option{^-I^/SEARCH^} (@command{gnatmake})
Equivalent to @option{^-aO^/OBJECT_SEARCH=^@var{dir}
^-aI^/SOURCE_SEARCH=^@var{dir}}.
@item ^-I-^/NOCURRENT_DIRECTORY^
@cindex @option{^-I-^/NOCURRENT_DIRECTORY^} (@command{gnatmake})
@cindex Source files, suppressing search
Do not look for source files in the directory containing the source
file named in the command line.
Do not look for ALI or object files in the directory
where @command{gnatmake} was invoked.
@item ^-L^/LIBRARY_SEARCH=^@var{dir}
@cindex @option{^-L^/LIBRARY_SEARCH^} (@command{gnatmake})
@cindex Linker libraries
Add directory @var{dir} to the list of directories in which the linker
will search for libraries. This is equivalent to
@option{-largs ^-L^/LIBRARY_SEARCH=^}@var{dir}.
@ifclear vms
Furthermore, under Windows, the sources pointed to by the libraries path
set in the registry are not searched for.
@end ifclear
@item -nostdinc
@cindex @option{-nostdinc} (@command{gnatmake})
Do not look for source files in the system default directory.
@item -nostdlib
@cindex @option{-nostdlib} (@command{gnatmake})
Do not look for library files in the system default directory.
@item --RTS=@var{rts-path}
@cindex @option{--RTS} (@command{gnatmake})
Specifies the default location of the runtime library. GNAT looks for the
runtime
in the following directories, and stops as soon as a valid runtime is found
(@file{adainclude} or @file{ada_source_path}, and @file{adalib} or
@file{ada_object_path} present):
@itemize @bullet
@item <current directory>/$rts_path
@item <default-search-dir>/$rts_path
@item <default-search-dir>/rts-$rts_path
@end itemize
@noindent
The selected path is handled like a normal RTS path.
@end table
@node Mode Switches for gnatmake
@section Mode Switches for @command{gnatmake}
@noindent
The mode switches (referred to as @code{mode_switches}) allow the
inclusion of switches that are to be passed to the compiler itself, the
binder or the linker. The effect of a mode switch is to cause all
subsequent switches up to the end of the switch list, or up to the next
mode switch, to be interpreted as switches to be passed on to the
designated component of GNAT.
@table @option
@c !sort!
@item -cargs @var{switches}
@cindex @option{-cargs} (@command{gnatmake})
Compiler switches. Here @var{switches} is a list of switches
that are valid switches for @command{gcc}. They will be passed on to
all compile steps performed by @command{gnatmake}.
@item -bargs @var{switches}
@cindex @option{-bargs} (@command{gnatmake})
Binder switches. Here @var{switches} is a list of switches
that are valid switches for @code{gnatbind}. They will be passed on to
all bind steps performed by @command{gnatmake}.
@item -largs @var{switches}
@cindex @option{-largs} (@command{gnatmake})
Linker switches. Here @var{switches} is a list of switches
that are valid switches for @command{gnatlink}. They will be passed on to
all link steps performed by @command{gnatmake}.
@item -margs @var{switches}
@cindex @option{-margs} (@command{gnatmake})
Make switches. The switches are directly interpreted by @command{gnatmake},
regardless of any previous occurrence of @option{-cargs}, @option{-bargs}
or @option{-largs}.
@end table
@node Notes on the Command Line
@section Notes on the Command Line
@noindent
This section contains some additional useful notes on the operation
of the @command{gnatmake} command.
@itemize @bullet
@item
@cindex Recompilation, by @command{gnatmake}
If @command{gnatmake} finds no ALI files, it recompiles the main program
and all other units required by the main program.
This means that @command{gnatmake}
can be used for the initial compile, as well as during subsequent steps of
the development cycle.
@item
If you enter @code{gnatmake @var{file}.adb}, where @file{@var{file}.adb}
is a subunit or body of a generic unit, @command{gnatmake} recompiles
@file{@var{file}.adb} (because it finds no ALI) and stops, issuing a
warning.
@item
In @command{gnatmake} the switch @option{^-I^/SEARCH^}
is used to specify both source and
library file paths. Use @option{^-aI^/SOURCE_SEARCH^}
instead if you just want to specify
source paths only and @option{^-aO^/OBJECT_SEARCH^}
if you want to specify library paths
only.
@item
@command{gnatmake} will ignore any files whose ALI file is write-protected.
This may conveniently be used to exclude standard libraries from
consideration and in particular it means that the use of the
@option{^-f^/FORCE_COMPILE^} switch will not recompile these files
unless @option{^-a^/ALL_FILES^} is also specified.
@item
@command{gnatmake} has been designed to make the use of Ada libraries
particularly convenient. Assume you have an Ada library organized
as follows: @i{^obj-dir^[OBJ_DIR]^} contains the objects and ALI files for
of your Ada compilation units,
whereas @i{^include-dir^[INCLUDE_DIR]^} contains the
specs of these units, but no bodies. Then to compile a unit
stored in @code{main.adb}, which uses this Ada library you would just type
@smallexample
@ifclear vms
$ gnatmake -aI@var{include-dir} -aL@var{obj-dir} main
@end ifclear
@ifset vms
$ gnatmake /SOURCE_SEARCH=@i{[INCLUDE_DIR]}
/SKIP_MISSING=@i{[OBJ_DIR]} main
@end ifset
@end smallexample
@item
Using @command{gnatmake} along with the
@option{^-m (minimal recompilation)^/MINIMAL_RECOMPILATION^}
switch provides a mechanism for avoiding unnecessary rcompilations. Using
this switch,
you can update the comments/format of your
source files without having to recompile everything. Note, however, that
adding or deleting lines in a source files may render its debugging
info obsolete. If the file in question is a spec, the impact is rather
limited, as that debugging info will only be useful during the
elaboration phase of your program. For bodies the impact can be more
significant. In all events, your debugger will warn you if a source file
is more recent than the corresponding object, and alert you to the fact
that the debugging information may be out of date.
@end itemize
@node How gnatmake Works
@section How @command{gnatmake} Works
@noindent
Generally @command{gnatmake} automatically performs all necessary
recompilations and you don't need to worry about how it works. However,
it may be useful to have some basic understanding of the @command{gnatmake}
approach and in particular to understand how it uses the results of
previous compilations without incorrectly depending on them.
First a definition: an object file is considered @dfn{up to date} if the
corresponding ALI file exists and if all the source files listed in the
dependency section of this ALI file have time stamps matching those in
the ALI file. This means that neither the source file itself nor any
files that it depends on have been modified, and hence there is no need
to recompile this file.
@command{gnatmake} works by first checking if the specified main unit is up
to date. If so, no compilations are required for the main unit. If not,
@command{gnatmake} compiles the main program to build a new ALI file that
reflects the latest sources. Then the ALI file of the main unit is
examined to find all the source files on which the main program depends,
and @command{gnatmake} recursively applies the above procedure on all these
files.
This process ensures that @command{gnatmake} only trusts the dependencies
in an existing ALI file if they are known to be correct. Otherwise it
always recompiles to determine a new, guaranteed accurate set of
dependencies. As a result the program is compiled ``upside down'' from what may
be more familiar as the required order of compilation in some other Ada
systems. In particular, clients are compiled before the units on which
they depend. The ability of GNAT to compile in any order is critical in
allowing an order of compilation to be chosen that guarantees that
@command{gnatmake} will recompute a correct set of new dependencies if
necessary.
When invoking @command{gnatmake} with several @var{file_names}, if a unit is
imported by several of the executables, it will be recompiled at most once.
Note: when using non-standard naming conventions
(@pxref{Using Other File Names}), changing through a configuration pragmas
file the version of a source and invoking @command{gnatmake} to recompile may
have no effect, if the previous version of the source is still accessible
by @command{gnatmake}. It may be necessary to use the switch
^-f^/FORCE_COMPILE^.
@node Examples of gnatmake Usage
@section Examples of @command{gnatmake} Usage
@table @code
@item gnatmake hello.adb
Compile all files necessary to bind and link the main program
@file{hello.adb} (containing unit @code{Hello}) and bind and link the
resulting object files to generate an executable file @file{^hello^HELLO.EXE^}.
@item gnatmake main1 main2 main3
Compile all files necessary to bind and link the main programs
@file{main1.adb} (containing unit @code{Main1}), @file{main2.adb}
(containing unit @code{Main2}) and @file{main3.adb}
(containing unit @code{Main3}) and bind and link the resulting object files
to generate three executable files @file{^main1^MAIN1.EXE^},
@file{^main2^MAIN2.EXE^}
and @file{^main3^MAIN3.EXE^}.
@ifclear vms
@item gnatmake -q Main_Unit -cargs -O2 -bargs -l
@end ifclear
@ifset vms
@item gnatmake Main_Unit /QUIET
/COMPILER_QUALIFIERS /OPTIMIZE=ALL
/BINDER_QUALIFIERS /ORDER_OF_ELABORATION
@end ifset
Compile all files necessary to bind and link the main program unit
@code{Main_Unit} (from file @file{main_unit.adb}). All compilations will
be done with optimization level 2 and the order of elaboration will be
listed by the binder. @command{gnatmake} will operate in quiet mode, not
displaying commands it is executing.
@end table
@c *************************
@node Improving Performance
@chapter Improving Performance
@cindex Improving performance
@noindent
This chapter presents several topics related to program performance.
It first describes some of the tradeoffs that need to be considered
and some of the techniques for making your program run faster.
It then documents the @command{gnatelim} tool, which can reduce
the size of program executables.
@ifnottex
@menu
* Performance Considerations::
* Reducing the Size of Ada Executables with gnatelim::
@end menu
@end ifnottex
@c *****************************
@node Performance Considerations
@section Performance Considerations
@noindent
The GNAT system provides a number of options that allow a trade-off
between
@itemize @bullet
@item
performance of the generated code
@item
speed of compilation
@item
minimization of dependences and recompilation
@item
the degree of run-time checking.
@end itemize
@noindent
The defaults (if no options are selected) aim at improving the speed
of compilation and minimizing dependences, at the expense of performance
of the generated code:
@itemize @bullet
@item
no optimization
@item
no inlining of subprogram calls
@item
all run-time checks enabled except overflow and elaboration checks
@end itemize
@noindent
These options are suitable for most program development purposes. This
chapter describes how you can modify these choices, and also provides
some guidelines on debugging optimized code.
@menu
* Controlling Run-Time Checks::
* Use of Restrictions::
* Optimization Levels::
* Debugging Optimized Code::
* Inlining of Subprograms::
* Optimization and Strict Aliasing::
@ifset vms
* Coverage Analysis::
@end ifset
@end menu
@node Controlling Run-Time Checks
@subsection Controlling Run-Time Checks
@noindent
By default, GNAT generates all run-time checks, except arithmetic overflow
checking for integer operations and checks for access before elaboration on
subprogram calls. The latter are not required in default mode, because all
necessary checking is done at compile time.
@cindex @option{-gnatp} (@command{gcc})
@cindex @option{-gnato} (@command{gcc})
Two gnat switches, @option{-gnatp} and @option{-gnato} allow this default to
be modified. @xref{Run-Time Checks}.
Our experience is that the default is suitable for most development
purposes.
We treat integer overflow specially because these
are quite expensive and in our experience are not as important as other
run-time checks in the development process. Note that division by zero
is not considered an overflow check, and divide by zero checks are
generated where required by default.
Elaboration checks are off by default, and also not needed by default, since
GNAT uses a static elaboration analysis approach that avoids the need for
run-time checking. This manual contains a full chapter discussing the issue
of elaboration checks, and if the default is not satisfactory for your use,
you should read this chapter.
For validity checks, the minimal checks required by the Ada Reference
Manual (for case statements and assignments to array elements) are on
by default. These can be suppressed by use of the @option{-gnatVn} switch.
Note that in Ada 83, there were no validity checks, so if the Ada 83 mode
is acceptable (or when comparing GNAT performance with an Ada 83 compiler),
it may be reasonable to routinely use @option{-gnatVn}. Validity checks
are also suppressed entirely if @option{-gnatp} is used.
@cindex Overflow checks
@cindex Checks, overflow
@findex Suppress
@findex Unsuppress
@cindex pragma Suppress
@cindex pragma Unsuppress
Note that the setting of the switches controls the default setting of
the checks. They may be modified using either @code{pragma Suppress} (to
remove checks) or @code{pragma Unsuppress} (to add back suppressed
checks) in the program source.
@node Use of Restrictions
@subsection Use of Restrictions
@noindent
The use of pragma Restrictions allows you to control which features are
permitted in your program. Apart from the obvious point that if you avoid
relatively expensive features like finalization (enforceable by the use
of pragma Restrictions (No_Finalization), the use of this pragma does not
affect the generated code in most cases.
One notable exception to this rule is that the possibility of task abort
results in some distributed overhead, particularly if finalization or
exception handlers are used. The reason is that certain sections of code
have to be marked as non-abortable.
If you use neither the @code{abort} statement, nor asynchronous transfer
of control (@code{select .. then abort}), then this distributed overhead
is removed, which may have a general positive effect in improving
overall performance. Especially code involving frequent use of tasking
constructs and controlled types will show much improved performance.
The relevant restrictions pragmas are
@smallexample
pragma Restrictions (No_Abort_Statements);
pragma Restrictions (Max_Asynchronous_Select_Nesting => 0);
@end smallexample
@noindent
It is recommended that these restriction pragmas be used if possible. Note
that this also means that you can write code without worrying about the
possibility of an immediate abort at any point.
@node Optimization Levels
@subsection Optimization Levels
@cindex @option{^-O^/OPTIMIZE^} (@command{gcc})
@noindent
The default is optimization off. This results in the fastest compile
times, but GNAT makes absolutely no attempt to optimize, and the
generated programs are considerably larger and slower than when
optimization is enabled. You can use the
@ifclear vms
@option{-O@var{n}} switch, where @var{n} is an integer from 0 to 3,
@end ifclear
@ifset vms
@code{OPTIMIZE} qualifier
@end ifset
to @command{gcc} to control the optimization level:
@table @option
@item ^-O0^/OPTIMIZE=NONE^
No optimization (the default);
generates unoptimized code but has
the fastest compilation time.
@item ^-O1^/OPTIMIZE=SOME^
Medium level optimization;
optimizes reasonably well but does not
degrade compilation time significantly.
@item ^-O2^/OPTIMIZE=ALL^
@ifset vms
@itemx /OPTIMIZE=DEVELOPMENT
@end ifset
Full optimization;
generates highly optimized code and has
the slowest compilation time.
@item ^-O3^/OPTIMIZE=INLINING^
Full optimization as in @option{-O2},
and also attempts automatic inlining of small
subprograms within a unit (@pxref{Inlining of Subprograms}).
@end table
@noindent
Higher optimization levels perform more global transformations on the
program and apply more expensive analysis algorithms in order to generate
faster and more compact code. The price in compilation time, and the
resulting improvement in execution time,
both depend on the particular application and the hardware environment.
You should experiment to find the best level for your application.
Since the precise set of optimizations done at each level will vary from
release to release (and sometime from target to target), it is best to think
of the optimization settings in general terms.
The @cite{Using GNU GCC} manual contains details about
^the @option{-O} settings and a number of @option{-f} options that^how to^
individually enable or disable specific optimizations.
Unlike some other compilation systems, ^@command{gcc}^GNAT^ has
been tested extensively at all optimization levels. There are some bugs
which appear only with optimization turned on, but there have also been
bugs which show up only in @emph{unoptimized} code. Selecting a lower
level of optimization does not improve the reliability of the code
generator, which in practice is highly reliable at all optimization
levels.
Note regarding the use of @option{-O3}: The use of this optimization level
is generally discouraged with GNAT, since it often results in larger
executables which run more slowly. See further discussion of this point
in @ref{Inlining of Subprograms}.
@node Debugging Optimized Code
@subsection Debugging Optimized Code
@cindex Debugging optimized code
@cindex Optimization and debugging
@noindent
Although it is possible to do a reasonable amount of debugging at
@ifclear vms
non-zero optimization levels,
the higher the level the more likely that
@end ifclear
@ifset vms
@option{/OPTIMIZE} settings other than @code{NONE},
such settings will make it more likely that
@end ifset
source-level constructs will have been eliminated by optimization.
For example, if a loop is strength-reduced, the loop
control variable may be completely eliminated and thus cannot be
displayed in the debugger.
This can only happen at @option{-O2} or @option{-O3}.
Explicit temporary variables that you code might be eliminated at
^level^setting^ @option{-O1} or higher.
The use of the @option{^-g^/DEBUG^} switch,
@cindex @option{^-g^/DEBUG^} (@command{gcc})
which is needed for source-level debugging,
affects the size of the program executable on disk,
and indeed the debugging information can be quite large.
However, it has no effect on the generated code (and thus does not
degrade performance)
Since the compiler generates debugging tables for a compilation unit before
it performs optimizations, the optimizing transformations may invalidate some
of the debugging data. You therefore need to anticipate certain
anomalous situations that may arise while debugging optimized code.
These are the most common cases:
@enumerate
@item
@i{The ``hopping Program Counter'':} Repeated @code{step} or @code{next}
commands show
the PC bouncing back and forth in the code. This may result from any of
the following optimizations:
@itemize @bullet
@item
@i{Common subexpression elimination:} using a single instance of code for a
quantity that the source computes several times. As a result you
may not be able to stop on what looks like a statement.
@item
@i{Invariant code motion:} moving an expression that does not change within a
loop, to the beginning of the loop.
@item
@i{Instruction scheduling:} moving instructions so as to
overlap loads and stores (typically) with other code, or in
general to move computations of values closer to their uses. Often
this causes you to pass an assignment statement without the assignment
happening and then later bounce back to the statement when the
value is actually needed. Placing a breakpoint on a line of code
and then stepping over it may, therefore, not always cause all the
expected side-effects.
@end itemize
@item
@i{The ``big leap'':} More commonly known as @emph{cross-jumping}, in which
two identical pieces of code are merged and the program counter suddenly
jumps to a statement that is not supposed to be executed, simply because
it (and the code following) translates to the same thing as the code
that @emph{was} supposed to be executed. This effect is typically seen in
sequences that end in a jump, such as a @code{goto}, a @code{return}, or
a @code{break} in a C @code{^switch^switch^} statement.
@item
@i{The ``roving variable'':} The symptom is an unexpected value in a variable.
There are various reasons for this effect:
@itemize @bullet
@item
In a subprogram prologue, a parameter may not yet have been moved to its
``home''.
@item
A variable may be dead, and its register re-used. This is
probably the most common cause.
@item
As mentioned above, the assignment of a value to a variable may
have been moved.
@item
A variable may be eliminated entirely by value propagation or
other means. In this case, GCC may incorrectly generate debugging
information for the variable
@end itemize
@noindent
In general, when an unexpected value appears for a local variable or parameter
you should first ascertain if that value was actually computed by
your program, as opposed to being incorrectly reported by the debugger.
Record fields or
array elements in an object designated by an access value
are generally less of a problem, once you have ascertained that the access
value is sensible.
Typically, this means checking variables in the preceding code and in the
calling subprogram to verify that the value observed is explainable from other
values (one must apply the procedure recursively to those
other values); or re-running the code and stopping a little earlier
(perhaps before the call) and stepping to better see how the variable obtained
the value in question; or continuing to step @emph{from} the point of the
strange value to see if code motion had simply moved the variable's
assignments later.
@end enumerate
@noindent
In light of such anomalies, a recommended technique is to use @option{-O0}
early in the software development cycle, when extensive debugging capabilities
are most needed, and then move to @option{-O1} and later @option{-O2} as
the debugger becomes less critical.
Whether to use the @option{^-g^/DEBUG^} switch in the release version is
a release management issue.
@ifclear vms
Note that if you use @option{-g} you can then use the @command{strip} program
on the resulting executable,
which removes both debugging information and global symbols.
@end ifclear
@node Inlining of Subprograms
@subsection Inlining of Subprograms
@noindent
A call to a subprogram in the current unit is inlined if all the
following conditions are met:
@itemize @bullet
@item
The optimization level is at least @option{-O1}.
@item
The called subprogram is suitable for inlining: It must be small enough
and not contain nested subprograms or anything else that @command{gcc}
cannot support in inlined subprograms.
@item
The call occurs after the definition of the body of the subprogram.
@item
@cindex pragma Inline
@findex Inline
Either @code{pragma Inline} applies to the subprogram or it is
small and automatic inlining (optimization level @option{-O3}) is
specified.
@end itemize
@noindent
Calls to subprograms in @code{with}'ed units are normally not inlined.
To achieve this level of inlining, the following conditions must all be
true:
@itemize @bullet
@item
The optimization level is at least @option{-O1}.
@item
The called subprogram is suitable for inlining: It must be small enough
and not contain nested subprograms or anything else @command{gcc} cannot
support in inlined subprograms.
@item
The call appears in a body (not in a package spec).
@item
There is a @code{pragma Inline} for the subprogram.
@item
@cindex @option{-gnatn} (@command{gcc})
The @option{^-gnatn^/INLINE^} switch
is used in the @command{gcc} command line
@end itemize
Note that specifying the @option{-gnatn} switch causes additional
compilation dependencies. Consider the following:
@smallexample @c ada
@cartouche
package R is
procedure Q;
pragma Inline (Q);
end R;
package body R is
...
end R;
with R;
procedure Main is
begin
...
R.Q;
end Main;
@end cartouche
@end smallexample
@noindent
With the default behavior (no @option{-gnatn} switch specified), the
compilation of the @code{Main} procedure depends only on its own source,
@file{main.adb}, and the spec of the package in file @file{r.ads}. This
means that editing the body of @code{R} does not require recompiling
@code{Main}.
On the other hand, the call @code{R.Q} is not inlined under these
circumstances. If the @option{-gnatn} switch is present when @code{Main}
is compiled, the call will be inlined if the body of @code{Q} is small
enough, but now @code{Main} depends on the body of @code{R} in
@file{r.adb} as well as on the spec. This means that if this body is edited,
the main program must be recompiled. Note that this extra dependency
occurs whether or not the call is in fact inlined by @command{gcc}.
The use of front end inlining with @option{-gnatN} generates similar
additional dependencies.
@cindex @option{^-fno-inline^/INLINE=SUPPRESS^} (@command{gcc})
Note: The @option{^-fno-inline^/INLINE=SUPPRESS^} switch
can be used to prevent
all inlining. This switch overrides all other conditions and ensures
that no inlining occurs. The extra dependences resulting from
@option{-gnatn} will still be active, even if
this switch is used to suppress the resulting inlining actions.
Note regarding the use of @option{-O3}: There is no difference in inlining
behavior between @option{-O2} and @option{-O3} for subprograms with an explicit
pragma @code{Inline} assuming the use of @option{-gnatn}
or @option{-gnatN} (the switches that activate inlining). If you have used
pragma @code{Inline} in appropriate cases, then it is usually much better
to use @option{-O2} and @option{-gnatn} and avoid the use of @option{-O3} which
in this case only has the effect of inlining subprograms you did not
think should be inlined. We often find that the use of @option{-O3} slows
down code by performing excessive inlining, leading to increased instruction
cache pressure from the increased code size. So the bottom line here is
that you should not automatically assume that @option{-O3} is better than
@option{-O2}, and indeed you should use @option{-O3} only if tests show that
it actually improves performance.
@node Optimization and Strict Aliasing
@subsection Optimization and Strict Aliasing
@cindex Aliasing
@cindex Strict Aliasing
@cindex No_Strict_Aliasing
@noindent
The strong typing capabilities of Ada allow an optimizer to generate
efficient code in situations where other languages would be forced to
make worst case assumptions preventing such optimizations. Consider
the following example:
@smallexample @c ada
@cartouche
procedure R is
type Int1 is new Integer;
type Int2 is new Integer;
type Int1A is access Int1;
type Int2A is access Int2;
Int1V : Int1A;
Int2V : Int2A;
...
begin
...
for J in Data'Range loop
if Data (J) = Int1V.all then
Int2V.all := Int2V.all + 1;
end if;
end loop;
...
end R;
@end cartouche
@end smallexample
@noindent
In this example, since the variable @code{Int1V} can only access objects
of type @code{Int1}, and @code{Int2V} can only access objects of type
@code{Int2}, there is no possibility that the assignment to
@code{Int2V.all} affects the value of @code{Int1V.all}. This means that
the compiler optimizer can "know" that the value @code{Int1V.all} is constant
for all iterations of the loop and avoid the extra memory reference
required to dereference it each time through the loop.
This kind of optimziation, called strict aliasing analysis, is
triggered by specifying an optimization level of @option{-O2} or
higher and allows @code{GNAT} to generate more efficient code
when access values are involved.
However, although this optimization is always correct in terms of
the formal semantics of the Ada Reference Manual, difficulties can
arise if features like @code{Unchecked_Conversion} are used to break
the typing system. Consider the following complete program example:
@smallexample @c ada
@cartouche
package p1 is
type int1 is new integer;
type int2 is new integer;
type a1 is access int1;
type a2 is access int2;
end p1;
with p1; use p1;
package p2 is
function to_a2 (Input : a1) return a2;
end p2;
with Unchecked_Conversion;
package body p2 is
function to_a2 (Input : a1) return a2 is
function to_a2u is
new Unchecked_Conversion (a1, a2);
begin
return to_a2u (Input);
end to_a2;
end p2;
with p2; use p2;
with p1; use p1;
with Text_IO; use Text_IO;
procedure m is
v1 : a1 := new int1;
v2 : a2 := to_a2 (v1);
begin
v1.all := 1;
v2.all := 0;
put_line (int1'image (v1.all));
end;
@end cartouche
@end smallexample
@noindent
This program prints out 0 in @code{-O0} or @code{-O1}
mode, but it prints out 1 in @code{-O2} mode. That's
because in strict aliasing mode, the compiler can and
does assume that the assignment to @code{v2.all} could not
affect the value of @code{v1.all}, since different types
are involved.
This behavior is not a case of non-conformance with the standard, since
the Ada RM specifies that an unchecked conversion where the resulting
bit pattern is not a correct value of the target type can result in an
abnormal value and attempting to reference an abnormal value makes the
execution of a program erroneous. That's the case here since the result
does not point to an object of type @code{int2}. This means that the
effect is entirely unpredictable.
However, although that explanation may satisfy a language
lawyer, in practice an applications programmer expects an
unchecked conversion involving pointers to create true
aliases and the behavior of printing 1 seems plain wrong.
In this case, the strict aliasing optimization is unwelcome.
Indeed the compiler recognizes this possibility, and the
unchecked conversion generates a warning:
@smallexample
p2.adb:5:07: warning: possible aliasing problem with type "a2"
p2.adb:5:07: warning: use -fno-strict-aliasing switch for references
p2.adb:5:07: warning: or use "pragma No_Strict_Aliasing (a2);"
@end smallexample
@noindent
Unfortunately the problem is recognized when compiling the body of
package @code{p2}, but the actual "bad" code is generated while
compiling the body of @code{m} and this latter compilation does not see
the suspicious @code{Unchecked_Conversion}.
As implied by the warning message, there are approaches you can use to
avoid the unwanted strict aliasing optimization in a case like this.
One possibility is to simply avoid the use of @code{-O2}, but
that is a bit drastic, since it throws away a number of useful
optimizations that do not involve strict aliasing assumptions.
A less drastic approach is to compile the program using the
option @code{-fno-strict-aliasing}. Actually it is only the
unit containing the dereferencing of the suspicious pointer
that needs to be compiled. So in this case, if we compile
unit @code{m} with this switch, then we get the expected
value of zero printed. Analyzing which units might need
the switch can be painful, so a more reasonable approach
is to compile the entire program with options @code{-O2}
and @code{-fno-strict-aliasing}. If the performance is
satisfactory with this combination of options, then the
advantage is that the entire issue of possible "wrong"
optimization due to strict aliasing is avoided.
To avoid the use of compiler switches, the configuration
pragma @code{No_Strict_Aliasing} with no parameters may be
used to specify that for all access types, the strict
aliasing optimization should be suppressed.
However, these approaches are still overkill, in that they causes
all manipulations of all access values to be deoptimized. A more
refined approach is to concentrate attention on the specific
access type identified as problematic.
First, if a careful analysis of uses of the pointer shows
that there are no possible problematic references, then
the warning can be suppressed by bracketing the
instantiation of @code{Unchecked_Conversion} to turn
the warning off:
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Warnings (Off);
function to_a2u is
new Unchecked_Conversion (a1, a2);
pragma Warnings (On);
@end smallexample
@noindent
Of course that approach is not appropriate for this particular
example, since indeed there is a problematic reference. In this
case we can take one of two other approaches.
The first possibility is to move the instantiation of unchecked
conversion to the unit in which the type is declared. In
this example, we would move the instantiation of
@code{Unchecked_Conversion} from the body of package
@code{p2} to the spec of package @code{p1}. Now the
warning disappears. That's because any use of the
access type knows there is a suspicious unchecked
conversion, and the strict aliasing optimization
is automatically suppressed for the type.
If it is not practical to move the unchecked conversion to the same unit
in which the destination access type is declared (perhaps because the
source type is not visible in that unit), you may use pragma
@code{No_Strict_Aliasing} for the type. This pragma must occur in the
same declarative sequence as the declaration of the access type:
@smallexample @c ada
type a2 is access int2;
pragma No_Strict_Aliasing (a2);
@end smallexample
@noindent
Here again, the compiler now knows that the strict aliasing optimization
should be suppressed for any reference to type @code{a2} and the
expected behavior is obtained.
Finally, note that although the compiler can generate warnings for
simple cases of unchecked conversions, there are tricker and more
indirect ways of creating type incorrect aliases which the compiler
cannot detect. Examples are the use of address overlays and unchecked
conversions involving composite types containing access types as
components. In such cases, no warnings are generated, but there can
still be aliasing problems. One safe coding practice is to forbid the
use of address clauses for type overlaying, and to allow unchecked
conversion only for primitive types. This is not really a significant
restriction since any possible desired effect can be achieved by
unchecked conversion of access values.
@ifset vms
@node Coverage Analysis
@subsection Coverage Analysis
@noindent
GNAT supports the Digital Performance Coverage Analyzer (PCA), which allows
the user to determine the distribution of execution time across a program,
@pxref{Profiling} for details of usage.
@end ifset
@node Reducing the Size of Ada Executables with gnatelim
@section Reducing the Size of Ada Executables with @code{gnatelim}
@findex gnatelim
@noindent
This section describes @command{gnatelim}, a tool which detects unused
subprograms and helps the compiler to create a smaller executable for your
program.
@menu
* About gnatelim::
* Running gnatelim::
* Correcting the List of Eliminate Pragmas::
* Making Your Executables Smaller::
* Summary of the gnatelim Usage Cycle::
@end menu
@node About gnatelim
@subsection About @code{gnatelim}
@noindent
When a program shares a set of Ada
packages with other programs, it may happen that this program uses
only a fraction of the subprograms defined in these packages. The code
created for these unused subprograms increases the size of the executable.
@code{gnatelim} tracks unused subprograms in an Ada program and
outputs a list of GNAT-specific pragmas @code{Eliminate} marking all the
subprograms that are declared but never called. By placing the list of
@code{Eliminate} pragmas in the GNAT configuration file @file{gnat.adc} and
recompiling your program, you may decrease the size of its executable,
because the compiler will not generate the code for 'eliminated' subprograms.
See GNAT Reference Manual for more information about this pragma.
@code{gnatelim} needs as its input data the name of the main subprogram
and a bind file for a main subprogram.
To create a bind file for @code{gnatelim}, run @code{gnatbind} for
the main subprogram. @code{gnatelim} can work with both Ada and C
bind files; when both are present, it uses the Ada bind file.
The following commands will build the program and create the bind file:
@smallexample
$ gnatmake ^-c Main_Prog^/ACTIONS=COMPILE MAIN_PROG^
$ gnatbind main_prog
@end smallexample
Note that @code{gnatelim} needs neither object nor ALI files.
@node Running gnatelim
@subsection Running @code{gnatelim}
@noindent
@code{gnatelim} has the following command-line interface:
@smallexample
$ gnatelim [options] name
@end smallexample
@noindent
@code{name} should be a name of a source file that contains the main subprogram
of a program (partition).
@code{gnatelim} has the following switches:
@table @option
@c !sort!
@item ^-q^/QUIET^
@cindex @option{^-q^/QUIET^} (@command{gnatelim})
Quiet mode: by default @code{gnatelim} outputs to the standard error
stream the number of program units left to be processed. This option turns
this trace off.
@item ^-v^/VERBOSE^
@cindex @option{^-v^/VERBOSE^} (@command{gnatelim})
Verbose mode: @code{gnatelim} version information is printed as Ada
comments to the standard output stream. Also, in addition to the number of
program units left @code{gnatelim} will output the name of the current unit
being processed.
@item ^-a^/ALL^
@cindex @option{^-a^/ALL^} (@command{gnatelim})
Also look for subprograms from the GNAT run time that can be eliminated. Note
that when @file{gnat.adc} is produced using this switch, the entire program
must be recompiled with switch @option{^-a^/ALL_FILES^} to @command{gnatmake}.
@item ^-I^/INCLUDE_DIRS=^@var{dir}
@cindex @option{^-I^/INCLUDE_DIRS^} (@command{gnatelim})
When looking for source files also look in directory @var{dir}. Specifying
@option{^-I-^/INCLUDE_DIRS=-^} instructs @code{gnatelim} not to look for
sources in the current directory.
@item ^-b^/BIND_FILE=^@var{bind_file}
@cindex @option{^-b^/BIND_FILE^} (@command{gnatelim})
Specifies @var{bind_file} as the bind file to process. If not set, the name
of the bind file is computed from the full expanded Ada name
of a main subprogram.
@item ^-C^/CONFIG_FILE=^@var{config_file}
@cindex @option{^-C^/CONFIG_FILE^} (@command{gnatelim})
Specifies a file @var{config_file} that contains configuration pragmas. The
file must be specified with full path.
@item ^--GCC^/COMPILER^=@var{compiler_name}
@cindex @option{^-GCC^/COMPILER^} (@command{gnatelim})
Instructs @code{gnatelim} to use specific @command{gcc} compiler instead of one
available on the path.
@item ^--GNATMAKE^/GNATMAKE^=@var{gnatmake_name}
@cindex @option{^--GNATMAKE^/GNATMAKE^} (@command{gnatelim})
Instructs @code{gnatelim} to use specific @command{gnatmake} instead of one
available on the path.
@end table
@noindent
@code{gnatelim} sends its output to the standard output stream, and all the
tracing and debug information is sent to the standard error stream.
In order to produce a proper GNAT configuration file
@file{gnat.adc}, redirection must be used:
@smallexample
@ifset vms
$ PIPE GNAT ELIM MAIN_PROG.ADB > GNAT.ADC
@end ifset
@ifclear vms
$ gnatelim main_prog.adb > gnat.adc
@end ifclear
@end smallexample
@ifclear vms
@noindent
or
@smallexample
$ gnatelim main_prog.adb >> gnat.adc
@end smallexample
@noindent
in order to append the @code{gnatelim} output to the existing contents of
@file{gnat.adc}.
@end ifclear
@node Correcting the List of Eliminate Pragmas
@subsection Correcting the List of Eliminate Pragmas
@noindent
In some rare cases @code{gnatelim} may try to eliminate
subprograms that are actually called in the program. In this case, the
compiler will generate an error message of the form:
@smallexample
file.adb:106:07: cannot call eliminated subprogram "My_Prog"
@end smallexample
@noindent
You will need to manually remove the wrong @code{Eliminate} pragmas from
the @file{gnat.adc} file. You should recompile your program
from scratch after that, because you need a consistent @file{gnat.adc} file
during the entire compilation.
@node Making Your Executables Smaller
@subsection Making Your Executables Smaller
@noindent
In order to get a smaller executable for your program you now have to
recompile the program completely with the new @file{gnat.adc} file
created by @code{gnatelim} in your current directory:
@smallexample
$ gnatmake ^-f main_prog^/FORCE_COMPILE MAIN_PROG^
@end smallexample
@noindent
(Use the @option{^-f^/FORCE_COMPILE^} option for @command{gnatmake} to
recompile everything
with the set of pragmas @code{Eliminate} that you have obtained with
@command{gnatelim}).
Be aware that the set of @code{Eliminate} pragmas is specific to each
program. It is not recommended to merge sets of @code{Eliminate}
pragmas created for different programs in one @file{gnat.adc} file.
@node Summary of the gnatelim Usage Cycle
@subsection Summary of the gnatelim Usage Cycle
@noindent
Here is a quick summary of the steps to be taken in order to reduce
the size of your executables with @code{gnatelim}. You may use
other GNAT options to control the optimization level,
to produce the debugging information, to set search path, etc.
@enumerate
@item
Produce a bind file
@smallexample
$ gnatmake ^-c main_prog^/ACTIONS=COMPILE MAIN_PROG^
$ gnatbind main_prog
@end smallexample
@item
Generate a list of @code{Eliminate} pragmas
@smallexample
@ifset vms
$ PIPE GNAT ELIM MAIN_PROG > GNAT.ADC
@end ifset
@ifclear vms
$ gnatelim main_prog >[>] gnat.adc
@end ifclear
@end smallexample
@item
Recompile the application
@smallexample
$ gnatmake ^-f main_prog^/FORCE_COMPILE MAIN_PROG^
@end smallexample
@end enumerate
@c ********************************
@node Renaming Files Using gnatchop
@chapter Renaming Files Using @code{gnatchop}
@findex gnatchop
@noindent
This chapter discusses how to handle files with multiple units by using
the @code{gnatchop} utility. This utility is also useful in renaming
files to meet the standard GNAT default file naming conventions.
@menu
* Handling Files with Multiple Units::
* Operating gnatchop in Compilation Mode::
* Command Line for gnatchop::
* Switches for gnatchop::
* Examples of gnatchop Usage::
@end menu
@node Handling Files with Multiple Units
@section Handling Files with Multiple Units
@noindent
The basic compilation model of GNAT requires that a file submitted to the
compiler have only one unit and there be a strict correspondence
between the file name and the unit name.
The @code{gnatchop} utility allows both of these rules to be relaxed,
allowing GNAT to process files which contain multiple compilation units
and files with arbitrary file names. @code{gnatchop}
reads the specified file and generates one or more output files,
containing one unit per file. The unit and the file name correspond,
as required by GNAT.
If you want to permanently restructure a set of ``foreign'' files so that
they match the GNAT rules, and do the remaining development using the
GNAT structure, you can simply use @command{gnatchop} once, generate the
new set of files and work with them from that point on.
Alternatively, if you want to keep your files in the ``foreign'' format,
perhaps to maintain compatibility with some other Ada compilation
system, you can set up a procedure where you use @command{gnatchop} each
time you compile, regarding the source files that it writes as temporary
files that you throw away.
@node Operating gnatchop in Compilation Mode
@section Operating gnatchop in Compilation Mode
@noindent
The basic function of @code{gnatchop} is to take a file with multiple units
and split it into separate files. The boundary between files is reasonably
clear, except for the issue of comments and pragmas. In default mode, the
rule is that any pragmas between units belong to the previous unit, except
that configuration pragmas always belong to the following unit. Any comments
belong to the following unit. These rules
almost always result in the right choice of
the split point without needing to mark it explicitly and most users will
find this default to be what they want. In this default mode it is incorrect to
submit a file containing only configuration pragmas, or one that ends in
configuration pragmas, to @code{gnatchop}.
However, using a special option to activate ``compilation mode'',
@code{gnatchop}
can perform another function, which is to provide exactly the semantics
required by the RM for handling of configuration pragmas in a compilation.
In the absence of configuration pragmas (at the main file level), this
option has no effect, but it causes such configuration pragmas to be handled
in a quite different manner.
First, in compilation mode, if @code{gnatchop} is given a file that consists of
only configuration pragmas, then this file is appended to the
@file{gnat.adc} file in the current directory. This behavior provides
the required behavior described in the RM for the actions to be taken
on submitting such a file to the compiler, namely that these pragmas
should apply to all subsequent compilations in the same compilation
environment. Using GNAT, the current directory, possibly containing a
@file{gnat.adc} file is the representation
of a compilation environment. For more information on the
@file{gnat.adc} file, see @ref{Handling of Configuration Pragmas}.
Second, in compilation mode, if @code{gnatchop}
is given a file that starts with
configuration pragmas, and contains one or more units, then these
configuration pragmas are prepended to each of the chopped files. This
behavior provides the required behavior described in the RM for the
actions to be taken on compiling such a file, namely that the pragmas
apply to all units in the compilation, but not to subsequently compiled
units.
Finally, if configuration pragmas appear between units, they are appended
to the previous unit. This results in the previous unit being illegal,
since the compiler does not accept configuration pragmas that follow
a unit. This provides the required RM behavior that forbids configuration
pragmas other than those preceding the first compilation unit of a
compilation.
For most purposes, @code{gnatchop} will be used in default mode. The
compilation mode described above is used only if you need exactly
accurate behavior with respect to compilations, and you have files
that contain multiple units and configuration pragmas. In this
circumstance the use of @code{gnatchop} with the compilation mode
switch provides the required behavior, and is for example the mode
in which GNAT processes the ACVC tests.
@node Command Line for gnatchop
@section Command Line for @code{gnatchop}
@noindent
The @code{gnatchop} command has the form:
@smallexample
$ gnatchop switches @var{file name} [@var{file name} @var{file name} ...]
[@var{directory}]
@end smallexample
@noindent
The only required argument is the file name of the file to be chopped.
There are no restrictions on the form of this file name. The file itself
contains one or more Ada units, in normal GNAT format, concatenated
together. As shown, more than one file may be presented to be chopped.
When run in default mode, @code{gnatchop} generates one output file in
the current directory for each unit in each of the files.
@var{directory}, if specified, gives the name of the directory to which
the output files will be written. If it is not specified, all files are
written to the current directory.
For example, given a
file called @file{hellofiles} containing
@smallexample @c ada
@group
@cartouche
procedure hello;
with Text_IO; use Text_IO;
procedure hello is
begin
Put_Line ("Hello");
end hello;
@end cartouche
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
the command
@smallexample
$ gnatchop ^hellofiles^HELLOFILES.^
@end smallexample
@noindent
generates two files in the current directory, one called
@file{hello.ads} containing the single line that is the procedure spec,
and the other called @file{hello.adb} containing the remaining text. The
original file is not affected. The generated files can be compiled in
the normal manner.
@noindent
When gnatchop is invoked on a file that is empty or that contains only empty
lines and/or comments, gnatchop will not fail, but will not produce any
new sources.
For example, given a
file called @file{toto.txt} containing
@smallexample @c ada
@group
@cartouche
-- Just a comment
@end cartouche
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
the command
@smallexample
$ gnatchop ^toto.txt^TOT.TXT^
@end smallexample
@noindent
will not produce any new file and will result in the following warnings:
@smallexample
toto.txt:1:01: warning: empty file, contains no compilation units
no compilation units found
no source files written
@end smallexample
@node Switches for gnatchop
@section Switches for @code{gnatchop}
@noindent
@command{gnatchop} recognizes the following switches:
@table @option
@c !sort!
@item ^-c^/COMPILATION^
@cindex @option{^-c^/COMPILATION^} (@code{gnatchop})
Causes @code{gnatchop} to operate in compilation mode, in which
configuration pragmas are handled according to strict RM rules. See
previous section for a full description of this mode.
@ifclear vms
@item -gnatxxx
This passes the given @option{-gnatxxx} switch to @code{gnat} which is
used to parse the given file. Not all @code{xxx} options make sense,
but for example, the use of @option{-gnati2} allows @code{gnatchop} to
process a source file that uses Latin-2 coding for identifiers.
@end ifclear
@item ^-h^/HELP^
Causes @code{gnatchop} to generate a brief help summary to the standard
output file showing usage information.
@item ^-k@var{mm}^/FILE_NAME_MAX_LENGTH=@var{mm}^
@cindex @option{^-k^/FILE_NAME_MAX_LENGTH^} (@code{gnatchop})
Limit generated file names to the specified number @code{mm}
of characters.
This is useful if the
resulting set of files is required to be interoperable with systems
which limit the length of file names.
@ifset vms
If no value is given, or
if no @code{/FILE_NAME_MAX_LENGTH} qualifier is given,
a default of 39, suitable for OpenVMS Alpha
Systems, is assumed
@end ifset
@ifclear vms
No space is allowed between the @option{-k} and the numeric value. The numeric
value may be omitted in which case a default of @option{-k8},
suitable for use
with DOS-like file systems, is used. If no @option{-k} switch
is present then
there is no limit on the length of file names.
@end ifclear
@item ^-p^/PRESERVE^
@cindex @option{^-p^/PRESERVE^} (@code{gnatchop})
Causes the file ^modification^creation^ time stamp of the input file to be
preserved and used for the time stamp of the output file(s). This may be
useful for preserving coherency of time stamps in an environment where
@code{gnatchop} is used as part of a standard build process.
@item ^-q^/QUIET^
@cindex @option{^-q^/QUIET^} (@code{gnatchop})
Causes output of informational messages indicating the set of generated
files to be suppressed. Warnings and error messages are unaffected.
@item ^-r^/REFERENCE^
@cindex @option{^-r^/REFERENCE^} (@code{gnatchop})
@findex Source_Reference
Generate @code{Source_Reference} pragmas. Use this switch if the output
files are regarded as temporary and development is to be done in terms
of the original unchopped file. This switch causes
@code{Source_Reference} pragmas to be inserted into each of the
generated files to refers back to the original file name and line number.
The result is that all error messages refer back to the original
unchopped file.
In addition, the debugging information placed into the object file (when
the @option{^-g^/DEBUG^} switch of @command{gcc} or @command{gnatmake} is
specified)
also refers back to this original file so that tools like profilers and
debuggers will give information in terms of the original unchopped file.
If the original file to be chopped itself contains
a @code{Source_Reference}
pragma referencing a third file, then gnatchop respects
this pragma, and the generated @code{Source_Reference} pragmas
in the chopped file refer to the original file, with appropriate
line numbers. This is particularly useful when @code{gnatchop}
is used in conjunction with @code{gnatprep} to compile files that
contain preprocessing statements and multiple units.
@item ^-v^/VERBOSE^
@cindex @option{^-v^/VERBOSE^} (@code{gnatchop})
Causes @code{gnatchop} to operate in verbose mode. The version
number and copyright notice are output, as well as exact copies of
the gnat1 commands spawned to obtain the chop control information.
@item ^-w^/OVERWRITE^
@cindex @option{^-w^/OVERWRITE^} (@code{gnatchop})
Overwrite existing file names. Normally @code{gnatchop} regards it as a
fatal error if there is already a file with the same name as a
file it would otherwise output, in other words if the files to be
chopped contain duplicated units. This switch bypasses this
check, and causes all but the last instance of such duplicated
units to be skipped.
@ifclear vms
@item --GCC=xxxx
@cindex @option{--GCC=} (@code{gnatchop})
Specify the path of the GNAT parser to be used. When this switch is used,
no attempt is made to add the prefix to the GNAT parser executable.
@end ifclear
@end table
@node Examples of gnatchop Usage
@section Examples of @code{gnatchop} Usage
@table @code
@ifset vms
@item gnatchop /OVERWRITE HELLO_S.ADA [PRERELEASE.FILES]
@end ifset
@ifclear vms
@item gnatchop -w hello_s.ada prerelease/files
@end ifclear
Chops the source file @file{hello_s.ada}. The output files will be
placed in the directory @file{^prerelease/files^[PRERELEASE.FILES]^},
overwriting any
files with matching names in that directory (no files in the current
directory are modified).
@item gnatchop ^archive^ARCHIVE.^
Chops the source file @file{^archive^ARCHIVE.^}
into the current directory. One
useful application of @code{gnatchop} is in sending sets of sources
around, for example in email messages. The required sources are simply
concatenated (for example, using a ^Unix @code{cat}^VMS @code{APPEND/NEW}^
command), and then
@code{gnatchop} is used at the other end to reconstitute the original
file names.
@item gnatchop file1 file2 file3 direc
Chops all units in files @file{file1}, @file{file2}, @file{file3}, placing
the resulting files in the directory @file{direc}. Note that if any units
occur more than once anywhere within this set of files, an error message
is generated, and no files are written. To override this check, use the
@option{^-w^/OVERWRITE^} switch,
in which case the last occurrence in the last file will
be the one that is output, and earlier duplicate occurrences for a given
unit will be skipped.
@end table
@node Configuration Pragmas
@chapter Configuration Pragmas
@cindex Configuration pragmas
@cindex Pragmas, configuration
@noindent
In Ada 95, configuration pragmas include those pragmas described as
such in the Ada 95 Reference Manual, as well as
implementation-dependent pragmas that are configuration pragmas. See the
individual descriptions of pragmas in the GNAT Reference Manual for
details on these additional GNAT-specific configuration pragmas. Most
notably, the pragma @code{Source_File_Name}, which allows
specifying non-default names for source files, is a configuration
pragma. The following is a complete list of configuration pragmas
recognized by @code{GNAT}:
@smallexample
Ada_83
Ada_95
C_Pass_By_Copy
Component_Alignment
Detect_Blocking
Discard_Names
Elaboration_Checks
Eliminate
Extend_System
Extensions_Allowed
External_Name_Casing
Float_Representation
Initialize_Scalars
License
Locking_Policy
Long_Float
Normalize_Scalars
Polling
Profile
Profile_Warnings
Propagate_Exceptions
Queuing_Policy
Ravenscar
Restricted_Run_Time
Restrictions
Restrictions_Warnings
Reviewable
Source_File_Name
Style_Checks
Suppress
Task_Dispatching_Policy
Universal_Data
Unsuppress
Use_VADS_Size
Warnings
Validity_Checks
@end smallexample
@menu
* Handling of Configuration Pragmas::
* The Configuration Pragmas Files::
@end menu
@node Handling of Configuration Pragmas
@section Handling of Configuration Pragmas
Configuration pragmas may either appear at the start of a compilation
unit, in which case they apply only to that unit, or they may apply to
all compilations performed in a given compilation environment.
GNAT also provides the @code{gnatchop} utility to provide an automatic
way to handle configuration pragmas following the semantics for
compilations (that is, files with multiple units), described in the RM.
See @ref{Operating gnatchop in Compilation Mode} for details.
However, for most purposes, it will be more convenient to edit the
@file{gnat.adc} file that contains configuration pragmas directly,
as described in the following section.
@node The Configuration Pragmas Files
@section The Configuration Pragmas Files
@cindex @file{gnat.adc}
@noindent
In GNAT a compilation environment is defined by the current
directory at the time that a compile command is given. This current
directory is searched for a file whose name is @file{gnat.adc}. If
this file is present, it is expected to contain one or more
configuration pragmas that will be applied to the current compilation.
However, if the switch @option{-gnatA} is used, @file{gnat.adc} is not
considered.
Configuration pragmas may be entered into the @file{gnat.adc} file
either by running @code{gnatchop} on a source file that consists only of
configuration pragmas, or more conveniently by
direct editing of the @file{gnat.adc} file, which is a standard format
source file.
In addition to @file{gnat.adc}, one additional file containing configuration
pragmas may be applied to the current compilation using the switch
@option{-gnatec}@var{path}. @var{path} must designate an existing file that
contains only configuration pragmas. These configuration pragmas are
in addition to those found in @file{gnat.adc} (provided @file{gnat.adc}
is present and switch @option{-gnatA} is not used).
It is allowed to specify several switches @option{-gnatec}, however only
the last one on the command line will be taken into account.
If you are using project file, a separate mechanism is provided using
project attributes, see @ref{Specifying Configuration Pragmas} for more
details.
@ifset vms
Of special interest to GNAT OpenVMS Alpha is the following
configuration pragma:
@smallexample @c ada
@cartouche
pragma Extend_System (Aux_DEC);
@end cartouche
@end smallexample
@noindent
In the presence of this pragma, GNAT adds to the definition of the
predefined package SYSTEM all the additional types and subprograms that are
defined in DEC Ada. See @ref{Compatibility with DEC Ada} for details.
@end ifset
@node Handling Arbitrary File Naming Conventions Using gnatname
@chapter Handling Arbitrary File Naming Conventions Using @code{gnatname}
@cindex Arbitrary File Naming Conventions
@menu
* Arbitrary File Naming Conventions::
* Running gnatname::
* Switches for gnatname::
* Examples of gnatname Usage::
@end menu
@node Arbitrary File Naming Conventions
@section Arbitrary File Naming Conventions
@noindent
The GNAT compiler must be able to know the source file name of a compilation
unit. When using the standard GNAT default file naming conventions
(@code{.ads} for specs, @code{.adb} for bodies), the GNAT compiler
does not need additional information.
@noindent
When the source file names do not follow the standard GNAT default file naming
conventions, the GNAT compiler must be given additional information through
a configuration pragmas file (@pxref{Configuration Pragmas})
or a project file.
When the non standard file naming conventions are well-defined,
a small number of pragmas @code{Source_File_Name} specifying a naming pattern
(@pxref{Alternative File Naming Schemes}) may be sufficient. However,
if the file naming conventions are irregular or arbitrary, a number
of pragma @code{Source_File_Name} for individual compilation units
must be defined.
To help maintain the correspondence between compilation unit names and
source file names within the compiler,
GNAT provides a tool @code{gnatname} to generate the required pragmas for a
set of files.
@node Running gnatname
@section Running @code{gnatname}
@noindent
The usual form of the @code{gnatname} command is
@smallexample
$ gnatname [@var{switches}] @var{naming_pattern} [@var{naming_patterns}]
@end smallexample
@noindent
All of the arguments are optional. If invoked without any argument,
@code{gnatname} will display its usage.
@noindent
When used with at least one naming pattern, @code{gnatname} will attempt to
find all the compilation units in files that follow at least one of the
naming patterns. To find these compilation units,
@code{gnatname} will use the GNAT compiler in syntax-check-only mode on all
regular files.
@noindent
One or several Naming Patterns may be given as arguments to @code{gnatname}.
Each Naming Pattern is enclosed between double quotes.
A Naming Pattern is a regular expression similar to the wildcard patterns
used in file names by the Unix shells or the DOS prompt.
@noindent
Examples of Naming Patterns are
@smallexample
"*.[12].ada"
"*.ad[sb]*"
"body_*" "spec_*"
@end smallexample
@noindent
For a more complete description of the syntax of Naming Patterns,
see the second kind of regular expressions described in @file{g-regexp.ads}
(the ``Glob'' regular expressions).
@noindent
When invoked with no switches, @code{gnatname} will create a configuration
pragmas file @file{gnat.adc} in the current working directory, with pragmas
@code{Source_File_Name} for each file that contains a valid Ada unit.
@node Switches for gnatname
@section Switches for @code{gnatname}
@noindent
Switches for @code{gnatname} must precede any specified Naming Pattern.
@noindent
You may specify any of the following switches to @code{gnatname}:
@table @option
@c !sort!
@item ^-c^/CONFIG_FILE=^@file{file}
@cindex @option{^-c^/CONFIG_FILE^} (@code{gnatname})
Create a configuration pragmas file @file{file} (instead of the default
@file{gnat.adc}).
@ifclear vms
There may be zero, one or more space between @option{-c} and
@file{file}.
@end ifclear
@file{file} may include directory information. @file{file} must be
writable. There may be only one switch @option{^-c^/CONFIG_FILE^}.
When a switch @option{^-c^/CONFIG_FILE^} is
specified, no switch @option{^-P^/PROJECT_FILE^} may be specified (see below).
@item ^-d^/SOURCE_DIRS=^@file{dir}
@cindex @option{^-d^/SOURCE_DIRS^} (@code{gnatname})
Look for source files in directory @file{dir}. There may be zero, one or more
spaces between @option{^-d^/SOURCE_DIRS=^} and @file{dir}.
When a switch @option{^-d^/SOURCE_DIRS^}
is specified, the current working directory will not be searched for source
files, unless it is explicitly specified with a @option{^-d^/SOURCE_DIRS^}
or @option{^-D^/DIR_FILES^} switch.
Several switches @option{^-d^/SOURCE_DIRS^} may be specified.
If @file{dir} is a relative path, it is relative to the directory of
the configuration pragmas file specified with switch
@option{^-c^/CONFIG_FILE^},
or to the directory of the project file specified with switch
@option{^-P^/PROJECT_FILE^} or,
if neither switch @option{^-c^/CONFIG_FILE^}
nor switch @option{^-P^/PROJECT_FILE^} are specified, it is relative to the
current working directory. The directory
specified with switch @option{^-d^/SOURCE_DIRS^} must exist and be readable.
@item ^-D^/DIRS_FILE=^@file{file}
@cindex @option{^-D^/DIRS_FILE^} (@code{gnatname})
Look for source files in all directories listed in text file @file{file}.
There may be zero, one or more spaces between @option{^-D^/DIRS_FILE=^}
and @file{file}.
@file{file} must be an existing, readable text file.
Each non empty line in @file{file} must be a directory.
Specifying switch @option{^-D^/DIRS_FILE^} is equivalent to specifying as many
switches @option{^-d^/SOURCE_DIRS^} as there are non empty lines in
@file{file}.
@item ^-f^/FOREIGN_PATTERN=^@file{pattern}
@cindex @option{^-f^/FOREIGN_PATTERN^} (@code{gnatname})
Foreign patterns. Using this switch, it is possible to add sources of languages
other than Ada to the list of sources of a project file.
It is only useful if a ^-P^/PROJECT_FILE^ switch is used.
For example,
@smallexample
gnatname ^-Pprj -f"*.c"^/PROJECT_FILE=PRJ /FOREIGN_PATTERN=*.C^ "*.ada"
@end smallexample
@noindent
will look for Ada units in all files with the @file{.ada} extension,
and will add to the list of file for project @file{prj.gpr} the C files
with extension ".^c^C^".
@item ^-h^/HELP^
@cindex @option{^-h^/HELP^} (@code{gnatname})
Output usage (help) information. The output is written to @file{stdout}.
@item ^-P^/PROJECT_FILE=^@file{proj}
@cindex @option{^-P^/PROJECT_FILE^} (@code{gnatname})
Create or update project file @file{proj}. There may be zero, one or more space
between @option{-P} and @file{proj}. @file{proj} may include directory
information. @file{proj} must be writable.
There may be only one switch @option{^-P^/PROJECT_FILE^}.
When a switch @option{^-P^/PROJECT_FILE^} is specified,
no switch @option{^-c^/CONFIG_FILE^} may be specified.
@item ^-v^/VERBOSE^
@cindex @option{^-v^/VERBOSE^} (@code{gnatname})
Verbose mode. Output detailed explanation of behavior to @file{stdout}.
This includes name of the file written, the name of the directories to search
and, for each file in those directories whose name matches at least one of
the Naming Patterns, an indication of whether the file contains a unit,
and if so the name of the unit.
@item ^-v -v^/VERBOSE /VERBOSE^
@cindex @option{^-v -v^/VERBOSE /VERBOSE^} (@code{gnatname})
Very Verbose mode. In addition to the output produced in verbose mode,
for each file in the searched directories whose name matches none of
the Naming Patterns, an indication is given that there is no match.
@item ^-x^/EXCLUDED_PATTERN=^@file{pattern}
@cindex @option{^-x^/EXCLUDED_PATTERN^} (@code{gnatname})
Excluded patterns. Using this switch, it is possible to exclude some files
that would match the name patterns. For example,
@smallexample
gnatname ^-x "*_nt.ada"^/EXCLUDED_PATTERN=*_nt.ada^ "*.ada"
@end smallexample
@noindent
will look for Ada units in all files with the @file{.ada} extension,
except those whose names end with @file{_nt.ada}.
@end table
@node Examples of gnatname Usage
@section Examples of @code{gnatname} Usage
@ifset vms
@smallexample
$ gnatname /CONFIG_FILE=[HOME.ME]NAMES.ADC /SOURCE_DIRS=SOURCES "[a-z]*.ada*"
@end smallexample
@end ifset
@ifclear vms
@smallexample
$ gnatname -c /home/me/names.adc -d sources "[a-z]*.ada*"
@end smallexample
@end ifclear
@noindent
In this example, the directory @file{^/home/me^[HOME.ME]^} must already exist
and be writable. In addition, the directory
@file{^/home/me/sources^[HOME.ME.SOURCES]^} (specified by
@option{^-d sources^/SOURCE_DIRS=SOURCES^}) must exist and be readable.
@ifclear vms
Note the optional spaces after @option{-c} and @option{-d}.
@end ifclear
@smallexample
@ifclear vms
$ gnatname -P/home/me/proj -x "*_nt_body.ada"
-dsources -dsources/plus -Dcommon_dirs.txt "body_*" "spec_*"
@end ifclear
@ifset vms
$ gnatname /PROJECT_FILE=[HOME.ME]PROJ
/EXCLUDED_PATTERN=*_nt_body.ada
/SOURCE_DIRS=(SOURCES,[SOURCES.PLUS])
/DIRS_FILE=COMMON_DIRS.TXT "body_*" "spec_*"
@end ifset
@end smallexample
Note that several switches @option{^-d^/SOURCE_DIRS^} may be used,
even in conjunction with one or several switches
@option{^-D^/DIRS_FILE^}. Several Naming Patterns and one excluded pattern
are used in this example.
@c *****************************************
@c * G N A T P r o j e c t M a n a g e r *
@c *****************************************
@node GNAT Project Manager
@chapter GNAT Project Manager
@menu
* Introduction::
* Examples of Project Files::
* Project File Syntax::
* Objects and Sources in Project Files::
* Importing Projects::
* Project Extension::
* Project Hierarchy Extension::
* External References in Project Files::
* Packages in Project Files::
* Variables from Imported Projects::
* Naming Schemes::
* Library Projects::
* Using Third-Party Libraries through Projects::
* Stand-alone Library Projects::
* Switches Related to Project Files::
* Tools Supporting Project Files::
* An Extended Example::
* Project File Complete Syntax::
@end menu
@c ****************
@c * Introduction *
@c ****************
@node Introduction
@section Introduction
@noindent
This chapter describes GNAT's @emph{Project Manager}, a facility that allows
you to manage complex builds involving a number of source files, directories,
and compilation options for different system configurations. In particular,
project files allow you to specify:
@itemize @bullet
@item
The directory or set of directories containing the source files, and/or the
names of the specific source files themselves
@item
The directory in which the compiler's output
(@file{ALI} files, object files, tree files) is to be placed
@item
The directory in which the executable programs is to be placed
@item
^Switch^Switch^ settings for any of the project-enabled tools
(@command{gnatmake}, compiler, binder, linker, @code{gnatls}, @code{gnatxref},
@code{gnatfind}); you can apply these settings either globally or to individual
compilation units.
@item
The source files containing the main subprogram(s) to be built
@item
The source programming language(s) (currently Ada and/or C)
@item
Source file naming conventions; you can specify these either globally or for
individual compilation units
@end itemize
@menu
* Project Files::
@end menu
@node Project Files
@subsection Project Files
@noindent
Project files are written in a syntax close to that of Ada, using familiar
notions such as packages, context clauses, declarations, default values,
assignments, and inheritance. Finally, project files can be built
hierarchically from other project files, simplifying complex system
integration and project reuse.
A @dfn{project} is a specific set of values for various compilation properties.
The settings for a given project are described by means of
a @dfn{project file}, which is a text file written in an Ada-like syntax.
Property values in project files are either strings or lists of strings.
Properties that are not explicitly set receive default values. A project
file may interrogate the values of @dfn{external variables} (user-defined
command-line switches or environment variables), and it may specify property
settings conditionally, based on the value of such variables.
In simple cases, a project's source files depend only on other source files
in the same project, or on the predefined libraries. (@emph{Dependence} is
used in
the Ada technical sense; as in one Ada unit @code{with}ing another.) However,
the Project Manager also allows more sophisticated arrangements,
where the source files in one project depend on source files in other
projects:
@itemize @bullet
@item
One project can @emph{import} other projects containing needed source files.
@item
You can organize GNAT projects in a hierarchy: a @emph{child} project
can extend a @emph{parent} project, inheriting the parent's source files and
optionally overriding any of them with alternative versions
@end itemize
@noindent
More generally, the Project Manager lets you structure large development
efforts into hierarchical subsystems, where build decisions are delegated
to the subsystem level, and thus different compilation environments
(^switch^switch^ settings) used for different subsystems.
The Project Manager is invoked through the
@option{^-P^/PROJECT_FILE=^@emph{projectfile}}
switch to @command{gnatmake} or to the @command{^gnat^GNAT^} front driver.
@ifclear vms
There may be zero, one or more spaces between @option{-P} and
@option{@emph{projectfile}}.
@end ifclear
If you want to define (on the command line) an external variable that is
queried by the project file, you must use the
@option{^-X^/EXTERNAT_REFERENCE=^@emph{vbl}=@emph{value}} switch.
The Project Manager parses and interprets the project file, and drives the
invoked tool based on the project settings.
The Project Manager supports a wide range of development strategies,
for systems of all sizes. Here are some typical practices that are
easily handled:
@itemize @bullet
@item
Using a common set of source files, but generating object files in different
directories via different ^switch^switch^ settings
@item
Using a mostly-shared set of source files, but with different versions of
some unit or units
@end itemize
@noindent
The destination of an executable can be controlled inside a project file
using the @option{^-o^-o^}
^switch^switch^.
In the absence of such a ^switch^switch^ either inside
the project file or on the command line, any executable files generated by
@command{gnatmake} are placed in the directory @code{Exec_Dir} specified
in the project file. If no @code{Exec_Dir} is specified, they will be placed
in the object directory of the project.
You can use project files to achieve some of the effects of a source
versioning system (for example, defining separate projects for
the different sets of sources that comprise different releases) but the
Project Manager is independent of any source configuration management tools
that might be used by the developers.
The next section introduces the main features of GNAT's project facility
through a sequence of examples; subsequent sections will present the syntax
and semantics in more detail. A more formal description of the project
facility appears in the GNAT Reference Manual.
@c *****************************
@c * Examples of Project Files *
@c *****************************
@node Examples of Project Files
@section Examples of Project Files
@noindent
This section illustrates some of the typical uses of project files and
explains their basic structure and behavior.
@menu
* Common Sources with Different ^Switches^Switches^ and Directories::
* Using External Variables::
* Importing Other Projects::
* Extending a Project::
@end menu
@node Common Sources with Different ^Switches^Switches^ and Directories
@subsection Common Sources with Different ^Switches^Switches^ and Directories
@menu
* Source Files::
* Specifying the Object Directory::
* Specifying the Exec Directory::
* Project File Packages::
* Specifying ^Switch^Switch^ Settings::
* Main Subprograms::
* Executable File Names::
* Source File Naming Conventions::
* Source Language(s)::
@end menu
@noindent
Suppose that the Ada source files @file{pack.ads}, @file{pack.adb}, and
@file{proc.adb} are in the @file{/common} directory. The file
@file{proc.adb} contains an Ada main subprogram @code{Proc} that @code{with}s
package @code{Pack}. We want to compile these source files under two sets
of ^switches^switches^:
@itemize @bullet
@item
When debugging, we want to pass the @option{-g} switch to @command{gnatmake},
and the @option{^-gnata^-gnata^},
@option{^-gnato^-gnato^},
and @option{^-gnatE^-gnatE^} switches to the
compiler; the compiler's output is to appear in @file{/common/debug}
@item
When preparing a release version, we want to pass the @option{^-O2^O2^} switch
to the compiler; the compiler's output is to appear in @file{/common/release}
@end itemize
@noindent
The GNAT project files shown below, respectively @file{debug.gpr} and
@file{release.gpr} in the @file{/common} directory, achieve these effects.
Schematically:
@smallexample
@group
^/common^[COMMON]^
debug.gpr
release.gpr
pack.ads
pack.adb
proc.adb
@end group
@group
^/common/debug^[COMMON.DEBUG]^
proc.ali, proc.o
pack.ali, pack.o
@end group
@group
^/common/release^[COMMON.RELEASE]^
proc.ali, proc.o
pack.ali, pack.o
@end group
@end smallexample
Here are the corresponding project files:
@smallexample @c projectfile
@group
project Debug is
for Object_Dir use "debug";
for Main use ("proc");
package Builder is
for ^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^ ("Ada")
use ("^-g^-g^");
for Executable ("proc.adb") use "proc1";
end Builder;
@end group
@group
package Compiler is
for ^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^ ("Ada")
use ("-fstack-check",
"^-gnata^-gnata^",
"^-gnato^-gnato^",
"^-gnatE^-gnatE^");
end Compiler;
end Debug;
@end group
@end smallexample
@smallexample @c projectfile
@group
project Release is
for Object_Dir use "release";
for Exec_Dir use ".";
for Main use ("proc");
package Compiler is
for ^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^ ("Ada")
use ("^-O2^-O2^");
end Compiler;
end Release;
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
The name of the project defined by @file{debug.gpr} is @code{"Debug"} (case
insensitive), and analogously the project defined by @file{release.gpr} is
@code{"Release"}. For consistency the file should have the same name as the
project, and the project file's extension should be @code{"gpr"}. These
conventions are not required, but a warning is issued if they are not followed.
If the current directory is @file{^/temp^[TEMP]^}, then the command
@smallexample
gnatmake ^-P/common/debug.gpr^/PROJECT_FILE=[COMMON]DEBUG^
@end smallexample
@noindent
generates object and ALI files in @file{^/common/debug^[COMMON.DEBUG]^},
as well as the @code{^proc1^PROC1.EXE^} executable,
using the ^switch^switch^ settings defined in the project file.
Likewise, the command
@smallexample
gnatmake ^-P/common/release.gpr^/PROJECT_FILE=[COMMON]RELEASE^
@end smallexample
@noindent
generates object and ALI files in @file{^/common/release^[COMMON.RELEASE]^},
and the @code{^proc^PROC.EXE^}
executable in @file{^/common^[COMMON]^},
using the ^switch^switch^ settings from the project file.
@node Source Files
@unnumberedsubsubsec Source Files
@noindent
If a project file does not explicitly specify a set of source directories or
a set of source files, then by default the project's source files are the
Ada source files in the project file directory. Thus @file{pack.ads},
@file{pack.adb}, and @file{proc.adb} are the source files for both projects.
@node Specifying the Object Directory
@unnumberedsubsubsec Specifying the Object Directory
@noindent
Several project properties are modeled by Ada-style @emph{attributes};
a property is defined by supplying the equivalent of an Ada attribute
definition clause in the project file.
A project's object directory is another such a property; the corresponding
attribute is @code{Object_Dir}, and its value is also a string expression,
specified either as absolute or relative. In the later case,
it is relative to the project file directory. Thus the compiler's
output is directed to @file{^/common/debug^[COMMON.DEBUG]^}
(for the @code{Debug} project)
and to @file{^/common/release^[COMMON.RELEASE]^}
(for the @code{Release} project).
If @code{Object_Dir} is not specified, then the default is the project file
directory itself.
@node Specifying the Exec Directory
@unnumberedsubsubsec Specifying the Exec Directory
@noindent
A project's exec directory is another property; the corresponding
attribute is @code{Exec_Dir}, and its value is also a string expression,
either specified as relative or absolute. If @code{Exec_Dir} is not specified,
then the default is the object directory (which may also be the project file
directory if attribute @code{Object_Dir} is not specified). Thus the executable
is placed in @file{^/common/debug^[COMMON.DEBUG]^}
for the @code{Debug} project (attribute @code{Exec_Dir} not specified)
and in @file{^/common^[COMMON]^} for the @code{Release} project.
@node Project File Packages
@unnumberedsubsubsec Project File Packages
@noindent
A GNAT tool that is integrated with the Project Manager is modeled by a
corresponding package in the project file. In the example above,
The @code{Debug} project defines the packages @code{Builder}
(for @command{gnatmake}) and @code{Compiler};
the @code{Release} project defines only the @code{Compiler} package.
The Ada-like package syntax is not to be taken literally. Although packages in
project files bear a surface resemblance to packages in Ada source code, the
notation is simply a way to convey a grouping of properties for a named
entity. Indeed, the package names permitted in project files are restricted
to a predefined set, corresponding to the project-aware tools, and the contents
of packages are limited to a small set of constructs.
The packages in the example above contain attribute definitions.
@node Specifying ^Switch^Switch^ Settings
@unnumberedsubsubsec Specifying ^Switch^Switch^ Settings
@noindent
^Switch^Switch^ settings for a project-aware tool can be specified through
attributes in the package that corresponds to the tool.
The example above illustrates one of the relevant attributes,
@code{^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^}, which is defined in packages
in both project files.
Unlike simple attributes like @code{Source_Dirs},
@code{^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^} is
known as an @emph{associative array}. When you define this attribute, you must
supply an ``index'' (a literal string), and the effect of the attribute
definition is to set the value of the array at the specified index.
For the @code{^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^} attribute,
the index is a programming language (in our case, Ada),
and the value specified (after @code{use}) must be a list
of string expressions.
The attributes permitted in project files are restricted to a predefined set.
Some may appear at project level, others in packages.
For any attribute that is an associative array, the index must always be a
literal string, but the restrictions on this string (e.g., a file name or a
language name) depend on the individual attribute.
Also depending on the attribute, its specified value will need to be either a
string or a string list.
In the @code{Debug} project, we set the switches for two tools,
@command{gnatmake} and the compiler, and thus we include the two corresponding
packages; each package defines the @code{^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^}
attribute with index @code{"Ada"}.
Note that the package corresponding to
@command{gnatmake} is named @code{Builder}. The @code{Release} project is
similar, but only includes the @code{Compiler} package.
In project @code{Debug} above, the ^switches^switches^ starting with
@option{-gnat} that are specified in package @code{Compiler}
could have been placed in package @code{Builder}, since @command{gnatmake}
transmits all such ^switches^switches^ to the compiler.
@node Main Subprograms
@unnumberedsubsubsec Main Subprograms
@noindent
One of the specifiable properties of a project is a list of files that contain
main subprograms. This property is captured in the @code{Main} attribute,
whose value is a list of strings. If a project defines the @code{Main}
attribute, it is not necessary to identify the main subprogram(s) when
invoking @command{gnatmake} (@pxref{gnatmake and Project Files}).
@node Executable File Names
@unnumberedsubsubsec Executable File Names
@noindent
By default, the executable file name corresponding to a main source is
deduced from the main source file name. Through the attributes
@code{Executable} and @code{Executable_Suffix} of package @code{Builder},
it is possible to change this default.
In project @code{Debug} above, the executable file name
for main source @file{^proc.adb^PROC.ADB^} is
@file{^proc1^PROC1.EXE^}.
Attribute @code{Executable_Suffix}, when specified, may change the suffix
of the the executable files, when no attribute @code{Executable} applies:
its value replace the platform-specific executable suffix.
Attributes @code{Executable} and @code{Executable_Suffix} are the only ways to
specify a non default executable file name when several mains are built at once
in a single @command{gnatmake} command.
@node Source File Naming Conventions
@unnumberedsubsubsec Source File Naming Conventions
@noindent
Since the project files above do not specify any source file naming
conventions, the GNAT defaults are used. The mechanism for defining source
file naming conventions -- a package named @code{Naming} --
is described below (@pxref{Naming Schemes}).
@node Source Language(s)
@unnumberedsubsubsec Source Language(s)
@noindent
Since the project files do not specify a @code{Languages} attribute, by
default the GNAT tools assume that the language of the project file is Ada.
More generally, a project can comprise source files
in Ada, C, and/or other languages.
@node Using External Variables
@subsection Using External Variables
@noindent
Instead of supplying different project files for debug and release, we can
define a single project file that queries an external variable (set either
on the command line or via an ^environment variable^logical name^) in order to
conditionally define the appropriate settings. Again, assume that the
source files @file{pack.ads}, @file{pack.adb}, and @file{proc.adb} are
located in directory @file{^/common^[COMMON]^}. The following project file,
@file{build.gpr}, queries the external variable named @code{STYLE} and
defines an object directory and ^switch^switch^ settings based on whether
the value is @code{"deb"} (debug) or @code{"rel"} (release), and where
the default is @code{"deb"}.
@smallexample @c projectfile
@group
project Build is
for Main use ("proc");
type Style_Type is ("deb", "rel");
Style : Style_Type := external ("STYLE", "deb");
case Style is
when "deb" =>
for Object_Dir use "debug";
when "rel" =>
for Object_Dir use "release";
for Exec_Dir use ".";
end case;
@end group
@group
package Builder is
case Style is
when "deb" =>
for ^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^ ("Ada")
use ("^-g^-g^");
for Executable ("proc") use "proc1";
when others =>
null;
end case;
end Builder;
@end group
@group
package Compiler is
case Style is
when "deb" =>
for ^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^ ("Ada")
use ("^-gnata^-gnata^",
"^-gnato^-gnato^",
"^-gnatE^-gnatE^");
when "rel" =>
for ^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^ ("Ada")
use ("^-O2^-O2^");
end case;
end Compiler;
end Build;
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
@code{Style_Type} is an example of a @emph{string type}, which is the project
file analog of an Ada enumeration type but whose components are string literals
rather than identifiers. @code{Style} is declared as a variable of this type.
The form @code{external("STYLE", "deb")} is known as an
@emph{external reference}; its first argument is the name of an
@emph{external variable}, and the second argument is a default value to be
used if the external variable doesn't exist. You can define an external
variable on the command line via the @option{^-X^/EXTERNAL_REFERENCE^} switch,
or you can use ^an environment variable^a logical name^
as an external variable.
Each @code{case} construct is expanded by the Project Manager based on the
value of @code{Style}. Thus the command
@ifclear vms
@smallexample
gnatmake -P/common/build.gpr -XSTYLE=deb
@end smallexample
@end ifclear
@ifset vms
@smallexample
gnatmake /PROJECT_FILE=[COMMON]BUILD.GPR /EXTERNAL_REFERENCE=STYLE=deb
@end smallexample
@end ifset
@noindent
is equivalent to the @command{gnatmake} invocation using the project file
@file{debug.gpr} in the earlier example. So is the command
@smallexample
gnatmake ^-P/common/build.gpr^/PROJECT_FILE=[COMMON]BUILD.GPR^
@end smallexample
@noindent
since @code{"deb"} is the default for @code{STYLE}.
