18.20.3 Output of Uninitialized Variables

Each of the macros in this section is used to do the whole job of outputting a single uninitialized variable.

Macro: ASM_OUTPUT_COMMON (stream, name, size, rounded)

A C statement (sans semicolon) to output to the stdio stream stream the assembler definition of a common-label named name whose size is size bytes. The variable rounded is the size rounded up to whatever alignment the caller wants. It is possible that size may be zero, for instance if a struct with no other member than a zero-length array is defined. In this case, the backend must output a symbol definition that allocates at least one byte, both so that the address of the resulting object does not compare equal to any other, and because some object formats cannot even express the concept of a zero-sized common symbol, as that is how they represent an ordinary undefined external.

Use the expression assemble_name (stream, name) to output the name itself; before and after that, output the additional assembler syntax for defining the name, and a newline.

This macro controls how the assembler definitions of uninitialized common global variables are output.

Macro: ASM_OUTPUT_ALIGNED_COMMON (stream, name, size, alignment)

Like ASM_OUTPUT_COMMON except takes the required alignment as a separate, explicit argument. If you define this macro, it is used in place of ASM_OUTPUT_COMMON, and gives you more flexibility in handling the required alignment of the variable. The alignment is specified as the number of bits.

Macro: ASM_OUTPUT_ALIGNED_DECL_COMMON (stream, decl, name, size, alignment)

Like ASM_OUTPUT_ALIGNED_COMMON except that decl of the variable to be output, if there is one, or NULL_TREE if there is no corresponding variable. If you define this macro, GCC will use it in place of both ASM_OUTPUT_COMMON and ASM_OUTPUT_ALIGNED_COMMON. Define this macro when you need to see the variable’s decl in order to chose what to output.

Macro: ASM_OUTPUT_ALIGNED_BSS (stream, decl, name, size, alignment)

A C statement (sans semicolon) to output to the stdio stream stream the assembler definition of uninitialized global decl named name whose size is size bytes. The variable alignment is the alignment specified as the number of bits.

Try to use function asm_output_aligned_bss defined in file varasm.c when defining this macro. If unable, use the expression assemble_name (stream, name) to output the name itself; before and after that, output the additional assembler syntax for defining the name, and a newline.

There are two ways of handling global BSS. One is to define this macro. The other is to have TARGET_ASM_SELECT_SECTION return a switchable BSS section (see TARGET_HAVE_SWITCHABLE_BSS_SECTIONS). You do not need to do both.

Some languages do not have common data, and require a non-common form of global BSS in order to handle uninitialized globals efficiently. C++ is one example of this. However, if the target does not support global BSS, the front end may choose to make globals common in order to save space in the object file.

Macro: ASM_OUTPUT_LOCAL (stream, name, size, rounded)

A C statement (sans semicolon) to output to the stdio stream stream the assembler definition of a local-common-label named name whose size is size bytes. The variable rounded is the size rounded up to whatever alignment the caller wants.

Use the expression assemble_name (stream, name) to output the name itself; before and after that, output the additional assembler syntax for defining the name, and a newline.

This macro controls how the assembler definitions of uninitialized static variables are output.

Macro: ASM_OUTPUT_ALIGNED_LOCAL (stream, name, size, alignment)

Like ASM_OUTPUT_LOCAL except takes the required alignment as a separate, explicit argument. If you define this macro, it is used in place of ASM_OUTPUT_LOCAL, and gives you more flexibility in handling the required alignment of the variable. The alignment is specified as the number of bits.

Macro: ASM_OUTPUT_ALIGNED_DECL_LOCAL (stream, decl, name, size, alignment)

Like ASM_OUTPUT_ALIGNED_LOCAL except that decl of the variable to be output, if there is one, or NULL_TREE if there is no corresponding variable. If you define this macro, GCC will use it in place of both ASM_OUTPUT_LOCAL and ASM_OUTPUT_ALIGNED_LOCAL. Define this macro when you need to see the variable’s decl in order to chose what to output.