Analogously,
@ifclear vms
@smallexample
gnatmake -P/common/build.gpr -XSTYLE=rel
@end smallexample
@end ifclear
@ifset vms
@smallexample
GNAT MAKE /PROJECT_FILE=[COMMON]BUILD.GPR /EXTERNAL_REFERENCE=STYLE=rel
@end smallexample
@end ifset
@noindent
is equivalent to the @command{gnatmake} invocation using the project file
@file{release.gpr} in the earlier example.
@node Importing Other Projects
@subsection Importing Other Projects
@noindent
A compilation unit in a source file in one project may depend on compilation
units in source files in other projects. To compile this unit under
control of a project file, the
dependent project must @emph{import} the projects containing the needed source
files.
This effect is obtained using syntax similar to an Ada @code{with} clause,
but where @code{with}ed entities are strings that denote project files.
As an example, suppose that the two projects @code{GUI_Proj} and
@code{Comm_Proj} are defined in the project files @file{gui_proj.gpr} and
@file{comm_proj.gpr} in directories @file{^/gui^[GUI]^}
and @file{^/comm^[COMM]^}, respectively.
Suppose that the source files for @code{GUI_Proj} are
@file{gui.ads} and @file{gui.adb}, and that the source files for
@code{Comm_Proj} are @file{comm.ads} and @file{comm.adb}, where each set of
files is located in its respective project file directory. Schematically:
@smallexample
@group
^/gui^[GUI]^
gui_proj.gpr
gui.ads
gui.adb
@end group
@group
^/comm^[COMM]^
comm_proj.gpr
comm.ads
comm.adb
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
We want to develop an application in directory @file{^/app^[APP]^} that
@code{with} the packages @code{GUI} and @code{Comm}, using the properties of
the corresponding project files (e.g. the ^switch^switch^ settings
and object directory).
Skeletal code for a main procedure might be something like the following:
@smallexample @c ada
@group
with GUI, Comm;
procedure App_Main is
...
begin
...
end App_Main;
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
Here is a project file, @file{app_proj.gpr}, that achieves the desired
effect:
@smallexample @c projectfile
@group
with "/gui/gui_proj", "/comm/comm_proj";
project App_Proj is
for Main use ("app_main");
end App_Proj;
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
Building an executable is achieved through the command:
@smallexample
gnatmake ^-P/app/app_proj^/PROJECT_FILE=[APP]APP_PROJ^
@end smallexample
@noindent
which will generate the @code{^app_main^APP_MAIN.EXE^} executable
in the directory where @file{app_proj.gpr} resides.
If an imported project file uses the standard extension (@code{^gpr^GPR^}) then
(as illustrated above) the @code{with} clause can omit the extension.
Our example specified an absolute path for each imported project file.
Alternatively, the directory name of an imported object can be omitted
if either
@itemize @bullet
@item
The imported project file is in the same directory as the importing project
file, or
@item
You have defined ^an environment variable^a logical name^
that includes the directory containing
the needed project file. The syntax of @code{ADA_PROJECT_PATH} is the same as
the syntax of @code{ADA_INCLUDE_PATH} and @code{ADA_OBJECTS_PATH}: a list of
directory names separated by colons (semicolons on Windows).
@end itemize
@noindent
Thus, if we define @code{ADA_PROJECT_PATH} to include @file{^/gui^[GUI]^} and
@file{^/comm^[COMM]^}, then our project file @file{app_proj.gpr} can be written
as follows:
@smallexample @c projectfile
@group
with "gui_proj", "comm_proj";
project App_Proj is
for Main use ("app_main");
end App_Proj;
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
Importing other projects can create ambiguities.
For example, the same unit might be present in different imported projects, or
it might be present in both the importing project and in an imported project.
Both of these conditions are errors. Note that in the current version of
the Project Manager, it is illegal to have an ambiguous unit even if the
unit is never referenced by the importing project. This restriction may be
relaxed in a future release.
@node Extending a Project
@subsection Extending a Project
@noindent
In large software systems it is common to have multiple
implementations of a common interface; in Ada terms, multiple versions of a
package body for the same specification. For example, one implementation
might be safe for use in tasking programs, while another might only be used
in sequential applications. This can be modeled in GNAT using the concept
of @emph{project extension}. If one project (the ``child'') @emph{extends}
another project (the ``parent'') then by default all source files of the
parent project are inherited by the child, but the child project can
override any of the parent's source files with new versions, and can also
add new files. This facility is the project analog of a type extension in
Object-Oriented Programming. Project hierarchies are permitted (a child
project may be the parent of yet another project), and a project that
inherits one project can also import other projects.
As an example, suppose that directory @file{^/seq^[SEQ]^} contains the project
file @file{seq_proj.gpr} as well as the source files @file{pack.ads},
@file{pack.adb}, and @file{proc.adb}:
@smallexample
@group
^/seq^[SEQ]^
pack.ads
pack.adb
proc.adb
seq_proj.gpr
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
Note that the project file can simply be empty (that is, no attribute or
package is defined):
@smallexample @c projectfile
@group
project Seq_Proj is
end Seq_Proj;
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
implying that its source files are all the Ada source files in the project
directory.
Suppose we want to supply an alternate version of @file{pack.adb}, in
directory @file{^/tasking^[TASKING]^}, but use the existing versions of
@file{pack.ads} and @file{proc.adb}. We can define a project
@code{Tasking_Proj} that inherits @code{Seq_Proj}:
@smallexample
@group
^/tasking^[TASKING]^
pack.adb
tasking_proj.gpr
@end group
@group
project Tasking_Proj extends "/seq/seq_proj" is
end Tasking_Proj;
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
The version of @file{pack.adb} used in a build depends on which project file
is specified.
Note that we could have obtained the desired behavior using project import
rather than project inheritance; a @code{base} project would contain the
sources for @file{pack.ads} and @file{proc.adb}, a sequential project would
import @code{base} and add @file{pack.adb}, and likewise a tasking project
would import @code{base} and add a different version of @file{pack.adb}. The
choice depends on whether other sources in the original project need to be
overridden. If they do, then project extension is necessary, otherwise,
importing is sufficient.
@noindent
In a project file that extends another project file, it is possible to
indicate that an inherited source is not part of the sources of the extending
project. This is necessary sometimes when a package spec has been overloaded
and no longer requires a body: in this case, it is necessary to indicate that
the inherited body is not part of the sources of the project, otherwise there
will be a compilation error when compiling the spec.
For that purpose, the attribute @code{Locally_Removed_Files} is used.
Its value is a string list: a list of file names.
@smallexample @c @projectfile
project B extends "a" is
for Source_Files use ("pkg.ads");
-- New spec of Pkg does not need a completion
for Locally_Removed_Files use ("pkg.adb");
end B;
@end smallexample
Attribute @code{Locally_Removed_Files} may also be used to check if a source
is still needed: if it is possible to build using @command{gnatmake} when such
a source is put in attribute @code{Locally_Removed_Files} of a project P, then
it is possible to remove the source completely from a system that includes
project P.
@c ***********************
@c * Project File Syntax *
@c ***********************
@node Project File Syntax
@section Project File Syntax
@menu
* Basic Syntax::
* Packages::
* Expressions::
* String Types::
* Variables::
* Attributes::
* Associative Array Attributes::
* case Constructions::
@end menu
@noindent
This section describes the structure of project files.
A project may be an @emph{independent project}, entirely defined by a single
project file. Any Ada source file in an independent project depends only
on the predefined library and other Ada source files in the same project.
@noindent
A project may also @dfn{depend on} other projects, in either or both of
the following ways:
@itemize @bullet
@item It may import any number of projects
@item It may extend at most one other project
@end itemize
@noindent
The dependence relation is a directed acyclic graph (the subgraph reflecting
the ``extends'' relation is a tree).
A project's @dfn{immediate sources} are the source files directly defined by
that project, either implicitly by residing in the project file's directory,
or explicitly through any of the source-related attributes described below.
More generally, a project @var{proj}'s @dfn{sources} are the immediate sources
of @var{proj} together with the immediate sources (unless overridden) of any
project on which @var{proj} depends (either directly or indirectly).
@node Basic Syntax
@subsection Basic Syntax
@noindent
As seen in the earlier examples, project files have an Ada-like syntax.
The minimal project file is:
@smallexample @c projectfile
@group
project Empty is
end Empty;
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
The identifier @code{Empty} is the name of the project.
This project name must be present after the reserved
word @code{end} at the end of the project file, followed by a semi-colon.
Any name in a project file, such as the project name or a variable name,
has the same syntax as an Ada identifier.
The reserved words of project files are the Ada reserved words plus
@code{extends}, @code{external}, and @code{project}. Note that the only Ada
reserved words currently used in project file syntax are:
@itemize @bullet
@item
@code{case}
@item
@code{end}
@item
@code{for}
@item
@code{is}
@item
@code{others}
@item
@code{package}
@item
@code{renames}
@item
@code{type}
@item
@code{use}
@item
@code{when}
@item
@code{with}
@end itemize
@noindent
Comments in project files have the same syntax as in Ada, two consecutives
hyphens through the end of the line.
@node Packages
@subsection Packages
@noindent
A project file may contain @emph{packages}. The name of a package must be one
of the identifiers from the following list. A package
with a given name may only appear once in a project file. Package names are
case insensitive. The following package names are legal:
@itemize @bullet
@item
@code{Naming}
@item
@code{Builder}
@item
@code{Compiler}
@item
@code{Binder}
@item
@code{Linker}
@item
@code{Finder}
@item
@code{Cross_Reference}
@item
@code{Eliminate}
@item
@code{Pretty_Printer}
@item
@code{Metrics}
@item
@code{gnatls}
@item
@code{gnatstub}
@item
@code{IDE}
@item
@code{Language_Processing}
@end itemize
@noindent
In its simplest form, a package may be empty:
@smallexample @c projectfile
@group
project Simple is
package Builder is
end Builder;
end Simple;
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
A package may contain @emph{attribute declarations},
@emph{variable declarations} and @emph{case constructions}, as will be
described below.
When there is ambiguity between a project name and a package name,
the name always designates the project. To avoid possible confusion, it is
always a good idea to avoid naming a project with one of the
names allowed for packages or any name that starts with @code{gnat}.
@node Expressions
@subsection Expressions
@noindent
An @emph{expression} is either a @emph{string expression} or a
@emph{string list expression}.
A @emph{string expression} is either a @emph{simple string expression} or a
@emph{compound string expression}.
A @emph{simple string expression} is one of the following:
@itemize @bullet
@item A literal string; e.g.@code{"comm/my_proj.gpr"}
@item A string-valued variable reference (@pxref{Variables})
@item A string-valued attribute reference (@pxref{Attributes})
@item An external reference (@pxref{External References in Project Files})
@end itemize
@noindent
A @emph{compound string expression} is a concatenation of string expressions,
using the operator @code{"&"}
@smallexample
Path & "/" & File_Name & ".ads"
@end smallexample
@noindent
A @emph{string list expression} is either a
@emph{simple string list expression} or a
@emph{compound string list expression}.
A @emph{simple string list expression} is one of the following:
@itemize @bullet
@item A parenthesized list of zero or more string expressions,
separated by commas
@smallexample
File_Names := (File_Name, "gnat.adc", File_Name & ".orig");
Empty_List := ();
@end smallexample
@item A string list-valued variable reference
@item A string list-valued attribute reference
@end itemize
@noindent
A @emph{compound string list expression} is the concatenation (using
@code{"&"}) of a simple string list expression and an expression. Note that
each term in a compound string list expression, except the first, may be
either a string expression or a string list expression.
@smallexample @c projectfile
@group
File_Name_List := () & File_Name; -- One string in this list
Extended_File_Name_List := File_Name_List & (File_Name & ".orig");
-- Two strings
Big_List := File_Name_List & Extended_File_Name_List;
-- Concatenation of two string lists: three strings
Illegal_List := "gnat.adc" & Extended_File_Name_List;
-- Illegal: must start with a string list
@end group
@end smallexample
@node String Types
@subsection String Types
@noindent
A @emph{string type declaration} introduces a discrete set of string literals.
If a string variable is declared to have this type, its value
is restricted to the given set of literals.
Here is an example of a string type declaration:
@smallexample @c projectfile
type OS is ("NT", "nt", "Unix", "GNU/Linux", "other OS");
@end smallexample
@noindent
Variables of a string type are called @emph{typed variables}; all other
variables are called @emph{untyped variables}. Typed variables are
particularly useful in @code{case} constructions, to support conditional
attribute declarations.
(@pxref{case Constructions}).
The string literals in the list are case sensitive and must all be different.
They may include any graphic characters allowed in Ada, including spaces.
A string type may only be declared at the project level, not inside a package.
A string type may be referenced by its name if it has been declared in the same
project file, or by an expanded name whose prefix is the name of the project
in which it is declared.
@node Variables
@subsection Variables
@noindent
A variable may be declared at the project file level, or within a package.
Here are some examples of variable declarations:
@smallexample @c projectfile
@group
This_OS : OS := external ("OS"); -- a typed variable declaration
That_OS := "GNU/Linux"; -- an untyped variable declaration
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
The syntax of a @emph{typed variable declaration} is identical to the Ada
syntax for an object declaration. By contrast, the syntax of an untyped
variable declaration is identical to an Ada assignment statement. In fact,
variable declarations in project files have some of the characteristics of
an assignment, in that successive declarations for the same variable are
allowed. Untyped variable declarations do establish the expected kind of the
variable (string or string list), and successive declarations for it must
respect the initial kind.
@noindent
A string variable declaration (typed or untyped) declares a variable
whose value is a string. This variable may be used as a string expression.
@smallexample @c projectfile
File_Name := "readme.txt";
Saved_File_Name := File_Name & ".saved";
@end smallexample
@noindent
A string list variable declaration declares a variable whose value is a list
of strings. The list may contain any number (zero or more) of strings.
@smallexample @c projectfile
Empty_List := ();
List_With_One_Element := ("^-gnaty^-gnaty^");
List_With_Two_Elements := List_With_One_Element & "^-gnatg^-gnatg^";
Long_List := ("main.ada", "pack1_.ada", "pack1.ada", "pack2_.ada"
"pack2.ada", "util_.ada", "util.ada");
@end smallexample
@noindent
The same typed variable may not be declared more than once at project level,
and it may not be declared more than once in any package; it is in effect
a constant.
The same untyped variable may be declared several times. Declarations are
elaborated in the order in which they appear, so the new value replaces
the old one, and any subsequent reference to the variable uses the new value.
However, as noted above, if a variable has been declared as a string, all
subsequent
declarations must give it a string value. Similarly, if a variable has
been declared as a string list, all subsequent declarations
must give it a string list value.
A @emph{variable reference} may take several forms:
@itemize @bullet
@item The simple variable name, for a variable in the current package (if any)
or in the current project
@item An expanded name, whose prefix is a context name.
@end itemize
@noindent
A @emph{context} may be one of the following:
@itemize @bullet
@item The name of an existing package in the current project
@item The name of an imported project of the current project
@item The name of an ancestor project (i.e., a project extended by the current
project, either directly or indirectly)
@item An expanded name whose prefix is an imported/parent project name, and
whose selector is a package name in that project.
@end itemize
@noindent
A variable reference may be used in an expression.
@node Attributes
@subsection Attributes
@noindent
A project (and its packages) may have @emph{attributes} that define
the project's properties. Some attributes have values that are strings;
others have values that are string lists.
There are two categories of attributes: @emph{simple attributes}
and @emph{associative arrays} (@pxref{Associative Array Attributes}).
Legal project attribute names, and attribute names for each legal package are
listed below. Attributes names are case-insensitive.
The following attributes are defined on projects (all are simple attributes):
@multitable @columnfractions .4 .3
@item @emph{Attribute Name}
@tab @emph{Value}
@item @code{Source_Files}
@tab string list
@item @code{Source_Dirs}
@tab string list
@item @code{Source_List_File}
@tab string
@item @code{Object_Dir}
@tab string
@item @code{Exec_Dir}
@tab string
@item @code{Locally_Removed_Files}
@tab string list
@item @code{Main}
@tab string list
@item @code{Languages}
@tab string list
@item @code{Main_Language}
@tab string
@item @code{Library_Dir}
@tab string
@item @code{Library_Name}
@tab string
@item @code{Library_Kind}
@tab string
@item @code{Library_Version}
@tab string
@item @code{Library_Interface}
@tab string
@item @code{Library_Auto_Init}
@tab string
@item @code{Library_Options}
@tab string list
@item @code{Library_GCC}
@tab string
@end multitable
@noindent
The following attributes are defined for package @code{Naming}
(@pxref{Naming Schemes}):
@multitable @columnfractions .4 .2 .2 .2
@item Attribute Name @tab Category @tab Index @tab Value
@item @code{Spec_Suffix}
@tab associative array
@tab language name
@tab string
@item @code{Body_Suffix}
@tab associative array
@tab language name
@tab string
@item @code{Separate_Suffix}
@tab simple attribute
@tab n/a
@tab string
@item @code{Casing}
@tab simple attribute
@tab n/a
@tab string
@item @code{Dot_Replacement}
@tab simple attribute
@tab n/a
@tab string
@item @code{Spec}
@tab associative array
@tab Ada unit name
@tab string
@item @code{Body}
@tab associative array
@tab Ada unit name
@tab string
@item @code{Specification_Exceptions}
@tab associative array
@tab language name
@tab string list
@item @code{Implementation_Exceptions}
@tab associative array
@tab language name
@tab string list
@end multitable
@noindent
The following attributes are defined for packages @code{Builder},
@code{Compiler}, @code{Binder},
@code{Linker}, @code{Cross_Reference}, and @code{Finder}
(@pxref{^Switches^Switches^ and Project Files}).
@multitable @columnfractions .4 .2 .2 .2
@item Attribute Name @tab Category @tab Index @tab Value
@item @code{^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^}
@tab associative array
@tab language name
@tab string list
@item @code{^Switches^Switches^}
@tab associative array
@tab file name
@tab string list
@end multitable
@noindent
In addition, package @code{Compiler} has a single string attribute
@code{Local_Configuration_Pragmas} and package @code{Builder} has a single
string attribute @code{Global_Configuration_Pragmas}.
@noindent
Each simple attribute has a default value: the empty string (for string-valued
attributes) and the empty list (for string list-valued attributes).
An attribute declaration defines a new value for an attribute.
Examples of simple attribute declarations:
@smallexample @c projectfile
for Object_Dir use "objects";
for Source_Dirs use ("units", "test/drivers");
@end smallexample
@noindent
The syntax of a @dfn{simple attribute declaration} is similar to that of an
attribute definition clause in Ada.
Attributes references may be appear in expressions.
The general form for such a reference is @code{<entity>'<attribute>}:
Associative array attributes are functions. Associative
array attribute references must have an argument that is a string literal.
Examples are:
@smallexample @c projectfile
project'Object_Dir
Naming'Dot_Replacement
Imported_Project'Source_Dirs
Imported_Project.Naming'Casing
Builder'^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^("Ada")
@end smallexample
@noindent
The prefix of an attribute may be:
@itemize @bullet
@item @code{project} for an attribute of the current project
@item The name of an existing package of the current project
@item The name of an imported project
@item The name of a parent project that is extended by the current project
@item An expanded name whose prefix is imported/parent project name,
and whose selector is a package name
@end itemize
@noindent
Example:
@smallexample @c projectfile
@group
project Prj is
for Source_Dirs use project'Source_Dirs & "units";
for Source_Dirs use project'Source_Dirs & "test/drivers"
end Prj;
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
In the first attribute declaration, initially the attribute @code{Source_Dirs}
has the default value: an empty string list. After this declaration,
@code{Source_Dirs} is a string list of one element: @code{"units"}.
After the second attribute declaration @code{Source_Dirs} is a string list of
two elements: @code{"units"} and @code{"test/drivers"}.
Note: this example is for illustration only. In practice,
the project file would contain only one attribute declaration:
@smallexample @c projectfile
for Source_Dirs use ("units", "test/drivers");
@end smallexample
@node Associative Array Attributes
@subsection Associative Array Attributes
@noindent
Some attributes are defined as @emph{associative arrays}. An associative
array may be regarded as a function that takes a string as a parameter
and delivers a string or string list value as its result.
Here are some examples of single associative array attribute associations:
@smallexample @c projectfile
for Body ("main") use "Main.ada";
for ^Switches^Switches^ ("main.ada")
use ("^-v^-v^",
"^-gnatv^-gnatv^");
for ^Switches^Switches^ ("main.ada")
use Builder'^Switches^Switches^ ("main.ada")
& "^-g^-g^";
@end smallexample
@noindent
Like untyped variables and simple attributes, associative array attributes
may be declared several times. Each declaration supplies a new value for the
attribute, and replaces the previous setting.
@noindent
An associative array attribute may be declared as a full associative array
declaration, with the value of the same attribute in an imported or extended
project.
@smallexample @c projectfile
package Builder is
for Default_Switches use Default.Builder'Default_Switches;
end Builder;
@end smallexample
@noindent
In this example, @code{Default} must be either an project imported by the
current project, or the project that the current project extends. If the
attribute is in a package (in this case, in package @code{Builder}), the same
package needs to be specified.
@noindent
A full associative array declaration replaces any other declaration for the
attribute, including other full associative array declaration. Single
associative array associations may be declare after a full associative
declaration, modifying the value for a single association of the attribute.
@node case Constructions
@subsection @code{case} Constructions
@noindent
A @code{case} construction is used in a project file to effect conditional
behavior.
Here is a typical example:
@smallexample @c projectfile
@group
project MyProj is
type OS_Type is ("GNU/Linux", "Unix", "NT", "VMS");
OS : OS_Type := external ("OS", "GNU/Linux");
@end group
@group
package Compiler is
case OS is
when "GNU/Linux" | "Unix" =>
for ^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^ ("Ada")
use ("^-gnath^-gnath^");
when "NT" =>
for ^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^ ("Ada")
use ("^-gnatP^-gnatP^");
when others =>
end case;
end Compiler;
end MyProj;
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
The syntax of a @code{case} construction is based on the Ada case statement
(although there is no @code{null} construction for empty alternatives).
The case expression must a typed string variable.
Each alternative comprises the reserved word @code{when}, either a list of
literal strings separated by the @code{"|"} character or the reserved word
@code{others}, and the @code{"=>"} token.
Each literal string must belong to the string type that is the type of the
case variable.
An @code{others} alternative, if present, must occur last.
After each @code{=>}, there are zero or more constructions. The only
constructions allowed in a case construction are other case constructions and
attribute declarations. String type declarations, variable declarations and
package declarations are not allowed.
The value of the case variable is often given by an external reference
(@pxref{External References in Project Files}).
@c ****************************************
@c * Objects and Sources in Project Files *
@c ****************************************
@node Objects and Sources in Project Files
@section Objects and Sources in Project Files
@menu
* Object Directory::
* Exec Directory::
* Source Directories::
* Source File Names::
@end menu
@noindent
Each project has exactly one object directory and one or more source
directories. The source directories must contain at least one source file,
unless the project file explicitly specifies that no source files are present
(@pxref{Source File Names}).
@node Object Directory
@subsection Object Directory
@noindent
The object directory for a project is the directory containing the compiler's
output (such as @file{ALI} files and object files) for the project's immediate
sources.
The object directory is given by the value of the attribute @code{Object_Dir}
in the project file.
@smallexample @c projectfile
for Object_Dir use "objects";
@end smallexample
@noindent
The attribute @var{Object_Dir} has a string value, the path name of the object
directory. The path name may be absolute or relative to the directory of the
project file. This directory must already exist, and be readable and writable.
By default, when the attribute @code{Object_Dir} is not given an explicit value
or when its value is the empty string, the object directory is the same as the
directory containing the project file.
@node Exec Directory
@subsection Exec Directory
@noindent
The exec directory for a project is the directory containing the executables
for the project's main subprograms.
The exec directory is given by the value of the attribute @code{Exec_Dir}
in the project file.
@smallexample @c projectfile
for Exec_Dir use "executables";
@end smallexample
@noindent
The attribute @var{Exec_Dir} has a string value, the path name of the exec
directory. The path name may be absolute or relative to the directory of the
project file. This directory must already exist, and be writable.
By default, when the attribute @code{Exec_Dir} is not given an explicit value
or when its value is the empty string, the exec directory is the same as the
object directory of the project file.
@node Source Directories
@subsection Source Directories
@noindent
The source directories of a project are specified by the project file
attribute @code{Source_Dirs}.
This attribute's value is a string list. If the attribute is not given an
explicit value, then there is only one source directory, the one where the
project file resides.
A @code{Source_Dirs} attribute that is explicitly defined to be the empty list,
as in
@smallexample @c projectfile
for Source_Dirs use ();
@end smallexample
@noindent
indicates that the project contains no source files.
Otherwise, each string in the string list designates one or more
source directories.
@smallexample @c projectfile
for Source_Dirs use ("sources", "test/drivers");
@end smallexample
@noindent
If a string in the list ends with @code{"/**"}, then the directory whose path
name precedes the two asterisks, as well as all its subdirectories
(recursively), are source directories.
@smallexample @c projectfile
for Source_Dirs use ("/system/sources/**");
@end smallexample
@noindent
Here the directory @code{/system/sources} and all of its subdirectories
(recursively) are source directories.
To specify that the source directories are the directory of the project file
and all of its subdirectories, you can declare @code{Source_Dirs} as follows:
@smallexample @c projectfile
for Source_Dirs use ("./**");
@end smallexample
@noindent
Each of the source directories must exist and be readable.
@node Source File Names
@subsection Source File Names
@noindent
In a project that contains source files, their names may be specified by the
attributes @code{Source_Files} (a string list) or @code{Source_List_File}
(a string). Source file names never include any directory information.
If the attribute @code{Source_Files} is given an explicit value, then each
element of the list is a source file name.
@smallexample @c projectfile
for Source_Files use ("main.adb");
for Source_Files use ("main.adb", "pack1.ads", "pack2.adb");
@end smallexample
@noindent
If the attribute @code{Source_Files} is not given an explicit value,
but the attribute @code{Source_List_File} is given a string value,
then the source file names are contained in the text file whose path name
(absolute or relative to the directory of the project file) is the
value of the attribute @code{Source_List_File}.
Each line in the file that is not empty or is not a comment
contains a source file name.
@smallexample @c projectfile
for Source_List_File use "source_list.txt";
@end smallexample
@noindent
By default, if neither the attribute @code{Source_Files} nor the attribute
@code{Source_List_File} is given an explicit value, then each file in the
source directories that conforms to the project's naming scheme
(@pxref{Naming Schemes}) is an immediate source of the project.
A warning is issued if both attributes @code{Source_Files} and
@code{Source_List_File} are given explicit values. In this case, the attribute
@code{Source_Files} prevails.
Each source file name must be the name of one existing source file
in one of the source directories.
A @code{Source_Files} attribute whose value is an empty list
indicates that there are no source files in the project.
If the order of the source directories is known statically, that is if
@code{"/**"} is not used in the string list @code{Source_Dirs}, then there may
be several files with the same source file name. In this case, only the file
in the first directory is considered as an immediate source of the project
file. If the order of the source directories is not known statically, it is
an error to have several files with the same source file name.
Projects can be specified to have no Ada source
files: the value of (@code{Source_Dirs} or @code{Source_Files} may be an empty
list, or the @code{"Ada"} may be absent from @code{Languages}:
@smallexample @c projectfile
for Source_Dirs use ();
for Source_Files use ();
for Languages use ("C", "C++");
@end smallexample
@noindent
Otherwise, a project must contain at least one immediate source.
Projects with no source files are useful as template packages
(@pxref{Packages in Project Files}) for other projects; in particular to
define a package @code{Naming} (@pxref{Naming Schemes}).
@c ****************************
@c * Importing Projects *
@c ****************************
@node Importing Projects
@section Importing Projects
@noindent
An immediate source of a project P may depend on source files that
are neither immediate sources of P nor in the predefined library.
To get this effect, P must @emph{import} the projects that contain the needed
source files.
@smallexample @c projectfile
@group
with "project1", "utilities.gpr";
with "/namings/apex.gpr";
project Main is
...
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
As can be seen in this example, the syntax for importing projects is similar
to the syntax for importing compilation units in Ada. However, project files
use literal strings instead of names, and the @code{with} clause identifies
project files rather than packages.
Each literal string is the file name or path name (absolute or relative) of a
project file. If a string is simply a file name, with no path, then its
location is determined by the @emph{project path}:
@itemize @bullet
@item
If the ^environment variable^logical name^ @env{ADA_PROJECT_PATH} exists,
then the project path includes all the directories in this
^environment variable^logical name^, plus the directory of the project file.
@item
If the ^environment variable^logical name^ @env{ADA_PROJECT_PATH} does not
exist, then the project path contains only one directory, namely the one where
the project file is located.
@end itemize
@noindent
If a relative pathname is used, as in
@smallexample @c projectfile
with "tests/proj";
@end smallexample
@noindent
then the path is relative to the directory where the importing project file is
located. Any symbolic link will be fully resolved in the directory
of the importing project file before the imported project file is examined.
If the @code{with}'ed project file name does not have an extension,
the default is @file{^.gpr^.GPR^}. If a file with this extension is not found,
then the file name as specified in the @code{with} clause (no extension) will
be used. In the above example, if a file @code{project1.gpr} is found, then it
will be used; otherwise, if a file @code{^project1^PROJECT1^} exists
then it will be used; if neither file exists, this is an error.
A warning is issued if the name of the project file does not match the
name of the project; this check is case insensitive.
Any source file that is an immediate source of the imported project can be
used by the immediate sources of the importing project, transitively. Thus
if @code{A} imports @code{B}, and @code{B} imports @code{C}, the immediate
sources of @code{A} may depend on the immediate sources of @code{C}, even if
@code{A} does not import @code{C} explicitly. However, this is not recommended,
because if and when @code{B} ceases to import @code{C}, some sources in
@code{A} will no longer compile.
A side effect of this capability is that normally cyclic dependencies are not
permitted: if @code{A} imports @code{B} (directly or indirectly) then @code{B}
is not allowed to import @code{A}. However, there are cases when cyclic
dependencies would be beneficial. For these cases, another form of import
between projects exists, the @code{limited with}: a project @code{A} that
imports a project @code{B} with a straigh @code{with} may also be imported,
directly or indirectly, by @code{B} on the condition that imports from @code{B}
to @code{A} include at least one @code{limited with}.
@smallexample @c 0projectfile
with "../b/b.gpr";
with "../c/c.gpr";
project A is
end A;
limited with "../a/a.gpr";
project B is
end B;
with "../d/d.gpr";
project C is
end C;
limited with "../a/a.gpr";
project D is
end D;
@end smallexample
@noindent
In the above legal example, there are two project cycles:
@itemize @bullet
@item A-> B-> A
@item A -> C -> D -> A
@end itemize
@noindent
In each of these cycle there is one @code{limited with}: import of @code{A}
from @code{B} and import of @code{A} from @code{D}.
The difference between straight @code{with} and @code{limited with} is that
the name of a project imported with a @code{limited with} cannot be used in the
project that imports it. In particular, its packages cannot be renamed and
its variables cannot be referred to.
An exception to the above rules for @code{limited with} is that for the main
project specified to @command{gnatmake} or to the @command{GNAT} driver a
@code{limited with} is equivalent to a straight @code{with}. For example,
in the example above, projects @code{B} and @code{D} could not be main
projects for @command{gnatmake} or to the @command{GNAT} driver, because they
each have a @code{limited with} that is the only one in a cycle of importing
projects.
@c *********************
@c * Project Extension *
@c *********************
@node Project Extension
@section Project Extension
@noindent
During development of a large system, it is sometimes necessary to use
modified versions of some of the source files, without changing the original
sources. This can be achieved through the @emph{project extension} facility.
@smallexample @c projectfile
project Modified_Utilities extends "/baseline/utilities.gpr" is ...
@end smallexample
@noindent
A project extension declaration introduces an extending project
(the @emph{child}) and a project being extended (the @emph{parent}).
By default, a child project inherits all the sources of its parent.
However, inherited sources can be overridden: a unit in a parent is hidden
by a unit of the same name in the child.
Inherited sources are considered to be sources (but not immediate sources)
of the child project; see @ref{Project File Syntax}.
An inherited source file retains any switches specified in the parent project.
For example if the project @code{Utilities} contains the specification and the
body of an Ada package @code{Util_IO}, then the project
@code{Modified_Utilities} can contain a new body for package @code{Util_IO}.
The original body of @code{Util_IO} will not be considered in program builds.
However, the package specification will still be found in the project
@code{Utilities}.
A child project can have only one parent but it may import any number of other
projects.
A project is not allowed to import directly or indirectly at the same time a
child project and any of its ancestors.
@c *******************************
@c * Project Hierarchy Extension *
@c *******************************
@node Project Hierarchy Extension
@section Project Hierarchy Extension
@noindent
When extending a large system spanning multiple projects, it is often
inconvenient to extend every project in the hierarchy that is impacted by a
small change introduced. In such cases, it is possible to create a virtual
extension of entire hierarchy using @code{extends all} relationship.
When the project is extended using @code{extends all} inheritance, all projects
that are imported by it, both directly and indirectly, are considered virtually
extended. That is, the Project Manager creates "virtual projects"
that extend every project in the hierarchy; all these virtual projects have
no sources of their own and have as object directory the object directory of
the root of "extending all" project.
It is possible to explicitly extend one or more projects in the hierarchy
in order to modify the sources. These extending projects must be imported by
the "extending all" project, which will replace the corresponding virtual
projects with the explicit ones.
When building such a project hierarchy extension, the Project Manager will
ensure that both modified sources and sources in virtual extending projects
that depend on them, are recompiled.
By means of example, consider the following hierarchy of projects.
@enumerate
@item
project A, containing package P1
@item
project B importing A and containing package P2 which depends on P1
@item
project C importing B and containing package P3 which depends on P2
@end enumerate
@noindent
We want to modify packages P1 and P3.
This project hierarchy will need to be extended as follows:
@enumerate
@item
Create project A1 that extends A, placing modified P1 there:
@smallexample @c 0projectfile
project A1 extends "(...)/A" is
end A1;
@end smallexample
@item
Create project C1 that "extends all" C and imports A1, placing modified
P3 there:
@smallexample @c 0projectfile
with "(...)/A1";
project C1 extends all "(...)/C" is
end C1;
@end smallexample
@end enumerate
When you build project C1, your entire modified project space will be
recompiled, including the virtual project B1 that has been impacted by the
"extending all" inheritance of project C.
Note that if a Library Project in the hierarchy is virtually extended,
the virtual project that extends the Library Project is not a Library Project.
@c ****************************************
@c * External References in Project Files *
@c ****************************************
@node External References in Project Files
@section External References in Project Files
@noindent
A project file may contain references to external variables; such references
are called @emph{external references}.
An external variable is either defined as part of the environment (an
environment variable in Unix, for example) or else specified on the command
line via the @option{^-X^/EXTERNAL_REFERENCE=^@emph{vbl}=@emph{value}} switch.
If both, then the command line value is used.
The value of an external reference is obtained by means of the built-in
function @code{external}, which returns a string value.
This function has two forms:
@itemize @bullet
@item @code{external (external_variable_name)}
@item @code{external (external_variable_name, default_value)}
@end itemize
@noindent
Each parameter must be a string literal. For example:
@smallexample @c projectfile
external ("USER")
external ("OS", "GNU/Linux")
@end smallexample
@noindent
In the form with one parameter, the function returns the value of
the external variable given as parameter. If this name is not present in the
environment, the function returns an empty string.
In the form with two string parameters, the second argument is
the value returned when the variable given as the first argument is not
present in the environment. In the example above, if @code{"OS"} is not
the name of ^an environment variable^a logical name^ and is not passed on
the command line, then the returned value is @code{"GNU/Linux"}.
An external reference may be part of a string expression or of a string
list expression, and can therefore appear in a variable declaration or
an attribute declaration.
@smallexample @c projectfile
@group
type Mode_Type is ("Debug", "Release");
Mode : Mode_Type := external ("MODE");
case Mode is
when "Debug" =>
...
@end group
@end smallexample
@c *****************************
@c * Packages in Project Files *
@c *****************************
@node Packages in Project Files
@section Packages in Project Files
@noindent
A @emph{package} defines the settings for project-aware tools within a
project.
For each such tool one can declare a package; the names for these
packages are preset (@pxref{Packages}).
A package may contain variable declarations, attribute declarations, and case
constructions.
@smallexample @c projectfile
@group
project Proj is
package Builder is -- used by gnatmake
for ^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^ ("Ada")
use ("^-v^-v^",
"^-g^-g^");
end Builder;
end Proj;
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
The syntax of package declarations mimics that of package in Ada.
Most of the packages have an attribute
@code{^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^}.
This attribute is an associative array, and its value is a string list.
The index of the associative array is the name of a programming language (case
insensitive). This attribute indicates the ^switch^switch^
or ^switches^switches^ to be used
with the corresponding tool.
Some packages also have another attribute, @code{^Switches^Switches^},
an associative array whose value is a string list.
The index is the name of a source file.
This attribute indicates the ^switch^switch^
or ^switches^switches^ to be used by the corresponding
tool when dealing with this specific file.
Further information on these ^switch^switch^-related attributes is found in
@ref{^Switches^Switches^ and Project Files}.
A package may be declared as a @emph{renaming} of another package; e.g., from
the project file for an imported project.
@smallexample @c projectfile
@group
with "/global/apex.gpr";
project Example is
package Naming renames Apex.Naming;
...
end Example;
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
Packages that are renamed in other project files often come from project files
that have no sources: they are just used as templates. Any modification in the
template will be reflected automatically in all the project files that rename
a package from the template.
In addition to the tool-oriented packages, you can also declare a package
named @code{Naming} to establish specialized source file naming conventions
(@pxref{Naming Schemes}).
@c ************************************
@c * Variables from Imported Projects *
@c ************************************
@node Variables from Imported Projects
@section Variables from Imported Projects
@noindent
An attribute or variable defined in an imported or parent project can
be used in expressions in the importing / extending project.
Such an attribute or variable is denoted by an expanded name whose prefix
is either the name of the project or the expanded name of a package within
a project.
@smallexample @c projectfile
@group
with "imported";
project Main extends "base" is
Var1 := Imported.Var;
Var2 := Base.Var & ".new";
@end group
@group
package Builder is
for ^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^ ("Ada")
use Imported.Builder.Ada_^Switches^Switches^ &
"^-gnatg^-gnatg^" &
"^-v^-v^";
end Builder;
@end group
@group
package Compiler is
for ^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^ ("Ada")
use Base.Compiler.Ada_^Switches^Switches^;
end Compiler;
end Main;
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
In this example:
@itemize @bullet
@item
The value of @code{Var1} is a copy of the variable @code{Var} defined
in the project file @file{"imported.gpr"}
@item
the value of @code{Var2} is a copy of the value of variable @code{Var}
defined in the project file @file{base.gpr}, concatenated with @code{".new"}
@item
attribute @code{^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^ ("Ada")} in package
@code{Builder} is a string list that includes in its value a copy of the value
of @code{Ada_^Switches^Switches^} defined in the @code{Builder} package
in project file @file{imported.gpr} plus two new elements:
@option{"^-gnatg^-gnatg^"}
and @option{"^-v^-v^"};
@item
attribute @code{^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^ ("Ada")} in package
@code{Compiler} is a copy of the variable @code{Ada_^Switches^Switches^}
defined in the @code{Compiler} package in project file @file{base.gpr},
the project being extended.
@end itemize
@c ******************
@c * Naming Schemes *
@c ******************
@node Naming Schemes
@section Naming Schemes
@noindent
Sometimes an Ada software system is ported from a foreign compilation
environment to GNAT, and the file names do not use the default GNAT
conventions. Instead of changing all the file names (which for a variety
of reasons might not be possible), you can define the relevant file
naming scheme in the @code{Naming} package in your project file.
@noindent
Note that the use of pragmas described in
@ref{Alternative File Naming Schemes} by mean of a configuration
pragmas file is not supported when using project files. You must use
the features described in this paragraph. You can however use specify
other configuration pragmas (@pxref{Specifying Configuration Pragmas}).
@ifclear vms
For example, the following
package models the Apex file naming rules:
@smallexample @c projectfile
@group
package Naming is
for Casing use "lowercase";
for Dot_Replacement use ".";
for Spec_Suffix ("Ada") use ".1.ada";
for Body_Suffix ("Ada") use ".2.ada";
end Naming;
@end group
@end smallexample
@end ifclear
@ifset vms
For example, the following package models the DEC Ada file naming rules:
@smallexample @c projectfile
@group
package Naming is
for Casing use "lowercase";
for Dot_Replacement use "__";
for Spec_Suffix ("Ada") use "_.^ada^ada^";
for Body_Suffix ("Ada") use ".^ada^ada^";
end Naming;
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
(Note that @code{Casing} is @code{"lowercase"} because GNAT gets the file
names in lower case)
@end ifset
@noindent
You can define the following attributes in package @code{Naming}:
@table @code
@item @var{Casing}
This must be a string with one of the three values @code{"lowercase"},
@code{"uppercase"} or @code{"mixedcase"}; these strings are case insensitive.
@noindent
If @var{Casing} is not specified, then the default is @code{"lowercase"}.
@item @var{Dot_Replacement}
This must be a string whose value satisfies the following conditions:
@itemize @bullet
@item It must not be empty
@item It cannot start or end with an alphanumeric character
@item It cannot be a single underscore
@item It cannot start with an underscore followed by an alphanumeric
@item It cannot contain a dot @code{'.'} except if the entire string
is @code{"."}
@end itemize
@noindent
If @code{Dot_Replacement} is not specified, then the default is @code{"-"}.
@item @var{Spec_Suffix}
This is an associative array (indexed by the programming language name, case
insensitive) whose value is a string that must satisfy the following
conditions:
@itemize @bullet
@item It must not be empty
@item It must include at least one dot
@end itemize
@noindent
If @code{Spec_Suffix ("Ada")} is not specified, then the default is
@code{"^.ads^.ADS^"}.
@item @var{Body_Suffix}
This is an associative array (indexed by the programming language name, case
insensitive) whose value is a string that must satisfy the following
conditions:
@itemize @bullet
@item It must not be empty
@item It must include at least one dot
@item It cannot end with the same string as @code{Spec_Suffix ("Ada")}
@end itemize
@noindent
If @code{Body_Suffix ("Ada")} is not specified, then the default is
@code{"^.adb^.ADB^"}.
@item @var{Separate_Suffix}
This must be a string whose value satisfies the same conditions as
@code{Body_Suffix}.
@noindent
If @code{Separate_Suffix ("Ada")} is not specified, then it defaults to same
value as @code{Body_Suffix ("Ada")}.
@item @var{Spec}
@noindent
You can use the associative array attribute @code{Spec} to define
the source file name for an individual Ada compilation unit's spec. The array
index must be a string literal that identifies the Ada unit (case insensitive).
The value of this attribute must be a string that identifies the file that
contains this unit's spec (case sensitive or insensitive depending on the
operating system).
@smallexample @c projectfile
for Spec ("MyPack.MyChild") use "mypack.mychild.spec";
@end smallexample
@item @var{Body}
You can use the associative array attribute @code{Body} to
define the source file name for an individual Ada compilation unit's body
(possibly a subunit). The array index must be a string literal that identifies
the Ada unit (case insensitive). The value of this attribute must be a string
that identifies the file that contains this unit's body or subunit (case
sensitive or insensitive depending on the operating system).
@smallexample @c projectfile
for Body ("MyPack.MyChild") use "mypack.mychild.body";
@end smallexample
@end table
@c ********************
@c * Library Projects *
@c ********************
@node Library Projects
@section Library Projects
@noindent
@emph{Library projects} are projects whose object code is placed in a library.
(Note that this facility is not yet supported on all platforms)
To create a library project, you need to define in its project file
two project-level attributes: @code{Library_Name} and @code{Library_Dir}.
Additionally, you may define the library-related attributes
@code{Library_Kind}, @code{Library_Version}, @code{Library_Interface},
@code{Library_Auto_Init}, @code{Library_Options} and @code{Library_GCC}.
The @code{Library_Name} attribute has a string value. There is no restriction
on the name of a library. It is the responsability of the developer to
choose a name that will be accepted by the platform. It is recommanded to
choose names that could be Ada identifiers; such names are almost guaranteed
to be acceptable on all platforms.
The @code{Library_Dir} attribute has a string value that designates the path
(absolute or relative) of the directory where the library will reside.
It must designate an existing directory, and this directory must be
different from the project's object directory. It also needs to be writable.
The directory should only be used for one library; the reason is that all
files contained in this directory may be deleted by the Project Manager.
If both @code{Library_Name} and @code{Library_Dir} are specified and
are legal, then the project file defines a library project. The optional
library-related attributes are checked only for such project files.
The @code{Library_Kind} attribute has a string value that must be one of the
following (case insensitive): @code{"static"}, @code{"dynamic"} or
@code{"relocatable"} (which is a synonym for @code{"dynamic"}). If this
attribute is not specified, the library is a static library, that is
an archive of object files that can be potentially linked into an
static executable. Otherwise, the library may be dynamic or
relocatable, that is a library that is loaded only at the start of execution.
If you need to build both a static and a dynamic library, you should use two
different object directories, since in some cases some extra code needs to
be generated for the latter. For such cases, it is recommended to either use
two different project files, or a single one which uses external variables
to indicate what kind of library should be build.
The @code{Library_Version} attribute has a string value whose interpretation
is platform dependent. It has no effect on VMS and Windows. On Unix, it is
used only for dynamic/relocatable libraries as the internal name of the
library (the @code{"soname"}). If the library file name (built from the
@code{Library_Name}) is different from the @code{Library_Version}, then the
library file will be a symbolic link to the actual file whose name will be
@code{Library_Version}.
Example (on Unix):
@smallexample @c projectfile
@group
project Plib is
Version := "1";
for Library_Dir use "lib_dir";
for Library_Name use "dummy";
for Library_Kind use "relocatable";
for Library_Version use "libdummy.so." & Version;
end Plib;
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
Directory @file{lib_dir} will contain the internal library file whose name
will be @file{libdummy.so.1}, and @file{libdummy.so} will be a symbolic link to
@file{libdummy.so.1}.
When @command{gnatmake} detects that a project file
is a library project file, it will check all immediate sources of the project
and rebuild the library if any of the sources have been recompiled.
Standard project files can import library project files. In such cases,
the libraries will only be rebuild if some of its sources are recompiled
because they are in the closure of some other source in an importing project.
Sources of the library project files that are not in such a closure will
not be checked, unless the full library is checked, because one of its sources
needs to be recompiled.
For instance, assume the project file @code{A} imports the library project file
@code{L}. The immediate sources of A are @file{a1.adb}, @file{a2.ads} and
@file{a2.adb}. The immediate sources of L are @file{l1.ads}, @file{l1.adb},
@file{l2.ads}, @file{l2.adb}.
If @file{l1.adb} has been modified, then the library associated with @code{L}
will be rebuild when compiling all the immediate sources of @code{A} only
if @file{a1.ads}, @file{a2.ads} or @file{a2.adb} includes a statement
@code{"with L1;"}.
To be sure that all the sources in the library associated with @code{L} are
up to date, and that all the sources of parject @code{A} are also up to date,
the following two commands needs to be used:
@smallexample
gnatmake -Pl.gpr
gnatmake -Pa.gpr
@end smallexample
When a library is built or rebuilt, an attempt is made first to delete all
files in the library directory.
All @file{ALI} files will also be copied from the object directory to the
library directory. To build executables, @command{gnatmake} will use the
library rather than the individual object files.
@c **********************************************
@c * Using Third-Party Libraries through Projects
@c **********************************************
@node Using Third-Party Libraries through Projects
@section Using Third-Party Libraries through Projects
Whether you are exporting your own library to make it available to
clients, or you are using a library provided by a third party, it is
convenient to have project files that automatically set the correct
command line switches for the compiler and linker.
Such project files are very similar to the library project files;
@xref{Library Projects}. The only difference is that you set the
@code{Source_Dirs} and @code{Object_Dir} attribute so that they point to the
directories where, respectively, the sources and the read-only ALI files have
been installed.
If you need to interface with a set of libraries, as opposed to a
single one, you need to create one library project for each of the
libraries. In addition, a top-level project that imports all these
library projects should be provided, so that the user of your library
has a single @code{with} clause to add to his own projects.
For instance, let's assume you are providing two static libraries
@file{liba.a} and @file{libb.a}. The user needs to link with
both of these libraries. Each of these is associated with its
own set of header files. Let's assume furthermore that all the
header files for the two libraries have been installed in the same
directory @file{headers}. The @file{ALI} files are found in the same
@file{headers} directory.
In this case, you should provide the following three projects:
@smallexample @c projectfile
@group
with "liba", "libb";
project My_Library is
for Source_Dirs use ("headers");
for Object_Dir use "headers";
end My_Library;
@end group
@group
project Liba is
for Source_Dirs use ();
for Library_Dir use "lib";
for Library_Name use "a";
for Library_Kind use "static";
end Liba;
@end group
@group
project Libb is
for Source_Dirs use ();
for Library_Dir use "lib";
for Library_Name use "b";
for Library_Kind use "static";
end Libb;
@end group
@end smallexample
@c *******************************
@c * Stand-alone Library Projects *
@c *******************************
@node Stand-alone Library Projects
@section Stand-alone Library Projects
@noindent
A Stand-alone Library is a library that contains the necessary code to
elaborate the Ada units that are included in the library. A Stand-alone
Library is suitable to be used in an executable when the main is not
in Ada. However, Stand-alone Libraries may also be used with an Ada main
subprogram.
A Stand-alone Library Project is a Library Project where the library is
a Stand-alone Library.
To be a Stand-alone Library Project, in addition to the two attributes
that make a project a Library Project (@code{Library_Name} and
@code{Library_Dir}, see @ref{Library Projects}), the attribute
@code{Library_Interface} must be defined.
@smallexample @c projectfile
@group
for Library_Dir use "lib_dir";
for Library_Name use "dummy";
for Library_Interface use ("int1", "int1.child");
@end group
@end smallexample
Attribute @code{Library_Interface} has a non empty string list value,
each string in the list designating a unit contained in an immediate source
of the project file.
When a Stand-alone Library is built, first the binder is invoked to build
a package whose name depends on the library name
(^b~dummy.ads/b^B$DUMMY.ADS/B^ in the example above).
This binder-generated package includes initialization and
finalization procedures whose
names depend on the library name (dummyinit and dummyfinal in the example
above). The object corresponding to this package is included in the library.
A dynamic or relocatable Stand-alone Library is automatically initialized
if automatic initialization of Stand-alone Libraries is supported on the
platform and if attribute @code{Library_Auto_Init} is not specified or
is specified with the value "true". A static Stand-alone Library is never
automatically initialized.
Single string attribute @code{Library_Auto_Init} may be specified with only
two possible values: "false" or "true" (case-insensitive). Specifying
"false" for attribute @code{Library_Auto_Init} will prevent automatic
initialization of dynamic or relocatable libraries.
When a non automatically initialized Stand-alone Library is used
in an executable, its initialization procedure must be called before
any service of the library is used.
When the main subprogram is in Ada, it may mean that the initialization
procedure has to be called during elaboration of another package.
For a Stand-Alone Library, only the @file{ALI} files of the Interface Units
(those that are listed in attribute @code{Library_Interface}) are copied to
the Library Directory. As a consequence, only the Interface Units may be
imported from Ada units outside of the library. If other units are imported,
the binding phase will fail.
When a Stand-Alone Library is bound, the switches that are specified in
the attribute @code{Default_Switches ("Ada")} in package @code{Binder} are
used in the call to @command{gnatbind}.
The string list attribute @code{Library_Options} may be used to specified
additional switches to the call to @command{gcc} to link the library.
The attribute @code{Library_Src_Dir}, may be specified for a
Stand-Alone Library. @code{Library_Src_Dir} is a simple attribute that has a
single string value. Its value must be the path (absolute or relative to the
project directory) of an existing directory. This directory cannot be the
object directory or one of the source directories, but it can be the same as
the library directory. The sources of the Interface
Units of the library, necessary to an Ada client of the library, will be
copied to the designated directory, called Interface Copy directory.
These sources includes the specs of the Interface Units, but they may also
include bodies and subunits, when pragmas @code{Inline} or @code{Inline_Always}
are used, or when there is a generic units in the spec. Before the sources
are copied to the Interface Copy directory, an attempt is made to delete all
files in the Interface Copy directory.
@c *************************************
@c * Switches Related to Project Files *
@c *************************************
@node Switches Related to Project Files
@section Switches Related to Project Files
@noindent
The following switches are used by GNAT tools that support project files:
@table @option
@item ^-P^/PROJECT_FILE=^@var{project}
@cindex @option{^-P^/PROJECT_FILE^} (any tool supporting project files)
Indicates the name of a project file. This project file will be parsed with
the verbosity indicated by @option{^-vP^MESSAGE_PROJECT_FILES=^@emph{x}},
if any, and using the external references indicated
by @option{^-X^/EXTERNAL_REFERENCE^} switches, if any.
@ifclear vms
There may zero, one or more spaces between @option{-P} and @var{project}.
@end ifclear
@noindent
There must be only one @option{^-P^/PROJECT_FILE^} switch on the command line.
@noindent
Since the Project Manager parses the project file only after all the switches
on the command line are checked, the order of the switches
@option{^-P^/PROJECT_FILE^},
@option{^-vP^/MESSAGES_PROJECT_FILE=^@emph{x}}
or @option{^-X^/EXTERNAL_REFERENCE^} is not significant.
@item ^-X^/EXTERNAL_REFERENCE=^@var{name=value}
@cindex @option{^-X^/EXTERNAL_REFERENCE^} (any tool supporting project files)
Indicates that external variable @var{name} has the value @var{value}.
The Project Manager will use this value for occurrences of
@code{external(name)} when parsing the project file.
@ifclear vms
@noindent
If @var{name} or @var{value} includes a space, then @var{name=value} should be
put between quotes.
@smallexample
-XOS=NT
-X"user=John Doe"
@end smallexample
@end ifclear
@noindent
Several @option{^-X^/EXTERNAL_REFERENCE^} switches can be used simultaneously.
If several @option{^-X^/EXTERNAL_REFERENCE^} switches specify the same
@var{name}, only the last one is used.
@noindent
An external variable specified with a @option{^-X^/EXTERNAL_REFERENCE^} switch
takes precedence over the value of the same name in the environment.
@item ^-vP^/MESSAGES_PROJECT_FILE=^@emph{x}
@cindex @code{^-vP^/MESSAGES_PROJECT_FILE^} (any tool supporting project files)
@c Previous line uses code vs option command, to stay less than 80 chars
Indicates the verbosity of the parsing of GNAT project files.
@ifclear vms
@option{-vP0} means Default;
@option{-vP1} means Medium;
@option{-vP2} means High.
@end ifclear
@ifset vms
There are three possible options for this qualifier: DEFAULT, MEDIUM and
HIGH.
@end ifset
@noindent
The default is ^Default^DEFAULT^: no output for syntactically correct
project files.
@noindent
If several @option{^-vP^/MESSAGES_PROJECT_FILE=^@emph{x}} switches are present,
only the last one is used.
@end table
@c **********************************
@c * Tools Supporting Project Files *
@c **********************************
@node Tools Supporting Project Files
@section Tools Supporting Project Files
@menu
* gnatmake and Project Files::
* The GNAT Driver and Project Files::
@ifclear vms
* Glide and Project Files::
@end ifclear
@end menu
@node gnatmake and Project Files
@subsection gnatmake and Project Files
@noindent
This section covers several topics related to @command{gnatmake} and
project files: defining ^switches^switches^ for @command{gnatmake}
and for the tools that it invokes; specifying configuration pragmas;
the use of the @code{Main} attribute; building and rebuilding library project
files.
@menu
* ^Switches^Switches^ and Project Files::
* Specifying Configuration Pragmas::
* Project Files and Main Subprograms::
* Library Project Files::
@end menu
@node ^Switches^Switches^ and Project Files
@subsubsection ^Switches^Switches^ and Project Files
@ifset vms
It is not currently possible to specify VMS style qualifiers in the project
files; only Unix style ^switches^switches^ may be specified.
@end ifset
@noindent
For each of the packages @code{Builder}, @code{Compiler}, @code{Binder}, and
@code{Linker}, you can specify a @code{^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^}
attribute, a @code{^Switches^Switches^} attribute, or both;
as their names imply, these ^switch^switch^-related
attributes affect the ^switches^switches^ that are used for each of these GNAT
components when
@command{gnatmake} is invoked. As will be explained below, these
component-specific ^switches^switches^ precede
the ^switches^switches^ provided on the @command{gnatmake} command line.
The @code{^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^} attribute is an associative
array indexed by language name (case insensitive) whose value is a string list.
For example:
@smallexample @c projectfile
@group
package Compiler is
for ^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^ ("Ada")
use ("^-gnaty^-gnaty^",
"^-v^-v^");
end Compiler;
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
The @code{^Switches^Switches^} attribute is also an associative array,
indexed by a file name (which may or may not be case sensitive, depending
on the operating system) whose value is a string list. For example:
@smallexample @c projectfile
@group
package Builder is
for ^Switches^Switches^ ("main1.adb")
use ("^-O2^-O2^");
for ^Switches^Switches^ ("main2.adb")
use ("^-g^-g^");
end Builder;
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
For the @code{Builder} package, the file names must designate source files
for main subprograms. For the @code{Binder} and @code{Linker} packages, the
file names must designate @file{ALI} or source files for main subprograms.
In each case just the file name without an explicit extension is acceptable.
For each tool used in a program build (@command{gnatmake}, the compiler, the
binder, and the linker), the corresponding package @dfn{contributes} a set of
^switches^switches^ for each file on which the tool is invoked, based on the
^switch^switch^-related attributes defined in the package.
In particular, the ^switches^switches^
that each of these packages contributes for a given file @var{f} comprise:
@itemize @bullet
@item
the value of attribute @code{^Switches^Switches^ (@var{f})},
if it is specified in the package for the given file,
@item
otherwise, the value of @code{^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^ ("Ada")},
if it is specified in the package.
@end itemize
@noindent
If neither of these attributes is defined in the package, then the package does
not contribute any ^switches^switches^ for the given file.
When @command{gnatmake} is invoked on a file, the ^switches^switches^ comprise
two sets, in the following order: those contributed for the file
by the @code{Builder} package;
and the switches passed on the command line.
When @command{gnatmake} invokes a tool (compiler, binder, linker) on a file,
the ^switches^switches^ passed to the tool comprise three sets,
in the following order:
@enumerate
@item
the applicable ^switches^switches^ contributed for the file
by the @code{Builder} package in the project file supplied on the command line;
@item
those contributed for the file by the package (in the relevant project file --
see below) corresponding to the tool; and
@item
the applicable switches passed on the command line.
@end enumerate
@noindent
The term @emph{applicable ^switches^switches^} reflects the fact that
@command{gnatmake} ^switches^switches^ may or may not be passed to individual
tools, depending on the individual ^switch^switch^.
@command{gnatmake} may invoke the compiler on source files from different
projects. The Project Manager will use the appropriate project file to
determine the @code{Compiler} package for each source file being compiled.
Likewise for the @code{Binder} and @code{Linker} packages.
As an example, consider the following package in a project file:
@smallexample @c projectfile
@group
project Proj1 is
package Compiler is
for ^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^ ("Ada")
use ("^-g^-g^");
for ^Switches^Switches^ ("a.adb")
use ("^-O1^-O1^");
for ^Switches^Switches^ ("b.adb")
use ("^-O2^-O2^",
"^-gnaty^-gnaty^");
end Compiler;
end Proj1;
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
If @command{gnatmake} is invoked with this project file, and it needs to
compile, say, the files @file{a.adb}, @file{b.adb}, and @file{c.adb}, then
@file{a.adb} will be compiled with the ^switch^switch^
@option{^-O1^-O1^},
@file{b.adb} with ^switches^switches^
@option{^-O2^-O2^}
and @option{^-gnaty^-gnaty^},
and @file{c.adb} with @option{^-g^-g^}.
The following example illustrates the ordering of the ^switches^switches^
contributed by different packages:
@smallexample @c projectfile
@group
project Proj2 is
package Builder is
for ^Switches^Switches^ ("main.adb")
use ("^-g^-g^",
"^-O1^-)1^",
"^-f^-f^");
end Builder;
@end group
@group
package Compiler is
for ^Switches^Switches^ ("main.adb")
use ("^-O2^-O2^");
end Compiler;
end Proj2;
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
If you issue the command:
@smallexample
gnatmake ^-Pproj2^/PROJECT_FILE=PROJ2^ -O0 main
@end smallexample
@noindent
then the compiler will be invoked on @file{main.adb} with the following
sequence of ^switches^switches^
@smallexample
^-g -O1 -O2 -O0^-g -O1 -O2 -O0^
@end smallexample
with the last @option{^-O^-O^}
^switch^switch^ having precedence over the earlier ones;
several other ^switches^switches^
(such as @option{^-c^-c^}) are added implicitly.
The ^switches^switches^
@option{^-g^-g^}
and @option{^-O1^-O1^} are contributed by package
@code{Builder}, @option{^-O2^-O2^} is contributed
by the package @code{Compiler}
and @option{^-O0^-O0^} comes from the command line.
The @option{^-g^-g^}
^switch^switch^ will also be passed in the invocation of
@command{Gnatlink.}
A final example illustrates switch contributions from packages in different
project files:
@smallexample @c projectfile
@group
project Proj3 is
for Source_Files use ("pack.ads", "pack.adb");
package Compiler is
for ^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^ ("Ada")
use ("^-gnata^-gnata^");
end Compiler;
end Proj3;
@end group
@group
with "Proj3";
project Proj4 is
for Source_Files use ("foo_main.adb", "bar_main.adb");
package Builder is
for ^Switches^Switches^ ("foo_main.adb")
use ("^-s^-s^",
"^-g^-g^");
end Builder;
end Proj4;
@end group
@group
-- Ada source file:
with Pack;
procedure Foo_Main is
...
end Foo_Main;
@end group
@end smallexample
If the command is
@smallexample
gnatmake ^-PProj4^/PROJECT_FILE=PROJ4^ foo_main.adb -cargs -gnato
@end smallexample
@noindent
then the ^switches^switches^ passed to the compiler for @file{foo_main.adb} are
@option{^-g^-g^} (contributed by the package @code{Proj4.Builder}) and
@option{^-gnato^-gnato^} (passed on the command line).
When the imported package @code{Pack} is compiled, the ^switches^switches^ used
are @option{^-g^-g^} from @code{Proj4.Builder},
@option{^-gnata^-gnata^} (contributed from package @code{Proj3.Compiler},
and @option{^-gnato^-gnato^} from the command line.
@noindent
When using @command{gnatmake} with project files, some ^switches^switches^ or
arguments may be expressed as relative paths. As the working directory where
compilation occurs may change, these relative paths are converted to absolute
paths. For the ^switches^switches^ found in a project file, the relative paths
are relative to the project file directory, for the switches on the command
line, they are relative to the directory where @command{gnatmake} is invoked.
The ^switches^switches^ for which this occurs are:
^-I^-I^,
^-A^-A^,
^-L^-L^,
^-aO^-aO^,
^-aL^-aL^,
^-aI^-aI^, as well as all arguments that are not switches (arguments to
^switch^switch^
^-o^-o^, object files specified in package @code{Linker} or after
-largs on the command line). The exception to this rule is the ^switch^switch^
^--RTS=^--RTS=^ for which a relative path argument is never converted.
@node Specifying Configuration Pragmas
@subsubsection Specifying Configuration Pragmas
When using @command{gnatmake} with project files, if there exists a file
@file{gnat.adc} that contains configuration pragmas, this file will be
ignored.
Configuration pragmas can be defined by means of the following attributes in
project files: @code{Global_Configuration_Pragmas} in package @code{Builder}
and @code{Local_Configuration_Pragmas} in package @code{Compiler}.
Both these attributes are single string attributes. Their values is the path
name of a file containing configuration pragmas. If a path name is relative,
then it is relative to the project directory of the project file where the
attribute is defined.
When compiling a source, the configuration pragmas used are, in order,
those listed in the file designated by attribute
@code{Global_Configuration_Pragmas} in package @code{Builder} of the main
project file, if it is specified, and those listed in the file designated by
attribute @code{Local_Configuration_Pragmas} in package @code{Compiler} of
the project file of the source, if it exists.
@node Project Files and Main Subprograms
@subsubsection Project Files and Main Subprograms
@noindent
When using a project file, you can invoke @command{gnatmake}
with one or several main subprograms, by specifying their source files on the
command line.
@smallexample
gnatmake ^-P^/PROJECT_FILE=^prj main1 main2 main3
@end smallexample
@noindent
Each of these needs to be a source file of the same project, except
when the switch ^-u^/UNIQUE^ is used.
@noindent
When ^-u^/UNIQUE^ is not used, all the mains need to be sources of the
same project, one of the project in the tree rooted at the project specified
on the command line. The package @code{Builder} of this common project, the
"main project" is the one that is considered by @command{gnatmake}.
@noindent
When ^-u^/UNIQUE^ is used, the specified source files may be in projects
imported directly or indirectly by the project specified on the command line.
Note that if such a source file is not part of the project specified on the
command line, the ^switches^switches^ found in package @code{Builder} of the
project specified on the command line, if any, that are transmitted
to the compiler will still be used, not those found in the project file of
the source file.
@noindent
When using a project file, you can also invoke @command{gnatmake} without
explicitly specifying any main, and the effect depends on whether you have
defined the @code{Main} attribute. This attribute has a string list value,
where each element in the list is the name of a source file (the file
extension is optional) that contains a unit that can be a main subprogram.
If the @code{Main} attribute is defined in a project file as a non-empty
string list and the switch @option{^-u^/UNIQUE^} is not used on the command
line, then invoking @command{gnatmake} with this project file but without any
main on the command line is equivalent to invoking @command{gnatmake} with all
the file names in the @code{Main} attribute on the command line.
Example:
@smallexample @c projectfile
@group
project Prj is
for Main use ("main1", "main2", "main3");
end Prj;
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
With this project file, @code{"gnatmake ^-Pprj^/PROJECT_FILE=PRJ^"}
is equivalent to
@code{"gnatmake ^-Pprj^/PROJECT_FILE=PRJ^ main1 main2 main3"}.
When the project attribute @code{Main} is not specified, or is specified
as an empty string list, or when the switch @option{-u} is used on the command
line, then invoking @command{gnatmake} with no main on the command line will
result in all immediate sources of the project file being checked, and
potentially recompiled. Depending on the presence of the switch @option{-u},
sources from other project files on which the immediate sources of the main
project file depend are also checked and potentially recompiled. In other
words, the @option{-u} switch is applied to all of the immediate sources of the
main project file.
When no main is specified on the command line and attribute @code{Main} exists
and includes several mains, or when several mains are specified on the
command line, the default ^switches^switches^ in package @code{Builder} will
be used for all mains, even if there are specific ^switches^switches^
specified for one or several mains.
But the ^switches^switches^ from package @code{Binder} or @code{Linker} will be
the specific ^switches^switches^ for each main, if they are specified.
@node Library Project Files
@subsubsection Library Project Files
@noindent
When @command{gnatmake} is invoked with a main project file that is a library
project file, it is not allowed to specify one or more mains on the command
line.
@noindent
When a library project file is specified, switches ^-b^/ACTION=BIND^ and
^-l^/ACTION=LINK^ have special meanings.
@itemize @bullet
@item ^-b^/ACTION=BIND^ is only allowed for stand-alone libraries. It indicates
to @command{gnatmake} that @command{gnatbind} should be invoked for the
library.
@item ^-l^/ACTION=LINK^ may be used for all library projects. It indicates
to @command{gnatmake} that the binder generated file should be compiled
(in the case of a stand-alone library) and that the library should be built.
@end itemize
@node The GNAT Driver and Project Files
@subsection The GNAT Driver and Project Files
@noindent
A number of GNAT tools, other than @command{^gnatmake^gnatmake^}
are project-aware:
@command{^gnatbind^gnatbind^},
@command{^gnatfind^gnatfind^},
@command{^gnatlink^gnatlink^},
@command{^gnatls^gnatls^},
@command{^gnatelim^gnatelim^},
@command{^gnatpp^gnatpp^},
@command{^gnatmetric^gnatmetric^},
@command{^gnatstub^gnatstub^},
and @command{^gnatxref^gnatxref^}. However, none of these tools can be invoked
directly with a project file switch (@option{^-P^/PROJECT_FILE=^}).
They must be invoked through the @command{gnat} driver.
The @command{gnat} driver is a front-end that accepts a number of commands and
call the corresponding tool. It has been designed initially for VMS to convert
VMS style qualifiers to Unix style switches, but it is now available to all
the GNAT supported platforms.
On non VMS platforms, the @command{gnat} driver accepts the following commands
(case insensitive):
@itemize @bullet
@item
BIND to invoke @command{^gnatbind^gnatbind^}
@item
CHOP to invoke @command{^gnatchop^gnatchop^}
@item
CLEAN to invoke @command{^gnatclean^gnatclean^}
@item
COMP or COMPILE to invoke the compiler
@item
ELIM to invoke @command{^gnatelim^gnatelim^}
@item
FIND to invoke @command{^gnatfind^gnatfind^}
@item
KR or KRUNCH to invoke @command{^gnatkr^gnatkr^}
@item
LINK to invoke @command{^gnatlink^gnatlink^}
@item
LS or LIST to invoke @command{^gnatls^gnatls^}
@item
MAKE to invoke @command{^gnatmake^gnatmake^}
@item
NAME to invoke @command{^gnatname^gnatname^}
@item
PREP or PREPROCESS to invoke @command{^gnatprep^gnatprep^}
@item
PP or PRETTY to invoke @command{^gnatpp^gnatpp^}
@item
METRIC to invoke @command{^gnatmetric^gnatmetric^}
@item
STUB to invoke @command{^gnatstub^gnatstub^}
@item
XREF to invoke @command{^gnatxref^gnatxref^}
@end itemize
@noindent
(note that the compiler is invoked using the command
@command{^gnatmake -f -u -c^gnatmake -f -u -c^}).
@noindent
On non VMS platforms, between @command{gnat} and the command, two
special switches may be used:
@itemize @bullet
@item
@command{-v} to display the invocation of the tool.
@item
@command{-dn} to prevent the @command{gnat} driver from removing
the temporary files it has created. These temporary files are
configuration files and temporary file list files.
@end itemize
@noindent
The command may be followed by switches and arguments for the invoked
tool.
@smallexample
gnat bind -C main.ali
gnat ls -a main
gnat chop foo.txt
@end smallexample
@noindent
Switches may also be put in text files, one switch per line, and the text
files may be specified with their path name preceded by '@@'.
@smallexample
gnat bind @@args.txt main.ali
@end smallexample
@noindent
In addition, for commands BIND, COMP or COMPILE, FIND, ELIM, LS or LIST, LINK,
METRIC, PP or PRETTY, STUB and XREF, the project file related switches
(@option{^-P^/PROJECT_FILE^},
@option{^-X^/EXTERNAL_REFERENCE^} and
@option{^-vP^/MESSAGES_PROJECT_FILE=^x}) may be used in addition to
the switches of the invoking tool.
@noindent
When GNAT PP or GNAT PRETTY is used with a project file, but with no source
specified on the command line, it invokes @command{^gnatpp^gnatpp^} with all
the immediate sources of the specified project file.
@noindent
When GNAT METRIC is used with a project file, but with no source
specified on the command line, it invokes @command{^gnatmetric^gnatmetric^}
with all the immediate sources of the specified project file and with
@option{^-d^/DIRECTORY^} with the parameter pointing to the object directory
of the project.
@noindent
For each of the following commands, there is optionally a corresponding
package in the main project.
@itemize @bullet
@item
package @code{Binder} for command BIND (invoking @code{^gnatbind^gnatbind^})
@item
package @code{Compiler} for command COMP or COMPILE (invoking the compiler)
@item
package @code{Finder} for command FIND (invoking @code{^gnatfind^gnatfind^})
@item
package @code{Eliminate} for command ELIM (invoking
@code{^gnatelim^gnatelim^})
@item
package @code{Gnatls} for command LS or LIST (invoking @code{^gnatls^gnatls^})
@item
package @code{Linker} for command LINK (invoking @code{^gnatlink^gnatlink^})
@item
package @code{Metrics} for command METRIC
(invoking @code{^gnatmetric^gnatmetric^})
@item
package @code{Pretty_Printer} for command PP or PRETTY
(invoking @code{^gnatpp^gnatpp^})
@item
package @code{Gnatstub} for command STUB
(invoking @code{^gnatstub^gnatstub^})
@item
package @code{Cross_Reference} for command XREF (invoking
@code{^gnatxref^gnatxref^})
@end itemize
@noindent
Package @code{Gnatls} has a unique attribute @code{^Switches^Switches^},
a simple variable with a string list value. It contains ^switches^switches^
for the invocation of @code{^gnatls^gnatls^}.
@smallexample @c projectfile
@group
project Proj1 is
package gnatls is
for ^Switches^Switches^
use ("^-a^-a^",
"^-v^-v^");
end gnatls;
end Proj1;
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
All other packages have two attribute @code{^Switches^Switches^} and
@code{^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^}.
@noindent
@code{^Switches^Switches^} is an associated array attribute, indexed by the
source file name, that has a string list value: the ^switches^switches^ to be
used when the tool corresponding to the package is invoked for the specific
source file.
@noindent
@code{^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^} is an associative array attribute,
indexed by the programming language that has a string list value.
@code{^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^ ("Ada")} contains the
^switches^switches^ for the invocation of the tool corresponding
to the package, except if a specific @code{^Switches^Switches^} attribute
is specified for the source file.
@smallexample @c projectfile
@group
project Proj is
for Source_Dirs use ("./**");
package gnatls is
for ^Switches^Switches^ use
("^-a^-a^",
"^-v^-v^");
end gnatls;
@end group
@group
package Compiler is
for ^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^ ("Ada")
use ("^-gnatv^-gnatv^",
"^-gnatwa^-gnatwa^");
end Binder;
@end group
@group
package Binder is
for ^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^ ("Ada")
use ("^-C^-C^",
"^-e^-e^");
end Binder;
@end group
@group
package Linker is
for ^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^ ("Ada")
use ("^-C^-C^");
for ^Switches^Switches^ ("main.adb")
use ("^-C^-C^",
"^-v^-v^",
"^-v^-v^");
end Linker;
@end group
@group
package Finder is
for ^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^ ("Ada")
use ("^-a^-a^",
"^-f^-f^");
end Finder;
@end group
@group
package Cross_Reference is
for ^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^ ("Ada")
use ("^-a^-a^",
"^-f^-f^",
"^-d^-d^",
"^-u^-u^");
end Cross_Reference;
end Proj;
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
With the above project file, commands such as
@smallexample
^gnat comp -Pproj main^GNAT COMP /PROJECT_FILE=PROJ MAIN^
^gnat ls -Pproj main^GNAT LIST /PROJECT_FILE=PROJ MAIN^
^gnat xref -Pproj main^GNAT XREF /PROJECT_FILE=PROJ MAIN^
^gnat bind -Pproj main.ali^GNAT BIND /PROJECT_FILE=PROJ MAIN.ALI^
^gnat link -Pproj main.ali^GNAT LINK /PROJECT_FILE=PROJ MAIN.ALI^
@end smallexample
@noindent
will set up the environment properly and invoke the tool with the switches
found in the package corresponding to the tool:
@code{^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^ ("Ada")} for all tools,
except @code{^Switches^Switches^ ("main.adb")}
for @code{^gnatlink^gnatlink^}.
@ifclear vms
@node Glide and Project Files
@subsection Glide and Project Files
@noindent
Glide will automatically recognize the @file{.gpr} extension for
project files, and will
convert them to its own internal format automatically. However, it
doesn't provide a syntax-oriented editor for modifying these
files.
The project file will be loaded as text when you select the menu item
@code{Ada} @result{} @code{Project} @result{} @code{Edit}.
You can edit this text and save the @file{gpr} file;
when you next select this project file in Glide it
will be automatically reloaded.
@end ifclear
@c **********************
@node An Extended Example
@section An Extended Example
@noindent
Suppose that we have two programs, @var{prog1} and @var{prog2},
whose sources are in corresponding directories. We would like
to build them with a single @command{gnatmake} command, and we want to place
their object files into @file{build} subdirectories of the source directories.
Furthermore, we want to have to have two separate subdirectories
in @file{build} -- @file{release} and @file{debug} -- which will contain
the object files compiled with different set of compilation flags.
In other words, we have the following structure:
@smallexample
@group
main
|- prog1
| |- build
| | debug
| | release
|- prog2
|- build
| debug
| release
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
Here are the project files that we must place in a directory @file{main}
to maintain this structure:
@enumerate
@item We create a @code{Common} project with a package @code{Compiler} that
specifies the compilation ^switches^switches^:
@smallexample
File "common.gpr":
@group
@b{project} Common @b{is}
@b{for} Source_Dirs @b{use} (); -- No source files
@end group
@group
@b{type} Build_Type @b{is} ("release", "debug");
Build : Build_Type := External ("BUILD", "debug");
@end group
@group
@b{package} Compiler @b{is}
@b{case} Build @b{is}
@b{when} "release" =>
@b{for} ^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^ ("Ada")
@b{use} ("^-O2^-O2^");
@b{when} "debug" =>
@b{for} ^Default_Switches^Default_Switches^ ("Ada")
@b{use} ("^-g^-g^");
@b{end case};
@b{end} Compiler;
@b{end} Common;
@end group
@end smallexample
@item We create separate projects for the two programs:
@smallexample
@group
File "prog1.gpr":
@b{with} "common";
@b{project} Prog1 @b{is}
@b{for} Source_Dirs @b{use} ("prog1");
@b{for} Object_Dir @b{use} "prog1/build/" & Common.Build;
@b{package} Compiler @b{renames} Common.Compiler;
@b{end} Prog1;
@end group
@end smallexample
@smallexample
@group
File "prog2.gpr":
@b{with} "common";
@b{project} Prog2 @b{is}
@b{for} Source_Dirs @b{use} ("prog2");
@b{for} Object_Dir @b{use} "prog2/build/" & Common.Build;
@b{package} Compiler @b{renames} Common.Compiler;
@end group
@b{end} Prog2;
@end smallexample
@item We create a wrapping project @code{Main}:
@smallexample
@group
File "main.gpr":
@b{with} "common";
@b{with} "prog1";
@b{with} "prog2";
@b{project} Main @b{is}
@b{package} Compiler @b{renames} Common.Compiler;
@b{end} Main;
@end group
@end smallexample
@item Finally we need to create a dummy procedure that @code{with}s (either
explicitly or implicitly) all the sources of our two programs.
@end enumerate
@noindent
Now we can build the programs using the command
@smallexample
gnatmake ^-P^/PROJECT_FILE=^main dummy
@end smallexample
@noindent
for the Debug mode, or
@ifclear vms
@smallexample
gnatmake -Pmain -XBUILD=release
@end smallexample
@end ifclear
@ifset vms
@smallexample
GNAT MAKE /PROJECT_FILE=main /EXTERNAL_REFERENCE=BUILD=release
@end smallexample
@end ifset
@noindent
for the Release mode.
@c ********************************
@c * Project File Complete Syntax *
@c ********************************
@node Project File Complete Syntax
@section Project File Complete Syntax
@smallexample
project ::=
context_clause project_declaration
context_clause ::=
@{with_clause@}
with_clause ::=
@b{with} path_name @{ , path_name @} ;
path_name ::=
string_literal
project_declaration ::=
simple_project_declaration | project_extension
simple_project_declaration ::=
@b{project} <project_>simple_name @b{is}
@{declarative_item@}
@b{end} <project_>simple_name;
project_extension ::=
@b{project} <project_>simple_name @b{extends} path_name @b{is}
@{declarative_item@}
@b{end} <project_>simple_name;
declarative_item ::=
package_declaration |
typed_string_declaration |
other_declarative_item
package_declaration ::=
package_specification | package_renaming
package_specification ::=
@b{package} package_identifier @b{is}
@{simple_declarative_item@}
@b{end} package_identifier ;
package_identifier ::=
@code{Naming} | @code{Builder} | @code{Compiler} | @code{Binder} |
@code{Linker} | @code{Finder} | @code{Cross_Reference} |
@code{^gnatls^gnatls^} | @code{IDE} | @code{Pretty_Printer}
package_renaming ::==
@b{package} package_identifier @b{renames}
<project_>simple_name.package_identifier ;
typed_string_declaration ::=
@b{type} <typed_string_>_simple_name @b{is}
( string_literal @{, string_literal@} );
other_declarative_item ::=
attribute_declaration |
typed_variable_declaration |
variable_declaration |
case_construction
attribute_declaration ::=
full_associative_array_declaration |
@b{for} attribute_designator @b{use} expression ;
full_associative_array_declaration ::=
@b{for} <associative_array_attribute_>simple_name @b{use}
<project_>simple_name [ . <package_>simple_Name ] ' <attribute_>simple_name ;
attribute_designator ::=
<simple_attribute_>simple_name |
<associative_array_attribute_>simple_name ( string_literal )
typed_variable_declaration ::=
<typed_variable_>simple_name : <typed_string_>name := string_expression ;
variable_declaration ::=
<variable_>simple_name := expression;
expression ::=
term @{& term@}
term ::=
literal_string |
string_list |
<variable_>name |
external_value |
attribute_reference
string_literal ::=
(same as Ada)
string_list ::=
( <string_>expression @{ , <string_>expression @} )
external_value ::=
@b{external} ( string_literal [, string_literal] )
attribute_reference ::=
attribute_prefix ' <simple_attribute_>simple_name [ ( literal_string ) ]
attribute_prefix ::=
@b{project} |
<project_>simple_name | package_identifier |
<project_>simple_name . package_identifier
case_construction ::=
@b{case} <typed_variable_>name @b{is}
@{case_item@}
@b{end case} ;
case_item ::=
@b{when} discrete_choice_list =>
@{case_construction | attribute_declaration@}
discrete_choice_list ::=
string_literal @{| string_literal@} |
@b{others}
name ::=
simple_name @{. simple_name@}
simple_name ::=
identifier (same as Ada)
@end smallexample
@node The Cross-Referencing Tools gnatxref and gnatfind
@chapter The Cross-Referencing Tools @code{gnatxref} and @code{gnatfind}
@findex gnatxref
@findex gnatfind
@noindent
The compiler generates cross-referencing information (unless
you set the @samp{-gnatx} switch), which are saved in the @file{.ali} files.
This information indicates where in the source each entity is declared and
referenced. Note that entities in package Standard are not included, but
entities in all other predefined units are included in the output.
Before using any of these two tools, you need to compile successfully your
application, so that GNAT gets a chance to generate the cross-referencing
information.
The two tools @code{gnatxref} and @code{gnatfind} take advantage of this
information to provide the user with the capability to easily locate the
declaration and references to an entity. These tools are quite similar,
the difference being that @code{gnatfind} is intended for locating
definitions and/or references to a specified entity or entities, whereas
@code{gnatxref} is oriented to generating a full report of all
cross-references.
To use these tools, you must not compile your application using the
@option{-gnatx} switch on the @command{gnatmake} command line
(@pxref{The GNAT Make Program gnatmake}). Otherwise, cross-referencing
information will not be generated.
@menu
* gnatxref Switches::
* gnatfind Switches::
* Project Files for gnatxref and gnatfind::
* Regular Expressions in gnatfind and gnatxref::
* Examples of gnatxref Usage::
* Examples of gnatfind Usage::
@end menu
@node gnatxref Switches
@section @code{gnatxref} Switches
@noindent
The command invocation for @code{gnatxref} is:
@smallexample
$ gnatxref [switches] sourcefile1 [sourcefile2 ...]
@end smallexample
@noindent
where
@table @code
@item sourcefile1, sourcefile2
identifies the source files for which a report is to be generated. The
``with''ed units will be processed too. You must provide at least one file.
These file names are considered to be regular expressions, so for instance
specifying @file{source*.adb} is the same as giving every file in the current
directory whose name starts with @file{source} and whose extension is
@file{adb}.
You shouldn't specify any directory name, just base names. @command{gnatxref}
and @command{gnatfind} will be able to locate these files by themselves using
the source path. If you specify directories, no result is produced.
@end table
@noindent
The switches can be :
@table @option
@c !sort!
@item ^-a^/ALL_FILES^
@cindex @option{^-a^/ALL_FILES^} (@command{gnatxref})
If this switch is present, @code{gnatfind} and @code{gnatxref} will parse
the read-only files found in the library search path. Otherwise, these files
will be ignored. This option can be used to protect Gnat sources or your own
libraries from being parsed, thus making @code{gnatfind} and @code{gnatxref}
much faster, and their output much smaller. Read-only here refers to access
or permissions status in the file system for the current user.
@item -aIDIR
@cindex @option{-aIDIR} (@command{gnatxref})
When looking for source files also look in directory DIR. The order in which
source file search is undertaken is the same as for @command{gnatmake}.
@item -aODIR
@cindex @option{-aODIR} (@command{gnatxref})
When searching for library and object files, look in directory
DIR. The order in which library files are searched is the same as for
@command{gnatmake}.
@item -nostdinc
@cindex @option{-nostdinc} (@command{gnatxref})
Do not look for sources in the system default directory.
@item -nostdlib
@cindex @option{-nostdlib} (@command{gnatxref})
Do not look for library files in the system default directory.
@item --RTS=@var{rts-path}
@cindex @option{--RTS} (@command{gnatxref})
Specifies the default location of the runtime library. Same meaning as the
equivalent @command{gnatmake} flag (@pxref{Switches for gnatmake}).
@item ^-d^/DERIVED_TYPES^
@cindex @option{^-d^/DERIVED_TYPES^} (@command{gnatxref})
If this switch is set @code{gnatxref} will output the parent type
reference for each matching derived types.
@item ^-f^/FULL_PATHNAME^
@cindex @option{^-f^/FULL_PATHNAME^} (@command{gnatxref})
If this switch is set, the output file names will be preceded by their
directory (if the file was found in the search path). If this switch is
not set, the directory will not be printed.
@item ^-g^/IGNORE_LOCALS^
@cindex @option{^-g^/IGNORE_LOCALS^} (@command{gnatxref})
If this switch is set, information is output only for library-level
entities, ignoring local entities. The use of this switch may accelerate
@code{gnatfind} and @code{gnatxref}.
@item -IDIR
@cindex @option{-IDIR} (@command{gnatxref})
Equivalent to @samp{-aODIR -aIDIR}.
@item -pFILE
@cindex @option{-pFILE} (@command{gnatxref})
Specify a project file to use @xref{Project Files}. These project files are
the @file{.adp} files used by Glide. If you need to use the @file{.gpr}
project files, you should use gnatxref through the GNAT driver
(@command{gnat xref -Pproject}).
By default, @code{gnatxref} and @code{gnatfind} will try to locate a
project file in the current directory.
If a project file is either specified or found by the tools, then the content
of the source directory and object directory lines are added as if they
had been specified respectively by @samp{^-aI^/SOURCE_SEARCH^}
and @samp{^-aO^OBJECT_SEARCH^}.
@item ^-u^/UNUSED^
Output only unused symbols. This may be really useful if you give your
main compilation unit on the command line, as @code{gnatxref} will then
display every unused entity and 'with'ed package.
@ifclear vms
@item -v
Instead of producing the default output, @code{gnatxref} will generate a
@file{tags} file that can be used by vi. For examples how to use this
feature, see @ref{Examples of gnatxref Usage}. The tags file is output
to the standard output, thus you will have to redirect it to a file.
@end ifclear
@end table
@noindent
All these switches may be in any order on the command line, and may even
appear after the file names. They need not be separated by spaces, thus
you can say @samp{gnatxref ^-ag^/ALL_FILES/IGNORE_LOCALS^} instead of
@samp{gnatxref ^-a -g^/ALL_FILES /IGNORE_LOCALS^}.
@node gnatfind Switches
@section @code{gnatfind} Switches
@noindent
The command line for @code{gnatfind} is:
@smallexample
$ gnatfind [switches] pattern[:sourcefile[:line[:column]]]
[file1 file2 ...]
@end smallexample
@noindent
where
@table @code
@item pattern
An entity will be output only if it matches the regular expression found
in @samp{pattern}, see @ref{Regular Expressions in gnatfind and gnatxref}.
Omitting the pattern is equivalent to specifying @samp{*}, which
will match any entity. Note that if you do not provide a pattern, you
have to provide both a sourcefile and a line.
Entity names are given in Latin-1, with uppercase/lowercase equivalence
for matching purposes. At the current time there is no support for
8-bit codes other than Latin-1, or for wide characters in identifiers.
@item sourcefile
@code{gnatfind} will look for references, bodies or declarations
of symbols referenced in @file{sourcefile}, at line @samp{line}
and column @samp{column}. See @ref{Examples of gnatfind Usage}
for syntax examples.
@item line
is a decimal integer identifying the line number containing
the reference to the entity (or entities) to be located.
@item column
is a decimal integer identifying the exact location on the
line of the first character of the identifier for the
entity reference. Columns are numbered from 1.
@item file1 file2 ...
The search will be restricted to these source files. If none are given, then
the search will be done for every library file in the search path.
These file must appear only after the pattern or sourcefile.
These file names are considered to be regular expressions, so for instance
specifying 'source*.adb' is the same as giving every file in the current
directory whose name starts with 'source' and whose extension is 'adb'.
The location of the spec of the entity will always be displayed, even if it
isn't in one of file1, file2,... The occurrences of the entity in the
separate units of the ones given on the command line will also be displayed.
Note that if you specify at least one file in this part, @code{gnatfind} may
sometimes not be able to find the body of the subprograms...
@end table
@noindent
At least one of 'sourcefile' or 'pattern' has to be present on
the command line.
The following switches are available:
@table @option
@c !sort!
@item ^-a^/ALL_FILES^
@cindex @option{^-a^/ALL_FILES^} (@command{gnatfind})
If this switch is present, @code{gnatfind} and @code{gnatxref} will parse
the read-only files found in the library search path. Otherwise, these files
will be ignored. This option can be used to protect Gnat sources or your own
libraries from being parsed, thus making @code{gnatfind} and @code{gnatxref}
much faster, and their output much smaller. Read-only here refers to access
or permission status in the file system for the current user.
@item -aIDIR
@cindex @option{-aIDIR} (@command{gnatfind})
When looking for source files also look in directory DIR. The order in which
source file search is undertaken is the same as for @command{gnatmake}.
@item -aODIR
@cindex @option{-aODIR} (@command{gnatfind})
When searching for library and object files, look in directory
DIR. The order in which library files are searched is the same as for
@command{gnatmake}.
@item -nostdinc
@cindex @option{-nostdinc} (@command{gnatfind})
Do not look for sources in the system default directory.
@item -nostdlib
@cindex @option{-nostdlib} (@command{gnatfind})
Do not look for library files in the system default directory.
@item --RTS=@var{rts-path}
@cindex @option{--RTS} (@command{gnatfind})
Specifies the default location of the runtime library. Same meaning as the
equivalent @command{gnatmake} flag (@pxref{Switches for gnatmake}).
@item ^-d^/DERIVED_TYPE_INFORMATION^
@cindex @option{^-d^/DERIVED_TYPE_INFORMATION^} (@code{gnatfind})
If this switch is set, then @code{gnatfind} will output the parent type
reference for each matching derived types.
@item ^-e^/EXPRESSIONS^
@cindex @option{^-e^/EXPRESSIONS^} (@command{gnatfind})
By default, @code{gnatfind} accept the simple regular expression set for
@samp{pattern}. If this switch is set, then the pattern will be
considered as full Unix-style regular expression.
@item ^-f^/FULL_PATHNAME^
@cindex @option{^-f^/FULL_PATHNAME^} (@command{gnatfind})
If this switch is set, the output file names will be preceded by their
directory (if the file was found in the search path). If this switch is
not set, the directory will not be printed.
@item ^-g^/IGNORE_LOCALS^
@cindex @option{^-g^/IGNORE_LOCALS^} (@command{gnatfind})
If this switch is set, information is output only for library-level
entities, ignoring local entities. The use of this switch may accelerate
@code{gnatfind} and @code{gnatxref}.
@item -IDIR
@cindex @option{-IDIR} (@command{gnatfind})
Equivalent to @samp{-aODIR -aIDIR}.
@item -pFILE
@cindex @option{-pFILE} (@command{gnatfind})
Specify a project file (@pxref{Project Files}) to use.
By default, @code{gnatxref} and @code{gnatfind} will try to locate a
project file in the current directory.
If a project file is either specified or found by the tools, then the content
of the source directory and object directory lines are added as if they
had been specified respectively by @samp{^-aI^/SOURCE_SEARCH^} and
@samp{^-aO^/OBJECT_SEARCH^}.
@item ^-r^/REFERENCES^
@cindex @option{^-r^/REFERENCES^} (@command{gnatfind})
By default, @code{gnatfind} will output only the information about the
declaration, body or type completion of the entities. If this switch is
set, the @code{gnatfind} will locate every reference to the entities in
the files specified on the command line (or in every file in the search
path if no file is given on the command line).
@item ^-s^/PRINT_LINES^
@cindex @option{^-s^/PRINT_LINES^} (@command{gnatfind})
If this switch is set, then @code{gnatfind} will output the content
of the Ada source file lines were the entity was found.
@item ^-t^/TYPE_HIERARCHY^
@cindex @option{^-t^/TYPE_HIERARCHY^} (@command{gnatfind})
If this switch is set, then @code{gnatfind} will output the type hierarchy for
the specified type. It act like -d option but recursively from parent
type to parent type. When this switch is set it is not possible to
specify more than one file.
@end table
@noindent
All these switches may be in any order on the command line, and may even
appear after the file names. They need not be separated by spaces, thus
you can say @samp{gnatxref ^-ag^/ALL_FILES/IGNORE_LOCALS^} instead of
@samp{gnatxref ^-a -g^/ALL_FILES /IGNORE_LOCALS^}.
As stated previously, gnatfind will search in every directory in the
search path. You can force it to look only in the current directory if
you specify @code{*} at the end of the command line.
@node Project Files for gnatxref and gnatfind
@section Project Files for @command{gnatxref} and @command{gnatfind}
@noindent
Project files allow a programmer to specify how to compile its
application, where to find sources, etc. These files are used
@ifclear vms
primarily by the Glide Ada mode, but they can also be used
@end ifclear
by the two tools
@code{gnatxref} and @code{gnatfind}.
A project file name must end with @file{.gpr}. If a single one is
present in the current directory, then @code{gnatxref} and @code{gnatfind} will
extract the information from it. If multiple project files are found, none of
them is read, and you have to use the @samp{-p} switch to specify the one
you want to use.
The following lines can be included, even though most of them have default
values which can be used in most cases.
The lines can be entered in any order in the file.
Except for @file{src_dir} and @file{obj_dir}, you can only have one instance of
each line. If you have multiple instances, only the last one is taken into
account.
@table @code
@item src_dir=DIR
[default: @code{"^./^[]^"}]
specifies a directory where to look for source files. Multiple @code{src_dir}
lines can be specified and they will be searched in the order they
are specified.
@item obj_dir=DIR
[default: @code{"^./^[]^"}]
specifies a directory where to look for object and library files. Multiple
@code{obj_dir} lines can be specified, and they will be searched in the order
they are specified
@item comp_opt=SWITCHES
[default: @code{""}]
creates a variable which can be referred to subsequently by using
the @code{$@{comp_opt@}} notation. This is intended to store the default
switches given to @command{gnatmake} and @command{gcc}.
@item bind_opt=SWITCHES
[default: @code{""}]
creates a variable which can be referred to subsequently by using
the @samp{$@{bind_opt@}} notation. This is intended to store the default
switches given to @command{gnatbind}.
@item link_opt=SWITCHES
[default: @code{""}]
creates a variable which can be referred to subsequently by using
the @samp{$@{link_opt@}} notation. This is intended to store the default
switches given to @command{gnatlink}.
@item main=EXECUTABLE
[default: @code{""}]
specifies the name of the executable for the application. This variable can
be referred to in the following lines by using the @samp{$@{main@}} notation.
@ifset vms
@item comp_cmd=COMMAND
[default: @code{"GNAT COMPILE /SEARCH=$@{src_dir@} /DEBUG /TRY_SEMANTICS"}]
@end ifset
@ifclear vms
@item comp_cmd=COMMAND
[default: @code{"gcc -c -I$@{src_dir@} -g -gnatq"}]
@end ifclear
specifies the command used to compile a single file in the application.
@ifset vms
@item make_cmd=COMMAND
[default: @code{"GNAT MAKE $@{main@}
/SOURCE_SEARCH=$@{src_dir@} /OBJECT_SEARCH=$@{obj_dir@}
/DEBUG /TRY_SEMANTICS /COMPILER_QUALIFIERS $@{comp_opt@}
/BINDER_QUALIFIERS $@{bind_opt@} /LINKER_QUALIFIERS $@{link_opt@}"}]
@end ifset
@ifclear vms
@item make_cmd=COMMAND
[default: @code{"gnatmake $@{main@} -aI$@{src_dir@}
-aO$@{obj_dir@} -g -gnatq -cargs $@{comp_opt@}
-bargs $@{bind_opt@} -largs $@{link_opt@}"}]
@end ifclear
specifies the command used to recompile the whole application.
@item run_cmd=COMMAND
[default: @code{"$@{main@}"}]
specifies the command used to run the application.
@item debug_cmd=COMMAND
[default: @code{"gdb $@{main@}"}]
specifies the command used to debug the application
@end table
@noindent
@command{gnatxref} and @command{gnatfind} only take into account the
@code{src_dir} and @code{obj_dir} lines, and ignore the others.
@node Regular Expressions in gnatfind and gnatxref
@section Regular Expressions in @code{gnatfind} and @code{gnatxref}
@noindent
As specified in the section about @command{gnatfind}, the pattern can be a
regular expression. Actually, there are to set of regular expressions
which are recognized by the program :
@table @code
@item globbing patterns
These are the most usual regular expression. They are the same that you
generally used in a Unix shell command line, or in a DOS session.
Here is a more formal grammar :
@smallexample
@group
@iftex
@leftskip=.5cm
@end iftex
regexp ::= term
term ::= elmt -- matches elmt
term ::= elmt elmt -- concatenation (elmt then elmt)
term ::= * -- any string of 0 or more characters
term ::= ? -- matches any character
term ::= [char @{char@}] -- matches any character listed
term ::= [char - char] -- matches any character in range
@end group
@end smallexample
@item full regular expression
The second set of regular expressions is much more powerful. This is the
type of regular expressions recognized by utilities such a @file{grep}.
The following is the form of a regular expression, expressed in Ada
reference manual style BNF is as follows
@smallexample
@iftex
@leftskip=.5cm
@end iftex
@group
regexp ::= term @{| term@} -- alternation (term or term ...)
term ::= item @{item@} -- concatenation (item then item)
item ::= elmt -- match elmt
item ::= elmt * -- zero or more elmt's
item ::= elmt + -- one or more elmt's
item ::= elmt ? -- matches elmt or nothing
@end group
@group
elmt ::= nschar -- matches given character
elmt ::= [nschar @{nschar@}] -- matches any character listed
elmt ::= [^^^ nschar @{nschar@}] -- matches any character not listed
elmt ::= [char - char] -- matches chars in given range
elmt ::= \ char -- matches given character
elmt ::= . -- matches any single character
elmt ::= ( regexp ) -- parens used for grouping
char ::= any character, including special characters
nschar ::= any character except ()[].*+?^^^
@end group
@end smallexample
Following are a few examples :
@table @samp
@item abcde|fghi
will match any of the two strings 'abcde' and 'fghi'.
@item abc*d
will match any string like 'abd', 'abcd', 'abccd', 'abcccd', and so on
@item [a-z]+
will match any string which has only lowercase characters in it (and at
least one character
@end table
@end table
@node Examples of gnatxref Usage
@section Examples of @code{gnatxref} Usage
@subsection General Usage
@noindent
For the following examples, we will consider the following units :
@smallexample @c ada
@group
@cartouche
main.ads:
1: with Bar;
2: package Main is
3: procedure Foo (B : in Integer);
4: C : Integer;
5: private
6: D : Integer;
7: end Main;
main.adb:
1: package body Main is
2: procedure Foo (B : in Integer) is
3: begin
4: C := B;
5: D := B;
6: Bar.Print (B);
7: Bar.Print (C);
8: end Foo;
9: end Main;
bar.ads:
1: package Bar is
2: procedure Print (B : Integer);
3: end bar;
@end cartouche
@end group
@end smallexample
@table @code
@noindent
The first thing to do is to recompile your application (for instance, in
that case just by doing a @samp{gnatmake main}, so that GNAT generates
the cross-referencing information.
You can then issue any of the following commands:
@item gnatxref main.adb
@code{gnatxref} generates cross-reference information for main.adb
and every unit 'with'ed by main.adb.
The output would be:
@smallexample
@iftex
@leftskip=0cm
@end iftex
B Type: Integer
Decl: bar.ads 2:22
B Type: Integer
Decl: main.ads 3:20
Body: main.adb 2:20
Ref: main.adb 4:13 5:13 6:19
Bar Type: Unit
Decl: bar.ads 1:9
Ref: main.adb 6:8 7:8
main.ads 1:6
C Type: Integer
Decl: main.ads 4:5
Modi: main.adb 4:8
Ref: main.adb 7:19
D Type: Integer
Decl: main.ads 6:5
Modi: main.adb 5:8
Foo Type: Unit
Decl: main.ads 3:15
Body: main.adb 2:15
Main Type: Unit
Decl: main.ads 2:9
Body: main.adb 1:14
Print Type: Unit
Decl: bar.ads 2:15
Ref: main.adb 6:12 7:12
@end smallexample
@noindent
that is the entity @code{Main} is declared in main.ads, line 2, column 9,
its body is in main.adb, line 1, column 14 and is not referenced any where.
The entity @code{Print} is declared in bar.ads, line 2, column 15 and it
it referenced in main.adb, line 6 column 12 and line 7 column 12.
@item gnatxref package1.adb package2.ads
@code{gnatxref} will generates cross-reference information for
package1.adb, package2.ads and any other package 'with'ed by any
of these.
@end table
@ifclear vms
@subsection Using gnatxref with vi
@code{gnatxref} can generate a tags file output, which can be used
directly from @file{vi}. Note that the standard version of @file{vi}
will not work properly with overloaded symbols. Consider using another
free implementation of @file{vi}, such as @file{vim}.
@smallexample
$ gnatxref -v gnatfind.adb > tags
@end smallexample
@noindent
will generate the tags file for @code{gnatfind} itself (if the sources
are in the search path!).
From @file{vi}, you can then use the command @samp{:tag @i{entity}}
(replacing @i{entity} by whatever you are looking for), and vi will
display a new file with the corresponding declaration of entity.
@end ifclear
@node Examples of gnatfind Usage
@section Examples of @code{gnatfind} Usage
@table @code
@item gnatfind ^-f^/FULL_PATHNAME^ xyz:main.adb
Find declarations for all entities xyz referenced at least once in
main.adb. The references are search in every library file in the search
path.
The directories will be printed as well (as the @samp{^-f^/FULL_PATHNAME^}
switch is set)
The output will look like:
@smallexample
^directory/^[directory]^main.ads:106:14: xyz <= declaration
^directory/^[directory]^main.adb:24:10: xyz <= body
^directory/^[directory]^foo.ads:45:23: xyz <= declaration
@end smallexample
@noindent
that is to say, one of the entities xyz found in main.adb is declared at
line 12 of main.ads (and its body is in main.adb), and another one is
declared at line 45 of foo.ads
@item gnatfind ^-fs^/FULL_PATHNAME/SOURCE_LINE^ xyz:main.adb
This is the same command as the previous one, instead @code{gnatfind} will
display the content of the Ada source file lines.
The output will look like:
@smallexample
^directory/^[directory]^main.ads:106:14: xyz <= declaration
procedure xyz;
^directory/^[directory]^main.adb:24:10: xyz <= body
procedure xyz is
^directory/^[directory]^foo.ads:45:23: xyz <= declaration
xyz : Integer;
@end smallexample
@noindent
This can make it easier to find exactly the location your are looking
for.
@item gnatfind ^-r^/REFERENCES^ "*x*":main.ads:123 foo.adb
Find references to all entities containing an x that are
referenced on line 123 of main.ads.
The references will be searched only in main.ads and foo.adb.
@item gnatfind main.ads:123
Find declarations and bodies for all entities that are referenced on
line 123 of main.ads.
This is the same as @code{gnatfind "*":main.adb:123}.
@item gnatfind ^mydir/^[mydir]^main.adb:123:45
Find the declaration for the entity referenced at column 45 in
line 123 of file main.adb in directory mydir. Note that it
is usual to omit the identifier name when the column is given,
since the column position identifies a unique reference.
The column has to be the beginning of the identifier, and should not
point to any character in the middle of the identifier.
@end table
@c *********************************
@node The GNAT Pretty-Printer gnatpp
@chapter The GNAT Pretty-Printer @command{gnatpp}
@findex gnatpp
@cindex Pretty-Printer
@noindent
^The @command{gnatpp} tool^GNAT PRETTY^ is an ASIS-based utility
for source reformatting / pretty-printing.
It takes an Ada source file as input and generates a reformatted
version as output.
You can specify various style directives via switches; e.g.,
identifier case conventions, rules of indentation, and comment layout.
To produce a reformatted file, @command{gnatpp} generates and uses the ASIS
tree for the input source and thus requires the input to be syntactically and
semantically legal.
If this condition is not met, @command{gnatpp} will terminate with an
error message; no output file will be generated.
If the compilation unit
contained in the input source depends semantically upon units located
outside the current directory, you have to provide the source search path
when invoking @command{gnatpp}, if these units are contained in files with
names that do not follow the GNAT file naming rules, you have to provide
the configuration file describing the corresponding naming scheme;
see the description of the @command{gnatpp}
switches below. Another possibility is to use a project file and to
call @command{gnatpp} through the @command{gnat} driver
The @command{gnatpp} command has the form
@smallexample
$ gnatpp [@var{switches}] @var{filename}
@end smallexample
@noindent
where
@itemize @bullet
@item
@var{switches} is an optional sequence of switches defining such properties as
the formatting rules, the source search path, and the destination for the
output source file
@item
@var{filename} is the name (including the extension) of the source file to
reformat; ``wildcards'' or several file names on the same gnatpp command are
allowed. The file name may contain path information; it does not have to
follow the GNAT file naming rules
@end itemize
@menu
* Switches for gnatpp::
* Formatting Rules::
@end menu
@node Switches for gnatpp
@section Switches for @command{gnatpp}
@noindent
The following subsections describe the various switches accepted by
@command{gnatpp}, organized by category.
@ifclear vms
You specify a switch by supplying a name and generally also a value.
In many cases the values for a switch with a given name are incompatible with
each other
(for example the switch that controls the casing of a reserved word may have
exactly one value: upper case, lower case, or
mixed case) and thus exactly one such switch can be in effect for an
invocation of @command{gnatpp}.
If more than one is supplied, the last one is used.
However, some values for the same switch are mutually compatible.
You may supply several such switches to @command{gnatpp}, but then
each must be specified in full, with both the name and the value.
Abbreviated forms (the name appearing once, followed by each value) are
not permitted.
For example, to set
the alignment of the assignment delimiter both in declarations and in
assignment statements, you must write @option{-A2A3}
(or @option{-A2 -A3}), but not @option{-A23}.
@end ifclear
@ifset vms
In many cases the set of options for a given qualifier are incompatible with
each other (for example the qualifier that controls the casing of a reserved
word may have exactly one option, which specifies either upper case, lower
case, or mixed case), and thus exactly one such option can be in effect for
an invocation of @command{gnatpp}.
If more than one is supplied, the last one is used.
However, some qualifiers have options that are mutually compatible,
and then you may then supply several such options when invoking
@command{gnatpp}.
@end ifset
In most cases, it is obvious whether or not the
^values for a switch with a given name^options for a given qualifier^
are compatible with each other.
When the semantics might not be evident, the summaries below explicitly
indicate the effect.
@menu
* Alignment Control::
* Casing Control::
* Construct Layout Control::
* General Text Layout Control::
* Other Formatting Options::
* Setting the Source Search Path::
* Output File Control::
* Other gnatpp Switches::
@end menu
@node Alignment Control
@subsection Alignment Control
@cindex Alignment control in @command{gnatpp}
@noindent
Programs can be easier to read if certain constructs are vertically aligned.
By default all alignments are set ON.
Through the @option{^-A0^/ALIGN=OFF^} switch you may reset the default to
OFF, and then use one or more of the other
^@option{-A@var{n}} switches^@option{/ALIGN} options^
to activate alignment for specific constructs.
@table @option
@cindex @option{^-A@var{n}^/ALIGN^} (@command{gnatpp})
@ifset vms
@item /ALIGN=ON
Set all alignments to ON
@end ifset
@item ^-A0^/ALIGN=OFF^
Set all alignments to OFF
@item ^-A1^/ALIGN=COLONS^
Align @code{:} in declarations
@item ^-A2^/ALIGN=DECLARATIONS^
Align @code{:=} in initializations in declarations
@item ^-A3^/ALIGN=STATEMENTS^
Align @code{:=} in assignment statements
@item ^-A4^/ALIGN=ARROWS^
Align @code{=>} in associations
@item ^-A5^/ALIGN=COMPONENT_CLAUSES^
Align @code{at} keywords in the component clauses in record representation clauses
@end table
@noindent
The @option{^-A^/ALIGN^} switches are mutually compatible; any combination
is allowed.
@node Casing Control
@subsection Casing Control
@cindex Casing control in @command{gnatpp}
@noindent
@command{gnatpp} allows you to specify the casing for reserved words,
pragma names, attribute designators and identifiers.
For identifiers you may define a
general rule for name casing but also override this rule
via a set of dictionary files.
Three types of casing are supported: lower case, upper case, and mixed case.
Lower and upper case are self-explanatory (but since some letters in
Latin1 and other GNAT-supported character sets
exist only in lower-case form, an upper case conversion will have no
effect on them.)
``Mixed case'' means that the first letter, and also each letter immediately
following an underscore, are converted to their uppercase forms;
all the other letters are converted to their lowercase forms.
@table @option
@cindex @option{^-a@var{x}^/ATTRIBUTE^} (@command{gnatpp})
@item ^-aL^/ATTRIBUTE_CASING=LOWER_CASE^
Attribute designators are lower case
@item ^-aU^/ATTRIBUTE_CASING=UPPER_CASE^
Attribute designators are upper case
@item ^-aM^/ATTRIBUTE_CASING=MIXED_CASE^
Attribute designators are mixed case (this is the default)
@cindex @option{^-k@var{x}^/KEYWORD_CASING^} (@command{gnatpp})
@item ^-kL^/KEYWORD_CASING=LOWER_CASE^
Keywords (technically, these are known in Ada as @emph{reserved words}) are
lower case (this is the default)
@item ^-kU^/KEYWORD_CASING=UPPER_CASE^
Keywords are upper case
@cindex @option{^-n@var{x}^/NAME_CASING^} (@command{gnatpp})
@item ^-nD^/NAME_CASING=AS_DECLARED^
Name casing for defining occurrences are as they appear in the source file
(this is the default)
@item ^-nU^/NAME_CASING=UPPER_CASE^
Names are in upper case
@item ^-nL^/NAME_CASING=LOWER_CASE^
Names are in lower case
@item ^-nM^/NAME_CASING=MIXED_CASE^
Names are in mixed case
@cindex @option{^-p@var{x}^/PRAGMA_CASING^} (@command{gnatpp})
@item ^-pL^/PRAGMA_CASING=LOWER_CASE^
Pragma names are lower case
@item ^-pU^/PRAGMA_CASING=UPPER_CASE^
Pragma names are upper case
@item ^-pM^/PRAGMA_CASING=MIXED_CASE^
Pragma names are mixed case (this is the default)
@item ^-D@var{file}^/DICTIONARY=@var{file}^
@cindex @option{^-D^/DICTIONARY^} (@command{gnatpp})
Use @var{file} as a @emph{dictionary file} that defines
the casing for a set of specified names,
thereby overriding the effect on these names by
any explicit or implicit
^-n^/NAME_CASING^ switch.
To supply more than one dictionary file,
use ^several @option{-D} switches^a list of files as options^.
@noindent
@option{gnatpp} implicitly uses a @emph{default dictionary file}
to define the casing for the Ada predefined names and
the names declared in the GNAT libraries.
@item ^-D-^/SPECIFIC_CASING^
@cindex @option{^-D-^/SPECIFIC_CASING^} (@command{gnatpp})
Do not use the default dictionary file;
instead, use the casing
defined by a @option{^-n^/NAME_CASING^} switch and any explicit
dictionary file(s)
@end table
@noindent
The structure of a dictionary file, and details on the conventions
used in the default dictionary file, are defined in @ref{Name Casing}.
The @option{^-D-^/SPECIFIC_CASING^} and
@option{^-D@var{file}^/DICTIONARY=@var{file}^} switches are mutually
compatible.
@node Construct Layout Control
@subsection Construct Layout Control
@cindex Layout control in @command{gnatpp}
@noindent
This group of @command{gnatpp} switches controls the layout of comments and
complex syntactic constructs. See @ref{Formatting Comments} for details
on their effect.
@table @option
@cindex @option{^-c@var{n}^/COMMENTS_LAYOUT^} (@command{gnatpp})
@item ^-c0^/COMMENTS_LAYOUT=UNTOUCHED^
All the comments remain unchanged
@item ^-c1^/COMMENTS_LAYOUT=DEFAULT^
GNAT-style comment line indentation (this is the default).
@item ^-c2^/COMMENTS_LAYOUT=STANDARD_INDENT^
Reference-manual comment line indentation.
@item ^-c3^/COMMENTS_LAYOUT=GNAT_BEGINNING^
GNAT-style comment beginning
@item ^-c4^/COMMENTS_LAYOUT=REFORMAT^
Reformat comment blocks
@cindex @option{^-l@var{n}^/CONSTRUCT_LAYOUT^} (@command{gnatpp})
@item ^-l1^/CONSTRUCT_LAYOUT=GNAT^
GNAT-style layout (this is the default)
@item ^-l2^/CONSTRUCT_LAYOUT=COMPACT^
Compact layout
@item ^-l3^/CONSTRUCT_LAYOUT=UNCOMPACT^
Uncompact layout
@item ^-notab^/NOTABS^
All the VT characters are removed from the comment text. All the HT characters
are expanded with the sequences of space characters to get to the next tab
stops.
@end table
@ifclear vms
@noindent
The @option{-c1} and @option{-c2} switches are incompatible.
The @option{-c3} and @option{-c4} switches are compatible with each other and
also with @option{-c1} and @option{-c2}. The @option{-c0} switch disables all
the other comment formatting switches.
The @option{-l1}, @option{-l2}, and @option{-l3} switches are incompatible.
@end ifclear
@ifset vms
@noindent
For the @option{/COMMENTS_LAYOUT} qualifier:
@itemize @bullet
@item
The @option{DEFAULT} and @option{STANDARD_INDENT} options are incompatible.
@item
The @option{GNAT_BEGINNING} and @option{REFORMAT} options are compatible with
each other and also with @option{DEFAULT} and @option{STANDARD_INDENT}.
@end itemize
@noindent
The @option{GNAT}, @option{COMPACT}, and @option{UNCOMPACT} options for the
@option{/CONSTRUCT_LAYOUT} qualifier are incompatible.
@end ifset
@node General Text Layout Control
@subsection General Text Layout Control
@noindent
These switches allow control over line length and indentation.
@table @option
@item ^-M@i{nnn}^/LINE_LENGTH_MAX=@i{nnn}^
@cindex @option{^-M^/LINE_LENGTH^} (@command{gnatpp})
Maximum line length, @i{nnn} from 32 ..256, the default value is 79
@item ^-i@i{nnn}^/INDENTATION_LEVEL=@i{nnn}^
@cindex @option{^-i^/INDENTATION_LEVEL^} (@command{gnatpp})
Indentation level, @i{nnn} from 1 .. 9, the default value is 3
@item ^-cl@i{nnn}^/CONTINUATION_INDENT=@i{nnn}^
@cindex @option{^-cl^/CONTINUATION_INDENT^} (@command{gnatpp})
Indentation level for continuation lines (relative to the line being
continued), @i{nnn} from 1 .. 9.
The default
value is one less then the (normal) indentation level, unless the
indentation is set to 1 (in which case the default value for continuation
line indentation is also 1)
@end table
@node Other Formatting Options
@subsection Other Formatting Options
@noindent
These switches control the inclusion of missing end/exit labels, and
the indentation level in @b{case} statements.
@table @option
@item ^-e^/NO_MISSED_LABELS^
@cindex @option{^-e^/NO_MISSED_LABELS^} (@command{gnatpp})
Do not insert missing end/exit labels. An end label is the name of
a construct that may optionally be repeated at the end of the
construct's declaration;
e.g., the names of packages, subprograms, and tasks.
An exit label is the name of a loop that may appear as target
of an exit statement within the loop.
By default, @command{gnatpp} inserts these end/exit labels when
they are absent from the original source. This option suppresses such
insertion, so that the formatted source reflects the original.
@item ^-ff^/FORM_FEED_AFTER_PRAGMA_PAGE^
@cindex @option{^-ff^/FORM_FEED_AFTER_PRAGMA_PAGE^} (@command{gnatpp})
Insert a Form Feed character after a pragma Page.
@item ^-T@i{nnn}^/MAX_INDENT=@i{nnn}^
@cindex @option{^-T^/MAX_INDENT^} (@command{gnatpp})
Do not use an additional indentation level for @b{case} alternatives
and variants if there are @i{nnn} or more (the default
value is 10).
If @i{nnn} is 0, an additional indentation level is
used for @b{case} alternatives and variants regardless of their number.
@end table
@node Setting the Source Search Path
@subsection Setting the Source Search Path
@noindent
To define the search path for the input source file, @command{gnatpp}
uses the same switches as the GNAT compiler, with the same effects.
@table @option
@item ^-I^/SEARCH=^@var{dir}
@cindex @option{^-I^/SEARCH^} (@code{gnatpp})
The same as the corresponding gcc switch
@item ^-I-^/NOCURRENT_DIRECTORY^
@cindex @option{^-I-^/NOCURRENT_DIRECTORY^} (@code{gnatpp})
The same as the corresponding gcc switch
@item ^-gnatec^/CONFIGURATION_PRAGMAS_FILE^=@var{path}
@cindex @option{^-gnatec^/CONFIGURATION_PRAGMAS_FILE^} (@code{gnatpp})
The same as the corresponding gcc switch
@item ^--RTS^/RUNTIME_SYSTEM^=@var{path}
@cindex @option{^--RTS^/RUNTIME_SYSTEM^} (@code{gnatpp})
The same as the corresponding gcc switch
@end table
@node Output File Control
@subsection Output File Control
@noindent
By default the output is sent to the file whose name is obtained by appending
the ^@file{.pp}^@file{$PP}^ suffix to the name of the input file
(if the file with this name already exists, it is unconditionally overwritten).
Thus if the input file is @file{^my_ada_proc.adb^MY_ADA_PROC.ADB^} then
@command{gnatpp} will produce @file{^my_ada_proc.adb.pp^MY_ADA_PROC.ADB$PP^}
as output file.
The output may be redirected by the following switches:
@table @option
@item ^-pipe^/STANDARD_OUTPUT^
@cindex @option{^-pipe^/STANDARD_OUTPUT^} (@code{gnatpp})
Send the output to @code{Standard_Output}
@item ^-o @var{output_file}^/OUTPUT=@var{output_file}^
@cindex @option{^-o^/OUTPUT^} (@code{gnatpp})
Write the output into @var{output_file}.
If @var{output_file} already exists, @command{gnatpp} terminates without
reading or processing the input file.
@item ^-of ^/FORCED_OUTPUT=^@var{output_file}
@cindex @option{^-of^/FORCED_OUTPUT^} (@code{gnatpp})
Write the output into @var{output_file}, overwriting the existing file
(if one is present).
@item ^-r^/REPLACE^
@cindex @option{^-r^/REPLACE^} (@code{gnatpp})
Replace the input source file with the reformatted output, and copy the
original input source into the file whose name is obtained by appending the
^@file{.npp}^@file{$NPP}^ suffix to the name of the input file.
If a file with this name already exists, @command{gnatpp} terminates without
reading or processing the input file.
@item ^-rf^/OVERRIDING_REPLACE^
@cindex @option{^-rf^/OVERRIDING_REPLACE^} (@code{gnatpp})
Like @option{^-r^/REPLACE^} except that if the file with the specified name
already exists, it is overwritten.
@item ^-rnb^/NO_BACKUP^
@cindex @option{^-rnb^/NO_BACKUP^} (@code{gnatpp})
Replace the input source file with the reformatted output without
creating any backup copy of the input source.
@end table
@noindent
Options @option{^-pipe^/STANDARD_OUTPUT^},
@option{^-o^/OUTPUT^} and
@option{^-of^/FORCED_OUTPUT^} are allowed only if the call to gnatpp
contains only one file to reformat
@node Other gnatpp Switches
@subsection Other @code{gnatpp} Switches
@noindent
The additional @command{gnatpp} switches are defined in this subsection.
@table @option
@item ^-files @var{filename}^/FILES=@var{output_file}^
@cindex @option{^-files^/FILES^} (@code{gnatpp})
Take the argument source files from the specified file. This file should be an
ordinary textual file containing file names separated by spaces or
line breaks. You can use this switch more then once in the same call to
@command{gnatpp}. You also can combine this switch with explicit list of
files.
@item ^-v^/VERBOSE^
@cindex @option{^-v^/VERBOSE^} (@code{gnatpp})
Verbose mode;
@command{gnatpp} generates version information and then
a trace of the actions it takes to produce or obtain the ASIS tree.
@item ^-w^/WARNINGS^
@cindex @option{^-w^/WARNINGS^} (@code{gnatpp})
Warning mode;
@command{gnatpp} generates a warning whenever it can not provide
a required layout in the result source.
@end table
@node Formatting Rules
@section Formatting Rules
@noindent
The following subsections show how @command{gnatpp} treats ``white space'',
comments, program layout, and name casing.
They provide the detailed descriptions of the switches shown above.
@menu
* White Space and Empty Lines::
* Formatting Comments::
* Construct Layout::
* Name Casing::
@end menu
@node White Space and Empty Lines
@subsection White Space and Empty Lines
@noindent
@command{gnatpp} does not have an option to control space characters.
It will add or remove spaces according to the style illustrated by the
examples in the @cite{Ada Reference Manual}.
The only format effectors
(see @cite{Ada Reference Manual}, paragraph 2.1(13))
that will appear in the output file are platform-specific line breaks,
and also format effectors within (but not at the end of) comments.
In particular, each horizontal tab character that is not inside
a comment will be treated as a space and thus will appear in the
output file as zero or more spaces depending on
the reformatting of the line in which it appears.
The only exception is a Form Feed character, which is inserted after a
pragma @code{Page} when @option{-ff} is set.
The output file will contain no lines with trailing ``white space'' (spaces,
format effectors).
Empty lines in the original source are preserved
only if they separate declarations or statements.
In such contexts, a
sequence of two or more empty lines is replaced by exactly one empty line.
Note that a blank line will be removed if it separates two ``comment blocks''
(a comment block is a sequence of whole-line comments).
In order to preserve a visual separation between comment blocks, use an
``empty comment'' (a line comprising only hyphens) rather than an empty line.
Likewise, if for some reason you wish to have a sequence of empty lines,
use a sequence of empty comments instead.
@node Formatting Comments
@subsection Formatting Comments
@noindent
Comments in Ada code are of two kinds:
@itemize @bullet
@item
a @emph{whole-line comment}, which appears by itself (possibly preceded by
``white space'') on a line
@item
an @emph{end-of-line comment}, which follows some other Ada lexical element
on the same line.
@end itemize
@noindent
The indentation of a whole-line comment is that of either
the preceding or following line in
the formatted source, depending on switch settings as will be described below.
For an end-of-line comment, @command{gnatpp} leaves the same number of spaces
between the end of the preceding Ada lexical element and the beginning
of the comment as appear in the original source,
unless either the comment has to be split to
satisfy the line length limitation, or else the next line contains a
whole line comment that is considered a continuation of this end-of-line
comment (because it starts at the same position).
In the latter two
cases, the start of the end-of-line comment is moved right to the nearest
multiple of the indentation level.
This may result in a ``line overflow'' (the right-shifted comment extending
beyond the maximum line length), in which case the comment is split as
described below.
There is a difference between @option{^-c1^/COMMENTS_LAYOUT=DEFAULT^}
(GNAT-style comment line indentation)
and @option{^-c2^/COMMENTS_LAYOUT=STANDARD_INDENT^}
(reference-manual comment line indentation).
With reference-manual style, a whole-line comment is indented as if it
were a declaration or statement at the same place
(i.e., according to the indentation of the preceding line(s)).
With GNAT style, a whole-line comment that is immediately followed by an
@b{if} or @b{case} statement alternative, a record variant, or the reserved
word @b{begin}, is indented based on the construct that follows it.
For example:
@smallexample @c ada
@cartouche
if A then
null;
-- some comment
else
null;
end if;
@end cartouche
@end smallexample
@noindent
Reference-manual indentation produces:
@smallexample @c ada
@cartouche
if A then
null;
-- some comment
else
null;
end if;
@end cartouche
@end smallexample
@noindent
while GNAT-style indentation produces:
@smallexample @c ada
@cartouche
if A then
null;
-- some comment
else
null;
end if;
@end cartouche
@end smallexample
@noindent
The @option{^-c3^/COMMENTS_LAYOUT=GNAT_BEGINNING^} switch
(GNAT style comment beginning) has the following
effect:
@itemize @bullet
@item
For each whole-line comment that does not end with two hyphens,
@command{gnatpp} inserts spaces if necessary after the starting two hyphens
to ensure that there are at least two spaces between these hyphens and the
first non-blank character of the comment.
@end itemize
@noindent
For an end-of-line comment, if in the original source the next line is a
whole-line comment that starts at the same position
as the end-of-line comment,
then the whole-line comment (and all whole-line comments
that follow it and that start at the same position)
will start at this position in the output file.
@noindent
That is, if in the original source we have:
@smallexample @c ada
@cartouche
begin
A := B + C; -- B must be in the range Low1..High1
-- C must be in the range Low2..High2
--B+C will be in the range Low1+Low2..High1+High2
X := X + 1;
@end cartouche
@end smallexample
@noindent
Then in the formatted source we get
@smallexample @c ada
@cartouche
begin
A := B + C; -- B must be in the range Low1..High1
-- C must be in the range Low2..High2
-- B+C will be in the range Low1+Low2..High1+High2
X := X + 1;
@end cartouche
@end smallexample
@noindent
A comment that exceeds the line length limit will be split.
Unless switch
@option{^-c4^/COMMENTS_LAYOUT=REFORMAT^} (reformat comment blocks) is set and
the line belongs to a reformattable block, splitting the line generates a
@command{gnatpp} warning.
The @option{^-c4^/COMMENTS_LAYOUT=REFORMAT^} switch specifies that whole-line
comments may be reformatted in typical
word processor style (that is, moving words between lines and putting as
many words in a line as possible).
@node Construct Layout
@subsection Construct Layout
@noindent
In several cases the suggested layout in the Ada Reference Manual includes
an extra level of indentation that many programmers prefer to avoid. The
affected cases include:
@itemize @bullet
@item Record type declaration (RM 3.8)
@item Record representation clause (RM 13.5.1)
@item Loop statement in case if a loop has a statement identifier (RM 5.6)
@item Block statement in case if a block has a statement identifier (RM 5.6)
@end itemize
@noindent
In compact mode (when GNAT style layout or compact layout is set),
the pretty printer uses one level of indentation instead
of two. This is achived in the record definition and record representation
clause cases by putting the @code{record} keyword on the same line as the
start of the declaration or representation clause, and in the block and loop
case by putting the block or loop header on the same line as the statement
identifier.
@noindent
The difference between GNAT style @option{^-l1^/CONSTRUCT_LAYOUT=GNAT^}
and compact @option{^-l2^/CONSTRUCT_LAYOUT=COMPACT^}
layout on the one hand, and uncompact layout
@option{^-l3^/CONSTRUCT_LAYOUT=UNCOMPACT^} on the other hand,
can be illustrated by the following examples:
@iftex
@cartouche
@multitable @columnfractions .5 .5
@item @i{GNAT style, compact layout} @tab @i{Uncompact layout}
@item
@smallexample @c ada
type q is record
a : integer;
b : integer;
end record;
@end smallexample
@tab
@smallexample @c ada
type q is
record
a : integer;
b : integer;
end record;
@end smallexample
@item
@smallexample @c ada
for q use record
a at 0 range 0 .. 31;
b at 4 range 0 .. 31;
end record;
@end smallexample
@tab
@smallexample @c ada
for q use
record
a at 0 range 0 .. 31;
b at 4 range 0 .. 31;
end record;
@end smallexample
@item
@smallexample @c ada
Block : declare
A : Integer := 3;
begin
Proc (A, A);
end Block;
@end smallexample
@tab
@smallexample @c ada
Block :
declare
A : Integer := 3;
begin
Proc (A, A);
end Block;
@end smallexample
@item
@smallexample @c ada
Clear : for J in 1 .. 10 loop
A (J) := 0;
end loop Clear;
@end smallexample
@tab
@smallexample @c ada
Clear :
for J in 1 .. 10 loop
A (J) := 0;
end loop Clear;
@end smallexample
@end multitable
@end cartouche
@end iftex
@ifnottex
@smallexample
@cartouche
GNAT style, compact layout Uncompact layout
type q is record type q is
a : integer; record
b : integer; a : integer;
end record; b : integer;
end record;
for q use record for q use
a at 0 range 0 .. 31; record
b at 4 range 0 .. 31; a at 0 range 0 .. 31;
end record; b at 4 range 0 .. 31;
end record;
Block : declare Block :
A : Integer := 3; declare
begin A : Integer := 3;
Proc (A, A); begin
end Block; Proc (A, A);
end Block;
Clear : for J in 1 .. 10 loop Clear :
A (J) := 0; for J in 1 .. 10 loop
end loop Clear; A (J) := 0;
end loop Clear;
@end cartouche
@end smallexample
@end ifnottex
@noindent
A further difference between GNAT style layout and compact layout is that
GNAT style layout inserts empty lines as separation for
compound statements, return statements and bodies.
@node Name Casing
@subsection Name Casing
@noindent
@command{gnatpp} always converts the usage occurrence of a (simple) name to
the same casing as the corresponding defining identifier.
You control the casing for defining occurrences via the
@option{^-n^/NAME_CASING^} switch.
@ifclear vms
With @option{-nD} (``as declared'', which is the default),
@end ifclear
@ifset vms
With @option{/NAME_CASING=AS_DECLARED}, which is the default,
@end ifset
defining occurrences appear exactly as in the source file
where they are declared.
The other ^values for this switch^options for this qualifier^ ---
@option{^-nU^UPPER_CASE^},
@option{^-nL^LOWER_CASE^},
@option{^-nM^MIXED_CASE^} ---
result in
^upper, lower, or mixed case, respectively^the corresponding casing^.
If @command{gnatpp} changes the casing of a defining
occurrence, it analogously changes the casing of all the
usage occurrences of this name.
If the defining occurrence of a name is not in the source compilation unit
currently being processed by @command{gnatpp}, the casing of each reference to
this name is changed according to the value of the @option{^-n^/NAME_CASING^}
switch (subject to the dictionary file mechanism described below).
Thus @command{gnatpp} acts as though the @option{^-n^/NAME_CASING^} switch
had affected the
casing for the defining occurrence of the name.
Some names may need to be spelled with casing conventions that are not
covered by the upper-, lower-, and mixed-case transformations.
You can arrange correct casing by placing such names in a
@emph{dictionary file},
and then supplying a @option{^-D^/DICTIONARY^} switch.
The casing of names from dictionary files overrides
any @option{^-n^/NAME_CASING^} switch.
To handle the casing of Ada predefined names and the names from GNAT libraries,
@command{gnatpp} assumes a default dictionary file.
The name of each predefined entity is spelled with the same casing as is used
for the entity in the @cite{Ada Reference Manual}.
The name of each entity in the GNAT libraries is spelled with the same casing
as is used in the declaration of that entity.
The @w{@option{^-D-^/SPECIFIC_CASING^}} switch suppresses the use of the
default dictionary file.
Instead, the casing for predefined and GNAT-defined names will be established
by the @option{^-n^/NAME_CASING^} switch or explicit dictionary files.
For example, by default the names @code{Ada.Text_IO} and @code{GNAT.OS_Lib}
will appear as just shown,
even in the presence of a @option{^-nU^/NAME_CASING=UPPER_CASE^} switch.
To ensure that even such names are rendered in uppercase,
additionally supply the @w{@option{^-D-^/SPECIFIC_CASING^}} switch
(or else, less conveniently, place these names in upper case in a dictionary
file).
A dictionary file is
a plain text file; each line in this file can be either a blank line
(containing only space characters and ASCII.HT characters), an Ada comment
line, or the specification of exactly one @emph{casing schema}.
A casing schema is a string that has the following syntax:
@smallexample
@cartouche
@var{casing_schema} ::= @var{identifier} | [*]@var{simple_identifier}[*]
@var{simple_identifier} ::= @var{letter}@{@var{letter_or_digit}@}
@end cartouche
@end smallexample
@noindent
(The @code{[]} metanotation stands for an optional part;
see @cite{Ada Reference Manual}, Section 2.3) for the definition of the
@var{identifier} lexical element and the @var{letter_or_digit} category).
The casing schema string can be followed by white space and/or an Ada-style
comment; any amount of white space is allowed before the string.
If a dictionary file is passed as
@ifclear vms
the value of a @option{-D@var{file}} switch
@end ifclear
@ifset vms
an option to the @option{/DICTIONARY} qualifier
@end ifset
then for every
simple name and every identifier, @command{gnatpp} checks if the dictionary
defines the casing for the name or for some of its parts (the term ``subword''
is used below to denote the part of a name which is delimited by ``_'' or by
the beginning or end of the word and which does not contain any ``_'' inside):
@itemize @bullet
@item
if the whole name is in the dictionary, @command{gnatpp} uses for this name
the casing defined by the dictionary; no subwords are checked for this word
@item
for the first subword (that is, for the subword preceding the leftmost
``_''), @command{gnatpp} checks if the dictionary contains the corresponding
string of the form @code{@var{simple_identifier}*}, and if it does, the
casing of this @var{simple_identifier} is used for this subword
@item
for the last subword (following the rightmost ``_'') @command{gnatpp}
checks if the dictionary contains the corresponding string of the form
@code{*@var{simple_identifier}}, and if it does, the casing of this
@var{simple_identifier} is used for this subword
@item
for every intermediate subword (surrounded by two'_') @command{gnatpp} checks
if the dictionary contains the corresponding string of the form
@code{*@var{simple_identifier}*}, and if it does, the casing of this
simple_identifier is used for this subword
@item
if more than one dictionary file is passed as @command{gnatpp} switches, each
dictionary adds new casing exceptions and overrides all the existing casing
exceptions set by the previous dictionaries
@item
when @command{gnatpp} checks if the word or subword is in the dictionary,
this check is not case sensitive
@end itemize
@noindent
For example, suppose we have the following source to reformat:
@smallexample @c ada
@cartouche
procedure test is
name1 : integer := 1;
name4_name3_name2 : integer := 2;
name2_name3_name4 : Boolean;
name1_var : Float;
begin
name2_name3_name4 := name4_name3_name2 > name1;
end;
@end cartouche
@end smallexample
@noindent
And suppose we have two dictionaries:
@smallexample
@cartouche
@i{dict1:}
NAME1
*NaMe3*
*NAME2
@end cartouche
@cartouche
@i{dict2:}
*NAME3*
@end cartouche
@end smallexample
@noindent
If @command{gnatpp} is called with the following switches:
@smallexample
@ifclear vms
@command{gnatpp -nM -D dict1 -D dict2 test.adb}
@end ifclear
@ifset vms
@command{gnatpp test.adb /NAME_CASING=MIXED_CASE /DICTIONARY=(dict1, dict2)}
@end ifset
@end smallexample
@noindent
then we will get the following name casing in the @command{gnatpp} output:
@smallexample @c ada
@cartouche
procedure Test is
NAME1 : Integer := 1;
Name4_NAME3_NAME2 : integer := 2;
Name2_NAME3_Name4 : Boolean;
Name1_Var : Float;
begin
Name2_NAME3_Name4 := Name4_NAME3_NAME2 > NAME1;
end Test;
@end cartouche
@end smallexample
@c *********************************
@node The GNAT Metric Tool gnatmetric
@chapter The GNAT Metric Tool @command{gnatmetric}
@findex gnatmetric
@cindex Metric tool
@noindent
^The @command{gnatmetric} tool^@command{GNAT METRIC}^ is an ASIS-based utility
for computing various program metrics.
It takes an Ada source file as input and generates a file containing the
metrics data as output. Various switches control which
metrics are computed and output.
@command{gnatmetric} generates and uses the ASIS
tree for the input source and thus requires the input to be syntactically and
semantically legal.
If this condition is not met, @command{gnatmetric} will generate
an error message; no metric information for this file will be
computed and reported.
If the compilation unit contained in the input source depends semantically
upon units in files located outside the current directory, you have to provide
the source search path when invoking @command{gnatmetric}.
If it depends semantically upon units that are contained
in files with names that do not follow the GNAT file naming rules, you have to
provide the configuration file describing the corresponding naming scheme; see
the description of the @command{gnatmetric} switches below.
Alternatively, you may use a project file and invoke @command{gnatmetric}
through the @command{gnat} driver.
The @command{gnatmetric} command has the form
@smallexample
$ gnatmetric [@i{switches}] @{@i{filename}@} [@i{-cargs gcc_switches}]
@end smallexample
@noindent
where
@itemize @bullet
@item
@i{switches} specify the metrics to compute and define the destination for
the output
@item
Each @i{filename} is the name (including the extension) of a source
file to process. ``Wildcards'' are allowed, and
the file name may contain path information.
If no @i{filename} is supplied, then the @i{switches} list must contain
at least one
@option{-files} switch (@pxref{Other gnatmetric Switches}).
Including both a @option{-files} switch and one or more
@i{filename} arguments is permitted.
@item
@i{-cargs gcc_switches} is a list of switches for
@command{gcc}. They will be passed on to all compiler invocations made by
@command{gnatmetric} to generate the ASIS trees. Here you can provide
@option{^-I^/INCLUDE_DIRS=^} switches to form the source search path,
and use the @option{-gnatec} switch to set the configuration file.
@end itemize
@menu
* Switches for gnatmetric::
@end menu
@node Switches for gnatmetric
@section Switches for @command{gnatmetric}
@noindent
The following subsections describe the various switches accepted by
@command{gnatmetric}, organized by category.
@menu
* Output Files Control::
* Disable Metrics For Local Units::
* Line Metrics Control::
* Syntax Metrics Control::
* Complexity Metrics Control::
* Other gnatmetric Switches::
@end menu
@node Output Files Control
@subsection Output File Control
@cindex Output file control in @command{gnatmetric}
@noindent
@command{gnatmetric} has two output formats. It can generate a
textual (human-readable) form, and also XML. By default only textual
output is generated.
When generating the output in textual form, @command{gnatmetric} creates
for each Ada source file a corresponding text file
containing the computed metrics. By default, this file
is placed in the same directory as where the source file is located, and
its name is obtained
by appending the ^@file{.metrix}^@file{$METRIX}^ suffix to the name of the
input file.
All the output information generated in XML format is placed in a single
file. By default this file is placed in the current directory and has the
name ^@file{metrix.xml}^@file{METRIX$XML}^.
Some of the computed metrics are summed over the units passed to
@command{gnatmetric}; for example, the total number of lines of code.
By default this information is sent to @file{stdout}, but a file
can be specified with the @option{-og} switch.
The following switches control the @command{gnatmetric} output:
@table @option
@cindex @option{^-x^/XML^} (@command{gnatmetric})
@item ^-x^/XML^
Generate the XML output
@cindex @option{^-nt^/NO_TEXT^} (@command{gnatmetric})
@item ^-nt^/NO_TEXT^
Do not generate the output in text form (implies @option{^-x^/XML^})
@cindex @option{^-d^/DIRECTORY^} (@command{gnatmetric})
@item ^-d @var{output_dir}^/DIRECTORY=@var{output_dir}^
Put textual files with detailed metrics into @var{output_dir}
@cindex @option{^-o^/SUFFIX_DETAILS^} (@command{gnatmetric})
@item ^-o @var{file_suffix}^/SUFFIX_DETAILS=@var{file_suffix}^
Use @var{file_suffix}, instead of ^@file{.metrix}^@file{$METRIX}^
in the name of the output file.
@cindex @option{^-og^/GLOBAL_OUTPUT^} (@command{gnatmetric})
@item ^-og @var{file_name}^/GLOBAL_OUTPUT=@var{file_name}^
Put global metrics into @var{file_name}
@cindex @option{^-ox^/XML_OUTPUT^} (@command{gnatmetric})
@item ^-ox @var{file_name}^/XML_OUTPUT=@var{file_name}^
Put the XML output into @var{file_name} (also implies @option{^-x^/XML^})
@cindex @option{^-sfn^/SHORT_SOURCE_FILE_NAME^} (@command{gnatmetric})
@item ^-sfn^/SHORT_SOURCE_FILE_NAME^
Use ``short'' source file names in the output. (The @command{gnatmetric}
output includes the name(s) of the Ada source file(s) from which the metrics
are computed. By default each name includes the absolute path. The
@option{^-sfn^/SHORT_SOURCE_FILE_NAME^} switch causes @command{gnatmetric}
to exclude all directory information from the file names that are output.)
@end table
@node Disable Metrics For Local Units
@subsection Disable Metrics For Local Units
@cindex Disable Metrics For Local Units in @command{gnatmetric}
@noindent
@command{gnatmetric} relies on the GNAT compilation model @minus{}
one compilation
unit per one source file. It computes line metrics for the whole source
file, and it also computes syntax
and complexity metrics for the file's outermost unit.
By default, @command{gnatmetric} will also compute all metrics for certain
kinds of locally declared program units:
@itemize @bullet
@item
subprogram (and generic subprogram) bodies;
@item
package (and generic package) specifications and bodies;
@item
task object and type specifications and bodies;
@item
protected object and type specifications and bodies.
@end itemize
@noindent
These kinds of entities will be referred to as
@emph{eligible local program units}, or simply @emph{eligible local units},
@cindex Eligible local unit (for @command{gnatmetric})
in the discussion below.
Note that a subprogram declaration, generic instantiation,
or renaming declaration only receives metrics
computation when it appear as the outermost entity
in a source file.
Suppression of metrics computation for eligible local units can be
obtained via the following switch:
@table @option
@cindex @option{^-n@var{x}^/SUPPRESS^} (@command{gnatmetric})
@item ^-nolocal^/SUPPRESS=LOCAL_DETAILS^
Do not compute detailed metrics for eligible local program units
@end table
@node Line Metrics Control
@subsection Line Metrics Control
@cindex Line metrics control in @command{gnatmetric}
@noindent
For any (legal) source file, and for each of its
eligible local program units, @command{gnatmetric} computes the following
metrics:
@itemize @bullet
@item
the total number of lines;
@item
the total number of code lines (i.e., non-blank lines that are not comments)
@item
the number of comment lines
@item
the number of code lines containing end-of-line comments;
@item
the number of empty lines and lines containing only space characters and/or
format effectors (blank lines)
@end itemize
If @command{gnatmetric} is invoked on more than one source file, it sums the
values of the line metrics for all the files being processed and then
generates the cumulative results.
By default, all the line metrics are computed and reported. You can use the
following switches to select the specific line metrics to be computed and
reported (if any of these parameters is set, only explicitly specified line
metrics are computed).
@table @option
@cindex @option{^-la^/LINES_ALL^} (@command{gnatmetric})
@item ^-la^/LINES_ALL^
The number of all lines
@cindex @option{^-lcode^/CODE_LINES^} (@command{gnatmetric})
@item ^-lcode^/CODE_LINES^
The number of code lines
@cindex @option{^-lcomm^/COMENT_LINES^} (@command{gnatmetric})
@item ^-lcomm^/COMENT_LINES^
The number of comment lines
@cindex @option{^-leol^/MIXED_CODE_COMMENTS^} (@command{gnatmetric})
@item ^-leol^/MIXED_CODE_COMMENTS^
The number of code lines containing
end-of-line comments
@cindex @option{^-lb^/BLANK_LINES^} (@command{gnatmetric})
@item ^-lb^/BLANK_LINES^
The number of blank lines
@end table
@node Syntax Metrics Control
@subsection Syntax Metrics Control
@cindex Syntax metrics control in @command{gnatmetric}
@noindent
@command{gnatmetric} computes various syntactic metrics for the
outermost unit and for each eligible local unit:
@table @emph
@item LSLOC (``Logical Source Lines Of Code'')
The total number of declarations and the total number of statements
@item Maximal static nesting level of inner program units
According to
@cite{Ada 95 Language Reference Manual}, 10.1(1), ``A program unit is either a
package, a task unit, a protected unit, a
protected entry, a generic unit, or an explicitly declared subprogram other
than an enumeration literal.''
@item Maximal nesting level of composite syntactic constructs
This corresponds to the notion of the
maximum nesting level in the GNAT built-in style checks
(@pxref{Style Checking})
@end table
@noindent
For the outermost unit in the file, @command{gnatmetric} additionally computes
the following metrics:
@table @emph
@item Public subprograms
This metric is computed for package specifications. It is the
number of subprograms and generic subprograms declared in the visible
part (including in nested packages, protected objects, and
protected types).
@item All subprograms
This metric is computed for bodies and subunits. The
metric is equal to a total number of subprogram bodies in the compilation
unit.
Neither generic instantiations nor renamings-as-a-body nor body stubs
are counted. Any subprogram body is counted, independently of its nesting
level and enclosing constructs. Generic bodies and bodies of protected
subprograms are counted in the same way as ``usual'' subprogram bodies.
@item Public types
This metric is computed for package specifications and
generic package declarations. It is the total number of types
that can be referenced from outside this compilation unit, plus the
number of types from all the visible parts of all the visible generic packages.
Generic formal types are not counted. Only types, not subtypes,
are included.
@noindent
Along with the total number of public types, the following
types are counted and reported separately:
@itemize @bullet
@item
Abstract types
@item
Root tagged types (abstract, non-abstract, private, non-private). Type
extensions are @emph{not} counted
@item
Private types (including private extensions)
@item
Task types
@item
Protected types
@end itemize
@item All types
This metric is computed for any compilation unit. It is equal to the total
number of the declarations of different types given in the compilation unit.
The private and the corresponding full type declaration are counted as one
type declaration. Incomplete type declarations and generic formal types
are not counted.
No distinction is made among different kinds of types (abstract,
private etc.); the total number of types is computed and reported.
@end table
@noindent
By default, all the syntax metrics are computed and reported. You can use the
following switches to select specific syntax metrics;
if any of these is set, only the explicitly specified metrics are computed.
@table @option
@cindex @option{^-ed^/DECLARATION_TOTAL^} (@command{gnatmetric})
@item ^-ed^/DECLARATION_TOTAL^
The total number of declarations
@cindex @option{^-es^/STATEMENT_TOTAL^} (@command{gnatmetric})
@item ^-es^/STATEMENT_TOTAL^
The total number of statements
@cindex @option{^-eps^/^} (@command{gnatmetric})
@item ^-eps^/INT_SUBPROGRAMS^
The number of public subprograms in a compilation unit
@cindex @option{^-eas^/SUBPROGRAMS_ALL^} (@command{gnatmetric})
@item ^-eas^/SUBPROGRAMS_ALL^
The number of all the subprograms in a compilation unit
@cindex @option{^-ept^/INT_TYPES^} (@command{gnatmetric})
@item ^-ept^/INT_TYPES^
The number of public types in a compilation unit
@cindex @option{^-eat^/TYPES_ALL^} (@command{gnatmetric})
@item ^-eat^/TYPES_ALL^
The number of all the types in a compilation unit
@cindex @option{^-enu^/PROGRAM_NESTING_MAX^} (@command{gnatmetric})
@item ^-enu^/PROGRAM_NESTING_MAX^
The maximal program unit nesting level
@cindex @option{^-ec^/CONSTRUCT_NESTING_MAX^} (@command{gnatmetric})
@item ^-ec^/CONSTRUCT_NESTING_MAX^
The maximal construct nesting level
@end table
@node Complexity Metrics Control
@subsection Complexity Metrics Control
@cindex Complexity metrics control in @command{gnatmetric}
@noindent
For a program unit that is an executable body (a subprogram body (including
generic bodies), task body, entry body or a package body containing
its own statement sequence ) @command{gnatmetric} computes the following
complexity metrics:
@itemize @bullet
@item
McCabe cyclomatic complexity;
@item
McCabe essential complexity;
@item
maximal loop nesting level
@end itemize
@noindent
The McCabe complexity metrics are defined
in @url{www.mccabe.com/pdf/nist235r.pdf}
According to McCabe, both control statements and short-circuit control forms
should be taken into account when computing cyclomatic complexity. For each
body, we compute three metric values:
@itemize @bullet
@item
the complexity introduced by control
statements only, without taking into account short-circuit forms,
@item
the complexity introduced by short-circuit control forms only, and
@item
the total
cyclomatic complexity, which is the sum of these two values.
@end itemize
@noindent
When computing cyclomatic and essential complexity, @command{gnatmetric} skips
the code in the exception handlers and in all the nested program units.
By default, all the complexity metrics are computed and reported.
For more finely-grained control you can use
the following switches:
@table @option
@cindex @option{^-n@var{x}^/SUPPRESS^} (@command{gnatmetric})
@item ^-nocc^/SUPPRESS=CYCLOMATIC_COMPLEXITY^
Do not compute the McCabe Cyclomatic Complexity
@item ^-noec^/SUPPRESS=ESSENTIAL_COMPLEXITY^
Do not compute the Essential Complexity
@item ^-nonl^/SUPPRESS=MAXIMAL_LOOP_NESTING^
Do not compute maximal loop nesting level
@item ^-ne^/SUPPRESS=EXITS_AS_GOTOS^
Do not consider @code{exit} statements as @code{goto}s when
computing Essential Complexity
@end table
@node Other gnatmetric Switches
@subsection Other @code{gnatmetric} Switches
@noindent
Additional @command{gnatmetric} switches are as follows:
@table @option
@item ^-files @var{filename}^/FILES=@var{filename}^
@cindex @option{^-files^/FILES^} (@code{gnatmetric})
Take the argument source files from the specified file. This file should be an
ordinary textual file containing file names separated by spaces or
line breaks. You can use this switch more then once in the same call to
@command{gnatmetric}. You also can combine this switch with
an explicit list of files.
@item ^-v^/VERBOSE^
@cindex @option{^-v^/VERBOSE^} (@code{gnatmetric})
Verbose mode;
@command{gnatmetric} generates version information and then
a trace of sources being procesed.
@item ^-dv^/DEBUG_OUTPUT^
@cindex @option{^-dv^/DEBUG_OUTPUT^} (@code{gnatmetric})
Debug mode;
@command{gnatmetric} generates various messages useful to understand what
happens during the metrics computation
@item ^-q^/QUIET^
@cindex @option{^-q^/QUIET^} (@code{gnatmetric})
Quiet mode.
@end table
@c ***********************************
@node File Name Krunching Using gnatkr
@chapter File Name Krunching Using @code{gnatkr}
@findex gnatkr
@noindent
This chapter discusses the method used by the compiler to shorten
the default file names chosen for Ada units so that they do not
exceed the maximum length permitted. It also describes the
@code{gnatkr} utility that can be used to determine the result of
applying this shortening.
@menu
* About gnatkr::
* Using gnatkr::
* Krunching Method::
* Examples of gnatkr Usage::
@end menu
@node About gnatkr
@section About @code{gnatkr}
@noindent
The default file naming rule in GNAT
is that the file name must be derived from
the unit name. The exact default rule is as follows:
@itemize @bullet
@item
Take the unit name and replace all dots by hyphens.
@item
If such a replacement occurs in the
second character position of a name, and the first character is
^a, g, s, or i^A, G, S, or I^ then replace the dot by the character
^~ (tilde)^$ (dollar sign)^
instead of a minus.
@end itemize
The reason for this exception is to avoid clashes
with the standard names for children of System, Ada, Interfaces,
and GNAT, which use the prefixes ^s- a- i- and g-^S- A- I- and G-^
respectively.
The @option{^-gnatk^/FILE_NAME_MAX_LENGTH=^@var{nn}}
switch of the compiler activates a ``krunching''
circuit that limits file names to nn characters (where nn is a decimal
integer). For example, using OpenVMS,
where the maximum file name length is
39, the value of nn is usually set to 39, but if you want to generate
a set of files that would be usable if ported to a system with some
different maximum file length, then a different value can be specified.
The default value of 39 for OpenVMS need not be specified.
The @code{gnatkr} utility can be used to determine the krunched name for
a given file, when krunched to a specified maximum length.
@node Using gnatkr
@section Using @code{gnatkr}
@noindent
The @code{gnatkr} command has the form
@ifclear vms
@smallexample
$ gnatkr @var{name} [@var{length}]
@end smallexample
@end ifclear
@ifset vms
@smallexample
$ gnatkr @var{name} /COUNT=nn
@end smallexample
@end ifset
@noindent
@var{name} is the uncrunched file name, derived from the name of the unit
in the standard manner described in the previous section (i.e. in particular
all dots are replaced by hyphens). The file name may or may not have an
extension (defined as a suffix of the form period followed by arbitrary
characters other than period). If an extension is present then it will
be preserved in the output. For example, when krunching @file{hellofile.ads}
to eight characters, the result will be hellofil.ads.
Note: for compatibility with previous versions of @code{gnatkr} dots may
appear in the name instead of hyphens, but the last dot will always be
taken as the start of an extension. So if @code{gnatkr} is given an argument
such as @file{Hello.World.adb} it will be treated exactly as if the first
period had been a hyphen, and for example krunching to eight characters
gives the result @file{hellworl.adb}.
Note that the result is always all lower case (except on OpenVMS where it is
all upper case). Characters of the other case are folded as required.
@var{length} represents the length of the krunched name. The default
when no argument is given is ^8^39^ characters. A length of zero stands for
unlimited, in other words do not chop except for system files where the
impled crunching length is always eight characters.
@noindent
The output is the krunched name. The output has an extension only if the
original argument was a file name with an extension.
@node Krunching Method
@section Krunching Method
@noindent
The initial file name is determined by the name of the unit that the file
contains. The name is formed by taking the full expanded name of the
unit and replacing the separating dots with hyphens and
using ^lowercase^uppercase^
for all letters, except that a hyphen in the second character position is
replaced by a ^tilde^dollar sign^ if the first character is
^a, i, g, or s^A, I, G, or S^.
The extension is @code{.ads} for a
specification and @code{.adb} for a body.
Krunching does not affect the extension, but the file name is shortened to
the specified length by following these rules:
@itemize @bullet
@item
The name is divided into segments separated by hyphens, tildes or
underscores and all hyphens, tildes, and underscores are
eliminated. If this leaves the name short enough, we are done.
@item
If the name is too long, the longest segment is located (left-most
if there are two of equal length), and shortened by dropping
its last character. This is repeated until the name is short enough.
As an example, consider the krunching of @*@file{our-strings-wide_fixed.adb}
to fit the name into 8 characters as required by some operating systems.
@smallexample
our-strings-wide_fixed 22
our strings wide fixed 19
our string wide fixed 18
our strin wide fixed 17
our stri wide fixed 16
our stri wide fixe 15
our str wide fixe 14
our str wid fixe 13
our str wid fix 12
ou str wid fix 11
ou st wid fix 10
ou st wi fix 9
ou st wi fi 8
Final file name: oustwifi.adb
@end smallexample
@item
The file names for all predefined units are always krunched to eight
characters. The krunching of these predefined units uses the following
special prefix replacements:
@table @file
@item ada-
replaced by @file{^a^A^-}
@item gnat-
replaced by @file{^g^G^-}
@item interfaces-
replaced by @file{^i^I^-}
@item system-
replaced by @file{^s^S^-}
@end table
These system files have a hyphen in the second character position. That
is why normal user files replace such a character with a
^tilde^dollar sign^, to
avoid confusion with system file names.
As an example of this special rule, consider
@*@file{ada-strings-wide_fixed.adb}, which gets krunched as follows:
@smallexample
ada-strings-wide_fixed 22
a- strings wide fixed 18
a- string wide fixed 17
a- strin wide fixed 16
a- stri wide fixed 15
a- stri wide fixe 14
a- str wide fixe 13
a- str wid fixe 12
a- str wid fix 11
a- st wid fix 10
a- st wi fix 9
a- st wi fi 8
Final file name: a-stwifi.adb
@end smallexample
@end itemize
Of course no file shortening algorithm can guarantee uniqueness over all
possible unit names, and if file name krunching is used then it is your
responsibility to ensure that no name clashes occur. The utility
program @code{gnatkr} is supplied for conveniently determining the
krunched name of a file.
@node Examples of gnatkr Usage
@section Examples of @code{gnatkr} Usage
@smallexample
@iftex
@leftskip=0cm
@end iftex
@ifclear vms
$ gnatkr very_long_unit_name.ads --> velounna.ads
$ gnatkr grandparent-parent-child.ads --> grparchi.ads
$ gnatkr Grandparent.Parent.Child.ads --> grparchi.ads
$ gnatkr grandparent-parent-child --> grparchi
@end ifclear
$ gnatkr very_long_unit_name.ads/count=6 --> vlunna.ads
$ gnatkr very_long_unit_name.ads/count=0 --> very_long_unit_name.ads
@end smallexample
@node Preprocessing Using gnatprep
@chapter Preprocessing Using @code{gnatprep}
@findex gnatprep
@noindent
The @code{gnatprep} utility provides
a simple preprocessing capability for Ada programs.
It is designed for use with GNAT, but is not dependent on any special
features of GNAT.
@menu
* Using gnatprep::
* Switches for gnatprep::
* Form of Definitions File::
* Form of Input Text for gnatprep::
@end menu
@node Using gnatprep
@section Using @code{gnatprep}
@noindent
To call @code{gnatprep} use
@smallexample
$ gnatprep [-bcrsu] [-Dsymbol=value] infile outfile [deffile]
@end smallexample
@noindent
where
@table @code
@item infile
is the full name of the input file, which is an Ada source
file containing preprocessor directives.
@item outfile
is the full name of the output file, which is an Ada source
in standard Ada form. When used with GNAT, this file name will
normally have an ads or adb suffix.
@item deffile
is the full name of a text file containing definitions of
symbols to be referenced by the preprocessor. This argument is
optional, and can be replaced by the use of the @option{-D} switch.
@item switches
is an optional sequence of switches as described in the next section.
@end table
@node Switches for gnatprep
@section Switches for @code{gnatprep}
@table @option
@c !sort!
@item ^-b^/BLANK_LINES^
@cindex @option{^-b^/BLANK_LINES^} (@command{gnatprep})
Causes both preprocessor lines and the lines deleted by
preprocessing to be replaced by blank lines in the output source file,
preserving line numbers in the output file.
@item ^-c^/COMMENTS^
@cindex @option{^-c^/COMMENTS^} (@command{gnatprep})
Causes both preprocessor lines and the lines deleted
by preprocessing to be retained in the output source as comments marked
with the special string @code{"--! "}. This option will result in line numbers
being preserved in the output file.
@item ^-Dsymbol=value^/ASSOCIATE="symbol=value"^
@cindex @option{^-D^/ASSOCIATE^} (@command{gnatprep})
Defines a new symbol, associated with value. If no value is given on the
command line, then symbol is considered to be @code{True}. This switch
can be used in place of a definition file.
@ifset vms
@item /REMOVE
@cindex @option{/REMOVE} (@command{gnatprep})
This is the default setting which causes lines deleted by preprocessing
to be entirely removed from the output file.
@end ifset
@item ^-r^/REFERENCE^
@cindex @option{^-r^/REFERENCE^} (@command{gnatprep})
Causes a @code{Source_Reference} pragma to be generated that
references the original input file, so that error messages will use
the file name of this original file. The use of this switch implies
that preprocessor lines are not to be removed from the file, so its
use will force @option{^-b^/BLANK_LINES^} mode if
@option{^-c^/COMMENTS^}
has not been specified explicitly.
Note that if the file to be preprocessed contains multiple units, then
it will be necessary to @code{gnatchop} the output file from
@code{gnatprep}. If a @code{Source_Reference} pragma is present
in the preprocessed file, it will be respected by
@code{gnatchop ^-r^/REFERENCE^}
so that the final chopped files will correctly refer to the original
input source file for @code{gnatprep}.
@item ^-s^/SYMBOLS^
@cindex @option{^-s^/SYMBOLS^} (@command{gnatprep})
Causes a sorted list of symbol names and values to be
listed on the standard output file.
@item ^-u^/UNDEFINED^
@cindex @option{^-u^/UNDEFINED^} (@command{gnatprep})
Causes undefined symbols to be treated as having the value FALSE in the context
of a preprocessor test. In the absence of this option, an undefined symbol in
a @code{#if} or @code{#elsif} test will be treated as an error.
@end table
@ifclear vms
@noindent
Note: if neither @option{-b} nor @option{-c} is present,
then preprocessor lines and
deleted lines are completely removed from the output, unless -r is
specified, in which case -b is assumed.
@end ifclear
@node Form of Definitions File
@section Form of Definitions File
@noindent
The definitions file contains lines of the form
@smallexample
symbol := value
@end smallexample
@noindent
where symbol is an identifier, following normal Ada (case-insensitive)
rules for its syntax, and value is one of the following:
@itemize @bullet
@item
Empty, corresponding to a null substitution
@item
A string literal using normal Ada syntax
@item
Any sequence of characters from the set
(letters, digits, period, underline).
@end itemize
@noindent
Comment lines may also appear in the definitions file, starting with
the usual @code{--},
and comments may be added to the definitions lines.
@node Form of Input Text for gnatprep
@section Form of Input Text for @code{gnatprep}
@noindent
The input text may contain preprocessor conditional inclusion lines,
as well as general symbol substitution sequences.
The preprocessor conditional inclusion commands have the form
@smallexample
@group
@cartouche
#if @i{expression} [then]
lines
#elsif @i{expression} [then]
lines
#elsif @i{expression} [then]
lines
...
#else
lines
#end if;
@end cartouche
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
In this example, @i{expression} is defined by the following grammar:
@smallexample
@i{expression} ::= <symbol>
@i{expression} ::= <symbol> = "<value>"
@i{expression} ::= <symbol> = <symbol>
@i{expression} ::= <symbol> 'Defined
@i{expression} ::= not @i{expression}
@i{expression} ::= @i{expression} and @i{expression}
@i{expression} ::= @i{expression} or @i{expression}
@i{expression} ::= @i{expression} and then @i{expression}
@i{expression} ::= @i{expression} or else @i{expression}
@i{expression} ::= ( @i{expression} )
@end smallexample
@noindent
For the first test (@i{expression} ::= <symbol>) the symbol must have
either the value true or false, that is to say the right-hand of the
symbol definition must be one of the (case-insensitive) literals
@code{True} or @code{False}. If the value is true, then the
corresponding lines are included, and if the value is false, they are
excluded.
The test (@i{expression} ::= <symbol> @code{'Defined}) is true only if
the symbol has been defined in the definition file or by a @option{-D}
switch on the command line. Otherwise, the test is false.
The equality tests are case insensitive, as are all the preprocessor lines.
If the symbol referenced is not defined in the symbol definitions file,
then the effect depends on whether or not switch @option{-u}
is specified. If so, then the symbol is treated as if it had the value
false and the test fails. If this switch is not specified, then
it is an error to reference an undefined symbol. It is also an error to
reference a symbol that is defined with a value other than @code{True}
or @code{False}.
The use of the @code{not} operator inverts the sense of this logical test, so
that the lines are included only if the symbol is not defined.
The @code{then} keyword is optional as shown
The @code{#} must be the first non-blank character on a line, but
otherwise the format is free form. Spaces or tabs may appear between
the @code{#} and the keyword. The keywords and the symbols are case
insensitive as in normal Ada code. Comments may be used on a
preprocessor line, but other than that, no other tokens may appear on a
preprocessor line. Any number of @code{elsif} clauses can be present,
including none at all. The @code{else} is optional, as in Ada.
The @code{#} marking the start of a preprocessor line must be the first
non-blank character on the line, i.e. it must be preceded only by
spaces or horizontal tabs.
Symbol substitution outside of preprocessor lines is obtained by using
the sequence
@smallexample
$symbol
@end smallexample
@noindent
anywhere within a source line, except in a comment or within a
string literal. The identifier
following the @code{$} must match one of the symbols defined in the symbol
definition file, and the result is to substitute the value of the
symbol in place of @code{$symbol} in the output file.
Note that although the substitution of strings within a string literal
is not possible, it is possible to have a symbol whose defined value is
a string literal. So instead of setting XYZ to @code{hello} and writing:
@smallexample
Header : String := "$XYZ";
@end smallexample
@noindent
you should set XYZ to @code{"hello"} and write:
@smallexample
Header : String := $XYZ;
@end smallexample
@noindent
and then the substitution will occur as desired.
@ifset vms
@node The GNAT Run-Time Library Builder gnatlbr
@chapter The GNAT Run-Time Library Builder @code{gnatlbr}
@findex gnatlbr
@cindex Library builder
@noindent
@code{gnatlbr} is a tool for rebuilding the GNAT run time with user
supplied configuration pragmas.
@menu
* Running gnatlbr::
* Switches for gnatlbr::
* Examples of gnatlbr Usage::
@end menu
@node Running gnatlbr
@section Running @code{gnatlbr}
@noindent
The @code{gnatlbr} command has the form
@smallexample
$ GNAT LIBRARY /[CREATE | SET | DELETE]=directory [/CONFIG=file]
@end smallexample
@node Switches for gnatlbr
@section Switches for @code{gnatlbr}
@noindent
@code{gnatlbr} recognizes the following switches:
@table @option
@c !sort!
@item /CREATE=directory
@cindex @code{/CREATE} (@code{gnatlbr})
Create the new run-time library in the specified directory.
@item /SET=directory
@cindex @code{/SET} (@code{gnatlbr})
Make the library in the specified directory the current run-time
library.
@item /DELETE=directory
@cindex @code{/DELETE} (@code{gnatlbr})
Delete the run-time library in the specified directory.
@item /CONFIG=file
@cindex @code{/CONFIG} (@code{gnatlbr})
With /CREATE:
Use the configuration pragmas in the specified file when building
the library.
With /SET:
Use the configuration pragmas in the specified file when compiling.
@end table
@node Examples of gnatlbr Usage
@section Example of @code{gnatlbr} Usage
@smallexample
Contents of VAXFLOAT.ADC:
pragma Float_Representation (VAX_Float);
$ GNAT LIBRARY /CREATE=[.VAXFLOAT] /CONFIG=VAXFLOAT.ADC
GNAT LIBRARY rebuilds the run-time library in directory [.VAXFLOAT]
@end smallexample
@end ifset
@node The GNAT Library Browser gnatls
@chapter The GNAT Library Browser @code{gnatls}
@findex gnatls
@cindex Library browser
@noindent
@code{gnatls} is a tool that outputs information about compiled
units. It gives the relationship between objects, unit names and source
files. It can also be used to check the source dependencies of a unit
as well as various characteristics.
@menu
* Running gnatls::
* Switches for gnatls::
* Examples of gnatls Usage::
@end menu
@node Running gnatls
@section Running @code{gnatls}
@noindent
The @code{gnatls} command has the form
@smallexample
$ gnatls switches @var{object_or_ali_file}
@end smallexample
@noindent
The main argument is the list of object or @file{ali} files
(@pxref{The Ada Library Information Files})
for which information is requested.
In normal mode, without additional option, @code{gnatls} produces a
four-column listing. Each line represents information for a specific
object. The first column gives the full path of the object, the second
column gives the name of the principal unit in this object, the third
column gives the status of the source and the fourth column gives the
full path of the source representing this unit.
Here is a simple example of use:
@smallexample
$ gnatls *.o
^./^[]^demo1.o demo1 DIF demo1.adb
^./^[]^demo2.o demo2 OK demo2.adb
^./^[]^hello.o h1 OK hello.adb
^./^[]^instr-child.o instr.child MOK instr-child.adb
^./^[]^instr.o instr OK instr.adb
^./^[]^tef.o tef DIF tef.adb
^./^[]^text_io_example.o text_io_example OK text_io_example.adb
^./^[]^tgef.o tgef DIF tgef.adb
@end smallexample
@noindent
The first line can be interpreted as follows: the main unit which is
contained in
object file @file{demo1.o} is demo1, whose main source is in
@file{demo1.adb}. Furthermore, the version of the source used for the
compilation of demo1 has been modified (DIF). Each source file has a status
qualifier which can be:
@table @code
@item OK (unchanged)
The version of the source file used for the compilation of the
specified unit corresponds exactly to the actual source file.
@item MOK (slightly modified)
The version of the source file used for the compilation of the
specified unit differs from the actual source file but not enough to
require recompilation. If you use gnatmake with the qualifier
@option{^-m (minimal recompilation)^/MINIMAL_RECOMPILATION^}, a file marked
MOK will not be recompiled.
@item DIF (modified)
No version of the source found on the path corresponds to the source
used to build this object.
@item ??? (file not found)
No source file was found for this unit.
@item HID (hidden, unchanged version not first on PATH)
The version of the source that corresponds exactly to the source used
for compilation has been found on the path but it is hidden by another
version of the same source that has been modified.
@end table
@node Switches for gnatls
@section Switches for @code{gnatls}
@noindent
@code{gnatls} recognizes the following switches:
@table @option
@c !sort!
@item ^-a^/ALL_UNITS^
@cindex @option{^-a^/ALL_UNITS^} (@code{gnatls})
Consider all units, including those of the predefined Ada library.
Especially useful with @option{^-d^/DEPENDENCIES^}.
@item ^-d^/DEPENDENCIES^
@cindex @option{^-d^/DEPENDENCIES^} (@code{gnatls})
List sources from which specified units depend on.
@item ^-h^/OUTPUT=OPTIONS^
@cindex @option{^-h^/OUTPUT=OPTIONS^} (@code{gnatls})
Output the list of options.
@item ^-o^/OUTPUT=OBJECTS^
@cindex @option{^-o^/OUTPUT=OBJECTS^} (@code{gnatls})
Only output information about object files.
@item ^-s^/OUTPUT=SOURCES^
@cindex @option{^-s^/OUTPUT=SOURCES^} (@code{gnatls})
Only output information about source files.
@item ^-u^/OUTPUT=UNITS^
@cindex @option{^-u^/OUTPUT=UNITS^} (@code{gnatls})
Only output information about compilation units.
@item ^-files^/FILES^=@var{file}
@cindex @option{^-files^/FILES^} (@code{gnatls})
Take as arguments the files listed in text file @var{file}.
Text file @var{file} may contain empty lines that are ignored.
Each non empty line should contain the name of an existing file.
Several such switches may be specified simultaneously.
@item ^-aO^/OBJECT_SEARCH=^@var{dir}
@itemx ^-aI^/SOURCE_SEARCH=^@var{dir}
@itemx ^-I^/SEARCH=^@var{dir}
@itemx ^-I-^/NOCURRENT_DIRECTORY^
@itemx -nostdinc
@cindex @option{^-aO^/OBJECT_SEARCH^} (@code{gnatls})
@cindex @option{^-aI^/SOURCE_SEARCH^} (@code{gnatls})
@cindex @option{^-I^/SEARCH^} (@code{gnatls})
@cindex @option{^-I-^/NOCURRENT_DIRECTORY^} (@code{gnatls})
Source path manipulation. Same meaning as the equivalent @command{gnatmake}
flags (@pxref{Switches for gnatmake}).
@item --RTS=@var{rts-path}
@cindex @option{--RTS} (@code{gnatls})
Specifies the default location of the runtime library. Same meaning as the
equivalent @command{gnatmake} flag (@pxref{Switches for gnatmake}).
@item ^-v^/OUTPUT=VERBOSE^
@cindex @option{^-v^/OUTPUT=VERBOSE^} (@code{gnatls})
Verbose mode. Output the complete source, object and project paths. Do not use
the default column layout but instead use long format giving as much as
information possible on each requested units, including special
characteristics such as:
@table @code
@item Preelaborable
The unit is preelaborable in the Ada 95 sense.
@item No_Elab_Code
No elaboration code has been produced by the compiler for this unit.
@item Pure
The unit is pure in the Ada 95 sense.
@item Elaborate_Body
The unit contains a pragma Elaborate_Body.
@item Remote_Types
The unit contains a pragma Remote_Types.
@item Shared_Passive
The unit contains a pragma Shared_Passive.
@item Predefined
This unit is part of the predefined environment and cannot be modified
by the user.
@item Remote_Call_Interface
The unit contains a pragma Remote_Call_Interface.
@end table
@end table
@node Examples of gnatls Usage
@section Example of @code{gnatls} Usage
@ifclear vms
@noindent
Example of using the verbose switch. Note how the source and
object paths are affected by the -I switch.
@smallexample
$ gnatls -v -I.. demo1.o
GNATLS 5.03w (20041123-34)
Copyright 1997-2004 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
Source Search Path:
<Current_Directory>
../
/home/comar/local/adainclude/
Object Search Path:
<Current_Directory>
../
/home/comar/local/lib/gcc-lib/mips-sni-sysv4/2.7.2/adalib/
Project Search Path:
<Current_Directory>
/home/comar/local/lib/gnat/
./demo1.o
Unit =>
Name => demo1
Kind => subprogram body
Flags => No_Elab_Code
Source => demo1.adb modified
@end smallexample
@noindent
The following is an example of use of the dependency list.
Note the use of the -s switch
which gives a straight list of source files. This can be useful for
building specialized scripts.
@smallexample
$ gnatls -d demo2.o
./demo2.o demo2 OK demo2.adb
OK gen_list.ads
OK gen_list.adb
OK instr.ads
OK instr-child.ads
$ gnatls -d -s -a demo1.o
demo1.adb
/home/comar/local/adainclude/ada.ads
/home/comar/local/adainclude/a-finali.ads
/home/comar/local/adainclude/a-filico.ads
/home/comar/local/adainclude/a-stream.ads
/home/comar/local/adainclude/a-tags.ads
gen_list.ads
gen_list.adb
/home/comar/local/adainclude/gnat.ads
/home/comar/local/adainclude/g-io.ads
instr.ads
/home/comar/local/adainclude/system.ads
/home/comar/local/adainclude/s-exctab.ads
/home/comar/local/adainclude/s-finimp.ads
/home/comar/local/adainclude/s-finroo.ads
/home/comar/local/adainclude/s-secsta.ads
/home/comar/local/adainclude/s-stalib.ads
/home/comar/local/adainclude/s-stoele.ads
/home/comar/local/adainclude/s-stratt.ads
/home/comar/local/adainclude/s-tasoli.ads
/home/comar/local/adainclude/s-unstyp.ads
/home/comar/local/adainclude/unchconv.ads
@end smallexample
@end ifclear
@ifset vms
@smallexample
GNAT LIST /DEPENDENCIES /OUTPUT=SOURCES /ALL_UNITS DEMO1.ADB
GNU:[LIB.OPENVMS7_1.2_8_1.ADALIB]ada.ads
GNU:[LIB.OPENVMS7_1.2_8_1.ADALIB]a-finali.ads
GNU:[LIB.OPENVMS7_1.2_8_1.ADALIB]a-filico.ads
GNU:[LIB.OPENVMS7_1.2_8_1.ADALIB]a-stream.ads
GNU:[LIB.OPENVMS7_1.2_8_1.ADALIB]a-tags.ads
demo1.adb
gen_list.ads
gen_list.adb
GNU:[LIB.OPENVMS7_1.2_8_1.ADALIB]gnat.ads
GNU:[LIB.OPENVMS7_1.2_8_1.ADALIB]g-io.ads
instr.ads
GNU:[LIB.OPENVMS7_1.2_8_1.ADALIB]system.ads
GNU:[LIB.OPENVMS7_1.2_8_1.ADALIB]s-exctab.ads
GNU:[LIB.OPENVMS7_1.2_8_1.ADALIB]s-finimp.ads
GNU:[LIB.OPENVMS7_1.2_8_1.ADALIB]s-finroo.ads
GNU:[LIB.OPENVMS7_1.2_8_1.ADALIB]s-secsta.ads
GNU:[LIB.OPENVMS7_1.2_8_1.ADALIB]s-stalib.ads
GNU:[LIB.OPENVMS7_1.2_8_1.ADALIB]s-stoele.ads
GNU:[LIB.OPENVMS7_1.2_8_1.ADALIB]s-stratt.ads
GNU:[LIB.OPENVMS7_1.2_8_1.ADALIB]s-tasoli.ads
GNU:[LIB.OPENVMS7_1.2_8_1.ADALIB]s-unstyp.ads
GNU:[LIB.OPENVMS7_1.2_8_1.ADALIB]unchconv.ads
@end smallexample
@end ifset
@node Cleaning Up Using gnatclean
@chapter Cleaning Up Using @code{gnatclean}
@findex gnatclean
@cindex Cleaning tool
@noindent
@code{gnatclean} is a tool that allows the deletion of files produced by the
compiler, binder and linker, including ALI files, object files, tree files,
expanded source files, library files, interface copy source files, binder
generated files and executable files.
@menu
* Running gnatclean::
* Switches for gnatclean::
* Examples of gnatclean Usage::
@end menu
@node Running gnatclean
@section Running @code{gnatclean}
@noindent
The @code{gnatclean} command has the form:
@smallexample
$ gnatclean switches @var{names}
@end smallexample
@noindent
@var{names} is a list of source file names. Suffixes @code{.^ads^ADS^} and
@code{^adb^ADB^} may be omitted. If a project file is specified using switch
@code{^-P^/PROJECT_FILE=^}, then @var{names} may be completely omitted.
@noindent
In normal mode, @code{gnatclean} delete the files produced by the compiler and,
if switch @code{^-c^/COMPILER_FILES_ONLY^} is not specified, by the binder and
the linker. In informative-only mode, specified by switch
@code{^-n^/NODELETE^}, the list of files that would have been deleted in
normal mode is listed, but no file is actually deleted.
@node Switches for gnatclean
@section Switches for @code{gnatclean}
@noindent
@code{gnatclean} recognizes the following switches:
@table @option
@c !sort!
@item ^-c^/COMPILER_FILES_ONLY^
@cindex @option{^-c^/COMPILER_FILES_ONLY^} (@code{gnatclean})
Only attempt to delete the files produced by the compiler, not those produced
by the binder or the linker. The files that are not to be deleted are library
files, interface copy files, binder generated files and executable files.
@item ^-D ^/DIRECTORY_OBJECTS=^@var{dir}
@cindex @option{^-D^/DIRECTORY_OBJECTS^} (@code{gnatclean})
Indicate that ALI and object files should normally be found in directory
@var{dir}.
@item ^-F^/FULL_PATH_IN_BRIEF_MESSAGES^
@cindex @option{^-F^/FULL_PATH_IN_BRIEF_MESSAGES^} (@code{gnatclean})
When using project files, if some errors or warnings are detected during
parsing and verbose mode is not in effect (no use of switch
^-v^/VERBOSE^), then error lines start with the full path name of the project
file, rather than its simple file name.
@item ^-h^/HELP^
@cindex @option{^-h^/HELP^} (@code{gnatclean})
Output a message explaining the usage of @code{^gnatclean^gnatclean^}.
@item ^-n^/NODELETE^
@cindex @option{^-n^/NODELETE^} (@code{gnatclean})
Informative-only mode. Do not delete any files. Output the list of the files
that would have been deleted if this switch was not specified.
@item ^-P^/PROJECT_FILE=^@var{project}
@cindex @option{^-P^/PROJECT_FILE^} (@code{gnatclean})
Use project file @var{project}. Only one such switch can be used.
When cleaning a project file, the files produced by the compilation of the
immediate sources or inherited sources of the project files are to be
deleted. This is not depending on the presence or not of executable names
on the command line.
@item ^-q^/QUIET^
@cindex @option{^-q^/QUIET^} (@code{gnatclean})
Quiet output. If there are no error, do not ouuput anything, except in
verbose mode (switch ^-v^/VERBOSE^) or in informative-only mode
(switch ^-n^/NODELETE^).
@item ^-r^/RECURSIVE^
@cindex @option{^-r^/RECURSIVE^} (@code{gnatclean})
When a project file is specified (using switch ^-P^/PROJECT_FILE=^),
clean all imported and extended project files, recursively. If this switch
is not specified, only the files related to the main project file are to be
deleted. This switch has no effect if no project file is specified.
@item ^-v^/VERBOSE^
@cindex @option{^-v^/VERBOSE^} (@code{gnatclean})
Verbose mode.
@item ^-vP^/MESSAGES_PROJECT_FILE=^@emph{x}
@cindex @option{^-vP^/MESSAGES_PROJECT_FILE^} (@code{gnatclean})
Indicates the verbosity of the parsing of GNAT project files.
@xref{Switches Related to Project Files}.
@item ^-X^/EXTERNAL_REFERENCE=^@var{name=value}
@cindex @option{^-X^/EXTERNAL_REFERENCE^} (@code{gnatclean})
Indicates that external variable @var{name} has the value @var{value}.
The Project Manager will use this value for occurrences of
@code{external(name)} when parsing the project file.
@xref{Switches Related to Project Files}.
@item ^-aO^/OBJECT_SEARCH=^@var{dir}
@cindex @option{^-aO^/OBJECT_SEARCH^} (@code{gnatclean})
When searching for ALI and object files, look in directory
@var{dir}.
@item ^-I^/SEARCH=^@var{dir}
@cindex @option{^-I^/SEARCH^} (@code{gnatclean})
Equivalent to @option{^-aO^/OBJECT_SEARCH=^@var{dir}}.
@item ^-I-^/NOCURRENT_DIRECTORY^
@cindex @option{^-I-^/NOCURRENT_DIRECTORY^} (@code{gnatclean})
@cindex Source files, suppressing search
Do not look for ALI or object files in the directory
where @code{gnatclean} was invoked.
@end table
@node Examples of gnatclean Usage
@section Examples of @code{gnatclean} Usage
@ifclear vms
@node GNAT and Libraries
@chapter GNAT and Libraries
@cindex Library, building, installing, using
@noindent
This chapter describes how to build and use libraries with GNAT, and also shows
how to recompile the GNAT run-time library. You should be familiar with the
Project Manager facility (@pxref{GNAT Project Manager}) before reading this
chapter.
@menu
* Introduction to Libraries in GNAT::
* General Ada Libraries::
* Stand-alone Ada Libraries::
* Rebuilding the GNAT Run-Time Library::
@end menu
@node Introduction to Libraries in GNAT
@section Introduction to Libraries in GNAT
@noindent
A library is, conceptually, a collection of objects which does not have its
own main thread of execution, but rather provides certain services to the
applications that use it. A library can be either statically linked with the
application, in which case its code is directly included in the application,
or, on platforms that support it, be dynamically linked, in which case
its code is shared by all applications making use of this library.
GNAT supports both types of libraries.
In the static case, the compiled code can be provided in different ways. The
simplest approach is to provide directly the set of objects resulting from
compilation of the library source files. Alternatively, you can group the
objects into an archive using whatever commands are provided by the operating
system. For the latter case, the objects are grouped into a shared library.
In the GNAT environment, a library has three types of components:
@itemize @bullet
@item
Source files.
@item
@file{ALI} files.
@xref{The Ada Library Information Files}.
@item
Object files, an archive or a shared library.
@end itemize
@noindent
A GNAT library may expose all its source files, which is useful for
documentation purposes. Alternatively, it may expose only the units needed by
an external user to make use of the library. That is to say, the specs
reflecting the library services along with all the units needed to compile
those specs, which can include generic bodies or any body implementing an
inlined routine. In the case of @emph{stand-alone libraries} those exposed
units are called @emph{interface units} (@pxref{Stand-alone Ada Libraries}).
All compilation units comprising an application, including those in a library,
need to be elaborated in an order partially defined by Ada's semantics. GNAT
computes the elaboration order from the @file{ALI} files and this is why they
constitute a mandatory part of GNAT libraries. Except in the case of
@emph{stand-alone libraries}, where a specific library elaboration routine is
produced independently of the application(s) using the library.
@node General Ada Libraries
@section General Ada Libraries
@menu
* Building a library::
* Installing a library::
* Using a library::
@end menu
@node Building a library
@subsection Building a library
@noindent
The easiest way to build a library is to use the Project Manager,
which supports a special type of project called a @emph{Library Project}
(@pxref{Library Projects}).
A project is considered a library project, when two project-level attributes
are defined in it: @code{Library_Name} and @code{Library_Dir}. In order to
control different aspects of library configuration, additional optional
project-level attributes can be specified:
@table @code
@item Library_Kind
This attribute controls whether the library is to be static or dynamic
@item Library_Version
This attribute specifies the library version; this value is used
during dynamic linking of shared libraries to determine if the currently
installed versions of the binaries are compatible.
@item Library_Options
@item Library_GCC
These attributes specify additional low-level options to be used during
library generation, and redefine the actual application used to generate
library.
@end table
@noindent
The GNAT Project Manager takes full care of the library maintenance task,
including recompilation of the source files for which objects do not exist
or are not up to date, assembly of the library archive, and installation of
the library (i.e., copying associated source, object and @file{ALI} files
to the specified location).
Here is a simple library project file:
@smallexample @c ada
project My_Lib is
for Source_Dirs use ("src1", "src2");
for Object_Dir use "obj";
for Library_Name use "mylib";
for Library_Dir use "lib";
for Library_Kind use "dynamic";
end My_lib;
@end smallexample
@noindent
and the compilation command to build and install the library:
@smallexample @c ada
$ gnatmake -Pmy_lib
@end smallexample
@noindent
It is not entirely trivial to perform manually all the steps required to
produce a library. We recommend that you use the GNAT Project Manager
for this task. In special cases where this is not desired, the necessary
steps are discussed below.
There are various possibilities for compiling the units that make up the
library: for example with a Makefile (@pxref{Using the GNU make Utility}) or
with a conventional script. For simple libraries, it is also possible to create
a dummy main program which depends upon all the packages that comprise the
interface of the library. This dummy main program can then be given to
@command{gnatmake}, which will ensure that all necessary objects are built.
After this task is accomplished, you should follow the standard procedure
of the underlying operating system to produce the static or shared library.
Here is an example of such a dummy program:
@smallexample @c ada
@group
with My_Lib.Service1;
with My_Lib.Service2;
with My_Lib.Service3;
procedure My_Lib_Dummy is
begin
null;
end;
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
Here are the generic commands that will build an archive or a shared library.
@smallexample
# compiling the library
$ gnatmake -c my_lib_dummy.adb
# we don't need the dummy object itself
$ rm my_lib_dummy.o my_lib_dummy.ali
# create an archive with the remaining objects
$ ar rc libmy_lib.a *.o
# some systems may require "ranlib" to be run as well
# or create a shared library
$ gcc -shared -o libmy_lib.so *.o
# some systems may require the code to have been compiled with -fPIC
# remove the object files that are now in the library
$ rm *.o
# Make the ALI files read-only so that gnatmake will not try to
# regenerate the objects that are in the library
$ chmod -w *.ali
@end smallexample
@noindent
Please note that the library must have a name of the form @file{libxxx.a} or
@file{libxxx.so} (or @file{libxxx.dll} on Windows) in order to be accessed by
the directive @option{-lxxx} at link time.
@node Installing a library
@subsection Installing a library
@noindent
If you use project files, library installation is part of the library build
process. Thus no further action is needed in order to make use of the
libraries that are built as part of the general application build. A usable
version of the library is installed in the directory specified by the
@code{Library_Dir} attribute of the library project file.
You may want to install a library in a context different from where the library
is built. This situation arises with third party suppliers, who may want
to distribute a library in binary form where the user is not expected to be
able to recompile the library. The simplest option in this case is to provide
a project file slightly different from the one used to build the library, by
using the @code{externally_built} attribute. For instance, the project
file used to build the library in the previous section can be changed into the
following one when the library is installed:
@smallexample @c projectfile
project My_Lib is
for Source_Dirs use ("src1", "src2");
for Library_Name use "mylib";
for Library_Dir use "lib";
for Library_Kind use "dynamic";
for Externally_Built use "true";
end My_lib;
@end smallexample
@noindent
This project file assumes that the directories @file{src1},
@file{src2}, and @file{lib} exist in
the directory containing the project file. The @code{externally_built}
attribute makes it clear to the GNAT builder that it should not attempt to
recompile any of the units from this library. It allows the library provider to
restrict the source set to the minimum necessary for clients to make use of the
library as described in the first section of this chapter. It is the
responsibility of the library provider to install the necessary sources, ALI
files and libraries in the directories mentioned in the project file. For
convenience, the user's library project file should be installed in a location
that will be searched automatically by the GNAT
builder. These are the directories referenced in the @code{ADA_LIBRARY_PATH}
environment variable (@pxref{Importing Projects}), and also the default GNAT
library location that can be queried with @command{gnatls -v} and is usually of
the form $gnat_install_root/lib/gnat.
When project files are not an option, it is also possible, but not recommended,
to install the library so that the sources needed to use the library are on the
Ada source path and the ALI files & libraries be on the Ada Object path (see
@ref{Search Paths and the Run-Time Library (RTL)}. Alternatively, the system
administrator can place general-purpose libraries in the default compiler
paths, by specifying the libraries' location in the configuration files
@file{ada_source_path} and @file{ada_object_path}. These configuration files
must be located in the GNAT installation tree at the same place as the gcc spec
file. The location of the gcc spec file can be determined as follows:
@smallexample
$ gcc -v
@end smallexample
@noindent
The configuration files mentioned above have a simple format: each line
must contain one unique directory name.
Those names are added to the corresponding path
in their order of appearance in the file. The names can be either absolute
or relative; in the latter case, they are relative to where theses files
are located.
The files @file{ada_source_path} and @file{ada_object_path} might not be
present in a
GNAT installation, in which case, GNAT will look for its run-time library in
the directories @file{adainclude} (for the sources) and @file{adalib} (for the
objects and @file{ALI} files). When the files exist, the compiler does not
look in @file{adainclude} and @file{adalib}, and thus the
@file{ada_source_path} file
must contain the location for the GNAT run-time sources (which can simply
be @file{adainclude}). In the same way, the @file{ada_object_path} file must
contain the location for the GNAT run-time objects (which can simply
be @file{adalib}).
You can also specify a new default path to the run-time library at compilation
time with the switch @option{--RTS=rts-path}. You can thus choose / change
the run-time library you want your program to be compiled with. This switch is
recognized by @command{gcc}, @command{gnatmake}, @command{gnatbind},
@command{gnatls}, @command{gnatfind} and @command{gnatxref}.
It is possible to install a library before or after the standard GNAT
library, by reordering the lines in the configuration files. In general, a
library must be installed before the GNAT library if it redefines
any part of it.
@node Using a library
@subsection Using a library
@noindent Once again, the project facility greatly simplifies the use of
libraries. In this context, using a library is just a matter of adding a
@code{with} clause in the user project. For instance, to make use of the
library @code{My_Lib} shown in examples in earlier sections, you can
write:
@smallexample @c projectfile
with "my_lib";
project My_Proj is
...
end My_Proj;
@end smallexample
Even if you have a third-party, non-Ada library, you can still use GNAT's
Project Manager facility to provide a wrapper for it. For example, the
following project, when @code{with}ed by your main project, will link with the
third-party library @file{liba.a}:
@smallexample @c projectfile
@group
project Liba is
for Source_Dirs use ();
for Library_Dir use "lib";
for Library_Name use "a";
for Library_Kind use "static";
end Liba;
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
In order to use an Ada library manually, you need to make sure that this
library is on both your source and object path
(see @ref{Search Paths and the Run-Time Library (RTL)}
and @ref{Search Paths for gnatbind}). Furthermore, when the objects are grouped
in an archive or a shared library, you need to specify the desired
library at link time.
For example, you can use the library @file{mylib} installed in
@file{/dir/my_lib_src} and @file{/dir/my_lib_obj} with the following commands:
@smallexample
$ gnatmake -aI/dir/my_lib_src -aO/dir/my_lib_obj my_appl \
-largs -lmy_lib
@end smallexample
@noindent
This can be expressed more simply:
@smallexample
$ gnatmake my_appl
@end smallexample
@noindent
when the following conditions are met:
@itemize @bullet
@item
@file{/dir/my_lib_src} has been added by the user to the environment
variable @code{ADA_INCLUDE_PATH}, or by the administrator to the file
@file{ada_source_path}
@item
@file{/dir/my_lib_obj} has been added by the user to the environment
variable @code{ADA_OBJECTS_PATH}, or by the administrator to the file
@file{ada_object_path}
@item
a pragma @code{Linker_Options} has been added to one of the sources.
For example:
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Linker_Options ("-lmy_lib");
@end smallexample
@end itemize
@node Stand-alone Ada Libraries
@section Stand-alone Ada Libraries
@cindex Stand-alone library, building, using
@menu
* Introduction to Stand-alone Libraries::
* Building a Stand-alone Library::
* Creating a Stand-alone Library to be used in a non-Ada context::
* Restrictions in Stand-alone Libraries::
@end menu
@node Introduction to Stand-alone Libraries
@subsection Introduction to Stand-alone Libraries
@noindent
A Stand-alone Library (abbreviated ``SAL'') is a library that contains the
necessary code to
elaborate the Ada units that are included in the library. In contrast with
an ordinary library, which consists of all sources, objects and @file{ALI}
files of the
library, a SAL may specify a restricted subset of compilation units
to serve as a library interface. In this case, the fully
self-sufficient set of files will normally consist of an objects
archive, the sources of interface units' specs, and the @file{ALI}
files of interface units.
If an interface spec contains a generic unit or an inlined subprogram,
the body's
source must also be provided; if the units that must be provided in the source
form depend on other units, the source and @file{ALI} files of those must
also be provided.
The main purpose of a SAL is to minimize the recompilation overhead of client
applications when a new version of the library is installed. Specifically,
if the interface sources have not changed, client applications do not need to
be recompiled. If, furthermore, a SAL is provided in the shared form and its
version, controlled by @code{Library_Version} attribute, is not changed,
then the clients do not need to be relinked.
SALs also allow the library providers to minimize the amount of library source
text exposed to the clients. Such ``information hiding'' might be useful or
necessary for various reasons.
Stand-alone libraries are also well suited to be used in an executable whose
main routine is not written in Ada.
@node Building a Stand-alone Library
@subsection Building a Stand-alone Library
@noindent
GNAT's Project facility provides a simple way of building and installing
stand-alone libraries; see @ref{Stand-alone Library Projects}.
To be a Stand-alone Library Project, in addition to the two attributes
that make a project a Library Project (@code{Library_Name} and
@code{Library_Dir}; see @ref{Library Projects}), the attribute
@code{Library_Interface} must be defined. For example:
@smallexample @c projectfile
@group
for Library_Dir use "lib_dir";
for Library_Name use "dummy";
for Library_Interface use ("int1", "int1.child");
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
Attribute @code{Library_Interface} has a non-empty string list value,
each string in the list designating a unit contained in an immediate source
of the project file.
When a Stand-alone Library is built, first the binder is invoked to build
a package whose name depends on the library name
(@file{^b~dummy.ads/b^B$DUMMY.ADS/B^} in the example above).
This binder-generated package includes initialization and
finalization procedures whose
names depend on the library name (@code{dummyinit} and @code{dummyfinal}
in the example
above). The object corresponding to this package is included in the library.
You must ensure timely (e.g., prior to any use of interfaces in the SAL)
calling of these procedures if a static SAL is built, or if a shared SAL
is built
with the project-level attribute @code{Library_Auto_Init} set to
@code{"false"}.
For a Stand-Alone Library, only the @file{ALI} files of the Interface Units
(those that are listed in attribute @code{Library_Interface}) are copied to
the Library Directory. As a consequence, only the Interface Units may be
imported from Ada units outside of the library. If other units are imported,
the binding phase will fail.
The attribute @code{Library_Src_Dir} may be specified for a
Stand-Alone Library. @code{Library_Src_Dir} is a simple attribute that has a
single string value. Its value must be the path (absolute or relative to the
project directory) of an existing directory. This directory cannot be the
object directory or one of the source directories, but it can be the same as
the library directory. The sources of the Interface
Units of the library that are needed by an Ada client of the library will be
copied to the designated directory, called the Interface Copy directory.
These sources include the specs of the Interface Units, but they may also
include bodies and subunits, when pragmas @code{Inline} or @code{Inline_Always}
are used, or when there is a generic unit in the spec. Before the sources
are copied to the Interface Copy directory, an attempt is made to delete all
files in the Interface Copy directory.
Building stand-alone libraries by hand is somewhat tedious, but for those
occasions when it is necessary here are the steps that you need to perform:
@itemize @bullet
@item
Compile all library sources.
@item
Invoke the binder with the switch @option{-n} (No Ada main program),
with all the @file{ALI} files of the interfaces, and
with the switch @option{-L} to give specific names to the @code{init}
and @code{final} procedures. For example:
@smallexample
gnatbind -n int1.ali int2.ali -Lsal1
@end smallexample
@item
Compile the binder generated file:
@smallexample
gcc -c b~int2.adb
@end smallexample
@item
Link the dynamic library with all the necessary object files,
indicating to the linker the names of the @code{init} (and possibly
@code{final}) procedures for automatic initialization (and finalization).
The built library should be placed in a directory different from
the object directory.
@item
Copy the @code{ALI} files of the interface to the library directory,
add in this copy an indication that it is an interface to a SAL
(i.e. add a word @option{SL} on the line in the @file{ALI} file that starts
with letter ``P'') and make the modified copy of the @file{ALI} file
read-only.
@end itemize
@noindent
Using SALs is not different from using other libraries
(see @ref{Using a library}).
@node Creating a Stand-alone Library to be used in a non-Ada context
@subsection Creating a Stand-alone Library to be used in a non-Ada context
@noindent
It is easy to adapt the SAL build procedure discussed above for use of a SAL in
a non-Ada context.
The only extra step required is to ensure that library interface subprograms
are compatible with the main program, by means of @code{pragma Export}
or @code{pragma Convention}.
Here is an example of simple library interface for use with C main program:
@smallexample @c ada
package Interface is
procedure Do_Something;
pragma Export (C, Do_Something, "do_something");
procedure Do_Something_Else;
pragma Export (C, Do_Something_Else, "do_something_else");
end Interface;
@end smallexample
@noindent
On the foreign language side, you must provide a ``foreign'' view of the
library interface; remember that it should contain elaboration routines in
addition to interface subprograms.
The example below shows the content of @code{mylib_interface.h} (note
that there is no rule for the naming of this file, any name can be used)
@smallexample
/* the library elaboration procedure */
extern void mylibinit (void);
/* the library finalization procedure */
extern void mylibfinal (void);
/* the interface exported by the library */
extern void do_something (void);
extern void do_something_else (void);
@end smallexample
@noindent
Libraries built as explained above can be used from any program, provided
that the elaboration procedures (named @code{mylibinit} in the previous
example) are called before the library services are used. Any number of
libraries can be used simultaneously, as long as the elaboration
procedure of each library is called.
Below is an example of a C program that uses the @code{mylib} library.
@smallexample
#include "mylib_interface.h"
int
main (void)
@{
/* First, elaborate the library before using it */
mylibinit ();
/* Main program, using the library exported entities */
do_something ();
do_something_else ();
/* Library finalization at the end of the program */
mylibfinal ();
return 0;
@}
@end smallexample
@noindent
Note that invoking any library finalization procedure generated by
@code{gnatbind} shuts down the Ada run-time environment.
Consequently, the
finalization of all Ada libraries must be performed at the end of the program.
No call to these libraries or to the Ada run-time library should be made
after the finalization phase.
@node Restrictions in Stand-alone Libraries
@subsection Restrictions in Stand-alone Libraries
@noindent
The pragmas listed below should be used with caution inside libraries,
as they can create incompatibilities with other Ada libraries:
@itemize @bullet
@item pragma @code{Locking_Policy}
@item pragma @code{Queuing_Policy}
@item pragma @code{Task_Dispatching_Policy}
@item pragma @code{Unreserve_All_Interrupts}
@end itemize
@noindent
When using a library that contains such pragmas, the user must make sure
that all libraries use the same pragmas with the same values. Otherwise,
@code{Program_Error} will
be raised during the elaboration of the conflicting
libraries. The usage of these pragmas and its consequences for the user
should therefore be well documented.
Similarly, the traceback in the exception occurrence mechanism should be
enabled or disabled in a consistent manner across all libraries.
Otherwise, Program_Error will be raised during the elaboration of the
conflicting libraries.
If the @code{Version} or @code{Body_Version}
attributes are used inside a library, then you need to
perform a @code{gnatbind} step that specifies all @file{ALI} files in all
libraries, so that version identifiers can be properly computed.
In practice these attributes are rarely used, so this is unlikely
to be a consideration.
@node Rebuilding the GNAT Run-Time Library
@section Rebuilding the GNAT Run-Time Library
@cindex GNAT Run-Time Library, rebuilding
@noindent
It may be useful to recompile the GNAT library in various contexts, the
most important one being the use of partition-wide configuration pragmas
such as @code{Normalize_Scalars}. A special Makefile called
@code{Makefile.adalib} is provided to that effect and can be found in
the directory containing the GNAT library. The location of this
directory depends on the way the GNAT environment has been installed and can
be determined by means of the command:
@smallexample
$ gnatls -v
@end smallexample
@noindent
The last entry in the object search path usually contains the
gnat library. This Makefile contains its own documentation and in
particular the set of instructions needed to rebuild a new library and
to use it.
@node Using the GNU make Utility
@chapter Using the GNU @code{make} Utility
@findex make
@noindent
This chapter offers some examples of makefiles that solve specific
problems. It does not explain how to write a makefile (see the GNU make
documentation), nor does it try to replace the @command{gnatmake} utility
(@pxref{The GNAT Make Program gnatmake}).
All the examples in this section are specific to the GNU version of
make. Although @code{make} is a standard utility, and the basic language
is the same, these examples use some advanced features found only in
@code{GNU make}.
@menu
* Using gnatmake in a Makefile::
* Automatically Creating a List of Directories::
* Generating the Command Line Switches::
* Overcoming Command Line Length Limits::
@end menu
@node Using gnatmake in a Makefile
@section Using gnatmake in a Makefile
@findex makefile
@cindex GNU make
@noindent
Complex project organizations can be handled in a very powerful way by
using GNU make combined with gnatmake. For instance, here is a Makefile
which allows you to build each subsystem of a big project into a separate
shared library. Such a makefile allows you to significantly reduce the link
time of very big applications while maintaining full coherence at
each step of the build process.
The list of dependencies are handled automatically by
@command{gnatmake}. The Makefile is simply used to call gnatmake in each of
the appropriate directories.
Note that you should also read the example on how to automatically
create the list of directories
(@pxref{Automatically Creating a List of Directories})
which might help you in case your project has a lot of subdirectories.
@smallexample
@iftex
@leftskip=0cm
@font@heightrm=cmr8
@heightrm
@end iftex
## This Makefile is intended to be used with the following directory
## configuration:
## - The sources are split into a series of csc (computer software components)
## Each of these csc is put in its own directory.
## Their name are referenced by the directory names.
## They will be compiled into shared library (although this would also work
## with static libraries
## - The main program (and possibly other packages that do not belong to any
## csc is put in the top level directory (where the Makefile is).
## toplevel_dir __ first_csc (sources) __ lib (will contain the library)
## \_ second_csc (sources) __ lib (will contain the library)
## \_ ...
## Although this Makefile is build for shared library, it is easy to modify
## to build partial link objects instead (modify the lines with -shared and
## gnatlink below)
##
## With this makefile, you can change any file in the system or add any new
## file, and everything will be recompiled correctly (only the relevant shared
## objects will be recompiled, and the main program will be re-linked).
# The list of computer software component for your project. This might be
# generated automatically.
CSC_LIST=aa bb cc
# Name of the main program (no extension)
MAIN=main
# If we need to build objects with -fPIC, uncomment the following line
#NEED_FPIC=-fPIC
# The following variable should give the directory containing libgnat.so
# You can get this directory through 'gnatls -v'. This is usually the last
# directory in the Object_Path.
GLIB=...
# The directories for the libraries
# (This macro expands the list of CSC to the list of shared libraries, you
# could simply use the expanded form :
# LIB_DIR=aa/lib/libaa.so bb/lib/libbb.so cc/lib/libcc.so
LIB_DIR=$@{foreach dir,$@{CSC_LIST@},$@{dir@}/lib/lib$@{dir@}.so@}
$@{MAIN@}: objects $@{LIB_DIR@}
gnatbind $@{MAIN@} $@{CSC_LIST:%=-aO%/lib@} -shared
gnatlink $@{MAIN@} $@{CSC_LIST:%=-l%@}
objects::
# recompile the sources
gnatmake -c -i $@{MAIN@}.adb $@{NEED_FPIC@} $@{CSC_LIST:%=-I%@}
# Note: In a future version of GNAT, the following commands will be simplified
# by a new tool, gnatmlib
$@{LIB_DIR@}:
mkdir -p $@{dir $@@ @}
cd $@{dir $@@ @}; gcc -shared -o $@{notdir $@@ @} ../*.o -L$@{GLIB@} -lgnat
cd $@{dir $@@ @}; cp -f ../*.ali .
# The dependencies for the modules
# Note that we have to force the expansion of *.o, since in some cases
# make won't be able to do it itself.
aa/lib/libaa.so: $@{wildcard aa/*.o@}
bb/lib/libbb.so: $@{wildcard bb/*.o@}
cc/lib/libcc.so: $@{wildcard cc/*.o@}
# Make sure all of the shared libraries are in the path before starting the
# program
run::
LD_LIBRARY_PATH=`pwd`/aa/lib:`pwd`/bb/lib:`pwd`/cc/lib ./$@{MAIN@}
clean::
$@{RM@} -rf $@{CSC_LIST:%=%/lib@}
$@{RM@} $@{CSC_LIST:%=%/*.ali@}
$@{RM@} $@{CSC_LIST:%=%/*.o@}
$@{RM@} *.o *.ali $@{MAIN@}
@end smallexample
@node Automatically Creating a List of Directories
@section Automatically Creating a List of Directories
@noindent
In most makefiles, you will have to specify a list of directories, and
store it in a variable. For small projects, it is often easier to
specify each of them by hand, since you then have full control over what
is the proper order for these directories, which ones should be
included...
However, in larger projects, which might involve hundreds of
subdirectories, it might be more convenient to generate this list
automatically.
The example below presents two methods. The first one, although less
general, gives you more control over the list. It involves wildcard
characters, that are automatically expanded by @code{make}. Its
shortcoming is that you need to explicitly specify some of the
organization of your project, such as for instance the directory tree
depth, whether some directories are found in a separate tree,...
The second method is the most general one. It requires an external
program, called @code{find}, which is standard on all Unix systems. All
the directories found under a given root directory will be added to the
list.
@smallexample
@iftex
@leftskip=0cm
@font@heightrm=cmr8
@heightrm
@end iftex
# The examples below are based on the following directory hierarchy:
# All the directories can contain any number of files
# ROOT_DIRECTORY -> a -> aa -> aaa
# -> ab
# -> ac
# -> b -> ba -> baa
# -> bb
# -> bc
# This Makefile creates a variable called DIRS, that can be reused any time
# you need this list (see the other examples in this section)
# The root of your project's directory hierarchy
ROOT_DIRECTORY=.
####
# First method: specify explicitly the list of directories
# This allows you to specify any subset of all the directories you need.
####
DIRS := a/aa/ a/ab/ b/ba/
####
# Second method: use wildcards
# Note that the argument(s) to wildcard below should end with a '/'.
# Since wildcards also return file names, we have to filter them out
# to avoid duplicate directory names.
# We thus use make's @code{dir} and @code{sort} functions.
# It sets DIRs to the following value (note that the directories aaa and baa
# are not given, unless you change the arguments to wildcard).
# DIRS= ./a/a/ ./b/ ./a/aa/ ./a/ab/ ./a/ac/ ./b/ba/ ./b/bb/ ./b/bc/
####
DIRS := $@{sort $@{dir $@{wildcard $@{ROOT_DIRECTORY@}/*/
$@{ROOT_DIRECTORY@}/*/*/@}@}@}
####
# Third method: use an external program
# This command is much faster if run on local disks, avoiding NFS slowdowns.
# This is the most complete command: it sets DIRs to the following value:
# DIRS= ./a ./a/aa ./a/aa/aaa ./a/ab ./a/ac ./b ./b/ba ./b/ba/baa ./b/bb ./b/bc
####
DIRS := $@{shell find $@{ROOT_DIRECTORY@} -type d -print@}
@end smallexample
@node Generating the Command Line Switches
@section Generating the Command Line Switches
@noindent
Once you have created the list of directories as explained in the
previous section (@pxref{Automatically Creating a List of Directories}),
you can easily generate the command line arguments to pass to gnatmake.
For the sake of completeness, this example assumes that the source path
is not the same as the object path, and that you have two separate lists
of directories.
@smallexample
# see "Automatically creating a list of directories" to create
# these variables
SOURCE_DIRS=
OBJECT_DIRS=
GNATMAKE_SWITCHES := $@{patsubst %,-aI%,$@{SOURCE_DIRS@}@}
GNATMAKE_SWITCHES += $@{patsubst %,-aO%,$@{OBJECT_DIRS@}@}
all:
gnatmake $@{GNATMAKE_SWITCHES@} main_unit
@end smallexample
@node Overcoming Command Line Length Limits
@section Overcoming Command Line Length Limits
@noindent
One problem that might be encountered on big projects is that many
operating systems limit the length of the command line. It is thus hard to give
gnatmake the list of source and object directories.
This example shows how you can set up environment variables, which will
make @command{gnatmake} behave exactly as if the directories had been
specified on the command line, but have a much higher length limit (or
even none on most systems).
It assumes that you have created a list of directories in your Makefile,
using one of the methods presented in
@ref{Automatically Creating a List of Directories}.
For the sake of completeness, we assume that the object
path (where the ALI files are found) is different from the sources patch.
Note a small trick in the Makefile below: for efficiency reasons, we
create two temporary variables (SOURCE_LIST and OBJECT_LIST), that are
expanded immediately by @code{make}. This way we overcome the standard
make behavior which is to expand the variables only when they are
actually used.
On Windows, if you are using the standard Windows command shell, you must
replace colons with semicolons in the assignments to these variables.
@smallexample
@iftex
@leftskip=0cm
@font@heightrm=cmr8
@heightrm
@end iftex
# In this example, we create both ADA_INCLUDE_PATH and ADA_OBJECT_PATH.
# This is the same thing as putting the -I arguments on the command line.
# (the equivalent of using -aI on the command line would be to define
# only ADA_INCLUDE_PATH, the equivalent of -aO is ADA_OBJECT_PATH).
# You can of course have different values for these variables.
#
# Note also that we need to keep the previous values of these variables, since
# they might have been set before running 'make' to specify where the GNAT
# library is installed.
# see "Automatically creating a list of directories" to create these
# variables
SOURCE_DIRS=
OBJECT_DIRS=
empty:=
space:=$@{empty@} $@{empty@}
SOURCE_LIST := $@{subst $@{space@},:,$@{SOURCE_DIRS@}@}
OBJECT_LIST := $@{subst $@{space@},:,$@{OBJECT_DIRS@}@}
ADA_INCLUDE_PATH += $@{SOURCE_LIST@}
ADA_OBJECT_PATH += $@{OBJECT_LIST@}
export ADA_INCLUDE_PATH
export ADA_OBJECT_PATH
all:
gnatmake main_unit
@end smallexample
@end ifclear
@node Memory Management Issues
@chapter Memory Management Issues
@noindent
This chapter describes some useful memory pools provided in the GNAT library
and in particular the GNAT Debug Pool facility, which can be used to detect
incorrect uses of access values (including ``dangling references'').
@ifclear vms
It also describes the @command{gnatmem} tool, which can be used to track down
``memory leaks''.
@end ifclear
@menu
* Some Useful Memory Pools::
* The GNAT Debug Pool Facility::
@ifclear vms
* The gnatmem Tool::
@end ifclear
@end menu
@node Some Useful Memory Pools
@section Some Useful Memory Pools
@findex Memory Pool
@cindex storage, pool
@noindent
The @code{System.Pool_Global} package offers the Unbounded_No_Reclaim_Pool
storage pool. Allocations use the standard system call @code{malloc} while
deallocations use the standard system call @code{free}. No reclamation is
performed when the pool goes out of scope. For performance reasons, the
standard default Ada allocators/deallocators do not use any explicit storage
pools but if they did, they could use this storage pool without any change in
behavior. That is why this storage pool is used when the user
manages to make the default implicit allocator explicit as in this example:
@smallexample @c ada
type T1 is access Something;
-- no Storage pool is defined for T2
type T2 is access Something_Else;
for T2'Storage_Pool use T1'Storage_Pool;
-- the above is equivalent to
for T2'Storage_Pool use System.Pool_Global.Global_Pool_Object;
@end smallexample
@noindent
The @code{System.Pool_Local} package offers the Unbounded_Reclaim_Pool storage
pool. The allocation strategy is similar to @code{Pool_Local}'s
except that the all
storage allocated with this pool is reclaimed when the pool object goes out of
scope. This pool provides a explicit mechanism similar to the implicit one
provided by several Ada 83 compilers for allocations performed through a local
access type and whose purpose was to reclaim memory when exiting the
scope of a given local access. As an example, the following program does not
leak memory even though it does not perform explicit deallocation:
@smallexample @c ada
with System.Pool_Local;
procedure Pooloc1 is
procedure Internal is
type A is access Integer;
X : System.Pool_Local.Unbounded_Reclaim_Pool;
for A'Storage_Pool use X;
v : A;
begin
for I in 1 .. 50 loop
v := new Integer;
end loop;
end Internal;
begin
for I in 1 .. 100 loop
Internal;
end loop;
end Pooloc1;
@end smallexample
@noindent
The @code{System.Pool_Size} package implements the Stack_Bounded_Pool used when
@code{Storage_Size} is specified for an access type.
The whole storage for the pool is
allocated at once, usually on the stack at the point where the access type is
elaborated. It is automatically reclaimed when exiting the scope where the
access type is defined. This package is not intended to be used directly by the
user and it is implicitly used for each such declaration:
@smallexample @c ada
type T1 is access Something;
for T1'Storage_Size use 10_000;
@end smallexample
@node The GNAT Debug Pool Facility
@section The GNAT Debug Pool Facility
@findex Debug Pool
@cindex storage, pool, memory corruption
@noindent
The use of unchecked deallocation and unchecked conversion can easily
lead to incorrect memory references. The problems generated by such
references are usually difficult to tackle because the symptoms can be
very remote from the origin of the problem. In such cases, it is
very helpful to detect the problem as early as possible. This is the
purpose of the Storage Pool provided by @code{GNAT.Debug_Pools}.
In order to use the GNAT specific debugging pool, the user must
associate a debug pool object with each of the access types that may be
related to suspected memory problems. See Ada Reference Manual 13.11.
@smallexample @c ada
type Ptr is access Some_Type;
Pool : GNAT.Debug_Pools.Debug_Pool;
for Ptr'Storage_Pool use Pool;
@end smallexample
@noindent
@code{GNAT.Debug_Pools} is derived from a GNAT-specific kind of
pool: the @code{Checked_Pool}. Such pools, like standard Ada storage pools,
allow the user to redefine allocation and deallocation strategies. They
also provide a checkpoint for each dereference, through the use of
the primitive operation @code{Dereference} which is implicitly called at
each dereference of an access value.
Once an access type has been associated with a debug pool, operations on
values of the type may raise four distinct exceptions,
which correspond to four potential kinds of memory corruption:
@itemize @bullet
@item
@code{GNAT.Debug_Pools.Accessing_Not_Allocated_Storage}
@item
@code{GNAT.Debug_Pools.Accessing_Deallocated_Storage}
@item
@code{GNAT.Debug_Pools.Freeing_Not_Allocated_Storage}
@item
@code{GNAT.Debug_Pools.Freeing_Deallocated_Storage }
@end itemize
@noindent
For types associated with a Debug_Pool, dynamic allocation is performed using
the standard GNAT allocation routine. References to all allocated chunks of
memory are kept in an internal dictionary. Several deallocation strategies are
provided, whereupon the user can choose to release the memory to the system,
keep it allocated for further invalid access checks, or fill it with an easily
recognizable pattern for debug sessions. The memory pattern is the old IBM
hexadecimal convention: @code{16#DEADBEEF#}.
See the documentation in the file g-debpoo.ads for more information on the
various strategies.
Upon each dereference, a check is made that the access value denotes a
properly allocated memory location. Here is a complete example of use of
@code{Debug_Pools}, that includes typical instances of memory corruption:
@smallexample @c ada
@iftex
@leftskip=0cm
@end iftex
with Gnat.Io; use Gnat.Io;
with Unchecked_Deallocation;
with Unchecked_Conversion;
with GNAT.Debug_Pools;
with System.Storage_Elements;
with Ada.Exceptions; use Ada.Exceptions;
procedure Debug_Pool_Test is
type T is access Integer;
type U is access all T;
P : GNAT.Debug_Pools.Debug_Pool;
for T'Storage_Pool use P;
procedure Free is new Unchecked_Deallocation (Integer, T);
function UC is new Unchecked_Conversion (U, T);
A, B : aliased T;
procedure Info is new GNAT.Debug_Pools.Print_Info(Put_Line);
begin
Info (P);
A := new Integer;
B := new Integer;
B := A;
Info (P);
Free (A);
begin
Put_Line (Integer'Image(B.all));
exception
when E : others => Put_Line ("raised: " & Exception_Name (E));
end;
begin
Free (B);
exception
when E : others => Put_Line ("raised: " & Exception_Name (E));
end;
B := UC(A'Access);
begin
Put_Line (Integer'Image(B.all));
exception
when E : others => Put_Line ("raised: " & Exception_Name (E));
end;
begin
Free (B);
exception
when E : others => Put_Line ("raised: " & Exception_Name (E));
end;
Info (P);
end Debug_Pool_Test;
@end smallexample
@noindent
The debug pool mechanism provides the following precise diagnostics on the
execution of this erroneous program:
@smallexample
Debug Pool info:
Total allocated bytes : 0
Total deallocated bytes : 0
Current Water Mark: 0
High Water Mark: 0
Debug Pool info:
Total allocated bytes : 8
Total deallocated bytes : 0
Current Water Mark: 8
High Water Mark: 8
raised: GNAT.DEBUG_POOLS.ACCESSING_DEALLOCATED_STORAGE
raised: GNAT.DEBUG_POOLS.FREEING_DEALLOCATED_STORAGE
raised: GNAT.DEBUG_POOLS.ACCESSING_NOT_ALLOCATED_STORAGE
raised: GNAT.DEBUG_POOLS.FREEING_NOT_ALLOCATED_STORAGE
Debug Pool info:
Total allocated bytes : 8
Total deallocated bytes : 4
Current Water Mark: 4
High Water Mark: 8
@end smallexample
@ifclear vms
@node The gnatmem Tool
@section The @command{gnatmem} Tool
@findex gnatmem
@noindent
The @code{gnatmem} utility monitors dynamic allocation and
deallocation activity in a program, and displays information about
incorrect deallocations and possible sources of memory leaks.
It provides three type of information:
@itemize @bullet
@item
General information concerning memory management, such as the total
number of allocations and deallocations, the amount of allocated
memory and the high water mark, i.e. the largest amount of allocated
memory in the course of program execution.
@item
Backtraces for all incorrect deallocations, that is to say deallocations
which do not correspond to a valid allocation.
@item
Information on each allocation that is potentially the origin of a memory
leak.
@end itemize
@menu
* Running gnatmem::
* Switches for gnatmem::
* Example of gnatmem Usage::
@end menu
@node Running gnatmem
@subsection Running @code{gnatmem}
@noindent
@code{gnatmem} makes use of the output created by the special version of
allocation and deallocation routines that record call information. This
allows to obtain accurate dynamic memory usage history at a minimal cost to
the execution speed. Note however, that @code{gnatmem} is not supported on
all platforms (currently, it is supported on AIX, HP-UX, GNU/Linux x86,
Solaris (sparc and x86) and Windows NT/2000/XP (x86).
@noindent
The @code{gnatmem} command has the form
@smallexample
$ gnatmem [switches] user_program
@end smallexample
@noindent
The program must have been linked with the instrumented version of the
allocation and deallocation routines. This is done by linking with the
@file{libgmem.a} library. For correct symbolic backtrace information,
the user program should be compiled with debugging options
@ref{Switches for gcc}. For example to build @file{my_program}:
@smallexample
$ gnatmake -g my_program -largs -lgmem
@end smallexample
@noindent
When running @file{my_program} the file @file{gmem.out} is produced. This file
contains information about all allocations and deallocations done by the
program. It is produced by the instrumented allocations and
deallocations routines and will be used by @code{gnatmem}.
@noindent
Gnatmem must be supplied with the @file{gmem.out} file and the executable to
examine. If the location of @file{gmem.out} file was not explicitly supplied by
@code{-i} switch, gnatmem will assume that this file can be found in the
current directory. For example, after you have executed @file{my_program},
@file{gmem.out} can be analyzed by @code{gnatmem} using the command:
@smallexample
$ gnatmem my_program
@end smallexample
@noindent
This will produce the output with the following format:
*************** debut cc
@smallexample
$ gnatmem my_program
Global information
------------------
Total number of allocations : 45
Total number of deallocations : 6
Final Water Mark (non freed mem) : 11.29 Kilobytes
High Water Mark : 11.40 Kilobytes
.
.
.
Allocation Root # 2
-------------------
Number of non freed allocations : 11
Final Water Mark (non freed mem) : 1.16 Kilobytes
High Water Mark : 1.27 Kilobytes
Backtrace :
my_program.adb:23 my_program.alloc
.
.
.
@end smallexample
The first block of output gives general information. In this case, the
Ada construct ``@code{@b{new}}'' was executed 45 times, and only 6 calls to an
Unchecked_Deallocation routine occurred.
@noindent
Subsequent paragraphs display information on all allocation roots.
An allocation root is a specific point in the execution of the program
that generates some dynamic allocation, such as a ``@code{@b{new}}''
construct. This root is represented by an execution backtrace (or subprogram
call stack). By default the backtrace depth for allocations roots is 1, so
that a root corresponds exactly to a source location. The backtrace can
be made deeper, to make the root more specific.
@node Switches for gnatmem
@subsection Switches for @code{gnatmem}
@noindent
@code{gnatmem} recognizes the following switches:
@table @option
@item -q
@cindex @option{-q} (@code{gnatmem})
Quiet. Gives the minimum output needed to identify the origin of the
memory leaks. Omits statistical information.
@item @var{N}
@cindex @var{N} (@code{gnatmem})
N is an integer literal (usually between 1 and 10) which controls the
depth of the backtraces defining allocation root. The default value for
N is 1. The deeper the backtrace, the more precise the localization of
the root. Note that the total number of roots can depend on this
parameter. This parameter must be specified @emph{before} the name of the
executable to be analyzed, to avoid ambiguity.
@item -b n
@cindex @option{-b} (@code{gnatmem})
This switch has the same effect as just depth parameter.
@item -i @var{file}
@cindex @option{-i} (@code{gnatmem})
Do the @code{gnatmem} processing starting from @file{file}, rather than
@file{gmem.out} in the current directory.
@item -m n
@cindex @option{-m} (@code{gnatmem})
This switch causes @code{gnatmem} to mask the allocation roots that have less
than n leaks. The default value is 1. Specifying the value of 0 will allow to
examine even the roots that didn't result in leaks.
@item -s order
@cindex @option{-s} (@code{gnatmem})
This switch causes @code{gnatmem} to sort the allocation roots according to the
specified order of sort criteria, each identified by a single letter. The
currently supported criteria are @code{n, h, w} standing respectively for
number of unfreed allocations, high watermark, and final watermark
corresponding to a specific root. The default order is @code{nwh}.
@end table
@node Example of gnatmem Usage
@subsection Example of @code{gnatmem} Usage
@noindent
The following example shows the use of @code{gnatmem}
on a simple memory-leaking program.
Suppose that we have the following Ada program:
@smallexample @c ada
@group
@cartouche
with Unchecked_Deallocation;
procedure Test_Gm is
type T is array (1..1000) of Integer;
type Ptr is access T;
procedure Free is new Unchecked_Deallocation (T, Ptr);
A : Ptr;
procedure My_Alloc is
begin
A := new T;
end My_Alloc;
procedure My_DeAlloc is
B : Ptr := A;
begin
Free (B);
end My_DeAlloc;
begin
My_Alloc;
for I in 1 .. 5 loop
for J in I .. 5 loop
My_Alloc;
end loop;
My_Dealloc;
end loop;
end;
@end cartouche
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
The program needs to be compiled with debugging option and linked with
@code{gmem} library:
@smallexample
$ gnatmake -g test_gm -largs -lgmem
@end smallexample
@noindent
Then we execute the program as usual:
@smallexample
$ test_gm
@end smallexample
@noindent
Then @code{gnatmem} is invoked simply with
@smallexample
$ gnatmem test_gm
@end smallexample
@noindent
which produces the following output (result may vary on different platforms):
@smallexample
Global information
------------------
Total number of allocations : 18
Total number of deallocations : 5
Final Water Mark (non freed mem) : 53.00 Kilobytes
High Water Mark : 56.90 Kilobytes
Allocation Root # 1
-------------------
Number of non freed allocations : 11
Final Water Mark (non freed mem) : 42.97 Kilobytes
High Water Mark : 46.88 Kilobytes
Backtrace :
test_gm.adb:11 test_gm.my_alloc
Allocation Root # 2
-------------------
Number of non freed allocations : 1
Final Water Mark (non freed mem) : 10.02 Kilobytes
High Water Mark : 10.02 Kilobytes
Backtrace :
s-secsta.adb:81 system.secondary_stack.ss_init
Allocation Root # 3
-------------------
Number of non freed allocations : 1
Final Water Mark (non freed mem) : 12 Bytes
High Water Mark : 12 Bytes
Backtrace :
s-secsta.adb:181 system.secondary_stack.ss_init
@end smallexample
@noindent
Note that the GNAT run time contains itself a certain number of
allocations that have no corresponding deallocation,
as shown here for root #2 and root
#3. This is a normal behavior when the number of non freed allocations
is one, it allocates dynamic data structures that the run time needs for
the complete lifetime of the program. Note also that there is only one
allocation root in the user program with a single line back trace:
test_gm.adb:11 test_gm.my_alloc, whereas a careful analysis of the
program shows that 'My_Alloc' is called at 2 different points in the
source (line 21 and line 24). If those two allocation roots need to be
distinguished, the backtrace depth parameter can be used:
@smallexample
$ gnatmem 3 test_gm
@end smallexample
@noindent
which will give the following output:
@smallexample
Global information
------------------
Total number of allocations : 18
Total number of deallocations : 5
Final Water Mark (non freed mem) : 53.00 Kilobytes
High Water Mark : 56.90 Kilobytes
Allocation Root # 1
-------------------
Number of non freed allocations : 10
Final Water Mark (non freed mem) : 39.06 Kilobytes
High Water Mark : 42.97 Kilobytes
Backtrace :
test_gm.adb:11 test_gm.my_alloc
test_gm.adb:24 test_gm
b_test_gm.c:52 main
Allocation Root # 2
-------------------
Number of non freed allocations : 1
Final Water Mark (non freed mem) : 10.02 Kilobytes
High Water Mark : 10.02 Kilobytes
Backtrace :
s-secsta.adb:81 system.secondary_stack.ss_init
s-secsta.adb:283 <system__secondary_stack___elabb>
b_test_gm.c:33 adainit
Allocation Root # 3
-------------------
Number of non freed allocations : 1
Final Water Mark (non freed mem) : 3.91 Kilobytes
High Water Mark : 3.91 Kilobytes
Backtrace :
test_gm.adb:11 test_gm.my_alloc
test_gm.adb:21 test_gm
b_test_gm.c:52 main
Allocation Root # 4
-------------------
Number of non freed allocations : 1
Final Water Mark (non freed mem) : 12 Bytes
High Water Mark : 12 Bytes
Backtrace :
s-secsta.adb:181 system.secondary_stack.ss_init
s-secsta.adb:283 <system__secondary_stack___elabb>
b_test_gm.c:33 adainit
@end smallexample
@noindent
The allocation root #1 of the first example has been split in 2 roots #1
and #3 thanks to the more precise associated backtrace.
@end ifclear
@node Creating Sample Bodies Using gnatstub
@chapter Creating Sample Bodies Using @command{gnatstub}
@findex gnatstub
@noindent
@command{gnatstub} creates body stubs, that is, empty but compilable bodies
for library unit declarations.
To create a body stub, @command{gnatstub} has to compile the library
unit declaration. Therefore, bodies can be created only for legal
library units. Moreover, if a library unit depends semantically upon
units located outside the current directory, you have to provide
the source search path when calling @command{gnatstub}, see the description
of @command{gnatstub} switches below.
@menu
* Running gnatstub::
* Switches for gnatstub::
@end menu
@node Running gnatstub
@section Running @command{gnatstub}
@noindent
@command{gnatstub} has the command-line interface of the form
@smallexample
$ gnatstub [switches] filename [directory]
@end smallexample
@noindent
where
@table @emph
@item filename
is the name of the source file that contains a library unit declaration
for which a body must be created. The file name may contain the path
information.
The file name does not have to follow the GNAT file name conventions. If the
name
does not follow GNAT file naming conventions, the name of the body file must
be provided
explicitly as the value of the @option{^-o^/BODY=^@var{body-name}} option.
If the file name follows the GNAT file naming
conventions and the name of the body file is not provided,
@command{gnatstub}
creates the name
of the body file from the argument file name by replacing the @file{.ads}
suffix
with the @file{.adb} suffix.
@item directory
indicates the directory in which the body stub is to be placed (the default
is the
current directory)
@item switches
is an optional sequence of switches as described in the next section
@end table
@node Switches for gnatstub
@section Switches for @command{gnatstub}
@table @option
@c !sort!
@item ^-f^/FULL^
@cindex @option{^-f^/FULL^} (@command{gnatstub})
If the destination directory already contains a file with the name of the
body file
for the argument spec file, replace it with the generated body stub.
@item ^-hs^/HEADER=SPEC^
@cindex @option{^-hs^/HEADER=SPEC^} (@command{gnatstub})
Put the comment header (i.e., all the comments preceding the
compilation unit) from the source of the library unit declaration
into the body stub.
@item ^-hg^/HEADER=GENERAL^
@cindex @option{^-hg^/HEADER=GENERAL^} (@command{gnatstub})
Put a sample comment header into the body stub.
@ifclear vms
@item -IDIR
@cindex @option{-IDIR} (@command{gnatstub})
@itemx -I-
@cindex @option{-I-} (@command{gnatstub})
@end ifclear
@ifset vms
@item /NOCURRENT_DIRECTORY
@cindex @option{/NOCURRENT_DIRECTORY} (@command{gnatstub})
@end ifset
^These switches have ^This switch has^ the same meaning as in calls to
@command{gcc}.
^They define ^It defines ^ the source search path in the call to
@command{gcc} issued
by @command{gnatstub} to compile an argument source file.
@item ^-gnatec^/CONFIGURATION_PRAGMAS_FILE=^@var{PATH}
@cindex @option{^-gnatec^/CONFIGURATION_PRAGMAS_FILE^} (@command{gnatstub})
This switch has the same meaning as in calls to @command{gcc}.
It defines the additional configuration file to be passed to the call to
@command{gcc} issued
by @command{gnatstub} to compile an argument source file.
@item ^-gnatyM^/MAX_LINE_LENGTH=^@var{n}
@cindex @option{^-gnatyM^/MAX_LINE_LENGTH^} (@command{gnatstub})
(@var{n} is a non-negative integer). Set the maximum line length in the
body stub to @var{n}; the default is 79. The maximum value that can be
specified is 32767. Note that in the special case of configuration
pragma files, the maximum is always 32767 regardless of whether or
not this switch appears.
@item ^-gnaty^/STYLE_CHECKS=^@var{n}
@cindex @option{^-gnaty^/STYLE_CHECKS=^} (@command{gnatstub})
(@var{n} is a non-negative integer from 1 to 9). Set the indentation level in
the generated body sample to @var{n}.
The default indentation is 3.
@item ^-gnatyo^/ORDERED_SUBPROGRAMS^
@cindex @option{^-gnato^/ORDERED_SUBPROGRAMS^} (@command{gnatstub})
Order local bodies alphabetically. (By default local bodies are ordered
in the same way as the corresponding local specs in the argument spec file.)
@item ^-i^/INDENTATION=^@var{n}
@cindex @option{^-i^/INDENTATION^} (@command{gnatstub})
Same as @option{^-gnaty^/STYLE_CHECKS=^@var{n}}
@item ^-k^/TREE_FILE=SAVE^
@cindex @option{^-k^/TREE_FILE=SAVE^} (@command{gnatstub})
Do not remove the tree file (i.e., the snapshot of the compiler internal
structures used by @command{gnatstub}) after creating the body stub.
@item ^-l^/LINE_LENGTH=^@var{n}
@cindex @option{^-l^/LINE_LENGTH^} (@command{gnatstub})
Same as @option{^-gnatyM^/MAX_LINE_LENGTH=^@var{n}}
@item ^-o^/BODY=^@var{body-name}
@cindex @option{^-o^/BODY^} (@command{gnatstub})
Body file name. This should be set if the argument file name does not
follow
the GNAT file naming
conventions. If this switch is omitted the default name for the body will be
obtained
from the argument file name according to the GNAT file naming conventions.
@item ^-q^/QUIET^
@cindex @option{^-q^/QUIET^} (@command{gnatstub})
Quiet mode: do not generate a confirmation when a body is
successfully created, and do not generate a message when a body is not
required for an
argument unit.
@item ^-r^/TREE_FILE=REUSE^
@cindex @option{^-r^/TREE_FILE=REUSE^} (@command{gnatstub})
Reuse the tree file (if it exists) instead of creating it. Instead of
creating the tree file for the library unit declaration, @command{gnatstub}
tries to find it in the current directory and use it for creating
a body. If the tree file is not found, no body is created. This option
also implies @option{^-k^/SAVE^}, whether or not
the latter is set explicitly.
@item ^-t^/TREE_FILE=OVERWRITE^
@cindex @option{^-t^/TREE_FILE=OVERWRITE^} (@command{gnatstub})
Overwrite the existing tree file. If the current directory already
contains the file which, according to the GNAT file naming rules should
be considered as a tree file for the argument source file,
@command{gnatstub}
will refuse to create the tree file needed to create a sample body
unless this option is set.
@item ^-v^/VERBOSE^
@cindex @option{^-v^/VERBOSE^} (@command{gnatstub})
Verbose mode: generate version information.
@end table
@node Other Utility Programs
@chapter Other Utility Programs
@noindent
This chapter discusses some other utility programs available in the Ada
environment.
@menu
* Using Other Utility Programs with GNAT::
* The External Symbol Naming Scheme of GNAT::
@ifclear vms
* Ada Mode for Glide::
@end ifclear
* Converting Ada Files to html with gnathtml::
* Installing gnathtml::
@ifset vms
* LSE::
* Profiling::
@end ifset
@end menu
@node Using Other Utility Programs with GNAT
@section Using Other Utility Programs with GNAT
@noindent
The object files generated by GNAT are in standard system format and in
particular the debugging information uses this format. This means
programs generated by GNAT can be used with existing utilities that
depend on these formats.
@ifclear vms
In general, any utility program that works with C will also often work with
Ada programs generated by GNAT. This includes software utilities such as
gprof (a profiling program), @code{gdb} (the FSF debugger), and utilities such
as Purify.
@end ifclear
@node The External Symbol Naming Scheme of GNAT
@section The External Symbol Naming Scheme of GNAT
@noindent
In order to interpret the output from GNAT, when using tools that are
originally intended for use with other languages, it is useful to
understand the conventions used to generate link names from the Ada
entity names.
All link names are in all lowercase letters. With the exception of library
procedure names, the mechanism used is simply to use the full expanded
Ada name with dots replaced by double underscores. For example, suppose
we have the following package spec:
@smallexample @c ada
@group
@cartouche
package QRS is
MN : Integer;
end QRS;
@end cartouche
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
The variable @code{MN} has a full expanded Ada name of @code{QRS.MN}, so
the corresponding link name is @code{qrs__mn}.
@findex Export
Of course if a @code{pragma Export} is used this may be overridden:
@smallexample @c ada
@group
@cartouche
package Exports is
Var1 : Integer;
pragma Export (Var1, C, External_Name => "var1_name");
Var2 : Integer;
pragma Export (Var2, C, Link_Name => "var2_link_name");
end Exports;
@end cartouche
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
In this case, the link name for @var{Var1} is whatever link name the
C compiler would assign for the C function @var{var1_name}. This typically
would be either @var{var1_name} or @var{_var1_name}, depending on operating
system conventions, but other possibilities exist. The link name for
@var{Var2} is @var{var2_link_name}, and this is not operating system
dependent.
@findex _main
One exception occurs for library level procedures. A potential ambiguity
arises between the required name @code{_main} for the C main program,
and the name we would otherwise assign to an Ada library level procedure
called @code{Main} (which might well not be the main program).
To avoid this ambiguity, we attach the prefix @code{_ada_} to such
names. So if we have a library level procedure such as
@smallexample @c ada
@group
@cartouche
procedure Hello (S : String);
@end cartouche
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
the external name of this procedure will be @var{_ada_hello}.
@ifclear vms
@node Ada Mode for Glide
@section Ada Mode for @code{Glide}
@cindex Ada mode (for Glide)
@noindent
The Glide mode for programming in Ada (both Ada83 and Ada95) helps the
user to understand and navigate existing code, and facilitates writing
new code. It furthermore provides some utility functions for easier
integration of standard Emacs features when programming in Ada.
Its general features include:
@itemize @bullet
@item
An Integrated Development Environment with functionality such as the
following
@itemize @bullet
@item
``Project files'' for configuration-specific aspects
(e.g. directories and compilation options)
@item
Compiling and stepping through error messages.
@item
Running and debugging an applications within Glide.
@end itemize
@item
Pull-down menus
@item
User configurability
@end itemize
Some of the specific Ada mode features are:
@itemize @bullet
@item
Functions for easy and quick stepping through Ada code
@item
Getting cross reference information for identifiers (e.g., finding a
defining occurrence)
@item
Displaying an index menu of types and subprograms, allowing
direct selection for browsing
@item
Automatic color highlighting of the various Ada entities
@end itemize
Glide directly supports writing Ada code, via several facilities:
@itemize @bullet
@item
Switching between spec and body files with possible
autogeneration of body files
@item
Automatic formating of subprogram parameter lists
@item
Automatic indentation according to Ada syntax
@item
Automatic completion of identifiers
@item
Automatic (and configurable) casing of identifiers, keywords, and attributes
@item
Insertion of syntactic templates
@item
Block commenting / uncommenting
@end itemize
@noindent
For more information, please refer to the online documentation
available in the @code{Glide} @result{} @code{Help} menu.
@end ifclear
@node Converting Ada Files to html with gnathtml
@section Converting Ada Files to HTML with @code{gnathtml}
@noindent
This @code{Perl} script allows Ada source files to be browsed using
standard Web browsers. For installation procedure, see the section
@xref{Installing gnathtml}.
Ada reserved keywords are highlighted in a bold font and Ada comments in
a blue font. Unless your program was compiled with the gcc @option{-gnatx}
switch to suppress the generation of cross-referencing information, user
defined variables and types will appear in a different color; you will
be able to click on any identifier and go to its declaration.
The command line is as follow:
@smallexample
$ perl gnathtml.pl [switches] ada-files
@end smallexample
@noindent
You can pass it as many Ada files as you want. @code{gnathtml} will generate
an html file for every ada file, and a global file called @file{index.htm}.
This file is an index of every identifier defined in the files.
The available switches are the following ones :
@table @option
@item -83
@cindex @option{-83} (@code{gnathtml})
Only the subset on the Ada 83 keywords will be highlighted, not the full
Ada 95 keywords set.
@item -cc @var{color}
@cindex @option{-cc} (@code{gnathtml})
This option allows you to change the color used for comments. The default
value is green. The color argument can be any name accepted by html.
@item -d
@cindex @option{-d} (@code{gnathtml})
If the ada files depend on some other files (using for instance the
@code{with} command, the latter will also be converted to html.
Only the files in the user project will be converted to html, not the files
in the run-time library itself.
@item -D
@cindex @option{-D} (@code{gnathtml})
This command is the same as @option{-d} above, but @command{gnathtml} will
also look for files in the run-time library, and generate html files for them.
@item -ext @var{extension}
@cindex @option{-ext} (@code{gnathtml})
This option allows you to change the extension of the generated HTML files.
If you do not specify an extension, it will default to @file{htm}.
@item -f
@cindex @option{-f} (@code{gnathtml})
By default, gnathtml will generate html links only for global entities
('with'ed units, global variables and types,...). If you specify the
@option{-f} on the command line, then links will be generated for local
entities too.
@item -l @var{number}
@cindex @option{-l} (@code{gnathtml})
If this switch is provided and @var{number} is not 0, then @code{gnathtml}
will number the html files every @var{number} line.
@item -I @var{dir}
@cindex @option{-I} (@code{gnathtml})
Specify a directory to search for library files (@file{.ALI} files) and
source files. You can provide several -I switches on the command line,
and the directories will be parsed in the order of the command line.
@item -o @var{dir}
@cindex @option{-o} (@code{gnathtml})
Specify the output directory for html files. By default, gnathtml will
saved the generated html files in a subdirectory named @file{html/}.
@item -p @var{file}
@cindex @option{-p} (@code{gnathtml})
If you are using Emacs and the most recent Emacs Ada mode, which provides
a full Integrated Development Environment for compiling, checking,
running and debugging applications, you may use @file{.gpr} files
to give the directories where Emacs can find sources and object files.
Using this switch, you can tell gnathtml to use these files. This allows
you to get an html version of your application, even if it is spread
over multiple directories.
@item -sc @var{color}
@cindex @option{-sc} (@code{gnathtml})
This option allows you to change the color used for symbol definitions.
The default value is red. The color argument can be any name accepted by html.
@item -t @var{file}
@cindex @option{-t} (@code{gnathtml})
This switch provides the name of a file. This file contains a list of
file names to be converted, and the effect is exactly as though they had
appeared explicitly on the command line. This
is the recommended way to work around the command line length limit on some
systems.
@end table
@node Installing gnathtml
@section Installing @code{gnathtml}
@noindent
@code{Perl} needs to be installed on your machine to run this script.
@code{Perl} is freely available for almost every architecture and
Operating System via the Internet.
On Unix systems, you may want to modify the first line of the script
@code{gnathtml}, to explicitly tell the Operating system where Perl
is. The syntax of this line is :
@smallexample
#!full_path_name_to_perl
@end smallexample
@noindent
Alternatively, you may run the script using the following command line:
@smallexample
$ perl gnathtml.pl [switches] files
@end smallexample
@ifset vms
@node LSE
@section LSE
@findex LSE
@noindent
The GNAT distribution provides an Ada 95 template for the Digital Language
Sensitive Editor (LSE), a component of DECset. In order to
access it, invoke LSE with the qualifier /ENVIRONMENT=GNU:[LIB]ADA95.ENV.
@node Profiling
@section Profiling
@findex PCA
@noindent
GNAT supports The Digital Performance Coverage Analyzer (PCA), a component
of DECset. To use it proceed as outlined under ``HELP PCA'', except for running
the collection phase with the /DEBUG qualifier.
@smallexample
$ GNAT MAKE /DEBUG <PROGRAM_NAME>
$ DEFINE LIB$DEBUG PCA$COLLECTOR
$ RUN/DEBUG <PROGRAM_NAME>
@end smallexample
@noindent
@end ifset
@node Running and Debugging Ada Programs
@chapter Running and Debugging Ada Programs
@cindex Debugging
@noindent
This chapter discusses how to debug Ada programs.
@ifset vms
It applies to the Alpha OpenVMS platform;
the debugger for Integrity OpenVMS is scheduled for a subsequent release.
@end ifset
An incorrect Ada program may be handled in three ways by the GNAT compiler:
@enumerate
@item
The illegality may be a violation of the static semantics of Ada. In
that case GNAT diagnoses the constructs in the program that are illegal.
It is then a straightforward matter for the user to modify those parts of
the program.
@item
The illegality may be a violation of the dynamic semantics of Ada. In
that case the program compiles and executes, but may generate incorrect
results, or may terminate abnormally with some exception.
@item
When presented with a program that contains convoluted errors, GNAT
itself may terminate abnormally without providing full diagnostics on
the incorrect user program.
@end enumerate
@menu
* The GNAT Debugger GDB::
* Running GDB::
* Introduction to GDB Commands::
* Using Ada Expressions::
* Calling User-Defined Subprograms::
* Using the Next Command in a Function::
* Ada Exceptions::
* Ada Tasks::
* Debugging Generic Units::
* GNAT Abnormal Termination or Failure to Terminate::
* Naming Conventions for GNAT Source Files::
* Getting Internal Debugging Information::
* Stack Traceback::
@end menu
@cindex Debugger
@findex gdb
@node The GNAT Debugger GDB
@section The GNAT Debugger GDB
@noindent
@code{GDB} is a general purpose, platform-independent debugger that
can be used to debug mixed-language programs compiled with @command{gcc},
and in particular is capable of debugging Ada programs compiled with
GNAT. The latest versions of @code{GDB} are Ada-aware and can handle
complex Ada data structures.
The manual @cite{Debugging with GDB}
@ifset vms
, located in the GNU:[DOCS] directory,
@end ifset
contains full details on the usage of @code{GDB}, including a section on
its usage on programs. This manual should be consulted for full
details. The section that follows is a brief introduction to the
philosophy and use of @code{GDB}.
When GNAT programs are compiled, the compiler optionally writes debugging
information into the generated object file, including information on
line numbers, and on declared types and variables. This information is
separate from the generated code. It makes the object files considerably
larger, but it does not add to the size of the actual executable that
will be loaded into memory, and has no impact on run-time performance. The
generation of debug information is triggered by the use of the
^-g^/DEBUG^ switch in the gcc or gnatmake command used to carry out
the compilations. It is important to emphasize that the use of these
options does not change the generated code.
The debugging information is written in standard system formats that
are used by many tools, including debuggers and profilers. The format
of the information is typically designed to describe C types and
semantics, but GNAT implements a translation scheme which allows full
details about Ada types and variables to be encoded into these
standard C formats. Details of this encoding scheme may be found in
the file exp_dbug.ads in the GNAT source distribution. However, the
details of this encoding are, in general, of no interest to a user,
since @code{GDB} automatically performs the necessary decoding.
When a program is bound and linked, the debugging information is
collected from the object files, and stored in the executable image of
the program. Again, this process significantly increases the size of
the generated executable file, but it does not increase the size of
the executable program itself. Furthermore, if this program is run in
the normal manner, it runs exactly as if the debug information were
not present, and takes no more actual memory.
However, if the program is run under control of @code{GDB}, the
debugger is activated. The image of the program is loaded, at which
point it is ready to run. If a run command is given, then the program
will run exactly as it would have if @code{GDB} were not present. This
is a crucial part of the @code{GDB} design philosophy. @code{GDB} is
entirely non-intrusive until a breakpoint is encountered. If no
breakpoint is ever hit, the program will run exactly as it would if no
debugger were present. When a breakpoint is hit, @code{GDB} accesses
the debugging information and can respond to user commands to inspect
variables, and more generally to report on the state of execution.
@c **************
@node Running GDB
@section Running GDB
@noindent
The debugger can be launched directly and simply from @code{glide} or
through its graphical interface: @code{gvd}. It can also be used
directly in text mode. Here is described the basic use of @code{GDB}
in text mode. All the commands described below can be used in the
@code{gvd} console window even though there is usually other more
graphical ways to achieve the same goals.
@ifclear vms
@noindent
The command to run the graphical interface of the debugger is
@smallexample
$ gvd program
@end smallexample
@end ifclear
@noindent
The command to run @code{GDB} in text mode is
@smallexample
$ ^gdb program^$ GDB PROGRAM^
@end smallexample
@noindent
where @code{^program^PROGRAM^} is the name of the executable file. This
activates the debugger and results in a prompt for debugger commands.
The simplest command is simply @code{run}, which causes the program to run
exactly as if the debugger were not present. The following section
describes some of the additional commands that can be given to @code{GDB}.
@c *******************************
@node Introduction to GDB Commands
@section Introduction to GDB Commands
@noindent
@code{GDB} contains a large repertoire of commands. The manual
@cite{Debugging with GDB}
@ifset vms
, located in the GNU:[DOCS] directory,
@end ifset
includes extensive documentation on the use
of these commands, together with examples of their use. Furthermore,
the command @var{help} invoked from within @code{GDB} activates a simple help
facility which summarizes the available commands and their options.
In this section we summarize a few of the most commonly
used commands to give an idea of what @code{GDB} is about. You should create
a simple program with debugging information and experiment with the use of
these @code{GDB} commands on the program as you read through the
following section.
@table @code
@item set args @var{arguments}
The @var{arguments} list above is a list of arguments to be passed to
the program on a subsequent run command, just as though the arguments
had been entered on a normal invocation of the program. The @code{set args}
command is not needed if the program does not require arguments.
@item run
The @code{run} command causes execution of the program to start from
the beginning. If the program is already running, that is to say if
you are currently positioned at a breakpoint, then a prompt will ask
for confirmation that you want to abandon the current execution and
restart.
@item breakpoint @var{location}
The breakpoint command sets a breakpoint, that is to say a point at which
execution will halt and @code{GDB} will await further
commands. @var{location} is
either a line number within a file, given in the format @code{file:linenumber},
or it is the name of a subprogram. If you request that a breakpoint be set on
a subprogram that is overloaded, a prompt will ask you to specify on which of
those subprograms you want to breakpoint. You can also
specify that all of them should be breakpointed. If the program is run
and execution encounters the breakpoint, then the program
stops and @code{GDB} signals that the breakpoint was encountered by
printing the line of code before which the program is halted.
@item breakpoint exception @var{name}
A special form of the breakpoint command which breakpoints whenever
exception @var{name} is raised.
If @var{name} is omitted,
then a breakpoint will occur when any exception is raised.
@item print @var{expression}
This will print the value of the given expression. Most simple
Ada expression formats are properly handled by @code{GDB}, so the expression
can contain function calls, variables, operators, and attribute references.
@item continue
Continues execution following a breakpoint, until the next breakpoint or the
termination of the program.
@item step
Executes a single line after a breakpoint. If the next statement
is a subprogram call, execution continues into (the first statement of)
the called subprogram.
@item next
Executes a single line. If this line is a subprogram call, executes and
returns from the call.
@item list
Lists a few lines around the current source location. In practice, it
is usually more convenient to have a separate edit window open with the
relevant source file displayed. Successive applications of this command
print subsequent lines. The command can be given an argument which is a
line number, in which case it displays a few lines around the specified one.
@item backtrace
Displays a backtrace of the call chain. This command is typically
used after a breakpoint has occurred, to examine the sequence of calls that
leads to the current breakpoint. The display includes one line for each
activation record (frame) corresponding to an active subprogram.
@item up
At a breakpoint, @code{GDB} can display the values of variables local
to the current frame. The command @code{up} can be used to
examine the contents of other active frames, by moving the focus up
the stack, that is to say from callee to caller, one frame at a time.
@item down
Moves the focus of @code{GDB} down from the frame currently being
examined to the frame of its callee (the reverse of the previous command),
@item frame @var{n}
Inspect the frame with the given number. The value 0 denotes the frame
of the current breakpoint, that is to say the top of the call stack.
@end table
The above list is a very short introduction to the commands that
@code{GDB} provides. Important additional capabilities, including conditional
breakpoints, the ability to execute command sequences on a breakpoint,
the ability to debug at the machine instruction level and many other
features are described in detail in @cite{Debugging with GDB}.
Note that most commands can be abbreviated
(for example, c for continue, bt for backtrace).
@node Using Ada Expressions
@section Using Ada Expressions
@cindex Ada expressions
@noindent
@code{GDB} supports a fairly large subset of Ada expression syntax, with some
extensions. The philosophy behind the design of this subset is
@itemize @bullet
@item
That @code{GDB} should provide basic literals and access to operations for
arithmetic, dereferencing, field selection, indexing, and subprogram calls,
leaving more sophisticated computations to subprograms written into the
program (which therefore may be called from @code{GDB}).
@item
That type safety and strict adherence to Ada language restrictions
are not particularly important to the @code{GDB} user.
@item
That brevity is important to the @code{GDB} user.
@end itemize
Thus, for brevity, the debugger acts as if there were
implicit @code{with} and @code{use} clauses in effect for all user-written
packages, thus making it unnecessary to fully qualify most names with
their packages, regardless of context. Where this causes ambiguity,
@code{GDB} asks the user's intent.
For details on the supported Ada syntax, see @cite{Debugging with GDB}.
@node Calling User-Defined Subprograms
@section Calling User-Defined Subprograms
@noindent
An important capability of @code{GDB} is the ability to call user-defined
subprograms while debugging. This is achieved simply by entering
a subprogram call statement in the form:
@smallexample
call subprogram-name (parameters)
@end smallexample
@noindent
The keyword @code{call} can be omitted in the normal case where the
@code{subprogram-name} does not coincide with any of the predefined
@code{GDB} commands.
The effect is to invoke the given subprogram, passing it the
list of parameters that is supplied. The parameters can be expressions and
can include variables from the program being debugged. The
subprogram must be defined
at the library level within your program, and @code{GDB} will call the
subprogram within the environment of your program execution (which
means that the subprogram is free to access or even modify variables
within your program).
The most important use of this facility is in allowing the inclusion of
debugging routines that are tailored to particular data structures
in your program. Such debugging routines can be written to provide a suitably
high-level description of an abstract type, rather than a low-level dump
of its physical layout. After all, the standard
@code{GDB print} command only knows the physical layout of your
types, not their abstract meaning. Debugging routines can provide information
at the desired semantic level and are thus enormously useful.
For example, when debugging GNAT itself, it is crucial to have access to
the contents of the tree nodes used to represent the program internally.
But tree nodes are represented simply by an integer value (which in turn
is an index into a table of nodes).
Using the @code{print} command on a tree node would simply print this integer
value, which is not very useful. But the PN routine (defined in file
treepr.adb in the GNAT sources) takes a tree node as input, and displays
a useful high level representation of the tree node, which includes the
syntactic category of the node, its position in the source, the integers
that denote descendant nodes and parent node, as well as varied
semantic information. To study this example in more detail, you might want to
look at the body of the PN procedure in the stated file.
@node Using the Next Command in a Function
@section Using the Next Command in a Function
@noindent
When you use the @code{next} command in a function, the current source
location will advance to the next statement as usual. A special case
arises in the case of a @code{return} statement.
Part of the code for a return statement is the ``epilog'' of the function.
This is the code that returns to the caller. There is only one copy of
this epilog code, and it is typically associated with the last return
statement in the function if there is more than one return. In some
implementations, this epilog is associated with the first statement
of the function.
The result is that if you use the @code{next} command from a return
statement that is not the last return statement of the function you
may see a strange apparent jump to the last return statement or to
the start of the function. You should simply ignore this odd jump.
The value returned is always that from the first return statement
that was stepped through.
@node Ada Exceptions
@section Breaking on Ada Exceptions
@cindex Exceptions
@noindent
You can set breakpoints that trip when your program raises
selected exceptions.
@table @code
@item break exception
Set a breakpoint that trips whenever (any task in the) program raises
any exception.
@item break exception @var{name}
Set a breakpoint that trips whenever (any task in the) program raises
the exception @var{name}.
@item break exception unhandled
Set a breakpoint that trips whenever (any task in the) program raises an
exception for which there is no handler.
@item info exceptions
@itemx info exceptions @var{regexp}
The @code{info exceptions} command permits the user to examine all defined
exceptions within Ada programs. With a regular expression, @var{regexp}, as
argument, prints out only those exceptions whose name matches @var{regexp}.
@end table
@node Ada Tasks
@section Ada Tasks
@cindex Tasks
@noindent
@code{GDB} allows the following task-related commands:
@table @code
@item info tasks
This command shows a list of current Ada tasks, as in the following example:
@smallexample
@iftex
@leftskip=0cm
@end iftex
(gdb) info tasks
ID TID P-ID Thread Pri State Name
1 8088000 0 807e000 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
2 80a4000 1 80ae000 15 Accept/Select Wait b
3 809a800 1 80a4800 15 Child Activation Wait a
* 4 80ae800 3 80b8000 15 Running c
@end smallexample
@noindent
In this listing, the asterisk before the first task indicates it to be the
currently running task. The first column lists the task ID that is used
to refer to tasks in the following commands.
@item break @var{linespec} task @var{taskid}
@itemx break @var{linespec} task @var{taskid} if @dots{}
@cindex Breakpoints and tasks
These commands are like the @code{break @dots{} thread @dots{}}.
@var{linespec} specifies source lines.
Use the qualifier @samp{task @var{taskid}} with a breakpoint command
to specify that you only want @code{GDB} to stop the program when a
particular Ada task reaches this breakpoint. @var{taskid} is one of the
numeric task identifiers assigned by @code{GDB}, shown in the first
column of the @samp{info tasks} display.
If you do not specify @samp{task @var{taskid}} when you set a
breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} tasks of your
program.
You can use the @code{task} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
well; in this case, place @samp{task @var{taskid}} before the
breakpoint condition (before the @code{if}).
@item task @var{taskno}
@cindex Task switching
This command allows to switch to the task referred by @var{taskno}. In
particular, This allows to browse the backtrace of the specified
task. It is advised to switch back to the original task before
continuing execution otherwise the scheduling of the program may be
perturbated.
@end table
@noindent
For more detailed information on the tasking support,
see @cite{Debugging with GDB}.
@node Debugging Generic Units
@section Debugging Generic Units
@cindex Debugging Generic Units
@cindex Generics
@noindent
GNAT always uses code expansion for generic instantiation. This means that
each time an instantiation occurs, a complete copy of the original code is
made, with appropriate substitutions of formals by actuals.
It is not possible to refer to the original generic entities in
@code{GDB}, but it is always possible to debug a particular instance of
a generic, by using the appropriate expanded names. For example, if we have
@smallexample @c ada
@group
@cartouche
procedure g is
generic package k is
procedure kp (v1 : in out integer);
end k;
package body k is
procedure kp (v1 : in out integer) is
begin
v1 := v1 + 1;
end kp;
end k;
package k1 is new k;
package k2 is new k;
var : integer := 1;
begin
k1.kp (var);
k2.kp (var);
k1.kp (var);
k2.kp (var);
end;
@end cartouche
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
Then to break on a call to procedure kp in the k2 instance, simply
use the command:
@smallexample
(gdb) break g.k2.kp
@end smallexample
@noindent
When the breakpoint occurs, you can step through the code of the
instance in the normal manner and examine the values of local variables, as for
other units.
@node GNAT Abnormal Termination or Failure to Terminate
@section GNAT Abnormal Termination or Failure to Terminate
@cindex GNAT Abnormal Termination or Failure to Terminate
@noindent
When presented with programs that contain serious errors in syntax
or semantics,
GNAT may on rare occasions experience problems in operation, such
as aborting with a
segmentation fault or illegal memory access, raising an internal
exception, terminating abnormally, or failing to terminate at all.
In such cases, you can activate
various features of GNAT that can help you pinpoint the construct in your
program that is the likely source of the problem.
The following strategies are presented in increasing order of
difficulty, corresponding to your experience in using GNAT and your
familiarity with compiler internals.
@enumerate
@item
Run @command{gcc} with the @option{-gnatf}. This first
switch causes all errors on a given line to be reported. In its absence,
only the first error on a line is displayed.
The @option{-gnatdO} switch causes errors to be displayed as soon as they
are encountered, rather than after compilation is terminated. If GNAT
terminates prematurely or goes into an infinite loop, the last error
message displayed may help to pinpoint the culprit.
@item
Run @command{gcc} with the @option{^-v (verbose)^/VERBOSE^} switch. In this
mode, @command{gcc} produces ongoing information about the progress of the
compilation and provides the name of each procedure as code is
generated. This switch allows you to find which Ada procedure was being
compiled when it encountered a code generation problem.
@item
@cindex @option{-gnatdc} switch
Run @command{gcc} with the @option{-gnatdc} switch. This is a GNAT specific
switch that does for the front-end what @option{^-v^VERBOSE^} does
for the back end. The system prints the name of each unit,
either a compilation unit or nested unit, as it is being analyzed.
@item
Finally, you can start
@code{gdb} directly on the @code{gnat1} executable. @code{gnat1} is the
front-end of GNAT, and can be run independently (normally it is just
called from @command{gcc}). You can use @code{gdb} on @code{gnat1} as you
would on a C program (but @pxref{The GNAT Debugger GDB} for caveats). The
@code{where} command is the first line of attack; the variable
@code{lineno} (seen by @code{print lineno}), used by the second phase of
@code{gnat1} and by the @command{gcc} backend, indicates the source line at
which the execution stopped, and @code{input_file name} indicates the name of
the source file.
@end enumerate
@node Naming Conventions for GNAT Source Files
@section Naming Conventions for GNAT Source Files
@noindent
In order to examine the workings of the GNAT system, the following
brief description of its organization may be helpful:
@itemize @bullet
@item
Files with prefix @file{^sc^SC^} contain the lexical scanner.
@item
All files prefixed with @file{^par^PAR^} are components of the parser. The
numbers correspond to chapters of the Ada 95 Reference Manual. For example,
parsing of select statements can be found in @file{par-ch9.adb}.
@item
All files prefixed with @file{^sem^SEM^} perform semantic analysis. The
numbers correspond to chapters of the Ada standard. For example, all
issues involving context clauses can be found in @file{sem_ch10.adb}. In
addition, some features of the language require sufficient special processing
to justify their own semantic files: sem_aggr for aggregates, sem_disp for
dynamic dispatching, etc.
@item
All files prefixed with @file{^exp^EXP^} perform normalization and
expansion of the intermediate representation (abstract syntax tree, or AST).
these files use the same numbering scheme as the parser and semantics files.
For example, the construction of record initialization procedures is done in
@file{exp_ch3.adb}.
@item
The files prefixed with @file{^bind^BIND^} implement the binder, which
verifies the consistency of the compilation, determines an order of
elaboration, and generates the bind file.
@item
The files @file{atree.ads} and @file{atree.adb} detail the low-level
data structures used by the front-end.
@item
The files @file{sinfo.ads} and @file{sinfo.adb} detail the structure of
the abstract syntax tree as produced by the parser.
@item
The files @file{einfo.ads} and @file{einfo.adb} detail the attributes of
all entities, computed during semantic analysis.
@item
Library management issues are dealt with in files with prefix
@file{^lib^LIB^}.
@item
@findex Ada
@cindex Annex A
Ada files with the prefix @file{^a-^A-^} are children of @code{Ada}, as
defined in Annex A.
@item
@findex Interfaces
@cindex Annex B
Files with prefix @file{^i-^I-^} are children of @code{Interfaces}, as
defined in Annex B.
@item
@findex System
Files with prefix @file{^s-^S-^} are children of @code{System}. This includes
both language-defined children and GNAT run-time routines.
@item
@findex GNAT
Files with prefix @file{^g-^G-^} are children of @code{GNAT}. These are useful
general-purpose packages, fully documented in their specifications. All
the other @file{.c} files are modifications of common @command{gcc} files.
@end itemize
@node Getting Internal Debugging Information
@section Getting Internal Debugging Information
@noindent
Most compilers have internal debugging switches and modes. GNAT
does also, except GNAT internal debugging switches and modes are not
secret. A summary and full description of all the compiler and binder
debug flags are in the file @file{debug.adb}. You must obtain the
sources of the compiler to see the full detailed effects of these flags.
The switches that print the source of the program (reconstructed from
the internal tree) are of general interest for user programs, as are the
options to print
the full internal tree, and the entity table (the symbol table
information). The reconstructed source provides a readable version of the
program after the front-end has completed analysis and expansion,
and is useful when studying the performance of specific constructs.
For example, constraint checks are indicated, complex aggregates
are replaced with loops and assignments, and tasking primitives
are replaced with run-time calls.
@node Stack Traceback
@section Stack Traceback
@cindex traceback
@cindex stack traceback
@cindex stack unwinding
@noindent
Traceback is a mechanism to display the sequence of subprogram calls that
leads to a specified execution point in a program. Often (but not always)
the execution point is an instruction at which an exception has been raised.
This mechanism is also known as @i{stack unwinding} because it obtains
its information by scanning the run-time stack and recovering the activation
records of all active subprograms. Stack unwinding is one of the most
important tools for program debugging.
The first entry stored in traceback corresponds to the deepest calling level,
that is to say the subprogram currently executing the instruction
from which we want to obtain the traceback.
Note that there is no runtime performance penalty when stack traceback
is enabled, and no exception is raised during program execution.
@menu
* Non-Symbolic Traceback::
* Symbolic Traceback::
@end menu
@node Non-Symbolic Traceback
@subsection Non-Symbolic Traceback
@cindex traceback, non-symbolic
@noindent
Note: this feature is not supported on all platforms. See
@file{GNAT.Traceback spec in g-traceb.ads} for a complete list of supported
platforms.
@menu
* Tracebacks From an Unhandled Exception::
* Tracebacks From Exception Occurrences (non-symbolic)::
* Tracebacks From Anywhere in a Program (non-symbolic)::
@end menu
@node Tracebacks From an Unhandled Exception
@subsubsection Tracebacks From an Unhandled Exception
@noindent
A runtime non-symbolic traceback is a list of addresses of call instructions.
To enable this feature you must use the @option{-E}
@code{gnatbind}'s option. With this option a stack traceback is stored as part
of exception information. You can retrieve this information using the
@code{addr2line} tool.
Here is a simple example:
@smallexample @c ada
@cartouche
procedure STB is
procedure P1 is
begin
raise Constraint_Error;
end P1;
procedure P2 is
begin
P1;
end P2;
begin
P2;
end STB;
@end cartouche
@end smallexample
@smallexample
$ gnatmake stb -bargs -E
$ stb
Execution terminated by unhandled exception
Exception name: CONSTRAINT_ERROR
Message: stb.adb:5
Call stack traceback locations:
0x401373 0x40138b 0x40139c 0x401335 0x4011c4 0x4011f1 0x77e892a4
@end smallexample
@noindent
As we see the traceback lists a sequence of addresses for the unhandled
exception @code{CONSTRAINT_ERROR} raised in procedure P1. It is easy to
guess that this exception come from procedure P1. To translate these
addresses into the source lines where the calls appear, the
@code{addr2line} tool, described below, is invaluable. The use of this tool
requires the program to be compiled with debug information.
@smallexample
$ gnatmake -g stb -bargs -E
$ stb
Execution terminated by unhandled exception
Exception name: CONSTRAINT_ERROR
Message: stb.adb:5
Call stack traceback locations:
0x401373 0x40138b 0x40139c 0x401335 0x4011c4 0x4011f1 0x77e892a4
$ addr2line --exe=stb 0x401373 0x40138b 0x40139c 0x401335 0x4011c4
0x4011f1 0x77e892a4
00401373 at d:/stb/stb.adb:5
0040138B at d:/stb/stb.adb:10
0040139C at d:/stb/stb.adb:14
00401335 at d:/stb/b~stb.adb:104
004011C4 at /build/.../crt1.c:200
004011F1 at /build/.../crt1.c:222
77E892A4 in ?? at ??:0
@end smallexample
@noindent
The @code{addr2line} tool has several other useful options:
@table @code
@item --functions
to get the function name corresponding to any location
@item --demangle=gnat
to use the gnat decoding mode for the function names. Note that
for binutils version 2.9.x the option is simply @option{--demangle}.
@end table
@smallexample
$ addr2line --exe=stb --functions --demangle=gnat 0x401373 0x40138b
0x40139c 0x401335 0x4011c4 0x4011f1
00401373 in stb.p1 at d:/stb/stb.adb:5
0040138B in stb.p2 at d:/stb/stb.adb:10
0040139C in stb at d:/stb/stb.adb:14
00401335 in main at d:/stb/b~stb.adb:104
004011C4 in <__mingw_CRTStartup> at /build/.../crt1.c:200
004011F1 in <mainCRTStartup> at /build/.../crt1.c:222
@end smallexample
@noindent
From this traceback we can see that the exception was raised in
@file{stb.adb} at line 5, which was reached from a procedure call in
@file{stb.adb} at line 10, and so on. The @file{b~std.adb} is the binder file,
which contains the call to the main program.
@xref{Running gnatbind}. The remaining entries are assorted runtime routines,
and the output will vary from platform to platform.
It is also possible to use @code{GDB} with these traceback addresses to debug
the program. For example, we can break at a given code location, as reported
in the stack traceback:
@smallexample
$ gdb -nw stb
@ifclear vms
@noindent
Furthermore, this feature is not implemented inside Windows DLL. Only
the non-symbolic traceback is reported in this case.
@end ifclear
(gdb) break *0x401373
Breakpoint 1 at 0x401373: file stb.adb, line 5.
@end smallexample
@noindent
It is important to note that the stack traceback addresses
do not change when debug information is included. This is particularly useful
because it makes it possible to release software without debug information (to
minimize object size), get a field report that includes a stack traceback
whenever an internal bug occurs, and then be able to retrieve the sequence
of calls with the same program compiled with debug information.
@node Tracebacks From Exception Occurrences (non-symbolic)
@subsubsection Tracebacks From Exception Occurrences
@noindent
Non-symbolic tracebacks are obtained by using the @option{-E} binder argument.
The stack traceback is attached to the exception information string, and can
be retrieved in an exception handler within the Ada program, by means of the
Ada95 facilities defined in @code{Ada.Exceptions}. Here is a simple example:
@smallexample @c ada
with Ada.Text_IO;
with Ada.Exceptions;
procedure STB is
use Ada;
use Ada.Exceptions;
procedure P1 is
K : Positive := 1;
begin
K := K - 1;
exception
when E : others =>
Text_IO.Put_Line (Exception_Information (E));
end P1;
procedure P2 is
begin
P1;
end P2;
begin
P2;
end STB;
@end smallexample
@noindent
This program will output:
@smallexample
$ stb
Exception name: CONSTRAINT_ERROR
Message: stb.adb:12
Call stack traceback locations:
0x4015e4 0x401633 0x401644 0x401461 0x4011c4 0x4011f1 0x77e892a4
@end smallexample
@node Tracebacks From Anywhere in a Program (non-symbolic)
@subsubsection Tracebacks From Anywhere in a Program
@noindent
It is also possible to retrieve a stack traceback from anywhere in a
program. For this you need to
use the @code{GNAT.Traceback} API. This package includes a procedure called
@code{Call_Chain} that computes a complete stack traceback, as well as useful
display procedures described below. It is not necessary to use the
@option{-E gnatbind} option in this case, because the stack traceback mechanism
is invoked explicitly.
@noindent
In the following example we compute a traceback at a specific location in
the program, and we display it using @code{GNAT.Debug_Utilities.Image} to
convert addresses to strings:
@smallexample @c ada
with Ada.Text_IO;
with GNAT.Traceback;
with GNAT.Debug_Utilities;
procedure STB is
use Ada;
use GNAT;
use GNAT.Traceback;
procedure P1 is
TB : Tracebacks_Array (1 .. 10);
-- We are asking for a maximum of 10 stack frames.
Len : Natural;
-- Len will receive the actual number of stack frames returned.
begin
Call_Chain (TB, Len);
Text_IO.Put ("In STB.P1 : ");
for K in 1 .. Len loop
Text_IO.Put (Debug_Utilities.Image (TB (K)));
Text_IO.Put (' ');
end loop;
Text_IO.New_Line;
end P1;
procedure P2 is
begin
P1;
end P2;
begin
P2;
end STB;
@end smallexample
@smallexample
$ gnatmake -g stb
$ stb
In STB.P1 : 16#0040_F1E4# 16#0040_14F2# 16#0040_170B# 16#0040_171C#
16#0040_1461# 16#0040_11C4# 16#0040_11F1# 16#77E8_92A4#
@end smallexample
@noindent
You can then get further information by invoking the @code{addr2line}
tool as described earlier (note that the hexadecimal addresses
need to be specified in C format, with a leading ``0x'').
@node Symbolic Traceback
@subsection Symbolic Traceback
@cindex traceback, symbolic
@noindent
A symbolic traceback is a stack traceback in which procedure names are
associated with each code location.
@noindent
Note that this feature is not supported on all platforms. See
@file{GNAT.Traceback.Symbolic spec in g-trasym.ads} for a complete
list of currently supported platforms.
@noindent
Note that the symbolic traceback requires that the program be compiled
with debug information. If it is not compiled with debug information
only the non-symbolic information will be valid.
@menu
* Tracebacks From Exception Occurrences (symbolic)::
* Tracebacks From Anywhere in a Program (symbolic)::
@end menu
@node Tracebacks From Exception Occurrences (symbolic)
@subsubsection Tracebacks From Exception Occurrences
@smallexample @c ada
with Ada.Text_IO;
with GNAT.Traceback.Symbolic;
procedure STB is
procedure P1 is
begin
raise Constraint_Error;
end P1;
procedure P2 is
begin
P1;
end P2;
procedure P3 is
begin
P2;
end P3;
begin
P3;
exception
when E : others =>
Ada.Text_IO.Put_Line (GNAT.Traceback.Symbolic.Symbolic_Traceback (E));
end STB;
@end smallexample
@smallexample
$ gnatmake -g .\stb -bargs -E -largs -lgnat -laddr2line -lintl
$ stb
0040149F in stb.p1 at stb.adb:8
004014B7 in stb.p2 at stb.adb:13
004014CF in stb.p3 at stb.adb:18
004015DD in ada.stb at stb.adb:22
00401461 in main at b~stb.adb:168
004011C4 in __mingw_CRTStartup at crt1.c:200
004011F1 in mainCRTStartup at crt1.c:222
77E892A4 in ?? at ??:0
@end smallexample
@noindent
In the above example the ``.\'' syntax in the @command{gnatmake} command
is currently required by @command{addr2line} for files that are in
the current working directory.
Moreover, the exact sequence of linker options may vary from platform
to platform.
The above @option{-largs} section is for Windows platforms. By contrast,
under Unix there is no need for the @option{-largs} section.
Differences across platforms are due to details of linker implementation.
@node Tracebacks From Anywhere in a Program (symbolic)
@subsubsection Tracebacks From Anywhere in a Program
@noindent
It is possible to get a symbolic stack traceback
from anywhere in a program, just as for non-symbolic tracebacks.
The first step is to obtain a non-symbolic
traceback, and then call @code{Symbolic_Traceback} to compute the symbolic
information. Here is an example:
@smallexample @c ada
with Ada.Text_IO;
with GNAT.Traceback;
with GNAT.Traceback.Symbolic;
procedure STB is
use Ada;
use GNAT.Traceback;
use GNAT.Traceback.Symbolic;
procedure P1 is
TB : Tracebacks_Array (1 .. 10);
-- We are asking for a maximum of 10 stack frames.
Len : Natural;
-- Len will receive the actual number of stack frames returned.
begin
Call_Chain (TB, Len);
Text_IO.Put_Line (Symbolic_Traceback (TB (1 .. Len)));
end P1;
procedure P2 is
begin
P1;
end P2;
begin
P2;
end STB;
@end smallexample
@ifset vms
@node Compatibility with DEC Ada
@chapter Compatibility with DEC Ada
@cindex Compatibility
@noindent
This section of the manual compares DEC Ada for OpenVMS Alpha and GNAT
OpenVMS Alpha. GNAT achieves a high level of compatibility
with DEC Ada, and it should generally be straightforward to port code
from the DEC Ada environment to GNAT. However, there are a few language
and implementation differences of which the user must be aware. These
differences are discussed in this section. In
addition, the operating environment and command structure for the
compiler are different, and these differences are also discussed.
Note that this discussion addresses specifically the implementation
of Ada 83 for DIGITAL OpenVMS Alpha Systems. In cases where the implementation
of DEC Ada differs between OpenVMS Alpha Systems and OpenVMS VAX Systems,
GNAT always follows the Alpha implementation.
@menu
* Ada 95 Compatibility::
* Differences in the Definition of Package System::
* Language-Related Features::
* The Package STANDARD::
* The Package SYSTEM::
* Tasking and Task-Related Features::
* Implementation of Tasks in DEC Ada for OpenVMS Alpha Systems::
* Pragmas and Pragma-Related Features::
* Library of Predefined Units::
* Bindings::
* Main Program Definition::
* Implementation-Defined Attributes::
* Compiler and Run-Time Interfacing::
* Program Compilation and Library Management::
* Input-Output::
* Implementation Limits::
* Tools::
@end menu
@node Ada 95 Compatibility
@section Ada 95 Compatibility
@noindent
GNAT is an Ada 95 compiler, and DEC Ada is an Ada 83
compiler. Ada 95 is almost completely upwards compatible
with Ada 83, and therefore Ada 83 programs will compile
and run under GNAT with
no changes or only minor changes. The Ada 95 Reference
Manual (ANSI/ISO/IEC-8652:1995) provides details on specific
incompatibilities.
GNAT provides the switch /83 on the GNAT COMPILE command,
as well as the pragma ADA_83, to force the compiler to
operate in Ada 83 mode. This mode does not guarantee complete
conformance to Ada 83, but in practice is sufficient to
eliminate most sources of incompatibilities.
In particular, it eliminates the recognition of the
additional Ada 95 keywords, so that their use as identifiers
in Ada83 program is legal, and handles the cases of packages
with optional bodies, and generics that instantiate unconstrained
types without the use of @code{(<>)}.
@node Differences in the Definition of Package System
@section Differences in the Definition of Package System
@noindent
Both the Ada 95 and Ada 83 reference manuals permit a compiler to add
implementation-dependent declarations to package System. In normal mode,
GNAT does not take advantage of this permission, and the version of System
provided by GNAT exactly matches that in the Ada 95 Reference Manual.
However, DEC Ada adds an extensive set of declarations to package System,
as fully documented in the DEC Ada manuals. To minimize changes required
for programs that make use of these extensions, GNAT provides the pragma
Extend_System for extending the definition of package System. By using:
@smallexample @c ada
@group
@cartouche
pragma Extend_System (Aux_DEC);
@end cartouche
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
The set of definitions in System is extended to include those in package
@code{System.Aux_DEC}.
These definitions are incorporated directly into package
System, as though they had been declared there in the first place. For a
list of the declarations added, see the specification of this package,
which can be found in the file @code{s-auxdec.ads} in the GNAT library.
The pragma Extend_System is a configuration pragma, which means that
it can be placed in the file @file{gnat.adc}, so that it will automatically
apply to all subsequent compilations. See the section on Configuration
Pragmas for further details.
An alternative approach that avoids the use of the non-standard
Extend_System pragma is to add a context clause to the unit that
references these facilities:
@smallexample @c ada
@group
@cartouche
with System.Aux_DEC;
use System.Aux_DEC;
@end cartouche
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
The effect is not quite semantically identical to incorporating
the declarations directly into package @code{System},
but most programs will not notice a difference
unless they use prefix notation (e.g. @code{System.Integer_8})
to reference the
entities directly in package @code{System}.
For units containing such references,
the prefixes must either be removed, or the pragma @code{Extend_System}
must be used.
@node Language-Related Features
@section Language-Related Features
@noindent
The following sections highlight differences in types,
representations of types, operations, alignment, and
related topics.
@menu
* Integer Types and Representations::
* Floating-Point Types and Representations::
* Pragmas Float_Representation and Long_Float::
* Fixed-Point Types and Representations::
* Record and Array Component Alignment::
* Address Clauses::
* Other Representation Clauses::
@end menu
@node Integer Types and Representations
@subsection Integer Types and Representations
@noindent
The set of predefined integer types is identical in DEC Ada and GNAT.
Furthermore the representation of these integer types is also identical,
including the capability of size clauses forcing biased representation.
In addition,
DEC Ada for OpenVMS Alpha systems has defined the
following additional integer types in package System:
@itemize @bullet
@item
INTEGER_8
@item
INTEGER_16
@item
INTEGER_32
@item
INTEGER_64
@item
LARGEST_INTEGER
@end itemize
@noindent
When using GNAT, the first four of these types may be obtained from the
standard Ada 95 package @code{Interfaces}.
Alternatively, by use of the pragma
@code{Extend_System}, identical
declarations can be referenced directly in package @code{System}.
On both GNAT and DEC Ada, the maximum integer size is 64 bits.
@node Floating-Point Types and Representations
@subsection Floating-Point Types and Representations
@cindex Floating-Point types
@noindent
The set of predefined floating-point types is identical in DEC Ada and GNAT.
Furthermore the representation of these floating-point
types is also identical. One important difference is that the default
representation for DEC Ada is VAX_Float, but the default representation
for GNAT is IEEE.
Specific types may be declared to be VAX_Float or IEEE, using the pragma
@code{Float_Representation} as described in the DEC Ada documentation.
For example, the declarations:
@smallexample @c ada
@group
@cartouche
type F_Float is digits 6;
pragma Float_Representation (VAX_Float, F_Float);
@end cartouche
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
declare a type F_Float that will be represented in VAX_Float format.
This set of declarations actually appears in System.Aux_DEC, which provides
the full set of additional floating-point declarations provided in
the DEC Ada version of package
System. This and similar declarations may be accessed in a user program
by using pragma @code{Extend_System}. The use of this
pragma, and the related pragma @code{Long_Float} is described in further
detail in the following section.
@node Pragmas Float_Representation and Long_Float
@subsection Pragmas Float_Representation and Long_Float
@noindent
DEC Ada provides the pragma @code{Float_Representation}, which
acts as a program library switch to allow control over
the internal representation chosen for the predefined
floating-point types declared in the package @code{Standard}.
The format of this pragma is as follows:
@smallexample
@group
@cartouche
@b{pragma} @code{Float_Representation}(VAX_Float | IEEE_Float);
@end cartouche
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
This pragma controls the representation of floating-point
types as follows:
@itemize @bullet
@item
@code{VAX_Float} specifies that floating-point
types are represented by default with the VAX hardware types
F-floating, D-floating, G-floating. Note that the H-floating
type is available only on DIGITAL Vax systems, and is not available
in either DEC Ada or GNAT for Alpha systems.
@item
@code{IEEE_Float} specifies that floating-point
types are represented by default with the IEEE single and
double floating-point types.
@end itemize
@noindent
GNAT provides an identical implementation of the pragma
@code{Float_Representation}, except that it functions as a
configuration pragma, as defined by Ada 95. Note that the
notion of configuration pragma corresponds closely to the
DEC Ada notion of a program library switch.
When no pragma is used in GNAT, the default is IEEE_Float, which is different
from DEC Ada 83, where the default is VAX_Float. In addition, the
predefined libraries in GNAT are built using IEEE_Float, so it is not
advisable to change the format of numbers passed to standard library
routines, and if necessary explicit type conversions may be needed.
The use of IEEE_Float is recommended in GNAT since it is more efficient,
and (given that it conforms to an international standard) potentially more
portable. The situation in which VAX_Float may be useful is in interfacing
to existing code and data that expects the use of VAX_Float. There are
two possibilities here. If the requirement for the use of VAX_Float is
localized, then the best approach is to use the predefined VAX_Float
types in package @code{System}, as extended by
@code{Extend_System}. For example, use @code{System.F_Float}
to specify the 32-bit @code{F-Float} format.
Alternatively, if an entire program depends heavily on the use of
the @code{VAX_Float} and in particular assumes that the types in
package @code{Standard} are in @code{Vax_Float} format, then it
may be desirable to reconfigure GNAT to assume Vax_Float by default.
This is done by using the GNAT LIBRARY command to rebuild the library, and
then using the general form of the @code{Float_Representation}
pragma to ensure that this default format is used throughout.
The form of the GNAT LIBRARY command is:
@smallexample
GNAT LIBRARY /CONFIG=@i{file} /CREATE=@i{directory}
@end smallexample
@noindent
where @i{file} contains the new configuration pragmas
and @i{directory} is the directory to be created to contain
the new library.
@noindent
On OpenVMS systems, DEC Ada provides the pragma @code{Long_Float}
to allow control over the internal representation chosen
for the predefined type @code{Long_Float} and for floating-point
type declarations with digits specified in the range 7 .. 15.
The format of this pragma is as follows:
@smallexample @c ada
@cartouche
pragma Long_Float (D_FLOAT | G_FLOAT);
@end cartouche
@end smallexample
@node Fixed-Point Types and Representations
@subsection Fixed-Point Types and Representations
@noindent
On DEC Ada for OpenVMS Alpha systems, rounding is
away from zero for both positive and negative numbers.
Therefore, +0.5 rounds to 1 and -0.5 rounds to -1.
On GNAT for OpenVMS Alpha, the results of operations
on fixed-point types are in accordance with the Ada 95
rules. In particular, results of operations on decimal
fixed-point types are truncated.
@node Record and Array Component Alignment
@subsection Record and Array Component Alignment
@noindent
On DEC Ada for OpenVMS Alpha, all non composite components
are aligned on natural boundaries. For example, 1-byte
components are aligned on byte boundaries, 2-byte
components on 2-byte boundaries, 4-byte components on 4-byte
byte boundaries, and so on. The OpenVMS Alpha hardware
runs more efficiently with naturally aligned data.
ON GNAT for OpenVMS Alpha, alignment rules are compatible
with DEC Ada for OpenVMS Alpha.
@node Address Clauses
@subsection Address Clauses
@noindent
In DEC Ada and GNAT, address clauses are supported for
objects and imported subprograms.
The predefined type @code{System.Address} is a private type
in both compilers, with the same representation (it is simply
a machine pointer). Addition, subtraction, and comparison
operations are available in the standard Ada 95 package
@code{System.Storage_Elements}, or in package @code{System}
if it is extended to include @code{System.Aux_DEC} using a
pragma @code{Extend_System} as previously described.
Note that code that with's both this extended package @code{System}
and the package @code{System.Storage_Elements} should not @code{use}
both packages, or ambiguities will result. In general it is better
not to mix these two sets of facilities. The Ada 95 package was
designed specifically to provide the kind of features that DEC Ada
adds directly to package @code{System}.
GNAT is compatible with DEC Ada in its handling of address
clauses, except for some limitations in
the form of address clauses for composite objects with
initialization. Such address clauses are easily replaced
by the use of an explicitly-defined constant as described
in the Ada 95 Reference Manual (13.1(22)). For example, the sequence
of declarations:
@smallexample @c ada
@cartouche
X, Y : Integer := Init_Func;
Q : String (X .. Y) := "abc";
...
for Q'Address use Compute_Address;
@end cartouche
@end smallexample
@noindent
will be rejected by GNAT, since the address cannot be computed at the time
that Q is declared. To achieve the intended effect, write instead:
@smallexample @c ada
@group
@cartouche
X, Y : Integer := Init_Func;
Q_Address : constant Address := Compute_Address;
Q : String (X .. Y) := "abc";
...
for Q'Address use Q_Address;
@end cartouche
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
which will be accepted by GNAT (and other Ada 95 compilers), and is also
backwards compatible with Ada 83. A fuller description of the restrictions
on address specifications is found in the GNAT Reference Manual.
@node Other Representation Clauses
@subsection Other Representation Clauses
@noindent
GNAT supports in a compatible manner all the representation
clauses supported by DEC Ada. In addition, it
supports representation clause forms that are new in Ada 95
including COMPONENT_SIZE and SIZE clauses for objects.
@node The Package STANDARD
@section The Package STANDARD
@noindent
The package STANDARD, as implemented by DEC Ada, is fully
described in the Reference Manual for the Ada Programming
Language (ANSI/MIL-STD-1815A-1983) and in the DEC Ada
Language Reference Manual. As implemented by GNAT, the
package STANDARD is described in the Ada 95 Reference
Manual.
In addition, DEC Ada supports the Latin-1 character set in
the type CHARACTER. GNAT supports the Latin-1 character set
in the type CHARACTER and also Unicode (ISO 10646 BMP) in
the type WIDE_CHARACTER.
The floating-point types supported by GNAT are those
supported by DEC Ada, but defaults are different, and are controlled by
pragmas. See @ref{Floating-Point Types and Representations} for details.
@node The Package SYSTEM
@section The Package SYSTEM
@noindent
DEC Ada provides a system-specific version of the package
SYSTEM for each platform on which the language ships.
For the complete specification of the package SYSTEM, see
Appendix F of the DEC Ada Language Reference Manual.
On DEC Ada, the package SYSTEM includes the following conversion functions:
@itemize @bullet
@item TO_ADDRESS(INTEGER)
@item TO_ADDRESS(UNSIGNED_LONGWORD)
@item TO_ADDRESS(universal_integer)
@item TO_INTEGER(ADDRESS)
@item TO_UNSIGNED_LONGWORD(ADDRESS)
@item Function IMPORT_VALUE return UNSIGNED_LONGWORD and the
functions IMPORT_ADDRESS and IMPORT_LARGEST_VALUE
@end itemize
@noindent
By default, GNAT supplies a version of SYSTEM that matches
the definition given in the Ada 95 Reference Manual.
This
is a subset of the DIGITAL system definitions, which is as
close as possible to the original definitions. The only difference
is that the definition of SYSTEM_NAME is different:
@smallexample @c ada
@group
@cartouche
type Name is (SYSTEM_NAME_GNAT);
System_Name : constant Name := SYSTEM_NAME_GNAT;
@end cartouche
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
Also, GNAT adds the new Ada 95 declarations for
BIT_ORDER and DEFAULT_BIT_ORDER.
However, the use of the following pragma causes GNAT
to extend the definition of package SYSTEM so that it
encompasses the full set of DIGITAL-specific extensions,
including the functions listed above:
@smallexample @c ada
@cartouche
pragma Extend_System (Aux_DEC);
@end cartouche
@end smallexample
@noindent
The pragma Extend_System is a configuration pragma that
is most conveniently placed in the @file{gnat.adc} file. See the
GNAT Reference Manual for further details.
DEC Ada does not allow the recompilation of the package
SYSTEM. Instead DEC Ada provides several pragmas (SYSTEM_
NAME, STORAGE_UNIT, and MEMORY_SIZE) to modify values in
the package SYSTEM. On OpenVMS Alpha systems, the pragma
SYSTEM_NAME takes the enumeration literal OPENVMS_AXP as
its single argument.
GNAT does permit the recompilation of package SYSTEM using
a special switch (@option{-gnatg}) and this switch can be used if
it is necessary to modify the definitions in SYSTEM. GNAT does
not permit the specification of SYSTEM_NAME, STORAGE_UNIT
or MEMORY_SIZE by any other means.
On GNAT systems, the pragma SYSTEM_NAME takes the
enumeration literal SYSTEM_NAME_GNAT.
The definitions provided by the use of
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Extend_System (AUX_Dec);
@end smallexample
@noindent
are virtually identical to those provided by the DEC Ada 83 package
System. One important difference is that the name of the TO_ADDRESS
function for type UNSIGNED_LONGWORD is changed to TO_ADDRESS_LONG.
See the GNAT Reference manual for a discussion of why this change was
necessary.
@noindent
The version of TO_ADDRESS taking a universal integer argument is in fact
an extension to Ada 83 not strictly compatible with the reference manual.
In GNAT, we are constrained to be exactly compatible with the standard,
and this means we cannot provide this capability. In DEC Ada 83, the
point of this definition is to deal with a call like:
@smallexample @c ada
TO_ADDRESS (16#12777#);
@end smallexample
@noindent
Normally, according to the Ada 83 standard, one would expect this to be
ambiguous, since it matches both the INTEGER and UNSIGNED_LONGWORD forms
of TO_ADDRESS. However, in DEC Ada 83, there is no ambiguity, since the
definition using universal_integer takes precedence.
In GNAT, since the version with universal_integer cannot be supplied, it is
not possible to be 100% compatible. Since there are many programs using
numeric constants for the argument to TO_ADDRESS, the decision in GNAT was
to change the name of the function in the UNSIGNED_LONGWORD case, so the
declarations provided in the GNAT version of AUX_Dec are:
@smallexample @c ada
function To_Address (X : Integer) return Address;
pragma Pure_Function (To_Address);
function To_Address_Long (X : Unsigned_Longword) return Address;
pragma Pure_Function (To_Address_Long);
@end smallexample
@noindent
This means that programs using TO_ADDRESS for UNSIGNED_LONGWORD must
change the name to TO_ADDRESS_LONG.
@node Tasking and Task-Related Features
@section Tasking and Task-Related Features
@noindent
The concepts relevant to a comparison of tasking on GNAT
and on DEC Ada for OpenVMS Alpha systems are discussed in
the following sections.
For detailed information on concepts related to tasking in
DEC Ada, see the DEC Ada Language Reference Manual and the
relevant run-time reference manual.
@node Implementation of Tasks in DEC Ada for OpenVMS Alpha Systems
@section Implementation of Tasks in DEC Ada for OpenVMS Alpha Systems
@noindent
On OpenVMS Alpha systems, each Ada task (except a passive
task) is implemented as a single stream of execution
that is created and managed by the kernel. On these
systems, DEC Ada tasking support is based on DECthreads,
an implementation of the POSIX standard for threads.
Although tasks are implemented as threads, all tasks in
an Ada program are part of the same process. As a result,
resources such as open files and virtual memory can be
shared easily among tasks. Having all tasks in one process
allows better integration with the programming environment
(the shell and the debugger, for example).
Also, on OpenVMS Alpha systems, DEC Ada tasks and foreign
code that calls DECthreads routines can be used together.
The interaction between Ada tasks and DECthreads routines
can have some benefits. For example when on OpenVMS Alpha,
DEC Ada can call C code that is already threaded.
GNAT on OpenVMS Alpha uses the facilities of DECthreads,
and Ada tasks are mapped to threads.
@menu
* Assigning Task IDs::
* Task IDs and Delays::
* Task-Related Pragmas::
* Scheduling and Task Priority::
* The Task Stack::
* External Interrupts::
@end menu
@node Assigning Task IDs
@subsection Assigning Task IDs
@noindent
The DEC Ada Run-Time Library always assigns %TASK 1 to
the environment task that executes the main program. On
OpenVMS Alpha systems, %TASK 0 is often used for tasks
that have been created but are not yet activated.
On OpenVMS Alpha systems, task IDs are assigned at
activation. On GNAT systems, task IDs are also assigned at
task creation but do not have the same form or values as
task ID values in DEC Ada. There is no null task, and the
environment task does not have a specific task ID value.
@node Task IDs and Delays
@subsection Task IDs and Delays
@noindent
On OpenVMS Alpha systems, tasking delays are implemented
using Timer System Services. The Task ID is used for the
identification of the timer request (the REQIDT parameter).
If Timers are used in the application take care not to use
0 for the identification, because cancelling such a timer
will cancel all timers and may lead to unpredictable results.
@node Task-Related Pragmas
@subsection Task-Related Pragmas
@noindent
Ada supplies the pragma TASK_STORAGE, which allows
specification of the size of the guard area for a task
stack. (The guard area forms an area of memory that has no
read or write access and thus helps in the detection of
stack overflow.) On OpenVMS Alpha systems, if the pragma
TASK_STORAGE specifies a value of zero, a minimal guard
area is created. In the absence of a pragma TASK_STORAGE, a default guard
area is created.
GNAT supplies the following task-related pragmas:
@itemize @bullet
@item TASK_INFO
This pragma appears within a task definition and
applies to the task in which it appears. The argument
must be of type SYSTEM.TASK_INFO.TASK_INFO_TYPE.
@item TASK_STORAGE
GNAT implements pragma TASK_STORAGE in the same way as
DEC Ada.
Both DEC Ada and GNAT supply the pragmas PASSIVE,
SUPPRESS, and VOLATILE.
@end itemize
@node Scheduling and Task Priority
@subsection Scheduling and Task Priority
@noindent
DEC Ada implements the Ada language requirement that
when two tasks are eligible for execution and they have
different priorities, the lower priority task does not
execute while the higher priority task is waiting. The DEC
Ada Run-Time Library keeps a task running until either the
task is suspended or a higher priority task becomes ready.
On OpenVMS Alpha systems, the default strategy is round-
robin with preemption. Tasks of equal priority take turns
at the processor. A task is run for a certain period of
time and then placed at the rear of the ready queue for
its priority level.
DEC Ada provides the implementation-defined pragma TIME_SLICE,
which can be used to enable or disable round-robin
scheduling of tasks with the same priority.
See the relevant DEC Ada run-time reference manual for
information on using the pragmas to control DEC Ada task
scheduling.
GNAT follows the scheduling rules of Annex D (real-time
Annex) of the Ada 95 Reference Manual. In general, this
scheduling strategy is fully compatible with DEC Ada
although it provides some additional constraints (as
fully documented in Annex D).
GNAT implements time slicing control in a manner compatible with
DEC Ada 83, by means of the pragma Time_Slice, whose semantics are identical
to the DEC Ada 83 pragma of the same name.
Note that it is not possible to mix GNAT tasking and
DEC Ada 83 tasking in the same program, since the two run times are
not compatible.
@node The Task Stack
@subsection The Task Stack
@noindent
In DEC Ada, a task stack is allocated each time a
non passive task is activated. As soon as the task is
terminated, the storage for the task stack is deallocated.
If you specify a size of zero (bytes) with T'STORAGE_SIZE,
a default stack size is used. Also, regardless of the size
specified, some additional space is allocated for task
management purposes. On OpenVMS Alpha systems, at least
one page is allocated.
GNAT handles task stacks in a similar manner. According to
the Ada 95 rules, it provides the pragma STORAGE_SIZE as
an alternative method for controlling the task stack size.
The specification of the attribute T'STORAGE_SIZE is also
supported in a manner compatible with DEC Ada.
@node External Interrupts
@subsection External Interrupts
@noindent
On DEC Ada, external interrupts can be associated with task entries.
GNAT is compatible with DEC Ada in its handling of external interrupts.
@node Pragmas and Pragma-Related Features
@section Pragmas and Pragma-Related Features
@noindent
Both DEC Ada and GNAT supply all language-defined pragmas
as specified by the Ada 83 standard. GNAT also supplies all
language-defined pragmas specified in the Ada 95 Reference Manual.
In addition, GNAT implements the implementation-defined pragmas
from DEC Ada 83.
@itemize @bullet
@item AST_ENTRY
@item COMMON_OBJECT
@item COMPONENT_ALIGNMENT
@item EXPORT_EXCEPTION
@item EXPORT_FUNCTION
@item EXPORT_OBJECT
@item EXPORT_PROCEDURE
@item EXPORT_VALUED_PROCEDURE
@item FLOAT_REPRESENTATION
@item IDENT
@item IMPORT_EXCEPTION
@item IMPORT_FUNCTION
@item IMPORT_OBJECT
@item IMPORT_PROCEDURE
@item IMPORT_VALUED_PROCEDURE
@item INLINE_GENERIC
@item INTERFACE_NAME
@item LONG_FLOAT
@item MAIN_STORAGE
@item PASSIVE
@item PSET_OBJECT
@item SHARE_GENERIC
@item SUPPRESS_ALL
@item TASK_STORAGE
@item TIME_SLICE
@item TITLE
@end itemize
@noindent
These pragmas are all fully implemented, with the exception of @code{Title},
@code{Passive}, and @code{Share_Generic}, which are
recognized, but which have no
effect in GNAT. The effect of @code{Passive} may be obtained by the
use of protected objects in Ada 95. In GNAT, all generics are inlined.
Unlike DEC Ada, the GNAT 'EXPORT_@i{subprogram}' pragmas require
a separate subprogram specification which must appear before the
subprogram body.
GNAT also supplies a number of implementation-defined pragmas as follows:
@itemize @bullet
@item C_PASS_BY_COPY
@item EXTEND_SYSTEM
@item SOURCE_FILE_NAME
@item UNSUPPRESS
@item WARNINGS
@item ABORT_DEFER
@item ADA_83
@item ADA_95
@item ANNOTATE
@item ASSERT
@item CPP_CLASS
@item CPP_CONSTRUCTOR
@item CPP_DESTRUCTOR
@item CPP_VIRTUAL
@item CP_VTABLE
@item DEBUG
@item LINKER_ALIAS
@item LINKER_SECTION
@item MACHINE_ATTRIBUTE
@item NO_RETURN
@item PURE_FUNCTION
@item SOURCE_REFERENCE
@item TASK_INFO
@item UNCHECKED_UNION
@item UNIMPLEMENTED_UNIT
@item UNIVERSAL_DATA
@item WEAK_EXTERNAL
@end itemize
@noindent
For full details on these GNAT implementation-defined pragmas, see
the GNAT Reference Manual.
@menu
* Restrictions on the Pragma INLINE::
* Restrictions on the Pragma INTERFACE::
* Restrictions on the Pragma SYSTEM_NAME::
@end menu
@node Restrictions on the Pragma INLINE
@subsection Restrictions on the Pragma INLINE
@noindent
DEC Ada applies the following restrictions to the pragma INLINE:
@itemize @bullet
@item Parameters cannot be a task type.
@item Function results cannot be task types, unconstrained
array types, or unconstrained types with discriminants.
@item Bodies cannot declare the following:
@itemize @bullet
@item Subprogram body or stub (imported subprogram is allowed)
@item Tasks
@item Generic declarations
@item Instantiations
@item Exceptions
@item Access types (types derived from access types allowed)
@item Array or record types
@item Dependent tasks
@item Direct recursive calls of subprogram or containing
subprogram, directly or via a renaming
@end itemize
@end itemize
@noindent
In GNAT, the only restriction on pragma INLINE is that the
body must occur before the call if both are in the same
unit, and the size must be appropriately small. There are
no other specific restrictions which cause subprograms to
be incapable of being inlined.
@node Restrictions on the Pragma INTERFACE
@subsection Restrictions on the Pragma INTERFACE
@noindent
The following lists and describes the restrictions on the
pragma INTERFACE on DEC Ada and GNAT:
@itemize @bullet
@item Languages accepted: Ada, Bliss, C, Fortran, Default.
Default is the default on OpenVMS Alpha systems.
@item Parameter passing: Language specifies default
mechanisms but can be overridden with an EXPORT pragma.
@itemize @bullet
@item Ada: Use internal Ada rules.
@item Bliss, C: Parameters must be mode @code{in}; cannot be
record or task type. Result cannot be a string, an
array, or a record.
@item Fortran: Parameters cannot be a task. Result cannot
be a string, an array, or a record.
@end itemize
@end itemize
@noindent
GNAT is entirely upwards compatible with DEC Ada, and in addition allows
record parameters for all languages.
@node Restrictions on the Pragma SYSTEM_NAME
@subsection Restrictions on the Pragma SYSTEM_NAME
@noindent
For DEC Ada for OpenVMS Alpha, the enumeration literal
for the type NAME is OPENVMS_AXP. In GNAT, the enumeration
literal for the type NAME is SYSTEM_NAME_GNAT.
@node Library of Predefined Units
@section Library of Predefined Units
@noindent
A library of predefined units is provided as part of the
DEC Ada and GNAT implementations. DEC Ada does not provide
the package MACHINE_CODE but instead recommends importing
assembler code.
The GNAT versions of the DEC Ada Run-Time Library (ADA$PREDEFINED:)
units are taken from the OpenVMS Alpha version, not the OpenVMS VAX
version. During GNAT installation, the DEC Ada Predefined
Library units are copied into the GNU:[LIB.OPENVMS7_x.2_8_x.DECLIB]
(aka DECLIB) directory and patched to remove Ada 95 incompatibilities
and to make them interoperable with GNAT, @pxref{Changes to DECLIB}
for details.
The GNAT RTL is contained in
the GNU:[LIB.OPENVMS7_x.2_8_x.ADALIB] (aka ADALIB) directory and
the default search path is set up to find DECLIB units in preference
to ADALIB units with the same name (TEXT_IO, SEQUENTIAL_IO, and DIRECT_IO,
for example).
However, it is possible to change the default so that the
reverse is true, or even to mix them using child package
notation. The DEC Ada 83 units are available as DEC.xxx where xxx
is the package name, and the Ada units are available in the
standard manner defined for Ada 95, that is to say as Ada.xxx. To
change the default, set ADA_INCLUDE_PATH and ADA_OBJECTS_PATH
appropriately. For example, to change the default to use the Ada95
versions do:
@smallexample
$ DEFINE ADA_INCLUDE_PATH GNU:[LIB.OPENVMS7_1.2_8_1.ADAINCLUDE],-
GNU:[LIB.OPENVMS7_1.2_8_1.DECLIB]
$ DEFINE ADA_OBJECTS_PATH GNU:[LIB.OPENVMS7_1.2_8_1.ADALIB],-
GNU:[LIB.OPENVMS7_1.2_8_1.DECLIB]
@end smallexample
@menu
* Changes to DECLIB::
@end menu
@node Changes to DECLIB
@subsection Changes to DECLIB
@noindent
The changes made to the DEC Ada predefined library for GNAT and Ada 95
compatibility are minor and include the following:
@itemize @bullet
@item Adjusting the location of pragmas and record representation
clauses to obey Ada 95 rules
@item Adding the proper notation to generic formal parameters
that take unconstrained types in instantiation
@item Adding pragma ELABORATE_BODY to package specifications
that have package bodies not otherwise allowed
@item Occurrences of the identifier @code{"PROTECTED"} are renamed to
@code{"PROTECTD"}.
Currently these are found only in the STARLET package spec.
@end itemize
@noindent
None of the above changes is visible to users.
@node Bindings
@section Bindings
@noindent
On OpenVMS Alpha, DEC Ada provides the following strongly-typed bindings:
@itemize @bullet
@item Command Language Interpreter (CLI interface)
@item DECtalk Run-Time Library (DTK interface)
@item Librarian utility routines (LBR interface)
@item General Purpose Run-Time Library (LIB interface)
@item Math Run-Time Library (MTH interface)
@item National Character Set Run-Time Library (NCS interface)
@item Compiled Code Support Run-Time Library (OTS interface)
@item Parallel Processing Run-Time Library (PPL interface)
@item Screen Management Run-Time Library (SMG interface)
@item Sort Run-Time Library (SOR interface)
@item String Run-Time Library (STR interface)
@item STARLET System Library
@findex Starlet
@item X Window System Version 11R4 and 11R5 (X, XLIB interface)
@item X Windows Toolkit (XT interface)
@item X/Motif Version 1.1.3 and 1.2 (XM interface)
@end itemize
@noindent
GNAT provides implementations of these DEC bindings in the DECLIB directory.
The X/Motif bindings used to build DECLIB are whatever versions are in the
DEC Ada @file{ADA$PREDEFINED} directory with extension @file{.ADC}.
The build script will
automatically add a pragma Linker_Options to packages @code{Xm}, @code{Xt},
and @code{X_Lib}
causing the default X/Motif sharable image libraries to be linked in. This
is done via options files named @file{xm.opt}, @file{xt.opt}, and
@file{x_lib.opt} (also located in the @file{DECLIB} directory).
It may be necessary to edit these options files to update or correct the
library names if, for example, the newer X/Motif bindings from
@file{ADA$EXAMPLES}
had been (previous to installing GNAT) copied and renamed to supersede the
default @file{ADA$PREDEFINED} versions.
@menu
* Shared Libraries and Options Files::
* Interfaces to C::
@end menu
@node Shared Libraries and Options Files
@subsection Shared Libraries and Options Files
@noindent
When using the DEC Ada
predefined X and Motif bindings, the linking with their sharable images is
done automatically by @command{GNAT LINK}.
When using other X and Motif bindings, you need
to add the corresponding sharable images to the command line for
@code{GNAT LINK}. When linking with shared libraries, or with
@file{.OPT} files, you must
also add them to the command line for @command{GNAT LINK}.
A shared library to be used with GNAT is built in the same way as other
libraries under VMS. The VMS Link command can be used in standard fashion.
@node Interfaces to C
@subsection Interfaces to C
@noindent
DEC Ada
provides the following Ada types and operations:
@itemize @bullet
@item C types package (C_TYPES)
@item C strings (C_TYPES.NULL_TERMINATED)
@item Other_types (SHORT_INT)
@end itemize
@noindent
Interfacing to C with GNAT, one can use the above approach
described for DEC Ada or the facilities of Annex B of
the Ada 95 Reference Manual (packages INTERFACES.C,
INTERFACES.C.STRINGS and INTERFACES.C.POINTERS). For more
information, see the section ``Interfacing to C'' in the
@cite{GNAT Reference Manual}.
The @option{-gnatF} qualifier forces default and explicit
@code{External_Name} parameters in pragmas Import and Export
to be uppercased for compatibility with the default behavior
of Compaq C. The qualifier has no effect on @code{Link_Name} parameters.
@node Main Program Definition
@section Main Program Definition
@noindent
The following section discusses differences in the
definition of main programs on DEC Ada and GNAT.
On DEC Ada, main programs are defined to meet the
following conditions:
@itemize @bullet
@item Procedure with no formal parameters (returns 0 upon
normal completion)
@item Procedure with no formal parameters (returns 42 when
unhandled exceptions are raised)
@item Function with no formal parameters whose returned value
is of a discrete type
@item Procedure with one OUT formal of a discrete type for
which a specification of pragma EXPORT_VALUED_PROCEDURE is given.
@end itemize
@noindent
When declared with the pragma EXPORT_VALUED_PROCEDURE,
a main function or main procedure returns a discrete
value whose size is less than 64 bits (32 on VAX systems),
the value is zero- or sign-extended as appropriate.
On GNAT, main programs are defined as follows:
@itemize @bullet
@item Must be a non-generic, parameter-less subprogram that
is either a procedure or function returning an Ada
STANDARD.INTEGER (the predefined type)
@item Cannot be a generic subprogram or an instantiation of a
generic subprogram
@end itemize
@node Implementation-Defined Attributes
@section Implementation-Defined Attributes
@noindent
GNAT provides all DEC Ada implementation-defined
attributes.
@node Compiler and Run-Time Interfacing
@section Compiler and Run-Time Interfacing
@noindent
DEC Ada provides the following ways to pass options to the linker
(ACS LINK):
@itemize @bullet
@item /WAIT and /SUBMIT qualifiers
@item /COMMAND qualifier
@item /[NO]MAP qualifier
@item /OUTPUT=file-spec
@item /[NO]DEBUG and /[NO]TRACEBACK qualifiers
@end itemize
@noindent
To pass options to the linker, GNAT provides the following
switches:
@itemize @bullet
@item @option{/EXECUTABLE=exec-name}
@item @option{/VERBOSE qualifier}
@item @option{/[NO]DEBUG} and @option{/[NO]TRACEBACK} qualifiers
@end itemize
@noindent
For more information on these switches, see
@ref{Switches for gnatlink}.
In DEC Ada, the command-line switch @option{/OPTIMIZE} is available
to control optimization. DEC Ada also supplies the
following pragmas:
@itemize @bullet
@item @code{OPTIMIZE}
@item @code{INLINE}
@item @code{INLINE_GENERIC}
@item @code{SUPPRESS_ALL}
@item @code{PASSIVE}
@end itemize
@noindent
In GNAT, optimization is controlled strictly by command
line parameters, as described in the corresponding section of this guide.
The DIGITAL pragmas for control of optimization are
recognized but ignored.
Note that in GNAT, the default is optimization off, whereas in DEC Ada 83,
the default is that optimization is turned on.
@node Program Compilation and Library Management
@section Program Compilation and Library Management
@noindent
DEC Ada and GNAT provide a comparable set of commands to
build programs. DEC Ada also provides a program library,
which is a concept that does not exist on GNAT. Instead,
GNAT provides directories of sources that are compiled as
needed.
The following table summarizes
the DEC Ada commands and provides
equivalent GNAT commands. In this table, some GNAT
equivalents reflect the fact that GNAT does not use the
concept of a program library. Instead, it uses a model
in which collections of source and object files are used
in a manner consistent with other languages like C and
Fortran. Therefore, standard system file commands are used
to manipulate these elements. Those GNAT commands are marked with
an asterisk.
Note that, unlike DEC Ada, none of the GNAT commands accepts wild cards.
@need 1500
@multitable @columnfractions .35 .65
@item @emph{DEC Ada Command}
@tab @emph{GNAT Equivalent / Description}
@item @command{ADA}
@tab @command{GNAT COMPILE}@*
Invokes the compiler to compile one or more Ada source files.
@item @command{ACS ATTACH}@*
@tab [No equivalent]@*
Switches control of terminal from current process running the program
library manager.
@item @command{ACS CHECK}
@tab @command{GNAT MAKE /DEPENDENCY_LIST}@*
Forms the execution closure of one
or more compiled units and checks completeness and currency.
@item @command{ACS COMPILE}
@tab @command{GNAT MAKE /ACTIONS=COMPILE}@*
Forms the execution closure of one or
more specified units, checks completeness and currency,
identifies units that have revised source files, compiles same,
and recompiles units that are or will become obsolete.
Also completes incomplete generic instantiations.
@item @command{ACS COPY FOREIGN}
@tab Copy (*)@*
Copies a foreign object file into the program library as a
library unit body.
@item @command{ACS COPY UNIT}
@tab Copy (*)@*
Copies a compiled unit from one program library to another.
@item @command{ACS CREATE LIBRARY}
@tab Create /directory (*)@*
Creates a program library.
@item @command{ACS CREATE SUBLIBRARY}
@tab Create /directory (*)@*
Creates a program sublibrary.
@item @command{ACS DELETE LIBRARY}
@tab @*
Deletes a program library and its contents.
@item @command{ACS DELETE SUBLIBRARY}
@tab @*
Deletes a program sublibrary and its contents.
@item @command{ACS DELETE UNIT}
@tab Delete file (*)@*
On OpenVMS systems, deletes one or more compiled units from
the current program library.
@item @command{ACS DIRECTORY}
@tab Directory (*)@*
On OpenVMS systems, lists units contained in the current
program library.
@item @command{ACS ENTER FOREIGN}
@tab Copy (*)@*
Allows the import of a foreign body as an Ada library
specification and enters a reference to a pointer.
@item @command{ACS ENTER UNIT}
@tab Copy (*)@*
Enters a reference (pointer) from the current program library to
a unit compiled into another program library.
@item @command{ACS EXIT}
@tab [No equivalent]@*
Exits from the program library manager.
@item @command{ACS EXPORT}
@tab Copy (*)@*
Creates an object file that contains system-specific object code
for one or more units. With GNAT, object files can simply be copied
into the desired directory.
@item @command{ACS EXTRACT SOURCE}
@tab Copy (*)@*
Allows access to the copied source file for each Ada compilation unit
@item @command{ACS HELP}
@tab @command{HELP GNAT}@*
Provides online help.
@item @command{ACS LINK}
@tab @command{GNAT LINK}@*
Links an object file containing Ada units into an executable file.
@item @command{ACS LOAD}
@tab Copy (*)@*
Loads (partially compiles) Ada units into the program library.
Allows loading a program from a collection of files into a library
without knowing the relationship among units.
@item @command{ACS MERGE}
@tab Copy (*)@*
Merges into the current program library, one or more units from
another library where they were modified.
@item @command{ACS RECOMPILE}
@tab @command{GNAT MAKE /ACTIONS=COMPILE}@*
Recompiles from external or copied source files any obsolete
unit in the closure. Also, completes any incomplete generic
instantiations.
@item @command{ACS REENTER}
@tab @command{GNAT MAKE}@*
Reenters current references to units compiled after last entered
with the @command{ACS ENTER UNIT} command.
@item @command{ACS SET LIBRARY}
@tab Set default (*)@*
Defines a program library to be the compilation context as well
as the target library for compiler output and commands in general.
@item @command{ACS SET PRAGMA}
@tab Edit @file{gnat.adc} (*)@*
Redefines specified values of the library characteristics
@code{LONG_ FLOAT}, @code{MEMORY_SIZE}, @code{SYSTEM_NAME},
and @code{Float_Representation}.
@item @command{ACS SET SOURCE}
@tab Define @code{ADA_INCLUDE_PATH} path (*)@*
Defines the source file search list for the @command{ACS COMPILE} command.
@item @command{ACS SHOW LIBRARY}
@tab Directory (*)@*
Lists information about one or more program libraries.
@item @command{ACS SHOW PROGRAM}
@tab [No equivalent]@*
Lists information about the execution closure of one or
more units in the program library.
@item @command{ACS SHOW SOURCE}
@tab Show logical @code{ADA_INCLUDE_PATH}@*
Shows the source file search used when compiling units.
@item @command{ACS SHOW VERSION}
@tab Compile with @option{VERBOSE} option
Displays the version number of the compiler and program library
manager used.
@item @command{ACS SPAWN}
@tab [No equivalent]@*
Creates a subprocess of the current process (same as @command{DCL SPAWN}
command).
@item @command{ACS VERIFY}
@tab [No equivalent]@*
Performs a series of consistency checks on a program library to
determine whether the library structure and library files are in
valid form.
@end multitable
@noindent
@node Input-Output
@section Input-Output
@noindent
On OpenVMS Alpha systems, DEC Ada uses OpenVMS Record
Management Services (RMS) to perform operations on
external files.
@noindent
DEC Ada and GNAT predefine an identical set of input-
output packages. To make the use of the
generic TEXT_IO operations more convenient, DEC Ada
provides predefined library packages that instantiate the
integer and floating-point operations for the predefined
integer and floating-point types as shown in the following table.
@multitable @columnfractions .45 .55
@item @emph{Package Name} @tab Instantiation
@item @code{INTEGER_TEXT_IO}
@tab @code{INTEGER_IO(INTEGER)}
@item @code{SHORT_INTEGER_TEXT_IO}
@tab @code{INTEGER_IO(SHORT_INTEGER)}
@item @code{SHORT_SHORT_INTEGER_TEXT_IO}
@tab @code{INTEGER_IO(SHORT_SHORT_INTEGER)}
@item @code{FLOAT_TEXT_IO}
@tab @code{FLOAT_IO(FLOAT)}
@item @code{LONG_FLOAT_TEXT_IO}
@tab @code{FLOAT_IO(LONG_FLOAT)}
@end multitable
@noindent
The DEC Ada predefined packages and their operations
are implemented using OpenVMS Alpha files and input-
output facilities. DEC Ada supports asynchronous input-
output on OpenVMS Alpha. Familiarity with the following is
recommended:
@itemize @bullet
@item RMS file organizations and access methods
@item OpenVMS file specifications and directories
@item OpenVMS File Definition Language (FDL)
@end itemize
@noindent
GNAT provides I/O facilities that are completely
compatible with DEC Ada. The distribution includes the
standard DEC Ada versions of all I/O packages, operating
in a manner compatible with DEC Ada. In particular, the
following packages are by default the DEC Ada (Ada 83)
versions of these packages rather than the renamings
suggested in annex J of the Ada 95 Reference Manual:
@itemize @bullet
@item @code{TEXT_IO}
@item @code{SEQUENTIAL_IO}
@item @code{DIRECT_IO}
@end itemize
@noindent
The use of the standard Ada 95 syntax for child packages (for
example, @code{ADA.TEXT_IO}) retrieves the Ada 95 versions of these
packages, as defined in the Ada 95 Reference Manual.
GNAT provides DIGITAL-compatible predefined instantiations
of the @code{TEXT_IO} packages, and also
provides the standard predefined instantiations required
by the Ada 95 Reference Manual.
For further information on how GNAT interfaces to the file
system or how I/O is implemented in programs written in
mixed languages, see the chapter ``Implementation of the
Standard I/O'' in the @cite{GNAT Reference Manual}.
This chapter covers the following:
@itemize @bullet
@item Standard I/O packages
@item @code{FORM} strings
@item @code{ADA.DIRECT_IO}
@item @code{ADA.SEQUENTIAL_IO}
@item @code{ADA.TEXT_IO}
@item Stream pointer positioning
@item Reading and writing non-regular files
@item @code{GET_IMMEDIATE}
@item Treating @code{TEXT_IO} files as streams
@item Shared files
@item Open modes
@end itemize
@node Implementation Limits
@section Implementation Limits
@noindent
The following table lists implementation limits for DEC Ada
and GNAT systems.
@multitable @columnfractions .60 .20 .20
@sp 1
@item @emph{Compilation Parameter}
@tab @emph{DEC Ada}
@tab @emph{GNAT}
@sp 1
@item In a subprogram or entry declaration, maximum number of
formal parameters that are of an unconstrained record type
@tab 32
@tab No set limit
@sp 1
@item Maximum identifier length (number of characters)
@tab 255
@tab 255
@sp 1
@item Maximum number of characters in a source line
@tab 255
@tab 255
@sp 1
@item Maximum collection size (number of bytes)
@tab 2**31-1
@tab 2**31-1
@sp 1
@item Maximum number of discriminants for a record type
@tab 245
@tab No set limit
@sp 1
@item Maximum number of formal parameters in an entry or
subprogram declaration
@tab 246
@tab No set limit
@sp 1
@item Maximum number of dimensions in an array type
@tab 255
@tab No set limit
@sp 1
@item Maximum number of library units and subunits in a compilation.
@tab 4095
@tab No set limit
@sp 1
@item Maximum number of library units and subunits in an execution.
@tab 16383
@tab No set limit
@sp 1
@item Maximum number of objects declared with the pragma @code{COMMON_OBJECT}
or @code{PSECT_OBJECT}
@tab 32757
@tab No set limit
@sp 1
@item Maximum number of enumeration literals in an enumeration type
definition
@tab 65535
@tab No set limit
@sp 1
@item Maximum number of lines in a source file
@tab 65534
@tab No set limit
@sp 1
@item Maximum number of bits in any object
@tab 2**31-1
@tab 2**31-1
@sp 1
@item Maximum size of the static portion of a stack frame (approximate)
@tab 2**31-1
@tab 2**31-1
@end multitable
@node Tools
@section Tools
@end ifset
@c **************************************
@node Platform-Specific Information for the Run-Time Libraries
@appendix Platform-Specific Information for the Run-Time Libraries
@cindex Tasking and threads libraries
@cindex Threads libraries and tasking
@cindex Run-time libraries (platform-specific information)
@noindent
The GNAT run-time implementation may vary with respect to both the
underlying threads library and the exception handling scheme.
For threads support, one or more of the following are supplied:
@itemize @bullet
@item @b{native threads library}, a binding to the thread package from
the underlying operating system
@item @b{pthreads library} (Sparc Solaris only), a binding to the Solaris
POSIX thread package
@end itemize
@noindent
For exception handling, either or both of two models are supplied:
@itemize @bullet
@item @b{Zero-Cost Exceptions} (``ZCX''),@footnote{
Most programs should experience a substantial speed improvement by
being compiled with a ZCX run-time.
This is especially true for
tasking applications or applications with many exception handlers.}
@cindex Zero-Cost Exceptions
@cindex ZCX (Zero-Cost Exceptions)
which uses binder-generated tables that
are interrogated at run time to locate a handler
@item @b{setjmp / longjmp} (``SJLJ''),
@cindex setjmp/longjmp Exception Model
@cindex SJLJ (setjmp/longjmp Exception Model)
which uses dynamically-set data to establish
the set of handlers
@end itemize
@noindent
This appendix summarizes which combinations of threads and exception support
are supplied on various GNAT platforms.
It then shows how to select a particular library either
permanently or temporarily,
explains the properties of (and tradeoffs among) the various threads
libraries, and provides some additional
information about several specific platforms.
@menu
* Summary of Run-Time Configurations::
* Specifying a Run-Time Library::
* Choosing the Scheduling Policy::
* Solaris-Specific Considerations::
* IRIX-Specific Considerations::
* Linux-Specific Considerations::
* AIX-Specific Considerations::
@end menu
@node Summary of Run-Time Configurations
@section Summary of Run-Time Configurations
@multitable @columnfractions .30 .70
@item @b{alpha-openvms}
@item @code{@ @ }@i{rts-native (default)}
@item @code{@ @ @ @ }Tasking @tab native VMS threads
@item @code{@ @ @ @ }Exceptions @tab ZCX
@*
@item @b{pa-hpux}
@item @code{@ @ }@i{rts-native (default)}
@item @code{@ @ @ @ }Tasking @tab native HP threads library
@item @code{@ @ @ @ }Exceptions @tab ZCX
@*
@item @code{@ @ }@i{rts-sjlj}
@item @code{@ @ @ @ }Tasking @tab native HP threads library
@item @code{@ @ @ @ }Exceptions @tab SJLJ
@*
@item @b{sparc-solaris} @tab
@item @code{@ @ }@i{rts-native (default)}
@item @code{@ @ @ @ }Tasking @tab native Solaris threads library
@item @code{@ @ @ @ }Exceptions @tab ZCX
@*
@item @code{@ @ }@i{rts-m64}
@item @code{@ @ @ @ }Tasking @tab native Solaris threads library
@item @code{@ @ @ @ }Exceptions @tab ZCX
@item @code{@ @ @ @ }Constraints @tab Use only when compiling in 64-bit mode;
@item @tab Use only on Solaris 8 or later.
@item @tab @xref{Building and Debugging 64-bit Applications}, for details.
@*
@item @code{@ @ }@i{rts-pthread}
@item @code{@ @ @ @ }Tasking @tab pthreads library
@item @code{@ @ @ @ }Exceptions @tab ZCX
@*
@item @code{@ @ }@i{rts-sjlj}
@item @code{@ @ @ @ }Tasking @tab native Solaris threads library
@item @code{@ @ @ @ }Exceptions @tab SJLJ
@*
@item @b{x86-linux}
@item @code{@ @ }@i{rts-native (default)}
@item @code{@ @ @ @ }Tasking @tab pthread library
@item @code{@ @ @ @ }Exceptions @tab ZCX
@*
@item @code{@ @ }@i{rts-sjlj}
@item @code{@ @ @ @ }Tasking @tab pthread library
@item @code{@ @ @ @ }Exceptions @tab SJLJ
@*
@item @b{x86-windows}
@item @code{@ @ }@i{rts-native (default)}
@item @code{@ @ @ @ }Tasking @tab native Win32 threads
@item @code{@ @ @ @ }Exceptions @tab SJLJ
@*
@end multitable
@node Specifying a Run-Time Library
@section Specifying a Run-Time Library
@noindent
The @file{adainclude} subdirectory containing the sources of the GNAT
run-time library, and the @file{adalib} subdirectory containing the
@file{ALI} files and the static and/or shared GNAT library, are located
in the gcc target-dependent area:
@smallexample
target=$prefix/lib/gcc-lib/gcc-@i{dumpmachine}/gcc-@i{dumpversion}/
@end smallexample
@noindent
As indicated above, on some platforms several run-time libraries are supplied.
These libraries are installed in the target dependent area and
contain a complete source and binary subdirectory. The detailed description
below explains the differences between the different libraries in terms of
their thread support.
The default run-time library (when GNAT is installed) is @emph{rts-native}.
This default run time is selected by the means of soft links.
For example on x86-linux:
@smallexample
@group
$(target-dir)
|
+--- adainclude----------+
| |
+--- adalib-----------+ |
| | |
+--- rts-native | |
| | | |
| +--- adainclude <---+
| | |
| +--- adalib <----+
|
+--- rts-sjlj
|
+--- adainclude
|
+--- adalib
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
If the @i{rts-sjlj} library is to be selected on a permanent basis,
these soft links can be modified with the following commands:
@smallexample
$ cd $target
$ rm -f adainclude adalib
$ ln -s rts-sjlj/adainclude adainclude
$ ln -s rts-sjlj/adalib adalib
@end smallexample
@noindent
Alternatively, you can specify @file{rts-sjlj/adainclude} in the file
@file{$target/ada_source_path} and @file{rts-sjlj/adalib} in
@file{$target/ada_object_path}.
Selecting another run-time library temporarily can be
achieved by the regular mechanism for GNAT object or source path selection:
@itemize @bullet
@item
Set the environment variables:
@smallexample
$ ADA_INCLUDE_PATH=$target/rts-sjlj/adainclude:$ADA_INCLUDE_PATH
$ ADA_OBJECTS_PATH=$target/rts-sjlj/adalib:$ADA_OBJECTS_PATH
$ export ADA_INCLUDE_PATH ADA_OBJECTS_PATH
@end smallexample
@item
Use @option{-aI$target/rts-sjlj/adainclude}
and @option{-aO$target/rts-sjlj/adalib}
on the @command{gnatmake} command line
@item
Use the switch @option{--RTS}; e.g., @option{--RTS=sjlj}
@cindex @option{--RTS} option
@end itemize
@node Choosing the Scheduling Policy
@section Choosing the Scheduling Policy
@noindent
When using a POSIX threads implementation, you have a choice of several
scheduling policies: @code{SCHED_FIFO},
@cindex @code{SCHED_FIFO} scheduling policy
@code{SCHED_RR}
@cindex @code{SCHED_RR} scheduling policy
and @code{SCHED_OTHER}.
@cindex @code{SCHED_OTHER} scheduling policy
Typically, the default is @code{SCHED_OTHER}, while using @code{SCHED_FIFO}
or @code{SCHED_RR} requires special (e.g., root) privileges.
By default, GNAT uses the @code{SCHED_OTHER} policy. To specify
@code{SCHED_FIFO},
@cindex @code{SCHED_FIFO} scheduling policy
you can use one of the following:
@itemize @bullet
@item
@code{pragma Time_Slice (0.0)}
@cindex pragma Time_Slice
@item
the corresponding binder option @option{-T0}
@cindex @option{-T0} option
@item
@code{pragma Task_Dispatching_Policy (FIFO_Within_Priorities)}
@cindex pragma Task_Dispatching_Policy
@end itemize
@noindent
To specify @code{SCHED_RR},
@cindex @code{SCHED_RR} scheduling policy
you should use @code{pragma Time_Slice} with a
value greater than @code{0.0}, or else use the corresponding @option{-T}
binder option.
@node Solaris-Specific Considerations
@section Solaris-Specific Considerations
@cindex Solaris Sparc threads libraries
@noindent
This section addresses some topics related to the various threads libraries
on Sparc Solaris and then provides some information on building and
debugging 64-bit applications.
@menu
* Solaris Threads Issues::
* Building and Debugging 64-bit Applications::
@end menu
@node Solaris Threads Issues
@subsection Solaris Threads Issues
@noindent
GNAT under Solaris comes with an alternate tasking run-time library
based on POSIX threads --- @emph{rts-pthread}.
@cindex rts-pthread threads library
This run-time library has the advantage of being mostly shared across all
POSIX-compliant thread implementations, and it also provides under
@w{Solaris 8} the @code{PTHREAD_PRIO_INHERIT}
@cindex @code{PTHREAD_PRIO_INHERIT} policy (under rts-pthread)
and @code{PTHREAD_PRIO_PROTECT}
@cindex @code{PTHREAD_PRIO_PROTECT} policy (under rts-pthread)
semantics that can be selected using the predefined pragma
@code{Locking_Policy}
@cindex pragma Locking_Policy (under rts-pthread)
with respectively
@code{Inheritance_Locking} and @code{Ceiling_Locking} as the policy.
@cindex @code{Inheritance_Locking} (under rts-pthread)
@cindex @code{Ceiling_Locking} (under rts-pthread)
As explained above, the native run-time library is based on the Solaris thread
library (@code{libthread}) and is the default library.
When the Solaris threads library is used (this is the default), programs
compiled with GNAT can automatically take advantage of
and can thus execute on multiple processors.
The user can alternatively specify a processor on which the program should run
to emulate a single-processor system. The multiprocessor / uniprocessor choice
is made by
setting the environment variable @code{GNAT_PROCESSOR}
@cindex @code{GNAT_PROCESSOR} environment variable (on Sparc Solaris)
to one of the following:
@table @code
@item -2
Use the default configuration (run the program on all
available processors) - this is the same as having
@code{GNAT_PROCESSOR} unset
@item -1
Let the run-time implementation choose one processor and run the program on
that processor
@item 0 .. Last_Proc
Run the program on the specified processor.
@code{Last_Proc} is equal to @code{_SC_NPROCESSORS_CONF - 1}
(where @code{_SC_NPROCESSORS_CONF} is a system variable).
@end table
@node Building and Debugging 64-bit Applications
@subsection Building and Debugging 64-bit Applications
@noindent
In a 64-bit application, all the sources involved must be compiled with the
@option{-m64} command-line option, and a specific GNAT library (compiled with
this option) is required.
The easiest way to build a 64bit application is to add
@option{-m64 --RTS=m64} to the @command{gnatmake} flags.
To debug these applications, dwarf-2 debug information is required, so you
have to add @option{-gdwarf-2} to your gnatmake arguments.
In addition, a special
version of gdb, called @command{gdb64}, needs to be used.
To summarize, building and debugging a ``Hello World'' program in 64-bit mode
amounts to:
@smallexample
$ gnatmake -m64 -gdwarf-2 --RTS=m64 hello.adb
$ gdb64 hello
@end smallexample
@node IRIX-Specific Considerations
@section IRIX-Specific Considerations
@cindex IRIX thread library
@noindent
On SGI IRIX, the thread library depends on which compiler is used.
The @emph{o32 ABI} compiler comes with a run-time library based on the
user-level @code{athread}
library. Thus kernel-level capabilities such as nonblocking system
calls or time slicing can only be achieved reliably by specifying different
@code{sprocs} via the pragma @code{Task_Info}
@cindex pragma Task_Info (and IRIX threads)
and the
@code{System.Task_Info} package.
@cindex @code{System.Task_Info} package (and IRIX threads)
See the @cite{GNAT Reference Manual} for further information.
The @emph{n32 ABI} compiler comes with a run-time library based on the
kernel POSIX threads and thus does not have the limitations mentioned above.
@node Linux-Specific Considerations
@section Linux-Specific Considerations
@cindex Linux threads libraries
@noindent
The default thread library under GNU/Linux has the following disadvantages
compared to other native thread libraries:
@itemize @bullet
@item The size of the task's stack is limited to 2 megabytes.
@item The signal model is not POSIX compliant, which means that to send a
signal to the process, you need to send the signal to all threads,
e.g. by using @code{killpg()}.
@end itemize
@node AIX-Specific Considerations
@section AIX-Specific Considerations
@cindex AIX resolver library
@noindent
On AIX, the resolver library initializes some internal structure on
the first call to @code{get*by*} functions, which are used to implement
@code{GNAT.Sockets.Get_Host_By_Name} and
@code{GNAT.Sockets.Get_Host_By_Addrss}.
If such initialization occurs within an Ada task, and the stack size for
the task is the default size, a stack overflow may occur.
To avoid this overflow, the user should either ensure that the first call
to @code{GNAT.Sockets.Get_Host_By_Name} or
@code{GNAT.Sockets.Get_Host_By_Addrss}
occurs in the environment task, or use @code{pragma Storage_Size} to
specify a sufficiently large size for the stack of the task that contains
this call.
@c *******************************
@node Example of Binder Output File
@appendix Example of Binder Output File
@noindent
This Appendix displays the source code for @command{gnatbind}'s output
file generated for a simple ``Hello World'' program.
Comments have been added for clarification purposes.
@smallexample @c adanocomment
@iftex
@leftskip=0cm
@end iftex
-- The package is called Ada_Main unless this name is actually used
-- as a unit name in the partition, in which case some other unique
-- name is used.
with System;
package ada_main is
Elab_Final_Code : Integer;
pragma Import (C, Elab_Final_Code, "__gnat_inside_elab_final_code");
-- The main program saves the parameters (argument count,
-- argument values, environment pointer) in global variables
-- for later access by other units including
-- Ada.Command_Line.
gnat_argc : Integer;
gnat_argv : System.Address;
gnat_envp : System.Address;
-- The actual variables are stored in a library routine. This
-- is useful for some shared library situations, where there
-- are problems if variables are not in the library.
pragma Import (C, gnat_argc);
pragma Import (C, gnat_argv);
pragma Import (C, gnat_envp);
-- The exit status is similarly an external location
gnat_exit_status : Integer;
pragma Import (C, gnat_exit_status);
GNAT_Version : constant String :=
"GNAT Version: 3.15w (20010315)";
pragma Export (C, GNAT_Version, "__gnat_version");
-- This is the generated adafinal routine that performs
-- finalization at the end of execution. In the case where
-- Ada is the main program, this main program makes a call
-- to adafinal at program termination.
procedure adafinal;
pragma Export (C, adafinal, "adafinal");
-- This is the generated adainit routine that performs
-- initialization at the start of execution. In the case
-- where Ada is the main program, this main program makes
-- a call to adainit at program startup.
procedure adainit;
pragma Export (C, adainit, "adainit");
-- This routine is called at the start of execution. It is
-- a dummy routine that is used by the debugger to breakpoint
-- at the start of execution.
procedure Break_Start;
pragma Import (C, Break_Start, "__gnat_break_start");
-- This is the actual generated main program (it would be
-- suppressed if the no main program switch were used). As
-- required by standard system conventions, this program has
-- the external name main.
function main
(argc : Integer;
argv : System.Address;
envp : System.Address)
return Integer;
pragma Export (C, main, "main");
-- The following set of constants give the version
-- identification values for every unit in the bound
-- partition. This identification is computed from all
-- dependent semantic units, and corresponds to the
-- string that would be returned by use of the
-- Body_Version or Version attributes.
type Version_32 is mod 2 ** 32;
u00001 : constant Version_32 := 16#7880BEB3#;
u00002 : constant Version_32 := 16#0D24CBD0#;
u00003 : constant Version_32 := 16#3283DBEB#;
u00004 : constant Version_32 := 16#2359F9ED#;
u00005 : constant Version_32 := 16#664FB847#;
u00006 : constant Version_32 := 16#68E803DF#;
u00007 : constant Version_32 := 16#5572E604#;
u00008 : constant Version_32 := 16#46B173D8#;
u00009 : constant Version_32 := 16#156A40CF#;
u00010 : constant Version_32 := 16#033DABE0#;
u00011 : constant Version_32 := 16#6AB38FEA#;
u00012 : constant Version_32 := 16#22B6217D#;
u00013 : constant Version_32 := 16#68A22947#;
u00014 : constant Version_32 := 16#18CC4A56#;
u00015 : constant Version_32 := 16#08258E1B#;
u00016 : constant Version_32 := 16#367D5222#;
u00017 : constant Version_32 := 16#20C9ECA4#;
u00018 : constant Version_32 := 16#50D32CB6#;
u00019 : constant Version_32 := 16#39A8BB77#;
u00020 : constant Version_32 := 16#5CF8FA2B#;
u00021 : constant Version_32 := 16#2F1EB794#;
u00022 : constant Version_32 := 16#31AB6444#;
u00023 : constant Version_32 := 16#1574B6E9#;
u00024 : constant Version_32 := 16#5109C189#;
u00025 : constant Version_32 := 16#56D770CD#;
u00026 : constant Version_32 := 16#02F9DE3D#;
u00027 : constant Version_32 := 16#08AB6B2C#;
u00028 : constant Version_32 := 16#3FA37670#;
u00029 : constant Version_32 := 16#476457A0#;
u00030 : constant Version_32 := 16#731E1B6E#;
u00031 : constant Version_32 := 16#23C2E789#;
u00032 : constant Version_32 := 16#0F1BD6A1#;
u00033 : constant Version_32 := 16#7C25DE96#;
u00034 : constant Version_32 := 16#39ADFFA2#;
u00035 : constant Version_32 := 16#571DE3E7#;
u00036 : constant Version_32 := 16#5EB646AB#;
u00037 : constant Version_32 := 16#4249379B#;
u00038 : constant Version_32 := 16#0357E00A#;
u00039 : constant Version_32 := 16#3784FB72#;
u00040 : constant Version_32 := 16#2E723019#;
u00041 : constant Version_32 := 16#623358EA#;
u00042 : constant Version_32 := 16#107F9465#;
u00043 : constant Version_32 := 16#6843F68A#;
u00044 : constant Version_32 := 16#63305874#;
u00045 : constant Version_32 := 16#31E56CE1#;
u00046 : constant Version_32 := 16#02917970#;
u00047 : constant Version_32 := 16#6CCBA70E#;
u00048 : constant Version_32 := 16#41CD4204#;
u00049 : constant Version_32 := 16#572E3F58#;
u00050 : constant Version_32 := 16#20729FF5#;
u00051 : constant Version_32 := 16#1D4F93E8#;
u00052 : constant Version_32 := 16#30B2EC3D#;
u00053 : constant Version_32 := 16#34054F96#;
u00054 : constant Version_32 := 16#5A199860#;
u00055 : constant Version_32 := 16#0E7F912B#;
u00056 : constant Version_32 := 16#5760634A#;
u00057 : constant Version_32 := 16#5D851835#;
-- The following Export pragmas export the version numbers
-- with symbolic names ending in B (for body) or S
-- (for spec) so that they can be located in a link. The
-- information provided here is sufficient to track down
-- the exact versions of units used in a given build.
pragma Export (C, u00001, "helloB");
pragma Export (C, u00002, "system__standard_libraryB");
pragma Export (C, u00003, "system__standard_libraryS");
pragma Export (C, u00004, "adaS");
pragma Export (C, u00005, "ada__text_ioB");
pragma Export (C, u00006, "ada__text_ioS");
pragma Export (C, u00007, "ada__exceptionsB");
pragma Export (C, u00008, "ada__exceptionsS");
pragma Export (C, u00009, "gnatS");
pragma Export (C, u00010, "gnat__heap_sort_aB");
pragma Export (C, u00011, "gnat__heap_sort_aS");
pragma Export (C, u00012, "systemS");
pragma Export (C, u00013, "system__exception_tableB");
pragma Export (C, u00014, "system__exception_tableS");
pragma Export (C, u00015, "gnat__htableB");
pragma Export (C, u00016, "gnat__htableS");
pragma Export (C, u00017, "system__exceptionsS");
pragma Export (C, u00018, "system__machine_state_operationsB");
pragma Export (C, u00019, "system__machine_state_operationsS");
pragma Export (C, u00020, "system__machine_codeS");
pragma Export (C, u00021, "system__storage_elementsB");
pragma Export (C, u00022, "system__storage_elementsS");
pragma Export (C, u00023, "system__secondary_stackB");
pragma Export (C, u00024, "system__secondary_stackS");
pragma Export (C, u00025, "system__parametersB");
pragma Export (C, u00026, "system__parametersS");
pragma Export (C, u00027, "system__soft_linksB");
pragma Export (C, u00028, "system__soft_linksS");
pragma Export (C, u00029, "system__stack_checkingB");
pragma Export (C, u00030, "system__stack_checkingS");
pragma Export (C, u00031, "system__tracebackB");
pragma Export (C, u00032, "system__tracebackS");
pragma Export (C, u00033, "ada__streamsS");
pragma Export (C, u00034, "ada__tagsB");
pragma Export (C, u00035, "ada__tagsS");
pragma Export (C, u00036, "system__string_opsB");
pragma Export (C, u00037, "system__string_opsS");
pragma Export (C, u00038, "interfacesS");
pragma Export (C, u00039, "interfaces__c_streamsB");
pragma Export (C, u00040, "interfaces__c_streamsS");
pragma Export (C, u00041, "system__file_ioB");
pragma Export (C, u00042, "system__file_ioS");
pragma Export (C, u00043, "ada__finalizationB");
pragma Export (C, u00044, "ada__finalizationS");
pragma Export (C, u00045, "system__finalization_rootB");
pragma Export (C, u00046, "system__finalization_rootS");
pragma Export (C, u00047, "system__finalization_implementationB");
pragma Export (C, u00048, "system__finalization_implementationS");
pragma Export (C, u00049, "system__string_ops_concat_3B");
pragma Export (C, u00050, "system__string_ops_concat_3S");
pragma Export (C, u00051, "system__stream_attributesB");
pragma Export (C, u00052, "system__stream_attributesS");
pragma Export (C, u00053, "ada__io_exceptionsS");
pragma Export (C, u00054, "system__unsigned_typesS");
pragma Export (C, u00055, "system__file_control_blockS");
pragma Export (C, u00056, "ada__finalization__list_controllerB");
pragma Export (C, u00057, "ada__finalization__list_controllerS");
-- BEGIN ELABORATION ORDER
-- ada (spec)
-- gnat (spec)
-- gnat.heap_sort_a (spec)
-- gnat.heap_sort_a (body)
-- gnat.htable (spec)
-- gnat.htable (body)
-- interfaces (spec)
-- system (spec)
-- system.machine_code (spec)
-- system.parameters (spec)
-- system.parameters (body)
-- interfaces.c_streams (spec)
-- interfaces.c_streams (body)
-- system.standard_library (spec)
-- ada.exceptions (spec)
-- system.exception_table (spec)
-- system.exception_table (body)
-- ada.io_exceptions (spec)
-- system.exceptions (spec)
-- system.storage_elements (spec)
-- system.storage_elements (body)
-- system.machine_state_operations (spec)
-- system.machine_state_operations (body)
-- system.secondary_stack (spec)
-- system.stack_checking (spec)
-- system.soft_links (spec)
-- system.soft_links (body)
-- system.stack_checking (body)
-- system.secondary_stack (body)
-- system.standard_library (body)
-- system.string_ops (spec)
-- system.string_ops (body)
-- ada.tags (spec)
-- ada.tags (body)
-- ada.streams (spec)
-- system.finalization_root (spec)
-- system.finalization_root (body)
-- system.string_ops_concat_3 (spec)
-- system.string_ops_concat_3 (body)
-- system.traceback (spec)
-- system.traceback (body)
-- ada.exceptions (body)
-- system.unsigned_types (spec)
-- system.stream_attributes (spec)
-- system.stream_attributes (body)
-- system.finalization_implementation (spec)
-- system.finalization_implementation (body)
-- ada.finalization (spec)
-- ada.finalization (body)
-- ada.finalization.list_controller (spec)
-- ada.finalization.list_controller (body)
-- system.file_control_block (spec)
-- system.file_io (spec)
-- system.file_io (body)
-- ada.text_io (spec)
-- ada.text_io (body)
-- hello (body)
-- END ELABORATION ORDER
end ada_main;
-- The following source file name pragmas allow the generated file
-- names to be unique for different main programs. They are needed
-- since the package name will always be Ada_Main.
pragma Source_File_Name (ada_main, Spec_File_Name => "b~hello.ads");
pragma Source_File_Name (ada_main, Body_File_Name => "b~hello.adb");
-- Generated package body for Ada_Main starts here
package body ada_main is
-- The actual finalization is performed by calling the
-- library routine in System.Standard_Library.Adafinal
procedure Do_Finalize;
pragma Import (C, Do_Finalize, "system__standard_library__adafinal");
-------------
-- adainit --
-------------
@findex adainit
procedure adainit is
-- These booleans are set to True once the associated unit has
-- been elaborated. It is also used to avoid elaborating the
-- same unit twice.
E040 : Boolean;
pragma Import (Ada, E040, "interfaces__c_streams_E");
E008 : Boolean;
pragma Import (Ada, E008, "ada__exceptions_E");
E014 : Boolean;
pragma Import (Ada, E014, "system__exception_table_E");
E053 : Boolean;
pragma Import (Ada, E053, "ada__io_exceptions_E");
E017 : Boolean;
pragma Import (Ada, E017, "system__exceptions_E");
E024 : Boolean;
pragma Import (Ada, E024, "system__secondary_stack_E");
E030 : Boolean;
pragma Import (Ada, E030, "system__stack_checking_E");
E028 : Boolean;
pragma Import (Ada, E028, "system__soft_links_E");
E035 : Boolean;
pragma Import (Ada, E035, "ada__tags_E");
E033 : Boolean;
pragma Import (Ada, E033, "ada__streams_E");
E046 : Boolean;
pragma Import (Ada, E046, "system__finalization_root_E");
E048 : Boolean;
pragma Import (Ada, E048, "system__finalization_implementation_E");
E044 : Boolean;
pragma Import (Ada, E044, "ada__finalization_E");
E057 : Boolean;
pragma Import (Ada, E057, "ada__finalization__list_controller_E");
E055 : Boolean;
pragma Import (Ada, E055, "system__file_control_block_E");
E042 : Boolean;
pragma Import (Ada, E042, "system__file_io_E");
E006 : Boolean;
pragma Import (Ada, E006, "ada__text_io_E");
-- Set_Globals is a library routine that stores away the
-- value of the indicated set of global values in global
-- variables within the library.
procedure Set_Globals
(Main_Priority : Integer;
Time_Slice_Value : Integer;
WC_Encoding : Character;
Locking_Policy : Character;
Queuing_Policy : Character;
Task_Dispatching_Policy : Character;
Adafinal : System.Address;
Unreserve_All_Interrupts : Integer;
Exception_Tracebacks : Integer);
@findex __gnat_set_globals
pragma Import (C, Set_Globals, "__gnat_set_globals");
-- SDP_Table_Build is a library routine used to build the
-- exception tables. See unit Ada.Exceptions in files
-- a-except.ads/adb for full details of how zero cost
-- exception handling works. This procedure, the call to
-- it, and the two following tables are all omitted if the
-- build is in longjmp/setjump exception mode.
@findex SDP_Table_Build
@findex Zero Cost Exceptions
procedure SDP_Table_Build
(SDP_Addresses : System.Address;
SDP_Count : Natural;
Elab_Addresses : System.Address;
Elab_Addr_Count : Natural);
pragma Import (C, SDP_Table_Build, "__gnat_SDP_Table_Build");
-- Table of Unit_Exception_Table addresses. Used for zero
-- cost exception handling to build the top level table.
ST : aliased constant array (1 .. 23) of System.Address := (
Hello'UET_Address,
Ada.Text_Io'UET_Address,
Ada.Exceptions'UET_Address,
Gnat.Heap_Sort_A'UET_Address,
System.Exception_Table'UET_Address,
System.Machine_State_Operations'UET_Address,
System.Secondary_Stack'UET_Address,
System.Parameters'UET_Address,
System.Soft_Links'UET_Address,
System.Stack_Checking'UET_Address,
System.Traceback'UET_Address,
Ada.Streams'UET_Address,
Ada.Tags'UET_Address,
System.String_Ops'UET_Address,
Interfaces.C_Streams'UET_Address,
System.File_Io'UET_Address,
Ada.Finalization'UET_Address,
System.Finalization_Root'UET_Address,
System.Finalization_Implementation'UET_Address,
System.String_Ops_Concat_3'UET_Address,
System.Stream_Attributes'UET_Address,
System.File_Control_Block'UET_Address,
Ada.Finalization.List_Controller'UET_Address);
-- Table of addresses of elaboration routines. Used for
-- zero cost exception handling to make sure these
-- addresses are included in the top level procedure
-- address table.
EA : aliased constant array (1 .. 23) of System.Address := (
adainit'Code_Address,
Do_Finalize'Code_Address,
Ada.Exceptions'Elab_Spec'Address,
System.Exceptions'Elab_Spec'Address,
Interfaces.C_Streams'Elab_Spec'Address,
System.Exception_Table'Elab_Body'Address,
Ada.Io_Exceptions'Elab_Spec'Address,
System.Stack_Checking'Elab_Spec'Address,
System.Soft_Links'Elab_Body'Address,
System.Secondary_Stack'Elab_Body'Address,
Ada.Tags'Elab_Spec'Address,
Ada.Tags'Elab_Body'Address,
Ada.Streams'Elab_Spec'Address,
System.Finalization_Root'Elab_Spec'Address,
Ada.Exceptions'Elab_Body'Address,
System.Finalization_Implementation'Elab_Spec'Address,
System.Finalization_Implementation'Elab_Body'Address,
Ada.Finalization'Elab_Spec'Address,
Ada.Finalization.List_Controller'Elab_Spec'Address,
System.File_Control_Block'Elab_Spec'Address,
System.File_Io'Elab_Body'Address,
Ada.Text_Io'Elab_Spec'Address,
Ada.Text_Io'Elab_Body'Address);
-- Start of processing for adainit
begin
-- Call SDP_Table_Build to build the top level procedure
-- table for zero cost exception handling (omitted in
-- longjmp/setjump mode).
SDP_Table_Build (ST'Address, 23, EA'Address, 23);
-- Call Set_Globals to record various information for
-- this partition. The values are derived by the binder
-- from information stored in the ali files by the compiler.
@findex __gnat_set_globals
Set_Globals
(Main_Priority => -1,
-- Priority of main program, -1 if no pragma Priority used
Time_Slice_Value => -1,
-- Time slice from Time_Slice pragma, -1 if none used
WC_Encoding => 'b',
-- Wide_Character encoding used, default is brackets
Locking_Policy => ' ',
-- Locking_Policy used, default of space means not
-- specified, otherwise it is the first character of
-- the policy name.
Queuing_Policy => ' ',
-- Queuing_Policy used, default of space means not
-- specified, otherwise it is the first character of
-- the policy name.
Task_Dispatching_Policy => ' ',
-- Task_Dispatching_Policy used, default of space means
-- not specified, otherwise first character of the
-- policy name.
Adafinal => System.Null_Address,
-- Address of Adafinal routine, not used anymore
Unreserve_All_Interrupts => 0,
-- Set true if pragma Unreserve_All_Interrupts was used
Exception_Tracebacks => 0);
-- Indicates if exception tracebacks are enabled
Elab_Final_Code := 1;
-- Now we have the elaboration calls for all units in the partition.
-- The Elab_Spec and Elab_Body attributes generate references to the
-- implicit elaboration procedures generated by the compiler for
-- each unit that requires elaboration.
if not E040 then
Interfaces.C_Streams'Elab_Spec;
end if;
E040 := True;
if not E008 then
Ada.Exceptions'Elab_Spec;
end if;
if not E014 then
System.Exception_Table'Elab_Body;
E014 := True;
end if;
if not E053 then
Ada.Io_Exceptions'Elab_Spec;
E053 := True;
end if;
if not E017 then
System.Exceptions'Elab_Spec;
E017 := True;
end if;
if not E030 then
System.Stack_Checking'Elab_Spec;
end if;
if not E028 then
System.Soft_Links'Elab_Body;
E028 := True;
end if;
E030 := True;
if not E024 then
System.Secondary_Stack'Elab_Body;
E024 := True;
end if;
if not E035 then
Ada.Tags'Elab_Spec;
end if;
if not E035 then
Ada.Tags'Elab_Body;
E035 := True;
end if;
if not E033 then
Ada.Streams'Elab_Spec;
E033 := True;
end if;
if not E046 then
System.Finalization_Root'Elab_Spec;
end if;
E046 := True;
if not E008 then
Ada.Exceptions'Elab_Body;
E008 := True;
end if;
if not E048 then
System.Finalization_Implementation'Elab_Spec;
end if;
if not E048 then
System.Finalization_Implementation'Elab_Body;
E048 := True;
end if;
if not E044 then
Ada.Finalization'Elab_Spec;
end if;
E044 := True;
if not E057 then
Ada.Finalization.List_Controller'Elab_Spec;
end if;
E057 := True;
if not E055 then
System.File_Control_Block'Elab_Spec;
E055 := True;
end if;
if not E042 then
System.File_Io'Elab_Body;
E042 := True;
end if;
if not E006 then
Ada.Text_Io'Elab_Spec;
end if;
if not E006 then
Ada.Text_Io'Elab_Body;
E006 := True;
end if;
Elab_Final_Code := 0;
end adainit;
--------------
-- adafinal --
--------------
@findex adafinal
procedure adafinal is
begin
Do_Finalize;
end adafinal;
----------
-- main --
----------
-- main is actually a function, as in the ANSI C standard,
-- defined to return the exit status. The three parameters
-- are the argument count, argument values and environment
-- pointer.
@findex Main Program
function main
(argc : Integer;
argv : System.Address;
envp : System.Address)
return Integer
is
-- The initialize routine performs low level system
-- initialization using a standard library routine which
-- sets up signal handling and performs any other
-- required setup. The routine can be found in file
-- a-init.c.
@findex __gnat_initialize
procedure initialize;
pragma Import (C, initialize, "__gnat_initialize");
-- The finalize routine performs low level system
-- finalization using a standard library routine. The
-- routine is found in file a-final.c and in the standard
-- distribution is a dummy routine that does nothing, so
-- really this is a hook for special user finalization.
@findex __gnat_finalize
procedure finalize;
pragma Import (C, finalize, "__gnat_finalize");
-- We get to the main program of the partition by using
-- pragma Import because if we try to with the unit and
-- call it Ada style, then not only do we waste time
-- recompiling it, but also, we don't really know the right
-- switches (e.g. identifier character set) to be used
-- to compile it.
procedure Ada_Main_Program;
pragma Import (Ada, Ada_Main_Program, "_ada_hello");
-- Start of processing for main
begin
-- Save global variables
gnat_argc := argc;
gnat_argv := argv;
gnat_envp := envp;
-- Call low level system initialization
Initialize;
-- Call our generated Ada initialization routine
adainit;
-- This is the point at which we want the debugger to get
-- control
Break_Start;
-- Now we call the main program of the partition
Ada_Main_Program;
-- Perform Ada finalization
adafinal;
-- Perform low level system finalization
Finalize;
-- Return the proper exit status
return (gnat_exit_status);
end;
-- This section is entirely comments, so it has no effect on the
-- compilation of the Ada_Main package. It provides the list of
-- object files and linker options, as well as some standard
-- libraries needed for the link. The gnatlink utility parses
-- this b~hello.adb file to read these comment lines to generate
-- the appropriate command line arguments for the call to the
-- system linker. The BEGIN/END lines are used for sentinels for
-- this parsing operation.
-- The exact file names will of course depend on the environment,
-- host/target and location of files on the host system.
@findex Object file list
-- BEGIN Object file/option list
-- ./hello.o
-- -L./
-- -L/usr/local/gnat/lib/gcc-lib/i686-pc-linux-gnu/2.8.1/adalib/
-- /usr/local/gnat/lib/gcc-lib/i686-pc-linux-gnu/2.8.1/adalib/libgnat.a
-- END Object file/option list
end ada_main;
@end smallexample
@noindent
The Ada code in the above example is exactly what is generated by the
binder. We have added comments to more clearly indicate the function
of each part of the generated @code{Ada_Main} package.
The code is standard Ada in all respects, and can be processed by any
tools that handle Ada. In particular, it is possible to use the debugger
in Ada mode to debug the generated @code{Ada_Main} package. For example,
suppose that for reasons that you do not understand, your program is crashing
during elaboration of the body of @code{Ada.Text_IO}. To locate this bug,
you can place a breakpoint on the call:
@smallexample @c ada
Ada.Text_Io'Elab_Body;
@end smallexample
@noindent
and trace the elaboration routine for this package to find out where
the problem might be (more usually of course you would be debugging
elaboration code in your own application).
@node Elaboration Order Handling in GNAT
@appendix Elaboration Order Handling in GNAT
@cindex Order of elaboration
@cindex Elaboration control
@menu
* Elaboration Code in Ada 95::
* Checking the Elaboration Order in Ada 95::
* Controlling the Elaboration Order in Ada 95::
* Controlling Elaboration in GNAT - Internal Calls::
* Controlling Elaboration in GNAT - External Calls::
* Default Behavior in GNAT - Ensuring Safety::
* Treatment of Pragma Elaborate::
* Elaboration Issues for Library Tasks::
* Mixing Elaboration Models::
* What to Do If the Default Elaboration Behavior Fails::
* Elaboration for Access-to-Subprogram Values::
* Summary of Procedures for Elaboration Control::
* Other Elaboration Order Considerations::
@end menu
@noindent
This chapter describes the handling of elaboration code in Ada 95 and
in GNAT, and discusses how the order of elaboration of program units can
be controlled in GNAT, either automatically or with explicit programming
features.
@node Elaboration Code in Ada 95
@section Elaboration Code in Ada 95
@noindent
Ada 95 provides rather general mechanisms for executing code at elaboration
time, that is to say before the main program starts executing. Such code arises
in three contexts:
@table @asis
@item Initializers for variables.
Variables declared at the library level, in package specs or bodies, can
require initialization that is performed at elaboration time, as in:
@smallexample @c ada
@cartouche
Sqrt_Half : Float := Sqrt (0.5);
@end cartouche
@end smallexample
@item Package initialization code
Code in a @code{BEGIN-END} section at the outer level of a package body is
executed as part of the package body elaboration code.
@item Library level task allocators
Tasks that are declared using task allocators at the library level
start executing immediately and hence can execute at elaboration time.
@end table
@noindent
Subprogram calls are possible in any of these contexts, which means that
any arbitrary part of the program may be executed as part of the elaboration
code. It is even possible to write a program which does all its work at
elaboration time, with a null main program, although stylistically this
would usually be considered an inappropriate way to structure
a program.
An important concern arises in the context of elaboration code:
we have to be sure that it is executed in an appropriate order. What we
have is a series of elaboration code sections, potentially one section
for each unit in the program. It is important that these execute
in the correct order. Correctness here means that, taking the above
example of the declaration of @code{Sqrt_Half},
if some other piece of
elaboration code references @code{Sqrt_Half},
then it must run after the
section of elaboration code that contains the declaration of
@code{Sqrt_Half}.
There would never be any order of elaboration problem if we made a rule
that whenever you @code{with} a unit, you must elaborate both the spec and body
of that unit before elaborating the unit doing the @code{with}'ing:
@smallexample @c ada
@group
@cartouche
with Unit_1;
package Unit_2 is ...
@end cartouche
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
would require that both the body and spec of @code{Unit_1} be elaborated
before the spec of @code{Unit_2}. However, a rule like that would be far too
restrictive. In particular, it would make it impossible to have routines
in separate packages that were mutually recursive.
You might think that a clever enough compiler could look at the actual
elaboration code and determine an appropriate correct order of elaboration,
but in the general case, this is not possible. Consider the following
example.
In the body of @code{Unit_1}, we have a procedure @code{Func_1}
that references
the variable @code{Sqrt_1}, which is declared in the elaboration code
of the body of @code{Unit_1}:
@smallexample @c ada
@cartouche
Sqrt_1 : Float := Sqrt (0.1);
@end cartouche
@end smallexample
@noindent
The elaboration code of the body of @code{Unit_1} also contains:
@smallexample @c ada
@group
@cartouche
if expression_1 = 1 then
Q := Unit_2.Func_2;
end if;
@end cartouche
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
@code{Unit_2} is exactly parallel,
it has a procedure @code{Func_2} that references
the variable @code{Sqrt_2}, which is declared in the elaboration code of
the body @code{Unit_2}:
@smallexample @c ada
@cartouche
Sqrt_2 : Float := Sqrt (0.1);
@end cartouche
@end smallexample
@noindent
The elaboration code of the body of @code{Unit_2} also contains:
@smallexample @c ada
@group
@cartouche
if expression_2 = 2 then
Q := Unit_1.Func_1;
end if;
@end cartouche
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
Now the question is, which of the following orders of elaboration is
acceptable:
@smallexample
@group
Spec of Unit_1
Spec of Unit_2
Body of Unit_1
Body of Unit_2
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
or
@smallexample
@group
Spec of Unit_2
Spec of Unit_1
Body of Unit_2
Body of Unit_1
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
If you carefully analyze the flow here, you will see that you cannot tell
at compile time the answer to this question.
If @code{expression_1} is not equal to 1,
and @code{expression_2} is not equal to 2,
then either order is acceptable, because neither of the function calls is
executed. If both tests evaluate to true, then neither order is acceptable
and in fact there is no correct order.
If one of the two expressions is true, and the other is false, then one
of the above orders is correct, and the other is incorrect. For example,
if @code{expression_1} = 1 and @code{expression_2} /= 2,
then the call to @code{Func_2}
will occur, but not the call to @code{Func_1.}
This means that it is essential
to elaborate the body of @code{Unit_1} before
the body of @code{Unit_2}, so the first
order of elaboration is correct and the second is wrong.
By making @code{expression_1} and @code{expression_2}
depend on input data, or perhaps
the time of day, we can make it impossible for the compiler or binder
to figure out which of these expressions will be true, and hence it
is impossible to guarantee a safe order of elaboration at run time.
@node Checking the Elaboration Order in Ada 95
@section Checking the Elaboration Order in Ada 95
@noindent
In some languages that involve the same kind of elaboration problems,
e.g. Java and C++, the programmer is expected to worry about these
ordering problems himself, and it is common to
write a program in which an incorrect elaboration order gives
surprising results, because it references variables before they
are initialized.
Ada 95 is designed to be a safe language, and a programmer-beware approach is
clearly not sufficient. Consequently, the language provides three lines
of defense:
@table @asis
@item Standard rules
Some standard rules restrict the possible choice of elaboration
order. In particular, if you @code{with} a unit, then its spec is always
elaborated before the unit doing the @code{with}. Similarly, a parent
spec is always elaborated before the child spec, and finally
a spec is always elaborated before its corresponding body.
@item Dynamic elaboration checks
@cindex Elaboration checks
@cindex Checks, elaboration
Dynamic checks are made at run time, so that if some entity is accessed
before it is elaborated (typically by means of a subprogram call)
then the exception (@code{Program_Error}) is raised.
@item Elaboration control
Facilities are provided for the programmer to specify the desired order
of elaboration.
@end table
Let's look at these facilities in more detail. First, the rules for
dynamic checking. One possible rule would be simply to say that the
exception is raised if you access a variable which has not yet been
elaborated. The trouble with this approach is that it could require
expensive checks on every variable reference. Instead Ada 95 has two
rules which are a little more restrictive, but easier to check, and
easier to state:
@table @asis
@item Restrictions on calls
A subprogram can only be called at elaboration time if its body
has been elaborated. The rules for elaboration given above guarantee
that the spec of the subprogram has been elaborated before the
call, but not the body. If this rule is violated, then the
exception @code{Program_Error} is raised.
@item Restrictions on instantiations
A generic unit can only be instantiated if the body of the generic
unit has been elaborated. Again, the rules for elaboration given above
guarantee that the spec of the generic unit has been elaborated
before the instantiation, but not the body. If this rule is
violated, then the exception @code{Program_Error} is raised.
@end table
@noindent
The idea is that if the body has been elaborated, then any variables
it references must have been elaborated; by checking for the body being
elaborated we guarantee that none of its references causes any
trouble. As we noted above, this is a little too restrictive, because a
subprogram that has no non-local references in its body may in fact be safe
to call. However, it really would be unsafe to rely on this, because
it would mean that the caller was aware of details of the implementation
in the body. This goes against the basic tenets of Ada.
A plausible implementation can be described as follows.
A Boolean variable is associated with each subprogram
and each generic unit. This variable is initialized to False, and is set to
True at the point body is elaborated. Every call or instantiation checks the
variable, and raises @code{Program_Error} if the variable is False.
Note that one might think that it would be good enough to have one Boolean
variable for each package, but that would not deal with cases of trying
to call a body in the same package as the call
that has not been elaborated yet.
Of course a compiler may be able to do enough analysis to optimize away
some of the Boolean variables as unnecessary, and @code{GNAT} indeed
does such optimizations, but still the easiest conceptual model is to
think of there being one variable per subprogram.
@node Controlling the Elaboration Order in Ada 95
@section Controlling the Elaboration Order in Ada 95
@noindent
In the previous section we discussed the rules in Ada 95 which ensure
that @code{Program_Error} is raised if an incorrect elaboration order is
chosen. This prevents erroneous executions, but we need mechanisms to
specify a correct execution and avoid the exception altogether.
To achieve this, Ada 95 provides a number of features for controlling
the order of elaboration. We discuss these features in this section.
First, there are several ways of indicating to the compiler that a given
unit has no elaboration problems:
@table @asis
@item packages that do not require a body
In Ada 95, a library package that does not require a body does not permit
a body. This means that if we have a such a package, as in:
@smallexample @c ada
@group
@cartouche
package Definitions is
generic
type m is new integer;
package Subp is
type a is array (1 .. 10) of m;
type b is array (1 .. 20) of m;
end Subp;
end Definitions;
@end cartouche
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
A package that @code{with}'s @code{Definitions} may safely instantiate
@code{Definitions.Subp} because the compiler can determine that there
definitely is no package body to worry about in this case
@item pragma Pure
@cindex pragma Pure
@findex Pure
Places sufficient restrictions on a unit to guarantee that
no call to any subprogram in the unit can result in an
elaboration problem. This means that the compiler does not need
to worry about the point of elaboration of such units, and in
particular, does not need to check any calls to any subprograms
in this unit.
@item pragma Preelaborate
@findex Preelaborate
@cindex pragma Preelaborate
This pragma places slightly less stringent restrictions on a unit than
does pragma Pure,
but these restrictions are still sufficient to ensure that there
are no elaboration problems with any calls to the unit.
@item pragma Elaborate_Body
@findex Elaborate_Body
@cindex pragma Elaborate_Body
This pragma requires that the body of a unit be elaborated immediately
after its spec. Suppose a unit @code{A} has such a pragma,
and unit @code{B} does
a @code{with} of unit @code{A}. Recall that the standard rules require
the spec of unit @code{A}
to be elaborated before the @code{with}'ing unit; given the pragma in
@code{A}, we also know that the body of @code{A}
will be elaborated before @code{B}, so
that calls to @code{A} are safe and do not need a check.
@end table
@noindent
Note that,
unlike pragma @code{Pure} and pragma @code{Preelaborate},
the use of
@code{Elaborate_Body} does not guarantee that the program is
free of elaboration problems, because it may not be possible
to satisfy the requested elaboration order.
Let's go back to the example with @code{Unit_1} and @code{Unit_2}.
If a programmer
marks @code{Unit_1} as @code{Elaborate_Body},
and not @code{Unit_2,} then the order of
elaboration will be:
@smallexample
@group
Spec of Unit_2
Spec of Unit_1
Body of Unit_1
Body of Unit_2
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
Now that means that the call to @code{Func_1} in @code{Unit_2}
need not be checked,
it must be safe. But the call to @code{Func_2} in
@code{Unit_1} may still fail if
@code{Expression_1} is equal to 1,
and the programmer must still take
responsibility for this not being the case.
If all units carry a pragma @code{Elaborate_Body}, then all problems are
eliminated, except for calls entirely within a body, which are
in any case fully under programmer control. However, using the pragma
everywhere is not always possible.
In particular, for our @code{Unit_1}/@code{Unit_2} example, if
we marked both of them as having pragma @code{Elaborate_Body}, then
clearly there would be no possible elaboration order.
The above pragmas allow a server to guarantee safe use by clients, and
clearly this is the preferable approach. Consequently a good rule in
Ada 95 is to mark units as @code{Pure} or @code{Preelaborate} if possible,
and if this is not possible,
mark them as @code{Elaborate_Body} if possible.
As we have seen, there are situations where neither of these
three pragmas can be used.
So we also provide methods for clients to control the
order of elaboration of the servers on which they depend:
@table @asis
@item pragma Elaborate (unit)
@findex Elaborate
@cindex pragma Elaborate
This pragma is placed in the context clause, after a @code{with} clause,
and it requires that the body of the named unit be elaborated before
the unit in which the pragma occurs. The idea is to use this pragma
if the current unit calls at elaboration time, directly or indirectly,
some subprogram in the named unit.
@item pragma Elaborate_All (unit)
@findex Elaborate_All
@cindex pragma Elaborate_All
This is a stronger version of the Elaborate pragma. Consider the
following example:
@smallexample
Unit A @code{with}'s unit B and calls B.Func in elab code
Unit B @code{with}'s unit C, and B.Func calls C.Func
@end smallexample
@noindent
Now if we put a pragma @code{Elaborate (B)}
in unit @code{A}, this ensures that the
body of @code{B} is elaborated before the call, but not the
body of @code{C}, so
the call to @code{C.Func} could still cause @code{Program_Error} to
be raised.
The effect of a pragma @code{Elaborate_All} is stronger, it requires
not only that the body of the named unit be elaborated before the
unit doing the @code{with}, but also the bodies of all units that the
named unit uses, following @code{with} links transitively. For example,
if we put a pragma @code{Elaborate_All (B)} in unit @code{A},
then it requires
not only that the body of @code{B} be elaborated before @code{A},
but also the
body of @code{C}, because @code{B} @code{with}'s @code{C}.
@end table
@noindent
We are now in a position to give a usage rule in Ada 95 for avoiding
elaboration problems, at least if dynamic dispatching and access to
subprogram values are not used. We will handle these cases separately
later.
The rule is simple. If a unit has elaboration code that can directly or
indirectly make a call to a subprogram in a @code{with}'ed unit, or instantiate
a generic unit in a @code{with}'ed unit,
then if the @code{with}'ed unit does not have
pragma @code{Pure} or @code{Preelaborate}, then the client should have
a pragma @code{Elaborate_All}
for the @code{with}'ed unit. By following this rule a client is
assured that calls can be made without risk of an exception.
If this rule is not followed, then a program may be in one of four
states:
@table @asis
@item No order exists
No order of elaboration exists which follows the rules, taking into
account any @code{Elaborate}, @code{Elaborate_All},
or @code{Elaborate_Body} pragmas. In
this case, an Ada 95 compiler must diagnose the situation at bind
time, and refuse to build an executable program.
@item One or more orders exist, all incorrect
One or more acceptable elaboration orders exists, and all of them
generate an elaboration order problem. In this case, the binder
can build an executable program, but @code{Program_Error} will be raised
when the program is run.
@item Several orders exist, some right, some incorrect
One or more acceptable elaboration orders exists, and some of them
work, and some do not. The programmer has not controlled
the order of elaboration, so the binder may or may not pick one of
the correct orders, and the program may or may not raise an
exception when it is run. This is the worst case, because it means
that the program may fail when moved to another compiler, or even
another version of the same compiler.
@item One or more orders exists, all correct
One ore more acceptable elaboration orders exist, and all of them
work. In this case the program runs successfully. This state of
affairs can be guaranteed by following the rule we gave above, but
may be true even if the rule is not followed.
@end table
@noindent
Note that one additional advantage of following our Elaborate_All rule
is that the program continues to stay in the ideal (all orders OK) state
even if maintenance
changes some bodies of some subprograms. Conversely, if a program that does
not follow this rule happens to be safe at some point, this state of affairs
may deteriorate silently as a result of maintenance changes.
You may have noticed that the above discussion did not mention
the use of @code{Elaborate_Body}. This was a deliberate omission. If you
@code{with} an @code{Elaborate_Body} unit, it still may be the case that
code in the body makes calls to some other unit, so it is still necessary
to use @code{Elaborate_All} on such units.
@node Controlling Elaboration in GNAT - Internal Calls
@section Controlling Elaboration in GNAT - Internal Calls
@noindent
In the case of internal calls, i.e. calls within a single package, the
programmer has full control over the order of elaboration, and it is up
to the programmer to elaborate declarations in an appropriate order. For
example writing:
@smallexample @c ada
@group
@cartouche
function One return Float;
Q : Float := One;
function One return Float is
begin
return 1.0;
end One;
@end cartouche
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
will obviously raise @code{Program_Error} at run time, because function
One will be called before its body is elaborated. In this case GNAT will
generate a warning that the call will raise @code{Program_Error}:
@smallexample
@group
@cartouche
1. procedure y is
2. function One return Float;
3.
4. Q : Float := One;
|
>>> warning: cannot call "One" before body is elaborated
>>> warning: Program_Error will be raised at run time
5.
6. function One return Float is
7. begin
8. return 1.0;
9. end One;
10.
11. begin
12. null;
13. end;
@end cartouche
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
Note that in this particular case, it is likely that the call is safe, because
the function @code{One} does not access any global variables.
Nevertheless in Ada 95, we do not want the validity of the check to depend on
the contents of the body (think about the separate compilation case), so this
is still wrong, as we discussed in the previous sections.
The error is easily corrected by rearranging the declarations so that the
body of One appears before the declaration containing the call
(note that in Ada 95,
declarations can appear in any order, so there is no restriction that
would prevent this reordering, and if we write:
@smallexample @c ada
@group
@cartouche
function One return Float;
function One return Float is
begin
return 1.0;
end One;
Q : Float := One;
@end cartouche
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
then all is well, no warning is generated, and no
@code{Program_Error} exception
will be raised.
Things are more complicated when a chain of subprograms is executed:
@smallexample @c ada
@group
@cartouche
function A return Integer;
function B return Integer;
function C return Integer;
function B return Integer is begin return A; end;
function C return Integer is begin return B; end;
X : Integer := C;
function A return Integer is begin return 1; end;
@end cartouche
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
Now the call to @code{C}
at elaboration time in the declaration of @code{X} is correct, because
the body of @code{C} is already elaborated,
and the call to @code{B} within the body of
@code{C} is correct, but the call
to @code{A} within the body of @code{B} is incorrect, because the body
of @code{A} has not been elaborated, so @code{Program_Error}
will be raised on the call to @code{A}.
In this case GNAT will generate a
warning that @code{Program_Error} may be
raised at the point of the call. Let's look at the warning:
@smallexample
@group
@cartouche
1. procedure x is
2. function A return Integer;
3. function B return Integer;
4. function C return Integer;
5.
6. function B return Integer is begin return A; end;
|
>>> warning: call to "A" before body is elaborated may
raise Program_Error
>>> warning: "B" called at line 7
>>> warning: "C" called at line 9
7. function C return Integer is begin return B; end;
8.
9. X : Integer := C;
10.
11. function A return Integer is begin return 1; end;
12.
13. begin
14. null;
15. end;
@end cartouche
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
Note that the message here says ``may raise'', instead of the direct case,
where the message says ``will be raised''. That's because whether
@code{A} is
actually called depends in general on run-time flow of control.
For example, if the body of @code{B} said
@smallexample @c ada
@group
@cartouche
function B return Integer is
begin
if some-condition-depending-on-input-data then
return A;
else
return 1;
end if;
end B;
@end cartouche
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
then we could not know until run time whether the incorrect call to A would
actually occur, so @code{Program_Error} might
or might not be raised. It is possible for a compiler to
do a better job of analyzing bodies, to
determine whether or not @code{Program_Error}
might be raised, but it certainly
couldn't do a perfect job (that would require solving the halting problem
and is provably impossible), and because this is a warning anyway, it does
not seem worth the effort to do the analysis. Cases in which it
would be relevant are rare.
In practice, warnings of either of the forms given
above will usually correspond to
real errors, and should be examined carefully and eliminated.
In the rare case where a warning is bogus, it can be suppressed by any of
the following methods:
@itemize @bullet
@item
Compile with the @option{-gnatws} switch set
@item
Suppress @code{Elaboration_Check} for the called subprogram
@item
Use pragma @code{Warnings_Off} to turn warnings off for the call
@end itemize
@noindent
For the internal elaboration check case,
GNAT by default generates the
necessary run-time checks to ensure
that @code{Program_Error} is raised if any
call fails an elaboration check. Of course this can only happen if a
warning has been issued as described above. The use of pragma
@code{Suppress (Elaboration_Check)} may (but is not guaranteed to) suppress
some of these checks, meaning that it may be possible (but is not
guaranteed) for a program to be able to call a subprogram whose body
is not yet elaborated, without raising a @code{Program_Error} exception.
@node Controlling Elaboration in GNAT - External Calls
@section Controlling Elaboration in GNAT - External Calls
@noindent
The previous section discussed the case in which the execution of a
particular thread of elaboration code occurred entirely within a
single unit. This is the easy case to handle, because a programmer
has direct and total control over the order of elaboration, and
furthermore, checks need only be generated in cases which are rare
and which the compiler can easily detect.
The situation is more complex when separate compilation is taken into account.
Consider the following:
@smallexample @c ada
@cartouche
@group
package Math is
function Sqrt (Arg : Float) return Float;
end Math;
package body Math is
function Sqrt (Arg : Float) return Float is
begin
...
end Sqrt;
end Math;
@end group
@group
with Math;
package Stuff is
X : Float := Math.Sqrt (0.5);
end Stuff;
with Stuff;
procedure Main is
begin
...
end Main;
@end group
@end cartouche
@end smallexample
@noindent
where @code{Main} is the main program. When this program is executed, the
elaboration code must first be executed, and one of the jobs of the
binder is to determine the order in which the units of a program are
to be elaborated. In this case we have four units: the spec and body
of @code{Math},
the spec of @code{Stuff} and the body of @code{Main}).
In what order should the four separate sections of elaboration code
be executed?
There are some restrictions in the order of elaboration that the binder
can choose. In particular, if unit U has a @code{with}
for a package @code{X}, then you
are assured that the spec of @code{X}
is elaborated before U , but you are
not assured that the body of @code{X}
is elaborated before U.
This means that in the above case, the binder is allowed to choose the
order:
@smallexample
spec of Math
spec of Stuff
body of Math
body of Main
@end smallexample
@noindent
but that's not good, because now the call to @code{Math.Sqrt}
that happens during
the elaboration of the @code{Stuff}
spec happens before the body of @code{Math.Sqrt} is
elaborated, and hence causes @code{Program_Error} exception to be raised.
At first glance, one might say that the binder is misbehaving, because
obviously you want to elaborate the body of something you @code{with}
first, but
that is not a general rule that can be followed in all cases. Consider
@smallexample @c ada
@group
@cartouche
package X is ...
package Y is ...
with X;
package body Y is ...
with Y;
package body X is ...
@end cartouche
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
This is a common arrangement, and, apart from the order of elaboration
problems that might arise in connection with elaboration code, this works fine.
A rule that says that you must first elaborate the body of anything you
@code{with} cannot work in this case:
the body of @code{X} @code{with}'s @code{Y},
which means you would have to
elaborate the body of @code{Y} first, but that @code{with}'s @code{X},
which means
you have to elaborate the body of @code{X} first, but ... and we have a
loop that cannot be broken.
It is true that the binder can in many cases guess an order of elaboration
that is unlikely to cause a @code{Program_Error}
exception to be raised, and it tries to do so (in the
above example of @code{Math/Stuff/Spec}, the GNAT binder will
by default
elaborate the body of @code{Math} right after its spec, so all will be well).
However, a program that blindly relies on the binder to be helpful can
get into trouble, as we discussed in the previous sections, so
GNAT
provides a number of facilities for assisting the programmer in
developing programs that are robust with respect to elaboration order.
@node Default Behavior in GNAT - Ensuring Safety
@section Default Behavior in GNAT - Ensuring Safety
@noindent
The default behavior in GNAT ensures elaboration safety. In its
default mode GNAT implements the
rule we previously described as the right approach. Let's restate it:
@itemize
@item
@emph{If a unit has elaboration code that can directly or indirectly make a
call to a subprogram in a @code{with}'ed unit, or instantiate a generic unit
in a @code{with}'ed unit, then if the @code{with}'ed unit
does not have pragma @code{Pure} or
@code{Preelaborate}, then the client should have an
@code{Elaborate_All} for the @code{with}'ed unit.}
@end itemize
@noindent
By following this rule a client is assured that calls and instantiations
can be made without risk of an exception.
In this mode GNAT traces all calls that are potentially made from
elaboration code, and puts in any missing implicit @code{Elaborate_All}
pragmas.
The advantage of this approach is that no elaboration problems
are possible if the binder can find an elaboration order that is
consistent with these implicit @code{Elaborate_All} pragmas. The
disadvantage of this approach is that no such order may exist.
If the binder does not generate any diagnostics, then it means that it
has found an elaboration order that is guaranteed to be safe. However,
the binder may still be relying on implicitly generated
@code{Elaborate_All} pragmas so portability to other compilers than
GNAT is not guaranteed.
If it is important to guarantee portability, then the compilations should
use the
@option{-gnatwl}
(warn on elaboration problems) switch. This will cause warning messages
to be generated indicating the missing @code{Elaborate_All} pragmas.
Consider the following source program:
@smallexample @c ada
@group
@cartouche
with k;
package j is
m : integer := k.r;
end;
@end cartouche
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
where it is clear that there
should be a pragma @code{Elaborate_All}
for unit @code{k}. An implicit pragma will be generated, and it is
likely that the binder will be able to honor it. However, if you want
to port this program to some other Ada compiler than GNAT.
it is safer to include the pragma explicitly in the source. If this
unit is compiled with the
@option{-gnatwl}
switch, then the compiler outputs a warning:
@smallexample
@group
@cartouche
1. with k;
2. package j is
3. m : integer := k.r;
|
>>> warning: call to "r" may raise Program_Error
>>> warning: missing pragma Elaborate_All for "k"
4. end;
@end cartouche
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
and these warnings can be used as a guide for supplying manually
the missing pragmas. It is usually a bad idea to use this warning
option during development. That's because it will warn you when
you need to put in a pragma, but cannot warn you when it is time
to take it out. So the use of pragma Elaborate_All may lead to
unnecessary dependencies and even false circularities.
This default mode is more restrictive than the Ada Reference
Manual, and it is possible to construct programs which will compile
using the dynamic model described there, but will run into a
circularity using the safer static model we have described.
Of course any Ada compiler must be able to operate in a mode
consistent with the requirements of the Ada Reference Manual,
and in particular must have the capability of implementing the
standard dynamic model of elaboration with run-time checks.
In GNAT, this standard mode can be achieved either by the use of
the @option{-gnatE} switch on the compiler (@command{gcc} or
@command{gnatmake}) command, or by the use of the configuration pragma:
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Elaboration_Checks (RM);
@end smallexample
@noindent
Either approach will cause the unit affected to be compiled using the
standard dynamic run-time elaboration checks described in the Ada
Reference Manual. The static model is generally preferable, since it
is clearly safer to rely on compile and link time checks rather than
run-time checks. However, in the case of legacy code, it may be
difficult to meet the requirements of the static model. This
issue is further discussed in
@ref{What to Do If the Default Elaboration Behavior Fails}.
Note that the static model provides a strict subset of the allowed
behavior and programs of the Ada Reference Manual, so if you do
adhere to the static model and no circularities exist,
then you are assured that your program will
work using the dynamic model, providing that you remove any
pragma Elaborate statements from the source.
@node Treatment of Pragma Elaborate
@section Treatment of Pragma Elaborate
@cindex Pragma Elaborate
@noindent
The use of @code{pragma Elaborate}
should generally be avoided in Ada 95 programs.
The reason for this is that there is no guarantee that transitive calls
will be properly handled. Indeed at one point, this pragma was placed
in Annex J (Obsolescent Features), on the grounds that it is never useful.
Now that's a bit restrictive. In practice, the case in which
@code{pragma Elaborate} is useful is when the caller knows that there
are no transitive calls, or that the called unit contains all necessary
transitive @code{pragma Elaborate} statements, and legacy code often
contains such uses.
Strictly speaking the static mode in GNAT should ignore such pragmas,
since there is no assurance at compile time that the necessary safety
conditions are met. In practice, this would cause GNAT to be incompatible
with correctly written Ada 83 code that had all necessary
@code{pragma Elaborate} statements in place. Consequently, we made the
decision that GNAT in its default mode will believe that if it encounters
a @code{pragma Elaborate} then the programmer knows what they are doing,
and it will trust that no elaboration errors can occur.
The result of this decision is two-fold. First to be safe using the
static mode, you should remove all @code{pragma Elaborate} statements.
Second, when fixing circularities in existing code, you can selectively
use @code{pragma Elaborate} statements to convince the static mode of
GNAT that it need not generate an implicit @code{pragma Elaborate_All}
statement.
When using the static mode with @option{-gnatwl}, any use of
@code{pragma Elaborate} will generate a warning about possible
problems.
@node Elaboration Issues for Library Tasks
@section Elaboration Issues for Library Tasks
@cindex Library tasks, elaboration issues
@cindex Elaboration of library tasks
@noindent
In this section we examine special elaboration issues that arise for
programs that declare library level tasks.
Generally the model of execution of an Ada program is that all units are
elaborated, and then execution of the program starts. However, the
declaration of library tasks definitely does not fit this model. The
reason for this is that library tasks start as soon as they are declared
(more precisely, as soon as the statement part of the enclosing package
body is reached), that is to say before elaboration
of the program is complete. This means that if such a task calls a
subprogram, or an entry in another task, the callee may or may not be
elaborated yet, and in the standard
Reference Manual model of dynamic elaboration checks, you can even
get timing dependent Program_Error exceptions, since there can be
a race between the elaboration code and the task code.
The static model of elaboration in GNAT seeks to avoid all such
dynamic behavior, by being conservative, and the conservative
approach in this particular case is to assume that all the code
in a task body is potentially executed at elaboration time if
a task is declared at the library level.
This can definitely result in unexpected circularities. Consider
the following example
@smallexample @c ada
package Decls is
task Lib_Task is
entry Start;
end Lib_Task;
type My_Int is new Integer;
function Ident (M : My_Int) return My_Int;
end Decls;
with Utils;
package body Decls is
task body Lib_Task is
begin
accept Start;
Utils.Put_Val (2);
end Lib_Task;
function Ident (M : My_Int) return My_Int is
begin
return M;
end Ident;
end Decls;
with Decls;
package Utils is
procedure Put_Val (Arg : Decls.My_Int);
end Utils;
with Text_IO;
package body Utils is
procedure Put_Val (Arg : Decls.My_Int) is
begin
Text_IO.Put_Line (Decls.My_Int'Image (Decls.Ident (Arg)));
end Put_Val;
end Utils;
with Decls;
procedure Main is
begin
Decls.Lib_Task.Start;
end;
@end smallexample
@noindent
If the above example is compiled in the default static elaboration
mode, then a circularity occurs. The circularity comes from the call
@code{Utils.Put_Val} in the task body of @code{Decls.Lib_Task}. Since
this call occurs in elaboration code, we need an implicit pragma
@code{Elaborate_All} for @code{Utils}. This means that not only must
the spec and body of @code{Utils} be elaborated before the body
of @code{Decls}, but also the spec and body of any unit that is
@code{with'ed} by the body of @code{Utils} must also be elaborated before
the body of @code{Decls}. This is the transitive implication of
pragma @code{Elaborate_All} and it makes sense, because in general
the body of @code{Put_Val} might have a call to something in a
@code{with'ed} unit.
In this case, the body of Utils (actually its spec) @code{with's}
@code{Decls}. Unfortunately this means that the body of @code{Decls}
must be elaborated before itself, in case there is a call from the
body of @code{Utils}.
Here is the exact chain of events we are worrying about:
@enumerate
@item
In the body of @code{Decls} a call is made from within the body of a library
task to a subprogram in the package @code{Utils}. Since this call may
occur at elaboration time (given that the task is activated at elaboration
time), we have to assume the worst, i.e. that the
call does happen at elaboration time.
@item
This means that the body and spec of @code{Util} must be elaborated before
the body of @code{Decls} so that this call does not cause an access before
elaboration.
@item
Within the body of @code{Util}, specifically within the body of
@code{Util.Put_Val} there may be calls to any unit @code{with}'ed
by this package.
@item
One such @code{with}'ed package is package @code{Decls}, so there
might be a call to a subprogram in @code{Decls} in @code{Put_Val}.
In fact there is such a call in this example, but we would have to
assume that there was such a call even if it were not there, since
we are not supposed to write the body of @code{Decls} knowing what
is in the body of @code{Utils}; certainly in the case of the
static elaboration model, the compiler does not know what is in
other bodies and must assume the worst.
@item
This means that the spec and body of @code{Decls} must also be
elaborated before we elaborate the unit containing the call, but
that unit is @code{Decls}! This means that the body of @code{Decls}
must be elaborated before itself, and that's a circularity.
@end enumerate
@noindent
Indeed, if you add an explicit pragma Elaborate_All for @code{Utils} in
the body of @code{Decls} you will get a true Ada Reference Manual
circularity that makes the program illegal.
In practice, we have found that problems with the static model of
elaboration in existing code often arise from library tasks, so
we must address this particular situation.
Note that if we compile and run the program above, using the dynamic model of
elaboration (that is to say use the @option{-gnatE} switch),
then it compiles, binds,
links, and runs, printing the expected result of 2. Therefore in some sense
the circularity here is only apparent, and we need to capture
the properties of this program that distinguish it from other library-level
tasks that have real elaboration problems.
We have four possible answers to this question:
@itemize @bullet
@item
Use the dynamic model of elaboration.
If we use the @option{-gnatE} switch, then as noted above, the program works.
Why is this? If we examine the task body, it is apparent that the task cannot
proceed past the
@code{accept} statement until after elaboration has been completed, because
the corresponding entry call comes from the main program, not earlier.
This is why the dynamic model works here. But that's really giving
up on a precise analysis, and we prefer to take this approach only if we cannot
solve the
problem in any other manner. So let us examine two ways to reorganize
the program to avoid the potential elaboration problem.
@item
Split library tasks into separate packages.
Write separate packages, so that library tasks are isolated from
other declarations as much as possible. Let us look at a variation on
the above program.
@smallexample @c ada
package Decls1 is
task Lib_Task is
entry Start;
end Lib_Task;
end Decls1;
with Utils;
package body Decls1 is
task body Lib_Task is
begin
accept Start;
Utils.Put_Val (2);
end Lib_Task;
end Decls1;
package Decls2 is
type My_Int is new Integer;
function Ident (M : My_Int) return My_Int;
end Decls2;
with Utils;
package body Decls2 is
function Ident (M : My_Int) return My_Int is
begin
return M;
end Ident;
end Decls2;
with Decls2;
package Utils is
procedure Put_Val (Arg : Decls2.My_Int);
end Utils;
with Text_IO;
package body Utils is
procedure Put_Val (Arg : Decls2.My_Int) is
begin
Text_IO.Put_Line (Decls2.My_Int'Image (Decls2.Ident (Arg)));
end Put_Val;
end Utils;
with Decls1;
procedure Main is
begin
Decls1.Lib_Task.Start;
end;
@end smallexample
@noindent
All we have done is to split @code{Decls} into two packages, one
containing the library task, and one containing everything else. Now
there is no cycle, and the program compiles, binds, links and executes
using the default static model of elaboration.
@item
Declare separate task types.
A significant part of the problem arises because of the use of the
single task declaration form. This means that the elaboration of
the task type, and the elaboration of the task itself (i.e. the
creation of the task) happen at the same time. A good rule
of style in Ada 95 is to always create explicit task types. By
following the additional step of placing task objects in separate
packages from the task type declaration, many elaboration problems
are avoided. Here is another modified example of the example program:
@smallexample @c ada
package Decls is
task type Lib_Task_Type is
entry Start;
end Lib_Task_Type;
type My_Int is new Integer;
function Ident (M : My_Int) return My_Int;
end Decls;
with Utils;
package body Decls is
task body Lib_Task_Type is
begin
accept Start;
Utils.Put_Val (2);
end Lib_Task_Type;
function Ident (M : My_Int) return My_Int is
begin
return M;
end Ident;
end Decls;
with Decls;
package Utils is
procedure Put_Val (Arg : Decls.My_Int);
end Utils;
with Text_IO;
package body Utils is
procedure Put_Val (Arg : Decls.My_Int) is
begin
Text_IO.Put_Line (Decls.My_Int'Image (Decls.Ident (Arg)));
end Put_Val;
end Utils;
with Decls;
package Declst is
Lib_Task : Decls.Lib_Task_Type;
end Declst;
with Declst;
procedure Main is
begin
Declst.Lib_Task.Start;
end;
@end smallexample
@noindent
What we have done here is to replace the @code{task} declaration in
package @code{Decls} with a @code{task type} declaration. Then we
introduce a separate package @code{Declst} to contain the actual
task object. This separates the elaboration issues for
the @code{task type}
declaration, which causes no trouble, from the elaboration issues
of the task object, which is also unproblematic, since it is now independent
of the elaboration of @code{Utils}.
This separation of concerns also corresponds to
a generally sound engineering principle of separating declarations
from instances. This version of the program also compiles, binds, links,
and executes, generating the expected output.
@item
Use No_Entry_Calls_In_Elaboration_Code restriction.
@cindex No_Entry_Calls_In_Elaboration_Code
The previous two approaches described how a program can be restructured
to avoid the special problems caused by library task bodies. in practice,
however, such restructuring may be difficult to apply to existing legacy code,
so we must consider solutions that do not require massive rewriting.
Let us consider more carefully why our original sample program works
under the dynamic model of elaboration. The reason is that the code
in the task body blocks immediately on the @code{accept}
statement. Now of course there is nothing to prohibit elaboration
code from making entry calls (for example from another library level task),
so we cannot tell in isolation that
the task will not execute the accept statement during elaboration.
However, in practice it is very unusual to see elaboration code
make any entry calls, and the pattern of tasks starting
at elaboration time and then immediately blocking on @code{accept} or
@code{select} statements is very common. What this means is that
the compiler is being too pessimistic when it analyzes the
whole package body as though it might be executed at elaboration
time.
If we know that the elaboration code contains no entry calls, (a very safe
assumption most of the time, that could almost be made the default
behavior), then we can compile all units of the program under control
of the following configuration pragma:
@smallexample
pragma Restrictions (No_Entry_Calls_In_Elaboration_Code);
@end smallexample
@noindent
This pragma can be placed in the @file{gnat.adc} file in the usual
manner. If we take our original unmodified program and compile it
in the presence of a @file{gnat.adc} containing the above pragma,
then once again, we can compile, bind, link, and execute, obtaining
the expected result. In the presence of this pragma, the compiler does
not trace calls in a task body, that appear after the first @code{accept}
or @code{select} statement, and therefore does not report a potential
circularity in the original program.
The compiler will check to the extent it can that the above
restriction is not violated, but it is not always possible to do a
complete check at compile time, so it is important to use this
pragma only if the stated restriction is in fact met, that is to say
no task receives an entry call before elaboration of all units is completed.
@end itemize
@node Mixing Elaboration Models
@section Mixing Elaboration Models
@noindent
So far, we have assumed that the entire program is either compiled
using the dynamic model or static model, ensuring consistency. It
is possible to mix the two models, but rules have to be followed
if this mixing is done to ensure that elaboration checks are not
omitted.
The basic rule is that @emph{a unit compiled with the static model cannot
be @code{with'ed} by a unit compiled with the dynamic model}. The
reason for this is that in the static model, a unit assumes that
its clients guarantee to use (the equivalent of) pragma
@code{Elaborate_All} so that no elaboration checks are required
in inner subprograms, and this assumption is violated if the
client is compiled with dynamic checks.
The precise rule is as follows. A unit that is compiled with dynamic
checks can only @code{with} a unit that meets at least one of the
following criteria:
@itemize @bullet
@item
The @code{with'ed} unit is itself compiled with dynamic elaboration
checks (that is with the @option{-gnatE} switch.
@item
The @code{with'ed} unit is an internal GNAT implementation unit from
the System, Interfaces, Ada, or GNAT hierarchies.
@item
The @code{with'ed} unit has pragma Preelaborate or pragma Pure.
@item
The @code{with'ing} unit (that is the client) has an explicit pragma
@code{Elaborate_All} for the @code{with'ed} unit.
@end itemize
@noindent
If this rule is violated, that is if a unit with dynamic elaboration
checks @code{with's} a unit that does not meet one of the above four
criteria, then the binder (@code{gnatbind}) will issue a warning
similar to that in the following example:
@smallexample
warning: "x.ads" has dynamic elaboration checks and with's
warning: "y.ads" which has static elaboration checks
@end smallexample
@noindent
These warnings indicate that the rule has been violated, and that as a result
elaboration checks may be missed in the resulting executable file.
This warning may be suppressed using the @option{-ws} binder switch
in the usual manner.
One useful application of this mixing rule is in the case of a subsystem
which does not itself @code{with} units from the remainder of the
application. In this case, the entire subsystem can be compiled with
dynamic checks to resolve a circularity in the subsystem, while
allowing the main application that uses this subsystem to be compiled
using the more reliable default static model.
@node What to Do If the Default Elaboration Behavior Fails
@section What to Do If the Default Elaboration Behavior Fails
@noindent
If the binder cannot find an acceptable order, it outputs detailed
diagnostics. For example:
@smallexample
@group
@iftex
@leftskip=0cm
@end iftex
error: elaboration circularity detected
info: "proc (body)" must be elaborated before "pack (body)"
info: reason: Elaborate_All probably needed in unit "pack (body)"
info: recompile "pack (body)" with -gnatwl
info: for full details
info: "proc (body)"
info: is needed by its spec:
info: "proc (spec)"
info: which is withed by:
info: "pack (body)"
info: "pack (body)" must be elaborated before "proc (body)"
info: reason: pragma Elaborate in unit "proc (body)"
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
In this case we have a cycle that the binder cannot break. On the one
hand, there is an explicit pragma Elaborate in @code{proc} for
@code{pack}. This means that the body of @code{pack} must be elaborated
before the body of @code{proc}. On the other hand, there is elaboration
code in @code{pack} that calls a subprogram in @code{proc}. This means
that for maximum safety, there should really be a pragma
Elaborate_All in @code{pack} for @code{proc} which would require that
the body of @code{proc} be elaborated before the body of
@code{pack}. Clearly both requirements cannot be satisfied.
Faced with a circularity of this kind, you have three different options.
@table @asis
@item Fix the program
The most desirable option from the point of view of long-term maintenance
is to rearrange the program so that the elaboration problems are avoided.
One useful technique is to place the elaboration code into separate
child packages. Another is to move some of the initialization code to
explicitly called subprograms, where the program controls the order
of initialization explicitly. Although this is the most desirable option,
it may be impractical and involve too much modification, especially in
the case of complex legacy code.
@item Perform dynamic checks
If the compilations are done using the
@option{-gnatE}
(dynamic elaboration check) switch, then GNAT behaves in
a quite different manner. Dynamic checks are generated for all calls
that could possibly result in raising an exception. With this switch,
the compiler does not generate implicit @code{Elaborate_All} pragmas.
The behavior then is exactly as specified in the Ada 95 Reference Manual.
The binder will generate an executable program that may or may not
raise @code{Program_Error}, and then it is the programmer's job to ensure
that it does not raise an exception. Note that it is important to
compile all units with the switch, it cannot be used selectively.
@item Suppress checks
The drawback of dynamic checks is that they generate a
significant overhead at run time, both in space and time. If you
are absolutely sure that your program cannot raise any elaboration
exceptions, and you still want to use the dynamic elaboration model,
then you can use the configuration pragma
@code{Suppress (Elaboration_Check)} to suppress all such checks. For
example this pragma could be placed in the @file{gnat.adc} file.
@item Suppress checks selectively
When you know that certain calls in elaboration code cannot possibly
lead to an elaboration error, and the binder nevertheless generates warnings
on those calls and inserts Elaborate_All pragmas that lead to elaboration
circularities, it is possible to remove those warnings locally and obtain
a program that will bind. Clearly this can be unsafe, and it is the
responsibility of the programmer to make sure that the resulting program has
no elaboration anomalies. The pragma @code{Suppress (Elaboration_Check)} can
be used with different granularity to suppress warnings and break
elaboration circularities:
@itemize @bullet
@item
Place the pragma that names the called subprogram in the declarative part
that contains the call.
@item
Place the pragma in the declarative part, without naming an entity. This
disables warnings on all calls in the corresponding declarative region.
@item
Place the pragma in the package spec that declares the called subprogram,
and name the subprogram. This disables warnings on all elaboration calls to
that subprogram.
@item
Place the pragma in the package spec that declares the called subprogram,
without naming any entity. This disables warnings on all elaboration calls to
all subprograms declared in this spec.
@item Use Pragma Elaborate
As previously described in section @xref{Treatment of Pragma Elaborate},
GNAT in static mode assumes that a @code{pragma} Elaborate indicates correctly
that no elaboration checks are required on calls to the designated unit.
There may be cases in which the caller knows that no transitive calls
can occur, so that a @code{pragma Elaborate} will be sufficient in a
case where @code{pragma Elaborate_All} would cause a circularity.
@end itemize
@noindent
These five cases are listed in order of decreasing safety, and therefore
require increasing programmer care in their application. Consider the
following program:
@smallexample @c adanocomment
package Pack1 is
function F1 return Integer;
X1 : Integer;
end Pack1;
package Pack2 is
function F2 return Integer;
function Pure (x : integer) return integer;
-- pragma Suppress (Elaboration_Check, On => Pure); -- (3)
-- pragma Suppress (Elaboration_Check); -- (4)
end Pack2;
with Pack2;
package body Pack1 is
function F1 return Integer is
begin
return 100;
end F1;
Val : integer := Pack2.Pure (11); -- Elab. call (1)
begin
declare
-- pragma Suppress(Elaboration_Check, Pack2.F2); -- (1)
-- pragma Suppress(Elaboration_Check); -- (2)
begin
X1 := Pack2.F2 + 1; -- Elab. call (2)
end;
end Pack1;
with Pack1;
package body Pack2 is
function F2 return Integer is
begin
return Pack1.F1;
end F2;
function Pure (x : integer) return integer is
begin
return x ** 3 - 3 * x;
end;
end Pack2;
with Pack1, Ada.Text_IO;
procedure Proc3 is
begin
Ada.Text_IO.Put_Line(Pack1.X1'Img); -- 101
end Proc3;
@end smallexample
In the absence of any pragmas, an attempt to bind this program produces
the following diagnostics:
@smallexample
@group
@iftex
@leftskip=.5cm
@end iftex
error: elaboration circularity detected
info: "pack1 (body)" must be elaborated before "pack1 (body)"
info: reason: Elaborate_All probably needed in unit "pack1 (body)"
info: recompile "pack1 (body)" with -gnatwl for full details
info: "pack1 (body)"
info: must be elaborated along with its spec:
info: "pack1 (spec)"
info: which is withed by:
info: "pack2 (body)"
info: which must be elaborated along with its spec:
info: "pack2 (spec)"
info: which is withed by:
info: "pack1 (body)"
@end group
@end smallexample
The sources of the circularity are the two calls to @code{Pack2.Pure} and
@code{Pack2.F2} in the body of @code{Pack1}. We can see that the call to
F2 is safe, even though F2 calls F1, because the call appears after the
elaboration of the body of F1. Therefore the pragma (1) is safe, and will
remove the warning on the call. It is also possible to use pragma (2)
because there are no other potentially unsafe calls in the block.
@noindent
The call to @code{Pure} is safe because this function does not depend on the
state of @code{Pack2}. Therefore any call to this function is safe, and it
is correct to place pragma (3) in the corresponding package spec.
@noindent
Finally, we could place pragma (4) in the spec of @code{Pack2} to disable
warnings on all calls to functions declared therein. Note that this is not
necessarily safe, and requires more detailed examination of the subprogram
bodies involved. In particular, a call to @code{F2} requires that @code{F1}
be already elaborated.
@end table
@noindent
It is hard to generalize on which of these four approaches should be
taken. Obviously if it is possible to fix the program so that the default
treatment works, this is preferable, but this may not always be practical.
It is certainly simple enough to use
@option{-gnatE}
but the danger in this case is that, even if the GNAT binder
finds a correct elaboration order, it may not always do so,
and certainly a binder from another Ada compiler might not. A
combination of testing and analysis (for which the warnings generated
with the
@option{-gnatwl}
switch can be useful) must be used to ensure that the program is free
of errors. One switch that is useful in this testing is the
@option{^-p (pessimistic elaboration order)^/PESSIMISTIC_ELABORATION_ORDER^}
switch for
@code{gnatbind}.
Normally the binder tries to find an order that has the best chance of
of avoiding elaboration problems. With this switch, the binder
plays a devil's advocate role, and tries to choose the order that
has the best chance of failing. If your program works even with this
switch, then it has a better chance of being error free, but this is still
not a guarantee.
For an example of this approach in action, consider the C-tests (executable
tests) from the ACVC suite. If these are compiled and run with the default
treatment, then all but one of them succeed without generating any error
diagnostics from the binder. However, there is one test that fails, and
this is not surprising, because the whole point of this test is to ensure
that the compiler can handle cases where it is impossible to determine
a correct order statically, and it checks that an exception is indeed
raised at run time.
This one test must be compiled and run using the
@option{-gnatE}
switch, and then it passes. Alternatively, the entire suite can
be run using this switch. It is never wrong to run with the dynamic
elaboration switch if your code is correct, and we assume that the
C-tests are indeed correct (it is less efficient, but efficiency is
not a factor in running the ACVC tests.)
@node Elaboration for Access-to-Subprogram Values
@section Elaboration for Access-to-Subprogram Values
@cindex Access-to-subprogram
@noindent
The introduction of access-to-subprogram types in Ada 95 complicates
the handling of elaboration. The trouble is that it becomes
impossible to tell at compile time which procedure
is being called. This means that it is not possible for the binder
to analyze the elaboration requirements in this case.
If at the point at which the access value is created
(i.e., the evaluation of @code{P'Access} for a subprogram @code{P}),
the body of the subprogram is
known to have been elaborated, then the access value is safe, and its use
does not require a check. This may be achieved by appropriate arrangement
of the order of declarations if the subprogram is in the current unit,
or, if the subprogram is in another unit, by using pragma
@code{Pure}, @code{Preelaborate}, or @code{Elaborate_Body}
on the referenced unit.
If the referenced body is not known to have been elaborated at the point
the access value is created, then any use of the access value must do a
dynamic check, and this dynamic check will fail and raise a
@code{Program_Error} exception if the body has not been elaborated yet.
GNAT will generate the necessary checks, and in addition, if the
@option{-gnatwl}
switch is set, will generate warnings that such checks are required.
The use of dynamic dispatching for tagged types similarly generates
a requirement for dynamic checks, and premature calls to any primitive
operation of a tagged type before the body of the operation has been
elaborated, will result in the raising of @code{Program_Error}.
@node Summary of Procedures for Elaboration Control
@section Summary of Procedures for Elaboration Control
@cindex Elaboration control
@noindent
First, compile your program with the default options, using none of
the special elaboration control switches. If the binder successfully
binds your program, then you can be confident that, apart from issues
raised by the use of access-to-subprogram types and dynamic dispatching,
the program is free of elaboration errors. If it is important that the
program be portable, then use the
@option{-gnatwl}
switch to generate warnings about missing @code{Elaborate_All}
pragmas, and supply the missing pragmas.
If the program fails to bind using the default static elaboration
handling, then you can fix the program to eliminate the binder
message, or recompile the entire program with the
@option{-gnatE} switch to generate dynamic elaboration checks,
and, if you are sure there really are no elaboration problems,
use a global pragma @code{Suppress (Elaboration_Check)}.
@node Other Elaboration Order Considerations
@section Other Elaboration Order Considerations
@noindent
This section has been entirely concerned with the issue of finding a valid
elaboration order, as defined by the Ada Reference Manual. In a case
where several elaboration orders are valid, the task is to find one
of the possible valid elaboration orders (and the static model in GNAT
will ensure that this is achieved).
The purpose of the elaboration rules in the Ada Reference Manual is to
make sure that no entity is accessed before it has been elaborated. For
a subprogram, this means that the spec and body must have been elaborated
before the subprogram is called. For an object, this means that the object
must have been elaborated before its value is read or written. A violation
of either of these two requirements is an access before elaboration order,
and this section has been all about avoiding such errors.
In the case where more than one order of elaboration is possible, in the
sense that access before elaboration errors are avoided, then any one of
the orders is ``correct'' in the sense that it meets the requirements of
the Ada Reference Manual, and no such error occurs.
However, it may be the case for a given program, that there are
constraints on the order of elaboration that come not from consideration
of avoiding elaboration errors, but rather from extra-lingual logic
requirements. Consider this example:
@smallexample @c ada
with Init_Constants;
package Constants is
X : Integer := 0;
Y : Integer := 0;
end Constants;
package Init_Constants is
procedure P; -- require a body
end Init_Constants;
with Constants;
package body Init_Constants is
procedure P is begin null; end;
begin
Constants.X := 3;
Constants.Y := 4;
end Init_Constants;
with Constants;
package Calc is
Z : Integer := Constants.X + Constants.Y;
end Calc;
with Calc;
with Text_IO; use Text_IO;
procedure Main is
begin
Put_Line (Calc.Z'Img);
end Main;
@end smallexample
@noindent
In this example, there is more than one valid order of elaboration. For
example both the following are correct orders:
@smallexample
Init_Constants spec
Constants spec
Calc spec
Init_Constants body
Main body
and
Init_Constants spec
Init_Constants body
Constants spec
Calc spec
Main body
@end smallexample
@noindent
There is no language rule to prefer one or the other, both are correct
from an order of elaboration point of view. But the programmatic effects
of the two orders are very different. In the first, the elaboration routine
of @code{Calc} initializes @code{Z} to zero, and then the main program
runs with this value of zero. But in the second order, the elaboration
routine of @code{Calc} runs after the body of Init_Constants has set
@code{X} and @code{Y} and thus @code{Z} is set to 7 before @code{Main}
runs.
One could perhaps by applying pretty clever non-artificial intelligence
to the situation guess that it is more likely that the second order of
elaboration is the one desired, but there is no formal linguistic reason
to prefer one over the other. In fact in this particular case, GNAT will
prefer the second order, because of the rule that bodies are elaborated
as soon as possible, but it's just luck that this is what was wanted
(if indeed the second order was preferred).
If the program cares about the order of elaboration routines in a case like
this, it is important to specify the order required. In this particular
case, that could have been achieved by adding to the spec of Calc:
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Elaborate_All (Constants);
@end smallexample
@noindent
which requires that the body (if any) and spec of @code{Constants},
as well as the body and spec of any unit @code{with}'ed by
@code{Constants} be elaborated before @code{Calc} is elaborated.
Clearly no automatic method can always guess which alternative you require,
and if you are working with legacy code that had constraints of this kind
which were not properly specified by adding @code{Elaborate} or
@code{Elaborate_All} pragmas, then indeed it is possible that two different
compilers can choose different orders.
The @code{gnatbind}
@option{^-p^/PESSIMISTIC_ELABORATION^} switch may be useful in smoking
out problems. This switch causes bodies to be elaborated as late as possible
instead of as early as possible. In the example above, it would have forced
the choice of the first elaboration order. If you get different results
when using this switch, and particularly if one set of results is right,
and one is wrong as far as you are concerned, it shows that you have some
missing @code{Elaborate} pragmas. For the example above, we have the
following output:
@smallexample
gnatmake -f -q main
main
7
gnatmake -f -q main -bargs -p
main
0
@end smallexample
@noindent
It is of course quite unlikely that both these results are correct, so
it is up to you in a case like this to investigate the source of the
difference, by looking at the two elaboration orders that are chosen,
and figuring out which is correct, and then adding the necessary
@code{Elaborate_All} pragmas to ensure the desired order.
@node Inline Assembler
@appendix Inline Assembler
@noindent
If you need to write low-level software that interacts directly
with the hardware, Ada provides two ways to incorporate assembly
language code into your program. First, you can import and invoke
external routines written in assembly language, an Ada feature fully
supported by GNAT. However, for small sections of code it may be simpler
or more efficient to include assembly language statements directly
in your Ada source program, using the facilities of the implementation-defined
package @code{System.Machine_Code}, which incorporates the gcc
Inline Assembler. The Inline Assembler approach offers a number of advantages,
including the following:
@itemize @bullet
@item No need to use non-Ada tools
@item Consistent interface over different targets
@item Automatic usage of the proper calling conventions
@item Access to Ada constants and variables
@item Definition of intrinsic routines
@item Possibility of inlining a subprogram comprising assembler code
@item Code optimizer can take Inline Assembler code into account
@end itemize
This chapter presents a series of examples to show you how to use
the Inline Assembler. Although it focuses on the Intel x86,
the general approach applies also to other processors.
It is assumed that you are familiar with Ada
and with assembly language programming.
@menu
* Basic Assembler Syntax::
* A Simple Example of Inline Assembler::
* Output Variables in Inline Assembler::
* Input Variables in Inline Assembler::
* Inlining Inline Assembler Code::
* Other Asm Functionality::
* A Complete Example::
@end menu
@c ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@node Basic Assembler Syntax
@section Basic Assembler Syntax
@noindent
The assembler used by GNAT and gcc is based not on the Intel assembly
language, but rather on a language that descends from the AT&T Unix
assembler @emph{as} (and which is often referred to as ``AT&T syntax'').
The following table summarizes the main features of @emph{as} syntax
and points out the differences from the Intel conventions.
See the gcc @emph{as} and @emph{gas} (an @emph{as} macro
pre-processor) documentation for further information.
@table @asis
@item Register names
gcc / @emph{as}: Prefix with ``%''; for example @code{%eax}
@*
Intel: No extra punctuation; for example @code{eax}
@item Immediate operand
gcc / @emph{as}: Prefix with ``$''; for example @code{$4}
@*
Intel: No extra punctuation; for example @code{4}
@item Address
gcc / @emph{as}: Prefix with ``$''; for example @code{$loc}
@*
Intel: No extra punctuation; for example @code{loc}
@item Memory contents
gcc / @emph{as}: No extra punctuation; for example @code{loc}
@*
Intel: Square brackets; for example @code{[loc]}
@item Register contents
gcc / @emph{as}: Parentheses; for example @code{(%eax)}
@*
Intel: Square brackets; for example @code{[eax]}
@item Hexadecimal numbers
gcc / @emph{as}: Leading ``0x'' (C language syntax); for example @code{0xA0}
@*
Intel: Trailing ``h''; for example @code{A0h}
@item Operand size
gcc / @emph{as}: Explicit in op code; for example @code{movw} to move
a 16-bit word
@*
Intel: Implicit, deduced by assembler; for example @code{mov}
@item Instruction repetition
gcc / @emph{as}: Split into two lines; for example
@*
@code{rep}
@*
@code{stosl}
@*
Intel: Keep on one line; for example @code{rep stosl}
@item Order of operands
gcc / @emph{as}: Source first; for example @code{movw $4, %eax}
@*
Intel: Destination first; for example @code{mov eax, 4}
@end table
@c ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@node A Simple Example of Inline Assembler
@section A Simple Example of Inline Assembler
@noindent
The following example will generate a single assembly language statement,
@code{nop}, which does nothing. Despite its lack of run-time effect,
the example will be useful in illustrating the basics of
the Inline Assembler facility.
@smallexample @c ada
@group
with System.Machine_Code; use System.Machine_Code;
procedure Nothing is
begin
Asm ("nop");
end Nothing;
@end group
@end smallexample
@code{Asm} is a procedure declared in package @code{System.Machine_Code};
here it takes one parameter, a @emph{template string} that must be a static
expression and that will form the generated instruction.
@code{Asm} may be regarded as a compile-time procedure that parses
the template string and additional parameters (none here),
from which it generates a sequence of assembly language instructions.
The examples in this chapter will illustrate several of the forms
for invoking @code{Asm}; a complete specification of the syntax
is found in the @cite{GNAT Reference Manual}.
Under the standard GNAT conventions, the @code{Nothing} procedure
should be in a file named @file{nothing.adb}.
You can build the executable in the usual way:
@smallexample
gnatmake nothing
@end smallexample
However, the interesting aspect of this example is not its run-time behavior
but rather the generated assembly code.
To see this output, invoke the compiler as follows:
@smallexample
gcc -c -S -fomit-frame-pointer -gnatp @file{nothing.adb}
@end smallexample
where the options are:
@table @code
@item -c
compile only (no bind or link)
@item -S
generate assembler listing
@item -fomit-frame-pointer
do not set up separate stack frames
@item -gnatp
do not add runtime checks
@end table
This gives a human-readable assembler version of the code. The resulting
file will have the same name as the Ada source file, but with a @code{.s}
extension. In our example, the file @file{nothing.s} has the following
contents:
@smallexample
@group
.file "nothing.adb"
gcc2_compiled.:
___gnu_compiled_ada:
.text
.align 4
.globl __ada_nothing
__ada_nothing:
#APP
nop
#NO_APP
jmp L1
.align 2,0x90
L1:
ret
@end group
@end smallexample
The assembly code you included is clearly indicated by
the compiler, between the @code{#APP} and @code{#NO_APP}
delimiters. The character before the 'APP' and 'NOAPP'
can differ on different targets. For example, GNU/Linux uses '#APP' while
on NT you will see '/APP'.
If you make a mistake in your assembler code (such as using the
wrong size modifier, or using a wrong operand for the instruction) GNAT
will report this error in a temporary file, which will be deleted when
the compilation is finished. Generating an assembler file will help
in such cases, since you can assemble this file separately using the
@emph{as} assembler that comes with gcc.
Assembling the file using the command
@smallexample
as @file{nothing.s}
@end smallexample
@noindent
will give you error messages whose lines correspond to the assembler
input file, so you can easily find and correct any mistakes you made.
If there are no errors, @emph{as} will generate an object file
@file{nothing.out}.
@c ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@node Output Variables in Inline Assembler
@section Output Variables in Inline Assembler
@noindent
The examples in this section, showing how to access the processor flags,
illustrate how to specify the destination operands for assembly language
statements.
@smallexample @c ada
@group
with Interfaces; use Interfaces;
with Ada.Text_IO; use Ada.Text_IO;
with System.Machine_Code; use System.Machine_Code;
procedure Get_Flags is
Flags : Unsigned_32;
use ASCII;
begin
Asm ("pushfl" & LF & HT & -- push flags on stack
"popl %%eax" & LF & HT & -- load eax with flags
"movl %%eax, %0", -- store flags in variable
Outputs => Unsigned_32'Asm_Output ("=g", Flags));
Put_Line ("Flags register:" & Flags'Img);
end Get_Flags;
@end group
@end smallexample
In order to have a nicely aligned assembly listing, we have separated
multiple assembler statements in the Asm template string with linefeed
(ASCII.LF) and horizontal tab (ASCII.HT) characters.
The resulting section of the assembly output file is:
@smallexample
@group
#APP
pushfl
popl %eax
movl %eax, -40(%ebp)
#NO_APP
@end group
@end smallexample
It would have been legal to write the Asm invocation as:
@smallexample
Asm ("pushfl popl %%eax movl %%eax, %0")
@end smallexample
but in the generated assembler file, this would come out as:
@smallexample
#APP
pushfl popl %eax movl %eax, -40(%ebp)
#NO_APP
@end smallexample
which is not so convenient for the human reader.
We use Ada comments
at the end of each line to explain what the assembler instructions
actually do. This is a useful convention.
When writing Inline Assembler instructions, you need to precede each register
and variable name with a percent sign. Since the assembler already requires
a percent sign at the beginning of a register name, you need two consecutive
percent signs for such names in the Asm template string, thus @code{%%eax}.
In the generated assembly code, one of the percent signs will be stripped off.
Names such as @code{%0}, @code{%1}, @code{%2}, etc., denote input or output
variables: operands you later define using @code{Input} or @code{Output}
parameters to @code{Asm}.
An output variable is illustrated in
the third statement in the Asm template string:
@smallexample
movl %%eax, %0
@end smallexample
The intent is to store the contents of the eax register in a variable that can
be accessed in Ada. Simply writing @code{movl %%eax, Flags} would not
necessarily work, since the compiler might optimize by using a register
to hold Flags, and the expansion of the @code{movl} instruction would not be
aware of this optimization. The solution is not to store the result directly
but rather to advise the compiler to choose the correct operand form;
that is the purpose of the @code{%0} output variable.
Information about the output variable is supplied in the @code{Outputs}
parameter to @code{Asm}:
@smallexample
Outputs => Unsigned_32'Asm_Output ("=g", Flags));
@end smallexample
The output is defined by the @code{Asm_Output} attribute of the target type;
the general format is
@smallexample
Type'Asm_Output (constraint_string, variable_name)
@end smallexample
The constraint string directs the compiler how
to store/access the associated variable. In the example
@smallexample
Unsigned_32'Asm_Output ("=m", Flags);
@end smallexample
the @code{"m"} (memory) constraint tells the compiler that the variable
@code{Flags} should be stored in a memory variable, thus preventing
the optimizer from keeping it in a register. In contrast,
@smallexample
Unsigned_32'Asm_Output ("=r", Flags);
@end smallexample
uses the @code{"r"} (register) constraint, telling the compiler to
store the variable in a register.
If the constraint is preceded by the equal character (@strong{=}), it tells
the compiler that the variable will be used to store data into it.
In the @code{Get_Flags} example, we used the @code{"g"} (global) constraint,
allowing the optimizer to choose whatever it deems best.
There are a fairly large number of constraints, but the ones that are
most useful (for the Intel x86 processor) are the following:
@table @code
@item =
output constraint
@item g
global (i.e. can be stored anywhere)
@item m
in memory
@item I
a constant
@item a
use eax
@item b
use ebx
@item c
use ecx
@item d
use edx
@item S
use esi
@item D
use edi
@item r
use one of eax, ebx, ecx or edx
@item q
use one of eax, ebx, ecx, edx, esi or edi
@end table
The full set of constraints is described in the gcc and @emph{as}
documentation; note that it is possible to combine certain constraints
in one constraint string.
You specify the association of an output variable with an assembler operand
through the @code{%}@emph{n} notation, where @emph{n} is a non-negative
integer. Thus in
@smallexample @c ada
@group
Asm ("pushfl" & LF & HT & -- push flags on stack
"popl %%eax" & LF & HT & -- load eax with flags
"movl %%eax, %0", -- store flags in variable
Outputs => Unsigned_32'Asm_Output ("=g", Flags));
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
@code{%0} will be replaced in the expanded code by the appropriate operand,
whatever
the compiler decided for the @code{Flags} variable.
In general, you may have any number of output variables:
@itemize @bullet
@item
Count the operands starting at 0; thus @code{%0}, @code{%1}, etc.
@item
Specify the @code{Outputs} parameter as a parenthesized comma-separated list
of @code{Asm_Output} attributes
@end itemize
For example:
@smallexample @c ada
@group
Asm ("movl %%eax, %0" & LF & HT &
"movl %%ebx, %1" & LF & HT &
"movl %%ecx, %2",
Outputs => (Unsigned_32'Asm_Output ("=g", Var_A), -- %0 = Var_A
Unsigned_32'Asm_Output ("=g", Var_B), -- %1 = Var_B
Unsigned_32'Asm_Output ("=g", Var_C))); -- %2 = Var_C
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
where @code{Var_A}, @code{Var_B}, and @code{Var_C} are variables
in the Ada program.
As a variation on the @code{Get_Flags} example, we can use the constraints
string to direct the compiler to store the eax register into the @code{Flags}
variable, instead of including the store instruction explicitly in the
@code{Asm} template string:
@smallexample @c ada
@group
with Interfaces; use Interfaces;
with Ada.Text_IO; use Ada.Text_IO;
with System.Machine_Code; use System.Machine_Code;
procedure Get_Flags_2 is
Flags : Unsigned_32;
use ASCII;
begin
Asm ("pushfl" & LF & HT & -- push flags on stack
"popl %%eax", -- save flags in eax
Outputs => Unsigned_32'Asm_Output ("=a", Flags));
Put_Line ("Flags register:" & Flags'Img);
end Get_Flags_2;
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
The @code{"a"} constraint tells the compiler that the @code{Flags}
variable will come from the eax register. Here is the resulting code:
@smallexample
@group
#APP
pushfl
popl %eax
#NO_APP
movl %eax,-40(%ebp)
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
The compiler generated the store of eax into Flags after
expanding the assembler code.
Actually, there was no need to pop the flags into the eax register;
more simply, we could just pop the flags directly into the program variable:
@smallexample @c ada
@group
with Interfaces; use Interfaces;
with Ada.Text_IO; use Ada.Text_IO;
with System.Machine_Code; use System.Machine_Code;
procedure Get_Flags_3 is
Flags : Unsigned_32;
use ASCII;
begin
Asm ("pushfl" & LF & HT & -- push flags on stack
"pop %0", -- save flags in Flags
Outputs => Unsigned_32'Asm_Output ("=g", Flags));
Put_Line ("Flags register:" & Flags'Img);
end Get_Flags_3;
@end group
@end smallexample
@c ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@node Input Variables in Inline Assembler
@section Input Variables in Inline Assembler
@noindent
The example in this section illustrates how to specify the source operands
for assembly language statements.
The program simply increments its input value by 1:
@smallexample @c ada
@group
with Interfaces; use Interfaces;
with Ada.Text_IO; use Ada.Text_IO;
with System.Machine_Code; use System.Machine_Code;
procedure Increment is
function Incr (Value : Unsigned_32) return Unsigned_32 is
Result : Unsigned_32;
begin
Asm ("incl %0",
Inputs => Unsigned_32'Asm_Input ("a", Value),
Outputs => Unsigned_32'Asm_Output ("=a", Result));
return Result;
end Incr;
Value : Unsigned_32;
begin
Value := 5;
Put_Line ("Value before is" & Value'Img);
Value := Incr (Value);
Put_Line ("Value after is" & Value'Img);
end Increment;
@end group
@end smallexample
The @code{Outputs} parameter to @code{Asm} specifies
that the result will be in the eax register and that it is to be stored
in the @code{Result} variable.
The @code{Inputs} parameter looks much like the @code{Outputs} parameter,
but with an @code{Asm_Input} attribute.
The @code{"="} constraint, indicating an output value, is not present.
You can have multiple input variables, in the same way that you can have more
than one output variable.
The parameter count (%0, %1) etc, now starts at the first input
statement, and continues with the output statements.
When both parameters use the same variable, the
compiler will treat them as the same %n operand, which is the case here.
Just as the @code{Outputs} parameter causes the register to be stored into the
target variable after execution of the assembler statements, so does the
@code{Inputs} parameter cause its variable to be loaded into the register
before execution of the assembler statements.
Thus the effect of the @code{Asm} invocation is:
@enumerate
@item load the 32-bit value of @code{Value} into eax
@item execute the @code{incl %eax} instruction
@item store the contents of eax into the @code{Result} variable
@end enumerate
The resulting assembler file (with @option{-O2} optimization) contains:
@smallexample
@group
_increment__incr.1:
subl $4,%esp
movl 8(%esp),%eax
#APP
incl %eax
#NO_APP
movl %eax,%edx
movl %ecx,(%esp)
addl $4,%esp
ret
@end group
@end smallexample
@c ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@node Inlining Inline Assembler Code
@section Inlining Inline Assembler Code
@noindent
For a short subprogram such as the @code{Incr} function in the previous
section, the overhead of the call and return (creating / deleting the stack
frame) can be significant, compared to the amount of code in the subprogram
body. A solution is to apply Ada's @code{Inline} pragma to the subprogram,
which directs the compiler to expand invocations of the subprogram at the
point(s) of call, instead of setting up a stack frame for out-of-line calls.
Here is the resulting program:
@smallexample @c ada
@group
with Interfaces; use Interfaces;
with Ada.Text_IO; use Ada.Text_IO;
with System.Machine_Code; use System.Machine_Code;
procedure Increment_2 is
function Incr (Value : Unsigned_32) return Unsigned_32 is
Result : Unsigned_32;
begin
Asm ("incl %0",
Inputs => Unsigned_32'Asm_Input ("a", Value),
Outputs => Unsigned_32'Asm_Output ("=a", Result));
return Result;
end Incr;
pragma Inline (Increment);
Value : Unsigned_32;
begin
Value := 5;
Put_Line ("Value before is" & Value'Img);
Value := Increment (Value);
Put_Line ("Value after is" & Value'Img);
end Increment_2;
@end group
@end smallexample
Compile the program with both optimization (@option{-O2}) and inlining
enabled (@option{-gnatpn} instead of @option{-gnatp}).
The @code{Incr} function is still compiled as usual, but at the
point in @code{Increment} where our function used to be called:
@smallexample
@group
pushl %edi
call _increment__incr.1
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
the code for the function body directly appears:
@smallexample
@group
movl %esi,%eax
#APP
incl %eax
#NO_APP
movl %eax,%edx
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
thus saving the overhead of stack frame setup and an out-of-line call.
@c ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@node Other Asm Functionality
@section Other @code{Asm} Functionality
@noindent
This section describes two important parameters to the @code{Asm}
procedure: @code{Clobber}, which identifies register usage;
and @code{Volatile}, which inhibits unwanted optimizations.
@menu
* The Clobber Parameter::
* The Volatile Parameter::
@end menu
@c ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@node The Clobber Parameter
@subsection The @code{Clobber} Parameter
@noindent
One of the dangers of intermixing assembly language and a compiled language
such as Ada is that the compiler needs to be aware of which registers are
being used by the assembly code. In some cases, such as the earlier examples,
the constraint string is sufficient to indicate register usage (e.g.,
@code{"a"} for
the eax register). But more generally, the compiler needs an explicit
identification of the registers that are used by the Inline Assembly
statements.
Using a register that the compiler doesn't know about
could be a side effect of an instruction (like @code{mull}
storing its result in both eax and edx).
It can also arise from explicit register usage in your
assembly code; for example:
@smallexample
@group
Asm ("movl %0, %%ebx" & LF & HT &
"movl %%ebx, %1",
Inputs => Unsigned_32'Asm_Input ("g", Var_In),
Outputs => Unsigned_32'Asm_Output ("=g", Var_Out));
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
where the compiler (since it does not analyze the @code{Asm} template string)
does not know you are using the ebx register.
In such cases you need to supply the @code{Clobber} parameter to @code{Asm},
to identify the registers that will be used by your assembly code:
@smallexample
@group
Asm ("movl %0, %%ebx" & LF & HT &
"movl %%ebx, %1",
Inputs => Unsigned_32'Asm_Input ("g", Var_In),
Outputs => Unsigned_32'Asm_Output ("=g", Var_Out),
Clobber => "ebx");
@end group
@end smallexample
The Clobber parameter is a static string expression specifying the
register(s) you are using. Note that register names are @emph{not} prefixed
by a percent sign. Also, if more than one register is used then their names
are separated by commas; e.g., @code{"eax, ebx"}
The @code{Clobber} parameter has several additional uses:
@enumerate
@item Use ``register'' name @code{cc} to indicate that flags might have changed
@item Use ``register'' name @code{memory} if you changed a memory location
@end enumerate
@c ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@node The Volatile Parameter
@subsection The @code{Volatile} Parameter
@cindex Volatile parameter
@noindent
Compiler optimizations in the presence of Inline Assembler may sometimes have
unwanted effects. For example, when an @code{Asm} invocation with an input
variable is inside a loop, the compiler might move the loading of the input
variable outside the loop, regarding it as a one-time initialization.
If this effect is not desired, you can disable such optimizations by setting
the @code{Volatile} parameter to @code{True}; for example:
@smallexample @c ada
@group
Asm ("movl %0, %%ebx" & LF & HT &
"movl %%ebx, %1",
Inputs => Unsigned_32'Asm_Input ("g", Var_In),
Outputs => Unsigned_32'Asm_Output ("=g", Var_Out),
Clobber => "ebx",
Volatile => True);
@end group
@end smallexample
By default, @code{Volatile} is set to @code{False} unless there is no
@code{Outputs} parameter.
Although setting @code{Volatile} to @code{True} prevents unwanted
optimizations, it will also disable other optimizations that might be
important for efficiency. In general, you should set @code{Volatile}
to @code{True} only if the compiler's optimizations have created
problems.
@c ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@node A Complete Example
@section A Complete Example
@noindent
This section contains a complete program illustrating a realistic usage
of GNAT's Inline Assembler capabilities. It comprises a main procedure
@code{Check_CPU} and a package @code{Intel_CPU}.
The package declares a collection of functions that detect the properties
of the 32-bit x86 processor that is running the program.
The main procedure invokes these functions and displays the information.
The Intel_CPU package could be enhanced by adding functions to
detect the type of x386 co-processor, the processor caching options and
special operations such as the SIMD extensions.
Although the Intel_CPU package has been written for 32-bit Intel
compatible CPUs, it is OS neutral. It has been tested on DOS,
Windows/NT and GNU/Linux.
@menu
* Check_CPU Procedure::
* Intel_CPU Package Specification::
* Intel_CPU Package Body::
@end menu
@c ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@node Check_CPU Procedure
@subsection @code{Check_CPU} Procedure
@cindex Check_CPU procedure
@smallexample @c adanocomment
---------------------------------------------------------------------
-- --
-- Uses the Intel_CPU package to identify the CPU the program is --
-- running on, and some of the features it supports. --
-- --
---------------------------------------------------------------------
with Intel_CPU; -- Intel CPU detection functions
with Ada.Text_IO; -- Standard text I/O
with Ada.Command_Line; -- To set the exit status
procedure Check_CPU is
Type_Found : Boolean := False;
-- Flag to indicate that processor was identified
Features : Intel_CPU.Processor_Features;
-- The processor features
Signature : Intel_CPU.Processor_Signature;
-- The processor type signature
begin
-----------------------------------
-- Display the program banner. --
-----------------------------------
Ada.Text_IO.Put_Line (Ada.Command_Line.Command_Name &
": check Intel CPU version and features, v1.0");
Ada.Text_IO.Put_Line ("distribute freely, but no warranty whatsoever");
Ada.Text_IO.New_Line;
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-- We can safely start with the assumption that we are on at least --
-- a x386 processor. If the CPUID instruction is present, then we --
-- have a later processor type. --
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
if Intel_CPU.Has_CPUID = False then
-- No CPUID instruction, so we assume this is indeed a x386
-- processor. We can still check if it has a FP co-processor.
if Intel_CPU.Has_FPU then
Ada.Text_IO.Put_Line
("x386-type processor with a FP co-processor");
else
Ada.Text_IO.Put_Line
("x386-type processor without a FP co-processor");
end if; -- check for FPU
-- Program done
Ada.Command_Line.Set_Exit_Status (Ada.Command_Line.Success);
return;
end if; -- check for CPUID
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-- If CPUID is supported, check if this is a true Intel processor, --
-- if it is not, display a warning. --
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
if Intel_CPU.Vendor_ID /= Intel_CPU.Intel_Processor then
Ada.Text_IO.Put_Line ("*** This is a Intel compatible processor");
Ada.Text_IO.Put_Line ("*** Some information may be incorrect");
end if; -- check if Intel
----------------------------------------------------------------------
-- With the CPUID instruction present, we can assume at least a --
-- x486 processor. If the CPUID support level is < 1 then we have --
-- to leave it at that. --
----------------------------------------------------------------------
if Intel_CPU.CPUID_Level < 1 then
-- Ok, this is a x486 processor. we still can get the Vendor ID
Ada.Text_IO.Put_Line ("x486-type processor");
Ada.Text_IO.Put_Line ("Vendor ID is " & Intel_CPU.Vendor_ID);
-- We can also check if there is a FPU present
if Intel_CPU.Has_FPU then
Ada.Text_IO.Put_Line ("Floating-Point support");
else
Ada.Text_IO.Put_Line ("No Floating-Point support");
end if; -- check for FPU
-- Program done
Ada.Command_Line.Set_Exit_Status (Ada.Command_Line.Success);
return;
end if; -- check CPUID level
---------------------------------------------------------------------
-- With a CPUID level of 1 we can use the processor signature to --
-- determine it's exact type. --
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Signature := Intel_CPU.Signature;
----------------------------------------------------------------------
-- Ok, now we go into a lot of messy comparisons to get the --
-- processor type. For clarity, no attememt to try to optimize the --
-- comparisons has been made. Note that since Intel_CPU does not --
-- support getting cache info, we cannot distinguish between P5 --
-- and Celeron types yet. --
----------------------------------------------------------------------
-- x486SL
if Signature.Processor_Type = 2#00# and
Signature.Family = 2#0100# and
Signature.Model = 2#0100# then
Type_Found := True;
Ada.Text_IO.Put_Line ("x486SL processor");
end if;
-- x486DX2 Write-Back
if Signature.Processor_Type = 2#00# and
Signature.Family = 2#0100# and
Signature.Model = 2#0111# then
Type_Found := True;
Ada.Text_IO.Put_Line ("Write-Back Enhanced x486DX2 processor");
end if;
-- x486DX4
if Signature.Processor_Type = 2#00# and
Signature.Family = 2#0100# and
Signature.Model = 2#1000# then
Type_Found := True;
Ada.Text_IO.Put_Line ("x486DX4 processor");
end if;
-- x486DX4 Overdrive
if Signature.Processor_Type = 2#01# and
Signature.Family = 2#0100# and
Signature.Model = 2#1000# then
Type_Found := True;
Ada.Text_IO.Put_Line ("x486DX4 OverDrive processor");
end if;
-- Pentium (60, 66)
if Signature.Processor_Type = 2#00# and
Signature.Family = 2#0101# and
Signature.Model = 2#0001# then
Type_Found := True;
Ada.Text_IO.Put_Line ("Pentium processor (60, 66)");
end if;
-- Pentium (75, 90, 100, 120, 133, 150, 166, 200)
if Signature.Processor_Type = 2#00# and
Signature.Family = 2#0101# and
Signature.Model = 2#0010# then
Type_Found := True;
Ada.Text_IO.Put_Line
("Pentium processor (75, 90, 100, 120, 133, 150, 166, 200)");
end if;
-- Pentium OverDrive (60, 66)
if Signature.Processor_Type = 2#01# and
Signature.Family = 2#0101# and
Signature.Model = 2#0001# then
Type_Found := True;
Ada.Text_IO.Put_Line ("Pentium OverDrive processor (60, 66)");
end if;
-- Pentium OverDrive (75, 90, 100, 120, 133, 150, 166, 200)
if Signature.Processor_Type = 2#01# and
Signature.Family = 2#0101# and
Signature.Model = 2#0010# then
Type_Found := True;
Ada.Text_IO.Put_Line
("Pentium OverDrive cpu (75, 90, 100, 120, 133, 150, 166, 200)");
end if;
-- Pentium OverDrive processor for x486 processor-based systems
if Signature.Processor_Type = 2#01# and
Signature.Family = 2#0101# and
Signature.Model = 2#0011# then
Type_Found := True;
Ada.Text_IO.Put_Line
("Pentium OverDrive processor for x486 processor-based systems");
end if;
-- Pentium processor with MMX technology (166, 200)
if Signature.Processor_Type = 2#00# and
Signature.Family = 2#0101# and
Signature.Model = 2#0100# then
Type_Found := True;
Ada.Text_IO.Put_Line
("Pentium processor with MMX technology (166, 200)");
end if;
-- Pentium OverDrive with MMX for Pentium (75, 90, 100, 120, 133)
if Signature.Processor_Type = 2#01# and
Signature.Family = 2#0101# and
Signature.Model = 2#0100# then
Type_Found := True;
Ada.Text_IO.Put_Line
("Pentium OverDrive processor with MMX " &
"technology for Pentium processor (75, 90, 100, 120, 133)");
end if;
-- Pentium Pro processor
if Signature.Processor_Type = 2#00# and
Signature.Family = 2#0110# and
Signature.Model = 2#0001# then
Type_Found := True;
Ada.Text_IO.Put_Line ("Pentium Pro processor");
end if;
-- Pentium II processor, model 3
if Signature.Processor_Type = 2#00# and
Signature.Family = 2#0110# and
Signature.Model = 2#0011# then
Type_Found := True;
Ada.Text_IO.Put_Line ("Pentium II processor, model 3");
end if;
-- Pentium II processor, model 5 or Celeron processor
if Signature.Processor_Type = 2#00# and
Signature.Family = 2#0110# and
Signature.Model = 2#0101# then
Type_Found := True;
Ada.Text_IO.Put_Line
("Pentium II processor, model 5 or Celeron processor");
end if;
-- Pentium Pro OverDrive processor
if Signature.Processor_Type = 2#01# and
Signature.Family = 2#0110# and
Signature.Model = 2#0011# then
Type_Found := True;
Ada.Text_IO.Put_Line ("Pentium Pro OverDrive processor");
end if;
-- If no type recognized, we have an unknown. Display what
-- we _do_ know
if Type_Found = False then
Ada.Text_IO.Put_Line ("Unknown processor");
end if;
-----------------------------------------
-- Display processor stepping level. --
-----------------------------------------
Ada.Text_IO.Put_Line ("Stepping level:" & Signature.Stepping'Img);
---------------------------------
-- Display vendor ID string. --
---------------------------------
Ada.Text_IO.Put_Line ("Vendor ID: " & Intel_CPU.Vendor_ID);
------------------------------------
-- Get the processors features. --
------------------------------------
Features := Intel_CPU.Features;
-----------------------------
-- Check for a FPU unit. --
-----------------------------
if Features.FPU = True then
Ada.Text_IO.Put_Line ("Floating-Point unit available");
else
Ada.Text_IO.Put_Line ("no Floating-Point unit");
end if; -- check for FPU
--------------------------------
-- List processor features. --
--------------------------------
Ada.Text_IO.Put_Line ("Supported features: ");
-- Virtual Mode Extension
if Features.VME = True then
Ada.Text_IO.Put_Line (" VME - Virtual Mode Extension");
end if;
-- Debugging Extension
if Features.DE = True then
Ada.Text_IO.Put_Line (" DE - Debugging Extension");
end if;
-- Page Size Extension
if Features.PSE = True then
Ada.Text_IO.Put_Line (" PSE - Page Size Extension");
end if;
-- Time Stamp Counter
if Features.TSC = True then
Ada.Text_IO.Put_Line (" TSC - Time Stamp Counter");
end if;
-- Model Specific Registers
if Features.MSR = True then
Ada.Text_IO.Put_Line (" MSR - Model Specific Registers");
end if;
-- Physical Address Extension
if Features.PAE = True then
Ada.Text_IO.Put_Line (" PAE - Physical Address Extension");
end if;
-- Machine Check Extension
if Features.MCE = True then
Ada.Text_IO.Put_Line (" MCE - Machine Check Extension");
end if;
-- CMPXCHG8 instruction supported
if Features.CX8 = True then
Ada.Text_IO.Put_Line (" CX8 - CMPXCHG8 instruction");
end if;
-- on-chip APIC hardware support
if Features.APIC = True then
Ada.Text_IO.Put_Line (" APIC - on-chip APIC hardware support");
end if;
-- Fast System Call
if Features.SEP = True then
Ada.Text_IO.Put_Line (" SEP - Fast System Call");
end if;
-- Memory Type Range Registers
if Features.MTRR = True then
Ada.Text_IO.Put_Line (" MTTR - Memory Type Range Registers");
end if;
-- Page Global Enable
if Features.PGE = True then
Ada.Text_IO.Put_Line (" PGE - Page Global Enable");
end if;
-- Machine Check Architecture
if Features.MCA = True then
Ada.Text_IO.Put_Line (" MCA - Machine Check Architecture");
end if;
-- Conditional Move Instruction Supported
if Features.CMOV = True then
Ada.Text_IO.Put_Line
(" CMOV - Conditional Move Instruction Supported");
end if;
-- Page Attribute Table
if Features.PAT = True then
Ada.Text_IO.Put_Line (" PAT - Page Attribute Table");
end if;
-- 36-bit Page Size Extension
if Features.PSE_36 = True then
Ada.Text_IO.Put_Line (" PSE_36 - 36-bit Page Size Extension");
end if;
-- MMX technology supported
if Features.MMX = True then
Ada.Text_IO.Put_Line (" MMX - MMX technology supported");
end if;
-- Fast FP Save and Restore
if Features.FXSR = True then
Ada.Text_IO.Put_Line (" FXSR - Fast FP Save and Restore");
end if;
---------------------
-- Program done. --
---------------------
Ada.Command_Line.Set_Exit_Status (Ada.Command_Line.Success);
exception
when others =>
Ada.Command_Line.Set_Exit_Status (Ada.Command_Line.Failure);
raise;
end Check_CPU;
@end smallexample
@c ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@node Intel_CPU Package Specification
@subsection @code{Intel_CPU} Package Specification
@cindex Intel_CPU package specification
@smallexample @c adanocomment
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-- --
-- file: intel_cpu.ads --
-- --
-- ********************************************* --
-- * WARNING: for 32-bit Intel processors only * --
-- ********************************************* --
-- --
-- This package contains a number of subprograms that are useful in --
-- determining the Intel x86 CPU (and the features it supports) on --
-- which the program is running. --
-- --
-- The package is based upon the information given in the Intel --
-- Application Note AP-485: "Intel Processor Identification and the --
-- CPUID Instruction" as of April 1998. This application note can be --
-- found on www.intel.com. --
-- --
-- It currently deals with 32-bit processors only, will not detect --
-- features added after april 1998, and does not guarantee proper --
-- results on Intel-compatible processors. --
-- --
-- Cache info and x386 fpu type detection are not supported. --
-- --
-- This package does not use any privileged instructions, so should --
-- work on any OS running on a 32-bit Intel processor. --
-- --
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
with Interfaces; use Interfaces;
-- for using unsigned types
with System.Machine_Code; use System.Machine_Code;
-- for using inline assembler code
with Ada.Characters.Latin_1; use Ada.Characters.Latin_1;
-- for inserting control characters
package Intel_CPU is
----------------------
-- Processor bits --
----------------------
subtype Num_Bits is Natural range 0 .. 31;
-- the number of processor bits (32)
--------------------------
-- Processor register --
--------------------------
-- define a processor register type for easy access to
-- the individual bits
type Processor_Register is array (Num_Bits) of Boolean;
pragma Pack (Processor_Register);
for Processor_Register'Size use 32;
-------------------------
-- Unsigned register --
-------------------------
-- define a processor register type for easy access to
-- the individual bytes
type Unsigned_Register is
record
L1 : Unsigned_8;
H1 : Unsigned_8;
L2 : Unsigned_8;
H2 : Unsigned_8;
end record;
for Unsigned_Register use
record
L1 at 0 range 0 .. 7;
H1 at 0 range 8 .. 15;
L2 at 0 range 16 .. 23;
H2 at 0 range 24 .. 31;
end record;
for Unsigned_Register'Size use 32;
---------------------------------
-- Intel processor vendor ID --
---------------------------------
Intel_Processor : constant String (1 .. 12) := "GenuineIntel";
-- indicates an Intel manufactured processor
------------------------------------
-- Processor signature register --
------------------------------------
-- a register type to hold the processor signature
type Processor_Signature is
record
Stepping : Natural range 0 .. 15;
Model : Natural range 0 .. 15;
Family : Natural range 0 .. 15;
Processor_Type : Natural range 0 .. 3;
Reserved : Natural range 0 .. 262143;
end record;
for Processor_Signature use
record
Stepping at 0 range 0 .. 3;
Model at 0 range 4 .. 7;
Family at 0 range 8 .. 11;
Processor_Type at 0 range 12 .. 13;
Reserved at 0 range 14 .. 31;
end record;
for Processor_Signature'Size use 32;
-----------------------------------
-- Processor features register --
-----------------------------------
-- a processor register to hold the processor feature flags
type Processor_Features is
record
FPU : Boolean; -- floating point unit on chip
VME : Boolean; -- virtual mode extension
DE : Boolean; -- debugging extension
PSE : Boolean; -- page size extension
TSC : Boolean; -- time stamp counter
MSR : Boolean; -- model specific registers
PAE : Boolean; -- physical address extension
MCE : Boolean; -- machine check extension
CX8 : Boolean; -- cmpxchg8 instruction
APIC : Boolean; -- on-chip apic hardware
Res_1 : Boolean; -- reserved for extensions
SEP : Boolean; -- fast system call
MTRR : Boolean; -- memory type range registers
PGE : Boolean; -- page global enable
MCA : Boolean; -- machine check architecture
CMOV : Boolean; -- conditional move supported
PAT : Boolean; -- page attribute table
PSE_36 : Boolean; -- 36-bit page size extension
Res_2 : Natural range 0 .. 31; -- reserved for extensions
MMX : Boolean; -- MMX technology supported
FXSR : Boolean; -- fast FP save and restore
Res_3 : Natural range 0 .. 127; -- reserved for extensions
end record;
for Processor_Features use
record
FPU at 0 range 0 .. 0;
VME at 0 range 1 .. 1;
DE at 0 range 2 .. 2;
PSE at 0 range 3 .. 3;
TSC at 0 range 4 .. 4;
MSR at 0 range 5 .. 5;
PAE at 0 range 6 .. 6;
MCE at 0 range 7 .. 7;
CX8 at 0 range 8 .. 8;
APIC at 0 range 9 .. 9;
Res_1 at 0 range 10 .. 10;
SEP at 0 range 11 .. 11;
MTRR at 0 range 12 .. 12;
PGE at 0 range 13 .. 13;
MCA at 0 range 14 .. 14;
CMOV at 0 range 15 .. 15;
PAT at 0 range 16 .. 16;
PSE_36 at 0 range 17 .. 17;
Res_2 at 0 range 18 .. 22;
MMX at 0 range 23 .. 23;
FXSR at 0 range 24 .. 24;
Res_3 at 0 range 25 .. 31;
end record;
for Processor_Features'Size use 32;
-------------------
-- Subprograms --
-------------------
function Has_FPU return Boolean;
-- return True if a FPU is found
-- use only if CPUID is not supported
function Has_CPUID return Boolean;
-- return True if the processor supports the CPUID instruction
function CPUID_Level return Natural;
-- return the CPUID support level (0, 1 or 2)
-- can only be called if the CPUID instruction is supported
function Vendor_ID return String;
-- return the processor vendor identification string
-- can only be called if the CPUID instruction is supported
function Signature return Processor_Signature;
-- return the processor signature
-- can only be called if the CPUID instruction is supported
function Features return Processor_Features;
-- return the processors features
-- can only be called if the CPUID instruction is supported
private
------------------------
-- EFLAGS bit names --
------------------------
ID_Flag : constant Num_Bits := 21;
-- ID flag bit
end Intel_CPU;
@end smallexample
@c ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@node Intel_CPU Package Body
@subsection @code{Intel_CPU} Package Body
@cindex Intel_CPU package body
@smallexample @c adanocomment
package body Intel_CPU is
---------------------------
-- Detect FPU presence --
---------------------------
-- There is a FPU present if we can set values to the FPU Status
-- and Control Words.
function Has_FPU return Boolean is
Register : Unsigned_16;
-- processor register to store a word
begin
-- check if we can change the status word
Asm (
-- the assembler code
"finit" & LF & HT & -- reset status word
"movw $0x5A5A, %%ax" & LF & HT & -- set value status word
"fnstsw %0" & LF & HT & -- save status word
"movw %%ax, %0", -- store status word
-- output stored in Register
-- register must be a memory location
Outputs => Unsigned_16'Asm_output ("=m", Register),
-- tell compiler that we used eax
Clobber => "eax");
-- if the status word is zero, there is no FPU
if Register = 0 then
return False; -- no status word
end if; -- check status word value
-- check if we can get the control word
Asm (
-- the assembler code
"fnstcw %0", -- save the control word
-- output into Register
-- register must be a memory location
Outputs => Unsigned_16'Asm_output ("=m", Register));
-- check the relevant bits
if (Register and 16#103F#) /= 16#003F# then
return False; -- no control word
end if; -- check control word value
-- FPU found
return True;
end Has_FPU;
--------------------------------
-- Detect CPUID instruction --
--------------------------------
-- The processor supports the CPUID instruction if it is possible
-- to change the value of ID flag bit in the EFLAGS register.
function Has_CPUID return Boolean is
Original_Flags, Modified_Flags : Processor_Register;
-- EFLAG contents before and after changing the ID flag
begin
-- try flipping the ID flag in the EFLAGS register
Asm (
-- the assembler code
"pushfl" & LF & HT & -- push EFLAGS on stack
"pop %%eax" & LF & HT & -- pop EFLAGS into eax
"movl %%eax, %0" & LF & HT & -- save EFLAGS content
"xor $0x200000, %%eax" & LF & HT & -- flip ID flag
"push %%eax" & LF & HT & -- push EFLAGS on stack
"popfl" & LF & HT & -- load EFLAGS register
"pushfl" & LF & HT & -- push EFLAGS on stack
"pop %1", -- save EFLAGS content
-- output values, may be anything
-- Original_Flags is %0
-- Modified_Flags is %1
Outputs =>
(Processor_Register'Asm_output ("=g", Original_Flags),
Processor_Register'Asm_output ("=g", Modified_Flags)),
-- tell compiler eax is destroyed
Clobber => "eax");
-- check if CPUID is supported
if Original_Flags(ID_Flag) /= Modified_Flags(ID_Flag) then
return True; -- ID flag was modified
else
return False; -- ID flag unchanged
end if; -- check for CPUID
end Has_CPUID;
-------------------------------
-- Get CPUID support level --
-------------------------------
function CPUID_Level return Natural is
Level : Unsigned_32;
-- returned support level
begin
-- execute CPUID, storing the results in the Level register
Asm (
-- the assembler code
"cpuid", -- execute CPUID
-- zero is stored in eax
-- returning the support level in eax
Inputs => Unsigned_32'Asm_input ("a", 0),
-- eax is stored in Level
Outputs => Unsigned_32'Asm_output ("=a", Level),
-- tell compiler ebx, ecx and edx registers are destroyed
Clobber => "ebx, ecx, edx");
-- return the support level
return Natural (Level);
end CPUID_Level;
--------------------------------
-- Get CPU Vendor ID String --
--------------------------------
-- The vendor ID string is returned in the ebx, ecx and edx register
-- after executing the CPUID instruction with eax set to zero.
-- In case of a true Intel processor the string returned is
-- "GenuineIntel"
function Vendor_ID return String is
Ebx, Ecx, Edx : Unsigned_Register;
-- registers containing the vendor ID string
Vendor_ID : String (1 .. 12);
-- the vendor ID string
begin
-- execute CPUID, storing the results in the processor registers
Asm (
-- the assembler code
"cpuid", -- execute CPUID
-- zero stored in eax
-- vendor ID string returned in ebx, ecx and edx
Inputs => Unsigned_32'Asm_input ("a", 0),
-- ebx is stored in Ebx
-- ecx is stored in Ecx
-- edx is stored in Edx
Outputs => (Unsigned_Register'Asm_output ("=b", Ebx),
Unsigned_Register'Asm_output ("=c", Ecx),
Unsigned_Register'Asm_output ("=d", Edx)));
-- now build the vendor ID string
Vendor_ID( 1) := Character'Val (Ebx.L1);
Vendor_ID( 2) := Character'Val (Ebx.H1);
Vendor_ID( 3) := Character'Val (Ebx.L2);
Vendor_ID( 4) := Character'Val (Ebx.H2);
Vendor_ID( 5) := Character'Val (Edx.L1);
Vendor_ID( 6) := Character'Val (Edx.H1);
Vendor_ID( 7) := Character'Val (Edx.L2);
Vendor_ID( 8) := Character'Val (Edx.H2);
Vendor_ID( 9) := Character'Val (Ecx.L1);
Vendor_ID(10) := Character'Val (Ecx.H1);
Vendor_ID(11) := Character'Val (Ecx.L2);
Vendor_ID(12) := Character'Val (Ecx.H2);
-- return string
return Vendor_ID;
end Vendor_ID;
-------------------------------
-- Get processor signature --
-------------------------------
function Signature return Processor_Signature is
Result : Processor_Signature;
-- processor signature returned
begin
-- execute CPUID, storing the results in the Result variable
Asm (
-- the assembler code
"cpuid", -- execute CPUID
-- one is stored in eax
-- processor signature returned in eax
Inputs => Unsigned_32'Asm_input ("a", 1),
-- eax is stored in Result
Outputs => Processor_Signature'Asm_output ("=a", Result),
-- tell compiler that ebx, ecx and edx are also destroyed
Clobber => "ebx, ecx, edx");
-- return processor signature
return Result;
end Signature;
------------------------------
-- Get processor features --
------------------------------
function Features return Processor_Features is
Result : Processor_Features;
-- processor features returned
begin
-- execute CPUID, storing the results in the Result variable
Asm (
-- the assembler code
"cpuid", -- execute CPUID
-- one stored in eax
-- processor features returned in edx
Inputs => Unsigned_32'Asm_input ("a", 1),
-- edx is stored in Result
Outputs => Processor_Features'Asm_output ("=d", Result),
-- tell compiler that ebx and ecx are also destroyed
Clobber => "ebx, ecx");
-- return processor signature
return Result;
end Features;
end Intel_CPU;
@end smallexample
@c END OF INLINE ASSEMBLER CHAPTER
@c ===============================
@c ***********************************
@c * Compatibility and Porting Guide *
@c ***********************************
@node Compatibility and Porting Guide
@appendix Compatibility and Porting Guide
@noindent
This chapter describes the compatibility issues that may arise between
GNAT and other Ada 83 and Ada 95 compilation systems, and shows how GNAT
can expedite porting
applications developed in other Ada environments.
@menu
* Compatibility with Ada 83::
* Implementation-dependent characteristics::
* Compatibility with Other Ada 95 Systems::
* Representation Clauses::
* Compatibility with DEC Ada 83::
@ifset vms
* Transitioning from Alpha to Integrity OpenVMS::
@end ifset
@end menu
@node Compatibility with Ada 83
@section Compatibility with Ada 83
@cindex Compatibility (between Ada 83 and Ada 95)
@noindent
Ada 95 is designed to be highly upwards compatible with Ada 83. In
particular, the design intention is that the difficulties associated
with moving from Ada 83 to Ada 95 should be no greater than those
that occur when moving from one Ada 83 system to another.
However, there are a number of points at which there are minor
incompatibilities. The @cite{Ada 95 Annotated Reference Manual} contains
full details of these issues,
and should be consulted for a complete treatment.
In practice the
following subsections treat the most likely issues to be encountered.
@menu
* Legal Ada 83 programs that are illegal in Ada 95::
* More deterministic semantics::
* Changed semantics::
* Other language compatibility issues::
@end menu
@node Legal Ada 83 programs that are illegal in Ada 95
@subsection Legal Ada 83 programs that are illegal in Ada 95
@table @asis
@item Character literals
Some uses of character literals are ambiguous. Since Ada 95 has introduced
@code{Wide_Character} as a new predefined character type, some uses of
character literals that were legal in Ada 83 are illegal in Ada 95.
For example:
@smallexample @c ada
for Char in 'A' .. 'Z' loop ... end loop;
@end smallexample
@noindent
The problem is that @code{'A'} and @code{'Z'} could be from either
@code{Character} or @code{Wide_Character}. The simplest correction
is to make the type explicit; e.g.:
@smallexample @c ada
for Char in Character range 'A' .. 'Z' loop ... end loop;
@end smallexample
@item New reserved words
The identifiers @code{abstract}, @code{aliased}, @code{protected},
@code{requeue}, @code{tagged}, and @code{until} are reserved in Ada 95.
Existing Ada 83 code using any of these identifiers must be edited to
use some alternative name.
@item Freezing rules
The rules in Ada 95 are slightly different with regard to the point at
which entities are frozen, and representation pragmas and clauses are
not permitted past the freeze point. This shows up most typically in
the form of an error message complaining that a representation item
appears too late, and the appropriate corrective action is to move
the item nearer to the declaration of the entity to which it refers.
A particular case is that representation pragmas
@ifset vms
(including the
extended DEC Ada 83 compatibility pragmas such as @code{Export_Procedure})
@end ifset
cannot be applied to a subprogram body. If necessary, a separate subprogram
declaration must be introduced to which the pragma can be applied.
@item Optional bodies for library packages
In Ada 83, a package that did not require a package body was nevertheless
allowed to have one. This lead to certain surprises in compiling large
systems (situations in which the body could be unexpectedly ignored by the
binder). In Ada 95, if a package does not require a body then it is not
permitted to have a body. To fix this problem, simply remove a redundant
body if it is empty, or, if it is non-empty, introduce a dummy declaration
into the spec that makes the body required. One approach is to add a private
part to the package declaration (if necessary), and define a parameterless
procedure called @code{Requires_Body}, which must then be given a dummy
procedure body in the package body, which then becomes required.
Another approach (assuming that this does not introduce elaboration
circularities) is to add an @code{Elaborate_Body} pragma to the package spec,
since one effect of this pragma is to require the presence of a package body.
@item @code{Numeric_Error} is now the same as @code{Constraint_Error}
In Ada 95, the exception @code{Numeric_Error} is a renaming of
@code{Constraint_Error}.
This means that it is illegal to have separate exception handlers for
the two exceptions. The fix is simply to remove the handler for the
@code{Numeric_Error} case (since even in Ada 83, a compiler was free to raise
@code{Constraint_Error} in place of @code{Numeric_Error} in all cases).
@item Indefinite subtypes in generics
In Ada 83, it was permissible to pass an indefinite type (e.g.@: @code{String})
as the actual for a generic formal private type, but then the instantiation
would be illegal if there were any instances of declarations of variables
of this type in the generic body. In Ada 95, to avoid this clear violation
of the methodological principle known as the ``contract model'',
the generic declaration explicitly indicates whether
or not such instantiations are permitted. If a generic formal parameter
has explicit unknown discriminants, indicated by using @code{(<>)} after the
type name, then it can be instantiated with indefinite types, but no
stand-alone variables can be declared of this type. Any attempt to declare
such a variable will result in an illegality at the time the generic is
declared. If the @code{(<>)} notation is not used, then it is illegal
to instantiate the generic with an indefinite type.
This is the potential incompatibility issue when porting Ada 83 code to Ada 95.
It will show up as a compile time error, and
the fix is usually simply to add the @code{(<>)} to the generic declaration.
@end table
@node More deterministic semantics
@subsection More deterministic semantics
@table @asis
@item Conversions
Conversions from real types to integer types round away from 0. In Ada 83
the conversion Integer(2.5) could deliver either 2 or 3 as its value. This
implementation freedom was intended to support unbiased rounding in
statistical applications, but in practice it interfered with portability.
In Ada 95 the conversion semantics are unambiguous, and rounding away from 0
is required. Numeric code may be affected by this change in semantics.
Note, though, that this issue is no worse than already existed in Ada 83
when porting code from one vendor to another.
@item Tasking
The Real-Time Annex introduces a set of policies that define the behavior of
features that were implementation dependent in Ada 83, such as the order in
which open select branches are executed.
@end table
@node Changed semantics
@subsection Changed semantics
@noindent
The worst kind of incompatibility is one where a program that is legal in
Ada 83 is also legal in Ada 95 but can have an effect in Ada 95 that was not
possible in Ada 83. Fortunately this is extremely rare, but the one
situation that you should be alert to is the change in the predefined type
@code{Character} from 7-bit ASCII to 8-bit Latin-1.
@table @asis
@item range of @code{Character}
The range of @code{Standard.Character} is now the full 256 characters
of Latin-1, whereas in most Ada 83 implementations it was restricted
to 128 characters. Although some of the effects of
this change will be manifest in compile-time rejection of legal
Ada 83 programs it is possible for a working Ada 83 program to have
a different effect in Ada 95, one that was not permitted in Ada 83.
As an example, the expression
@code{Character'Pos(Character'Last)} returned @code{127} in Ada 83 and now
delivers @code{255} as its value.
In general, you should look at the logic of any
character-processing Ada 83 program and see whether it needs to be adapted
to work correctly with Latin-1. Note that the predefined Ada 95 API has a
character handling package that may be relevant if code needs to be adapted
to account for the additional Latin-1 elements.
The desirable fix is to
modify the program to accommodate the full character set, but in some cases
it may be convenient to define a subtype or derived type of Character that
covers only the restricted range.
@cindex Latin-1
@end table
@node Other language compatibility issues
@subsection Other language compatibility issues
@table @asis
@item @option{-gnat83 switch}
All implementations of GNAT provide a switch that causes GNAT to operate
in Ada 83 mode. In this mode, some but not all compatibility problems
of the type described above are handled automatically. For example, the
new Ada 95 reserved words are treated simply as identifiers as in Ada 83.
However,
in practice, it is usually advisable to make the necessary modifications
to the program to remove the need for using this switch.
See @ref{Compiling Ada 83 Programs}.
@item Support for removed Ada 83 pragmas and attributes
A number of pragmas and attributes from Ada 83 have been removed from Ada 95,
generally because they have been replaced by other mechanisms. Ada 95
compilers are allowed, but not required, to implement these missing
elements. In contrast with some other Ada 95 compilers, GNAT implements all
such pragmas and attributes, eliminating this compatibility concern. These
include @code{pragma Interface} and the floating point type attributes
(@code{Emax}, @code{Mantissa}, etc.), among other items.
@end table
@node Implementation-dependent characteristics
@section Implementation-dependent characteristics
@noindent
Although the Ada language defines the semantics of each construct as
precisely as practical, in some situations (for example for reasons of
efficiency, or where the effect is heavily dependent on the host or target
platform) the implementation is allowed some freedom. In porting Ada 83
code to GNAT, you need to be aware of whether / how the existing code
exercised such implementation dependencies. Such characteristics fall into
several categories, and GNAT offers specific support in assisting the
transition from certain Ada 83 compilers.
@menu
* Implementation-defined pragmas::
* Implementation-defined attributes::
* Libraries::
* Elaboration order::
* Target-specific aspects::
@end menu
@node Implementation-defined pragmas
@subsection Implementation-defined pragmas
@noindent
Ada compilers are allowed to supplement the language-defined pragmas, and
these are a potential source of non-portability. All GNAT-defined pragmas
are described in the GNAT Reference Manual, and these include several that
are specifically intended to correspond to other vendors' Ada 83 pragmas.
For migrating from VADS, the pragma @code{Use_VADS_Size} may be useful.
For
compatibility with DEC Ada 83, GNAT supplies the pragmas
@code{Extend_System}, @code{Ident}, @code{Inline_Generic},
@code{Interface_Name}, @code{Passive}, @code{Suppress_All},
and @code{Volatile}.
Other relevant pragmas include @code{External} and @code{Link_With}.
Some vendor-specific
Ada 83 pragmas (@code{Share_Generic}, @code{Subtitle}, and @code{Title}) are
recognized, thus
avoiding compiler rejection of units that contain such pragmas; they are not
relevant in a GNAT context and hence are not otherwise implemented.
@node Implementation-defined attributes
@subsection Implementation-defined attributes
Analogous to pragmas, the set of attributes may be extended by an
implementation. All GNAT-defined attributes are described in the
@cite{GNAT Reference Manual}, and these include several that are specifically
intended
to correspond to other vendors' Ada 83 attributes. For migrating from VADS,
the attribute @code{VADS_Size} may be useful. For compatibility with DEC
Ada 83, GNAT supplies the attributes @code{Bit}, @code{Machine_Size} and
@code{Type_Class}.
@node Libraries
@subsection Libraries
@noindent
Vendors may supply libraries to supplement the standard Ada API. If Ada 83
code uses vendor-specific libraries then there are several ways to manage
this in Ada 95:
@enumerate
@item
If the source code for the libraries (specifications and bodies) are
available, then the libraries can be migrated in the same way as the
application.
@item
If the source code for the specifications but not the bodies are
available, then you can reimplement the bodies.
@item
Some new Ada 95 features obviate the need for library support. For
example most Ada 83 vendors supplied a package for unsigned integers. The
Ada 95 modular type feature is the preferred way to handle this need, so
instead of migrating or reimplementing the unsigned integer package it may
be preferable to retrofit the application using modular types.
@end enumerate
@node Elaboration order
@subsection Elaboration order
@noindent
The implementation can choose any elaboration order consistent with the unit
dependency relationship. This freedom means that some orders can result in
Program_Error being raised due to an ``Access Before Elaboration'': an attempt
to invoke a subprogram its body has been elaborated, or to instantiate a
generic before the generic body has been elaborated. By default GNAT
attempts to choose a safe order (one that will not encounter access before
elaboration problems) by implicitly inserting Elaborate_All pragmas where
needed. However, this can lead to the creation of elaboration circularities
and a resulting rejection of the program by gnatbind. This issue is
thoroughly described in @ref{Elaboration Order Handling in GNAT}.
In brief, there are several
ways to deal with this situation:
@itemize @bullet
@item
Modify the program to eliminate the circularities, e.g. by moving
elaboration-time code into explicitly-invoked procedures
@item
Constrain the elaboration order by including explicit @code{Elaborate_Body} or
@code{Elaborate} pragmas, and then inhibit the generation of implicit
@code{Elaborate_All}
pragmas either globally (as an effect of the @option{-gnatE} switch) or locally
(by selectively suppressing elaboration checks via pragma
@code{Suppress(Elaboration_Check)} when it is safe to do so).
@end itemize
@node Target-specific aspects
@subsection Target-specific aspects
@noindent
Low-level applications need to deal with machine addresses, data
representations, interfacing with assembler code, and similar issues. If
such an Ada 83 application is being ported to different target hardware (for
example where the byte endianness has changed) then you will need to
carefully examine the program logic; the porting effort will heavily depend
on the robustness of the original design. Moreover, Ada 95 is sometimes
incompatible with typical Ada 83 compiler practices regarding implicit
packing, the meaning of the Size attribute, and the size of access values.
GNAT's approach to these issues is described in @ref{Representation Clauses}.
@node Compatibility with Other Ada 95 Systems
@section Compatibility with Other Ada 95 Systems
@noindent
Providing that programs avoid the use of implementation dependent and
implementation defined features of Ada 95, as documented in the Ada 95
reference manual, there should be a high degree of portability between
GNAT and other Ada 95 systems. The following are specific items which
have proved troublesome in moving GNAT programs to other Ada 95
compilers, but do not affect porting code to GNAT@.
@table @asis
@item Ada 83 Pragmas and Attributes
Ada 95 compilers are allowed, but not required, to implement the missing
Ada 83 pragmas and attributes that are no longer defined in Ada 95.
GNAT implements all such pragmas and attributes, eliminating this as
a compatibility concern, but some other Ada 95 compilers reject these
pragmas and attributes.
@item Special-needs Annexes
GNAT implements the full set of special needs annexes. At the
current time, it is the only Ada 95 compiler to do so. This means that
programs making use of these features may not be portable to other Ada
95 compilation systems.
@item Representation Clauses
Some other Ada 95 compilers implement only the minimal set of
representation clauses required by the Ada 95 reference manual. GNAT goes
far beyond this minimal set, as described in the next section.
@end table
@node Representation Clauses
@section Representation Clauses
@noindent
The Ada 83 reference manual was quite vague in describing both the minimal
required implementation of representation clauses, and also their precise
effects. The Ada 95 reference manual is much more explicit, but the minimal
set of capabilities required in Ada 95 is quite limited.
GNAT implements the full required set of capabilities described in the
Ada 95 reference manual, but also goes much beyond this, and in particular
an effort has been made to be compatible with existing Ada 83 usage to the
greatest extent possible.
A few cases exist in which Ada 83 compiler behavior is incompatible with
requirements in the Ada 95 reference manual. These are instances of
intentional or accidental dependence on specific implementation dependent
characteristics of these Ada 83 compilers. The following is a list of
the cases most likely to arise in existing legacy Ada 83 code.
@table @asis
@item Implicit Packing
Some Ada 83 compilers allowed a Size specification to cause implicit
packing of an array or record. This could cause expensive implicit
conversions for change of representation in the presence of derived
types, and the Ada design intends to avoid this possibility.
Subsequent AI's were issued to make it clear that such implicit
change of representation in response to a Size clause is inadvisable,
and this recommendation is represented explicitly in the Ada 95 RM
as implementation advice that is followed by GNAT@.
The problem will show up as an error
message rejecting the size clause. The fix is simply to provide
the explicit pragma @code{Pack}, or for more fine tuned control, provide
a Component_Size clause.
@item Meaning of Size Attribute
The Size attribute in Ada 95 for discrete types is defined as being the
minimal number of bits required to hold values of the type. For example,
on a 32-bit machine, the size of Natural will typically be 31 and not
32 (since no sign bit is required). Some Ada 83 compilers gave 31, and
some 32 in this situation. This problem will usually show up as a compile
time error, but not always. It is a good idea to check all uses of the
'Size attribute when porting Ada 83 code. The GNAT specific attribute
Object_Size can provide a useful way of duplicating the behavior of
some Ada 83 compiler systems.
@item Size of Access Types
A common assumption in Ada 83 code is that an access type is in fact a pointer,
and that therefore it will be the same size as a System.Address value. This
assumption is true for GNAT in most cases with one exception. For the case of
a pointer to an unconstrained array type (where the bounds may vary from one
value of the access type to another), the default is to use a ``fat pointer'',
which is represented as two separate pointers, one to the bounds, and one to
the array. This representation has a number of advantages, including improved
efficiency. However, it may cause some difficulties in porting existing Ada 83
code which makes the assumption that, for example, pointers fit in 32 bits on
a machine with 32-bit addressing.
To get around this problem, GNAT also permits the use of ``thin pointers'' for
access types in this case (where the designated type is an unconstrained array
type). These thin pointers are indeed the same size as a System.Address value.
To specify a thin pointer, use a size clause for the type, for example:
@smallexample @c ada
type X is access all String;
for X'Size use Standard'Address_Size;
@end smallexample
@noindent
which will cause the type X to be represented using a single pointer.
When using this representation, the bounds are right behind the array.
This representation is slightly less efficient, and does not allow quite
such flexibility in the use of foreign pointers or in using the
Unrestricted_Access attribute to create pointers to non-aliased objects.
But for any standard portable use of the access type it will work in
a functionally correct manner and allow porting of existing code.
Note that another way of forcing a thin pointer representation
is to use a component size clause for the element size in an array,
or a record representation clause for an access field in a record.
@end table
@node Compatibility with DEC Ada 83
@section Compatibility with DEC Ada 83
@noindent
The VMS version of GNAT fully implements all the pragmas and attributes
provided by DEC Ada 83, as well as providing the standard DEC Ada 83
libraries, including Starlet. In addition, data layouts and parameter
passing conventions are highly compatible. This means that porting
existing DEC Ada 83 code to GNAT in VMS systems should be easier than
most other porting efforts. The following are some of the most
significant differences between GNAT and DEC Ada 83.
@table @asis
@item Default floating-point representation
In GNAT, the default floating-point format is IEEE, whereas in DEC Ada 83,
it is VMS format. GNAT does implement the necessary pragmas
(Long_Float, Float_Representation) for changing this default.
@item System
The package System in GNAT exactly corresponds to the definition in the
Ada 95 reference manual, which means that it excludes many of the
DEC Ada 83 extensions. However, a separate package Aux_DEC is provided
that contains the additional definitions, and a special pragma,
Extend_System allows this package to be treated transparently as an
extension of package System.
@item To_Address
The definitions provided by Aux_DEC are exactly compatible with those
in the DEC Ada 83 version of System, with one exception.
DEC Ada provides the following declarations:
@smallexample @c ada
TO_ADDRESS (INTEGER)
TO_ADDRESS (UNSIGNED_LONGWORD)
TO_ADDRESS (universal_integer)
@end smallexample
@noindent
The version of TO_ADDRESS taking a universal integer argument is in fact
an extension to Ada 83 not strictly compatible with the reference manual.
In GNAT, we are constrained to be exactly compatible with the standard,
and this means we cannot provide this capability. In DEC Ada 83, the
point of this definition is to deal with a call like:
@smallexample @c ada
TO_ADDRESS (16#12777#);
@end smallexample
@noindent
Normally, according to the Ada 83 standard, one would expect this to be
ambiguous, since it matches both the INTEGER and UNSIGNED_LONGWORD forms
of TO_ADDRESS@. However, in DEC Ada 83, there is no ambiguity, since the
definition using universal_integer takes precedence.
In GNAT, since the version with universal_integer cannot be supplied, it is
not possible to be 100% compatible. Since there are many programs using
numeric constants for the argument to TO_ADDRESS, the decision in GNAT was
to change the name of the function in the UNSIGNED_LONGWORD case, so the
declarations provided in the GNAT version of AUX_Dec are:
@smallexample @c ada
function To_Address (X : Integer) return Address;
pragma Pure_Function (To_Address);
function To_Address_Long (X : Unsigned_Longword)
return Address;
pragma Pure_Function (To_Address_Long);
@end smallexample
@noindent
This means that programs using TO_ADDRESS for UNSIGNED_LONGWORD must
change the name to TO_ADDRESS_LONG@.
@item Task_Id values
The Task_Id values assigned will be different in the two systems, and GNAT
does not provide a specified value for the Task_Id of the environment task,
which in GNAT is treated like any other declared task.
@end table
For full details on these and other less significant compatibility issues,
see appendix E of the Digital publication entitled @cite{DEC Ada, Technical
Overview and Comparison on DIGITAL Platforms}.
For GNAT running on other than VMS systems, all the DEC Ada 83 pragmas and
attributes are recognized, although only a subset of them can sensibly
be implemented. The description of pragmas in this reference manual
indicates whether or not they are applicable to non-VMS systems.
@ifset vms
@node Transitioning from Alpha to Integrity OpenVMS
@section Transitioning from Alpha to Integrity OpenVMS
@menu
* Introduction to transitioning::
* Migration of 32 bit code::
* Taking advantage of 64 bit addressing::
* Technical details::
@end menu
@node Introduction to transitioning
@subsection Introduction to transitioning
@noindent
This guide is meant to assist users of GNAT Pro
for Alpha OpenVMS who are planning to transition to the IA64 architecture.
GNAT Pro for Open VMS Integrity has been designed to meet
three main goals:
@enumerate
@item
Providing a full conforming implementation of the Ada 95 language
@item
Allowing maximum backward compatibility, thus easing migration of existing
Ada source code
@item
Supplying a path for exploiting the full IA64 address range
@end enumerate
@noindent
Ada's strong typing semantics has made it
impractical to have different 32-bit and 64-bit modes. As soon as
one object could possibly be outside the 32-bit address space, this
would make it necessary for the @code{System.Address} type to be 64 bits.
In particular, this would cause inconsistencies if 32-bit code is
called from 64-bit code that raises an exception.
This issue has been resolved by always using 64-bit addressing
at the system level, but allowing for automatic conversions between
32-bit and 64-bit addresses where required. Thus users who
do not currently require 64-bit addressing capabilities, can
recompile their code with only minimal changes (and indeed
if the code is written in portable Ada, with no assumptions about
the size of the @code{Address} type, then no changes at all are necessary).
At the same time,
this approach provides a simple, gradual upgrade path to future
use of larger memories than available for 32-bit systems.
Also, newly written applications or libraries will by default
be fully compatible with future systems exploiting 64-bit
addressing capabilities present in IA64.
@ref{Migration of 32 bit code}, will focus on porting applications
that do not require more than 2 GB of
addressable memory. This code will be referred to as
@emph{32-bit code}.
For applications intending to exploit the full ia64 address space,
@ref{Taking advantage of 64 bit addressing},
will consider further changes that may be required.
Such code is called @emph{64-bit code} in the
remainder of this guide.
@node Migration of 32 bit code
@subsection Migration of 32-bit code
@menu
* Address types::
* Access types::
* Unchecked conversions::
* Predefined constants::
* Single source compatibility::
* Experience with source compatibility::
@end menu
@node Address types
@subsubsection Address types
@noindent
To solve the problem of mixing 64-bit and 32-bit addressing,
while maintaining maximum backward compatibility, the following
approach has been taken:
@itemize @bullet
@item
@code{System.Address} always has a size of 64 bits
@item
@code{System.Short_Address} is a 32-bit subtype of @code{System.Address}
@end itemize
@noindent
Since @code{System.Short_Address} is a subtype of @code{System.Address},
a @code{Short_Address}
may be used where an @code{Address} is required, and vice versa, without
needing explicit type conversions.
By virtue of the Open VMS Integrity parameter passing conventions,
even imported
and exported subprograms that have 32-bit address parameters are
compatible with those that have 64-bit address parameters.
(See @ref{Making code 64 bit clean} for details.)
The areas that may need attention are those where record types have
been defined that contain components of the type @code{System.Address}, and
where objects of this type are passed to code expecting a record layout with
32-bit addresses.
Different compilers on different platforms cannot be
expected to represent the same type in the same way,
since alignment constraints
and other system-dependent properties affect the compiler's decision.
For that reason, Ada code
generally uses representation clauses to specify the expected
layout where required.
If such a representation clause uses 32 bits for a component having
the type @code{System.Address}, GNAT Pro for OpenVMS Integrity will detect
that error and produce a specific diagnostic message.
The developer should then determine whether the representation
should be 64 bits or not and make either of two changes:
change the size to 64 bits and leave the type as @code{System.Address}, or
leave the size as 32 bits and change the type to @code{System.Short_Address}.
Since @code{Short_Address} is a subtype of @code{Address}, no changes are
required in any code setting or accessing the field; the compiler will
automatically perform any needed conversions between address
formats.
@node Access types
@subsubsection Access types
@noindent
By default, objects designated by access values are always
allocated in the 32-bit
address space. Thus legacy code will never contain
any objects that are not addressable with 32-bit addresses, and
the compiler will never raise exceptions as result of mixing
32-bit and 64-bit addresses.
However, the access values themselves are represented in 64 bits, for optimum
performance and future compatibility with 64-bit code. As was
the case with @code{System.Address}, the compiler will give an error message
if an object or record component has a representation clause that
requires the access value to fit in 32 bits. In such a situation,
an explicit size clause for the access type, specifying 32 bits,
will have the desired effect.
General access types (declared with @code{access all}) can never be
32 bits, as values of such types must be able to refer to any object
of the designated type,
including objects residing outside the 32-bit address range.
Existing Ada 83 code will not contain such type definitions,
however, since general access types were introduced in Ada 95.
@node Unchecked conversions
@subsubsection Unchecked conversions
@noindent
In the case of an @code{Unchecked_Conversion} where the source type is a
64-bit access type or the type @code{System.Address}, and the target
type is a 32-bit type, the compiler will generate a warning.
Even though the generated code will still perform the required
conversions, it is highly recommended in these cases to use
respectively a 32-bit access type or @code{System.Short_Address}
as the source type.
@node Predefined constants
@subsubsection Predefined constants
@noindent
The following predefined constants have changed:
@multitable {@code{System.Address_Size}} {2**32} {2**64}
@item @b{Constant} @tab @b{Old} @tab @b{New}
@item @code{System.Word_Size} @tab 32 @tab 64
@item @code{System.Memory_Size} @tab 2**32 @tab 2**64
@item @code{System.Address_Size} @tab 32 @tab 64
@end multitable
@noindent
If you need to refer to the specific
memory size of a 32-bit implementation, instead of the
actual memory size, use @code{System.Short_Memory_Size}
rather than @code{System.Memory_Size}.
Similarly, references to @code{System.Address_Size} may need
to be replaced by @code{System.Short_Address'Size}.
The program @command{gnatfind} may be useful for locating
references to the above constants, so that you can verify that they
are still correct.
@node Single source compatibility
@subsubsection Single source compatibility
@noindent
In order to allow the same source code to be compiled on
both Alpha and IA64 platforms, GNAT Pro for Alpha/OpenVMS
defines @code{System.Short_Address} and System.Short_Memory_Size
as aliases of respectively @code{System.Address} and
@code{System.Memory_Size}.
(These aliases also leave the door open for a possible
future ``upgrade'' of OpenVMS Alpha to a 64-bit address space.)
@node Experience with source compatibility
@subsubsection Experience with source compatibility
@noindent
The Security Server and STARLET provide an interesting ``test case''
for source compatibility issues, since it is in such system code
where assumptions about @code{Address} size might be expected to occur.
Indeed, there were a small number of occasions in the Security Server
file @file{jibdef.ads}
where a representation clause for a record type specified
32 bits for a component of type @code{Address}.
All of these errors were detected by the compiler.
The repair was obvious and immediate; to simply replace @code{Address} by
@code{Short_Address}.
In the case of STARLET, there were several record types that should
have had representation clauses but did not. In these record types
there was an implicit assumption that an @code{Address} value occupied
32 bits.
These compiled without error, but their usage resulted in run-time error
returns from STARLET system calls.
To assist in the compile-time detection of such situations, we
plan to include a switch to generate a warning message when a
record component is of type @code{Address}.
@c ****************************************
@node Taking advantage of 64 bit addressing
@subsection Taking advantage of 64-bit addressing
@menu
* Making code 64 bit clean::
* Allocating memory from the 64 bit storage pool::
* Restrictions on use of 64 bit objects::
* Using 64 bit storage pools by default::
* General access types::
* STARLET and other predefined libraries::
@end menu
@node Making code 64 bit clean
@subsubsection Making code 64-bit clean
@noindent
In order to prevent problems that may occur when (parts of) a
system start using memory outside the 32-bit address range,
we recommend some additional guidelines:
@itemize @bullet
@item
For imported subprograms that take parameters of the
type @code{System.Address}, ensure that these subprograms can
indeed handle 64-bit addresses. If not, or when in doubt,
change the subprogram declaration to specify
@code{System.Short_Address} instead.
@item
Resolve all warnings related to size mismatches in
unchecked conversions. Failing to do so causes
erroneous execution if the source object is outside
the 32-bit address space.
@item
(optional) Explicitly use the 32-bit storage pool
for access types used in a 32-bit context, or use
generic access types where possible
(@pxref{Restrictions on use of 64 bit objects}).
@end itemize
@noindent
If these rules are followed, the compiler will automatically insert
any necessary checks to ensure that no addresses or access values
passed to 32-bit code ever refer to objects outside the 32-bit
address range.
Any attempt to do this will raise @code{Constraint_Error}.
@node Allocating memory from the 64 bit storage pool
@subsubsection Allocating memory from the 64-bit storage pool
@noindent
For any access type @code{T} that potentially requires memory allocations
beyond the 32-bit address space,
use the following representation clause:
@smallexample @c ada
for T'Storage_Pool use System.Pool_64;
@end smallexample
@node Restrictions on use of 64 bit objects
@subsubsection Restrictions on use of 64-bit objects
@noindent
Taking the address of an object allocated from a 64-bit storage pool,
and then passing this address to a subprogram expecting
@code{System.Short_Address},
or assigning it to a variable of type @code{Short_Address}, will cause
@code{Constraint_Error} to be raised. In case the code is not 64-bit clean
(@pxref{Making code 64 bit clean}), or checks are suppressed,
no exception is raised and execution
will become erroneous.
@node Using 64 bit storage pools by default
@subsubsection Using 64-bit storage pools by default
@noindent
In some cases it may be desirable to have the compiler allocate
from 64-bit storage pools by default. This may be the case for
libraries that are 64-bit clean, but may be used in both 32-bit
and 64-bit contexts. For these cases the following configuration
pragma may be specified:
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Pool_64_Default;
@end smallexample
@noindent
Any code compiled in the context of this pragma will by default
use the @code{System.Pool_64} storage pool. This default may be overridden
for a specific access type @code{T} by the representation clause:
@smallexample @c ada
for T'Storage_Pool use System.Pool_32;
@end smallexample
@noindent
Any object whose address may be passed to a subprogram with a
@code{Short_Address} argument, or assigned to a variable of type
@code{Short_Address}, needs to be allocated from this pool.
@node General access types
@subsubsection General access types
@noindent
Objects designated by access values from a
general access type (declared with @code{access all}) are never allocated
from a 64-bit storage pool. Code that uses general access types will
accept objects allocated in either 32-bit or 64-bit address spaces,
but never allocate objects outside the 32-bit address space.
Using general access types ensures maximum compatibility with both
32-bit and 64-bit code.
@node STARLET and other predefined libraries
@subsubsection STARLET and other predefined libraries
@noindent
All code that comes as part of GNAT is 64-bit clean, but the
restrictions given in @ref{Restrictions on use of 64 bit objects},
still apply. Look at the package
specifications to see in which contexts objects allocated
in 64-bit address space are acceptable.
@node Technical details
@subsection Technical details
@noindent
GNAT Pro for Open VMS Integrity takes advantage of the freedom given in the Ada
standard with respect to the type of @code{System.Address}. Previous versions
of GNAT Pro have defined this type as private and implemented it as
a modular type.
In order to allow defining @code{System.Short_Address} as a proper subtype,
and to match the implicit sign extension in parameter passing,
in GNAT Pro for Open VMS Integrity, @code{System.Address} is defined as a
visible (i.e., non-private) integer type.
Standard operations on the type, such as the binary operators ``+'', ``-'',
etc., that take @code{Address} operands and return an @code{Address} result,
have been hidden by declaring these
@code{abstract}, an Ada 95 feature that helps avoid the potential ambiguities
that would otherwise result from overloading.
(Note that, although @code{Address} is a visible integer type,
good programming practice dictates against exploiting the type's
integer properties such as literals, since this will compromise
code portability.)
Defining @code{Address} as a visible integer type helps achieve
maximum compatibility for existing Ada code,
without sacrificing the capabilities of the IA64 architecture.
@end ifset
@c ************************************************
@ifset unw
@node Microsoft Windows Topics
@appendix Microsoft Windows Topics
@cindex Windows NT
@cindex Windows 95
@cindex Windows 98
@noindent
This chapter describes topics that are specific to the Microsoft Windows
platforms (NT, 2000, and XP Professional).
@menu
* Using GNAT on Windows::
* Using a network installation of GNAT::
* CONSOLE and WINDOWS subsystems::
* Temporary Files::
* Mixed-Language Programming on Windows::
* Windows Calling Conventions::
* Introduction to Dynamic Link Libraries (DLLs)::
* Using DLLs with GNAT::
* Building DLLs with GNAT::
* Building DLLs with GNAT Project files::
* Building DLLs with gnatdll::
* GNAT and Windows Resources::
* Debugging a DLL::
* GNAT and COM/DCOM Objects::
@end menu
@node Using GNAT on Windows
@section Using GNAT on Windows
@noindent
One of the strengths of the GNAT technology is that its tool set
(@command{gcc}, @command{gnatbind}, @command{gnatlink}, @command{gnatmake}, the
@code{gdb} debugger, etc.) is used in the same way regardless of the
platform.
On Windows this tool set is complemented by a number of Microsoft-specific
tools that have been provided to facilitate interoperability with Windows
when this is required. With these tools:
@itemize @bullet
@item
You can build applications using the @code{CONSOLE} or @code{WINDOWS}
subsystems.
@item
You can use any Dynamically Linked Library (DLL) in your Ada code (both
relocatable and non-relocatable DLLs are supported).
@item
You can build Ada DLLs for use in other applications. These applications
can be written in a language other than Ada (e.g., C, C++, etc). Again both
relocatable and non-relocatable Ada DLLs are supported.
@item
You can include Windows resources in your Ada application.
@item
You can use or create COM/DCOM objects.
@end itemize
@noindent
Immediately below are listed all known general GNAT-for-Windows restrictions.
Other restrictions about specific features like Windows Resources and DLLs
are listed in separate sections below.
@itemize @bullet
@item
It is not possible to use @code{GetLastError} and @code{SetLastError}
when tasking, protected records, or exceptions are used. In these
cases, in order to implement Ada semantics, the GNAT run-time system
calls certain Win32 routines that set the last error variable to 0 upon
success. It should be possible to use @code{GetLastError} and
@code{SetLastError} when tasking, protected record, and exception
features are not used, but it is not guaranteed to work.
@item
It is not possible to link against Microsoft libraries except for
import libraries. The library must be built to be compatible with
@file{MSVCRT.LIB} (/MD Microsoft compiler option), @file{LIBC.LIB} and
@file{LIBCMT.LIB} (/ML or /MT Microsoft compiler options) are known to
not be compatible with the GNAT runtime. Even if the library is
compatible with @file{MSVCRT.LIB} it is not guaranteed to work.
@item
When the compilation environment is located on FAT32 drives, users may
experience recompilations of the source files that have not changed if
Daylight Saving Time (DST) state has changed since the last time files
were compiled. NTFS drives do not have this problem.
@item
No components of the GNAT toolset use any entries in the Windows
registry. The only entries that can be created are file associations and
PATH settings, provided the user has chosen to create them at installation
time, as well as some minimal book-keeping information needed to correctly
uninstall or integrate different GNAT products.
@end itemize
@node Using a network installation of GNAT
@section Using a network installation of GNAT
@noindent
Make sure the system on which GNAT is installed is accessible from the
current machine, i.e. the install location is shared over the network.
Shared resources are accessed on Windows by means of UNC paths, which
have the format @code{\\server\sharename\path}
In order to use such a network installation, simply add the UNC path of the
@file{bin} directory of your GNAT installation in front of your PATH. For
example, if GNAT is installed in @file{\GNAT} directory of a share location
called @file{c-drive} on a machine @file{LOKI}, the following command will
make it available:
@code{@ @ @ path \\loki\c-drive\gnat\bin;%path%}
Be aware that every compilation using the network installation results in the
transfer of large amounts of data across the network and will likely cause
serious performance penalty.
@node CONSOLE and WINDOWS subsystems
@section CONSOLE and WINDOWS subsystems
@cindex CONSOLE Subsystem
@cindex WINDOWS Subsystem
@cindex -mwindows
@noindent
There are two main subsystems under Windows. The @code{CONSOLE} subsystem
(which is the default subsystem) will always create a console when
launching the application. This is not something desirable when the
application has a Windows GUI. To get rid of this console the
application must be using the @code{WINDOWS} subsystem. To do so
the @option{-mwindows} linker option must be specified.
@smallexample
$ gnatmake winprog -largs -mwindows
@end smallexample
@node Temporary Files
@section Temporary Files
@cindex Temporary files
@noindent
It is possible to control where temporary files gets created by setting
the TMP environment variable. The file will be created:
@itemize
@item Under the directory pointed to by the TMP environment variable if
this directory exists.
@item Under c:\temp, if the TMP environment variable is not set (or not
pointing to a directory) and if this directory exists.
@item Under the current working directory otherwise.
@end itemize
@noindent
This allows you to determine exactly where the temporary
file will be created. This is particularly useful in networked
environments where you may not have write access to some
directories.
@node Mixed-Language Programming on Windows
@section Mixed-Language Programming on Windows
@noindent
Developing pure Ada applications on Windows is no different than on
other GNAT-supported platforms. However, when developing or porting an
application that contains a mix of Ada and C/C++, the choice of your
Windows C/C++ development environment conditions your overall
interoperability strategy.
If you use @command{gcc} to compile the non-Ada part of your application,
there are no Windows-specific restrictions that affect the overall
interoperability with your Ada code. If you plan to use
Microsoft tools (e.g. Microsoft Visual C/C++), you should be aware of
the following limitations:
@itemize @bullet
@item
You cannot link your Ada code with an object or library generated with
Microsoft tools if these use the @code{.tls} section (Thread Local
Storage section) since the GNAT linker does not yet support this section.
@item
You cannot link your Ada code with an object or library generated with
Microsoft tools if these use I/O routines other than those provided in
the Microsoft DLL: @code{msvcrt.dll}. This is because the GNAT run time
uses the services of @code{msvcrt.dll} for its I/Os. Use of other I/O
libraries can cause a conflict with @code{msvcrt.dll} services. For
instance Visual C++ I/O stream routines conflict with those in
@code{msvcrt.dll}.
@end itemize
@noindent
If you do want to use the Microsoft tools for your non-Ada code and hit one
of the above limitations, you have two choices:
@enumerate
@item
Encapsulate your non Ada code in a DLL to be linked with your Ada
application. In this case, use the Microsoft or whatever environment to
build the DLL and use GNAT to build your executable
(@pxref{Using DLLs with GNAT}).
@item
Or you can encapsulate your Ada code in a DLL to be linked with the
other part of your application. In this case, use GNAT to build the DLL
(@pxref{Building DLLs with GNAT}) and use the Microsoft or whatever
environment to build your executable.
@end enumerate
@node Windows Calling Conventions
@section Windows Calling Conventions
@findex Stdcall
@findex APIENTRY
@menu
* C Calling Convention::
* Stdcall Calling Convention::
* DLL Calling Convention::
@end menu
@noindent
When a subprogram @code{F} (caller) calls a subprogram @code{G}
(callee), there are several ways to push @code{G}'s parameters on the
stack and there are several possible scenarios to clean up the stack
upon @code{G}'s return. A calling convention is an agreed upon software
protocol whereby the responsibilities between the caller (@code{F}) and
the callee (@code{G}) are clearly defined. Several calling conventions
are available for Windows:
@itemize @bullet
@item
@code{C} (Microsoft defined)
@item
@code{Stdcall} (Microsoft defined)
@item
@code{DLL} (GNAT specific)
@end itemize
@node C Calling Convention
@subsection @code{C} Calling Convention
@noindent
This is the default calling convention used when interfacing to C/C++
routines compiled with either @command{gcc} or Microsoft Visual C++.
In the @code{C} calling convention subprogram parameters are pushed on the
stack by the caller from right to left. The caller itself is in charge of
cleaning up the stack after the call. In addition, the name of a routine
with @code{C} calling convention is mangled by adding a leading underscore.
The name to use on the Ada side when importing (or exporting) a routine
with @code{C} calling convention is the name of the routine. For
instance the C function:
@smallexample
int get_val (long);
@end smallexample
@noindent
should be imported from Ada as follows:
@smallexample @c ada
@group
function Get_Val (V : Interfaces.C.long) return Interfaces.C.int;
pragma Import (C, Get_Val, External_Name => "get_val");
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
Note that in this particular case the @code{External_Name} parameter could
have been omitted since, when missing, this parameter is taken to be the
name of the Ada entity in lower case. When the @code{Link_Name} parameter
is missing, as in the above example, this parameter is set to be the
@code{External_Name} with a leading underscore.
When importing a variable defined in C, you should always use the @code{C}
calling convention unless the object containing the variable is part of a
DLL (in which case you should use the @code{DLL} calling convention,
@pxref{DLL Calling Convention}).
@node Stdcall Calling Convention
@subsection @code{Stdcall} Calling Convention
@noindent
This convention, which was the calling convention used for Pascal
programs, is used by Microsoft for all the routines in the Win32 API for
efficiency reasons. It must be used to import any routine for which this
convention was specified.
In the @code{Stdcall} calling convention subprogram parameters are pushed
on the stack by the caller from right to left. The callee (and not the
caller) is in charge of cleaning the stack on routine exit. In addition,
the name of a routine with @code{Stdcall} calling convention is mangled by
adding a leading underscore (as for the @code{C} calling convention) and a
trailing @code{@@}@code{@i{nn}}, where @i{nn} is the overall size (in
bytes) of the parameters passed to the routine.
The name to use on the Ada side when importing a C routine with a
@code{Stdcall} calling convention is the name of the C routine. The leading
underscore and trailing @code{@@}@code{@i{nn}} are added automatically by
the compiler. For instance the Win32 function:
@smallexample
@b{APIENTRY} int get_val (long);
@end smallexample
@noindent
should be imported from Ada as follows:
@smallexample @c ada
@group
function Get_Val (V : Interfaces.C.long) return Interfaces.C.int;
pragma Import (Stdcall, Get_Val);
-- On the x86 a long is 4 bytes, so the Link_Name is "_get_val@@4"
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
As for the @code{C} calling convention, when the @code{External_Name}
parameter is missing, it is taken to be the name of the Ada entity in lower
case. If instead of writing the above import pragma you write:
@smallexample @c ada
@group
function Get_Val (V : Interfaces.C.long) return Interfaces.C.int;
pragma Import (Stdcall, Get_Val, External_Name => "retrieve_val");
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
then the imported routine is @code{_retrieve_val@@4}. However, if instead
of specifying the @code{External_Name} parameter you specify the
@code{Link_Name} as in the following example:
@smallexample @c ada
@group
function Get_Val (V : Interfaces.C.long) return Interfaces.C.int;
pragma Import (Stdcall, Get_Val, Link_Name => "retrieve_val");
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
then the imported routine is @code{retrieve_val@@4}, that is, there is no
trailing underscore but the appropriate @code{@@}@code{@i{nn}} is always
added at the end of the @code{Link_Name} by the compiler.
@noindent
Note, that in some special cases a DLL's entry point name lacks a trailing
@code{@@}@code{@i{nn}} while the exported name generated for a call has it.
The @code{gnatdll} tool, which creates the import library for the DLL, is able
to handle those cases (@pxref{Using gnatdll} for the description of
the switches).
@node DLL Calling Convention
@subsection @code{DLL} Calling Convention
@noindent
This convention, which is GNAT-specific, must be used when you want to
import in Ada a variables defined in a DLL. For functions and procedures
this convention is equivalent to the @code{Stdcall} convention. As an
example, if a DLL contains a variable defined as:
@smallexample
int my_var;
@end smallexample
@noindent
then, to access this variable from Ada you should write:
@smallexample @c ada
@group
My_Var : Interfaces.C.int;
pragma Import (DLL, My_Var);
@end group
@end smallexample
The remarks concerning the @code{External_Name} and @code{Link_Name}
parameters given in the previous sections equally apply to the @code{DLL}
calling convention.
@node Introduction to Dynamic Link Libraries (DLLs)
@section Introduction to Dynamic Link Libraries (DLLs)
@findex DLL
@noindent
A Dynamically Linked Library (DLL) is a library that can be shared by
several applications running under Windows. A DLL can contain any number of
routines and variables.
One advantage of DLLs is that you can change and enhance them without
forcing all the applications that depend on them to be relinked or
recompiled. However, you should be aware than all calls to DLL routines are
slower since, as you will understand below, such calls are indirect.
To illustrate the remainder of this section, suppose that an application
wants to use the services of a DLL @file{API.dll}. To use the services
provided by @file{API.dll} you must statically link against the DLL or
an import library which contains a jump table with an entry for each
routine and variable exported by the DLL. In the Microsoft world this
import library is called @file{API.lib}. When using GNAT this import
library is called either @file{libAPI.a} or @file{libapi.a} (names are
case insensitive).
After you have linked your application with the DLL or the import library
and you run your application, here is what happens:
@enumerate
@item
Your application is loaded into memory.
@item
The DLL @file{API.dll} is mapped into the address space of your
application. This means that:
@itemize @bullet
@item
The DLL will use the stack of the calling thread.
@item
The DLL will use the virtual address space of the calling process.
@item
The DLL will allocate memory from the virtual address space of the calling
process.
@item
Handles (pointers) can be safely exchanged between routines in the DLL
routines and routines in the application using the DLL.
@end itemize
@item
The entries in the jump table (from the import library @file{libAPI.a}
or @file{API.lib} or automatically created when linking against a DLL)
which is part of your application are initialized with the addresses
of the routines and variables in @file{API.dll}.
@item
If present in @file{API.dll}, routines @code{DllMain} or
@code{DllMainCRTStartup} are invoked. These routines typically contain
the initialization code needed for the well-being of the routines and
variables exported by the DLL.
@end enumerate
@noindent
There is an additional point which is worth mentioning. In the Windows
world there are two kind of DLLs: relocatable and non-relocatable
DLLs. Non-relocatable DLLs can only be loaded at a very specific address
in the target application address space. If the addresses of two
non-relocatable DLLs overlap and these happen to be used by the same
application, a conflict will occur and the application will run
incorrectly. Hence, when possible, it is always preferable to use and
build relocatable DLLs. Both relocatable and non-relocatable DLLs are
supported by GNAT. Note that the @option{-s} linker option (see GNU Linker
User's Guide) removes the debugging symbols from the DLL but the DLL can
still be relocated.
As a side note, an interesting difference between Microsoft DLLs and
Unix shared libraries, is the fact that on most Unix systems all public
routines are exported by default in a Unix shared library, while under
Windows it is possible (but not required) to list exported routines in
a definition file (@pxref{The Definition File}).
@node Using DLLs with GNAT
@section Using DLLs with GNAT
@menu
* Creating an Ada Spec for the DLL Services::
* Creating an Import Library::
@end menu
@noindent
To use the services of a DLL, say @file{API.dll}, in your Ada application
you must have:
@enumerate
@item
The Ada spec for the routines and/or variables you want to access in
@file{API.dll}. If not available this Ada spec must be built from the C/C++
header files provided with the DLL.
@item
The import library (@file{libAPI.a} or @file{API.lib}). As previously
mentioned an import library is a statically linked library containing the
import table which will be filled at load time to point to the actual
@file{API.dll} routines. Sometimes you don't have an import library for the
DLL you want to use. The following sections will explain how to build
one. Note that this is optional.
@item
The actual DLL, @file{API.dll}.
@end enumerate
@noindent
Once you have all the above, to compile an Ada application that uses the
services of @file{API.dll} and whose main subprogram is @code{My_Ada_App},
you simply issue the command
@smallexample
$ gnatmake my_ada_app -largs -lAPI
@end smallexample
@noindent
The argument @option{-largs -lAPI} at the end of the @command{gnatmake} command
tells the GNAT linker to look first for a library named @file{API.lib}
(Microsoft-style name) and if not found for a library named @file{libAPI.a}
(GNAT-style name). Note that if the Ada package spec for @file{API.dll}
contains the following pragma
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Linker_Options ("-lAPI");
@end smallexample
@noindent
you do not have to add @option{-largs -lAPI} at the end of the
@command{gnatmake} command.
If any one of the items above is missing you will have to create it
yourself. The following sections explain how to do so using as an
example a fictitious DLL called @file{API.dll}.
@node Creating an Ada Spec for the DLL Services
@subsection Creating an Ada Spec for the DLL Services
@noindent
A DLL typically comes with a C/C++ header file which provides the
definitions of the routines and variables exported by the DLL. The Ada
equivalent of this header file is a package spec that contains definitions
for the imported entities. If the DLL you intend to use does not come with
an Ada spec you have to generate one such spec yourself. For example if
the header file of @file{API.dll} is a file @file{api.h} containing the
following two definitions:
@smallexample
@group
@cartouche
int some_var;
int get (char *);
@end cartouche
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
then the equivalent Ada spec could be:
@smallexample @c ada
@group
@cartouche
with Interfaces.C.Strings;
package API is
use Interfaces;
Some_Var : C.int;
function Get (Str : C.Strings.Chars_Ptr) return C.int;
private
pragma Import (C, Get);
pragma Import (DLL, Some_Var);
end API;
@end cartouche
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
Note that a variable is @strong{always imported with a DLL convention}. A
function can have @code{C}, @code{Stdcall} or @code{DLL} convention. For
subprograms, the @code{DLL} convention is a synonym of @code{Stdcall}
(@pxref{Windows Calling Conventions}).
@node Creating an Import Library
@subsection Creating an Import Library
@cindex Import library
@menu
* The Definition File::
* GNAT-Style Import Library::
* Microsoft-Style Import Library::
@end menu
@noindent
If a Microsoft-style import library @file{API.lib} or a GNAT-style
import library @file{libAPI.a} is available with @file{API.dll} you
can skip this section. You can also skip this section if
@file{API.dll} is built with GNU tools as in this case it is possible
to link directly against the DLL. Otherwise read on.
@node The Definition File
@subsubsection The Definition File
@cindex Definition file
@findex .def
@noindent
As previously mentioned, and unlike Unix systems, the list of symbols
that are exported from a DLL must be provided explicitly in Windows.
The main goal of a definition file is precisely that: list the symbols
exported by a DLL. A definition file (usually a file with a @code{.def}
suffix) has the following structure:
@smallexample
@group
@cartouche
[LIBRARY @i{name}]
[DESCRIPTION @i{string}]
EXPORTS
@i{symbol1}
@i{symbol2}
...
@end cartouche
@end group
@end smallexample
@table @code
@item LIBRARY @i{name}
This section, which is optional, gives the name of the DLL.
@item DESCRIPTION @i{string}
This section, which is optional, gives a description string that will be
embedded in the import library.
@item EXPORTS
This section gives the list of exported symbols (procedures, functions or
variables). For instance in the case of @file{API.dll} the @code{EXPORTS}
section of @file{API.def} looks like:
@smallexample
@group
@cartouche
EXPORTS
some_var
get
@end cartouche
@end group
@end smallexample
@end table
@noindent
Note that you must specify the correct suffix (@code{@@}@code{@i{nn}})
(@pxref{Windows Calling Conventions}) for a Stdcall
calling convention function in the exported symbols list.
@noindent
There can actually be other sections in a definition file, but these
sections are not relevant to the discussion at hand.
@node GNAT-Style Import Library
@subsubsection GNAT-Style Import Library
@noindent
To create a static import library from @file{API.dll} with the GNAT tools
you should proceed as follows:
@enumerate
@item
Create the definition file @file{API.def} (@pxref{The Definition File}).
For that use the @code{dll2def} tool as follows:
@smallexample
$ dll2def API.dll > API.def
@end smallexample
@noindent
@code{dll2def} is a very simple tool: it takes as input a DLL and prints
to standard output the list of entry points in the DLL. Note that if
some routines in the DLL have the @code{Stdcall} convention
(@pxref{Windows Calling Conventions}) with stripped @code{@@}@i{nn}
suffix then you'll have to edit @file{api.def} to add it, and specify
@code{-k} to @code{gnatdll} when creating the import library.
@noindent
Here are some hints to find the right @code{@@}@i{nn} suffix.
@enumerate
@item
If you have the Microsoft import library (.lib), it is possible to get
the right symbols by using Microsoft @code{dumpbin} tool (see the
corresponding Microsoft documentation for further details).
@smallexample
$ dumpbin /exports api.lib
@end smallexample
@item
If you have a message about a missing symbol at link time the compiler
tells you what symbol is expected. You just have to go back to the
definition file and add the right suffix.
@end enumerate
@item
Build the import library @code{libAPI.a}, using @code{gnatdll}
(@pxref{Using gnatdll}) as follows:
@smallexample
$ gnatdll -e API.def -d API.dll
@end smallexample
@noindent
@code{gnatdll} takes as input a definition file @file{API.def} and the
name of the DLL containing the services listed in the definition file
@file{API.dll}. The name of the static import library generated is
computed from the name of the definition file as follows: if the
definition file name is @i{xyz}@code{.def}, the import library name will
be @code{lib}@i{xyz}@code{.a}. Note that in the previous example option
@option{-e} could have been removed because the name of the definition
file (before the ``@code{.def}'' suffix) is the same as the name of the
DLL (@pxref{Using gnatdll} for more information about @code{gnatdll}).
@end enumerate
@node Microsoft-Style Import Library
@subsubsection Microsoft-Style Import Library
@noindent
With GNAT you can either use a GNAT-style or Microsoft-style import
library. A Microsoft import library is needed only if you plan to make an
Ada DLL available to applications developed with Microsoft
tools (@pxref{Mixed-Language Programming on Windows}).
To create a Microsoft-style import library for @file{API.dll} you
should proceed as follows:
@enumerate
@item
Create the definition file @file{API.def} from the DLL. For this use either
the @code{dll2def} tool as described above or the Microsoft @code{dumpbin}
tool (see the corresponding Microsoft documentation for further details).
@item
Build the actual import library using Microsoft's @code{lib} utility:
@smallexample
$ lib -machine:IX86 -def:API.def -out:API.lib
@end smallexample
@noindent
If you use the above command the definition file @file{API.def} must
contain a line giving the name of the DLL:
@smallexample
LIBRARY "API"
@end smallexample
@noindent
See the Microsoft documentation for further details about the usage of
@code{lib}.
@end enumerate
@node Building DLLs with GNAT
@section Building DLLs with GNAT
@cindex DLLs, building
@noindent
This section explain how to build DLLs using the GNAT built-in DLL
support. With the following procedure it is straight forward to build
and use DLLs with GNAT.
@enumerate
@item building object files
The first step is to build all objects files that are to be included
into the DLL. This is done by using the standard @command{gnatmake} tool.
@item building the DLL
To build the DLL you must use @command{gcc}'s @code{-shared}
option. It is quite simple to use this method:
@smallexample
$ gcc -shared -o api.dll obj1.o obj2.o ...
@end smallexample
It is important to note that in this case all symbols found in the
object files are automatically exported. It is possible to restrict
the set of symbols to export by passing to @command{gcc} a definition
file, @pxref{The Definition File}. For example:
@smallexample
$ gcc -shared -o api.dll api.def obj1.o obj2.o ...
@end smallexample
If you use a definition file you must export the elaboration procedures
for every package that required one. Elaboration procedures are named
using the package name followed by "_E".
@item preparing DLL to be used
For the DLL to be used by client programs the bodies must be hidden
from it and the .ali set with read-only attribute. This is very important
otherwise GNAT will recompile all packages and will not actually use
the code in the DLL. For example:
@smallexample
$ mkdir apilib
$ copy *.ads *.ali api.dll apilib
$ attrib +R apilib\*.ali
@end smallexample
@end enumerate
At this point it is possible to use the DLL by directly linking
against it. Note that you must use the GNAT shared runtime when using
GNAT shared libraries. This is achieved by using @code{-shared} binder's
option.
@smallexample
$ gnatmake main -Iapilib -bargs -shared -largs -Lapilib -lAPI
@end smallexample
@node Building DLLs with GNAT Project files
@section Building DLLs with GNAT Project files
@cindex DLLs, building
@noindent
There is nothing specific to Windows in this area. @pxref{Library Projects}.
@node Building DLLs with gnatdll
@section Building DLLs with gnatdll
@cindex DLLs, building
@menu
* Limitations When Using Ada DLLs from Ada::
* Exporting Ada Entities::
* Ada DLLs and Elaboration::
* Ada DLLs and Finalization::
* Creating a Spec for Ada DLLs::
* Creating the Definition File::
* Using gnatdll::
@end menu
@noindent
Note that it is prefered to use the built-in GNAT DLL support
(@pxref{Building DLLs with GNAT}) or GNAT Project files
(@pxref{Building DLLs with GNAT Project files}) to build DLLs.
This section explains how to build DLLs containing Ada code using
@code{gnatdll}. These DLLs will be referred to as Ada DLLs in the
remainder of this section.
The steps required to build an Ada DLL that is to be used by Ada as well as
non-Ada applications are as follows:
@enumerate
@item
You need to mark each Ada @i{entity} exported by the DLL with a @code{C} or
@code{Stdcall} calling convention to avoid any Ada name mangling for the
entities exported by the DLL (@pxref{Exporting Ada Entities}). You can
skip this step if you plan to use the Ada DLL only from Ada applications.
@item
Your Ada code must export an initialization routine which calls the routine
@code{adainit} generated by @command{gnatbind} to perform the elaboration of
the Ada code in the DLL (@pxref{Ada DLLs and Elaboration}). The initialization
routine exported by the Ada DLL must be invoked by the clients of the DLL
to initialize the DLL.
@item
When useful, the DLL should also export a finalization routine which calls
routine @code{adafinal} generated by @command{gnatbind} to perform the
finalization of the Ada code in the DLL (@pxref{Ada DLLs and Finalization}).
The finalization routine exported by the Ada DLL must be invoked by the
clients of the DLL when the DLL services are no further needed.
@item
You must provide a spec for the services exported by the Ada DLL in each
of the programming languages to which you plan to make the DLL available.
@item
You must provide a definition file listing the exported entities
(@pxref{The Definition File}).
@item
Finally you must use @code{gnatdll} to produce the DLL and the import
library (@pxref{Using gnatdll}).
@end enumerate
@noindent
Note that a relocatable DLL stripped using the @code{strip} binutils
tool will not be relocatable anymore. To build a DLL without debug
information pass @code{-largs -s} to @code{gnatdll}.
@node Limitations When Using Ada DLLs from Ada
@subsection Limitations When Using Ada DLLs from Ada
@noindent
When using Ada DLLs from Ada applications there is a limitation users
should be aware of. Because on Windows the GNAT run time is not in a DLL of
its own, each Ada DLL includes a part of the GNAT run time. Specifically,
each Ada DLL includes the services of the GNAT run time that are necessary
to the Ada code inside the DLL. As a result, when an Ada program uses an
Ada DLL there are two independent GNAT run times: one in the Ada DLL and
one in the main program.
It is therefore not possible to exchange GNAT run-time objects between the
Ada DLL and the main Ada program. Example of GNAT run-time objects are file
handles (e.g. @code{Text_IO.File_Type}), tasks types, protected objects
types, etc.
It is completely safe to exchange plain elementary, array or record types,
Windows object handles, etc.
@node Exporting Ada Entities
@subsection Exporting Ada Entities
@cindex Export table
@noindent
Building a DLL is a way to encapsulate a set of services usable from any
application. As a result, the Ada entities exported by a DLL should be
exported with the @code{C} or @code{Stdcall} calling conventions to avoid
any Ada name mangling. Please note that the @code{Stdcall} convention
should only be used for subprograms, not for variables. As an example here
is an Ada package @code{API}, spec and body, exporting two procedures, a
function, and a variable:
@smallexample @c ada
@group
@cartouche
with Interfaces.C; use Interfaces;
package API is
Count : C.int := 0;
function Factorial (Val : C.int) return C.int;
procedure Initialize_API;
procedure Finalize_API;
-- Initialization & Finalization routines. More in the next section.
private
pragma Export (C, Initialize_API);
pragma Export (C, Finalize_API);
pragma Export (C, Count);
pragma Export (C, Factorial);
end API;
@end cartouche
@end group
@end smallexample
@smallexample @c ada
@group
@cartouche
package body API is
function Factorial (Val : C.int) return C.int is
Fact : C.int := 1;
begin
Count := Count + 1;
for K in 1 .. Val loop
Fact := Fact * K;
end loop;
return Fact;
end Factorial;
procedure Initialize_API is
procedure Adainit;
pragma Import (C, Adainit);
begin
Adainit;
end Initialize_API;
procedure Finalize_API is
procedure Adafinal;
pragma Import (C, Adafinal);
begin
Adafinal;
end Finalize_API;
end API;
@end cartouche
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
If the Ada DLL you are building will only be used by Ada applications
you do not have to export Ada entities with a @code{C} or @code{Stdcall}
convention. As an example, the previous package could be written as
follows:
@smallexample @c ada
@group
@cartouche
package API is
Count : Integer := 0;
function Factorial (Val : Integer) return Integer;
procedure Initialize_API;
procedure Finalize_API;
-- Initialization and Finalization routines.
end API;
@end cartouche
@end group
@end smallexample
@smallexample @c ada
@group
@cartouche
package body API is
function Factorial (Val : Integer) return Integer is
Fact : Integer := 1;
begin
Count := Count + 1;
for K in 1 .. Val loop
Fact := Fact * K;
end loop;
return Fact;
end Factorial;
...
-- The remainder of this package body is unchanged.
end API;
@end cartouche
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
Note that if you do not export the Ada entities with a @code{C} or
@code{Stdcall} convention you will have to provide the mangled Ada names
in the definition file of the Ada DLL
(@pxref{Creating the Definition File}).
@node Ada DLLs and Elaboration
@subsection Ada DLLs and Elaboration
@cindex DLLs and elaboration
@noindent
The DLL that you are building contains your Ada code as well as all the
routines in the Ada library that are needed by it. The first thing a
user of your DLL must do is elaborate the Ada code
(@pxref{Elaboration Order Handling in GNAT}).
To achieve this you must export an initialization routine
(@code{Initialize_API} in the previous example), which must be invoked
before using any of the DLL services. This elaboration routine must call
the Ada elaboration routine @code{adainit} generated by the GNAT binder
(@pxref{Binding with Non-Ada Main Programs}). See the body of
@code{Initialize_Api} for an example. Note that the GNAT binder is
automatically invoked during the DLL build process by the @code{gnatdll}
tool (@pxref{Using gnatdll}).
When a DLL is loaded, Windows systematically invokes a routine called
@code{DllMain}. It would therefore be possible to call @code{adainit}
directly from @code{DllMain} without having to provide an explicit
initialization routine. Unfortunately, it is not possible to call
@code{adainit} from the @code{DllMain} if your program has library level
tasks because access to the @code{DllMain} entry point is serialized by
the system (that is, only a single thread can execute ``through'' it at a
time), which means that the GNAT run time will deadlock waiting for the
newly created task to complete its initialization.
@node Ada DLLs and Finalization
@subsection Ada DLLs and Finalization
@cindex DLLs and finalization
@noindent
When the services of an Ada DLL are no longer needed, the client code should
invoke the DLL finalization routine, if available. The DLL finalization
routine is in charge of releasing all resources acquired by the DLL. In the
case of the Ada code contained in the DLL, this is achieved by calling
routine @code{adafinal} generated by the GNAT binder
(@pxref{Binding with Non-Ada Main Programs}).
See the body of @code{Finalize_Api} for an
example. As already pointed out the GNAT binder is automatically invoked
during the DLL build process by the @code{gnatdll} tool
(@pxref{Using gnatdll}).
@node Creating a Spec for Ada DLLs
@subsection Creating a Spec for Ada DLLs
@noindent
To use the services exported by the Ada DLL from another programming
language (e.g. C), you have to translate the specs of the exported Ada
entities in that language. For instance in the case of @code{API.dll},
the corresponding C header file could look like:
@smallexample
@group
@cartouche
extern int *_imp__count;
#define count (*_imp__count)
int factorial (int);
@end cartouche
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
It is important to understand that when building an Ada DLL to be used by
other Ada applications, you need two different specs for the packages
contained in the DLL: one for building the DLL and the other for using
the DLL. This is because the @code{DLL} calling convention is needed to
use a variable defined in a DLL, but when building the DLL, the variable
must have either the @code{Ada} or @code{C} calling convention. As an
example consider a DLL comprising the following package @code{API}:
@smallexample @c ada
@group
@cartouche
package API is
Count : Integer := 0;
...
-- Remainder of the package omitted.
end API;
@end cartouche
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
After producing a DLL containing package @code{API}, the spec that
must be used to import @code{API.Count} from Ada code outside of the
DLL is:
@smallexample @c ada
@group
@cartouche
package API is
Count : Integer;
pragma Import (DLL, Count);
end API;
@end cartouche
@end group
@end smallexample
@node Creating the Definition File
@subsection Creating the Definition File
@noindent
The definition file is the last file needed to build the DLL. It lists
the exported symbols. As an example, the definition file for a DLL
containing only package @code{API} (where all the entities are exported
with a @code{C} calling convention) is:
@smallexample
@group
@cartouche
EXPORTS
count
factorial
finalize_api
initialize_api
@end cartouche
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
If the @code{C} calling convention is missing from package @code{API},
then the definition file contains the mangled Ada names of the above
entities, which in this case are:
@smallexample
@group
@cartouche
EXPORTS
api__count
api__factorial
api__finalize_api
api__initialize_api
@end cartouche
@end group
@end smallexample
@node Using gnatdll
@subsection Using @code{gnatdll}
@findex gnatdll
@menu
* gnatdll Example::
* gnatdll behind the Scenes::
* Using dlltool::
@end menu
@noindent
@code{gnatdll} is a tool to automate the DLL build process once all the Ada
and non-Ada sources that make up your DLL have been compiled.
@code{gnatdll} is actually in charge of two distinct tasks: build the
static import library for the DLL and the actual DLL. The form of the
@code{gnatdll} command is
@smallexample
@cartouche
$ gnatdll [@var{switches}] @var{list-of-files} [-largs @var{opts}]
@end cartouche
@end smallexample
@noindent
where @i{list-of-files} is a list of ALI and object files. The object
file list must be the exact list of objects corresponding to the non-Ada
sources whose services are to be included in the DLL. The ALI file list
must be the exact list of ALI files for the corresponding Ada sources
whose services are to be included in the DLL. If @i{list-of-files} is
missing, only the static import library is generated.
@noindent
You may specify any of the following switches to @code{gnatdll}:
@table @code
@item -a[@var{address}]
@cindex @option{-a} (@code{gnatdll})
Build a non-relocatable DLL at @var{address}. If @var{address} is not
specified the default address @var{0x11000000} will be used. By default,
when this switch is missing, @code{gnatdll} builds relocatable DLL. We
advise the reader to build relocatable DLL.
@item -b @var{address}
@cindex @option{-b} (@code{gnatdll})
Set the relocatable DLL base address. By default the address is
@var{0x11000000}.
@item -bargs @var{opts}
@cindex @option{-bargs} (@code{gnatdll})
Binder options. Pass @var{opts} to the binder.
@item -d @var{dllfile}
@cindex @option{-d} (@code{gnatdll})
@var{dllfile} is the name of the DLL. This switch must be present for
@code{gnatdll} to do anything. The name of the generated import library is
obtained algorithmically from @var{dllfile} as shown in the following
example: if @var{dllfile} is @code{xyz.dll}, the import library name is
@code{libxyz.a}. The name of the definition file to use (if not specified
by option @option{-e}) is obtained algorithmically from @var{dllfile}
as shown in the following example:
if @var{dllfile} is @code{xyz.dll}, the definition
file used is @code{xyz.def}.
@item -e @var{deffile}
@cindex @option{-e} (@code{gnatdll})
@var{deffile} is the name of the definition file.
@item -g
@cindex @option{-g} (@code{gnatdll})
Generate debugging information. This information is stored in the object
file and copied from there to the final DLL file by the linker,
where it can be read by the debugger. You must use the
@option{-g} switch if you plan on using the debugger or the symbolic
stack traceback.
@item -h
@cindex @option{-h} (@code{gnatdll})
Help mode. Displays @code{gnatdll} switch usage information.
@item -Idir
@cindex @option{-I} (@code{gnatdll})
Direct @code{gnatdll} to search the @var{dir} directory for source and
object files needed to build the DLL.
(@pxref{Search Paths and the Run-Time Library (RTL)}).
@item -k
@cindex @option{-k} (@code{gnatdll})
Removes the @code{@@}@i{nn} suffix from the import library's exported
names, but keeps them for the link names. You must specify this
option if you want to use a @code{Stdcall} function in a DLL for which
the @code{@@}@i{nn} suffix has been removed. This is the case for most
of the Windows NT DLL for example. This option has no effect when
@option{-n} option is specified.
@item -l @var{file}
@cindex @option{-l} (@code{gnatdll})
The list of ALI and object files used to build the DLL are listed in
@var{file}, instead of being given in the command line. Each line in
@var{file} contains the name of an ALI or object file.
@item -n
@cindex @option{-n} (@code{gnatdll})
No Import. Do not create the import library.
@item -q
@cindex @option{-q} (@code{gnatdll})
Quiet mode. Do not display unnecessary messages.
@item -v
@cindex @option{-v} (@code{gnatdll})
Verbose mode. Display extra information.
@item -largs @var{opts}
@cindex @option{-largs} (@code{gnatdll})
Linker options. Pass @var{opts} to the linker.
@end table
@node gnatdll Example
@subsubsection @code{gnatdll} Example
@noindent
As an example the command to build a relocatable DLL from @file{api.adb}
once @file{api.adb} has been compiled and @file{api.def} created is
@smallexample
$ gnatdll -d api.dll api.ali
@end smallexample
@noindent
The above command creates two files: @file{libapi.a} (the import
library) and @file{api.dll} (the actual DLL). If you want to create
only the DLL, just type:
@smallexample
$ gnatdll -d api.dll -n api.ali
@end smallexample
@noindent
Alternatively if you want to create just the import library, type:
@smallexample
$ gnatdll -d api.dll
@end smallexample
@node gnatdll behind the Scenes
@subsubsection @code{gnatdll} behind the Scenes
@noindent
This section details the steps involved in creating a DLL. @code{gnatdll}
does these steps for you. Unless you are interested in understanding what
goes on behind the scenes, you should skip this section.
We use the previous example of a DLL containing the Ada package @code{API},
to illustrate the steps necessary to build a DLL. The starting point is a
set of objects that will make up the DLL and the corresponding ALI
files. In the case of this example this means that @file{api.o} and
@file{api.ali} are available. To build a relocatable DLL, @code{gnatdll} does
the following:
@enumerate
@item
@code{gnatdll} builds the base file (@file{api.base}). A base file gives
the information necessary to generate relocation information for the
DLL.
@smallexample
@group
$ gnatbind -n api
$ gnatlink api -o api.jnk -mdll -Wl,--base-file,api.base
@end group
@end smallexample
@noindent
In addition to the base file, the @command{gnatlink} command generates an
output file @file{api.jnk} which can be discarded. The @option{-mdll} switch
asks @command{gnatlink} to generate the routines @code{DllMain} and
@code{DllMainCRTStartup} that are called by the Windows loader when the DLL
is loaded into memory.
@item
@code{gnatdll} uses @code{dlltool} (@pxref{Using dlltool}) to build the
export table (@file{api.exp}). The export table contains the relocation
information in a form which can be used during the final link to ensure
that the Windows loader is able to place the DLL anywhere in memory.
@smallexample
@group
$ dlltool --dllname api.dll --def api.def --base-file api.base \
--output-exp api.exp
@end group
@end smallexample
@item
@code{gnatdll} builds the base file using the new export table. Note that
@command{gnatbind} must be called once again since the binder generated file
has been deleted during the previous call to @command{gnatlink}.
@smallexample
@group
$ gnatbind -n api
$ gnatlink api -o api.jnk api.exp -mdll
-Wl,--base-file,api.base
@end group
@end smallexample
@item
@code{gnatdll} builds the new export table using the new base file and
generates the DLL import library @file{libAPI.a}.
@smallexample
@group
$ dlltool --dllname api.dll --def api.def --base-file api.base \
--output-exp api.exp --output-lib libAPI.a
@end group
@end smallexample
@item
Finally @code{gnatdll} builds the relocatable DLL using the final export
table.
@smallexample
@group
$ gnatbind -n api
$ gnatlink api api.exp -o api.dll -mdll
@end group
@end smallexample
@end enumerate
@node Using dlltool
@subsubsection Using @code{dlltool}
@noindent
@code{dlltool} is the low-level tool used by @code{gnatdll} to build
DLLs and static import libraries. This section summarizes the most
common @code{dlltool} switches. The form of the @code{dlltool} command
is
@smallexample
$ dlltool [@var{switches}]
@end smallexample
@noindent
@code{dlltool} switches include:
@table @option
@item --base-file @var{basefile}
@cindex @option{--base-file} (@command{dlltool})
Read the base file @var{basefile} generated by the linker. This switch
is used to create a relocatable DLL.
@item --def @var{deffile}
@cindex @option{--def} (@command{dlltool})
Read the definition file.
@item --dllname @var{name}
@cindex @option{--dllname} (@command{dlltool})
Gives the name of the DLL. This switch is used to embed the name of the
DLL in the static import library generated by @code{dlltool} with switch
@option{--output-lib}.
@item -k
@cindex @option{-k} (@command{dlltool})
Kill @code{@@}@i{nn} from exported names
(@pxref{Windows Calling Conventions}
for a discussion about @code{Stdcall}-style symbols.
@item --help
@cindex @option{--help} (@command{dlltool})
Prints the @code{dlltool} switches with a concise description.
@item --output-exp @var{exportfile}
@cindex @option{--output-exp} (@command{dlltool})
Generate an export file @var{exportfile}. The export file contains the
export table (list of symbols in the DLL) and is used to create the DLL.
@item --output-lib @i{libfile}
@cindex @option{--output-lib} (@command{dlltool})
Generate a static import library @var{libfile}.
@item -v
@cindex @option{-v} (@command{dlltool})
Verbose mode.
@item --as @i{assembler-name}
@cindex @option{--as} (@command{dlltool})
Use @i{assembler-name} as the assembler. The default is @code{as}.
@end table
@node GNAT and Windows Resources
@section GNAT and Windows Resources
@cindex Resources, windows
@menu
* Building Resources::
* Compiling Resources::
* Using Resources::
@end menu
@noindent
Resources are an easy way to add Windows specific objects to your
application. The objects that can be added as resources include:
@itemize @bullet
@item
menus
@item
accelerators
@item
dialog boxes
@item
string tables
@item
bitmaps
@item
cursors
@item
icons
@item
fonts
@end itemize
@noindent
This section explains how to build, compile and use resources.
@node Building Resources
@subsection Building Resources
@cindex Resources, building
@noindent
A resource file is an ASCII file. By convention resource files have an
@file{.rc} extension.
The easiest way to build a resource file is to use Microsoft tools
such as @code{imagedit.exe} to build bitmaps, icons and cursors and
@code{dlgedit.exe} to build dialogs.
It is always possible to build an @file{.rc} file yourself by writing a
resource script.
It is not our objective to explain how to write a resource file. A
complete description of the resource script language can be found in the
Microsoft documentation.
@node Compiling Resources
@subsection Compiling Resources
@findex rc
@findex windres
@cindex Resources, compiling
@noindent
This section describes how to build a GNAT-compatible (COFF) object file
containing the resources. This is done using the Resource Compiler
@code{windres} as follows:
@smallexample
$ windres -i myres.rc -o myres.o
@end smallexample
@noindent
By default @code{windres} will run @command{gcc} to preprocess the @file{.rc}
file. You can specify an alternate preprocessor (usually named
@file{cpp.exe}) using the @code{windres} @option{--preprocessor}
parameter. A list of all possible options may be obtained by entering
the command @code{windres} @option{--help}.
It is also possible to use the Microsoft resource compiler @code{rc.exe}
to produce a @file{.res} file (binary resource file). See the
corresponding Microsoft documentation for further details. In this case
you need to use @code{windres} to translate the @file{.res} file to a
GNAT-compatible object file as follows:
@smallexample
$ windres -i myres.res -o myres.o
@end smallexample
@node Using Resources
@subsection Using Resources
@cindex Resources, using
@noindent
To include the resource file in your program just add the
GNAT-compatible object file for the resource(s) to the linker
arguments. With @command{gnatmake} this is done by using the @option{-largs}
option:
@smallexample
$ gnatmake myprog -largs myres.o
@end smallexample
@node Debugging a DLL
@section Debugging a DLL
@cindex DLL debugging
@menu
* Program and DLL Both Built with GCC/GNAT::
* Program Built with Foreign Tools and DLL Built with GCC/GNAT::
@end menu
@noindent
Debugging a DLL is similar to debugging a standard program. But
we have to deal with two different executable parts: the DLL and the
program that uses it. We have the following four possibilities:
@enumerate 1
@item
The program and the DLL are built with @code{GCC/GNAT}.
@item
The program is built with foreign tools and the DLL is built with
@code{GCC/GNAT}.
@item
The program is built with @code{GCC/GNAT} and the DLL is built with
foreign tools.
@item
@end enumerate
@noindent
In this section we address only cases one and two above.
There is no point in trying to debug
a DLL with @code{GNU/GDB}, if there is no GDB-compatible debugging
information in it. To do so you must use a debugger compatible with the
tools suite used to build the DLL.
@node Program and DLL Both Built with GCC/GNAT
@subsection Program and DLL Both Built with GCC/GNAT
@noindent
This is the simplest case. Both the DLL and the program have @code{GDB}
compatible debugging information. It is then possible to break anywhere in
the process. Let's suppose here that the main procedure is named
@code{ada_main} and that in the DLL there is an entry point named
@code{ada_dll}.
@noindent
The DLL (@pxref{Introduction to Dynamic Link Libraries (DLLs)}) and
program must have been built with the debugging information (see GNAT -g
switch). Here are the step-by-step instructions for debugging it:
@enumerate 1
@item Launch @code{GDB} on the main program.
@smallexample
$ gdb -nw ada_main
@end smallexample
@item Break on the main procedure and run the program.
@smallexample
(gdb) break ada_main
(gdb) run
@end smallexample
@noindent
This step is required to be able to set a breakpoint inside the DLL. As long
as the program is not run, the DLL is not loaded. This has the
consequence that the DLL debugging information is also not loaded, so it is not
possible to set a breakpoint in the DLL.
@item Set a breakpoint inside the DLL
@smallexample
(gdb) break ada_dll
(gdb) run
@end smallexample
@end enumerate
@noindent
At this stage a breakpoint is set inside the DLL. From there on
you can use the standard approach to debug the whole program
(@pxref{Running and Debugging Ada Programs}).
To break on the @code{DllMain} routine it is not possible to follow
the procedure above. At the time the program stop on @code{ada_main}
the @code{DllMain} routine as already been called. Either you can use
the procedure below @pxref{Debugging the DLL Directly} or this procedure:
@enumerate 1
@item Launch @code{GDB} on the main program.
@smallexample
$ gdb -nw ada_main
@end smallexample
@item Load DLL symbols
@smallexample
(gdb) add-sym api.dll
@end smallexample
@item Set a breakpoint inside the DLL
@smallexample
(gdb) break ada_dll.adb:45
@end smallexample
Note that at this point it is not possible to break using the routine symbol
directly as the program is not yet running. The solution is to break
on the proper line (break in @file{ada_dll.adb} line 45).
@item Start the program
@smallexample
(gdb) run
@end smallexample
@end enumerate
@node Program Built with Foreign Tools and DLL Built with GCC/GNAT
@subsection Program Built with Foreign Tools and DLL Built with GCC/GNAT
@menu
* Debugging the DLL Directly::
* Attaching to a Running Process::
@end menu
@noindent
In this case things are slightly more complex because it is not possible to
start the main program and then break at the beginning to load the DLL and the
associated DLL debugging information. It is not possible to break at the
beginning of the program because there is no @code{GDB} debugging information,
and therefore there is no direct way of getting initial control. This
section addresses this issue by describing some methods that can be used
to break somewhere in the DLL to debug it.
@noindent
First suppose that the main procedure is named @code{main} (this is for
example some C code built with Microsoft Visual C) and that there is a
DLL named @code{test.dll} containing an Ada entry point named
@code{ada_dll}.
@noindent
The DLL (@pxref{Introduction to Dynamic Link Libraries (DLLs)}) must have
been built with debugging information (see GNAT -g option).
@node Debugging the DLL Directly
@subsubsection Debugging the DLL Directly
@enumerate 1
@item
Launch the debugger on the DLL.
@smallexample
$ gdb -nw test.dll
@end smallexample
@item Set a breakpoint on a DLL subroutine.
@smallexample
(gdb) break ada_dll.adb:45
@end smallexample
Note that at this point it is not possible to break using the routine symbol
directly as the program is not yet running. The solution is to break
on the proper line (break in @file{ada_dll.adb} line 45).
@item
Specify the executable file to @code{GDB}.
@smallexample
(gdb) exec-file main.exe
@end smallexample
@item
Run the program.
@smallexample
(gdb) run
@end smallexample
@noindent
This will run the program until it reaches the breakpoint that has been
set. From that point you can use the standard way to debug a program
as described in (@pxref{Running and Debugging Ada Programs}).
@end enumerate
@noindent
It is also possible to debug the DLL by attaching to a running process.
@node Attaching to a Running Process
@subsubsection Attaching to a Running Process
@cindex DLL debugging, attach to process
@noindent
With @code{GDB} it is always possible to debug a running process by
attaching to it. It is possible to debug a DLL this way. The limitation
of this approach is that the DLL must run long enough to perform the
attach operation. It may be useful for instance to insert a time wasting
loop in the code of the DLL to meet this criterion.
@enumerate 1
@item Launch the main program @file{main.exe}.
@smallexample
$ main
@end smallexample
@item Use the Windows @i{Task Manager} to find the process ID. Let's say
that the process PID for @file{main.exe} is 208.
@item Launch gdb.
@smallexample
$ gdb -nw
@end smallexample
@item Attach to the running process to be debugged.
@smallexample
(gdb) attach 208
@end smallexample
@item Load the process debugging information.
@smallexample
(gdb) symbol-file main.exe
@end smallexample
@item Break somewhere in the DLL.
@smallexample
(gdb) break ada_dll
@end smallexample
@item Continue process execution.
@smallexample
(gdb) continue
@end smallexample
@end enumerate
@noindent
This last step will resume the process execution, and stop at
the breakpoint we have set. From there you can use the standard
approach to debug a program as described in
(@pxref{Running and Debugging Ada Programs}).
@node GNAT and COM/DCOM Objects
@section GNAT and COM/DCOM Objects
@findex COM
@findex DCOM
@noindent
This section is temporarily left blank.
@end ifset
@c **********************************
@c * GNU Free Documentation License *
@c **********************************
@include fdl.texi
@c GNU Free Documentation License
@node Index,,GNU Free Documentation License, Top
@unnumbered Index
@printindex cp
@contents
@c Put table of contents at end, otherwise it precedes the "title page" in
@c the .txt version
@c Edit the pdf file to move the contents to the beginning, after the title
@c page
@bye